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Professional Learning Circles (PLCs)

Feedback Request

iSOSY is working to develop a guide for MEP programs wanting to improve or develop summer workshops /camps/institutes for OSY and at-risk secondary students.

To ensure that this guide meets the needs and interests of program staff, the team is seeking input on what types of information and content the different state MEPs would like to see included in the guide and what formatting types are the most user-friendly.

Please email Emily Hoffman ehoffman@collaborative.org

with your suggestions.

iSOSY launched four Professional Learning Circles (PLCs) this past fall focused on providing support in specific ways to MEP programs through targeted initiatives. The overarching goal is to help guide implementation at the state level and foster collaboration across state programs. PLCs are defined as groups of MEP staff who work with OSY and/or High-Risk Secondary students and who are working on a similar issue/initiative and providing them with a sounding board/feedback, accountability, and additional resources/ideas to help them improve how they support students.

The PLCs are collaborating this year to provide support in the following areas:

iSOSY Material Integration
Student Portal Implementation
High-Risk Secondary Student Supports
Summer Youth Academies/Camps/Programs

Monthly informational updates of the work developing within each PLC will be included in upcoming In the Field messages. At the completion of the PLCs, iSOSY will be able to share potential program ideas and models of implementation with both member and non-member states.

New STAT Lessons Available

The Curriculum and Materials group has created two new STAT lessons:

Earthquake Safety
Buying a Cell Phone

STAT Lessons (Short, Targeted, and Timely) are designed to offer migratory students quick lessons on topics that are very pertinent to their lifestyles. Each lesson includes vocabulary, activities, and assessments.

Check out the full collection of STAT Lessons online.

World Cancer Day is February 4th.

There are several iSOSY lessons that address potential cancer prevention to include:

For Your Health- Lesson 4: Nicotine and Your Health

Lesson 10: What You Need to Know About Pesticides (with Audio Enhancement)

February 7th is National Wear Red for Heart Disease Day during American Heart Month.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women.

Encourage everyone to wear RED to bring attention to this disease. Women aren’t the only ones who can suffer from heart issues. Did you know that shoveling snow affects your heart health?

Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Knowing when to call 911 and how to administer CPR can save a life!

Watch this video to learn Hands-Only CPR!

Random Acts of Kindness Week is coming!

Random Acts of Kindness Week was started in 1995 by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to celebrate the small things we do that can really make a difference. Whether it’s playing with someone at break time, or planting a tree, there are so many things we can do to make the world a kinder place! Research shows that helping others can be good for our mental health. It reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being, and even benefits our physical health. It’s essential to look out for each other in and around our communities. This is how we protect and maintain good mental health for all. If you do nothing else today, keep an eye out for an opportunity to help someone with a random act of kindness or hold onto that warm feeling when someone helps you. Doing something nice for someone doesn't cost a lot of time or money. It's the small things in life that can make a big difference.

Check out this Podcast Kindness Matters to our Mental Health from the Mental Health Foundation.

To support Random Acts of Kindness and mental health, utilize the iSOSY's Personal Wellness Let's Talk About Mental Health Pocket Guide to get the conversation started.