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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 the 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.
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Breakthrough Leadership for Aspiring School Leaders
Are you a DC education leader seeking a connected, courageous, community space to work toward centering equity in your practice? Join OSSE and New Leaders as we host Breakthrough Leadership – a space for assistant principals, deans and instructional coaches who are leading in DC schools to connect with each other, collaborate on problems of practice and learn about centering equity-based culture for all community members. This cohort-style series will include nine monthly in-person workshop sessions through July 2024.
Workshops include:
- Leading for Equity
- Leading a High-Performing Team
- Instructional Excellence and Equity
- Building an Equity-Focused School Culture
- Observation and Feedback
- Coaching and Developing Talent
- Professional Learning
- Operational Planning
- Preparation for the Team's Transition
IMPORTANT DATE:
First session (In-person): Monday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE.
Please use this link for the registration form. Additional session information is provided here. For questions, please contact Terry Brown at tbrown@newleaders.org or Marcus Hughes at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov.
2023-24 School Year McKinney-Vento Monthly Webinars/TA Sessions
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.
This month, we will host the following event on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
A Wider Circle aims to advance equity in the DC area by fostering the exchange of goods, skills and connections from neighbor to neighbor, and by engaging in advocacy to address the root causes of poverty. This session will inform attendees about its free furniture and baby items bank, professional clothing and job-seeker support programs, and innovative neighborhood drop-in center in Ward 8 offering an array of individual and group-based services. Register here to attend.
Health and Physical Education Leadership Cadre (HPELC) (reminder)
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) (reminder)
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 grade 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, Four-Part Seminar Course (reminder)
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 eight 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 (reminder)
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 (reminder)
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.
- Receive 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 (reminder)
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); and
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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 PLUs for full participation in each session. For more information, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
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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Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant Application Opens Dec. 15!
OSSE invites any public or public charter LEA in the District to apply for the Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant starting Friday, Dec. 15 at 12 p.m. EST.
Interested applicants must attend the mandatory pre-application webinar on Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. All applications will be due on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at 3 p.m. EST.
This competitive grant, authorized under the Flexible Schedule Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 (DC Law 25-50, Section 4183, codified at DC Official Code §38-2617), will provide local funds to support LEAs in bolstering student achievement by implementing flexible schedules that support the retention of the District’s high-quality, effective and diverse educators. Through this grant, OSSE seeks to advance both targeted student social and academic support and holistic staff retention initiatives.
All public or public charter LEAs in the District are eligible to apply. Priority consideration will be given to applications that prioritize 1) elementary and middle schools and 2) schools demonstrating higher-than-average teacher attrition (or teacher attrition rates that are higher than 2022-23 school year rates according to OSSE’s most recent District of Columbia Educator Retention data).
OSSE plans to award two to six Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program grants to public or public charter LEAs in the District. Awards will range from $200,000 to $600,000 each.
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.
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December 2023
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