Frontline Education

1. Chrome (Web) Extensions for Engaging or Flipping

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, support staff, administrators, integrators.

Dates: 1/22/2020

Starting Soon

Google Extensions like Screencastify and Screenast-O-Matic can bring support to English Language Learners, students struggling with a concept or teachers wanting to support a more flipped environment. If you are a language teacher, Special Education Teacher or any grade level teacher, these extensions can help you and your classroom or your communication with students, staff and even community members. We can even look at other similar apps that can make a difference with students and staff members.

Please note, each district may make their own decisions on these extensions regarding Ed Law 2D. These workshops are guides to these resources.

2. World Book Webinar

Program: School Library System

Dates: 1/23/2020

Starting Soon

Take a look inside your World Book Online resources! This training will consist of an overview of each resource with a focus on the differences between them so that you feel comfortable guiding students and teachers to the proper place based on age, reading level, or purpose of their search.

3. MicroPD A-EDU 3.1: 21st Century Skills for the 6-12 Classroom

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

In this 5-hour micro-course, educators will learn how gamification, design thinking, and project-based learning can help them address much needed 21st-century skills in their classrooms.

4. MicroPD A-EDU 5.1: Effective Construction of Classroom Assessment

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

The main objective of this course is to gain familiarity with the construction of quality educator made assessments in the classroom. While there are many publisher made assessments available to classroom teachers, they are not guaranteed to be constructed most appropriate, align best to standards and/or best meet the needs of a diverse student population (culturally or cognitively). This course explores the multiple forms of items to be used in constructing assessments. The objective of the course is to highlight how to create an assessment and analyze the results to assure the teacher is using a high quality constructed tool to measure student achievement. The course is suited for district-level instructional staff/supervisors/administrators, school based administrators, instructional coaches, grade level instructional leaders, department chairpersons and classroom teachers.

5. MicroPD A-EDU 6.1: Essential Beginnings for Effective Classroom Management

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

The main objective of this mini-course is to gain familiarity with classroom management best practices to establish processes to support instruction in the classroom. Not only are the processes needed to facilitate increased level of student engagement, but also to educate parents and families on the expectations within the classroom from the beginning of the relationship with the teacher. This course explores multiple actions the classroom teacher can take to establish a proactive positive culture in their classroom from instructional/academic and socio-emotional perspectives that also align with best meeting student needs. The objective of the course is for a teacher to establish from the first days of class, processes to effectively manage the many instructional aspects that affect the classroom, and to become/remain open minded to the ever evolving process of continuous improvement as a professional. The course is suited for district-level instructional staff/supervisors/administrators, school-based administrators, instructional coaches, grade level instructional leaders, department chairpersons and classroom teachers.

6. MicroPD A-EDU 9.1: Project-Based Learning for the K-12 Classroom

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

Contrary to popular belief, project-based learning is much more than just integrating long-term group assignments into traditional instruction. PBL involves a shift in mindset toward instruction that prioritizes authenticity, cognitive challenge, reflection, and student's voice. In this 5-hour course, participants will learn basic project design and create the materials necessary to roll-out one gold-standard project.

7. MicroPD A-ELL 1.1: The SIOP Model: Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a research-based and validated instructional model that has proven effective in addressing the academic needs of English language learners throughout the United States. The SIOP Model consists of eight interrelated components: lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, strategies, interaction, practice/application, lesson delivery, review, and assessment. Using instructional strategies connected to each of these components, teachers are able to design and deliver lessons that address the academic and linguistic needs of all learners. In this course, all eight features of the SIOP model will be reviewed.

8. MicroPD A-ELL 2.2: Co-Teaching for English Language Learners

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

This course will offer practical ways to implement a collaborative service delivery model for ELLs in K-12 content area classrooms. The course will have a look at collaborative practices to enhance the co-planning, co-delivery, co-assessment, and reflection of culturally and linguistically responsive instruction. An overview of each of the seven co-teaching models will be discussed.

9. MicroPD A-EPL 1.1: Creating Safe Spaces in K-12 Schools: An Introduction

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

This 5-week mini-course to help provide a basic introduction to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students in your school and classroom. Educators who complete this course will be provided a discount and head start on the 15-credit course. Teachers and building leaders play an essential role in ensuring that all students feel safe and supported in the school setting. In this micro-course, we will look specifically at the experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools and some ways we can help provide a safe space for them in our classroom and school. This will include looking at data on how LGBTQ students feel in New York State schools, proper pronoun/language use in our classrooms and review of the legal protections for LGBTQ students in New York State.

10. MicroPD A-LTL 1.1: Building a Reading Community

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

All classrooms must create thoughtful and engaging literacy communities where students identify themselves as readers, writers, thinkers, and learners. It is imperative that teachers are readers themselves, specifically readers of children's literature, to best build a reading community and connect with students. This mini-course invites educators to explore their reading lives, to become wide and avid readers of children's literature and to apply their experiences to their classrooms to better connect students to books and cultivate a love of reading.

11. MicroPD A-LTL 3.1: The Power of Picturebooks

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 1/26/2020 to 3/1/2020

Today's diverse classrooms demand teachers who understand the power reading holds to change students' lives and the world around them. Our students deserve books that have characters and lives similar to their own. They also deserve books that help them think outside of themselves and provide windows into new cultures, ways of thinking or new experiences. Picturebooks provide the perfect opportunity to explore literature with students, deepen knowledge and understanding and build a literate classroom community. This mini-course invites educators to explore the research on reading aloud to students, learn about the artistic elements of picturebooks that support learning, explore a wide variety of texts and titles and learn how to harness the power of the read aloud to build critical literacy skills and caring communities.

12. Digital Threat Assessment Workshop

Program: Health & Safety

Dates: 1/28/2020

Safer Schools Together developed this full day Digital Threat Assessment (DTA) training workshop in 2015 to keep pace with the ever-evolving technology challenges that affect school and public safety today. The vast majority of recent school violence attacks have had precursors leaked online in the form of social media posts. Knowing where, how, and when to look for this critical information is the current challenge this nation faces, and it is one that we will thoroughly address.

We will cover the challenges that frontline investigators and school staff are currently facing including:

- Anonymous online threats
- Fake accounts
- Sexting and sextortion
- Geolocational utilities and their dangers
- Image verification of firearms and suicidal imagery
- Searching Instagram by school location & without needing to have an Instagram account

Successful student threat assessments cannot be determined without looking at the social media and online activity of the threat maker. It is imperative to understand the tools and methods available to you to identify and manage online threat related behavior.

We will use real-life case examples from our subject matter expert work across North America during this training. A significant portion of the day will be spent doing hands-on searching exercises on the most current social media sites and applications.

Important - LAPTOPS: You will need to bring along your fully charged laptop, MacBook, Microsoft Surface, or Google Chromebook to get the most from the hands-on portion of the training. Tablets are not compatible with some aspects of the trainings, and iPads have limited searching capabilities. Your computer will need unrestricted Wi-Fi access. Please test connectivity to a public network (i.e. Starbucks) before attending.

13. SLS Council Meeting

Program: School Library System

Audience: SLS Council Members

Dates: 1/28/2020

One of four meetings of the School Library System Council. The Council acts as a guide to the School Library System through the development of goals, objectives and action plans that align to the five-year plan. This group is represented by school librarians, administrators, public librarians, Capital District Library Council, and others.

14. SLS Library Department Leader Workshop Series - 1

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarian

Dates: 1/28/2020

Are you the official, or unofficial, department head of the library program at your school? Are you looking to learn how to juggle it all while also trying to complete your duties as a full time librarian? Wondering how to unite the rest of the librarians in your district toward a common goal? Or are you just curious to see how others manage to do it all? No matter what challenges you may face, there is help. Join us for this four part series of workshops that will focus on program advocacy, budgeting on a district level, working with other librarians in the district, and more.

15. Story Design: Innovative STEAM Projects

Program: School Library System

Audience: School librarians and classroom teachers

Dates: 1/28/2020

New

This interactive demonstration will show how a new and exclusive student-driven, project-based learning product from Barnes & Noble merges ELA with STEM. They have taken some of the most popular classroom books educators love to read & teach and combined them with exciting, interactive STEM activities. Story Design can increase student engagement and participation, encourage higher-order thinking skills, improve knowledge retention, and translate to better performance on assessments. During the session, you will walk through a sample curriculum guide and build an item, just like your students would do, to help a character in the story solve a problem. You will have a full understanding of how Story Design works by the end of the session.

16. January 2020 Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 1/29/2020

CTLE

Topics: Understanding State Aid Projections, Tax Cap

17. Step Up To Leadership - Session #3: An Inside View-What qualities, qualifications and experience do I need tor a leadership position?

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 1/29/2020

A panel of practitioners in various leadership positions will hold an interactive conversation to help attendees determine necessary qualifications for a variety of educational leadership positions. Opportunity for resume and cover letter evaluation will also be provided.

18. Model Schools Liaison Meeting

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 1/30/2020

The Model Schools Liaison meetings determine the district needs with regard to instructional technology, discuss the latest instructional technology trends, determine how to integrate technology into classrooms effectively, and discuss updates to state standards and policies. This group is for Instructional Technology teachers, Tech Directors, Ed Tech Coaches, and any others who are involved with instructional technology decision making in your district.

19. Focusing Learning Through Standards and Can-Do Statements BY INVITATION ONLY

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: BY INVITATION ONLY

Dates: On-Going (Ends Jan 30, 2020)

Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
How can we be as effective as possible in planning for language learning? The World-Readiness Standards answer the "what" of language learning, balancing the development of Communication with the meaningful exploration of Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. What really counts to move along the proficiency continuum? Unpack the major levels of proficiency by closely examining the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements organized by the three Modes of Communication and Intercultural Communication to fill in the "how well" to guide learners forward. Use the lens of Standards and Can-Do Statements to analyze key shifts for learners and educators.

20. Science for ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: ENL teachers are encouraged to attend with their co-teaching partners

Dates: On-Going (Ends Feb 4, 2020)

Tuesday, February 4, 2019 from 8:30AM-3:00PM
In this hands-on session, participants will learn and practice research-based strategies for developing ELLs' language skills and content knowledge simultaneously in a collaborative setting. Participants will analyze the language demands of science texts and activities and explore a variety of strategies for supporting ELLs in science. They will have the opportunity to apply these strategies to their context. **Lunch will be provided**

21. CYOA: Choose Your Own Adventure Stories Using Google Forms

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, support staff, administrators, integrators.

Dates: 2/4/2020

CYOA: Choose Your Own Adventure stories with Google Logic in Google Forms.

Google Forms are powerful. They can do quizzes, take poles, and gather information. They can also be used for Choose Your Own Adventure stories. If you were able to take one of my overview workshops on Scavenger Hunts and CYOA, this will be a deeper, slower dive into building a story. For your convenience, please bring or have in mind a story that you can branch off into a few directions. If you can't think of one, we can build one together.

Even if you are not into storytelling, this can still work for many situations. If you want to create a question or a series of items in Google Forms and when someone "Chooses a Path" it takes them down a specific way, then this is for you. Imagine that you have a question that you would like them to answer and wish that if they answered "Apples" it would lead them to a series of questions about apple pies, but if they answered "Oranges" they were led to information and questions and maybe even a video about oranges.

If this sounds interesting, then come register.

22. Project Based Learning and ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All teachers of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Feb 5, 2020)

Wednesday, February 5, 2020 from 8:30AM-3:00PM
In this hands-on session, participants will explore strategies for scaffolding and supporting ELLs' engagement in PBL. Participants will have an opportunity to apply this learning to their own context and develop a plan for use of PBL with ELLs in their classrooms. **Lunch will be provided**

23. February 2020 STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 2/5/2020

CTLE

Topics: Projections; NYSED Gold Star Report

24. School Library System Mentor Meeting #3

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 2/6/2020

The mentor program is an essential piece to a new librarian's professional growth. The mentor meetings foster a professional learning community in which new librarians discuss topics related to the profession and receive professional development on topics specifically related to the field of librarianship. This program does not take the place of any district mentor program, but serves as a supplement to the district program. Learning for this session will include advocacy, database ordering process, and other topics relevant to the profession. The overall goal of this program is to support the librarians and create a professional network that they can use to fortify their library program in the schools.

25. NewsBank Webinar

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians and Classroom Teachers

Dates: 2/6/2020

New

This session will demonstrate how NewsBank's resources support the research needs of librarians, teachers, and students with unique primary sources that align with the curriculum. The session will provide concrete examples of how the resources align and support the US and State history curriculum, as well as Science, English and other subject areas taught at all grade levels. You will leave this session with a complete understanding of how the resources help to foster the research process, engages students visually and intellectually to meet their research needs using processes and technology they are familiar with.

26. Advocacy for ELLs/MLLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All educators of ELLs/MLLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Feb 12, 2020)

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 12:00PM-3:00PM
Learn how to become an advocate through strategies covered in this 1/2 day session. We will explore what advocacy looks like at the following levels:
- Classroom advocacy
- School advocacy
- District advocacy
- State-level advocacy
- National advocacy
Participants will collaborate by sharing strategies and resources that contribute to advocacy efforts for English learners in our schools, their families, communities, and larger issues that impact our field.

27. Design and Development with Culturally & Linguistically Relevant Pedagogies

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Dates: On-Going (Ends Feb 13, 2020)

Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 8:30AM-3:00PM
Session 2 of 3: Attendees revisit and expand beyond the foundational principles of culturally and linguistically relevant frameworks by developing Critical Inquiry Project to be implemented in the everyday classroom. Emphasis is placed on an in-depth discussion, application, and planning that incorporates the principles of culturally and linguistically relevant frameworks within the current curriculum. **Lunch will be provided**

28. Microsoft Forms -- Getting Started

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 2/25/2020

New

Google or Microsoft? When it comes to Forms, they are both powerful. There are subtle differences between them. If you are a Microsoft user and want to be able to send out a survey or take a poll, then come to this two hour workshop. Forms are a great tool for staff, students and teachers alike. It is a great way to compile data and find out what others are thinking.

29. Microsoft Forms -- Getting Started

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 2/25/2020

New

Google or Microsoft? When it comes to Forms, they are both powerful. There are subtle differences between them. If you are a Microsoft user and want to be able to send out a survey or take a poll, then come to this two hour workshop. Forms are a great tool for staff, students and teachers alike. It is a great way to compile data.

30. SLS Follett User Group Meeting

Program: School Library System

Audience: Member Librarians in districts that purchase Follett through Questar

Dates: 2/26/2020

We will discuss enhancements and updates made to Follett 17.0.

31. Book Buzz with Britt Buckenroth - SPRING

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians and Teachers

Dates: 2/26/2020 to 4/22/2020

It's so hard to keep up with all the new books being published! This book club will give you the opportunity to expand your repertoire of NEW books, whether you are a school librarian or a teacher, as participants share the new books they have read. Participants will select and read NEW books (published in the last two years), from any genre, K-12 and write a book review. A review form will be provided. For each meeting, participants are expected to read either 1-2 chapter books, or 3-4 picture books and complete a review form for each book. ***PLEASE COME TO THE FIRST MEETING WITH COMPLETED BOOK REVIEWS AND READY TO DISCUSS YOUR FIRST SET OF CHOSEN BOOKS.*** The in-person one hour meetings will be held at Questar III Conference Center. Participants will earn a total of six credit hours for attending the three meetings and completing the required book reviews. This opportunity is open to school librarians and teachers at all grade levels.

32. Scavenger Hunts using Google Logic in Google Forms

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, support staff, administrators, integrators.

Dates: 2/27/2020

Google Forms are powerful. They can do quizzes, take poles, and gather information. They can also be used for Scavenger Hunts. If you were able to take one of my overview workshops on Scavenger Hunts and CYOA, this will be a deeper, slower dive into building a Scavenger Hunt from the creation of the question to the creation of the QR code. For your convenience, please bring (in a Google Doc) or have in mind a few questions with answers that you would like to use for your scavenger hunt.

If you have a Chromebook or laptop, please bring it to this workshop. If you need to borrow one, please email prior to the workshop so we can make sure we have one reserved for you.

33. Microsoft Forms and Logic!

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, staff, administrators, integrators.

Dates: 3/3/2020

Microsoft Forms are powerful and much easier to use than you may think. They can do quizzes, take poles, and gather information. They can also be used for Scavenger Hunts and Choose Your Own Adventure stories like Google. This is a new endeavor as Microsoft just added sections to Forms this summer.

12 Month staff: You do not have to build a story, but wouldn't it be great if you could lead your participant on a "story" of information? If they answer one way, they are led to one question but if they answer another way, they go to another question?

Come join in, if this sounds interesting.

34. The New Google Sites for Teachers

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, administrators, 10 and 12 month staff, and those who want to understand Google Apps.

Dates: 3/4/2020

New

The new Google Sites is not like the older version from a few years ago. It is completely upgraded and much more user-friendly. Learn how to create a Google Site and more importantly, we will discuss WHY you and your students may want to create Sites. Some ideas Google Sites may be a good resource: portfolios, class projects like research projects or science projects, group projects, schoolwide or gradewide endeavors, flipped resources, and/or afterschool programs. If you have a device like a Chromebook or laptop, please bring it to this workshop. Tablets or iPads will not work for this workshop. If your district is aligning curriculum to the ISTE Standards, we will be incorporating ISTE Standards into examples and discussions in this workshop.

(If you have a Chromebook or laptop, please bring it with you. While iPads and tablets function in the Google suite, they behave differently and have some limitations. We do have a limited amount of devices that can be used during the workshop. Please make sure that whatever documents you would like to reference, you have in your Google Drive or on your computer.)

This workshop is $25 for Questar III Model Schools subscribers and $50 for non-subscribers.

35. Naviance User Group

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Naviance "power" users and Guidance Counselors.

Dates: 3/5/2020

Naviance

New

The User Group will focus on: Naviance school/district engagement reports; Naviance updates and changes; Question and Answer session; Best practices; Help using Naviance to build out your New York Comprehensive Guidance Plan requirements. Also discussed will be College, Career, and Life Readiness Framework (CCLR Framework). CCLR Framework provides a blueprint to prepare middle and high school students for success after graduation. This practical tool set helps schools and districts of all sizes define, measure, and track success for their college, career and life readiness initiatives.

**PLEASE NOTE**

1. This year we are asking for participant to share 5 minutes of Best Practice/Success Story of how you were able to engage students in a meaningful way using Naviance regarding College and Career. Please be prepared to discuss.

2. Lunch is provided free from Panera and the UserGroup is free for Questar III BOCES Model Schools subscribers.

9am-2pm
March 5, 2020
Lunch included

36. Effectively Advocating for ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All teachers and administrators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 6, 2020)

Closed

This is a seven week winter course offered by SupportEd that runs from January 21-March 6, 2020. This 10-hour interactive course is based on Diane Staehr Fenner's book Advocating for English Learners. Educators and administrators participate in PLC discussions to support each other as they learn EL advocacy strategies and develop a plan for EL advocacy in their context. Participants will complete the course by setting short term goals, long term goals, and action steps using a template designed for this course.

37. Effectively Reaching Your Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE)

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All teachers and administrators of SIFE

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 6, 2020)

This is a seven week winter course offered by SupportEd that runs from January 21-March 6, 2020. This 10-hour facilitated course framed around PLC discussions provides educators and administrators with tools to apply effective, practical strategies to develop sound educational programs and instructional support for their SLIFE. Participants will have the option to apply their knowledge either by tailoring a lesson plan for their SLIFE or by determining action steps for their SLIFE program using a goal setting template.

38. Strategies for Building ELLs' Academic Language

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 6, 2020)

This is a seven week winter course offered by SupportEd that runs from January 21-March 6, 2020. Based on the book Unlocking ELs' Potential, the course will explore research-based practices for supporting ELs as participants acquire both language and content knowledge in this course. This 10-hour course, framed around Professional Learning Community (PLC) discussions, provides educators the opportunity to apply best practices to support their ELs at the word, sentence, and discourse levels. Participants will apply their knowledge to develop a culminating lesson with a planning template.

39. Strategies for Making Content Accessible to ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All teachers and administrators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 6, 2020)

Closed

This is a seven week winter course offered by SupportEd that runs from January 21-March 6, 2020. Participants will delve into research-based practices based on the book Unlocking ELs' Potential. Topics in this 10-hour PLC discussion-based course include best practices in scaffolding content instruction for ELs, supporting oral language development, and implementing formative assessments. The course will culminate with a formative assessment planning activity with the option to complete it individually or collaboratively.

40. MicroPD A-EDU 3.2: 21st Century Skills for the 6-12 Classroom

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

In this 5-hour micro-course, educators will learn how gamification, design thinking, and project-based learning can help them address much needed 21st-century skills in their classrooms.

41. MicroPD A-EDU 5.2: Effective Construction of Classroom Assessment

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

The main objective of this course is to gain familiarity with the construction of quality educator made assessments in the classroom. While there are many publisher made assessments available to classroom teachers, they are not guaranteed to be constructed most appropriate, align best to standards and/or best meet the needs of a diverse student population (culturally or cognitively). This course explores the multiple forms of items to be used in constructing assessments. The objective of the course is to highlight how to create an assessment and analyze the results to assure the teacher is using a high quality constructed tool to measure student achievement. The course is suited for district-level instructional staff/supervisors/administrators, school based administrators, instructional coaches, grade level instructional leaders, department chairpersons and classroom teachers.

42. MicroPD A-EDU 6.2: Essential Beginnings for Effective Classroom Management

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

The main objective of this mini-course is to gain familiarity with classroom management best practices to establish processes to support instruction in the classroom. Not only are the processes needed to facilitate increased level of student engagement, but also to educate parents and families on the expectations within the classroom from the beginning of the relationship with the teacher. This course explores multiple actions the classroom teacher can take to establish a proactive positive culture in their classroom from instructional/academic and socio-emotional perspectives that also align with best meeting student needs. The objective of the course is for a teacher to establish from the first days of class, processes to effectively manage the many instructional aspects that affect the classroom, and to become/remain open minded to the ever evolving process of continuous improvement as a professional. The course is suited for district-level instructional staff/supervisors/administrators, school-based administrators, instructional coaches, grade level instructional leaders, department chairpersons and classroom teachers.

43. MicroPD A-EDU 9.2: Project-Based Learning for the K-12 Classroom

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

Contrary to popular belief, project-based learning is much more than just integrating long-term group assignments into traditional instruction. PBL involves a shift in mindset toward instruction that prioritizes authenticity, cognitive challenge, reflection, and student's voice. In this 5-hour course, participants will learn basic project design and create the materials necessary to roll-out one gold-standard project.

44. MicroPD A-ELL 1.2: The SIOP Model: Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a research-based and validated instructional model that has proven effective in addressing the academic needs of English language learners throughout the United States. The SIOP Model consists of eight interrelated components: lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, strategies, interaction, practice/application, lesson delivery, review, and assessment. Using instructional strategies connected to each of these components, teachers are able to design and deliver lessons that address the academic and linguistic needs of all learners. In this course, all eight features of the SIOP model will be reviewed.

45. MicroPD A-ELL 2.1: Co-Teaching for English Language Learners

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

This course will offer practical ways to implement a collaborative service delivery model for ELLs in K-12 content area classrooms. The course will have a look at collaborative practices to enhance the co-planning, co-delivery, co-assessment, and reflection of culturally and linguistically responsive instruction. An overview of each of the seven co-teaching models will be discussed.

46. MicroPD A-EPL 1.2: Creating Safe Spaces in K-12 Schools: An Introduction

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

This 5-week mini-course to help provide a basic introduction to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students in your school and classroom. Educators who complete this course will be provided a discount and head start on the 15-credit course. Teachers and building leaders play an essential role in ensuring that all students feel safe and supported in the school setting. In this micro-course, we will look specifically at the experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools and some ways we can help provide a safe space for them in our classroom and school. This will include looking at data on how LGBTQ students feel in New York State schools, proper pronoun/language use in our classrooms and review of the legal protections for LGBTQ students in New York State.

47. MicroPD A-LTL 1.2: Building a Reading Community

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

All classrooms must create thoughtful and engaging literacy communities where students identify themselves as readers, writers, thinkers, and learners. It is imperative that teachers are readers themselves, specifically readers of children's literature, to best build a reading community and connect with students. This mini-course invites educators to explore their reading lives, to become wide and avid readers of children's literature and to apply their experiences to their classrooms to better connect students to books and cultivate a love of reading.

48. MicroPD A-LTL 3.2: The Power of Picturebooks

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 3/8/2020 to 4/12/2020

Today's diverse classrooms demand teachers who understand the power reading holds to change students' lives and the world around them. Our students deserve books that have characters and lives similar to their own. They also deserve books that help them think outside of themselves and provide windows into new cultures, ways of thinking or new experiences. Picturebooks provide the perfect opportunity to explore literature with students, deepen knowledge and understanding and build a literate classroom community. This mini-course invites educators to explore the research on reading aloud to students, learn about the artistic elements of picturebooks that support learning, explore a wide variety of texts and titles and learn how to harness the power of the read aloud to build critical literacy skills and caring communities.

49. Focus Group 3: Literacy and ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All educators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 10, 2020)

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 3:45PM-5:45PM
For the third Focus Group of the 2019-2020 school year, educators will become students and actively engage in a series of protocols that will build and sustain academic conversation for diverse learners. They will engage with texts from multiple content areas (science, math, social studies and ELA) as they experience the protocols and resources themselves. All participants will leave with templates and/or links in order to recreate these valuable resources in their own contexts.

50. THREE-DIMENSIONAL INSTRUCTION AND THE NGSS BY PAUL ANDERSEN

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 3/11/2020

Join us for a workshop presented by Paul Andersen. The K-5 New York State Science Learning Standards represent the largest conceptual shift in teaching science in decades. The addition of engineering design and an increased emphasis on the practices of science could revolutionize elementary classrooms. However, this revolution will only occur if elementary teachers understand the standards and make pedagogical changes in the classrooms.

Teachers and leaders attending the workshop engage in scientific inquiry that is guided by authentic assessments and best practices. Come and experience this new form of 3-dimension instruction with Paul Andersen as your guide. Explore the wonders of science as you rediscover the curiosity that guided your childhood. Teachers should come prepared to do science! Please bring a laptop with you.

This program is for grade K-5 science teachers.

51. March 2020 Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 3/11/2020

CTLE

Topics: Budget Vote Process, Disclosure Requirements, Contingent Budget

52. 2020 NYSESLAT Speaking/Writing Turnkey Training

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators who are new to the NYSESLAT and have not received any training on administering/scoring this exam

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 12, 2020)

Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 8:30AM-3:00PM, lunch will be provided
This training will address administration and scoring of the Speaking and Writing Sessions of the NYSESLAT. For this NYSESLAT Turnkey Training we will:
Review test structure
Review rubrics
Practice scoring
**Lunch will be provided**

53. Getting Started with Google Apps for Education

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 3/17/2020

Google Basics

New

There are so many people that say, "Just send it in a Google Doc," or ,"Just share it in a Google Folder." How do we even get to the sharing part? How do I share? How do I even create a Google Folder?

We will start with Google Drive-- the "Hub" of Google's suite of apps and also spend time learning how to ORGANIZE that wonderful space and take the chaos of loose, disorganized documents and turn it into something more orderly.

This workshop will also start from the roots -- looking at the structure of Google-- the similarities and differences of the traditional Microsoft Office. From Google Drive we will lightly go into the different programs Google has to offer and spend time going over sharing and privacy options when sharing.

We will go over the basics of these Google Apps:
--Drive --Docs
--Slides
--Sheets
--Keep

This workshop is $25 for Questar III Model Schools subscribers and $50 for non-subscribers.

54. Deeper Dive with Google Apps

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, administrators, 10 and 12 month staff, and those who want to understand Google Apps.

Dates: 3/17/2020

New

Let's dive into Google Apps, but not too deep. This workshop will go into Google Drive, Docs, and Slides, Sheets and Keep, where we will create products in each app, manipulate them with different features, edit them, try out features, and share. The goal is to have a working knowledge of the main players of Google and how each app works alongside Google Drive.

(If you have a Chromebook or laptop, please bring it with you. While iPads and tablets function in the Google suite, they behave differently and have some limitations. We do have a limited amount of devices that can be used during the workshop. Please make sure that whatever documents you would like to reference, you have in your Google Drive or on your computer.)

This workshop is $25 for Questar III Model Schools subscribers and $50 for non-subscribers.

55. Step Up to Leadership 2019-20 Series Session #4 Crises and Critical Incidents Confronting School Leaders

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 3/18/2020

An opportunity to problem-solve and "think on your feet" while analyzing real-life incidents and scenarios

56. Developing Proficiency Through High-Leverage Teaching Practices BY INVITATION ONLY

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: BY INVITATION ONLY

Dates: On-Going (Ends Mar 19, 2020)

Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
How can I be the most effective language educator to guide my learners to higher levels of proficiency? High-leverage Teaching Practices are research-based strategies to answer that question. Experience and analyze specific instructional moves to implement the vision of the World-Readiness Standards and to develop proficiency as detailed in the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements. Deconstruct and reflect on how to apply in your classroom "what works" to facilitate target language comprehensibility, support the development of the Interpersonal mode through pair and small group conversations or discussions, and access and discuss authentic resources to develop the Interpretive Mode. Strengthen your core practices!

57. Earn a Certificate in Instruction for Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 3/23/2020 to 3/24/2020

New

Questar III BOCES is pleased to announce a two-day training that can lead to a Certificate in Instruction for Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development. This training is offered through the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools 1/4 a partnership of the College of Saint Elizabeth and Rutgers University's Social-Emotional and Character Development (SECD) Lab. This unique, non-credit program offers all educational staff, school mental health professionals and those working in afterschool programs the opportunity to acquire a foundation of knowledge and research about the relationship between academic achievement and SEL competencies, learn how to build students' social-emotional and character development (SECD) skills and mindsets, and develop skill in pedagogical strategies to integrate SECD principles into all aspects of teaching.

58. SLS Communication Coordinator Meeting - JOINT WITH COUNCIL

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 3/25/2020

One of at least four meetings for SLS Communication Coordinators as mandated by NY State Education Law 90.18. Communication coordinators are updated on topics relevant to the profession such as changes in curriculum, technology, and the Information Fluency Continuum. Professional Development is provided on current issues. Information is disseminated to district librarians after each meeting. All school librarians are welcome. Lunch is provided. Please bring an electronic device such as a laptop or tablet. Council members should sign up once.

59. SLS Council Meeting

Program: School Library System

Audience: SLS Council Members

Dates: 3/25/2020

One of four meetings of the School Library System Council. The Council acts as a guide to the School Library System through the development of goals, objectives and action plans that align to the five-year plan. This group is represented by school librarians, administrators, public librarians, Capital District Library Council, and others.

60. March 2020 STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 3/25/2020

CTLE

Topics: DVPUB verifications for 2018-19 10-month public placements; DCPUB cost calculation; DCPOD STAC screen

61. School Library System Mentor Meeting #2 (RESCHEDULED)

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 3/26/2020

The mentor program is an essential piece to a new librarian's professional growth. The mentor meetings foster a professional learning community in which new librarians discuss topics related to the profession and receive professional development on topics specifically related to the field of librarianship. This program does not take the place of any district mentor program, but serves as a supplement to the district program. Learning for this session will include budgeting, ordering, and classroom management. The overall goal of this program is to support the librarians and create a professional network that they can use to fortify their library program in the schools.

62. Microsoft Tools for All Learners

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers, support staff, administrators, integrators.

Dates: 4/2/2020

Microsoft has exploded in the realm for Accessibility. There are Apps on the iPhone and iPads for the blind, there are live translation tools for PowerPoint that also work with the Translation tool on the iPhone and iPad that translate directly to multiple languages. We will look at this and a few other Microsoft tools designed for Accessibility that are not just for translation. Some are designed for learning and reading as well.

If you have access to Microsoft, please come and learn what Microsoft has for you and your students. If you have Office 365, then you have access.

63. Apirl 2020 STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 4/8/2020

CTLE

Topics: Review March payments; Statute of Limitations; 2020-21 Program Service Dates; Reapplication process; DCERT

64. April 2020 Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 4/9/2020

CTLE

Topics: State Budget Analysis, Property Tax Report Card, Budget Notice, Budget Statement

65. Designing Effective Units of Instruction BY INVITATION ONLY

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: BY INVITATION ONLY

Dates: On-Going (Ends Apr 23, 2020)

Thursday, April 23, 2020 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
How can I focus each unit to effectively develop and assess learners' performance? Using the principles of backward design (UbD), plan one unit of instruction: identify the goals (from Standards and Can-Do Statements), determine acceptable evidence (design assessment of each Mode of Communication), and plan the instruction (what learners need to know and be able to do). The heart of the unit design is envisioning what success looks like as you create the assessments for the end of a unit of instruction. Integrate the assessment of the three Modes of Communication and measure growth in what learners can do with what they know. Build your repertoire for the effective design of tasks in the three Modes of Communication targeting Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced levels of proficiency.

66. Step Up to Leadership 2019-20 Series Session #5 Case Studies: What Would YOU Do?

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 4/23/2020

Team analysis and decision-making to determine comprehensive solutions to contemporary challenges

67. Focus Group 4: Tech and ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: All educators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends May 6, 2020)

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 from 3:45PM-5:45PM
The Fourth Focus group for the 2019-2020 school year will explore different technology tools in these categories:

- Communication tools
- Translations tools
- Different ways to make text accessible
- Tools students can use to produce or publish their work
- Interactive Assessments
- Augmented and virtual Reality
- And more!

68. Advanced Work with Culturally & Linguistically Relevant Pedagogies

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Dates: On-Going (Ends May 7, 2020)

Thursday, May 7, 2020 from 8:30AM-3:00PM
Session 3 of 3: Attendees will participate in a teacher showcase of their Critical Inquiry Projects and learn additional culturally and linguistically relevant strategies and techniques that enrich curriculum design and development for classroom use. Emphasis is placed on deepening curriculum and instructional knowledge and application of culturally and linguistically relevant frameworks. **Lunch will be provided**

69. SLS Communication Coordinator Meeting

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 5/13/2020

One of at least four meetings for SLS Communication Coordinators as mandated by NY State Education Law 90.18. Communication coordinators are updated on topics relevant to the profession such as changes in curriculum, technology, and the Information Fluency Continuum. Professional Development is provided on current issues. Information is disseminated to district librarians after each meeting. All school librarians are welcome. Lunch is provided. Please bring an electronic device such as a laptop or tablet.

70. May 2020 STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 5/13/2020

CTLE

Topics: Summer school applications; district chargebacks; tracking payments; reconciling aid; out-of-state placements

71. School Library System Mentor Meeting #4

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 5/13/2020

The mentor program is an essential piece to a new librarian's professional growth. The mentor meetings foster a professional learning community in which new librarians discuss topics related to the profession and receive professional development on topics specifically related to the field of librarianship. This program does not take the place of any district mentor program, but serves as a supplement to the district program. This last meeting will serve as a time for reflection on the year and goal setting for the next year. The overall goal of this program is to support the librarians and create a professional network that they can use to fortify their library program in the schools.

72. SLS Council Meeting

Program: School Library System

Audience: SLS Council Members

Dates: 5/19/2020

One of four meetings of the School Library System Council. The Council acts as a guide to the School Library System through the development of goals, objectives and action plans that align to the five-year plan. This group is represented by school librarians, administrators, public librarians, Capital District Library Council, and others.

73. May 2020 Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 5/27/2020

CTLE

Topics: Health Services and Non-Resident Billing

74. Twice-Exceptional ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: all administrators and educators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Jun 1, 2020)

Monday, June 1, 2020 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
Even if we are experts in serving the needs of our English Language Learners, when another variable is added, it can be a challenge to make the best decisions for students who are ELLs plus. This PD will cover ELLs with Disabilities, ELLs with 504s and Gifted and Talented ELLs. We will explore the national and state regulations for each area and use these to better understand the procedures needed to ensure our ELLs are receiving the support they need and deserve. If you've ever been faced with any of the questions below, this PD is for you!

- Should I refer my ELL to Special Education?

- How can I tell the difference between language disability and language difference?

- Are my school's processes for referrals in the best interest of our ELLs?

- How will my ELL exit Special Education or ENL classification?

- How might parents of ELLs respond to Special Education programs, 504 plans or Gifted and Talented opportunities?

- How might I collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning environment?

Participants will receive a copy of the book Special Education Considerations for English Language Learners by Hamayan, Marler, Sanchez-Lopez and Damico.
**Lunch will be provided**

75. June 2020 STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 6/10/2020

CTLE

Topics: Statute of Limitations; online verification; NYSED gold star report; other timely information

76. June 2020 Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 6/17/2020

CTLE

Topics: Preparing and Collecting Data (Year-End Closing and ST-3 Items)

77. Response to Intervention (RtI) for ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Administrators and Educators of ELLs

Dates: On-Going (Ends Jun 18, 2020)

Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 9:00AM-3:00PM
Twice-Exceptional ELLs 2.0- a deeper dive into strategies and considerations to support English Learners using the RtI process. This workshop will help administrators and educators to identify strategies and possible structures of programs that will support their ELLs/MLLs using the RtI process. Participants will then have the opportunity to review their existing RtI structure as it is currently used with ELLs/MLLs and analyze intervention strategies and practices.

Participants will receive a copy of the book RTI for Diverse Learners by Catherine Collier to support with more than 200 instructional interventions.
**Lunch will be provided**

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