 HAHSTA’s School-Based STD Screening Program
Comprehensive sex education and school-based sexual health services provide youth with the information they need to practice healthy sexual behavior and understand and access care to support their sexual and reproductive health.
DC Health’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) offers free, confidential school-based sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing (“brown bag screening”) to remove or lessen barriers to screening and treatment, such as cost of care, concerns about confidentiality and stigma surrounding sexual health services. Available to DC middle and high schools, the School-Based STD Screening Program complements the in-school sexual health instruction students receive with practical information about how to care for their sexual health.
In addition to the school-based STI screening and treatment, HAHSTA also provides the following school-based services for middle and high schools: Trusted Adult training for teachers and staff who want to improve their ability to communicate about sexual health with students; condoms for sexual health liaisons, school nurses, school-based health centers and other designated teachers and staff; technical assistance and resources for health and PE teachers implementing sexual health education; and surveillance data related to youth sexual health.
Please contact Stephen Reese at Stephen.Reese1@dc.gov with questions or to schedule programming at your school.
Immunization Attendance Coding Guidance (reminder)
Please remember to code students in grades pre-K 3, kindergarten, 7 and 11 who are excluded from school for immunization non-compliance correctly, as well as make the proper adjustments once they come into compliance and return to school.
When a non-compliant student is temporarily excluded from school: The school shall document the student’s attendance using the attendance code “unexcused absence – immunization” (AFUI) for each school day that the student is not allowed to attend due to immunization noncompliance. Schools must use this attendance code in the following circumstances:
- A student received a letter notifying them of temporary exclusion from school, was absent from school on Dec. 4 and/or subsequent date(s) and has not yet provided proof of an upcoming appointment or immunizations.
- A student received a letter notifying them of temporary exclusion from school, returned to school on Dec. 4 and/or subsequent date without proof of an upcoming appointment or immunizations, and was sent home.
When the student becomes compliant and has returned to school: the school shall reclassify the attendance code from “unexcused absence – immunization” (AFUI) to “excused absence – immunization” (AFEI) for all school days that the student was excluded.
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Strengthening School Behavioral Health Survey 2024
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) has partnered with Child Trends, a nonprofit research organization, to learn about school behavioral health (SBH) services and supports at all public and public charter schools in DC. From Jan. 15 through March 15, schools are being asked to administer brief, online surveys of students, families and school staff about their perceptions of school behavioral health services. Based on the survey data, each school will receive a report that can be used to help them complete their School Strengthening Work Plan and monitor the delivery of school behavioral health supports. Several school behavioral health coordinators have shared that these reports helped them:
- Identify student and school-wide behavioral health needs and areas for growth
- Plan behavioral health and wellness goals, initiatives and activities for the following school year
Additionally, schools that receive at least 10 responses on each of the surveys will be entered in a raffle for a $500 gift card to support the work of their behavioral health team. Last year’s school winner intends to use the $500 to support Mental Health Awareness Month this coming May! Consider using this worksheet to develop a plan for how your school with administer surveys: bit.ly/47gvbO6. When your school is ready to administer the surveys, you may do so by sharing the following links:
More information about the surveys can be found here: bitly.ws/yyQr. Contact Brandon Stratford at bstratford@childtrends.org if you have questions.
Input Requested on Emerging Health and Wellbeing Trends
OSSE's Division of Health and Wellness requests input from physical education (PE) teachers, health education teachers and educators/staff who work with students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other (LGBTQ+) representing DC public and public charter schools. We want to hear from you about current and emerging trends in student health and wellbeing, as well as gaps and opportunities in professional development and resources that OSSE might make available to District LEAs and schools. Please join us to share your insights and to inform future programming in DC.
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Thursday, Feb. 15 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Physical education teachers
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Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Health education teachers
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Thursday, Feb. 22 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Educators and staff who work with LGBTQ+ students
Please email osse.hydt@dc.gov to register for your focus group of interest.
Apply for the Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) before the Feb. 6 deadline! (reminder)
OSSE is seeking applications from outstanding educators working with students in kindergarten through grade 6 as mathematics, science or STEM teachers to be considered for the 2024 PAEMST awards. The PAEMST awards are the nation’s highest honor for mathematics, science, and STEM teachers. Winners receive a $10,000 award, recognition from the White House, professional development opportunities, and an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues from across the nation.
For more information about the PAEMST award program, including eligibility criteria, please visit the official PAEMST website at PAEMST.org. For questions, please contact the OSSE PAEMST team: Jhatia McKnight (Instructional Systems Specialist, STEM) at Jhatia.McKnight@dc.gov; Miryam Oziel (Instructional Systems Specialist, Mathematics) at Miryam.Oziel@dc.gov; or Megan Dumond (Special Assistant for Teaching & Learning) at Megan.Dumond@dc.gov.
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Design Sprint Learning Series
CityTutor DC, an initiative of CityBridge Education and OSSE’s high-impact tutoring (HIT) strategic partner, will facilitate a free, four-session Design Sprint learning series in February 2024 to help school leaders design and implement HIT programs for their students.
If you are a school leader with a school team who wants to think creatively and flexibly about activating HIT as a strategy to solve instructional loss and accelerate learning in schools, we invite you to sign up HERE. If you have questions about HIT or the learning series, see more details below or contact Jess Sobin at Jessica.Sobin@dc.gov.
Foundations of Second Language Acquisition for All Educators Serving ELs
OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) is pleased offer a professional learning pathway for District educators including school leaders and service providers serving English learners (ELs) grades pre-K through 12 in DC public and public charter schools. The Foundations of Second Language Acquisition for all Educators Serving English Learners course provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve ELs and build the capacity of educators through eight meaningful and engaging virtual sessions.
Session: Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT)
Scholars generally agree that the basic principles of culturally responsive teaching include having the knowledge, dispositions and skills necessary to teach in a diverse society (Villegas & Lucas, 2002). In this session, participants will be able to identify the phases of culture shock, understand the meaning the of CRT and acknowledge the significance of parental involvement in fostering academic progress for ELs.
Participants will earn one professional learning unit (PLU) for full attendance and participation. Register here to attend on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 3-3:45 p.m. For questions, contact Lucia Cuomo at Lucia.Cuomo@dc.gov.
Peace of Mind’s Mindfulness for Educators Conference 2024 (reminder)
Wondering how you can help your students solve conflicts peacefully? Peace of Mind's sixth annual conference is for you! The conference will take place in person on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Horace Mann Elementary School, 4430 Newark St. NW. The event is free for all educators and especially helpful for those teaching in elementary and middle schools. For more information and to register, visit the conference website.
Before the Peace of Mind Annual Conference
Join us from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for a morning Mindfulness for Educators session before Peace of Mind’s annual conference. Experienced cross-cultural mindfulness facilitator Dave Trachtenberg will guide us in practices to reduce stress, strengthen self-compassion and increase our sense of well-being and connection. All are welcome, whether or not you are attending the conference. For questions, please email Jessica Dulay at Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
Mindfulness for Educators – Four-Class Virtual Series (reminder)
In this four-class virtual series, educators will learn mindfulness fundamentals through experiential practice and guided instruction from Chapin Springer, a certified mindfulness teacher. This class is designed to increase your well-being and give you the tools to notice and manage big emotions, practice self-compassion and feel more peaceful and less stressed. Whether you have never meditated before or you have a regular practice, you are welcome.
The series will take place every Tuesday from Feb. 13 through March 5, from 7-8 p.m. Register here. Participants will receive four PLUs upon completion of all four sessions. For questions, please email Jessica Dulay at Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
Adolescent Literacy Training: Addressing Learning Gaps with Syllable Instruction (reminder)
OSSE is pleased to announce the first of a series of trainings on adolescent literacy. This first offering is an opportunity for grade 4-12 teachers, literacy coaches, special educators, multilingual educators and administrators to undergo training on multisyllabic word instruction by The Literacy Architects. This course provides teachers with information about the six syllable types and multiple syllable division patterns, which can serve as a first step to helping readers read and spell multisyllabic words. Participants will learn how to implement instructional routines that can be used in whole or small group settings to help students tackle multisyllabic words and will receive access to diagnostic assessments and lesson plan templates to assist with classroom application.
This training includes:
- Approximately 6 hours of asynchronous coursework
- Time dedicated to applying learned skills in their classrooms (approximately 6 hours)
- Opportunity to attend two 90-minute synchronous sessions to explore and practice instructional routines in more detail (Session 1: covering Modules 1–3; Session 2: covering Modules 4–6) (3 hours total)
- The total time commitment is approximately 12–15 hours.
Register Here. Participants will receive 12 PLUs for the asynchronous coursework and an addition 4 PLUs for the facilitated sessions. For questions, please email Vaani Gupta at Vaani.Gupta@dc.gov.
January LEA Special Education Points of Contact Webinar (reminder)
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 10-11 a.m., OSSE will host the January monthly webinar training for all LEA SPED POCs. During this training, OSSE will provide important information relevant to your role as the LEA SPED POC. The agenda will include the following:
- Policy reminders and updates;
- IDEA monitoring reminders and updates;
- Teaching and Learning reminders and updates;
- Special Programs reminders and updates;
- Transportation updates; and
- Reminders and announcements.
All LEA SPED POCs should plan to participate in each month’s webinar, as well as share the content, updates and announcements with relevant staff within your LEA. If you have not already signed up for the 2023-24 school year webinar series, please register here.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact LaShonda Wilson at LaShonda.Wilson@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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FY24 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Continuation Applications Coming Soon
If you were granted a competitive SOAR grant that continues into FY24, you must complete a continuation application in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) to access carryover funds from FY22 and/or FY23. Continuation applications will be available on Friday, Jan. 12.
The following competitive SOAR grants are eligible for carryover of remaining grant funds into FY24:
- FY23 SOAR Facilities
- FY23 SOAR Third Party
- FY23 SOAR Teacher Pipeline
- FY22 SOAR Third Party
- FY22 SOAR Teacher Pipeline
Please review the continuation application guidance for detailed instructions on how to complete each section of this application. Continuation applications are due in EGMS by 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9.
For questions on SOAR Facilities, please reach out to Marie Hutchins at Marie.Hutchins@dc.gov. For questions on SOAR Third Party or Teacher Pipeline, please reach out to Jessica Mardo at Jessica.Mardo@dc.gov.
FY23 ESSER Reporting Phases
Each year the US Department of Education (USED) requires all state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) that receive ESSER funds to complete annual performance reporting (APR). For FY23 reporting, USED is requesting additional data elements relating to student participation in programming such as summer learning, afterschool programming, extended instructional time and high-dosage tutoring as well as student access to educational technology, early childhood education programs and community schools.
This year, a three-phase data collection process will take place starting in January 2024 to ensure LEAs have sufficient time to gather and submit these new data elements.
FY23 ESSER Reporting Phases
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Phase I – Jan. 15-26
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Phase II – Feb. 5-16
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Phase III – Feb. 19-March 8
LEAs can review the webinar guidance and instructional guide for Phase I here. Updated instructions for these phases are forthcoming and will be made available here.
The Phase I collection template remains unchanged from prior years and will be submitted in the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) portal. To prepare for this FY23 ESSER data collection, LEAs should ensure that the individuals responsible for ESSER reporting are designated as the “LEA Finance/Grants Manager” in the IDS All Staff Collection portal.
For questions or additional information, please contact the OSSE ESSER team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
Close Out Reports for FY23 Grants are Due in EGMS by Jan. 15 (reminder)
The last day to submit close out reports for fiscal year 2023 (FY23) grants managed by OSSE’s Office of Systems and Supports, K-12 is Jan. 15. These reports must be submitted and approved before your organization can access FY24 continuation applications, including applications for your American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III-ARP) grants.
Additional details can be found in the FY23 Grant Close Out email sent to grantees on Jan 4, 2024. If you have questions about FY23 grants close out process, please contact your OSSE grant managers.
Attention Public and Public Charter LEAs: Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant Application Due Soon (reminder)
The Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant application is now open! OSSE invites any public or public charter LEA in the District to apply for the Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant by Wednesday, Jan. 31 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.
The grant application can be found on the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
For more information, visit OSSE’s website or contact Raven DeRamus-Byers, Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program Grant Manager, at Raven.DeRamus-Byers@dc.gov.
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January 2023
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