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OSSE Releases Draft Financial Literacy Standards and Invites Public Comment (reminder)
OSSE is developing standalone financial literacy standards for high school students across the District. These standards will include important financial knowledge and skills, including how individual financial circumstances are influenced by personal decisions and systemic factors. To learn more about the standards development process, visit our website here.
OSSE is seeking feedback from the public regarding the draft financial literacy standards. The public comment period is open until Jan. 10, 2024. To provide public comment, please complete form here.
OSSE will also hold listening sessions to hear directly from members of the public regarding these standards. If you are interested in participating, please sign-up below.
- Listening Session for DC Educators
- Listening Session for General Public
For questions, contact Megan Dumond at Megan.Dumond@dc.gov.
Please Participate in the Nationwide Farm to School Census (reminder)
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently conducting its fourth Farm to School Census to assess the scale and impact of farm to school activities in schools across the nation. The 2019 census showed that 83 percent of LEAs in the District of Columbia, and 65 percent in the US participated in farm to school activities. It also showed lower rates of school food waste and program cost and increased participation in school meals.
Each School Food Authority (SFA) lead should have received the census survey via email from DIR Associates, which included detailed instructions on how to complete the census. Please complete the survey regardless of whether your LEA participates in farm to school activities. If you have any questions about the census, please contact DIR Associates’ survey team at Farm2SchoolCensus@dir-online.com or at (866) 986-2230. Census responses will be accepted through December 2023.
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Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre (HPELC)
OSSE has released an application for the 2024-25 school year HPELC. OSSE is seeking dedicated Health Education and Physical Education teachers with an interest in health education (HE) and physical education (PE) programming in the District of Columbia and a commitment to the advancement of high-quality HE/PE for DC students.
The HPELC seeks to engage a community of learners and leaders from January 2024 to June 2025 who will collaborate to share best practices, participate in peer learning opportunities, build knowledge and skills around innovative HE/PE topics, and engage in deep discussions to drive planning and implementation of high-quality, comprehensive HE/PE programming within educators’ respective schools as well as District-wide.
Through active participation at in-person and virtual cadre gatherings, members will gain an increased understanding of the needs of school environments and address these needs through a series of learning experiences and activities that build the capacity of HE/PE educators to effectively action plan and continuously improve programming and curricula.
If you are interested in participating in the next cohort of the HPELC, please complete the application here by Jan. 5, 2024. A signed letter of support from a school administrator is required with your application.
For more information about the HPELC, please email Nigel Henley, Health and Physical Education Specialist, at Nigel.Henley@dc.gov.
Nominate an Outstanding Math, Science or STEM Teacher for a Presidential Award (PAEMST)
OSSE is seeking nominations for outstanding grade K-6 teachers of mathematics, science, engineering, technology or computer science to be considered for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The Presidential Awards are the nation’s highest honors for STEM teachers. Recipients receive recognition from the White House, a $10,000 award, invitations to a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation.
Principals, teachers, parents, students and members of the general public are encouraged to nominate exceptional grades K-6 teachers of STEM subjects by the deadline of Jan. 8, 2024. The nomination form can be found here. Nominations may be submitted for more than one teacher. Once nominated, a teacher has until the application deadline of Feb. 6, 2024 to apply to be considered for this year’s award. Grade K-12 STEM teachers may also initiate the application process themselves, without waiting for a nomination, by visiting PAEMST.org. For questions about the DC PAEMST program, please contact Miryam Oziel, State Mathematics Specialist, at Miryam.Oziel@dc.gov or Jhatia McKnight, State Science Specialist, at Jhatia.Mcknight@dc.gov.
2024 Advanced Trauma-Informed Teaching Fellowship, 4-Part Seminar Course
The Brain-Based Teaching Course for Educators is a four-part deep dive into the impact of stress and trauma on the brain, the psychology behind “maladaptive behaviors” in the classroom, and the positive impact that school professionals can have on student trajectory. Sessions will be offered virtually every Tuesday from Jan. 9-30 from 2-4 p.m. Each session is designed to include short bursts of content lecture from an expert in the field, interactive opportunities to engage with materials through an experiential modality, and individual reflection and small group discussion. Participants will receive 8 PLUs for completion of all sessions and an opportunity for a 1:1 coaching/consultation.
If interested, please fill out the following form and we will send you a follow-up invitation. For additional questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
Registration Extended for Peace of Mind’s Building Blocks of Conflict Resolution
Have you ever taught a conflict resolution lesson that seemed to go beautifully in class, only to have your students get into a fight at recess? Or wondered why students can’t remember their conflict resolution skills when they’re needed most? The Peace of Mind program can help. Peace of Mind’s Coaching Series, The Building Blocks of Effective Conflict Resolution, will prepare educators to equip students with the skills to resolve conflicts peacefully and independently. Through monthly in-person and virtual gatherings during the 2023-24 school year, we will address the critical components of conflict resolution as taught in the Peace of Mind Curriculum.
All coaching cohort participants will receive free copies of the Peace of Mind Curriculum Guide(s) for their grade level(s). By teachers for teachers, Peace of Mind is easy to use and effective and is currently used throughout DCPS and by many DC public charter schools. Participation in this series is limited to three DCPS/charter school elementary school cohorts, grades pre-K through grade 5. Cohorts may include up to eight classroom teachers, specials teachers, school counselors, restorative justice coordinators and/or social workers at each school. Participants will receive one professional learning unit for each session attended.
For more information, please fill out this short form by Dec. 8. For more information, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
MTSS Coaching Academy
Strengthen your school’s capacity to provide life-changing support to students with a six-day Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coaching Academy. MTSS is a preventative, data driven, continuous-improvement framework for implementing evidence-based practices to meet the needs of all students. This comprehensive series of on-site and virtual professional development engagement is designed to prepare educators to prioritize success for every learner by championing the work of MTSS.
MTSS Coaching Academy participants will:
- Engage in six days of on-site training at OSSE from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Jan. 11-12, 2024, March 7-8, 2024 and May 9-10, 2024).
- Discover powerful practices that are simple, practical and effective.
- Design and execute a plan of action for implementing a MTSS.
- Receive yearlong support from MTSS experts.
- Resources to support collaboration.
Spaces are limited to 50 current District of Columbia educators. Teams of up to five participants are given preference and individual educators and LEA staff are welcome to apply.
Apply here to participate in the series. For questions, contact Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov.
Social Studies Resources to be Available on OSSE’s LMS
As OSSE works to prepare educators and LEAs to implement new standards in the 2024-25 school year, we are excited to announce the launch of the ancillary resources hub.
Resources for each driving concept will be released to PowerSchool – OSSE’s Learning Management System (LMS) as they are finalized, and you will receive a course update notification as materials are uploaded. If your LEA is currently in the process of developing unit or lesson plans and in need of additional resources that have not been uploaded, please reach out directly to Celina.Ketelsen@dc.gov.
The following resources will be available on the LMS:
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Overview of How to Use Resources for Educators and Curriculum Developers
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Resources for Supporting Inquiry and Criticality in Social Studies
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Driving Concept and Standards-Aligned Resources (resources and lessons to support each standard in the grade level)
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Professional Development Center
Use the registration links below to access the materials for each grade level.
Supporting Teacher and Student Wellness through Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Practices (reminder)
OSSE is excited to announce its partnership with InSite Solutions, for a new series of professional learning opportunities focused on building capacity within school systems to promote an expanded understanding to the mental health needs of students while training schools on trauma-informed, healing-centered research, care, and best-practice standards. Identifying and managing the impact of trauma and toxic stress on students can increase a school systems’ ability to respond sensitively to the unique needs of children who have experienced trauma while also reducing teacher absenteeism and improving student academic performance.
Educators in DC can choose from the following courses which will be repeated on multiple dates.
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Understanding Trauma in Children and How to Develop Healing-Centered Practices (Introductory course): This 2-hour virtual session will be offered monthly on the following dates:
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Developing Sustainable Organizational Wellness (designed for school leaders): This 2-hour virtual session will be offered monthly on the following dates:
This training is open to educators and support providers serving Pre-K through grade 12. Participants will receive two Professional Learning Units (PLUs) for full participation in each session. For more information, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
2023-24 School Year Test Development Participant Recruitment (reminder)
The OSSE Office of Assessments is currently recruiting educators to apply for the opportunity to participate in test development events for DC Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE). DC CAPE is the District of Columbia’s statewide assessment for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and is administered annually to students in grades 3 through 8 and in high school, and DC’s statewide assessment for science in grades 5, 8 and high school biology.
Applicants selected will be part of a pool of educators available to attend various DC CAPE test development events, including content review, bias and sensitivity review, range finding and data review. Each test development event requires a commitment of approximately three to five days and will be held during the 2023-24 school year or in summer 2024. The assessment vendor will provide participants with a daily stipend or schools with substitute reimbursement. Participants will also have the opportunity to use experience gained through DC CAPE development activities to build assessment literacy within their schools and LEAs and influence the content that will appear on the statewide summative assessments for DC students. Applicants who are selected will receive notification from OSSE and event registration information from our partner vendor.
Educators with a range of assessment and curriculum experience, content expertise, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training are welcome to apply, and all applicants should meet the following qualifications:
- Currently employed as a teacher or academic leader for grades 3-12 at a District of Columbia public or public charter school;
- Experience teaching diverse populations and/or students with special needs;
- Expertise in ELA, mathematics, or science with a deep understanding of the Common Core State Standards or Next Generation Science Standards;
- Three years of experience as a teacher and/or academic leader; and
- Able to commit three to 10 school days a year to attend test development events.
If you are interested in participating, please complete the application here by 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, to be eligible for DC CAPE development events. For additional questions, please contact Yolanda Barber at Yolanda.Barber@dc.gov.
Universal Screener Data Analysis Two-Part Training (reminder)
OSSE is pleased to announce a new training focused on literacy data analysis. This two-part series builds off the dyslexia awareness modules, focuses on analyzing universal screener data and is suitable for all K-2 educators, coaches and administrators.
Part one of the training focuses on the characteristics of a universal screener, the alignment between the science of reading research and screener data and the practices used to analyze classroom-level screener data.
Part two of the training focuses on analyzing skill-based student data. Participants will understand how to locate student-level data, analyze student errors in each skill and identify the next instructional steps.
This training will be asynchronous. To receive professional learning units, participants will need to complete both parts of the training. However, participants can choose to do only one module or complete them in any order. Register here. For questions, contact Vaani Gupta at Vaani.Gupta@dc.gov.
2023-24 School Year McKinney-Vento Monthly Webinars/TA Sessions (reminder)
OSSE is offering a series of monthly virtual trainings for LEA and school-based homeless liaisons during the 2023-24 school year. The purpose of these trainings is to help ensure LEA and school-based homeless liaisons are prepared to support students and families experiencing homelessness during the school year.
McKinney-Vento (MKV) monthly webinar presentations are usually scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month, between December 2023 and May 2024, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Please view event topics and register to attend here.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities with OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (reminder)
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning is pleased to offer many upcoming professional learning opportunities for DC educators, including teachers, staff, school leaders and service providers serving students in grades pre-K through 12 in DC public and public charter schools. All DC educators are encouraged to subscribe to the monthly TAL PD Bulletin to receive additional announcements about professional learning opportunities and resources for educators. View the most recent bulletin here.
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Reimbursement Requests for FY23 Grants are Due in EGMS by Dec. 1 (reminder)
The last day to submit reimbursement requests for fiscal year 2023 (FY23) grants is Friday, Dec. 1. Please ensure your organization in prepared to submit all reimbursement requests in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) by this deadline.
Additional details can be found in the FY23 Grant Close Out Reimbursement Requests email sent to grantees on Nov. 14. For questions or support, please contact your OSSE grant specialist.
Reminder - ARP-Homeless I and II FY23 Closeout Reporting and FY24 Application Submission Deadlines (reminder)
FY23 grant closeout reports for American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-Homeless I and II) grants are due in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) by Jan. 15, 2024. For screen-by-screen instructions on how submit a closeout report in EGMS, please reference Closing Out Projects in EGMS. Once the ARP-Homeless I and II closeout reports are approved by OSSE, EGMS will automatically create FY24 ARP-Homeless I and II applications and pre-fill them with the same content that was in the approved FY23 applications.
FY24 ARP-Homeless I and II applications must be completed in EGMS by Jan. 31, 2024. As a reminder, this is the final year for all ARP-Homeless grants and funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2024 to be eligible for reimbursement. Please note that FY24 applications must be approved before reimbursement requests are submitted for the new fiscal year. While the FY24 application will pre-fill upon OSSE’s approval of FY23 closeout reports, the FY24 budget will not pre-fill. You will need to create a FY24 budget within EGMS by completing selected tabs within the Detailed Planned Expenditures tab. If additional modifications need to be made to the application to account for updated program plans, for example, conducting a needs assessment or expanding program services, these updates can be made in your application prior to submission.
For questions or to schedule one-on-one technical assistance for ARP-Homeless I and II grants, please contact Danielle Rollins at Danielle.Rollins@dc.gov or (202) 256-2229.
Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Healthy Schools Grant (reminder)
OSSE released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Healthy Schools Grant (HSG) competition on Friday, Nov. 3. The purpose of the HSG program is to increase the capacity of DC public and public charter schools to support the implementation of health education, physical education, physical activity, nutrition education, environmental education, garden-based education and farm to school programs. OSSE will accept applications from community-based organizations (CBOs) with demonstrated expertise and success working with DC public and public charter schools to implement healthy schools programming. CBOs must partner with a minimum of five DC public and public charter schools. The RFA can be found here. Applications are due in EGMS by Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. EST. For questions or additional information, please contact Rachel Sadlon at Rachel.Sadlon@dc.gov.
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December 2023
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