|
News from Across the Commonwealth
 |
|
Spotsylvania County Schools recently hosted an EL Literacy Night for students and their families. Families went home with bilingual books, activities, and materials for students to enjoy over the summer! #EverybodyReadsVA |
Kindergarten students at Powhatan Elementary recently explored the community of Powhatan to enhance their knowledge of various jobs and the important work of community helpers. Students visited a fire station, county courthouse, New Horizon Bank, and even stopped for sweet treats at Bruster's! |
|
 |
 |
|
On April 30, Charles City High School seniors in Cynthia Sweet’s Government class participated in a mock trial at the Charles City County Courthouse. In collaboration with Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney, Tyler Klink, the students learned about laws, courtroom procedures, and the structure of court cases, as well as the importance of professionalism within a solid judicial system. The activity also helped students learn public speaking, debate skills, and formulating valid arguments. |
Over 109 students from school divisions from across the Commonwealth traveled to Richmond on Friday afternoon to participate in Military Signing Day. The event honored Virginia students who have committed to enlisting in the United States military or entering Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs upon graduation from high school and are dedicating their futures to serve in the United States Armed Forces. We are thankful for the commitment these young men and women are making to keeping our nation safe. |
|
 |
|
|
Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction
|
|
It is hard to believe that the 2023-2024 school year is drawing to a close! While this is a busy time of year, I hope you are able to take a moment to pause and reflect on the numerous, positive accomplishments of the teachers, staff, and students in our Commonwealth’s classrooms and schools. The many events that take place at the end of the year are tangible reminders of the hard work and dedication of our students, our educators, and our families. Successes simply do not happen and deserve to be celebrated! These accomplishments are the culmination of many hours of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that ultimately benefit Virginia’s students.
Please accept my appreciation and gratitude for the time, energy, and talents that you have poured into our youth. These investments by our educators, families, and school communities have provided countless opportunities for children that many not have been possible before. Thank you for making a positive difference!
With the start of summer on the horizon, I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy some time to rest, spend some time with family and friends, and do something you enjoy. We all know summer will pass by quickly with the start of a new school year only weeks away. Please know our team at VDOE is here to provide support and technical assistance in any way needed in preparation for a new school year. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe summer!
Yours in Service,
Jeremy Raley
Chief of Staff
|
|
 ALL in VA
Help Students Catch Up and Move Forward in Math Learning This Summer with Zearn
Article: 2024-21-192
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Associate Director, Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation, Calypso.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
 |
|
Set students up for a strong start in math for the next school year with Zearn’s Summer Intensive Series. Each 4-to-6-week series of targeted summer math content includes engaging digital lessons, progress monitoring tools, and educator resources that flexibly support summer math learning. Explore the series and help your students move ahead this summer. |
|
|
News from our Content Specialists and Special Education
Nominations for 2024-2025 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Curriculum Review Committees
Article: 2024-21-185
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Kelly Davis, Associate Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation, CTE@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education is accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 CTE curriculum review committees. School divisions may nominate a CTE teacher for any of the 39 committees, as outlined in the CTE Review/Development Committee Schedule. Approximately 12 applicants will be selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve on each committee.
All nominees who wish to serve on a committee must complete the web-based application using the CTE Application Processing System. The web-based application process requires a professional reference and division-level approval (division superintendent or designee). Committee meetings are conducted face-to-face, with follow-up work assignments. All face-to-face meetings will be conducted at the CTE Resource Center, 2002 Bremo Road, Henrico, Virginia 23226.
Reimbursement will be provided as follows:
- School divisions will be reimbursed for substitute teachers required for teachers serving on the face-to-face committees.
- Teachers participating on face-to-face committees will be reimbursed for lodging, meals, and mileage in accordance with state guidelines.
- Teachers who are requested to complete follow-up work assignments will receive a $200 honorarium.
Committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:
- Teacher’s experience and content area expertise.
- In-depth knowledge of CTE competency-based education.
- Instructional experience with special populations.
Pack Your Bags for Tech-Focused ActiVAtED Learning Adventures Webinars & Podcast
Article: 2024-21-191
Audience: Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Parents
Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Associate Director, Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation, Calypso.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education invites educators of all levels on a virtual summer road trip around the Commonwealth for ActiVAtED Learning Adventures, a new webinar series that coincides with season 1 of the ActiVAtED Learning podcast.
The webinar series and podcast are presented by the VDOE in partnership with Virtual Virginia and Blue Ridge PBS and in collaboration with VSTE. The series will feature discussions with leading educators throughout Virginia about what gets them energized and excited in using technology to inspire student engagement. The 12-episode season will launch new episodes every two weeks. Check them out here or on ECHO (via YouTube). The podcast is also available on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Webinars will be part of the VVA Statewide Weekly Meetings held Tuesdays at 1 p.m. starting May 28.
|
|
School Performance & Support
Required Data Collection for Schools Receiving Funding for Alternative School Breakfast Service Models During the 2023-2024 School Year
Article: 2024-21-187
Audience: Superintendents
Contact: Isaac Linde, Survey Specialist, Isaac.Linde@doe.virginia.gov or Alex Mattera, Senior Research Analyst, Alex.Mattera@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE is required to report on school divisions’ participation in the alternative breakfast service model, including the fiscal impact of the alternative model school breakfast service as outlined in SCNP Memo No. 2023-2024-31, 2023-2024 Breakfast after the Bell Reimbursement Awards and Reporting Requirements. Schools and divisions receiving state funding to implement alternative breakfast service models in 2023-2024, detailed in Attachment A of the memo, are required to evaluate the educational and fiscal impact of their alternative school breakfast service model and report the findings to the VDOE.
New Summer EBT Program for Summer 2024 and Informational Webinar
Article: 2024-21-189
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Nutrition Program Administrators
Contact: Lynne A., SNP Technical Advisor to the State Director, Lynne.Fellin@doe.virginia.gov
Summer EBT, branded as “SUN Bucks,” is a new permanent federal nutrition program that provides a grocery-buying benefit for low-income families that is being implemented in 2024. The Summer EBT program is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the VDOE is a partnering agency.
The VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (SCNP) will provide support to local education agencies (LEAs) by providing marketing and communication materials as well as guidance for the data file submission supporting student eligibility for SUN bucks. The LEAs will play an important role in Virginia SUN Bucks by sharing information about all federal SUN programs with families, encouraging participation, and providing data for eligible enrolled students.
SUN Bucks does not replace the Summer Food Service Program (SUN Meals) or the new SUN Meals to Go option for eligible rural areas. Children 18 and under can participate in all available summer nutrition programs.
A webinar for LEA leaders of technology, student information systems, and school nutrition programs will take place Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Topics include the Summer EBT plan, student eligibility, and the LEA Summer EBT data file submission. Staff should register in advance to receive information for joining the webinar.
Additional details will be provided to school nutrition program administrators in a May 23 memo from the state director of School and Community Nutrition Programs. The memo will also be available on this SCNP webpage.
Regional Recovery High School Interest Survey
Article: 2024-21-186
Audience: Superintendents
Contact: Alexandra Javna, School Social Work Specialist, Alexandra.Javna@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has been awarded Opioid Abatement Authority Funds through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide small planning grants to selected VDOE region(s) specific to establishing a regional recovery high school.
VDOE Region 1, through Chesterfield County Public Schools, opened the first recovery high school in August of 2022. Due to the success of the Chesterfield Recovery Academy and the need to support students who are experiencing substance use challenges, Virginia is considering expanding this regional model into additional VDOE regions. To learn more about recovery high schools as you consider applying for this opportunity, please visit the Association of Recovery Schools website.
To learn more about the planning funds and how to be considered for selection of these funds to open a recovery high school, please fill out the Recovery High School Interest Survey. It will provide VDOE with valuable information to support the next steps toward awarding the planning grants.
|
|
Division Finance and Budgeting
Annual Slot Survey - Student Slots in Regional Alternative Education Programs
Article: 2024-21-190
Audience: Superintendents, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Sofia McDaniel, Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Strategic Innovation Sofia.Mcdaniel@doe.virginia.gov
Last week, VDOE shared an overview of the slot assignment and slot reallocation process for regional alternative education programs in Newsletter item 2024-20-181. Part of this process includes an annual slot survey to determine actual slot need in the local divisions. The survey is found here. We ask that regional alternative education coordinators complete the survey by June 21, 2024. As a reminder, the number of slots allocated to each division can be found in the Direct Aid Calculation Tool and in a condensed version here.
To provide more insight on the current slot assignment and slot reallocation process, including opportunities for potential revisions for the 2025-2026 school year and any associated statewide budgetary impact, VDOE will be hosting a webinar and feedback session on Wednesday, May 29 at 1:30 p.m. Registration is currently open. We invite superintendents, division instructional leaders, and regional alternative education coordinators to learn more about this current process and provide feedback for potential future improvements in this process for 2025-2026.
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up. We look forward to the discussion!
Online Survey to Collect School Security Criteria Data for Award of One-time School Security Grants
Article: 2024-21-188
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Vijay Ramnarain, Director of the Office of Support Services, Vijay.Ramnarain@doe.virginia.gov, 804-750-8125 or Kent Dickey, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Kent.Dickey@doe.virginia.gov, 804-750-8597
The final FY 2024 budget, approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, includes $18.5 million in state and federal funds for School Safety and Security Grants for public schools. This is a one-time grant program, and the grant funds will be available for use by divisions beyond FY 2024 after they are awarded. These one-time grant funds may be used to support equipment purchases and installations, software purchases, planning, and training to improve the safety and security of public school buildings, including purposes not authorized under the existing VPSA-funded School Security Equipment Grants program.
School divisions are requested to complete a nine-item online survey, responding to the survey items based on the total number of school buildings and other education facilities in the division where instruction is regularly provided for students in grades PK-12. The online survey and instructions are available here: https://virginiadoe.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a9MxbW0eFCPE1Rs
The survey data will only be used by the Department of Education in awarding the one-time grant funds to school divisions. School divisions wishing to be considered for grant funding must complete and submit the online survey to VDOE no later than 5 p.m. May 31, 2024. The online survey submission must be received by VDOE by the May 31 deadline for the division to be considered for grant funding. Grant awards will be communicated to school divisions prior to June 30, 2024.
Table 15 of the Superintendent’s Annual Report and Notice of ESEA Maintenance of Effort for FY 2023
Article: 2024-21-184
Audience: School Division Finance Directors
Contact: Ed Lanza, Director of Budget, Edward.Lanza@doe.virginia.gov
Section 22.1-92, Code of Virginia, requires school divisions to prepare and distribute “notification of the estimated average per pupil cost for public education in the school division for the coming year” as well as “actual per pupil state and local education expenditures for the previous school year.” This communication provides data related to actual per pupil expenditures for fiscal year 2023 as well as a methodology that school divisions may use to estimate per pupil expenditures for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
An Excel worksheet providing an illustration of how Table 15 of the Superintendent’s Annual Report is calculated, as well as a worksheet for estimating total and per pupil expenditures by fund source for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, is available at:
Table 15 shows the total and per pupil expenditures for public school operations by fund source for each school division and statewide. The source for this table is the fiscal year 2023 Annual School Report Financial Section (ASRFIN) data submitted by school divisions. Please note that, for purposes of reporting Table 15, data for the three jointly-operated school divisions are combined and reported under the fiscal agent division.
As a requirement for federal Title I, Part A funding, all school divisions must meet the local educational agency (LEA) maintenance of effort (“MOE”) requirement as specified in Sections 1118(a) and 8521 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Divisions must expend at least 90 percent of the preceding year’s effort from local and state expenditures, including sales tax, either on a total expenditure basis or a per pupil expenditure basis. The Department has completed the ESEA LEA maintenance of effort calculation for fiscal year 2023, as compared with fiscal year 2022. This calculation is based on data from the fiscal year 2022 Table 15 and fiscal year 2023 Table 15, excluding the Community Services sub function, as reported by school divisions on the ASRFIN. The MOE Excel file and associated instructions will be located on the Department’s website at:
Appropriation Act Provisions to Carryover State Funds from FY 2024 to FY 2025
Article: 2024-21-183
Audience: Superintendents, School Finance Staff
Contact: Ed Lanza, Director of Budget, Edward.Lanza@doe.virginia.gov
Section 22.1-100, Code of Virginia, requires school divisions to return unexpended state funds to the Commonwealth at the close of each fiscal year. Chapter 1, 2024 Special Session I General Assembly, overrides this Code section and permits school divisions that have met required local effort and required local match for fiscal year 2024 to carry forward to fiscal year 2025 any remaining state Direct Aid fund balances that are unexpended as of June 30, 2024.
This language permits school divisions to use carry forward funds to address any revenue shortfall related adjustments in state funding to the locality, regardless of the original purpose of such funds. The adopted language requires the state carry forward funds to be reappropriated by the local governing body to the school division’s budget for fiscal year 2025.
This provision does not alter the existing requirement that school divisions must spend the fiscal year 2024 required local effort and required local match amounts before the end of fiscal year 2024, which ends on June 30, 2024.
Chapter 1 also encourages certain local funds to be carried over into fiscal year 2025 pursuant to language in Item 137 B.25. To be eligible to carry forward any local fund balances from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025, school divisions must meet their required local effort and required local match expenditure obligations in fiscal year 2024.
Chapter 1 provides separate carry forward authority (Item 137 C.5.f.4) for the Textbooks account. A school division must first meet all required local effort and required local match obligations in the current fiscal year prior to carrying forward any portion of its state or local funds for Textbooks to the next fiscal year. If a division meets these requirements without spending all or a portion of its local matching funds for Textbooks, then the division is permitted to carry forward both the state and local shares of Textbooks funding.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact budget office staff at (804) 225-2025 or by email at DOEBUDGETOFFICE@doe.virginia.gov.
|
|
News from the Virginia Board of Education
Public Hearing on Revisions to the Standards of Accreditation
Article: 2024-19-174
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Directors of Testing
Contact: Katie Carroll, Deputy Superintendent of School Performance and Support, Katie.Carroll@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed revisions to the Standards of Accreditation on June 4 at 4 p.m. This revision to the Standards of Accreditation focuses on changes to the accreditation process and the development of a school performance and support framework. Parents, educators, and interested citizens are invited to attend the session and comment. Interested individuals can register to attend and/or speak in the public hearing. Additional information on the revisions to the Standards of Accreditation can be found here.
|
|
|
|
|
