Dear Superintendents,

For several months I’ve been reading a blog authored by Mark Schneider, Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). He recently launched a project called Operation Reverse the Loss and his thoughts about how to address pandemic-related learning loss are compelling. Here is his latest blog post. In it, he noted that the OECD estimates that the United States will lose $30 trillion in net present value GDP if COVID-19-related learning losses are not overcome. Our efforts in Wyoming have never mattered more.

Holiday Tidbits

As in the past, WDE asked a Wyoming school to submit one student-created ornament to be displayed as part of the America Celebrates display at the United States White House. This year, an ornament made by a student at Wheatland’s West Elementary was selected. Here is a link to the lighting ceremony, ornaments from across the nation, and the 98 year history of the display.

Also, the United States Census Bureau published  Holiday Season Fun Facts which has a teacher’s guide and activities for every grade.

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Lilah Knight’s ornament was selected and is displayed now at the White House

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Ornaments made by other students at West Elementary in Wheatland

Computer Science Education Week Wrap-up

On Thursday, Governor Gordon proclaimed December 7-13 Computer Science Education Week.

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Computer Science Education proclamation signing by Governor Gordon

Other News

  • President Trump and Vice President Pence held the Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit. Here is a fact sheet about the impending vaccine against COVID-19. Wyoming Representative Landon Brown, who sits on the House Education Committee, attended the summit.
  • The CDC issued an updated COVID-19 Toolkit for K-12 Schools this week.
  • Congressional education leaders hope to reach a deal soon to simplify applying for student aid, a major priority for Lamar Alexander, the chairman of the Senate education committee, who is retiring shortly after the new year. Here is a related article Inside Higher Ed.

Memos to be released today:

  • 2020-184:   Alternative Schedules – Chapter 21 Emergency Rules
  • 2020-185:   DRIVE: Developing Rewarding Integrated Vocational Experiences

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