Tag Archives: school

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

The State of America’s School Libraries

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Some rights reserved by Justgrimes

As we wrap up School Library Month, it is especially timely for Maureen Sullivan, president of ALA to write a blog post specifically about the importance of school libraries. Maureen mentions cuts to specific  federal programs that may have impact on our school media centers in Minnesota. She also mentions that “The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project Online Survey of Teachers found that although the Internet has opened up a vast world of information for today’s students, their digital literacy skills have yet to catch up. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed stated that students lack the ability to assess the quality and accuracy of information they find online. Another 33 percent reported that students lack the ability to recognize bias in online content.” This reinforces the critical role that media specialists possess in our schools.

Read Maureen’s  post at http://tinyurl.com/crqshp8

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Attend the Next Statewide Summit on Global Learning!

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Some rights reserved by Lednichenkool

In today’s interconnected, interdependent world, global learning is critical to our state’s success. More than 210 languages are spoken in Minnesota’s schools. Global is now local. All students need to be globally competent as they enter the workforce, business, and post-secondary education and live in the communities of Minnesota. A Statewide Strategic Plan for Global Learning inclusive of all stakeholders impacting PK-12 education will be the first step in this process. This includes: PK-12 and post secondary educators, business partners, government and community organizations.

We invite you to participate in the trans-formative work undertaken by the Global Learning Advisory Board established to address the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world. Through keynotes by Tony Jackson and national and state leaders, and breakout sessions for various stakeholders, participants will learn from and be involved in reflective dialogue. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 9th from 8-4:30 p.m. at St. Cloud State University in the Atwood Memorial Center (AMC) ballroom. The cost to participate will be $25. For registration and program details, please visit: http://globallearningsummit.eventbrite.com/#

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Excellence in Our Schools!

CMLE member schools receive state-wide recognition!

Information in this post has been provided by Keith Hovis, MDE (keith.hovis@state.mn.us)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 18, 2013

Minnesota Department of Education Recognizes 16 Schools for 

Excellence in Behavioral Prevention Efforts

ROSEVILLE – Today the Minnesota Department of Education recognized 16 schools for their successful efforts to create positive learning environments for students. Using a program called Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), the schools designated as Sustaining Exemplar Schools, have been identified as leaders in establishing a comprehensive, set of practices to support positive behavior, improve school climate and increase student achievement.

“PBIS helps schools set clear expectations for students, teachers and families and to find new ways to address behavior issues,” said Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “Each of these 16 schools showcases the benefits of creating respectful and supportive school climates and the positive impact on student achievement. By recognizing their success, we can help them to share their best practices with schools across Minnesota.”

The 16 schools being recognized are:

  • Chaska Middle School, Eastern Carver County Public Schools
  • King Elementary, Deer River Public School District
  • Maple Lake Elementary School, Maple Lake Public School District
  • Sheridan Arts Magnet School, Minneapolis Public School District
  • Sunnyside Elementary School, Mounds View Public School District
  • Valentine Hills Elementary, Mounds View Public School District
  • North Elementary, Princeton Public School District
  • Princeton Middle School, Princeton Public School District
  • South Elementary, Princeton Public School District
  • Apollo High School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • Oak Hill Community School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • Lincoln Elementary School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East, St. Michael-Albertville School District
  • St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, St. Michael-Albertville School District
  • United South Central K-12 School, United South Central School District
  • Matoska International School, White Bear Lake School District

Since its launch in 2005, PBIS has spread across the state and is currently being implemented by 423 Minnesota Schools, or 21 percent of the state’s nearly 2,000 schools. To establish a PBIS program, 80 percent of a school’s teachers and staff need to agree to implement a more positive approach to discipline. Participating schools then receive intensive training, support and coaching from teams at the Minnesota Department of Education, as well as instruction in how to monitor and track results. Data from participating schools show clear evidence of the program’s success, specifically in reduced number of behavioral incidents, fewer student suspensions and increased levels of student engagement.

To be identified as a Sustaining Exemplar School, staff needed to submit an application that documented their work with PBIS, including, professional outcomes, a plan for sustaining the program and how they are giving back and sharing their practices with other schools throughout the state. Schools must also have been implementing PBIS for at least three years.

Check this out:, General, School Media Specialist

Webinar for School Librarians Serving Students With Disabilities


Developing the Capacity of School Librarians to Effectively Serve Students with Disabilities

Burton Blatt Institute

Since 2011, Project ENABLE has been training teams of librarians and teachers in the best practices for serving children with disabilities in their schools. The Center for Digital Literacy and the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University are pleased to offer a free, interdisciplinary professional development training program for school librarians on Friday, May 3rd from 3-4PM (CST).

This one hour webinar will (1) introduce school librarians to Project ENABLE’s goals, curriculum, and ubiquitous free online resources; (2) increase school librarians’ understanding of their important role in providing meaningful educational opportunities for students with disabilities; (3) improve their awareness of facilitators and barriers to providing inclusive library programs and services; and (4) introduce them to how two 2011 Project ENABLE workshop participants have been using Project ENABLE practices in their school.

Webinar Presenters

  1. William N. Myhill – Co-Instructor of the 2011 Project ENABLE Workshops and Co-Designer of the Project ENABLE Online Learning Modules
  2. Sara Lissa Paulson – Library Media Specialist and Participant of the 2011 Project ENABLE Workshops
  3. Michelle Mayhood, Kindergarten Teacher and Participant of the 2011 Project ENABLE Workshops

Want to join the webinar?

Send your name, email address, job title and school to cdl@syr.edu on or before April 25, 2013, and enter “Register for Project ENABLE Webinar” in the subject line. You will receive instructions via email for logging into the webinar by April 30, 2013.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Minneapolis Schools Transform Learning

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Some rights reserved by Kev_Hickey_UK

An article in the April 9th Star Tribune gives helpful detail about efforts to embed technology in the Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Bloomington schools.

Read more to hear what kinds of tablets were used and what Microsoft and Best Buy added to the resource base to make transformative learning come alive in these metro schools.