News
May 4, 2012
CES trains teachers and parents to communicate with students who have difficulty speaking
NORTHAMPTON: Imagine how frightening and isolating it would be if you couldn’t speak. Luckily there is an iPhone and iPad application that can help bridge the communication gap – and soon it will be even more effective.
The Collaborative for Educational Services is hosting the first workshop on the newest version of Proloquo2Go on Thursday, May 17 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. at 97 Hawley Street in Northampton.
The free session will demonstrate the newest features of this powerful communication app, including new vocabulary options, editing functions, paging and color options, and how to create vocabularies for multiple users. The newest version of Proloquo2Go (2.0) is scheduled to be released in May.
Speech-Language Pathologist, Jennifer Marden, will demonstrate the newest features of the application and walk teachers, paraprofessionals and parents through the different options available for students who have difficulty speaking. Marden has many years of experience working as both a software engineer and a Speech-Language Pathologist.
She works as a consultant to Assistive Ware, the company that designed Proloquo2Go as well as many other assistive technology products for individuals with physical, vision, communication, and reading impairments.
As seating is limited, please register by contacting Sandi Sheehan at 413.584.1664 x 101 or
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For additional workshop information, visit http://collaborative.org/special-education/events.
April 27, 2012
CES to host workshop at Smith College with assistive technology pioneer Linda Burkhart
On May 9 and 10, educators and specialists working with individuals with complex communication needs will have an opportunity to learn from Linda Burkhart, an internationally known pioneer in the field of simplified technology for children with severe challenges. Burkhart, who has authored numerous books and software titles on assistive technology and augmentative communication will conduct a two-day workshop at Smith College on the Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) approach to supporting communication in children who are nonspeaking or have only limited speech. The workshop is sponsored by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association CEUs are available. Professionals from the Collaborative’s member districts in Hampshire and Franklin Counties are eligible for discounted fees. For information and registration, visit collaborative.org/special-education/events or call Jill Robinson at 413.586.4900 x183.
April 12, 2012
Dean Technical High School is bouncing back
Channel 22 News recently covered the formation of the Dean Tech Futures Advisory Committee and the progress being made at Dean Technical High School in Holyoke. Read the story and watch the video here. The Collaborative for Educational Services currently serves as the educational management organization at Dean.
March 19, 2012
Dr. Ronald Ferguson to Speak about Achievement Gap at Free Public Forum in Amherst
On Wednesday, March 28, Amherst-Pelham Public Schools welcome Dr. Ronald Ferguson as featured speaker at a free public forum on education. Dr. Ferguson, a nationally renowned expert on the racial achievement gap, will speak at Amherst Regional High School Auditorium from 7-9pm as part of the Office of the Superintendent's initiative to bring the national discussion on education to the community. Parents, guardians, students, faculty, and community members are invited to attend. For more information, visit this video link. To reserve a seat, contact Kimberly Stender at 413-362-1825 or kstender[at]arps.org.
March 13, 2012
Area Special Olympians Compete in South Hadley
More great coverage of the winter Special Olympics games in South Hadley, this time by Etta Walsh for the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
March 7, 2012
Michael Smith Middle School in South Hadley Hosts Special Olympics Program
Read The Republican's coverage of last Friday's inspiring winter Special Olympics event in South Hadley. The winter event was organized by the Collaborative's Michael Topor in partnership with Special Olympics. (Article by Patricia Cahill)
March 7, 2012
CES Awarded with New State Contracts for Teacher Workshops
NORTHAMPTON: The Collaborative for Educational Services has been awarded two new state contracts totaling $360,000 to provide workshops designed to help teachers deliver a consistent curriculum to public school students throughout the Commonwealth.
Newly adopted Common Core Curriculum standards set clear expectations that all students will read proficiently by the end of third grade. But how teachers will accomplish that ambitious goal is a little less clear. A series of three professional development workshops conducted by educational experts in reading will help over 300 Massachusetts (K-4) teachers learn how to work with all students to best support the development of literacy skills. Web-based resources for teaching writing (in grades 4-12) will also be developed.
In addition, the Collaborative has been chosen to facilitate an advisory panel of national experts working with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review model curriculum units designed by several hundred teachers of math, science, English language arts, history, and vocational subjects across the state.
The Collaborative has extensive experience developing and managing professional development. Over the past year, CES worked with over 9,600 teachers, specialists, and administrators in 79 school districts in Massachusetts and beyond, shaping learning and leadership at the policy, program and practice level.
February 24, 2012
Patriot Frieghtliner Donates Diesel Engine to Students with Interest in a Burgeoning Field
HOLYOKE: Patriot Freightliner, a Westfield-based company specializing in the sales and service of commercial trucks and tractors has donated a diesel engine valued at $21,000 to the Diesel Technology Department at William J. Dean Technical High School.
General Manager Deb Barss said the donation was intended to “give encouragement to students learning diesel technology and make a connection to the program so students can meet people in the field that they can talk to.” Barss said that while “many kids are tuned into computer science, software programming and business management these days,” she sees great opportunities in the diesel technology field where jobs are multiplying. “There isn’t anything sold in America that doesn’t get to its destination by truck,” Barss explained. She added that as diesel engines are becoming more and more sophisticated with computerized diagnostics and controls, “well-trained diesel technicians are in even greater demand throughout the region and nation.”
According to Barss who manages two Patriot Freightliner facilities, “We’re always looking for more diesel technicians – we’re never fully staffed.” She said her company “brings in a lot of young people, and provides a lot of training for new workers,” who can earn $18-35 per hour in positions requiring the training that a Dean Technical education provides. Patriot Freightliner and three other affiliated companies employ over 75 diesel technicians.
Dean Principal Jonathan Carter said “We are grateful to Patriot Freightliner for taking an interest in the education and success of our students and preparing them for opportunities in this growing field.” He added that the donation was just the beginning of the school’s relationship with Patriot Freightliner. “An important piece of our school restructuring effort is to develop and strengthen our ties with this partner and with businesses in the local community and around the region.”
January 19, 2012
Call for Presentation Proposals for 2012 Technology in Education Conference -- DEADLINE EXTENDED to February 2
The 2012 Technology in Education (TiE) Conference takes place on March 15 and the Conference Committee is seeking presentation proposals! The TiE Conference is organized by the Technology in Education Partnership of Western Massachusetts, whose mission is to plan, implement, and sustain the development of technology and electronic information resources in successful teaching and learning across all levels of education. The TiE Conference, held at Holyoke Community College's Kittredge Center, will feature sessions with local educators, a dynamic vendor fair, and opportunities for networking. Proposed presentations should be information, relevant, engaging, and supported by theory, research, and practice.
The deadline for proposal submission has been extended to midnight on February 2, 2012. For more information on the conference and to sumbit a proposal, visit the conference webpage.
January 10, 2012
CES's Executive Director Dr. Joan Schuman speaks to New England Public Radio about a senate bill proposing stricter oversight of state education collaboratives. Listen here.
January 10, 2012
Dean Tech Culinary Arts students serve up a bright future at community dinner
HOLYOKE: Students and staff of the Culinary Arts Department at Dean Technical High School are serving up a multi-course community dinner just before the annual Junior ROTC "Quinceañera" semi-formal dance, in celebration of their newly organized school. Dean Culinary Arts students will begin serving dinner at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 13th, in the school dining room at 1045 Main Street. Culinary instructor Marty Fullwood describes the event as a celebration of “the endless possibilities that are taking place at Dean right now.”
Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, MA Representative Michael Kane (D), Newton Mayor Setti Warren, School Superintendent David Dupont, as well as school committee members Devin Sheehan and Howard Greaney, and city councilors Aaron Vega, Todd Mcgee, David Bartley and Jay Ferriera will attend and speak at the event. Members of the public are welcome to attend the complementary community dinner. Reservations are accepted up through 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 12.
William J. Dean Vocational Technical High School offers career and technical programs for students in a wide variety of vocational areas. The school has been under the management of the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) since the start of the school year.
For event tickets and information, contact Marty Fullwood at 413-478-0742 or marty[at]martyfullwood.com.
January 9, 2012
Art exhibit organized by CES at Moakley Courthouse to display art projects from youth involved in the Department of Youth Services
BOSTON: Artwork created by DYS involved youth will be on exhibit at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston from January 16th through March 30th, 2012. The Art of Juvenile Justice: Innovative Practices for Youth Transformation exhibition is curated by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) and DYS Arts Infusion Task Force, a statewide initiative whose purpose is to create access to and opportunities in the arts for youth involved with DYS.
The exhibit allows young people involved with DYS an opportunity to have their artwork be viewed and appreciated by people across the Commonwealth. The exhibition celebrates the artistic talents of the youth, and offers insights into their personal journey as they seek to reshape their lives and re-enter their communities as productive young citizens. The artwork was created by youth in both DYS residential programs, as well as by youth participating in programming in arts organizations in their communities.
DYS Commissioner Jane Tewksbury states “This artwork gives voice and expression to the complexity of the lives of our youth – it provides an opportunity for the youth to share their talents and creativity. The integration of art into our classrooms is an essential component of the treatment process for youth and the Department is pleased to be able to share our youth’s amazing gifts with the public.”
The demands of the 21st century workplace require youth to be equipped with a new set of skills, attitudes, and competencies. There is growing recognition that the arts are ideally suited to helping to cultivate a workforce that is prepared to lead and succeed in this new workplace. As one DYS youth said, “Being part of this, being involved with my art, has changed my world.”
Together with artists and artist organizations across the Commonwealth, the DYS Arts Infusion Task Force, has created opportunities for youth involved in DYS to participate in the creative arts as part of their transformation.
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