Spring 2016 Offerings - Easton Public Schools

EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Spring 2016
Easton
University
Professional Development Catalog
Learning and Leading Together
Tim Rasinski
Presentation
What’s inside:
Online PDPs
Content Area Professional Development
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Pilates
and more…..
For ALL REGISTRATIONS (unless otherwise
indicated) and/or questions, contact:
Julie Shine, jshine@easton.k12.ma.us

Minimum of 10 people in most classes in order for it to run. (So please
register EARLY if you are interested!)

Most courses have an enrollment cap. Registration is on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Participants will be notified via email should a course be cancelled one week
prior due to low enrollment when possible.

All workshops are provided to EPS staff FREE of charge.

Courses are also FREE and credits are reimbursed per current contracts.

All course materials (texts, etc.) are the responsibility of the staff member.

PDPs will be issued in increments of ten or more to educators who apply
through the Assistant Superintendent’s Office when graduate credits are not
available. Current procedures for the issuance of PDPs will apply for all
courses per MA DESE guidelines.

If credit is received, a certificate from EPS is not issued; the transcript is
accepted by DESE. Each graduate credit is worth 22.5 PDPs. (ie: a 3-credit
graduate course would be worth 67.5 PDPs).
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Assistant Superintendent’s Office
50 Oliver Street, Easton, MA 02356
Assistant Superintendent, Lisha Cabral
Lcabral@easton.k12.ma.us
Administrative Assistant, Julie Shine
jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
508-230-3200 ext. 207
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Half Day PD: What’s Coming Up?
The upcoming half day is March 29th
Please be aware that all grade 6-12 teachers will participate in technology PD at
OAHS. If you have not yet made your selection of sessions, please contact
Jessica Garbowski ASAP @ jgarbowski@easton.k12.ma.us.
Grade PK-5 teachers from RO, PKV, and CTR will work on unit writing at RO
(schedule and room locations coming soon).
MH staff will participate in security training with Synergy at MH. Details to follow.
Non-instructional staff will be sent information regarding their PD.
All paras are invited to participate in technology sessions. Please note these
tech sessions are the only PD options for this day. If you have not chosen sessions, please contact Jessica Garbowski @ jgarbowski@easton.k12.ma.us ASAP.
As always, call or email with any questions!
PILATES
taught by Alexandra Van Buren, OAHS
Description: Do you want to strengthen and lengthen your muscles? Pilates is a total body workout for all abilities that will strengthen your
core muscles, arms and legs! Pilates will challenge you at any fitness level and
the only equipment you need is a mat.
Date(s) & Time(s): Tuesdays, 3/15, 3/22, 4/5, 4/12, and 4/26
from 3:00pm-4:00pm OR 4:15pm-5:15pm (depending on level of interest)
Location: OA Dance Studio
Why Does Global Competency
Matter in High School?
Spend an International evening with AFS Intercultural Programs. Learn more about cultural exchange in our community.
Have the opportunity to meet with AFS students from a variety
of countries being hosted in your area for the school year,
community volunteers, returnees who have studied abroad with
AFS, and parents as they share their perspectives about study
abroad (and hosting an exchange student) and why it’s one of
the most important things you’ll ever do.
WHAT: AFS Intercultural Programs
www.afsusa.org
DATE: Wednesday, March 23rd
TIME: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Oliver Ames High School
Simmons Lecture Hall
Please R.S.V.P. by: Friday, March 18th to:
jshine@easton..k12.ma.us
Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.
Must register and select preferred time by Thursday, March 10th, to
jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
Recommended Participants: ALL interested staff
WINTER 2016
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Join our Togetherhood Team!
The 1960s and Beyond in Historical perspective
Social Justice and Equity in Local Context
March 15, April 26, May 10, 2016 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location:
Smith College Library, Northampton; Wistariahurst Museum, Holyoke; Du Bois
Library, UMass Amherst
Audience: Social Studies and ELA teachers, Grades 3 - 12
Presenters: Jessica Johnson, Richard Cairn, Kathleen Nutter, Maria Cartagena,
Penni Martorell, Rob Cox.
Credits/PDPs: 10 PDPs./ To earn PDPs, participants must complete all assignments by the last class, details of which will be provided in the class syllabus.
** Dinner will be provided for each session, thanks to a grant from the Library
of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program at CES.
Must register online by March 8:
http://www.collaborative.org/events-and-courses/1960s-and-beyond-historicalperspective
Sparking Inquiry in Geography and World History
March 15 and April 27, 2016 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Plymouth North High School, 41 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA
Audience: Social Studies teachers, Grades 6 - 12
Presenters: Robert Mahoney and Richard Cairn.
Credits/PDPs: 22.5 PDPs or 1 graduate credit in partnership with Westfield
State University. To earn PDPs or Graduate Credit, participants must complete
all assignments by the last class, details of which will be provided in the class
syllabus. Registration for Graduate Credit takes place in the first class, with
payment accepted by credit card or check (for reimbursement per contract,
you must complete a course approval card prior to the start of the course)
Cost: Graduate Credit from Westfield State University $125.
**Lunch will be provided for both dates, thanks to a grant from the Library of
Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program at CES.
Register online by March 8th:
http://www.collaborative.org/events-and-courses/sparking-inquiry-geography-and
-world-history

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community
but are tight on time or ideas?

Would you like to engage in a fun and rewarding activity?

Do you want to teach your children about community service?
Togetherhood is for you!
What is it? Togetherhood is the YMCA’s Signature Program for Social
Responsibility. This program invites Y members and partners to lead and
participate in volunteer service projects that benefit the community where
they live. The program is run through individual Y branches as a partnership
between a committee of members and a Y Staff Advisor. It is designed to be
a simple, fun and rewarding way to identify ways that to give back and support their neighbors through their own ideas, skills and energy and the network of the Y. The EPS is proud to be teaming up with this initiative!
How? The YMCA and Easton Public Schools is providing an opportunity for
a cross-generational team of volunteers to organize and complete a one-day
community service project. Come alone, with a buddy, or bring a whole
team!
Why? It is a great way to participate in community service, especially if
you’re tight on time or don’t know where to begin. It is also a wonderful
way to team together with family members, neighbors, or colleagues toward a common cause and support neighbors in need.
When? We will hold one organizational meeting (below) to create the
project, and volunteers can sign up at that time or decide to wait for a different service opportunity. The only other time commitment is the day of
the service activity!
Date and Time: Thursday, March 24th, 3:45pm (or attend the community
meeting that evening at 7:00pm)
Location: PD room - Richardson Olmsted
Register with jshine@easton.k12.ma.us if you plan to attend the meeting
Please note: You are NOT committing to participate in our project if you
attend the meeting for more information :)
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WINTER 2016
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ONLINE PDPs!
An Introduction to
Teaching ESL/EFL
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction:
A 4 Week course for Educators
Description: Would you like to increase your effectiveness as an English language teacher? Would you like to go beyond the well-known methods that
often leave teachers frustrated with their one-size-fits-all approach? This
course will take you on a fascinating exploration of what it means to be a
teacher, how to understand who your students are and the needs they have,
and how to choose the most appropriate materials and activities for your classroom. You'll learn how you can choose and fine-tune the principles that exactly
fit your teaching situation.
During the next six weeks, we'll rethink the traditional native vs. nonnative speaker distinction, see why teaching English is so different from teaching
other subjects, and explore innovative approaches like Communicative Language Teaching and the lexical approach. You'll gain new insights and ideas for
teaching vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You'll
also discover what some of your options are in designing fair and accurate
tests. And you'll learn how to keep learning and growing throughout your
teaching career. Also, students who successfully complete this course will receive a TESOL Certificate of Completion.
Course materials are developed by Heinle I Cengage Learning,, a
global leader in ESL/EFL materials. Course content is approved by the TESOL
Professional Development Committee, so students who successfully complete
this course receive a TESOL Certificate of Completion. Contact Julie Shine for a
detailed course syllabus.
Mindfulness Practices include Intentional Living, Awareness of Breath,
Breathing Meditation, Walking Meditation, Eating Mindfully, Communicating Assertively, without harming self or other, and Kindness Practice for
self and for others. Together, these practices make a person more aware,
present, resilient, and kind toward self and toward others.
As time allows, mention will be drawn to possible ways of using simple
versions of these practices with students for stress reduction, personal
regulation and resilience. Extensive research on people who do mindfulness practices regularly shows that the practices impact positively—
physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ethel Fraga has been a daily meditator and student of meditation theory
and practice for 49 years. Professionally, she has served as secondary
English teacher and as teaching librarian at the high school and college
levels. After retiring from a career in education, she trained to teach Jon
Kabat Zinn’s “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course.” In this new
work she brings together her experience in and deep respect for both
mindful living and education.
Instructor: Ethel Fraga
Dates and Times: Wednesdays March 30th, April 6, April 13,
and April 27. 3:45pm-5:15pm
Must register by Monday, March 21st.
Location: EMS Library
Recommended Participants: ALL PK-12 Staff
http://www.ed2go.com/
Instructor: Dr. Tom Scovel
Date(s): Begins April 13th OR May 18th (a 6-week, self-paced course)
Must register by Wednesday, April 6th, jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
Credit: 24 ELL PDPs (Counts toward new DESE ELL PDPs requirement for
those re-certifying after July 2016)
Recommended Participants: ALL PK-12 teachers, specialists, and administrators
A 4 week version of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course designed by Jon Kabat Zinn at UMass Medical School will be taught as wellness education for educators by Ethel Fraga, MBSR Instructor. Participants will be supported week to week in learning mindfulness and meditation practices which help us deal more effectively with stressors such as
overwork, busyness, tension, illness, anxiety, care giving, loss and depression.
WINTER 2016
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Join NRT naturalists for this new and exciting set of programs geared towards
getting families involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
related activities and events. Families can enjoy experiments, hikes, species
analyses, hands-on activities, and so much more.
http://www.nrtofeaston.org/family-science-outings.html
SAVE THE DATES:
Family Science Outing
Rockin' Reptiles
Thursday, March 17th
5:30-7:00pm
Family Science Outing
Vernal Pools
Thursday, April 14th
5:30-7:00pm
Family Science Outing
Colors of the Wind… Exploring Color in Nature
Thursday, May 19thh
5:30-7:00pm
April Vacation Program
Signs of Spring
Tuesday, April 19th -Thursday, April 21st
9:00am-1:00pm or 3:00pm
http://www.nrtofeaston.org/sheep-pasture-vacation-programs.html
NRT of Easton
P.O. Box 188
N. Easton, MA 02356
508-238-6049
www.nrtofeaston.org
education@nrtofeaston.org
WINTER 2016
Description: Teaching students with
disabilities is a rewarding challenge, and
this course gives you the tools you'll
need to succeed. No matter what
grade you teach—from preschool
through high school—you'll learn powerful strategies you can put to work
immediately in your classroom. In addition, you'll gain the knowledge you need
to understand and cope with the most
common disabilities you'll encounter in
this teacher-led online course.
You'll start by putting yourself in the shoes of students with special
needs as you explore a wide variety of disabilities ranging from autism spectrum disorder to cerebral palsy. Simulations and real-life stories will give you
a firsthand look at what it's like to be a learner with special needs, and you'll
see how common disabilities affect classroom behavior and learning.
Then comes the best part:: solutions! In each lesson, you'll find
dozens of tips for fostering the reading, writing, and math skills of students
with special needs. In addition, you'll master techniques for helping these
learners behave appropriately and make friends in your classroom. You'll
also get the inside story on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and
transition plans, and you'll learn the most effective ways to collaborate with
parents and professionals.
By the end of this course, you'll feel confident in your ability to
help any student who comes through your door. You'll also discover that
while the challenges can be big, when you're teaching students with disabilities, the victories are big as well. Contact Julie Shine for a detailed course syllabus.
Instructor: Sara Hardin
Date(s): Begins April 13th (a 6-week, self-paced course)
Must register by Wednesday, April 6th, jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
Credit: 24 Special Education PDPs (Counts toward new DESE special education PDPs requirement for those re-certifying after July 2016)
Recommended Participants: ALL PK-12 teachers, specialists, and
administrators
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
http://www.ed2go.com/
ONLINE PDPs!
Empowering Students
with Disabilities
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Laying the Foundation:
Defining Arts Integration
This dynamic workshop unpacks the definition of arts integration and gives you
the opportunity to uncover the characteristics of quality integration. In addition, the session includes your participation in an arts-integrated lesson and
examines how arts-integrated instruction aligns with current learning principles
and best practice!
Join MITS at Clark University for the
2016 Professional Development Seminar series!
The PDS is designed for staff, volunteers and other professionals from science, environmental, natural history, technology, art, history and other cultural institutions and centers. Each seminar is a full-day session, divided into two sections: the mornings are
spent exploring STEM content areas with scientists and policy-makers, while afternoon
sessions are skill-based, focusing on turning real-life science into exciting, inquiry-based,
hands-on lessons and activities for your programs with K-12 students and teachers or
other youth programs.
So what is arts integration, anyway? And how can I use it in MY
classroom?
Arts integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and
demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative
process which connects an art form and another major subject area and meets
evolving objectives in both.
Registration Information
Date: April 6th, 2016
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Must register by March 25th, jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
Location: Zeiterion Theatre Stage, New Bedford, MA
Two workshop times available!
Session 1: 2:45 to 5:45 pm
OR Session 2: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Recommended Participants: ALL PK-12 teachers, specialists, and administrators
PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT
REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR
ALL SESSIONS ON COVER PAGE
WINTER 2016
Registration Information
Date: April 28th
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Must register by April 6th, jshine@easton.k12.ma.us
Location: Clark University, Worcester, MA
** Lunch is included., PDPs are available.
Recommended Participants: ALL PK-12 teachers, specialists, and administrators
EASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
http://mits.org/2016-professional-development-seminar-series/
http://zeiterion.org/
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