VDOE TeacherDirect January 19, 2022

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Virginia Department of Education

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January 19, 2022

kids in circle

Did You Know? 
Congratulations! VDOE and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children are recognizing 95 schools as “Purple Star” schools for the 2021-2022 school year. This designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. Read more from VDOE about the schools recognized for this honor.          

Headlines

Nominations for the 2022 Governor’s World Language Academies Selection Committees
VDOE is seeking applications from individuals who are qualified to serve on the Governor's World Language Academies Student Selection Committees for the French, German, Spanish, Latin, and Japanese Academies. Applicants should be teachers, content specialists, or other educators who are knowledgeable about the Academies and fluent in the selected target language. Individuals wishing to serve on this committee, including those who have previously served, must submit an online application which will require a professional reference and school division approval. Meetings will be held March 10- 12 and may convene virtually for some or all of the meetings. Applications due by January 28.

Public Comment Period: Proposed Data Science SOL and Curriculum Framework
On November 18, 2021, the Virginia Board of Education received for first review the proposed Data Science Standards of Learning (SOL) and Curriculum Framework. The proposed Standards would be an addition to the current 2016 Mathematics SOL. They provide an introduction to the learning principles associated with analyzing data sets and can be the basis of a locally-developed high school level one-semester or year-long mathematics course. Public comments regarding the proposed Data Science SOL will be received at vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov from Dec. 17–Jan. 31.

Public Comment Period: Proposed 2022 Driver Education SOL
November 18, 2021, the Virginia Board of Education received for first review the proposed revisions to the 2015 Driver Education Standards of Learning (SOL). The proposed 2022 Driver Education SOL for Virginia Public Schools have been refined through feedback from parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from higher education, and define the skills and competencies necessary to become a proficient user of the highway transportation system. Public comments regarding the proposed 2022 Driver Education SOL will be received at vdoe.stem@doe.virginia.gov from Dec. 17–Jan. 31.

Virtual Virginia Canvas LIVE Winter Workshops in 2022
Canvas trainers will present this series of free, hands-on workshops that focus on the essentials of course design in the Canvas LMS and the best practices for accessibility in courses. Registration is required. All Virginia public school division educators are invited to register for the following workshops: 
-Upgrading Your Assignment Instructions on Jan. 20 at 4 p.m.
-Canvas Studio: Fundamentals on Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.
-Canvas Studio: Advanced on Feb. 3 at 4 p.m.
-Accessibility in Canvas: Features & Best Practices Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.

Shenandoah National Park Opportunities
The Park has opportunities for both distance learning starting January 19 and in-park programs starting April 18 through June 3! They will be conducting free curriculum-based programs for your students that are grade appropriate. Explore their site for more information.    

Joint Science Education Project-Now Open
JSEP is seeking U.S. high school students currently in 11th grade for an international polar science experience. This program brings together students from the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark to educate and train the next generation of polar and STEM professionals. Deadline to apply is January 31.

Grant to Support Japanese Programs
This grant program supports the creation of a new staff position that focus on designing and implementing innovative, virtual and/or in-person Japan-related outreach centered on the organization’s local community. Japanese Studies and Japanese language departments at U.S. universities, Japan-America Societies, Japanese gardens and organizations that promote grassroots cultural exchange are welcome to apply. Deadline to apply is January 24.

Recipes for Success: Gather. Measure. Blend. Repeat Conference
Register now! Virtual Virginia, VSTE, and Canvas have teamed up to offer this free, one-day conference for public school educators in Virginia on February 5. With topics in both synchronous and asynchronous instruction, this conference will highlight some of the amazing things Virginia teachers and leaders are doing to improve instruction and create blended learning experiences that are meaningful and engaging for learners throughout the Commonwealth.

2022 Virginia Declaration of Learning Program 
Participants will gain access to historic art, objects, and resources from George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms, the American Civil War Museum, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. participants work with representatives from the partner organizations to develop innovative units and lesson plans incorporating objects, art, and primary sources from the partner museum collections. Find out more information and/or apply by February 6.

Green Strides Webinar Series
This Webinar Series provides participants with the tools to reduce their schools' environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental education. Additionally, schools  will have access to the resources that help them move toward the Pillars of our U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award.  

Dual M.Ed. in Spanish Language and Culture for Educators
The program leads to a M.Ed. with a concentration in Spanish Language and Culture for Educators degree from James Madison University and a Salamanca Masters for Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language degree from University of Salamanca, Spain. The program format includes one summer at JMU, one summer at USLA, and three additional academic semesters online. Applications due by March 15.

Chesapeake Bay Educational Institute- June 26-29 or June 29-July 2 Enhancing Climate Literacy Through Place-Based Inquiry offers educators the content and strategies needed to help develop the  skills required to be successful global citizens, encouraging the development of an Explorer’s Mindset. Professionals from all disciplines are encouraged to apply for this free three day institute. Apply by February 1

Dual Language and Immersion Family Education
This site contains customizable materials to use for workshops with DLI families. The materials were developed specifically for two-way immersion contexts but can be modified for one-way and indigenous programs. Note that indigenous immersion-specific materials for families are currently under development. K-5 materials are available in English, Spanish and Hmong; Grade 6-12 materials are available in English and Spanish.

2022 President’s Student and Teacher Environmental Awards
The EPA is seeking applications for projects on a variety of environmental topics. These programs recognize outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth and teachers. Applications for both programs are due February 18.

Virginia Museum of History and Culture Seeking Content Writers
Applications are now open for two content writers to produce the Virginia History Day Elementary Teacher Guide. This opportunity is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University. More information is available about the paid positions and how to apply. Send questions to VHD Coordinator Sam Florer

Hands-on Workshops for Science Teachers 2022
This free professional development workshop sponsored by the Virginia Tech College of Science and the Fralin Life Sciences and is open for science teachers grades 8-12. Workshops will be held in late June and will focus on ways to integrate science and engineering practices into classroom. Visit their website for more information and to register.

Bridging for Math Strength Virtual Symposium: February 22
This symposium will give an overview of the quick and easy to use Bridging for Math Strength resources along with choice breakout sessions on how to make the most out of these powerful resources. Don’t miss out, register today for this opportunity held on February 22 at 5:00-6:15 p.m. Breakout sessions include:
-Vertical Articulation: Explore the vertical articulation of mathematics concepts across grade levels to support students more effectively by aligning strategies, verbiage, problem types, questioning, and sequence of activities.
-Leveraging Technology: Explore some of the technology enhanced Routines, Tasks and Games on the Building Math Strengths website. We will discuss how these items can be adapted and used to reinforce and enhance instruction.
-Engaging Parents: Build off parent strengths! Learn ideas about how to bring math, and positive math talk, into the home. Harness the affordances of games and learn structures that allow students to WANT to play games at home.
-Productive Struggle & Purposeful Questioning: Teachers will share how to strategically use purposeful questions and the Bridging for Math Strength resources to support productive struggle. Classroom vignettes will showcase how to build on student strength and advance thinking through questioning. 

Superintendent's Memo of Interest to Teachers