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We hope that you all have a lovely holiday. The LEA Look Forward will return on Friday, Dec. 5.
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New: OSSE Strategic Plan Community Input Survey
OSSE is proud to support learners citywide from birth to adulthood. We are developing OSSE's 2026-2030 strategic plan and want to hear from LEA leaders and educators across DC.
Your input will play a vital role in shaping and guiding OSSE’s priorities and initiatives for the coming years. Please share this survey (also available in Spanish and Amharic) with your LEA, school staff, and families so that we can learn about their perspectives.
The survey closes Friday, Dec. 12. For questions, contact osse.strategicplan@dc.gov.
New: LEAs Invited to Share Feedback on CLASS Observations
In recent years, OSSE has partnered with Teachstone to conduct Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations of preschool-age classrooms in DC. Teachstone is interested in understanding to what extent and in what ways CLASS data is used to inform decision-making in DC and wants to hear from LEA instructional leaders and/or their support staff.
Individuals who support pre-K programs should email Teachstone's Vice President of Client Strategy Matt Owens, at Matt.Owens@teachstone.com if they are interested in sharing their input.
OSSE & DC Water Collaboration: Water Emergencies – Guidance for Schools and Child Care Facilities (Reminder)
OSSE recently collaborated with DC Water and DC Health to develop a new webpage of resources for schools, students, and child care facilities concerning water emergencies. Proper planning for a water emergency can prevent unsafe consumption and interactions with potentially contaminated water.
Please visit the webpage to learn more and share with your colleagues, students, and families.
For more information or questions, please email osse.schoolhealth@dc.gov or visit DC Water.
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New: Small Group Reading Strategies for Multilingual Learners, Dec. 10
In this session, third through fifth grade teachers will learn strategies for teaching effective and culturally responsive small group lessons to multilingual learners who are developing foundational reading skills. Participants will learn to incorporate students’ language assets and support needs in all domains of reading. Participants will observe linguistically responsive small group instruction in action from a local teacher.
The session will take place in-person on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1-3:30 p.m. at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE. Attendees will receive 3 professional learning units (PLUs) for their participation. Register here.
For more information, contact Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
Winter 2025-26 Math Bootcamp Enrolling Now (Reminder)
Back by popular demand, OSSE is excited to offer and updated math bootcamp focusing on evidence-informed practices for math instruction. Educators will engage with developing math instructional practices that support accelerated learning for all students. This online course is available to K-12 educators and school leaders. Participants will earn 18 professional learning units (PLUs) for successful completion.
The math bootcamp virtual course will contain both asynchronous and synchronous sessions.
- The 14 asynchronous modules will help educators understand scientifically based, evidence-informed instructional methods to teach mathematics in grades K-12. The session begins with a brief overview of how the brain learns math and the ways that knowledge, memory, and skill are developed, stored, and retrieved in the brain. Subsequent modules are rooted in the Standards for Mathematical Practice, creating a clear basis for mathematical expertise that educators should expect and in turn develop in all students, grades K-12.
- The six live sessions will provide educators with an opportunity to discuss new learning and turnkey course concepts in a classroom setting. Live sessions will take place on Tuesday afternoons in January and February. More information will be available upon registration.
This opportunity is available to any K-12 educator or leader at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here. For more information, please contact Miryam Oziel Miryam.Oziel@dc.gov.
Explicit Writing Instruction for K-5 Multilingual Learners, Dec. 3 (Reminder)
In this session, K-5 teachers of multilingual learners will focus on the writing sentences to support students’ writing growth. Participants will explore strategies from The Writing Revolution, make connections to multilingual learner research and WIDA standards, and see classroom examples from a DC teacher.
The session will take place in-person on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, from 1-3:30 p.m. Attendees will receive 3 professional learning units (PLUs) for their participation. Register here.
For more information, contact Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
School Leader Collaborative (Reminder)
OSSE is excited to announce the launch of the School Leader Collaborative for school leaders (i.e., principals, deans/ assistant deans, directors of curriculum/instruction, instructional coaches, and other adjacent roles).
The School Leader Collaborative is a community of practice for leaders from District public and public charter schools. Participants will learn and apply a comprehensive educator wellness approach to address their own wellness and the wellness of their respective school teams through peer connection and collaboration. Participants will meet bi-monthly from January to September 2026.
Complete this interest form by Jan. 16, 2026 if you would like to participate.
Questions? Reach out to Celeste Brown, School Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist, at Celeste.Brown@dc.gov.
 New: School Climate Enhancement Microgrant, Apply by Dec. 8
Applications are now open for the 2025-26 OSSE School Climate Enhancement Microgrant. This grant supports schools in using data to establish or enhance a sustainable, school-wide approach to social and emotional learning (SEL), ultimately contributing to an improved school climate. By leveraging data-informed strategies, schools can make a meaningful and positive impact within their communities.
Apply here by Monday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m.
Office hours are available for assistance or inquiries regarding the application.
Microgrant Details:
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Award Amount: Up to $50,000 per school
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Purpose:To establish or enhance a comprehensive approach to SEL and school climate, utilizing the DC Survey About Your School (DC SAYS) school climate data to identify specific areas of need and to drive targeted, meaningful, and systemic enhancements in policies, practices, and culture, in collaboration with key stakeholders. Priority points will be awarded to schools whose projects and initiatives are explicitly targeted at supporting middle school students, high school students, and/or students with disabilities.
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To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must:
- Be a school within a public or public charter DC LEA that participated in the 2024–25 DC SAYS and
- Was not selected as a 2024-25 microgrant recipient.
For more information, please visit the OSSE School Climate Enhancement Microgrant website. We warmly invite all eligible participants to consider applying and take advantage of this opportunity to foster school growth and improvement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Marcus Hughes at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov.
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