Coastal Plains RESA
February 2024
A Note From Our Director
I hope each of you are off to an exciting start this new semester. In this edition of our CPRESA Newsletter, we will share some updates and insights as we strive to support each of our member districts in your endeavor to provide a quality education for each of your students.
The landscape of education is evolving, and at CPRESS, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these changes. The recent advancements in technology and the shifting educational paradigms have presented both challenges and opportunities. Our educators, administrators, and support staff have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, embracing innovative teaching methods and technology to enhance the learning experience for students.
At CPRESA, collaboration is at the heart of our mission. Our collaborative initiatives focus on personalized learning, professional development for educators, and leveraging technology to create engaging and inclusive educational environments.
Continuous learning is a cornerstone of educational excellence, and CPRESSA is dedicated to providing robust professional development opportunities for our educators. From workshops and seminars to online courses and certifications, we are focused on empowering our educators with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving educational landscapes.
We invite you to actively engage with us and collaborate on initiatives that contribute to the overall well-being and success of our students.
In conclusion, I am excited about the journey that lies ahead for our RESA. Together, we can overcome challenges, celebrate achievements, and create a brighter future for the generations to come. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to the collective impact we will make as we work together.
Sincerely,
Wes Taylor
Executive Director
Professional Learning
Coastal Plains RESA works to provide quality professional learning. A key element of planning events is receiving feedback from our districts. Please take a moment to complete surveys after attending events. Your feedback is essential! Plans will soon begin for FY25. If there are needs in your district or school, please let us know so that we can better support you.
Regina Purvis
Professional Learning Director
Learning Without Tears to Host
Learning Session for Coastal Plains
RESA on March 27, 2024
More than Just a Building Block:
The Journey to Decoding Starts Here
Phonological awareness is essential for reading. It sets the stage for students for studentās future success with decoding and encoding. Multiple research studies indicate that phonological awareness skills are a strong predictor of a childās success in learning to read. During this fun and engaging session, attendees will learn a variety of instructional strategies that can be implemented immediately to teach six essential phonological awareness skills along the phonological awareness continuum through hands-on, minds-on activities.
Wait a minute thatās not allā¦
ALL participants will receive a set of manipulatives at the session!
Go to CPRESA website and sign up now!
Growing Readers
Independent reading time is a crucial component of a classroom routine, fostering the application of literacy skills imparted by teachers. Wiley Blevins emphasizes, "At least 50% of a phonics lesson should be spent on applying a skill to reading and writing. It's in the application that the learning sticks." This underscores the importance of practical application, such as independent reading, ensuring a deep understanding of phonics skills, aligning with the notion that hands-on engagement significantly enhances learning outcomes. Implementing daily protected time for independent reading not only reinforces the lessons taught but also becomes an essential aspect of a student's daily experience. Beyond skill development, this dedicated time serves to cultivate a genuine love for reading, fostering a lifelong appreciation for literature and promoting self-directed learning. Check out this article to read more.
Why Independent Reading is Exactly What Students Need Right Now:
https://blog.heinemann.com/why-independent-reading-is-exactly-what-students-need-right-now
Growing Readers: Tell Me More. . . .
Growing Readers is a literacy professional learning grant designed and implemented through Georgiaās 16 Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) and administered through the Governorās Office of Student Achievement and the Georgia Department of Education. Visit the website to learn more about our team, project, foundational beliefs, goals, benefits and effectiveness at growingreadersga.com.
Stephanie Butler
Mathematics
As educators are implementing Georgia's new K-12 Mathematics Standards, teachers and leaders are utilizing GaConnects to navigate multiple resources at this one-stop shop. Inspire and GADOE Community are included here, as well as GA Experience Online assessment guides.
On-site school visits incorporate opportunities for teachers to work through instructional learning plans, develop lessons and assessments while collaborating with their grade level peers. Mathematics is a beautiful work in progress!
Paulette Shoupe
Amy Casper
Mathematics Specialists
Congratulations to Stringfellow Elementary School! We thank you for your dedication and hard work!
Dr. Renea Pierce (GaDOE), Gene Christie, and Creacy Sermons š
From the desk of Principal Brian Knighton:
"Thank you for the leadership of Dr. Renea Pierce, Gene Christie, and Creacy Sermons for leading Stringfellow on the school improvement journey of getting off the CSI list. The hard work and credit goes to my staff. None of this would be possible without their extreme dedication and commitment. Every certified and classified staff member stepped up, recognized and were willing to change, willing to unlearn old ways to learn new best practices, and implement/monitor systems/structures in our building to help our school improve. Way to go! Great job Stinger Bee Family! "
Stringfellow Elementary School
Social Studies Workshop
For: For 8th Grade Teachers, U.S. History Teachers, Academic Coaches, Assistant Principals, Principals, Curriculum Directors
GaDOE Navigating the Standards: A Journey to Student Success in Social Studies
Join the GaDOE Social Studies and Assessment teams on March 11th as we navigate the standards, aligning the instruction to content and skill, and ensuring classroom assessments prepare students for the Milestones. Our expedition will equip you with the tools and insights needed to streamline instruction. Come aboard and chart the course toward student success!
Registration Link: GaDOE Navigating the Standards: A Journey to Student Success in Social Studies.
School Climate
Happy New Year from Coastal Plains RESA. We hope that this newsletter finds each of you having a wonderful start to the new year. We are looking forward to what 2024 will bring in the way of success in our schools.
In December we enjoyed school visits, and meeting in Duluth, GA for the GAPBS Conference. So many new programs and opportunities were showcased during the two day conference. Dr. Craig Lockhart from Valdosta City Schools was a keynote speaker on Thursday, and Matt Colson and Debbie Brown of Tift County Schools spoke on a panel highlighting their efforts in achieving the recognition level of Distinction in their high school. We were proud to have speakers from our district as well as teachers, staff, and administrators from our district in attendance.
Please continue to check Learning Stream for opportunities for learning and updates. Please reach out to us as needs arise in your systems.
February 8th PBIS/MTSS District Coordinator Meeting
Middle Georgia State University in Macon
March 20th PBIS District Coordinators/School Coaches Job Alike
Virtual Meeting 9:00-10:00 am (A link will be shared closer to the date.)
March 13th School Counselors/Social Workers Job Alike
Coastal Plains RESA Lenox, GA 9:00-11:30
Scott Haskins
Shannon Voyles
School Climate Specialists
Dear Coastal Plains RESA Educators,
I hope this newsletter finds you in great spirits and filled with anticipation for what lies ahead.. As we embark on the year 2024 together, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome back to each and every one of you!
The year 2023 was a testament to your unwavering commitment to providing excellent teaching and learning to the students in each of your districts. Your dedication has been instrumental in creating a positive impact on the lives of students with unique learning needs. As we step into 2024, I am confident that we will continue to build upon the successes of the past and explore new horizons in the field of special education.
This year promises to be one of innovation, growth, and collaboration. Our collective efforts will further shape the landscape of special education, ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive. Your expertise and passion for the work you do make our job at South GLRS easy as a resource for educators, parents, and, most importantly, the students we serve.
Throughout the upcoming months, we have an exciting lineup of professional development opportunities, workshops, and collaborative initiatives planned. These endeavors are designed to enhance your skills, foster collaboration, and empower you to make a lasting difference in the lives of the students under your care.
As we navigate the challenges and celebrate the triumphs that come our way, let us remember that our shared goal is to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for every student. Your contributions to this mission are immeasurable, and I am truly grateful for the impact you continue to make.
I encourage you to embrace the new opportunities that 2024 holds, to learn from each other, and to forge connections that will strengthen our South GLRS community. Together, we can make this year a remarkable chapter in the journey of special education.
Dane Heard
South GLRS Director
Technology Updates
Artificial intelligence AI is predicted to be the largest disruptive change we will experience in our lifetimesāeven more significant than the internet. You may be an early-adopter of AI in education or you may want to turn off all your devices and run the opposite direction. For the majority of those of us in the middle, with equal shares of interest, excitement, and concern, Common Sense Media is an excellent (free) resource geared towards parents and educators who want more information. Visit their AI Product Review page to access what they call ānutritional labelsā for AI products like ChatGPT, Bard (Google), and others that are trending. AI is not just technology - it can be defined as sociotechnical, meaning a technology that cannot be separated from the humans who inform, shape, and develop its use and application.
Leanne NeSmith
Technology Specialist
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Last spring, we pointed out the impact that student attendance could have on CCRPI scores and Accountability. Indeed, if students are not at school, they have less opportunity to learn the standards that will be tested by the Georgia Milestones. Absences do significantly impact student performance in ELA, math, science, and social studies and will lower scores in Content Mastery and Closing Gaps, Progress, and Readiness. All of these components are used in the GaDOE Staging process that determines school identification for the CSI, TSI and ATSI lists.
Student attendance was not scored on the 2022 CCRPI, and the 2023 data happens to confirm our
worst fears. The table below displays the significant student attendance drop at the elementary,
middle, and high school levels for the State of Georgia.
The Attendance indicator on the CCRPI is easy to achieve: If students are enrolled 180 days, they can miss up to 17 days and still count favorably for their school.
Recent observations from the field indicate that every 2% improvement in attendance rate can result in a 1% increase in Content Mastery scores ā if an effective teacher is in the classroom. Remember that teacher attendance also significantly impacts student achievement and student attendance.
Bobby Smith
School Improvement Specialist
15 Keys to Improving Student Attendance
1. Parental Involvement: Engage parents and families in their children's education. Maintain open communication with parents to address any attendance concerns and ensure they understand the importance of regular attendance.
2. Positive School Environment: Create a welcoming and safe school environment where students feel valued and motivated to attend regularly.
3. Attendance Policies: Implement clear and fair attendance policies that outline expectations and consequences for absences. Share these policies with students, parents, and staff.
4. Attendance Incentives: Reward students for good attendance through incentives such as certificates, recognition in school assemblies, or small prizes.
5. Early Intervention: Identify and address attendance issues as soon as they arise. Intervene when students show signs of chronic absenteeism and work with parents to find solutions.
6. Education on Benefits: Educate students and parents about the long-term benefits of good attendance, including improved academic performance and future opportunities.
7. Support for At-Risk Students: Provide additional support, mentoring, or counseling for students who are at risk of chronic absenteeism due to personal or academic challenges.
8. Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations and agencies to address issues that may contribute to absenteeism, such as transportation or health-related issues. Businesses may also consider financially supporting incentive programs, given that school attendance sets the stage for employee attendance later in life.
9. Regular Attendance Monitoring: Implement systems for tracking attendance and identifying patterns of absence. Use data to inform strategies for improvement.
10. Parent Workshops: Organize workshops for parents and guardians on the importance of attendance and strategies for overcoming barriers to attendance.
11. Student Engagement: Create an engaging and interactive curriculum to motivate students to come to school. Incorporate activities and subjects that capture their interests.
12. Peer Support: Encourage positive peer influence by promoting a culture of attendance among students. Peer mentors or buddies can help motivate their peers to attend school regularly. Use club sponsors, band directors, and coaches to monitor and support their studentsā attendance.
13. Health and Wellness Programs: Promote good health and wellness among students, as physical and mental health issues can contribute to absenteeism.
14. Data Analysis: Regularly analyze attendance data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Adjust strategies based on the findings.
15. Communication with Families: Keep parents informed about school events, important dates, and academic progress. Effective communication can help parents plan for their child's attendance.
Wraparound
We all want healthy schools, homes, and communities for ourselves, our coworkers, and the students we serve. However, weāre often unsure of how to make this a reality. Let me introduce you to The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization that just might be able to help!
AHG joins forces with neighbors, community leaders, municipalities, corporations, and leaders in philanthropy to ignite change in communities that want to be healthier but donāt have the supports in place to thrive.
Click on the links below to discover how AHG can bolster your individual, building, and district-level efforts to support all aspects of the children (and adults) you serve.
AHG Action Center School Staff Well-Being Chronic Absenteeism
Family Engagement AHG 2023 Impact Report
Juvenile Justice Center Environmental Health
Hope to see you at our Coordinators Job-Alike on March 21st at CPRESA.
Jessie Russell, Ed. D.
Wraparound Services Coordinator
Employee Assistance Program
Did you know that educators can receive assistance through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
What does this service offer?
- Support for wellness of teachers and public education employees
- No cost to districts, schools, or employees
- Free confidential, counseling, or consulting sessions
- Access to mental health and wellness programs
Your Kepro EAP
Toll Free: 866.279.5177
Company Code: GaDOE