Happy New Year. I hope you and your school community are staying safe and warm amid all the snow and delays we've been experiencing this week. Christina and I enjoyed discussing your critical needs for CFOs at the VASS and VASBO virtual conference this week. Andy and I also greatly appreciated your feedback on the WBL rubric and seat time flex next steps. Please help us provide  input on the draft High-Quality Work-Based Learning document to help us prepare for the final reading at the Board meeting in February.  Feedback can be given at this High-Quality Work-Based Feedback Form. Your input is critical as we improve work-based learning experiences on behalf of students, families, and Virginia’s workforce and will help us prepare this for the Board and then move into a discussion about incorporating WBL into the School and Performance Support Framework.  

In the weeks ahead, I am excited to have the opportunity to highlight a number of our school success stories that have been identified by the School Performance and Support Framework data we released on our Road to Readiness School Performance and Support Framework Resource Hub last year. I hope you have had an opportunity to review that data and have seen some of the great results from students and educators throughout the Commonwealth.  

Salem City’s South Salem Elementary School stood out for their work exceeding the Framework's high expectations for mastery; achievement in math, science, and reading; as well as readiness from their students. South Salem Elementary scored 22.03 out of 22.5 in Reading and 22.38 out of 22.5 in Math. In Science, they scored 10.45/10, which means a significant number of students (19 of 66) scored advanced on the 5th grade Science SOL. In growth, they scored 13.12 out of 17.5 for Reading and 13.35 out of 17.5 for Math.  In Chronic Absenteeism, 40 students at South Salem were chronically absent, which yielded 8.9/10.   

Principal Laura James credits the success to their “invaluable support staff and dynamic teacher leaders who inspire, motivate, and unlock the wonder and curiosity their students experience in the classrooms.” Her team of exemplar educators includes their local school division Teacher of the Year, whom she shares is an excellent collaborator. South Salem Elementary School has also adopted Lexia to help support their students’ reading development and ensure that each child can progress at their own pace and receive the necessary support to improve their literacy skills. 

Mrs. James emphasizes they work closely with their parents and families to develop a student’s academic success as well as their behavioral and emotional wellness. She recognizes the exceptional community support from neighborhood businesses and churches including hosting an Adulting day to teach financial literacy, work with the 4H club, and storytelling experiences.  

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Hicks shares “This achievement reflects our renewed commitment to aligning curriculum and resources, empowering our staff to focus on continuous improvement, and prioritizing what truly matters most—the success and well-being of every student.”  Dr. Hicks emphasizes that this focused dedication is driving success across all Salem City Schools, making the district a model of excellence, with South Salem serving as an exemplar of the community’s shared vision for students. South Salem Elementary is a great example of the success of students and educators being recognized by the School Performance and Support Framework and I’m pleased that we’ll be highlighting these stories in the weeks ahead.  

I also wanted to make sure that you were aware of upcoming opportunities to provide feedback on the Board of Education’s newly proposed School-Connected Overdose Response and Notification Guidelines. These guidelines are designed to help local school divisions develop effective action plans for responding to school-related overdoses and ensuring timely communication with parents. The virtual sessions are scheduled for January 9, 13, and 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sign-up information for these sessions, as well as a public comment form, is in the article below. 

Thank you for all that you have done for your students and school communities over the past year. I appreciate the opportunity to work together with you in the year ahead. 

The VDOE is requesting a Tydings waiver for the periods of Federal FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021 for Title I Part, A, Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies and Title I, Part D, Subpart 1, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk.   

This request to extend the obligation period is submitted pursuant to section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). This permits the VDOE under the criteria it develops, to expend the remaining FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021 awarded balances related to this waiver request.   

The VDOE is seeking public comment to provide notice to the public of the intention to submit a waiver that would extend certain Federal Title Funding (as indicated above) to allow LEAs with unexpended funds to fully reimburse on these funds and give the State educational agency additional time to use state set aside funds to provide supplemental support to all divisions in the Commonwealth.   

Public comment on this waiver is open. Any individual or organization may submit written comments on the proposed waiver available on VDOE’s Every Student Succeeds Act | Virginia Department of Education webpage. Written comments must be submitted to ESSA@doe.virginia.gov by January 16, 2025.    

This information is requested to be shared with members within the education community and local boards of education.

The Virginia Board of Education has approved incentive bonuses in the amount of $5,000 to classroom teachers for initial certification and $2,500 to classroom teachers for continuing certification in alignment with the longstanding Guidelines for Distributing National Board Certification Incentive Awards eligibility criteria. School divisions were asked to submit eligible classroom teacher information via the Single Sign-On for Web Services (SSWS) application in December. 

The VDOE is pleased to announce the 2024-25 National Board Certification Incentive Awards for classroom teachers by school division. School divisions are responsible for disbursing incentive awards to eligible classroom teachers. Additional information including special terms and conditions for the grant award can be found on the Terms of Grant Award resource.  

Funds will be distributed to employing school divisions on or before January 31, 2025, in a one-time lump-sum payment.  

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: 

• Successfully serving as a building-level administrator for at least five years in a public school or an accredited nonpublic school, and  
• 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.  

Applications can be submitted to rob.gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov. 

Please contact Rob Gilstrap at rob.gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov if you have any questions regarding the application or application process.   

As shared in the August 29, 2024, Virginia Education Update newsletter, completed applications for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year must be submitted by Monday, February 3 at 4 p.m. using the 2026 Teacher of the Year Application portal.  Virginia school division superintendents are invited to nominate one teacher for state-level recognition. The program recognizes all teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including library media specialists, school counselors, career and technical educators, mathematic specialists, and reading specialists, who hold a current renewable Virginia teaching license in the assigned teaching area.  

The superintendent may designate one individual, such as their school division’s Teacher of the Year candidate, to complete the application. Please use your work email to create or log into the online portal. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, February 3 by 4p.m. using the 2026 Teacher of the Year Application. 

Please see the VDOE Educator Awards and Recognition web page for details, directions, and the online application. Send questions to TeacheroftheYear@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. 

Application Process:  

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. 

In collaboration with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Colonial Williamsburg, and VA250 Educational programming, Virginia will participate in the 2025 National Civics Bee®. The National Civics Bee® is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

School divisions are encouraged to reach out to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to apply for this outstanding opportunity. Students will need to complete and submit an essay using the online application portal. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, February 4, 2025. 

Visit The National Civics Bee® for The Essay Guide, the latest news on the application portal, entry deadlines, and resources. The 2025 National Civics Bee® is free and open to public, private, charter, and homeschool students alike.