Planning has begun for the 2024 County-Wide In-Service Day! Motivational speakers, professional development, peer networking, and lots more to come! January 15, 2024

Check out the session menu!

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, ARIN will host a Gifted Bootcamp from 8:30 - 3:00. Teachers of the

gifted and school adminstrators are invited to attend this session that will be presented by Amy McShane, State Gifted Liaison. The direct link to register can be found here. Please share this information with others in your district.

Students are not to use any electronics other than handheld calculators which comply with the PA Calculator Policy during PSSA Mathematics, PSSA Science, Keystone Algebra I or Keystone Biology Exams. Students may not use Chromebooks, iPads, cell phones or other devices with the DESMOS app as a calculator or use the web version of DESMOS even in test mode, during paper and pencil administered testing. The DESMOS calculator is embedded in the online PSSA and Keystone exam, and if testing online, students will have access to the DESMOS test mode calculator. If school staff members want to have students use the DESMOS calculator, a solution would be to change to online administration. Students testing online may also use a handheld calculator which complies with the PA Calculator Policy.

Questions: Contact Megan Clementi @ PDE mclementi@pa.gov

HB1507: 180 Days OR 900/990 Hours

HB 301 (Act 33): Student teacher grants up to $15k and $2500 for mentor teachers

How do we participate?

Event submissions are open! In order to submit your event, head to our Event Submission Page and share details with us about the event (timing, address, short description, accessibility, etc).

Events (in-person or virtual) are themed with one or more of the following topics: arts, makers, outdoor learning, science, math, technology, youth voice, and professional development.

With the festival being held in May, many organizations use these events as opportunities to showcase work from the school year, highlight opportunities for youth during the summer or year, or engage parents and family alongside their children.

December Challenge: The first 20 event hosts to submit their RLD event by December 31 will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

For hosts seeking financial support:

We are offering mini grants to support hosts ($250 or $500 for a multi-organization event).

If you would like to apply for a mini grant, submit your request via this Google Form by Friday, February 2.

K12GP submission due dates are in three phases in the academic year following the school’s comprehensive plan as follows:

• Phase 1 – March 31, 2024
• Phase 2 – March 31, 2025
• Phase 3 – March 31, 2023 (past due if not already submitted)

PDE will offer an optional TEAMS webinar to introduce the K12GP portal found in MyPDESuite, FRCPP on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30.

The introductory webinar will be followed by optional PDE office hour TEAMS meetings where you are welcome to call in to ask specific questions:

K12GP TEAMS office hour #1 Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30

K12GP TEAMS office hour #2 Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30

K12GP TEAMS office hour #3 Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30

PDE staff who will be reviewing the K12GP include Wendy Leiby, Tracey Readinger, Mycenea Worley and Tamalee Brassington. PDE requests that all K12GP content questions be emailed to ra-EDK12GP@pa.gov. FRCPP system inquiries should be emailed to RA-EDFRCPP@pa.gov.

🍎Bachelor's degree

🍎Pass content area test

🍎Can teach full time and fill vacancies as teacher of record

🍎Complete pedagogy classes

🍎Finish (within 3 years) as a fully certified teacher!

Here is a list of Approved Programs in PA!

Internship FAQ

What certifications will be qualified to teach the new Financial Literacy content?

Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG) that pertain to economic education/financial literacy certification, and course assignment include: CSPG 33 - Business, Computer and Information Technology; CSPG 35 - Citizenship Education; CSPG 44 - Family and Consumer Sciences; CSPG 49 - Marketing/Distributive Education; CSPG 50 - Mathematics; and CSPG 59 - Social Studies.

When are new standards released?

We are hearing Summer 2024. Implementation 2026-2027 with a similar rollout to STEELS. More info as I receive it!

Financial Literacy Simulations- an interactive literacy activity with prizes!

Training – PCCD SSSTP providers (pak12ssstp.org)

December 8: Safety Coordinator Training @ ARIN

ARIN supports the implementation of the Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (PA STEELS Standards) by providing assistance for building curriculum, instruction, and assessment capacity.

Please click here for details on upcoming trainings and supports for the STEELS Standards.

Pending Chapter 4 updates:

2023-2024: 4th & 8th grade will take PSSAs with current standards

2024-2025: 5th & 8th grade will take PSSAs with field test items (will not "count")

2025-2026: 5th & 8th grade PSSAs with STEELS standards (live)

Biology Keystones: field test items Spring 2025

Download the document below for fall/winter state assessment updates.

🍎Pete & C @ Hershey Lodge February 4-7

🍏 PDE Making A Difference @ Hershey Lodge February 28- March 1

🍎Save the Date! Western PA Leaders' Summit @ Grove City February 29

🍏PARSS (PA Rural and Small Schools) @Boalsburg, PA April 24-26

Opportunity:

The PA Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) board of managers is providing LEAs with a Golden Ticket for 2024—good for one free admission to PETE&C, which will be held February 4-7, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge and Hotel in Hershey, PA. Learn more about PETE&C.

The Golden Ticket is good for one (1) FREE Full Registration to PETE&C for a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or curriculum position at or above a coordinator level. Only one (1) Golden Ticket can be used per LEA.

To redeem this Golden Ticket for you or your staff, please contact Adrian Huber at ahuber@pasbo.org or call 717-540-9551 x235.

Register HERE for the 2nd Annual Western PA Leaders' Summit!

SPRING 2024 RV PHASE DATES

The Spring 2024 RV phases will now open on Thursdays with most closing on Wednesdays! This allows for a longer Preview phase with the same or more business days for each phase as in prior years.

* PREVIEW - Wednesday, April 18 - Thursday, May 1, 2024
* TEACHER VERIFICATION - Wednesday, May 2 - Thursday, May 15, 2024
* SCHOOL VERIFICATION - Wednesday, May 16 - Thursday, May 29, 2024
* LEA VERIFICATION - Wednesday, May 30 - Friday, June 21, 2024

More Resources: https://bit.ly/PDEPVAAS-RV

• Structured Literacy training
• (SL) Framework Guidelines
  
• Professional Ethics Training

• CR-SE (referred to as "Common Ground")

• 2 Year Induction Plan- Implementation 2024-2025 SY

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!

FRCPP Support: Office Hours every 1st and 3rd Tuesday via TEAMS. Click Here

The newest edition of “The CP Tip Jar” newsletter has been released. 🚩🚩Click here to access the most current Comprehensive Planning/FRCPP information.

Our new professional learning site houses the menu of options for professional learning and development! Check it out: https://bit.ly/IU28PL

Our intent is to make learning meaningful, accessible and engaging for all adult learners. We look forward to working with you and your teams in the 2023-2024 School Year!