 Upcoming Virtual Epinephrine Administration Training (reminder)
OSSE's Allergy Management Team within the Division of Health and Wellness is holding a live virtual Epinephrine Administration Training on Thursday, July 11 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Certification is valid for one calendar year. Share this training sign-up form with staff members at your school who need to get certified this school year. School staff may also choose to receive certification at their convenience via a recorded Online Certification Course. Contact OSSE.Epi@dc.gov to coordinate a live virtual training session if you want to have more than the required certified staff at your school.
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2024-25 Start of School Resources
 We know that with a strong and successful start of school, the rest of the year can run smoothly. OSSE is committed to supporting LEAs with the start of the 2024-25 school year in the District. To learn more about our Start of School priorities, visit our updated website for start-of-school.
This week, we have added live visual dates and deadlines calendars to the website. It is our hope that these calendars can help LEA leaders, data managers, and educators stay on track with the many key dates and deadlines for the start of school. Please review these calendars regularly as they will be updated when new events and deadlines arise.
In the following weeks, we will feature one of the 10 priorities. Each message will share the important information, resources, key dates, and deadlines needed to implement the priority with success. Be on the look out for these priority highlights!
New and Exciting Literacy Resource!
OSSE is thrilled to announce the release of its new Structured Literacy Instructional Walkthrough Tool. Developed by OSSE's literacy team with valuable input from District teachers, coaches, and leaders, this tool is a comprehensive, research-based addition to existing systems of continuous teacher support. The walkthrough tool will assist LEAs in analyzing and providing targeted feedback on structured literacy instruction, helping all students develop as confident, skilled, and enthusiastic readers. The walkthrough tool along with a guidance document on its optimal use, is available on OSSE's literacy website. Additional information on upcoming training and norming opportunities will be provided soon. Stay tuned for details!
Bowser Administration Names Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D. Interim State Superintendent (reminder)
Mayor Muriel Bowser recently named Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D. interim state superintendent to lead OSSE while the administration continues its search for a permanent state superintendent.
With more than 20 years' experience in education, Dr. Mitchell brings diverse perspectives and experiences from having worked as a teacher, researcher, dean, and accreditation officer in various educational settings. For the past 10 years, she has served as Assistant Superintendent for Postsecondary and Career Education at OSSE, overseeing college readiness and financial assistance, adult literacy and youth reengagement, and career and technical education.
FCC Adopts $200 Million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (reminder)
On June 6, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a three-year, $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. This program will allow the FCC to obtain actionable data about which cybersecurity services and equipment would best help K-12 schools and libraries address the growing cyber threats and attacks against their broadband networks.
From this program, the FCC aims to learn how to improve school and library defenses against sophisticated ransomware and cyberattacks that put students at risk and impede their learning. The pilot program will allow the FCC to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries and to share lessons learned with our federal partners to jointly combat this growing problem.
Click here to learn more about eligibility and how to apply. The FCC expects to initiate this process by opening a pilot program application window this fall.
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Supporting Teacher and Student Wellness through Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Practices
OSSE, in partnership with InSite Solutions, is offering two professional learning opportunities focused on understanding trauma in children and developing organizational wellness in our school communities. Identifying and managing the impact of trauma and toxic stress on students can increase a school system’s 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.
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Developing Sustainable Organizational Wellness (designed for school leaders): This 2-hour session will be offered virtually on July 15.
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Understanding Trauma in Children and How to Develop Healing-Centered Practices (introductory course): This 2-hour session will be offered virtually on July 17.
Save the Date – Discipline Collection Training Coming Aug. 14 and Aug. 21! (reminder)
OSSE is pleased to announce that the Division of Data, Assessment and Research (DAR) will host two training sessions focused on the annual discipline collection for those who are new to the discipline collection or would just like a refresher. These sessions are ideal for new LEA Data Managers, school leaders, and discipline points of contact. However, anyone who works with the OSSE discipline collection is welcome to attend. The same content will be presented both in-person and virtually so you can choose the format that works best for you. The virtual session will be recorded for future use. The following sessions will be offered:
In-person
Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 10–11:30 a.m.
OSSE Main
Eleanor Holmes Norton I
1050 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002
Online
Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 1-2:30 p.m.
Registration will open in mid-July. For questions, contact Jenni Russell Ziarnik at Jennifer.RussellZiarnik@dc.gov.
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High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) LEA Grant - Request for Applications (RFA) Release on July 17
OSSE is releasing funding for approximately five to 15 grants to DC LEAs to launch, strengthen, and expand evidence-based tutoring programs in schools for DC students, with a focus on those who are designated as economically disadvantaged. The funding period will run from the date the grants are awarded, estimated to be in late October 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. Please see OSSE’s HIT webpage or the 2024-25 grants forecast for more detailed information on the award opportunity and applicant eligibility.
The RFA will be available on OSSE’s HIT webpage on Wednesday, July 17 at 12 p.m. EST. The deadline to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply form, which can be found in the RFA, is Friday, Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. EST, and the deadline to submit an application will be Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. EST. Applications will be accepted only through OSSE’s Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) at grants.osse.dc.gov.
A pre-application webinar will be held following the release of the RFA. Please see the RFA for information on the date, time, and how to register for this webinar. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers via a public FAQ document.
If you have any questions about the grant, please email the HIT grants team at HIT.Grants@dc.gov.
SOAR Act Third Party Competition Now Open – Applications due at 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5
OSSE published the request for applications (RFA) for the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Third Party grant competition on June 14. Nonprofit charter support organizations proposing projects that will improve student outcomes in charter LEAs are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted online in EGMS no later than 3 p.m. EST on Monday, Aug. 5.
OSSE hosted two optional pre-application webinars to review updates to the application, scoring rubric and award process for this grant competition as well as other important competition information. A recording as well as an FAQ document will be shared in the coming days on the SOAR Third Party webpage. For questions or additional information, please contact Brianna Griffin at Brianna.Griffin@dc.gov.
FY25 IDEA Part B Phase II Application
The fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant application will be available on July 24 in EGMS. Allocations are available on OSSE’s website.
Please note that the correct release date for the IDEA application is July 24. Kindly disregard the previously mentioned date of July 1 that was included in the K12 grants newsletter.
The application deadline for the grant is Sept. 30 by 3 p.m. EST. Resources to support your grant application and grant program are available on OSSE’s IDEA website.
For questions or additional information about IDEA, please contact Megan Williams at Megan.Williams@dc.gov.
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August 2024
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