Volume 15, Issue 12

March 30, 2021

COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for Schools
- Vermont PBS: New Distance Learning Schedule Format for Spring and Summer
- COVID-19 in Schools Data on Health Department Website
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 and other COVID-19-related updates. For a complete list of AOE-issued guidance, please visit our COVID-19 Guidance for Vermont Schools and Continuity of Learning websites. 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.

Vermont PBS: New Distance Learning Schedule Format for Spring and Summer

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, PreK-12 Teachers
The Schedule of Vermont PBS Programs for the months of April and May is based on the PBS Teacher Planning Kit for March-May, which includes bundled media and materials that can be used during in-person or remote instruction, both with or without internet access. Each planning sheet for elementary and secondary education has been pulled out individually and linked to its corresponding week on the schedule with a different program highlighted weekly. Planning sheets are divided into three sections: “watch,” which includes the program; “teach,” which connects activities, games and lessons to the program; and “explore,” which provides additional resources about a specific topic or theme. Learn more about how to use the planning kits by viewing the screencast, How to Navigate PBS Teacher Planning Kits. For more information about the partnership between the Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont PBS, visit the AOE’s Vermont PBS webpage or the Vermont PBS Distance Learning page.
Contacts: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel at hduhamel@vermontpbs.org

COVID-19 in Schools Data on Health Department Website

Audience: All
The Health Department has been posting data on COVID-19 in K-12 schools since mid-September. The table counts people with laboratory confirmed (by PCR test) COVID-19 who were at the school, attended a school-sanctioned event, or otherwise interacted with the school community during their infectious period. The counts represent cases by school, not individual person. So, if someone interacts with multiple school communities during their infectious period, they will appear in the table multiple times. Please read more about what information is presented in the table.
Contact: COVID19.DataEntryTeam@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 specifically related to the COVID-19 response.

Registration Open: The 28th Annual Kindergarten Conference - A Focus on Children Ages 4, 5, & 6

Audience: Principals, Curriculum Directors, Teachers
The Kindergarten Conference Planning Committee is thrilled to bring Dr. Peter Gray to Vermont, a native son of Cabot schools and internationally-recognized play expert, to share his research as well as research from across the globe on the critical role of play in children’s lives. His message is particularly relevant during these days in which we find ourselves faced with the necessity of recognizing and addressing children’s holistic well-being as central to their intellectual engagement and school success. Two-hour workshops will follow the keynote and focus on play within the classroom setting, mathematics, outdoor learning, storytelling, problems solving and media literacy. The conference will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, from 9 a.m.-Noon. For more information and a link to the registration, please see the registration flyer.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons at pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov

But I’m Not a Reading Teacher! Why Do I Need to Know About the Lexile Framework?

Audience: Administrators, Educators, Special Educators, Coaches, Interventionists, School and State Library and Media Specialists
Designed for classroom teachers outside of English Language Arts, this session explores the Lexile Framework and how its measures can impact the teaching and learning of subject matter content across the curriculum and within each discipline. The structure and specific questions that will be addressed are as follows: What are Lexile measures for students and what are Lexile measures for text? What are the benefits of using the Lexile Framework for Reading to teach subject matter content? Where can you find Lexile tools and resources and how can they help guide instruction? Register to attend this live session on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, from 3-3:30 p.m.
Contact: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov

Public Comment on Education Licensing and Preparation Rules

Audience: All Education Stakeholders
Rule Series 5100 overseen by the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators and regarding educator licensure and preparation has been working its way through the rule-making process. The rules are currently open for public comment through the end of this week. We encourage those interested to review the proposed rules and offer comment.
Contact: Patrick Halladay at patrick.halladay@vermont.gov

Public Comment on ESEA Accountability and School Identification Waiver

Audience: All
The AOE has posted ESEA 2020-2021 Accountability and School Identification Waiver for public comment. To submit a public comment, please email AOE.EdInfo@vermont.gov. This document will be available for public comment until April 29, 2021, at 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Patrick Halladay at AOE.EdInfo@vermont.gov

BEST/Act 230 Grant Applications Open April 15, 2021

Audience: Superintendents, Directors of Special Education, Curriculum Coordinators, Principals, Early Education Coordinators, Business Managers
Applications for FY22 BEST/Act 230 grants will open April 15, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 30, 2021. Act 230 funds are intended for the training of teachers, administrators and other personnel in the provision of education services to children who require educational supports for academics and/or behavior in each tier of the multi-tiered system of supports. 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.
Contact: Laura Greenwood BEST/Act 230 Coordinator at laura.greenwood@vermont.gov

Mastery Transcript Consortium Panel Discussion

Audience: K-12 Educators, Educational Leaders, School Counselors
Join members of the Agency of Education’s Proficiency-Based and Personalized Learning teams as we learn more about how Vermont schools are currently using the Mastery Transcript, an innovative digital transcript that showcases the whole student. Panelists include a representative from the Mastery Transcript Consortium as well as students and teachers from three Vermont schools who will share their experiences with the transcript that highlights students’ unique learning paths, interests and abilities. The panel discussion will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021, from 3 - 4:15 p.m. Register for Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) Panel Discussion to reserve your space.
Contact: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov

FY22 Competitive Nicotine and Other Substance Use Prevention Grant

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Counselors, SAPs, School Nurses
The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) is pleased to announce that the FY22 competitive nicotine and other substance use prevention grant is now available and open to applicants.The grant and all its appendices, as well as some additional documents may be found on the AOE Substance Abuse Prevention webpage. It is recommended that this document be reviewed first in advance of starting the actual application, which must be completed and submitted within the Grants Management System (GMS). All Vermont supervisory unions and school districts (SU/SDs) who currently participate in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (including those who are currently receiving the tobacco use prevention grant) are eligible to apply. The question and answer period is March 22 - April 7, 2021, and all questions may be directed to the AOE Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Beth Keister.
Contact: Beth Keister at beth.keister@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 only include posts related to in-person training, events or meetings that affirmatively comply with current health guidance from the Vermont Department of Health, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and/or the Vermont Agency of Education.

Special Education Advisory Panel Seeking Members

The Special Education Advisory Panel is required in each state under the The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Vermont is currently in need of several roles to be filled on our panel including: teachers, representative of state agency involved in financing or delivery of related services, a representative of an independent school, a representative from juvenile or adult corrections, as well as two individuals living with a disability. For more information please visit the State Special Education Advisory Panel website for more details.
Contact: Katie Ballard at Katie.Ballardvt@gmail.com or (802) 324-7931

Professional Learning: Principal Cohort #8

Registration is open for Leading Vermont Schools Cohort #8 Understanding the Principalship. This cohort will benefit from the great experience the prior 96 Vermont leaders have had with Jay facilitating this once-monthly course. Participants will explore how effective principals deal with the multiple roles and responsibilities of a Vermont building leader, balancing the practical daily issues while impacting student learning. Each month a different expert in Vermont will share critical learning with the cohort. Two texts included. Virtual option available. Begins Sept. 15, 2021, and meets from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. once a month. Check online for all dates.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642

Global Citizenship: Engage Virtual Student Conference for Grades 7-12

Go Global VT is excited to present Global Citizenship: Engage on April 7 and 8, 2021. This action focused virtual conference for students and teachers in grades 7-12 is designed with the complexities of teaching and learning during a pandemic in mind. With a mix of pre-recorded presentations and live workshops, this free-to-attend virtual conference has something for every learner and every schedule. Whether exploring Action Civics in a workshop with the Youth Lobby, or watching a presentation from Ramiro Davaro-Comas at Dripped on the Road, Global Citizenship: Engage is sure to inspire a sense of wonder at the world and push participants to recognize the potential they hold to be a changemaker. To learn more and register, visit Go Global online.
Contact: Sam Hagen at connect@goglobalvt.org

Space Available: Flynn Online Vacation Camp for Students Ages 8-18

There are a few spots open in the Bandlab Multi-Track Recording 101 vacation camp which runs Monday-Friday, April 19-23, 2021. This camp, for singers and instrumentalists of all kinds, meets online from 9:45-10:45 a.m. (ages 8-12) and 11 a.m.- noon (ages 13-18) with Flynn teaching artist Jen Greenwood. Camp is pay-what-you-can ($0 is accepted).
Contact: Sarah Caliendo at registrar@flynnvt.org or (781) 718-8185

UVM Extension 4-H Offers New Programs for Youth and Adults

Vermont 4-H has new programs starting soon for both youth and adults. Programs for youth include 4-H World Changers: Learn to Code (grades 5-12), Virtual Teen Science Cafes (grades 7-12), and Citizenship Washington Focus (grades 9-12). Other programs include Herpetology, Career Exploration, Gardening and Nutrition, and more. We are also offering the Askable Adult Training for any adult wanting to become more "askable" and supportive for the youth in their lives. Learn more at the 4-H Announcements page.
Contact: Lauren Traister at Lauren.Traister@uvm.edu or (802) 888-4972 x 402

Professional Development: Orton-Gillingham Robust Vocabulary

Registration is open for Orton-Gillingham: Robust Vocabulary, an online professional development workshop by the Stern Center for Language and Learning on Friday, April 16, 2021. This workshop will teach OG practitioners how to develop a word list to heighten vocabulary instruction within an OG scope and sequence. Participants will learn how to select appropriate vocabulary, reinforce morphology, and create engaging activities that review and expand students' lexicon. Previous OG coursework is required to enroll. Registration due by April 14, 2021.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at slarkspur@sterncenter.org

College of Education and Social Services Summer Courses

UVM summer registration is open, and the College of Education and Social Services (CESS) has an outstanding lineup of online, remote and hybrid courses available. Summer tuition rates are 30% lower than the regular academic year, and financial aid options are available. Find course descriptions, instructors, dates and how to register on the CESS Summer Courses website.
Contact: Doug Gilman at learn@uvm.edu

Vermont Early Literacy Summit

Coming next week: Vermont’s Early Literacy Assessment Summit on April 8, 2021, with Marjorie Lipson, Sheila Valencia and Karen Wixson from 3 - 4 p.m. With this panel of national experts we will explore critical issues surrounding the development of a comprehensive and balanced assessment system for K-3. Participants will hear from the panelists and have opportunities to ask questions and learn from each other during this 60-minute online session. It is only $10 to register for this event.
Contact: Mary Grace at info@pllvt.org or (802) 828-0521