...But October is coming soon!!!

...via the convenors of the conference, several of whose blogs I read...K12 Online Conference is a 'go' again this year, and as someone who participated on the periphery of the 'get-together', I'm going to have to highly recommend attendance if you're interested in this whole education connectedness via the web idea. Dates for this year are "October 15-19 and October 22-26 of 2007, and will include a preconference keynote during the week of October 8. This year’s conference theme is “Playing with Boundaries.” " (copied from the conference blog)

Here's some reasons to think about attending this year's conference...

Call them the top 5 reasons (I couldn't think of 10 quickly)....

5. You can wear your pajamas to the keynote presentations.

4. ...or better yet, do what I did last year and download them to your PC or your mp3 or video player to view/listen whenever you like.

3. No mileage to incur, nor wear and tear on your vehicle.

2. You can participate in the chats (or just listen); you can leave (and read) comments about the conference; you can network with other teachers and education-types from across the globe, literally.

and the number one reason (since teachers sometimes have a reputation involving frugality?)...

1. It's free!!!

Here's the link again, and the call for proposals is currently on now, so maybe some interested folks from the Valley will be presenting, who knows?

RM

November is a Long Time From Now...

But, as Lorne Henkelman recently pointed out, via ManACE (Manitoba's Special Area Group 'Association of Computing Educators' ), I think the acronym stands for...there will be some local opportunities here in the Swan River Valley for those teachers/administrators interested in some technology sessions.

Here's the lineup, in no particular order:

1. Make 'n Take Digital Story with Janet Martin and Rob McDonald

2. Web 2.0 Collaboration; An ‘Un’-Presentation with Tracy Maksymchuk and Ryan Maksymchuk

3. 3D Modeling Made Easy with Google Sketch-up with George van der Walt

4. Creating Your Personal Learning Environment with Derek Henkelman and Lorne Henkelman

Date for SAG is set at November 23, 2007, and details from ManACE about registration will be forthcoming in the fall publication as always. If anyone knows about any other sessions being offered, please forward them to me or to your school's PD committee rep. for uploading to this blog. Thanks, Lorne!

[photo credit: http://www.ethelbertmb.com/rec.html]

Laptop Schools in the States

I find myself teaching mathematics in a laptop-enabled lab....and more and more teachers are carrying/using portable notebook computers. There was an article in the New York Times last Friday that has stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest in "the blogosphere". In particular, a gentleman named David Warlick (who writes a blog called 2 cents worth) has weighed in on the discussion, and the comments left on the post of his blog are really worth reading. Check out the post and comments here.

***Sorry for the late addition, but the idea here (and why I posted this on a PD blog) is either Warlick's or someone commenting, that in a lot of cases, PD is a 'professional responsibility' and the teachers in New York encouraging their districts to 'go back to how it used to be' maybe aren't being terribly realistic (or responsible)? My words...no one else's....

History Made in SVSD!!!

All kidding aside, if you're reading this, you may be as excited as I am that this thing is working. We were only together for a few short hours today, but in my opinion, we made tremendous progress in advancing the cause of educators seeking to improve their skills, and thus learning outcomes for kids.

Thank you all for your contributions, your patience with me (relative to my struggles with where meetings should occur), and for keeping an open mind in an unknown situation. Congratulations!

I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes...I like it because I believe it...

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
(Margaret Mead)

Summer Leadership '07

"What Really Matters"
July 8-13,2007
Elkhorn Resort, MB
Includes workshops on: Inclusion, What matters, Principal Issues, The School Learning Community
Updates at: www.mcle.ca or call Barry Nadolny (204) 638-6531 or barry@mcle.ca

2007 MTS Summer Administrator and Special Education Institutes

Social Justice Summer Institute-Eyes Wide open. July 3-7, 2007. Exploring racism in Canada. Participate with Elder Dave Courchene Jr. as he teaches about traditional connections to the land. He will challenge your attitudes about racism. Accredited for 20hrs. towards the Special Educators Certificate.

Location: McMaster House
Time: 9:00am- 3:00pm
Cost: $250.00
Staff Officer: Terry Price, Rebecca Chartrand

Summer School for New and Aspiring School Administrators

August 7-10, 2007 in Winnipeg at McMaster house. Sponsored by COSL and MTS. Deals with the basics of administration, legislation, regulation, supervision and evaluation, etc. Accredited for 20 hours towards the Level 1 and 2 Admin. Certificate. **Deadline for registration is June 20, 2007.** For more information, email piregistration@mbteach.org

Differentiating Instruction Session

Dr. Debbie Silver, various locations, closest is Winnipeg on 24 October, 2007 or Saskatoon 26 October, 2007...."Going Outside The Lines To Reach Every Learner" around $200...check out www.creedseminars.com. Audience is instructors of reluctant learners...so K-12?

2007 Assessment Institute

Date: October 25-27, 2007
Location: Ottawa (Nepean), ON

Presenters: Rick Stiggins, Anne Davies, Ken O'Conner, Wayne Hulley

Gain powerful perspectives on practical assessment strategies.
See www.solution-tree.com

Education for Social Injustice session

A Canadian Teachers' Federation Conference, May4-6, 2007 , Ottawa Marriott Hotel, Keynote speakers are on the 4th--Winston Carter, 5th -Mary Gordon,Henry Giroux, Paul Shaker, 6th -Douglas Roche. Websiteis www.ctf-fce.ca " Learning about Social Justice, Living Social Justice, Advocating for Social Justice, Working Together for Social Justice".

Creed Session: How to Teach Reading When You're Not a Reading Teacher

Grades 4-12 in Winnipeg (Canad Inns Polo Park) on October 12, 2007. Dr. Sharon Faber will have you "discover ways that you can develop effective lessons to help your students increase academic vocabulary, comprehension skills, and fluency in your content" and much more. Cost is around $200. www.creedseminars.com

Risk Threat Assessment PD

Kevin Cameron is tentatively booked for February 4 & 5, 2008. Our Division will have up to 60 staff trained on Level I Risk Threat Assessment. Each school should have a team of 2-4 staff members trained. We will be inviting members of our Swan Valley Interagency community to participate in the training as well. More info. will follow..

FrenchTeacher Bursaries 2007

Awards are available for French Immersion Teachers or teach Basic French who wish to improve their language and pedagogical skills during the spring and summer months.

Only programs or courses taken April 1 and August 31 will qualify for financial assistance.Application forms must be completed and returned by April 30, 2007.

Call 1 204 945 6935 extension 6935 Maude Plourde

Applied Counselling Certification Programs

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Summer Program sessions begin June 4 and run until August 29th. For specific time and information of courses offered visit umanitoba.ca/extended/coned. Certification program meant for professionals and paraprofessionals who are already involved in direct counselling.

PD response re. 2006-07 year

Committee members I am looking for response from your staff re. the PD events and committee decisions made this year. Please comment after discussion with your staff.