Below are upcoming opportunities to explore.

Supporting Novice Principals on the Job: Mentoring Support in Difficult Situations Webinar  Wednesday, November 28, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST  The job of a principal is a lonely one, but new principals don’t have to wrestle with difficult situations on their own. Many districts and universities are exploring options for providing support and mentorship. In this third webinar of a four-part series, you will hear from a new principal about the challenges of leadership and how mentorship helped him succeed in his role.

Supporting Novice Principals on the Job: Principal Preparation for the Complexity of the Work Webinar  Wednesday, December 12, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST Strong leadership is a necessary catalyst for student learning, yet the complexity of the work makes it sometimes hard to focus on the role of instructional leader. Join the discussion with new principals on how to best prepare principals for entering the profession in this final webinar of a four-part series.

Putting it all Together: K-5 Strategy Dive – Nov. 6 and Dec. 12  Join for a day of professional learning focused on the unique needs of K-5 educators! The day will be centered on specific strategies that can be utilized in the elementary classroom. Explore the science and social science shifts. Discover instructional strategies that work across all content areas. Walk away with a variety of strategies and resources that can be implemented in the classroom right away! Registration is $25 and available for Nov. 6 in Marion or for Dec. 12 in Normal.

Engaging Students in the Middle Grades: Connecting with 6-8 Students – Nov. 7 and Dec. 13  Looking for new ways to engage middle school students as well as address social-emotional standards in the classroom? Join us for a day of professional learning centered on specific strategies to enhance any content focus in the middle school classroom. Explore strategies to connect with students and help them transition to and throughout middle school. Discover strategies for facilitating discussions and discourse. Walk away with a variety of strategies that can be implemented in the classroom right away! Registration is $25 and available for Nov. 7 in Marion or Dec. 13 in Normal.

Upcoming Public Hearings on FY 2020 Budget Recommendations ISBE is hosting three public hearings this fall to gather requests to inform ISBE’s FY 2020 budget recommendations for pre-K through 12th-grade educational service providers statewide. All individuals – including those attending a hearing in person – should submit their comments and stories by completing a budget request form and emailing the form to isbeFY20@isbe.net.  The remainder of the public budget hearings for FY 2020 will take place in:  Chicago – Friday, Nov. 16, immediately following the Board meeting (approximately 11 a.m.) in Conference Room 16-503 at the Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph St.)

Seeking Competency Pilot Applications; Upcoming Informational Webinar  ISBE released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Competency-Based High School Graduation Requirements Pilot Program on Oct. 11. Public school districts may participate in the pilot program for some or all of its schools. School districts may collaboratively apply to participate in the pilot program. All districts interested in applying may access the application, as well as a library of research and resources, on ISBE’s Competency Pilot webpage. Applications are due to ISBE by Dec. 7, 2018.

Apply for Breakfast After the Bell Grants  No Kid Hungry offers Breakfast After the Bell grant opportunities in Illinois. Grants support schools with the purchase of approved equipment, materials, and initiatives that facilitate Breakfast After the Bell delivery models in an effort to increase student participation in breakfast.  Applying schools must either be implementing or be prepared to implement a Breakfast After the Bell delivery model, such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab and Go, and Second Chance Breakfast. Individual schools may apply for up to $5,000.  Subject to funding availability, No Kid Hungry has two remaining grant rounds with the following due dates: Nov. 16 and March 4. To complete an application, you will need a detailed budget outline of the grant request; key strategies you have taken/plan to take to implement your program and anticipated challenges; the breakfast model you plan to implement, the anticipated start date, and where you will serve meals; school level breakfast and lunch data for the month of October and total school enrollment; and contact information.  To get started, visit https://nokidhungrygrants.force.com/,  where you can set up a new user account. Complete your application and click “Save and Next” before hitting “Submit.” For program-related questions, email Sonianne Lozada at slozada@gcfd.org. For technical questions, email grantshelpdesk@strength.org.