- Lead in School Drinking Water Testing Schedule
- Data Analysis and Decision-making Trainings
- VTmtss Educational Equity Brief Online
- VTmtss Field Guide and Technical Assistance Available
- Learner Characteristic Inventory (LCI) Deadline Extension to Nov. 8, 2019
- School Emergency Preparedness
- Courtesy Posts
Lead in School Drinking Water Testing Schedule
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Facilities Managers
The Vermont Department of Health has updated the schedule of sampling and sample pick-up dates for 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. Superintendents (public schools) and heads of school (independent schools) will receive an email from the Health Department when they have been scheduled. If your school will NOT be open on your scheduled pickup day, please email leadschool@vermont.gov as soon as possible. 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
Data Analysis and Decision-making Trainings
Audience: Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, Principals, Leadership Teams
In partnership with the Northeast and Islands Regional Education Laboratory, the Vermont Agency of Education is offering a full-day professional learning workshop focused on data analysis and decision-making with multiple data sources, including the Vermont Annual Snapshot on Nov. 18, 2019, in Springfield and Nov. 19, 2019 in Colchester. This is an opportunity for SU/SDs and school teams to analyze and interpret local data, identify areas of strength and priority problems of practice, determine underlying root causes, and begin the process of selecting relevant evidence-based change ideas and related measures for improvement.
Contact: Lori Dolezal at lori.dolezal@vermont.edu
VTmtss Educational Equity Brief Online
Audience: All Educators
The Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) Team has published a new Educational Equity Brief offering resources, research and best practices to support LGBTQ+ students. This is the fifth Equity Brief in a series designed to increase awareness and support for all students, particularly those who have been historically marginalized.
Contact: Julia Scheier at julia.scheier@vermont.gov or (802) 828-5041
VTmtss Field Guide and Technical Assistance Available
Audience: SU/SD and School Leadership Teams
The Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) Team is offering expanded Technical Assistance to support your school’s implementation of VTmtss and understanding of the newly-released Field Guide 2019. If interested, please fill out the TA Request Form.
Contact: Tracy Watterson at tracy.watterson@vermont.gov or (802) 828-5012
Learner Characteristic Inventory Deadline Extension to Nov. 8, 2019
Audience: Special Education Administrators, Special Educators, District Test Coordinators
We are extending the due date of the Learner Characteristic Inventories (LCI) a week, putting the deadline on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Please submit only for the students who you know will be taking the alternate assessment. It should take educators approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please make sure students have been uploaded in TIDE (by District Test Administrators) and educators have completed the general TA certification located in the portal. Refer to the online resources on how to complete the LCI in the Data Entry Interface.
Contact: Ana Kolbach at Ana.Kolbach@vermont.gov
School Emergency Preparedness
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
The Vermont School Safety Center, in collaboration with the state’s school safety partners, is pleased to provide the Vermont School Safety Newsletter (October 2019). This newsletter is designed to keep school leadership teams, emergency first responders, community members and all those interested in school safety informed of the state’s most recent school safety initiatives.
Contact: Robert Evans at revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448
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.
Earn a Teaching License and Master's Degree in One Year
Saint Michael’s College is now offering a competitively priced Master of Arts in Teaching program that provides both one- and two-year options. It is designed as a fifth-year initial licensure option for undergraduates as well as a stand-alone licensure and master’s degree program for those seeking a career change. Learning opportunities include multiple field placements, diverse opportunities to explore progressive educational practices, a rigorous course sequence and a collaborative cohort model. The program culminates in a transformative capstone experience. The MAT offers initial licensure tracks in art, elementary, middle, secondary and special education with the option of pursuing additional endorsements (such as early childhood education). For licensed teachers, the MAT offers additional endorsements in special education and English language learners (ELL). For more information, please see the Saint Michael’s College website.
Contact: Amy Saks Pavese at asakspavese@smcvt.edu or (802) 654-2826
Webinar 11/22 - Restraints and Seclusions in Vermont Schools: What Families Should Know
Restraint and seclusion in Vermont schools are emergency interventions to be used only as a last resort and after less intrusive measures have already been used when a child’s behavior poses an imminent risk of substantial physical injury. This webinar is designed to discuss what is and is not permissible in terms of restraint and seclusion of students in Vermont Schools. The webinar is geared toward supporting families to advocate for their children and to understand what they can expect from schools if/when their children may be restrained or secluded. While professionals and family advocates are welcome to attend, the webinar is designed specifically to meet the needs of family members. Presenter: Tracy Harris, Coordinator of Behavioral Supports, Vermont Agency of Education. Register online to listen to this webinar on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
Contact: Janice Sabett at janice.sabett@vtfn.org
Professional Development: Fundations Level K/1 workshop
Registration is open for Fundations Level K/1, a professional development workshop offered by the Stern Center for Language and Learning. This workshop provides a practical application of reading research and will prepare teachers to teach the Fundations® program in Tiers 1 and 2 of Kindergarten and 1st grade. Registration due by Nov. 11, 2019.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at swhite@sterncenter.org
Village Health Grand Opening Art Contest
Adults and children, including groups, are invited to submit any medium of original visual artwork (photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, fabric, etc.) for cash prizes up to $500. The deadline is Nov. 30, 2019. Rules, entry forms and contact information at the Village Health website.
Contact: Jessica Rouse at info@villagehealthVT.com
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Education (K-12) Two-Hour Online Short Course
It is widely recognized that problems related to drug use, misuse and abuse pervade our society at all levels. While use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) can have a profound effect on many important aspects of an individual’s life, including mental, emotional, social, physical and spiritual health, and success in school and/or work, very few people have had any direct education about factors related to drug use. Education at the school and community level is critical to reducing problems that arise from ATOD use. The Center for Health and Learning is offering a self-directed, two-hour online course, Preventing Substance Abuse in the School Community, which consists of a brief introductory module, and four modules: 1. The Risk Factor Framework, 2. Pharmacology, 3. Addiction and Recovery, and 4. Substance Use in the School.
Contact: Catherine Diduk at info@healthandlearning.org or (802) 254-6590
TRY for the Environment - Teen Teachers Wanted
Teens Reaching Youth (TRY) for the Environment is currently accepting applications from students in grades 7-12 to be trained as TRY teen teachers to teach environmental lessons to younger students. Learn more about the program on the UVM 4-H and Youth Announcements website. Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, unless arrangements are made for an extension.
Contact: Lauren Traister at Lauren.Traister@uvm.edu or (802) 888-4972 x 402.