FOR CREC STAFF ONLY: All CREC certified staff are welcome to attend this annual event! Sessions will encourage meaningful collegial conversations; Professional learning required for all CREC teachers and certified staff members and optional for paraeducators and associate instructors (at supervisor's discretion.) Launch focuses on new or revised curriculum as well as the introduction of the 2025-26 areas of focus. Sessions are assigned based on position and content area.
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Visual Arts Launch: Share district initiatives and important updates and reminders. The goals of this session is to align instruction to grade level content standards, and work on high quality instruction practices, including student independence and classroom culture.
Restorative Leadership: Building Community with Nonviolence Principles: This session, led by our partners at the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence (CTCN), is designed for those dedicated to creating positive, restorative school climates. Participants will explore the core principles of Kingian Nonviolence and learn practical strategies to address conflict, promote equity, and build community in their daily work with students and colleagues.
AM: The Why Behind the Shift: Science of Reading and Diverse Learner Success - Objective 1: Understand the Foundations of the Science of Reading Participants will explore the interdisciplinary research base (including neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, and education) that defines the Science of Reading and examine models such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope. Objective 2: Investigate the Impact of SoR on Diverse Learners Participants will engage with current research related to multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with dyslexia, and discuss how their reading program (e.g., EL Education) supports the inclusion and success of all learners. PM: Math Strategies for Paraeducators - 1. Understand and Apply Systematic Instruction Techniques - Participants will be able to describe the key features of systematic instruction and identify at least two ways to support students during guided math tasks using consistent, scaffolded teaching routines. 2. Support Mathematical Language Development and Representation Use- Participants will learn strategies to reinforce students’ use of mathematical language and visual representations, and will practice modeling and prompting techniques to enhance conceptual understanding. 3. Collaborate Effectively in the Math Classroom - Participants will reflect on their instructional roles and leave with actionable strategies for supporting students during math instruction, including during fluency practice and word problem-solving.
Family Engagement: A Review of The Five Simple Practices: To help FACE staff work in collaboration with educators to expand their capacity to formulate necessary partnerships with every family to promote improved student learning.
Teachers will work in the areas of literacy and mathematics to implement high quality instructional strategies for the 2025-2026 school year. (AM: Math/PM: ELA)
AM: Math in the Gym - Teachers will work in the areas of literacy and mathematics to implement high quality instructional strategies for the 2025-2026 school year. PM: Literacy How in the Black Box - Finish Literacy How Series
Launching EL (Expeditionary Learning) Reading and Writing Year 2 - Teachers will: 1. review the 2025 - 2026 pacing guide, assessments and rubrics 2. plan module one reading and writing instruction with grade level partners 3. understand the significance of fluency on a middle school student's reading proficiency 4. learn how to administer a 3 minute fluency assessment and review the data with grade level team
Launching English curriculum and instruction in grades 9 - 12: Teachers will: 1. review the 2025 - 2026 new units, assessments and rubrics 2. plan unit one instruction with grade level partners 3. understand the significance of fluency on a high school school student's reading proficiency 4. learn how to administer a 3 minute fluency assessment and review the data with grade level team 5. plan opportunities in the pacing of a unit for students to submit original writing to local, state and national writing competitions
Teachers will work in the areas of literacy and mathematics to implement high quality instructional strategies for the 2025-2026 school year. (AM: ELA/PM: Math)
AM: Literacy How - Completing the Literacy How series, PM: Math in Gym: Teachers will work in the areas of literacy and mathematics to implement high quality instructional strategies for the 2025-2026 school year.
Library Media Launch - Prep for the school year. Focus on book challenges, and related policy / practices.
Secondary Mathematics Launch - Mathematics teachers will be introduced to the three year professional learning plan, engage in learning and applying a high quality instructional practice, analyze data, and spend time planning for upcoming school year.
Inside the ML World: Identification, Assessment, Monitoring & More: In this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted role of ML teachers throughout the school year. From identifying and assessing new students to monitoring progress and supporting academic success, we will explore the essential responsibilities that ensure equitable access to learning for multilingual learners.
High Quality Instruction in the Music Classroom: The goal of this session is to workshop various student centered best practice(s) and instructional strategies that impact high quality instruction in the music department. By evaluating the district’s Portrait of a Learner (Creators and Critical Thinkers), Interpersonal Relationships (NCSI Culture & Climate Survey), the concept of Cultural Humility, and the concept of Mattering vs. Belonging, teachers will be able to define what HQI looks like in their classroom/school environment. We will be planning for more intentional student collaboration and agency in our content areas. This will serve as a preliminary/foundational session to be built upon throughout the year.
Purposeful Partnership: Paraeducators as Pillars of Student Support: Outcome: To build a foundational understanding of paraeducators’ responsibilities in supporting students, collaborating with educational teams, and maintaining effective practices in diverse instructional settings. Objectives: - Identify the scope and expectations of their roles across varied learning environments - Understand the importance of professional boundaries and ethical conduct - Describe how to support students in academic, social-emotional, and behavioral contexts - Demonstrate knowledge of collaborative strategies for working with teachers and specialists - Reflect on how to apply proactive approaches to meet student need
Therapies in the School 25th Annual Conference 2024
Health and PE: During this session we will discuss updates for the new school year, discuss best practices for engaging all students, and our goals for the coming school year.
PreK Potpourri: CREC Preschool teachers will engage in both small and large group learning sessions designed to enhance everyday classroom practices, including morning meetings, outdoor play, transitions, family engagement and instruction in literacy, math, and science. The afternoon large group session will specifically focus on strategies for addressing challenging behaviors.
Secondary Science and Engineering Teaching is the Best - In this session we will kickoff the new school year with important updates and reminders. The goals of this session is to align instruction to grade level content standards, deepening teacher understanding of NGSS to empower student learning.
AM: Math Strategies for Paraeducators - 1. Understand and Apply Systematic Instruction Techniques - Participants will be able to describe the key features of systematic instruction and identify at least two ways to support students during guided math tasks using consistent, scaffolded teaching routines. 2. Support Mathematical Language Development and Representation Use- Participants will learn strategies to reinforce students’ use of mathematical language and visual representations, and will practice modeling and prompting techniques to enhance conceptual understanding. 3. Collaborate Effectively in the Math Classroom - Participants will reflect on their instructional roles and leave with actionable strategies for supporting students during math instruction, including during fluency practice and word problem-solving. PM: The Why Behind the Shift: Science of Reading and Diverse Learner Success - Objective 1: Understand the Foundations of the Science of Reading Participants will explore the interdisciplinary research base (including neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, and education) that defines the Science of Reading and examine models such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope. Objective 2: Investigate the Impact of SoR on Diverse Learners Participants will engage with current research related to multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with dyslexia, and discuss how their reading program (e.g., EL Education) supports the inclusion and success of all learners.
CREC School Counseling - School Counselors will continue to reflect upon college and career readiness goals. Additionally, school counselors will develop additional scope/sequences
Secondary SPED Teachers - Building Best Practices: There will be break out sessions on different topics.
Secondary Social Studies Launch: 2025 - Secondary Social Studies Teachers will learn about the District Initiatives for the 2025-2026 school year and work collaboratively with their colleagues to identify and create areas of high quality instruction.
Social Work and Psychologist Planning and Development - Developing best practices and reviewing updates.
SLP Best Practices - Using ASHA webinars to develop skills.
Technology Launch 2025 - District Initiatives for the 2025-2026 school year will be shared. Technology teachers will also have time to work collaboratively on High Quality Instruction (HQI) initiatives
Resources, Routines, AI, and Rubrics in the FL Classroom
Secondary Coaching Conversation - Connecting elements of Portrait of a Learner, High Quality Instruction, and Effective Climate to the curriculum work required in the 25-26 school year.