The Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (SCNP) is providing important clarifications for meal services that must be provided when school divisions implement remote learning during upcoming inclement weather that counts toward the required 180 days or 990 hours of instruction.  

School division leadership and school nutrition departments should coordinate closely to determine the feasibility of providing meals during remote learning days. State law and VDOE guidance require divisions that are considering remote learning due to severe weather or other emergency situations must have plans in place to ensure, among other requirements: 

• School meal services continue to be available to students; and 
• Local plans are activated to provide meals in advance of or during the emergency or severe weather event, based on the division’s established service delivery model. 

School nutrition departments must first apply through SNPWeb for a USDA program waiver that allows flexibility in how meals are served (e.g., non-congregate service, parent pick-up, meal distribution over multiple days). More information on the waivers can be found in SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-15, Attachments A, B, and C. 

Please note: if meals are distributed in advance of the school closure(s) and no virtual learning is offered on the days schools are closed, meals may only be claimed under SSO/SFSP for area eligible schools/divisions. 

When a state of emergency is declared, divisions are also encouraged to work through their local emergency response systems and as appropriate, the Virginia Emergency Support Team to determine additional supports for providing meals. 

We recognize the complexity of planning under rapidly changing conditions and appreciate your continued efforts to support students and families during emergencies. School nutrition directors are encouraged to contact their assigned regional specialist with questions. 

The Virginia Department of Education set aside $500,000 in Elementary and Secondary Education Title II, Part A Funding to support school divisions in upskilling educators in high-need areas. This grant will provide funding to school divisions, not to exceed $20,000, to offset costs associated with teacher endorsement and dual enrollment credential attainment.  

Allowable activities include: 

• Tuition or coursework required for endorsements in state-identified critical shortage areas;
• Tuition or coursework for dual enrollment credential attainment (e.g., coursework for teaching CTE, UCGS or Passport dual enrollment courses);
• Praxis preparation courses, materials, and test fees;
• Other approved activities directly related to obtaining endorsements or credentials. 

Eligibility for access to this supplemental funding shall be determined through an application process whereby school divisions must complete an electronic application and submit the signed forms to the Department of Education via email. School divisions will be required to identify areas of need, proposed use of funds, and projected outcomes. Awards will prioritize divisions with documented shortages and limited local capacity to fund teacher credentialing.  

Interested divisions should complete the 2026-2027 Teacher Effectiveness Support in Critical Shortage Areas and Dual Enrollment Certification Grant application by 4:00 p.m. on February 13, 2026. The application link will be shared with division Title II Coordinators via email.  

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The Presidential Scholars Program reviewers will consider the following categories when evaluating the nominees at the Semifinalist and Scholar levels: 

• Involvement and Service in school and community 
• Leadership and Character 
• Writing samples 
• Academic achievements 
• Discretionary points for extraordinary achievement, heavy workload, family responsibilities, or obstacles overcome.  

Principals will submit the 2026 VDOE Student Nomination Form (General Component) to the Division Superintendent or Designee for submission of the form to a designated Regional Superintendent. A list of Regional Superintendents can be found here. Each Superintendent’s Region may select one female and one male student candidate. (Region 4 may submit two female and two male student candidates due to the large student population). Regional nominations must be submitted through the Virginia Department of Education’s secure Single Sign-on Web Systems (SSWS) drop box to the attention of Amanda Nevetral.  

All nominations must be received no later than January 30, 2026.  

Office hours for technical assistance and questions about U.S. Presidential Scholars will be held on Wednesday, January 21st from 11AM-12PM. Please register here.  

VDOE’s Office of Advanced Learning, in collaboration with the Office of Career and Technical Education, is accepting nominations of Virginia candidates for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars for Career and Technical Education (CTE) for recognition “on the basis of outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.” The Criteria for Candidate Identification and Nomination provides detailed information on the categories that will be used by the Commission on Presidential Scholars selection committee. Use these criteria to select appropriate supporting nomination documents for submission.  

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and, since that time, has honored almost 8,000 outstanding high school seniors. The program has evolved from initial recognition of exceptional SAT or ACT scores and beginning in 2016, outstanding students who demonstrate excellence in CTE were included for recognition.  

School divisions are invited to nominate an outstanding senior CTE student for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars CTE Program. The 2026 VDOE Student Nomination Form (CTE Component), and strong, relevant supporting documents must be submitted in one folder for each nominee through the VDOE’s secure Single Sign-on Web Systems (SSWS) drop box to the attention of Amanda Nevetral. All nominations must be received no later than January 30, 2026. For questions related to this program, contact CTE@doe.virginia.gov.  

Office hours for technical assistance and questions about U.S. Presidential Scholars will be held on Wednesday, January 21st from 11AM-12PM. Please register here.   

In accordance with section 8VAC20-132-50 of the Board of Education’s Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (referred to as the “Standards of Accreditation”), students who meet the requirements for graduation and demonstrate academic excellence and outstanding achievement, may be eligible for one or more diploma seals. For a list of available diploma seals and criteria for awarding each, please see VDOE’s Diploma Seals webpage. Graduation requirements are available on the Graduation Requirement Resources webpage.  

School divisions who need to place their order for diploma seals for this year’s graduating class should do so through the 2026 Diploma Seal Order Form prior to March 27, 2026. Only one order per division will be accepted. 

Please note that diploma seals do not change in appearance year-to-year. Please use any seals remaining from previous years before ordering new seals this year for students graduating in the spring and summer of 2026.  As a reminder, the Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology is no longer available. This seal has been replaced by the STEM seal. 

We ask that divisions accurately report the number of seals awarded in the Student Record Collection as these numbers inform the future production seals. Please be sure to report awarding any STEM, Science, and Environment seals on this report.   

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Theresita Martinez, Office Manager, Division of Programs, by email at Theresita.Martinez@doe.virginia.gov 

A new Dual Enrollment Advising Toolkit is now available to support Virginia school divisions, educators, and administrators in strengthening dual enrollment implementation and advising practices. 

Developed to align with College and Career Ready Virginia (CCRV) and Virginia’s 3E priorities (Enrolled, Enlisted, Employed), the toolkit provides practical guidance to help ensure dual enrollment opportunities are accessible, intentional, and aligned with postsecondary pathways. 

This resource is intended for use by school counselors, administrators, and instructional staff seeking to improve dual enrollment access while ensuring coursework meaningfully supports student success beyond high school. 

Educators are encouraged to review the toolkit and integrate its guidance into local advising and program planning efforts. Visit the Educators and Administrators section of the Dual Enrollment webpage for more information and to download the toolkit. 

National School Counseling Week will be celebrated February 2-6, 2026. This annual recognition highlights the vital role school counselors play as essential school mental health professionals who support student success and well-being. Today’s school counselors are no longer “guidance counselors” focused solely on scheduling or college applications. The profession has evolved into a comprehensive, data-informed practice centered on academic achievement, career readiness, and social/emotional development. Professional school counselors are trained mental health professionals who provide direct support to students while addressing systemic barriers to learning.  

Virginia’s professional school counselors are deeply committed to helping all students reach their full potential. As mental health professionals, they collaborate with educators, families, and community partners to cultivate school environments that support healthy learning, living, and personal growth. Virginia’s strong commitment to student support is reflected in the state requirement that school counselors spend at least 80% of their time providing direct counseling services to students. 

National School Counseling Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the critical impact school counselors have on student success and overall school communities. 

Virginia Kindness Week will be celebrated February 9-13, 2026. This annual initiative highlights the power of everyday acts of kindness in creating schools and communities that are more compassionate, safe, healthy, and welcoming places to live, work, learn, and play. Schools interested in participating can access a variety of resources and activities on the VDOE’s Kindness Week web page.  

The VDOE hosted a Kindness Week Webinar on January 20, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. During the session, attendees heard from schools across the state as they shared creative and engaging strategies for promoting and celebrating Kindness Week. If you were unable to attend the live webinar, you can view the 2026 Virginia Kindness Week Kick-Off Webinar Recording. 

Schools that participate in Kindness Week may also earn a VDOE Kindness Week Participation Digital Badge by completing the Kindness Week Participation Registration Form. 

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Virginia Kindness Ambassadors. Schools are encouraged to nominate a staff member or student who consistently demonstrates kindness through positive actions that reflect care, compassion, and friendliness toward themselves and others. Nominations must be submitted using the Virginia Kindness Ambassadors 2026 Nomination Form. All nominators will receive a digital certificate for their nominee, and one adult and one student will be selected as the 2026 Virginia Kindness Ambassadors of the Year. The nomination deadline is February 2, 2026. 

In addition, the Seventh Annual Kindness Week T-Shirt Fundraiser is now underway, with all proceeds benefiting the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation. 

Community schools build strong partnerships with families and community organizations to prepare each student for success. Community schools connect students and families to wraparound supports beyond academics, including health services, food assistance, and extended learning opportunities, and address barriers to learning. 

The Virginia Community Schools Designation Process is a rigorous application and review process that recognizes schools demonstrating strong alignment with the community school model and sustained commitment to high-quality implementation. The process was informed by current community school implementers and the Community Schools Task Force to promote consistency, accountability, and quality across statewide efforts. Schools pursuing designation may be at different stages of implementation, including emerging, maturing, or excelling. To earn designation status, schools were required to demonstrate progress at one of these levels and submit clear, evidence-informed action steps for continued improvement. 

This year, over 50 sites across 13 school divisions earned designation. The VDOE congratulates these schools and divisions for their leadership and commitment to students and families. A small number of designees were recognized as Community Hubs, defined as sites that align with community school principles while serving as centralized access points for coordinated supports across multiple schools. The VDOE thanks division leadership, school staff, and community partners for their collaboration and dedication to Virginia’s students. A full list of designated Community Schools and Hubs, along with a recent report on Community Schools outcomes, is on the Virginia Community Schools web page. 

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is conducting a Spring 2026 supplemental data collection to identify eligible Career Switcher teachers for FY26 mentor funding. School divisions that employed qualifying Career Switcher teachers after the Fall 2025 consolidated data collection must submit teacher information through the VDOE Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal:  

• A school division has employed new, full-time contracted teachers in the Career Switcher Program since the Fall 2025 consolidated data collection who have completed Level 1 of the Career Switcher Program,   
• Have zero years of teaching experience, and   
• Are completing Level II of their program during the 2025-2026 school year.   

Please submit the names of the new teachers through the New Teachers Program Data Collection (NTPDC) application, accessible from the VDOE Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal. Once divisions have submitted the names of the eligible teachers, the superintendent or designee must verify the report. Each school division has an SSWS account manager who can provide the designated program coordinator access to this application. Instructions for entering and submitting the data are available online as part of the NTPDC application.    

The names of all eligible teachers who were not part of the Fall 2025 consolidated collection must be submitted by Friday, February 27, 2026. Funding is contingent on the availability of state funds for fiscal year 2026.   

If you would like to designate a division contact to receive further information on this grant, please update the Direct Student Services (DSS) contact information in SSWS. 

The Virginia Department of Education is seeking a “Mathematics” waiver from the United States Department of Education for certain statutory requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) for school years 2025-2026 through 2028-2029.

Purpose 

If granted, this waiver request will allow students below grade eight who are enrolled in advanced mathematics courses to continue to take the mathematics test that is aligned with their mathematics course of study instead of the grade-level mathematics test for the grade in which they are enrolled. Students in grade eight already have an exception to take the assessment aligned with their course of study through Virginia’s Consolidated State Plan. 

More information on the Mathematics Waiver and the public comment form are available on the Department website.  

The College Board will offer two new Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students in the 2026-2027 school year. Both have been recently added to the Virginia Active SCED Code List.  

On January 8, 2026, the Virginia Board of Education approved AP Business with Personal Finance as a substitute course for the Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) graduation requirement, provided all Economics and Personal Finance Standards of Learning are covered within the course curriculum. An updated version of the Board of Education Approved Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements for Standard and Advanced Studies Diplomas in Virginia Public Schools is available here.  

As our nation celebrates Black History Month, the Virginia Department of Education has provided school divisions with resources that honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans, recognizing their vital role in shaping America's history and culture. 

Local school divisions can create and implement instructional and community programs that highlight Black history through an interdisciplinary approach, fostering inclusive, year-round lesson plans. To deepen understanding and promote meaningful connections, instruction should engage students, teachers, parents, and the broader community. The following resources are available to support local school divisions in enhancing their curriculum and instructional programming:   

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture   
• National resources including collaborative projects such as February is Black History Month and the National Archives: Black History   
• Home – African American Research at the Library of Virginia to 1870 – Research Guides & Indexes at The Library of Virginia (libguides.com)    
• Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia   
• eMediaVA: African American History Video Series Collection     

For instructional support and information, please contact the History and Social Science Program at vdoe.hss@doe.virginia.gov.  

The Virginia Department of Education (the Department) has begun the process of reviewing the Digital Learning Integration Standards of Learning. We are seeking input from institutions of higher education in Virginia. Your expertise is invaluable in understanding how well K-12 preparation aligns with the expectations of introductory and upper-level collegiate coursework. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes, and all responses will remain confidential and be reported in aggregate. 

Complete the survey by January 23, 2026, 4 p.m. 

An online listening session will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026, 10-11a.m. to gather ideas, experiences, and recommendations from professionals at institutions of higher education across the state. Registration is required to attend. 

We invite faculty, department chairs, deans, and program leaders to complete the survey and attend the listening session to provide input regarding student readiness, skill gaps, emerging trends, and opportunities for improving alignment between K-12 and higher education. Your insights will help strengthen pathways that support students as they transition from high school to study post-secondary opportunities. 

The Virginia Department of Education (the Department) has begun the process of reviewing the 2020 Digital Learning Integration Standards of Learning. We are seeking input from companies and employers. Your expertise is invaluable in understanding how well K-12 preparation aligns with the expectations of business leaders and employers. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes, and all responses will remain confidential and be reported in aggregate. 

Complete the survey by January 23, 2026, 4 p.m.  

An online listening session will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m. to gather ideas, experiences, and recommendations from companies and employers. Registration is required to attend. 

We invite companies and employers to complete the survey and attend the listening session to provide input regarding student readiness, skill gaps, emerging trends, and opportunities for improving alignment between K-12 and industry. Your insights will help strengthen pathways that support students as they transition into the workplace. 

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services will host the Strengthening Connections: Building a Supportive Environment from Leadership Vision to Classroom Reality conference on February 10-11, 2026, at the Virginia Crossings Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia. This conference is designed to help schools and their partners strengthen positive, safe learning environments where students and staff feel supported. 

Over the course of a day and a half, participants will explore key topics such as climate, resilience, and mental health; learn strategies for leadership, prevention, and early intervention; and connect with colleagues statewide. Engaging keynotes and hands-on access to local resources will equip attendees to return home inspired and ready to enhance their school communities. 

The VDOE, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, has developed three Medicaid and Schools Program Overview Modules designed for school division special education and student services administrators, school division Medicaid and schools coordinators, and school division mental health providers. These modules provide school leaders with the information and resources they need to support Medicaid implementation in their school division, ensuring compliance and maximizing reimbursement for schools.  

Additional information and resources related to the Medicaid school-based services program are available on the VDOE Medicaid and Schools web page. 

We are thrilled to announce that VQB5 has officially surpassed 100,000 CLASS observations across Virginia! This milestone reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every child experiences high-quality interactions that support their learning and development. CLASS observations are a cornerstone of VQB5—they provide valuable insights that help programs grow and strengthen the experiences offered to children every day.  

A huge thank you to our Ready Regions and local observers for making this achievement possible. Your dedication and hard work are driving meaningful change for Virginia’s early learners. Here’s to the next 100,000 observations and the continued impact they bring! To learn more about VQB5 Observations, visit the VQB5 Measuring Interactions website.  

On February 5, the VDOE will host a webinar for site administrators who are participating in VQB5. During this webinar, we will provide a summary of fall VQB5 successes. Information and resources to support successful spring observations and improvement activities will also be shared. 

• Webinar: VQB5 Mid-Year Refresher for Program Leaders 
• Date: February 5 at 2:00 pm 
• Register 

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is releasing information on the state-funded Breakfast Incentive Program used to support school breakfast programs. 

Public school divisions are encouraged to review SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-23, Attachment A, School Breakfast Incentive Program Payments for Fiscal Year 2026. To receive FY26 Breakfast Incentive payments, public school divisions must sign SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-23, Attachment B, FY26 Breakfast Incentive Program Certification Statement, and submit it to SNPPolicy@doe.virginia.gov by February 12, 2026. 

FY26 Breakfast Incentive Program 

The General Assembly appropriated $12.6 million in general funds for FY26 to provide an additional $0.28 reimbursement rate per breakfast meal served above each division’s base year number (SY03-04). The funding formula to determine how much, if any, the LEA will earn is based on the number of breakfasts served per student in enrollment in SY03-04 compared to the same metrics in SY24-25. 

These funds continue the state-funded Breakfast Incentive Program to maximize federal school nutrition revenues and increase student participation in SBP.  

For More Information 

For more information, review SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-23, or contact your assigned SNP regional specialist or the SNPPolicy mailbox at SNPPolicy@doe.virginia.gov. Questions regarding the School Breakfast Incentive Program formula should be directed to the Budget Office via email at doe.budgetoffice@doe.virginia.gov. 

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs received USDA approval to offer Ramadan 2026 Non-Congregate Meal Waivers that allow SFAs and community sponsors operating the NSLP, SBP, and the At-Risk portion of CACFP the following flexibilities during Ramadan, February 17-March 19, 2026: 

• Offer meals for participants in a non-congregate setting. 
• Adjust the time of meal service outside the scheduled mealtimes. 
• Serve meals in high schools without using offer versus serve. 

The VDOE-SCNP is offering these waivers to allow program sponsors to provide meals to children observing Ramadan. To elect the waivers, follow the SNPWeb USDA Waiver Tool Instructions found in SNPWeb Download Forms. These statewide waivers do not apply to CACFP family day care homes or childcare centers. 

Refer to SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-22 for more information about these 2026 Ramadan waivers.