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New: DC SUN Bucks Grocery Benefits for Families
DC SUN Bucks provides extra grocery benefits to families giving each eligible student a one-time $120 benefit this summer.
Most eligible students are automatically enrolled in the program, but some will need to apply. Families can use the new DC SUN Bucks enrollment checker to see if their student is already enrolled for summer 2026 or if a new application is need. The online application for 2026 benefits is available now - Aug. 25.
Already enrolled or applied? Parents and caregivers can create an account with the new DC SUN Bucks online portal to manage the family’s SUN Bucks account, learn how to request a replacement card, and more.
Find both new tools and learn more at sunbucks.dc.gov.
Quick tip! If a student already has a DC SUN Bucks card or the family participates in SNAP or TANF, then benefits will be added to the existing EBT card. Other students who are new to DC SUN Bucks will receive a card in the mail. Families with multiple eligible students will get a card for each student.
New: Course Data Collection Updates
For LEAs that have Unified Data Errors (UDEs) in the Student and Section Course Collection data that need to be resolved by resubmitting Course Catalog Collection data, the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) process for the Course Catalog Collection data will be re-opened for re-submission from June 15 through June 26 at 5 p.m. Please note that the new submission will completely over-write previous submissions, so the entire spreadsheet of Course Catalog Collection data will need to be re-submitted, not just changes.
Once the Course Catalog Collection data has been resubmitted, there will be a delay in resolving the UDEs, as it takes some time for all of the applications to sync. Please plan to resubmit the Course Catalog Collection data as early as possible in the submission window, to allow time to review the impact on the Student and Section Course Data and ensure that UDEs are resolved.
LEAs can also schedule a one-on-one meeting for assistance using this link. For additional information or questions, please email Whitney Meagher at Whitney.Meagher@dc.gov.
Nominate an Excellent Educator (Reminder)
OSSE is proud to highlight outstanding educators from across the District through several recognition programs, including the DC Teacher of the Year award and the Educator Talent Pool.
The District of Columbia Excellent Educator Nomination Form is now open for the 2027 award cycle. We invite you to submit nominations for consideration for the 2027 DC Teacher of the Year through July 12. Self-nominations are welcome.
For questions, please reach out to Rachelle (Rey) Yombo, Special Assistant for Teaching and Learning, at Rachelle.Yombo1@dc.gov.
All 2026-27 School Year Calendar Submissions Due June 23 (Reminder)
All calendar compliance materials are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23. By that date:
- Calendars and instructional hours must be submitted to eSchoolPLUS.
- Any calendar waiver requests, including half-day waivers and routine distance learning plans, must be submitted in the OSSE Support Tool.
- 2026-27 school year calendars must be submitted as “Ready for Review” in the Instructional Day Calendar Compliance sheet of the SY26-27 Data Validation QLIK application.
For more information, reference OSSE’s 2026-27 school year Instructional Day and Distance Learning Guidance and the Data Validation Technical Guide located in the SY26-27 Data Validation QLIK application sheet. Please direct any questions to osse.calendarwaivers@dc.gov.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Practice and Policies Survey Results Available (Reminder)
OSSE’s vision is that DC learners of all ages and backgrounds are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue and thrive on the life path of their choice. In line with that, OSSE supports LEAs by developing policies and guidance in various areas.
To inform our work on AI, OSSE administered a survey of LEA leaders about the state of AI use at their schools. Here are the survey results. Thank you to those who participated.
Call for Information on School-based Music Groups (Reminder)
OSSE is building a directory of school-based student musical performance groups across the District — including bands, choirs, orchestras, ensembles, and other performance groups. This directory will help us highlight student talent and identify groups we can invite to perform at future OSSE events and celebrations.
Please complete a brief form to share details about the music groups at your school. Your participation ensures that OSSE can create an inclusive, representative list of student performers from across DC and publicly highlight student musical talent citywide.
Please take a moment to fill out the form and provide information about your school’s music group by June 12.
Thank you for helping us uplift the arts and showcase the creativity of DC students.
Advanced Internship Program (AIP) 2026-27 Employer Registration (Reminder)
Are you interested in hosting a student intern in the 2026-27 school year and helping to build DC’s future workforce?
OSSE’s Advanced Internship Program (AIP) places highly qualified DC high school seniors into paid, for-credit internships aligned with their career and technical education (CTE) programs of study. All interns have completed at least two CTE courses in their industry area before placement, ensuring relevant skills and classroom preparation. Program dates: Nov. 16, 2026 – May 7, 2027.
Internship Structure
- Compensation: Interns earn $17/hour at no cost to host employers.
- Schedule: 8-12 hours per week during the school year
Why Host an AIP Intern?
- Provide meaningful, real-world experience to future members of the DC workforce.
- Offer effective leadership opportunities for student interns.
- Boost production and efficiency with motivated CTE scholars.
Industry Areas
Government; Hospitality & Tourism; Health Science; Business Management & Finance; Education & Training; Information Technology; Architecture & Construction; Engineering; Arts, A/V Technology & Communications.
How to Participate
Register here by Saturday, Aug. 15. The registration form will request the applicant’s contact information and the expected supervisor’s contact information (if different). All prospective supervisors must attend an information session on Wednesday, Aug. 12 or Friday, Aug. 21.
Questions? Email OSSE’s Office of Industry Engagement at osse.cte.ie@dc.gov.
LEA Financial Reporting Application Collection - June 8 through July 31 (Reminder)
OSSE will begin the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) National Public Education Financial Survey (NPEFS) and the FY25 Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33) on Monday, June 8. All LEAs are required to submit 2024-25 school year financial data to OSSE by Friday, July 31.
NPEFS is the US Department of Education’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. Many of the NPEFS and F-33 data elements overlap, so OSSE has combined them into one survey to reduce LEA paperwork and confusion.
In addition to reminders here, communication regarding the FY25 NPEFS and F-33 collection will come via email from OSSE’s School Finance Officer, Gabriel Montague. OSSE will be using the same LEA list of points of contact (POCs) used for the FY25 LEA Financial Reporting collection, incorporating any necessary adjustments flagged by your LEA since then. Please reach out directly to Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov if you or someone from your LEA with one of the roles below needs to be added to the email list prior to when the collection begins on June 8.
- Head of School;
- Chief Financial Officer; and
- LEA Finance/Grants Manager
When the reporting period begins, each LEA will receive the following from OSSE via email:
- Your LEA’s FY24 NPEFS/F-33 data submission to OSSE from last year in an Excel Spreadsheet
- OSSE’s FY25 NPEFS/F-33 collection template in an Excel Spreadsheet
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. For questions related to the LEA Financial Reporting Application, please contact Gabriel Montague, OSSE Administrative Officer, at Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov or (202) 394-8977.
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New: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Applications Now Open
OSSE is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year cohort of its Family, School Leader and Teacher Advisory Councils. The councils are comprised of a diverse group of educators, school leaders, parents, and family members from across the city who meet regularly with OSSE leadership and staff to give feedback on and ask questions about OSSE programs and policies.
Information about OSSE's new Student Advisory Council, open to rising seventh through 12th graders, is forthcoming.
Applications for the 2026-27 school year are open through Sunday, Aug. 30.
For questions, please reach out to Rachelle (Rey) Yombo, Special Assistant for Teaching and Learning, at Rachelle.Yombo1@dc.gov.
Learn24 Network's 2026 Out-of-School Time (OST) Conference and Showcase: "Illuminate, Evaluate Elevate." (Reminder)
Learn24 Network invites OST providers, youth development professionals, and community partners to register for the upcoming Learn24 Network 2026 Out-of-School Time Conference and Showcase: “Illuminate, Evaluate, Elevate.” Held June 22-23, this year’s conference will bring together OST professionals, educators, and community partners for engaging workshops, networking opportunities, and meaningful conversations centered around youth development and program quality.
- Dynamic Keynote Speakers
- Youth Assessor Corps Panel Discussion
- Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
- Interactive Workshops Led by OST Professionals
- Grant Administration and Compliance
- Program Sustainability and Effectiveness
- Program Quality Assurance and Evaluating OST Programs
- Funding Sustainability
- Capacity Building
- Positive Youth Development
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Family and Community Engagement
Social Studies Professional Learning Summer Offerings (Reminder)
Registration is now open for professional development opportunities coming up this summer for social studies educators.
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June 23 and 24: Planning for Document-Based Instruction Using OSSE Social Studies Resources
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June 30: Assessing Social Studies Learning
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July 29-31: Action Civics Institute, supporting instruction with Project Digital Civic Inquiry Units
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Aug. 4: Elevating Student Perspective to Support Effective Discourse and Writing in Social Studies
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Aug. 6: Teaching Geography and Geographic Reasoning with OSSE Resources
 New: Title I Committee of Practitioners Meeting, Tuesday, June 30
The Title I Committee of Practitioners (Title I CoP) serves as an advisory body that supports OSSE in carrying out the agency’s responsibilities under Title I, Parts A, B, C, and D (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for the District of Columbia. Members of the committee advise OSSE on policies related to LEAs that receive Title I funds.
The Title I CoP will convene on Tuesday, June 30, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Please note that while the public is invited to attend and observe the Title I CoP membership meeting, there will be no opportunity for public comment.
Please find more information about OSSE’s Title I CoP on OSSE’s website.
If you have any questions, please contact the ESEA grants program at Con.App@dc.gov.
ConApp & IDEA Phase I Applications Now Open – Due June 15 (Reminder)
The fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Phase I applications for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title Consolidated (ConApp) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grants are now available in EGMS. To receive these grant awards, LEAs must complete a two-phase application process. LEAs are required to submit their Phase I applications by Monday, June 15 at 3 p.m., so that they can be approved on or before July 1.
The Phase I ESEA ConApp and IDEA applications ask LEAs to agree to assurances related to each grant program. Receiving approval before July 1 enables LEAs to submit reimbursement requests for expenditures incurred beginning July 1. If Phase I applications are not approved by July 1, LEAs can only submit reimbursement requests for expenditures incurred as of the date of approval of the Phase I application.
The Phase II applications, which ask for detailed program and budget information, will be made available this summer. Upon approval of the Phase II application, LEAs can begin to submit reimbursement requests for FY27 grant expenditures.
OSSE will release FY27 preliminary ESEA Title allocations in May 2026. OSSE has not yet received its FY27 IDEA state allocation amount from the US Department of Education (USED).
Grant program information is available on OSSE’s ConApp and IDEA websites.
For questions or additional information about the ESEA ConApp, please email Con.App@dc.gov or reach out to your LEA’s ESEA Point of Contact.
For questions or additional information about IDEA, please reach out to Megan Williams at Megan.Williams@dc.gov.
FY26 ESEA Final Allocations and FY25 Carryover Funds Now Available in EGMS (Reminder)
LEAs can now access their fiscal year 2026 (FY26) final allocations, FY25 carryover funds and additional funds on Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Titles I-A, II-A, III-A, and IV-A grants via their FY26 ESEA Consolidated Applications (ConApp) in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
All LEAs will have FY25 carryover on their Title I-A grant due to additional funding becoming available in the program. All LEAs should review their carryover amounts by selecting the “Funding Distribution” tab in their FY26 ConApp in EGMS. In addition, FY26 final allocations are posted on OSSE’s ESEA Title grants webpage.
To claim final allocations and carryover funds, LEAs that received Title funding should submit one budget amendment on their FY26 ConApp by Friday, June 12. OSSE must first approve the amendment for your LEA to submit reimbursement requests using these funds.
Additional resources to support program implementation are available on the ESEA Title grants webpage. For questions or additional information about ESEA, please contact the team at Con.App@dc.gov or your LEA’s ESEA point of contact.
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June 2026
July 2026
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