Pennsylvania Department of Education

01/01/2021

Happy New Year 2020

🎉 Happy New Year! 🥳

12/31/2020

A Look Back At 2020

During a year like no other, educators + school staff found innovative ways to stay connected to students to ensure they continued to learn, feel supported, have access to food, and so much more. 💕

✨THANK YOU!✨

You're appreciated more than words could ever say.

12/30/2020

11-year-old Willow Grove girl starts baking business during pandemic

London is in fifth grade in the Upper Moreland Township School District, loves math, and plans to go to Lincoln University of PA.

She also recently started her own business making cakes on the weekends, and gives part of the proceeds to the Gift of Life Donor Program.

We're #PAproud of and inspired by you, London!

Many people picked up new skills during this pandemic, inspired by the time at home. A Willow Grove, Pennsylvania fifth-grader took it to the next level and started her own business this year.

12/30/2020

Winter Break Activities to Keep Kids Engaged - PBS Wisconsin

🔎 Looking for a few engaging games + crafts + activities for kids during winter break?

Look no further! 🤩

Check out these ideas from our friends at PBS 👇

Are the kiddos in your life on winter break from school this week? Keep them engaged and having fun with...

12/30/2020

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Educators: be sure to explore Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Teacher’s Toolkit for a variety of virtual #PAFarmShow-themed learning opportunities and activities:https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Toolkit.pdf

👀 Have you checked out the schedule for the virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show yet?

Learn to make a perfect mushroom crostata or hydroponics at home, tune-in to lively discussions featuring producers from our leading industry or learn about the history of the annual Show that is a staple for so many Pennsylvanians.

A show like no other, with boundless opportunities to cultivate a brighter tomorrow.

#PAFS21

12/30/2020

From beaded snowflake crafts to growth mindset charts to a hovercraft STEM activity to quotable quotes and more, find ideas and inspiration on our Pinterest page: pinterest.com/PADeptOfEd 📌

12/29/2020

Oxford students and staff brighten holidays for others | Chester County Press

Thank you for supporting and making a difference in your community, Oxford Area School District! 💕

Students in a variety of different groups worked to make the holidays brighter for others

12/29/2020

Resources for School Communities During COVID-19

💻 education.pa.gov/COVID19 = where you can find the resources and tools we distribute to schools to support and inform their local efforts during #COVID19.

Guidance and resources to support and help protect school communities.

12/29/2020

Pa. Department of Education reminds schools of available mental health resources

ICYMI: we offer a variety of resources and tools to help people combat stress, create positive learning climates, talk to children about #COVID19, and much more.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the state Department of Education reminds Pennsylvania’s school communities of the mental health resources readily available during the holiday season.

12/28/2020

SRU piloting a program with PA Department of Aging to help socially isolated older adults

#PAproud of this important and impactful program recently launched by our colleagues at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Slippery Rock University!

A new pilot program launched by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging in partnership with Slippery Rock University is addressing social isolation of older adults in Butler and Mercer counties. During the 2020-21 academic year, nearly 100 SRU students in recreational therapy and gerontology classes ar...

12/28/2020

Equitable Practices Hub

🆕: we recently added more resources and tools to our Equity Hub!

Explore everything it has to offer ⤵️

A coherent collection of resources that an educational community may use in promoting intentional equity in their communities.

12/28/2020

Our Favorite Online Timers To Keep Learning on Track

Timers can be a valuable tool for your physical + virtual classroom. ⏲️

From Baby Yoda to a creative cat to a live aquarium and more, WeAreTeachers rounded up 2⃣5⃣ fun online timers for you to try. 👇

Ready, set, go!

12/27/2020

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources and Supports

It's important to take care of yourself physically and mentally – your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Explore our carefully curated collection of mental health and well-being resources and supports: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Education-Details.aspx?newsid=1014

12/26/2020

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

Since 2014, the 'What's So Cool About Manufacturing" program has showcased real manufacturing careers & increased awareness about the opportunities available to Pennsylvania students.⚙️ Now a new video library consisting of over 800 videos can help continue those efforts + make connections in our new virtual world.🎥

Learn more ➡️ http://ow.ly/PlwV50CS7Y9

12/25/2020

Did you know there are two places in the United States named Santa Claus? 🎅

1⃣. Santa Claus, Indiana
2⃣. Santa Claus, Georgia

More holiday-themed fun facts from the U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/resources/fun-facts/holiday-season.html

12/24/2020

Dear educators,

A few important reminders:
💤 make time to rest + recharge
🎉 celebrate + share success
💬 stay connected with family + friends

You make a difference - every single day - and we're #PAproud of you.

❤️,
PDE

12/23/2020

Pennsylvania Urges Colleges to Delay Bringing Students Back

We join the Pennsylvania Department of Health in urging Pennsylvania's colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions to use virtual instruction to the maximum extent feasible + delay students' return to campus.

Pennsylvania acting secretary of education Noe Ortega has urged colleges to delay the start of their spring semesters to February, as some colleges are already doing. “We are seeing an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and these trends are expected to worsen in January at t...

12/23/2020

The #PAFarmShow's virtual panels, activities, and interactive sessions will provide a variety of educational experiences for learners of all ages!

Learn more about these opportunities (and be sure to explore the Teachers Toolkit for additional resources). ⤵️

🍎 Calling all teachers!

The virtual #PAFarmShow has learning opportunities for your virtual classroom! Prepare to immerse your students in agriculture with ready-made K-12 programming to meet academic requirements for environment and ecology or family and consumer sciences.

🏠 Send your students on a plant hunt in their own home,
🧈 Learn how to make butter,
🌱 Grow plants from food scraps,
💼 Expose soon-to-be graduates to a world of career opportunities, and much more!

📚 Check out our Teacher's Toolkit: https://bit.ly/37Jmcsv

Cc: Pennsylvania Department of Education #PAFS21

12/23/2020

Need to renew an existing clearance?

📅 The December 31 deadline is quickly approaching!

More info + resources: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1011

12/22/2020

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources for School Communities

High levels of stress can impact the way you think, learn, feel, and act.

It's important to take care of yourself and cope with emotions in a healthy way.

Learn more about our collection of mental health and well-being resources for school communities: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Education-Details.aspx?newsid=1014

12/22/2020

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph…all cleared for take-off!

Today, Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill announced that nine North Pole reindeer have been cleared to cross state lines for the purpose of toy delivery on December 24 in all 67 counties.

Santa was issued a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permit to Ship on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such certificates are required to ensure animals aren’t carrying diseases across state lines. In Pennsylvania, we care about the health of all animals…even those with red noses and the magical ability to fly.

12/22/2020

Self-Care Resources

Self-care involves any action during the day that helps maintain a feeling of calm, balance, and wellness.

Explore our self-care resources for individuals and school communities. 👇

When high levels of stress are present, it’s important to find ways to engage in self-care at individual and systems levels.

12/21/2020

Education Department To Begin Issuing Computer Science Certification - MyChesCo

💻 Interested in becoming a certified computer science teacher?

🆕 You can now complete a program that leads to Computer Science 7-12 certification (certified educators can add-on this certification by test and application)!

#CSinPA

HARRISBURG, PA — The Department of Education has announced the availability of the Computer Science Certification Test for educators seeking to become certified computer science instructors for grades 7-12. “More …

12/21/2020

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Jupiter 🤝 Saturn

It's been nearly 400 years since these two giant planets appeared so close together in the night sky! We've collaborated with Google to share science & info on how to observe this Great Conjunction: https://go.nasa.gov/37C4oiI

12/21/2020

Resources for School Communities During COVID-19

💻 education.pa.gov/COVID19 = where you can find the resources and tools we’ve created + compiled + distributed to schools to support and inform their local efforts to navigate #COVID19 throughout the school year.

Guidance and resources to support and help protect school communities.

12/21/2020

Winter Solstice 2020

❄️ Today is the #FirstDayOfWinter a.k.a. the #WinterSolstice = the day of the year with the fewest hours of sunlight. ☀️

12/18/2020

Governor Tom Wolf

Governor Tom Wolf

No Pennsylvanian should go hungry.

Food help is available for those who need it, including:

🛒 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): on.pa.gov/3d03Zq3

🎒 National School Lunch Program: on.pa.gov/32Fyiiy

🤰Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC): pawic.com

🍎 Feeding PA: feedingpa.org

🍞 Hunger-Free PA: hungerfreepa.org

🥫 Food Banks: https://on.pa.gov/3ct4k4K

🐾 Pet pantries: https://on.pa.gov/33xATwc

Find more resources ⬇

12/18/2020

Equitable Practices Hub

Our Equitable Practices Hub is filled with tools and resources to support your equity journey. Explore everything it has to offer 👇

A coherent collection of resources that an educational community may use in promoting intentional equity in their communities.

12/17/2020

Resource reminder: we offer dozens of themed backgrounds for your virtual meetings! 💻

Explore our entire collection: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQ5pqQj

Check out some of our newest additions ⤵

12/17/2020

State leaders ‘strongly encourage’ Pa. colleges to delay bringing students back to campus

State leaders ‘strongly encourage’ Pa. colleges to delay bringing students back to campus

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is “strongly encouraging” colleges and universities in the state to consider delaying bringing students back to campus.

12/17/2020

Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do! 💕

#ThankfulThursday

12/17/2020

❄️ #ThursdayThoughts ❄️

12/16/2020

Mental Health and Well-Being

Reminder: a carefully curated collection of resources + tools is available on our website to help individuals cope with stress, create positive learning climates, talk to children about #COVID19, and much more.

Tools, information, and resources to support individual, family, and school community mental health and well-being.

12/16/2020

Pennsylvania Department of Health

When you go outside to shovel or play in the snow, protect yourself and your family from cold-related illness, like frostbite and hypothermia, by wearing several layers of clothing, hat, gloves, scarf, warm socks and boots.

12/16/2020

Did You Know This About Snow?

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