- Vermont Science Initiative NGSS Science Leader Program
- Consolidated Federal Programs Annual Conference for FY2018
- Building a Meaningful Accountability System in the Era of ESSA
- Vermont Science Initiative Science and Engineering Academy
- Annual School Nurse Reporting Update
- BEST/MTSS Summer Institute
- Courtesy Postings
Vermont Science Initiative NGSS Science Leader Program
Audience: Teacher Leaders, Coaches, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
The Vermont Science Initiative (VSI) NGSS Science Leadership Program will help build in-house capacity for science professional learning. The program will develop science education leaders across Vermont who can support other teachers in understanding the shifts in the NGSS by facilitating professional learning in their own supervisory union/district using the research-based Next Generation Science Exemplar System for professional learning (NGSX). This opportunity kicks off with a summer institute July 9-14, 2017. Stipend, use of materials and NGSX, and ongoing support as leaders implement the professional development is provided. Learn more on the VSI website or email VSI Project Managers Renee Affolter or Deanna Bailey.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons, Math/Science Partnership Program Manager, (802) 479-1425 or pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov
Consolidated Federal Programs Annual Conference for FY2018
Audience: All
Please join us on April 13, 2017, for the CFP Annual Conference at the Killington Grand Resort and Conference Center in Killington, Vermont. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity for us to provide your SU/SD with information to enable the LEA to submit a successful CFP application. The morning session will focus on the new ESSA requirements on needs assessment planning and the afternoon workshops will highlight specific new and continuing ESSA requirements. Learn more and register online.
Contact: Karen Abbott at karen.abbott@vermont.gov
Building a Meaningful Accountability System in the Era of ESSA
Audience: Educational Leaders, Curriculum Directors
The final meeting of the Vermont Curriculum Leaders Association will focus on Securing Accountability as described in Michael Fullan’s book, Coherence. (In order to get the most out of this meeting, participants should read Chapter 5.) This discussion will be followed by an overview of key elements of the state plan for ESSA. The meeting will take place on Friday, April 7, 2017, at the Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm. In order to register, please email Hollee Kennison at hkennison@wwsu.org.
Contacts: Pat Fitzsimmons at pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov or Jenn Barone at jbarone@cnsuschools.org
Vermont Science Initiative Science and Engineering Academy
Audience: Administrators, K-8 Educators
The Vermont Science Initiative (VSI) is offering sustained support for K-8 teachers through a combination of a summer institute on science and engineering, three follow-up days, sustained support through on-site team meetings (PLCs), and additional content through the NSTA Learning Center. Teachers will deepen their understanding of science and engineering content and best instructional practices and earn four graduate credits. This opportunity kicks off with a summer institute from August 6-11, 2017. Learn more on the VSI website or email VSI Project Managers Renee Affolter or Deanna Bailey.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons, Math/Science Partnership Program Manager, (802) 479-1425 or pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov
Annual School Nurse Reporting Update
Audience: All School Administrators and School Nurses
Starting in the 2017 -2018 school year the Annual School Nurse Report will only be able to collect data based on the standardized asthma data collection language found in the Preferred Annual Health Update form and the Enrollment form found in the Health Services #16 Section of the Standards of Practice: School Health Services manual. A majority of schools have been using this language now for some time when collecting information on the number of students who have asthma and who have a current asthma action plan as requested by the Vermont Asthma Program. The Health Department is grateful for this partnership is working together towards reducing the burden of Asthma among Vermont youth and decreasing the rate of absenteeism in schools. The surveillance data provided contributes to quality improvement efforts, both, in Vermont schools and at the Health Department.
Contact: Sharonlee Trefry at (802) 863-7348, sharonlee.trefry@vermont.gov
2017 BEST/MTSS Summer Institute
Audience: ?
The 2017 BEST/MTSS Summer Institute: Personalizing Education: Individualized, Innovative Pathways to Social and Academic Success will be held June 26-29, 2017 in Killington, Vermont. Learn more and register online. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact: Sherry Schoenberg at sherry.schoenberg@uvm.edu
Courtesy Postings
Governor's Institutes of Vermont Applications Close Soon
Any enthusiastic Vermont 9th-11th grader is invited to join the Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV) for their best summer yet. Our 11 summer Institutes span over 50 topics in the arts, sciences, current events, and more, giving talented students the chance to immerse themselves in a topic they love, make new friends from all over the state, and experience life on a college campus. For one to two weeks, high school students will build skills, interests, and a passion for learning that they can carry into their plans for the future. GIV is dedicated to being accessible for every Vermonter, so our sliding scale tuition makes it affordable for every student. Applications are closing soon, with some deadlines having passed. Apply online today.
Contact: Madison Berry at madison@giv.org
VSAC, Castleton University To Host College Pathways
Vermont Student Assistance Corp. hosts College Pathways at Castleton University on April 1, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This free event offers workshops with the latest expert advice from college admissions and financial aid experts – especially suited for juniors, sophomores and their parents. Topics cover the entire college process, including creating a college list that fits student needs and family finances, specifics on how to apply, strategies for taking SATs and ACTs, writing an application essay that stands out, understanding college costs and financial aid, and more. Register online with VSAC. Walk-ins welcome, too.
Contact: VSAC at (888)943-7301 or email events@vsac.org
Way to Go School Challenge Feedback
The Way to Go School Challenge is back this fall from September 25, 2017 to October 6, 2017. This two-week event encourages everyone to travel more efficiently (i.e., walk, bike, carpool, and bus). Reduce the cost and impacts of transportation at your school, and be recognized for your efforts too. Whether or not you participated in the past, please complete this five-minute survey by March 31, 2017 and be entered to win a $150 gift card. Your input will help us make another successful year. Learn more about the Way to Go School Challenge results from last year.
Contact: Cara Robechek at cara@veep.org or Deb Sachs at (802) 238-9807
Tests of Reading and Writing with Melissa Farrell, PhD
This workshop will present a top-down approach to testing as a foundation for conducting reading and writing assessments that are both efficient and informative. Melissa Lee Farrall, PhD, is the author of the graduate level text Reading Assessment: Linking Language, Literacy & Cognition. The workshop will be held April 7, 2017 at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. Register online.
Contact: Julie Medose at (802) 498-3350, julie.medose@vthec.org
Early Childhood Summer Institute
The Early Childhood Summer Institute, a collaborative partnership with Castleton University and the Higher Education Early Childhood Consortium, is a four-day professional development opportunity for Early Childhood educators (birth through grade 3) working in public schools and private early childhood and after-school settings and the administrators who support them. Learn more and register for the institute online. The institute will be held July 24-27, 2017 at Castleton University. The deadline for registration is July 1, 2017.
Contact: Dr. Ric Reardon at (802)468-1234 or richard.reardon@castleton.edu
Vermont Humanities Council's Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award
The Vermont Humanities Council’s Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities. It includes a $1,000 award. The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2017. Nominate an educator. The award is named for the Council’s founding Executive Director, Victor R. Swenson.
Contact: Linda Wrazen, Vermont Humanities Council, at (802) 262-1357 or lwrazen@vermonthumanities.org
The Trauma of Poverty
The Trauma of Poverty 36-hour course will focus on helping educators establish a framework for developing social and emotional learning competencies in their students. Participants will gain an understanding of poverty-related stress and its impact on brain function. The course will meet over six days, the first of which is July 10, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 36 CEUs will be granted for full attendance of the course. Three graduate credits are optional through Castleton University. Grant underwriting is available through the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence.
Contact: Caitlin Niland, Intake Coordinator for Professional Learning, at (802) 878-2332 or proflearning@sterncenter.org
Third Annual Power2 Youth & Adults Shaping Vermont Education Together
Youth in Vermont are at the forefront as messengers and co-creators of school change in partnership with adults. Join high school learners, educators, and thought leaders for the third annual Power2 Summit to inform, inspire and move us to action. This event will be on May 2, 2017 9am-3pm at Lake Morey Inn and Resort in Fairlee, Vermont. This event is the result of collaboration between youth and adult educational leaders and organizations in Vermont including the Bay and Paul Foundations and UP for Learning. Learn more and register online.
Contact: Mary Schell Whalen, UP for Learning, at mary@upforlearning.com
Word Consciousness: Infusing Vocabulary Learning Throughout Your Day
The Word Consciousness three-credit graduate online course is taught by Ellen A. Thompson and June Golato July 1 - August 17, 2017. This course offers teachers an opportunity to learn cutting-edge word-learning strategies for all students in Grades 2 - 8. Includes the text "No More “Look Up the List” Vocabulary Instruction." Register online through the Champlain Valley Educator Development Center.
Contact: Jeanne at info@cvedcvt.org
Special Screening of "Dream, Girl"
Come see "Dream, Girl" a great film on women entrepreneurs, beginning with the filmmaker who chucked her safe job, started a Kickstarter campaign and created this movie. "Dream, Girl" will reframe how you think about entrepreneurship. The showing will be March 29, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Street Landing Film House, 60 Lake St., Burlington. Panel discussion to follow with Paula Routly of Seven Days, Janice Shade of Milk Money, and Stacey Hamblett of Urban Salon Team. Awesome ‘swag bags’ for the first 100 people from Ecco, Tomgirl Juice, Mini Spa VT, Ben & Jerry’s and several more great merchants. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for students. Learn more online.