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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
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The All-Star Cafe is a student operated cafe where beverages and snacks are prepared and served to Varina High School faculty and staff daily. Students practice important skills such as communication, punctuality, customer service, and teamwork that will help them be successful in the workforce. The community has embraced this initiative with warmth and many generous donations, such as high-quality coffee beans from Blanchard's coffee. The All-Star Cafe is serving delights and supporting success in Henrico County Schools! |
Heritage Elementary in Lynchburg City Schools has two brand-new murals! Funded by J. Crew in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, they add color, character, and meaning to the school’s campus. Thanks to local artist and E.C. Glass High School alumna Christina Davis for the beautiful artwork! |
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Buckingham County Schools recently hosted its annual Heroes Breakfast where many who make a difference in the community every day were celebrated. Some of the local heroes recognized were veterans, fire and rescue teams, first responders, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, maintenance teams, and more! |
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Superintendent's Message
Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction
As we enter the holiday season, I want to continue to send my gratitude for the exceptional opportunities that each of you are building for your students. A few weeks ago, Dr. Raley and I visited Lexington City, and we were blown away by the number of advanced courses (Spanish, Latin, Algebra and World Geography) that students could engage in through their middle school programming. In addition, students explored careers in culinary arts, woodworking, and yoga during their day.
Yesterday, I walked through digital design, CNA, and culinary arts programs at Scott County’s Career and Technical Center. In addition, the Scott County team demonstrated an impressive student-based enterprise program. Students create everything from decals, posters, and succulents, to welding projects to sell in their community-market space (located on the Center’s campus) so students are not only learning valuable workplace crafts, they are also learning to be entrepreneurs.
Today, in Bristol City, we saw the dedicated efforts of elementary staff implementing their new literacy curriculum and their LETRS training. While their principals and staff mentioned that this was hard work, all staff mentioned they are already seeing great things from their students.
VDOE continues to be incredibly proud of educators across Virginia. From the cell-phone free success in Fredericksburg, the innovative attendance supports in Norton City, to the literacy programming in York County, and the career expos and innovative 3 E Readiness programming across the state, we are proud of the work you have accomplished in 2024.
We hope that each of you take time over the holidays to rest and recharge with family and friends over the holidays.
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Professional Development & Training
WIDA Virtual Workshop Series for Virginia K-12 Educators
Article: 2024-49-522 Audience: Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Instructional Coaches Contact: Jo-el Cox, Multilingual Learner Coordinator, Jo-el.Cox@doe.virginia.gov
On January 22, 2025, and February 5, 2025, VDOE will be hosting a virtual WIDA workshop series for Virginia K-12 educators who work with multilingual learners who are dually identified for language and disability. The WIDA Virtual Workshop Series–When Language and Disability Meet: Planning for Instruction to Support Dually Identified Students–will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. on both dates.
Participants will explore principles of Universal Design Learning and think about shared responsibility and advocacy when planning for multilingual learners who are dually identified for language and disability.
The registration deadline for the webinar series is January 17, 2024. Please use this link to register.
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Literacy
Literacy Office Hours in 2025
Article: 2024-49-518 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Jill Nogueras, Associate Director of K-12 English & Literacy Jill.Nogueras@doe.virginia.gov
As released on June 27, 2024, in Superintendent’s Memo 003-24, beginning July 10, Literacy Office Hours have been held for division instructional leaders to ask questions about the VLA implementation and give feedback on implementation.
Office hours are jointly hosted by VDOE and VLP staff. Literacy Office Hours are offered bi-weekly and in the new year will be held on Monday mornings from 10:30-11 a.m. starting on January 6, 2025.
Updated Zoom links will be sent to division instructional leaders who have been designated as such in Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) to register for the Office hours. Once registered, you may attend any of the sessions without re-registering. Division literacy leaders can reach out to vla@doe.virginia.gov for more information on registration. New division literacy leaders need to contact the school division Educational Registry Application manager for the SSWS platform to update the literacy contact information.
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Teaching & Learning
2025 Multidivision Online Provider Application & Course Submission Available
Article: 2024-49-521 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals Contact: Dr. Meg Foley, Digital Learning Coordinator, Meg.Foley@doe.virginia.gov
The 2025 Multidivision Online Provider application process and forms are now available on the Multidivision Online Provider Approval, Renewal, & Course Submission Information webpage. Applications for the 2025-26 school year may be submitted beginning January 2, 2025. Completed applications must be received by the VDOE by 5 p.m. on January 31, 2025. In addition, previously approved providers may submit new or revised courses during this application window.
Courses submitted for approval must align with the newest revisions to the Standards of Learning. A MOP serving students in Grades K-8 English classes must adhere to the provisions of the Virginia Literacy Act. The VDOE will provide the applicant with a written decision regarding the approval or denial of the application within 45 business days of the close of the application period.
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School Finance
2024-2025 Title I, Part A Comparability Report due February 7
Article: 2024-49-520 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Title I Program Coordinators Contact: Latonia Anderson, Title I Specialist, Latonia.Anderson@doe.virginia.gov
To receive Title I, Part A funds, a school division must verify comparability of services for Title I and non-Title I schools as stipulated in Section 1118(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 . Virginia school divisions are required to verify comparability of services by completing the Title I Comparability Report on the Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal.
The 2024-2025 Title I Comparability Report will be available beginning Friday, December 20, 2024. Detailed instructions are provided with the web-based report.
Once the comparability report has been completed, the division superintendent or superintendent’s designee must electronically verify the report through SSWS. The report will not be submitted until this step is completed. The report should be submitted no later than Friday, February 7, 2025. The school division should maintain a copy of the entire verification report on file for audit purposes.
A webinar will be hosted on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to provide an overview of how to complete the report in SSWS for new Title I Coordinators. Register for the webinar.
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Recognitions
Principal of Distinction 2025 – Applications Open Until February 15
Article: 2024-49-519 Audience: Superintendents, Principals Contact: Rob Gilstrap, Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital, Rob.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
In partnership with the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals and the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, VDOE is excited to announce a new program to recognize the work of our state’s highly accomplished principals. In Section 8VAC20-23-620 (F) of the Virginia Administrative Code, the Virginia Board of Education outlines pathways for a principal to be recognized as a Principal of Distinction.
The statewide Principals of Distinction program is an opportunity for principals to garner recognition as a principal of distinction, while also gaining valuable experiences for professional growth. Successful applicants will display strong leadership in the areas of improved student achievement, effective instructional leadership, and developing a strong school culture and climate through the removal of barriers. After a successful application is selected by the Virginia Principals of Distinction Selection Committee, candidates will participate in a four-day professional training symposium and complete a high-quality professional development capstone project at their school over the next six months.
A building-level administrator may seek the Principal of Distinction, Level II endorsement in administration and supervision PreK-12 after:
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Successfully serving as a building-level administrator for at least five years in a public school or an accredited nonpublic school, and
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Successfully completing a formal induction program as a principal or assistant principal.
The deadline to submit an application to VDOE for consideration by the Virginia Principals of Distinction Selection Committee is February 15, 2025. Final applications must have a letter of endorsement from the division superintendent.
2025 Granville P. Meade Scholarship Opportunity
Article: 2024-49-523 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals Contact: Brittany Everett, Postsecondary Access and Success Specialist, Brittany.Everett@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education announces the opening of the Granville P. Meade Scholarship, offering financial assistance to academically accomplished students facing financial challenges in attending college. The scholarship provides $2,000 per year for four years to eligible Virginia high school seniors attending any of Virginia's public or private colleges or universities.
All submissions to the Virginia Department of Education must be through the SSWS Dropbox to ensure security and efficiency. The application window opens for all students on January 6, 2025. Superintendents should provide contact information for their divisions and region using the Procedures and Contact Form. For detailed instructions, deadlines, and procedures, visit the Granville P. Meade Scholarship webpage.
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