- COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for Schools
- Other Agency of Education and State of Vermont Updates
- Courtesy Posts
COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for Schools
This section of the Weekly Field Memo contains updates to COVID-19 guidance from the Vermont Agency of Education released since the last Weekly Field Memo. For a complete list of AOE-issued guidance, please visit our COVID-19 Guidance for Vermont Schools website. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the COVID-19 response in Vermont, visit the Health Department's Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) website.
Guidance: Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
Audience: All
On the evening of March 24, 2020, Governor Scott issued Addendum 6 to his Executive Order which puts in place a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directs all non-essential businesses and non-profits to cease in-person operations. Please consult Guidance on Governor Scott’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Order (3/25) for guidance for schools on student meals, childcare for essential persons and continuity of learning based on the Governor's order.
Contact: Miranda Scott at miranda.scott@vermont.gov
Guidance: Special Education
Audience: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Special Education Educators
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Questions and Answers Regarding Addressing the Needs of Students with Disabilities During School Closure Due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (3/20); Special Education During School Closure due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (3/21); and Guidance on Universal PreK and Early Childhood Special Education During a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (3/24)
Contact: Jacqui Kelleher at jacqui.kelleher@vermont.gov
Guidance: School Nutrition Operations
Audience: Superintendents, Indpendent School Heads, Food Service Managers
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued School Nutrition Programs COVID-19 FAQ: Volume 1 (3/20); COVID-19 FAQs for CACFP Sponsors (3/20); Guidance on Non-Congregate Feeding for Child and Adult Day Care (CACAFP) During Closure due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (3/21); Additional Child Nutrition Guidance for Schools Offering Childcare for Essential Persons (3/22); and COVID-19 Food Service Health and Safety FAQs (3/24)
Contact: Rosie Krueger at mary.krueger@vermont.gov
Guidance: Child Care for Essential Persons
Audience: Superintendents, Independent School Heads
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Child Care for Essential Personnel FAQ for SU/SDs that Operate School-Based Prekindergarten Education Programs (3/20); Supplemental Guidance for Superintendents: Child Care for Essential Persons (updated 3/21); and jointly issued with the Department of Health and Department for Children and Families Health Guidance for Childcare and Schools Providing Childcare for Essential Persons (3/22).
Contact: Miranda Scott at miranda.scott@vermont.gov
Guidance: Driver Education Instruction
Audience: Superintendents, Driver Education Teachers
Please consult Guidance on Driver Education Instruction during School Closure due to a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.
Contact: Tammy Pregent at tammy.pregent@vermont.gov
Guidance: Universal Prekindergarten
Audience: Superintendents, Prekindergarten Educators, Prekindergarten Providers
Please consult Guidance on Universal PreK and Early Childhood Special Education During a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.
Contact: Kate Rogers at kate.rogers@vemont.gov
Guidance: Educator Licensure
Audience: Educators Due for Relicensure in 2020, Educators Seeking Initial Licensure, Local and Regional Standards Boards, Student Teachers
Please consult Educator Licensing COVID-19 FAQs and COVID-19 Student Teaching FAQs
Contact: Amy Scalabrini at aoe.licensinginfo@vermont.gov
Other Agency of Education and State of Vermont Updates
This section of the Weekly Field Memo contains posts from the Agency of Education and other State of Vermont agencies that are not related to the COVID-19 Response.
AOE Seeking Public Comment on Vermont’s FFY2020 IDEA Part B Application
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Administrators, Educators, General Public
The Agency of Education is seeking comments from the public on the draft FFY20 IDEA Part B Application. The grant application provides assurances that Vermont has policies and procedures in place as required by Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Further, Part B Interactive Spreadsheet provides an overview of how federal funds will be allocated for State Education Agency leadership, oversight, and support, in addition to the total award sought for the State’s Local Education Agencies. Comments should be submitted to AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov with the Subject header – IDEA Part B Public Comment. As required, the Agency of Education will be accepting public comments for 30 days from March 13, 2020, through April 13, 2020.
Contact: Jacqui Kelleher at jacqui.kelleher@vermont.gov
Announcement: Extended Deadline to apply for Adult Education and Literacy Funding Opportunity
Audience: Organizations that have demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy services
The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity has been extended to April 15, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Grant awards will be announced by May 15, 2020. The complete grant application, the PowerPoint presentation from the applicant workshop, and other information are on the Vermont Agency of Education’s website.
Contact: Robin Castle at robin.castle@vermont.gov
VTmtss Professional Learning Provider Request for Information
Audience: Professional Learning Providers
In order to compile a resource list of regional providers, the Agency of Education is collecting information on individuals and institutions who can provide Vermont educators with professional learning in areas related to the Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports Framework. Please see the bid site for more information and RFI deadlines.
Contact: Julia Scheier at julia.scheier@vermont.gov or (802) 828-5041
April VTmtss Office Hour Cancelled
Audience: Superintendents, Principals
The VTmtss Team is cancelling their April Office Hour. Please say tuned for future Office Hour announcements and check out past recorded webinars on our Professional Resources page.
Contact: Julia Scheier at julia.scheier@vermont.gov or (802) 828-5041
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. Please refer to the Weekly Field Memo submission guidelines for additional information.
Until further notice, the Courtesy Posts will not include posts related to in-person training, events or meetings. This is to support social distancing strategies recommended by the Vermont Department of Health.
QuaranTeen Time
We are inviting high school youth thinking about life after high school to join Vermont 4-H and Lindsay Carpenter, Outreach Counselor with Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) for one or all three sessions - April 7, 14 and 21 at 3 p.m. online. Lindsay will provide tips, tricks and answer your questions related to college, affordability and alternative parthways to careers. Learn more and sign up online.
Contact: Lauren Traister at Lauren.Traister@uvm.edu or (802) 888-4972 x 402
Professional Development: Orton-Gillingham Webinars
Join the Stern Center online this spring for Orton-Gillingham (OG) training available from the comfort of your own home. Teachers with previous OG-based coursework can choose from three pre-recorded, 6-hour webinars. OG Beyond the Basics is designed to review and extend knowledge of the OG Approach. Participants in OG Advanced Morphology learn morphology from basic prefixes and suffixes to Latin grid endings and Greek combining forms. In OG Robust Vocabulary, participants learn how to develop a word list within an OG scope and sequence to heighten vocabulary instruction. These webinars are available at a reduced price thanks to generous grant funding. Learn more on the Stern Center website.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at slarkspur@sterncenter.org
Northern New England Poison Center Offering Remote Presentations for Teachers and Students
The Northern New England Poison Center is available to help schools with their remote learning curriculum. We can offer GoToMeeting presentations on e-cigarettes/vaping, marijuana, caffeine/energy drinks and general poison prevention. If interested, please contact the Vermont Poison Prevention Coordinator, Gayle Finkelstein MSN, RN.
Contact: Gayle Finkelstein at gayle.finkelstein@uuvmhealth.org or (802) 338-2762.
ACT Reschedules April 4 Test Date
The ACT has rescheduled its April 4, 2020, national test date to June 13, 2020, across the U.S. in response to concerns about the spread of the COVID-19. All students registered for the April 4, 2020, test date will be receiving an email from ACT informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June 13, 2020 or a future national test date. For more information review the ACT FAQ for educators, parents and students.
New England Dairy Offering Help with Food Service Equipment
New England Dairy would like to support the amazing efforts of school districts that are serving meals while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have equipment challenges related to serving meals and milk during this time, please reach out to Jill Hussels to discuss your challenges and how New England Dairy might be able to help.
Contact: Jill Hussels at jhussels@newenglanddairy.com.
Distance Learning Socials, Every Monday During School Closures
The University of Vermont 4-H program will be launching Distance Learning Socials on March 30th. Socials will be held every Monday at 3 p.m. on a different topics. Youth can call in, meet new people, and learn about new projects or interests in science, healthy living, and civic engagement. Youth will meet up again on the subsequent Thursday to share out their results and experiences from a simple do-at-home activity. Youth can register for the first social now and stay tuned for more virtual learning opportunities.
Contact: Allison Smith at Allison.Smith.2@uvm.edu or (802) 651-8343 x509