Join us for a transformative professional development experience! MCEE Educator Certification: High School Economics is a week-long workshop designed for Minnesota certified teachers who are new (or new-ish) to teaching high school economics. This unique professional development blends engaging content, hands-on experiences, and exclusive networking opportunities to ensure that teachers leave ready and equipped to teach high school economics. Click Here for More Information
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Go to 2024 State Conference tab for more information.
Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Science
Announces
Special Administration of AAFCS Professional Certification Exams
WHO: Professionals who have a baccalaureate degree in any major or a university student within one year of graduation
WHEN: Friday, March 1, 2024
WHERE: Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN
REGISTRATION: Fee is $95 for this paper-and-pencil exam.
Registration opens February 1, 2024, and closes February 12, 2024.
Link to Online Test Registration Form: Click HERE to register
Individuals will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS to register – membership not required
All four exams can be administered during one testing date and time, but the participant can only take one of the exams at that time.
The AAFCS offers four gold-standard, competency-based assessments that are linked to AAFCS professional credentials
FCS Composite (CFCS- Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences)
HDFS (CFCS-HDFS- Certified in Human Development and Family Studies)
PFFE (CPFFE- Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator)
NEW (CNWE-Certified Nutrition and Wellness Educator)
HOW DOES A PROFESSIONAL EARN AND MAINTAIN AN AAFCS CREDENTIAL?
-Hold a baccalaureate degree in any major.
-Pass the competency exam associated with the credential (score at least 240 of 300).
-Meet fee and professional development requirements.
-Ascribe to the Professional Code of Ethics.
Learn more about AAFCS professional credentials:
www.aafcs.org/credentialing-center/professional-certifications
For more information about the sponsored administration, please contact:
MAFCS 2024 State Conference Committee: Cherry Cramer, cramercherry@gmail.com
2024 MAFCS TOY, NEW ACHIEVER, AWARDS, BEST PRACTICE GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, HUGS/NPS DEADLINES EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 18, 2023!
2024 MAFCS Awards- Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Scholarships- Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Best Practice Grants- Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 Friend of MAFCS - Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS HUGS Support- Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS NPS Support- Deadline extended to December 18, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Teacher of the Year -Applications Closed for 2024. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS New Achiever- Applications are closed for 2024. For Application CLICK HERE
Family and Consumer Sciences will be the featured education program at the Education Minnesota booth on August 25th. MAFCS members will be visiting with the attendees highlighting the FCS profession and classes in education. See you there!
MAFCS Teacher Jill Hanson has been chosen as a 2023 AAFCS Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist. Jill will represent Minnesota at the 2023 AAFCS Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD in June. Congratulations Jill!
2024 MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Deadline September 25, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS NEW ACHIEVER- Deadline October 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Awards - Deadline December 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Best Practice Grant - Deadline December 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 MAFCS Scholarships- Deadline December 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 HUGS Support- Deadline December 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
2024 NPS Application- Deadline December 1, 2023. For Application CLICK HERE
MAFCS at The State Fair
VISIT MAFCS at the Education Minnesota State Fair Booth. On August 25th, we have a booth at the State Fair to showcase MAFCS and need volunteers to work. The booth is open from 9am-9pm. MAFCS members will be highlighting the FCS profession and FCS education programs in Minnesota. See you there!
Contact Mia Battistone for more information at mia.battistone@district196.org
New Standards for Personal Financial Education are Released
MAFCS PUBLIC POLICY is pleased to announce that Jump$tart and the Council for Economic Education have collaborated on a single, unified set of standards that will guide educators, curriculum writers, policymakers, and other financial education stakeholders across the country to promote effective, comprehensive financial education for K-12 students.
The new national Standards reflect the evolution of financial services, current approaches to financial education, and a more intentional inclusiveness of all users. MAFCS passed a resolution on Financial Literacy in 2020; work with legislators is an on-going endeavor. Please review the New Standards link in the PDF file that can be accessed here https://tinyurl.com/4xtzpcht .
Congratulations to Gretchen Lee, the 2022 Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences teacher of the year!
Gretchen teaches FCS in Badger, ISD #676. She received her secondary education degree with a BA from Central Michigan University. Upon moving to Minnesota, she earned her BS degree for Family and Consumer Sciences from North Dakota State University. Gretchen says being a teacher is her dream job! She believes in respect, rigor, and rapport with her students. Along with teaching FCS, she has an active FCCLA chapter, is the Student Council Adviser, she co-teaches the night -time Early Childhood Family Education program and belongs to the Pine to Prairie Career and Technical Consortium. She’s a member of the school’s Student Assistance Team and Wellness Committee. In 2016, Gretchen received the Kramer Brown Teacher Recognition Award as an exemplary teacher educator. Her superintendent/principal shared that Gretchen’s diverse work and life experiences has enhanced the students learning at their school. Gretchen has strong connections with students, colleagues, and community member!
To read more about her award, please visit our website.
April 15 the MN ProStart Invitational was held at Grandview Lodge in Nisswa. The Sauk Rapids-Rice Culinary and Management Teams represented SRRHS with great professionalism and pride. The results are that SRRHS won back to back state championships in Culinary and in Management.
The team also won "The Essence of Taste" and "Teamwork" Award.
Samah Tariq won a knife kit for the best knife skills in the competition.
Members of this year's team are: Eli Rudnick, Samah Tariq, Chelsey Vogel, Noah Rosenberger, Faith Munson and Kavan Gaullete.
Submitted by Mary Levinski
This week both the House and Senate advanced their respective education omnibus appropriations bills – HF1065 and SF960. HF1065 was heard in the House Tax Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee and will be voted on by the full House on Monday, April 19. SF960 advanced out of Senate Tax committee but is awaiting review by the Senate Finance committee before being voted on by the full Senate sometime next week. Then the conference committee process begins.
Bill summaries
Below are summaries of the House and Senate education omnibus bills as well as education related provisions in other bills.
Senate advances bill directing use of federal funds
On Friday, the Senate Finance Committee discussed a bill outlining their priorities for the use of federal funding Minnesota is expected to receive under the portion of the American Rescue Plan. Minnesota will receive $2.57 billion allocation as part of the State Fiscal Relief Fund and has discretion on the use of these funds.
The proposal directs funding for a number of areas included K12 education -- $100 million is appropriated to address the special education cross subsidy.
MN Management and Budget (MMB) cautioned on moving too quickly and indicated some of the uses outlined in the bill may not be allowed. MMB is still waiting for guidance from the federal government on the use of these funds and asked for a slowing down in advancing this legislation. The House is unlikely to advance a similar proposal but expect overall negotiations on the state budget to include discussion on the use of these federal funds.
The committee did not act on the bill but likely will in the coming weeks.
Next steps
We will be sending a call to action about final negotiations on the education finance bill. We are letting the work of the legislature progress right now and will let you know the right time to engage on funding priorities and which members we need you to reach out to. In the meantime, please do the following:
Thank Rep. Jim Davnie (rep.jim.davnie@house.mn) for the strong support and funding in the House bill.
Communicate with your local legislators to let them know how the funding proposals in each bill would impact your school district.
The MAFCS, TCHC, and FCSP Joint Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 8th via Zoom. Plan to attend this stimulating and educational professional development opportunity. We are excited to have Dr. Julie Jones and Dr. Sujaya Rao as our guest speakers for the evening. PDU and CEU credits will be offered.
As a 2020-21 FACS member, attending is a membership benefit and complimentary. Invite colleagues or friends that would find the presentations interesting and the Joint Food Insecurity Project inspirational. Guest attendance is complimentary.
A zoom link for the meeting will be sent out to all members on Tuesday, April 6th.
Schedule
4:35 - 4:45 pm Sign into Zoom
4:45 - 4:55 pm Summary of FCS Action Minnesota Food Insecurity Project
4:55 - 5:00 pm 2021 MAFCS Outstanding Service Award Presentation
5:00 - 6:00 pm Julie Jones, Just the Facts, Ma’am - Food Fictions, Frauds, Factoids, Fallacies, and Fake News
6:00 - 6:10 pm Stretch break and time to grab a beverage or snack
6:10 - 6:15 pm Introduction of organizations
6:15 - 7:15 pm Sujaya Rao, Edible Insects: Food Security, Environmental Stewardship, Business Opportunities
7:15 pm Acknowledgements and Announcements
The members of MAFCS, TCHC and FCSP are working together to make a great impact across our state from the Twin Cities area to International Falls. Becky Bergmann, a member of all three organizations, shares this update:
It started with an idea and a bucket and grew to over 50 pounds of food and supplies for a family. Three organizations came together for a common cause – food insecurity. And, thanks to everyone in these professional groups, it has, so far, been a resounding success.
Spearheaded by three presidents, MAFCS, TCHC, AND FCSP developed a project, FCS Action, to help families in three areas of the state. Though the goal has been to get food into the hands of those that most desperately need it, as professionals in human ecology, they wanted to give more. Food shelf sources said education was needed as well as recipes for guidance. It was impossible to do in-person demonstrations due to COVID, so resources were collected, recipes developed and printed in a book, as well as handouts with pictures, and a booklet called “Power Up Supper Recipes and Nutrition.” A video was also produced that featured two FACS teachers demonstrating the recipes. A link was sent to each family for viewing.
On January 30th, members for all three organizations, arrived in Monticello and organized and boxed up foods and supplies for 25 families. The Help Center of Monticello hosted us and gave quite a few additional items for our project. In FCS fashion everyone got right to work getting organized and systematically putting the items together. I think some moved at the speed of light. By the time we were finished we had a CUB box and grocery bag brimming with foods, the bucket (also filled), and a gallon of milk for each recipient. All of us were masked up and did practice social distancing.
For the Monticello portion of this project, a survey was taken, sponsored by the American Heart Association. They provided grant money to help in this project also. All recipients stayed in their cars and our members came to them. Thankfully it was a really pleasant morning outside. Karen Smith and Kathy Norquist problem solved along the way, especially when a few families didn’t show up. All the food was given out by the end of the morning.
On February 20th, the families had a second opportunity to receive food and supplies. The Heart Association wanted portions of the survey repeated as a follow-up. We also provided an incentive for each family. They got a CUB gift card to go with new recipes and over 60 pounds of food.
The stories and hardships of these families are invisible until you get to be there 1:1. It helped me get a better understanding of the many faces of food insecurity. And then to think that this is one small community in one state in one country. It feels overwhelming. But I was so happy that I was able to participate in this project and that our members were reaching out in any way that they could.
Thank you so much to Karen Smith, Kathy Norquist and Lois Lewis for their leadership and hard work in this collaboration. A special thank you goes to Lars Carlson of the Monticello Help Center, Maree Smith for acting as interpreter for the Spanish speaking families, as well as Karen’s and Kathy’s husbands for their help in packing, loading, and delivering the items.
Join Us for ACTE's Virtual National Policy Seminar Orientation
All welcome: free to registered attendees & to those considering attending
Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Career and technical education (CTE) professionals will have the opportunity to engage virtually on key education policy topics, hear best practices for influencing federal policy related to CTE advocacy and messaging, and participate in virtual Capitol Hill and school visits during ACTE's virtual National Policy Seminar (NPS), happening the week of Feb. 22. ACTE's culminating awareness-building event of this year's CTE Month®, NPS will feature a discussion of the new Administration's priorities.
For a sneak preview of NPS, ACTE invites both registered attendees and anyone wishing to learn more about the event to join us for a virtual orientation on Feb. 8, 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET. During this live webinar, which will also be recorded and made available for viewing at your convenience, ACTE's public policy staff will cover everything you need to know to make the most of your participation in this year’s virtual event, including:
An overview of the event agenda and speakers
How to navigate the NPS attendee website and use the materials included to prepare for the event
The process of scheduling virtual “Hill” meetings with your federal policymakers
Tips for conducting virtual meetings and other basic advocacy strategies
There will also be plenty of time for Q and A and discussion, so we hope you can join us!
Join Zoom Meeting on Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 949 8132 0225
Passcode: NPS2021
One tap mobile
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Dial by your location
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+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Celebrate CTE Month
Join us this month to spread awareness about the importance of CTE for our students and our nation’s economy with some of these outreach opportunities:
Share our social media messages on ACTE's Twitter or Facebook or share your own success stories on social media using #CTEMonth.
Learn more about the esteemed Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) by visiting our CTSO Showcase. CTSOs offer students innovative programming, authentic leadership experiences and business and community opportunities at the school, state and national levels.
Gear up with festive CTE Month merchandise to show your support for CTE.
Encourage your students to participate in the CTE Month-NASA HUNCH student video challenge, “Advancing Space Exploration Through Manufacturing.”
Download the CTE Month logo for use with any of your print and digital outreach.
FCS Division Members,
December was a blur with ACTE's Virtual VISION and then the holidays. I hope you had some time to reconnect with your family and get some rest! I have a few specific items for you regarding FCS and then several for the general ACTE community. Please take care of yourself and best wishes for a wonderful spring semester.
Celebrate CTE in February
Don’t forget that February is CTE Month, and the second week of February is FCCLA week and the Wednesday of that week is FCS Ed Day! Please take the time to visit www.fcsed.net to find resources for this week and encourage your students to start the path to become an FCS teacher.
Baking Just Got Better
Have you checked out the resources from the Home Baking Association? This organization is an active friend to FCS and part of the Alliance for FCS. They not only provide resources regarding “home” baking but also for careers surrounding the activity.
ACTE has designed special Zoom meeting virtual backgrounds for each ACTE division and region. Note the new FCS Division logo that aligns with the FCS national brand! Click the image to download yours today!
ACTE Announces Board of Directors 2021 Election Results
ACTE is pleased to announce the results of the recent election for several spots on its Board of Directors. The election was open to ACTE’s membership of roughly 25,000 educators, administrators and other career and technical education (CTE) professionals. The following members were elected:
Scott Stone, President-elect
Shani Watkins, Region V Vice President
Robert Torres, Agricultural Education Division Vice President
Holly Strand-Rysgaard, Health Science Education Division Vice President
Beth Parks, Region II Vice President-elect
Brandon Russell, Region III Vice President-elect
Susan Leon, New and Related Services Division Vice President-elect
Influence CTE Federal Policy Priorities at NPS!
Voice your CTE needs to help shape education policy priorities under the new administration, learn about strategies for influencing federal policy related to CTE advocacy and messaging, and participate in virtual Capitol Hill and school visits. Happening the week of Feb. 22, in concert with your CTE Month awareness-building activities, ACTE’s virtual National Policy Seminar 2021 will feature an official welcome from the new administration.
Missed Virtual VISION 2020?
ACTE’s CareerTech Virtual VISION 2020 featured live keynote presentations and hundreds of sessions, covering CTE innovations, timely topics and specific CTE subject-matter areas. Conference materials and sessions are now available for 24/7 on-demand viewing at your convenience at regular attendee rates. Enjoy premier professional development via full access to all Virtual VISION sessions! Register now
Mark your calendars for VISION 2021, a hybrid event with programming available online and on-site, Dec. 1–4 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Call for presentation proposals will open in February.
New CTE Learning Webinar Series
Beginning this month, join us as we showcase some of the best professional learning opportunities for CTE personnel. Each free webinar is 30 minutes and will feature experts covering topics, such as professional learning communities, developing employability skills in CTE and more.
Raise Awareness for CTE
Join us in February to celebrate and spread awareness about the importance of CTE for our students and our nation’s economy with several outreach opportunities:
Encourage your students to participate in this year’s CTE Month-NASA HUNCH student video challenge, “Advancing Space Exploration Through Manufacturing.” The deadline to submit videos is April 1.
Share our social media messages all month long or your own success stories on social media via #CTEMonth.
Gear up with festive CTE Month merchandise at shopacte.com to show your support for CTE.
Advocate for CTE — use ACTE tools to assist you in your advocacy activities, keep you informed and promote ongoing support for CTE.
Download the CTE Month logo for use with any of your print and digital outreach.
New Hybrid Work-based Learning Conference
Learn about best practices in work-based learning from across the country at ACTE’s National & Iowa’s Annual Hybrid Work-based Learning Conference, which will offer on-site and online programming. Interested in presenting? Submit your presentation proposal by Feb. 5 for consideration.
Apply for ACTE’s Achieve 100 Award
Showcase your institution's dedication and commitment to CTE! Schools and institutions that achieve 100% ACTE membership across their CTE staff and faculty will receive this distinguished award. Complete the online application by Feb. 1 to participate and recognize your educators!
