Volume 16, Issue 3

January 18, 2022

Agency of Education and State of Vermont Updates
Courtesy Posts

Agency of Education and State of Vermont Updates

This section of the Weekly Field Memo contains posts from the Agency of Education and other State of Vermont agencies that are not specifically related to the COVID-19 response.

Behavioral Threat Assessment Training – March 16, 2022

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
The Vermont School Safety Center is pleased to announce a free 8-hour virtual Behavioral Threat Assessment training scheduled for March 16, 2022. This training is designed to prevent active shooter incidents, stalking and other targeted violence in our schools and school districts. Registration is now open. Visit the registration page to sign up.
Contact: Robert L. Evans, VT School Safety Liaison Officer, at revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448

Poster Contest for High School Students: Organ Donation

Audience: High School Art Teachers
High school students are invited to submit an original poster to show support for organ and tissue donation. Winners will receive Amazon gift cards. The teacher with the most submissions will receive a gift card for classroom materials. The Donate Life Vermont High School Student Poster Contest is sponsored by New England Donor Services. View the contest details on this flyer.
Contact: Amy Tatko at amy.tatko@vermont.gov

Mathematics in Vermont: The Newsletter for Vermont’s Mathematics Educators and Supporters

Audience: PreK-12 Mathematics Teachers, Coaches, Interventionists
The latest issue of the Mathematics newsletter, Mathematics in Vermont, is now available to read on the Agency of Education’s Mathematics webpage. In this newsletter you will find information on providing Number Talks (or similarly related routines) in the secondary classroom, differentiating lessons for challenge in kindergarten, upcoming professional learning opportunities, and Smarter Balanced resources.
Contact: Ryan Parkman at ryan.parkman@vermont.gov

Teacher and Student Resources in the Social Studies

Audience: Administrators, Curriculum Directors, Educators, Students
The Agency of Education Social Studies page has been updated with student and educator resources. Social studies-focused student competitions taking place over the next few months are highlighted. Also shared are professional development opportunities for educators, including sessions in Vermont, as well as opportunities which can be accessed virtually and sessions taking place during the summer. Links to resources focused on teaching media literacy, civics, financial literacy, Vermont history and global perspectives are provided.
Contact: Martha Deiss at Martha.Deiss@vermont.gov

Statewide Summative Assessment Training Resource Available

Audience: District Test Administrators, School Coordinators for Statewide Summative Assessments
Training of school coordinators (SC) and test administrators (TA) must take place before testing begins in your Supervisory Union or school. Please see the SC training log and TA training log for a list of topics that should be covered during trainings. SU’s and schools may use this training PowerPoint to train School Coordinators and anyone administering tests. Training can take place any time before testing starts. District Test Administrators should ensure their training of SCs allows ample time for SCs to train TAs. Please note: Anyone administering an assessment of ELA, Math or Science must complete the TA Certification on the VTCAP Portal and read test manuals in addition to attending training facilitated by the SC.
Contact: Amanda Gorham at amanda.gorham@vermont.gov

Vermont PBS: January Resources to Welcome the New Year

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, PreK-12 Teachers
The Vermont Agency of Education has updated our Vermont PBS webpage for January 2022. This month, strengthen students’ media literacy skills with activities and resources to help students think critically, communicate effectively and engage as active citizens. Other topics of interest include finding common ground through guided discussion, free learning games and podcasts, understanding race and racism, and examining identity. We will continue to update this webpage monthly, so check back often to find new featured resources related to monthly themes and organized by grade band and subject area. Also, visit the Vermont PBS Kids and Education page to find more online and printable resources. To share resources and network with colleagues, join the Vermont PBS Educational Resources group on Edmodo. Activate your Edmodo account and join the VTED Learns community by filling out this form.
Contacts: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel at hduhamel@vermontpbs.org

Courtesy Posts

The views, opinions and resources shared in this section of the WFM are solely those of the original contributors. The Agency of Education does not endorse the views expressed by these contributors and reserves the right to refuse submissions. Questions related to any of these resources should be directed to the organizations, people and opportunities as shared. Please refer to the Weekly Field Memo submission guidelines for additional information.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Friday Appointments with Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) Counselors Still Available

VSAC is offering one-on-one Zoom meetings to help students and families complete the FAFSA. There are only two dates left: Jan. 21 and 28, 2022. Sign up for a free, one-hour session today.
Contact: Chris Barry at barry@vsac.org

Spring Professional Development Course: Tea Gardens & Mindfulness for Educators

Enroll in the Mindfulness to Enhance Science Observation Skills (Spring Tea Project Course). This course is designed for educators who are passionate about science routines for empowerment and mindfulness routines for social, emotional learning. This course is an immersive experience of establishing a perennial herb garden from seed, as well as science mindfulness practice skills. Depart with a curriculum designed to approach these topics in the classroom through theory and practice. Adapted for PreK-8th grade with personal instruction to customize your classroom plan. Learn more about The Tea Project or visit our registration page to register for this course.
Contact: Angie Barger at luna-root@gmail.com or (802) 595-2512

All Learners Network: Intervention for Interventionists and Teachers 5-8

In the workshop, Intervention for Interventionists and Teachers 5-8, Dr. John Tapper will facilitate a workshop that includes: a complete process for assessing intervention need and providing services, templates for using the High Leverage Concepts (HLC's) and Progressions Documents to guide intervention goals, and a variety of student-friendly, effective activities for intervention at each grade level. Visit the event webpage to register.
Contact: TJ Jemison at communicationsdirector@alllearnersnetwork.com

Earn a Teaching License and Master's Degree in One Year

Saint Michael’s College is offering a competitively priced Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program that provides both one and two-year options. It is designed as a fifth-year initial licensure option for undergraduates as well as a stand-alone licensure and master’s degree program for those seeking a career change. Learning opportunities include multiple field placements, diverse opportunities to explore progressive educational practices, a rigorous course sequence and a collaborative cohort model. The program culminates in a transformative capstone experience. The MAT offers initial licensure tracks in art, elementary, middle, secondary and special education with the option of pursuing additional endorsements (such as early childhood education). For licensed teachers, the MAT offers additional endorsements in special education and English language learners. For more information, please see the Saint Michael’s College website.
Contact: Amy Saks Pavese at asakspavese@smcvt.edu or (802) 654-2826 or Claudine Bedell at cbedell@smcvt.edu or (802) 654-2741

Professional Learning: Fundations® Level 2 Workshop

Registration is open for Fundations® Level 2 Workshop, offered on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. This professional learning workshop is offered through the Stern Center for Language and Learning. Fundations® workshops address all five areas of reading instruction with an emphasis on systematic phonics and word structure. Visit the course page to register. Grant funding is available.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at slarkspur@sterncenter.org