ASCD's 2012 Whole Child Virtual Conference - May 3-11

FREE - yes FREE - just register!  The 2012 ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conference - Moving from Implementation to Sustainability to Culture will explore what outstanding schools, communities, and individuals have done as they move along the whole child approach continuum from implementation to sustainability to becoming the culture of a school. 

Some of the topics and presenters are:

• What is a Whole Child education - Sean Slade, director of Whole Child Programs, ASCD
• Whole Child around the world - panelists from Singapore, Australia, Finland, France & Canada
• A Whole Child approach to education and the Common Core State Standards - Griffin & Mercado, ASCD
• Engaging the Whole Child:  The missing piece in the PD puzzle - Bob Sullo, William Glasser Institute
• Healthy school communities mentor site:  Iroquois Ridge High School - faculty
• Dignity for all:  Safeguarding LBGT students - Peter DeWitt, principal Poestenkill Elementary in New York
• FitLit:  Connecticut fitness and literacy - Michael Opitz, University of Northern Colorado
• MANY MORE SESSIONS!

To register and select the sessions that interest  you go to: 

http://www.ascd.org/programs/The-Whole-Child/whole-child-virtual-conference.aspx#wcvcpresenters

This conference will be archived on the ASCD website for viewing by registered participants.

Stand Against Racism - Friday, April 27th!

The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YMCA that aims to eliminate racism by raising awareness through this annual event.  You can check out their website at http://standagainstracism.org/.

SERC will be participating in this national event on Friday, come view some video clips with facilitated discussion, check out the resources available at the Library and sign the pledge poster showing your commitment to peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all!

Officially the program will start at 11:30 am, however, the pledge poster and resources will be in the Library all day!

Okay, I know what you are thinking ---- it is going to rain on Sunday and yes, the rain will be good for Mother Earth ----- especially here in Connecticut and a little rain never hurts ------ lots of towns are doing Earth Day stuff throughout the weekend so check out what your town has planned!

Earth Day is celebrated with events worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment.  The day is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network  ---- check out their site, http://www.earthday.org/.  In 2009 the United Nations designed International Mother Earth Day to be celebrated on April 22nd.  This year's theme is "Mobilize the Earth". 

Check out additional information at the US Environmental Protection Agency site at http://www.epa.gov/.

So get out there and MOBILIZE THE EARTH!

FREE webinar on RtI and CSI

Yes, FREE although you still have to register!  RtI and CSI - Response to Intervention and Continuous School Improvement with Victoria L. Bernhardt will be offered by Eye on Education as a FREE webinar on Monday, April 30th.  Learn how to make RtI and CSI work together to improve learning for all students at this interactive webinar.  To register http://www.eyeoneducation.com/Online-Resources/Webinars

Month of the Military Child with Purple Up Day on April 13th

Please join SERC and Connecticut's Operation Military Kids in honoring youth impacted by deployment on Friday, April 13th!.  April marks the nation's "Month of the Military Child" and everyone across the state is encouraged to wear PURPLE  on Friday, April 13th as a visible way to show support and thank military children and their families for their strength and sacrifice.  Why Purple???  It is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is a combination of Army Green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue.

So remember to "PURPLE UP" tomorrow!

Join us for the webinar series Reducing Achievement Gaps by 4th Grade: The PreK-3rd Approach in Action

Okay - yes, I know ----- The next webinar is today at 3 pm ------  Sorry for the short notice ------ If you can join us today, from 3-4:30 pm in SERC Library Community Room the session will be School Administrators:  PreK-3rd Instructional Leaders presented by The PreK-3rd Grade National Work Group!  

For more information about the series click on the link:  http://prek-3rdgradenationalworkgroup.org/node/3

To register for the sessions:  RSVP to Cathy Wagner at wagner@ctserc.org

And just to keep myself out of more trouble, here are the dates and topics for the rest of the year:

May 16th - Allies not foes:  School-family partnerships
June 20th - Not so simple:  Standards and curricula
September 19th - Looking inside classrooms:  Teacher effectiveness
October 24th - Using data to inform and improve instruction:  Child assessment
December 5th - Scale and sustainability:  Implications for State and district policy

Whew ----- okay now it is up to you to remember ----- yes, I will post again!

The last movie in our Equity and Social Justice Film Discussion Series is Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later on Monday, April 9th

Little Rock Central:  50 Years Later will be our final movie in the Equity and Social Justice Film Discussion Series - Where we came from - how we got here. 

This intimate, eye-opening film spends time in and out of the classroom, with present-day Central High students, faculty, community leaders and one of the original "Little Rock Nine."  It candidly reveals how far we've come...and how far we have to go. 

Space is limited to 30 participants.  You must make a reservation in order to attend, and will receive confirmation via email.  To reserve your space, please email Lauren D. Jones at ljones@ctserc.org.  For content questions, please contact Kc Nelson-Oliveria at nelson-oliveria@ctserc.org