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This Week's To Do's
This Week’s Articles
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News from Across the Commonwealth
 Any day spent celebrating and recognizing the important role educators have in our children's lives is a GREAT day – this past Tuesday we had the opportunity to do just that.
We are thrilled to share that not one, but TWO Virginia educators received prestigious Milken Educator Awards on March 19. Travis Dodds, a science teacher at Hanover County’s Atlee High School, and Eva Irwin, an English teacher at Alexandria’s Alexandria City High School, were presented with the award at surprise assemblies at their schools.
At both assemblies, it was clear the tremendous impact teachers have on their communities and how important it is that we elevate all educators across the Commonwealth.
Lowell Milken, philanthropist and Chairman of the Milken Family Foundation, and Superintendent Coons presented Mr. Dodds and Ms. Irwin with their awards. Learn more about the award here.
Congratulations again, Mr. Dodds and Ms. Irwin! #ElevateEducatorsVA
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Congratulations to students in Rockingham County Schools for being recognized at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair for their independent research projects in STEM.
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To celebrate National Reading Month, the Virginia Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. donated over 200 books and a book stand to Oscar Smith Middle School in Chesapeake County Schools. #EverybodyReadsVA |
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Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction
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This week, I had the opportunity to listen to CREW student club speeches at Hopewell City Public Schools, and a senior opened her commentary with "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" from Helen Keller. Over the past 11 months, I have been constantly humbled and inspired by the power of educators across Virginia. Educators have demonstrated their focus on student attendance and we are hearing stories of tremendous attendance growth in school divisions across the state – from Prince William to Colonial Beach to Greenville. Teachers have truly brought a community approach to improving learning for students providing tutoring, Saturday School, and intersession opportunities that truly help students get back on track.
And we had the opportunity to thank two educators this week, Hanover’s Travis Dodds and Alexandria’s Eva Irwin. I am incredibly thankful that educators are recognized as heroes through the Millken Educator Awards. As we move into a season of celebration, we each need to continue to elevate our teachers, principals, bus drivers, and all school staff and recognize how important it is to #ElevateEducatorsVA.
-Lisa
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 ALL In VA
Virginia Department of Education Attendance Symposium for Division Leaders
Audience: Superintendents, Administrators
Contact: Joseph A. Wharff, Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, Joseph.Wharff@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE invites school division Superintendents or an attendance leader designee to a one-day symposium to share information on upgrading division-level attendance practices.
Symposium topics will include:
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Critical areas identified by the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force for improving attendance;
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Information and resources for upgrading division-level attendance practices;
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Division leaders sharing what is currently working in their divisions; and
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Evidence-based practices for improving attendance.
Division Superintendents are invited to register or send an attendance division leader.
Date: April 9, 2024
Location: Chesterfield Career and Technical Center, Hull Campus
13900 Hull Street Road N.
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Registration: VDOE Attendance Symposium (a second attendee may be permitted if space is available)
Lodging: Participants are responsible for lodging.
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 News from our Content Specialists and Special Education
Roundtable Discussions on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, Laura.Casdorph@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is hosting roundtable discussions to obtain feedback from educators, parents, and other stakeholders on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning. Feedback garnered from the roundtable discussions will inform the revision process for the 2025 Science Standards of Learning. Roundtable sessions will be available virtually and in-person at the times and dates indicated below. Feedback can also be provided through the Comments on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning form or by emailing comments directly to vdoe.science@doe.virginia.gov. Comments must be received by May 31, 2024.
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April 22, 2024 (In-person), 4-5 p.m., Roanoke County Schools Central Office Building, 5937 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA 24019
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April 23, 2024 (Virtual), 12-1 p.m. Registration Link.
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April 23, 2024 (Virtual), 7-8 p.m. Registration Link.
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April 25, 2024 (In-person), 5-6 p.m., Fairfax County Schools, Willow Oaks Administrative Center, 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
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May 1, 2024 (In-person), 6-7 p.m., Charlottesville City Schools, Walker Upper Elementary, 1564 Dairy Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903
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May 7, 2024 (In-person), 5-6 p.m., Newport News Schools Board Office, 12465 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606
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May 8, 2024 (Virtual), 12-1 p.m. Registration Link.
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May 8, 2024 (Virtual), 4-5 p.m. Registration Link.
Revised 2023-2024 National Board Certification Incentive Award Allocations to School Divisions
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Shawna LeBlond, Director of the Office of Apprenticeships, Shawna.LeBlond@doe.virginia.gov
On November 9, 2023, the Virginia Department of Education released the 2023-2024 National Board Certification Incentive Award (NBCIA) allocations to school divisions via the Virginia Education Update Newsletter. The VDOE reopened the data submissions window in February 2024 to allow school divisions to edit original data submissions through the NBCIA applications in the Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal. School divisions added eligible teachers who were originally omitted from the Fall data collection or deleted teachers who were ineligible for the 2023-2024 award and were originally reported in error. The VDOE has calculated revised 2023-2024 NBCIA allocations based on the updated data submitted by school divisions.
April 8 Solar Eclipse Safety
Audience: School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, Laura.Casdorph@doe.virginia.gov; Kerry Miller, Director of Pupil Transportation, Kerry.Miller@doe.virginia.gov
The next solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, between 2 – 4:30 p.m., when students may still be in school, preparing to leave school, or traveling home. Although Virginia will not experience a total solar eclipse, it will experience a partial eclipse between about 80-90% totality, depending on the area of the state. If students or staff will be in school on April 8, districts should plan to educate students, parents, and staff about how to safely view the eclipse as damage to eyes is possible while viewing the eclipse.
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) has a variety of free resources about safety considerations for the eclipse. Regular sunglasses, swimming goggles, and most camera filters are NOT safe for looking directly at the sun. The sun can be viewed indirectly using a pinhole projector, which can be made from readily available materials. ISO 12312-2 certified solar-viewing glasses can also be used to protect the eyes.
Correspondence with Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Dr. Samantha Marsh Hollins, Assistant Superintendent of Special Populations, Samantha.Hollins@doe.virginia.gov
In March 2024, VDOE received a follow-up report from OSEP closing out issues identified by OSEP in a 2019 monitoring visit. VDOE also received a report regarding a 2023 monitoring visit which identified regulatory updates. Virginia’s regulations were last fully updated in 2008.
Copies of the reports, as well as correspondence from the Superintendent and the expected timetable for regulatory changes are available on our website.
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School Performance & Support
Local School Wellness Policy and the Triennial Assessment Training Webinar
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Katy Harbin, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist, Katy.Harbin@doe.virginia.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires school food authorities (SFAs) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program to complete the Triennial Assessment of their Wellness Policy by June 30, 2024. The Triennial Assessment must be completed at least once every three years, available to the public, and measure the implementation of the Wellness Policy, including:
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Compliance with the Wellness Policy
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Comparison to a model Wellness Policy
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Progress made in attaining the goals of the Wellness Policy
The results of the assessment and the updated Wellness Policy should inform wellness initiatives in the school environment for the next three years. The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) recommends following the three best practices below when considering updates to the Wellness Policy:
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Ensure goals are SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)
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Incorporate scratch-made and student inspired recipes and meals
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Establish a School Health Advisory Board or similar health committee
The VDOE-SCNP offers resources and assistance to SFAs for completing the Triennial Assessment. These resources are located on the VDOE-SCNP website in the Local School Wellness Policy and Triennial Assessment section.
The VDOE-SCNP will host a training webinar on the Local School Wellness Policy (Wellness Policy) and the Triennial Assessment on Thursday, April 4 from 2 – 3 p.m. Please register in advance for this webinar. Upon registration, attendees will receive information for joining the webinar.
Feedback Needed on Annual Local Mandate Assessments
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Office of Policy, Policy@doe.virginia.gov
As required by § 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia and Executive Order 58 (2007), each year the Commission on Local Government asks state agencies to evaluate selected legislative mandates placed on localities for their efficacy and impact. This year, VDOE will be reviewing five mandates. Insight and feedback from local school divisions, educational stakeholders, and area experts are a welcome part of the evaluation process. You can find more information for each mandate, including a brief description of the mandate, relevant statutory and regulatory citations, and history in the 2023 Catalog of State and Federal Mandates on Local Governments using the corresponding catalog number listed.
1. Availability of In-person and Virtual Learning to All Students (SOE.DOE179)
Each school board shall offer in-person instruction to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public elementary and secondary school for at least the minimum number of required instructional hours and to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public school-based early childhood care and education program for the entirety of the instructional time provided pursuant to such program.
2. Seizure Management and Action Plans (SOE.DOE180)
Each local school division shall require all school nurses employed by the division to complete, on a biennial basis, a Board of Education-approved online course of instruction for school nurses regarding treating students with seizures and seizure disorders that includes information about seizure recognition and related first aid.
3. COVID-19 Mitigation Plan on School Board Website (SOE.DOE181)
Each school board shall post in a publicly accessible and conspicuous location on its website the plan outlining its strategies for mitigating the spread and public health risk of the COVID-19 virus, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Virginia Department of Health mitigation recommendations, that the school board is required to submit to the Department of Education before reopening schools in accordance with Phase II and III guidelines pursuant to the June 8, 2020, order of the State Health Commissioner.
4. Teacher Licensure Required (SOE.DOE004)
School divisions may only employ as teachers those persons who hold licenses or provisional licenses issued by the State Board of Education.
5. Possession and Self-Administration of Asthma Medications and Epinephrine (SOE.DOE112)
School divisions must develop and implement a policy permitting a student with a diagnosis of asthma or anaphylaxis, or both, to possess and self-administer inhaled asthma medications or auto-injectable epinephrine, or both, while at school, at school-sponsored activities, or on a school bus or other school property.
You may submit feedback regarding the estimated fiscal impact or the effectiveness or alternative means of accomplishing the goal of these mandates. Both the Local Fiscal Impact Comments Form and general feedback may be submitted via email to Policy@doe.virginia.gov. All comments are due by April 8, 2024.
Naloxone Distribution to K-12 Public School Divisions
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, Non-teaching Staff, and Administrators
Contact: Joseph A. Wharff, Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, Joseph.Wharff@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Naloxone Distribution Team is hosting an informational webinar on naloxone distribution to K-12 public school divisions on Tuesday, March 26, at noon. Individuals at the school board and division levels are asked to join this webinar to discuss the VDH Naloxone Distribution Program including naloxone access for public schools and considerations for keeping students and staff safe.
Technical Assistance Opportunity from the Office of Accountability
Audience: Directors
Contact: Mark Jennings, Director of Accountability, Accountability@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of Accountability is excited to offer a technical assistance webinar to share information and build understanding on the federal identification process. This optional webinar will address the following topics:
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Federal Identification Process for Targeted Support & Improvement Schools
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Exit criteria for all types of federally identified schools
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Available Data Reports and Resources
Registration information for the webinar was sent to division leaders registered under Accountability in the Educational Registry Application within the Single Sign-On for Web Systems (SSWS).
Upcoming technical assistance: Save the date! On April 23, at 9:00 a.m. and April 30, at 1:00 p.m., the Office of Accountability will offer a technical assistance webinar with information and updates on the State Accreditation and Federal Accountability systems based on school year 2023-2024 data!
A New Resource: Virginia Assessment Item Maps for Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, School Test Coordinators
Contact: Office of Student Assessment, Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce that a new resource is available for state assessments administered in grades 3-8 reading and mathematics. This new resource, Virginia Assessment Item Maps, provides descriptions and examples of test items students were likely to answer correctly based on the vertical scaled score they achieved on their state assessment. A vertical scaled score allows comparisons between Virginia Growth Assessments and Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Each item map provides examples and descriptions of actual SOL test questions at different score points within the vertical scaled score range for a specific grade and subject.
These examples illustrate types of test questions students may see on the state assessments in a particular grade and subject. The descriptions explain what students may know or be able to do at each score point. Some descriptions include an image of a newly released SOL test question with answer options to further show what students would most likely answer correctly if they achieved at or above that score point. This information, along with students’ test results, may be used to plan conversations with families, determine intervention strategies to strengthen understanding, or establish a plan to accelerate learning.
Training Webinars for the School Security Equipment Grants Program, the School Construction Assistance Program, and M-R FIX Data Collection
Audience: Superintendents, Non-teaching staff, Facility personnel, Technology specialists, Finance, and Grant specialists
Contact: Vijay Ramnarain, Director of the Office of Support Services, Vijay.Ramnarain@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE Office of Support Services will host training sessions for the School Security Equipment Grant (SEGM), the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP FY24), and the M-R FIX school facilities annual data collection. These webinars will address required data input for the M-R FIX collection, eligible equipment for reimbursement under SEGM, and the application, award, and reimbursement processes for SCAP and SEGM.
The webinars will be held on the dates listed below:
SEGM and SCAP sessions:
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Tuesday March 26, 2024, 2-3:30 p.m.
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Wednesday March 27, 2024, 9-10:30 a.m.
To register for the above sessions, please send an email including your name, telephone number, and school division name to Adam.Johnston@doe.virginia.gov.
M-R FIX sessions:
Phase I data collection:
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Session #1: March 26, 2024, 11-12:30 p.m.
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Session # 2: April 10, 2024, 1-3 p.m.
Phase II data collection:
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Session # 1: April 17, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
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Session # 2: April 23, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
M-R FIX final session focusing on updating templates submitted last year:
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Wednesday May 1, 2024, 9 a.m. to Noon
To register for the above sessions, please send an email including your name, telephone number, and school division name to Nancy.Hartigan@doe.virginia.gov.
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Division Finance and Budgeting
Literary Fund Loan Open Application Period
Audience: Superintendents, Finance Directors, and School Facilities Directors
Contact: DoeLiteraryFund@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE is announcing the next (2022-2024 third round) open application period for school boards and localities to apply for school construction loans from the Literary Fund. $123.85 million in loan authority remains available. The open application period for school boards and localities to jointly apply to VDOE is from Thursday, March 21, 2024, through Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. Completed loan applications not submitted by the deadline will not be accepted. Priority for loan funding will be based on the composite index of the divisions applying.
Please review the Board of Education’s Guidelines. The market index rate that will be used in determining eligible interest rates is 3.35 percent. All Literary Fund loan requirements in the appropriation act, Code of Virginia, and Board regulations still apply, in addition to the Board’s guidelines.
Kent Dickey, Deputy Superintendent of Operations
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
Once the application period closes on May 23rd, VDOE staff will review all submitted applications against the Board’s guidelines and other Literary Fund requirements and notify applicants by email of application form approval. Loan applications meeting all requirements will be presented at monthly Board of Education meetings for final loan approval.
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News from the Virginia Board of Education
School Performance Framework Listening Sessions
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Katie Carroll, Deputy Superintendent of Student Performance and Support, Katie.Carroll@doe.virginia.gov
In anticipation of additional action from the State Board of Education at the March Board meeting on the revisions of the Standards of Accreditation, with an intention of creating a school performance framework separate from accreditation, the Board is tentatively planning listening sessions in April across the Commonwealth to help facilitate public engagement to further the development of a school performance framework through Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan.
These listening sessions are intended to inform the Board and facilitate public input focused on the new school performance system. The sessions are being coordinated by the Hunt Institute, an independent, non-profit organization.
Parents, educators and interested citizens are invited to attend the session in their region and comment on their expectations for the new school performance framework. All listening sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. Meetings will be held on the following dates:
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Augusta County Public Schools
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Robert Russa Moton Museum
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Prince William County Public Schools
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Chesterfield County Public Schools
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Christopher Newport University
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Fredericksburg City Public Schools
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Washington County Public Schools
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Additional information will be available in the coming days, such as final event addresses and registration information. We will communicate any updates via this newsletter.
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