MassCUE News: March 2023                                                

MassCUE Friends,

We are so excited to see many of you this Friday at our Spring Leadership Conference! If you are yet to register, you can register for this incredible event here. I am thrilled to update you on our ongoing equity campaign. Our February action steps reminded us that progress takes time, and to celebrate each step. While we are not yet fully transitioned to a Google platform, the date is set for our migration, and our staff has done an incredible job making sure we are fully prepared for this step. We are proud of the work we’ve done, and excited to update our community in April. In terms of our equity audit, we’ve officially acquired a quote for services, and will be taking next steps. Lastly, our survey is proving time consuming to analyze. We are continuing to analyze the results with the help of our intern, and will be continuing to update our community on our progress.

We know that equity requires action, and as such have planned a year’s worth of action steps to ensure we are progressing in our campaign. Our March action steps are as follows:

1. Acquire funding for our equity audit
2. Review our board appointment application process from an equity lens
3. Finish analyzing our survey results, and create action steps

As I look out the window to the falling snow, I am reminded of how grateful I am. Thank you to this community for your continued support, feedback, and excitement. I can’t wait to see some of you Friday!

In gratitude,

Savvy Demers
Executive Director

Friday, March 3, 2023
7:30am-3:30pm
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester

Register Now

March 1st is the last day to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing!

Please join us for the MassCUE/MASCD Spring Leadership Conference, a full day of presentations, workshops and opportunities to network with other educators who are working to take a personalized approach to equity in their schools and districts.

Featuring Remarks by

Learn more on our website. 

March Featured Educator: Kevin Murphy                                           

Kevin Murphy models a love of technology and of learning for his students. Learn about how our March MassCUE Featured Educator stays sharp in the face of rapidly changing technology. Read More

MassCUE will be hosting our Corporate Partners Showcase
on May 5, 2023 at Gillette Stadium. If you are a decision maker for hardware and/or software purchases in your school or district, this event is for you.

Save the date for this FREE event, which will feature remarks by representatives from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Educational Technology as well as opportunities to meet with and learn from our corporate partners.  Learn more.                                       

The Ockers Company, New England’s premiere Audio Visual and Technology provider, is celebrating over 100 years of exceptional service.  

Ockers provides the following solutions: Audio Visual, Electrical, Infrastructure, Data & Fiber (Indoor/Outdoor), Managed Services, Technology Procurement and Implementation, Digital Signage, Interactive Classroom, Video Conferencing/Streaming IPTV, and Security Systems, CCTV, Card Access Control and Broadcast and Lighting.  

Ockers is also the proud home of TouchView Interactive. For more information on TouchView Interactive, visit touchview.com.  

Info on our Corporate Partner Ockers can be found on our website.

Pro AV Systems is New England’s Leading Audio Visual Integrator - specializing in design, installation and service of all your AV needs. We represent the leading educational brands, like Epson, Clear Touch, Lumens and Promethean, and fully support our customers who integrate those products.  

Learn about their new AV Educational Model at Pro AV Systems - The new AV Educational Model 

Info on our Corporate Partner Pro AV can be found on our website. 

As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success.  

Renaissance solutions reach more than one-third of US schools and approximately 16.7 million students worldwide. Our portfolio includes solutions for assessment (Star Assessments, StarPhonics, and myIGDIs for Preschool); practice (Accelerated Reader, myON, Freckle, and Lalilo); data-driven insights (Schoolzilla); and teacher-facilitated instructional delivery (Nearpod).

Info on our Corporate Partner Renaissance can be found on our website.

The Influence and Advocacy Committee would like to share the following resources:

In the Courts 

Are you concerned about the impact of social media on your students' mental health? School districts across the country are taking a stand against social media platforms by bringing their complaints through the courts. Districts in Florida, California and more are attempting to hold social media companies accountable. In January, Seattle Public Schools filed their complaint. 

• Seattle Public Schools statement   
• Northern District of California court update 
• Bay District Schools in Florida 
  
• Social Media advice from Mclean Hospital
  

To learn more about the Influence and Advocacy Committee, visit our website. 

Email Heidi MacGregor or Colleen Terrill for information on how to share your voice in advocacy and get involved with the MassCUE I&A Committee.

MassCUE SIGs offer educators opportunities to connect and support one another in an area of interest or region. 

Coaching in Schools - Digging in to PD will be the topic for this month's virtual meeting on March 2nd from 1:00-2:00pm.

Makerspace & STEM - Will visit an elementary makerspace in Tewksbury on March 8th from 3:30-4:30pm. This meeting will have a virtual option. 

Southeast, Cape & Islands Technology Team (SCITT) - Will hold an in-person meeting in Sandwich on March 24th from 10:00-11:00am.

Technology Integration - Will hold a virtual meeting on March 9th from 1:00-2:00pm.

Learn more about our SIGs

Did you know that school districts can take advantage of special prices and promotions with our partners through the Group Buy Program? 
Current offers include special promotions from:

Gaggle

GamestormEDU

JourneyEd

Lightspeed Technologies

White Rock Cybersecurity

 Learn more about the Group Buy Program on our website. 

Receive PDPs and fulfill MA re-certification requirements for FREE with your MassCUE Membership using Infobase Learning Cloud. 

Infobase Learning Cloud is an online professional learning system designed to meet the needs of today's schools. The resources include short videos as well as self-paced workshops. 

All learning can be done on your own time from anywhere, and you receive your certificate upon completion of the Infobase Learning Cloud module. Infobase offers a wide range of training webinars. Be sure to check their library of archived webinars.

Please note new members are added to Infobase the first week of each month. New MassCUE members will receive an email with information on accessing and setting up your account.

Learn More

Tech & Learning is hosting a Leadership Summit, taking place at The Connors Center on May 5, 2023, and district administrators are invited to apply to attend for no charge. This is a small, invitation-only event for district leaders that includes interactive workshops and panel discussions designed to support school planning during this challenging time. Find more information about this event here and apply for this free event here. Tech & Learning will also be hosting an "Innovative Leader" award as part of the Summit. All finalists will be invited to the Summit (including a two-night hotel stay) and the winners will be announced at the event. Nominate yourself or a colleague here.

Big Deal Book of Technology Newsletter

MassCUE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you the Big Deal Book of Technology Newsletter, featuring contests, resources, and information designed to bring the power of the web to your classroom.

The Big Deal Book newsletter will give you great ideas for your classroom.

Read the newsletter

For more information about MassCUE, go to MassCUE.org.