- COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for Schools
- Other Agency of Education and State of Vermont Updates
- Vermont School Safety Initiative: Free Online Training Available
- FY21 BEST/Act 230 Grant Applications
- VT Annual Snapshot Unsuppressed Data Access
- AOE Seeking Public Comment on Vermont’s FFY2020 IDEA Part B Application
- VTmtss Professional Learning Provider Request for Information
- Online Weekly Math Lessons from the All Learners Network
- 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: Special Education
Audience: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Special Education Educators
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Memo: IDEA Requirements for Educational Placement and Amendments to IEPs in the Context of COVID-19 (3/27) and Remote Education Resources for Special Education (3/30).
Contact: Jacqui Kelleher at jacqui.kelleher@vermont.gov
Guidance: School Nutrition Operations
Audience: Superintendents, Independent School Heads, Food Service Managers
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Best Practices for Bus Stop Meal Delivery During COVID-19 (3/26), School Nutrition Programs COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Volume 2 (3/27), Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) From Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Sponsors During COVID-19 Volume 2 (3/27) and Waiver of Area Eligibility Requirements for SFSP/SSO During COVID-19 (3/30).
Contact: Rosie Krueger at mary.krueger@vermont.gov
Guidance: Finance
Audience: Superintendents, Business Managers, Fiscal Staff
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Agency of Education COVID-19-Related Financial Guidance (3/30).
Contact: Kathy Flanagan at kathy.flanagan@vermont.gov
Guidance: Continuity of Learning Plans
Audience: Superintendents
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Continuity of Learning Plan Cover Page (4/1), Continuity of Learning Plan Tool (4/1) and Continuity of Learning Plan Reference Guide (4/1).
Contact: Jess DeCarolis at jess.decarolis@vermont.gov
Guidance: Consolidated Federal Programs
Audience: Superintendents, CFP Team Leaders
Please consult Consolidated Federal Programs Guidance Related to School Closure due to COVID-19 (3/27)
Contact: Jesse Roy at jesse.roy@vermont.gov
Guidance: Universal Prekindergarten
Audience: Superintendents, Prekindergarten Educators, Prekindergarten Providers
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Memo: Suspension of Act 166 Activities and Procedures During Period of School Closure (3/26)
Contact: Kate Rogers at kate.rogers@vemont.gov
Guidance: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Audience: Superintendents, 21st CCLC Staff
Since last week's Weekly Field Memo, the Agency of Education has issued Supplemental Guidance for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Updated 3/31)
Contact: Emanuel Betz at emanuel.betz@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.
Vermont School Safety Initiative: Free Online Training Available
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
Vermont’s Agency of Education and Department of Public Safety have partnered with Margolis Healy in Vermont’s School Safety Planning, Training and Exercise initiative. This (3) hour training focuses on an all hazards response approach to critical incidents with a specific focus on Run/Hide/Fight. This will be offered as a virtual training rather than on-site as previously scheduled, in order to be sensitive to the demands on your time. A link to access the on-line training will be sent out in the near future. For more information on the training, please e-mail vtschoolsafety@margolishealy.com
Contact: Robert Evans at revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448
FY21 BEST/Act 230 Grant Applications
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Curriculum Coordinators, SEL Professionals
Applications for FY21 BEST/Act 230 grant awards will open April 15, 2020. Please login to your GMS account to apply. Act 230 funds are intended for the training of teachers, administrators, and other personnel in the provision of education services to students who require educational supports for academics and/or social/emotional/behavioral. BEST funds are intended for training and professional learning to support teachers, administrators, and other personnel in creating equitable, rigorous learning environments for students with emotional and behavioral needs. More information around BEST and Act 230 funds can be found the BEST Project website.
Contact: Laura Greenwood at laura.greenwood@vermont.gov
VT Annual Snapshot Unsuppressed Data Access
Audience: Superintendents
On June 20, 2019 the Agency of Education rolled out the Annual Snapshot. This tool is intended to help schools understand their strengths and needs in order to target continuous improvement efforts where there is the greatest need. The release of 18-19 school year data is currently planned for the spring. Superintendents will have secure access to the snapshot to see unsuppressed data across their SU/SDs. Likewise, principals will have access to unsuppressed data for their school. In addition, many superintendents have asked to have a second person at the SU/SD level with permission to view unsuppressed data. Superintendents can designate a second person in your organization have such access, by completing this form. In most cases, this person is likely your curriculum director or person charged with executing your CIP work. To designate more than one person, log into the form an additional time.
Contact: Patrick Halladay at patrick.halladay@vermont.gov
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
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
Online Weekly Math Lessons from the All Learners Network
Audience: Math Educators
The All Learners Network is donating online weekly math lessons to teachers and students in Vermont. Teachers utilize prepared lessons designed to be accessible to all the students in their classes, while still responding to individual student needs. The work in these weekly lessons (which will be provided for the next 8 weeks) is focused on the High Leverage Concepts (HLCs). The goal is to be sure that students will bring the most essential concepts with them to the next grade in the fall. In addition to weekly online lessons, ALN will provide (free) weekly webinars to help teachers make sense of the work they receive from students. If you have questions about these offerings, please contact John Tapper or Sandi Stanhope.
Contact: Ryan Parkman at ryan.parkman@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. 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.
1-Credit Online Graduate Course: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Education
The Center for Health and Learning is offering a 1 Credit Online Graduate Course Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Education beginning April 26, 2020. This course is offered as one of a series of courses by the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative toward health education endorsement and developed so that teachers, 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 alcohol and drug abuse prevention education program.
Contact: Catherine Diduk at info@healthandlearning.org or (802) 254-6590
Middle Grades Institute: Fully Online
After 26 years of hosting the Middle Grades Institute in person, this summer’s MGI will be fully online. After considering the projected severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the opportunity to model virtually the kind of caring, personal and equitable learning environments that young adolescents - and their teachers - deserve.Over the course of the institute week, participants will prepare to implement both remote and face-to-face learning environments that respond to students’ needs, particularly in light of the pandemic so that educators are ready for when schools open in the fall. If you are interested in attending, please review this flyer, our website, and register here. The online format will occur during the week of June 22-26, 2020.
Contact: James Nagle at jnagle2@smcvt.edu
Free Online Professional Development: Building Blocks for Literacy
Building Blocks for Literacy® Online shares play-based, developmentally appropriate games & activities with early care providers, early education professionals, parents, and anyone eager to help our youngest learners experience literacy success when they enter kindergarten. This online course is research-based, awards one undergraduate credit through Champlain College, and is offered at no cost for a limited time thanks to the generosity of H. Sinclair Sherrill, co-founder of Boon Philanthropy.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at slarkspur@sterncenter.org
QuaranTeen Virtual Science Cafes
Do you have a teen at home who loves science? 4-H is offering virtual teen science cafes every Wednesday from 3 - 3:45 pm. Join us at our virtual science cafe where you will meet scientists, learn about their work, and participate in informal discussions. So, sign up and learn some cool science!
Contact: Lauren Traister at lauren.traister@uvm.edu
Vermont Art Online: Virtual Arts and Culture Resources
Vermont Art Online is a website created in response to the COVID-19 crisis which hosts virtual exhibits from Vermont museums and galleries. The site was created by Sarah Briggs and Sarah Laursen of the Middlebury College Museum of Art in collaboration with the Vermont Curators Group, Vermont Arts Council, and Vermont Humanities Council. With over 20 participating institutions, the exhibits present opportunities for learning in a variety of disciplines from art to history to natural science. The site provides a viewing guide with suggestions for exercises with students, as well as links to the participating institutions’ educational resources, and other online arts programming from organizations across the state.
Contact: Sarah Briggs at info@vermontartonline.org
Managing Stress and Building Resilience in Times of Crisis: Live Streamed Office Hours with Dave Melnick, LICSW, NFI Vermont
Unlike most crises, the COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that is affecting us all. Please join VT-HEC and Dave Melnick for online “office hours" via Zoom, on April 6, from 11 a.m.- noon. Dave will provide a short teaching segment on stress and resilience, as well as answer questions and offer tangible well-being ideas for professionals, parents, leaders and kids. Registration is free and will be limited to 50 participants.
Contact: Julie Medose at info@vthec.org or (802) 498-3350