The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to provide professional development, support and resources to foster adult learning and student achievement. You will find offerings from Instructional Support Services, Distance Learning and Model Schools Teams.

***Three different options***

February 17th/18th 8:30-11:30am

March 17th/18th 8:30-11:30am

April 14th/15th 8:30-11:30am

Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act or DASA) Workshop: Six hour training in Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools: Prevention and Intervention. New York State's Dignity Act seeks to provide the State's public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. School professionals applying for certification or license on or after DECEMBER 31, 2013 are required to complete six clock hours of course work or training in this area. This training is designed to fulfill that requirement. This training is delivered via zoom in 2 separate 3 hour sessions. An email will be sent to the email address associated with your your MLP account the morning of the training. Tuition is $75.00 for employees of district which subscribe to the Oswego BOCES School Improvement Co-Ser. Tuition is $100.00 for all other attendees. If you are self-paying, please mail a Money Order or Bank Check made out to CiTi Treasurer. NO CASH please. Send to: CiTi BOCES Attention: Roseann Bayne 179 County Route 64 Mexico NY 13114

Registration:

February: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=12396&I=3705991

March: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=12396&I=3705997

April: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=12396&I=3706001

The Arts Leadership Network is pleased to announce our next professional development opportunity on Monday February 22nd. This event will begin our breakdown of each Art/Music standard by grade level and area to further understand the meaning and intentions behind each standard. We will be digging into the glossaries and examining multiple template options as we start this journey of creating a database of resources for the new NYS Arts learning standards.

Follow this link to sign up in MLP

If you weren't able to catch the virtual showcase live, we are happy to share that we have a link to watch a recording of the showcase when its convenient for you. The link will be available for a few weeks for schools to preview available shows so take advantage of the opportunity while you can.

https://www.academicentertainment.com/showcase1

We have partnered with DCMO BOCES to continue growing our list of virtual opportunities for this school year. Like all of you, our artists are working hard to modify and adapt to the changing learning environment and are continuously adding new enrichment opportunities that can now be enjoyed virtually. We currently have over 80 high-quality virtual opportunities for students and schools to enjoy with more being added daily. If you have any questions regarding a specific program please feel free to reach out to WJones@citiboces.org.

This is a self-paced, asynchronous learning opportunity! The focus of this module is to support you in learning strategies to disconnect and focus in simple ways on self maintenance. We cannot show up for others if we do not show up for ourselves. The mini-module begins with the Press Pause webinar. Following the webinar you will find practices to engage in, resources to read and explore, and videos to view. Upon completion you will be asked to complete a survey where you will offer insights you gained and certify your completion of all tasks. Once complete, you will receive 3 hours of professional development, documented in MyLearningPlan. Once registered, you will receive the mini-module in the form of a Smore "newsletter" containing the webinar and all items to complete.

Register in MLP

Welcome to the What is Mindfulness Mini Module! The focus of this module is to support you in learning the basics of mindfulness - the what, why and how. Key concepts will be explored and you will engage in a sampling of practices to experience mindfulness first hand. The module begins with a webinar, followed by videos to watch, resources to read, practices to try and information for further learning. Upon completion you will be asked to complete a survey/reflection where you will offer insights and key takewaways as well as certify your completion of all tasks. Once complete, you will receive 3 hours of professional development, documented in MyLearningPlan. Once registered, you will receive the mini-module in the form of a Smore "newsletter" containing the webinar and all items to complete.

Register in MLP

From elementary schools to psychotherapy offices, mindfulness meditation is an increasingly mainstream practice. At the same time, trauma remains a fact of life: the majority of us will experience a traumatic event in our lifetime, and up to 20% of us will develop posttraumatic stress. This means that anywhere mindfulness is being practiced, someone in the room is likely to be struggling with trauma. This raises a crucial question for mindfulness teachers, trauma professionals, and survivors everywhere: How can we minimize the potential dangers of mindfulness for survivors while leveraging its powerful benefits? This asynchronous or self-paced opportunity brings you through this powerful question. The module begins with a webinar to build common understanding on trauma, mindfulness, and meditation and how they intersect in classroom practice. Participants will leave with strategies to create a safe, supportive mindfulness practice in the classroom. Upon completion you will be asked to complete a survey/reflection where you will offer insights and key takeaways as well as certify your completion of all tasks. Once complete, you will receive 3 hours of professional development, documented in MyLearningPlan. Once registered, you will receive the mini-module in the form of a Smore "newsletter" containing the webinar and all items to complete.

Register in MLP

The past year has proven to be tumultuous. From the COVID pandemic, a polarized political environment, social justice movements, and a historical attack on our nation's capital, our world has seen major events play out on television and online social media outlets. How we consume culture impacts our mental health wellbeing. Using social emotional learning and mindfulness as our lens, we will examine how we can make adjustments to consuming such events.

Register in MLP here.

Cyberbullynig.org found that 28% of students have experienced bullying (2019). With increased online learning, the opportunity for online bullies to take advantage is evident. How can we support our youth with shifts to online learning? Strengthening a student's digital citizenship to combat bullying means strengthening a student's understanding of their social and emotional skill set. Participants will explore the latest research and strategies to support ethical online social emotional understanding and digital citizenship.

Register in MLP here.

As CASEL describes, "SEL can be a powerful lever for creating caring, just, inclusive, and healthy communities that support all individuals in reaching their fullest potential.” This webinar and module will explore how SEL implementation fosters an equitable learning environment for all students. How do we show up in ways that help all students and adults feel respected, valued and affirmed? What are some of the ways we can be culturally responsive and allow for all voices to express learning in ways that honor who are? SEL for equity is not just for our at-risk students but is a way to cultivate the environment so that all students can thrive. This module includes a webinar that will offer an overview of SEL as a lever for equity as well as strategies for implementation. Additional resources such as videos and readings will offer ways to deepen understanding, reflect on instructional practice and personal competence with SEL, and commit to actions moving forward that will promote growth for all.

Objectives:
•Describe how SEL can be used to promote equitable, rigorous, caring, just, inclusive, and healthy learning environments for all learners
•Reflect on current instructional and assessment practices through an SEL and equity lens
•Identify possible opportunities for implementation of the SEL Competencies with an intention of increased equity

Once registered, you will receive the mini-module in the form of a Smore "newsletter" containing the webinar and all items to complete. Once complete, you will receive 3 hours of professional development, documented in MyLearningPlan.

Register in MLP

As the role of mindfulness in our classrooms and our lives grows ever more necessary, being in community with other educators practicing and implementing mindfulness offers important support and inspiration. This group meets monthly to experience practices together as well as share strategies for implementation with students whether in person or virtual. Join us!

Upcoming Dates:

• 2/10
• 3/10
• 4/7
• 5/12

Meetings are scheduled 3:30 - 4:30 PM

The mindset and skills of SEL are needed now more than ever as we navigate our current world in our own lives and as we educate and support our students, colleagues and our community. This group continues to learn and grow in our efforts to foster SEL and mindfulness practices in our schools and classrooms through modeling of practices in our meetings, sharing of strategies and resources, and exploring a deeper understanding of our own lives in service of others. Join Us!

Upcoming Dates:

• 2/22
• 3/22
• 4/19

All meetings are scheduled 3:45 - 5:00 PM

As the country and the world absorb the impact of the coronavirus, our interconnectedness has never been more clearly on display. SEL offers a powerful means to support one another – children and adults – during this challenging time. Now, more than ever, we understand how important it is to demonstrate empathy and resilience, build relationships across distance, and call upon our collective resolve to strengthen our schools and our communities.

CASEL CARES is an initiative that connects each of you in our global community with experts to address how SEL can be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances.

Access resources and guidance on SEL.

Register for upcoming webinars and access past webinars.

Upcoming Webinar:

FEBRUARY 19

Building Partnerships Inside and Outside the Classroom

This asynchronous webinar focuses on the role content area teachers have with developing advanced literacies according to Next Generation Learning Standards. Pausing points are built-in for reflection with accompanying guiding questions. Following the webinar, you will find NGLS resources for further exploration. Upon completion, you will be asked to complete a form where you will offer insights you gained and certify your completion of all tasks. Once complete, you will receive 2 hours of professional development, documented in Frontline/MyLearningPlan. Intended audience: Grades 6-12

Click here to register.

This educator's network will focus on professional dialogue aligned to evidence-based practices in literacy. The topic will be: Effective Practices in Writing. Session will include opportunities to share remote teaching practices. Small group break-out discussions will also be included. Choose only one date in March as session topic/format repeats to accommodate various schedules.

Click here to register for March 17th at 2:00 p.m.

OR

Click here to register for March 19th at 2:15 p.m.

This series of workshops is designed to help with computer skills and productivity through the understanding of similarities and differences between Microsoft and Google products and when it is best to use each platform. Each session, taught by CiTi Model Schools Staff, will have information related to a specific type of product and will include tips and tricks to assist you in your position.

6 Online Sessions from 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Zoom)

Please register on MyLearningPlan/Frontline.

2/23 Microsoft PowerPoint & Google Slides

Compare similarities and explore the differences between Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides. We’ll explore the unique features for each platform to help determine what works best for you.

3/23 Adobe PDF, Microsoft Fillable Forms & Google Forms

In this session, we will look at the similarities and differences between three tools commonly used to collect information: fillable PDFs made with Adobe, Microsoft Forms, and Google Forms. We will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each to help determine which might be most useful in different areas of your work.

4/20 Microsoft Outlook & Google Calendar/ Gmail

We will first explore Microsoft Outlook Email & Gmail, identifying features that differentiate the two platforms and discussing the pros and cons of each. We will then look at Microsoft Outlook Calendar & Google Calendar, examining their defining features. We will close with a discussion about how to decide which tool best fits your needs, and how the platforms can work in conjunction with one another.

5/18 Microsoft Publisher & Google Suite
In this session, you will explore the differences between how Google and Microsoft handle publishing and basic paint/drawing tools. First, we will look at Publisher and understand the limitations of Publisher files and publishing generically in Google. We'll close out by comparing and contrasting Microsoft Paint and Google Drawings. We'll also have a quick detour of the Snipping Tool, and how to take screenshots on Chromebook devices.

Click here to access a FREE digital library with over 5,ooo+ books in over 70 different languages for early grade readers.

On February 3rd, The Reading League will be hosting a Winter Symposium. The term “science of reading” has become something of a buzzword in education. What does the term mean? What kind of evidence does the science of reading have that is compelling, promising, or even lacking? What are common misconceptions? How is it impacting policy and published materials? How are people interpreting it and why does it matter? These questions and many more will be addressed in a series of engaging symposium sessions designed to help all teachers and education leaders bring the findings from the science of reading to the forefront. If you cannot attend live throughout the day, you will receive the recordings to watch at your own pace.

FREE for OCLI PreK-3 teachers in Oswego County. Click here to register and receive the discount.

Do you have trouble explaining how to get a remote student to split the screen on their chromebook? Do you have parents asking how to "submit assignments" in google classroom? Click here to access parent & student tutorials on how to use a variety of google tools often used in remote learning. Teacher tutorials are also included.

Email: CITIISS@citiboces.org
Website: CiTiBoces.org/ISS
Location: 179 County Route 64, Mexico, NY, USA
Phone: 315-963-4425