- Agency of Education, State of Vermont and Federal Updates
- Computer Science Education Week Dec. 5-11, 2022
- Dual Enrollment-Early College Secondary Partnership Agreement Information
- Monthly Meetups for Visual and Performing Arts Educators
- Nominations for Presidential Scholars (Deadline Extended)
- Civic Literacy Grant Opportunity
- Vermont Public: November Resources to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
- Agency of Education Open Position
- Courtesy Posts
Agency of Education, State of Vermont and Federal Updates
This section of the Weekly Field Memo contains posts from the Agency of Education, other State of Vermont agencies, federal agencies or Vermont's congressional delegation.
Computer Science Education Week Dec. 5-11, 2022
Audience: STEM Educators, Computer Science Teachers, Curriculum Directors, School Librarians, Principals, Educators
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers and partners to the field. During CSEdWeek, educators and students are encouraged to participate in Hour of Code where educators are urged to hold a one-hour coding activity to introduce students to computer science.
Contact: Lisa Helme at lisa.helme@vermont.gov
Dual Enrollment-Early College Secondary Partnership Agreement Information
Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Guidance Counselors
The Vermont Dual Enrollment and Early College programs are well underway for the 2022-2023 school year. While it may seem early to start thinking about the 2023-2024 school year, we are already making plans. The partnership agreements for the upcoming school year will be due earlier than they have been in the past. This notice is to let schools know they should be expecting the new partnership agreement forms in early spring of 2023. Additionally, if your school has not submitted a partnership agreement form for the current 2022-2023 school year, we have enacted a period of amnesty for schools to submit an agreement form for the current school year that will allow students to participate in the Dual Enrollment program for spring 2023 classes. This amnesty period will run from Nov. 16 - Nov. 23, 2022.
Contact: Amy Dodge at amy.dodge@vermont.gov
Monthly Meetups for Visual and Performing Arts Educators
Audience: Visual and Performing Arts Educators
Please join the Vermont Agency of Education’s Arts Specialist, Lisa Bresler, in discussing important topics relevant to your teaching practice. This group will meet once a month. You can join the group for one meeting or all of them. Visual Arts will meet the first Wednesday of the month and Performing Arts will meet on the second Wednesday of the month. All meetings will run from 4-5 p.m. We will begin in Jan. 2023 and go through May 2023. Please email Lisa Bresler for more info and to sign up.
Contact: Lisa Bresler at lisa.bresler@vermont.gov
Nominations for Presidential Scholars (Deadline Extended)
Audience: Students, Principals, Guidance Counselors, Academic, Arts and CTE Teachers, CTE Center Directors
The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program recognizes students for academic success, artistic and technical excellence, community service and leadership. Scholars are chosen in three different categories: general - for high school seniors, the arts - for grades 10–12, and career technical education (CTE) - for high school seniors currently enrolled in a state-approved CTE program. Outstanding students are selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators. Students in some categories may also nominate themselves, and those selected in the general and CTE categories will be invited to apply to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Nov. 18, 2022. Only nominations submitted via electronic applications will be accepted. You can find all necessary forms and additional information online on the Awards and Recognition - Presidential Scholars webpage.
Contact: Ryan Parkman at ryan.parkman@vermont.gov
Civic Literacy Grant Opportunity
Audience: Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, Social Studies, ELA and/or Interdisciplinary Educators
The Agency of Education is offering a competitive Civic Literacy Grant opportunity to Supervisory Unions/Supervisory Districts (SU/SDs) to complement and/or amplify their existing secondary school curricula. This grant will support SU/SDs in offering an innovative learning opportunity to their students on the history and principles of U.S. constitutional democracy as evidenced through voting. Successful applicants will receive funds for the purchase of Our Unfinished March by former United States Attorney General Eric Holder, and to support student participation in an event at The Flynn Center for Arts on May 16, 2023, where they will hear from and talk with Mr. Holder. This opportunity highlights the importance of literacy within the social studies and beyond, and connected literacies such as civic, media, ethical and equity literacy as it engages students in contemporary texts to build contextual knowledge. The Agency of Education will provide supplemental learning materials aligned to the College, Career and Civic Life (C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards) to support this learning opportunity.
Contact: Martha Deiss at martha.deiss@vermont.gov
Vermont Public: November Resources to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, PreK-12 Teachers
The Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Public continue our partnership to meet the anywhere, anytime, educational, social and emotional needs of Vermont students. Visit the Vermont Public Kids and Education page to find recommendations for high-quality media and resource collections. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Molly of Denali by Incorporating Molly of Denali into Your Classroom – access resources and episode-specific activities along with indigenous cultural and informational text resources. For PreK/K students, use these conversation starters during family celebrations or watch as Mister Chris and Friends celebrate friends and tradition. For grades K-5, enjoy playful learning with Gratitude BINGO or listen to But Why Podcast and learn about dictionaries. For older students, check out Vermont Public and MusicComp’s Student Composer Showcase or learn about sports and protest and why it matters. For a local connection, check out resources from the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and the Abenaki Arts & Education Center. Also, don’t forget to visit the Education Ambassadors page to learn more about how Vermont educators are involved in our partnership.
Contacts: Emily Leute at emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel at hduhamel@vermontpbs.org
Agency of Education Open Position
Audience: All
The Vermont Agency of Education has an open position that is available to both state employees and external applicants. Education Quality Assurance Coordinator - Contact: Josh Souliere at josh.souliere@vermont.gov.
Contact: AOE Info at aoe.edinfo@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.
Mental Health Awareness, Support and Education - National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ending the Silence is a free fifty-minute presentation by the NAMI of Vermont that provides middle and high school students information about mental health and suicide prevention. NAMI’s programs are unique because the presenters relate their own personal mental health experiences throughout the presentation, including testimony from a young adult who shares their journey to recovery. The presentation outlines symptoms of mental health conditions and ways to help others who need support. Resource materials will be available. Contact program@namivt.org or visit the NAMI webpage to schedule a presentation.
Contact: Laurie Emerson at lemerson@namivt.org
Vermont Council on Reading Spring Conference
The Vermont Council On Reading (VCR) invites you to attend this fabulous in-person event with Ralph Fletcher, writer extraordinaire, on Friday, May 5, 2023! Registration is open on the VCR website. We are hosting this conference at the Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont. Ralph is not only an author of many children’s books, but he is also a teacher of writing with even more books to his name. As always, Ralph is a warm and personable presenter. He is sure to spark your interest and enthusiasm when it comes to supporting young writers in our classrooms, no matter the age. Take advantage of our early bird pricing of $195 until March 5, 2023 and $225 after March 5. Don’t miss this literacy event with food, fun and learning with others.
Contact: Ellen A. Thompson at vermontcouncilonreading@gmail.com
Children’s Literacy Foundation's Year of the Book Literacy Grant Application is Open
The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) is currently accepting applications for its 2023-2024 Year of the Book grant. This grant provides $25,000 worth of literacy programs, support and new children’s books over one school year to help build a culture of literacy in elementary schools across New Hampshire and Vermont. The grant is open to PreK-6 public schools in Vermont with at least 35% free and reduced lunch and at least 30% of students scoring below proficient on reading/writing assessments. More information on how to apply can be found online on the CLiF's Year of the Book webpage with applications due by March 1, 2023.
Contact: Cassie Willner at cassie@clifonline.org or (802) 244-0944
Clean Transportation Guest-Speaking Classroom Presentations
For Vermont high school STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) educators: Green Driving America’s The Clean Transportation Path project offers virtual (such as Zoom) guest speaking presentations, given by trained college-level interns. The benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) to future drivers are clearly described in the presentation, along with important information on EV incentives and operational cost savings. Vermont has ambitious goals to reduce transportation emissions – achieving them will require many new drivers to consider EV options in the years to come. This project is funded throughout Vermont and presentations are endorsed by Drive Electric Vermont.
Contact: Wayne Michaud at info@greendrivingamerica.org or (802) 267-4442
Middle Grades Conference: Equity Oriented Middle Grades Education
We are pleased to announce that registration is open for the Middle Grades Conference: Equity Oriented Middle Grades Education. Join us on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for the Middle Grades Conference showcasing effective middle grades practice. There is no fee to attend. The conference will be held at the Davis Center at the University of Vermont. Parking and lunch is included with the registration and details will be sent to your email. A detailed conference program will be available in Dec. 2022.
Contact: James Nagle at jnagle2@smcvt.edu
Vermont Family Network Free Workshop: College & Careers: Personalized Support Planning
The workshop, College & Careers: Personalized Support Planning, will be held on Nov. 30, 2022, from 10-11 a.m. Learn how Progressive Education can help ease stress for a youth with a disability and their family as they consider college and careers during or after high school. Progressive Education can help a young person identify their path and develop the skills to succeed through exciting, real-world opportunities and one-on-one counseling. A panel of presenters from HireAbility Vermont, College Compass and Community College of Vermont will highlight their collaboration in developing and supporting a personalized plan including mentorship, campus engagement, skill building and strong team-based communication.
Contact: Rachel Boyers at rachel.boyers@vtfn.org
14th Annual 2023 Vermont Entrepreneurship Day
All secondary students and educators in any discipline are invited to join the free, virtual, Vermont Entrepreneurship Day on Feb. 9, 2023. In this engaging educational program, you can hear from a panel of amazing young enterprising Vermont entrepreneurs as they share their stories and offer tips on how to be successful in business or in the workplace. Plus, hear from a communications expert about “how to tell your story”. In advance, students have the option to participate in the visual media competition with cash prizes awarded at the virtual event. Submissions are due Jan. 10, 2023. This year’s theme: “Vermont Entrepreneurs... Tell Your Story.” Details and competition guidelines can be found on the Vermont Small Business Development Center Secondary School Resources webpage.
Contact: Laurel Butler at lbutler@vtsbdc.org or (802) 922-3692
Senior Survey Data Exploration for High School Educators
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s (VSAC) Senior Survey provides "real-time" feedback on the student experience at individual schools as well as data on the student experience across Vermont. Attend this free, in-person workshop to examine school-specific 2022 data with guidance from experienced VSAC Aspirations School Specialists. This workshop is being offered on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. Visit the VSAC calendar of events for details and registration information.
Contact: Ellen Bagnato at bagnato@vsac.org
All Learners Network Math Professional Development
Low Floor High Ceiling Games is a three-hour workshop offered in person at the All Learners Network Learning Center in Burlington on Nov. 29, 2022, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST. Come learn about ways to engage your students and practice the math they need to learn through games.
Contact: TJ Jemison at communicationsdirector@alllearnersnetwork.com
Transformative Language Learning
Klett World Languages (KWL) provides the highest quality language materials in Spanish, French, German and Italian. KWL creates content that helps students build authentic communicative competence and become global citizens. All materials are authentic, accessible and user-friendly. Materials follow a communicative approach with project-based learning that is student-centered and American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages aligned. For a free demo/sample of any of our materials, please reach out or schedule a meeting with our Northeast Program Consultant, Kristi O’Connor.
Contact: Kristi O’Connor at koconnor@klettwl.com or (708) 689-0409 X116
Speech Therapy Services Available for All Ages
The Stern Center for Language and Learning's team of certified speech-language pathologists helps children, teens and adults overcome speech disorders, communication challenges and trouble swallowing, so they can share their voices, thoughts and feelings with the world. Using proven therapeutic approaches in one-on-one sessions, our speech therapists help people with all types of communication challenges. Visit the Stern Center's webpage for more details.
Contact: Jessica Stoehr at social@sterncenter.org or call (802) 276-8681
Partnerships for Literacy and Learning Offers “Reenergizing Your Workshop”
In light of the current research on evidence-based instruction, Partnerships for Literacy and Learning will hold the workshop, Reenergizing your Workshop, with an increased focus on student engagement and motivation. This cohort will meet six times from January until May 2023, creating a strong support network for teachers of all experience. Join Gayle Moskowitz, Sarah Blake and Deborah Boucher in these sessions that will help you support your students from the first session to the last. Find more details about this opportunity on the Reenergizing your Workshop webpage.
Contact: Mary Grace at info@pllvt.org or (802) 828-0521
Umatter Training of Trainers
Join the Center for Health and Learning for a Umatter Training of Trainers on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, from 9 a.m.-3:30 pm at the Capital Plaza in Montpelier. Participants engage in a full day of training to develop their skills and confidence to bring Umatter Suicide Prevention Awareness workshops to one's community or workplace. Register online on the training registration page.
Contact: Karen Carreira at karen@healthandlearning.org
Adolescents' Literacy Instruction: A Strength-Based Approach
In the workshop, Adolescents' Literacy Instruction: A Strength-Based Approach, Dr. Sarah Lupo from James Madison University will be in-person on Dec. 7, 2022, at Hampton Inn Colchester with follow-up with two virtual sessions on how to assess and determine literacy needs for students in grades 5-12. Using an MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support), participants will learn how to develop instructional strategies to ensure success across ELA (English Language Arts) and content area classes. Additionally, the presenter will share the latest research and trends in rethinking supplementary literacy interventions at the secondary level that will empower as well as support learners in their literacy growth.
Contact: Lauren Wooden at lauren@cvedcvt.org or (802) 497-1642
Castleton University Center for Schools Spring 2023 Course Registration is Now Open
Registration for Spring 2023 continuing education courses is now open! Course content, schedules and formats are specifically designed to support practicing PreK-12 educators. There are many new courses on the spring schedule, as well as a number of repeat courses that are back by request. The majority are fully online in synchronous and asynchronous environments and have start dates in Jan., Feb., March and April 2023. The spring list and course descriptions can be viewed on Castleton's Continuing Education and Graduate Courses webpage. More offerings will be added in the coming weeks and months.
Contact: Tara Lidstone at cfs@castleton.edu or (802) 345-0092