

ESU 4 Spring Learning Opportunities
Registration Guide
🔷Registration Account Information🔷
🔹Head to www.esu4.org.
🔹Click "Register" at the bottom.
🔹No account? Click "Login" on the left, then "Create ESU 4 Account." Fill it out and hit "Request My Account." Once verified, use your login info to proceed.
🔹Logged in? Click "Workshops" on the right. Choose your workshop and register.
🔹Confirmation email coming soon!
🔷UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED🔷
🔹Registration:
- Non-refundable fees: Listed in each workshop description
- Cancellation: Fees are waived for cancellations made 24 hours in advance by contacting ESU 4 (no-shows will be charged the full fee)
🔹Fees:
- Full Day: $30
- Half Day: $15
- Zoom: $15 (regardless of duration)
- Special Events: Increased fees, especially for non-IIA participants
🔹Other:
- Open to all districts: Non-consortium members may pay higher fees (check individual workshop costs)
- Stipends & Subs: Available for consortium participants
- Summer Stipends: $150/day (teachers), $110/day (paraprofessionals) for those not under contract
- ESU/NCECBVI: Same as IIA rate
Teaching & Learning
ELL Network
Date: April 14, 2025
Location: NCSA Lincoln, NE
Time 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
No Cost
The ELL Network is a forum for district personnel to discuss issues related to the education of English Learners. Though these sessions are the primary means of sharing information throughout the ESU 4 Title III Consortium, a majority of our time together is devoted to studying effective instruction, sharing and exploring resources, learning of updates from NDE, and networking with colleagues. We welcome educators interested in our emerging bilingual students, regardless of Title III affiliation or position.
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Date:Register by May 1, 2025
Zoom Dates
May 27, 2025June 3, 2025
June 10, 2025
June 17, 2025
ESU 4 Date
June 19, 2025 (8:30-11:30)
Location: Zoom/ESU 4
Cost: $15
Learn 14 instructional practices to impact math learning in your classroom!
This books study consists of four, one-hour Zoom sessions and 1 in person meeting for all teachers K-12 involved with math instruction.
Teachers As Facilitators
Date: May 28-29, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Cost: $30/day
Peru State College Credit Available (1credit hr)
Learn to strengthen your leadership skills in facilitating conversations, leading district meetings, data teams, and more. This book addresses facilitator challenges with practical strategies through Five Mindsets.
Data Retreat
Date: June 3-4, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Cost: $30/day
Registration Deadline: May 7th
Peru State College Credit Available (1credit hr)
Data retreat will provide district's time, space, and guidance for continues analysis of multiple measures of trend data as part of the continuous improvement process. 2025 Data Retreat Information
Science of Reading Grades 4-12
Date: June 20, 2025
Locations: Zoom
Time: 9:00AM - 10:30 AM
Cost:
- Title IIA & III: No Cost
- All Other Participants: $450
Peru State College Credit Available (1 credit hr)
Learn about how the science of reading means for teaching and learning in the reading to learn grades through this 2-part course:
1 - Complete TNTP's self-guided, asynchronous online course (12-15 hours).
2 - Participate in the ESU 4 Cohort Zoom on June 20, 9-10:30 am.
Details:
- Course modules: strong instruction for secondary learners, skills for secondary students, making sense of complex text, building knowledge and vocabulary, evidence-based discussion and writing, High-Quality Instructional Materials.
- The online course will launch June 5. Participants will retain content access for one year.
- Participants are welcome to attend the June 20 Zoom, even if partially finished with coursework.
- ESU 4 is providing this course at cost: $450 per participant
- The course fee and a stipend for successful completion by June 20 will be provided to Title IIa personnel.
Adaptive Schools
Date: Jun 23-24 & 26-27, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Cost: $30/day
Registration Deadline: May 7th
Peru State College Credit Available
Striving to build a better team, a better school? Want to build collective efficacy in your school? Want teaming to be more collaborative? Every educator wants every meeting they attend to accomplish the maximum amount of work in the minimum amount of time with an actionable outcome that makes a difference for teachers and students. Learn how Adaptive Schools helps build your understanding and skills to collaborate, grow, and get things done effectively!
Start Strong - Essentials for New/ish EL Educators
Location: NCSA Lincoln, NE
Time 9:30AM - 3:00PM
Registration Deadline: May 7th
This opportunity for educators who are new (or within the first few years) of supporting English Learners.
We welcome everyone who supervises, coordinates, teaches, or supports ELs, and we’ll have specific breakout options for paraeducators. We’ll explore a variety of helpful resources and study EL essentials such as stages of language acquisition, Rule 15, ELPA21, Nebraska English Language Standards, and more.
New Teacher Network
Date:
- August 5, 2025
- October 14th
- February: TBD
Location: ESU 4
Cost: $30
Registration Deadline: May 7th
The New Teacher Network will be three sessions and is a collaborative professional learning community designed to support new educators through book studies, cohort style of learning, classroom management tools, and instructional coaching. Teachers engage in meaningful discussions, gain practical strategies, and receive personalized support to enhance their instruction, classroom environment, and professional growth.
Special Education
Blended Practices for Teaching Young Children in Inclusive Settings
Date: June 5, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Cost: $30
A collaborative opportunity with NDE ESU 4, and NeMTSS will provide:
*Evidenced-based practices from early childhood education and
early childhood special education to support all learners in inclusive environments.
*GOLD updates and tips
Understanding and Implementing 504 Plans
Date: June 16, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Cost:$30
This professional development session provides educators and school staff a clear understanding of Section 504.
Participants will learn the legal requirements of 504 plans, including eligibility criteria, accommodations, and procedural safeguards.
The training will cover:
1. Key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs
2. Best practices for identifying and assessing student needs
3. Strategies for creating and implementing effective accommodations
4. Collaborative approaches to working with families and school teams
Elem/MS Transition Zoom Watch Party
Date: June 19, 2025
Location: Zoom
Time: 9:20AM - 12:30PM
No Cost
This session will provide supports and techniques for elementary and middle school general and
special education teachers to guide,
support, and teach students with disabilities in the areas of self-advocacy,
career awareness, and transition awareness.
This session will include how to share information regarding applications for DD services
and planning for the future with parents/caregivers.
Fall Special Education Institute
Date: August 4, 2025
Location: ESU 4
Time: 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Cost: $30
Kick off to 25-26
Anticipated Topics:
- Legal updates
- Effective IEP meetings
- Special Education Handbook
- Procedures
Restorative Practices Cohort
In-Person Training - Days 1 -2
Date: June 10-11, 2025
Location:
- ESU #3
- UNK Campus
Virtual Training - Day 3
Date: September 23, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Lunch on tour own, 12:00-1:00 PM)
Virtual CoP Training - 3 Days
Dates:
- August 26, 2025
- November 12, 2025
- February 12, 2026
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
This training series will consist of three full in-person days and three virtual half days. The in-person
days cover the roots and theories behind the work, language changes, and shifts in the way educators gather, while creating an infrastructure and action plan to continue the work from the trainings at home districts and schools. During the three virtual days, districts will receive continued support from the NeMTSS Regional Support Teams and participate in Community of Practice Trainings.
Restorative Practices Cohort districts will receive tools and strategies for immediate application,
along with support to develop a comprehensive plan for sustainable, building/district-wide
implementation. Schools will be required to collect data throughout their implementation journey
and share it with NeMTSS Regional Support Teams for ongoing support.
Student Health
Medication Administration, Asthma/Anaphylaxis, Stop the Bleed, and Narcan Administration Training
Any of these trainings are offered on an as needed basis throughout the school year. Please contact any of the ESU 4 nurses for additional questions or to discuss scheduling options.
Individual Health Plan, 504 Accommodation Plan, Emergency Action Plans
Felicia is also available to write health plans, assist with 504 accommodation plans, or create emergency action plans for those students with a medical condition that will require accommodations during the school day. If you need assistance with any of these plans contact Felicia.
Felicia Martin, RN
Mary Jo Huettner, LPN
Ivon Johnson, LPN
Technology
Nebraska SMART
Nebraska SMART Free Online Tutoring for K-12 Students
Nebraska SMART (Success Made Accessible through Rural Tutoring), founded by the Nebraska State College System, provides free online tutoring to K-12 students in rural Nebraska. Teacher education candidates from Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges remotely tutor students through an online tutoring platform. Click here to view the Nebraska SMART promotional video. Nebraska SMART is expanding its service beginning in the Fall 2024 Semester to offer tutoring to K-12 students attending all school districts which are members of NRCSA (Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association). Additionally, Nebraska SMART will provide free online tutoring services to K-12 students enrolled in select smaller non-NRCSA public school districts in Nebraska while continuing to offer tutoring to students attending school districts in Educational Service Units 1, 4, and 13. A complete listing of eligible school districts can be found on the program’s website.
How does it work?
Parents must initially register their student(s) before they can receive tutoring services. Once registered, students or parents on behalf of students can schedule a tutoring session at least 24 hours in advance. Students can also instantly be connected with a Tutor by requesting an on-demand session during tutoring hours. The Parent Guide shows how to create an account, schedule a session, join on-demand sessions, and more.
How can I find out more information about this program?
Three informational webinars will be offered in August. Participants will join Julie Dickerson, Director of Nebraska SMART, to learn more about this free online tutoring program available for K-12 students in rural Nebraska. Click below to register for one of three live webinars about Nebraska SMART:
August 6, 2024 @ 2:00 PM Central Time, 1:00 PM Mountain Time
August 9, 2024 @ 11:00 AM Central Time, 10:00 AM Mountain Time
August 14, 2024 @ 4:00 PM Central Time, 3:00 PM Mountain Time
How can school districts help?
Your assistance in communicating with parents in your school district is essential to expand awareness and generate interest in this program. Below are ways that you can help:
- Share about Nebraska SMART in school/district/classroom parent newsletters
- Share about this program during your school/district Open House or Back to School nights
- Like, follow, and/or share Nebraska SMART on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Share Nebraska SMART social media posts on your school/district social media pages
- Link Nebraska SMART as a student resource on your school district websites
- Share about this program with Teachers, Counselors, and other district staff
- Share about this program with Parent/Teacher Associations
- Distribute bookmarks to each K-12 student in your school/district (these will be mailed to school districts at the end of July)
- Hang posters in a visible location (these will be mailed to school districts at the end of July)
- Share with your district technology team the domain allowlist guide.
Please note that we are unable to support Pre-K students at this time; please refrain from distributing promotional materials to Pre-K students.
NCECBVI
Prom
Come experience Prom at NCECBVI!
Prom is designed for high school and transition students (9th grade through age 21) who are blind or visually impaired through the state of Nebraska or are in life skills programs in the ESU 4 area. Our “Welcome to the Jungle” Prom will be a fun & elegant way to socialize & dance the night way!
Participants should plan to arrive at NCECBVI on April 24th between 3:00-5:00 pm. Students will have the opportunity to get their hair and makeup done by volunteers. Please be sure to bring your own hair and make-up supplies! Karaoke will also be available during this time.
Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm with party bus rides available between 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. The dance will take place between 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. Crowning of the prom king and queen will take place at 8:00 pm.
We will again be asking students for song requests prior to prom. There will be a variety of songs programmed in advance so students can spend their time dancing, socializing, and enjoying the prom experience. The registration form allows the students to request one song in advance. (We cannot promise that all song requests will be played due to time and appropriateness of the song request.)
This year due to construction prom will all be on the main level of the school.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Shana Kinnison-Instructional Coordinator
402-873-5172 or skinnison@esu4.net
824 10th Ave.; P.O. Box 129, Nebraska City, NE 68410
For more information visit: https://www.ncecbvi.org/prom
Google Groups
Educational Service Unit 4 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or age in admission or access to, or treatment of employment, in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding complaints, grievance procedures or the application of these policies of nondiscrimination:
Gregg Robke, Administrator
Educational Service Unit 4
2301 Dahlke Avenue
Auburn, NE 68305
402-274-4354
If parents, employees, and students do not feel that their complaints regarding Title IX, Title VI, Section 504 have met with resolution at the local level, they can appeal their grievances to the regional Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. This would be their final opportunity for resolution. This address needs to be readily available to parents, employees, and students for their appeals.
Office for Civil Rights
8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-268-0550
Fax: 816-823-1404
TDD: 800-437-0833