Upcoming Innovation School Events

Bridget Rodriguez
Direct or of Planning and Collaboration,
Executive Office of Education

As our Innovation Schools initiative continues to grow, we are pleased to announce a calendar of fall and winter events, below, that will help connect those already working in Innovation Schools across the state and provide technical support to those planning Innovation Schools.  

Innovation Schools Planning Grants

We are pleased to be able to announce that planning grants will again be available to Innovation School planners.  Planning grants will be awarded up to $10,000 per proposed Innovation School.  Schools must be slated to be established in a RTTT participating district.  The grant application prioritizes teacher initiated plans, as well as STEM themed plans, schools proposed in level 3 and 4 districts, and plans that creatively expand the school day and year using existing resources.   Planning grant applications will be due December 20, 2012.  The complete Innovation School planning grant RFP will soon be posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/grants.html . 

Webinar - Innovation School Approval Process & Planning Grant Application Process

Innovation Schools Approval Process Overview & Planning Grant Information Webinar will be held on Thursday, October 18^th from 4-5pm. 

This webinar will focus on the Innovation School approval process and the planning grant requirements.  Those intending to apply for Innovation School Planning Grants are strongly encouraged to participate.

Working Sessions – Technical Assistance for Innovation School Planners

Innovation School planners may sign up for a 90 minute consultation with EOE, ESE and independent consultants.  Sessions are planned for

• Thursday, November 8^th - DESE, 75 Pleasant Street in Malden, and
• Tuesday, November 13^th - location TBD

Innovation School Site Visits & Information Sessions

Innovation School educators and those interested in learning about the Innovation Schools model are invited to two upcoming school site visits.  Site visits will include a tour of the school and breakout sessions to debrief the visit with school faculty.  Concurrent breakout sessions will be offered for those working in Innovation Schools. 

• Paul Revere Innovation School in Revere: The Paul Revere Innovation School is the first Innovation School in Massachusetts and uses creative scheduling to allow for common planning time and expanded professional development as well as to extend the day for students by two hours. This site visit will take place on Tuesday, October 23^rd from 1-4pm.
  
  
• Springfield Renaissance Innovation Middle/High School in Springfield: Springfield Renaissance is a middle and high school that uses an advisory system, high-stakes authentic performance assessments, explicit attention to character education, and distributed leadership.  For the past three years, the school has had 100% of its students accepted to college. This site visit will take place on Thursday, November 1^st from 1-4pm.

Please RSVP to me at bridget.rodriguez@state.ma.us for the webinar, working sessions (include preferred time) and site visits (include your name, affiliation, role, email address, and whether you are affiliated with an established Innovation School or are a prospective Innovation School planner). 

We hope to see many of you at these events!