- Lead in School Drinking Water Testing Schedule: Group 1
- World Language Standards - Request for Educator Collaboration
- Engage Youth with YRBS and Community: Resiliency in Action
- Connect with VT Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports
- Linking Health and Learning Newsletter, August 2019
- Courtesy Posts
Lead in School Drinking Water Testing Schedule: Group 1
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Facilities Managers
The Vermont Department of Health has published a schedule of sampling and sample pick-up dates for the first group of schools to have their water tested for lead under Act 66 of 2019. You can access the testing schedule online on the Vermont Department of Health website. For more information, visit Lead Testing in Drinking Water: What Schools Need to Do, or dial 2-1-1 or (802) 652-4636.
Contact: Michelle Thompson at leadschool@vermont.gov
World Language Standards - Request for Educator Collaboration
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Curriculum Directors, Teachers
Earlier this year, the State Board of Education adopted the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages to replace Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, Standards for Non-Native Learners. The Agency of Education is requesting assistance from elementary, middle and high school teachers to write sample indicators and proficiency-based graduation requirements that are aligned with the ACTFL standards. Please contact Martha Deiss if you are interested in this collaborative work that will take place in person and online during the 2019-2020 school year.
Contact: Martha Deiss, Global Citizenship Specialist at martha.deiss@vermont.gov or (802) 479-1487
Engage Youth with YRBS and Community: Resiliency in Action
Audience: Principals, School Counselors, Wellness Coordinators, School Nurses
Getting to ‘Y’: Youth Bring Meaning to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey puts YRBS data in the hands of youth, providing them with skills and opportunities to understand the data, explore root causes, develop solution ideas and engage with their community to improve youth health, well-being and sense of connection. Training and orientation is held on October 15, 2019, for high school-aged youth and on October 21, 2019, for middle school-aged youth. More information can be found at UPforLearning.org, or contact Sharon Koller at sharon@upforlearning.org or (802) 373-7594.
Contact: Sharonlee Trefry, MSN, RN, NCSN, at sharonlee.trefry@vermont.gov
Connect with VT Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports
Audience: Everyone
If you are not already connected to VTPBIS communication platforms but would like to be, here are a few ways: 1) Sign up to receive VTPBIS Updates, a bi-weekly email about important reminders and updates. Contact Anne Dubie to get your name on this email list. 2) Follow VTPBIS on Facebook and Twitter. 3) Look for information on the Vermont PBIS website.
Contact: Meg Porcella at meg.porcella@vermont.gov
Linking Health and Learning Newsletter, August 2019
Audience: Health Educators, Physical Educators, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, Curriculum Directors, Principals, Superintendents, Higher Education
The August 2019 Linking Health and Learning newsletter is now posted on the Vermont Agency of Education Health and Physical Education (PE) webpages. This newsletter includes articles about Equity Literacy, the Vermont PE Assessment, the Health and Physical Education PLC, and professional learning events and resources to support Vermont’s health and physical educators.
Contact: Susan Yesalonia at susan.yesalonia@vermont.gov or (802) 479-1284
Courtesy Posts
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.
Professional Learning for Arts Educators: Learn, Share and Plan at Shelburne Museum
Arts educators (art, music, media arts, theater, dance) will gather to learn, share and plan alongside one another in both workshop and breakout work sessions. The day will begin with shared learning on the topic of the educator’s role in supporting equity literacy in the arts room and an orientation to the Vermont Arts Learning Target Bank. Then participants will engage in collaborative work time based on shared needs. Topics include, but are not limited to, curriculum design, teacher resource share, building proficiency scales, rubrics, performance assessments and team time. Participants will be invited to sign up for work sessions upon registration, as well as explore the museum grounds and galleries. Time will be provided for whole group learning, discussion and collaborative work time in breakout groups. Teams are welcome and encouraged. Registration is now open, at no cost, and limited to 40 K-12 Arts educators. Facilitated by Emily Titterton and Mollie Davis. Thursday, October 10, 2019, 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Pisasale Center for Education at the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT.
Contact: Mollie Davis at mdavis@shelburnemuseum.org
Become a Census Bureau Ambassador with Statistics in Schools
Apply to be a teacher ambassador by Aug. 31, 2019. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program is looking for ambassadors in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ideal candidates are active pre-K through 12th grade teachers who are excited to spearhead a national initiative at their schools while shaping the future of their communities through social media, collaboration, and leadership. Application reviewers will consider the following qualifications: 1) Past leadership positions or an expressed interest in gaining experience; 2) Knowledge of or experience with SIS materials; and 3) A social media presence. As an SIS ambassador, you will help your students, schools and communities benefit from the 2020 Census. Email CLMSO.SISambassador@census.gov to apply.
Contact: Gabby Migliara at CLMSO.SISambassador@census.gov
Online Practicum for Wilson Reading Systems® Level 1 Certification
Registration is open for the Wilson Reading System® Level I Certification online practicum hosted by the Stern Center for Language and Learning. The Wilson Reading System (WRS) Level I certification program is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS Steps 1-6. Practicum participants will work with a Wilson Credentialed Trainer to receive five web-based observations to strengthen and support their work as they teach their practicum student. Registration due by September 6, 2019.
Contact: SJ White at swhite@sterncenter.org or (802)-878-2332 ext. 320
Professional Learning: Curriculum Leadership Academy
Registration is open for Curriculum Leadership Academy: Leading a Learning Organization. Curriculum Leaders are the shepherds of continual learning in districts; they are capacity-builders, vision keepers, lead learners, framework builders, innovation catalysts and more. This year we have pushed the start date back to October 14, 2019, and with Megan Grube as the lead facilitator, we will meet the learning needs of current and aspiring Curriculum Directors through the development of a continuous improvement plan that is personalized to participants. Fine tune or learn new skills to help design and build dynamic environments for students. Three grad credit option, meals and text included (Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts and Systems). Oct. 14 and Nov. 15, 2019, and Jan. 17, March 20 and May 22, 2020, at CVEDC's new location in South Burlington.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642
College and Career Event Toolkit and Funding Opportunity
Advance Vermont and VSAC have partnered to develop a Vermont-focused College and Career Event Planning Toolkit, a guide to planning these events, including checklists, tips, templates and resources. Through generous support from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to schools, government and non-profit organizations across Vermont to support innovative college and career events in their communities. To access the toolkit and apply for the grant, visit the Advance Vermont Website. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2019.
Contact: Kirstin Boehm at boehm@vsac.org