 2024-25 School Year School Immunization Policy (reminder)
The School Immunization Policy for the 2024-25 school year is now live on the OSSE immunization website. Updates to the School Immunization Policy for the 2024-25 school year include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Key dates for school immunization activities in the 2024-25 school year, including District-wide notification (Oct. 28, 2024) and exclusion dates (Dec. 9, 2024); and
- New guidance on appointment cards.
Aligned resources will continue to be posted on the OSSE immunization website in the coming weeks. Remember to communicate with families to ensure students are up to date on their immunizations before the start of the school year. Here are some revised immunization resources available on the OSSE immunization website:
Student Immunization-Only Appointments at School-Based Health Centers
The best place to get immunizations is with your family healthcare provider, but also see DC Health’s website for additional immunization opportunities. Families with students ages 3 to 21 are able to visit any school-based health center this summer, regardless of where the student is enrolled, for a vaccination-only appointment. Please call ahead to schedule as days and times vary by location. Find a list of school-based health centers at dchealth.dc.gov/service/school-based-health-centers.
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Start of School Priority Highlight: ESSER Closeout
 The final Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant, provided through the American Rescue Plan (ESSER III-ARP), ends on Sept. 30, 2024. OSSE is committed to supporting local education agencies (LEAs) to maximize the use of these one-time federal funds through planning tools and strategies to sustain key initiatives into the 2024-25 school year and beyond.
Top Things to Know:
- OSSE encourages LEAs to prioritize ESSER’s six evidence-based strategies in their budgeting and strategic planning for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.
- The deadline to submit a liquidation extension request to OSSE is Oct. 15, 2024.
- LEAs that apply for and receive liquidation extension approval may continue to request reimbursement on ESSER III-ARP funds through Dec. 1, 2025.
For more information on OSSE’s ESSER Closeout efforts, please visit the Start of School website. Please email questions to OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov or join our Start of School Office Hours on Thursday, Aug 29 from 10-11 a.m. Register here.
2023 DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Files ON HOLD (Update from July. 26)
Please be advised that the high school data files from the 2023 DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) have been temporarily removed from the OSSE website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified errors in the data weighting and is currently recalculating it to ensure accuracy. In the meantime, please refrain from using the high school data.
This is an update from the release of the data files on July 26. We will notify you as soon as the updated files are available.
2024-25 School Year LEA Course Data Qlik Dashboard Launched (reminder)
The Integrated Data System (IDS) platform is now open for LEAs to submit their Course Catalog Collection data. LEAs should download the template in IDS, fill in the 2024-25 school year data, and resubmit through IDS. Course Catalog Collection data is due Aug. 23, and LEA Heads of School will certify the data on Sept. 6.
LEAs can now review their data on the 2024-25 School Year LEA Course Data Qlik Dashboard in OSSE’s Qlik application.
If your LEA offers dual enrollment or career and technical education (CTE) courses, including participating in the Advanced Technical Center (ATC), please also visit the Course Data Collection Guidance for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) website to access the crosswalks that have been created to assist LEAs in mapping these courses to OSSE’s Course Catalog.
To prepare LEAs to complete this process in a timely and accurate way, OSSE will host a series of trainings and office hours:
The recording and slides of the 2024-25 School Year Course Catalog Collection Training can be accessed by registering for the training in OSSE’s Learning Management System.
For additional information or questions, please email Whitney Meagher at Whitney.Meagher@dc.gov.
Coming Soon: Opportunity to partner with High-Impact Tutoring Providers for the 2024-25 School Year (reminder)
OSSE is excited to share that LEAs will soon have an opportunity to partner with contracted high-impact tutoring (HIT) providers for the 2024-25 school year at no cost to LEAs. OSSE is entering into contracts with HIT providers this summer to work with students in DC public and public charter schools. Once OSSE has confirmed the contracts, the HIT program team will send an email to LEA leaders with full details on how LEAs can request, formalize, and launch partnerships with the contracted HIT providers.
New Portal for Distance Learning for Students Threatened by Violence (reminder)
In preparation for the 2024-25 school year, OSSE released a new form where schools must submit the requisite information to request situational distance learning in response to threats of violence.
Access the form here.
Full guidance on distance learning can be found linked here in “SY2024-25 Distance Learning Guidance.”
For questions, please email Joseph Hood, policy analyst, at osse.calendarwaivers@dc.gov. For emergency situations, your first call should always be law enforcement.
2024 Survey of Educator Wellness Organizations (reminder)
OSSE champions a Comprehensive Approach to Educator Wellness to support DC public and public charter schools in developing and implementing practices that support the whole educator. As part of these supports, OSSE is creating a resource list of organizations that are currently available to District schools to support educator wellness.
If you are an organization, or know an organization, that provides educator wellness resources or supports to DC public and public charter schools, please complete or share the 2024 Survey of Educator Wellness Organizations. Organizations that complete the form will be considered for inclusion in the resource list. Once complete the resource will be posted on OSSE's website and promoted with LEAs and schools.
If interested, please complete the form by Friday, Aug. 30. For questions, please email OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
Parent/Guardian Truancy Mailings for the 2023-24 School Year (Part 2) (reminder)
DC law requires educational institutions and OSSE to communicate regarding student attendance status. In the event of a truant student (at least 10 unexcused absences of any minor student within one school year), OSSE is required to provide the truant student’s parent/guardian with a Truancy Prevention Resource Guide.
In the coming weeks, OSSE will send Truancy Prevention Resource Guides to the parents/guardians of any student who was truant in the second semester of the 2023-24 school year. A copy of the truancy packet is available on OSSE’s website and further information can be found on the OSSE Attendance and Truancy Resources Website.
For questions or additional information, contact Cameron Martin at Cameron.Martin@dc.gov.
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Application Now Open for 2024-25 Superintendent’s Advisory Councils
OSSE is seeking teachers, school leaders and family members to participate in the 2024-45 Superintendent’s Advisory Councils (SACs). The councils meet regularly with OSSE leadership and staff to provide insights and ask questions about OSSE programs and policies. OSSE is especially excited to launch the Superintendent Advisory Council – Family Advisory Council this school year.
The applications for the 2024-25 SACs for Teachers, School Leaders and Family Members are now live! Members of the 2024-25 SACs will share their insights, suggestions and feedback with OSSE to help refine current policies and inform the development of new policies and resources at the state level regarding various topics. OSSE seeks a diverse group of educators, school leaders and family members from across the city who reflect the demographics of the District’s students. Members of the 2024-25 SACs will serve a term of one school year, beginning in October 2024. The first meeting for all three advisory councils will be held in person at OSSE (1050 First St. NE, Washington, DC) in October 2024.
All applications for the 2024-25 Superintendent’s Advisory Councils will close on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024:
For questions, please contact Megan Dumond at Megan.Dumond@dc.gov.
New Social Studies Standards Resources Now Available!
OSSE is excited to unveil a new collection of curricular resources designed to support teachers in implementing the updated Social Studies Standards.
The comprehensive materials, available on the Learning Management System (LMS), include driving questions, primary sources, detailed lesson plans, and educator background information aligned to each standard for every grade level.
Designed to enrich social studies instruction, these tools will help students engage in historical thinking and document-based discussion for each standard. Visit the Social Studies Standards website to register for subject specific resources on the LMS and notification as OSSE releases additional resources.
Stay tuned for more information on upcoming training sessions and support opportunities. If you have specific questions or would like to develop professional learning or coaching for your LEA, please contact Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Social Studies Resource Spotlight
Have you explored OSSE’s curricular resources for the new Social Studies Standards? OSSE has produced curricular resources to promote document based historical inquiry and the development of historical thinking skills with every standard.
Consider the spotlight resources below:
WH2.22 Analyze the reasons for and social consequences of the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation and Scientific Revolution in Europe, identifying major achievements of each movement and the impact of each on the dissemination of power within Europe.
Driving Question: Was the Renaissance a European affair?
To answer this question, students evaluate Hans Holbein’s painting The Ambassadors and evaluate the different global influences present in the image.
Register for the World History II LMS to access similar resources, including sample assessment prompts and standard specific professional development modules.
If you have specific questions or would like to schedule custom professional learning for your LEA, please contact Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Join the DC Title I Committee of Practitioners (COP) (reminder)
OSSE is seeking members of the DC community to support children from low-income families in receiving a high-quality education by serving on the Title I COP. Members of this committee engage with OSSE to create effective and responsive policies that impact DC schools receiving Title I-A funds.
Over the past three years, this committee’s feedback has impacted updates to the DC School Report Card, the State School Climate Survey and the strategic plan for the DC ReEngagement Center.
The Title I COP is seeking thoughtful and engaged education community members to serve a three-year COP term from September 2024 to June 2027. Committee members attend four quarterly meetings each school year, which are held in the evening from 4:30-6 p.m.
To join the Title I COP, you must serve a DC school community in one or more of the following roles:
- Public charter school leader (principal, assistant principal, or other);
- Public charter school-level administrator (Title I-A program implementation);
- DCPS teacher;
- Public charter school teacher;
- DCPS paraprofessional;
- Public charter school paraprofessional; and
- Parent of DCPS student(s)
If you are interested in joining us and representing your community’s needs, please share your interest by submitting a completed application and resume to OSSE.COP@dc.gov by Sept. 18, 2024. If you know someone whose perspective and expertise would benefit our COP, please share this application opportunity with them.
For questions or additional information about the Title I Committee of Practitioners, please contact Bonnie Bacon at Bonnie.Bacon@dc.gov.
Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce: 2024-25 Cohort (reminder)
OSSE's Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) is announcing the launch of the 2024-25 cohort 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 began working in a school-based setting during the 2023-24 school year 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. The cohort will run from October 2024 to June 2025. Please see this one-pager for more information and the eligibility criteria. Applications open Friday, Aug. 9 and close Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Participants who successfully complete the cadre will be eligible for a $1,000 stipend.
Questions? Reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
September LEA Special Education Points of Contact Webinar (reminder)
On Wednesday, Sept.18, from 10-11 a.m., OSSE will host the monthly webinar training for all LEA Special Education POCs (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;
- Nonpublic 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 2024-25 webinar series, please register here.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact LaShonda Wilson Carter at LaShonda.Wilson@dc.gov.
Getting Ready to Support a Positive School Climate: Upcoming Professional Development (reminder)
Understanding Trauma in Children and How to Develop Healing-Centered Practices
This 2-hour introductory session provides an overview of trauma theory and strategies germane to educators in the current climate.
Audience: Educators, support providers, and administrators serving pre-K through grade 12.
This virtual session will take place at 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Please register for one of the following dates: Aug. 20 or Sept. 2.
Student Engagement Strategies for Social and Emotional Learning and Student Success
This two-part training series explores how active and cooperative drama strategies can support academic achievement for high school, middle school and elementary school students. These scientific research-based strategies are proven with grades 1-12 and are revolutionizing how we teach and learn. The interactive and engaging approach empowers the students to engage, retain and transfer information. The activities will help educators engage their students more effectively with tools they can use in their curricula or modules that make learning more fun and act as a strong vehicle for social and emotional learning and academic enrichment.
Participants will be offered three professional learning units (PLUs) for full participation in each session. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to attend both parts of the session. Both sessions will take place in person at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, Room 108 at 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Please register below.
Part 1: Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Part 2: Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Addressing Dyslexia Legislation (reminder)
The dyslexia awareness modules are available in LMS. The dyslexia awareness modules are an annual requirement for all educators employed by an LEA. This year, the modules have been differentiated to include specific content for:
- Pre-K serving educators;
- K-5 serving educators; and
- Adolescent to adult serving educators.
The required training on reading difficulties for K-2 general educators, “Screener Data Analysis and Response,” is now available on the LMS. The training focuses on how screener data can be leveraged to support students at risk for reading difficulties. A “K-2 General Educator” is defined as “any professional directly involved in the regular creation of learning environments that foster students' development in grades K-2.”
All K-5 LEAs are required to adopt a science-based literacy program. Resources are available on the Dyslexia Legislation landing page to support LEAs in the adoption process. This includes a list of literacy programs aligned with High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), a guidance document and rubrics for identifying HQIM.
The deadline for completing these requirements is Oct. 31. Please direct questions to Dyslexia Specialist Dustin Tamsen at Dustin.Tamsen@dc.gov.
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OSSE Grantees Must Submit Updated Payment Information
Grantees’ Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment information in the District Integrated Financial System (DIFS) expires every three years. To ensure your reimbursements can be sent directly to your chosen account, ACH payment information needs to be renewed before expiration.
To support grantees in maintaining updated payment information, OSSE emailed impacted organizations in early July to provide instructions for updating ACH payment information before it expires on Sept. 30, 2024.
To prevent payment delays, grantees with expiring ACH information should submit the following forms, in addition to a bank letter or voided check, to osse.suppliermaintenance@dc.gov as soon as possible. All three forms were emailed to the impacted organizations in early July.
- Master Supplier Form
- W-9 Form
- ACH Form
For questions or additional information, please contact Mabel Kennedy at Mabel.Kennedy@dc.gov.
ARP-ESSER Tydings Waiver Application to USED – Public Comment Opportunity (reminder)
OSSE intends to apply for a Tydings waiver to the US Department of Education (USED) to extend the period for spending American Rescue Plan-Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) administrative funds beyond fiscal year 2024 (FY24). This will allow OSSE to use a consolidated pool of administrative ARP ESSER and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title funds for ARP-ESSER closeout activities and continued state coordination of supports for academic recovery efforts in the District of Columbia. OSSE is inviting the public and LEAs to comment on the waiver request, posted on OSSE’s Post-ESSER Sustainability Planning Supports website and on the District of Columbia Register. Please submit all comments to OSSE.PublicComment@dc.gov by Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. EST.
American Rescue Plan and McKinney-Vento Education Grant Extensions (reminder)
USED recently announced that liquidation extension is available for the American Rescue Plan – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-Homeless) grant. USED also announced that the period of availability on McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth (MKV EHCY) grant has been extended.
OSSE is now accepting applications from LEAs for liquidation extension of ARP-Homeless funds. The application form is available on our sustainability planning supports website. If approved for extension, LEAs may use ARP-Homeless funds on eligible expenditures through the end of FY25, provided those expenditures are properly obligated by Sept. 30, 2024. USED has encouraged states and LEAs to fully expend ARP-Homeless one-time funds prior to tapping into EHCY funds. To support LEAs’ efforts to spend down ARP-Homeless funds first, OSSE will waive the 15 percent annual carryover cap and allow up to 100 percent of your FY24 MKV EHCY funds to carry over into FY25. These funds would then remain available for your use through the end of FY26.
For more information on these opportunities, please see OSSE’s ARP-Homeless liquidation extension guidance letter.
If you have questions, please email Danielle.Rollins@dc.gov.
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August 2024
September 2024
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