Greenwich Free Library newsletter

Snapchat Depression

GREENWICH 13, CAMBRIDGE 4

GREENWICH 9, STILLWATER 7

Greenwich girls sweep

Greenwich edges out Schenectady

NYSMSA’s E-Blast

FYI

“If You Can See It, You Can Be It” – A Day for Girls to See What Is Possible

• Governor Cuomo announced the launch of “If You Can See It, You Can Be It” – a day for girls to see what is possible. On April 26, New York State will partner with companies across the state to show girls from lower-income communities and in the foster care system what roles are available outside of the “traditional” career paths for girls, and particularly women in leadership roles, for a day of mentoring and career-learning activities. The initiative is part of Governor Cuomo’s 2018 Women’s Agenda for New York: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity.
• The Governor’s office will work to connect companies with girls from elementary, middle, or high schools from the region. If a company has an existing relationship with a school group, they can work directly with that group as well.
• More information is available on the “If You Can See It, You Can Be It” website.
• For any additional questions, email Valery.Galasso@exec.ny.gov.

FYI

Expiring Initial and Professional Certificate Holders (see attached)

• You are receiving this communication to provide you with the helpful information to ensure that certificate holders in your district act quickly so that their certificates do not expire.
• District/School administrative personnel may contact the Office of Teaching Initiatives at otiadmin@nysed.gov or by phone at (518) 474-4661.
•  Please see the attached memo titled, “Expiring Initial and Professional Certificate Holders”.

FYI

Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality (TAC-D) 2018 Summer Institute – DISPROPORTIONALITY: RACE, POLICY, AND JUSTICE

• The Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality (TAC-D), in partnership with the New York State Education Department, is hosting TAC-D’s 2018 Summer Institute on Friday, May 18th. The conference, whose theme is “Disproportionality: Race, Policy, and Justice” will provide educators and practitioners with opportunities to learn how to incorporate conversations about and including race, discuss educational policies, and address ways to establish justice and equitable outcomes for our children.  A number of notable experts, including Dr. Yohuru Williams, Dr.Khalil Gibran Muhammad, and Mr. Shaka Senghor will give keynote talks throughout the day.
• The goal for the Institute is to provide school district staff, technical assistance providers and researchers with strategies, tools, research, and information that they can bring back to their colleagues and use in meaningful ways to improve the policies, practices, and procedures in their districts and schools.
• The Summer Institute will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at New York University’s Kimmel Center located at 60 Washington Square S., New York, NY 10012.
• To learn more about the 2018 Summer Institute, including registration information, please see: TAC-D’s 2018 Summer Institute
• Questions regarding this professional development offering may be directed to Stephen Marchant, Associate in Education, at (518) 486-7462 or speced@nysed.gov

FYI

E-rate Entity and Annex Validation – Update to Requirements (see attachment)

• Please be advised that for the purposes of E-rate funding, effective immediately, NYSED will validate entities and annexes only if the entity or annex is properly listed in SEDREF (NYSED’s electronic school database system).
• Please see the attached memo titled, “E-Rate Validation Memo 4-2018.docx,” for more information.
• Questions regarding E-rate validation may be directed to the Office of Educational Design & Technology at 518-474-5461 or edtech@nysed.gov.

Here are 33 Cardio-Based Bodyweight Exercises– no equipment necessary!

The Greenwich Central School District Business Office has a new and improved page.  For the latest in budget and finance, property tax information or human resources for the Greenwich CSD checkout this new resource.

Assistant Commissioner Colón-Collins asked that we share the following information with you.

Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages

New York State Education Department

ACTION

Standards Review Call for Nominations (see attached)

• You are receiving this communication to inform you that the NYS Education Department is seeking nominations for teachers to serve on the Grades 3-8 Englis Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests Standards Review Committees.
• The Committees will meet on Monday, July 9-Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day in the Albany area.
• See attached memorandum titled, “Standards Review Call for Nominations.pdf” for additional information.
• Please submit the names of up to five nominees to Michael Drozdowski via email (Michael.Drozdowski@nysed.gov) by Friday, April 27, 2018.  In addition, the nominees must fill out the recruitment form posted on the Department’s website at NYS Testing Program Test Development Recruitment , if they have not already done so.
• For questions regarding nominations or the meetings, contact Michael Drozdowski at Michael.Drozdowski@nysed.gov or 518-474-5902.

ACTION

Free Resource Now Available to Schools – NYS Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Educational Resource Flash Drive Toolkit (see attached)

• The Commissioners from the NYS Education Department (NYSED), the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the NYS Department of Health have partnered together to provide schools with a flash drive of over 80 valuable resources including:

1. Presentations, videos, and discussion guides about the opioid and heroin epidemic;
2. Materials and guidance on having substance misuse conversations;
3. Combat Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Kitchen Table Toolkit including first hand stories and videos from real New Yorkers and young people in recovery;
4. NYSED’s approved training program for school personnel to implement an opioid overdose prevention program and ordering free naloxone; and
5. The Health Education Standards Modernization Guide: An Instructional Resource Packet for Heroin and Opioids to help school districts provide required instruction.

• See attached memorandum titled, “OpioidEducationalResourceApril2018.pdf” for additional information.
• Quantities are limited.  School administrators may order the free toolkit by sending an email to B0019W@health.ny.gov
• Education leaders can continue to help promote awareness and prevention efforts by utilizing this flash drive as a guide for school and community conversations and forums to help prevent and address substance use among NYS students.

FYI

Office of Special Education Youth Advisory Panel Openings – Student Membership

• You are receiving this communication to inform you that the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED’s) Office of Special Education is seeking nominations for new members for the Youth Advisory Panel. NYSED is currently seeking student members from the central and western New York regions.  A youth may be nominated by a parent, teacher, employer, or other adult familiar with the individual.  Youth who are 18 years of age or older may nominate themselves.

• The Youth Advisory Panel was established in 2014 to advise the Office of Special Education on proposed policies related to the education of students with disabilities. The Panel consists of youth either currently attending high school or having exited high school within the past two years.  Members have been identified as students with disabilities and are receiving or have received special education services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Additional information can be found at NYSED’s Youth Advisory Panel webpage.

• Members are appointed for a two-year term.  The Panel meets three times a year for up to three hours per meeting session. Meetings are typically held at the State Education Building in Albany, New York. Members and one accompanying adult are reimbursed for necessary travel expenses for attending meetings.
• Completed Nomination to Serve on the Youth Advisory Panel forms should be submitted to the address below or faxed to (518) 473-5387 or emailed to speced@mail.nysed.gov.

New York State Education Department

P-12:  Office of Special Education

89 Washington Avenue, Room 309 EB

Albany, New York 12234

Attention:  Youth Advisory Panel

• Questions may be directed to Megan Brown or Meghan Whelan, Associates in the Special Education Policy Unit, at 518-473-2878 or speced@nysed.gov.

On Wednesday the Friends of Rachel club ventured down to the Middle Grade Building to paint Kindness Rocks with the Kindness Club.  The Kindness Rocks will be placed around the Greenwich Campus and Cynthia Meadows. Hoping to spread a little kindness!

Taking a Regents exam why not review?

Miss Giuliana Cianfarani and Mrs. Katelynn Kwiecien want to thank Whalen Chevrolet for donating 10 puppets for use in the classroom.

Ms. K incorporated these puppets into social skills class lessons recently.

The kids loved using the puppets!

How to Harness Your Mental Strength,

According to Marathon Record Holder Deena Kastor

ACTION

Standards Review Call for Nominations (see attached)

• You are receiving this communication to inform you that the NYS Education Department is seeking nominations for teachers to serve on the Grades 3-8 Englis Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests Standards Review Committees.
• The Committees will meet on Monday, July 9-Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day in the Albany area.
• See attached memorandum titled, “Standards Review Call for Nominations.pdf” for additional information.
• Please submit the names of up to five nominees to Michael Drozdowski via email (Michael.Drozdowski@nysed.gov) by Friday, April 27, 2018.  In addition, the nominees must fill out the recruitment form posted on the Department’s website at NYS Testing Program Test Development Recruitment , if they have not already done so.
• For questions regarding nominations or the meetings, contact Michael Drozdowski at Michael.Drozdowski@nysed.gov or 518-474-5902.

ACTION

Free Resource Now Available to Schools – NYS Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Educational Resource Flash Drive Toolkit (see attached)

• The Commissioners from the NYS Education Department (NYSED), the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the NYS Department of Health have partnered together to provide schools with a flash drive of over 80 valuable resources including:

1. Presentations, videos, and discussion guides about the opioid and heroin epidemic;
2. Materials and guidance on having substance misuse conversations;
3. Combat Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Kitchen Table Toolkit including first hand stories and videos from real New Yorkers and young people in recovery;
4. NYSED’s approved training program for school personnel to implement an opioid overdose prevention program and ordering free naloxone; and
5. The Health Education Standards Modernization Guide: An Instructional Resource Packet for Heroin and Opioids to help school districts provide required instruction.

• See attached memorandum titled, “OpioidEducationalResourceApril2018.pdf” for additional information.
• Quantities are limited.  School administrators may order the free toolkit by sending an email to B0019W@health.ny.gov
• Education leaders can continue to help promote awareness and prevention efforts by utilizing this flash drive as a guide for school and community conversations and forums to help prevent and address substance use among NYS students.

FYI

Office of Special Education Youth Advisory Panel Openings – Student Membership

• You are receiving this communication to inform you that the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED’s) Office of Special Education is seeking nominations for new members for the Youth Advisory Panel. NYSED is currently seeking student members from the central and western New York regions.  A youth may be nominated by a parent, teacher, employer, or other adult familiar with the individual.  Youth who are 18 years of age or older may nominate themselves.

• The Youth Advisory Panel was established in 2014 to advise the Office of Special Education on proposed policies related to the education of students with disabilities. The Panel consists of youth either currently attending high school or having exited high school within the past two years.  Members have been identified as students with disabilities and are receiving or have received special education services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Additional information can be found at NYSED’s Youth Advisory Panel webpage.

• Members are appointed for a two-year term.  The Panel meets three times a year for up to three hours per meeting session. Meetings are typically held at the State Education Building in Albany, New York. Members and one accompanying adult are reimbursed for necessary travel expenses for attending meetings.
• Completed Nomination to Serve on the Youth Advisory Panel forms should be submitted to the address below or faxed to (518) 473-5387 or emailed to speced@mail.nysed.gov.

New York State Education Department

P-12:  Office of Special Education

89 Washington Avenue, Room 309 EB

Albany, New York 12234

Attention:  Youth Advisory Panel

• Questions may be directed to Megan Brown or Meghan Whelan, Associates in the Special Education Policy Unit, at 518-473-2878 or speced@nysed.gov.

This picture of Caroline was omitted from the original post.  Congratulations to all of our students!

Pictures of Pi Contest winners with Town of Greenwich Supervisor, Sara Idleman.

Cleaner 04-11-18

Protecting Your Children (1)

Safe Harbour conference press release (1)

ACTION REQUIRED

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Teacher Survey (see attachment)

• The NYSAA teacher survey is an essential part of data collection in support of the assessment. The results of the survey will be used to document the quality of the assessment system and to inform future improvements.
• Each participating teacher is asked to submit a survey, if available, for at least one of their students, but not necessarily for all of them.
• If a teacher inadvertently opens the survey, the teacher may click the “Exit Does Not Save” option, which will allow the teacher to leave the survey without paging through.
• Please find attached a copy of the memorandum titled, “New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) DLM Teacher Survey”
• Questions may be directed to the Office of State Assessment at (518) 474-5902 or emscassessinfo@nysed.gov.

ACTION REQUIRED

Survey on Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Practices

• NYSED is collecting information about culturally responsive-sustaining (CR-S) practices throughout the state. Please go to Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education in New York State Survey to fill out a quick 5-minute survey on how your school or district engages in this kind of work and whether you or your staff would like to participate in a statewide initiative on CR-S education. The survey will stay open until Friday, April 27 at 5pm.
• NYSED and the Board of Regents have committed to prioritizing culturally responsiveness practices across the state. Currently, we do not have consistent information on which districts have already engaged in this important work. The purpose of this survey is to (a) collect information about current activities related to cultural responsiveness throughout the state, and (b) recruit stakeholders to become involved in the ongoing work on the cultural responsiveness framework.
• Questions may be directed to Juliette Lyons-Thomas at 212-290-5974 or juliette.lyons-thomas@nysed.gov.

MUST KNOW

Classroom materials available for National Donate Life Month

• April is National Donate Life Month recognizing the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. The New York State Education Department, the Donate Life New York State, and stakeholders partnered in making resources on organ, eye and tissue donation available to school districts.
• In fall 2017, work was completed with organizations that promote organ and tissue donation to develop model curriculum, useful lesson plans and current instructional resources on the importance and value of organ and tissue donation.
• To access the classroom materials, visit the New York State Center for School Health.

FYI
Science Education Update

• New resources have been posted to support science standards implementation including the Spring 2018 Science Education Update Presentation and the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards Implementation Roadmap and Roadmap Overview.
• All available resources are located at New NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards . It is encouraged that this link and the description above be shared with all applicable parties to facilitate the transition process.
• Questions regarding the provided science resources may be directed to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, at 518-474-5922 or emscurric@nysed.gov.

FYI

2017 GROUP II NYS REPORT CARD EMBARGOED RELEASE

• You are receiving this communication to inform you of the data, timing, and how to access the data for the embargoed release.
• Please see attached memo, “NYS 2017 Group II SRC Secure Release to Districts”
• To access your embargoed data at: NYS Public Data Site, you must be an authorized district/school user with an account created and managed through the State Education Department’s Delegated Account System (SEDDAS)
• If you believe you are a designated user and need assistance with accessing your embargoed district/school data, please contact your Level 1 data center.
• Questions, for things other than accessing your embargoed data, may be directed to Office of Information and Reporting Services, at 518-474-7965, or Datasupport.

FYI

2017 GROUP II NYS REPORT CARD PUBLIC RELEASE

• You are receiving this communication to inform you of the public release of the 2017 NYS Group 2 Report Card data
• Please see attached memo, “NYS 2017 Group II SRC Public Release”
• Public data is accessible at: NYS Public Data Site
• Questions, may be directed to Office of Information and Reporting Services, at 518-474-7965, or Datasupport

13 Kids Who Care: Kandice Wilbur

Kandice Wilbur is a senior at Greenwich High School. She spends some of her weekday afternoons helping kids in Grades 3-6 with their homework. She also helps fill backpacks for families experiencing food insecurity and is involved in a community garden program.

ACTION REQUESTED

Request for Talent Pool Recommendation for SED advisory boards or task forces

• You are receiving this communication to provide you with information recommending an elementary teacher (K-5) and/or elementary principal to serve on advisory boards or task forces for SED.
• Superintendents may recommend educators who will be of great value to their community and New York State.
• The nominee must be currently teaching or be a principal at the elementary K-5 level in a New York State public, private, parochial, or charter school, and be appropriately credentialed in New York State.
• The Talent Pool Recommendation form and information may be found on Request for Talent Pool Recommendation.
• The deadline for submission is Friday, May 4, 2018
• For more information, contact Elena Bruno at elena.bruno@nysed.gov or (518) 474-3719.

FYI

Increasing Youth Participation in Democracy

• To help prepare students for a lifetime of civic engagement, New York State is working to increase voter registration throughout the State by offering more opportunities to register to vote. Students who are U.S. citizens, NYS residents and turn 18 in the year 2018 are able to pre-register to vote while they are 17 years old. They may only participate in elections—Federal, State and local—if they are 18 by the date of the election.
• New York State is making it easier for students to register to vote – either by paper form or online by visiting Register to Vote in NYS.  If your school/class would like to participate in this effort, you can request voter registration forms from your local county Board of Elections  (contact information available at County Boards of Elections) and/or direct students to visit Register to Vote in NYS for other registration options.
• If your school encounters any issues in obtaining forms, please call 518-486-4433.