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NEW: DC Health Measles Resources for Schools and Child Development Facilities
With more than 300 measles cases reported in 15 states, DC Health has developed resources for schools and child development facilities including Frequently Asked Questions, a Measles Fact Sheet and a Letter to Education Partners that provides guidance and a form that schools and child development facilities can use to report cases of measles to DC Health. If you have additional questions, please contact the Immunization Division at doh.immunization@dc.gov or (202) 576-7130. For questions related to disease reporting and outbreaks, visit here.
Nominate an Outstanding DC Educator (Reminder)
OSSE is searching for outstanding educators from across the District to be considered for a variety of awards, including the 2026 DC Teacher of the Year and the DC Educator Talent Pool. We are seeking nominations for excellent educators who:
- Inspire and accelerate growth for all students
- Build strong partnerships with families and communities
- Champion the teaching profession
Administrators, colleagues, LEA and school staff, parents, students, and community members can all submit nominations. Self-nominations are also acceptable. Please complete the 2025-26 District of Columbia Outstanding Educator Nomination Form by May 23.
Nominees will be notified on a rolling basis. For a teacher to be eligible for consideration, they must be a current teacher in a DC public school or public charter school and must plan to continue as a teacher in DC for the 2025-26 school year. For questions, please contact Megan.Dumond@dc.gov.
National Public Education Finance Survey and F-33 Data Collection Beginning Soon - Due Friday, June 27 (Reminder)
The Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Public Education Finance Survey (NPEFS) and Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33) reporting period has begun.
NPEFS is the US Department of Education’s (USED's) annual collection of the nation’s public elementary and secondary school financial data. Data is used to calculate the State Per Pupil Expenditure (SPPE), which is used for Title I and other allocations. The F-33 is a public education financial survey distributed by the US Census Bureau. Many of the NPEFS and F33 data elements overlap so OSSE has combined them into one survey to reduce LEA paperwork and confusion.
As DC’s state education agency, OSSE has been instructed to proceed with both data collections. As an LEA receiving federal funds in FY24, you are required to fill out this financial survey accurately and in its entirety.
When the reporting period begins, each LEA will receive the following from OSSE via email:
- Your LEA’s FY23 NPEFS/F-33 data submission to OSSE from last year
- OSSE’s FY24 NPEFS/F-33 combined collection template
- Link to OSSE’s NPEFS and F-33 website including guidance for the data collection and information about the reporting requirements
The final deadline for LEAs to submit data to OSSE is Friday, June 20. To minimize confusion and maximize effectiveness of processing this data, we strongly encourage LEAs to avoid waiting until the end of the reporting period to submit your data.
If you have any questions related to the NPEFS/F-33 data collection, please contact Gabriel Montague, OSSE administrative officer, at Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov or (202) 394-8977.
Parent/Guardian Truancy Mailings for the 2024-25 School Year (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.
on OSSE’s website in English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Vietnamese. 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.
Growing Healthy Schools Month (Reminder)
Join our District LEA community in celebrating Growing Healthy Schools Month (GHSM)! GHSM, held every April, celebrates how schools across the District are creating healthy places for all students. This year, OSSE will highlight five aspects of health throughout April, with weekly themes spotlighting each area of health.
Take a look at our GHSM Resource Guide for some ideas and resources to celebrate next week with your LEA.
Additionally, there are opportunities for District students to win awards for original artwork, written essays, and other activities that highlight health and wellness, through the Student Awards Categories highlighted in the Growing Healthy Schools Month Student Contests Submission Form.
Throughout the month of April, let us know how your school is creating a healthy place for students by taking the Healthy Schools Participation Pledge.
Only school teachers/staff may complete this pledge. Information from pledges will be published to highlight all District schools that are working to create healthy places for our students.
For more information please click here.
Please contact the GHSM team at OSSE.Nutritionprogram@dc.gov with any questions.
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2025 Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching Application Now Open (Reminder)
The Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching is a four-day training from July 15-18 and consists of 30 hours of intensive in-person training for K-5 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter school teachers.
This training is free and all participants will receive a stipend. Stipend amounts are contingent upon finalized funding.
Apply here
Applicants will receive notification of acceptance on a rolling basis until the training is full.
For more information visit the Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching webpage.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Community of Practice (CoP) for Educators and Instructional Leaders! (Reminder)
OSSE is excited to introduce a new Community of Practice (CoP) designed specifically to support teachers and instructional leaders in effectively implementing the DC K-Adult SEL Standards.
The SEL CoP will provide educators with a collaborative environment to exchange best practices, strengthen adult SEL strategies, address challenges through discussions of Problems of Practice, and enhance the integration of SEL in the classroom. This CoP will also help OSSE plan effective professional learning and provide appropriate resources.
CoP participants will:
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Beginning April 30, engage in three monthly CoP meetings scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month, from 4-5:30 p.m.
- Explore Problems of Practice and obstacles that school staff face with SEL integration.
- Learn about ongoing professional learning opportunities and resources to support school needs.
- Provide insights on OSSE SEL artifacts and resources to inform implementation support.
- Be part of a supportive network of instructional leaders that values equity, student success, and whole-child development.
Audience:
This professional learning opportunity is available to all teachers, instructional coaches, and educational leaders within District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Marcus Hughes with the OSSE Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov. If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the registration link.
OSSE Special Education Institute - Hosted Virtually on April 30 (Reminder)
OSSE invites general education and special education leaders to the Special Education Institute: Collaboration for a Brighter Future hosted virtually on Wednesday, April 30. The Special Education Institute is a capacity-building conference for leaders in DC education to improve daily practices by implementing high-leverage practices and the Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) to achieve equitable outcomes.
Breakout sessions will engage participants to:
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Enhance Instructional Practices: Use evidence-based strategies to advance literacy and math outcomes for all learners.
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Promote Collaboration: Plan with general and special education leaders to network and design inclusive classroom environments.
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Attain Tangible Resources: Explore, create, and refine tools, lesson plans, and interventions tailored to the needs of pre-K through grade 12 learners.
OSSE encourages registration from special education and academic content leaders as teams. Register for the OSSE Special Education Institute here.
Spring 2025 School Climate Trainings (Reminder)
OSSE is offering professional learning opportunities designed to boost a positive school climate and support social and emotional learning! DC educators may register for any of the following sessions through OSSE’s Learning Management System (LMS) and will receive Professional Learning Units (PLUs) for full participation.
For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov or Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov.
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FY25 Stronger Connections Grant Continuation Application Due April 16 (Reminder)
LEAs awarded FY24 Stronger Connections grants must complete continuation applications in order to access these carryover funds in FY25. The application is now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) and LEAs must submit applications no later than 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 16.
After OSSE approves your LEA’s application, your LEA can submit reimbursements for Stronger Connections grant expenditures from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Rudy.Arellano@dc.gov.
SOAR Facilities Competition Now Open – Applications due by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23 (Reminder)
The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Facilities Grant competition is now open for applications in EGMS. The request for applications (RFA) was published on March 28 and provides an overview of the grant, important dates, and application requirements.
The purpose of the funds is to support the improvement and expansion of high-quality public charter schools in DC. Applications must be submitted online in EGMS no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23. Please see the RFA for more information on eligibility criteria.
Each webinar will cover the purpose and requirements of the SOAR Facilities grant, including eligibility, priority areas, and key competition details and deadlines. Interested organizations may register to attend either webinar.
OSSE Adult and Family Education Consolidated Competitive Grant – Request for Application (RFA) (Reminder)
Interested parties are encouraged to participate in an upcoming Pre-Application Conference.
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Monday, May 5, from 10-11:30 a.m. REGISTER
Eligible providers may also wish to submit an optional Notice of Intent to Apply online by Friday, May 9, here.
Please note: to be considered for this grant opportunity, applicants must apply for the OSSE Adult and Family Education Consolidated Competitive Grant in OSSE’s EGMS by the due date of Wednesday, May 21, by 3 p.m.
OSSE Grantee Reimbursement Request Submission Policy (Reminder)
The end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 (FY25) was on March 31, 2025. OSSE requires grantees to submit at least one reimbursement request per quarter. After a grantee has an approved application, they may request reimbursement for any allowable expenditures incurred in the approved award period to date.
For FY25, Quarter 2 is the period from Jan. 1-March 31, 2025. Reimbursement requests for this period are due by April 30 in EGMS.
We look forward to reviewing your submissions. Please do not hesitate to contact your OSSE grant specialists for questions or technical assistance.
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May 2025
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