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Volume 18, Issue 2

January 31, 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: January 31, 2024

Vermont Department of Health Offering Narcan/Naloxone Training for Schools

Audience: school administrators, school nurses, school staff
The Vermont Department of Health is supporting pK-12 schools to prepare to respond to a suspected opioid overdose.  As a part of this work, the Department is hosting virtual training sessions specifically for schools on recognizing the signs of overdose and using naloxone. The Department will also be sharing a recorded version for those unable to attend a live training. These trainings are open to all school staff. Live trainings will be held on February 13, 2024 from 7 - 8:30 a.m. and March 11, 2024 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. If your school is interested in ordering naloxone, please complete this Community Interest Form or contact naloxone@vermont.gov. If you would like to sign up for trainings, please email naloxone@vermont.gov program and include email addresses of interested attendees.
Contact: Taylor.Goodwin@vermont.gov

Communities of Practice: School & Youth Community Recovery

Audience: school and district community liaisons
In 2024, the AOE established a new network focused on school and district community support. This network provides opportunities for school and district staff to connect with peers, experts from across the state, and local support organizations focused on school community wellness and recovery. The next meeting is February 15 from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. The last half hour is an optional peer-to-peer time for our field partners. If you would like to receive an MS Teams calendar invitation to this meeting, please reach out to Taylor.Goodwin@vermont.gov with the subject line “SYRP Meeting Request”.
Contact: Taylor.Goodwin@vermont.gov

Holocaust Education Professional Development

Audience: Superintendents, Administrators, Curriculum Directors, Middle and High School Educators, CTE Directors and Educators
The Vermont Holocaust Memorial is offering a professional development workshop for Vermont educators in Burlington on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Through the program: "It Starts with Words: Teaching the Holocaust to Combat Hate" participants examine the escalation of words to violence and trajectories of genocide in order to consider where such progressions might have been interrupted. Educators will gain tools to apply these lessons to modern day issues faced by students. Facilitated by Echoes and Reflections. Visit the Vermont Holocaust Memorial website for more information and to register online by March 11, 2024.
Contact: Martha Deiss at martha.deiss@vermont.gov

Vermont Health Department Be Bright at Night Training Opportunity for Schools

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Administrators
Available on request, Be Bright at Night is a pedestrian safety program that provides effective tips on how to stay safe when walking, biking or rolling at night. During this 15-minute presentation, students will learn how to be more visible and how to obey road safety rules to prevent collisions. Take-home information will be made available to all schools, and clip on reflectors are available to select grades. A driver safety version of the presentation is available for older students and adults upon request. Request Be Bright at Night training.
Contact: Heather Rigney at heather.rigney@vermont.gov

Specific Learning Disability Worksheets

Audience: Special Education Directors, Special Educators, Educational Support Teams
Two new worksheets have been added to Special Education Resources for Special Educators and Administrators. These worksheets are intended to support teams with conversations about eligibility determination for specific learning disabilities in the basic skill area of oral expression and listening comprehension. In addition, the mathematics, reading and written expression worksheets have been updated.
Contact: Cassie Santo at cassie.santo@vermont.gov

AOE-Sponsored AI Series Now Open for Registration

Audience: K-12 Educators, School Librarians, Curriculum Directors
The AOE is working with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to facilitate a Vermont cohort for their popular eight module series “Artificial Intelligence Explorations and Their Practical Use in Schools.” The asynchronous sessions will begin Feb. 10, 2024. The AOE will hold weekly drop-in sessions for participants who wish to discuss the class materials and other related topics. While all funded seats have been filled, there is still room in the cohort for others to participate. The cost for the series is $186. Interested school personnel may register for the Vermont cohort through this registration link.
Contact: Lisa Helme at lisa.helme@vermont.gov

IEP Rules, Regulations, and Forms

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Case Managers, Related Service Providers, Administrators
Registration is open for IEP Rules, Regulations, and Forms Training for special education teachers, case managers, administrators, and any professionals involved in the formalities of IEP processes for students (3-21). This training is offered three different times: March 18, 2024, 3 - 4:30 p.m., March 20, 2024, 8 - 9:30 a.m., and March 21, 2024, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Participants will increase their understanding of IEP legislation (Rule 2363) from Vermont's Special Education Rules and Regulations and the state generated forms that support these processes. Topics include: IEPs and required team members, planning for services and content of an IEP, and IEP development, review and revision.
Contact: Cassie Santo cassie.santo@vermont.gov

Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention Quarterly Collaborative Meetings

Audience: Directors Intervention Services, Early Interventionists, Early Childhood Special Educators/Coordinators, Special Education Directors
Participants are invited to join this first-in-series session to address, discuss, and problem-solve ongoing topics within Part C to Part B transition. Leslie Davis, Part C Director, Katie McCarthy, ECSE/Part B 619 State Coordinator, and Amy Murphy, Early Education Inclusion Coordinator will moderate and facilitate. No previous sign up is required. Please join Friday, February 2, 2024 1-2 pm. Future meetings will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, and Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Contacts: Katie McCarthy (Part B) at katie.mccarthy@vermont.gov  or Leslie Davis (Part C) at leslie.davis@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.