Update from the Wyoming Department of Education ?| ?view online?| ?website

WYOMING EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Candy Bedard Business Teacher Rock Springs Jr. High School, SCSD#1 Candy has been teaching in the SW1 District for nearly 35 years, which includes her subbing and her student teaching. She even teaches in her father?s old classroom. Candy has been a leader and mentor to so many people at RSJH. She has been a part of multiple leadership teams and was at one time the Student Council advisor and the Perkins V grant coordinator. Recently, Candy established a ?Business Student of the Month? for RSJH and recruited community businesses to support this initiative. I am a new teacher in the district, with limited secondary education experience, and I can see why she is respected and why the students have learned so much from her. I teach at both Rock Springs High School and Junior High School and I can tell the students who were in her classes, and who were in my classes by their behaviors and work ethic. Candy?s students are much more prepared for High School than my own. She sets high expectations and that example gave me the direction I needed it establish the same in my own classroom. "Candy has been a mentor to me every step of the way as a new teacher. She has made time for my questions, has taught me and trained me in multiple virtual and online programs, including Canvas and PowerSchool. When she doesn?t know the answer to something she will immediately find the person who does know, or research it until she finds them! I am amazed by all that I have learned. I honestly believe that her service and devotion to making certain that these students are prepared for the workforce is evident in every class she teaches, because she goes above and beyond to help those students who need more." ? Danel LaRose, Business & Computer Teacher, Rock Springs Jr. High Rock Springs High School Superintendent Degenfelder will recognize an educator each month in this newsletter. To nominate an educator to be featured, email Linda Finnerty at [email protected].

ACCOUNTABILITY

Students nominated for See Me Teach CTE will visit the UW College of Education to tour campus, meet with faculty, and participate in an awards ceremony. The program is an opportunity for students who have been identified by a CTE teacher as ideal candidates to teach CTE to participate in a day of career exploration.

GEAR UP is hosting a Why Host A Wyoming College Application Campaign event webinar for high school counselors, principals, and GEAR UP staff on Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.?

School Wellness Wheel training will be held March 11?12 from 4?7 pm. As a next step in understanding PCBE/Mastery-Based Education, it will focus on the School Wellness Wheel framework. Teaching strategies, proficiency scales, and creating a model of instruction are aligned to competency based education. PTSB credit of .5 is available for attending both sessions. Register here.

Leading Competency Based Education training will be held March 18?19 from 4?7 pm. Attendees will practice creating or customizing proficiency scales and using these documents to design assessments and units of instruction, and leave with items that can be utilized within their classrooms or schools in the application of competency-based education. PTSB credit of .5 is available for attending both sessions. Register here.

See important note on administration of the student climate survey in the Information Management section below.?

COMMUNICATIONS

The WDE will host an Education Town Hall at 6 pm on Monday, March 11 in the Lander Community & Convention Center in Lander. The public is invited. Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder will provide an update on the WDE Strategic Plan, and State Board of Education member Taylor Jacobs will share information on the Profile of a Graduate. Everyone is welcome to watch live on the WDE Facebook page.

The Week of the Young Child is April 6?12. The purpose of this week is to bring attention to the needs of young children and their families, and recognize early childhood programs that are meeting those needs. This special week is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that every young child experiences environments at home, at child care, at school, and in the community that will promote their early learning.

The WDE aims to meet you where you are to keep you informed on the latest news, professional development, and other opportunities for educators and students in Wyoming. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).

FINANCE

The 2022?23 Per Pupil Expenditures are now available within the State Report Card. Email [email protected] for more information.

The WDE903 School Reconfiguration Application closes May 1. School district superintendents can submit reconfiguration requests using the WDE903 application. Email [email protected] for more information.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The Spring Climate Survey opens April 1?19. This survey is mandatory for all alternative school students enrolled in the spring WDE684. Students with approved exemptions will be removed from Fall Climate Survey participation rates on March 25. Student login IDs will be available on March 27, and will be found on the survey tab of the confidential portal.??

The 2024 Spring WDE684 opens Friday, March 1. On time collection will be March 1?14.? Districts not certified at least once by March 14 will be considered late. A cleanup period will follow immediately from March 15?28.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Every six weeks, ESSA, ESSER, IDEA, and Perkins grants team members will share relevant information and answer questions for district grant recipients. Join the Zoom at 10 am on March 21 or email [email protected] to receive a calendar invitation.?

In preparation for the launch of the new Educational Grants Management System (eGMS), training for school districts is being held on April 16, from 9 am?Noon via Zoom, and from 1:30?4:30 pm, in-person in Cheyenne. Virtual training will be recorded. To receive a registration link, email [email protected].?

Federal ESSA funds awarded for the 2023?24 SY must be expended or obligated by September 30. If a district is unable to expend or obligate funds by the deadline, email [email protected]. The ESSA team will assist in exploring options for other districts to utilize the funds.

ESSER III funds expire September 30. The WDE will allow for prepayment of subscriptions contracted prior to September 30, to run no later than June 30, 2025. Email [email protected] with any questions.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The New SPED Teacher Boot Camp will be held July 29?30. New SPED teachers with three years or less experience should attend this pre-WAVE Boot Camp in Riverton to engage in topics like designing and delivering specially designed instruction (SDI), classroom strategies, supporting paraprofessionals, and behavior strategies to support all students. Register here.

The 2024 Week of Academic Vision for Excellence (WAVE) Conference will be held July 31?August 2, at the Central Wyoming College in Riverton. Created for special education directors, administrators, special and general educators, parents, partnering agencies, and other stakeholders the conference will cover topics such as inclusion, literacy, specially designed instruction, behavior, and special education law. Register here.

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT

The WY-ALT Window will be open March 5?April 12. The WY-TOPP Writing Window will be open March 4?March 15. The WY-TOPP Writing assessment is administered to students in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.?

The Assessment Team will host Office Hours on March 11, at 9:00 a.m. to provide an open forum for discussion, questions, and information sharing. Join on Zoom or call 346-248-7799, Meeting ID: 960 2839 5531, on the second Monday of the month, from 9:00?9:30 a.m.

Wyoming educators have free, premium access to the Lexile? & Quantile? Hub and additional MetaMetrics Resources with their district email address.

The 15th Annual Native American Education Conference (NAEC) will be held at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, August 6?8. This year's theme is Community Wisdom and Engagement: Teaching Resilience to Our Indigenous Youth. Presentation proposals are being accepted through April 1. Registration opens soon, check the 2024 NAEC page.