|
|
August 2020
#EdEquityVA Monthly Newsletter
Back-to-School Edition
|
|
Don't ever miss a newsletter, join our mailing list here. |
|
A back-to-School Note From State Superintendent Lane |
|
|
Dear Educators, School Division Leaders, Parents, and Community Members-
For a variety of reasons, the time since this spring has been especially challenging. Our mantra at the Department of Education, Virginia is For Learners, guides our work. Our work is also infused with the core values we've adopted at the Department: inclusion, excellence, service, and optimism. It's that value of optimism that I hope inspires you in the coming months.
As you prepare to return to school, we know it will look different. But learning is an essential part of our society's progress. While school is going to look different depending where you are, adopting in-person, hybrid, and virtual plans based on the health conditions in your area, please know that we stand committed in supporting you through this time.
More recently we hosted a virtual summit, organized by our Office of Educational Equity and Community Engagement. EdEquityVA's summit gathered over 2,000 individuals from across the Commonwealth to focus on the meaning, the work, and the challenges associated with ending racism and making our schools more equitable. This work is important and if you were unable to engage with us at this event, please check out the ongoing work led by this department over the coming school year.
The challenges around equity are only intensified during this pandemic. Please be mindful of how equity can become a powerful lens for decision making and in the delivery of this year's new lessons. Have the sometimes difficult conversations in your school and in your neighborhoods. Work with the equity officers you may have in your division to reflect and grow in this work. Together we can make a positive change and I am so excited for what we can do together.
Remember that you likely remember those teachers who made a special impact on you when you were going to school. Be that teacher for this year's students. Relationships were never more important and neither has innovation or creativity. I look forward to hearing about how you fulfill our mission of maximizing the potential of every student. Every student deserves it!
|
|
Introducing the 5 Cs of EdEquityVA |
|
|
The Virginia Department of Education recognizes its responsibility to advance racial equity in education throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Navigating EdEquityVA - Virginia’s Road Map to Equity, establishes our education equity priorities, advances tools and resources to support local school divisions, and affirms our commitment to dismantle any and all forms of inequity in Virginia’s public education system.
Included in Navigating EdEquityVA is the EdEquityVA Centering Equity Compass, a tool that highlights Virginia's 5 Cs of EdEquityVA, the core competencies necessary to advance our equity priorities.
Attached you will find a slide presentation by the Office of Equity and Community Engagement that provides a broad summary of the Navigating EdEquityVA framework and a detailed overview of the EdEquityVA Compass.
|
|
ANNOUNCING:
The Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Education Practices Advisory Committee
|
|
|
The Virginia Department of Education is seeking recommendations through an application process for the Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Education Practices Advisory Committee established by HB916. Committee members will be selected on the basis of expertise, experience, and balanced regional representation. the fall of 2020 through summer 2021.
The Committee will work towards developing recommendations for educators to create an environment that fosters an inclusive mindset where there is involvement and empowerment, and the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive environment promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its members. The Committee’s work will also focus on developing recommendations for Culturally Relevant content and practices.
Applicants may apply online. All applications submitted on or before Friday, September 4, 2020, will be considered for selection by VDOE in collaboration with the Governor’s Office.
For more information regarding the Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Education Practices Advisory Committee, please contact the Department of Policy, Equity & Communications, at (804) 225-2092 or the Department of Learning and Innovation at (804) 225-2034.
|
|
#EdEquityVA Webinar Series |
|
|
The Virginia Department of Education offers our monthly #EdEquityVA webinar series to provide educators with professional learning opportunities aimed at advancing education equity in Virginia schools.
Upcoming #EdEquityVA Webinars
Reframing School Discipline Part 2: Best Practices Following COVID-19 School Closures
- Rebecca Kahila, School Safety and Discipline Specialist, Virginia Department of Education
- September 1, 2020 from 3:00-4:30 PM
Register for the September 1st webinar here.
Trauma Informed Practice: Important Equity Considerations Amid COVID-19
- Quyen Duong, Student Services Specialist, Virginia Department of Education
- September 15, 2020 from 3:00-4:30 PM
Register for the September 15th webinar here.
Watch the Recording for Re-engaging Disconnected Students and Families: Best Practices in Family Engagement presented by Aurelio M. Montemayo , M.Ed., Family Engagement Coordinator, IDRA
For the full 2020 schedule and the most up-to-date information about the #EdEquityVA Webinar Series please visit the Virginia is for Learners website.
|
|
Tools You Can Use
General Equity Resources, Guides, and Webinars
|
|
|
Back-to-School
Multilingual/English Learner Students
LGBTQ+ Students
Racial Equity & Anti-Racism
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Misc.
-
VSTE Diversity and Inclusion Mentorship Program: This Mentorship Program is targeted towards minority educators so that the educational technology field in Virginia becomes diversified and inclusive for all people. The program is for classroom teachers, instructional technology teachers, technology teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals who are committed to gain educational technology experience through a year-long mentorship program. (VSTE)
-
Realizing the College Dream (a FREE training opportunity): workshop provides resources for educators and counselors who support underserved students in their pursuit of higher education success. (SCHEV)
- Virginia K-5 Curriculum-Specific Professional Learning for Social Justice: These professional learning suggestions are based on the current Virginia Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework. (Lauren Daly, 5th Grade Teacher, Manassas, VA)
- Webinar: Coming to Terms: The Meaning of "Accessible" (National Center on Accessible Educational Materials)
|
|
|
|
|
