- Smarter Balanced Newsletter
- Linking Health and Learning Newsletter
- VT Personalized Learning Plan Platform Fair
- Student Census Data Collection for Pre-K, Community Eligibility Provision Schools and Non-National School Lunch Program Schools
- Work-Based Learning Collaborative Learning Group Series Registration
- Vermont Early Learning Standards Institute
- What If Wednesday
- New School Nurses: Required Online Orientation
- VTPBIS Annual Leadership Forum
- Creating Safer and Healthier Classrooms
- Courtesy Postings
Smarter Balanced Newsletter
Audience: All
The first issue of the 2017-2018 Smarter Balanced Newsletter is available on the Smarter Balanced portal. This issue contains important information on assessment changes taking place in 2017-2018. You will also find a list of enhancements to the Online Reporting System and accessibility features. The Digital Library educators have also been busy improving features on the website and linking resources to the interim assessments.
Contact: Linda Moreno at linda.moreno@vermont.gov
Linking Health and Learning Newsletter
Audience: Health Educators, Physical Educators, Curriculum Directors, Principals, Superintendents, Higher Education
The Linking Health and Learning Newsletter is back in publication. This newsletter communicates pertinent news, professional learning events and resources to support Vermont's health and physical educators.
Contact: Susan Yesalonia, Ed.D., Health and Physical Education Specialist, at (802) 479-1284 or susan.yesalonia@vermont.gov
VT Personalized Learning Plan Platform Fair
Audience: Curriculum Coordinators, Technology Coordinators, PLP Coaches, Others Involved in PLP Programs
The Agency of Education is hosting a Personalized Learning Platform (PLP) Fair on October 3, 2017 at Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT. The fair will consist of various vendors of PLP platforms discussing and presenting their online platforms that are applicable in the management, cataloging and communication aspects of PLP’s. Because of space concerns we are initially limiting registration of the event to two individuals from each of the Vermont Supervisory Unions/Districts/Unified Districts. As registration gets closer to October 3, 2017 and space allows, we may be able to open it to more from each of those entities. As the date approaches, more information on the vendors presenting will be shared with participants. Register for the PLP Platform Fair.
Contact: Peter Drescher, Education Technology Coordinator at (802) 479-1169 or peter.drescher@vermont.gov
Student Census Data Collection for Pre-K, Community Eligibility Provision Schools and Non-National School Lunch Program Schools
Audience: All
The Student Census data collection requires that a student's eligibility to receive free and reduced lunch be reported annually whether or not students receive lunch at school. Schools that no longer participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and report Student Census must still collect and report household income data. Please refer to the Student Census Household Income Memo and the 2018 Household Income Form for more information.
Contact: Laurie Colgan at (802) 479-1187 or laurie.colgan@vermont.gov
Work-Based Learning Collaborative Learning Group Series Registration
Audience: Work-Based Learning Coordinators, Educators
Registration for the SY 2017-2018 Work-Based Learning Coordinators’ professional learning series is now open. The Series Kick-Off will take place on October 4, 2017 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. The first and final sessions of this four-day series invites WBL educators statewide to convene for all day in-person collaborative working sessions. The second and third sessions are regional meetings to provide and support the continued work of these groups with local businesses to establish, build, and strengthen WBL partnerships and WBL programs to meet the goals of Act 77 and Education Quality Standards. The cost for this series is $150 per person. Register for the Work-Based Learning Coordinators' professional learning series with payment by September 28, 2017.
Contact: For registration information contact Michael Brownstein or Allison Short at vtclg@ccebos.org; at the AOE contact Veronica Newton at veronica.newton@vermont.gov
Vermont Early Learning Standards Institute
Audience: K-3 Teachers, Childcare Providers, Public/Private Pre-K Staff, Administrators, Head Start, Early Childhood Mental Health, Early Childhood Special Educators, Specialists
The three two-day institutes will be held this fall of 2017 for the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) guide educators in the development and selection of program-wide curriculum and educational strategies for children from birth through grade 3. The VELS Institute flyer contains more information including specific dates and locations. Register for the VELS Institutes.
Contact: Kate Rogers at kate.rogers@vermont.gov
What if Wednesday
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
The “What if Wednesday” school safety initiative is designed to stimulate a conversation about school emergency preparedness. Participants should read the summary of the “fictional” school safety incident and then answer the multiple-choice question with the appropriate response action to be taken for the specific emergency. All responses are anonymous but please click "submit" when finished.
Contact: Rob Evans, School Safety Liaison Officer, at (802) 839-0448 or revans@margolishealy.com
New School Nurses: Required Online Orientation
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Nurses
All Registered Nurses new to school nursing in Vermont are required to take the New School Nurse Orientation program online. This is a prerequisite for the Licensed School Nurse or Associate School Nurse endorsement. To register, please contact Sharonlee Trefry, MSN, RN, NCSN, State School Nurse Consultant.
Contact: Sharonlee Trefry at sharonlee.trefry@vermont.gov
VTPBIS Annual Leadership Forum
Audience: Administrators, School Leadership Team Members, School-Based Mental Health Clinicians, Representatives from General and Special Education
The annual VTPBIS Leadership Forum will be held from 9 a.m to 3:30 p.m. on October 10, 2017 at the Killington Grand Resort in Killington, Vermont. This forum will provide the opportunity for individuals from schools and Supervisory Unions/Supervisory Districts (SU/SDs) who are exploring, installing, or implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to learn about PBIS within MTSS, network with other schools, participate in professional learning workshops, and celebrate our successes! Morning refreshments & lunch included. Annual VTPBIS Acknowledgements will be celebrated after lunch. The Cost is $156 per person. Register for the VTPBIS Leadership Forum.
Contact: Sherry Schoenberg at sherry.schoenberg@uvm.edu
Creating Safer and Healthier Classrooms
Thinking of requesting disinfecting wipes this fall? Disinfecting wipes, although easy to use, are generally not safe for classroom use. The Vermont Department of Health is asking educators to think twice before putting these on your classroom request lists this fall. Disinfecting wipes (e.g. Lysol and Clorox brands), contain harsh chemicals and have been linked to acute and chronic health issues. They can cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation.
Contact: Lori Cragin, Vermont Department of Health, at lori.cragin@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.
Students Bring Meaning to Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data
Interested in supporting students as agents of change? Getting to Y: Youth Bring Meaning to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey brings together teams of eight youth and adult members for a day-long orientation where they learn tools and strategies to analyze their Youth Risk Behavior Survey data and identify strengths and concerns, host a dialogue event to engage their community, and frame and implement action steps to create a healthier community. The high school training day will be held October 18, 2017, and the middle school training day will be held October 23, 2017. Both trainings will be in Montpelier.
Contact: Sharon Koller at sharon@upforlearning.org
Fundations 1
Fundations® for Grades K-2 is a phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling program for the general education classroom. Each Fundations workshop aligns with that grade’s Common Core Reading Foundational Skills, provides a practical application of reading research, and prepares teachers to teach Fundations in Prevention (Tier 1) and/or Early Intervention (Tier 2) settings. Participants will learn how to teach skills and components of effective reading and spelling instruction through multisensory activities, to optimize the use of the Fundations teacher’s manual, and prepare Fundations lesson plans. Held at the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on September 26, 2017. Register for Fundations.
Contact: Caitlin Niland, Intake Coordinator for Professional Learning, at (802) 878-2332 or proflearning@sterncenter.org
Work-Based Learning: Providing Safe, Legal and Effective Opportunities for Students, Schools and Businesses
This three-credit Castleton University course is designed to support those pursuing the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator Endorsement, or those seeking to build their professional WBL practice. In order to develop legal, safe, and effective work-based learning programs and experiences, school personnel must understand labor and safety laws and practices, sales and marketing, career development strategies, effective systems for organizing, monitoring and evaluating student learning opportunities with businesses and community partners. The course provides participants with the knowledge base needed to develop a coherent school work-based learning program. The WBL: Providing Safe, Legal and Effective Opportunities will be offered in an independent study format with a combination of online and in-person sessions October 7 - December 9, 2017. The first in-person session will be held at Community College of Vermont in Middlebury on October 7, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Contact: Rich Tulikangas, Instructor, at (802) 734-8170 or rtulikangas@comcast.net
Vermont Youth Environmental Summit
Registration is now open for the Youth Environmental Summit (YES!), an annual conference for middle and high school students. YES! aism to inspire, encourage and prepare youth for a life of environmental responsibility, service and leadership by increasing awareness and knowledge of environmental issues and fostering leadership skills. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, action-inspirting discussions, networking with environmental professionals and like-minded peers, and much more. Learn more about YES!.
Contact: Lauren Traister, 4-H Teen and Leaderhship Program Coordinator, at (802) 888-4972 ext. 402 or lauren.traister@uvm.edu