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10th anniversary of Digital Learning Day- February 25
#GoOpenVA and #GoOpenNC will be hosting a free "unconference" around how openly-licensed resources to support educators to “rise” to the challenges of the pandemic and post-pandemic learning environment. Registration is required by February 24.
PALS Data Use Professional Learning Module 3 Released!
In this module, A Shared Solution-Supporting At-risk Students with a Scientifically-based Approach to Instruction, PALS describes how to examine data to determine a focus on skills and instructional targets to use in small groups. To view, login to PALS, then go to the Professional Learning tab> Modules>Using PALS Data More Fully Across the Year series>Module 3
Celebrating the Diversity of the Black Student: Supporting the Black English Language Learner Webinar
Join OELA and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans on February 23, at 2 p.m. for a virtual roundtable featuring Senior Advisor Monique Toussaint. The roundtable will enable participants to have access to information, resources, and promising practices from various agencies and the field. Register today!
Career and Technical Education New Teacher Institute-Due June 11
VDOE, in collaboration with UVA, will offer the CTE New Teacher Institute from July 12-16 as an online course. The Institute is designed specifically for CTE teachers who are transitioning directly from business and industry to the classroom. Participants will need to complete an online enrollment form by June 11. See Superintendent’s Memo 029-21 for details.
Virginia Kindness Week is February 14-20!
VDOE is encouraging schools to promote and celebrate kindness all next week during Virginia Kindness Week. The purpose is to recognize that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, and more inclusive place to live, work, and learn. By encouraging this, we are promoting inclusivity by extending an opportunity for grace, empathy, dignity, and acceptance across Virginia. Schools can access resources to plan their initiatives on the Kindness Week webpage.
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NOAA Chesapeake Bay Online Courses
These free Chesapeake Exploration courses share new ideas and tools for classroom and outdoor instruction to support environmental literacy. Two new courses have been added: MWEE 201 and Next Generation Science Standards and Environmental Literacy. Check them out today!
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VDOE EL Instruction Resources and Professional Learning Opportunities
Did you know that the VDOE English Learner Education website includes resources on evidence-based practices for quality instruction for ELs? Educators have access to a number of resources that are updated frequently including: VDOE created infographics for instruction in various content areas and for distance learning in all content areas; EL Teacher Toolkit; links to WIDA’s free and self-paced eLearning options; and External resources on Distance Learning, Collaboration, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Differentiation, Leading for Equity and more.Check out this recording (Access Code #ELWebinar2021) for a guided tour of the website.
Celebrate Read Across America-March 2
Read Across America Day is a yearly observance by the National Education Association. Use Read Across America year-round to help children enjoy and relate to what they read by linking books and reading to other experiences in their lives and the school year calendar. Visit the NEA to learn more about Read Across America and get more resources.
Nominees: Physical Education, Driver Education, and Family Life Education SOL Educators’ Committee-Due March 15
VDOE is also seeking applications from division superintendents for individuals who are qualified and available to serve on the Physical Education, Driver Education, and Family Life Education SOL Steering and Educator Committees during the spring and summer of 2021. Nominees should be teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, or others who have an in depth working knowledge of the content areas and experience with standards development. See Superintendent’s Memo 027-21 for the online application process and additional details.
Nominees: History and Social Science SOL Educators’ Committee-Due March 15
VDOE is also seeking nominations from division superintendents for educators who are qualified and available to serve on committees to review the K-12 History and Social Science SOL during the summer of 2021. Nominees for the Educators’ Committee should be Virginia teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, or others who have expertise with the content areas and the Standards. Those interested in applying must submit an application using the web-based ICAPS system (copy/paste link into browser for best results). The application will require a professional reference and division approval. See Superintendent’s Memo 025-21 for details and online application process.
W&M and GMU Profiles into Practice Research
This research will look at the impact of the Profiles of a Virginia Graduate, Educator, Education Leader and Classroom on the lives of educators, policy makers, and practitioners. Interested participants need to complete the Google form and email your consent to participate, if you agree or not to be audio/video recorded, and your contact information. For questions or to report a research-related problem, contact Dr. DeMulder 703-993-8326.
Black History Month Resources
VDOE is pleased to provide school divisions with resources that honor African Americans and celebrate their achievements and contributions to America. To ensure that Black history is taught across all subject areas with cultural competence, sensitivity, and depth, educators and leaders are encouraged to review Virginia’s Equity Framework and webpages, which outline the tenants of culturally responsive practice. We encourage educators to embody the true spirit of this celebratory time through meaningful and engaging lessons that extend beyond the month of February and beyond history and social science.
Career Switcher Program-March 29
The VCU School of Education Career Switcher Program, is holding a virtual informational session on March 29 at 6 p.m. for anyone interested in becoming a teacher. Please share this information or RSVP today!
University of Richmond Spanish Student Volunteers Available
Students in the Spanish in the Community class are available as volunteers for virtual tutoring and mentoring programs. Volunteers can provide support in different ways such as Spanish tutoring, support in dual language programs, creating bilingual videos and recordings for children, assisting families with OER, and more. To recruit volunteers, work with your school division's EL Program Coordinator to submit a request by emailing Professor Karina Vázquez.
Opportunity to Comment on an Addendum and Waiver to Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 State Plan
In recognition of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USED has created a streamlined addendum process for states to amend their Consolidated State Plans. Using the addendum process, states may request modifications for one year in current year calculations and may also request permission to shift forward by one year their interim measures of progress and school identification timelines. VDOE is seeking input on an addendum and waiver to its ESSA Consolidated State Plan as a result of USED’s approved process. For directions on how to provide feedback, the proposed addendum and waiver items, see Superintendent’s Memo 026-21.
VASCD Book Club Event
This book club features Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom, by Matthew Kay. It will begin with a kickoff presentation by the author in February, followed by three monthly facilitated discussion groups. This event is free for VASCD Members using code VASCDMEMBER or $35.00 per session for non members. Participants will need to register for each individual session. Sessions begin at 4 p.m.:
-February 23: Join Matt Kay and Dennie Williams for this kickoff presentation.
-March 23: The Ecosystem: Reflection, Listening and Cultural Competence
-April 20: How Can We Have These Conversations?
-May 18: A Study of Conversations
Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Webinars
Join Teaching with Primary Sources every Wednesday in February at 4 p.m. exciting educational webinars. Email Information@tpsnva.org to register:
-February 10: The Veterans History Project. Join Andy Huber, LOC, to explore firsthand remembrances of U.S. military veterans from WWI through recent conflicts. Teachers will learn how to access interviews, oral histories, photographs and other primary source. Kits are available for students at least age 15 to preserve the histories of our veterans.
-February 17: History's Mysteries. Join Laurie Risler and Kelley Brown, The Collaborative for Education, with your elementary students for this engaging and adaptable approach focused on historical inquiry. In each "History Mystery," students act as historians as they investigate primary and secondary sources to solve a mystery.
-February 24: Eagle Eye Citizen. Join Nate Sleeter, Roy Rosenzweig, of the GMU Center for History and New Media, for this online game that engages middle and high school students in developing civic understanding and historical thinking skills. This is done by solving interactive challenges about Congress, American history, civic and government with primary sources.
National Constitution Center Opportunities
This resource supports social studies departments with free Scholar Exchanges and live online civics classes for students every week. The classes are interactive and engaging with part lecture and part lively discussion. Educators can incorporate this content into their existing curriculum. Find out more information today about these live interactive classes.
Evidenced Based Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics VDOE Webinar- February 23
Schema Based Instruction is an evidenced based strategy for teaching word problem solving to students with disabilities. Participate in this webinar to learn more about this strategy and how to use it effectively with your students! Space is limited so register today!
Additional Details Regarding SOL Testing in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
The purpose of Superintendent’s Memo 023-21 is to share additional details regarding Standards of Learning testing in fall 2020 and spring 2021. At the request of school divisions impacted by an increase in COVID-19 cases, VDOE is expanding, when possible, the number of days available to administer SOL tests. The schedule changes are detailed in this memo along with other information related to the administration of SOL assessments.
2021 Virginia General Assembly
VDOE tracks and reports on proposed legislation, bills and resolutions of interest to school superintendents and division personnel. The history of any bill or resolution, all amendments, and the text of the legislation are available through weekly legislative tracking reports during the session.
Brown v. Board of Education Summer Workshop
Teachers (grades 6-12) are invited to participate in a one-week summer virtual workshop on school desegregation in Virginia following the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision. Participants will virtually interact with leading historians in the field, engage historic sites and archives, and will discuss curricular and teaching techniques related to this subject. Participants will receive a stipend. Deadline to apply is March 1.
VASCD Micro-Credentials
These micro-credentials were developed to advance teaching skills that promote deeper learning among students and align with the Profile of a Virginia Classroom. There are currently 17 micro-credential offerings which will be made available from February-May 2021. This first set in February includes skills related to learning-oriented classroom communities:
-Facilitating Respectful Student-to-Student Conversations.
-Building Classroom Community.
-Building Students’ Academic Discussion Skills.
-Incorporating Peer Review and Feedback.
The cost is $120 per micro-credential or for bundles of ten (10), email Bev Winter. For more information see VASCD.
Grammar Reimagined Workshop-July 29
Sean Ruday will lead interactive discussions about teaching grammar in the context of writing instruction, using mentor texts, and enhancing student metacognition of grammatical concepts and writing strategies. Participants will receive a signed copy of one of his books. The workshop will be held at Zehmer Hall, University of Virginia, in a socially-distanced manner with appropriate space between attendees. See UVA for associate costs and details or email questions to sean.ruday@gmail.com.
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