Science Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer Training:  Join us on December 12th for a 1/2 day course with Stephen Vopatek (presenting via ITV)  that covers science safety, best practices, and chemical hygiene. Vopatek has 43 years' experience teaching chemistry at both the high school and college level. For the past 10 years, he has been providing professional assistance to educational institutions in the areas of chemical hygiene and OSHA compliance.  Science instructors are encouraged to attend.  This course will provide very practical ideas, tools and information to assist you in managing the safety risks in the science classroom.  The workshop runs from 8:30am - 12:30pm.  The cost is $35 for H&S Management Assistance Subscribers;  $70 for others.  Morning refreshments, training materials, and CEUs are included in the registration fee.  Topics covered include: Chemical Hygiene Officer Monthly Planner, Regulatory Requirements for the Laboratory, NEW Chemical Labeling System/Safety Data Sheets, Best Practices & Standard Operating Procedures, Lab Safety Equipment (Types, Use, Care, Storage), Personal Protective Equipment (Types, Use, Care, Storage), Chemical Spills and Disposal, and Emergency Procedures (Fire, Spills, Etc.).  Register here.  

Homeless Children and Youth Data Survey 2013-2014:  This is a reminder that each year MDE reports data to fulfill requirements of the USDE Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) for each federal Title program. Public school districts and charter schools receiving Title I dollars are required to submit data regarding homeless children and youth. The data submitted must be consistent with data submitted in MARSS and the MARSS WES 51 report which includes nighttime primary residence and other data. Even if you did not report any homeless children during the 13-14 year this survey needs to be completed.  Survey link.  The survey is due by the end of the business day on October 30, 2014. The district or charter school Title I homeless liaison should submit the survey after consulting with the MARSS coordinator and other personnel as necessary. Questions? Contact Roberto Reyes (651-582-8302).

This is IT2 2015 Reminders:  Our Annual Technology Conference will take place on March 5 and 6, 2015 at the Pipestone Area Schools in Pipestone. The conference will kick-off at 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 5 with our Pre-Conference Workshops and continue on Friday, March 6 with the main conference. For the past 8 years, our Technology Conference has brought local and nationally recognized education technology talent into the spotlight for all types of audiences in education including teachers and administrators alike. This year, our conference will be moving to Pipestone Area Schools to accommodate a necessary timeframe change to allow for administrators to attend both the MASA Conference as well as This is IT2! Watch for more details in the coming weeks as our applications for presenters and session announcements are made.