January 10, 2005

1.    Education Issues for Children with Mental Illness:  Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, this conference will be held on February 9 at Central Ohio SERRC, 470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus.  Presentations during this conference will explore the nature of serious brain disorders in children and the symptomatic behavior often accompanying such illness, with special emphasis given to the impact on the educational system.  Sessions will offer information, advice, and firsthand knowledge to improve the chances of a successful partnership between children, parents, and the educational system.
        The registration fee for this conference is $10.00.  The fee includes course materials, lunch and CEUs for the following disciplines:  RN/LN, Social Work, Counselor and Psychologist.
        Further information can be obtained by contacting NAMI Ohio, 747 E. Broad Street, Columbus   43205.

2.    PBS Presents Auschwitz:  Inside the Nazi State, a six hour program co-produced by KCET/Hollywood and the BBC.  It will be shown on PBS on
January 19, 26, and February 3.  Website information can be obtained beginning January 12 at www.pbs.org.  The DVD will be available after February 1, 2005.
        For further information, contact Toby Levine at toby@tobylevine.com.

3.    Summer Seminar Abroad for Spanish Teachers:  The Center for Latin American Studies (OSU) will offer a summer program for Spanish teachers.  The program will be held in Antigua, Guatemala, July 5-21.  For more information visit http://oia.osu.edu/ssast.

4.    From the Office of the State Superintendent:  :. . . Content standards, assessments, classroom instruction, and teacher education must be carefully aligned.  The ODE is making strong efforts to insure that the new achievement tests and the Ohio Graduation Tests are fully aligned with the mathematics content standards.  The ODE also will need the help of schools and districts to make sure that curriculum and instruction are aligned to those standards.
        "Aligning teacher education with the new content standards is somewhat trickier.  Ohio universities are in the process of adjusting their pre-service programs.  Periodically, ODE reviews teacher preparation programs, and is able to evaluate each program in light of the content standards to make sure it fully reflects the new expectations.  But as you know, decisions about license renewal are made at the local level, and it is here that teachers are asked for their personal attention.  As the LPDC in your district considers its criteria for license renewal, it will be important to be sure those expectations also reflect the new standards adopted in Ohio.
        "The new standards raise expectations for student learning in all subject areas,  especially for student learning in all subject areas, especially mathematics.
        Students are expected to learn with understanding, apply mathematics to real world problems, exhibit reasoning skills, verbalize mathematical processes and use mathematical terminology correctly.  Teachers need a deep understanding of the mathematics they are teaching as well as an understanding of the mathematics that comes before and after their grade level.
        "LPDCs are asking to encourage teachers to take courses of workshops in mathematics related areas.  This is important because we know we are now asking many teachers to teach mathematics in areas that were not part of their teacher preparation program.  For example, in the elementary and middle grades, the curricula now introduce fundamental concepts of algebra, lay the foundations for geometry and measurement, and introduce basic ideas of data analysis and probability.  Ohio teachers of mathematics must continue to be learners of mathematics."

5.    New Teachers Orientation II Reminder!    Please make sure your new teachers are registered for one of the three dates that the New Teacher Orientation II program will be offered.  Registrations are needed at least one week prior to the session.
        New teachers are asked to bring with them the binder they received at the NTO I Orientation Program.  Thanks!

1.    Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
            Church of the Resurrection
            6300 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.
            New Albany, OH    43054
            Located in conference center
2.    Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
            St. Edward Parish
            785 Granville-Newark Rd.
            Granville, OH    43023   
            Located in parish hall
3.    Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
            Immaculate Conception
            414 E. North Broadway
            Columbus, OH    43214
            Located in school building

        Register at reserv@cdeducation.org, or by contacting your Religious Education Consultant by calling 614-221-4633.
        Sr. Rita Jane Radecki, ext. 304
        Dr. Sheila Murphy, ext. 320
        Katie Kapala, ext. 324

Comments to office@cdeducation.org

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