My name is Jessica Torres and I serve as the ESC Region 12 Social Studies content specialist. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide resources that are specific to types of social studies content, as well as general instructional tools and resources, and updates and professional development opportunities that are beneficial to all.

I wanted to let you all know that I will soon have a title change. I have accepted the position as our service center's School Improvement Lead; however, the social studies world is something that is near and dear to my heart, so I will continue on as the Social Studies content specialist for the region as well. I may make some shifts in the way that professional development for social studies is offered, but any such changes would occur in the fall. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with a multitude of districts as they strive to improve themselves to better serve students. As always, if you ever need assistance or have a question, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (jtorres@esc12.net) or social media (@owl_b_torresedu).

• State assessments will not be used for state or federal accountability purposes for the 2020-2021 school year.
• TEA is not lawfully authorized to waive certain related graduation requirements. When students reach their senior year, in order to graduate they must have either passed STAAR EOC assessments, scored high enough on a substitute assessment (e.g., SAT/ACT), or met the requirements of an individual graduation committee.

Texas LRE's Middle School Bee in a Box Classroom Competition is a civic education program and competition for middle school students. Students use an online guide to prepare for a two-part competition. The content on the website covers the period of American history from colonization through Reconstruction.

🐝 Check out the Bee in a Box website and information on the classroom competition.

**This opportunity is not limited to librarians. If you are interested in participating in the book study, please feel free to register by clicking on the graphic.

The new interactive Civics Works! page on the LRE website allows students to explore political involvement, community involvement, and opportunities for civic interaction. Resources on this page include:

• An online book (with audio option), Scrappy Explores His Community, in both English and Spanish.
• Elementary and Secondary interactive maps to allow students to learn more about civic engagement.
• A civic pledge creator to allow learners to share how they might become more engaged.
• Color page options for students to explore their community.
• Lesson plans for educators.

There are a plethora of options for social studies educators.

• Join us on Texas History Tuesdays for a Livestream with a Museum Educator. The Educator will come to you live, and you can interact through Q and A on your computer. You will be asked to register upon connecting to the webinar. Advanced registration is not required.
• Sign-up for one of our regularly scheduled live, interactive distance learning programs with a Museum Educator. Check out the class topics below, and follow these instructions to register yourself or your group. Want one of these classes at a different date and time? Email distance.learning@thestoryoftexas.com to schedule.
• Watch a recording from some of our past programs.

TCSS plans to be back in person for #TXCSS2021 November 12-14, and we’re excited to see everyone again! This year’s conference theme is #EngageintheExperience and we know that our teachers at every level have powerful, engaging lessons to share. We look forward to receiving your presentation proposal.

The deadline for submissions is June 15. Presenters with accepted proposals will be notified by email by August 1, 2021.

Presenter Form: https://forms.gle/ewEkQGTCJas9CYS89

Poster Session Form: https://forms.gle/EhDEDH6ALp8FtcyA7

Questions? Email presenters@txcss.net

Social studies professional development opportunities offered through the ESC are free of charge to Enhanced Co-op members. Not sure if you have enhanced co-op...please feel free to reach out to me!

On July 26-30, 2021, the Museum will hold its annual Candy Brown Holocaust and Human Rights Educator Conference. This Conference is a full immersive program geared toward not only social studies but ELAR teachers and librarians. This year’s Conference themes will be Sports, Race, and Human Rights – The Nazi Olympics to Tokyo 2021 (July 26-28, 2021) and Antisemitism and Hate Speech – From the Holocaust to Today (July 28-30, 2021). The Conference will be virtual with in-person at the Museum options.

The Conference includes:

• Break out sessions with leading educational and human rights organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, Echoes and Reflections, USC Shoah Foundation, Special Olympics Texas, International Rescue Committee, and Genocide Watch.
• Survivor Speakers Keynote Panel with Texas of the Year and Holocaust Survivor Max Glauben, Cambodia Genocide Survivor Thear Suzuki, and Rwanda Genocide Against the Tutsis Survivor Yvonne Umugwaneza
• Keynote speakers on the Conference’s themes, including best-selling author Andrew Maraniss, Centre for Sports and Human Rights, and Dr. Robert Williams from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
• Access to exclusive digital resource drive
• CPE credit
• Continental breakfast

Registration deadline: July 12, 2021

Registration link: https://dhhrm.formstack.com/forms/2021_hhrec

Registration fee: $25.00

See the attached flyer and tentative schedule for more information, or go to: https://www.dhhrm.org/educators/educator-professional-development/

I am so excited to be part of the #sschat moderator team! I would love to have you join us for a great conversation via Twitter each Monday evening. Need help getting started with Twitter chats, reach out to me and I'll walk you through the steps. All of the Twitter chats are archived for future reference using Wakelet.

Check them out here:

Volume 1 (2018-2019) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10

Volume 2 (2019-2020) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11 Issue 12 Issue 13

Volume 3 (2020-2021) Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8

Special Editions: Celebrate Black History - Celebrate Women's History - 9/11 Remembered - Holocaust Remembrance Week - Memorial Day - Constitution Day

Ed Specialist - Gifted Education & Social Studies

ESC Region 12

o: 254-297-1118

Email: jtorres@esc12.net
Website: https://www.esc12.net/page/ge_socialstudies
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: 254-366-3856
Twitter: @owl_b_torresedu