Volume 16, Issue 12

March 23, 2022

COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for Schools
- Reminder: School Vaccine Incentive Program
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.

Reminder: School Vaccine Incentive Program

Vermont public and independent schools are eligible to earn cash for meeting vaccination thresholds. Schools must be able to certify that they have met a vaccination threshold and that student input will be sought and considered when planning the use of these otherwise unrestricted funds. The application deadline is April 1, 2022. See the program overview for more information.
Contact: AOE COVID-19 Response Team at AOE.COVID19Testing@vermont.gov

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.

Behavioral Threat Assessment Training Recording - Vermont School Safety Center

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
The Vermont School Safety Center is pleased to provide a recording of our 8-hour virtual Behavioral Threat Assessment training that took place on March 16, 2022. This training is designed to prevent active shooter incidents, stalking and other targeted violence in our schools and school districts. Visit the online training portal to view the recording.
Contact: Robert L. Evans at revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Training Recording with SIGMA

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, School Crisis Planning Team Members
The Vermont School Safety Center is pleased to provide this conversation between Mr. Rob Evans, VT School Safety Liaison Officer and Dr. Marisa Randazzo from SIGMA Threat Management describing new and emerging trends in behavioral threat assessment and management. Listen to the podcast on the Vermont School Safety Center webpage.
Contact: Robert L. Evans, VT School Safety Liaison Officer, revans@margolishealy.com or (802) 839-0448

March and April Issue of Literary Learning: Newsletter for English Language Arts in Vermont

Audience: English Teachers, Literacy Coaches
The March and April issue of the bi-monthly newsletter, Literary Learning, is now available to read on the Agency of Education’s English Language Arts (ELA) webpage. This issue includes the first installment in a series of articles about literacy instruction, along with resources to support educators in improving literacy outcomes for students. Also included are resources for women’s history, inclusivity and identity as well as information about upcoming professional learning opportunities. Be sure to subscribe to the Agency’s ELA listserv in order to stay informed about ELA in Vermont.
Contact: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov

Clean School Bus Program

Audience: School Administrators, Principals, Superintendents, Transportation Coordinators
Congress allocated $5 billion over five years (FY22-26) for the replacement of existing school buses with low and zero-emission school buses. With this program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an exciting opportunity to invest in the health, equity and resilience of our communities. EPA anticipates that the program application period will open to the public in late April with additional funding opportunities to follow. Visit EPA’s Clean School Bus website to find program information and sign up for the Clean School Bus Newsletter.
Contact: Gary Rennie at cleanschoolbus@epa.gov

Student Member Sought for State Board of Education

Audience: Vermont Secondary Students – Graduating in 2024 or later
The Governor’s Office is seeking a candidate to serve on the State Board of Education as one of its two student representatives. The State Board of Education usually meets on the third Wednesday of every month and establishes policies, regulations and rules related to education in Vermont and in keeping with statutes passed by the Legislature. Meetings are typically scheduled from about 8 a.m. to mid-day and there might also be opportunities to serve on subcommittees of the Board. During the pandemic, the Board has continued to meet virtually each month via Microsoft Teams. This might change to in-person meetings, a hybrid option or some combination/rotation of meeting formats. Candidates may apply using the Application for Gubernatorial Appointment. The deadline for applications is April 29, 2022. Questions about the application or the nomination process itself can be emailed to EXE.Appointments@vermont.gov.
Contact: Suzanne Sprague at suzanne.sprague@vermont.gov (802-828-1130) or Maureen Gaidys at maureen.gaidys@vermont.gov (802-828-0047)

Family Engagement Office Hour

Audience: Family Engagement Personnel, Administrators
Please join the AOE Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) Team for a new series of monthly Family Engagement Office Hours. The first Office Hour will be held on March 30, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. These are informal monthly one-hour virtual sessions for family engagement colleagues to connect, hear updates and discuss problems of practice regarding family engagement. Building Effective Two-Way Communication will be the focus for March. Save the dates for future Family Engagement Office Hours will be held on April 27, 2022, and May 25, 2022, from 1-2 p.m.
Contact: Nancy Hellen at nancy.hellen@vermont.gov

Vermont PBS: March Resources to Celebrate Women’s History Month

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, PreK-12 Teachers
The Vermont Agency of Education has updated our Vermont PBS webpage for March 2022. Celebrate Women’s History Month with resources from PBS Learning Media and VPR. Other topics of interest include Holocaust remembrance collections, exploring the outdoors, middle school math and young adult literature. We will continue to update this webpage monthly, so check back often to find new featured resources related to monthly themes and organized by grade band and subject area. Also, visit the Vermont PBS Kids and Education page to find more online and printable resources. To share resources and network with colleagues, join the Vermont PBS Educational Resources group on Edmodo. Activate your Edmodo account and join the VTED Learns community by filling out this form.
Contacts: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel at hduhamel@vermontpbs.org

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.

Business/Entrepreneurship 2022 Competitions – for All Secondary Students - CORRECTED LINK

For the Student Business/Entrepreneurship 2022 Competitions, students will prepare a business model canvas plan and executive summary or business video pitch up to 5 minutes (MP4 or YouTube) and executive summary of a product(s) and/or service(s). Open enrollment now through May 2, 2022 (submission deadline). There will be cash prizes. For explanations, rubrics and guidelines visit the 14th Annual Student Business/Entrepreneurship 2022 Competition flyer.
Contact: Laurel Butler at lbutler@vtsbdc.org or (802) 922-3692

Deadline Extended for Student Holocaust Education Competition

The past year has been challenging in so many ways for us all. During difficult times, stories of Holocaust survivors inspire with lessons of hope and resilience. This school year, the Vermont Holocaust Memorial asks students to reflect on the following question using poetry, prose, art, or film: "How does the story of one Holocaust survivor inspire you or give you hope in the face of today’s challenges?" Cash prizes will be awarded. Complete guidelines can be found on the 2021-2022 Student Contest page. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 2, 2022.
Contact: Debora Steinerman at info@holocaustmemorial-vt.org

College and Career Pathways Workshop Recordings

Workshop recordings from the March 5, 2022, College and Career Pathways (CCP) event are now available on the CCP event page or on Vermont Student Assistance Cooperation’s YouTube Channel. Recorded sessions include “Event Welcome with Governor Phil Scott”, “Scholarships: Free Money” and more. Visit the College and Career Pathways page for all of the event recordings and links to additional college and career planning resources.
Contact: Anna Telensky at telensky@vsac.org

Learning to Educate Outdoors (L.E.O. I, II &III) Through Castleton University Continuing Education program

Now, more than ever, it is important for children to get outside and experience nature first-hand. The rich environment of the school yard, a nearby natural or recreational area, forest or park can be used to enhance and deepen the curriculum across all grades and subject matter. LEO supplies the knowledge and tools to venture out without having to fear losing classroom control or having all the answers. With a cohort of six or more teachers from a school or from across a school district, LEO will transform a schoolyard into a personal classroom. Two days (15 contact hours) of intense learning per credit and no travel makes this course unique in giving you the knowledge you learn right at your school. Dates and times are determined by the cohort.
Contact Kurt Valenta at mrk@exordium-adventure.com or 802-238-3697

All Learners Network: Math For All Learners

The All Learners Network: Math For All Learners workshop will be two full-day sessions and both sessions will be held in-person at the All Learners Learning Center in Burlington. Day 1 will be on March 29, 2022, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Day 2 will be on March 30, 2022, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The All Learners Network uses five key components to help math leaders and, ultimately teachers, support all students to be successful in mathematics. We teach educators to use effective strategies to help all children learn math, such as High Leverage Concepts, All Learners Lesson Structure, training for instructional leaders to facilitate student growth, a rapid cycle of inquiry and formative assessment forming instruction. This workshop is funded and supported by the Vermont Agency of Education and is free for participants.
Contact: TJ Jemison at communicationsdirector@alllearnersnetwork.com

Entrepreneurship Institute “Creativity & Innovation” – Governor’s Institutes of VT: For 10-12 Grade Students

The Governor's Institutes of Vermont 2022 Entrepreneurship: Creativity & Innovation Institute is a program for 10-12 grade students to spend a week diving deep into the creativity and innovation that goes into developing new products and services. With the guidance of proven entrepreneurs and experts, plus a network of peers, student leverage their own unique business ideas to propel them to future success. They’ll learn to develop an “entrepreneurial mindset” and what it takes to create a business or be more successful in any career pathway, college and the workforce. There is an option for three college credits. June 26–July 1, 2022 – residential program at Vermont Technical College, Randolph Campus.
Contact: Laurel Butler at lbutler@vtsbdc.org or (802) 922-3692

Design Engineering: Unleashing All Learners’ Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills (Grades 2-8)

Vermont Higher Education Collaborative is offering a one-day, virtual workshop called Design Engineering: Unleashing All Learners’ Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills, on April 14, 2022, with Aryln Bruccoli and Jennifer Fitch. Using a design engineering process provides ways for all learners to solve challenges, integrate critical thinking, develop and apply problem strategies, and grow their collaboration skills. This workshop includes no-tech ways to use a design engineering process, as well as ways to incorporate the low-cost Edison robot (included in workshop tuition price). During this workshop, the presenters will model design engineering tasks that transfer across the curriculum, embed the practice of transferable skills and provide possible modifications to include all learners. Registration closes on April 1, 2022.
Contact Julie Medose: info@vthec.org or 802-498-3350

Professional Learning: Mentors, Coaches, Supervisors

Registration is open for Supporting Beginning Teachers (virtual) with Dr. Tina Boogren. Effectively supporting beginning teachers is crucial for both retention and developing expertise in relation to student achievement. Dr. Boogren will guide leaders, coaches and mentors in specific ways to support them. The session will be on August 18, 2022, from 3:15-4:45 p.m., and will include the book; Boogren: Supporting Beginning Teachers. Mentors can add this to our Beginning Teacher Cohort Series.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642

Applications Open for AgroTek Innovation Academies

This new program is a free, week-long summer science opportunity at UVM for teens, offered by UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and UVM Extension/4-H. Anyone currently in Grade 7-12 and with an interest in biotechnology is encouraged to apply, especially youths from groups underrepresented in agriculture and science. Two academies - "Culturing Cells for Healthier Soils" and "Shifting the Waste to Value Paradigm" - will be held concurrently on the University of Vermont (UVM) campus from June 26 to July 1, 2022, including lab time, field trips and mentoring. Participants will return to campus on August 5, 2022, for an Innovation Slam, a pitch-style competition to share outreach projects demonstrating what they learned. Applications are due by April 1, 2022. Visit the UVM Extension 4-H and Youth website to learn more and to apply.
Contact: Sarah Kleinman at sarah.kleinman@uvm.edu

Computer Science Courses For Educators at the University of Vermont

The Departments of Education and Computer Science at the University of Vermont will offer two computer science courses for educators that fulfill Vermont Agency of Education endorsement standards for Computer Science Licensure in Grades 7-12. The courses will be EDCI 380 OL2 Interactive Web Design for Educators – 3 Credits - May 23-July 1, 2022, by Robert Erickson – Robert.Erickson@uvm.edu and EDCI 380 OL3 Python Programming for Educators – 3 Credits – June 20–July 1, 2022, by Jackie Horton – Jackie.Horton@uvm.edu. For more information about the computer science courses and registration requirements, please see our Computer Science Education Course Information flyer.
Contact: Regina Toolin at rtoolin@uvm.edu

Umatter for Youth and Young Adults

Umatter® for Youth and Young Adults promotes youth mental health and leadership skills. The Center for Health and Learning works directly with adult advisors within school systems to support delivery of curriculum that is focused on building resilience and promoting help-seeking behaviors. Participants are supported in the creation of a Community Action Project to impact their community
Contact: Catherine Diduk at info@healthandlearning.org

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning’s New Opportunity: Secondary Literacy Partnerships

In this Networks for Excellence in Schools (NEXIS) experience, literacy interventionists and universal level teachers will work together to identify points of inquiry and engage in Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to make equitable systems change in our schools and state. Literacy intervention and instruction in middle and high school can be a challenging space to navigate. Students in secondary schools often arrive with a complex literacy background and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of these students is essential. Registration and more details can be found on the Secondary Literacy Partnerships NEXIS page.
Contact: Mary Grace at info@pllvt.org or (802) 828-0521

Professional Learning: Just Words® Virtual Launch Workshop

Registration is open for Just Words®, offered this Spring. These professional learning courses are offered through the Stern Center for Language and Learning. Just Words is a highly explicit, multisensory decoding and spelling program for students in grades 4–12 and adults who have mild to moderate gaps in their decoding and spelling proficiency but do not require intensive intervention. The program is designed for students with below-average decoding and spelling scores and should be combined with other literature-rich programs. Visit the Just Words course page to register. View the Application for Grant Funding form to learn more about grant funding.
Contact: SJ Larkspur at slarkspur@sterncenter.org