PSMLA News - 10/10/16
PSMLA News Update
Read below for information about the PSMLA Fall Conference, PEP Awards, professional development opportunities, a cultural event and job openings.
PSMLA Fall Conference – October 13-15, 2016
It’s not too late to register for the PSMLA Conference which will be held in Erie this year. Come join us at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie and earn hours toward Act 48. This year’s theme is Languages: The Flagship to Opportunities. The conference begins on Thursday with a Pre-Conference Workshop: “Using Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA) to Improve Instruction and Learning” conducted by Dr. Bonnie Adair-Hauck. Check out the website to view the Schedule of Sessions which will detail all the available topics and presenters at this year’s conference. When you book your hotel, be sure to give the code PSMLA. Visit the new PSMLA website at psmla.org to learn more and to register for the conference and the optional winery tour.
PSMLA 2017 PEP Awards Application
The PSMLA Exemplary Program (PEP) Awards have been given out since 2005 to identify and promote exemplary PA high school foreign language programs. The 2017 application can now be found at http://www.psmla.net/pep-awards. PEP is not a competition. Awards are given to schools that apply and provide evidence that they meet PEP criteria. The application includes 11 indicators and the PEP Rubric (which may also be used as blueprints by school districts that wish to improve their programs). The website also offers additional support information for first-time applicants. Applications are due February 11, 2017. PSMLA has mailed a letter to all PA school superintendents advising them about the PEP Award program. A copy of the letter can be found on the PEP Awards web page. In addition, superintendents received information about the new PSMLA Global Scholars initiative -- http://www.psmla.net/global-scholars.
Please feel free to contact the PEP Co-Chairs if you have any questions or concerns.
Mina Levenson at mina.levenson@gmail.com
Thekla Fall at thekla.fall@gmail.com
Thekla’s PEP hotline at 412-973-9374
PSMLA and MLAPV (Modern Language Association Philadelphia and Vicinity) invite you to attend the workshop: Developing Language Performance through IPA: Guiding Learning with Effective Instruction and Assessment on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. In this workshop, Francis John Troyan will design assessments for a unit of instruction to develop learners’ performance in: Interpersonal Mode of Communication, Interpretive Mode of Communication and Presentational Mode of Communication. This is a follow up of practical information to the spring conference. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.mlapv.org/Conference-Info.html. The deadline to pre-register is October 15, 2016. Act 48 hours available for PSMLA members only.
Cultural Event
"Brillarás" Concert by Emir Sensini - Western Pennsylvania
Jeannette Senior High School invites you and your Spanish students to attend "Brillarás" a concert performed by singer Emir Sensini. See below for details.
Date: April 20, 2017
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM plus 30 minutes for autographs
School: Jeannette Senior High School
Address: 800 Florida Ave, Jeannette PA 15644
To learn more, follow this link. http://www.justolamasgroup.com/ To make your tentative reservation, visit http://www.justolamasgroup.com/reservation_form.php . If you have any questions about the concert or would like suggestions on how to incorporate the music in your classroom, email Janeen Bost at janeen.bost@wiu.k12.pa.us.
Job Openings
Wyalusing Valley High School (Wilkes-Barre Area)
The WVHS has an opening for a Spanish teacher. Appropriate PA Certification is required. Questions should be directed to Mr. Gary Otis, WVHS Principal at gotis@wyalusingrams.com. Applications will be reviewed and considered until the position is filled. Please see the Human Resources page on the district website for application packet requirements. Applications should be mailed to Wyalusing Area School District, Superintendent's Office, Attn: Mrs. Kathy Trowbridge, 42 Main St. PO Box 157, Wyalusing, PA 18853.