Congratulations to the Colorado state finalists for the 2021-22 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching:

• Mathematics: Amanda Jaquette, Brown International Academy, Denver Public Schools
• Mathematics: Amanda Sutton, Lesher Middle School, Poudre School District
• Science: Allison LeWarne, Sunset Elementary School, Moffat County School District
• Science: Autumn Rivera, Glenwood Springs Middle School, Roaring Fork Schools

These teachers' applications will be reviewed by a national selection committee convened by the National Science Foundation. PAEMST awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from NSF, and an all-expenses-paid trip for an award ceremony and professional learning and networking opportunities in Washington, D.C.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teachers. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983 and the President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.

The free virtual symposium brings together campus safety professionals; including administrators, mental health staff, law enforcement, security, emergency management, prevention and advocacy specialists, Title IX Coordinators, facilities, and IT professionals. This symposium was initially designed for staff of Institutions of Higher Education, but faculty members from K-12 schools and districts will also benefit, as the topics are directly relevant to their work.

For more information, and to register, visit the 2022 Virtual IHE Summer Safety Symposium website.

All kindergarten through third-grade educators who teach reading and literacy skills in Colorado must complete their evidence-based reading training requirements by Monday, Aug. 1. Documentation that they complied with the K-3 evidence-based reading training requirements should be submitted by Monday, Aug. 15.

CDE offers a free self-guided training to all K-3 educators.

Learn about the requirements to complete this training and the completion options available for K-3 teachers on the teacher training webpage.

• District/BOCES PE teachers, special education directors, or teachers
• Colorado physical education and special education preparation programs
• CDE Physical Education and Special Education experts
• Community and educational advocates

The application for the 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year is available. Each year, the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program honors an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled K-12 classroom teacher to represent the entire profession in the state. The selected teacher will also automatically become Colorado's nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Applications for this honor are due Wednesday, June 29.

Visit CDE's website for more information on the 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year program, the application process, and to access the online application form.

The schedule for upcoming School Improvement and Planning training webinars is available.

• Engaging Stakeholders in Improvement Planning webinar at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 12.
• Implementing and Progress Monitoring a School Improvement Plan webinar at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8.

Visit the Unified Improvement Planning and Accountability training webpage to register for a session.

The Adult Resilience and Stress Management within a We-Care Culture webinar will explore how school climate impacts indicators of staff wellbeing and how a culture of we-care is essential to supporting teacher resilience and stress management. This interactive webinar will provide social-emotional wellness tools and resources and is designed for anyone who works in schools or who supports schools including, but not limited to, teachers, cafeteria staff, transportation employees, administrators, paraprofessionals, office staff, and custodial staff.

Objectives:

1. Participants will learn how a positive school culture and climate is essential for staff wellbeing.
2. Participants will be able to understand resilience and reflect on how it relates to stress management.
3. Participants will engage in social-emotional wellness tools that can be used to assess and support their own well-being.

Join us via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

Join The Schools of Choice Unit for the Rural and Non-Metro Charter School Support Webinar at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 6. This training provides essential guidance and highlights relevant topics impacting charter schools in rural school communities. Plan to join or forward this opportunity to your charter schools.

Schools across Colorado face similar challenges in navigating the ongoing challenges of teacher recruitment and retention, declining enrollment and supporting staff and students' social-emotional well-being. Learn innovative and impactful strategies from rural school leaders, advocates, and support organizations to reignite your passion and enhance your chartering practices.

Topics highlighted during this webinar include:

• Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Rural Communities
• State of the State, highlighting rural school hot topics and advocacy strategies
• Lessons in Leadership, highlighting best practices for leading rural charter schools

Register for the webinar on Zoom.

Colorado Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-6, which is the perfect time to thank Colorado educators for being role models for adaptability and resilience, especially in the hard times we've experienced these past few years. CDE invites everyone to express gratitude for the teachers in their schools and districts.

Next week, share a post, image or video with a sign thanking a teacher on any social media site using the hashtag #ThankATeacherCO. To help districts and schools celebrate, CDE has created a number of resources to spread the word. Access social media graphics, sample posts, and more on the Teacher Appreciation Week webpage.

We have also highlighted Teacher Appreciation Week resources that parents and families can use. Send them to the resources for parents webpage for ways they can participate.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced further guidance on operations for summer 2022 and School Year 2022-23:

• Summer Food Service Program operations in 2022: state agencies may request waivers for non-congregate meal service and parent/guardian pickup when impacted by COVID-19. In addition, sponsors will be able to use other approved data sources to determine area eligibility for sites, no waiver required.
• National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program operations in School Year 2022-23: state agencies may request waivers for non-congregate feeding and parent/guardian pickup when impacted by COVID-19 offer versus serve at the high school level, mealtime requirements, and alternate sites for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program when impacted by COVID.

Other waivers that state agencies may request include Food Service Management Company contract duration, Local Wellness Policy triennial assessment due date, and on-site reviews and reporting. CDE’s School Nutrition Unit is applying for all waivers to provide as much flexibility as possible to sponsors. These flexibilities will not be in place until the waivers are approved by USDA. Register for the next On the Menu call on Thursday, April 28, to learn about the waivers in more detail.