Professional Development UpdateJanuary 7, 2021What's in this update
CASB Conversations: Budgeting the Next Round of Federal Stimulus DollarsThe next round of stimulus dollars is on its way to schools to help respond to and recover from the pandemic. Monday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. CASB will host its next webinar focused on issues relevant to school boards setting their budgets based on state revenues and the federal stimulus dollars. Join Tracie Rainey, Executive Director for the Colorado School Finance Project, and Matt Cook, CASB Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, as they discuss the latest information about these stimulus dollars and how to consider their use as you continue to fulfill your fiduciary duties of budgeting for your district during uncertain times and a state fiscal crisis. Member registrationResources for school communities in times of crisisAre you looking for resources to help you talk about the violence at the U.S. Capitol this week? Conversations on violence should be tailored to children based on their age. Multiple resources exist to help you. Many resources have been curated by Education Elements and are made available here for your reference. ResourcesCOVID testing and vaccination updatesOn Tuesday, Gov. Polis announced a new at-home COVID-19 testing program for teachers, staff and selected students at participating schools. Colorado has contracted with digital health provider eMed to provide BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test kits for use at home via a virtually guided telehealth session. CDPHE released details about logistics of the program via a letter to superintendents and school leaders (PDF). The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is working to make the BINAX NOW rapid COVID-19 tests available through June to all districts, BOCES, charter school, facility schools and private schools that opt-in. Superintendents are reviewing the information in the letter and completing a short survey regarding their testing plans. The following article provides an overview on the latest developments on the timing of vaccinations for schools: Teacher vaccination efforts will pause after Colorado emphasizes older adults should go first (Chalkbeat, Jan 5, 2021). Take the Pledge for Colorado StudentsOne of the best ways to reopen or keep open our schools without interruption is keeping community spread of COVID as low as possible. These coming weeks will be crucial. Let’s do our parts to help get Colorado’s students back to school, rebuild and heal our communities, and get our economy back on track. We’ve partnered with organizations across Colorado representing thousands of educators, pediatricians, doctors, nurses, parents, students, local public health officials, and more across Colorado in order to promote a campaign to keep our communities safe and our schools open. Together, we’re pledging to consistently wear masks, wash our hands, and social distance because we believe that it’s up to each and every one of us to do our parts to get Colorado students back to school, rebuild and heal our communities, and get our economy back on track. We’re asking you to join us in taking this pledge and to promote this information to your local community. Take the PledgeView / download a profile pictureView / download a cover photoView / download an image postTwo new CASB Connections podcastsPeak Health Alliance and Saving Districts Money (22 min) Peak Health Alliance is a purchasing alliance that provides the ability for districts to save money on employee health insurance. It's Colorado grown and customizable to the needs of community members. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports for K12 Schools (28 min) Learn the basics of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, and how school boards can help to promote universal mental health for each and every student. Find out about online training and more. Access podcasts
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