January-March Counselors

Healthcare Education & Learning Pathways (HELP) Summit - School Information & Student Registration

We are excited to announce the Healthcare Education & Learning Pathways (HELP) Summit on February 23, 2026, hosted by the Armstrong Indiana Career Pathways Partnership (AICPP).

This summit is a collaborative effort of the CTCs, medical centers, and post-secondary institutions of our two counties and will provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of healthcare careers through hands-on, interactive sessions.

Important Information:

• Audience: Armstrong and Indiana County students in grades 10-12 who either have a strong interest in healthcare careers or show significant aptitude in science.

• Chaperones: We recommend sending STEM teachers to attend and learn alongside students to gain insights for integrating healthcare careers into their curricula.

• Lunch: Lunch for students and chaperones will be provided.

• Transportation: We have funding to assist with transportation costs to Lenape Technical School. Information for reimbursement will be provided after the event.

• Location: Lenape Technical School, 2215 Chaplin Ave, Ford City, PA 16226

• Drop Off: Drop off will be at the side entrance outside of the gym (follow signage).

• Parking: Buses can park in the back lot

• Dress Code: Business casual.

Schedule

9:00-9:35 Keynote

9:45-10:15 Session 1

10:20-10:50 Session 2

10:55-11:25 Session 3 / Lunch

11:30-12:00 Lunch / Session 3

12:05-12:35 Session 4

12:40-1:10 Session 5

1:15-1:30 Closing Remarks

Students will receive an individualized schedule based on their responses to the interest survey. When you arrive, we will give all of your materials to your chaperone for distribution.

Thank you for helping us connect students with this exciting opportunity. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Katie Monsour (kmonsour@iu28.org), or Susan Manz (smanz@iu28.org).

Click here to register your school. Don't hesitate: seats are filling up fast! Deadline: January 30, 2026.

It's time for the third-annual Armstrong-Indiana Career Fair, which will be held on:

Thursday, March 26, 2026

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

West Shamokin High School

178 Wolf Drive, Rural Valley, PA 16249

Please note that this year’s event will be a dedicated career fair only and will not include a job-fair component as in previous years.

Employer Registration

Employers and post-secondary partners wishing to participate must complete the registration form at:
www.armstrongcenter.org/careerfair/. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required to reserve a table.

What to Expect in 2026

More than 300 high school students in grades 9–12 from Armstrong and Indiana counties are expected to attend. Students will explore career pathways, learn about in-demand skills, and speak directly with professionals eager to share insight into today’s growing industries.

This year’s event also features a new keynote focus: Careers in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics – with industry experts highlighting how these technologies are reshaping the workforce and the skills students will need for the future. Details about keynote speakers will be announced soon.

Your participation continues to play an important role in helping students understand career opportunities, build early connections, and begin planning their next steps after high school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Justin Nolder, at 724-543-2599 ext. 222, or justin@armstrongcenter.org.

Keystone Scholars

KEYSTONE SCHOLARS jumpstarts educational savings by providing a $100 scholarship for every child born to a PA family in 2019 and later for future education. The scholarship can be used between the ages of 18-29 for post-high school technical, collegiate, apprenticeship, and credentialing educational expenses.

You can encourage parents to claim their child’s account at pa529.com/keystone. Only three pieces of information are needed:

o Child’s date of birth,

o Zip code on file when child was born, and

o State File Number from child’s PA birth certificate.

Once claimed, parents may open a companion PA 529 account to contribute their own savings! Families can start savings with as little as $1/month.

Find out more information about Keystone Scholars on their website.

Want a 1:1 Consult with the PVAAS Team? Click HERE to schedule!

Users can now select the focus for the consultation that best meets their goals or professional learning objectives.

Great Learning Opportunities Coming Up:

PVAAS Professional Learning Page

Digging Deeper Guides- these are a great resource for identifying root cause and diving deeper into your data! User friendly for all users!

Here are several links to resources to help build your understanding of this change:

• PVAAS Methodology Transition
• Changes in PA’s Assessment System: Impact on PVAAS
• PVAAS Methodologies (see pages 10-13 for predictive model information)
• eLearning – District/School Value-Added (view section on Predictive Methodology in menu)

Upcoming Webinars: Learn With Us

Register to join us live. Can’t make the live broadcast? Register anyway and we’ll send you the on-demand session when it’s available!

How PVAAS Data Supports Decisions in MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 Programming
Live Broadcast: 1/13/26 | Time: 9:00 am | Register Here

Using PVAAS Projections with Purpose: Guiding Course Recommendations and Supports

Live Broadcast: 1/28/26 | Time: 9:00 am | Register Here

Top Resource Picks of the Month

Prepare to work in PEERS (Pennsylvania Educator Effectiveness Rating System) when SY25-26 information is pre-populated in the next several weeks. Familiarize yourself with how to complete Act 13 evaluations in PEERS and check out the new features released this summer!

Key Documents:
Using PEERS: A Getting Started Guide for Evaluators

PEERS Frequently Asked Questions

Webinar Recording:

PEERS Refresh: A Hands-On Tour of What’s New

Prefer a 1:1 conversation? Book a 1:1 Online Session with a PVAAS Team Member

The PA online testing landing page has been updated in order to be accessible. Educators and students will see this change in two ways:

1. Through the secure test engine
2. Through the public version used to access Online Tools Training and Tutorials

With regards to the secure test engine and administration of CDT, Firefly, PSSA and Keystone exams, LEAs do not need to take any action. The software has been updated already.

The public version of the landing page, which is used for the Online Tools Training (OTTs) and Online Tools Tutorials (videos) required a new URL. Educators and students can now access the OTTs and Online Tools Tutorials using this link: https://portal.te.drcedirect.com/PA

Firefly Updates

Firefly reporting will expand significantly for ELA, Mathematics, Algebra I and Literature this year.

Individual Students:

• Student Group Roster – 10/6/25
• Individual Student Reports will contain predictions for PSSA or Keystone performance – 10/6/25
• Instructional Strategies – Fall/Winter
• Longitudinal Roster – 2/2026

Group Results:

• Longitudinal Roster – 2/2026
• Content Area Comparison – 11/2025
• Group Performance – 1/2026
• Group Performance – 1/2026

Remember....

• The 2025-2026 Winter Biology Keystone Exam is based on the “legacy” Biology standards (for re-testers).
• The Spring 2026 Biology Keystone Exam is based on the new STEELS Biology standards (1st time test takers).
• The best score-to-date will not translate between the two (2) different standards-based tests.

There are a number of updates to the online calculators for PSSA Mathematics, Keystone Algebra I, Firefly and CDT. Please access this link https://www.desmos.com/state-pdfs/PA_Desmos_Calculators.pdf for specific details, including:

1. The calculators available for each assessment based upon grade level.
2. Functions turned off for Pennsylvania testing.

Also,

1. There is a free Desmos App which can be downloaded to school owned devices. Students can also download the free App to their devices. I would suggest downloading the testing version of the App. The testing version has a green bar with Pennsylvania.

1. If interested in downloading the App, this link may be helpful. https://help.desmos.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405003743757-Using-Desmos-on-In-Class-Assessments

Additional notes:

1. Students in grades 4-8 may continue to use a handheld calculator which complies with the PDE Calculator Policy to answer calculator permitted questions.

1. Students in grade 3 may not use a calculator.

1. Students in grades 4 and 5 can access the Desmos four function calculator. I often receive questions regarding students having access to a handheld device with a fraction button. My suggestion is to ensure students in grades 4 and 5 can operate (add, subtract, multiply and divide) fractions as outlined in the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content. Often, these questions appear in the non-calculator section of the PSSA. Also, if students are asked to show/explain their work for an open ended question, we would expect to see all the middle steps involved with converting to common denominators, etc. For example, grade 5 students might be asked to add . They should type If students are missing the middle steps, they will not earn credit for the work.

As a side note, students could also type fractions that are not stacked and would earn full credit by showing this work:

(2 3/5)+ (1 7/8) = (2 24/40) + (1 35/40) = (3 59/40) = (4 19/40); the parentheses are not needed. The equation editor in the testing platform does have stacked fractions, and I would encourage students to practice typing fractions using the Online Tools since they are accustomed to seeing and working with stacked fractions. Here is a link to the Online Tools Training: https://portal.te.drcedirect.com/PA.

1. Students in grades 7 and 8 will have access to the Pennsylvania testing version of Desmos graphing tool for the PSSA in 2026. As noted above, certain functions are turned off for testing.

1. The calculators in the OTTs will be updated in the coming weeks.

It is the 10th Anniversary of Remake Learning Days! This hands-on learning festival returns to Indiana and Armstrong counties from May 1–23, 2026, and we want to showcase the great work happening in our schools, libraries, museums, nonprofits, and local businesses.

Why Host an Event?

• Share what you already do with families and the community

• Showcase student work, programs, or summer opportunities

• Connect with parents and caregivers in a meaningful way

• Events can be for any age and are free or low-cost

Interested in hosting?

• Submit your event (choose Northwestern PA) — Marketing deadline: Feb 23

• Apply for funding to support your event — Deadline: Feb 13

A full preview of the host and funding applications is attached for reference.

Need inspiration? Check out some of these events from last year’s celebration.

If you have any questions or want to brainstorm an idea, please reach out. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested. Let’s make the 10th anniversary our best year yet!

About the Program
Meet Your Neighbors is a new way for members of the Remake Learning network to open their doors and welcome others in. These gatherings build community by showcasing incredible work happening across our region—and by creating space for authentic connection and shared learning.

Each Meet Your Neighbors event follows a simple, consistent flow:

• Welcome from the host organization
• Tour of the space to see learning in action
• Guided Activity that brings the host’s work to life
• Shared Meal with time for conversation and networking

Host Spotlight: Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s Experiential Learning Center
Since 1952, Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania has been empowering young people across the region with real-world learning in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness.in action, participate in a hands-on guided activity, and connect over a shared meal.

At the heart of their work is the Experiential Learning Center — an immersive, hands-on environment where students step into adult roles, manage businesses, and experience what it’s like to navigate a working economy. Through programs like JA BizTown®, learners take on jobs, pay taxes, make financial decisions, and collaborate as part of a thriving community.

At this Meet Your Neighbors event, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the center’s innovative approach to learning, participate in an interactive activity inspired by their programming, and connect over a shared meal with fellow educators and partners who are helping young people prepare for the future.

Who Should Attend
We use the word “educator” broadly. Meet Your Neighbors is for anyone shaping learning in our region—teachers, librarians, youth workers, nonprofit leaders, civic partners, industry collaborators, and more. If you care about helping people learn, you belong here.

Why It Matters
Learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms—it happens everywhere. Across our region, there are countless places where learners engage in hands-on, meaningful experiences. Some are familiar, like schools and libraries. Others might surprise you: a horse stable where young people develop leadership skills, or a repurposed school building that now houses a TV studio broadcasting STEM learning across the globe.

Meet Your Neighbors shines a light on these diverse spaces. By opening doors and welcoming others in, the program helps our region discover and celebrate the full range of opportunities for learning.

Click here to register.

Experience this 26-acre nonprofit farm that uses horses, nature, and hands-on experiences to help children, families, and groups grow.

Click here to register.

More than six hours of educational content for school counselors

Happy New Year from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)! As the leading membership organization for college admission counseling professionals, we’re committed to empowering you through education, advocacy, and community. Together with our 28,000+ global members, we work to ensure every student has access to the transformative power of postsecondary education.

A NACAC membership provides year-round support for school counselors, including:

• Best-in-class publications, resources, and research
• Networking opportunities with peers worldwide
• Professional development and continuing education

Membership ensures you have the tools to help your students succeed. We invite you to join NACAC for 2026 and take advantage of these benefits.

As a special gift, we’re offering complimentary access to NACAC’s Counselor Digital Starter Kit—a curated library of 6+ hours of continuing education credit-eligible content featuring the most popular sessions from NACAC Conference 2025. Topics include:

• 10 Admission Secrets That Your Families Do Not Know
• NACAC Presents: College Admission Trends You Need to Know
• The Plight of the Standard Strong Applicant
• Hidden in Plain Sight: Value, Fit, and Success Beyond the Rankings
• Storytelling in College Admission: Supporting Students in Essay Writing

Access this valuable resource and learn more about NACAC membership.

When we put students at the center of the learning, real change happens. Join us at IUP on June 17, 2026 for a day of learning at the Western PA Student Centered Learning Summit. Details for lodging and the conference program will follow in the new year.

Act 48 credits available

Please attend the statewide webinar about the newly revised standards. Registration is through PaTTAN using the links below.

You only have to attend one session. Hope to see you there!

Feb 5th Session: https://www.pattan.net/Events/Webinar/Course-3621/Events/Session-42249 from 3:00 to 4:15 pm

Feb 6th Session: https://www.pattan.net/Events/Webinar/Course-3621/Events/Session-42250 from 10 to 11:15 am

Visit the PSCA Job Board, and share with others who are on the hunt for a job.

Congratulations to Pennsylvania’s 150 AP Honor Roll Schools

We’re proud to celebrate the 150 Pennsylvania high schools named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll — an achievement that recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering strong results for students while broadening access to advanced coursework.

This recognition reflects a commitment to building a strong college-going culture, expanding opportunities for students to earn college credit, and strengthening readiness.

See the full list of Pennsylvania Honor Roll recipients

District Data Clinics

Using Data to Inform Instruction and Expand Opportunity

Hands-on workshops for district and school leaders focused on using PSAT/SAT data and AP Potential™ to inform instruction, expand access, and support planning. Sessions include a featured segment from PDE’s statewide PVAAS team on aligning PVAAS AP projections with College Board data.

In-person and virtual options available statewide
Register: www.cb.org/pennsylvania

Educator Webinar

The Path Forward: What Students Need for What’s Next

A fast-paced, 60-minute virtual conversation with K–12 leaders, higher education, and employers on the skills students need to thrive after high school — from problem solving and communication to financial literacy and real-world readiness.

March 11, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 PM
Register: The Path Forward

Pre-AP Professional Learning Webinars

Humanities Classroom Experience
February 2, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 PM
Explore how Pre-AP builds analytical thinking and communication through rich, text-based instruction.

STEM Classroom Experience
March 2, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 PM
Learn how Pre-AP supports active learning and skill development in STEM classrooms.

Register for these webinars

College Board on the Road

Connect with College Board staff at upcoming national and statewide convenings.

Pathways to Career Readiness: An Education and Workforce Development Symposium (Hosted by PACTA)
February 5–6, 2026 | Hershey Lodge and Convention Center | Hershey, PA

Visit us at our College Board exhibit table and join the session below:

Session: From Classroom to Career: Preparing Students with AP Career Kickstart
Thursday, February 5 | 4:00–4:45 PM | Magnolia C
Featuring B. Reed Henderson High School, West Chester Area School District

AASA – National Conference on Education

February 12–14, 2026 | Nashville, TN

Connect with us at the PASA reception on Friday and/or join our session:

Session: Leading Systemwide Readiness: College Board’s Leadership Essentials for Superintendents and AP Business with Personal Finance

Friday, February 13 | 2:30- 3:30PM

The Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge will begin in January, 2026! “The Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge encourages schools to increase breakfast participation and make sustainable changes to incorporate more nutritious and local foods. The Challenge shows that when schools innovate, more students participate and can enjoy healthy food at their convenience,” stated Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary.

Royal Family Kids offers a monthly mentorship club and summer camp for children who have a history of trauma, abuse, or neglect. Children who have been placed in foster care or kinship care placements from the court also qualify for the program. Families can apply for both programs, or choose to apply for just one. The Mentorship Club offers continuous enrollment; students are welcome to apply and begin at any point throughout the school year. Here is a flyer with more information: RFK Mentorship Club and Camp. To request paper applications and brochures, please contact the directors listed on the flyer.

Invitation The United States Marine Corps would like to extend a personal invitation for you to apply to attend the Educators Workshop. For hundreds of years, the Marine Corps has fought honorably to defend this Nation and our way of life. The Marine Corps is an organization built around success and the opportunity for growth and advancement. We are fiercely proud of our traditions and the way in which we create our Nation’s defenders - our greatest asset. We look forward to sharing our training and education process with you.

Requirements:

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Must be principal, superintendent, coaches, advisors, full-time high school (9-12) educators, board member or civic leader.
• Post secondary or collegiate professor, counselor, coach or school board leader. • Have ties to teenagers and/or young adults (youth group leader, after-school volunteer, program coordinator, etc.).
• Physically able to participate during the workshop as there are some periods of prolonged walking and/or standing.
• Have not previously attended a Marine Corps Educators Workshop.
• Must complete the Workshop Application and submit to Community@marines.usmc.mil.

Click here for more information.

West Point Admissions is pleased to share our 2026 Educator Visit Interest Form for our annual on-campus experience, scheduled for 22–25 March 2026. This immersive visit is designed to give educators, counselors, and school leaders a deeper understanding of the Academy and the opportunities it offers high-achieving students.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with admissions officers, instructors, administrators, and cadets

• Observe academic classes and military training

• Tour historic West Point and key athletic and training facilities

• Learn how West Point develops leaders of character committed to service

For educators who are formally invited, all major expenses will be covered, including round-trip airfare, lodging at West Point, meals during the visit, and ground transportation between Newark Airport and West Point.

Please note that this is an interest form only. Due to limited capacity, we are unable to invite every educator who receives this message. If you would like to be considered, we encourage you to complete the interest form linked below by 9 January 2026 to allow us time to review submissions. Official invitations will be extended in the new year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Andrew Conti, our Special Actions and Event Coordinator.

Click Here to fill out the form!

America 250 Pennsylvania - click here for more info

America’s 250th anniversary and to honor the legacy of Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education.

America250PA will be awarding $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending Pennsylvania colleges and universities in the 2026/2027 academic school year.

Twenty-five 10,000 scholarships

Application is open now until- Jan. 31, 2026

High School Students who are planning to attend an accredited PA College and/or university for 26.27 academic year.

PENN DOT Innovations Challenge - click here

January 30, 2026 | 9th-12th graders

Statewide competition that challenges teams of students to use their problem-solving, creative, and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges.

Develop a concept for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in work zones to dramatically improve safety for work crews and road users.

Personal Finance Professional Development Sessions

Presented by the Council of Economic Education

April 10th | FULL Day | All High School educators who will be responsible for teaching Personal Finance.

• In-person workshop here at IU5 providing hands-on training, model lessons, and classroom-ready strategies for teaching economics and personal finance

Free classroom resources and instructional tools

Register HERE

Get paid work experience while helping the environment! The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is for young people ages 15 to 25. Learn new skills, gain job experience, and improve Pennsylvania’s public lands. Please share this opportunity with interested students.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education and Remake Learning Days invite your school district to participate in the Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge—an exciting opportunity for students to engage in hands-on career exploration while earning digital badges for their career portfolios!

How It Works:
Host or attend a Remake Learning Days event that integrates career readiness and employability skills. Students (K-11) reflect on their experience by completing a brief survey.
Earn recognition! Schools that submit over 100 artifact surveys will receive a Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge banner.

By participating, your students gain valuable exposure to career pathways while building their career portfolios to assist in meeting the students' career benchmarks.

Register your event today: Event Hosts-Remake Learning Events

For more details, please see the attached document outlining Remake Learning Days and the Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge.

Building relationships is one of the most powerful ways to improve classroom climate and support academic success.

The resource is The First Five by Edtomorrow, which provides free daily connection activities for classrooms. Below is the link, along with a short video that explains how to use it.

Want to help students in grades 9-12 to accrue scholarships? Visit Raise Me.

The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences is a 5-week STEM residency program for rising high school seniors in PA. Students complete rigorous course work in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics while also getting hands-on experience in labortory skills and research. We provide academic opportunities that even the best high schools cannot offer. Importantly, there is no cost to participate in PGSS: housing, meals, and tuition are completely covered for each student.

PGSS has two critical components: the academic and the social program.

The Academic Program

Students in PGSS take rigorous coursework in five core subject areas: biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. Lecture and laboratory courses are taught by CMU and Pittsburgh-area professors and industry experts. Students collaborate and learn together while completing homework assignments for their various classes. Importantly, there are no grades in PGSS. Students are encouraged to step outside of their academic comfort zones and explore topics they might have never considered without the pressure of grades.

In addition to the classroom work, students participate in Team Research Projects during which they conduct real scientific research in one of the core subject areas. At the end of the program, students submit a written summary of their work to the Journal of PGSS and present their projects at the annual Scientific Symposium.

The Social Program

Students live in CMU dorms with the other members of the program, learning how to navigate university life before embarking on their college careers. Residence Life Staff members live in the dorms with the students and plan an active social program to promote a academic/social balance. Staff members also provide academic support to the students outside of the classroom.

Each year the the Residence Life Staff design and host nightly activities for the students to participate in. Some reoccurring favorites include the No-Talent Show and a trip to PNC park to watch the Pirates play the Phillies.

Apply here

Test Site Coordinator Training: Important Materials

Thank you to all who attended the mandatory Test Site Coordinator training in December. Below are important documents that came from the meeting.

• Presentation
• Recording
• FAQ

Post-testing

Schools can now order post-tests, provided their Test Site Coordinator has completed the mandatory training. The testing window is March 1 through April 30, 2026.

Need your certificates for your May ceremony?

Consider testing early in March.

Once you have tested, upload your scores to the NOCTI Client Center and send your test materials and disposal form as soon as possible; likewise for NIMs.

Special Accommodations

If you have a special accommodation request for a student, please fill out the form linked below as soon as possible.

All requests must be approved by the Bureau of Career and Technical Education and may take a few days to be processed.

• Student Occupational Testing Special Accommodations Request Form

We’re excited to announce NOCTI’s 2026–27 development projects—and we’re looking for passionate Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to help bring them to life!

This year's lineup includes:

• Building Trades Maintenance
• Computer Programming
• Criminal Justice
• Employability Skills
• Health Assisting
• Horticulture-Landscaping
• Production Agriculture
• Television Production

As an SME, you’ll help ensure each credential is accurate, industry-aligned, and truly reflective of real-world skills. It’s a great way to give back, influence national standards, and help shape the future workforce.

If you have expertise in any of these areas—or know someone who does—we’d love to have you on board. Thanks for helping build the next generation of high-quality NOCTI credentials!

Learn More and Apply!

Want to know more about pre-apprenticeships?

Are you interested in learning more about how to start a pre‑apprenticeship program at your school? If your school already offers a pre‑apprenticeship, would you like to share your experience with others?

If so, sign up to receive updates about the ERC’s upcoming pre‑apprenticeship clinics. Beginning in February, these virtual sessions will bring together schools with CTE programs and experts in pre‑apprenticeship development to discuss best practices, common challenges, and practical tips for building and sustaining strong programs.

The date, time, and first guest speaker will be announced later this month. Sign up today to be notified when registration opens.

The OMHSAS Garret Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention KEY-PPLE grant team, and partners are providing a range of suicide prevention trainings for mental health professionals working with youth across various settings. All training sessions are offered from 12:00-1:00 PM (ET). Visit preventsuicidepa.org/webinars<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://preventsuicidepa.org/webinars/__;!!NHLzug!LTtaGrMXlo0Td1YNOdcaO6rIyWP-k9EO30ydAEa-9rqTl22zJ83itkVn2bnD_ySLv6FP1SL7rYw-T05RQdk$> to learn more and to register for each training.

Training Topics Include:
* February 3, 2026: Supporting Student Re-Entry
* February 17, 2026: Language, Bias, and Diagnostic Disparities in Psychological Interventions
* March 3, 2026: Means Safety for Mental Health Professionals
* March 17, 2025: Targeting Sleep in Suicidal Youth
* April 7, 2026: Postvention Response: Special Considerations for Schools
* April 21, 2026: Suicide Prevention and Intervention Considerations for Autistic Youth
* May 5, 2026: Bereavement Through the Eyes of a Suicide Loss Survivor

Call, text, or chat 988

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, in partnership with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness (OTDA) Public Service Announcement Challenge. This is a competition open to Pennsylvania teens in grades 9 -12. Your Challenge: Create a video explaining why being an organ donor is crucial and why you will designate yourself. Use the theme, “The Power of 1,” to demonstrate how the organs of 1 donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance the lives of 75 people through tissue donation. Be sure to include this fact in your entry to encourage your peers to become organ donors. Your Award: The statewide winning team (2-4 individuals) will receive a $3,000 award. The winning team members will receive certificates, and their school will receive a traveling trophy and a permanent trophy engraved with the school’s name. The team will also be invited to attend the Annual OTDA Spring Conference in State College on May 15, 2026.

Deadline for Submissions: 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2026

On February 23, Toddle is hosting a gathering at the Hershey Lodge for the Curriculum Leadership Summit: PA, free in-person convening for district leaders navigating the moment of AI-driven change in schools. The event is co-hosted by PA-EDGE and PAECT.

The day will feature:

- Keynotes by Jay McTighe (architect of the UbD framework) and Richard Culatta (CEO - ISTE+ASCD)

- Panels and workshops on leadership and technology

- Conversations, real tools, and meaningful connections

The event will explore questions that matter most right now: How can district leaders make sense of the growing AI landscape? What does responsible innovation look like in practice? How do we lead change that stays grounded in learning?

PA Curriculum Leadership Summit

Monday, Feb 23 | 8 am-5 pm ET | Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA

Link to Register: https://www.toddleapp.com/events/pa-curriculum-leadership-summit-2026/

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to address emerging local, state, and regional problems, driving innovation and the renewal of America in our nation’s Golden Age.

The Presidential AI Challenge seeks to inspire young people and educators to create AI-based innovative solutions to community challenges while fostering AI interest and competency. Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.

The Presidential AI Challenge will foster interest and expertise in AI technology in America's youth. Early training in the responsible use of AI tools will demystify this technology and prepare America’s students to be confident participants in the AI-assisted workforce, propelling our Nation to new heights of scientific innovation and economic achievement.

Student participants will complete a project that involves the study, development, or use of an AI method or tool to address community challenges, while educators will focus on creative approaches to teaching or using AI technologies in K-12 learning.

Register here

Continue to preview the (State Board Revised CEW Standards link) which will be in effect on July 1, 2026.

Two sessions are being offered through PaTTAN. Act 48 hours are available.

February 5 3:00-4:15 PM; Registration is required

February 6 10-11:15 AM; Registration is required

A-z Career Lab

Future Jobs

Careers that Work

The Manufacturing in Motion project gives students the opportunity to engage in career conversations with team members from participating companies.

If you’re interested in bringing Manufacturing in Motion to a group of students or young adults you work with, please contact Tara Lawrence at tlawrence@nwirc.org.

The Career Expo will take place Monday, January 12th, 2026, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm in the PA Preferred Banquet Hall in the Farm Show Complex. Please use the form below to register your school, class or individual student. For questions regarding registration please contact Sara Gligora at sgligora@pa.gov .

Link to the form

Additionally, the 2026 Farm City Day Central PA is coming up on May 6th and 7th. Link to register here.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is developing guidance for the public regarding how it will evaluate cases involving the use of emotional support animals (ESA) in education, employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Under the PHRC’s current provisions, emotional support animals are recognized primarily in the context of housing accommodations, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive equal housing opportunities. However, these provisions do not extend to other public spaces or accommodations.

The PHRC is seeking public input regarding access to public accommodations with emotional support animals specifically. Emotional support animals are not service animals like seeing eye dogs and they are not trained to do a particular task. Rather, individuals with certain disabilities have found the presence of these animals provide a significant emotional benefit.

Public accommodations are places open to the public, like stores, restaurants, amusement parks, schools, colleges, and universities.

The PHRC is looking to hear from individuals who use ESAs, advocacy groups, businesses, and other affected individuals and entities. The PHRC would like to hear about your experiences, concerns, and suggestions. Public comment will be accepted via an online survey from December 1 through December 31, 2025. The PHRC will accept comment from schools, postsecondary and higher education institutions, and libraries via email (aburman@pa.gov) until January 29, 2026.

After the one-month public input period concludes, the PHRC will develop draft guidance informed by the feedback received. Once the draft is finalized, it will be released for a public comment period before being reviewed and accepted by the Commission.