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Weekly Field Memo - Volume 17, Issue 42

November 22, 2023

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: November 22, 2023

Scaffolding Learning through Language Facilitated Training

Audience: Educators
The Agency of Education is sponsoring a training through our membership in the WIDA Consortium entitled Scaffolding Learning through Language. This is a facilitated webinar series intended for all teachers of multilingual learners, not just ML specialists. The webinars will meet from 8-9:30 a.m. on December 1, December 8, and December 15, 2023. We have 25 places available on a first-registered, first-served basis. If you are interested, please register online
Contact: Stephanie Vogel, stephanie.vogel@vermont.gov

Vermont Public: Resources for Vacation

Audience: Teachers, Curriculum Directors
The Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Public invite families and caregivers to explore click-ready, educational, and safe content for vacation weeks, including podcasts, interactive games, and digital video for home or long car trips. PBS KIDS and local content can always be found on Vermont Public’s Families page. Visit the Vermont Public Educators page for more recommendations.
Contacts: Emily Leute, emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel, hduhamel@vermontpublic.org

Effective Use of Data Coaching Opportunity

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, and Instructional Coaches
In addition to workshop and webinar opportunities available on the Vermont Data Use website, Demonstrated Success is offering coaching sessions with staff at your site for up to two half days or one full day. The Agency of Education contract covers the cost of these professional learning opportunities. Examples of how Demonstrated Success Coaches provide professional learning for the field include working with leadership teams to articulate systems for school/district-wide data use; coaching educators in next steps within a layered system of high-quality supports based on data analysis; and facilitating data dive protocols using local data to plan for instruction.  
Contacts: Pat Fitzsimmons, pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov and Karen Matso, Karen.Matso@Demonstratedsuccess.com or (207) 752-2432 

Building Authentic Performance Assessments for Learning

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Principals, and Grades 9-12 Educators
The Agency of Education in collaboration with Great Schools Partnership is seeking 9th through 12th grade teachers interested in working with a cohort of educators to develop, pilot, and refine content-specific performance assessments. In January 2024, cohorts will form to develop performance assessments that align with the Priority Performance Indicators outlined in the Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirement Hierarchies. Educators will work within their preferred content area to develop performance assessments, facilitator guidelines, and supporting rubrics. If you are interested in developing assessments that will be made available statewide, please complete this brief form providing an overview of your preferences and experiences.
Contacts: Pat Fitzsimmons, pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov and Erica Wallstrom, ewallstrom@greatschoolspartnership.org

Summer and Afterschool Literacy Instruction and Family Engagement Opportunity 

Audience: All
Join us on December 6 at 3 p.m. to learn about the opportunity to offer an afterschool and summer literacy instruction and family engagement program in your school(s). The opportunity supports SU/SD in delivering high-quality literacy and family engagement programming afterschool for 8-10 weeks this winter/spring or for 4-5 weeks during the summer of 2024. This is available through an AOE contract with Springboard Collaborative. Join a Zoom information session on December 6 at 3 p.m. to learn more.
Contact: Emily Lesh, Emily.Lesh@Vermont.gov

Second Literacy Professional Learning Module Available Now

Audience: Educators
The second module in Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Literacy Success AOE's new literacy professional learning series is live! The second module contains two modules based on the educator's grade band—Grades K-3 Module 2: Exploring Language and Phonology and Grades 4-12 Module 2: Exploring Adolescent Literacy. The series is designed to take Module 1: Understanding the Neuroscience of Literacy first. Register online if you still need to and begin taking the series today. Learn more on AOE's website.
Contact: Emily Lesh,  aoe.literacy@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.