Oklahoma HSTW Updates

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

GANG AWARENESS VIDEOCONFERENCE
Dr. Michael Wilds, Northeastern State University and the Oklahoma Gang Investigation Association and other law enforcement officials will present the live, interactive VIDEOCONFERENCE on THURSDAY, January 29th from 1:30 to 3:30 at your closest videoconference site. Please call and reserve your space NOW. (Site locations are listed at http://www.sde.state.ok.us/Services/Videoconference/locations.html)

The presenters were at the Safe and Healthy Schools conference and shared their expert knowledge on gang awareness, signs, activities, prevention strategies and intervention.

If you have questions please contact Gayle Jones, SDE at 405-521-2106.

23RD ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK STAFF DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
This year's summer conference theme is Heads-On, Hands-On Learning: Key to Student Motivation and Achievement. The purpose of the conference is to inform state, district, school and teacher leaders about practices in the middle grades, high schools and technology centers that will increase student motivation and learning, students' readiness for high school studies, high school completion rates, and students' success in postsecondary studies and careers.

The announcement brochure is now available online at http://www.sreb.org/SummerConference/index.asp

The Announcement Brochure describes the eight conference objectives, registration information, a proposal to present form and further conference information. Check out the pre-conferences to deeper implement the High Schools That Work framework. Submit proposals for presentations demonstrating how implementation of the HSTW, Making Middle Grades Work and Technology Centers That Work designs is improving student achievement at your school.

Please read over the brochure and make plans to join us in Atlanta this July!

GOVERNOR'S GLOBAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
J.C. Smith, Oklahoma State Department of Education, encourages Oklahoma high school counselors to attend the Governor's Global Education Conference at the University of Central Oklahoma on Feb. 13, 2009.

Registration is online at http://www.okglobaled.org/ This conference will provide invaluable exposure as to why and how young Oklahomans must become more internationally engaged and our campuses that consistently provide these opportunities. For more information contact Erin Taylor, PhD, Coordinator, Academic Affairs Projects with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Phone (405) 225-9163 if you have questions.

RESOURCES

THE SKILLS IMPERATIVE: SOLVE THE U.S. TALENT SHORTAGE
This interesting publication may prove useful to enhancing the quality of career and technical courses and building a partnership with your local chamber of commerce.

http://www.uschamber.com/NR/rdonlyres/eciaj45n6o5jxdngkikp6zgphwy4gqbkt3vyv7q4eu5xlcpms7escmdu5koxwfyvrgdpxukqamx35ljclqfydbuob2g/CTEPaperFINAL.pdf

UNDERSTANDING ISSUES FACING MILITARY KIDS
Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has a website dedicated to assist educators in better understanding and being responsive to the unique issues facing military kids whose parents or loved ones have been or are currently deployed. It provides practical, hands-on information to help those in school settings deal with the tough to talk about topics students experience in the schools
http://www.k12.wa.us/OperationMilitaryKids/Resources.aspx

AIDtoCHILDREN.com
Bluesky emailed another great charity site resource AIDtoCHILDREN.com. It donates money to children in need through World Vision. Check it out at http://www.aidtochildren.com

STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

DESIGNING QUALITY REAL-WORLD PROJECTS
All projects should engage students in authentic learning and require them to use their technical and academic skills and knowledge. To help teachers design real world projects that meet high standards review the following publication on how to design good projects:
http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/site-guides/00V03_UsingRealWorldProjects.pdf

STEM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
See how Oklahoma Department Career Technical Education is focusing on the need for more employees in the S.T.E.M. related fields (science, technology, engineering, and math).
http://www.okhorizon.com/2000/Show0903/STEMOverview.htm

This website focuses on getting more females interested in those same fields.
http://http://okhorizon.com/2009/Show0903/VA_IntvWMimiLufkinRickLarkey.htm

December 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wishes for a relaxing break from school and that you have a joyful and fun filled time of visiting friends and family and time to pamper yourself by doing activities that are renewing!


UPDATE:

Reading and Writing Skills Emphasized in Latest Newsletter
Gene Bottoms has announced the availability of another online Best Practices newsletter. This third newsletter in the series focuses on the importance of reading and writing skills in all educational and career pathways. The newsletter includes a variety of strategies for integrating reading and writing skills across the curriculum - in academic, career/ technical and fine arts courses - in ways that improve student achievement in reading and writing and in the content area.

To access this newsletter, click on this link: http://www.sreb.org/publications/2008/newsletters/08SummerConferenceNewsletter.asp

You can also find the newsletter by going to the SREB Web site at http://www.sreb.org/. Click on the High Schools That Work tab at the top of the page and then click on Publications and Materials in the side panel. When that page appears, click on the heading, "Newsletters of Best Practices from the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference."

As you examine practices other schools are implementing, I hope you will work with your staff to identify a practice your school has implemented to successfully integrate reading and writing into all subject areas. Please think about having your school share that activity at the 2009 HSTW Staff Development Conference
If you would like to add anyone to our announcement list about the newsletters, please send names, titles, schools, locations and e-mail addresses to Leonard Gatungo at leonard.gatungo@sreb.org. If you do not want to receive further announcements, please notify Leonard.
Coming Soon—Online Newsletter #4: Middle Grades Schools Take Their Role Seriously in Preparing Students for Rigorous High School Studies


RESOURCE

Emphasis on Reviewing Subject Area Skills or Feeding the Hungry
Check out http://www.freerice.com/ . Here's a fantastic website that all teachers can use. All you have to decide is how to use it! Over the holidays you can even have your children or grandchildren experiment with it.

Are you wanting students to review information in math, geography, chemistry or English or even art or foreign languages? Do you want them to increase their skills? The level of difficulty of the questions can be changed. Or are you interested in having students contribute to a charity that feeds the hungry?

All these goals can be met by assigning students to go to this website. English vocabulary automatically comes up. (The subject can be changed.) For every vocabulary definition you get correct, FreeRice donates 20 grains of rice to starving people in other parts of the world. It is in conjunction with the World Hunger Association. FreeRice has already provided rice for hundreds of thousands of hungry people. Just check out the website and the video and then start playing.

FreeRice has two goals: Provide education to everyone for free. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free. This is made possible by the generosity of the sponsors who advertise on this site. Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your education can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself. Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide.


CONGRATULATIONS

To Jorja Jacobs, Innovation Support Service Liaison, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, who is retiring from her career in education after 37 years of service – 17 of them at ODCTE. Her last day will be January 9, 2009.

Here’s a note from her:

Dear Fellow Educators:

I will miss the friends I made in education and helping schools in Oklahoma improve experiences they provide for students. I have been privileged to have a career filled with ever expanding learning experiences and opportunities to assist school districts.

I feel lucky to have worked with such dedicated school staff. I believe we have greatly contributed to students’ lives and enabled them to become happy and productive individuals who are contributing members of society. I enjoyed being part of your team as we improved the schools in Oklahoma.

While I will miss all of you and working with your schools, I look forward to being able to spend more time gardening, taking photographs, traveling, visiting with friends and relatives, and volunteering. I will enjoy hearing from you. Please stay in touch! Best wishes to you all, as you continue your adventures in learning and helping students!

Jorja Jacobs 918/836-9191 JorjaJacobs@gmail.com

Oklahoma HSTW Updates

UPDATE

SECOND 2008 BEST PRACTICES NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCED
Integration is the theme of the Second 2008 BEST PRACTICES NEWSLETTER announced by Gene Bottoms. The second of a series of eight Best Practices newsletters is now available online. These newsletters describe best practices presented at the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

The focus of the second newsletter is revealed in its title: Integrated Academic and Career/Technical Learning Shows Real-Life Applications of Education. The newsletter includes vignettes about schools that are effectively integrating academic and career/technical (CT) studies to help more students find meaning in their learning and to motivate students to make great effort to achieve.

You are encouraged to share this newsletter with school staff (including academic and career/technical teachers), community and business members, parents and students. You can use these newsletters as focal points for conversation at faculty and teacher team meetings. To access this newsletter, click on this link: http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/2008/08SummerConferenceNewsletter.asp

You will also find the newsletter by going to the SREB Web site at http://www.sreb.org/. Click on the High Schools That Work tab at the top of the page and then click on Publications and Materials in the side panel. When that page appears, click on the heading, "Newsletters of Best Practices from the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference."

As you examine practices other schools are implementing, you are encouraged to work with your staff to identify a practice to effectively integrates academic and CT studies that your school can share at the 2009 HSTW Staff Development Conference. Programs are particularly being looked for that have evidence that integrating academic and CT studies results in greater student motivation and improved achievement ­ in both academic areas and in technical content and procedures.

Between now and December, watch for e-mail announcements of more Online Newsletters of Best Practices. If you would like to add anyone to our announcement list about the newsletters, please send names, titles, schools, locations and e-mail addresses to Leonard Gatungo at leonard.gatungo@sreb.org. If you do not want to receive further announcements, please notify Leonard.

COMING SOON Online 2008 Best Practices Newsletter #3:
"Reading and Writing Are Essential Skills for All Educational and Career Pathways"


GRANTS

Music Matters Grants – Feb 04, 2009 deadline

Source: The Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s mission is to support and redefine music education. Through music education, a child can better achieve his/her full potential and stimulate personal and educational growth.

Music Matters Grants for 2009 will focus on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Grants will be awarded in April 2009 (money will be distributed by October 2009), to schools and music programs throughout the United States. Grant amounts for this cycle are between $1,000-$12,000 each and are made on an annual one-time basis.


Education, Community, and Medicine/Health Grants - March 06, 2009 deadline

Source: RGK Foundation
RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health. The Foundation's primary interests within Education include programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education.

Within Community, the Foundation supports a broad range of human services, community improvement, abuse prevention, and youth development programs. Human service programs of particular interest to the Foundation include children and family services, early childhood development, and parenting education. The Foundation supports a variety of Community Improvement programs including those that enhance non-profit management and promote philanthropy and voluntarism. Youth development programs supported by the Foundation typically include after-school educational enrichment programs that supplement and enhance formal education systems to increase the chances for successful outcomes in school and life. The Foundation is also interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.

The Foundation's current interests in the area of Medicine/Health include programs that promote the health and well-being of children, programs that promote access to health services, and Foundation-initiated programs focusing on ALS.

Although there are no geographic restrictions to the Foundation's grantmaking program, the Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited requests for international agencies or programs. While the Foundation occasionally awards grants for operating expenses, capital campaigns, endowments, and international projects, such grants are infrequent and usually initiated by the Foundation. Multiyear grants are rare; most grants are awarded for a one-year period. Click here to view listing of recent grants awarded by the Foundation.



FOR TEACHERS

Scholarships

College Scholarships – due March 12, 2009
Source: Horace Mann Educators Corporation
Horace Mann is dedicated to serving the needs of the educational community. The Horace Mann Companies is offering $30,000 in scholarships for public and private school K-12 educators to take college courses.

In May 2009, The Horace Mann Companies will announce the recipients. One recipient will receive $5,000 in scholarship funds payable over four years, and fifteen other recipients will receive $1,000 each in scholarship funds payable over two years. Twenty additional recipients will each receive one-time $500 awards. Scholarship money will be paid directly to each recipient's college or university for tuition, fees and other educational expenses.

Scholarship applicants will be judged on a written essay and school and community activities. Financial need is not a consideration, but applicants who have all educational expenses paid through other scholarships and/or grants are ineligible


Awards

Astronauts Memorial Foundation - January 16, 2009 deadline
Source: Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) in partnership with the Space Foundation and NASA: Alan Shepard Technology In Education Award
There is a continuing effort to recognize outstanding contributions by K-12 educators and District level personnel in the field of Educational Technology. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) in partnership with the Space Foundation and NASA is pleased to present the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. The Award recognizes outstanding contributions made by technology personnel or classroom teachers to technology education.

The Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award rewards excellence in the development and delivery of technology programs. Programs which focus on aerospace and/or aeronautics will be given priority to other programs. Applicants must demonstrate how their programs ultimately benefit the students in a school or district.


RESOURCES

Did you notice these articles in previous blog postings? Scroll down on the Blog to the June 17, 2008 entry in the “Professional Development” and “Student Opportunities” sections for all the information about these topics.

Involve The Community To Change College-Going Cultures
Community involvement is an important factor to sustain a college-going message and change the behaviors of students.

Are Wired Kids Well Served By Schools?
Many teens are hyper-motivated with special skills to create podcasts, directing YouTube videos, or publishing a website.

Encourage Teen Writing Through Blogging
Research shows that teen bloggers write more frequently both online and offline. Use this interest to enrich classrooms.

Environmentally Green Schools
Is Your School Clean? Ok, But Is It Green Clean? What a great science project for students.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2 Million Minutes
This You Tube video about the 2 million minutes our students have during high school is only 3 minutes long. It compares attitudes and activities of 6 students in the United States, India and China. View it with your staff to start a discussion about the global competion our students face.

Oklahoma HSTW Updates

UPDATES

First 2008 BEST PRACTICES NEWSLETTER was announced by Dr. Gene Bottoms. ­Learn what school leaders, teachers and national experts say about improving school and classroom practices to prepare more students for college and careers. A series of on-line newsletters describe best practices about successful actions schools are taking to implement the Key Practices.

The first newsletter, Quality Career/Technical Programs Prepare Students to Succeed in a New, More Challenging Economy, is now available online. This newsletter covers assessing the quality and effectiveness of CT programs, preparing students to succeed in an increasingly demanding workplace, building effective career academies, and engaging students in CT studies through real-world applications.

Access the newsletter at: http://www.sreb.org/publications/2008/newsletters/08SummerConferenceNewsletter.asp. You can also find the newsletter at http://www.sreb.org/. Click on the High Schools That Work tab at the top of the page and then click on Publications and Materials in the side panel. When that page appears, click on the heading, "Newsletters of Best Practices from the 2008 HSTW Staff Development Conference."

As you and your staff review the newsletter, consider the following points for discussion:
- Are there any ideas in the newsletter that you would like to try in our school?
- Did you discover a best practice at another school that you would like to learn more about?
- Are you willing to contact that school and share the information with others?
- Are there outstanding practices in one or more of our career/technical programs that we can
share at the 2009 HSTW Summer Staff Development Conference?


CONGRATULATIONS

To Karen Dawson
The Oklahoma School Counselor Association (OSCA) announced the 2008-2009 Counselors of the Year at the Encyclo-Media Conference in September. Congratulations to Karen Dawson, East Central High School, Tulsa for being named The Counselor of the Year. A picture of each Counselor of the Year is available on the OSCA’s Web site, <http://www.okschoolcounselor.org%3e/. On the home page, scroll down and click on their names. Margaret Durham, President of OSCA, is shown congratulating each Counselor of the Year. Congratulations to all the Counselors of the Year!

STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Arlington Cemetery - Jeopardy Question
Use the following website and YouTube video as an inquiry based research for students in U.S. History. These type questions create an interest for student learning. For example, how many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? Additional questions and information can be located at:
http://www.hwva.org/HWVA%20Website%20Info/Arlington%20National%20Cemetary.pdf YouTube video located at:
http://inchesawayfromsanity.blogspot.com/2008/08/arlington-cemetery-jeopardy-question.html


RESOURCES

Career And Academic Connections Website:
Check out Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education’s Career Clusters link. http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/Career_cluster/careerclusters.htm A few examples of what you will find there:
1) Powerpoint to introduce clusters(PowerPoint version)- a powerpoint you can download and adapt to use to introduce clusters. The slides also have notes on them so you have a script from which to work.
2) Career Cluster Pathway Sample Plans of Study Each pathway plan of study (71 plans) is now online in a Word format so you can take and adapt to your school offerings.
3) Revised Career Cluster Plans of Study will take you to the state's career cluster website and you will find the new and revised plans of study for the 16 clusters.
4) Archived Original Career Cluster Plans of Study these are the "original" format for the plans of study for the 16 clusters.
5) Career Cluster Crosswalk -chart that crosswalks the World of Work map (that Explore, Plan and ACT use) to the 16 career clusters.
6) Career Cluster Interest Inventory in both English and Spanish.


Free Spanish Language Publications
As you begin to see a change in your student demographics and need Spanish language publications, the following publications may be of value from ED Pubs (edpubs.ed.gov.)

Tips For Reading Tutors Tips For Reading Tutors/Consejos Para Los Tutores En Lectura
No Child Left Behind: Character Education No Child Left Behind: Character Education...Our Shared Responsibility/La educación moral ... Nuestra responsabilidad compartida
Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence/Cómo ayudar a su hijodurante los primeros años de la adolescencia


Middle-Schoolers Design Web Site with Career Resources

Three hundred middle school students from all over the country worked closely with developers to design a Web site called Funworks that links the interests and hobbies of young people, ages 11 to 15, to future careers. The site, created by the Gender, Diversity, and Technology Institute at Education Development Center, features information about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as games, quizzes, and more. In addition, Funworks provides educational resources for guidance counselors, teachers, media specialists, and parents.http://www.thefunworks.org/

Other Websites:
The U.S. Department of Education recently unveiled http://www.college.gov/ a new web site that aims to motivate students with inspirational stories and information about planning, preparing and paying for college. It includes an interactive tool for students to create an "I'm going" personalized roadmap that details the steps to take to get to college. Content is also organized and presented in a way for students to easily find the answers to their higher education questions: Why Go? What to Do? and How to Pay?


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Gangs Workshop:
The Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association (OGIA) will be hosting a Gangs 101 presentation open to teachers, counselors and administrators. Date is Dec. 12, 9:00 - 5:00 at the Mid-Del Technology Center, registration is $25.00. If you are interested in attending this presentation you can log onto the website listed below for more information.
http://www.ogia.us/101_okc_2008.htm


CONTESTS FOR STUDENTS

Being an American: 2008-2009 Essay Contest – Dec 1, 2008 deadline
Source: The Bill of Rights Institute
The Question: What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American? Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story by discussing: a Founding document that reflects this value; a figure from American history who embodies this value; and ways you can personally put this value into practice.
Both teachers and students can win cash and other prizes for submitting an essay. Listed below are the prizes that will be given out in each region during the 2008-2009 competition. To see which region you are in, click here.

Cash prizes for Students in the 2008-2009 Competition
First place - $5,000
Second place - $2,500
Third place - $1,250
Honorable Mentions (7 prizes awarded in each region) - $250

Cash prizes for Teachers in the 2008-2009 Competition
If you are the teacher-submitter of the essay, you will win an amount equal to what the student wins for First, Second, or Third place.
First place - $5,000
Second place - $2,500
Third place - $1,250

Win a trip to Washington, D.C. for an Awards Weekend!

The top three essays' writers and their teachers will win an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the 2008-2009 Essay Contest Awards Weekend and Gala! To see what last year's winners did on their weekend in Washington, D.C., please click here


Career Poster/Poetry Contest – December 5, 2008 deadline
Source: National Career Development Association/OK Dept. of Career and Technology Education
Students celebrate their favorite career by entering the K- Adult Career Poster and Poetry Contest. This year's theme is "Inspire Your Career, Develop Your Dreams." The contest is designed to bring attention to the importance of life-long career development and the personal empowerment of all people.

State winners win a monetary amount of $5, third place, $10, second place, and $15, first place. Send your school's top three winning entries for each category no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5th, 2008. The top three state winners for each category will be mailed to the national competition. Entry forms will are available at: http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/resources_products/Classroom/Career_Poster_Contest_2008.pdf
http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/resources_products/Classroom/Career_Poetry_Contest_2008.pdf

GRANTS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Teaching of Writing Grant – November 21, 2008 deadline
Source: College Board
Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing
Each year the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6 through 12 for the innovative methods they use to develop their students' writing skills. Grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project.


Grants for Manufacturing Camps – Dec 12, 2008 deadline
Source: FMA FOUNDATION and the Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs Foundation
A demographic shift in the U.S. work force caused by retiring baby boomers is taking place, and the manufacturing sector is already feeling the impact. While improvements in technology have increased efficiency rates and reduced the amount of unskilled labor needed, there is an ever-increasing demand for highly skilled professionals such as engineers who can design, program, and operate technology being employed.

The purpose of manufacturing camp grants is to provide a positive, hands-on experience so young people will consider manufacturing as a future career option.

Suggested curriculum for a week of manufacturing camp might include a day or two of introduction to CAD software, a day or two in a fabrication shop or training facility, and a day of touring regional fabricating or tube & pipe facilities. If assistance is needed, the FMA Foundation is a resource for locating local manufacturers in the metal forming industry. Please see the application procedures before applying.

Grant funds may be used for the expenses related to curriculum development and instruction, as well as direct expenses such as housing, meals, transportation, and supplies. Expenses related to the purchase of software or other capital expenditures do not qualify.


Arts for Students with Disabilities – December 12, 2008 deadline
Source: VSA arts and MetLife Foundation
The goals of Arts Connect All are to:
- Enable more students with disabilities to experience social, cognitive, and cultural
development through arts learning alongside their peers without disabilities;
- Create educational access and inclusion in the arts for students with disabilities; and
- Document the contributions that arts organizations make to inclusive education in public
schools.


Advanced Placement (AP) Test Fee Program – Dec 15, 2008 deadline
Source: U.S Dept. of Education
The AP Test Fee program awards grants to eligible State educational agencies (SEAs) to enable them to pay all or a portion of advanced placement test fees on behalf of eligible low-income students who (1) are enrolled in an advanced placement course and (2) plan to take an advanced placement exam. The program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who take advanced placement tests and receive scores for which college academic credit is awarded.

http://www.ed.gov/programs/apfee/index.html


GRANTS FOR TEACHERS

Teachers in Space Program - December 4, 2008 deadline
Every journey begins with a single step. The Pathfinder program is the first step in the journey toward our goal of putting a thousand astronaut teachers into American classrooms. Pathfinders will be the first astronaut teachers to fly in space and return to the classroom. These Pathfinders will not only fly in space, they will also help us design the three-week training course for the large number of teachers who follow. We hope that Pathfinders will also return each summer to help us teach the course. (Can you think of a more exciting summer job?)

We are currently accepting applications for the first two Pathfinders. (We aren't sure how many Pathfinders there will eventually be. This is the first time we've run a program such as this—in fact, the first time anyone has—so we're learning as we go.)

We're looking for one Pathfinder who is knowledgeable in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) subjects. Applicants for the STEM Pathfinder slot are asked to submit a proposal for an experiment that could be performed on a suborbital flight.

We're looking for another Pathfinder who has strong skills in lesson plan development. Applications are asked to submit a lesson plan or curriculum module based on any aspect of human spaceflight. Teachers from all subject areas, STEM and non-STEM, are encouraged to apply.

Oklahoma HSTW Updates

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Oklahoma Distance Education Association Meeting
Members: no fee;
Non-members: $50 buys attendance and membership;
To register as an attendee, presenter and exhibitor, please go to
http://www.odla.org/


GRANTS

Project Learning Tree
Category - Student Environmental Projects
Description - Project Learning Tree (PLT) is accepting applications for its GreenWorks! Grants. These grants provide funding to help PLT educators and their students engage in hands-on environmental projects in their communities.
There are two grant categories for this program. The applications for both the large and the smaller grant awards are downloadable from the website. A list of state coordinators is available at the website as well.
Deadline Date - October 31, 2008
Size of Grant - $5,000
Cost Sharing or Match - No
Web - http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_21.html

National Gardening Association and Home Depot
Category - Youth Garden Grants
Description - The National Gardening Association (NGA) teamed up with Home Depot stores to offer Youth Garden Grants for schools or community organizations with child-centered garden programs. Judges will look for garden programs that demonstrate: an educational focus or curricular integration; environmental education or awareness; entrepreneurship; nutrition or plant-to-food links; and the social aspects of gardening, such as developing leaders or service learning.
The winning programs will receive gift cards to the Home Depot and educational materials related to youth gardening from the NGA.
Deadline Date - November 1, 2008
Size of Grant - Gift cards for $1,000
Cost Sharing or Match - No
Web - http://www.kidsgardening.com/YGG.asp

Young Adult Library Services Association
Category - Young Adult Reading or Literature Program Award
Description - The Young Adult Library Services Association is accepting applications for the MAE Award for a Young Adult Reading or Literature Program. Sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust, the MAE Award for Young Adult Reading or Literature Program is open to members of the Young Adult Library Services Association. This award was created to honor a member or members of the Young Adult Library Services Association who has developed an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults. This money will support the winning member's attendance at the upcoming American Library Association Annual Conference. The applicant must directly work with young adults and be a personal member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.
Deadline Date - December 1, 2008
Size of Grant - $1,000 to attend American Library Association Annual Conference
Cost Sharing or Match - No
Web -
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/awardsandgrants/ReadingAward.pdf

Oklahoma HSTW Updates

HSTW UPDATES:

1. September 30 - the SREB Annual Report is due today.
2. OCTOBER 6 is the hotel reservation cut-off date to receive the $83 + tax rate for the October 30 workshop.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!
PLEASE use the NEW ON-LINE REGISTRATION PROCESS to register for the October 30 OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK 2008 ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP for using Data to Enhance the School Improvement Workshop. Note check-in registration begins at 7:30 A.M. and the workshop starts promptly at 8 A.M. If unable to access the link copy and paste the following into your browser link: http://icat.okcareertech.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/OKCT.woa/wa/room?id=85uPJ

Next week, additional information will be posted under UPCOMING MEETINGS at: http://www.okcareertech.org/hstw/resources.htm.


COUNSELOR'S CONFERENCE
Have your counselors SAVE the DATE -- March 3, 2009 to attend the Counselor's Conference at Moore Norman/South Penn campus.


SREB LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE FOR ONLINE TEACHERS
Check out the resources and tools! SREB has launched a first-of-its-kind Web site for teachers of middle grades and high school online courses. The Web site, www.srebonlineteachers.org, will help online teachers in SREB states connect with each other, find and share best practices, pursue professional development, and more. It is funded by a grant from the AT&T Foundation.
SREB’s Educational Technology Cooperative created the first national standards for K-12 online teaching and online courses, and all 16 SREB member states now have or are creating state virtual schools.


LARRY BELL - RETURNING TO THE OKLAHOMA!
"Closing the Achievement Gap" Seminar October 27-28, 2008 from 8:00 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. with National Presenter Larry Bell, Author of the book, 12 Powerful Words That Increase Test Scores and Help Close the Achievement Gap. The seminar will be held at the Waterford Marriott, 6300 Waterford Blvd., Oklahoma City.

Get Practical Help with the No Child Left Behind Act!
Whether your achievement gap is related to socioeconomic conditions, cultural differences or gender, this seminar will provide practical research-based strategies every teacher can use. The seminar is designed for all educators preschool through 12th grade with new ideas to make AYP.
Day 1: October 27 - "Data Directed Instructional Techniques"
-- 12 Powerful Words that trip up "at-risk" students on standardized tests
-- 20 standardized activities for classroom teachers
-- "UNRAAVEL" a systematic reading test taking strategy that teaches reading and builds
self confidence
-- 10 strategies from "model" schools
-- Ways to increase teacher expectations
-- Plus other critical areas will be covered
Day 2: October 28 - "Converting High Expectations into Actions"
-- 5 actions that totally alienate African American males from their teachers
-- 17 mistakes made by administrators when preparing schools for standardized tests
-- 16 correctable, unintentional errors that annihilate "at-risk" students chances on standardized tests
-- Overcoming the 7 characteristics of low-achieving students
-- Plus other critical areas will be covered

Closing the Achievement Gap Seminar Registration Form
Please fill in the registration form below -- purchase orders, checks and money orders accepted. Make payable to Multicultural America, Inc. Fill in the proper box and send a PHOTOCOPY along with payment to: Larry Bell, Multicultural America, Inc. 12689 Crossbow Dr., Manassas, VA 20112

You can fax your PO and registration to 703-794-8372. (If 10 or more are coming, call for an additional discount!)
____ I am registering for the two day seminar, Monday, October 27, 2008 and Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Cost: $595.00 per person.
"Early Registration" $550.00 must be postmarked by October 13, 2008
____ I am registering for Day 1 only, Monday, October 27, 2008. Cost: $300.00 per person.
"Early Registration" $275.00 must be postmarked by October 13, 2008.
____ I am registering for Day 2 only, Tuesday, October 28 2008. Cost: $300.00 per person.
"Early Registration" $275.00 must be postmarked by October 13, 2008.

Name: _______________________________
Position, subject or grade:__________________

Email: ___________________________
Work #___________________________

School or district name:_______________________________

School or district address:_____________________________

A continental breakfast and buffet lunch is included for both days. No portion of the registration fee can be returned after October 13, 2008. There are a limited number of rooms blocked at a reduced conference price under the name Closing the Achievement Gap. If no more rooms are available call Larry at 703-690-0413 and we will try to secure more rooms at that rate. To make hotel reservations or get directions call the hotel directly.

Waterford Marriott
6300 Waterford Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
(405) 848-4782

RESOURCES:

Guidance (now Career and Academic Connections – CAC) Re-designed Website.
http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/guidance/guidance.htm

Graduation and College Admission Requirements information is located at: http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/guidance/guidance.htm#graduation.
· Academic Course Implementation Guidelines for Career and Technology Education Students
· Credit Chart for Career and Technology Education Options for Computer Technology
· Basic Career and Technology Education Options in ACE
· Curriculum Chart for College Prep/Work Ready, Core and Oklahoma Promise Requirements

Teachers As Advisors resources can be found at: http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/guidance/guidance.htm#taa
· Rubric
· Team Manual from Louisiana
· Career Development Program Manual, June 2005 - Georgia
· Georgia Teachers as Advisors Page
· South Dakota Teachers as Advisors Website:
· The National Career Development Guidelines (NCDG)
· Sample Chapter
· Information Sheet
· Teachers as Advisors PowerPoint:


SUBSTANCE ABUSE & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (SAMHSA)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed a back to school resource for parents. The Family Guide Web site features articles and resources about sending children back to school. Whether students are starting second grade or senior year, you'll find information to keep them mentally healthy and drug free. SAMHSA's Family Guide Web site has dedicated a section to "Back to School" resources on topics such as helping with homework, issues with making friends, dealing with back-to-school blues, etc.
HTTP://WWW.FAMILY.SAMHSA.GOV/SET/SEPTEMBERBACKTOSCHOOL.ASPX

Oklahoma HSTW Updates

QUICK HSTW REMINDERS
1. SREB Annual Report is due online by September 30, 2008.
2. October 30, 2008 is the HSTW 2008 Data Workshop. Look for registration details next week.
3. Contact Cheryl Bell at cbell@okcareertech.org if you’d like to serve on a HSTW technical assistance visit. They are:
· U.S. Grant High School – October 27-29, 2008
· Durant High School (pacesetter site) – November 4-5, 2008
· Drumright High School – November 11-12, 2008
· Shawnee High School – February 11-12, 2009

STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Help for Literacy Coaches
Literacy coaching provides teacher support and development while simultaneously increasing students' literacy skills. For resources to support a coaching program at your school, check out the following link: http://lists.ncte.org/t/1520916/7538683/855/0/.
Literacy Coaching Teacher Resource Collection (G), includes numerous articles and links to additional materials.

Healthy Lifestyles Video Contest
First Lady Kim Henry has joined State Superintendent Sandy Garrett and the Oklahoma State Department of Education in coordinating a healthy lifestyles video contest for students age 13 and up that begins Wednesday, October 1 and runs through the end of the school year. Students must submit videos promoting healthy lifestyle choices and that can be used for public service announcements (PSA). Monthly winners will be chosen for first place prizes of $3,500 and second place prizes of $1,500. Plus the schools of a first place winner will receive $1,000 worth of fitness equipment.
www.mytakeonhealth.com/
Deadline: May 2008
Contact: Shelly Hickman, Administrative Services, SDE (Phone – 405.521.3371)

Letters about Literature
“Letters about Literature” is a national reading and writing contest for students in Grades four through 12 sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Oklahoma Center for the Book and Target. Students can enter by writing a letter to an author, explaining how one of the author’s books changed the student’s view of the world or of themselves. Students must be at least 9 years old and enter in categories of Grades 4-5, Grades 7-8 and Grades 9-12. State winners will received a $50 Target Gift Card and cash prizes. Six national winners will receive a $500 Target Gift card, plus a grant of $10,000 for their school or community library. Twelve national winners will receive a $100 Target Gift card and a grant of $1,000 for their school or library.
Deadline: December 6, 2008
Contact: Bill Young, Public Information Manager, Oklahoma Department of Libraries (Phone: 405.522.3562)
www.loc.gov/letters

“Fossil Fuel Fund” supports Museum Field Trips
Funding is available to help cover the cost of transporting students to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, in Norman. The funding covers the cost of an educational program for students (laboratory programs not included). Student admission is $1.75 per student. The Fossil Fuel Fund uses a competitive application process; applications will be reviewed as they are received. All funded trips must take place October 2008 through March 2009.
Deadline: Saturday, February 28,2009
Contact: Carmen Eppler, Education Department, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (Phone: 405.352.4712)
www.snomnh.ou.edu/schoolprograms


RESOURCES

PASS for Parents
The Pass for Parents can now be found at http://sde.state.ok.us/Curriculum/PASS/Parents.html.
Pass them along to other curriculum areas and let your principals know they can print them out for use at PTO meetings and open house. The colorful document can be used to help explain the curriculum to parents.

Win Books for Kids!
What Book Got You Hooked? Please take a moment to click the following link and help OK kids get 50,000 free books. The only field that must be filled out is the state that you are voting for. The others are optional.
You can vote once every 24 hours. Please share this link with your Oklahoma friends and ask them to vote too. http://www2.firstbook.org/whatbook/index.php
Oklahoma won last year. Let's go for a repeat by voting early and voting often.

New Competency Model Clearinghouse Resources
The U.S. Department of Labor has added two tools to their Competency Model Clearinghouse, Build a Competency Model Tool, and Build a Career Ladder/Lattice Tool. Both tools are accessible at www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/careerpathway/cpwoverview.aspx . Also included are emerging industry skill needs, curriculum development resources, information on career pathways, and skill based job descriptions. Access the home page at www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Oklahoma Career Information System (OKCIS)
"Train the Trainer" sessions will be held in Stillwater as well as offering user webinars. Contact Jo Kahn at jkahn@okcareertech.org or 405.743.5404 for more information on OKCIS. Many OKCIS resources can be located on the Career and Academic Connections Website at http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/OKCIS/okcis.htm.


POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS
The following presentations are available on the web:
Summer Conference Presentations for Tech Prep are posted here: http://www.okcareertech.org/techprep/presentations.htm

You can get the Guidance Division Summer Conference Presentation here: http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/Pages/guidance/SC2008/2008presentations.htm

In other news, the CAC Division (formerly Guidance) has a new home on the web: http://www.okcareertech.org/cac/

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

CABLE TV LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Time Warner Cable is accepting applications for the Teacher Showcase for Learning Grants program. Time Warner Cable will award grants to teachers to develop creative learning experiences using cable television resources (examples include: programming, websites, and streaming video). Grant winners will use that money to create a project for Time Warner Cable's National Teacher Awards (which take place next year). The grants also may be used to pay for technology projects, training, or services. This funding initiative is open to full-time, K-12 teachers and school library media specialists.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/midohio/education/teachershowcase.html
Deadline: October 3, 2008
Grant: $500

TEACH AWARDS - K-12 TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
Best Buy Teach Awards provide gift cards to schools to purchase technology for their students. The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classrooms. Winning programs focus on kids using technology to learn standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children aren't able to use hands-on. The purpose of the Best Buy Teach Award program is to reward schools for the successful interactive programs they have launched using available technology. Please do not be discouraged from applying if your school does not have the most current equipment.
http://www.bestbuyinc.com/community_relations/teach_awards.htm
Deadline: October 12, 2008
Grant: $5,000 - 15 awards of $10,000 for 9th grade programs
Cost Sharing or Match - No

STATE FARM® GOOD NEIGHBOR SERVICE-LEARNING GRANTS 2009
Fear of failure does not motivate those use to failure. State Farm Companies Foundation, Youth Service America is offering the annual State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant for youth-led community improvement projects. Grants up to $1,000 support teachers and service-learning coordinators to engage students (ages 5-25) to implement service-learning projects for Global Youth Service Day, April 24-26, 2009. State Farm encourages semester-long projects that are launched on Martin Luther King Day on January 19, 2009 and extend through Global Youth Service Day.
1. To download the Introduction and Requirements (pdf). http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/grants/statefarm/StateFarm_GrantRequirements2009.pdf
2. To preview the application form and guidelines (pdf).
http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/grants/statefarm/StateFarm_GrantAppPreview.pdf
3. To download our NEW web-based application form (htm).
http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/grants/statefarm/StaTeFarmGoodNeigbor_Form2009.htm Save the application and complete it at another time. Please note the following:
a. The entire application must be completed in one session, including the budget template. Information that you fill in cannot be saved.
b. Connect to the internet to access the online resources provided as hyperlinks in the application.
c. Submit the completed form and budget spreadsheet on-line.
d. Upon successful submission of a completed application, an automated confirmation is sent via email. If a confirmation is not received, your application was not submitted correctly.
Contact: goodneighbor@ysa.org
Deadline: October 15, 2008
Grant: $5,000

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION READING LIST PREPARATION
The American Library Association is accepting applications for the Carnegie-Whitney Awards, which were created to provide grants for the preparation and publication of popular or scholarly reading lists, indexes, and other guides to library resources that will be useful to individuals who use all types of libraries (public, school, college, etc.). Also, the Association notes that the grants may be used for print and electronic projects, and the projects may vary in length. The grant money covers preparation costs that are appropriate to the development of a useful product. This includes the cost of research and compilation.
Deadline: November 3, 2008
http://ala.org/ala/ourassociation/publishing/alapubawrds/carnegiewhitney.cfm

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEACHERS
Applications are available for Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development to support educators in attending top-quality regional and national conferences. Scholarships help cover tuition, travel, lodging and to pay substitute teachers. Applications will be posted online in early October, with a mid-November deadline. Scholarships are offered in Tulsa, Stephens and Carter counties, to Oklahoma special education teachers and to math and science educators in Oklahoma City metro area. Other categories will be added soon.
Contact: Brenda Wheelock, Director of Communications and Development, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (Phone – 405.236.0006)
www.ofe.org
Deadline: mid-November