Project Based Learning Institute: June and July

Project Based Learning Institute

Join us for a Project Based Learning Institute July 20 and 21!  Participants will delve into the why behind PBL and the steps for implementation, as well as have the opportunity to design and share their own projects through immersion in an authentic PBL environment. The pre-requisite for this training is a 6-hour online course. Register Now.

Project Based Learning Institute

Join us for a Project Based Learning Institute July 20 and 21! 

Participants will delve into the why behind PBL and the steps for implementation, as well as have the opportunity to design and share their own projects through immersion in an authentic PBL environment. The pre-requisite for this training is a 6-hour online course. Register Now.

Click image to enlarge.

For more information, contact

Delinda Wall

Coordinator

Region 7 Education Service Center

dwall@esc7.net

Phone: (903) 988-6756

Delinda Wall

Coordinator

Region 7 Education Service Center

dwall@esc7.net 

Phone: (903) 988-6756

Are Your Students Ready for College?

Save the Date

COLLEGE READINESS UPDATES:  CHALLENGING STUDENTS TO OWN THEIR FUTURE STEPHEN F. AUSTIN UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE BOARD, AND REGION 7

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Stephen F. Austin University

Fee: $0

You and fellow staff members are cordially invited to meet with local districts on Tuesday, June 2 from 9 am- 11:30 am to discuss practices that develop a culture of college readiness and success in Region 7 districts. The focus of the meeting will be the first administration of the redesigned SAT®.  

The redesigned PSAT/NMSQT® will begin in October 2015. Campuses and school districts admission offices are planning for the changes related to the redesigned SAT® Suite of Assessments.

Registration information is coming soon.

A New Way of Learning and Being Together: TRIBES Learning Communities

Tribes Learning Communities is being offered at NO COST to Region 7 Priority and Focus campuses.

Tribes supports Critical Success Factor #6, Improving School Climate, and strives to build community within the classroom and throughout the campus.

This process builds inclusion, influence and community through research-based processes and instructional strategies.  Click here for an overview video or contact Glenda Hinsley for more information.

Nominate Businesses that Support Employee Volunteerism in Public Schools

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is currently accepting applications for the 2015 Employers for Education Excellence (EEE) Award. Texas employers who encourage and support employee participation in school activities are eligible to be nominated.

Any Texas employer is eligible, including private businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental and educational entities that meet the criteria. Employers will be eligible to receive an award at one of three levels: Bronze, Silver, or Gold. 　Eligibility is based on the business or organization meeting the following criteria: 

• Bronze – An employer that implements a policy to encourage and support employees who attend parent-teacher conferences. 
• Silver – An employer that meets the requirements of bronze, and implements a policy to encourage and support employees who volunteer in school activities.
• Gold – An employer that meets the requirements of silver, and implements a policy to encourage and support employees who participate in student mentoring programs in schools.

The EEE program requires a business to submit an application to the Texas Education Agency.　 The application form is available online; it can be downloaded and mailed to the address on the application form, or filled out online and submitted via email.

Graduation Requirements as Amended by Senate Bill (SB) 149 Announced

Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 149 into law on May 11, 2015, making it effective immediately. Region 7ESC has worked together to create the Senate Bill 149 webpage. You will find many resources, information, and contacts to assist you. Click here to view.

Texas Education Agency posted a letter to the Administrator Addressed on May 11th regarding changes in graduation requirements based on the signing of Senate Bill 149.

“There are immediate and significant changes to the state’s assessment graduation requirements, first effective with this year’s graduating 12th grade class. Emergency commissioner rules to amend the assessment graduation requirements have been filed with the Texas Register and are effective immediately.

The emergency commissioner’s rules can be viewed at the following link: http://goo.gl/sNV43P

Updates from Van ISD

Updates from Van ISD:

VAN SCHOOLS CLOSED REMAINDER OF THE WEEK
Due to storm damage, Van schools will be closed through May 15.


CAMPUSES SUSTAIN HEAVY DAMAGE
J.E. Rhodes Elementary and Van Intermediate sustain heavy damage. 

J. E. Rhodes Elementary School and Van Intermediate School sustained heavy damage from the tornadoes that came through Van on Sunday evening. We are in the process of assessing the damage and making a plan for our school children. For your safety, do not attempt to enter any Van ISD building. Please pray for our community as we recover from this tragedy.

Please make contributions to Van ISD Tornado recovery through this official donation site: https://t.co/mC3fYpWNWg @vechols @BakerLovesBooks

Don Dunn, Van ISD Superintendent posted on May 12, 2015 Facebook Post for Van ISD:

All Van ISD campuses will be closed for the remainder of the week. The first day for classes will be Monday, May 18. There is significant damage to J. E. Rhodes Elementary School and Van Intermediate School. We will not be able to have classes on these campuses for the remainder of the year. We are in the process of applying for waivers with the Texas Education Agency which would allow us to do two things. 

First, it would allow us to dismiss all pre-K through 3rd grade students from attending school the remainder of the year. Second, a waiver is being written to allow us to postpone the second administration of the 5th and 8th grade STAAR reading test which were scheduled for May 12. Pending approval of these waivers, please begin making plans for the care of your pre-K through 3rd grade child. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This is a difficult time for our district and our community. Please be patient with us as we work to get back on our feet. As soon as more information becomes available, we will get it to you as quickly as possible through the VISD website at www.vanschools.org; Facebook (district and campus pages).

Statement of Commissioner Michael Williams regarding Van ISD

AUSTIN – Commissioner of Education Michael Williams issued the following statement regarding Van ISD:
"Over the past several days, I have had multiple conversations with Van ISD Superintendent Don Dunn regarding the storms that hit facilities within his district last weekend. I have assured him that the Texas Education Agency stands ready to assist with any issues he may identify. As the elementary school buildings have suffered extensive damage, agency staff has been instructed to approve the attendance waiver that will allow the district to cancel its classes for Pre-K through third grade students for the remainder of the school year. In regard to testing requirements, the circumstances provide us with the ability to work with Van ISD to provide the necessary flexibility. Superintendent Dunn has far more pressing issues relating to his students, staff and community. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Texas Education Agency continue to be with the city of Van during this time."

Ross Baker (@Edu2Change) tweeted at 8:41 PM on Mon, May 11, 2015:
Proud of the Van community. Love/compassion in action. Please keep praying. #edtech #vanisd #txed #VanTornado http://t.co/08KsKGti3W
(https://twitter.com/Edu2Change/status/597939738910150656?s=03)

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Please make contributions to Van ISD Tornado recovery through this official donation site: https://t.co/mC3fYpWNWg 

Online donations to an account w/Adventures in Learning for Ts to purchase supplies: https://goo.gl/kUl6bQ

Donations may also be mailed to Van ISD - PO Box 697, Van, TX 75790. Note specific purpose of donation. Thank you for all of the support!

Are Children Safe In Preschool? The Harsh Reality Requires New Skills

Are Children Safe In Preschool?

 The Harsh Reality Requires New Skills

Every year countless children are being expelled from Preschool for behavior challenges that result from a lack of skills. Teachers and Administrators are overwhelmed and the children who most need these basic skills taught are slipping away.

Often, when one of these children are expelled, they literally have no other place to go and thus a cycle of violence and poverty increases. In this video, narrated by Dr. Becky Bailey, you will learn about the problem and see the solution in action that can dramatically reduce the rates of Preschool expulsion and lessen the burden on school staff. 

Learn more about Conscious Discipline from Donna Holt, Special Education Specialist, Region 7 ESC:  dholt@esc7.net.