Professional Learning Quarterly

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• Self-Paced Course Offered October 1 - October 31
• All coursework is due by the end of October
• All registered participants will be sent a link to the website to access all course materials

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• October 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office Conference Room)
• Offered by School Improvement Specialists
• Description: The Collaborative Literacy Summer Kickoff Event held on August 13, 2024 was a great hit! We are pleased to offer a "continuing conversations" platform where members of Capital Region BOCES, HFM BOCES, Questar III BOCES, and WSWHE BOCES can meet virtually to have guided discussions which deeply dive into various topics related to literacy. The first meeting will be hosted (virtually) by Questar III BOCES.

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• October 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 2 of 8)
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: This minds-on workshop is designed for secondary science teachers ready to three-dimensionalize their instructional practices and create student-centered, inclusive learning environments. Throughout the workshop, educators use their knowledge of the NYS Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) and Performance Level Descriptions (PLDs) to explore strategies for supporting all students with Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Educators will: *Create learning environments that support all students, including English language learners (ELLs), by *Increasing student engagement and sense-making through the 5E Model of Instruction, *Focus on specific SEP strategies that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and authentic learning experiences, *Develop and collaborate on classroom resources (e.g., labs, activities, slide decks, hyperdocs, etc.), and more...

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• October 21, 2024 at 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 1 of 4)
• Offered by School Improvement Specialists
• Description: Any and all new teachers to be part of the 2024-2025 Regional New Teachers Cohort. This cohort will be encouraged to communicate throughout the year to share questions, ideas, successes, challenges, and more. School Improvement staff will host quarterly meetings of the cohort. New teachers can be defined as someone who is new to the profession (year 1 - 3), new to a school / district, and those in a new role at their current school / district. Various topics relevant to new teachers will be facilitated by members of the School Improvement staff.

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• October 22, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 2 of 4))
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: The C6 Biliteracy Instructional Framework is designed to specifically align with the research recommendations found in the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education: Third Edition. The framework provides an opportunity for dual language teachers to create lessons that dismantle systems of oppression while also, allowing emergent bilingual students to access grade level standards regardless of language proficiency in either program language. Participants in the professional learning will be able to (1) lesson plan through an equity lens, while aligning with biliteracy instructional practices in the dual language classroom; (2) determine lesson planning components that are needed to effectively create access to grade level standards in both program languages and (3) plan for culturally sustaining lessons that dismantle systems of oppression. A Zoom link and associated handouts will be sent to registrants one day before the scheduled session.

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• October 22, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office Conference Room)
• Offered by School Library System
• Description: Librarians and library services play a significant role in the literacy development of young people. Through their expertise and the use of library resources, librarians positively influence the implementation and success of evidence-based literacy instruction as defined by NYSED's Literacy Briefs and current research about literacy and libraries. In this workshop, participants will examine research findings and instructional resources, collaborate with peers, and develop plans for supporting and enhancing students' literacy and social development. Donalyn Miller, author of The Joy of Reading: Supporting Social Development and Building Background Knowledge Through Wide Reading will join this session. Research findings show that wide reading can foster the development of positive social behaviors and attitudes, including empathy. Wide reading remains one of the most accessible ways for young people to build background knowledge about topics of personal interest and academic study. In this session, Donalyn Miller will share research findings, instructional moves, resources, and programming ideas for promoting wide reading. Session includes workshop time to explore resources and collaborate with peers.

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• October 23, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office Conference Room)
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: Participants will learn about practical approaches for addressing cultural differences, language barriers, and emotional challenges, and gain tools to foster resilience and academic success among refugee and immigrant students. This workshop is designed for educators, school administrators, and support staff committed to enhancing educational experiences for all students.

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• October 29, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 2 of 6)
• Offered by School Library System
• Description: Book Buzz - If you love books, but don't have time to read them all, then please join us for some rigorous discussion about great new books. All that's required is your latest read and your thoughts. Books should be appropriate for elementary students and published within the last 2 years. It's an awesome way to find out what books are out there and if they might work in your library or classroom. We meet once a month, three times in the fall and three times in the spring. That's it! Hope to see you there. Participants will receive credit at the end of the course, credit will not be given to participants who miss 3 or more sessions. All meetings will be held online. Access information will be sent out the day before the event.

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• October 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 1 of 4)
• Offered by School Improvement Specialists
• Description: This PLC is designed to bring together AP Educators and AP Coordinators from Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer Counties. In this supportive and collaborative environment, we will focus on exchanging insights, collaborating and sharing resources for innovative teaching and learning, and providing rigorous and engaging instruction practices, in an effort to continuously improve student outcomes across diverse content areas.

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• Self-Paced Course Offered November 1 - November 30
• All coursework is due by the end of October
• All registered participants will be sent a link to the website to access all course materials

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• November 7, 2024 at 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 2 of 2)
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: This session is designed to provide administrators and teacher leaders a foundational understanding of the strands described in the highly regarded Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education: Third Edition. Participants will engage with biliteracy research via interactive activities that will allow them to better support teachers who serve emergent bilingual students. All activities in the professional learning session will align to the three goals of dual language: bilingualism & biliteracy, high academic achievement in both program languages, and sociocultural competence. Participants in the professional learning will be able to: Identify effective best practices, based on the available research, in order to effectively guide dual language programs Assess current curricular and instructional practices that impact the attainment of the three goals of dual language Analyze culturally sustaining practices that are important in creating an inclusive learning environment while also addressing systems of oppression.

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• November 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 2 of 6)
• Offered by School Library System
• Description: Book Buzz - If you love books, but don't have time to read them all, then please join us for some rigorous discussion about great new books. All that's required is your latest read and your thoughts. Books should be appropriate for secondary students and published within the last 2 years. It's an awesome way to find out what books are out there and if they might work in your library or classroom. We meet once a month, three times in the fall and three times in the spring. That's it! Hope to see you there. Participants will receive credit at the end of the course, credit will not be given to participants who miss 3 or more sessions. All meetings will be held online. Access information will be sent out the day before the event.

Click Here to Register

• November 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 3 of 8)
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: This minds-on workshop is designed for secondary science teachers ready to three-dimensionalize their instructional practices and create student-centered, inclusive learning environments. Throughout the workshop, educators use their knowledge of the NYS Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) and Performance Level Descriptions (PLDs) to explore strategies for supporting all students with Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Educators will: *Create learning environments that support all students, including English language learners (ELLs), by *Increasing student engagement and sense-making through the 5E Model of Instruction, *Focus on specific SEP strategies that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and authentic learning experiences, *Develop and collaborate on classroom resources (e.g., labs, activities, slide decks, hyperdocs, etc.)

Click Here to Register

• November 19, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 3 of 4)
• Offered by RBERN
• Description: The C6 Biliteracy Instructional Framework is designed to specifically align with the research recommendations found in the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education: Third Edition. The framework provides an opportunity for dual language teachers to create lessons that dismantle systems of oppression while also, allowing emergent bilingual students to access grade level standards regardless of language proficiency in either program language. Participants in the professional learning will be able to (1) lesson plan through an equity lens, while aligning with biliteracy instructional practices in the dual language classroom; (2) determine lesson planning components that are needed to effectively create access to grade level standards in both program languages and (3) plan for culturally sustaining lessons that dismantle systems of oppression. A Zoom link and associated handouts will be sent to registrants one day before the scheduled session.

Click Here to Register

• November 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom - Session 3 of 6)
• Offered by School Library System
• Description: Book Buzz - If you love books, but don't have time to read them all, then please join us for some rigorous discussion about great new books. All that's required is your latest read and your thoughts. Books should be appropriate for elementary students and published within the last 2 years. It's an awesome way to find out what books are out there and if they might work in your library or classroom. We meet once a month, three times in the fall and three times in the spring. That's it! Hope to see you there. Participants will receive credit at the end of the course, credit will not be given to participants who miss 3 or more sessions. All meetings will be held online. Access information will be sent out the day before the event.

Email: jodi.sullivan@questar.org
Website: https://www.questar.org/services/educational/school-improvement/
Location: 10 Empire State Boulevard, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, USA
Phone: 518-479-6908