Of Interest to All
Grant Opportunity - PDG Community Networks– Application for Cohort 3 - Letter of Intent due on March 15th
The VDOE is pleased to announce the release of information related to the Cohort 3 application for the Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five (PDG B-5). PDG B-5 is a multi-year federal grant that is accelerating Virginia’s development of an equitable early childhood system that delivers stable, affordable, and quality early care and education to prepare more children for kindergarten. PDG B-5 includes all publicly funded birth-to-five programs, including Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Head Start, child care centers and family day homes.
The work of the PDG B-5 grant is led by a set of local community networks. PDG B-5 Communities are provided with funding and support to achieve the grant’s goals and work collaboratively across all publicly-funded birth-to-five programs within their region. All PDG B-5 Community Networks will participate in Practice Year 1 of the Unified Quality Measurement and Improvement System in 2021-2022.
The 2021-2022 PDG B-5 Cohort 3 Community application process requires a Letter of Intent, which is due on March 15. All interested school divisions and community agencies are encouraged to learn more by visiting the VECF Opportunities Ahead Webpage, Information Session Webinar Recording and webinar slides.
|
Upcoming Webinar - Quality Matters (Part 2): Virginia’s Unified Quality Measurement & Improvement System Proposal Overview
VDOE is excited to provide an update on the development of the new uniform quality measurement and improvement system. This webinar will build on the content provided in the first Quality Matters webinar held in the fall. During this webinar, VDOE will be providing an overview of the proposal for Virginia's new unified quality measurement and improvement system, a key component of the 2020 Early Childhood legislation. Anyone interested in learning about the proposal is welcome to attend. (This webinar will also be recorded, and made available for those not able to attend the live session).
Virginia’s New Early Learning and Development Standards: Examples of Early Implementation
Early implementation of Virginia's nearly finalized Early Learning and Development Standards, Birth to Five Learning Guidelines is happening! A few exciting highlights follow:
- Smart Beginnings Alexandria, in partnership with the Center for Alexandria’s Children and the VDOE, is supporting 10 family day homes in the city in their implementation of the new learning guidelines.
-
Songs and Stories with Mary and Mike, a television show developed by a team of Charlottesville based educators in partnership with Virginia Public Media, models integration of the new standards. Central Virginians can tune in to the show every Monday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on VPM Plus. All episodes are available to stream.
The latest round of revisions will be reviewed at the Board of Education’s next business meeting on March 18 (accessible via livestream on the VDOE YouTube Channel). All programs are expected to fully implement the new standards by the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Information about additional training and support will be shared via subsequent newsletter releases.
Cups and Conversations Focus Shifts to Enrollment and PreK Expansion
The Office of Early Childhood will continue to host Cups and Conversations on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm. The focus of these discussions has consistently been on how ECCE programs have navigated serving children and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This month, the Carroll County Preschool Team (Sherry Barnard, Charlotte Deskins, Sarah Horton and Amber Combs) shared information on professional development, CLASS observations, and building community throughout the pandemic and began our conversation around enrollment.
The next call will take place on March 3, 2021. Alexandria, a PDG B-5 community network, will discuss their coordinated enrollment efforts. For the following months (though Spring 2021), the Cups and Conversations agenda will center on enrollment and increasing access to high-quality preschool experiences. Registration is required to participate.
Resources from the February 3 Conversation:
Archived Cups and Conversations recordings and materials can be found on #GoOpenVA. Thank you to all of our past and future facilitators and presenters!
|
Announcing the Inaugural Early Childhood Advisory Committee
During its January meeting, the Board of Education approved 22 members for the inaugural Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC), which will be responsible for advising the Board on all matters related to Virginia’s unified early childhood system. The Board received unprecedented interest in the Committee, receiving over 160 nominations during the application window.
All ECAC meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the VDOE Youtube Channel. The 2021 meeting schedule is forthcoming.
|
For VPI
Increasing School Readiness by Increasing Access to Preschool in Your Community - Webinar Series
Governor Northam’s proposed 2020-2022 Amended Biennial Budget includes the restoration and ongoing support of expanded preschool programming. VDOE is hosting a three-part webinar series focused on proposed changes to VPI for 2021-2022 and how best to utilize current and proposed enhancements to VPI (e.g., Pilot for 3s, Community Provider Add-on, Local Criteria Waiver, Redistribution of Unfilled Slots, Inclusion of Students with Disabilities). It’s not too early to start planning for increasing your community’s access to quality preschool in 2021-2022. Part II of the webinar series will be held on February 24 at 1 pm, and Part III on March 24 at 1 pm. Register once to attend any or all of the webinars.
- Increasing School Readiness by Increasing Access to Preschool in Your Community
- Recurring monthly on Wednesdays through March 24.
-
Register to attend
Resources from Webinar Part I:
Weekly Office Hours for VPI Expansions and Enhancements
Weekly Offices Hours will be held every Thursday from February 11 through May 13 (alternating weeks at 11 am or 2 pm; February 18 at 2 pm, February 25 at 11 am, etc.) Office of Early Childhood staff will be available to answer questions about VPI expansions and enhancements and to help VPI and ECSE Coordinators plan for preschool for the 2021-2022 school year. Register once to attend any or all of the weekly office hours.
- Weekly Office Hours for VPI Expansions and Enhancements
- Recurring weekly on Thursdays through May 13
-
Register to attend
|
Guidelines for Using Family Income Criteria in Determining Student Eligibility for VPI & Best Practices for Implementing a Local Eligibility
The federal 2021 Poverty Guidelines are now available, and are included within the revised 2021-2022 Guidelines for Using Family Income Criteria in Determining Student Eligibility for VPI & Best Practices for Implementing a Local Eligibility Practices document. These guidelines provide assistance with implementing and meeting the income-based and locally established at-risk student eligibility criteria and reporting requirements for the state-funded VPI program.
2020-2022 Amended Biennial Budget as Introduced by Governor Northam - VPI Projected Slots for 2021-2022
A spreadsheet showing each school divisions’ state-allocated VPI slots for the 2021-2022 school year is available on the VPI website.
For ECSE
Incorporating Technology into an Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Setting - Recorded Webinar
As many educators expand their knowledge and skills in providing virtual instruction, this webinar highlights some high-tech options for those looking to level up their implementation of instruction that engages younger students. Three educators from Norfolk Public Schools have worked to expand not just their skills, but creativity in providing virtual instruction and they will share some tips of what they have learned since embarking upon virtual instruction. Register to watch the recorded webinar Incorporating Technology into an ECSE Virtual Teaching Setting.
|
Video Series: Preschool during the Pandemic: Early Childhood Education in Extraordinary Times
This multi-part video series titled Preschool During the Pandemic: Early Childhood Education in Extraordinary Times, features preschool staff and families from five states and illustrates how they have worked together to use technology to make the virtual learning experience exciting, effective and engaging for young children. Currently, there are 12 videos in the series, each ranging from five to 16 minutes in length. The videos cover the perspectives of professionals and parents on topics such as inclusion, equity, family support, the challenges and joys of remote learning, hands-on and play-based experiences, a family's approach to supporting a preschooler in a virtual environment, and promoting social skills.
Superintendent Memo: Extracurricular Activities and Students with Disabilities
To increase opportunities for students with disabilities and to facilitate more inclusive schools, the IEP Team must consider accommodations, supplementary aids, and services needed to provide access and participation in extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs. Superintendent’s Memo #018-21: Extracurricular Activities and Students with Disabilities provides additional information and resources for participation in extracurricular activities. For preschoolers, examples of extracurricular activities may include field trips, field day, family night, or other age appropriate activities.
Save the Date! Opening Doors - Unlocking Potential (ODUP) 2021 - Virtual Event
The 15th annual Opening Doors - Unlocking Potential (ODUP) 2021 will be a virtual event with a continued focus on effective strategies to positively impact literacy development and academic outcomes for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
- Save the Date! Opening Doors - Unlocking Potential (ODUP) 2021
- Wednesday, June 23 - Friday, June 25 from 9 am to 1 pm
-
Register to attend
Sound Off: Boosting Phonological Awareness Instruction & Assessment for Literacy Development (3-part Webinar Series)
The VDOE Office of Special Education Instructional Services, in partnership with the Training and Technical Assistance Center at George Mason University, invites school teams of three to five participants to attend a virtual three-part webinar series titled Sound Off: Boosting Phonological Awareness Instruction & Assessment. The series is appropriate for Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education teachers.
Webinar 1: Essentials of Phonological Awareness and Instruction, Monday, February 17 at 3 pm
Webinar 2: Phonological Awareness: Assessment and Data Analysis, Monday, February 24 at 3 pm
Webinar 3: Phonological Awareness Program Evaluation & Future Planning, Thursday, March 3 at 3 pm
For Head Start
Child Care Health and Consultation - Webinar Series
As Head Start Programs continue to be vigilant regarding the impacts of COVID-19 nationwide, the Office of Head Start works to furnish the latest guidance, and resources. The National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety (NCHBHS) is part of the OHS Training and Technical Assistance Network and along with other National Centers this system supports Early Head Start and Head Start programs in providing the most comprehensive services to children and families.
The NCHBHS is offering an opportunity to participate in a Child Care Health and Consultation Webinar Series: Responding to COVID-19 in Early Childhood Programs. This consultation webinar will share supportive approaches to working in early childhood environments, implementation strategies to minimize transmission, and updated regulations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Share this opportunity with Health Services staff, nurses in early childhood, and/or child care health consultants in your networks. Register to attend the Consultation Webinar series.
- Child Care Health and Consultation Webinar Series: Responding to COVID-19 in Early Childhood Programs
- Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 2 pm
-
Register to attend
|
|
