Skip to main content

Weekly Field Memo - Volume 17, Issue 43

November 29, 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 29, 2023

Act 166 Universal Prekindergarten Education 10th Anniversary

Audience: All
In celebration of the tenth anniversary of Act 166 Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Education (May 28, 2014 - May 28, 2024), the AOE Early Education Team will be highlighting parts of the UPK education system from now through the end of the school year. To kick off the anniversary celebration, the Early Education Team is sharing the new AOE Universal Prekindergarten Program Handbook. This handbook is based on Vermont State Board of Education Rules Series 2600-Prekindergarten and Agency of Education Quality Standards.
Contact: Tammy Bates, tammy.bates@vermont.gov

Vermont Public: Podcast Project for Teachers

Audience: Teachers, Curriculum Directors
The Vermont Public Podcast Project for Teachers brings resources and recommendations to you by the Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Public Education Ambassadors. Education Ambassadors support an integrated approach to cross-curricular instructional design, through the lens of multimedia. Learn more and meet our current Educator Ambassadors on the Vermont Public website. Visit the Vermont Public Educators page for more recommendations for high-quality resources.
Contacts: Emily Leute, emily.leute@vermont.gov or Heather Duhamel, hduhamel@vermontpublic.org

Educational Equity Professional Learning Providers List Update 

Audience: Professional Development Providers 
The Vermont Agency of Education is collecting information on individuals and organizations who can provide Vermont educators with professional learning in areas related to educational equity, diversity, justice, and belonging to update its current list. Those currently on the Educational Equity and Diversity Professional Development Providers List need to reapply as the criteria have changed. The AOE will evaluate the submissions and create the 2023 Education Equity Professional Learning Providers List, which is available to the state’s educators as a resource when planning professional learning. Please submit your information using this online form. Submissions will be accepted until December 22, 2023. 
Contact: Nancy Hellen, nancy.hellen@vermont.gov

Computer Science Education Week: December 4-8, 2023

Audience: STEM Educators, Computer Science Teachers, Curriculum Directors, School Librarians, Principals, Educators
Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science (CS), 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, lisa.helme@vermont.gov

Restorative Practices and Substance Use Webinar

Audience: All
Please join us for a Restorative Practices in Action Webinar on Tuesday, December 5 from 9:00-10:00 am. The webinar features panelists who will share about the application of a restorative approach to procedures and practices related to student substance use infractions. The webinar is geared toward school-based professionals supporting substance use prevention for middle school and high school students. The webinar is coordinated by Essex CHIPS in partnership with the AOE school-based nicotine and substance use prevention grant, and will be recorded.
Contact: Please email Beth Keister, beth.keister@vermont.gov, for the Zoom link.

Early Warning System Virtual Workshop

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, CTE Directors, Data and IT Managers 
There will be a slight change in topic and time for the EWS workshop this Thursday. The workshop will consist of an overview of several tools that can support EWS, followed by a deep dive into the tool eduCLIMBER. A team from the education technology company Renaissance will join the meeting and provide an overview and demo of the tool and the features it offers. The workshop will take place Thursday, November 30 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP online. Our team is planning to host additional “deep dive” workshops with PowerSchool and Infinite Campus. 
Contact: Ryan Parkman, ryan.parkman@vermont.gov


Subscribe Online

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.