- Proficiency-Based Grading Practices and Transcripts
- Reminder: Vermont Regional School Calendars for 2019-2020
- Linking Health and Learning Newsletter, March 2019
- STEM/STEAM Resource Sharing Day
- IDEA B Grant Applications
- Courtesy Posts
Proficiency-Based Grading Practices and Transcripts
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Curriculum Directors and Teachers
As the goal of graduating students in a proficiency-based system by 2020 approaches, the Agency of Education has organized a number of resources on the Proficiency-Based Learning page to inform conversations with and among educators, parents and students regarding grading practices and transcripts. The Proficiency-Based Grading Practices and Transcripts section may be particularly helpful at this point in time.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons at pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov or (802) 479-1425
Reminder: Vermont Regional School Calendars for 2019-2020
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Headmasters, Regional Technical Center Directors, Curriculum Coordinators
Vermont statute, 16 V.S.A. §1071 (e), requires that superintendents of schools, regional public school principals and headmasters meet before April 1, 2019, and, by majority vote, establish a uniform calendar within that area for the following school year. The calendar needs to include student attendance days, periods of vacation, holidays and the requisite five teacher in-service education days. Please send approved regional calendars to Allison Keating at the Agency of Education no later than April 1, 2019.
Contact: Allison Keating at allison.keating@vermont.gov or (802) 479-1855
Linking Health and Learning Newsletter, March 2019
Audience: Health Educators, Physical Educators, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, Curriculum Directors, Principals, Superintendents, Higher Education
The March Linking Health and Learning newsletter is now posted on the Vermont Agency of Education Health and Physical Education (PE) webpages. This newsletter communicates pertinent information about the Vermont PE Assessment and news from around the state, as well as 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
STEM/STEAM Resource Sharing Day
Audience: K-12 STEM/STEAM Educators, CTE Educators, Curriculum Directors, PLP Coordinators
Register for STEM/STEAM Sharing Day, a free, full-day professional learning opportunity for STEM/STEAM educators on Monday April 8, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MINT Makerspace in Rutland. Participants at this STEM/STEAM sharing event will have the opportunity to learn about best practices in STEM/STEAM education, including the use of interdisciplinary performance assessments. Additionally, participants will learn from and network with other educators. Lastly the group will spend time designing future work and outcomes of a statewide STEM/STEAM network.
Contact: Greg Young at greg.young@vermont.gov or (802) 479-1448
IDEA B Grant Applications
Audience: All
The Agency of Education is seeking public comment on the state’s annual Vermont Part B Federal grant application, which guides supports and services for students aged 3-22 who have, or are at risk of having, special needs. The Vermont Part B Federal grant application will be posted on the agency’s website by the end of the day on March 15, 2019 and will be posted for 60 days for public review. As required, the Agency of Education will be accepting public comments for 30 days from March 20, 2019 through April 20, 2019.
Contact: Tonya Rutkowski at tonya.rutkowski@vermont.gov
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.
Equity Literacy for School Leaders with Paul Gorski
The single most important factor when it comes to equity progress in school is leadership: Do you have the knowledge, skills and will to be a threat to inequity in your school or district? In this workshop we will explore what it means to lead for equity, to recognize and respond to inequity and to make schools equitable spaces for each student. We will work first on strengthening our understandings of why educational disparities persist across race, class and other identities. We will then apply these understandings to a discussion of critical equity practices for school leaders. Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the College of St. Joseph, Rutland. Register here - $175 includes light breakfast, full lunch and one of Paul's books (Reaching and Teaching Students in Poverty or Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education).
Contact: Linda Wheatley at lwheatley@vpaonline.org
Professional Learning: Standards-Based Education
Registration is open for a great two-day workshop entitled: Standards-Based Learning: Structures, Systems, and Strategies for Transformation facilitated by Vermont experts Emily Rinkema and Stan Williams. Participants will explore the practices related to curriculum, instruction and assessment that are essential to make learning the goal for every student in a standards-based classroom. The authors/presenters' book Corwin:The Standards-Based Classroom: Make Learning the Goal (Rinkema and Williams) is included, at Hampton Event Center in Colchester, VT on April 2 and 3, 2019.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642
Join the Vermont Project Learning Tree Steering Committee
Vermont Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education curriculum for students in pre-Kindergarten through grade twelve. We pride ourselves in offering educational materials that teach students how to think—not what to think—about the environment. We focus on developing critical thinking skills, while also teaching students about the dynamic natural processes that surround their daily lives. Our goal is to give Vermont students the knowledge and skills to become responsible, productive and participatory members of society. We are seeking additional steering committee members. You will join representatives from the forest products industry, conservation organizations, teachers and others. We are seeking to expand the interests and talents currently on the board. Members consider this board to be one of the best on which they have served. We would love to have your expertise in helping forge the future for PLT in Vermont. We are meeting March 27, 2019 in the afternoon and would love you to join.
Contact: Rebecca Roy at rebecca.roy@vermont.gov or (802)-522-0780
Middle School Advisory Curriculum
Advisory programs provide the structure for "connectedness" in middle school. UP for Learning has refined our P4 Advisory: Personal Power and Purpose Through Partnership program for the 2019-2020 school year. P4 harnesses elements of the experiential learning cycle to increase relevance, relationships, rigor and shared responsibility in the learning process. Self-awareness, empowerment and empathy-building are primary goals of this middle level advisory program. Through P4, youth and adults strengthen relationships by co-creating community values, commitments and fostering personal power.
Contact: Lindsey Halman at lindsey@upforlearning.org or (802) 552-8140
Write Now! Conference with Kylene Beers
At the Write Now! Conference on April 6, 2019, Kylene Beers will take us on a deep dive into the Three Big Questions and the Notice and Note Signposts for fiction and nonfiction. The conference will address literacy issues across all grade levels and help you think about how you can help all students, but especially your most resistant students, become empowered learners and attentive readers. The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kennett High School in North Conway, NH. The cost is $45, including breakfast and lunch.
Contact: Frumie Selchen at frumieselchen@gmail.com or (603) 323-7302
2019 Innovation in Education Conference
The Windsor Central Supervisory Union and EdTechTeacher are pleased to once again offer their conference: Innovation in Education - Directors of Their Own Learning April 3-4, 2019. This year attendees can take a deep dive into the following strands for two days: Deeper Learning, Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age, Modern Digital Citizenship and Civic Education, Early Education Technology and Intensive Interventions. On April 2, 2019 there will be a preconference designed for school leaders on the topic “Leading through Change”. Visit the Woodstock Inn and Resort website for room reservations and reference the conference.
Contact: Rayna Bishop at rbishop@wcsu.net or (802) 457-1213
Funding Opportunity for Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs
Vermont Afterschool is proud to introduce a new funding opportunity designed to increase access to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs in Vermont. The Afterschool for All Grant Program will award $600,000 over the next two years to projects that will start or expand afterschool and/or summer learning programs in Vermont. Letters of Intent are due by March 27, 2019. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply at vermontafterschool.org/grants.
Contact: Tricia Pawlik-York at triciapawlikyork@vermontafterschool.org or (802) 448-3464
Summer Professional Development: Tuition Funding for Educators
Start planning your summer professional development now with an interactive and immediately applicable course at The Stern Center for Language and Learning. Teachers, save by registering three teachers for the price of two, or bring your school principal for no additional cost. Read more on the Stern Center website. Applications due April 15, 2019.
Contact: SJ White at swhite@sterncenter.org or (802) 878-2332 ext. 320
Third Annual Early Childhood Educators Institute at Castleton
Registration is now open: the Early Childhood Educators Summer Institute 2019 will offer 14 early childhood (Birth to Grade 3) courses addressing concepts such as Childhood Trauma, Behavior Management, Early STEM, Early Literacy, Equity and Inclusion, and Nature and Play. Additional undergraduate and graduate credit options available. The Institute takes place July 22-25, 2019 at Castleton University.
Contact: Dr. Ric Reardon at richard.reardon@castleton.edu
Performing Arts April Vacation Camps
Two April vacation camps are offered by the Flynn Center for students ages 6-8 to continue creative learning through the break. Magic Treehouse, based on the popular children's series and led by Mark Stein, will take students on thrilling trips through time and space using drama and movement to discover a new world every day. New and veteran musical theater students will have a blast acting, singing and dancing in Musical Theater, a high-energy camp led by Randal Pierce where students gain confidence as well as onstage skills. Registration is $350 per camp; scholarships and payment plans are available. More information and pre-registration online.
Contact: Sarah Caliendo at flynnarts@flynncenter.org or (802) 652-4537