Shai Fuxman

Director, Social, Emotional, and Behavioral (SEB) Academy, Education Development Center

Courtney Rau Rogers

Assistant Principal for Student Services, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Social Emotional Learning; Student Services

8:00am EST

Connecting with Students’ and Families’ Stories: Validating Community Cultural Wealth

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Office Staff, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Description: Culturally responsive educators teach to and through the strengths of their students by leveraging the ‘funds of knowledge’ and cultural gifts brought into the classroom. In this interactive session, participants will explore the Community Cultural Wealth Theory and identify strategies to connect with students and families by intentionally gathering their true stories to build authentic connections within the classroom and school community. When we validate and affirm our students’ and families’ stories by building off their strengths, we can provide opportunities where students and families can be seen as their authentic, cultural selves.

Objectives:
• Articulate foundational understanding of community cultural wealth.
• Identify ways to gather the stories about our students’ and families’ community cultural wealth to help maximize learning outcomes.

Guiding Question: Why is it important to gather the stories about our students’ and families’ community cultural wealth?

Presenters

Dr. Ingrid Twyman

Author, Consultant, Adjunct Professor, ElevatED Pedagogy

Dr. Ingrid Twyman, a Boston University alumni, is a culturally responsive educator with over 25 years experience as a middle-school teacher, principal, K-12 instructional coach, teacher residency director, adjunct professor, and consultant who spent much of her career working in partnership... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Educational Leadership; Multi-Lingual Learners; Social Emotional Learning; School Culture

8:00am EST

Racial Identity Development and the History of METCO Program

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals

The intended outcomes for educators is an in depth understanding of the Newton METCO Program, the unique narrative of the Newton METCO student, and how to teach about the Newton METCO program with cultural competency. Educators will be learning about their own unique, racial and cultural identity developments. Educators will learn about how to incorporate culturally responsive instruction into their teaching practices. We will emphasize how to build high quality relationships.

Presenters

Julian Turner

Newton Public Schools

Korrey Lacey-Buggs

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Social Studies/History; Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Student Led Conferences: Powerful conversations about student learning

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Special Educators

We will describe our experience with running student-led conferences in place of traditional parent-teacher conferences, including how we schedule them, prepare students, and communicate with parents. We will show excerpts from a sample conference and student planning materials. Attendees will leave with the tools to set up and run student-led conferences.

Presenters

Benjamin McGraw

6th Grade Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I've taught middle school since 1994; I came to Newton in 1998 and have worked on a collaborative and interdisciplinary 6th grade team at Oak Hill since 2003. My co-teacher at the time (Jonathan Roy) and I were finalists for MA Teacher of the Year in 2011. Floyd Butler joined me... Read More →

Floyd A Butler

6th Grade Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I moved to Boston in 2014 and I have worked on a collaborative and interdisciplinary 6th grade team at Oak Hill since 2016. I'm also the head coach of the Boys Varsity Soccer team at Newton South High School. The most challenging and fun part of my job as an educator, in both roles... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Reflection, Goal Setting, and Student Agency

8:00am EST

Book Bonanza: Making books with children in your classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

This will be a fast paced, interactive, hands-on workshop to learn book binding techniques and to share hot to use the books with students. Participants will go home with sample books (e.g. zines, pamphlet stitch, concertina, pull and peek, pop-ups, and map folds). Materials will be provided.

Presenters

Katherine Lobo

Newton Public Schools

ESL Teacher at Brown Middle School

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

8:00am EST

Build the grading architecture of your class together

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

We’ll walk through the six questions everyone needs to answer to build a course grading system. You’ll get some answers, and identify areas that you and your team need to talk about more in order to make the time you spend assessing and grading student work more meaningful. Come alone or with a team.

Presenters

Brian Baron

English Department Chair, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Assessement and Grading

8:00am EST

Integrating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals into Any Curriculum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Using the UN SDGs (sustainable development goals), teachers will learn how to incorporate these ideas into their curriculum with activities, examples, and worksheets that they can create on their own. We will examine what makes a good "text" to utilize for teaching the SDGs as well as discuss other ways of engaging student awareness.

Presenters

Denise Cremin

Spanish Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I have been teaching Spanish in NPS for 29 years in the WL Department at NNHS. I have taken students abroad for our exchange programs and other trips and know that creating awareness of Global Education amongst our students makes a difference.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Global Education

8:00am EST

Leveling Up Authentic Learning: A Strengths-based Approach to Lesson Design

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Across the globe, educators at every level are continually seeking ways to design lessons that align with the standards and provide meaningful connections to the real world. In this session, participants will learn about and practice a simple protocol that can be completed in less than 15 minutes that - through collaboration and AI - will build off the strengths of teachers’ lesson plans to design authentic learning experiences.

Participants will explore how this protocol provides a practical approach to building durable skills found in graduate profiles as well as approaches to frame the work of schools in our rapidly changing modern world. The session will provide simple, practical, and impactful strategies that teachers can immediately use in their lesson design.

Presenters

Mary Anne Moran

Co-Principal, Nipmuc Regional High School

Mary Anne Moran is Co-Principal of Nipmuc Regional High School. She began her career as an elementary educator and quickly made her way to the secondary level. She has been a member of the Nipmuc community for the last 22 years transitioning to the role of assistant principal 13 years... Read More →

John Clements

Co-Principal, Nipmuc Regional High School

John Clements is Co-Principal of Nipmuc Regional High School. He began his career at Nipmuc 26 years ago as an English teacher and has been an administrator at Nipmuc for 21 years, the past 14 as principal. John is a believer in the capacity of students, teachers, and school communities... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

8:00am EST

MTSS & Getting Strategic: What will we do when some students do not learn? How will we extend learning for students who already meet proficiency?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: K-12 Teachers, Administrators

This session takes a deeper dive into MTSS and considers key strategies to help support the
intervention process. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between tier one, tier
two, and tier three, and participants will explore ways to support the cognitive development of students who are either not meeting proficiency or who are already meeting proficiency.
Participants will:
1. Consider the how and why of Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three interventions.
2. Consider the role teacher-student relationships play in the intervention process.
3. Consider how team collaboration can foster differing interventions to support the cognitive development
of students.
4. Consider how we can extend learning of students who already meet proficiency.

Presenters

Mark Onuscheck

Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment – Adlai Stevenson High School Faculty, DePaul University, Solution Tree

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

8:00am EST

Re-JOY-ning the Math Class!- Math Number Routines and Experiences to Blend the Math Practices with SEL Standards to Promote Better Discourse and Joy in Math: Grades 3-5

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators

This workshop is designed for grades 3-5 teachers who are excited to learn and discover how building a math classroom with thoughtful openers, games, and experiences can bring positivity, joy, and math-ful thinking to math classes.
This highly participatory workshop will provide selected tasks that will be the building blocks of the development of a truly positive and discourse-rich classroom.
Teachers will engage in various instructional routines and experiences that provide a variety of adventures to blend content, the what of math, while also tasting a mixture of the HOW of math, with a mixture of the mathematical practices and SEL standards. Have a taste of motivating your students, through thoughts, play, and discourse, to become enthusiastic math learners!

Participant Outcomes:
● Engage in new and robust activities, games, and tasks that will better promote cognitive, positive, and motivational discourse in the middle school math classroom with an emphasis on the Math Practices and a taste of the SEL standards.
● Be involved in tasks that allow for many types and styles of effective questions that allow all students to enter math problems.
● Participate in lively instructional routines that will energize and deepen students’ understanding of mathematics.

Presenters

Marcie Abramson

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Secondary Co-Teaching: What's Working and Where Do We Go From Here

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Current co-teachers will come together to discuss best practices and be able to collaborate with each other across the district. We will share our experiences and see what overlap we have throughout the district. This PD will be used to inform a small group of teachers who are working to understand and improve the co-teaching methods and models that are present here in Newton. There is no need to prepare anything for this session, but please only sign up if you currently co-teach a middle or high school class.

Presenters

Lillian Robinson

Gen-Ed Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Emily Shire

Special Ed Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Co-Teaching

8:00am EST

Inclusive Listening and Facilitative Mediation Skills

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Presenters

Becca Comiskey

Team Specialist, Newton Public Schools

I have spent a majority of my career working in the Newton Public Schools as a special educator in various roles. In 2019 I left NPS for four years, working as a special education administrator. Experiencing the pandemic in my role, created a deep level of burnout beyond what... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Educational Leadership, Adult wellness; Student services; Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Leading Like We Mean It

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

"Leading Like We Mean It" offers educators and administrators an immersive professional development experience that aligns with Newton's emerging Profile of a Graduate, providing hands-on opportunities to design meetings and PD using research-based andragogical strategies and frameworks.

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to model the Profile of a Graduate in Newton and will leave equipped with strategies and frameworks for conducting effective meetings and professional development. They will also walk away with either an action-oriented plan to fully integrate the Profile of a Graduate into their practices or a series of incremental steps to implement throughout the year.

The training includes two optional, remote follow-up sessions in February and June to assess implementation and gauge effectiveness.

Presenters

Heather Starkel

Instructional Designer

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Educational Leadership

8:00am EST

Integrate the Arts: Watercolor Focus

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-8, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Come and learn watercolor strategies and how to integrate your lessons with the arts to support content learning through visual thinking strategies, arts integration with EL, social studies and more! We will enjoy the power of art, watercolor strategies and practical ways to create a lesson that integrates the arts with any content area. Studies have proven that participation in the arts can lower blood pressure, engage learning at a higher level, and deepen essential learnings in your classroom content areas.

Presenters

Alexandra Etscovitz

Art Teacher, Memorial Spaulding, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Fine Arts

8:00am EST

AI-Powered Teaching: Strategies and Tools for Secondary Educators

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Learn the fundamentals of AI, then discover how AI can be your new co-teacher. Learn to simplify tasks, create materials, and differentiate instruction. In this hands-on session, you will learn to use and have time to explore ChatGPT, Diffit, Magic School AI, and more!

Presenters

Angela Galbraith

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Sandra Derstine-Desai

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

8:00am EST

Build up your Google spreadsheet skills!

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Office Staff, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Join our Google Sheets Training Session to master essential spreadsheet skills! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to organize and color code your data, create formulas, and collaborate in real-time. We will explore pre-built table feature to get you up and running quickly, as well as touching upon Vlookups to link data together from multiple sheets, and explore data via Pivots. Perfect for beginners or those looking to boost productivity with Google Sheets. By the end, you'll be equipped to efficiently manage your data and streamline everyday tasks!

Presenters

Jack Polnar

Newton Public Schools

Cliff Aurisma

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Technology/Engineering

8:00am EST

Demystifying Extended Reality in Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Do you keep hearing the terms XR, AR, and VR? Do you wonder what its all about and if its something that would benefit you and your students?

Join us to learn more about the technology, how it works, and how its being used in schools across the world to support educators and provide immersive learning experiences for students.

Our session will begin with a small overview of the technology, discussion around its current and future uses, and an opportunity to try on a VR headset and explore the metaverse with one of our XR Terra Experts. VR experiences will include guided discussions by a campfire with s'mores and hot chocolate, virtual field trips abroad, art therapy activities, and some quality time in the virtual dog park. (virtual dogs included!)

Presenters

Sean Karimian

Director of Education Development

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

8:00am EST

Digital Natives: Exploring how Newton Students Use and Perceive Educational Technology

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Digital Natives: Exploring how Newton Students Use and Perceive Educational Technology

Damian Bebell (1), Zhexun “Cinna” Xin (1), Gareth Cleveland (1), Kayla Burt (2), and Mahima Nambiar (1)
(1) Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College
(2) MIT Media Lab

In communities around the globe, schools have struggled with the challenges and opportunities of technology in classrooms and at home. In this workshop, a research team from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development will share highlights and lead a hands-on, data-informed exploration of a Spring 2024 BC/NPS survey of students access, use, and beliefs towards technology.

With nearly 1800 responses from grades 5, 8, and 10th students in over 20 Newton schools, this workshop will first share examples and highlights of student access, practices, and perceptions on technology and educational technology across the district. For example, attendees will investigate trends in how Newton students use technology inside and outside of the classroom for a wide variety of purposes. Using data dashboard tools (provided in session), session attendees will be given reflection time to first-hand explore and investigate Newton students’ access, use, and beliefs of technology (age/grade differences, gender differences, differences across subject areas, etc.).

The study results and data-informed reflection activities will provide teachers and school leaders an opportunity to reflect deeply from a student perspective on educational technology. Session attendees will enrich their understanding of NPS students' current technology access, experiences, and beliefs such that participants own understanding will deepen towards maximizing educational opportunities from technology resources and recognizing challenges and pitfalls.

Presenters

Damian J. Bebell

Research Professor, Boston College

For the past 20 years. Damian has helped teachers, educational leadership, and policymakers leverage research and reflection to more effectively support technology rich educational settings. As a research professor at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

8:00am EST

Engaging Early Learners with iPads

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5

What do you expect learning to look like for your youngest students? And how can technology play a role? Join us for a discussion around how the use of technology should be intentional and natural, as well as age appropriate to meet the abilities of each learner. We’ll also explore how iPad can help your youngest students communicate, create, and learn at their own pace.

Presenters

Jim Harmon

Apple

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

8:00am EST

Leveraging Varsity Tutors to Support Independent Learning In and Out of the Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Learn about the Varsity Tutors Online Learning Platform. You will be walked through all aspects of the platform including, Essay Review, 24/7 Chat tutoring, Live Group classes, College and Career Readiness and Personalized Learning.

Presenters

Courtney Schwartz

Director of Educational Partnerships, Varsity Tutors for Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Tutoring; Online tutoring; High Dosage Tutoring; Test prep; Chat Tutoring; Essay Support; Enrichment learning; College and Career Readiness; Personalized Learning

8:00am EST

ScratchJr and the Coding as Another Language Curriculum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals

In this session, we will present ScratchJr, a programming app designed specifically for children ages 4-8 to learn computer science concepts in a playful and developmentally appropriate way. Additionally, we will present the Coding as Another Language - ScratchJr curriculum, which positions coding as a means for self-expression and communication by integrating key literacy concepts into the instructional design. The ScratchJr app, the curriculum, and pedagogical framework have all been created by the DevTech Research Group based upon 20 years of research and development. Educators will learn how to use ScratchJr in the classroom to help foster creativity, computational thinking, storytelling, problem solving, collaboration, and so much more!

Presenters

Jess Blake-West

Learning Experience Designer, ScratchJr

Jessica Blake-West is a second-year doctoral student as well as the ScratchJr Learning Experience Designer for the Developmental Technologies (DevTech) research group at Boston College. She completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience at Brown University and her... Read More →

ScratchJrCAL DevTechPDforNewton pptx

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Data and Research; Literacy; Social Emotional Learning; Technology/Engineering; Computer science education

8:00am EST

Creating a Community of Readers

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8

In this session we will discuss various ways to engage students and staff around creating a strong reading culture in your school community. This will include strategies used this year to successfully roll out our Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) program.

Presenters

Jamie Lightfoot

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Hi! I am Jamie. I am in my 18th year in NPS and my 8th year as a middle school library teacher. I love reading, cats, dogs, boxing, pilates and nachos.

Michelle LaRochelle

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Library, Literacy; Mental Health; Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Exploring Library Resources for Curriculum Integration and Research K-1

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Check out print and electronic resources available in our school libraries that support classroom curriculum and student research!

Objective:
Join the library team as we explore a range of library resources which support classroom curriculum, and introduce age appropriate strategies for student research.

Participants will dig in and explore the various library databases and resources which support classroom curriculum and foster student inquiry.

During our session we will:

Introduce our online databases and resources
Demonstrate how to use and access ebooks, audiobooks, and other digital resources
Review how to access and request library materials from your school library
Explore kid-friendly research tools

Target Audience: Educators working with kindergarten and first grade students

Presenters

Laura Stroessner

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Monique Airasian

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Library

8:00am EST

Unlocking the Power of Graphic Novels: Energize Learning with Visual Storytelling K-3

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: K-3 Teachers, ELL, SEL, support staff

Teachers will learn the characteristics of a graphic novel and explore a variety of genres written in graphic novel format. They will also learn the educational impact graphic novels have in student literacy and comprehension. This learning will be applied by practicing and developing cross-curricular lessons (for example: SEL, science, social studies, math) and activities that allow students to engage with and create graphic novels. They will walk away from this experience not only with curated resources, but ready-to-teach activities to try with their students the next day.

Presenters

Morgan Harper

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Liz Donovan

Elementary Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I'm a former Underwood second grade classroom teacher turned Angier Library teacher. Eager to connect the library to the classroom in all areas.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Library, Literacy/Language Arts

8:00am EST

I Know About the Science of Reading...So Now What Do My Reading Stations Look Like?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators

Considering the shifts that have been made from Balanced Literacy to using a Science of Reading Approach, I would like to help educators think and create new center activities that are aligned with these new teaching principles. The session would begin with a brief (unless participants need additional information) overview of the science of reading principles and tenants. The session would then move into what kind of activities kids should be engaging in while the teacher is taking small skill based groups. There will be examples of activities to share and time for teachers to make plans or activities to bring back to their classrooms. There will be online templates as options for starting points.

By the end of the session teachers will:
- understand the basics of the science of reading.
- take home activities they can use in their classroom.
- have time to work alone or with others to create new materials.
- see examples of center options that support science of reading teaching approaches.
- have access to templates that they can modify on their own during the session or at a later time.

Presenters

Abbey Bannon

1st Grade Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Literacy, Science of reading/small group learning centers

8:00am EST

Science of Reading: Parts 1 & 2

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Part 1: Join us for a comprehensive exploration of the science of reading! We will demystify the science and understand the foundation of reading and how the science of reading movement emerged. We will look at the reading brain and explore the fascinating neural processes that make reading possible, as well as going beyond the basics and delve into the “Simple View of Reading” framework and Scarborough’s Rope and see how they inform instruction. Through the building blocks of success we will learn the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction that lead to strong literacy skills.

Part 2: Ready to build strong readers? This webinar equips you with the essential tools! Join us for a deep dive into the science behind effective reading instruction. In this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of The Simple View of Reading and demystify how this framework breaks down essential reading skills into core components: word recognition and language comprehension. Learn how weaknesses in either area can impact overall reading success. We will unravel the intricate strands of Scarborough’s Rope that make up a strong reader, while exploring the critical roles of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge, and more. We will discover how each component in these models impacts the reading process for the building blocks of success.

Presenters

Sharon Amos

Literacy Specialist, EarlyBird Education

Sharon is a Literacy and Reading Specialist, a certified IDA Dyslexia Practitioner, and an Orton-Gillingham Supervisor at both Gordon College and the Children's Dyslexia Center - Boston North. Her work at EarlyBird Education includes data analysis, instruction on best practices in... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Literacy, Science of Reading

8:00am EST

Structured Literacy Workshop- Backwards Planning with Decodables

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: K-2 educators, ELL teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, literacy aides, and special education teachers.

Overview:
This workshop will equip educators with a clear understanding of structured literacy, its importance, and practical guidance for implementing it in the classroom. Participants will learn how to use a structured literacy lesson template, apply backwards planning techniques, and practice creating their own lessons using decodable texts. The workshop will focus on providing educators with actionable skills to support students’ reading development.
Objectives:

Understand the rationale behind structured literacy.
Learn how to use a structured literacy lesson template.
Practice backwards planning for structured literacy lessons.
Create lessons using decodable texts.

Target Audience:
K-2 educators, reading specialists, interventionists, literacy aides, and special education teachers.
Workshop Outline:

Welcome & Introduction
Overview of workshop goals and agenda.
Structured Literacy Overview
- Rationale
- Key principles: explicit, systematic, and multimodal instruction.
Lesson Template Overview
- Components of the structured literacy lesson.
Backwards Planning
- Introduction to backwards planning with decodable texts.
Guided/Independent Practice
- Participants create lesson plans using decodable texts.
Wrap-Up & Q&A
Final reflections, questions, and resources for continued support.

Pre-Workshop Preparation:
Participants should bring at least two decodable texts. If needed, they can request materials from their school’s literacy specialist.
Duration:
80 minutes
Outcome:
Participants will leave with an understanding of the importance of structured literacy, ready-to-use lesson plans, and practical strategies for effective reading instruction.

Presenters

Robyn Barry

Literacy Interventionist

Jennifer Lindstrom

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Literacy

8:00am EST

The Key Comprehension Routine

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8

The Key Comprehension Routine teaches students a foundational set of research-based comprehension strategies that support listening and reading comprehension in any subject area. Teachers learn how to teach strategies using existing reading and instructional materials across content areas.

Presenters

Diane Azia

Newton Public Schools

Holden Trunk

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Literacy, Mathematics; Science; Social Studies/History; World Language

8:00am EST

Unpack Your Next EL Module to Prepare to Teach

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5

In this session we will summarize the knowledge and skills students will need to know and be able to demonstrate in the various assessments of your self-chosen EL Module. We will use this knowledge to prioritize our teaching of key information and prepare for lessons. Attending with your team is beneficial, but not required. You will need either your physical manual OR access to your online manual.

Presenters

Jaclyn Taylor

Literacy Coach, North Andover Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Literacy

8:00am EST

Adding Value to PLCs with Math Strategies

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: K-5 teachers, Instructional Coaches, and Administrators

Explore practical strategies for enhancing your Professional Learning Community (PLC) by
integrating effective math practices! This session will focus on collaborative approaches that increase student
engagement and deepen mathematical understanding. Whether you’re a school leader, instructional coach,
or a classroom teacher, come learn how to elevate your team’s math conversations and impact student
achievement.
Participants will:
· explore optimal practices for teaching and learning mathematics.
· identify and apply math strategies that promote student engagement and deepen understanding
within a PLC framework

Presenters

Dr. Erin Lehmann

Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Mathematics

8:00am EST

Great Things Happen for Students in the Thinking Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

When students stand in randomized groups at whiteboards while working on a well thought out task, they are more eager to learn, get on task faster, and are more willing to discuss their thinking than in a traditional classroom or group learning environment. I have over 7 years of Building Thinking Classroom experience and I will show you how to get started, what to avoid, and how to make this a successful change to your teaching.

Presenters

Andrew Burnett

7th Grade Math Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Andrew Burnett has been teaching math for over 20 years and has taught every grade from 7 through 12. In 2012, a professor from Worcester Polytechnic Institute persuaded him to leave the classroom to help with a homework feedback study. It was a transformative learning experience... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Mathematics

8:00am EST

Using Free Virtual Manipulatives at Polypad in Algebra I and Geometry

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Manipulatives can transform how students make meaning of important ideas by making abstract relationships visible, by teaching problem-solving, and by allowing students to explore and discover. Learn how virtual manipulatives can mirror these effects and support more complex interactions that are not possible in the physical world. Participants will learn using algebra tiles and the balance scale, working with polygons to explore transformations, using a function machine, and more. Participants will use the free virtual manipulatives available at Polypad, part of Desmos Classroom.

Presenters

David Poras

Product Director, Polypad by Desmos Classroom, Amplify/Polypad

David Poras is the Senior Director of Product for Polypad, part of Desmos Classroom and Amplify. Prior to this role, David taught middle school math for 22 years. In 2017, David was selected as a runner-up for the Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching awarded... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Mathematics

8:00am EST

Working with Essential Star Math Data

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

Target Audience: Teachers K-5, Math Teachers 6-8, Special Educators, Elementary Administrators, Middle School Administrators

Learn the basics of the data available in Star and lay the foundation for using Star data in
the classroom.
- Explain the multiple reports and data views available in Star.
- Interpret commonly used Star scores.
- Locate and navigate commonly used Star reports.
Master the art of using Star data to inform whole-group and small-group instruction.
- Explain Star’s value as an instructional planning tool.
- Use Renaissance’s learning progressions and Focus Skills when planning instruction.
- Use the Star Record Book to group students and identify skill information and resources for instruction.
- Plan targeted whole-group and small-group instruction using Star data and resources.

Presenters

Kayla Smith

Renaissance Consultant, Renaissance

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

Mathematics, Data and MTSS

8:00am EST

Beyond the Threat Assessment: Making a Plan to Support Student Well-Being

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Identifying and assessing school threats and how to build support for students after threat is determined not to be serious or with intent.

Presenters

John Oteri

School Safety Coordinator

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Mental Health

8:00am EST

Growing Our Practice: Well-Being Lab to Build Hope and Resilience

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

This interactive lab creates an avenue to bring the science of hope and resilience research into practice. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the micro-skills and strategies that lead to hopeful and resilient mindsets. The lab allows for practice and discourse and equips educators with a toolkit of practical strategies to incorporate hope and resilience into student learning experiences.

Presenters

Sara Stockwell

Senior Director, Battelle for Kids

Sara brings over two decades of dedicated experience in public education and well-being advocacy – a passion rooted in her personal experience overcoming adversity. This personal connection has guided her career and fueled her commitment to fostering individual well-being and supportive... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Mental Health

8:00am EST

High-Leverage Language Supports in Curricular Materials

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8, Teachers 9-12

Almost 100% of Newton's teachers are SEI-endorsed (endorsed in Sheltered English Instruction) and all teachers teach the academic language of their content area! Let's look at curricular materials' existing language supports for all learners, especially English learners, and/or identify what additional ELL supports could be embedded. Attendees should come ready to work with a curriculum unit, bringing the unit of their choice to the session. Educators will embed the following into existing units as needed: learning objectives, language objectives, strategic home language supports, visuals, and/or other language-enhanced supports. Intended outcomes for educators include: explore existing language supports in a unit, embed enhanced language supports, and explore AI as a resource for making some of this easier. This session works across all grade levels and any content area. **Please note: Viewing the SEI video (on ARXEd mandated training) is a prerequisite to this session. (Also found here: https://youtu.be/xBjSpk3e350 )**

Presenters

Yanshen Lucki

Assistant Director of ELL, Newton Public Schools

Lauren Harrison

Assistant Director, ELL, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Universal Design for Learning; Culturally Responsive Practice; Curriculum and Instruction

8:00am EST

Supporting English Learners (EL) in Your Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Are you overwhelmed by the increasing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom? Do you struggle to find effective strategies to help them access the general education curriculum? This session is designed to equip you with practical tools and strategies to support your ELL students' academic success.
We will delve into six essential practices that classroom teachers can implement to create a high-quality learning environment for ELLs.
By the end of this session, you will have a toolkit of practical strategies (and digital resources) to effectively support your ELL students and create a more equitable learning environment for all.

Presenters

Emily Archibald

ELL Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Aron Boros

Math Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Math; Curriculum and Instruction; Science

8:00am EST

Supporting Newcomers in the Mainstream Classrooms

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

As classrooms across the country continue diversifying, more mainstream teachers are welcoming newly arrived immigrant students with limited English proficiency. This presentation arms educators with key knowledge and actionable practices to drive academic achievement for these unique newcomer learners.

This workshop provides teachers with research-based strategies to simultaneously develop newcomer English language abilities while addressing grade-level standards. Participants will examine proven techniques for scaffolds, differentiation, and oral language growth. The presentation aims to build instructional capacity and confidence for empowering newcomers through responsive teaching and culturally inclusive classrooms where diverse learners thrive. Participants will leave with practical approaches that will enhance the educational experience for newcomers.
Outcomes:
1. Discover practical strategies for teaching newcomers.
2. Enhance confidence in supporting unique learner needs.
3. Leave with specific, actionable ideas for identifying language demands and oracy building with newcomers.

Presenters

Tyler Ramey

MLL Consultant

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners

8:00am EST

Teaching Reading to Multilingual Learners

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Overview:
This session focuses on helping elementary English Learner(EL) students become readers in English by using collaborative protocols, taping, and targeting areas of need through a cross-linguistic lens. Outcomes for educators include more insight, tools, and collaborative support for helping EL students who are reading below grade level or who may be learning to read for the first time in their non-native language.
Objectives:

Creating an asset-based vision for EL student’ progress when reading assessments highlight deficits
Considering differences and similarities in learning to read in a nonnative language
Analyzing student reading samples through a cross-linguistic lens
Using a collaborative protocol

Target Audience: Elementary teachers (Grades 2-5), ESL teachers, Special Education teachers, Reading Specialists

Workshop Outline:

Welcome & Introduction
Overview of workshop goals and agenda.
Rationale for reframing reading progress for ELs
Differences and Similarities in learning to read in a non-native language
Cross-Linguistic Tools to learn about students’ languages
Analyzing a taped student sample
Using a Collaboration Protocol for ELs

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Office Staff

How and why municipal finance laws impact how and what you do when you purchase something on behalf of NPS.

Presenters

Amy Mistrot

Director of Business Operations, Newton Public Schools

Kerry Mastroianni

Purchasing Manager, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

NESA

8:00am EST

You're a Mediator, Even if You Don't Know It

Behavior Prevention and De-escalation

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Specialists, Para Professionals, Special Educators

This session is designed to provide classroom teachers, specialists, and support staff both proactive and responsive strategies for dealing with challenging behaviors in the school setting. The Safety Care Curriculum chapters 1-3 will provide the framework for these strategies. This training will cover prevention and de-escalation strategies for managing behavioral crises and interacting with students who are dysregulated. This training does not cover any physical management strategies. The goal is to provide a better understanding of how to support students when they are showing signs of escalation and more importantly proactive strategies for preventing students from reaching the point of escalation in the classroom. In addition, the hope is to better inform general education teachers and support staff about the systems and procedures that regulate how the special education and safety teams respond when called for support.

Presenters

Kristen Lord

Newton Public Schools

Rachele Thivierge

Team Specialist, Newton Public Schools

I have been a special education teacher in Newton for 22 years. I helped design and start what is now the district wide STRIDE program in 2002. I was the lead teacher for that program for 18 years at Countryside Elementary before it moved to Zervas. I have been working with students... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Introduction to Restorative Practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

A workshop for a classroom of 20-25 attendees that introduces the concept of restorative practices in schools, its three tiers, and includes a circle experience for attendees.

Plan

Introduction to Restorative Practices (25 min)
1. State Law 71 37 that requires school principals to employ “alternative remedies” before suspending students, which will lead to an increase of restorative circles in schools.
2. Introduction to the three tiers of restorative practices and their rationale—along with time for questions and a few exercises.
3. What does it mean to build a restorative school?
The Circle Process / Structure (35 min) Attendees participate in a Community Circle that uses restorative circle protocols with various personal or professional prompts that will introduce attendees to the circle experience.
Wrap-Up, with Questions (15-20 min)

Presenters

Alan Reinstein

Restorative Practices Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

As the Restorative Practices Coordinator at Newton South, I promote the use of circles for classroom teachers, as well as be available to facilitate circles wherever there is a need throughout the school. This simple protocol—a people sitting in a circle who use a talking piece... Read More →

Cynthia Manthei de Abadia

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

Self-Regulation in the Elementary Classroom: Building, Utilizing, and Supporting Classroom Break Spaces and Strategies for All Students

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Identify and create trauma-informed break spaces in their classrooms.

Implement a range of self-regulation strategies that meet diverse student needs.

Use visuals and think sheets to support emotional and behavioral self-regulation.

Develop plans for ongoing support and adaptation of break spaces.

This session will be led by a multidisciplinary team of general education, special education, and SEL staff.

Presenters

Laurie Shaughnessy

Sped Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Kyle Maloney

Newton Public Schools

Johanna Gittleman

Newton Public Schools

Olivia Cohen Milligan

Inclusion BT, Newton Public Schools

Nicole O'Reilly

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

8:00am EST

A Long Way Home: Teaching about Immigration in a Local Context

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

What makes a place home, and why might someone choose to leave that place for a foreign country? In this session you’ll use artifacts and documents from the 19th and 20th centuries to put yourself in the shoes a person deciding whether to stay in their home country or emigrate to Newton. We’ll share strategies for teaching about immigration, discuss ideas for using primary sources in your instruction, and uncover the diversity of Newton’s early immigrant residents. You’ll leave the program with new ideas, a stronger understanding of Newton’s immigrant history, and resources to enhance your practice.

Presenters

Allison Pagliaro

Education Manager

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History

8:00am EST

Civic Online Reasoning

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Civic Online Reasoning is the process of critically evaluating online information and navigating complex information environments, especially doing research using the internet, and on social media. The goal is to foster media literacy by teaching skills that allow individuals to distinguish credible sources from misinformation, fake news, or biased content all while practicing clink restraint.

Presenters

Alan Ripp

Curriculum Coordinator History/Social Sciences K-8, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History

8:00am EST

Discover PBS Learning Media's U.S. History Collection Resources

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

From PBS Learning Media: "Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with culturally inclusive resources that bring the major people, events, and trends in history alive, while integrating often untold stories into the curriculum. Curated clips of trusted PBS programs and a diverse array of other media and interactive resources develop students’ historical thinking skills while broadening their appreciation of history’s multiple perspectives and complexity."

In this workshop, attendees with learn how to:
-Access and familiarize themselves with the collection for planning and instruction
-Integrate online resources into their classroom teaching
-Develop new approaches for students to make meaning out of a past composed of many perspectives and experiences

Presenters

Jean Stehle

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators

Applied behavior analysis is the science of human learning. It is a scientific and evidence-based approach that helps students with disabilities learn and develop skills to manage behaviors that are socially significant for the student. Like the field of education in general, the field of applied behavior analysis continues to grow and refine its assessment and intervention practices. Additionally, there are sometimes misconceptions and criticisms of behavior analytic goals and practices, some of this based on the history of applied behavior analysis. This workshop will discuss current behavior analytic practices that strive to be trauma-informed, culturally responsive, neurodivergent affirming, and individually focused.

Presenters

Jim Ellis

Supervisor of ABA Services, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Student Services

8:00am EST

Interprofessional Practice to Support AAC Users on the Autism Spectrum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Para Professionals, Special Educators

Autism is a neurodivergence that impacts a learner’s social and communication skills and behavior. About 30% of Autistic children have augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs past age 5 (Tager-Flusberg, & Kasari, 2013). These learners present with such unique strengths and challenges that a team of professionals is needed to help them meet their potential. Teamwork is required to meet the challenge of helping Autistic learners to generalize skills across environments. Collaboration between speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and ABA professionals will be discussed. The strengths of each discipline will be compared along with difficulties faced when professionals “don’t get along.” Finally, ideas will be shared to promote collaboration including establishing a shared framework, learning each field’s professional jargon, moving towards common terminology, and focusing on the data to ensure efficacy of treatment and generalization of language skills. A successful clinical example will be shared in which an occupational therapist, ABA therapists, and SLPs collaborated to teach school-aged learners in a social skills group.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will:

Name the challenges professionals from different fields face when working together to serve Autistic students with AAC needs.

Discuss ways that collaboration between professionals can help promote generalization of language skills by Autistic learners.

Explain at least two strategies that can promote collaboration between professionals when serving neurodivergent students with AAC needs.

Presenters

Kimberly Ho

Assistant Clinical Professor

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Student Services

8:00am EST

New IEP Training

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Special Educators

Understand the technical changes to new IEP form, in relation to existing form(s), systems, policies, and guidance.

Identify & increase opportunities for adaptive change that result in effective and efficient collaboration between general educators, special educators, related service providers, parents, and students to support students eligible for special education.

Presenters

Katie Lindley

Assistant Director of Elementary Special Education, Newton Public Schools

Maura Tynes

Director of Special Education, PK to 5th grade, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Student Services

8:00am EST

REACH as a Citywide Program at the Elementary Level: What to Know to Support and Welcome the Program

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience:

Staff from the Lincoln Eliot school will hear more about plans to welcome the REACH program to Lincoln Eliot next September. Landmark Outreach Consultant will review the targeted student profile and needed supports. The districts plans to open REACH again at the Elementary level will be explained as well.

Presenters

Ann Larsen

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Student Services

8:00am EST

UDL: A Deeper Look at Firm Goal, Flexible Means

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Providing voice and choice to learners is the heart of UDL. But not all choice is created equally. Choice must be carefully designed to ensure that students are still working towards grade-level standards. In this session, we will examine two types of standards (content and method standards) and learn how to design choices that are construct relevant to ensure students can make meaningfully progress towards reaching firm goals.

Presenters

Jeff Horwitz

Education Consultant, Novak Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am EST
TBA

Universal Design for Learning

8:00am EST

Better Serving Boys: Identity Work, Relationships, and Culturally Responsive Practice

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Educators will engage in reflective practice to:
-Unpack elements of self and what contributes to their presence in schools
-Explore the reported boy crisis in modern social discourse
-Understand the impact of gender and racial bias in school settings with a focus on -adolescent brain structures
-Create conditions for students to see themselves in their learning/ community
-Identify supports and systems to engage with oppressive or disempowering practices when they arise in school settings.

Presenters

Malcolm Andrews

Telescope Networker

Dr. Jason Laroque

Associate Principal, Grades 6-8

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice

8:00am EST

Cultivating a Pro Asian American Lens in NPS: Strengthening Our Practices to Support Our Asian American Students

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Drawing from educator and activist Tony Delarosa’s "Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro Asian American Lens in School," this workshop will offer participants strategies and approaches to examine, expand, and make the cultural and historical context of our Asian American students even more visible to ourselves and in our classrooms. Participants will work to: 1) reflect on the connections between their own experiences and key moments in Asian American history; 2) continue to develop strategies and resources to center, support, and celebrate Asian American students in their classrooms and other spaces; 3) understand the ways in which K-12 educational structures may not support Asian American students as best they can and consider how to address those gaps; 4) articulate the connections Asian Americans have to broader movements of inter-racial solidarity and activism.

Presenters

Michele Leong

English teacher, Office of Human Rights, Newton Public Schools

Charlene Beh

English teacher and Leadership in a Diverse Society, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice

8:00am EST

Mixed-Level Classes are Challenging - Creating a Differentiated Classroom Helps

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

TARGET AUDIENCE: Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

GOALS & OUTCOMES:

Once we clarify and can visualize the content and pacing variables within any mixed-level course (the what of our curriculum) then we can select differentiation strategies and routines to help all students accomplish their learning goals by unit and by lesson (the how of our curriculum).
To that end, participants will:

Clarify what content is different for students working at each level in a mixed-level course and present those differences visually (see slides)
Learn specific differentiation strategies and routines
Plan lessons for an upcoming unit that incorporate differentiation strategies and classroom routines

DIFFERENTIATION TOPICS & MATERIALS:

We will lean heavily on Carol Ann Tomlinson's core principles of teaching in a differentiated classroom: flexible grouping within an established community, frequent assessment to enable targeted “just in time” help, increased student choice, and the use of anchor activities to prevent wasted time when students finish work at different speeds.
Participants will be provided with readings about the purpose differentiation, video footage of differentiation strategies/routines being used in classrooms, and descriptions of specific differentiation strategies. Teachers will select an upcoming lesson and answer the DuFour’s core questions about it:

What do I want my students to learn?
How do I know if they learned it?
What do I do if they did not learn it?
What do I do if they did learn it?

Answering these questions will enable participants to select the differentiation strategies and routines that will work best in their classes.

Most importantly, teachers will have some work time to apply what they have learned.

One final thought, while learning about differentiation is essential for a mixed-level class it is also useful for single level classes because all classes are composed of students with a range of interests and abilities.

Presenters

Rachael McNally

MTSS Co-Coordinator; 9th Grade Cluster Coordinator; History Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Rachael has been teaching kids history and playing drums in her band Sleepyhead for over 30 years. She has been designing and facilitating PD for the past 20 years. Rachael approaches PD design with the structure of a classic pop song in mind. The intro to a song, or to a workshop... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Differentiation; Mixed-Level Classes

8:00am EST

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Administrators

Being an effective leader isn’t just about knowing the technical side of your work—it’s also about understanding yourself and human relationships. Emotional intelligence is your superpower for driving sustainable change that supports equity, collaboration, and belonging in your organization.

In this workshop, we’ll dive into how you can better understand and manage your emotions, clearly communicate your needs, and recognize how conscious and unconscious biases might affect your work and relationships. By boosting your emotional intelligence, you’ll learn how to build stronger connections and better understand the people around you, setting the stage for more impactful leadership and rewarding relationships.

Session Outcomes-Using the domains of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management) as a lens, participants will:
-Define your leadership vision.
-Identify the roadblocks holding you back and how to overcome them.
-Develop actionable strategies to turn your leadership vision into reality.
-Enhance your understanding of others, to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment.

Presenters

Gianna Cassetta

Founder and Lead Consultant, The Plain Red Horse Coaching and Consulting

Gianna began her teaching career in New York City, becoming one of the state's first twenty-five National Board Certified teachers. Her passion for education led her to co-found and lead one of only five public-to-charter conversion schools in NYC, which outperformed the district... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Educational Leadership, Social Emotional Learning; Adaptive Leadership

8:00am EST

AI-Powered Teaching: Strategies and Tools for Elementary Educators

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Special Educators

Learn the fundamentals of AI, then discover how AI can be your new co-teacher. Learn to simplify tasks, facilitate communication, create materials and differentiate instruction. In this hands-on session, you will learn to use and have time to explore ChatGPT, Magic School AI and Diffit.

Presenters

Jen Roy

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Universal Design for Learning; Productivity

8:00am EST

Canva - Advanced

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Special Educators

This advanced workshop is designed to help educators harness the full potential of Canva to create visually engaging resources and collaborate with students. Whether you're designing interactive lessons, fostering student creativity, or enhancing classroom presentations, this session will equip you with the skills to use Canva's advanced features effectively with your students.

Presenters

Lauren Dietz

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

My name is Lauren Dietz and I have been a Digital Learning Coach in the Newton Public Schools since 2004. Prior to this I was a classroom teacher at the K-2 level for 9 years. I use my skill set and experience to collaborate with classroom teachers to successfully integrate meaningful... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

8:00am EST

Google Makeover: Tips for a More Organized Workspace

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers Pre K-5,

Your Google life can quickly become overwhelming. Join this workshop to learn how to conquer Google applications, by implementing organizational strategies, and uncovering hidden features to enhance your productivity and well-being in the digital world.

-Gain expertise over Google applications
-Declutter your digital workspace
-Boost your productivity

Presenters

Lisa Vancans

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Donna Busa

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Google Organization

8:00am EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (1st grade)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Teachers PK-5

In this collaborative workshop, educators teaching the same grade level across various schools will come together to engage in strategic planning around the EL curriculum. Special Educators and ELL teachers who teach the curriculum are welcome to join a grade that’s applicable to them. Participants will have the opportunity to share best practices, align instructional strategies, and develop cohesive lesson plans that support student success. Through discussions, resource-sharing, and hands-on planning time, teachers will work collaboratively to address common challenges, differentiate instruction, and enhance student engagement with the EL curriculum.

Intended Outcomes:
Foster collaboration among educators to ensure consistency and alignment across schools.
Refine grade-level lesson plans tailored to the EL curriculum.
Share strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including English Learners and students with special needs.
Strengthen professional networks for ongoing support and resource-sharing throughout the year.
Participants will leave with plans and a stronger sense of collaboration across schools.

Presenters

Rebecca Lebowitz

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Susan Pemsler

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

8:00am EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (2nd grade)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Louise Martin

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Anne Bauer

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

8:00am EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (KG)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Kindergarten teachers and other educators who teach or modify EL for kindergarten.

Please bring your teachers guide and teacher supporting materials for whichever module you wish to plan for. You will also need a charged computer. This is not a formal presentation.

In this collaborative workshop, educators teaching the same grade level across various schools will come together to engage in strategic planning around the EL curriculum. Special Educators and ELL teachers who teach the curriculum are welcome to join a grade that’s applicable to them. Participants will have the opportunity to share best practices, align instructional strategies, and develop cohesive lesson plans that support student success. Through discussions, resource-sharing, and hands-on planning time, teachers will work collaboratively to address common challenges, differentiate instruction, and enhance student engagement with the EL curriculum.

Intended Outcomes:
Foster collaboration among educators to ensure consistency and alignment across schools.
Refine grade-level lesson plans tailored to the EL curriculum.
Share strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including English Learners and students with special needs.
Strengthen professional networks for ongoing support and resource-sharing throughout the year.

Presenters

Erica Clem

Literacy specialist, Newton Public Schools

Erica is currently a literacy specialist at Countryside in NPS, with extensive experience teaching both first and second grade. She also brings a wealth of knowledge from her background as a special educator, allowing her to effectively support diverse learners. Her passion for education... Read More →

Brett Aronne

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

8:00am EST

Math K-12 Curriculum Review Committee

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience:

The Committee will unpack and review work to date including but not limited to Learning Walks data and NPS curriculum documents, scope/sequence etc. Continuing the work and conversations from the 9/20 launch

Presenters

Norma Gordon

Educational Consultant and Mentor, Norma B Gordon

Norma Gordon has been involved with public school education for almost three decades in a range of roles including classroom teacher, professional learning developer, DESE regional mathematics specialist, and CAO for a mathematics education technology company. Curiosity led her... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

8:00am EST

Supercharge your Investigations Lessons (Supporting students at/above benchmark)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers K-5, Special Educators

Can your students define the term even number? This workshop will focus on surfacing connections to algebraic thinking and mathematical arguments within the K-5 Investigations curriculum. We will do math activities, study student examples, and introduce the idea of representation-based proofs. This work should be particularly helpful for supporting participants in providing extensions within existing lessons.

Finally, we will explore Ten Minute Math activities and grade level lessons and plan for questions to help deepen understanding. You will leave with a deeper understanding of the math and a list of questions to expand students' understandings.

Presenters

Michael Smalley

Math coach, Newton Public Schools

Kelly Gartside

Math Coach, Newton Public Schools

I am passionate about math and bringing depth and joy to math for all students. This is my 4th year as a math coach in Newton. Prior to coming to Newton I taught 2nd, 4th and 5th grade in both Brookline and Boston.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

8:00am EST

"In My Mind: "My Identity Matters” Trauma Informed Care: Needed Now More than Ever "

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals

Many of us have experienced not only violence and discrimination, but also live with symptoms of trauma and have an increased likelihood of developing health related problems as a consequence of this exposure. Dr. Bailey’s presentation will explore the intersection of trauma, racism that are experienced by LGBTQ individuals across the lifespan; and will discuss the role that social workers and allies have in promoting equity and fairness in a multicultural environment; as well as the role that social workers must play in addressing racism and other forms of oppression when working withLGBTQ persons, especially LGBTQ persons of color.

Presenters

Gary Bailey

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mental Health

8:00am EST

DBT Toolkit

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals

DBT Toolkit

Department Chair of STE, NSHS, Newton Public Schools

Heather Hotchkiss

Dept Head for Science, Tech & Engineering, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Science, Universal Design for Learning

8:00am EST

Tools to Depolarize Our Classrooms and School Communities

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Students and teachers face unprecedented division, conflict, and polarization in the classroom and across school communities. We need educational spaces today, more than ever, that will empower school community members to leverage compassion and curiosity, build authentic relationships, and resist the toxic influence of political polarization.

In this 3 hour workshop, educators develop the skills and confidence they need to engage differences in ways that create authentic connections, rich mutual understanding, and resilience to political polarization. This highly interactive workshop will anchor participants in the theory of communication across differences and provide a new framework to foster more constructive conversations. Participants will learn and practice tools that strengthen the skills of dialogic listening, inquiry, reflection, and speaking in order to promote healthier dynamics, encourage meaningful interpersonal connections, and halt the spread of polarization in their classroom or school. These interventions are adaptable for classroom learning, extracurricular activities, and the school culture at large.

Objectives:
To identify patterns that can make communication difficult
To gain a basic understanding of a framework for more constructive conversations
To learn and practice tools for listening, inquiry, speaking and reflection that interrupt dysfunctional patterns and support more constructive conversations.

Participating educators will receive a ten-lesson-plan curriculum (grade levels 6th-12th) that they will be equipped to deploy immediately with students to put what they learned into practice.

Presenters

Nadiya Brock

Associate/Program Manager, Essential Partners

Nadiya Brock serves on staff at Essential Partners as the Program Manager, as well as an Associate, and co-holds the programming for secondary schools. At Essential Partners (EP), Nadiya has focused on collaborations with public and independent secondary schools across the United... Read More →

Molly Zuker

Essential Partners

Molly Zuker is a member of the Board of Directors at Essential Partners, a trained facilitator of Reflective Structured Dialogue, a mediator, as well as an independent nonprofit consultant specializing in cultivating cultures of inclusivity and belonging at scale.Molly first encountered... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning, Curriculum & Instruction; Professionalism & Leadership

8:00am EST

Acquisition-Driven Instruction: Getting Your Feet Wet

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Session 1
Acquisition-Driven Instruction : Getting Your Feet Wet
What is acquisition-driven instruction? Why might you be interested in it? What will your students gain from acquisition-driven instruction? How can you make ADI work in your classroom?

This session is for world-language teachers who are new to ADI or who aren’t sure where it might fit into their teaching practice.

Intended outcomes:
- explain what ADI is
- explain why ADI is valuable
- describe some basic activities to incorporate into their classes
- try out some activities in the group

Presenters

Michelle Bloom-Scheff

French teacher, Newton Public Schools

Lindsay Dukelow

French Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 10:55am EST
TBA

World Language

8:00am EST

Safety Care Prevention/De-Escalation Strategies

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Any staff who are not already trained in Safety Care and do not require the physical management components as part of their job

Safety Care is the system that the district uses to support students in order to prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral crises with respect and dignity. This training will cover the prevention and de-escalation strategies for managing behavioral crises and interacting with students who are dysregulated. This training does not cover the physical management strategies. This training is geared toward staff who are not already trained in Safety Care and do not require the physical management components as part of their job. This training is not for Behavior Technicians who need the full training.

Presenters

Sarah Rosenthal

Gabrielle Mulrean

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Student Services

8:00am EST

Safety Care Re-Certification

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators who have previously been trained in an initial Safety Care training in the last calendar year.

Educators will be able to promote student dignity and respect while ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment. Educators will leave session (full day) with recertification of Safety Care Specialist status. Please wear comfortable attire.

Presenters

David Wright

Team Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Katelyn Smith

Team Specialist/Special Education Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 8:00am - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Student Services, De-Escalation and Crisis Prevention

9:35am EST

American Heart Wellness Workshop

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Olivia Penney

Development Director, School Engagement

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Adult Wellness

9:35am EST

Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

What if embracing Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE) was the key to unlocking students' full academic and personal potential? In order to combat the structural inequities at play in our current educational system which continue to marginalize students and family members based on race, social class, gender, language, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability, we must deepen our understanding of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education. In this highly engaging session, participants will unpack the key principles of CRSE and explore their own cultural identity to determine how it influences our ability to enact a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education for all students.

Objectives:
Articulate a foundational understanding of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE).

Develop awareness of cultural identity and how it influences our ability to provide a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE) for all students.

Guiding Question: Why is it important to understand our own cultural identities?

Presenters

Dr. Ingrid Twyman

Author, Consultant, Adjunct Professor, ElevatED Pedagogy

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice Educational Leadership Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

A Model for Mixed Level Teaching in History Classes

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 9-12

We will share what we have learned about how to set up a mixed level history class.

Presenters

Jennifer Morrill

History Chair, Newton Public Schools

NSHS history teacher Jon Greiner and I will present strategies we have used to teach mixed level (honors/acp/cp) high school history classes. Our goal is to show what has worked well in our discipline and to consider the pros and cons of this approach in history classes.

Jonathan Greiner

History Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

9:35am EST

Executive Functioning: Making the Abstract Concrete

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators

In this session, educators will begin by taking a survey to self-asses their own executive functioning as a pathway to understanding this broad topic. We will discuss how educators can support executive functioning through the physical enviornment of their classroom, share mini-lessons on specific aspects (metacognition, working memory, etc)., and practice interactive games to promote these skills. Educators will walk away with new knowledge, strategies, and actionable lessons to use in their practice.

Presenters

Meredith Crowe

Special Education Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Renae Fulkerson Keszycki

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Executive Functioning; Student Services

9:35am EST

Grading with standards – Tips and Tricks

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 9-12

Four high school teachers walk you through how they have hacked Schoology, reformatted their tests, and otherwise set up their classes to focus their assessment and grading on common learning outcomes.
Brian Baron, Dave Weintraub, Kitty Stirling, and Gerald Ng, Newton South

Presenters

Kristin Stirling

Newton Public Schools

Gerald Ng

Physics Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Assessement and Grading

9:35am EST

Integrating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals into the World Language Curriculum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: World Language Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Using the UN SDGs (sustainable development goals), teachers will learn how to incorporate these ideas into their curriculum with activities, examples, and worksheets that they can create on their own. We will examine what makes a good "text" to utilize for teaching the SDGs as well as discuss other ways of engaging student awareness.

Presenters

Denise Cremin

Spanish Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Global Education

9:35am EST

Interdisciplinary instruction: enhancing skill development through sharing expectations and routines across subject boundaries

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Special Educators

We will share examples of our experiences with using specific learning skills across subject boundaries, and offer guidance for teachers who would like to develop shared practices. Educators should leave with ideas for how to partner with their colleagues and find areas of overlap between content areas that can enhance instruction.

Presenters

Benjamin McGraw

6th Grade Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Floyd A Butler

6th Grade Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

9:35am EST

Leveling Up Authentic Learning: A Strengths-based Approach to Lesson Design

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Mary Anne Moran

Co-Principal, Nipmuc Regional High School

John Clements

Co-Principal, Nipmuc Regional High School

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

9:35am EST

MTSS & Getting Strategic: What will we do when some students do not learn? How will we extend learning for students who already meet proficiency?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Mark Onuscheck

Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment – Adlai Stevenson High School Faculty, DePaul University, Solution Tree

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction

9:35am EST

Re-JOY-ning the Math Class!- Math Number Routines and Experiences to Blend the Math Practices with SEL Standards to Promote Better Discourse and Joy in Math: Grades 3-5

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Marcie Abramson

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

Teaching Media Literacy: Navigating News and Information in the Digital Age

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 9-12

Equip teachers with strategies to teach students how to critically evaluate media and news sources; Demonstrate how to integrate media literacy into subject-specific curriculum, and use library resources to support media literacy. Teachers will develop a media literacy activity and leave with tools for teaching critical thinking.

Presenters

Margaret Kane Schoen

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Margaret Schoen is one of the library teachers at Newton South High School, and is a graduate of Simmons School of Library and Information Science. Margaret came to the school library profession after a career in journalism and has had a deep experience in media and its use as a tool... Read More →

Erin Dalbec

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Jennifer Sutherland

Elementary Art Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
Room 9107

Fine Arts

9:35am EST

Demystifying Extended Reality in Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Sean Karimian

Director of Education Development

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

9:35am EST

Digital Dive: Self-Paced Discovery

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Participants will explore a curated collection of self-paced learning materials. Choose from materials covering: ParentSquare, WeVideo, Canva, Schoology, GSuite, Library Tools, and AI. If you enjoy exploring tools on your own, this is the session for you! Bring your headphones, device, and an open mind! Participants are limited to just one session of this offering, and will be required to complete a short Google Form summary at the end of the session of what you learned.

Presenters

Steven Rattendi

Director of Information Technology and Library Services, Newton Public Schools

Eileen Keane

Library Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

9:35am EST

Engaging Early Learners with iPads

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Jim Harmon

Apple

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

9:35am EST

Getting Started with Canva (for Secondary Teachers)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

WeVideo: Introduction to Multimedia Creation in the Classroom with WeVideo (for Beginners)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Administrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Description: Elevate learning, engagement, and creativity with WeVideo! In this workshop, you will learn video editing fundamentals as you run through the flow of creating, editing, and publishing a video. You’ll learn how to access pre-made assignments in WeVideo’s assignment library to make student multimedia-creation a regular part of your teaching practice. Watch your students come alive with WeVideo!

By the end of this session, educators will be able to:

Understand the benefits of student creativity and multimedia creation!
Edit and publish a video and create video-based instructional content.
Begin implementing multimedia projects and activities that enhance learning

Grab your notes and join us for new and creative ideas for your classroom!

Presenters

Trisha Kelleher

Web Facilitator & Online Learning Specialist, K-12, Newton Public Schools

Bonnie Surma

Customer Success Manager, WeVideo

An instructional design resource and designated point person for WeVideo and PlayPosit communication. Joined WeVideo in May 2022; Lives in southern Virginia; Former high-school English and art teacher, corporate trainer, and technology professional; wife and mom of young adult... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Curriculum and Instruction; Technology/Engineering; Universal Design for Learning

9:35am EST

Exploring Library Resources for Curriculum Integration and Research 2-3

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Introduce our online databases and resources
Demonstrate how to use and access ebooks, audiobooks, and other digital resources
Review how to access and request library materials from your school library
Explore kid-friendly research tools

Target Audience: Educators working with 2nd and 3rd grade students

Presenters

Laura Stroessner

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Rachael Lundquist

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I'm an elementary library teacher at Memorial Spaulding and Ward.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Library

9:35am EST

Unlocking the Power of Graphic Novels: Energize Learning with Visual Storytelling 4-5

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: 4-5 Teachers, ELL, SEL, support staff

Teachers will learn the characteristics of a graphic novel and explore a variety of genres written in graphic novel format. They will also learn the educational impact graphic novels have in student literacy and comprehension. This learning will be applied by practicing and developing cross-curricular lessons (for example: SEL, science, social studies, math) and activities that allow students to engage with and create graphic novels. They will walk away from this experience not only with curated resources, but ready-to-teach activities to try with their students the next day.

Presenters

Morgan Harper

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Liz Donovan

Elementary Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I'm a former Underwood second grade classroom teacher turned Angier Library teacher. Eager to connect the library to the classroom in all areas.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Library, Literacy/Language Arts

9:35am EST

Diversifying the 6th Grade Novel Study Unit

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8

A group of MS ELA teachers, literacy specialists, and library teachers will continue their work of revising and updating the current 6th grade novel study unit to center around a text that is engaging, culturally responsive, and rigorous.

Presenters

Joelle Pedersen

MS ELA/Literacy Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy

9:35am EST

Progress Monitoring and the MTSS Model with Student Profiles

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5

Progress Monitoring and the MTSS Model: We understand the importance of assessing, but providing remediation with progress monitoring is what makes the MTSS model successful. We will walk through a data based individualized instruction model where we begin with a universal screener, use results to form targeted support groups, and progress monitor along the way to make sure the instruction is effective. Some students may need stronger or additional support; what are those considerations and when do we need further testing? Join us to walk through this model of multi-tiered system of supports.

Student Profiles (Dyslexia and DLD): We want to be able to support all students in our classrooms and help them to be their most successful. To achieve that goal, we must understand the profiles and characteristics of students with learning challenges. We will look closely at the definitions and key characteristics of students with Dyslexia and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), talk about why DLD can be especially challenging to identify, and discuss the overlap and connections between these learning profiles. This will support educators in effectively analyzing student assessment data and responding to their unique needs.

Presenters

Sharon Amos

Literacy Specialist, EarlyBird Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy, MTSS; DLD; Dyslexia

9:35am EST

Structured Literacy Workshop- Backwards Planning with Decodables

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: K-2 educators, ELL teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, literacy aides, and special education teachers.
Overview:
This workshop will equip educators with a clear understanding of structured literacy, its importance, and practical guidance for implementing it in the classroom. Participants will learn how to use a structured literacy lesson template, apply backwards planning techniques, and practice creating their own lessons using decodable texts. The workshop will focus on providing educators with actionable skills to support students’ reading development.
Objectives:

Understand the rationale behind structured literacy.
Learn how to use a structured literacy lesson template.
Practice backwards planning for structured literacy lessons.
Create lessons using decodable texts.

Target Audience:
K-2 educators, reading specialists, interventionists, literacy aides, and special education teachers.
Workshop Outline:

Welcome & Introduction
Overview of workshop goals and agenda.
Structured Literacy Overview
- Rationale
- Key principles: explicit, systematic, and multimodal instruction.
Lesson Template Overview
- Components of the structured literacy lesson.
Backwards Planning
- Introduction to backwards planning with decodable texts.
Guided/Independent Practice
- Participants create lesson plans using decodable texts.
Wrap-Up & Q&A
Final reflections, questions, and resources for continued support.

Presenters

Megan Kamm

Newton Public Schools

Jeanne Conley

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy

9:35am EST

Unpack Your Next EL Module to Prepare to Teach

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Jaclyn Taylor

Literacy Coach, North Andover Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Literacy

9:35am EST

Adding Value to PLCs with Math Strategies

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Dr. Erin Lehmann

Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

9:35am EST

Class Openers, Warm-Ups, and Number Talks to Foster Numeric, Algebraic and Geometric Thinking

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Special Educators

Come learn some new class openers, games, and puzzles to spark student engagement in middle school math classes. Participants will play a variety of quick activities to see how these help promote numeracy skills, algebraic thinking, and geometric understanding. Some of the games shared will be able to be played both virtually and with physical objects, while some of the games are best suited to be played with the free virtual tools on Desmos Classroom and Polypad, a free resource with virtual manipulatives.

Presenters

David Poras

Product Director, Polypad by Desmos Classroom, Amplify/Polypad

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

9:35am EST

Fact Fluency: The Phonics of Mathematical Thinking

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-Grade 5, Para Professionals, Special Educators

In this session, educators will learn the developmental pathway most students follow when learning to add and multiply single digit numbers.They will learn which facts are the foundation upon which more challenging facts are learned. They will learn about to support students moving from one developmental stage to the next through the use of games, stories, and number talks.

Presenters

Andrew Guttell

Math Coach, Newton Public Schools

I love to spend time with my wife and our 3 adult(YIKES!) children. I enjoy woodworking, kayaking, bicycling, and cooking.I was a first and second grade teacher for 20 years before taking on my current role as math coach. As a classroom teacher, reading instruction and assessment... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

9:35am EST

Great Things Happen for Students in the Thinking Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Andrew Burnett

7th Grade Math Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mathematics

9:35am EST

Supporting Students in Elementary Math

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Unit C Educators supporting students in math

During this session, we will collaborate to examine effective support for students during the various structures of the elementary math block, including whole group instruction, small group work, independent work and ST Math. We will explore accommodations, tools, and language that supporting adults can use to facilitate productive learning in our students.

Presenters

Lisa Addleman

math coach

Meran Ellis

Instructional Math Coach

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Reducing Bullying: Current Practices, Research, and Tools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators

This session will focus on current research and practices related to bullying that can be used at the classroom and school levels. Specifically, this session will support teachers, counselors, and school leaders by focusing on:

1) Recent research on bullying prevention and intervention presented by Boston University Professor, Dr. Jennifer Green.
2) Practices that can be used to reduce bullying and support targets, aggressors, bystanders, other students, and staff.
3) Hands-on engagement with case studies that provide participants with opportunity to apply current research practices to resolving bullying situations.

Presenters

Daniel Green

Principal, Newton Public Schools

Dr. Jen Green

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mental Health, Educational Leadership

9:35am EST

Supporting Gender Expansive Students-One Parent's Perspective

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Kristen Ando, an educator and dedicated parent of a transgender child, shares her unique perspective on navigating the journey of gender expansive youth. This presentation aims to bridge the gap between parental experiences and educational practices by offering educators a nuanced understanding of the challenges and needs faced by gender expansive students.

Participants will gain valuable insights into:

- The personal and emotional experiences of a transgender child and their family.

- Practical strategies and considerations for supporting gender expansive students in the classroom.

- Key concepts from the Youth at Risk results and their implications for educational settings.

- The integration of non-gendered practices to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

This session is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and empathy needed to create affirming spaces for all students, enhancing their ability to support and advocate for gender expansive individuals effectively

Presenters

Kristen Ando

Humanities/EL Coordinator, North Andover Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mental Health, LGBTQ

9:35am EST

Tools for Implementing a Body Positive Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

In this workshop you will:
– Better understand the concept of Health at Every Size
– Analyze how cultural ideals affect body confidence
– Better understand why challenging current belief systems around health are important for building a safe body confident environment
– Better understand the negative effects of diet culture

Presenters

Becky Manley

Founder and Board Member of Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mental Health, Health and Wellness; Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

Trauma and Mental Health informed Schools and Classrooms

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

With the surge of mental health and trauma-related issues in schools, come new anxieties and demands on classroom teachers, administrators, student support staff, and more. This straightforward workshop walks educators through recognizing warning signs and effective adaptations that minimize disruption to struggling students and the larger community. We will be discussing universal approaches to teaching and community building that benefit all rather than singling out struggling students for support. You will come away with ideas for maintaining academic rigor while supporting students who are struggling.

Presenters

Chris Willard

Psy.D., Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth

Dr. Christopher Willard, (Psy. D.) is a clinical psychologist, author and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has spoken in over thirty five countries, and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of twenty books, including Alphabreaths, Growing Up Mindful, and Mental... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Mental Health

9:35am EST

Engaging New ELL Learners with Meaningful Independent Work

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Educators will be able to use strategies and know-how to create/modify subject-appropriate materials to engage their new non-English-speaking students in the academic work in their mainstream classrooms.
Participants will gain a first-hand understanding of the needs of their ELLs by experiencing what it feels like to be in a classroom environment where they do not comprehend the language of instruction. They will Participate in a 10-minute (approximately) lesson given without Sheltered Instruction, and the same lesson where the teacher uses sheltered instruction strategies AND specific independent work practices that engage the students with the subject through learning of the language of the subject.

Presenters

Alla Mantsur-Shane

ELL teacher, Newton Public Schools

I have been teaching ELL in Newton for 24 years. I have been creating my own materials to support classroom teachers in helping their non-English speaking learners being engaged in their classroom. However, recently I came to a conclusion that it is not the materials, but the well... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Culturally Responsive Practice; Student Services; Curriculum and Instruction

9:35am EST

Supporting Newcomers in the Mainstream Classrooms

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Tyler Ramey

MLL Consultant

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners

9:35am EST

Teaching Reading to Multilingual Learners

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5

Overview:
This session focuses on helping elementary English Learner(EL) students become readers in English by using collaborative protocols, taping, and targeting areas of need through a cross-linguistic lens. Outcomes for educators include more insight, tools, and collaborative support for helping EL students who are reading below grade level or who may be learning to read for the first time in their non-native language.
Objectives:

Creating an asset-based vision for EL student’ progress when reading assessments highlight deficits
Considering differences and similarities in learning to read in a nonnative language
Analyzing student reading samples through a cross-linguistic lens
Using a collaborative protocol

Target Audience: Elementary teachers (Grades 2-5), ESL teachers, Special Education teachers, Reading Specialists

Workshop Outline:

Welcome & Introduction
Overview of workshop goals and agenda.
Rationale for reframing reading progress for ELs
Differences and Similarities in learning to read in a non-native language
Cross-Linguistic Tools to learn about students’ languages
Analyzing a taped student sample
Using a Collaboration Protocol for ELs

Presenters

Laurie Conde

ESL Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Literacy; Culturally Responsive Practice

9:35am EST

Crisis Preparedness and Communication: Strengthening School Safety Protocols

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: NESA, Office Staff

In this session, participants will review essential communication protocols and guidelines for school-based safety and crisis teams. We'll discuss best practices for responding to emergencies and how to effectively coordinate during crisis situations. The session will also cover expectations for conducting fire drills and lockdown drills, ensuring that staff are prepared to act swiftly and responsibly to protect students and colleagues. Join us to strengthen your knowledge and skills in fostering a safe school environment!

Presenters

Eugene Roundtree

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

NESA

9:35am EST

Field Trips, Fees, and MySchoolBucks

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Administrators, Office Staff

Learn how MySchoolBucks will be used for collection for field trips and/or for any function or event for which funds are collected.

Presenters

Julie Athanasiadis

Business Operations Analyst

Amy Mistrot

Director of Business Operations, Newton Public Schools

Field Trips, Fees, and MySchoolBucks Presenation for Thrive24 pptx

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

NESA

9:35am EST

ParentSquare for Admin Assistants

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Office Staff

Review key features of ParentSquare focusing on Posts, Messages and Alerts and Notices. explore the Admin features in order to manage and improve message delivery. Take a quick peak at Add-Ons and what might be possible as next steps. Outcome is to create a level setting session to bring users up to speed with ParentSquare and take them to the next level of using the system.

Presenters

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Special Educators

Substance use has changed in the last decade- the drug supply is more toxic, adolescents can access drugs through social media, and there are new ways of consuming drugs (like emerging smokeless tobacco products). Although a primary message of no substance use should always be first, for the adolescents who may decide to try substances, it is important to also provide them with information to reduce the potential harms. Educators in this session will learn about the ways that substance use has changed among adolescents in the last decade. We will review specific strategies that adolescents can use to minimize the harms related to substance use, including a focus on overdose prevention education and how to recognize/respond to an overdose with naloxone.

Presenters

Sarah Bagley

Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Boston U Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

PE Health and Wellness, Drug Use Education

9:35am EST

Fire Safety and Prevention for our Educators

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

Target Audience: All NPS Staff, Classroom Teachers

This information session covers EMS and basic first aid (CPR/AED usage), as well as Fire Prevention themed issues including discussion on applicable fire codes in the classroom, fire reporting in schools, and multi-hazard drills.

Presenters

Kathy Rizza

LT Michael White

EMS Officer, Newton Fire Department

Brian Healy

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Special Educators

Goal Outcomes:
1. To have a framework for understanding cognitive processes that underlie learning
2. To apply this knowledge when reading student IEP’s and accommodations/modifications.

Presenters

Elizabeth Hamblin

School Psychologist-Underwood Elementary, Newton Public Schools

Lynn Chachkes

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning, Student Services

9:35am EST

Coaching SEL Skills for Young Students

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Social and emotional coaching is the practice of supporting students in learning to identify their emotions and developing strategies to self-regulate to manage their emotions. Teachers and support staff team members can coach students using a variety of strategies, including role play, self-reflection, developmentally appropriate literature, think sheets, visuals, and communication tools. Social emotional coaching includes in the moment, direct, explicit instruction to support a lagging skill in an effort to support the student in managing their emotions in order to improve and generalize skills, regulate and return to the task at hand.

Presenters

Kristine Barker

SEL Stabilization Coach, Special Educator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

Incorporating the AIM curriculum into SEL Instruction

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators

We will focus on the Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy paradigms of the AIM Curriculum purchased last year and developing interventions to increase student awareness of their values and the thoughts, feelings and actions that move them in the direction of what is most important to them.

Presenters

Joe Barrett

BCBA, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

Introduction to Restorative Practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

A workshop for a classroom of 20-25 attendees that introduces the concept of restorative practices in schools, its three tiers, and includes a circle experience for attendees.

Plan

Introduction to Restorative Practices (25 min)
1. State Law 71 37 that requires school principals to employ “alternative remedies” before suspending students, which will lead to an increase of restorative circles in schools.
2. Introduction to the three tiers of restorative practices and their rationale—along with time for questions and a few exercises.
3. What does it mean to build a restorative school?
The Circle Process / Structure (35 min) Attendees participate in a Community Circle that uses restorative circle protocols with various personal or professional prompts that will introduce attendees to the circle experience.
Wrap-Up, with Questions (15-20 min)

Presenters

Alan Reinstein

Restorative Practices Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Cynthia Manthei de Abadia

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

Self-Regulation in the Elementary Classroom: Building, Utilizing, and Supporting Classroom Break Spaces and Strategies for All Students

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5

This professional development session will focus on trauma-informed self-regulation strategies tailored for elementary classrooms. Participants will explore various types of classroom break spaces and strategies, including how to design and set up functional break areas. The session will also cover the use of routines, visuals, think sheets, and other tools that support self-regulation. Educators will leave with practical, adaptable techniques for implementing break spaces and fostering emotional regulation in students experiencing dysregulation. By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
Identify and create trauma-informed break spaces in their classrooms.
Implement a range of self-regulation strategies that meet diverse student needs.
Use visuals and think sheets to support emotional and behavioral self-regulation.
Develop plans for ongoing support and adaptation of break spaces.

Presenters

Laurie Shaughnessy

Sped Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Kyle Maloney

Newton Public Schools

Johanna Gittleman

Newton Public Schools

Olivia Cohen Milligan

Inclusion BT, Newton Public Schools

Nicole O'Reilly

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

9:35am EST

A Long Way Home: Teaching about Immigration in a Local Context

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Allison Pagliaro

Education Manager

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History

9:35am EST

Current Events Resources and Strategies (Includes Instruction Around AI)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

This interactive session will explore varied resources and strategies to effectively instruct around current events and the evolving role of the media. We will explore using AI to make content more accessible for all students. Teachers will be able to build a tool box for implementing current events in the classroom.

Presenters

Paul Lyons

Newton Public Schools

Carol Kappel

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History, Technology

9:35am EST

Exploring AP Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Jessica Engel

History Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History, AP classes

9:35am EST

TikTok and American Politics

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

The goal of the session would be to give teachers a better understanding of how TikTok works and how it might impact the American political system. It is essential for educators to understand TikTok because so many kids are on it consistently and therefore influenced by it. Hopefully educators will come away from the session more comfortable in teaching explicitly about TikTok in their classrooms. Multiple lessons about TikTok would be provided for teachers to take with them to use with their own students.

Presenters

Rob Greenfield

H&SS Teacher and Digital Literacy Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Social Studies/History, Literacy

9:35am EST

Current Applied Behavior Analysis Practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Jim Ellis

Supervisor of ABA Services, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services

9:35am EST

Neurodiversity Affirming Support for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Para Professionals, Special Educators

Autism is a neurodivergence that impacts a learner’s behavior and social and communication skills. Traditionally, professionals have viewed these individuals through the lens of the medical model and sought to ameliorate autistic traits by targeting eye contact, turn-taking, and pragmatic skills based on neurotypical norms. These practices are not neurodiversity affirming and lead to harmful masking and camouflaging behaviors which negatively impact autistic individual’s mental health and development (Alaghband-Rad ; Hajikarim-Hamedani & Motamed, 2023). About 30% of autistic children have augmentative and alternative (AAC) needs past age 5 (Tager-Flusberg, & Kasari, 2013). The range of AAC needs in our autistic clients will be discussed along with neurodiversity affirming strategies to support these individuals to meet their communication needs, develop their language skills, and form friendships.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will:
Describe three principles of Universal Design for Learning that can be applied to support Neurodivergent learners
Contrast Neurodiversity affirming practices with traditional medical model practices for supporting students on the Autism spectrum.
Discuss at least three ways some Autistic individuals may benefit from AAC.

Presenters

Kimberly Ho

Assistant Clinical Professor

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services, Culturally Responsive Practice; Mental Health; Social Emotional Learning; Universal Design for Learning; AAC

9:35am EST

New IEP Training

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Presenters

Katie Lindley

Assistant Director of Elementary Special Education, Newton Public Schools

Maura Tynes

Director of Special Education, PK to 5th grade, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services

9:35am EST

Positive Classroom Management Strategies That You Can Do!

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Educators should feel empowered to know how to positively work with students in creating an environment in which challenging behavior is less likely to occur. With challenging behavior less likely to occur, educators will have more time, energy, and fun teaching actual content that they love.

Presenters

Christine Almeida

Newton Public Schools

Katie O'Reilly

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services, Classroom Management Strategies

9:35am EST

Presuming Competence: Looking ahead to 22

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Para Professionals

In this learning session, we will unpack together our role in presuming competence in the disabled and/or neurodivergent students that we work with each day. We will review the science of learning- discussing how new skills are learned and solidified, before applying these concepts to our individual students. Participants will leave with ideas for actionable distal supports that can be implemented the next day with students, teacher moves that live our commitment to presume competence and uphold high expectations for all learners.

Presenters

Maria Kolbe

Director of MTSS, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services

9:35am EST

Transition Planning, the New IEP, & You!

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Special Educators (Units A, B, & C) Grades 6-12

DESE has introduced a new, updated IEP form that has been decades in the making. This is both exciting and overwhelming for all parties involved. This session aims to review the basics of transition planning and to provide guidance on transition assessment.
In this session, you will:

Learn how to help students prepare for their IEP Meeting
Understand how Transition Planning fits into the new IEP form
Understand how to administer different transition assessments & interpret their results
Feel empowered to share what you’ve learned with department colleagues

Presenters

John Curley

Transition Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Rachel Ziulkowski

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Student Services, Culturally Responsive Practice

9:35am EST

Adaptive Art Techniques for Classroom Teachers

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

In this session, participants will learn about adaptive art and OT techniques to support the diverse needs of their students and make creative projects more accessible in the general education classroom. Participants will have an opportunity to try out materials and techniques as well as brainstorm solutions specific to their classroom needs.

Presenters

Kristine Philbin

Occupational Therapist, Newton Public Schools

Caroline Shea

Art Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Universal Design for Learning, Adaptive Art; Elementary Classroom; Fine Art; Teaching All Students

9:35am EST

Beyond the Bulletin Board: Crafting a Culture Content Creation

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Capture classroom creativity to shift past decorating halls and walls to showcase meaningful teaching and learning. Craft a culture of content creation to reimagine student publishing, redesign classroom assessment, and reconnect with families. Educators, administrators, coaches, and leaders will explore next-day strategies to redesign instructional objectives and outcomes to promote every student’s voice.

Lift the digital literacy of your learners across a competency based Design for Digital Learning (DDL) framework. Educatoras will walk away with a combination of inspiring ideas as well as a practical toolkit designed to capture and model process, showcase and archive products, share and spotlight performance, explain and demonstrate practices. Educators will gain strategies to reframe student-publishing from project-completion to a showcase of student-learning, centered in equity and opportunity where every student’s voice matters and is heard through interactive print, video, podcast, and intentional edtech content-creation tools.

Presenters

Jed Stefanowicz

Director of Digital Learning, Nashoba Regional School District

Through conferences, workshops, district leadership, and instructional coaching, Jed Stefanowicz leads strategic transformation of teaching and learning through the use of digital tools and innovative practices. As Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for the Nashoba Regional... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Universal Design for Learning, Educational Leadership; Instructional Technology; Social Emotional Learning; Technology/Engineering

9:35am EST

The Power of Learner Agency

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

UDL aims to engage each student, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning. This session will explore how to use UDL to boost student motivation and self-direction by offering options and choices that foster learner agency and empower students to take charge of their learning

Presenters

Jeff Horwitz

Education Consultant, Novak Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 9:35am - 10:55am EST
TBA

Universal Design for Learning

AMPing up Newton's Visual Communications: Simple Ways to turn any Communication into a Durable, Flexible, Campaign with Little Extra Work

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Dave Kartunen

Founder

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Communication

12:05pm EST

Teaching Media Literacy: Navigating News and Information in the Digital Age

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Margaret Kane Schoen

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Erin Dalbec

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Library; Social Studies/History; Data and Research

12:05pm EST

What’s the Portrait of the Graduate and How Will Impact My Practice?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals

The Portrait of the Graduate is more than a fad or a recent educational trend. In our rapidly changing world, schools across the globe are exploring and adopting Portraits of a Graduate as a way to help students prepare for success in communities and careers of the future. This session will provide an explanation of the role of a Portrait of a Graduate, how it complements the curriculum that currently exists in our schools, and what it looks like in action.

Participants will leave the session with:
-a shared understanding of the Portrait of a Graduate, the implications for educators at each level
-an understanding of the impact of the Portrait of a Graduate on students’ learning and personal narrative
-the emergence of the Mastery Transcript Consortium and other competency-based frameworks that support the work with Portrait of a Graduate
-excitement for this important shift in teaching and learning.

The session will include sharing of resources to return to after the workshop, opportunities for conversation and collaboration, protocols to explore the Portrait of a Graduate, and a chance to explore Mastery Learning Records as a model of assessment and credentialing.

Presenters

Mary Anne Moran

Amanda Diesel

Sheryl Colaur

Solutions Architect, NoRedInk

Sheryl is passionate about helping students learn and has dedicated her career to spreading the word around literacy solutions and quality instruction! A classically trained singer, Sheryl entered the classroom as a K-6 music teacher. Over the last decade, she has worked as an Account... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Data and Research, Literacy; Social Studies/History

12:05pm EST

ParentSquare Exploration for Administrators

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Office Staff

A brief overview of ways to use ParentSquare at the School/District level will be reviewed before launching into a working session to support administrators with ParentSquare use. Administrators will leave excited to use this powerful tool to increase two-way communication with all families.

Presenters

Jack Polnar

Newton Public Schools

Amy Winston

Vice Principal, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Educational Leadership, Multi-Lingual Learners; Tech Tools for Administrators

12:05pm EST

The Three V's of Leadership

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Aspiring Leaders

The session is intended for building level administrators and aspiring leaders. The outcomes includde:
1. Leading and managing while improving staff and student outcomes.
2. Creating strategic partners.
3. Fostering relationships that matter.

Presenters

Joseph Baeta

Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Educational Leadership

12:05pm EST

Connected Communities: Leveraging Digital Tools for Stress-Free Communication in Extracurricular Programs

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Office Staff

Anyone who leads a large extracurricular program like theatre, athletics, or any other club can feel overwhelmed by the demands of organizing communication with students and families - schedules, supply needs, deadlines and forms can pile up and families can struggle to keep up.

Digital tools like ParentSquare, Google Calendar, Schoology and more can be your best allies for building stronger connections with families, students, and your school community.

Join this workshop to develop plans to streamline your work and reduce stress on all participants - including you! - while ensuring equitable access to important information for all.

Presenters

Jess McGettrick

Theatre Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Jess is in her 25th year as the Theatre teacher at Day Middle School.Day Drama is Day's after school theatre production program, with typical involvement of 150+ students every year.Clear communication between production staff, cast, crew and families is critical for any production... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Fine Arts, Instructional Technology

12:05pm EST

Music, Math, and Fractions using Desmos Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 3-5, Para Professionals, Specialists (Music, Elementary Math specialists)

Join us for a cross-curricular math & music activity! Learn how to help your students create their own musical compositions while also strengthening their understanding of fractions. You'll learn how to use Desmos Classroom, receive a sample 3-session mini-unit plan, have time to create your own composition, and ask questions.

Materials: Bring your laptop and a set of earbuds or earphones.

Presenters

Olivia de Geofroy

Presenters

Sean Karimian

Director of Education Development

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

12:05pm EST

Digital Dive: Self-Paced Discovery

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

Leveraging Varsity Tutors to Support Independent Learning In and Out of the Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Courtney Schwartz

Director of Educational Partnerships, Varsity Tutors for Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Tutoring; Online tutoring; High Dosage Tutoring; Test prep; Chat Tutoring; Essay Support; Enrichment learning; College and Career Readiness; Personalized Learning

12:05pm EST

Making Digital Content Accessible.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Making Online Content Accessible for All will equip educators, with the skills to create accessible digital content. Focusing on the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) and neurodivergent-friendly design principles, this session teaches practical strategies to make online courses usable for all learners, including those with disabilities or cognitive differences.

Presenters

Nicole LEtoile

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Accessibility, Inclusion, Equity

12:05pm EST

My Students Have a Chromebook - Now What?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 3-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-10

Unlock the full potential of Chromebooks for your students! In this hands-on session, you will explore powerful Chromebook tools and features to increase student engagement and access to content. Discover built-in accessibility features, tools, Chrome extensions and other hidden tips and tricks to help your students increase productivity and empower them to take more ownership in personalizing their learning. Whether you're a Chromebook novice or a seasoned pro, this workshop will provide resources and practical strategies to help your students become more independent learners!

Presenters

Angela Galbraith

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

12:05pm EST

Responding to AI: Developing an Effective and Pragmatic Approach to Address Student Use and Misuse of AI Tools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

Student use and misuse of AI continues to evolve. While there are innovative approaches for educators to use AI, investigations to detect AI plagiarism is time consuming, stressful and ineffective. This facilitated workshop will give educators time and space to develop an effective and pragmatic approach to respond to AI in our classrooms. By the end of the workshop, educators will develop common strategies they can use in their classroom, and we can clarify school-wide processes when students misuse AI. We will research best practices and develop a document that can be shared district wide to help educators and schools to respond to AI.

Presenters

Henry Turner

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

In this session, educators will learn how to use classroom tools in WeVideo to facilitate media projects. We’ll share curricular resources and best practices for facilitating each stage of a media project from generating a topic to showcasing student work! By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to implement a student media project that
builds academic vocabulary, content knowledge, and literacy while enhancing learning with 21st century skills!

This will be a live virtual 60-minute training with a presenter from WeVideo followed by 20 minutes of practice time supported (in person) by one of NPS’ Digital Learning Coaches.

Presenters

Trisha Kelleher

Web Facilitator & Online Learning Specialist, K-12, Newton Public Schools

Stu Ternigon

Education Specialist, WeVideo

Stu Jernigan is an Education Specialist at WeVideo. Stu is the lead designer of WeVideo's professional learning, assignment ideas library, and other content designed to support teachers and students to get the most out of WeVideo's multimedia creation tools. Stu is a former High School... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

12:05pm EST

EL Education - ALL Block Planning and Problem-Solving

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers K-5, Special Educators

This session is designed for grades 3-5 Educators who taught EL Education last year and are beginning the ALL Block this fall. We will spend time together planning, sharing ideas and successes, and trouble-shooting. Topics might include, but are not limited to: determining rotations, creating materials, looking at student data to form groups, deep dive into Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics, planning for independent groups.

Presenters

Deana Lew

Elementary Literacy Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Literacy, EL

12:05pm EST

Fostering Literacy in a PLC: Why Every Teacher is a Literacy Teacher

Building on Student Brilliance with Desmos Math

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Para Professionals, Special Educators

In this session we will do math together! After participants experience a Desmos Math 6–A1 lesson, we'll look at how the lesson structure and facilitation tools are designed to help teachers elicit, build on, and connect student drive students' math thinking.

Presenters

Angela Rubenstein

Desmos Coach

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

12:05pm EST

PK- 12 Math Curriculum Review Roundtable

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

We invite faculty and staff to a Mathematics Curriculum Conversations session—a collaborative space to share your ideas, insights, and questions about the current Mathematics Curriculum Review. This is an open forum with our consultants where your voice matters and your input can inform student learning experiences.
If you have specific questions or are curious about the ongoing efforts, this is your chance to engage in dialogue with the consultants and each other.

Presenters

Norma Gordon

Educational Consultant and Mentor, Norma B Gordon

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

12:05pm EST

Supporting Your Students' Growth with ST Math

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Para Professionals

We will lead Unit C staff through some activities to increase their comfort level supporting productive struggle with ST Math. We intend for all educators to utilize ST Math as a way to support grade level access to mathematics for all.

Presenters

Christopher McBride

Math Coach, Newton Public Schools

Jennifer Ortega

Assistant Coordinator for Elementary Mathematics, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

12:05pm EST

Using Free Virtual Manipulatives from Polypad to Enhance Math Instruction

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Special Educators

Manipulatives can transform how students make meaning of important ideas by making abstract relationships visible, by teaching problem-solving, and by allowing students to explore and discover. Learn how virtual manipulatives can mirror these effects and support more complex interactions that are not possible in the physical world. Participants will explore topics including equality and solving equations, a variety of geometry topics, probability explorations, and more. Participants will use the free virtual manipulatives available at Polypad, part of Desmos Classroom.

Presenters

David Poras

Product Director, Polypad by Desmos Classroom, Amplify/Polypad

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

12:05pm EST

Working with Essential Star Math Data

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

Presenters

Kayla Smith

Renaissance Consultant, Renaissance

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

Mathematics, Data and MTSS

12:05pm EST

Beyond the Threat Assessment: Making a Plan to Support Student Well-Being

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Identifying and assessing school threats and how to build support for students after threat is determined not to be serious or with intent.

Presenters

John Oteri

School Safety Coordinator

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Mental Health

High-Leverage Language Supports in Curricular Materials

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Yanshen Lucki

Assistant Director of ELL, Newton Public Schools

Lauren Harrison

Assistant Director, ELL, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Universal Design for Learning; Culturally Responsive Practice; Curriculum and Instruction

12:05pm EST

Supporting English Learners (EL) in Your Classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Emily Archibald

ELL Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Aron Boros

Math Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners, Math; Curriculum and Instruction; Science

12:05pm EST

Culturally Responsive Community

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Office Staff

In this session, attendees will engage in professional learning that will provide a deeper understanding of culturally-responsive practices in relation to their role and relationships with colleagues, students and families.

Learning objectives will include 1)self-reflective activities that will highlight the impact of personal and group biases, 2) definitions of terms related to culturally-responsive practices, 3) strategies to consider and apply towards a shift in culture.

Presenters

Kathy Lopes

DEI Director, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

NESA, Cuturally Responsive Practice

12:05pm EST

NESA/Admin Assistants

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Office Staff

Participants will build their proficiency and understanding of various systems used across the district; including but not limited to: MUNIS, Aspen, My Flex Learning etc. This will also be an opportunity for admins to collaborate.
FAQ's on MUNIS, purchasing, budget codes, How not to have your REQ rejected. (Nicole R.)

Presenters

Kim Rutherford

Administrative Assistant, Newton Public Schools

Marguerite Monahan

Registrar, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

NESA, NECP

12:05pm EST

Purchasing to Payments with Mastro and MIstrot

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Office Staff

How and why municipal finance laws impact how and what you do when you purchase something on behalf of NPS.

Presenters

Amy Mistrot

Director of Business Operations, Newton Public Schools

Kerry Mastroianni

Purchasing Manager, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

NESA

12:05pm EST

Designing Curriculum for a Multilevel Science Class

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators

We see a wide range of students in our Intro Physics classes. We would love to share some of our best practices around creating and modifying curriculum to make all students feel seen, comfortable, and challenged in our classroom. As we move to a truly multi-level environment we feel we need curriculum in place that provides on-ramps to build skills, as well as many options for students to grow at whatever level they are at. We have been exploring with choose-your-own-adventure style assignments and more explicit leveled practice. Not just more for a challenge, but something different.

Educators who attend our session will be exposed to what we have tried and how we implement it with our predominately 9th grade physics classes as well as be given time to try out some of these strategies for themselves.

Presenters

Kassidy Fann

Physics Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Kim Mayer

Physics Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Science, Curriculum and Instruction

12:05pm EST

A Walking Conversation on Self-Care in Helping Professions

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Marc Martorana

Founder, Walk and Talk Learning

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

12:05pm EST

Bringing lessons to life! Using Culturally Responsive Strategies and Genuine Relationship Building to Engage All Learners

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Led by a former classroom teacher (turned SEL Coach) and a SEL Interventionist with years of experience and true behavioral expertise - this session will focus on providing you with culturally responsive strategies that you can use to promote engagement for all learners. It will include ways to help you gauge authentic engagement, build genuine relationships, get to know your students as learners, and bring joy and fun into your learning spaces - for you and your students! You will come away from this session with tools, tips and strategies that you can use immediately to increase engagement across all content areas. ALL educators - classroom teachers, interventionists, specialists, ESPs, special educators, ISS, administrators, etc. will take something away from this session. We are excited to have fun with you!

Presenters

Jen Terrazzino

SEL Coach, Newton Public Schools

Natasha Howell

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Practice; Universal Design for Learning; Curriculum and Instruction

12:05pm EST

Coaching SEL Skills for Young Students

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Kristine Barker

SEL Stabilization Coach, Special Educator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

12:05pm EST

Integrating SEL into Academic Instruction

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals

Districts and schools across the nation recognize the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) to promote positive student academic and behavioral outcomes, but they are often challenged to authentically integrate the development of these skills and mindsets into daily instructional practices. Educators can embed implicit and explicit strategies into lesson plans, classroom routines, and everyday interactions with students as part of a comprehensive effort to build students’ social and emotional competencies. This training offers guidance for teachers on how to intentionally and consistently integrate strategies to support the development of social and emotional skills and mindsets into their daily practices. Specifically, we will discuss how to integrate various SEL competencies, using the CASEL framework, into classroom routines and lesson plans in a systematic manner. Teachers will leave this training with specific strategies and practices for integrating SEL practices into their academic instruction.

Presenters

Shai Fuxman

Director, Social, Emotional, and Behavioral (SEB) Academy, Education Development Center

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

12:05pm EST

Intermediate Restorative Practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Administrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Intermediate Restorative Practices—for staff who are familiar with Restorative Practices and / or who have facilitated circles in their own classes.

A workshop for 20-25 attendees that begins with a circle that includes prompts related to staff experience and questions and gives participants the opportunity to create or hone classroom or group circles.

Plan

Begin with a Circle. (30-35 min.) Prompts include shared stories of experiences (successes and challenges) with restorative practices and circles,
Tier 2—Addressing Conflict (25 min)
1. Problem-Solving Circles
2. Listening Circles
3. Restorative Chats
Building / Creating Circles for Classroom Use (20 min). Participants identify a need for their own classrooms / groups and build/create their own circles.

Presenters

Alan Reinstein

Restorative Practices Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Emotional Learning

12:05pm EST

Self-Regulation in the Elementary Classroom: Building, Utilizing, and Supporting Classroom Break Spaces and Strategies for All Students

TBA

Presenters

Alan Ripp

Curriculum Coordinator History/Social Sciences K-8, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Studies/History

12:05pm EST

Discover PBS Learning Media's U.S. History Collection Resources

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Jean Stehle

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Brian Hammel

Digital Learning Coach, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Studies/History

12:05pm EST

TikTok and American Politics

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Rob Greenfield

H&SS Teacher and Digital Literacy Coordinator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Social Studies/History, Literacy

12:05pm EST

Embracing All Kinds of Minds - Creating Inclusive Spaces for Neurodivergent Learners

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals

Betsy will give an overview of neurodiversity, with a specific focus on autism, and how we can, as a community, embrace neurodivergent individuals in a way that makes us a kinder and more inclusive community. She will talk about the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent minds, the Medical Model versus the Social Model of Disability, preferred language, and how it affects our values and attitudes, and other important topics, such as the Double Empathy Problem, Intersectionality, and Ableism, including Microaggressions. She will do a deep dive into simple accommodations that contribute to creating a more inclusive space for all NPS community members. After her presentation, the audience will be invited to participate in an open discussion. The intended outcomes for educators include the following:

Increased Awareness and Understanding: Educators, administrators, and staff will gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, specifically autism. This knowledge should foster empathy and reduce stigma, helping to create a more inclusive environment.

Enhanced Inclusivity in Teaching Practices: The audience will learn about inclusive teaching strategies that accommodate various learning styles and needs, ensuring that neurodivergent students are fully supported in their education. This might include differentiated instruction, flexible assessment methods, and sensory-friendly classroom environments.

Improved Communication and Collaboration: Staff will be encouraged to engage in open, respectful dialogue with neurodivergent students and their families. This outcome aims to strengthen the partnership between educators and families, ensuring that students receive the support they need both at school and at home.

Commitment to Policy and Practice Changes: The school district will commit to reviewing and updating policies to better support neurodivergent students. This could include adopting inclusive discipline practices, and ensuring that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans are effectively implemented.

Empowerment of Neurodivergent Students: The talk will inspire educators to empower neurodivergent students by recognizing and valuing their unique strengths and perspectives. This outcome aims to create a school culture where all students feel respected, understood, and able to succeed.

Fostering a Culture of Acceptance: The overall school community, including students, teachers, and staff, will work towards fostering a culture of acceptance and belonging, where neurodiversity is celebrated as a natural and valuable part of human diversity.

Actionable Steps for Implementation: Participants will leave the talk with practical, actionable steps they can take to support neurodivergent students in their classrooms and throughout the school district. This could include specific strategies, resources, or professional development opportunities.

Presenters

Betsy Johnson

Autism Specialist and Educator

Betsy Johnson, M.Ed., is an autism consultant and educator, working with autistic adults in meeting their educational, employment, and personal goals. She is a sought-after speaker to many corporations and other organizations interested in better supporting their neurodivergent employees... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services, Culturally Responsive Practice; Educational Leadership; Mental Health; Social Emotional Learning; Universal Design for Learning

12:05pm EST

Fostering Independence for K-5 Students with Special Needs

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Using available DESE advisories and supported research, educators will discuss accommodations and supports that will promote independence for students with special needs in elementary grades.
They will review a levels of support screening tool and data collection systems to identify types of support a student needs, identify target skills to teach the student using a developmental rubric, and develop a plan to fade types of support as skills are gained.

Presenters

Rachel Abraham

Special Education Team Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services

12:05pm EST

Interprofessional Practice to Support AAC Users on the Autism Spectrum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Kimberly Ho

Assistant Clinical Professor

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services

12:05pm EST

Positive Classroom Management Strategies That You Can Do!

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Christine Almeida

Newton Public Schools

Katie O'Reilly

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services, Classroom Management Strategies

12:05pm EST

Presuming Competence: Looking ahead to 22

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Maria Kolbe

Director of MTSS, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services

12:05pm EST

READING/WRITING MODIFICATION- CONTENT/INSTRUCTION

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Special Educators

Session will examine the connection between comprehension and writing including Scarborough's Reading Rope and Joan Sedita’s Writing Rope, examples of modifying and creating content from EL curriculum, and work time to practice modifying curriculum using AI (MagicSchool) and various online content (eg. Readworks,org). Outcome includes understanding connection between comp./writing and create/practice skills to modify content for students.

Presenters

Shoshana Anapolle

Special Educator, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services

12:05pm EST

Transition Planning, the New IEP, & You!

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Learn how to help students prepare for their IEP Meeting
Understand how Transition Planning fits into the new IEP form
Understand how to administer different transition assessments & interpret their results
Feel empowered to share what you’ve learned with department colleagues

Presenters

John Curley

Transition Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Rachel Ziulkowski

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST
TBA

Student Services, Culturally Responsive Practice

12:05pm EST

Collaborative working group for sustainable equitable grading practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 1:25pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-12 Classroom Teachers

The goal of this session is for teachers to understand how equitable grading practices exist at the center of culturally responsive and universally designed classrooms. This will be an opportunity for middle and high school teachers across the district to connect with one another about how to move to more equitable (while still sustainable) grading practices. Teachers will have the opportunity to network and troubleshoot around grading changes they want to try or are already trying. The session will be informed by the work of Feldman, Gusky and others, with an eye towards generating sustainable practices for both teachers and students.

Presenters

Derek Knapp

English Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Jason Kaplan, Ph.D., is the Chair and Associate Professor in the School Psychology Department at William James College. He is an MA-licensed psychologist and Health Service Provider (HSP), Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and MA MA-licensed school and Educational... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice

12:05pm EST

Mixed-Level Classes are Challenging - Creating a Differentiated Classroom Helps

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Clarify what content is different for students working at each level in a mixed-level course and present those differences visually (see slides)
Learn specific differentiation strategies and routines
Plan lessons for an upcoming unit that incorporate differentiation strategies and classroom routines

What do I want my students to learn?
How do I know if they learned it?
What do I do if they did not learn it?
What do I do if they did learn it?

Presenters

Rachael McNally

MTSS Co-Coordinator; 9th Grade Cluster Coordinator; History Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Curriculum and Instruction, Differentiation; Mixed-Level Classes

12:05pm EST

Deeper Learning and Teacher Leadership: A Strategy and Skill Session

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Aspiring Leaders

This session is designed BOTH for teachers interested in future roles in educational leadership and for teachers interested in serving in a leadership role without pursing administration. The session will engage teacher leaders in understanding how values drive decision-making, and use readings and exercises to teach educators strategies for mitigating bias and effecting systems-level change in collaboration with school and district leadership. Outcomes include articulation of individual values and leadership skills, identification of local equity-focused data sources and protocols to guide decision-making, and identification of opportunities for participating in systemic, equity-driven transformation efforts.

Presenters

Elizabeth Homan

Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Educational Leadership

12:05pm EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (3rd grade)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Gena Rovelli

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Stacey Faneuil

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

12:05pm EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (4th grade)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Teachers PK-5

Description of Session Including Intended Outcomes for Educators:
In this collaborative workshop, educators teaching the same grade level across various schools will come together to engage in strategic planning around the EL curriculum. Special Educators and ELL teachers who teach the curriculum are welcome to join a grade that’s applicable to them. Participants will have the opportunity to share best practices, align instructional strategies, and develop cohesive lesson plans that support student success. Through discussions, resource-sharing, and hands-on planning time, teachers will work collaboratively to address common challenges, differentiate instruction, and enhance student engagement with the EL curriculum.

Intended Outcomes:
Foster collaboration among educators to ensure consistency and alignment across schools.
Refine grade-level lesson plans tailored to the EL curriculum.
Share strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including English Learners and students with special needs.
Strengthen professional networks for ongoing support and resource-sharing throughout the year.
Participants will leave with plans and a stronger sense of collaboration across schools.

Presenters

Hannah Franklin

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Amy Mulkern

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

12:05pm EST

Collaborative Planning for Success: Strengthening Grade-Level Instruction and Assessment with the EL Curriculum (5th grade)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Kristen O'Brien

Literacy Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Amy Hartford

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Literacy, Curriculum; EL

12:05pm EST

DBT Toolkit

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals

DBT Toolkit

Presenters

Gillian Galen

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mental Health

12:05pm EST

Eating Disorders Assessments and Levels of Care

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals

Eating Disorders Assessments and Levels of Care

Presenters

Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

Executive Director, Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Inc (MEDA)

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mental Health

12:05pm EST

Supporting families with LGBTQ+ children

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals

Supporting families with LGBTQ+ children

Presenters

Gary Bailey

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mental Health

12:05pm EST

Using Solution-Focused Approaches to Improve Student Outcomes in Counseling

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

NOTE: this is a repeat session that is the same as the one I'm offering in the morning.

K-12 schools are on the front lines of supporting the mental and behavioral needs of K-
12 students. Thus, it is important that school-based providers use efficient, research
supported methods and strategies leading toward lasting change. Brief Solution
Focused Counseling (BSFC) is a flexible, child-centered approach to counseling that
can be used as part of group sessions, individual counseling, and even in teacher
consultations. This session will cover the basics of incorporating BSFC into your school-
based work, facilitate hands-on practice with the BSFC process, and will provide
resources and tools for monitoring intervention effectiveness.
Objectives
1) Attendees will learn about the humanistic theoretical foundation of BSFC and why
that makes it a powerful approach to use with K-12 students.
2) Attendees will learn how to incorporate BSFC into existing school-based counseling
work.
3) Through hands-on practice, attendees will learn how to employ specific student-
centered language through the BSFC process.
4) Attendees will learn how to effectively monitor intervention BSFC effectiveness.

Presenters

Chris Stoddard

Assistant Professor & Program Director, Plymouth State University

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mental Health

12:05pm EST

How to Understand Your School Accounts, Use MUNIS, and Navigate the Purchasing Process: School Financial Literacy

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Office Staff

This class is designed as both an introduction to the School Finance System and School Finance Software (MUNIS) and also as a refresher course for those of whom already have some understanding of these topics. Students will complete this course with an understanding of how to read and understand their accounts; how to understand the purchasing laws that govern their procurements requirements; and how use MUNIS to look up their accounts and past transactions, pull audit trails for their school/department, complete purchasing requisitions, look up vendors, and more.

Time allowing, the course may also involve a basic overview of how to use Microsoft Excel to make the most of your downloaded reports.

Presenters

Alyssa Baringer

Finance Manager, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

NESA, School Finance Literacy; Finance Software

12:05pm EST

Creating Safe Affinity Groups

Navigating the New IEP Form in Practice

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Team Specialists and those who lead IEP meetings

This will be an opportunity for those running IEP meetings to reflect on the initial weeks of implementing the new MA IEP form. Participants will share organizational strategies, tips, and tricks for the IEP process. We will review the new IEP form and revisit internal NPS forms that are used in meeting preparation and follow-up. Any findings, next steps, and conclusions will be shared with administration and team specialists at the biweekly team specialist meeting.

Presenters

Coral Rondeau

Team Specialist, Newton Public Schools

Cecile Budelmann

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Student Services

12:05pm EST

Social Pragmatics and a Neurodiverse Affirming Approach

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Speech, Language & Hearing Specialists

We will review current research regarding neurodiverse social communication and discuss the practice implications for SLPs. Topics include autistic cultural competence, clinical priorities, client goals, and consideration for outcomes

Presenters

Sarah Quinn

Coordinator of Speech, Language & Hearing, Ed Center

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Student Services, Neurodiverse affirming practice

12:05pm EST

Practical Strategies for Implementing UDL

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Every educator's path to UDL implementation looks and feels different, as there are hundreds of strategies that align well with the UDL framework. However, there are some common best practices often used during the beginning of implementation that can help move the process of implementation along. This workshop will help educators with moving implementation forward by diving into some high leverage strategies that will get the UDL wheels turning and will help make learning experiences more equitable and inclusive.

Presenters

Jeff Horwitz

Education Consultant, Novak Education

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Universal Design for Learning

12:05pm EST

Acquisition-Driven Instruction: Diving Deeper

Tuesday November 5, 2024 12:05pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Office Staff, Mental Health Professionals, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

This workshop will present the overall benefits of yoga and meditation, in which we will introduce some basic yoga poses. We will then offer a yoga class followed by a meditation. We will end the workshop by discussing how the participants felt through the process and answering any questions people may have.

Presenters

Jane Carroll

Senior Director of Association Member Engagement and Wellness, West Suburban YMCA

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Adult Wellness

1:40pm EST

AMPing up Newton's Visual Communications: Simple Ways to turn any Communication into a Durable, Flexible, Campaign with Little Extra Work

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Dave Kartunen

Founder

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Communication

1:40pm EST

Being a White Ally

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Office Staff, Para Professionals, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Being a white ally means taking an active and supportive role in the fight against racism and social injustice, specifically by using one's privilege as a white person. We will discuss how to recognize and challenge systemic racism, and taking action while amplifying the voices and experiences of our students and colleagues of color.

Presenters

Alan Ripp

Curriculum Coordinator History/Social Sciences K-8, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice

1:40pm EST

Classroom Strategies to Foster Social-Emotional Learning

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Courtney Rau Rogers

Assistant Principal for Student Services, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Social Emotional Learning; Student Services

1:40pm EST

Each and Every: Unpacking Profiles, Posters, and Portraits of a Graduate to Reach Every Learner

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12

Peel back the poster to operationalize Portrait of a Graduate visions into tangible outcomes for each and every student. Participants will gain strategies for operationalizing graduate profiles and learner competencies through targeted curricular, instructional, and pedagogical adjustments. Translate vision into practice by examining methods to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment with Portrait of a Graduate competencies that:

-Prioritize learner competencies through the exploration of approaches to shift from traditional, compliance-based curricula to those centered on essential skills and mindsets.

-Investigate systemic means to create a learning ecosystem that supports and showcases authentic demonstrations of learning.

-Promote deeper learning through techniques that capture and archive evidence of student growth in actionable and meaningful ways.

-Foster student agency with interactive instruments that promote student reflection and self-assessment, aligning personal growth with Portrait of a Graduate competencies.

-Integrate digital portfolios as a powerful tool for documenting, showcasing, and assessing student progress towards Portrait of a Graduate outcomes over time.

Presenters

Jed Stefanowicz

Director of Digital Learning, Nashoba Regional School District

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Culturally Responsive Practice, Data and Research; Educational Leadership; Instructional Technology; Social Emotional Learning; Technology/Engineering; Universal Design for Learning

1:40pm EST

What’s the Portrait of the Graduate and How Will Impact My Practice?

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

The Three V's of Leadership

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Joseph Baeta

Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Educational Leadership

1:40pm EST

Adaptive Art Techniques for Art Teachers and OT's

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

Opportunity for Art teachers and Occupational Therapists currently teaching or interested in teaching Adaptive Art to check in about program progress, share best practices, and brainstorm solutions for the specific needs of their groups. Additional Lessons and resources will be shared from the pilot year of Adaptive Art.

Presenters

Kristine Philbin

Occupational Therapist, Newton Public Schools

Caroline Shea

Art Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Fine Arts, Adaptive Art; Occupational Therapy; Teaching All Students

1:40pm EST

Integrating theatrical games and activities into your classroom

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

This session is intended to open up your mind to how theatrical games and activities could open up different learning opportunities for your students and deepen their understanding of the concepts you are teaching. Any teacher with the right mindset and bit of creativity can apply these ideas into their classroom.

We will discuss how I came to incorporate these concepts into my classroom (music), play through several activities, discuss applications to different grade levels and subject areas, and walk away with resources that you can use. Please come ready to be creative, with an open mind, and ready to have some fun!

Presenters

Alex King

Elementary Music Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Fine Arts

1:40pm EST

The Power of "Yes, AND..."

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Responding to AI: Developing an Effective and Pragmatic Approach to Address Student Use and Misuse of AI Tools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Henry Turner

Principal, Newton Public Schools

Principal, New North High School

Melissa Dilworth

English Department Chair, English Teacher

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology

1:40pm EST

ScratchJr and the Coding as Another Language Curriculum

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Presenters

Jess Blake-West

Learning Experience Designer, ScratchJr

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Instructional Technology, Data and Research; Literacy; Social Emotional Learning; Technology/Engineering; Computer science education

1:40pm EST

Classroom Library Book Diversity: Building Inclusive Reading Spaces

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5

In this session classroom teachers will examine criteria for selecting diverse books and be able to prepare an audit of their classroom library. We will explore diverse books and authors and look at resources that promote representation through literature.

Presenters

Jill Leibowitz

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Brenna Green

Grade 4 Teacher, Cabot Elementary School

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Library

1:40pm EST

Exploring Library Resources for Curriculum Integration and Research 4-5

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Introduce our online databases and resources
Demonstrate how to use and access ebooks, audiobooks, and other digital resources
Review how to access and request library materials from your school library
Explore kid-friendly research tools

Target Audience: Educators working with 4th and 5th grade students

Presenters

Monique Airasian

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

Rachael Lundquist

Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

I'm an elementary library teacher at Memorial Spaulding and Ward.

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Library

1:40pm EST

EL Education for All Learners

Activators to Empower Students to Own Fractions and Decimals

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators

Students who struggle with fraction and decimal concepts may not have used concrete models and pictorial representations as part of their learning. Instruction without modeling tends to focus on the use of equations and algorithms to abstractly represent math concepts. This workshop introduces activators which put visual models at the forefront in helping teachers and students anchor these concepts concretely.

The speaker will teach a routine of building on student thinking through visual models. Models of how to record student thinking and provide clear instructional building blocks will be shared. Participants will experience hands-on and visual models to support their thinking around these often-underdeveloped topics. Then they will practice recording student thinking that allows them to share students' ideas with the class to promote discussion.

Presenters

Heidi Sabnani

Consultant, Sabnani Educational Consulting and AthenaK-12

Heidi Sabnani is always surprised that she works in math education. She developed math anxiety as a young student and spent much of her school life and early career avoiding math. After teaching English in the United States and Guatemala, and earning her MA in World Literature, she... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

1:40pm EST

Struggle Not Suffer! Perseverance and Productive Struggle in Mathematics- Grades 3-5

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Para Professionals, Special Educators

Workshop Description:
This workshop is designed for grades 3-5 teachers who are excited to learn and discover how adding a taste of productive struggle and rigor to math tasks helps to create deep thinkers and lovers of math.
This highly participatory workshop will provide selected tasks that will be the building blocks of allowing all students to persevere, to have aha moments and to find joy in the struggle.
Teachers will engage in various games, tasks, and experiences that will help start to young mathematician bybringing productive struggle and rigor into the classroom.

Participant Outcomes
Discuss and participate in activities that help to define and realize the importance of productive struggle
· Investigate different strategies that will help to build and provoke a culture of productive struggle in the math classroom
Discover strategies that take current-problems and infuse them with rigor.
Learn how a classroom full of productive struggle builds rich discourse, better understandings, and more confidence in mathematics

Presenters

Marcie Abramson

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mathematics, Social Emotional Learning

1:40pm EST

Using Free Virtual Manipulatives at Polypad to Enhance Math Instruction

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers PK-5, Special Educators

Manipulatives can transform how students make meaning of important ideas by making abstract relationships visible, by teaching problem-solving, and by allowing students to explore and discover. Learn how virtual manipulatives can mirror these effects and support more complex interactions that are not possible in the physical world. Participants will explore topics including number sense and different numerical representations, making meaning of fraction operations, exploring area and perimeter, probability explorations, and more. Participants will use the free virtual manipulatives available at Polypad, part of Desmos Classroom.

Presenters

David Poras

Product Director, Polypad by Desmos Classroom, Amplify/Polypad

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Mathematics

1:40pm EST

Working with Essential Star Math Data

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

Presenters

Kayla Smith

Renaissance Consultant, Renaissance

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

Mathematics, Data and MTSS

1:40pm EST

Beyond the Threat Assessment: Making a Plan to Support Student Well-Being

Presentation/Sharing of Educator Handbook: Sheltering Instruction for English Learners in Middle and High School

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Special Educators, Specialists (Arts, Music, PE)

In 2022-2023 Natasha Galichina (NSHS ESL Teacher) and Kathy Lobo (Brown MS ESL Teacher) received a Brown Professional Development Grant to write a handbook (printed and electronic) that is a desktop reference guide that includes some theory but mostly practice for how to shelter instruction to better meet the needs of English learners (ELs). The handbook for teachers of middle and high school aged students teaching all subject areas will be presented and shared in this session. The handbook addresses what ELs at a range of English proficiency levels need/would benefit from. Participants will receive the electronic link to the handbook. Some paper copies of the handbook will also be available.

Presenters

Katherine Lobo

Newton Public Schools

ESL Teacher at Brown Middle School

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

Multi-Lingual Learners

1:40pm EST

Field Trips, Fees, and MySchoolBucks

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Administrators, Office Staff

Learn how MySchoolBucks will be used for collection for field trips and/or for any function or event for which funds are collected.

Presenters

Julie Athanasiadis

Business Operations Analyst

Amy Mistrot

Director of Business Operations, Newton Public Schools

Field Trips, Fees, and MySchoolBucks Presenation for Thrive24 pptx

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

NESA

1:40pm EST

Navigating Student Records: Legal Rights, Access, and School Policies in Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

Target Audience: NESA

In this session, participants will learn about the laws and regulations governing student record keeping, access, and responding to requests as well as Newton Public Schools' policies and procedures. In addition, there will be a general overview of legal rights and processes with respect to student registration and family access to student records and school-related information and communications. There will be time built in to discuss a particular question or scenario faced by employees and where to find additional information and assistance when faced with a challenging or new situation.

Presenters

Jill Murray Grady

General Counsel

As General Counsel, I am here to advise and assist on matters before they become an issue in addition to addressing problems after they arise. I see my primary role as providing guidance around matters, such as management of student records, to give you the tools and information... Read More →

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

NESA

1:40pm EST

Office Hours

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Office Staff

Join us for an in-person version of our weekly virtual Office Hours! We’ll share the latest updates on registration, attendance, and our student information systems.

Presenters

Maureen McAdams

Confidential Executive Assistant, Newton Public Schools

Jack Polnar

Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

NESA, Registration/Attendance/Student Information Systems

1:40pm EST

Why Customer Service in Schools Matters

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST

TBA

Target Group: Administrative Assistants, NESA Members

Customer service, once considered crucial only for retailers and restaurants, has now become a key area of focus and improvement for public school districts.

During this session, we will delve into the importance of providing exceptional customer service within our public schools. We will discuss how to cultivate a customer service mindset that enables you to maintain a positive and grounded approach when interacting with students and families.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of customer service within the Newton Public Schools community, and why it is essential for district leaders, staff, students, and families alike.

Presenters

Christina Maryland

Director of Communications & Family Engagement, Newton Public Schools

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:40pm - 3:00pm EST
TBA

NESA

1:40pm EST

TBA

Target Audience: Adminstrators, Teachers PK-5, Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Para Professionals

Students are ready to learn and make healthy choices when they feel safe, supported, and welcomed in their classrooms and schools. Creating a sense of belonging is particularly important for students from historically marginalized populations—who are most likely to feel isolated and disconnected. Strategies to foster belonging for all students, including historically marginalized populations, require systemic planning, impementation, and monitoring of evidence-based strategies, both in the classroom and across the school. This session will provide teachers and administrators tools and strategies to develop such a plan. By the end of the session, participants will a) understand the importance of promoting belonging, both in the classroom and throughout the school, for promoting student academic success and wellbeing; b) learn about specific evidence-based strategies for promoting belonging; and c) use tools to develop their own action plan for selecting, implementing, and monitoring sense of belonging strategies.

Presenters