MN Business Educators Spring Conference

The Minnesota Business Educators are holding their annual spring conference at Normandale Community College on April 14. Please view the registration information and tentative schedule on the MBEI website http://www.mbei-online.org/. This conference has a technology focus and will be taking a Programs of Study approach in the context of technology. Attendance of teams of secondary and post secondary teachers that are working on a POS in business in their Perkins consortium is encouraged.

CTE Program Approval

Districts interested in getting their CTE programs approved by the Minnesota Department of Education may access the necessary forms at http://www.lifetimeoflearning.com/CarlPerkins.htm. This process allows schools to access Carl Perkins and Career Technical Levy funds for their district. To be eligible for Carl Perkins and CTE Levy funds, programs must have their forms turned into to the MDE office by December 1, 2009. But, it is the goal of the Minnesota West Consortium to have all programs approved by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

Technical Skills Challenge

Reminder: Register your students for the 7th Annual Technical Skills Challenge. Early bird regitration is Friday, April 3. Competitions guidelines can be found at www.lifetimeoflearning.com.

SMSU Health Careers Day

Southwest Minnesota State University will be hosting Health Careers Day on Wednesday, April 1 with speakers from a variety of health professions presenting talks about their professions from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Students will hear presentations given by the following health care professionals:
Physical Therapist, Physician, Physician Assistant, Dentist, Emergency Medical Tech/Paramedic, Chiropractor, Nurse, Veterinarian, Medical/Radiologic Technologist, Pharmacist, Dental Hygienist, Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist

Each presentation will be approximately 20 minutes long, followed with a 10 minute general question and answer period. Then students may move to a reception room to informally talk with the presenter, if they wish.

If you are interested in bringing a group to “Health Careers Day,” please call 1-800-642-0684. Seats are limited, so please respond ASAP. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

Emerging Renewable Energy Program Training (EREPT)

This program is sponsored by a grant to provide talent development for the youth of southwestern Minnesota for emerging green jobs of the future. Agriculture, Math, Science and Technology teachers of grades 10 – 12 can participate for two weeks each Summer of 2009 & 2010 in an intensive training in emerging and existing renewable energy technology, using a proven curriculum provided by Communities for Responsible Energy/Environment Demonstration (CREED.)
• Free tuition
• Free room and board (except evening meal) dorm style with shared kitchen facilities
• Scholarships for Graduate credits ‐ $650 per summer for those taking the whole program
• 12 credits of graduate education credits through the education department at SMSU (6 each summer)
• Assistance throughout the 2009 – 2010 school year to integrate the new curriculum to meet standards
• Free training units from NEED (National Energy Education Development) for the first 15 schools to register for the program.

Registration fee of $25 holds your place in the program
To register, go to the SW/WC Service Cooperative website at www.swsc.org, registration deadline is March 31st.
Priority given to Minnesota West Perkins Consortium Members
Questions? Call John Joosten at 1‐800‐657‐3247