- Combined Incident Reporting Software Webinar and FAQ
- Smarter Balanced Newsletter
- Proficiency-Based Transcripts
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Survey
- What if Wednesday, School Safety Training - Missing Student
- Linking Learning to Careers
- Be Tick Smart High School Video Contest
- Courtesy Postings
Combined Incident Reporting Software Webinar and FAQ
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Behavior Specialists
A 10-minute voice-over of the interactive webinars offered this past December and January, and Frequently Asked Questions page resulting from those webinars. This webinar informs incident reporters of Combined Incident Reporting Software (CIRS) updates for 2017, as well as discusses why accuracy in reporting is important, how collecting this information benefits a school’s culture, and key points to remember when reporting incidents. Review the FAQs and an overview of the CIRS webinar online.
Contact: Tracy Watterson at (802) 479-1353 or tracy.watterson@vermont.gov
Smarter Balanced Newsletter
Audience: All
The March 31, 2017 issue of the Smarter Balanced Newsletter is out. In this issue we have addressed state contacts, Text-to-Speech (TTS) protocol/webinar slides, SBAC and Higher Education, the new SBAC Sample Item website, Digital Library "bugs", and teacher access in the test delivery system. The Testing Tally is back for its third year and NECAP information has made a guest appearance.
Contact: Linda Moreno at linda.moreno@vermont.gov
Proficiency-Based Transcripts
Audience: Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, Principals, Guidance Counselors
As schools move towards proficiency-based educational systems, parents are wondering how a proficiency-based transcript will be received by colleges. To answer that question, the agency has added two resources to our Proficiency-Based Learning web page. Please refer to How do colleges view proficiency-based transcripts? and How Selective Colleges and Universities Evaluate Proficiency-Based Transcripts: Insights for Students and Schools.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons at (802) 479-1425 or pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Survey
Audience: Superintendents, Principals
Act 117 - VSA Title 16, Section 2904 - requires that each superintendent shall annually provide the Vermont Secretary of Education with a description of the educational support systems at each school in each supervisory union. The report shall describe, services and supports, how they are funded, and how building the capacity of the educational support system is addressed in the School's Continuous Improvement Plan. Please complete the MTSS Survey online by June 1, 2017.
Contact: Emma Louie at (802) 479-1336 or emma.louie@vermont.gov
What if Wednesday, School Safety Training - Missing Student
Audience: Superintendent’s, 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.
Contact: Robert L. Evans, Margolis Healy, at revans@margolishealy.com
Linking Learning to Careers
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, CTE Directors, Special Educators, Guidance Counselors and Work-Based Learning Coordinators
Linking Learning to Careers (LLC) is an exciting new statewide initiative to improve career and college readiness outcomes for Vermont high school students with disabilities supported by a grant from the US Dept. of Education. This five-year program implementation and research initiative will build on the services already provided by VocRehab transition counselors and VABIR youth employment specialists, and engage them in additional Flexible Pathways opportunities such as work-based learning, dual enrollment, and career development experiences that will help them to successfully transition from high school into adulthood. LLC is a powerful partnership led by VocRehab VT and including Community College of VT, VABIR, the Agency of Education, and high schools and career and technical educational centers throughout the state. To learn how to connect your school, contact Rich Tulikangas, LLC Director at the Agency of Human Services, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living.
Contact: Rich Tulikangas, LLC Director, at (802) 734-8170 or richard.tulikangas@vermont.gov
Be Tick Smart High School Video Contest
Audience: High School Educators
Calling all creative high school students in Vermont to enter the 2017 Be Tick Smart Lyme Disease Video Contest and win money. To enter, students in grades 9-12 must submit a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) style video by the deadline on April 3, 2017. This is an opportunity for students to be creative while they learn about tickborne disease and educate others on the topic. The top three winners will receive prizes up to $200. The Vermont Department of Health will promote the winning videos during Tickborne Disease Awareness Month, which is May 2017. Review the contest guidelines, and encourage your students to enter.
Contact: Shari Levine, information director, at shari.levine@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.
Green Mountain Capstone Symposium
The Green Mountain Capstone Symposium is a retreat from July 31- August 2, 2017 at Castleton University. It is focused on bringing educators together to grow and develop capstone programs. This event is open to anyone interested in exploring the power and potential of capstone programs in their own communities. Regardless of whether your school is considering capstone, in the beginning stages of developing a program, or a veteran leader of implementation, your voice and experiences are welcome. Register online through Eventbrite.
Contact: Erica Wallstrom, Rutland High School, at (802) 770-1103 or erica.wallstrom@rcpsvt.org
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Graduate Course
This online course is offered as one of a series of courses by the Vermont Education Collaborative toward health education endorsement. Students taking the course for credit and successfully complete the course will receive one graduate credit through Union Institute and University. This course is offered so that teachers and health and guidance personnel have a sufficient level of professional development to enable them to competently teach or provide other services required in the school's ATOD prevention education program. The course begins April 30, 2017, and tuition is $550.00. Learn more and register online through Health and Learning.
Contact: Catherine Diduk at catherine@healthandlearning.org
Rowland Foundation Honoring Diversity Grants
The Rowland Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals for its Honoring Diversity Grants. $50,000 in grant money will be issued to select Vermont schools who submit successful applications reflecting their vision for using student voice in enhancing the conversation about cultural, racial and religious differences in their school community and around the state. For more information and application requirements visit the Rowland Foundation.
Contact: Charles W. Scranton, Executive Director, at cscranton@therowlandfoundation.org
Mindfulness and Restorative Practices with Annie O'Shaughnessy
This is one course and two workshops will explore mindfulness and restorative practices as foundational and interdependent practices to help build a vital learning community with Annie. Past participants are already implementing these practices. A hybrid online course will run July 10 - August 4, 2017, and in-person July 17 - 21, 2017. The Mindfulness Workshop will be held July 12, 2017 at the Hampton Inn and Conference Center in Colchester. The Restorative Practices Workshop will be held August 3, 2017 at the Hampton Inn and Conference Center in Colchester. Register online through the Champlain Valley Educator Development Center.
Contact: Lauren Wooden, executive director, at lauren@cvedcvt.org
UVM Summer University courses
These courses are conveniently available on campus and online, with three different start dates in May, June, and July. Tuition is discounted by 30 percent. Fulfill professional development requirements, develop and improve your skills, and stay on top of today’s relevant topics. See course descriptions and register online.
Contact: summer@uvm.edu or call 800-639-3210.
Stern Center Weekly Webinar
This 1.5-hour webinar, entitled “Visual Supports for Children with Autism” provides an overview of the function and use of visual supports for scaffolding language, behavior, and social communication. A review of the theoretical underpinnings supporting the use of visuals to scaffold socio-communicative impairments is provided followed by practical hands-on applications to be used across educational and clinical settings. This webinar will occur live on April 10, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a recorded version will be available afterward. This is recommended for teachers, reading specialists, speech-language pathologists, and other school staff grades K-12. Cost is $75.
Contact: Caitlin Niland, Intake Coordinator for Professional Learning, at (802) 878-2332 or proflearning@sterncenter.org