Connections Newsletter September 2018

Young Authors Young Ar sts Conference

Connectxions September 2018

New

P2

Fall Educator Forum Keynote News

P7

New Benefit for School Insurance Members

P11

Beginnings

Student Academics

YAYA Middle School Conference: Write Around the Corner

By Ka e Hartman

SSC’s very popular Young Authors, Young Ar sts Middle School Conference will take place on October 25 and 26.

Students in grades 6‐8, who may a end either day, are assigned to four cap va ng sessions from engaging presenters.

Sessions include:  Light Up Your Art!  Once Upon a Time…

Is Dead to Me  Amazing Origami  Dynamic Comic Cover Design  Create, Carve, and Decorate Clay Pumpkins  Crea ng Cartoons with Real Character

Interested in registering for this conference?

Classes or individuals can register. Please click here for more informa on.

If you are interested in more informa on on the conference, or what other programs for students SSC provides, please contact Ka e Hartman at khartman@ssc.coop or check out our website.

Don’t delay registering your student, we’re antxicipatxing both days will fill completely.

February, 2018 www.ssc.coop 2018www.ssc.coop www.ssc.coop September,

6 14 2

Wellness Student Academics

Find a Balance in Your Life

By Steve Sallee

I find myself thinking about how much mes have changed since I first entered the educa on field back in the ‘90s. When I graduated from college, I did not even have a cell phone. I did not want one at the me and decided to try and stall as long as possible un l I was forced to get one. I just did not want to be accessible 24/7. It did not take long un l I broke down and realized I had be er get with the mes and purchased one.

When smartphones came out, I was actually excited at the prospect of being able to literally work from anywhere. I never realized how that could backfire if you don’t have a balance.

As a school administrator, I would be checking and answering emails, phone calls, and text messages constantly. My daughter would get so frustrated with me when my a en on was on my phone and not towards her (and righ ully so). I have read a lot of books and ar cles related to finding that balance in our lives. I have learned the hard way that it’s okay to separate personal me from work me. It’s not always easy, but there are mes that I put my phone away and spend uninterrupted quality me with my family. I encourage you to do that same if you are struggling with finding that balance in your life.

I recently read an ar cle online wri en by Royale Scuderi on Lifehack. I thought this was a great summary with some tools to help

February, 2018 www.ssc.coop 2018www.ssc.coop www.ssc.coop September,

anyone find that balance. Try these and watch your stress level decrease significantly.

Some strategies that work:  Turn it off – Disconnect on the weekend. I hear the excuses already, but try it, at least for one day or even a few hours each night. Put the phone down and turn off the computer. Give your work brain a rest. Bonus: Spend the extra me actually interac ng with your family and friends! 

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Trim, trim, trim – It’s a given that if your life is overflowing you will never be able to achieve balance and manage it all. It’s just not possible. Say no to everything that is either not essen al or doesn’t add something valuable to your life.

Be ruthless!

Pay a en on to your health – We hear this over and over again, but usually only give it lip service. We know what we need to do, but it isn’t a priority un l we have a health

crisis. Our health really does affect the quality of our lives and our work. We are far more produc ve and happier when we get enough sleep, eat a li le healthier, and fit in some type of ac vity. 

Minimize toxins – By that I don’t mean chemicals (though that might help too.) Minimize the nega ve influences around you. Avoid toxic people (complainers, whiners, poor a tudes.) If you can’t completely avoid them, at least minimize contact and tune them out as much as you can.

Surround yourself with posi ve, suppor ve, can‐do people whenever possible.

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Spend me alone – Making me for you is probably the hardest thing to do for the typical overworked and overwhelmed person, but it is crucial for lowering stress, increasing happiness, and encouraging crea vity. Some things to try; meditate, write, sketch, do

(Con nued on next page)

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SSC Updates

SSC’s Stance on Establishing a Union Alternative Recently, some of our regional educa on members have expressed concerns regarding Service Coopera ve involvement in establishing a union alterna ve following the U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision.

governing boards able to best decipher the service needs of their region and make independent decisions. The nine Service Coopera ves have successfully collaborated on projects and programs in the past while con nuing to operate primarily as independent organiza ons.

We recently became aware the Service Coopera ve serving Region Seven ‐ Resource Training and Solu ons (RTS) ‐ is establishing a rela onship with the Associa on of Midwest Professional Educators.

This is another union that would be in direct compe on with Educa on Minnesota.

Even though we do not align with Resource Training and Solu ons on this decision, in the end, we all have the same goal of suppor ng the educa on professionals in our state with services and resources aimed at student and community success. We are honored to serve you and your district.

By Steve Sallee

Service Coopera ves’ governance allows for their independent decision‐making. SSC Board of Directors has approved an official resolu on sta ng that SSC “wishes to remain clearly separate from this decision and are not offering support for developing this rela onship.”

Service Coopera ves like SSC were enabled under legisla on more than 40 years ago and organized under the direc on of the school districts they serve. Today, the mission of the Coopera ves remains intact ‐ to provide support and development for districts, teachers, and their communi es.

Minnesota is home to nine Service Coopera ves, each serving their own geographical region with local

The bo om line is, SSC has always been, and remains, union neutral.

We don’t endorse or support this new rela onship in any way.

If you have any ques ons, please feel free to call or email Steve Sallee at ssallee@ssc.coop or (507) 281‐6673.

Balance continued... a massage. It doesn’t need to be costly; a glass of wine, your favorite coffee or tea, a deligh ully scented candle or beau ful flowers will make a huge impact.

some yoga, or simply sit quietly for a few minutes each day and do absolutely nothing. You can do it! 

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Rela onships do ma er – Set aside quality me with your family and friends. Don’t just sit in front of the television, really connect and pay a en on to those you care about. Make a date with your significant other, have coffee with a friend, play a game with a child. Really get to know the people around you.

Treat yourself – Get a pedicure or a facial. Be er yet, schedule

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

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Explore the world – Take a walk and pay a en on to what’s going on around you. Take a new route, visit a new town, or try being a tourist in your own.

A end a local performance, play amateur photographer, or go to the park and watch children play. They really know how to enjoy life!

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Expand your awareness – Take a class, learn to paint, or try something new that you’ve always wanted to learn. Read a book that sparks your interest or try listening to upli ing music. Find what interests you.

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Remember fun – Laugh, joke, play, find your sense of humor, subscribe to a daily joke, or get a tear‐off calendar. Nothing makes the feel be er as fast as a good old‐fashioned belly laugh.

4

Professional Learning

Cohort Opportunity to Support School Mental Health

by Redesigning Solutions with Students in Mind Registra on deadline is October 1 ‐ Click here to register

Based on teacher and administrator survey feedback, we are offering a Mental Health Innova on Lab Cohort opportunity for district teams to work together, within a framework of human centered design, to iden fy and find solu ons to challenges they face in suppor ng student mental health. Here’s a link to the PDF flyer.

Sessions will be held: Monday, November 12, 2018, 8:30 AM ‐ 3:00 PM Monday, January 14, 2019, 8:30 AM ‐ 3:00 PM Monday, January 28, 2019, 8:30 AM ‐ 3:00 PM Monday, April 8, 2019, 12:00 ‐ 3:00 PM (Lunch will be available from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM)

What is Human-Centered Design?

By Kari Kubicek

Trauma Responsive Schools Sessions—December 4* Due to overwhelming response, SSC is offering two sessions, facilitated by Danielle Theis, to provide educators and staff the founda ons of trauma and mental health issues and skills to effec vely intervene and reach children. PDF flyer

Founda ons for Trauma Responsive Schools 8:30‐11:30 AM Applica ons for Trauma Responsive Schools 12:15‐3:15 PM *these sessions were originally scheduled for Oct. 2.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

IDEO, a global design company that creates posi ve impact through design, defines human‐ centered design as “a crea ve approach to problem solving that starts with people and ends with innova ve solu ons that are tailor made to suit their needs.”

While different en es define and use different terminology for process stages, the concept remains the same: human‐centered design is all about building a deep empathy with the people you are designing for; genera ng ideas, building prototypes, sharing your work with the people you are designing for; u lizing their feedback to improve the prototype; and eventually implemen ng the solu on.

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Professional Learning

Upcoming Sessions Thriving as a Beginning Teacher

New Teacher Workshop Six-Part Series These sessions are designed to align with the “first year phases.” These six workshops serve as an induc on program for districts that do not have a formal process for systemically suppor ng new and non‐tenured teachers. Par cipants are encouraged to a end all six sessions, but may pick and choose based on their own and their district's needs.

PDF flyer

Sessions will be held: October 29; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM ‐ 2:30 PM* *this session was rescheduled from its original date of 9/25.

December 4; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM ‐ 2:30 PM April 11; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM ‐ 2:30 PM

Thriving as a Beginning Teacher (link will take you to SSC’s general registra on page to scroll and select the series’ sessions of your choice)

Chemical Hygiene Officer Training

With this thorough Chemical Hygiene Officer Training, employees will renew their learning on hazards in the laboratory. Upon comple on of this training, par cipants will be able to effec vely manage a lab safety program for their organiza on that will keep employees safe as well as comply with lab safety regula ons. PDF flyer

October 12; 8:00 AM ‐ 12:00 PM (**Loca on is Rushford‐Peterson High School, Rushford, MN)

Making the Most of Your Instructional Coaches: Regional Coaching Cohort

Heather Willman, Principal on Special Assignment for Rochester Public Schools, is back as facilitator for the 2018‐2019 Regional Coaching Cohort. The Regional Coaching Cohort is designed for instruc onal coaches working in some capacity in their district to help grow and develop their coaching skills. PDF flyer

Sessions will be held: October 3; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM January 9; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM March 13; 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM

Learn How to STEMify Your Teaching and Learning

In these sessions par cipants will learn how STEM is more than topics to teach, STEM is how we teach. Par cipants will learn specific lessons and ac vi es that demonstrate how science, technology, engineering, and math can be easily integrated with language arts, social studies, and fine arts and can be used right away in your classroom. Join us in learning how to STEMify your teaching and student learning! PDF flyer

Sessions will be held: K‐5 Educators: October 30; 8:30 AM ‐ 3:00 PM 6‐12 Educators: October 31; 8:30 AM ‐ 3:00 PM

For more informa on on any of SSC’s Professional Development offerings, contact Kari Kubicek, Program Manager, at kkubicek@ssc.coop or (507) 281‐6668.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

6

Regional STEM Development

Fall Educator Forum Keynote Announced!

By Sarah Ness Project Tomorrow CEO, Dr. Julie Evans will share the latest results STEM‐ related findings from the Speak Up Research Project for Digital Learning. Last year, more than 340,000 students, 33,000 teachers, 23,00 parents and 2,400 administrators shared their views and experiences as part of Speak Up. Dr. Evans will share some “Big Picture” STEM learning trends, drivers for STEM educa on, digital learning trends in STEM classrooms and students’ career interests in STEM fields and more. Learn about the na onal level findings, and how the Speak Up tools can be used by districts across Minnesota.

Break Out Session: Speak Up 101 Following the keynote, Dr. Julie Evans will share more about the Speak Up Research Project for Digital Learning, its origins in 2003 and how school and community leaders across the U.S. use the free service to collect feedback from students, parents, educators,

business leaders, and more. She will share examples of data in ac on – at the district, state and na onal level.

Districts rely on Speak Up for data to inform strategic plans, benchmark progress on educa on goals, help make the case for addi onal funds and more. Dr. Evans will explain the process to help new districts get started.

Break Out Session: The Impact of the Homework Gap on STEAM Education As digital content, tools and resources are increasingly used within K‐12 instruc on; there is an amplified demand for safe and consistent Internet and technology connec vity for all students outside of school.

Failure to address this new type of digital divide is a social jus ce and educa onal equity issue. This is especially cri cal when we think about the value of STEAM resources to drive students' development of key workplace and college skills. In this session, Dr. Evans will share the latest Speak Up data on the extent of the "homework gap" where students do not have regular access to safe and consistent Internet when they are beyond school boundaries. Using the research data as the founda on, we will then engage the session par cipants in a discussion about what

they doing to address this issue in their school, and what policy/program/ funding supports they believe are needed to eliminate the homework gap.

Thank you to our event sponsor IBM's Teacher Advisor with Watson.

2017-2018 Educator Forums At-A-Glance 

Received a Participant Ranking Score of 70 (considered “World Class”) in Spring 2018

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132 Educators Attended

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462 Hours of CEU’s Awarded

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14 Breakout Sessions Led by Educators and STEM Professionals Click here to register for the November 7 Fall Educator Forum

Add to Your Portfolio and Inspire Your Peers STEM Forward is in the final days of accep ng break out session applica ons from our southeast Minnesota educators. Last spring’s Educator Forum was incredibly well received and we would like to keep that momentum going!

Are you aware of someone in your district or organiza on who would be an ideal candidate and facilitator for the educator forum? Do you have someone who has been doing unique work inside or outside of his or her classroom, aligning his or her classroom with more STEM ac vi es, or received any grant funding due to his or her efforts in STEM

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

educa on?

STEM Forward is seeking your assistance to reach out to your district/schools or iden fy individual staff to apply to facilitate a break out session. This is a great professional opportunity for educators to add to their por olio and helps to inspire innova ve STEM ideas in our K‐12 schools.

Educator Forum application and event detail available here.

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Regional STEM Development

Regional Networking Event Recap

By Sarah Ness

The Rochester Arts Center exhibit of the Smithsonian Ins tu on’s Genome Project served as a drama c backdrop

for conversa ons among K‐12 educators, post‐secondary and higher educa on instructors and administrators, the Southeast Minnesota business community on STEM educa on, careers and workforce development. These stakeholders came together to build healthy and collabora ve partnerships for the benefit of students and the future of our communi es. They discussed why STEM skills are so important for the future workforce of tomorrow, what these STEM skills look like in industry, successful collabora ons currently in existence between educa on and industry

happening in southeast Minnesota, and resources available to help make those connec ons. All a endees experienced engaging hands‐on experien al STEM learning with free admission to the Smithsonian Museum’s Genome – Unlocking Life’s Code Exhibit.

This event was held in partnership with SciMathMN, STEM Forward, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and Workforce Development, Inc. and was supported by Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine.

View Round Table Discussion Themes

Free AI-Powered Tool for Teachers - Enhanced with New Content, Focuses on Diverse Learners A founding STEM Forward partner, IBM, has exci ng Teacher Advisor news to share! In addi on to the already great free open‐source ve ng tools for K‐5 math, Teacher Advisor has added new instruc onal materials and features to support grades 6, 7, and 8 math teachers and now offers specific resources focused on the needs of students with learning and a en on disabili es.

Teacher Advisor With Watson, IBM Corporate Ci zenship's completely free online web tool, is helping thousands of K‐8 teachers save valuable me as they plan highly effec ve lessons for all their students. This website offers over 8,000 quality, ve ed instruc onal resources, all curated by former educators, and surfaced intelligently by Watson. By providing

free, easy access to curated lesson plans, student‐facing materials, and instruc onal strategies from respected providers, Teacher Advisor helps educators spend less me planning, and more me thinking about how to get their students engaged with and excited about grade‐level mathema cs.

Do you want to learn more? Email Teacher Advisor with Watson Consultant, Bill Putnam to learn how your schools or district can take advantage of this resource.

STEM Forward Joins National STEM Education Coalition The STEM Educa on Coali on, based in Washington D.C. represents the broadest and most unified voice in advoca ng for policies to improve STEM educa on at all levels. As an alliance of more than 600 business, professional, and educa on organiza ons, the STEM Coali on works aggressively to raise awareness in Congress, the Administra on, and other organiza ons about the cri cal role that STEM educa on plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

Are you interested in teaming up with educators and industry partners who want to help your district succeed in prepping the future workforce of tomorrow?

Apply to Join STEM Forward

Stay Up‐To‐Date with the STEM Forward Blog 8

Cooperative Purchasing

The Difference Between Purchasing and Procurement

By Sarah Ness

Members o en ask me “What is the difference is between purchasing and procurement and why does the work that the Coopera ve Purchasing Connec on (CPC) offers ma er?”

Purchasing is a simple and transac onal ac vity. Purchasing includes li le strategic inten onality and the cost of that good or service is typically the same price purchase a er purchase. On the other hand, procurement is strategic. It includes the purchasing, but also includes addi onal analysis, planning, cost management, and value leveraging.

Unless your K‐12 district, city or county government, or non‐profit organiza on has limitless resources in human capital or revenue, it is likely that your budgets are ght and there are regulatory hoops to work through when it comes to buying products and services. These barriers create an increased need for efficiencies, process management, and resources.

Procurement professionals from your organiza on can work with procurement groups, like Coopera ve Purchasing Connec on, to receive volume‐buying discounts

from compe vely bid contracts that meet all state procurement statutes. These savings can be worth a lot of money. In fact, last year members of local Service Coopera ves procured over $61,000,000 of products using CPC contracts. These contracts offer 3‐ 52% discounts off list price equa ng to millions in savings for the public sector and non‐profits Minnesota agencies.

Achieving savings of that scope requires talented and experienced procurement professionals who are current on regula ons and procurement needs for three very different yet similar groups of buyers (educa on, local government, and nonprofits).

Tips: Resist the tendency to rely on the next sales person that comes through the door.

Well thought out strategies, not sales people, make procurement efforts successful and possible to develop a return on investment (ROI).

Develop your supply management and procurement processes.

Develop competent and efficient internal marke ng to educate staff and administra on on the concept of

cost savings (monetary and so costs), efficiencies, quality procurement, and proficient alignment of agency goals with procurement.

Visit www.purchasingconnection. org in your early stages of procurement.

The Coopera ve Purchasing Connec on’s website is your one‐ stop‐shop for accessible contract categories, procurement documenta on, and vendors. In addi on, the Express Online Marketplace, a free‐to‐use shopping portal designed especially for public procurement, provides an efficient solu on for online procurement from over fi een vendors allowing for price comparisons and approval processes.

CPC Vendors Meeting of the Minds - Your Input Needed!

Tristate CPC contracted vendors convened with staff from the Minnesota Service Coopera ves’ Coopera ve Purchasing Connec on on Tuesday, September 18 for strategic planning and service coopera ve professional development. It is the Coopera ve Purchasing Connec on’s mission to serve SSC and the other Minnesota service coopera ve members as an advocate, not another vendor. As always, we’re interested in hearing your needs, opportuni es, sugges ons to provide to our contracted vendors and plan for upcoming solicita ons. Email Sarah Ness at sness@ssc.coop with your input.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

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Cooperative Purchasing

RFP Timelines

The following bids are open and are subject to go live on October 1, 2018. Please encourage your current vendors to contact Lisa Truax to learn how they can respond to these open solicita ons.

19.1: Chemicals 19.2: Security Network Solutions 19.3: Resinous Concrete Floor Coatings

Lunch is Served!

Rapids Wholesale Equipment is CPC’s newest vendor.

Rapids Wholesale Equipment offers small wares and large equipment for your agency’s kitchen.

Rapids Wholesale Equipment Company provides food service equipment and supplies, along with comprehensive design and consulta on services, at discounted pricing. The professionals at Rapids can deliver solu ons for every situa on and budget.

So, whether you’re looking for a Spoodle or a Cambro or a Bun Pan Rack, Rapids Wholesale Equipment is the vendor for you!

Visit www.purchasingconnec on.org to log into Express to view all the products available and addi onal informa on to make your purchasing process efficient.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

10

Health and Benefits

Omada: New Benefit for Members of Our School Health Insurance Pool (Launches for our Local Government Pool on January 1)

Omada® is a digital behavior change program that inspires healthy habits you can live with long term. It combines the behavior change science and unwavering support you’ll need to lose weight, keep it off, and help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Omada includes:

 Wireless smart scale to monitor your progress  Professional health coach to keep you on track  Interac ve program that adapts to you  Weekly online lessons to educate and inspire  Small group of par cipants for real‐ me support More great news: MHC is offering Omada for employees and their adult family members who are enrolled in our Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota health plan—at no cost to you.

Find out if you’re eligible by taking a 1‐minute risk screener. Inquire with your district’s benefits manager or email Nicole LaChapelle‐Strumski for the link to the risk screener.

Complete Coverage, SSC’s New Health and Benefits Newsletter The latest issue of Complete Coverage is available for review. Ar cles include Bidding Group Health Plans, Medical Trend – 2019, and The Road to Single Payer.

This newsle er is intended for Human Resources and Business Managers, however, anyone with an interest in Health and Benefits would find it both interes ng and beneficial. Click here to access ar cles from the latest issue of Complete Coverage.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

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Facilities Management

Pro-Active Facility Planning Partnership Announced

SSC has partnered ICS Consulting, Inc. to work towards a shared goal of improved and safer facilities In a con nued effort to mobilize resources, add value, and promote con nuous improvement through member‐focused solu ons, Southeast Service Coopera ve (SSC) is excited to announce a partnership with ICS Consul ng.

Through this new partnership, ICS will offer guidance to members who want to take a more pro‐ac ve approach to facility planning. Since 1922, ICS Consul ng has strived to improve schools, build safer communi es, and ensure facility planning success. They have completed over 8,000 projects and have the long‐term exper se to provide members with quality services and outcomes.

The partnership between SSC and ICS was a natural fit – a way to offer a new and needed service for our members. The ICS team understands the necessity for our members to know how to maintain buildings u lizing the right funding source. Today’s buildings account for roughly 40% of the world’s energy consump on. By reducing energy consump on, the industry can move from being part of the problem to being part of the solu on.

By u lizing ICS’s services, members will have access to consultants who will help them make facility improvement decisions based on stakeholder input and inform communi es’ taxpayers every step of the way. When community leaders are involved in the planning process, they are generally more suppor ve of the decisions made towards facility planning.

Approaching facility maintenance planning this way will help our members financially prepare for the significant cost of things like roof replacements, energy upgrades, new buildings and remodels. Pat Overom, Principal in ICS’s Blaine office, says, “We are a resource for communi es to assist them with long‐range facility planning and implementa on; working towards a shared goal of improved and safer facili es.”

ICS was founded in 1922 and offers facility planning consul ng, program management and construc on management services.

ICS consultants provide a diverse range of experience and exper se with a proven track record, financial stability and innova on unmatched in the area.

SSC Members will receive a 10% discount on planning and LTFM assessment work.

“Olmsted County issued a RFP in 2017 for firms uniquely qualified to assess the deferred maintenance needs in 78 of their 108 buildings through a facility condition assessment. ICS Consulting, Inc. answered the call with a cost effective solution that met the detailed assessment requirements on an aggressive timeline. The information gathered has been instrumental in telling the story of the need to invest in the maintenance and upgrades of the various buildings. ICS provided a completely customized solution within an intuitive format that can be easily updated to serve as a multi-year planning and tracking tool. ICS’s attention to detail and focus on the customer’s needs were second to none.” ‐Mat Miller, Director of Facili es and Building Opera ons, Olmsted County

On June 13, SSC hosted the Annual Facili es Management Town Hall.

MDE’s Sarah Miller provided a legisla ve update on LTFM and Lead in Water. New to the Town Hall this year was the addi on of break out sessions. Topics included OSHA Inspec ons, Natural and Ar ficial Concussions, and Long‐Term Facility Maintenance Program Requirements and Approach. Also new was the addi on of a vendor showcase. Hiller Commercial Floors, Tridim Filters, SwedeBro, H&B, School Specialty ‐ 21st Safe Classrooms, Midstate Auto Auc on, Nelson Auto, Innova ve Office Solu ons each provided a brief overview and updates.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

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Health and Safety

What to Expect During an OSHA Inspection

By Angie Radel

It’s back to school for Minnesota Schools and, with that, MN OSHA will be back out inspec ng schools. So, what should a school expect to happen during an OSHA inspec on?

If OSHA visits your school for an inspec on, IEA recommends calling your contracted health and safety consultant. Your health and safety consultant knows your health and safety programs and will act as the owner’s rep during the inspec on process.

The inspec on process begins with an opening conference. This mee ng will determine who will escort the inspector during the walkaround. The inves gator will also evaluate workplace pos ngs, recordkeeping requirements, and wri en workplace safety and health programs. Training documents, OSHA Logs, and Safety Data Sheets are popular records that will be reviewed during the opening conference.

Next, the OSHA inves gator and the authorized school district personnel will conduct the walkaround. During the walkaround, the inves gator will observe safety and health condi ons and prac ces; consult with employees

privately; take photos, videos, and/or instrument readings; examine records, collect air samples, measure noise levels, and survey exis ng engineering controls; and monitor employee exposure to toxic fumes, gases, and dusts. Some apparent viola ons detected by the inves gator can be corrected immediately. Even though corrected, these apparent viola ons s ll serve as the basis for a cita on and penalty. However, prompt ac on may be considered as a factor in penalty reduc on.

To conclude, the OSHA inves gator will conduct a closing conference with the authorized school district personnel to discuss all findings and observa ons made during the walkaround. The viola ons will be interpreted, and the basis for assessing penal es will be explained. Time to correct all viola ons will be discussed. The school will also be informed about consen ng viola ons and extending correc on mes.

An official report will be sent to the school describing cita ons, penal es, and correc on mes to resolve the deficiency.

For more informa on regarding OSHA inspec ons, EHS audit inspec ons, or mock‐OSHA inspec ons, contact Angie Radel at (507) 281‐6682 or angie.radel@ieasaf ety.com.

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

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SSC Upcoming Events

October

Making the Most of Your Instruc onal Coaches: Regional Coaching Cohort October 3

Chemical Hygiene Officer Training October 12

SAC Mee ng October 23

Board Mee ng October 24

Thriving as a Beginning Teacher Series: The Founda ons for a Successful Start October 29

Thriving as a Beginning Teacher Series: Working with Stakeholders: Parents, Students and Colleagues October 29

Learn How to STEMify Your Teaching and Learning ‐ K‐5 Educators October 30

SSC Wellness Forum October 30

Learn How to STEMify Your Teaching and Learning ‐ 6‐12 Educators October 31

MASA Region 1 Fall Session October 31 September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

November December Fall Educator Forum November 7

Mental Health Innova on Lab: Redesigning Solu ons with Students in Mind November 12

Using Test and Assessment Data to Support Teaching and Learning November 13

SAC Mee ng November 27

Board Mee ng November 28

Thriving as a Beginning Teacher Series: A Growth Mindset: The Key to Successful Differen a on December 4

Thriving as a Beginning Teacher Series: Challenging Advanced Students December 4

Founda ons for Trauma Responsive Schools December 4

Applica ons for Trauma Responsive Schools December 4

SAC Mee ng December 18

Board Mee ng December 19

Trying to understand all the possible ways to be er manage your student loans is a daun ng task. We are pleased to offer a new Loan Relief benefit from Fiducius. With their financial planning approach, the student loan Advisors at Fiducius help you navigate and determine your best op on, including forgiveness, refinancing and consolida on. They may help you lower, or even eliminate, your student loan payment.

Visit Southeast Service Coop + Fiducius to register Enter code SSC1 to learn more

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SSC Board Actions and Information In addi on to rou ne fiscal and rou ne business ac ons, the Board took the following ac ons in recent mee ngs. Complete SSC Board of Directors mee ng minutes are available on the SSC website at www.ssc.coop.

from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to support the FY19 Young Authors Young Ar sts (YAYA) Middle School Conference and a grant for $1,000 from Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust to support the FY19 Young Authors Young Ar sts (YAYA) Elementary Conference.

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Approved Sonia Smith’s reassignment back to the special educa on specialist posi on, with no change in compensa on.

Approved hiring Cindy Mullins in the full‐ me posi on of RCE Gradua on Specialist effec ve July 5, 2018.

Approved the immediate opening of the posi on of RCE Gradua on/Special Educa on/English Language Learner posi on.

Approved the recommenda ons of the Personnel Commi ee for 2018‐19 employee compensa on, including wages and benefits.



Approved the SSC Member Fee Changes.



Accepted a grant for $2,800



Approved the membership resolu on of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Founda on, effec ve June 1, 2018.

recommenda ons from the mee ng on July 21, 2018. 

Accepted the $5,000 grant from Compeer Financial for the Mobile Science Lab. Compeer used to be the AgStar Fund for Rural America and has supported the MSL program in the past.

This money is designated primarily to support the re‐ design of the program for 2019‐2020 to ensure future sustainability and increased program usage.



Accepted the $5,000 grant from the Carl and Verna Schmidt Founda on to help underwrite program costs for all student academic programming.



Approved the proposed Execu ve Director Evalua on Document and meline.

June 



Approved the 2018‐19 contract of Contract for Dave Thompson, Facili es Management Consultant.

Approved the 2018‐2019 budget, which was reviewed by the Finance Commi ee.

July - No Meeting August 

Approved the recommenda on as proposed by CCOGA Formula Commi ee’s proposals and

SSC Board of Directors Theressa Arrick‐Kruger, Chair Houston County

Karla Bauer Kenyon‐Wanamingo Public Schools

Jason Marquardt Mabel‐Canton Public Schools

Mary Blair‐Hoe , Vice‐Chair City of Byron

Carol Cravath Plainview‐Elgin‐Millville Public Schools

Rob Mathias Stewartville Public Schools

Mike Christensen, Treasurer Red Wing Public Schools

Lynn Gorski City of Owatonna

Brein Maki, Clerk Lewiston‐Altura Public Schools

Don Leathers Aus n Public Schools

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

15

About Soutxheast Service Cooperatxive Southeast Service Cooperative Staff Steve Sallee Execu ve Director

Alicia Bredesen Organiza onal Assistant

abredesen@ssc.coop

ssallee@ssc.coop

Amy Grover Director of Planning

Jodi De mann Program Manager

Chris Hancock Bookkeeper

jde mann@ssc.coop

Kirsten Kuehl Organiza onal Manager

chancock@ssc.coop

Dale Walston Director of Opera ons

Kari Kubicek Program Manager

khartman@ssc.coop

kkuehl@ssc.coop

ddickison@ssc.coop

Ka e Hartman Program Manager

agrover@ssc.coop

Donna Dickison Mee ng Center Coordinator

Nicole LaChapelle‐ Strumski Program Manager nlachapelle@ssc.coop

Sarah Ness Program Manager

kkubicek@ssc.coop

Ka e Schmi

Development and Innova on Specialist kschmi @ssc.coop

sness@ssc.coop

Erik

dwalston@ssc.coop

Regional Center of Excellence Staff

Jane tha

Drennan SE/Metro Director jdrennan@mnce.org

Jeff Aamot RCE Systems Improvement Specialist jaamot@mnce.org

Durand Advocate/Math Specialist edurand@mnce.org

Ashley Karlsson Advocate/Gradua on Specialist akarlsson@mnce.org

Jennifer Klein Advocate/Gradua on and Special Educa on Specialist jklein@mnce.org

Lori Mack Advocate/Implementa on Science & Reading Specialist lmack@mnce.org

Cindy Mullins Advocate/Gradua on Support Specialist cmullins@mnce.org

Carolyn Olijnek Advocate/Math Specialist colijnek@mnce.org

Miranda Schornack Advocate/English Language Development Specialist mschornack@mnce.org

Sonia Smith Advocate/Special Educa on Specialist ssmith@mnce.org

Carol Swanson Advocate/Reading Specialist cswanson@mnce.org

Perry Wilkinson Educa on Equity and Systems Data Specialist pwilkinson@mnce.org

SSC Service Consultants

Connec ons is a publica on of the Southeast Service Coopera ve, published four mes per year for members, associates, and the general public.

Editor: Nicole LaChapelle‐Strumski, nlachapelle@ssc.coop

Bill Colopoulos

Angie Radel

Dave Thompson

Health and Benefits Consultant

Regional Manager, IEA

Facili es Management Consultant

bcolopoulos@ssc.coop

September, 2018 www.ssc.coop

angie.radel@ieasafety.com

dthompson@ssc.coop

Southeast Service Coopera ve 210 Wood Lake Drive SE Rochester, MN 55904 Phone (507) 288‐1282 Fax (507) 288‐7663

Office Hours: Monday ‐ Friday 8:00 AM ‐ 4:30 PM

www.ssc.coop

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