Volume 16, Issue 37

September 14, 2022

Agency of Education, State of Vermont and Federal Updates
Courtesy Posts

Agency of Education, State of Vermont and Federal Updates

This section of the Weekly Field Memo contains posts from the Agency of Education, other State of Vermont agencies, federal agencies or Vermont's congressional delegation.

Family Engagement Networking Series

Audience: Family Engagement Personnel, Administrators
Please join the AOE Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) Team for a monthly Family Engagement Networking Series. The first Networking Session will be held on Sept. 15, from 1-2 p.m. These are informal monthly one-hour virtual sessions for family engagement colleagues to connect, hear updates, and discuss problems of practice regarding family engagement. Welcoming and Re-engaging Families will be the focus of September. Save the dates for future Family Engagement Networking Sessions which will be held every third Thursday from 1-2 p.m.
Contact: Nancy Hellen at nancy.hellen@vermont.gov

Update: Act 112 Mental Health and Well-being Service to Youth Grant - Intent to Apply

Audience: Schools, SUs, and relevant community partners
To support an efficient application process the Agency of Education and the Department of Mental Health are seeking an Intent to Apply for Act 112 grants. Completing this form does not commit you to apply nor do you need to complete this form to apply. This grant opportunity is a two-year allocation of unexpended ARP ESSER funds, beginning in the fiscal year 2023. If you are not yet registered in the Grant Management System or need more information, please contact Tracy Watterson.
Contact: Tracy Watterson, VTmtss Program Manager at tracy.watterson@vermont.gov

Registration Now Open for the Vermont Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Annual Forum

Audience: Schools, SUs, and relevant community partners
Join the Vermont Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (VTPBIS) team for the first post-2020, in-person, VTPBIS Annual Forum to learn, share and celebrate together. This year’s theme is “Better Together: Building Connections to Strengthen Ourselves and Our School Communities.” The forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. Holly Rouelle, Gertrude Chamberlin School Principal and 2022 NAESP National Distinguished Principal for Vermont, will provide a keynote presentation on “Connections, Care, and Commitment – A PBIS Team Approach to Student and Staff Success.” Sessions include: Conducting Functional Behavior Assessment/Behavior Support Plans with a Restorative Lens; Strategically Leveraging Building Leaders to Foster Adaptive Change; Authentically Building Social/Emotional Skills and Community Through Nature-Based Learning; Caring Without “Crashing”: Practices to Prevent Burnout; and many more. All session descriptions, more information, and the link to register can be found on the VTPBIS Annual Forum webpage. Register by Sept. 19, 2022. University of Vermont contact: Anne Dubie at anne.dubie@uvm.edu or 802-656-5775.
Contact: Laura Greenwood at laura.greenwood@vermont.gov

What if Wednesday, Volume 2

Audience: Superintendents, Principals and School Safety Stakeholders
The Vermont School Safety Center is pleased to announce the What if Wednesday, Volume 2, 2022, school safety training initiative. The “What if Wednesday” training program is designed to be shared with all school safety stakeholders and should be used to stimulate a conversation about school emergency preparedness.
Contact: Robert L. Evans, VT School Safety Liaison Officer, at revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21C) Grant Application

Audience: All
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21C) Grant Application with an estimated annual available minimum of $3,000,000 is now open for the purpose of providing comprehensive high-quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Investments are for five years. Virtual applicant trainings for teams will be held on Oct. 13, 2022 (Part 1) and Nov. 3, 2022 (Part 2) from 9-11:30 a.m. E-Letters of Intent are due Nov. 22, 2021. Applications are due February 3, 2023, in the Grants Management System. To view a paper copy of the grant application go to the AOE 21C webpage. To get on the applicant mailing list and to register for trainings fill out the 21C Competition Contact Form. You may also view the 21C quick eligibility checker.
Contact: Emanuel Betz, 21C State Coordinator, at Emanuel.Betz@vermont.gov 802-828-6977

Peer Review Panelists Wanted

Audience: Currently Licensed Vermont Educators
The Agency of Education’s Peer Review Program needs licensed educators to serve as panelists. Panelists receive $175 per interview. The work of a panelist involves evaluating a candidate’s portfolio (approximately 2-4 hours) and participating in the interview process (approximately 1-2 hours). Interviews are online and scheduled based on your convenience. If you are interested, complete the online Small Scale Education Contract Survey by Sept.15, 2022. The areas of greatest need for panelists are Early Childhood Education, Art, Theatre Arts, English, Music and Driver’s Education, but all are welcome to submit if interested.
Contact: Ryan McCormick at Ryan.McCormick@vermont.gov

Vermont Public: September Resources for Back to School

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, PreK-12 Teachers
The Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Public continue our partnership to meet the anywhere, anytime, educational, social and emotional needs of Vermont students. As the new school year begins, visit the Vermont Public Kids and Education page to find recommendations for high-quality media and resource collections, including the Teach Your Way collection for PreK-2. For K-2, check out But Why Podcast’s new collection as well as PBS Kids’ new C3 Standards connected series, Rosie’s Rules. For older students, check out the Election Collection and the new U.S. History Collection. For a Vermont connection, listen to Brave Little State Podcast’s Remembering Vermont’s 19th Century Black Communities. Also, don’t forget to visit the Education Ambassadors page to learn more about how Vermont educators are involved in our partnership.
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.

Professional Learning: Secondary Literacy Intervention- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Registration is open for Adolescents' Literacy Instruction: A Strength-Based Approach. Dr. Sarah Lupo, from James Madison University, will be in-person on Dec. 7, 2022, at Hampton Inn Colchester and will also present two virtual follow-up sessions. This research-based workshop will focus on how to assess and determine literacy needs for students in grades 5-12, including determining if they need foundational literacy skills instruction as well as how to support weak comprehension and vocabulary knowledge. Using MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support), participants will learn how to develop instructional strategies to ensure success across ELA (English Language Arts) and content area classes. Additionally, the presenter will share the latest research and trends in rethinking supplementary literacy interventions at the secondary level that will empower as well as support learners in their literacy growth.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642

Applications Open for Teacher Apprenticeship Program's Eight-Month Path to Licensure at Champlain College

Champlain College's Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) supports career changers and those already working in the education field to earn a Level I Vermont teaching license for $12,000. Thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funds, eligible candidates may qualify for up to $7500 in Vermont Student Assistance Corporation grants to offset TAP's tuition. Visit Champlain College's Teacher Apprenticeship Program webpage to access the TAP application and register for an online info session. A new cohort will begin in December 2022, with seminars, followed by full-time student teaching through the Spring 2023 semester. We also work with many teachers on emergency or provisional licenses in middle and high school core subject areas of PK-12 specialty areas.
Contact: Caitlin Hollister at chollister@champlain.edu or (802) 383-6657

2023-2024 Financial Aid Applications Will Be Available October 1, 2022

Do you have students that need help completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2023-2024 school year? Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s (VSAC) Outreach Counselors are conducting virtual 1:1 FAFSA Friday meetings via Microsoft Teams, on most Fridays between October 2022 and January 2023. We also have select in-person opportunities at the VSAC Resource Center in Winooski. See details, dates and sign up now through the sign-up page for FAFSA help from VSAC.
Contact: Chris Barry at barry@vsac.org

October Umatter For Schools: Suicide Prevention Awareness Training

The Umatter® for Schools Suicide Prevention national best practice program for suicide prevention is supported by funding from the Vermont Department of Mental Health. This newly designed four-week course consists of asynchronous, self-paced work and virtual live zoom sessions. All four modules will include the content presentation in multiple formats, self-refection through discussion, and activities designed for team engagement, and assessments of learning at the end of each module. Register on the Umatter for Schools event page.
Contact: Karen Carreira at Karen@healthandlearning.org

Ongoing Support for Vermont Special Educators

This fall, the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VT-HEC) is offering support to special educators (early childhood through secondary school). New special educators can join their colleagues in the Special Educator Academy. The academy begins on Sept. 22, 2022, with a two-day Orientation to Special Education series in Montpelier, Vermont. The cohort will then meet online monthly, where participants will form collaborative relationships and learn practical skills that can be immediately applied. Early Childhood Special Educators can also attend our annual Tips and Tools for Early Childhood Special Educators. This two-day virtual workshop series, (with a one-credit course option), begins on Sept. 28, 2022, and will sharpen your organizational skills and add to your toolbox as you walk through each step of the special education process.
Contact: Julie Medose at info@vthec.org or (802) 498-3350

All Learners Network Math Professional Development

Coaching with Equity in Mind is a three-hour workshop offered in person on Sept. 26, 2022, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., at the All Learners Network Learning Center in Burlington. As part of our series on supporting your coaching culture, this workshop is based on Elena Aguilar's book, Coaching for Equity: Conversations that Change Practice. This workshop offers teachers, coaches and school leaders support in setting up a learning culture that gives people what they need in order to be successful and thrive.
Contact: TJ Jemison at communicationsdirector@alllearnersnetwork.com

Synergy: Teaching Literacy in a Multi-level Classroom

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning (PLL) knows there are many levels of abilities in today’s classroom. This course, Synergy: Teaching Literacy in a Multi-level Classroom, for grade levels 1-6, is designed to make clear how these multi-levels and multi-ages can be a true asset for literacy learning in our classrooms. The brand new book, The Literacy Studio, written by Ellin Oliver Keene will be the anchor text and participants will find embracing multi-levels creates a synergy like never before. Find more details and registration on the Synergy: Teaching Literacy in a Multi-level Classroom webpage.
Contact: Mary Grace at info@pllvt.org or (802) 828-0521

Vermont Destination Imagination at Fairy Tale Festival

Please join Vermont Destination Imagination on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival at Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington, Vermont. Destination Imagination will have a tent where kids can create their original fairy tales through art and storytelling. Lots of other fun in store from libraries, entertainers, and vendors. For festival info visit the Sherburne Memorial Library events page.
Contact: Jane Youngbaer at vtdicreativity@gmail.com or (802) 272-2766

Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network Day of Racial Equity

The Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network is hosting a Day of Racial Equity on Sept. 30, 2022, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Statehouse in Montpelier. This is a day with the goal of getting students (and adults!) across the state excited about racial equity work. There will be workshops, speakers, tabling, food trucks, ice cream, activities and live music! Speakers include Becca Balint and a representative from Bernie Sander's team. Please visit the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network webpage for more information and to register. If you'd like to table or speak, please let us know!
Contact: Addie Lentzner at amlentzner@gmail.com

Learn About Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Reading Comprehension and Assessment with Dr. Melissa Farrall

Learning to read and write is complex, and reading comprehension requires plenty of foundational skills. When difficulties arise, as they do for many children, effective intervention hinges on accurate, well-designed assessment. In this five-part webinar series, renowned expert on reading, language and assessment, Melissa Farrall, Ph.D., will unravel the complexity of reading, writing and reading comprehension, unpack the components of an evaluation targeting these areas and guide educators in assessing literacy and providing targeted recommendations for intervention to help children who struggle. Register for one or all of the webinars on the course webpage.
Contact: Peter McDonald at pmcdonald@sterncenter.org

Early Education Practice-Based Coach Training

Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) is an evidence-based system designed to change teacher practices and improve children's outcomes. Programs with trained coaches succeed in two ways: a direct impact on learning outcomes by improving teaching practices and making coaching sustainable with reduced costs. Pyramid 802 Plus is offering a virtual Practice Based Coach training October 10, 11 and 12, 2022, from 1-5 p.m. Interested participants can find more information, as well as a link to the registration form at the Pyramid 802 Plus Practice Based Coach Training page.
Contact: Beth Peloquin at beth@pyramid802plus.live or (802) 233-6667

Research Study Opportunity

Are you a Vermont teacher who currently holds or previously held endorsement as a Special Educator on your teaching license? Dr. Colby Kervick from the University of Vermont would love to speak with you as part of a research study exploring the factors why teachers in Vermont choose not to work in special education.
Contact: Colby Kervick at Colby.Kervick@uvm.edu

Middle and High School Science Workshops and Cafes

This year, University of Vermont Extension 4-H will be hosting its popular teen science cafes at two different sites - one at the University of Vermont in Burlington and a new one starting up at Sterling College in Craftsbury - as well as a few special Science Spark Workshops focused on agriscience and neuroscience. The first Science Spark workshop will be on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Sterling College, followed by the first teen science cafe of the school year at the University of Vermont on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. These programs are open to youth in grades 7-12 and are free but registration is required. Learn more on the 4-H Announcements webpage.
Contact: Lauren Traister at Lauren.Traister@uvm.edu or 802-888-4972 x 402

Vermont Afterschool's Annual Conference is Back - Register Today

Vermont Afterschool is thrilled to announce the return of the in-person Vermont Afterschool Annual Conference at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. The conference is specifically designed for program directors, site coordinators, mentors, instructors, program staff and partners who work with K-12 youth in out-of-school time programs (i.e., before school, after school, summer and vacation camps), and it features a full day of interactive workshops, an inspiring keynote from Brooklyn Raney (One Trusted Adult), networking and a celebration of the important work done by this field for Vermont’s children, youth and families. Visit Vermont Afterschool's website for more information and to register.
Contact: Becky Wilcke at becky@vermontafterschool.org

Students at High Risk of COVID-19 Complications: Online Event

As schools go back into session many students who are at high risk of COVID-19 complications need accommodations such as a masked classroom. At the event, Students at High Risk of COVID Complications - Know your Rights, we’ll be sharing information on how parents/caregivers, students, educators and community members can advocate for individual students who are seeking accommodations. Join the Education Justice Coalition and Cammie Naylor of Legal Aid Vermont for this event this Thursday, Sept. 15. 2022, from 6-7 p.m.
Contact: Alyssa Chen at alyssa.edjvt@gmail.com