I’d like to begin this month’s blog post with a note of thanks. In the face of nearly twelve months of exasperating uncertainty and change, school districts have remained nimble, committed, and downright inspiring. So the first thing I want to say to each and every one of you readers is thank you for your tireless service to students and families, no matter what!

 Speaking of incredible service delivery, I have some announcements from our Migrant Services department…

With budding blossoms and songbirds ushering the near arrival of spring, the time to start planning for migrant education summer programming is officially here!

By now, OSPI has notified all eligible districts of available funds for this summer’s MEP programming. With that, NWESD’s Migrant Services team is here for all districts in western Washington to provide comprehensive technical assistance and iGrant support throughout every step of the application and program development process. Especially as we all continue to walk this prickly landscape of unknowns, NWESD’s MEP coordinators are committed to navigating the journey with you and to helping your district and your migrant students get ready for Summer 2021. They’re also brimming with adaptable and flexible practices, models, and ideas to share–from kit-based curriculum and hybrid programs that braid experiential learning, arts integration & science to innovative collaborations with local non-profits that safely get our kids outdoors and learning through adventure.

Lastly, in collaboration with MEP staff representing districts from across western Washington, the NWESD Migrant Services team is cooking up some really exciting plans for our region’s first-ever My Dreams, My Journey Conference! This year, the conference will be offered virtually, May 19th-20th, and is dedicated to uplifting the diverse identities and cultural wealth of our migrant communities. Migrant students from 6th-12th grade (including out-of-school youth) will be invited to attend. Please stay tuned for further details and registration information. 

The entire NWESD MEP is committed to supporting our district partners, so you’re only ever an e-mail or a phone call away from top-notch support–and they mean it when they say there’s never a question too big nor too small. 

For more information about Migrant education summer school planning,
please contact Clint Weckerly, Migrant Academic Coordinator

NWESD Migrant Education Team contact information:

–Ed