Skip to main content

Volume 11, Issue 35

August 30, 2017

Dual Enrollment Voucher System Training

Audience: Administrators, Dual Enrollment Voucher Coordinators, School Counselors, Career Technical Education Coordinators, Adult Education High School Completion Program Managers, College Dual Enrollment Partners
Registration for training on the new voucher system and a discussion on equity and access to dual enrollment is now open. Registration will close on September 8, 2017. You will only need to attend one of the training days below. The training will start at 9 a.m. and finish by 4:00 p.m. Dual Enrollment Voucher System Training will be held on: September 27, 2017 at Lake Morey, Fairlee, VT; September 28, 2017 at Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT; and September 29, 2017 at Franklin Center at the Howe, Rutland, VT.
Contact: Toni Marra, Dual Enrollment at toni.marra@vermont.gov

Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K Observation Training

Audience: Administrators, Assessment Coordinators, Program Directors
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) is an assessment tool that measures the interactions in a classroom, which are essential indicators of learning outcomes. It is recommended by the Vermont Agency of Education and is used as part of the Vermont Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS). Prepare to fairly and accurately observe and code classrooms by attending this free two-day training - the first step in earning your CLASS observer certification. There will be six sessions offered throughout the state. Register for the CLASS PreK Observation training.
Contact: Ellen Cairns at (802) 479-1443 or ellen.cairns@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

Puberty and Adolescent Development Online Workshop

Audience: Physical Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Nurses, Others Providing Puberty Education
The Vermont Agency of Education is providing workshop enrollments to educators who are tasked with providing puberty education to elementary school students in Vermont.  We are seeking educators who do not have a health endorsement.  Workshop cost of $150 will be covered by AOE.  Workshop participants are expected to provide puberty education at least one time during the 2017-2018 school year. Please register for the Puberty and Adolescent Development Online Workshop by September 1, 2017.
Contact: Tom Aloisi at (802) 479-1869 or thomas.aloisi@vermont.gov

Coordinated Services Plan

A subgroup of the State Interagency Team is working to update the Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) and we need your feedback. The Coordinate Services Plan survey has seven questions and will be important feedback for us to ensure the plan is family-friendly, streamlined and helpful.  Please forward this information to anyone you know who uses the CSP. The survey is open until mid-September to ensure we can get feedback from educators as well. 
Contact: Cheryle Bilodeau, Interagency Planning Director, at (802) 760-9171 or cheryle.bilodeau@vermont.gov

Vermont ABLE

Audience: Special Education Coordinators, Directors, and Support Services
The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council (VTDDC) is helping the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office to spread the word about Vermont ABLE. The rules for saving money have changed for people with disabilities. With Vermont ABLE there are flexible choices for saving and investing money, earnings on qualifying expenses are tax-free, and there’s no risk of losing Medicaid or SSI. Children and adults with disabilities can qualify. VTDDC’s Executive Director travels all over the state to educate groups and organizations about this hallmark change in legislation. Staff are available all year to talk with you, young people, parents, and guardians, about Vermont ABLE.
Contact: (802) 828-1310 or vtddc@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.

Margaret Waddington Leadership Initiative

The Vermont Principals’ Association in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC is accepting applications for the 2018 Margaret Waddington Leadership Cohorts. Apply online. The deadline for completed applications is September 30, 2017.
Contact: Ken Page, Coordinator of the Margaret Waddington Leadership Initiative, at kpage@vpaonline.org

Extension Master Gardener: Reflecting on a Great Year

UVM continues to cultivate gardening communities throughout Vermont with the Extension Master Gardener and Master Composter programs. In 2016 - 2017, volunteers promoted horticulture in more than 80 projects around the state, from composting at local schools, to creating library gardens, to giving presentations.  Read the Master Gardener Annual Report. Learn more about the Extension Master Gardener program
Contact: Beret Halverson at (802) 656-1777 or beret.halverson@uvm.edu

Fundations 1

This introductory workshop exposes educators to the Fundations for Grade 2 program, which focuses on the importance of teaching phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling in the general education classroom. Fundations is based upon the Wilson Reading Principles and is designed to provide high-quality classroom instruction for all students. Each Fundations workshop aligns with that grade’s Common Core Reading Foundational Skills, provides a practical application of reading research, and will prepare teachers to teach Fundations in Prevention (Tier 1) and/or Early Intervention (Tier 2) settings. Held at the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 27, 2017. Register for Fundations.
Contact: Caitlin Niland, Intake Coordinator for Professional Learning, at (802) 878-2332 or proflearning@sterncenter.org

Vermont Fest 2017,  Mapping the Future

VITA-Learn will be celebrating its 25th year working to promote and support the use of information technology to transform Vermont education.  Our fall conference theme is Mapping the Future, reflecting on how far we have come, and planning for where we are headed.  We are inviting Vermont’s educational leaders to share their stories, successes, challenges, and professional learning with other colleagues, to increase the knowledge base of strategies, road maps, and foundations for planning and implementing on a school-wide basis.  November 2 and 3, 2017 at Killington Vermont, early registration discounts through September 10, 2017.

Barre Opera House Student Matinee Series

Teachers, homeschooling families and parents of public school students, the Barre Opera House has several wonderful student matinees scheduled for the upcoming school year. The Barre Opera House Student Matinee Series performances are approximately one hour in length and study guides are available. Receive one free adult admission for every 15 kids.
Contact: Cindy Campos, Box Office Manager, at (802) 476-8188 or bohbox@barreoperahouse.org

Registration for fall Castleton University Center for Schools

Registration for fall continuing education courses is now open. There is a wide variety of coursework offered in-person throughout Vermont and online that may be beneficial for Vermont educators. Visit the Center for Schools for a complete listing of classes.
Contact: Tara Lidstone at (802) 770-7068 or tara.lidstone@castleton.edu

Northeast Regional Conference of the Association for Science Teacher Education

UVM will host the 2017 Northeast Regional Conference of the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE-Northeast) on October 12 - 13, 2017.  This conference is for educators, administrators and graduate students in STEM education. The deadline to register is September 15, 2017. 

Teens Reaching Youth for the Environment

Teens Reaching Youth (TRY) for the Environment is an environmental leadership opportunity for students in grades 7 - 12. It is an environmental education program taught by teens and designed to increase environmental literacy and responsibility in younger youth. TRY for the Environment includes five program areas to connect young people to real-world environmental problems allowing them to be key change agents contributing to real-world solutions. The five program areas include energy, food systems, water, waste and forests.
Contact:  Lauren Traister, 4-H Teen and Leadership Program Coordinator, at (802) 888-4972 x 402 or lauren.traister@uvm.edu

School Meal Program Enrollment Campaign Materials

Hunger Free Vermont has tools and resources available for schools to help with outreach regarding school meal applications. Visit the School Meals Resource Hub to download templates and access sample language. Ensuring all students have access to school meals helps to build a strong and impactful school nutrition program, and our team is here to help.
Contact: Rebecca Mitchell, Child Nutrition Initiatives Specialist at (802) 231-0698 or rmitchell@hungerfreevt.org

Simplifying Fractions

Simplifying Fractions is a three credit course taught by Betsy Allen - for Grades 3 - 8 teachers and will explore the learning progressions and the standards progression of the CCSS-Math, along with current research on how students develop a deep understanding of fractional concepts.  Book:  A Focus on Fractions included. September 20 - November 29, 2017.
Contact: info@cvedcvt.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 Ted Fisher at ted.fisher@vermont.gov.