Contents: January 9, 2025
- AOE Listen and Learn Summary Report Issued
- Holocaust Education Professional Development
- Lead-in-Water Testing Reminder - Deadline Approaching
- Vermont Multi-Tiered Systems (VTmtss) of Support Office Hours
- 2024-2025 Family Engagement Networking Series
- BTA Reporting Form Webinar
- State Afterschool Grant Update
AOE Listen and Learn Summary Report Issued
Audience: Education Professionals, General Public
As the AOE wraps up the Listen and Learn Tour, we want to extend our gratitude to all those that supported the initiative and shared your thoughts and insights. The Agency published its summary report and overview video on January 8, 2025.
Contact: Lindsey Hedges at lindsey.hedges@vermont.gov
Holocaust Education Professional Development
Audience: Curriculum Directors, 5-12 educators, CTE educators
Vermont Holocaust Memorial is offering their annual professional development workshop in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. "Teaching the Holocaust using the Humanities: Integrating Photographs, Literature, Art, and Poetry to Tell the Human Story" will give educators strategies to integrate multiple primary sources into Holocaust instruction with a focus on the human experience. Facilitated by Echoes and Reflections. Seats are limited. Registration and more information are available on the Vermont Holocaust Memorial website.
Contact: Martha Deiss at martha.deiss@vermont.gov
Lead-in-Water Testing Reminder - Deadline Approaching
Audience: Principals, Facilities Managers, and Business Managers
18 V.S.A. § 1247 requires all Vermont school districts, supervisory unions, independent schools, and childcare providers to test all taps used for consumption for lead every three years. Schools must complete their testing by the end of June 2025. Schools that still need to test will receive an email this week with details on how to complete the testing. Please see lead testing information and lead testing instructions for further information.
Contact: Roxanne Karimi at LeadSchool@vermont.gov
Vermont Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (VTmtss) Office Hours
Audience: Principals, Superintendents, SU/SD Administrators, Section 504 Coordinators, or anyone interested in learning more about Section 504
Please join the VTmtss Office Hours, facilitated by the AOE’s Vermont Multi-tiered Systems of Support team. The series focuses on VTmtss updates, tools, processes, and systems to support the field, and is held every third Thursday from 3-4 p.m. The upcoming session will be held on January 16, 2025, and will focus on a review of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and related school practices. The session will highlight recent Section 504 guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. Please register for VTmtss Office Hours to receive information on how to join.
Contact: Meghan "MJ" Jaird at meghan.jaird@vermont.gov
2024-2025 Family Engagement Networking Series
Audience: Family Engagement Coordinators and Liaisons, School and District Administrators, Community Organization Personnel, School Counselors
Please join the 2024-2025 Family Engagement Networking Series: Family Engagement as a Strategy for Improving Belonging and Well-Being. The upcoming January 9, 2025 session is called Building Bridges of Trust with Families: Communication Strategies and Schoolwide Practices. The session will be from 1-2 p.m. In this session we will explore the importance of healthy core beliefs about families, communication skills, active listening, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices. These are informal monthly virtual sessions facilitated by the AOE Vermont Multi-Tiered System of Supports team, for family engagement colleagues to connect, hear updates, learn about resources, share strategies, and discuss problems of practice regarding family engagement.
Contact: Nancy Hellen at nancy.hellen@vermont.gov
BTA Reporting Form Webinar
Audience: current and future school BTA team members, school safety partners
To support schools with the upcoming statutory requirement for the reporting Behavior Threat Assessments, the AOE is hosting a BTA Reporting Form Webinar on Wednesday, January 22, from 3-4 p.m. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the AOE website for those unable to attend live. Please see the BTA Reporting Form Webinar meeting link to register and join the meeting.
Contact: Taylor Goodwin at taylor.goodwin@vermont.gov
State Afterschool Grant Update
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, and Afterschool Directors
As of December 18, 2023, at 11:59 p.m., the application period for the Program Track State Afterschool Grant has closed. However, the Center Track Grant remains open for submissions via the Grants Management System until January 29, 2025. These grants aim to support the development and expansion of afterschool and summer programs. For assistance with accessing or submitting your application, please contact our support team. Thank you for your dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for youth.
Contact: Johannes Haensch at johannes.haensch@vermont.gov