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Volume 18, Issue 19

June 7, 2024

About

The Agency of Education created the weekly field memo to keep subscribers up-to-date with current education policy, state-wide education initiatives, and official messages from the AOE. The Weekly Field Memo contains education-related posts from the Agency of Education (AOE), other State of Vermont agencies, federal agencies or Vermont's congressional delegation.

Contents: June 7, 2024

Vermont Youth Book Awards Winners Announced

Audience: Vermont Educators
The 18,000+ votes are in and winners of Vermont’s three student-choice youth book awards were announced Monday, June 3, 2024. "Bobcat Prowling," written by Maria Gianferrari and Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline wins the 2023-2024 Red Clover Book Award. "Odder," written by Katherine Applegate and Illustrated by Charles Santoso wins the 2023-2024 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award. "Four for the Road," written by K. J. Reilly wins the 2023-2024 Green Mountain Book Award. The success of the youth book award program relies on committee members who read tirelessly throughout the year to curate the booklists; the teachers and librarians who support students in reading and voting; and, of course, Vermont youth, who are at the heart of the Vermont youth book awards! Read the awards press release and find more information about the awards, the voting process, and about the award committees on the Vermont Department of Libraries' Youth Book Awards page.
Contact: Lilly Talbert at lilly.talbert@vermont.gov

Specialized Service Providers: Making Connections with VTmtss Feedback Request

Audience: Superintendents, Principals/School Heads, Special Education Directors, MTSS Coordinators, Specialized Service Providers
Specialized Service Providers: Making Connections with VTmtss is to be used by school systems when reviewing and improving their collaboration with Specialized Service Providers (SSPs) to utilize and embed their expertise. It is designed to increase staff awareness of these services and strives to expand access to these services for all students. This tool, published in October 2023, is in its piloting phase until June 30, 2024. After using the tool, your feedback on the tool would be greatly appreciated.
Contact: Nancy Hellen at nancy.hellen@vermont.gov

New Talkspace Resource

Audience: All Vermont Educators and Educational Staff
From now through September 2024 any new or existing Talkspace user may have one monthly 30-minute live session with a therapist. This new benefit is offered in conjunction with the unlimited messaging option. The Talkspace Self-Guided resources will be available through February 2025. Information on using Talkspace or Talkspace Self-Guided can be found on the AOE's Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Well Being Resources and Tools for Educators page.
Contact: Meg Porcella at meg.porcella@vermont.gov

Youth Dialogues around School Safety

Audience: School building leaders, for distribution to school communities and families
UP for Learning and the Vermont AOE are hosting a series of youth dialogues to explore the experiences and perspectives of students currently in 7th-12th grade around issues of school safety. The insights and information gathered will be shared at the 2024 Governor's School Safety Conference, as well as in a short documentary film and written report. Dates/Times for the dialogues are: June 26, 2024, from 7-8 p.m. (Virtual), July 10, 2024, from from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (Burlington - Edmunds Middle School), July 11, 2024, 9-11 a.m. (Lyndonville - Lyndon Town School - closed to other districts), and July 17, 2024, from 5-7 p.m.(Rutland Boys and Girls Club, Teen Center). Youth in grades 7-12 who are interested in attending should RSVP on this form.
Contact: Pat LaClair at pat@upforlearning.org

Strategic Planning Workshop for Effective Use of Data

Audience: Leadership Teams
School, District, and Supervisory Union teams are invited to participate in this strategic planning session facilitated by Demonstrated Success. The session is free to participants and lunch will be provided. The day will focus on using data effectively to inform your strategic plan to improve student outcomes. Teams that attended last August will be supported in assessing their progress and revising goals and action steps. New teams will develop/refine a strategic plan to meet intended goals. Sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Burlington (August 12, 2024), Goshen (August 13, 2024), and Manchester (August 15, 2024). Registration is now open.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons at pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov

AOE Universal PreK Partnership Agreement Recommendations

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Administrators and UPK Coordinators
The Universal PreK Partnership Agreement Recommendations were compiled utilizing previous iterations of the Agency of Education (AOE) partnership agreement templates, the Vermont State Board of Education (VSBE) Rule Series 2600 Prekindergarten Education, Vermont State Board of Education Quality Standards, and Federal and State Public Education laws, including Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children recommended practices. A very special acknowledgement to school district UPK Coordinators, who have ten years of experience with UPK partnership agreements for their thoughtful and knowledgeable recommendations throughout this document.
Contact: Wendy Scott at wendy.scott@vermont.gov


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The field memo has time-sensitive and relevant information designed for students, teachers, and staff. The agency encourages principals, headmasters, and superintendents to share the memo with their education community. Additionally, individuals can subscribe or unsubscribe online.

Questions? Email aoe.edinfo@vermont.gov.