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Ypsilanti Community Schools- in partnership with Cornelius Minor
What’s a TAR Sprint?

It is a short problem-solving cycle in which teachers name a problem of practice, gather data, and analyze what they’re learning in order to immediately improve teaching and learning

Purpose of TAR Sprints

To introduce TAR as teaching and learning stance that  allows for exploration of multiple questions in a school year

To solve relevant problems identified in a timely manner

To promote equity and culturally responsive teaching

To support teacher resilience and growth in overwhelming times while connecting district initiatives

To develop teacher leaders of TAR for sustainability in YCS

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Dates: Jan 23, Feb 13, and Mar 12  |  4:15-5:30 pm  |  Participants from AAPS, LCS, SAS, WCC, WAVE, YCS, and more!

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In February our book study continued to learn about ways to create more student led classrooms using UDL and Blended Learning. In session 2 we specifically focused on practices to shift:

From teacher-created to student-generated review and practice

From formative assessment as teacher tool to a metacognitive tool for learners

From feedback on finished products to feedback during the process

From teacher assessment to self-assessment

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March 20th New Teacher Network Gathering to come! Please share!

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March 20th New Teacher Network Gathering to come! Please share!

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10 teachers from YCS, LCS, AAPS, Honecreek. Topic: Thinking Differently about Behavior. Dinner donated by Zingermans

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New Teacher Gathering - March 20th 4:30-6:00 by Melissa Brooks-Yip | This newsletter was created with Smore, an online tool for creating beautiful newsletters for educators, nonprofits, businesses and more

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Available By Request: Continuous Improvement

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Available By Request: Continuous Improvement

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Are you looking for more targeted support with continuous improvement at the building or district level? Contact Amy Olmstead-Brayton for customized professional learning including the above topics & more!

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RTC Curriculum Leader Meeting- February 23rd at WISD High Point

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RTC Curriculum Leader Meeting- February 23rd at WISD High Point

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Leaders from AAPS, Saline, Dexter, YCS, LCS, & Chelsea present.

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Winter Series Launch- Culturally and Historically Responsive Education Framework Deep Dive, with Hill Pedagogies 

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Winter Series Launch- Culturally and Historically Responsive Education Framework Deep Dive, with Hill Pedagogies 

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18 participants from LCS, EMU, AAPS, YCS, Honeycreek

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In these sessions, participants will have time to collaborate and practice drafting lessons or unit plans. They will learn ways to refine and revise the curriculum to make it more responsive to the identities and needs of their students through foundational sessions with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad and instructional coaching with a coach from Hill Pedagogies.

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Cultivating Genius Series - The Culturally and Historically Responsive Framework by Melissa Yip | This newsletter was created with Smore, an online tool for creating beautiful newsletters for individual educators, schools and districts

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Spring 2024 Professional Learning Catalog

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Spring 2024 Professional Learning Catalog

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Washtenaw ISD Spring 2024 Professional Learning Guide

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Read Washtenaw ISD Spring 2024 Professional Learning Guide by Anne Fortunato on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. S...

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Registration Link

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The Diverse Lending Library is a catalog of books PreK-12 featuring characters of different lifestyles, races, genders and ethnicities. Washtenaw County Educators can check these books out for free and have them delivered to their classroom or pick up from the WISD TLC.
Sign up here or email anicol@washtenawisd.org with questions.

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This is a list of the sites that were shared at a recent webinar on Artificial Intelligence.

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LETRS Training now required for early literacy coaches funded under the grant

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LETRS Training now required for early literacy coaches funded under the grant

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Lexia Learning Systems https://www.lexialearning.com/Assets/img/logo.svg 1984 978-405-6232 info@lexialearning.com 300 Baker Avenue, Suite 320 Concord MA 01742 USA

Michigan LETRS®
Science of Reading
Professional Learning Course

Empowering Michigan educators to improve student literacy through evidence-based professional learning

As part of Public Act 144 of 2022, the Michigan Department of Education is excited to extend the science of reading professional learning initiative.

The Michigan LETRS Science of Reading Professional Learning Course will provide sustained and job-embedded professional learning about the science of reading, at no cost to educators. These impactful courses are based on Lexia's LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) for elementary educators, LETRS for Administrators, and LETRS for Early Childhood Educators

Who is eligible to register?

Any Michigan pre-K-6 educator currently teaching in any Michigan public school or public charter school (Select Register for LETRS to sign up.)

Pre-K-12 SPED endorsed teachers (Select Register for LETRS to sign up.)

Elementary administrators, those in leadership roles, and district-level administrators (Select Register for LETRS for Administrators to sign up.)

Literacy coaches (Select Register for LETRS Accelerated Cohort to sign up.)

What are the course dates?

LETRS® is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association®

One Michigan District's LETRS Journey

The Michigan LETRS Science of Reading Professional Learning Course is part of the state's comprehensive plan to apply millions of dollars in federal relief to improve student literacy. The LETRS course of study gives teachers the skills they need to teach language and literacy to every student, even those with reading challenges like dyslexia.

Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis so reserve your seat now. Participants will earn valuable CEUs or PLUs!

What is LETRS?

Developed by Dr. Louisa Moats and leaders in the field of literacy, LETRS teaches the skills needed to master the foundation and fundamentals of reading and writing instruction-phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language.

LETRS professional learning for elementary educators is an investment in teachers' literacy knowledge and professional practice. Teachers gain essential knowledge to master the fundamentals of literacy instruction required to transform student learning.

LETRS for Early Childhood Educators professional learning provides deep knowledge of literacy instruction for the youngest learners. The more children know about language and literacy before they begin kindergarten and first grade, the better equipped they are to succeed in literacy learning and beyond.

LETRS for Administrators equips instructional leaders to create systems and structures in their schools and districts to achieve high levels of academic performance and growth in literacy.

Rané Garcia

Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Michigan Department of Education

Shelly Proebstle

Michigan Department of Education

Kimberly St. Martin, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Michigan's MTSS

Technical Assistance Center

"Teachers are the most important factor in student success. Informed teachers can explain language to students, including sounds, spellings, and word meanings that might be confusing. They use lessons based on reading science and understand the process of learning to read and write. Research proves it. Science matters."

Louisa Moats, Ed.D., Author of LETRS

Resources

A host of resources related to LETRS, the science of reading, and Structured Literacy is available to give you additional insight.

How Can We Help?

State Contact

Kellie Flaminio

Early Literacy Grant Coordinator

Office of Educational Supports
Michigan Department of Education

Lexia Contacts

Brandie Turner

State Professional Learning Solutions Account Executive

Jamie Bouchelle

LETRS State Success Manager

A Cambium Learning® Group Brand

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LETRS professional learning for Michigan Pre-K-3 educators!

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Empowering Michigan educators to improve student literacy through evidence-based professional learning As part of Public Act 144 of 2022,...

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February 15th High School ELA- Designing Anti-Racist Literature- Aligning Literary Outcomes with Anti-Racist Goals

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February 15th High School ELA- Designing Anti-Racist Literature- Aligning Literary Outcomes with Anti-Racist Goals

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25 teachers from AAPS, Dexter and out of county

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A full day, in person workshop at WISD just for English Language Arts teachers!

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State-Wide: MICIP Collaboration Series & User Group

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State-Wide: MICIP Collaboration Series & User Group

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NOTE: This is a state-wide offering.

Register for Collaboration Series HERE

Join User Group HERE (no registration needed)

Additional MICIP Resources:

MICIP Platform Guide

MICIP Process Guide

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February Assessment & Accountability Updates

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Are you a leader committed to equity and social justice and looking for ways to bring that commitment to the work of Continuous Improvement? Grounded in the work of "Street Data" (Safir & Dugan, 2021), "Just Schools" (Ishimaru, 2020) and "Courageous Conversations About Race" (Singleton, 2022), Washtenaw ISD is available to support you and your team in engaging in educational transformation that is truly student-centered!

Shift from focusing on "fixing" and "filling" academic gaps to envisioning and rebuilding the system from the student up -- with classrooms, schools, and systems built around students' brilliance, cultural wealth, and intellectual potential. Break out of traditional improvement models that reinforce the status quo as our facilitators guide you through collaborative inquiry WITH students using the Equity Transformation cycle (Street Data, 2021). Data-driven inquiry can be humanizing, liberating, and healing! Contact Amy Olmstead-Brayton to learn more!

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Assessment & Accountability Updates - WISD: February 2024 by Melissa Brooks-Yip | This newsletter was created with Smore, an online tool for creating beautiful newsletters for educators, nonprofits, businesses and more

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Supporting Disciplinary Literacy in the Secondary Classroom- January 18th 

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Supporting Disciplinary Literacy in the Secondary Classroom- January 18th 

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12 participants from Chelsea, AAPS, Milan.

Feedback:

"I thought the resources provided were super helpful, I liked having the time to explore on our own and then discuss as a group, and I am excited to work with other teachers in the district to create resources."

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Please share the interest form with anyone who teaches or supports the teaching of Mathematics: https://forms.gle/BsUykMhzLnVCyoKU6

20 Currently signed up to attend or receive updates:

3 Ann Arbor

7 Chelsea

1 Honey Creek

4 Lincoln

1 Manchester

3 Whitmore Lake

1 Ypsilanti

November & December attendance: 1 Whitmore Lake

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ELNET registration for the remainder of the year is live in WISD Learning Stream.

Nov 2 9:00AM-12:00PM ELNET @ WISD
Dec 7 9:00AM-12:00PM ELNET Virtual
Feb 1 9: 00AM-12:00PM ELNET @ WISD
Mar 7 9:00AM-12:00PM ELNET Virtual
Apr 4 9:00AM-12:00PM ELNET @ WISD
May 16 9:00AM-12:00PM ELNET @ WISD

If you have questions about sign-up or would like to be added to the Google Classroom, reach out to Alyssa Nicol (anicol@washtenawisd.org)

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Elementary Principal Network- Remaining Dates

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Elementary Principal Network- Remaining Dates

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Planned and facilitated by Craig McCalla

October 5th - 1:30pm (Th)

November 7th - 9:30am (Tu) - Meeting was cancelled

December 13th - 1:30PM (Wed) Zoom

January 11th - 1:30pm (Th)

February 6th - 9:30am (Tu)

March 6th - 1:30pm (Wed)

April 4th - 1:30pm (Th)

May 7th - 9:30am (Tu)

June 5th - 1:30pm (Wed) Zoom

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Open Feb 1-Jun 14 | Virtual | Self-Paced

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Register Now! 7 Strategies of Assessment for Learning | SELF-PACED

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Register Now! 7 Strategies of Assessment for Learning | SELF-PACED

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WINTER/SPRING COHORT

Are you looking for ways to make your classroom more student-driven? Join us for this four-part, self-paced series as we explore 'The 7 Strategies of Assessment for Learning' and discover how to use the formative assessment process to foster student learning and agency! This series will be entirely virtual and self-paced. Copy of text '7 Strategies of Assessment for Learning' also available to all Washtenaw County educators. Course available Feb 1-Jun 14, 2024.

REGISTER HERE

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State Updates Hello Leaders - This newsletter is a summary of state updates, recently received. There are several updates related to…

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Assessment for Learning & Standards-Based Grading

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Assessment for Learning & Standards-Based Grading

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AAPS- Pathways

Educator Feedback: (from summer kick-off: Assessment for Learning Series)
"Rarely have I attended a topic-based training that seamlessly addressed and competently reasoned/showed the importance of Culturally Relevant Teaching."
"I was expecting a lot of information, but I didn't expect how much this could change my teaching along with my curriculum."
"This workshop was above expectations! There was not a moment when I had to look at the clock. This PD should be prerequisite for all teachers entering the field."

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Please share the link to the interest form with anyone teaching STEM related classes: https://forms.gle/BsUykMhzLnVCyoKU6

19 Currently signed up to attend or receive updates:

5 Ann Arbor

9 Chelsea

1 Honey Creek

1 Lincoln

2 Whitmore Lake

1 Ypsilanti

November attendance: 1 AAPS, 1 Chelsea, 1 Whitmore Lake

December attendance: 3 AAPS, 1 Whitmore Lake

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Our SIOP Two Day Institute on 1/25 and 1/26 had representation from AAPS, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline, and YCS! Several teachers were unable to attend due to the snowy weather, we're considering offering a third session for the spring. We'll keep you posted!

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Planned and facilitated by Marcia Williams

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Register: https://tinyurl.com/mt7da6u2

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Participants:

1 Ann Arbor

1 Dexter

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Middle School Princpals' Network : March 22

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Middle School Princpals' Network : March 22

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Attendees:

Jill Henry: Whitmore Lake MS/HS

Jennifer Petzke: Whitmore Lake

Jessica Garcia: WIMA

Agenda:

1. SEL/Peer Mentoring Program

2. Teacher Burnout

3. Strategies to Manage Student Cell Phone Use

April Focus: Collective planning for feasible SEL/Mentoring program implementation

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Asynchronous Course- open on a continuing basis via EduPaths

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Questions about SEAB's? Contact Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org. 

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Provided initial SEAB training and resource sharing with LESA's Center Based Programming Staff.

Provided process consulting and support to Howell's SEAB leadership.

Presented on curriculum and curriculum evaluation tools with Dexter's SEAB.

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Upcoming PD Dates:

K-5

Visual Models in Math - January 24, 2024 April 11, 2024 Understanding Fractions - February 22, 2024

Math Workshop - March 19, 2024

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Available By Request: Formative Assessment Strategies

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Available By Request: Formative Assessment Strategies

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Are you looking for more focused learning on formative assessment at the building or district level? Contact Amy Olmstead-Brayton for customized professional learning including the above topics & more!

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CALENDAR OF MEETINGS

September 21, 2023, 8:00-3:00 pm

October 6, 2023, 8:30-10 am

November 16, 2023, 8:00-3:00 pm

December 1, 2023, 8:30-10 am

January 12, 2024, 8:30-10 am

February 2, 2024, 8:30-10 am

March 14, 2024, 8:00-3:00 pm

April 5, 2024, 8:30-10:00 am

May 9, 2024, 8:00-3:00 pm

June 20, 2024  End of Year Networking TBD

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The Healthy Habits Start Now program provides 5 nutrition and physical activity lessons to all Y5-5th grade classrooms in participating schools!

YCS participating schools: Erickson, Estabrook, Ford, Holmes, Perry, YIES, and Ypsi Connected Community School

Lincoln participating schools: Brick, Lincoln Virtual School

Whitmore Lake participating schools: Whitmore Lake Elementary School

Charter school participants: Multicultural Academy, Global Tech, Central Academy

Total Classrooms Reached: 151

Total Students Reached: 2,937

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Visual Models in Math (POSTPONED-Weather)

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Visual Models in Math (POSTPONED-Weather)

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This session had to be postponed due to weather, it will now take place on April 11, 2024.

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Available By Request: Assessment & Grading

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Available By Request: Assessment & Grading

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Are you looking for more focused learning on assessment and grading at the building or district level? Contact Amy Olmstead-Brayton for customized professional learning including the above topics & more!

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Questions about InPACT? Reach out to Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org.

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InPACT Site Visit at Whitmore Lake & Preparation with Erickson Elementary

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InPACT Site Visit at Whitmore Lake & Preparation with Erickson Elementary

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The Michigan Health Endowment Fund came to Whitmore Lake Elementary School to observe the implementation of the InPACT physical activity break program across grade levels. The observation team was impressed by Whitmore Lake leadership's passion for the program, support provided to staff implementing the program, and the initial results they are seeing in terms of student behavioral data.

Erickson Elementary has begun the preparation phase of the InPACT implementation science research project where they are developing a plan for implementing, communicating, evaluating, and sustaining a building wide physical activity break program.

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Questions? Contact Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org. 

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Consulted with Dexter High School around child development course content and differentiating course content from sex-ed.

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Questions about HIV Certification? Contact Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org.

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Participants:

Ann Arbor Public Schools - 12

Saline Area Schools - 6

Dexter Community Schools - 2

Hartland Consolidated Schools - 2

Howell Public Schools - 1

Participant Feedback: "I really appreciated how the participant's experiences were valued. It was very impactful to learn about small ways we can be more inclusive in our language. It was also encouraging to realize that student's HIV/Sex Ed today is much higher quality than what I was taught as a student. I left feeling empowered and much more comfortable and confident talking about HIV. I didn't go in knowing a lot about it and feel much more knowledgeable."

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Questions about Sex-Ed Prep Training? Contact Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org.

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Participants:

Ann Arbor Public Schools - 5

Saline Area Schools - 2

Brighton Area Schools - 1

Howell Public Schools - 1

Monroe Public Schools - 1

Bedford Public Schools - 1

Participant Feedback: "The presenters were so engaging and passionate. They kept it interesting and kept things moving."

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Questions about the HELN training day? Contact Danielle Dros at ddros@washtenawisd.org. 

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Health Educator Learning Network Training Day 2/22/24

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Health Educator Learning Network Training Day 2/22/24

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Participants:

Ann Arbor Public Schools - 3

Dexter Community Schools - 1

Multicultural Academy - 1

Saline Area Schools - 1

Brighton Area Schools - 1

Hartland Consolidated Schools - 2

Howell Public Schools - 1

Corner Health Center - 2

Participant Feedback: "This was so great. The content was informative and provided tools and resources that I can apply in my classroom."

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In February we were treated to detailed examples of newcomer curriculum and programs at elementary and secondary levels. The NEN padlet can be accessed for all presenter slides and shared resources.

We had 5 educators from Washtenaw County in attendance (YCS, WLPS and Milan).

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With rising numbers of newcomers, mainstream teachers face a complex and daunting set of challenges. Based on her research and practical classroom experience, Dr. Michelle Yzquierdo (author of Pathways to Greatness for ELL Newcomers) will offer useful strategies and techniques for content-area teachers of new arrival students.

Register here: bit.ly/NENregister with your content/classroom teaching partners!

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If you're wondering how best to support increasing numbers of newcomers, and want to learn about transcript evaluation, personal credit and scheduling tips, please join us on April 9th. Lori Lee from Ottawa Area ISD and Sabrina Ricardo from Kent ISD will be sharing their insights and break down credit awarding for foreign transcripts.

TEAMS - HS EL Teacher/EL Coordinator + Counselor should attend together.

Register here: bit.ly/NENregister

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Newcomer Visit to Estabrook NC Classroom

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Newcomer Visit to Estabrook NC Classroom

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NC Teacher Kristen Richards, her parapro and volunteer effectively manage a number of challenges that come with welcoming new students every week, and successfully create a Grade 2-5 classroom that's safe, fun and honors student language.

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High expectations and equally high scaffolds are the way the NC triad of Dan Goodman, Connor Laporte and Mary Alampi are teaching their secondary newcomers! Students were thoroughly engaged in their book study, communicating with each other despite language differences and preparing google slides with voice clips for a final assignment.

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Milan Y5 Teacher Angela Wagner makes her newcomer student feel supported by incorporating modeling, Total Physical Response, visuals and native language support. This young new arrival is still settling in but clearly enjoys the safe and welcoming environment in the classroom.

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Manchester EL Team of Melissa Yekulis and Donna Clark hosted their second annual Title III Family Night, and featured heritage presentations from secondary students in the program. Students shared about their country, culture, language and even connections to famous scientists, musicians and artists. We were also treated to a special dance performance by a newcomer from Uzbekistan!

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WISD at the USCIS Refugee Support Center in Detroit

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WISD at the USCIS Refugee Support Center in Detroit

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MDE and ISD Newcomer Consultants collaborated to create multilingual resources orienting newly arrived families to the Michigan K-12 Education. During our time at the "education booth" we met several newcomer families from Washtenaw County and connected them to resources for housing, secondary education and ESL classes.

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Participants:

1 AAPS

1 Dexter

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Participants:

Ann Arbor 5

YCS 3

Manchester 1

Lincoln 1

Whitmore Lake 1

Dexter 1

Honey Creek 1

Chelsea 1