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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
Students at Rippon Middle in Prince William County Schools took part in "Shark Tank" where they created their own companies and pitched them to potential investors. What a great way to practice entrepreneurship and communication skills!
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Goochland High in Goochland County Schools recently honored local veterans by hosting over 70 military veterans as part of its annual Veterans Project! This meaningful initiative connects students with local veterans, promotes leadership, civic engagement, and community involvement. Through this project, students gain a deeper respect for those who have served our country, while learning the importance of giving back to their community. |
Congratulations to Alleghany Highlands Public Schools for being awarded a Recruitment and Retention Support Grant (RARS) by VDOE. The grant is designed to retain teachers and pay for provisionally licensed teachers’ coursework needed to earn a Virginia K-12 teaching license.
Pictured is Sharon Elementary School secretary Katie Gibson with second grader Emerson White. Gibson wants to be an elementary school special education teacher. A recruitment and retention grant awarded to Alleghany Highlands Schools provided her with tuition assistance to continue her education and pursue her career goal.
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Superintendent's Message
Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction
This week, we celebrate Virginia Farm to School Week. I had the opportunity to visit Isle of Wight and participate in their 8th Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth. We celebrated the importance of agriculture and toured the working farm and land lab on the grounds of Windsor Elementary. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing students deeply understand how food is produced and how they can produce food to have healthy eating options. Moreover, the significant agricultural partnerships between high school students and younger students on the farm were impressive.
We also had an outstanding convening with guidance counselors this morning in Newport News (Thank you to Superintendent Mitchell and the Achievable Dream staff for hosting us). Their discussion and feedback on next steps for the 3E Readiness framework, updates to the career exploration definition, and suggestions for revisions to the academic career plan process were incredibly appreciated. We look forward to more opportunities to discuss and receive feedback over the next few months.
This year has already brought many difficult challenges. From the flooding and other infrastructure issues faced by our school divisions in Southwest Virginia to the rise in threats received by divisions across the Commonwealth, this year is already proving to require dedication and leadership from all educators.
I want to recognize the hard work I have seen over the past few weeks from our Superintendents and school leaders, actually from every educator and staff in Southwest Virginia. From early mornings cleaning up their schools to the late night meetings trying to restart operations in addition to the work feeding children and trying to restore some normalcy to their communities, I want to say thank you for your leadership and always having your students and school communities front of mind. Your hard work and commitment are greatly appreciated.
All of our schools continue to face the challenge of managing threats and the associated disruptions to learning for students. To assist in those challenges, I would like to highlight the resources we have put into place to support our commitment to student safety. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services’ (DCJS) Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS) provides comprehensive training programs, resources, and partnerships to prepare all stakeholders for potential threats and emergencies. These efforts not only focus on immediate response strategies but also highlight the importance of developing a supportive and proactive school culture while strengthening critical relationships among school divisions and local law enforcement, fire, and safety offices.
The Code of Virginia requires public schools to establish threat assessment teams consistent with VCSCS model policies. Information on threat assessment teams, as well as additional resources to support schools in managing threats, can be found at the Threat Assessment in Virginia webpage. Additionally, section four of the recent Cell Phone-Free Education School Leader Implementation Toolkit offers further considerations for school safety. As school divisions continue to work to manage these threats, I encourage you to take advantage of these resources.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students’ well-being and safety. Together, we can create and maintain supportive environments in our schools where every child, every day, can thrive.
In appreciation,
Lisa
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Teaching & Learning
2025 Summer Residential Governor’s Schools and World Language Academies
Article: 2024-40-431
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Kevin Carr, Specialist for Governor’s Schools and K-12 Gifted Education, Kevin.Carr@doe.virginia.gov and Lisa Harris, Coordinator of World Languages, Lisa.Harris@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE is pleased to announce that the 2025 Governor’s Summer Residential Program will include seven Summer Residential Governor’s Schools (SRGS) and five Governor’s World Language Academies (GWLA). The SRGS offer gifted and/or advanced high school students opportunities for intensive study in academics, the visual and performing arts, and mentorships. The GWLA offers full-immersion academies for French, German, and Spanish; a partial-immersion academy for Japanese; and a Latin Academy. Students do not need to be identified as gifted to be nominated for one of the GWLA.
The SRGS and GWLA are available to students enrolled in public schools, accredited private schools, as well as homeschooled students. The availability of these programs is contingent upon the provision of state funds by the 2025 General Assembly.
Teacher Survey of Curriculum Use Due by October 16, 2024
Article: 2024-40-438
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Dr. Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Michelle.Wallace@doe.virginia.gov; Dr. Kecia McCoy, Program Administrator at The Institute of Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education, Kmccoy18@jhu.edu
The Institute of Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education released the Teacher Survey of Curriculum Use on behalf of the Virginia Department of Education to division superintendents on September 25, 2024, for all K-12 ELA and mathematics classroom teachers. The survey will close on October 16, 2024.
The purpose of this survey is to learn more about teachers' experiences with K-12 ELA and math instructional materials and curricular resources. This survey poses detailed questions about teachers’ use of curricular materials in general and for specific lesson-planning components; teachers’ use of supplemental curricular materials; their opinions about published ELA and mathematics curricula; and the prevalence of specific instructional practices. This information will be used to inform future decisions about K-12 ELA and mathematics instructional materials and resources used to support the curriculum in the Commonwealth.
Division leaders will receive division-level results as long as the number of teachers submitting is statistically significant, so divisions should strive for at least 50% of teachers to complete the survey. This data will help divisions compare their division to others in the state and receive important information to support their teachers in instruction.
Division superintendents are asked to share with key division leaders to ensure that the survey is disseminated to K-12 ELA and mathematics classroom teachers.
Advancing Computer Science Education Grant RFP Deadline Extension
Article: 2024-40-434
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Keisha Tennessee, Computer Science Coordinator, Keisha.Tennessee@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce that the Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) Grant FY25 request for proposals deadline has been extended to November 4, 2024. The extended deadline does not impact the ACSE request for proposals received in September 2024.
In accordance with the 2024 Appropriation Act, ACSE provides funding to support the implementation of the 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning and the advancement of K-12 computer science education across the Commonwealth. All Virginia public school divisions, full-time regional public schools, and programs with a local or regional board are eligible to submit proposals meeting the intent of the request for proposal document. The preproposal webinar can be reviewed here.
Completed proposals must be emailed to vdoe.computerscience@doe.virginia.gov. The subject line of the email should read “ACSE FY25 RFP (school division). Applicants will receive notification of award status on or about December 1, 2024.
Questions related to the Advancing Computer Science Education Grant request for proposals may be directed to Keisha Tennessee, K-12 Computer Science Coordinator, at (804) 750-8161 or Keisha.Tennessee@doe.virginia.gov.
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School Performance & Support
Annual Resources Update for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities
Article: 2024-40-430
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Wanda Council, Specialist for Sensory Disabilities, Wanda.Council@doe.virginia.gov
Annually VDOE is required to prepare and distribute to local school boards information describing educational and other services available to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. School boards are required to post this information on school division websites annually and to inform the parents of students who are identified as deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired of the availability of such services.
Financial Support for Economically Disadvantaged Students Taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Exams in Spring 2025
Article: 2024-39-417
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, Counselors
Contact: Amanda Nevetral, Director, Office of Advanced Learning, Amanda.Nevetral@doe.virginia.gov
In Special Session I 2024, the General Assembly appropriated funds in FY25 and FY26 to support economically disadvantaged students in public high schools taking Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge Exams. Families who qualify for free and reduced lunch benefits are eligible for a fee reduction and should encumber only $20 in exam fees per exam taken. For students attending a school participating in the Community Eligibility Program, eligibility will be determined by the school division using the family’s income.
School divisions are responsible for providing eligible students and parents with notification of this financial assistance at the time of course enrollment and exam registration. VDOE’s Office of Parental Engagement has created a flyer for school division use.
To receive funding, school divisions should appoint a person of contact to complete the FY 2025 AP-IB-Cambridge Funding Form by December 6, 2024. School divisions will submit the anticipated number of AP, IB, or Cambridge exam registrations for students eligible for the fee reduction. Students can receive the fee reduction for more than one exam, pending availability of funding. VDOE will communicate funding allocated to each division through a grant award notification. Financial assistance provided by College Board, IB, and Cambridge will be factored into reimbursement amounts. Divisions will receive funding in February 2025.
In June 2025, POCs will be asked to submit the actual number of completed AP, IB, or Cambridge exams by eligible students after testing windows have closed. Unused funds should be returned to the Virginia Department of Education by August 1, 2025.
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School Finance
Title I, Part A, Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Carryover Limitations and Reallocation Procedures
Article: 2024-40-432
Audience: Superintendents, Title I, Part A Federal Program Coordinators and School Division Finance
Contact: Tiffany Frierson, Title I Coordinator, Tiffany.Frierson@doe.virginia.gov
School divisions are allowed to carry over up to 15% of their Title I, Part A, allocation for any fiscal year. School divisions must encumber 85% of each award year’s Title I, Part A, allocation by September 30 of the following year (within 15 months).
Superintendents of divisions that potentially did not meet the requirement to obligate 85% of their FY2023 Title I, Part A, funds by September 30, 2024, will receive an email from essa@doe.virginia.gov by Tuesday, October 15, 2024, outlining the process to either certify that their division did obligate 85% percent of their funds by September 30, or choose to apply for a waiver if they have not done so in the last three years. The Certification of Obligation and Carryover Waiver Form must be signed by division superintendents and returned by Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
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School Nutrition & Operations
National School Lunch Week: October 14-18, 2024
Article: 2024-40-439
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Policy, SNPPolicy@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs encourages schools to promote and celebrate National School Lunch Week (NSLW) during the week of October 14-18, 2024, with the theme “School Lunch Pirates: Find Your Treasure.” Further information is available in SCNP Director’s Memo 2024-2025-33.
NSLW has been an annual observance since 1962 with a goal of highlighting the importance of healthy school lunches in supporting student wellness and academic achievement by:
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Increasing student access and participation,
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Sharing the message with parents that Virginia schools serve healthy, delicious lunches,
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Sharing local media coverage, and
- Connecting with teachers and administrators that school meals support student wellness and academic achievement.
New SNAP IN SCHOOLS Initiative to Support Virginia Students
Article: 2024-40-429
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Dwronyel Price, SNAP Program Consultant Sr. Benefit Programs, Dwronyel.Price1@dss.virginia.gov or Nikya Kirnon, SCNP Outreach and Communications Specialist, Nikya.Kirnon@doe.virginia.gov
SNAP IN SCHOOLS, SCNP Director’s Memo 2024-2025-34, is a new initiative and partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs.
The purpose of this initiative is to increase student access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and, thereby, eligibility for school meals at no cost to families. Through outreach, the goal is to:
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increase awareness,
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share eligibility requirements, and
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provide education on the application process for SNAP benefits for students and their families.
Students who receive SNAP benefits are eligible for school meals at no charge to the family and do not need to apply for free and reduced-price meals if they attend a school that participates in the USDA meal programs. Additionally, SNAP data is the basis for the Identified Student Percentage (ISP) that is used for schools to become eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) providing all students school meals at no charge at the participating school.
SNAP IN SCHOOLS can also support local education agencies in meeting the state mandate for SNAP outreach.
This initiative creates a win-win scenario for families with school-aged children by providing access to food benefits and school meals. SNAP IN SCHOOLS decreases the administrative burden at schools by reducing the volume of free and reduced-price meal applications and brings in additional federal dollars to support local programs.
Ineligibility to Participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Certification Form
Article: 2024-40-436
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Maggie Parker, CNP Coordinator, Maggie.Parker@doe.virginia.gov
Local education agencies (LEAs) are required to participate in the At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Eligible schools are those with 50% or more of enrolled students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program and that also offer regularly scheduled afterschool enrichment or academic activities.
LEAs ineligible to participate in the CACFP are required to submit a Certification of Ineligibility to Participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program form to the VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. The certification form must be signed by the division superintendent.
The certification form and submission instructions, along with additional information about the CACFP participation requirement, can be found in SCNP Memo 2024-2025-27.
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Early Childhood & Learning
New VQB5 Portal – Now Live
Article: 2024-40-428
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Lucy Mitzner, Quality Improvement Specialist, VQB5@doe.virginia.gov
Launched earlier this week, the new VQB5 portal includes quality information on over 3,100 publicly-funded sites, including child care centers, family day homes, Head Start, and public school preschool, as well as for privately-funded sites that participated in the VQB5 measurement and improvement system last year. You can learn more by:
2023-2024 VQB5 Certificates – Now Available for Download
Article: 2024-40-427
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Lucy Mitzner, Quality Improvement Specialist, VQB5@doe.virginia.gov
2023-2024 VQB5 Quality Rating Certificates are now available via LinkB5 reports. Sites are encouraged but not required to post their certificates. The VQB5 portal and VQB5 Quality Rating Certificate recognizes your site’s accomplishments while also informing families about quality options across the Commonwealth. View our Tips for Promoting Your VQB5 Quality Rating document for ways to highlight your site’s commitment to quality.
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Recognitions
New Deadline for 2024-2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program
Article: 2024-40-437
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Federal Program Coordinators
Contact: Sarah Gallagher, Title I Specialist, Sarah.Gallagher@doe.virginia.gov
School divisions are invited to nominate one eligible school for the 2024-2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program. An eligible school may be nominated to represent one of the following categories:
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Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years
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Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups
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Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners)
For a school to qualify for the National ESEA Distinguished School award, the school must have:
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A poverty rate of at least 35 percent for each of the two most current consecutive school years.
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Demonstrated exceptional academic achievement for two or more of the most current consecutive school years.
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Met full state accreditation for two or more consecutive years.
School divisions wishing to nominate an eligible school must submit an application and School Participation Form electronically by email to ESSA@doe.virginia.gov by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024. Additional information on the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program can be found on the ESSA website.
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Additional Information
Applications Open for the 2025 Young People's Continental Congress
Article: 2024-40-435
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director, America 250PA, CColeman@America250PA.org
Applications have been launched for the 2025 Young People's Continental Congress (YPCC), presented by National History Day and Carpenters' Hall (the home of the First Continental Congress). YPCC will provide an opportunity for student-teacher teams to study history and civics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 13–19, 2025. Participants will interact with students and teachers from across the country, explore our nation’s founding, and learn how the ideals of the founding era continue to be debated, discussed, and refined over the last 250 years.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the tenth or eleventh grade in the 2024/2025 academic year. Teachers can teach Grades 4-12 from any subject area. School librarians are eligible for this program. Teachers may come from any type of school (public, parochial, charter, private, or homeschool). Applications are open to students and teachers from any U.S. state or territory and are due by Friday, November 1. The program covers the travel costs for participants (flights, hotels, and meals).
Interested students and teachers can learn more on the National History Day webpage. This page provides program information, instructions, links to the application, and FAQ documents to support the application process.
No Kid Hungry Virginia's Breakfast Grant Opportunity
Article: 2024-40-433
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Sarah Steely, Director, No Kid Hungry Virginia, ssteely@strength.org
School breakfast is a powerful tool to help you boost attendance. No Kid Hungry Virginia's Breakfast Grant Opportunity provides funding to support school districts with maximizing participation in the School Breakfast Program. Strategies may include:
- Expanding access with Breakfast After the Bell models such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab and Go to the Classroom, and Second Chance Breakfast
- Promoting awareness of breakfast availability to students and families
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Innovative strategies that increase participation in the School Breakfast Program
Applications are due on November 8, 2024. Average grant amounts typically range from $5,000-$30,000. For more information, please reach out to Sarah Steely, Director, No Kid Hungry Virginia at ssteely@strength.org.
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