events

This workshop teaches administration, scoring, and interpretation of all the tests of achievement, with emphasis on the new tests and the changes from the WJ III. All administration and scoring details will be reviewed, followed by modeling of the procedures on video, and an opportunity for participants to practice scoring. There will also be an emphasis on interpretation of the test results. Test from the WJ IV Oral Language battery will also be reviewed, with emphasis on the tests most applicable to a learning disability assessment.

Tour attendees should meet at the South Central Service Cooperative at 12:45 or following the morning Counselors meeting.

8:15-8:30 Registration and Welcome 8:30-9:30 General Overview of MCIS What’s New •SLEDS Partnership and MCIS Data •Parchment Updates •Clever Partnership •PLP Reports Getting Started with MCIS •Administration site vs MCIS live site •Creating administration and staff accounts •Using Clever to create student accounts and use single sign-in capabilities •Batch create student accounts – setting protocols for password management •Setting up student groups •Add your school’s graduation requirements to the Personal Learning Plans •Changes to 2017 PLP Legislation 9:30-10:15 Navigating MCIS Information Files •How students can create a portfolio •Mega menus •Scavenger hunt – navigating the occupations, program of study, and school files •Minnesota resources 10:15-10:30 BREAK 10:30-11:30 Using MCIS Portfolio Components to Create Student Personal Learning Plans (PLP) •Career Plan including reflective writing •Checklists •My Course Plan •College Application tracker – Parchment Transcript Services •Resume Maker •Personal Learning Plans •Academic Practice Test Packages – optional components that can be added to your MCIS license 11:30-12:30 Lunch will be provided 12:30-1:15 Assessment Tools 1:15-2:15 Exploring MCIS Education Files •Post-secondary schools and school sort •Paying for school •Scholarships and Financial aid sort 2:15-2:30 Break 2:30-3:15 Using the MCIS Site Administration Tools for Data Maintenance and Reports •Viewing student accounts and how to manage them •Reporting Tools oPLP Reporting Tools and Customization 3:15-3:30 Wrap Up

Although Lifetouch provides generous support in printing and distributing Reach for the Stars, affiliate donations help support the costs of producing and administering the catalogue. Programs that make a $50 donation will be a Reach for the Stars Affiliate. If you choose to be a Reach for the Stars Affiliate, please send a current logo and two to three event photos to reach@synergyexchange.org. Only programs designated as Affiliates will have their logo and photos included in the catalogue.

Discussion of the new competition format for the season, alignment with the overview of curriculum materials, team structure and strategies, practice questions, materials, potential scrimmages, state event, judges, etc. Coaches may meet in person at the SCSC Conference Center, or join via conference call.

This workshop is intended for school and district team members interested in learning more about the Schools of Character application process. Content will include information on building your team, stakeholder self-assessments, gathering data, application content, tips for success and what to expect after you apply. The workshop will be led by the Minnesota Schools of Character coordinator and an administrator from a National School/District of Character. They will share their experience and answer questions on the application process.

As a benefit of being a Reach for the Stars Affiliate, programs may participate at conferences where Synergy & Leadership Exchange exhibits. We require a small fee as a shared cost of participation. You may either send us your materials to display/distribute at the booth and/or one member of your team may join our staff for a shift to distribute your materials. Contact Barb at bbergseth@synergyexchange.org for more information.

Student Centered Learning Leadership Meeting (Community of Practice)

This workshop is intended for school and district team members interested in learning more about the Schools of Character application process. Content will include information on building your team, stakeholder self-assessments, gathering data, application content, tips for success and what to expect after you apply. The workshop will be led by the Minnesota Schools of Character coordinator and an administrator from a National School/District of Character. They will share their experience and answer questions on the application process.

Registration for the 2017-2018 season. Academic Decathlon® is a national scholastic competition designed to stimulate intellectual growth and encourage greater respect for knowledge. The format includes students with A, B and C grade-point averages competing in ten curricular areas. Competitions range from local scrimmages to national contests.

The South Central Perkins Consortium has the opportunity to attend a presentation on the new CTE trade and industry frameworks. Because we have so many middle school programs in the technology education area we have also extended the frameworks to the middle school. Teachers are asked to bring a curriculum so they can learn how to adapt their curriculum to fit the frameworks. This is a presentation and a hands-on project. Lunch will be provided.

Welcome to the 2017 Science & Nature Conference! We are pleased you will be attending with students and providing them with essential adult supervision. All adults MUST register online even though you attend FREE of charge. Please be careful to use the “Chaperone Registration” and not the “Student Registration”. We hope you will enjoy this special hands-on academic enrichment conference designed with your students in mind! Many of the presenters welcome your assistance with the activities they have planned and may even invite you to help them. Feel free to contribute! Classes are handicap accessible. Please contact the conference coordinator to request any special needs. You will travel between buildings on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus - please dress accordingly.

Welcome to the 2017 Science & Nature Conference! Please attend with a responsible adult. Remember your lunch! There will NOT be food or beverages available for purchase. You will travel between buildings on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus - please dress accordingly.

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

As part of the 125 clock hour requirement for license renewal, the Minnesota Legislature, by statute, requires ALL teachers to show evidence in the following six areas to renew a license. These sessions are offered in one day and the times and areas are: 1)Technology 8-9 a.m. 2)Scientifically Based Reading 9-10 a.m. 3)Accommodations and Modifications 10-11 a.m. 4)Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 5)Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports 1-2 p.m. 6)Reflection and ELL Statement 2-3 p.m. Participants may register for all six areas for $350 choose individual sessions for $60. Each session will have a set of materials for further study. Lunch is on your own.

SCSC and the Minnesota Department of Education School Safety Technical Assistance Center are offering a one-day workshop on how to use student data in district improvement planning, focusing on improving school climate. This workshop will explore the link between chronic absenteeism and school climate, as they relate to academic achievement. Participants will be given the opportunity to use your district's attendance and Minnesota Student Survey data to better understand issues that may be effecting student achievement. Those attending will leave the workshop with concrete tools for implementing their own improvement process that incorporates school climate data into academic goal-setting. For more information visit: http://mnscsc.org/scsc/media/teaching/docs/multiple-measures2.pdf

Lori Langerud from Reading Resources will present on the following topics related to Dyslexia: Overview of Dyslexia Warning signs Where to find additional research and resources Where can parents go? Screening tools Interventions available Now what?

This 10 week online course and National Certification is for teachers and education leaders who want to instruct online and blended courses. The initial session requires that teachers meet in person on or participate in a video conference on Date TBD during the first full week of November starting at 9:00 AM at the South Central Service Cooperative site in North Mankato. Additional information will be sent directly to participants. SOCRATES is the Minnesota Leading Edge Partner.

This conference is a celebration of the Reading Academy readings and assignments. Participants will be treated to a keynote speaker and sessions on best practices and strategies in literacy as well as time to review the readings. The main focus in our strategies and best practices will be Academic Vocabulary. Each Reading Academy has the participants read a new reading list and is developed around a key reading component, which is Academic Vocabulary for the Nov. 15 session. This allows participants to earn their Continuing Education Units in Reading Academy more than once a year because the content is completely different each time.

Join us for this three-part series on racial justice in south central Minnesota. The goal of these workshops is to raise awareness and promote conversation about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. Participants can register for the entire series or individual workshops. Cultural Competency (Nov. 14): This workshop addresses the invisible and subtle differences between cultures and will help provide cross-cultural understanding. It will focus on identifying stereotypes, differentiating between bias, discrimination and racism by discussing the difference between immigrants and refugees, and heightening awareness of cultural differences. It's Time to Talk (Dec. 12): This workshop utilizes trained facilitators to lead small group dialogue circles about race and racial justice. Participants will exchange ideas through a series of questions designed to garner authentic introspection and discussion within a constructive and non-threatening environment. Confronting Racism Minnesota Style (Jan. 23, 2018): This workshop helps participants develop and practice skills to identify and respond to racism within the dominant communication styles of the Midwest. It will provide tools that can be applied in various situations and taught to others to work toward a more inclusive community.

provides participants with practical training in evaluating and identifying English Learners suspected of having a disability in a way that incorporates research and best practice through the lens of MDE due process requirements. With the growing number of EL students in our buildings, it is important that we approach the MTSS/Pre-referral process a bit differently for these students, as we must address key factors that may be contributing to academic difficulties. Although participants will not leave proficient in this subject as it isn't possible to become so in a day, they will leave with a wealth of information to further their learning as well as ways to apply much of the information in a practical fashion.

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

Join us for this second part in a three-part series on racial justice in south central Minnesota. The goal of these workshops is to raise awareness and promote conversation about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. Participants can register for the entire series or individual workshops. It's Time to Talk (Dec. 12): This workshop utilizes trained facilitators to lead small group dialogue circles about race and racial justice. Participants will exchange ideas through a series of questions designed to garner authentic introspection and discussion within a constructive and non-threatening environment.

Join us for this final session of a three-part series on racial justice in south central Minnesota. The goal of these workshops is to raise awareness and promote conversation about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. Participants can register for the entire series or individual workshops. This workshop helps participants develop and practice skills to identify and respond to racism within the dominant communication styles of the Midwest. It will provide tools that can be applied in various situations and taught to others to work toward a more inclusive community. For more information visit https://mnscsc.org/scsc/media/teaching/docs/racial-justice-2017.pdf

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

SCSC Regional Spelling Bee is for students from pre-registered schools that have won first place in their local Spelling Bees. The school spelling bee coordinator should register one student for the regional bee after the local bee is completed. Please use as much of the student's information as known. Registration should include at least a phone number or email address to contact the student's home directly in case of a weather related postponement.

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

Teams of five students will participate in individual, team and playoff rounds of competition surrounding mathematical thinking and problem solving.

Teams of five students will participate in individual, team and playoff rounds of competition surrounding mathematical thinking and problem solving.

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

As part of the 125 clock hour requirement for license renewal, the Minnesota Legislature, by statute, requires ALL teachers to show evidence in the following six areas to renew a license. These sessions are offered in one day and the times and areas are: 1)Technology 8-9 a.m. 2)Scientifically Based Reading 9-10 a.m. 3)Accommodations and Modifications 10-11 a.m. 4)Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 5)Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports 1-2 p.m. 6)Reflection and ELL Statement 2-3 p.m. Participants may register for all six areas for $350 choose individual sessions for $60. Each session will have a set of materials for further study. Lunch is on your own.

This conference is a celebration of the Reading Academy readings and assignments. Participants will be treated to a keynote speaker and sessions on best strategies in literacy as well as time to review the readings. The main focus in our strategies and best practices will be Comprehension Strategies. Each Reading Academy has the participants read a new reading list and is developed around a key reading component, which is Comprehension Strategies for the April 5 session. This allows participants to earn their Continuing Education Units in Reading Academy more than once a year because the content is completely different each time.

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

DELTA Meeting from 9am-1pm Moodle or Course Design Work from 1-2:30pm

As part of the 125 clock hour requirement for license renewal, the Minnesota Legislature, by statute, requires ALL teachers to show evidence in the following six areas to renew a license. These sessions are offered in one day and the times and areas are: 1)Technology 8-9 a.m. 2)Scientifically Based Reading 9-10 a.m. 3)Accommodations and Modifications 10-11 a.m. 4)Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 5)Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports 1-2 p.m. 6)Reflection and ELL Statement 2-3 p.m. Participants may register for all six areas for $350 choose individual sessions for $60. Each session will have a set of materials for further study. Lunch is on your own.

This conference is a celebration of the Reading Academy readings and assignments. Participants will be treated to a keynote speaker and sessions on best strategies in literacy as well as time to review the readings. The main focus in our strategies and best practices will be Comprehension Strategies. Each Reading Academy has the participants read a new reading list and is developed around a key reading component, which is Comprehension Strategies for the April 5 session. This allows participants to earn their Continuing Education Units in Reading Academy more than once a year because the content is completely different each time.

A library of online, on demand professional learning on a variety of topics. These can be used for CEU credits or independent learning. Sessions and descriptions can be found at:

Your membership supports the Gathering of Champions, WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Program, Minnesota Schools of Character program, and Reach for the Stars catalogue. School/District Members receive discounts on professional development opportunities, “The Exchange"quarterly newsletter, copies of the "Reach for the Stars" catalogue, email broadcasts of upcoming events, contests and workshops, and a membership certificate.

Your donations support the Gathering of Champions, WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Program, Minnesota Schools of Character & Promising Practices program, Minnesota Ethical Leadership Awards, Character Recognition Awards luncheon and Reach for the Stars catalogue. If you would like your support directed to a specific program, please email Cassi at cwanous@synergyexchange.org.