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Volume 18, Issue 32

October 31, 2024

About

The Agency of Education created the weekly field memo to keep subscribers up-to-date with current education policy, state-wide education initiatives, and official messages from the AOE. The Weekly Field Memo contains education-related posts from the Agency of Education (AOE), other State of Vermont agencies, federal agencies or Vermont's congressional delegation.

Contents: October 31, 2024

Workshop on Explicit, Systematic, and Evidence-based Literacy Practices

Audience: Educators, Administrators, Support Staff, Adult Education Educators, Curriculum Directors, Principals
Register today and join the first Read Vermont Literacy Professional Learning Workshop Session focused on explicit, systematic, and evidence-based literacy practices on Monday, Nov. 13, 2024, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. This interactive virtual workshop will help educators and administrators in all grade bands develop a confident understanding of evidence-based instruction. The AOE contractor, the Stern Center, will cover common myths and misconceptions and tips for shifting instruction to better align with research on how students learn to read. Breakout rooms will provide an opportunity to engage with facilitators and colleagues from across Vermont.
Contact: Emily Lesh at emily.lesh@vermont.gov

Grant Announcement for Program Track - State Afterschool Grant

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, and Afterschool Directors
The Vermont Agency of Education is pleased to announce the release of the Program Track - State Afterschool Grant (Act 78) competition. This grant is designed to support and expand high-quality afterschool and summer programs. Program track grants provide substantial support to new or existing Afterschool or Summer programs serving Vermont’s youth. Applicants for this competition should be ready to implement rapidly after award determinations are made. For more information, please visit the  Afterschool and Summer Programs webpage. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out this non-binding contact form.
Contact: Johannes Haensch at johannes.haensch@vermont.gov

Grant Announcement for Center Track - State Afterschool Grant

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, and Afterschool Directors

The Vermont Agency of Education is pleased to announce the release of the Center Track - State Afterschool Grant (Act 78) competition. This grant is designed in alignment with the Federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program and with Vermont’s Community School legislation (Act 67) to support and expand high-quality afterschool and summer centers for Vermont’s youth. Center track grants provide substantial support for the development and enhancement of single-site centers providing afterschool and summer programming, fostering enriched learning opportunities for Vermont’s youth. For more information, please visit the Afterschool and Summer Programs webpage. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out this non-binding contact form.
Contact: Johannes Haensch at johannes.haensch@vermont.gov

Vermont Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (VTmtss) November Office Hours

Audience:Principals, Superintendents, Administrators, MTSS Coordinators   
Please join the new VTmtss Office Hours series, facilitated by the Agency of Education Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) Team. The series will focus on VTmtss updates, tools, processes, and systems to support the field and will be held every third Thursday from 3-4 p.m. The Nov. 21, 2024, Office Hour will focus on using the 2023-2024 VTmtss Survey Summary and how to use its state-level data to inform the continuous improvement of school systems. Future sessions will review Section 504 processes and more. Please register for VTmtss Office Hours to receive information on how to join. 
Contact:  Meghan "MJ" Jaird at meghan.jaird@vermont.gov  

Disability Determination and Planning for Special Education Evaluations

Audience: Pathway (D) Participants, New teachers to the State, Newly Licensed Teachers and Graduates, Special Education Endorsement Candidates, General Education Teachers, High School Special Education Teachers, Educational Support Teams (EST) Members, Evaluation Team Members, Related Service Providers, Interventionists
During this training, participants will explore criterion one of special education eligibility: disability determination. Attendees will have an opportunity to review the Special Education Evaluation Plan and Report as well as resources to support this phase of the eligibility process. This session will be held on Nov. 14, 2024, from 8-9:30 a.m. and Nov. 19, 2024, from 3-4:30 p.m. Please register for Disability Determination and Planning for Special Education Evaluations with Cassie Santo and Ernie Wheeler.
Contact: Cassie Santo at cassie.santo@vermont.gov

A.L.I.C.E. Training Opportunity

Audience: School Safety Partners
The Manchester Police Department is hosting an A.L.I.C.E. response training from Feb. 18 - Feb. 19, 2025. This 2-day instructor training course is designed to teach participants the skills and strategies to increase survivability during the gap between the time a violent event occurs and law enforcement arrives. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be a Certified ALICE Instructor and will have the knowledge and resources to train others in your community.​ Please see the registration link and informational flyer for more information. 
Contact: benjamin.cassavaugh@vermont.gov

Vermont Public: But Why Bites

Audience: Vermont Educators
Vermont Public's But Why Kids podcast now has short educational videos on YouTube. The But Why Bites – or short video topics – include kids’ big questions about the election, or why cats have whiskers. But Why Kids videos can also be found on PBS LearningMedia with learning guides. Visit the Vermont Public Educators page for more recommendations for high-quality resources.
Contacts: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel at hduhamel@vermontpublic.org

BTA Trainings - Nov. 12, Nov. 20, Dec. 12, 2024

Audience: Behavioral Threat Assessment Team Members
School Behavior Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training is a virtual, one-day training course presented by The Vermont School Safety Center, designed to prevent active shooter incidents and other targeted violence in our schools and school districts. This course also teaches participants how to assess threats and other disturbing behavior and take steps to reduce risk and prevent harm. Prior to this training, we strongly encourage schools and school districts to identify potential members of your BTA teams and attend this training as a team. Act 29 requires that BTA policies and procedures are implemented or updated by SY 2024-25 for current BTA teams, and that BTATs and annual trainings are implemented or updated by July 1, 2025. 
Contact: Sunni Eriksen at sunni.eriksen@vermont.gov


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The field memo has time-sensitive and relevant information designed for students, teachers, and staff. The agency encourages principals, headmasters, and superintendents to share the memo with their education community. Additionally, individuals can subscribe or unsubscribe online.

Questions? Email aoe.edinfo@vermont.gov.