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

WYOMING EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Megan Park Assistant Principal Gannett Peak Elementary School, FCSD#1 Assistant Principal Megan Park was recently named the 2023 Milken Educator of the Year and received a check for $25,000. Her leadership has contributed to a positive climate and culture at Gannett Peak Elementary School. Park is highly visible in the school community, greeting staff and students in hallways and classrooms with contagious enthusiasm, conducting regular classroom walk-throughs, and adeptly addressing instructional needs throughout the school day. A former classroom and special education teacher, Park is largely credited for helping to ensure requisite structures and supports for meeting student needs. She works regularly with the school Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) coordinator on strengthening reading and math interventions and administering diagnostic tests to provide high-quality, tailored instruction. Park brings her data-driven mindset to the school professional learning community (PLC), where faculty uses student work to enhance teaching practices, inform decision-making and create a learning environment of high expectations with opportunities for everyone to excel. Always one to make education memorable, Park can be found dressed up on assessment days to promote positivity and confidence around achievement. At the state level, Park participates in the Wyoming Department of Education Level Up Leadership Group dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of education professionals through targeted leadership development that builds impactful leaders in the field. "Megan’s commitment to community, academic success, and the emotional health of her staff and students is reflected in the positive outcomes at Gannett Peak Elementary. Congratulations on receiving this very special award and representing the quality of education leaders in our state.” – Megan Degenfelder, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Superintendent Degenfelder will recognize an educator each month in this newsletter. To nominate a educator to be featured, email Linda Finnerty at [email protected].

ACCOUNTABILITY

Apply here by April 30 for the 2024–25 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Professional Development grant. Funding is available to attend a state or national conference, training, or technical assistance related to innovation in CTE, developing career pathways, integration of academics and CTE, federal accountability and reporting requirements for Perkins, or that may result in an industry-recognized credential. 

Lander Valley High School has been awarded the School of Excellence Award by the ACT’s American College Application Campaign. The award is part of a national effort to increase the number of first-generation and low-income college students pursuing a college degree or other credential.

The annual Hathaway College Coordinators meeting will be held on April 17 in Casper. The Hathaway Scholarship team meets in-person annually to support college coordinators.

The WDE has developed the THRIVE Framework to foster student and adult mental and emotional well-being to encourage academic and career success. Starting this June, the WDE is offering free Community of Practice training, with virtual and in-person options, to support adults implement the framework and establish the conditions for success. Applications from schools or districts and community organizations must be submitted by April 30.

COMMUNICATIONS

Find the WDE on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. Stay informed about conferences, webinars, professional development, and help celebrate the accomplishments of students, educators, and education stakeholders throughout the state. 

April is Month of the Military Child! Celebrate locally and show support using the hashtags #MIC3Compact and #purpleup4militarykids. Find flyers and posters for downloading here. April 12 is Purple Up! For Military Kids day. Show support by wearing purple and participating in Purple Up! Activities.

Register through April 26 for the 2024 Wyoming Educator Leadership Rendezvous at Camp Guernsey July 30–August 1. Participants will join a squad led by Wyoming Guard members to experience flight, tactical training, networking, leadership skills, and more. Register here.

FINANCE

The 2022–23 Special Education State Expenditure and District Staffing report is available here. Email [email protected] for more.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The spring Student Climate Survey window is April 1–19, and is required for all alternative schools as part of the School Climate Indicator in the alternative school accountability model. Unique identifiers used to log in to the survey are available on the Accountability confidential website. Survey exemptions are due by April 26, and will be verified against the end of year WDE684.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Day is April 19. Students, parents, educators, and community members can join EDSAFE AI for a day of action and explore the fundamental question, "What is AI?". Learn more about AI Literacy Day and events.

The Wyoming Digital Government Summit will be held at Little America - Cheyenne on May 29. IT professionals across state government can collaborate, share best practices, explore current demands, and anticipate future needs of digital governance. Register here.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Literacy Leaders Coaching Collaborative professional development will be held April 11–12 in Casper. Participants will delve into Opportunity Myth research, explore the difference between an acceleration-based approach and a remediation-based approach, and develop a long-term literacy strategy through the Learning Acceleration Roadmap. Register here.

Online training for the new WDE eGMS will be held from 9 a.m.–12 p.m on April 16. Register here or contact [email protected] for more.

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, contact [email protected]. The ESSA team will assist in exploring options for other districts to utilize the funds.

ARP ESSER/ESSER III funds must be obligated no later than September 30. The WDE will allow for prepayment of subscriptions contracted prior to September 30 to run no later than June 30, 2025. Contact [email protected] for more.

Apply now for the Summer Food Service Program. Contact [email protected] for more. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Use this Zoom link to attend Indicator 14 Student Collection training at 2:00 p.m. on April 2. Training will provide assistance in entering student information into SPED Link for the Indicator 14 surveys. Data must be entered by May 3. Contact [email protected] for more.

Use this Zoom link to attend Indicator 14 Conducting Phone Interviews training at 2:00 p.m. on May 9. Training will provide guidance for staff conducting the required Post Secondary Student Outcomes survey. Surveys must be completed by July 30. Contact [email protected] for more.

The 2024 New SPED Teacher Boot Camp will be held July 29–30 in Riverton. New SPED staff with three years or less experience should attend this pre-WAVE Conference session 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. 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-TOPP Summative Assessment Window will open April 16–May 10. This includes ELA and Math for grades 3-10 and Science for grades 4, 8, and 10. Find more information here. Additional information on ACT testing windows is available here.

WDE is seeking educators to participate in WY-ALT content and fairness reviews and to develop Wyoming Extended Standards for Math and Science. Apply at the associated links.

Wyoming's Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students proficient in English and one or more additional languages. School districts must complete the WDE505 to report candidates by April 26 for spring graduates.

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Wyoming conference is now a part of the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education (WACTE) annual Summer Conference. It will be held June 10–13 at the University of Wyoming. Register here. 

The Assessment Team will host “Office Hours” on May 13 at 9 a.m. to provide an open forum for discussion, questions, and information sharing. Join via Zoom or call 346-248-7799 from 9–9:30 on the second Monday of each month. Meeting ID: 960 2839 5531.