Digital Learning Day
Yesterday was Digital Learning Day, part of a year-round national awareness campaign to improve teaching and learning for all children.
Digital learning is any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen the student learning experience. Digital learning encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practice, including using online and formative assessment; increasing focus and quality of teaching resources and time; online content and courses; applications of technology in the classroom and school building; adaptive software for students with special needs; learning platforms; participating in professional communities of practice; providing access to high level and challenging content and instruction; and many other advancements technology provides to teaching and learning.
On Digital Learning Day, teachers, librarians, school leaders, afterschool programs, community groups, parents and others showed their support by signing up and pledging to focus on digital learning, trying new technology or resources or showcase successes.
Visit the Digital Learning Day website at www.digitallearningday.org for more details.
KDE to participate in Green Ribbon Schools program
The Kentucky Department of Education is participating in the pilot year of the Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) program. This award recognizes the highest-performing green and healthy schools in the nation.
It is the first comprehensive federal policy by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) recognizing exemplary achievement in environmental impact, health and education.
High standards of nutrition, fitness and outdoor time for both students and staff are among the qualifying criteria for the award. The Campaign for Environmental Literacy is a key partner in this endeavor with the USDOE.
All of Kentucky’s public school districts have been invited to participate with a maximum of one school submission per district. A team of representatives from Kentucky agencies and programs dedicated to greener schools will evaluate the applications.
For more information, visit the KDE GRS website or contact Paige Patterson at (502) 564-3930.
KJHS looking for alumni
The Kentucky Junior Historical Society (KJHS) is celebrating 50 years of service this year and is looking for past members of the Young Historians Association or Kentucky Junior Historical Society.
These former members are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary at this year's KJHS State Conference in Frankfort on April 27-28.
Alumni can participate in a history bowl contest, serve as a guest judge for History Day, be recognized during the conference and take time to reconnect with old friends while making new ones.
Contact Cheryl Caskey at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4461 for more information or to RSVP.
Student programs coordinator
The Kentucky Historical Society is looking for teens to assist with Camp ArtyFact this summer.
Camp ArtyFact is a multidisciplinary arts camp for children ages 5 to 11, using KHS collections as inspiration for classes and projects. Classes include drama, painting, sculpting and music. Camp ArtyFact classes meet weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4. Teens who are interested in serving as a classroom assistant or learning more about this program should visit www.history.ky.gov/camp.
Are you ready to ShakeOut?
2011 was a year of several national and international disasters that remind us of the importance of community disaster preparedness.
Based on the success of the 2011 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, where there were more than three million registered participants, this open-to-the-public earthquake preparedness drill is now planned as an annual event. The next ShakeOut will be Feb. 7 at 11:15 a.m. ET and will include a simultaneous drop, cover and hold on drill. This date coincides with the 200th anniversary of the Feb. 7, 1812 earthquake near New Madrid, Mo.
To participate in the 2012 ShakeOut, go to www.ShakeOut.org/centralus and pledge your family’s, school’s, business’ or organization’s participation in the drill. Once registered, you will receive information on how to plan your drill and how to engage your community.
A drill manual for P-12 schools is available for download at www.shakeout.org/centralus/downloads/ShakeOutDrillManualSchoolsCUS.pdf.
For more details, contact the Kentucky Earthquake Program Manager at (502) 607-5712 or KYEMEQ@gmail.com.
Forward in the Fifth AppLE Awards
Forward in the Fifth is looking for an educator, parent, student, community leader or school staff member who is leading the way in their home community and region to advance education.
Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization and affiliate of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, is accepting nominations for this year’s AppLE Awards.
The AppLE Awards - which stands for Appalachian Leaders in Education - celebrate excellence in education by honoring professional educators and supporters in 42 counties within Forward in the Fifth’s primary service region.
Nominations forms for Forward in the Fifth’s 2012 AppLE Awards will be accepted through March 31 in four award categories:
- educators, professional and support staff
- community leaders or business/community organizations
- parents or parent groups
- students or student groups
All completed nomination forms must be e-mailed to Rhonda Lawson at fif@centertech.com.
They also may be printed and mailed by March 31 to Forward in the Fifth, 2292 South U.S. 27, Somerset KY, 42501. Submissions by fax or telephone will not be accepted.
Finalists will be selected in each of the four award categories and notified by Forward in the Fifth of their nomination. Award winners will be announced in during a special event this May.
Nominations will be accepted within Forward in the Fifth’s 42-county primary service area, which includes the counties of Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Rowan, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.
A detailed description of each of the four 2012 AppLE Awards, eligibility requirements and nomination forms can be downloaded online from www.crdev.us/appleawards. For more information on the AppLE Awards, contact Jim Tackett at (606) 677-6000 or e-mail fif@centertech.com.
Eleven selected for inaugural student council
Eleven students representing school districts statewide have been selected to serve on the first Next-Generation Student Council, a new group formed by Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday.
The eleven students are:
· Logan VanWay, 10th grade, Boone County High
· Forrest Miller, 12th grade, North Bullitt High (Bullitt County)
· Brittany Hughes, 12th grade, Burgin (Independent) High
· Steven Peay, 11th grade, Butler County High
· Cory Banta, 12th grade, Bryan Station High (Fayette County)
· Jake Walker, 11th grade, Henderson County High
· Natalie Fahrbach, 11th grade, Male High (Jefferson County)
· Blair Walden, 11th grade, South Laurel High (Laurel County)
· Tiffany Parham, 10th grade, Murray (Independent) High
· Iman Ali, 11th grade, Pikeville (Independent) High
· Morgan Casto, 10th grade, Russell (Independent) High
“I’m looking forward to meeting with this group of students and hearing their ideas and thoughts about Kentucky’s public education system,” said Holliday. “These students represent the ultimate goals of our state’s educational efforts, which should culminate at the high school level with all students ready for college or careers. I’m very interested in hearing how they think Kentucky is doing in that area.”
Public school students in grades 10-12 were invited to apply for membership in the Next-Generation Student Council, which will provide valuable feedback from Kentucky students and engage student leaders in learning by doing. This group will meet with the commissioner and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky and provide feedback - from a student perspective - on critical issues impacting Kentucky students and schools.
The Next-Generation Student Council is a year-long program for Kentucky public school students in grades 10-12. The council seeks students with refreshing ideas and thoughtful insight into how schools and student achievement can be improved. Students who represent the diverse academic, geographic, demographic and school-size variables particular to Kentucky are encouraged to apply.
A committee of KDE representatives reviewed and scored all applications based on the answers provided to the questions. Appointments to the council were based on how well the applicants communicated their ideas and goals. This first group of students will serve during the 2011-12 school year, and those who are not graduating seniors during that school year may reapply to serve in the 2012-13 school year.
The first meeting of the Next-Generation Student Council has been set for Feb. 28 in Frankfort.