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Friday, March 3, 2017

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings
March 17, 2017  Title III Paraprofessionals
March 21, 2017  Counselors
March 22, 2017   Superintendents' Council
March 23, 2017  Social Workers
March 24, 2017  Principals Council (START TIME OF 9:00 A.M.)

April 13, 2017  MRVED Common Day - Todd Whitaker will be presenting


Learn to Use the MDE Data Center
Holly Brunson, Outreach and Training Specialist from the Minnesota Department of Education will be coming to the MRVED on May 4th to provide a training on accessing the MDE data center.  More information and how to register will be coming in the next few weeks.  Mark the date on your calendar for this great learning opportunity.

Why Professional Development Matters

Why Professional Development Matters
Recently I overheard a parent questioning scheduled early outs, late starts, random days off, etc...  It got me to think about the merits of professional development.  I started to do a little research of my own and came across this great publication from Learning Forward on Why Professional Development Matters.  It would be a great resource to have handy at parent teacher conferences when a parent starts to question your most recent early out.  I found it very interesting and very easy to read.  It is written for everyone, including parents.


What Great Teachers Do Differently - Be the Filter

Be The Filter
We are about halfway through Todd Whitaker's book "What Great Teachers Do Differently".  The "Be The Filter" chapter is a great chapter for this time of the year.  February, March, and April can be tough months to get through.  Winter is dragging on, there are no breaks in sight, testing is on the horizon, teacher negotiations are ramping up, etc...  Whitaker talks about filtering out the negative to find the positive.

We all know that one person who constantly brings the negative to every conversation, we'll call her Debbie Downer.  Whenever someone asks Debbie how her day is, she starts by saying how bad her day is, or any problems she is having with her students.  If you are in a conversation with her, you need to filter that negative energy out, because it can leech into your mood as well.  If your mood is negative, your students will catch onto it very quickly.

We've also heard Debbie say, "This is the worst group of kids I have ever had".  Her grade level partners agree and also spew this negativity about this certain grade level.  Soon teachers in the grades ahead are fearing this group of kids.  This negative attitude about a certain grade level permeates throughout everything you do.  Be the filter...Filter out this toxic information and approach this grade level as you have every other year, with positive energy.

If you are dealing with a lot of negative people, pick up Whitaker's book and read chapter 10.  He will give you some strategies to filter out the negative and become the positive change you want to be.


Public Comments for 1st Draft of New Phy Ed Standards

The Minnesota Department of Education is now soliciting public comments on the first draft of
the Minnesota K-12 Physical Education Standards dated February 27, 2017. The Public Review
and Comment Period is February 27 – March 16, 2017. View the draft standards document and
provide online feedback on the department’s website. The public is also invited to provide
feedback at one or more of four Town Hall Meetings to be held at the locations below.

Public Comment on the DRAFT Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Physical Education
February 27 – March 16, 2017
All Town Hall Meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The public is invited to provide feedback on the first draft of the revised Minnesota physical
education standards at one or more of the meetings listed below. Written comments may be
submitted using an electronic feedback form that is available on the MDE Website February 27-
March 16, 2017. If you have questions, call 651-582-8749.


Thursday, March 2 – Fergus Falls, MN
Lakes Country Service Co-op
1001 E. Mount Faith
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 739-3273
(800) 739-3273


Tuesday, March 7 – Marshall, MN
Red Baron Arena & Expo
Vast Club Room
1651 Victory Drive
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-1865
(Across from Marshall High School)


Thursday, March 9 – Duluth, MN
Denfeld High School
401 North 44th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55807
(218) 336-8830


Tuesday, March 14 – Roseville, MN
Minnesota Department of Education
Conference Center A, Room 14
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 582-8200

Tech Tip - Osmo Updates

Osmo
We have highlighted Osmo before in the update.  Osmo is a great tool for kids in elementary.  They have added a variety of other games since we last highlighted it.  Check out one of the new activities in the video below.


Osmo is a great way to get kids to interact with technology as well as use their hands.  It's a great learning tool!  Go to the Osmo website to see all the new things they have.