 Vaping Prevention in Schools Webinar (reminder)
Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. for a virtual learning opportunity sponsored by OSSE and DC Health, Youth Vaping Prevention: Tools and Strategies to Use in Your Classroom and Community. Attendees will have the chance to connect with staff from Truth Initiative - a national nonprofit public health organization dedicated to a future free of smoking and nicotine - who will provide resources to better address nicotine use in and around the school setting. Attendees will walk away with tools for use within the classroom, tools to help students quit smoking or vaping, ways to better support students dealing with addiction, and opportunities to get involved in community organizing and advocacy efforts on this topic. Educators, administrators, school health professionals and anyone who works with youth are encouraged to attend. Register at bit.ly/TruthDC221.
Submit LEA Response to OSSE’s Immunization Attendance Review (reminder)
Some LEA leaders received an email from OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov on Feb. 7 identifying their schools with immunization compliance rates below 90 percent that did not exclude non-compliant students in the four exclusion grades (pre-K 3, kindergarten, 7 and 11). on Dec. 4.
By Feb. 23, LEAs who received the email must ensure that one form is filled out for each school identified in the Feb. 7 email.
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ARROW First Year Cadre – Inaugural Cohort Communications
OSSE's Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) is announcing the launch of the First Year Cadre for school-based behavioral health providers, i.e., school social workers, school psychologists and counselors (school counselors and licensed counselors), who are new to working in a school-based setting and have an employment start date of Nov. 1, 2022 or after. The First Year Cadre is an opportunity for providers in their first year working in a school-based setting to build foundational skills necessary to be successful in the school environment. This cohort will serve as the inaugural cadre and run from April to June 2024.
Please see this one pager for more information and the eligibility criteria. Applications open Friday, Feb. 16, and close Friday, March 6, 2024.
Participants who successfully complete the cadre will be eligible for a $500 stipend.
Questions? Reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
Impaired? No Time to Drive: DC High School Students Video Challenge (reminder)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts lives at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, 29 people in the US die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. And, sadly, one in 10 high schoolers drive impaired.
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is calling on DC high schoolers to help.
The Impaired? No Time to Drive annual video contest challenges high school students to create short videos to help inform peers about the consequences of driving while impaired. These videos could help students earn up to 10 community service hours that are needed for graduation and have a chance to win prizes.
For this year’s contest, students must submit videos by March 1, 2024. Winning videos will be announced on March 18, 2024. The videos will be posted on the Office of the Attorney General’s YouTube page and potentially other social media platforms. Previous contest winners’ videos can also be viewed there.
Click here to learn more, register and submit.
LEA Financial Reporting Application Released – Submissions due March 15 (reminder)
The LEA Financial Reporting application is open for the annual collection of financial expenditure data. The DC School Report Card website will be updated to include the per-pupil financial expenditure data that you submit for each school and LEA for the 2022-23 school year. All LEAs are required to submit financial data to OSSE by Friday, March 15.
The following resources are available on the OSSE website to assist you with this annual reporting requirement:
In addition, OSSE will hold optional office hours for LEA staff who have questions or need assistance with the application. The office hours will be held on Webex at the following times:
LEA staff with the following roles in the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) tool currently have access to the LEA Financial Reporting Application.
- Head of School;
- LEA Data Manager;
- Chief Financial Officer; and
- LEA Finance/Grants Manager.
If you have difficulty logging in to the application or if you have a staff member who needs access to the application, please email Sade.Wade@dc.gov.
If you have any questions related to the LEA Financial Reporting Application, please contact Sade Creighton-Wade, OSSE Administrative Officer, at Sade.Wade@dc.gov or (202) 716-7227.
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DC Secondary STEM Fair and Elementary STEM Exhibition
In collaboration with DC4STEM, OSSE is excited to announce the return of the DC Secondary STEM Fair and Elementary STEM Exhibition. Join us on Saturday, March 16 at Dunbar High School for this exciting event! The fair will host an elementary exhibition for students in grades K-5 and a competitive fair for secondary students in grades 6-12.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Elementary STEM Exhibition: students in grades K-5 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home school.
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Secondary STEM Fair: students in grades 6-12 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.
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Upcoming Information Session: Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 4-5 p.m.
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Registration for the Information Sessions: bit.ly/2024DCSTEMFairInfoSessions
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Project registration deadline for all participants: Monday, March 4, 11:59 p.m.
Partnership Opportunity – OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program
OSSE is seeking LEA partners to support the High School Graduate pathway of the city’s first registered apprenticeship in teaching program, which will begin full-scale implementation during the 2024-25 school year. The High School Graduate pathway allows recent high school graduates with fewer than 48 higher education credit hours to work in a placement at a DC LEA under the guidance of a mentor teacher. Apprentices will complete a cost-free bachelor’s degree and ultimately be eligible for an OSSE standard credential. If your LEA is interested in supporting this innovative pathway to teaching, please complete this Meeting Request Form by Friday, Feb. 23, to schedule a 30-minute informational session with the OSSE team.
Foundations of Second Language Acquisition for All Educators Serving English Learners (ELs)
OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) is pleased to 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: Integration of Content and Language
As outlined in the 2020 edition of the WIDA English Language Development Framework, the integration of content and language for multilingual learners promotes an understanding of the connections between content and language. This approach facilitates the interaction of students with each other in challenging content activities and ensures alignment in the design and implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. During this session, participants will understand the distinction between content and language objectives, as well as the significance of incorporating both in lesson planning.
Participants will earn one professional learning unit (PLU) for full attendance and participation. Register here to attend on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 3-3:45 p.m. For questions, contact Lucia Cuomo at Lucia.Cuomo@dc.gov.
Celebrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Day at The REACH at the Kennedy Center
To celebrate SEL day, DC educators are invited to attend an exclusive training at The REACH, located at the Kennedy Center! OSSE, in partnership with Dramatic Solutions Inc., will host a professional development training that combines innovative strategies with the 3 Signature Practices of SEL.
Come and experience how cooperative and interactive strategies can support academic achievement for high school, middle school and elementary school students. You will hear success stories from other schools in how they integrated Dramatic Solutions’ engagers. These scientific research-based strategies are proven with grades 1-12 and are revolutionizing how we teach and learn. The activities will help educators engage their students more effectively with tools they can use in their curricula that make learning fun and effective.
This training event will take place on Friday, March 8, from 12 – 3 p.m. at The REACH, 2700 F St. NW in the Macaroni Classroom. DC educators will get priority and should register within OSSE’s Learning Management System (LMS) platform. All other attendees can RSVP here. For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
Free Virtual Workshop – Color-Full Ways to Eat
Join Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 7 – 8 p.m. for a free virtual workshop featuring Chef Tessa Nguyen, R.D., who will present a cooking demo discussing the basics of healthy eating and tips for adding color and creativity to your meals. Attendees will have a chance to win one of six $100 gift cards. Register here. Please see this flyer for more information and share widely with your school community. Questions? Email healthequity@foodallergy.org.
LETRS for Administrators (reminder)
OSSE is excited to share an additional cohort of the popular professional learning opportunity for administrators, instructional coaches and central office staff members from both public and charter schools in the District. OSSE, in partnership with Voyager Sopris and Lexia Learning will launch Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS®) for Administrators
LETRS® for Administrators guides state, district, or building leaders in implementing research-based, Response to Intervention (RtI) and Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for instruction. Administrators are provided specific steps for facilitating change, developing comprehensive assessment plans, managing resources, assembling school leadership teams and making data-based decisions.
What do you need to know?
- All interested applicants please fill out this 5 minute form by Feb. 19
- This training opportunity consists of 4 facilitated sessions per year and independent coursework.
- A detailed schedule will be shared after Feb. 19 but please anticipate the first facilitated session to occur end of March.
As a school leader it is important to understand that LETRS® for Administrators is a two-year course that involves virtual facilitated sessions as well as independent reading and online modules.
Please reach out to Vaani Gupta, Literacy Specialist at Vaani.Gupta@dc.gov.
Supporting Effective Science Teaching and Learning with Literacy and Content Integration (reminder)
In partnership with BSCS Science Learning, OSSE will provide a series of three, full day sessions for K-12 educators - administrators, teachers and coaches where we will experience, analyze, discuss and plan how best to improve outcomes in science with explicit connections to literacy and content integration. Next generation science instruction requires a shift in practice for students, teachers and leaders so join us as we learn by doing, exploring and explaining.
Goals:
- Educators will experience and understand high quality science teaching and learning.
- Educators will examine and explain how literacy and content integration supports high quality science teaching and learning.
- Educators will consider and plan how they will use what they have learned to improve science teaching and learning in their context.
Dates:
- Session 1: Thursday, March 28, 2024
- Session 2: Thursday, June 13, 2024
- Session 3: September (TBD)
Location: TBD
For more information please email, Jhatia.Mcknight@dc.gov or click here to apply.
Foundations of Universal Design for Learning for School Administrators (reminder)
Six 90-minute virtual synchronous sessions with a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) expert on how to lead the implementation of UDL at the school level. Dive deeper into the systematic changes you can lead within your building in supporting all learners via scheduling, staffing and meaningful teaching evaluation to improve teacher efficacy.
Audience: All pre-K through grade 12 administrators, including principals, assistant principals, deans, instructional coaches and special education leads (e.g., special education coordinator, LEA representatives, etc.), serving in DC public and public charter schools. Space is limited to 20 participants.
Facilitator: Mirko Chardin, a former teacher, founding head of the school, and co-author of “Equity by Design: The Power and Promise of UDL”
Date and Time: Six virtual meetings are scheduled from the first week of March to mid-June. The cohort will meet every three to four weeks. More details about the program will be shared upon acceptance.
Apply for the cohort via this link by Feb. 19. Educators will be notified of the acceptance during the week of Feb. 26.
Foundations of Universal Design for Learning for Educators (reminder)
An eight-module asynchronous introductory series to UDL was developed by Katie Novak, UDL expert and author of “UDL Now!” learning key concepts and practical strategies for implementation. Learn the "why," "what" and "how" of UDL and how UDL can create a more accessible learning environment for all learners. Participating educators will engage in course-based Communities of Practice (CoP).
Audience: All pre-K through grade 12 teachers, general and special education, serving in DC public and public charter schools. Space is limited to 30 participants.
Date and Time: The coursework will be hosted on the OSSE Learning Management System (LMS) in an asynchronous format. Information on the synchronous CoP will be shared upon acceptance.
Apply for the cohort via this link by Feb. 19. Educators will be notified of the acceptance during the week of Feb. 26.
For questions, please contact Byul Yim with the OSSE Division of Teaching and Learning at Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
February LEA Special Education Points of Contact Webinar (reminder)
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 10-11 a.m., OSSE will host the February 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 ESSER III-ARP Application (reminder)
American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III-ARP) applications for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) are now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). As a reminder, this is the final year of the ESSER III-ARP grant, and an approved application is required for your local education agency (LEA) to access the remainder of your ESSER III-ARP funding. The deadline to complete this grant application is May 1. Once your application is approved, you may begin to request reimbursement on FY24 expenses.
As a part of your ESSER III-ARP application, your LEA must submit an Evidence-Based Intervention Form. This form now requires you to describe the evidence-based interventions you will implement using FY24 ESSER III-ARP funds.
During this critical final year, it is essential that you closely track deadlines, requirements and your budget. If you need to adjust your budget before the grant ends, please be sure to submit any application amendments expeditiously. Amendments will not be accepted after Nov. 1, 2024. We encourage you to submit ESSER III-ARP reimbursement requests early, but please be aware that all reimbursement requests must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2024.
For questions or additional information, please contact the OSSE ESSER team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
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February 2024
March 2024
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