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TEACHER FEATURE: Making students feel at home in the library The Douglas High School Library is a busy place. Librarian Kim Darata works hard to encourage students to read for pleasure and to enjoy their library space.  |
Celebrate School Library Month
A big thanks to school librarians for all you do for South Dakota students! Today’s school libraries aren’t only places of quiet study, but engaging hubs of activity. School libraries are collaborative learning labs where students engage in research, invention and exploration.
Education reform: Beyond the teacher pay increase
This year’s legislative session was a historic one for education. The teacher pay increase garnered the most attention, but the education reform package passed by this year’s legislature also seeks to bolster the teaching profession in other ways:
• Mentoring
• National Board Certification
• Classroom Innovation Grants
A number of bills passed by the 2016 Legislature directly affect educators, including a scholarship opportunity for paraprofessionals, an extended tuition-reduction benefit and an added training requirement in the area of suicide awareness and prevention.
Boot Camp 2016: It’s all about Primary Sources in the 21st Century School Library
Where can I find primary sources to use with my students? How do I integrate primary sources into my lessons? Find the answers to these questions and more at Boot Camp 2016 in Pierre, July 18-21. All educators are welcome.
The 2015-16 school year marks the first year of full implementation of South Dakota’s Teacher Effectiveness System. Within the system, evaluated teachers must write Student Learning Objectives (SLOs). The Department of Education has received valuable feedback from educators who have gone through the process.
The Every Student Succeeds Act requires a State Plan, outlining strategies for implementing key requirements of the new law. Four South Dakota work groups will develop this plan in coming months. Click the links below for meeting times and names of work group members:
• Accountability
• School Improvement
• Educator Effectiveness
• English Language Learner
The 21st Century School Library Award recognizes school libraries as Effective, Enhanced or Exemplary, based on performance in three areas: program, place and professional. Applicants conduct a self-assessment and awardees are recognized at the annual Systems Change Conference. Find more information on the State Library website.
A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp.
Fine Arts Standards Implementation
April 21-May 1, online and various locations statewide
SLO Refresher Trainings for Teachers
April-June, various locations statewide
SD State Historical Society History Conference
April 29-30, Pierre
Board of Education
May 16, Aberdeen
Advanced Data Use Skills for Educators
May 30-July 13, online
MVPA Maximized! (for physical education/physical activity educators)
June 1, Pierre
June 2, Oacoma
2016 Summer Education Conference
June 28-29, Chamberlain
Fundamentals of Using Data for Educators
July 5-Aug. 19, online (and one face-to-face workshop)
Top 20 Training
July 18-19, Rapid City
July 20-21, Sioux Falls
Boot Camp 2016: Primary Sources in the 21st Century School Library
July 18-21, Pierre
The GO TO Strategies Workshop
July 25, Sioux Falls
July 26, Oacoma
New format in 2016! Indian Education Summit
Sept. 25-27, Pierre
Contact us with your story ideas.