The U.S. Department of Education recently announced dates and locations for a series of regional workshops taking place this summer about best practices in elementary and secondary education. The topics to be covered in these workshops revolve around the American Competitiveness Initiative, with a heavy focus on math and science education.

There aren't any workshops planned in Chicago, but several will be held throughout the Midwest:

• June 20-21 St. Paul, Minnesota: General topics (K-8)
• June 22-23, Dayton, Ohio: Math and History (K-8)
• Aug. 10-11, Dearborn, Michigan: Workshop for Reading and ESL Teachers (K-12)

For more information or to see a full list of dates and locations, visit the Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/04/04172006.html.

There are only a few weeks left to this semester, and that means that there are only a few more weeks to check out all the great new stuff in the STEP=UP resource library!

The library has gotten a major facelift this spring, with a new layout and new organization, and a wealth of new materials - including reference books, activity kits, strategy guides and more. No matter your students' age or needs, there's something for you in the STEP=UP resource library.

Click here for pictures and descriptions of just a few of the great new materials we've added this semester.

The library is open Monday-Thursday, from 3:30pm to 4:45pm. Just stop in to room 3412 or 3432 to be let in. If you'd like to reserve materials ahead of time or recommend new materials that the library should acquire, please email the librarian at stepuplibrary@yahoo.com.