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An Official Vermont Government Website

Volume 11, Issue 19

Weekly Field Memo
May 10, 2017

Revised Vermont State Plan Now Available Online

Audience: All
After receiving initial feedback from the U.S. Department of Education (US ED) on Vermont's draft state plan responding to the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, the AOE has resubmitted the plan to US ED with revisions. The revised plan is available to view on the ESSA page on the AOE website.
Contact: Chris Case, Education Project Manager, at chris.case@vermont.gov or Patrick Halladay, Education Project Manager, at patrick.halladay@vermont.gov

AOE Job Posting: Chief Financial Officer

Audience: All
The Agency of Education is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to serve as a member of our leadership team and to directly supervise work in the Agency’s Division of Finance and Administration, which includes the following areas: School Finance, Business Office Management, Grant Fiscal Monitoring, Grants Management, K-12 Facilities and Postsecondary Compliance, School Based Health Services, and Special Education Finance, Procurement, Budget Development and Reporting, and Operations. Candidates must have prior state government experience, strong communication skills, an ability to prioritize and familiarity with administration of both state and federal funds. A Master’s level degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Accounting or other related field is preferred. Apply for AOE Chief Financial Officer position, or other jobs with the State of Vermont Human Resources.   
Contact: Maureen Gaidys at maureen.gaidys@vermont.gov

Introduction to the Classroom Assessment Scoring System Webinar

Audience: Pre-K - Third Grade Teachers, Administrators
Would you like to learn about a way to measure the interactions that occur in classrooms and how to help teachers improve them? This one hour webinar, to be held on May 16, 2017 at 1 p.m., will provide a brief overview of the Introduction to the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) assessment tool for Pre-K-3rd grade and how it is being used here in Vermont. The CLASS is an evidence-based tool which measures the interactions in classrooms that lead to increased learning outcomes for children. It also has a strong component of professional learning to improve those interactions. The CLASS is now being used as part of the STARS system in Vermont, as well as for professional development and/or evaluation for Pre-K-12 teachers here and across the country. Learn more about CLASS. Register for the webinar.
Contact: Ellen Cairns at ellen.cairns@vermont.gov

Regional Calendars for the 2017-2018 School Year

Audience: All
State statute requires that superintendents of schools and headmasters of public schools not managed by school boards in an area meet annually, and by majority vote, establish a uniform calendar within that area for the following school year. The summary of regional school calendars, as submitted to the agency by technical center regions, can be found online.
Contact: Allison Keating at (802) 479-1855 or allison.keating@vermont.gov

Spring Census and SECT Data Collection Training

Audience: Registrars, Administrative Support, Student Information Systems Support Persons, School Personnel Responsible For Census/Sect Data
Three Spring Census and SECT training sessions will be offered for the Spring Census and SECT Data Collection. 
Contact: Glenn Bouchard, Data Management and Analysis Team Helpdesk, at (802) 479-1044 or glenn.bouchard@vermont.gov

Combined Incident Reporting Software Report

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Behavior Specialists
The Combined Incident Reporting Software (CIRS) data collection is due July 1, 2017. This data collection is a collaborative effort among the Agency of Education, the Department of Health, Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, and the Department of Mental Health. The information will be used to provide schools with valuable information regarding your school climate, assess individual school compliance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Act 120 (Hazing, Harassment and Bullying) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and prepare for Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) on-site evaluation visits.
Contact: Tracy Watterson at (802) 479-1353 or tracy.watterson@vermont.gov

Hazen Union: Vermont Professional Learning Network School Learning Visit

Audience: All
Educators from across Vermont are invited to learn more about Hazen Union School’s approach to personalized learning efforts of its middle school team. The visit will be June 7, 2017 from 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Participants will have an opportunity to observe classrooms, meet with administration regarding proficiency-based learning, and teaching teams around planning. In addition, educators will be provided time to practice applying concepts learned at this event to issues faced in their respective schools/districts. Space is limited. Register for the School Learning Visit at Hazen Union.
Contact: Michael Brownstein at vtclg@ccebos.org

Vermont School Garden Planning and Networking Opportunity: May Workshops

Audience: School Staff, Teachers, Students, and Volunteers involved with school gardens
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is offering three free school garden workshops this May in partnership with the Vermont Community Garden Network: 1) Southern Vermont: Flood Brook Union School, Londonderry on May 16, 2017; 2) Northeast Kingdom: Miller’s Run School, Sheffield, on May 18, 2017; and 3) Northwest Vermont: BFA Fairfax, Fairfax on May 25, 2017. Each workshop will run 4:30-7 p.m., and includes a hearty snack. Join us at a workshop near you for a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Vermont school garden teams, plan for the upcoming season with your own garden team, and visit a successful school garden to get inspired. The workshops are free, but please register online.
Contact: Libby Weiland at (802) 861-4769 or libby@vcgn.org

2016-17 Immunization Status Report Results

Audience: School Nurses, Administrators, Principals, Headmasters, Superintendents
Vermont’s Immunization Rule sets minimum immunization requirements for attendance at child care, K–12 schools, and colleges to protect students, staff, and visitors against vaccine-preventable diseases. In the school year 2016-17, 93.8% of public and independent K-12 grade students are fully vaccinated. View the report Immunization Program Annual Report. To comply with the requirement that schools make publicly available the aggregate immunization rates of their students, schools can provide a link to the Health Department webpage above on their school website. Additionally, later this month schools will receive a document in the mail with those rates, suitable for posting.
Contact: Karen Halverson at (802) 951-1234 or karen.halverson@vermont.gov

National School Nurse Day is May 10, 2017

Celebrate your School Nurse! They keep children healthy, and students, faculty, and staff safe. School nurses advocate for immunizations as one of the most important steps in keeping not only students but their families and teachers from becoming ill. They coordinate care for students with chronic health conditions. Care coordination improves school attendance (Healthy Schools Campaign, 2015). They promote comprehensive annual well-care visits with their medical provider that include risks and asset assessments and referrals for identified needs. Having a school nurse saves teaching and administrative time (Hill and Hollis, 2012). As much as 25 min per teacher per day was saved for teachers when a school nurse was on site. As many as 66% of students with health complaints were sent home in schools without a school nurse present. Healthy Students are Better Learners. Learn more about school nursing.
Contact: Sharonlee Trefry, State School Nurse Consultant , at sharonlee.trefry@vermont.gov

Courtesy Postings

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.

Vermont Assistive Technology Program Tryout Center Open House

You are invited to explore the Waterbury Assistive Technology Tryout Center, learn about Assistive Technology (A.T.) and meet the Vermont A.T. Program staff at an open house on May 22, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the in the main atrium of the Waterbury State Office Complex. The A.T. Program does incredibly important work in support of DAIL's mission to make Vermont the best state in which to grow old or live with a disability - with dignity, respect and independence. 
Contact: A.T. Info at 1-800-750-6355 or dail.atinfo@vermont.gov

State Park Interpreter Positions Open for Summer 2017

Want to work in a beautiful Vermont State Park this summer? There are part-time and full-time interpreter positions available in a variety of state parks around Vermont. These positions involve planning and delivering fun educational activities for park visitors of all ages. Some popular activities include hikes, paddling, storytelling, wildflower identification, and bird watching. Become an ambassador of Vermont’s unique cultural and natural history by talking to visitors in a beautiful nature center, or by taking them on a walk in the woods. Learn more and apply online to become a State Park Interpreter.
Contact: Rebecca Roy, Conservation Education Coordinator, at rebecca.roy@vermont.gov

Summer Google Workshops

The Champlain Valley Educator Development Centr is hosting a four summer workshops: July 10, 2017: Gmail, Calendar & Google Keep, July 11, 2017: Google drive, Docs/Sheets, Add-ons, July 24, 2017:  Google Forms Google Drawing, Google Slides & YouTube, and July 25, 2017: Google Classroom. All workshops will be facilitated by Lisa Barry and Joanne Finnegan and include lunch. Registration is limited. Sign up for the Summer Google Workshops through CVEDC. 
Contact: Lauren Wooden at (802) 497-1642 or lauren@cvedcvt.org 

School Programs at Shelburne Farms

Applications are being accepted now through May 25, 2017 for Shelburne Farms' 2017-2018 School Programs. Haven't been in a while? Check out our new program offerings or come back for one of your favorites.
Contact: Courtney Mulcahy at cmulcahy@shelburnefarms.org

Central Vermont Vita-Learn Meeting

This meeting will focus on video tools to document and improve student learning. All educators are welcome. Food is served and there is a raffle at each meeting. RSVP for the May 17, 2017 VITA-Learn meeting online.
Contact: Ben Matthews at Barre Schools at bmattbce@u61.net

The Trauma of Poverty in Early Childhood

The four-day course will explore impacts of high poverty on children focusing on their learning and social-emotional development. Participants will focus on defining, identifying, and understanding poverty-related stress in early childhood development, behavior, and learning. The goal is to help children, families, and programs to support and protect diverse and vulnerable learners. The structure of the learning and tasks will vary each day and will include writing assignments, discussion, and hands-on individual or group-based activities. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of teachers and caregivers using a variety of learning styles, presentations, and source materials. This Stern Center workshop is part of the Early Childhood Summer Institute hosted by Castleton University. Register for the Trauma of Poverty in Early Childhood.
Contact: Cheryl Mitchell at (802) 540-8168 or cheryl.w.mitchell@gmail.com

Vermont Folklife Center Summer Institute for Educators

The Vermont Folklife Center Summer Institute introduces educators to the methods and tools of ethnographic field research and community-based documentary media-making. Working with community resources and digital media tools represent rich opportunities for personalized, student-led learning experiences—with the capacity to engage both high-performing and at-risk students. This student-directed research model facilitates the development of transferable skills such as clear and effective communication, responsible and involved citizenship, creative and practical problem solving, and informed and integrative thinking. Middlebury, VT, June 26-29, 2017. Three graduate credits available. Learn more and register for the Vermont Folklife Center Summer Institute for Educators. 
Contact Mary Rizos, Vermont Folklife Center Director of Education, at mrizos@vermontfolklifecenter.org

Subscribe Online

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.