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Becky will be graduating from UNK in June. She and her husband, Andrew, live in
Bassett. Andrew is a service
technician at Perfect Valley Irrigation.
They are expecting their first child in August. Administrator’s Notes
Do you ever wish that
work or life in general would slow down so that you can get caught up? There may be a slight pause in the hectic
teacher work schedule as students approach the end of another school
year. This is only a pause as school
personnel consider the needs of the summer months and begin looking ahead to
next school year. Some of you may have
noticed the changes in staffing at ESU 17.
Jan Foster is now the Business Manager for the service unit. Jan has held several positions at the ESU
in her four years of employment. We
are hoping that she stays in this position for many years. On April 21, Becky Lezotte will start her
position as Administrative Assistant/COOP Coordinator. Becky will be
finishing her degree from UNK this summer and is also expecting her first
child. She is a welcome addition to
the staff. As many of you are
aware, ESU 17 and 7 received a RUS Grant to continue updating
distance-learning classrooms. It is
anticipated that this summer all of the ESU 17 schools will have their
distance learning monitors replaced with plasma and LCD screens. Additional equipment will allow computers
to connect with the system and offer greater clarity. Some of the schools will be purchasing
carts to allow point-to-point communications for classrooms. If you would like to know more information
please call Mary Gurney at ESU 17 (387-1245). Some teachers are
asking questions about the statewide assessment that was passed in the last
legislative session. There are no
definite answers at this time, but the ESU administrators will be exploring
some options with NDE. You can learn
more about the assessment bill by going to the legislature website and typing
in LB 1157. Last but not least,
congratulations go out to Sarah Williams as she was chosen to be the
President-elect for Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals
(NAESP) for the 2008-09 school year.
NAESP members made an excellent choice and Sarah will do a great job
in her position of leadership. Dennis Radford
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Educational Service Unit
17 Calendar May-June-July 2008
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Tue
May 20 – NSSRS Work Session, 9
AM at the Mon May 26 – Memorial Day (Closed)
Mon
June 9 through Fri June 13 – Critical Issues in
Curriculum and Instruction (5 day Doane College Class) Tue
June 10 – NSSRS
Work Session, 9 AM at the Mon
June 16 through Fri June 20 – Classroom Computer Applications (5 day
Doane College Class), 8 AM at the |
Fri
July 4 – Independence Day (Closed) Thu
July 17 – Digital Camera Workshop, 9 AM at the Mon
July 21 through Fri July 25 – Multicultural Art in the Classroom (5-day
Doane College Class), 8 AM at the Wed
July
Wed
Aug 6 – Podcasting in the Classroom, 9 AM at
the Tue
Aug 12 – Online Learning Using
Angel, 9 AM at the |
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ESU
17 Summer Technology Workshops
Digital Camera Workshop
July 17, 2008 ESU #17 Tech Center – Ainsworth 9:00-3:30 Central Time Presenters: Mary
Gurney and Patty Finney Bring your own camera or use ours. This is a
basic skills workshop that will cover the various settings available on your
camera, some tips for selecting a camera, taking good pictures and
organization strategies for storing those photos. We will use photo editing software that
comes on your computer or is free/nearly free to produce the best possible
pictures and optimize them for emailing, sharing over the web or using in a
project. Hands-on activities will demonstrate how cameras can become learning
tools in the classroom and be used to create memorable family projects. Smart Ways to Use Your SmartBoard
July 23, 2008 ESU #17 Tech Center – Ainsworth 9:00-3:30 Central Time Presenters: Mary
Gurney and Patty Finney SmartBoards can be more than just a basic
presentation tool. Learn to use the SmartBoard and its tools to create
interactive and engaging lessons. Classroom implementation will be modeled
and shared. This will be a hands-on workshop. Podcasting in the
Classroom
August 6, 2008 ESU #17 Tech Center – Ainsworth 9:00-3:30 Central Time Presenters: Mary
Gurney and Patty Finney Podcasting is the next wave in
creative communication allowing anyone with audio and video recording
software and an Internet connection to begin producing their own podcasts.
Your podcast can highlight your classroom, your community, your curriculum,
or just about anything you and your students can dream up. Online Learning Using Angel
August 12, 2008 ESU #17 Tech Center – Ainsworth 9:00-3:30 Central Time Presenters: Mary
Gurney and Patty Finney Angel is
a learning management system that is available to all our schools. Learn how
Angel can enhance your current classroom practices. We will show you how
students can use the online capabilities of Angel to complete assignments,
download resources, participate in online discussion groups and communicate
with their teacher and class. ESU 17 Graduate Credit Offerings EDU 601 Critical
Issues in Curriculum and Instruction (5-day
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Meetings
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Statewide
Opportunities
NNNC Summer Tech Institute
June 9-10,
2008 Lifelong
8:30 am
- 3:15 pm Cost:
$15 day; $25 both days; plus $5 for each workshop Workshops W2 – Angel
(Advanced) June 10 (All Day) W3 –
Creative Curriculum, June 9 PM W4 –
Photoshop Elements, June 9 PM W5 – DL Strategies
and Equipment, June 9 PM W6 – Virtual
Field Trips, 45 minutes AM W7 – Virtual
Field Trips, 45 minutes AM W8 –
GarageBand, June 9 AM W9 – Open
Office, 90 minutes PM W10 –
Nebraska Access FREE, June 9 AM W11 –
Podcasting, June 10 AM W12 –
Photoshop Elements, June 10 PM W13 –
Podcasting, June 9 AM W14 –
GarageBand, June 9 PM Event ScheduleThere are “threads” that you will be
able to select if you wish. These threads will have programs that should be
similar in topics. You are not obligated to stay in one thread if you would
like to listen to different programs. More break out sessions added daily Classroom Instruction Podcasting, Web 2.0 tools, iMovie, Open Office, Paperless Classroom,
Clickers, Interactive Boards, Elementary Classroom Applications, Virtual
Field Trips, Patriotic America, Classroom Apps for High Ability Learners,
Zoho and More, Creative Curriculum -ages birth-2-5), Digital Citizenship,
Nvu, Jazz Up Your Lessons in 5 Minutes, Gaggle, Internet Safety, Free Graphic
Software, eClickers, MS Office Projects for Elementary, Paperless Classroom,
Webquest in the Classroom, Using Audacity, Classroom Apps for Special Needs,
Technology Apps for HS teachers, Interactive White Boards, MIMIO,
Kidspiration DL Strategies ANGEL (basics—first day), ANGEL (advanced—by teachers using
Angel in the classroom), Strategies and Equipment (panel-discussion), NROC On-line
Curriculum/Management NROC, OdysseyWare Foreign Language LinguaFolio into your Classroom, Great Websites, Using
Podcasting & GarageBand in the Spanish Classroom, On-line Spanish Media Nebraska Access, PowerMedia Plus , Dr. Pasco, Web 2.0 Tools in
the Library, New AASL Standards NE Nebraska Access, Virtual Field Trips Fine Arts Photoshop Elements (1/2 day workshop), Quick Photoshop
Elements (1/2 day workshop), GarageBand (break-out sessions & full day
workshop), Music Practice Software, I Can’t Believe This Was Done In
Garageband LAN Managers NOC Strand Security, Setting up VLANS, Window Management
Client, Apple Client Management, Virtualization, Apple Remote Desktop Registration is by phone
only. There will not be any online
registration. Call ESU #1 at
402.287.2061 to speak to Wendy, Sarah, or Joleen. You will be officially registered for the
workshop once ESU #1 has received your check or purchase order. Math 800T
– Mathematics as a Second Language
Offered
by the June 9–13, 2008 Times: 8:00 – 5:00, M – F (lunch provided) Course Number: Math 800T Section Number: TBA Location: Primary Audience: Math teachers of grades 3 – 6 Secondary Audience: Any K–8 teacher interested in deepening
their understanding of arithmetic and the rational number system Prerequisite: Elementary teacher preparation Instructional Options: UNL Credit Option Cost* Teachers may earn 3 graduate
credits from UNL for $500* Audit Option Cost* Teachers may audit the course for
professional development for $250 *These pricing options are a special benefit
to Nebraska teachers whose ESU or local school district is part of the
NU-Teach Institute Partnership. See information below. Course Description: Mathematics as a
Second Language will lead participants through an in-depth study of the
mathematics underlying the elementary curriculum. Particular attention will
be paid to the language of mathematics, our base-ten number system and their
effects on the algorithms used for mathematical operations. The course will emphasize
understanding the meaning of operations and developing number sense in order
to perform them flexibly. It will also focus on the development of the
“habits of mind of a mathematical thinker” through innovative problem solving
activities. Mathematics as a Second Language was
originally offered as the first course in a graduate program for K-6
elementary teachers created by the Vermont Mathematics Initiative. The course
was then adapted for use as the first course in the Math in the Middle
program for middle level (5-8) teachers at the The NU-Teach Institute Partnership: With the generous
support of the National Science Foundation, UNL, Nebraska’s 14 rural ESUs,
and 65 local school districts formed the Math in the Middle Institute
Partnership. As part of this Partnership, 130 Nebraska teachers (over half of
whom have an elementary certification) have taken part in a graduate program
that leads to a master’s degree from UNL. To date, 60 teachers have earned
their Masters’ Degree from UNL and another 33 are expected to graduate in
Summer 2008. Although NSF funding is ending with the current cohorts of
teachers in the program, the benefits to Nebraska teachers and to their
students are too important to let the program end. Thus, the Math in the
Middle Institute Partnership is becoming the NU-Teach Institute Partnership
and we are working together to make graduate coursework in mathematics and
mathematics education accessible to Nebraska teachers at all grade levels.
Our long term goal is to continue to make the Math in the Middle graduate
program available to teachers and to expand offerings for secondary math
teachers. Benefits of the NU-Teach Partnership: UNL supports the
national commitment to improving K-12 mathematics teaching and learning,
NU-Teach is authorized to offer teachers an opportunity for graduate
education using a concentrated delivery format (1-week) and deeply discounted
prices. Math 800T will be offered in Hastings at ESU #9. This approach
minimizes the cost of graduate education and protects teacher time in the
summer for other pursuits. How to Register: To register for the
section of Math 800T to be offered in Hastings from June 9 – 13, 2008, please
complete the following steps: Step 1 Complete the ESU registration form
below and send it to your local ESU. This form will be used by your ESU to notify
us i) that you are a Nebraska teacher from a
participating ESU and are eligible to participate in the special NU-Teach
Institute Partnership pricing option; ii) whether you have selected the graduate
credit option or the audit option; iii) that you are eligible to receive a
fellowship that will cover the cost of fees if you are taking Math 800T for
graduate credit. Note: Please do not delay registering. Space is
limited to 30 participants. If you
plan to participate by auditing Math 800T, no further action is needed at
this time. Step 2 If you will take Math 800T for
graduate credit, you must apply to and be admitted to Graduate Studies at
UNL. If this is your first graduate course at UNL, please contact Jason
Cruise in the UNL Graduate Studies Office at (402) 472-2845 or via email at jasoncruise.graduate@unl.edu.
There are several admission options available to you and Jason will direct
you through this process. Contact him by May 27th to allow sufficient time
for the graduate admission process. Step 3 Go on-line to the UNL Graduate
Studies, Nebraska Teach web site: http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/teachneb/
to register for Math 800T. If you need assistance, contact Jason. Additional Benefits: 1) ESU 9 will provide coffee, rolls and
juice each morning and will provide lunch for all participants. 2) Instructional materials will be provided
at no additional costs. 3) Your ESU or District may be able to pay
stipends to participating teachers. Consult your ESU staff development
department for more information. ESU 9 will provide stipends for teachers in
the IIA consortium. Other school districts may pay teachers STARS stipends
for their time in class. 4) As you work with your fellow teachers to
learn mathematics, substantial support will be available from our instructional
team. 5) For out-of-town teachers, housing, at a
special rate, is available at the Holiday Inn Select in Hastings. (See below
for housing information.) Graduate Credit – Graduate Expectations: Teachers who take
Math 800T for UNL graduate credit will be expected to complete an
End-of-Course Problem Set designed to reinforce mathematics learned during
the course. The End-of-Course Problem Set will be due July 11, 2008. Instructors: • Jim Lewis – UNL Mathematics
Professor and director of the Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer
Education (CSMCE). Jim is the director of Math in the Middle and has
extensive experience providing for the mathematical education of teachers. He
is a member of the UNL Academy of Distinguished Teachers and the winner of the
• Pari Ford – UNL graduate student in
mathematics. Pari will earn her Ph.D. in May and will join the UNK faculty as
an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in Fall 2008 where she will teach
mathematics content and methods courses in the teacher preparation program. • Cindy Steinkruger – is an
exceptional teacher of grades 7 – 8 at • Amy Nebesniak – is an outstanding
mathematics teacher at Grand Island Senior High. As part of her participation
in Math in the Middle, Amy earned her MA from the Department of Teaching,
Learning and Teacher Education in Summer 2007. Accommodations: Teachers from
out-of-town who want to attend the workshop may stay at the Holiday Inn
Express in Hastings. They are holding 20 rooms (each with 2 queen beds) at a
special rate of $70 per night (plus tax unless tax exempt). Rooms must be
reserved by May 9 (one month prior to the first day of class) to obtain the
special rate. Reservations can be made by calling the Holiday Inn Express
directly at 402-463-8858. Please mention your participation in the UNL – ESU
9 Math class. A complimentary breakfast is served at the hotel. For more information contact:
Math 800T – Mathematics as a Second Language ESU
Registration Form Name:
______________________________________________________________ Please
check your registration option: _____
I wish to take Math 800T for UNL Graduate Credit _____
I wish participate under the audit option. School:
______________________________________________________________ ESU:
___________ District: ______________________________________ School
Address: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ School
Phone: Home
Address: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Home
Phone: ______________________ Email __________________________ Current
Grade level/position __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
___________________ Signature
of Applicant
Date This ESU application should be sent to: Jackie Ediger,
Professional Development Specialist, Early application is encouraged, as space is limited to 30
participants. To qualify for reduced tuition and fees through your ESU and
local school district, applications must be received by May 15, 2008. Responding to Violent Crime
Identifying potential
threats, Protecting the students and the classroom, What to expect and How to Survive June 28,
2008 8:30 am
- 5:00 pm Cost:
$10 per participant, payable at the door Nationally acclaimed speaker and author on
interpersonal aggression and violence. Col. Grossman is one of the world’s
leading experts on the causes of violent crime. Author of critically acclaimed book, “Stop
Teaching Our Kids To Kill,” he has testified before the US Senate and US
Congressional Committees, and has written numerous encyclopedia entries on
the subject of violence and aggression. Col. Grossman served as a key trainer
of school and mental health professionals in the aftermath of the Jonesboro,
AR., school shooting; he was a consultant in the trial of the Paducah,
Kentucky school shooting; and he trained emergency, police and civic groups
in the aftermath of the Springfield, Oregon and Littleton, CO School
Shootings. Topics include: > Preventing School Violence > School Shootings > School Lockdown > Preparing for School Attacks > Media Violence > Bulletproof Mind > Virus of Violence > Stop Teaching our kids to kill To register, contact Lt. Ray Huffman at
308-436-4603 or mrhuffman@scottsbluffcounty.org Sand Hills Discovery “Experience” Conference
July 10,
2008 Ainsworth Cost:
$35 per participant ($40 after July 1; $20 for half-day) Presenters
and topics for the 7th annual “Experience”: 1. Chuck Butterfield,
professor at Chadron State College---Grasses of the Sand Hills 2. Jim Swinehart,
geology professor, UNL---Sand dunes of 3. Amy Koch,
archaeologist with 4. Dennis Ferraro, UNL
Extension---Snakes and lizards of 5. Dr. John Carter,
Nebraska State Historical Society---Introduction of cattle to the Sand Hills | ||||||||||||||||||
