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Administrative Programs & Services
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TSIS Student System Offering to Become Synergy SIS: This week the TIES Education Cooperative (makers of the TSIS Student Information System provided by SW/WC SC to our members) announced that the TSIS Student Information System platform will be transitioned to Synergy, a market-leading Student Information and Education Management platform created by EduPoint Education Systems. Specifics of the transition are currently in final planning stages, but this change will provide schools currently using TSIS the ability to transition their data to the Synergy System anytime at the school district's choosing in the next two years. The Synergy system will provide a cutting-edge solution to compliment the edSpring and FeePay solutions that are also created by TIES, bringing a fully-integrated and modern SIS experience complimented by local support and training provided by SW/WC SC and TIES.
Synergy is a tried and proven solution in  Minnesota, currently with installations in more than 40 school districts statewide, including the state's largest school district, Anoka-Hennepin, to some of the state's smallest schools in Northwest Minnesota. Nationally the Synergy solution is serving 3.5 million students in over 5,000 schools. Further details including in-depth looks of the Synergy system will be provided in the coming weeks. This is an exciting time for both current TSIS users as well as any school districts considering a change in Student Information Systems. For more information regarding this upgrade contact Wendy Borchert or Josh Sumption.
Cooperative Purchasing Update
2015 Paper Catalog Ordering Deadlines: The 2015 SW/WC Service Cooperative Paper Catalog is now available on our website or in the Express at www.cpcexpress.org. For assistance on ordering from the paper catalog in the Express, contact Shareen.Neumann@swsc.org or Christine.Schmitt@swsc.org. You may also request that a paper catalog be mailed to you by contacting either Shareen or Christine.
The ordering deadlines for paper from the Paper Catalog are:
5/28/15 for delivery by June 30, 2015
and
7/13/15 for delivery after July 1, 2015.
All deliveries will be completed by August 6, 2015.
If you have any questions, please contact Shareen.
 An Amazing Deal on Adobe Creative Cloud:
Adobe and the Cooperative Purchasing Connection are partnering to provide our member school districts with the lowest price available on Creative Cloud programming. This offer includes: $24/FTE*/school district, which allows for installation on every computer in the district; Access to current and future updates for Adobe creative desktop applications;
One annual payment with a three year lock on pricing.
*FTE = FT Faculty + (PT Faculty/3) + FT Staff + (PT Staff/2). FTE does not include custodial, maintenance, food service, or bus drivers.
The buying window is June 15, 2015 through July 17, 2015. The program must reach 5,000 FTE combined across all members. This offer will not be available outside the buying window. If you are interested in purchasing the Creative Cloud through this program, please contact Oleg Krylov at CDW-G by email: olegkry@cdwg.com or phone: 866-770-0358. Click here to read the flyer. More information about this offer is available online at www.purchasingconnection.org/adobe.
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Educational Programs & Services
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Teaching and Learning June Workshops
Huff & Puff Your Way to Better Academics & Behavior
June 11 - Cottonwood
Powering Up Your PLCs
June 16 - Marshall
Early Learning Institute June 18 - Hutchinson
Summer Workshops for Kids and Teachers
At the Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton University on the Prairie: This is offered for students entering grades 7-12. The three-day program will explore science-related careers close to home - July 28-30. Learning is fun at the University on the Prairie Program! Again this summer, students in our region can have an adventure in science and career exploration that is closer to home than may be realized. The Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) along with SW/WC SC is offering this popular program for the ninth year. University of Minnesota faculty from the Twin Cities campus and local professionals will join teachers from our region and SWROC scientists to guide students through hands-on exploration of science in five career areas important to the life and future of southwestern Minnesota: health science, food science, agriculture & environmental science, engineering, and chemistry. The program is unique in the state and offers students an opportunity to open doors to many career paths and will perhaps result in a future soil scientist, pharmacist, food safety inspector, or chemist. For more information for students and associate teachers visit our website. Minnesota Valley History Learning Center Curriculum Training --June 16-17: This two-day training immerses teachers in Minnesota history through the following curriculum themes: Gneiss Rock, Glacial River Warren, Immigration & Settlement, Prairie to Production, and Pioneer Life. The curriculum for these themes is developed to exceed Minnesota Department of Education academic standards in Science and Social Studies. Curriculum is structured for grades 5-9, but is adaptable across all grade levels. Sessions include hands-on trainings with curriculum writers at the University of Minnesota - Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC). Participating teachers receive CEUs, an honorarium for attending training, lunches, notebooks, lesson plans, and other resources to support classroom implementation of the curriculum themes. For more information visit our website. Composting: Building A Laboratory Worm Home -- Improving Teacher Quality 2015 -- June 8-11, June 23-25 and July 7-9. Filled with hands-on learning, this 10-day graduate course at the University of Minnesota - Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) explores science concepts relevant to agricultural science and helps K-12 teachers better prepare students for science assessments. Teachers learn how to establish a lab and receive supplies and resources to bring back to their own classrooms. Other benefits that participating teachers receive include CEUs, a stipend, follow-up visits to participants' classrooms, mileage, meals and snacks. For more information visit our website .
Come explore the Minnesota River with your classroom by following Wild River Academy's Paddle Forward expedition! K-12 classrooms can become River Ambassadors and follow the Paddle Forward expeditioners online as they learn about the Minnesota River watershed. Sign up today and become a River Ambassador. We also provide free watershed curriculum when you sign up. Need more information? Visit online http://paddle4ward.com/river-ambassador-info/ or email Liz at Liz@wildriveracademy.com.
Start It Up! Camp: Start It Up! is a residential camp for high school students who want to develop their entrepreneurial skills and aspirations. Access tools and resources to support your start-up dreams. Network with successful entrepreneurs and students from across the Midwest.Explore leadership concepts, enhance business skills, and build confidence in a fun and innovative learning environment. The camp will run from Sunday through Friday, June 21 - 26, 2015 at Minnesota State University - Mankato. The cost is $350 (includes lodging, meals and materials; scholarships available). Apply online - only 50 spots available.
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Southwest Prairie Regional Center of Excellence
There are many different activities and trainings being offered through the Regional Center of Excellence, including: Transition to Postsecondary Education and Employment Toolkit (PSST), Dropout Prevention Toolkit: MEIRS, and Planning for Students' Success Student Learning Goals Workshop Series.
Stay up to date with RCE news and events at www.swsc.org/SWPrairieRCE. For more information, contact Melany Wellnitz, Director, at melany.wellnitz@swsc.org.
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