NREA Weekly Updates: 2/26/2021

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NREA Resources COVID-19
NREA "The Rural Voice" Podcast Series
Become A Member of NREA Join Online
Apply Today for the 2021-22 National Signature Project Award!
Apply Today for the 2021-22 National Signature Project Award!
The Rural Schools Collaborative is pleased to present the Fourth Annual National Signature Project, a $2,500 grant to an outstanding and innovative classroom project that exemplifies the very best in place-based education. The Fourth Annual National Signature Project award application is now open to any rural classroom teacher in the United States.
Thank you to the National Rural Education Association for co-sponsoring this program. NREA is the nation's oldest rural education organization, and we are honored to partner with them in this effort as part of our Grants in Place Program to support place-based education.
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Rural Libraries to the Rescue: As the Pandemic Weighs Down Reading Scores, the Rural Library Fellowship Aims to ‘Activate’ Local Institutions Around Third Grade Literacy
Rural Libraries to the Rescue: As the Pandemic Weighs Down Reading Scores, the Rural Library Fellowship Aims to ‘Activate’ Local Institutions Around Third Grade Literacy
Three years ago, Darlene Thomas-Burroughs, branch manager of the Hardeeville Library in the rural town of Hardeeville, South Carolina, heard about a new way that library employees could help kids boost their reading scores. Intrigued, she signed up for the seven-month program, offered by Partners for Education at Berea College and the federal Promise Zone program. The series featured monthly webinars and networking opportunities meant to help librarians learn to work with the educational system and build relationships with community members—all with the ultimate goal to improve third-grade reading levels.
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Join colleagues for a national conversation on March 19-20, 2021 hosted by the University of Georgia: Redefining Rural Students’ Success and Wellbeing: An unConference on Practice, Research, and Innovation. This virtual event will feature three keynote speakers discussing the past, present, and future of rural student success in American higher education. After each featured speaker, there will be facilitated discussion/idea rooms for attendees to share best practices, innovative ideas, and research. The unConference will highlight rural students sharing their experiences in higher education as well as a closing panel for summarizing ideas from the event and charting future pathways to support rural students.
For this gathering, we borrow the concept of the unConference from the technology and business worlds and will focus not on formal research presentations but on conversations with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and the community. This will be the University’s inaugural national convening on the status of rural access into and through higher education and support for students once they arrive on campus—one we believe will inspire new considerations on policies and practices for the future of rural student success.
Spaces are limited so please click on the appropriate link below to register. Once you have completed your registration information, you will receive a separate link to pay your registration fee ($100 for non-UGA participants; $90 for UGA employees; free for UGA students).
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A new company in Appalachia is showing us how to defeat the “skills gap” through education
A new company in Appalachia is showing us how to defeat the “skills gap” through education
A new industry in Eastern Kentucky is sending us all an urgent reminder that workforce readiness must be an educational priority.
AppHarvest, a sustainable greenhouse company based in Morehead, made its stock market debut last week. In a state with fewer than 20 publicly traded companies, the innovative agritech corporation looks poised to make an immediate impact on some of the state’s rural communities, and it’s investing in students to do it.
For those unfamiliar with its background, AppHarvest started as a 60-acre indoor farm for fresh, chemical-free produce in Morehead and recently broke ground on new farms in Berea and Richmond. The company’s indoor farming approach means that pesticides and inclement weather are never concerns, so farmers there can yield fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. One eye-catching part of AppHarvest’s approach is piloting container farms in nearby high schools, giving local students access to emerging technologies needed to learn the ropes and eventually take over as the company’s next generation of skilled workers.
It’s a winning combination—students learn valuable work-ready skills, AppHarvest gets to grow and train its own future workforce, and the economies of small towns like Berea and Morehead get a much-needed shot in the arm.
But it’s also a salient reminder that students who don’t have access to these kinds of opportunities—like high-quality STEM education or “work-based” learning experiences during the school day—may be at a real disadvantage when it’s time to join the workforce. It’s called the “skills gap,” and no matter where you look, you can see the writing on the wall.
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Constitution Center Winter Mixer for Rural Schools: Registration Button
Join the Center’s team at this virtual networking reception as we engage in meaningful conversation around the 2020 - 2021 school year and our shared mission to build “A More Perfect Union,” one student at a time. Dr. Kerry Sautner, Chief Learning Officer, and Sarah Harris, Director of Education at the National Constitution Center, will provide methods to strengthen the nation’s civic education work by leveraging access to the Center’s educational resources. This reception is hosted by the National Constitution Center’s education team joined by fellow educators and school leaders from around the country. Join us for a lively conversation and planning session!

Length: 45 minutes on civic education, including Q&A/Discussion
Date/Time: Thursday, March 4 at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET
 
ISTE & Ed Surge Request
ISTE & Ed Surge Request
Calling all PK-12 educators and school/district leaders in the U.S.: EdSurge Research is looking for a diverse group of virtual focus group participants for a research project about how educators respond to and are impacted by education news and resources. If you’re selected, you’ll receive a $100 Amazon gift card for your time. Apply here by March 3rd: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VOCFocusGroupInterest
 
Rural Educator Weekly Spotlight:
We Have Something to Say: Youth Participatory Action Research as a Promising Practice to Address Problems of Practice in Rural Schools
We Have Something to Say: Youth Participatory Action Research as a Promising Practice to Address Problems of Practice in Rural Schools
Darris Means University of Pittsburgh
Sydney Blackmon Hart County High School
Elizabeth Drake Hart County High School
Paris Lawrence University of Georgia
Angel Jackson University of Georgia
Anna Strickland Madison County Chamber of Commerce
Jenay Willis University of Pittsburgh

The purpose of this article is to highlight a critical approach for practice, youth participatory action research, that can be used to invite rural youth to collaborate with school administrators, educators, and community leaders to identify and examine challenges, while building upon the strengths of a school and community to address challenges. Our youth participatory action research project was a collaboration between adult researchers and five students from a rural high school to examine and address postsecondary education access challenges. The adult and student researchers developed and implemented two evidence-based products: (a) a conference and (b) a resource corner in the school library. Student co-researchers demonstrated an increased commitment to the project, development of postsecondary education knowledge, and development as leaders during the project. Our project demonstrates evidence of youth participatory action research being an effective approach to address problems of practice in rural education.
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Rural State Affiliates: A Spotlight on Their Work.
Texas Rural Education Association: TREA School District Members
Texas Rural Education Association: TREA School District Members
In 2020 with the support of our generous sponsors, TREA was able to award $58,000 in scholarships to students from TREA member school districts and recognized them during Summer Conference. TREA districts have some AMAZING students!
The 2021 Scholarship Application is now available online. Who is eligible for a scholarship? Any graduating senior from a TREA member school district who will attend a post-graduate program or is enlisting in the military the following school year. Are there any limits on how many scholarship applications may be submitted by a school district? A school district may submit no more than 3 scholarship applications.
Refer to the scholarship page on our website to view the FAQs regarding the student scholarships. If you are interested in sponsoring a TREA Student Scholarship please email Bill Tarleton. We look forward to celebrating another group of successful TREA students.

Pandemic Impact on Rural Schools
Pandemic Impact on Rural Schools
Whitehall, N.Y. (NEWS10) It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic began, shutting down schools and sending kids home to learn remotely. Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State, David Little, said while there is some hope on the horizon for next year, for now, things mostly remain status quo for rural districts. “We all hoped we’d be in a different spot a year out,” said Little.
He said not only are the majority of students in his district still learning in a hybrid remote model, but internet accessibility is still an issue. He said many families are even driving to their schools and sitting the parking lot just to get wifi.
He said in order for students to return to full in-person learning, the state must relax their social distancing requirements. While teachers are a prioritized population for vaccination, he said the slow rollout and the lack of accessibility are causing more setbacks. “Even the Federal Government is saying we really hope everybody is ready by July. That’s not May, that’s not April, there’s an awful lot of school that is still going to be held under our current format,” said Little. When asked whether he thought the COVID vaccine would be mandated in schools, Little said he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon because it’s so new and could create a liability. He added that experts now say schools have proven to be an environment with low transmission.
Whitehall Superintendent, Patrick Dee, said if the state loosens restrictions, they’re prepared to bring their students back immediately for full-time in-person learning. “In our Junior.Senior high, our student body has been completely remote since the start of the school year as a result of the substantial damage that was done from the storm of August 24th. We do however believe that we will begin bringing back 7th and 8th grade students on March 1st and 9-12th grade students on or about March 15th. Our reconstruction has occurred much quicker than we had anticipated,” said Dee.
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The Indiana Small and Rural Schools
The Indiana Small and Rural Schools
The Indiana Small and Rural School’s Association is proud to announce Bloomfield Jr. Sr. High School Teacher, Julie Evans, as our Indiana Farm Bureau. Rural Teacher of The Year.

Julie will represent Indiana in the National Rural Education Association Teacher of the Year Contest!!
11th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament: July 19th, 2021
11th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament: July 19th, 2021
The Missouri Association of Rural Education will be hosting our 11th Annual MARE Scholarship Golf Tournament on Monday, July 19th at the beautiful Osage National Golf Course in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Over the past three years, with the assistance of our generous sponsors, we have been able to award $82,000.00 in scholarship awards to both graduating HS Seniors and College Juniors/Seniors who have goals of becoming teachers in Missouri rural schools. Our annual golf tournament is our primary fundraiser to support these awards. Linked below this message are the various documents associated with this event including the Golf Tournament Flyer, Registration Form, Sponsorship Form, Letter to Superintendents, and a Letter to Business Partners. If you have questions regarding this event, please reach out directly to me at (660) 747-8050 or by email at ksandlin@moare.com. Help us make this Scholarship Tournament one of the premier summer golf outings for those who support education!
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Idaho Rural Education Association
Idaho Rural Education Association
As the National Rural Education Association’s state affiliate, the Idaho Rural Education Association’s mission is to expand the quality of learning and educational opportunities in Idaho rural schools and communities through innovative solutions, shared resources, collaborative relationships, and the access and application of educational technology.
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Sharing Information From Our Partners and Sponsors:
What’s New with the Nutrition Facts Label
What’s New with the Nutrition Facts Label
Consumer Newsletter
Make informed food choices with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s updated Nutrition Facts label! The updated label can help you make food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits. Some of the changes include updated serving sizes; larger, bolder calories; and updated Daily Values and nutrient listings. Check out the changes at www.fda.gov/NewNutritionFactsLabel.

Health Care Professional Newsletter
Doctors, dietitians, and other Health Care Professionals: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated the Nutrition Facts label. The new label makes it easier for you and your clients to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits. Some of the changes include updated serving size information, Daily Values and nutrient listings, and calories and serving size information appearing in larger, bolder font. Learn about all the changes to the label to help your clients form healthier eating habits: www.fda.gov/NewNutritionFactsLabel.
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REL Southwest Update: Alternative career readiness measures for small and rural districts in Texas
REL Southwest Update: Alternative career readiness measures for small and rural districts in Texas
This study examined the extent to which Texas high school graduates, particularly graduates in small districts and rural districts, met college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) accountability standards. The study also examined whether graduates who did not meet CCMR accountability standards demonstrated career readiness via alternative career readiness options identified by the Texas Education Agency: career and technical education (CTE) completer, CTE concentrator, CTE explorer, CTE participant, and work-based learner. The study further explored whether graduates who did not meet CCMR accountability standards but who met the alternative career readiness options attained similar postsecondary college and career outcomes to graduates who met career readiness accountability standards.
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NREA State Affiliates
NREA Virtual Conference Info
NREA Sponsors & Partners
The Rural Educator
Rural Ed. Instructional Support
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