Professional Development

The Biddeford School Department is committed to providing high-quality professional development for all staff. We believe that professional development creates the conditions for student success by keeping our staff current with knowledge regarding best practices.

Professional Development Schedule 2010-11

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR!!

 Wednesday, September 1, 2010 

8:00-8:30 a.m.                       Continental Breakfast (provided by district)

                                     Biddeford Middle School Cafeteria

8:30-9:30 a.m.                       Welcome/ Opening Remarks- Superintendent Poli

                                                New Staff Welcome

                                                Big Initiatives in 2010-11

9:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.              Staff Meetings & Programming

                                                At School Sites

Thursday, September 2, 2010 

 8:15-10:15 a.m.                    Grades K and 3 Math Training on Investigations*                            

10:30-12:30 p.m.                  Grades 1 and 4 Math Training on Investigations*

1:00-3:00 p.m.                       Grades 2 and 5 Math Training on Investigations*                                         

7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.              BMS Staff Day-see principal for agenda 

7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.              BHS and COT Staff Day-see principal/director for agenda

*Grades K-2 math training will take place in Room 113 at BPS.

 Grades 3-5 math training will take place in the BIS library.

 Teachers should see principal for the agenda for the rest of the day.

  INVESTIGATIONS TRAINING GRADES K-5

TO:                      All K-5 Teachers                                                                                                      

FROM:               Jeff Porter, Assistant Superintendent

DATE:                August 9, 2010

RE:                     Investigations Training on September 2

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I hope all of you had a great summer. 

Please review the schedule below for the initial Investigations training that will occur on Thursday, September 2 to help you prepare for the implementation of this program in your classroom.

Location of this training will be in BPS Room 113 for Grades K-2 and the BIS Library for Grades 3-5.

Each training session will be two hours in length and limited to your grade level only in order to provide specific training for your grade level needs.

Please bring the following with you to the training from the Investigations materials you received:

                Curriculum Unit 1

                Student Activity Book

                Student Handbook (Grades 1-5)

                Overview and Implementation Guide

Follow-up training will be provided on October 19 and 20 at a specific time frame on one of those days.  You will be released to attend this training. 

SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 2:

8:15-10:15 am               Grade K @ BPS

                                        Grade 3 @ BIS

10:15-10:30 am            Snack & drinks (provided at each location)

10:30-12:30 pm            Grade 1 @ BPS

                                        Grade 4 @ BIS

1:00-3:00 pm                 Grade 2 @ BPS

                                        Grade 5 @ BIS

2010-11 "Big Initiatives"

• Response to Intervention Year 2 with focus on universal screening instruments, progress monitoring, and interventions
• Implemeting Investigations Math program
• Implementing AIMSWEB as a progress monitoring assessment for Grades K-5 and universal screening for Grades K-1
• Improvement of AYP standing
• Standards-Based exploratory committee
• New educator induction & mentoring
• Grade 9 Teaming exploratory committee
• Review Dropout Prevention status, including review of Graduation requirements

 Literacy Coach Changes for 2010-11

The school department was able to fund two literacy coaches in 2009-10.  However, due to reductions in federal funds for Title IA, we can fund only one coach for this year.  The literacy coach may work with any staff member who has instructional responsibilities for Title IA students, whether classroom teachers, Title IA teachers, or educational technicians.

The literacy coach for 2010-11 is Patsy Gendron, grades K-5.  Her office is located in the Title IA room at BIS.

Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT)

The federal government requires that all teachers are Highly Qualified to teach their content area. Click here for the HQT Assurance page. For more information on requirements for HQT, contact Jeff Porter, Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

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New Educators to the Profession

Each new teacher to the profession will be provided comprehensive mentoring for two years from the date of hire beginning in January 2011, per the district's state-approved PLCSS plan. 

If you are interested in being trained as a mentor, training will take place in the Fall of 2010.  Vicki Salo and Denise Ryan will provide train-the-trainer programming to prepare teachers to become effective mentors to new educators.  If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact your building principal or the assistant superintendent.

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Curriculum Leadership 2010-11