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NEW: School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act Reminder
The School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 requires District schools to adopt policies and procedures to prevent and address sexual abuse and acts of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and dating violence. Under this law, District schools must have two policies that (1) prevent and address student sexual abuse by school staff (DC Code § 38–951.02), and (2) prevent and address student-on-student acts of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and dating violence (DC Code § 38–952.02). Since 2019, OSSE has provided two model policies for District schools and LEAs that address the requirements under this law. These model policies were revised in 2024 and 2025 to align with the US Department of Education’s revised Title IX regulations. Schools and LEAs that used the 2019 or 2024 OSSE model policies are strongly encouraged to review the 2025 versions and ensure their policies are up to date. Schools and LEAs may adopt the OSSE model policies as written or use them as a starting point when developing their own policies. The model policies, as well as additional materials to support other parts of this law, are available on the OSSE website.
As a reminder, this law also requires schools and LEAs to perform due diligence regarding potential, current, and former staff (DC Code § 38–951.03), prohibits assisting certain employment of a perpetrator of child sexual abuse offenses (DC Code § 32–1131.02), and requires schools to provide age and developmentally appropriate academic instruction on consent, setting and respecting boundaries, and developing and maintaining healthy relationships (DC Code § 38–824.02(b-2)). Schools and LEAs are strongly encouraged to routinely review this law and Title IX and to consult their legal counsel to ensure all parts are met.
Please direct any questions regarding OSSE’s model policies to osse.schoolhealth@dc.gov.
NEW: The 2025–26 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) LEA and School Forms Now Available
The Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) gathers data directly from public LEAs so the US Department of Education can monitor key education and civil rights issues using student enrollment “disaggregated by race/ethnicity, sex, English Learner status, and disability status.” The CRDC is mandatory for schools and LEAs that receive federal funding from the US Department of Education, and this collection does not go through OSSE.
In August, the CRDC Partner Support Center (PSC) emailed each LEA’s CRDC primary contact person or alternate contact person about the forms and upcoming next steps.
If you received that email – and you are the correct contact – you should use the 2025–26 CRDC LEA and school forms that are available on the CRDC website and the CRDC Resource Center website to prepare for the 2025–26 CRDC. These forms contain school- and LEA-level survey items, instructions, definitions, and table layouts for the 2025-26 CRDC.
If you believe you received that email in error, please: (1) forward the message from the CRDC PSC to the responsible party at your LEA, and (2) contact the CRDC PSC to be removed from the contact list for the CRDC as soon as possible.
For additional technical support, please contact the CRDC PSC via the PSC Contact Us Form or by phone at (855) 255-6901, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Nominate Your School Hero! RISE DC Nominations Open through Oct. 11 (Reminder)
OSSE is now accepting nominations for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award, a national recognition honoring classified school employees. This award honors bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, and more. Help us spotlight these education heroes in our school communities.
Learn more about the criteria and submit a nomination here, no later than Sunday, Oct. 11.
For questions, contact Rachelle (Rey) Yombo at Rachelle.Yombo1@dc.gov.
Calling All Attendance Counselors: We Want to Highlight You for Attendance Awareness Month (September) (Reminder)
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and OSSE plans to highlight attendance counselors citywide. Throughout the month on OSSE’s social media channels, we will spotlight counselors across the District to showcase your creativity, dedication, and impact in making sure students are in school. If you are an attendance counselor, we’d love to feature you. Please take a minute to fill out our spotlight form so we can share your story with our community. Thank you for everything you do to support students and families — we can’t wait to highlight you!
Questions? Email osse.communications@dc.gov.
DC Health Immunization Policy Remains Unchanged (Reminder)
The DC Health Immunization Division reminds immunization stakeholders that families in the District should continue to receive the full range of vaccines to protect their children from serious disease, per the District’s immunizations policy. These vaccines are recommended by and align with the immunization recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Health care providers and hospitals continue to offer these vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. Please refer to this letter which includes how to access vaccines and share with families and your school’s health team.
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NEW: Opportunity for School-Based Behavioral Health Providers: Updated Eligibility Criteria, Applications Close Sept. 16
OSSE's Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) is announcing the launch of the 2026-27 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 started working in a school-based setting during the 2024-25 school year or after! The First Year Cadre is an opportunity for providers in their early years of working in a school-based setting to build foundational skills necessary to be successful in the school environment. The cohort will run from October 2026 to June 2027. Applications close Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Participants who successfully complete the cadre will be eligible for a $1,000 stipend.
Questions? Reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
NEW: Empowering Math Learning Through Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) Community of Practice, Sept. 30
OSSE is excited to kick off its SEL Community of Practice (CoP) with a high-energy exploration of how SEL strengthens mathematical reasoning, productive struggle, and student discourse. Join us as we unlock ways to help students persevere through challenges, collaborate during problem-solving, and build math identities rooted in confidence and curiosity. Math becomes even more powerful when students feel safe enough to take risks.
CoP participants will:
- Join the in-person CoP session on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at OSSE (1050 First St. NE).
- Engage in evidence-based instructional models, practical tools, and exemplars suitable for direct implementation by educators.
- Join a collaborative environment for the exchange of best practices and innovations, the strengthening of SEL strategies, and engagement in discussions surrounding Problems of Practice.
- Explore ways to incorporate District-wide data sources, tools, and resources, such as DC Survey About Your School (DCSAYS) data.
To learn more about this opportunity, please register here, or contact Marcus Hughes with OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov.
Join the DC Title I Committee of Practitioners (CoP), Applications due Oct. 15 (Reminder)
OSSE is seeking members of the DC school 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 quarterly to advise on effective and responsive policies that impact schools in the District receiving federal Title I funds.
Over the years, this committee has influenced updates to the DC School Report Card and State School Climate Survey and revisions to the District’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act Consolidated State Plan.
The Title I CoP seeks thoughtful and engaged school community members to serve a three-year term from September 2026 to August 2029. Committee members attend quarterly meetings each school year, which are usually held virtually from 4:30-6 p.m.
To join the Title I CoP, you must serve a school community in the District in one or more of the following roles:
- DC Public Schools (DCPS) teacher;
- Public charter school teacher;
- DCPS paraprofessional;
- Public charter school paraprofessional;
- Public charter school leader (e.g., principal, assistant principal);
- DCPS school-level administrator (Title I program implementation);
- Public charter school-level specialized instructional support personnel (e.g., counselor, interventionist);
- Public charter school board member;
- Parent of DCPS student(s); or
- Private school representative.
If you or someone you know are interested in serving and representing your community’s needs, please submit a completed application and resume to Con.App@dc.gov by Thursday, Oct. 15.
For more information, see the OSSE’s Title I Committee of Practitioners website or contact Con.App@dc.gov.
OSSE and DC Health School Immunization Webinar, Sept. 16 (Reminder)
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 3-4 p.m., OSSE and DC Health will hold a technical assistance webinar on implementing the School Year 2026-27 School Immunization Policy. The webinar will cover key dates for the upcoming school year, improvements to immunization data entry and retrieval, and vaccine opportunities. This webinar is required for Immunization Points of Contact (IPOCs) and school nurses. LEA and school leaders and any other school staff involved in immunizations should plan to attend. Register here.
For more information or questions, please email: osse.schoolhealth@dc.gov.
DC Public Library Launches Boys Who Write, Applications due Sept. 18 (Reminder)
DC Public Library is launching Boys Who Write at Benning Library this September. Over the course of 12 weeks, boys ages 10 to 14 will write an original song, record it, and shoot the video, then release it for real audiences. Sessions run twice a week, 4-5:30 p.m., led by a trained facilitator.
The idea is simple. Give a boy something real to make, the equipment to make it, and a place that's his to do it in. What he makes goes out into the world with his name on it.
If you know a boy who's got something to say and hasn't had a place to say it, this opportunity is for them.
Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 18. Twenty participants will be accepted into the pilot.
To apply:
Taking Action on DC Survey About Your School (DC SAYS), Online Session Sept. 23 (Reminder)
Last spring, OSSE administered DC SAYS, a school climate survey for students, staff, and caregivers across all LEAs. Now it’s time to turn those results into action. Join this virtual session to gain confidence in understanding and using school climate survey data while walking away with tangible next steps for your school community. This session will help school leaders and school level champions effectively navigate DC SAYS survey results and set clear and actionable goals for themselves and their team. Time will be reserved at the end for individual questions.
This online session will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register here.
For questions, please email OSSE.DCSAYS@dc.gov.
Upcoming Social Studies Professional Learning Opportunities, Various Dates (Reminder)
Registration is open for upcoming professional learning opportunities for social studies educators.
Action Civics Institute
- Grade 8 DC social studies teachers are invited to participate in a three-day Action Civics Institute on Sept. 23, Sept. 30, and Oct. 14, from 4:30 -7:30 p.m. each day at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE. Register here.
Teaching Geography and Geographic Reasoning with OSSE Resources
- Grade 6 social studies educators are invited to participate in the Geographic Reasoning with OSSE Resources professional learning day. This session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE. Register here.
Pilot complete units for World History I, World History II, US History II, Geography and Grade 7 Curriculum
- OSSE has partnered with curricular experts to create complete units and lesson plans for World History I, World History II, US History II, Geography and Grade 7 courses. Educators interested in teaching inquiry-driven discourse units are invited to pilot at least one full unit using lesson materials and provide feedback. To participate in the curriculum cohorts, learn more and register here. Pilots will begin in late fall.
For questions, please contact Madison Kantzer at Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
FY26 Whole Child and Educator Wellness Professional Development Session, Sept. 24 (Reminder)
OSSE's Division of Health & Wellness (H&W) will host a virtual Whole Child Educator Wellness (WCEW) professional learning session on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register here.
Hear from current WCEW grantees and partners on their organizations’ evidence-based and best practices for implementing early childhood education (ECE) and school health and wellness programming and partnerships related to grant activities.
This session is intended to support participant engagement, learning and best practices, peer-to-peer sharing, and program outcomes in alignment with the goals of the grant. The session is intended for LEAs, child care sites, and community-based organizations that are interested in learning more about the grant and future partnerships.
For questions, please reach out to Kimberly Thompson, grant analyst for Health & Wellness, at KimberlyA.Thompson@dc.gov.
Join OSSE’s ESEA Team for Fall Title Tuesday Office Hours (Reminder)
Title Tuesdays are monthly office hours covering Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) grant program topics relevant to the current moment in the grant cycle. Examples of rotating ESEA topics include parent and family engagement, application requirements, program requirements, fiscal planning, reporting, and monitoring. Each session provides actionable information relevant to ESEA Title programs and offers LEAs an opportunity to engage directly with OSSE’s ESEA team on any related questions.
These virtual office hours will be held from 10-11 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Participants can join each session using the recurring link.
Upcoming topics include:
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Tuesday, Sept. 15: Completing and Submitting the FY27 ESEA Consolidated Application (ConApp)
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Tuesday, Oct. 20: ConApp Feedback and LEA Listening Session
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Tuesday, Nov. 17: Closing Out Your FY26 Grants
Please come prepared to share your questions and feedback. We encourage participants to submit questions related to the monthly topics and ideas for future office hour topics to Con.App@dc.gov.
LEA Homeless Liaison In-Person Training Session on Tuesday, Sept. 22 (Reminder)
OSSE’s Homeless Education Program invites all LEA homeless liaisons to attend Driving Impact: Empowering Liaisons to Support Students and Families in Transition, a mandatory in-person training session to begin the 2026-27 school year. This training will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at OSSE (1050 First St. NE) on the first floor.
Key Benefits of Attending
Participants will gain clarity on McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKV) best practices, strengthen their ability to identify and support students experiencing homelessness, learn to turn data into actionable strategies, expand knowledge of early learning opportunities, build confidence in using community resources, and ensure alignment with OSSE’s MKV compliance expectations for the 2026–27 school year.
LEA homeless liaisons are required to attend and should register no later than Friday, Sept. 18. If you require assistance or have questions, contact Tasheen Stallings at Tasheen.Stallings@dc.gov.
Important note: LEA leaders are reminded to ensure that there is an LEA-level homeless liaison designated in your student information system.
Register Now for the 2026 OSSE Literacy Convening, Sept. 29 (Reminder)
OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning will host the 2026 Literacy Convening on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW, 20001). This one‑day convening will bring together DC educators, literacy leaders, and national experts to deepen understanding of evidence‑based literacy practices and strengthen literacy outcomes for children and students across the District. Participants will engage in dynamic breakout sessions, hear from leading researchers, and collaborate with peers dedicated to advancing literacy across DC.
Register here by Monday, Sept. 21.
For more information on the convening, please visit the OSSE Literacy Convening Website.
For questions, please email OSSE.CLSD@dc.gov.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Fidelity of Implementation, Sept. 25 (Reminder)
OSSE, in collaboration with the MTSS Center at American Institutes for Research (AIR), is hosting a workshop to help educators elevate success for every learner by strengthening their MTSS practices. Specialists from the MTSS Center will lead participants through a reflective review of current implementation efforts, highlighting strengths and uncovering areas for growth supporting the development of actionable next steps for continuous improvement.
This workshop will take place on Friday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and repeated 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, First Floor.
 NEW: FY26 SOAR Formula Reporting Template Now Available
As shared during the post-award webinar in April, public charter LEAs will submit only a final narrative report for FY26 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Formula Academic Quality and Early Childhood grants.
The final report template is now available on the SOAR Formula webpage. The questions in the template are similar to previous years but were streamlined to reflect one summative report. The deadline to email the completed report to your LEA’s OSSE SOAR program contact is Friday, Nov. 20.
For any questions, please reach out to your LEA’s OSSE SOAR program contact or OPCSFS.Funding@dc.gov.
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September 2026
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