An IL-EMPOWER approved learning partner  
Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti
Regional Superintendent
DuPage County Schools
November 3, 2020
Tuesday Thoughts from Dr. Ruscitti

As we approach Thanksgiving week, change is in the air. The temps are dropping, the winds are blowing, and COVID-19 is becoming a tragic reality for too many of us.

Many of you have had to adapt your educational plans--again. You have learned that being flexible, while staying true to your core commitment of educating students, is the only way to survive this season. Bending ... but not breaking.

Here at the ROE, we, too, are experiencing a season of change. As some of you may have heard, our Equity/ Professional Development director recently resigned. We wish her well in her future endeavors. As we search for a new Equity/PD director, we continue our long-standing commitment to service, equity and excellence.

All our networks (including our DELL and EEN networks which have been running strong for 20+ years!), workshops, and webinars will continue to meet as scheduled. So much good is being done in DuPage County, and we are humbled and proud to be a small part of it.
 
We look forward to continuing to train, support, and encourage educators and administrators as they serve the most vulnerable residents of DuPage County—our children. Our goal is for all students to excel in education and be prepared to be successful and productive citizens—and that will never change.
 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas. This has been a challenging year, but we are thankful for you because we are #DuPageStrong, and we’ll get through this season of change together.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
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Administrator Academies
The DuPage ROE is now offering a number of Administrator Academies virtually via the Zoom platform. Please see the attached flyer for dates and course offerings.

TIDE
The Spring Semester offerings of TIDE will be available at the end of November.

Short-Term Sub Training
Our next short-term substitute teacher training will take place on December 10 via Zoom. Click here for more information.
UPCOMING NETWORKS
We are pleased to announce the second annual Early Childhood County Wide Institute Day on February 26, 2021 from 8:30 am1:30 pm for leaders, teachers, and support staff. Topics will include diversity, self regulation through play, ESL support, scaffolded writing, KIDS assessment, using the SeeSaw program, using Google docs and slides, extending children’s thinking through Big Questions, working with selective mutes, authentic assessment (virtual and face to face), Pyramid behavior model, collaborating on adult and student needs, equity in EC, teletherapy, and more! We hope you'll save the date and plan to attend!
RESOURCES
GLENBARD PARENT SERIES

  • Tuesday, December 1:"No Drama Discipline: Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Brain" presented by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears—without causing a scene. More information on this free webinar is here.
FLU VACCINATIONS
Free flu vaccinations will be offered by the DuPage County Health Department on November 18 and 20 to residents between the ages of 18 and 65. Please share this flyer with those who could benefit from this service.

JUST HOW SMART ARE THEY?
The ISBE ILCTE Innovative Curriculum Resources is offering a free virtual assessment professional learning session tonight, November 17, and Thursday, November 19. 1.5 PDU's. Click here for more information.

MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREES WEBINAR
NorthCentral College is offering an instant admission webinar tomorrow, November 18, for educators interested in getting a Masters of Education degree. See more information here.

WW2 VIRTUAL HISTORY LESSONS
On November 21, 2020, and continuing through March of 2021, Friends of the National WW2 Memorial will offer virtual education opportunities to learn more about the spirit of unity and shared purpose that defined the character of our country during WW2. Click here for more information.

SAFETY KITS
The DuPage County Health Department is offering safety kits for non-profit municipalities who serve at-risk individuals in DuPage County to distribute to their clients and within their municipalities. See this flyer for more information.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
Download this new virtual resource for substance use and mental health topics from the DuPage Prevention Leadership team. Resources include free quizzes, videos, or interactive materials to use in your classrooms. 

MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Center for Teaching and Learning has recently launched online, self-paced professional learning experiences for K-12 educators, providing teachers a flexible way to get PD credit hours and engaging lesson plan materials (suitable for in-person or remote learning). The details of their current offerings are in the attached flyer

VIRTUAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is offering a virtual student leadership day on December 8, 2020. The goal of Student Leadership Day is to increase awareness about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights, and to help participants think about lessons they can learn from the past. Participating students will develop and carry out an action plan to address a social justice issue in their school, community, or the wider world. There is no cost for students to participate. See this link for more information.

STEM FOR WOMEN
Study.com has developed a comprehensive college and career guide for women in STEM with the goal of informing students about colleges for women in STEM, women-focused scholarships, and STEM career and college organizations for women. See more info here.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Have you connected with us on social media? Check out our pages today and subscribe, follow, or like us to have access to the latest news, resources, and information.
421 North County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187 P: 630.407.5800