WiRSA Update - October 15, 2024

Highlights / Opportunity

Rural scholarships are available for educators pursuing a master's in educational leadership at UW-Madison. Scholarship Overview:

• Up to eight $8,000 scholarships are awarded annually

• Eligible candidates are interested in a master's that leads to: Principal, Director of Instruction, or Director of Special Education & Pupil Services licenses

Program Details:

• Two options: Online master's (WIPP) or in-person K-12 Leadership program

• Accelerated 15-month completion time

• Rolling admissions with a final deadline of April 15, 2025, for Summer 2025 start

To Learn More:

• Barbara S. & Glenn Thompson Scholarship 

• Request Scholarship Information 

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Elevating STEM Education in Rural Communities Webinar, part of the YOU Belong in STEM webinar series

Join the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, National Future Farmers of America, and others supporting rural students to learn about how rural schools approach STEM education. Participants will hear from current members of those communities as well as community and federal partners to bring rigorous, joyful, and relevant STEM learning to their individual communities and context. Ideal for educators, administrators, community leaders, and others interested in learning how to use federal resources to elevate STEM education in rural communities. The webinar will be held October 29, 12-1 pm ET.

Panelists are:

• Dr. Kareen Borders, Executive Director, STEM Instruction & Outreach, West Sound Network

• Dr. James Moore, Assistant Director, STEM Education, National Science Foundation

• Dr. Travis Park, National FFA Advisor, Board Chair, National FFA Organization

Register here!

Please also find the flyer for the webinar below.

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Notices Inviting Applications for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs) for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) have been published in the Federal Register and are available at the links below.

The deadline for transmittal of applications is November 13, 2024. 

HEP NIA:

Federal Register :: Applications for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program

CAMP NIA:

Federal Register :: Applications for New Awards; College Assistance Migrant Program

Further information, including materials from the pre-recorded pre-application webinar and information regarding the October 10 webinar office hours, can be found on the applicant information pages for each grant program:

HEP page:

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-migrant-students/high-school-equivalency-program#Applicant-Information

CAMP page:

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-migrant-students/college-assistance-migrant-program#Applicant-Information

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Blending & Braiding: How to Make it Easier to Use Different Funding Streams to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child

I am excited to invite you to the kickoff of a webinar series titled Blending and Braiding: How to Make it Easier to Use Different Funding Streams to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child. The series is co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the White House to increase awareness and understanding of how essential services from federal, state, and local governments can be accessed more easily by students and families. Please register here: Blending and Braiding Webinar Series (zoomgov.com). The first webinar of the series will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 1-2 pm ET.

We’ve heard from education and community leaders across the United States the need for more support and examples of how to blend and braid multiple funding streams to meet the needs of the whole child. This webinar series will highlight examples of how states, districts, counties, cities and schools are blending and braiding funds to provide cradle-to-career supports—making it easier for students and families to access services and help communities thrive. In addition, speakers will describe how to use federal, state, and local funds to sustain whole child investments (e.g., mental health professionals, counselors, tutoring, mentoring, and after-school, summer learning and enrichment programs) that were bolstered by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

We’re looking forward to seeing you during these webinars to engage with experts, identify promising approaches, and surface best practices on how to more easily use federal funds to strengthen communities for our students and families, from cradle to career.

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Emergency Planning Course for Rural Schools

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, is pleased to offer the course “Planning Considerations for K-12 Rural Schools,” which will provide strategies that enhance emergency management planning for rural schools. Available as virtual or live trainings, the REMS TA Center will provide—free of charge— training materials, as well as one or more live subject matter expert trainers and staff support for the event hosted at your site or online.