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Superintendent's Message
#PurpleUpVA
Yesterday, I had the honor of participating in #PurpleUpDay—a day when we all wear purple to recognize the strength and sacrifices of military-connected children. April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor their resilience and that of their families.
Virginia is home to more than 80,000 military-connected students—the largest population of any state. Despite all too frequent transitions, these students continue to demonstrate remarkable adaptability and courage.
We also recognize our schools that have received the Virginia Purple Star Designation. Earning this designation requires significant effort and reflects a deep commitment to serving military-connected students and families. We are grateful for everything that these schools and divisions do to go above and beyond to create supportive, stable, and welcoming environments for our students and families who serve our country.
Virginia remains committed to supporting military children this month and every month.
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
Kindergarteners at Kegotank Elementary in Accomack County Public Schools were recently buzzing with excitement! To celebrate their brand-new classroom libraries, the learners gathered for a special story time with seniors from Arcadia High School. Reading together sparks conversation, builds connection, brings stories to life, encourages imagination, and so much more! #ReadingMattersVA #ReadingTogetherVA
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Fifth graders in Lynchburg City Schools recently explored various occupations at the Elementary Career Day with the help of local community partners and high school career and technical education students. From medicine to architecture to transportation, they engaged with future possibilities through hands-on activities and connected with industry professionals. |
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Meeting Workforce Needs
Now Accepting Applications for the Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Proposals – Due May 22
Article: 2026-14-179 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Educator Preparation Providers Contact: Shawna LeBlond, Director, Unit of Apprenticeships, Shawna.LeBlond@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce another iteration of the Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeships grant application for the 2026-2027 school year. The Department, in partnership with the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, was awarded competitive funding through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Funding (SAEF) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2024.
With this competitive subgrant opportunity, VDOE seeks to sponsor and fund high-quality teacher registered apprenticeship models designed and implemented in partnership between school divisions and state-approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). This opportunity provides competitive, reimbursement-based funding to cover all tuition, textbooks, licensure assessments, and fees on behalf of teacher apprentice candidates co-selected by participating school divisions and educator preparation providers for participation in the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program through June 30, 2027.
Proposals must be received by the VDOE by 4 p.m. on May 22, 2026. All responses must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions section of the request for applications.
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School Finance
Reminder – Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Entitlement Funding Reimbursement Deadline School Year (SY) 2025-2026
Article: 2026-14-182 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Finance Contact: William Hatch, Associate Director, Program Administration and Workforce Development, Office of Career and Technical Education, cte@doe.virginia.gov
Each of the 2025-2026 CTE State Entitlement allocations announced via #2025-37 Virginia Education Update November 6, 2025, Article 2025-37-552 included the May 1, 2026, submission deadline for reimbursement. The Office of Career and Technical Education must adhere to the May 1, 2026, deadline to comply with state reimbursement requirements.
This memo serves as a reminder that reimbursement requests for the following CTE State Entitlement allocations to school divisions must be submitted by Friday, May 1, 2026:
Any school division and/or CTE regional center with unsubmitted CTE State Entitlement allocation funds by the deadline, all unsubmitted funds of the five State Entitlements will be reallocated to school divisions and regional CTE centers that have submitted approved reimbursement requests that exceed their initial 2025-2026 allocated CTE State Entitlement amounts.
Your advance planning and attention to this critical May 1, 2026, deadline is greatly appreciated. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Career and Technical Education, at cte@doe.virginia.gov.
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Instruction Implementation, Support & Evaluation
Register NOW for the Virginia Speak Up Survey
Article: 2026-14-178 Audience: Superintendents, Directors Contact: Morri Pace, Digital Learning Coordinator, morri.pace@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has partnered with Project Tomorrow to administer customized Virginia Speak Up surveys that address key educational technology topics such as screen time, device use, and instructional practices. Speak Up is an annual national research initiative led by Project Tomorrow, an education nonprofit that collects insights from K–12 students, teachers, administrators, and parents on technology and learning.
By registering, your division will receive:
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A promotional toolkit to support participation in your division
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Supplemental lesson plans to integrate survey topics into instruction
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Technology-related data to support division and school planning and decision-making
Thank you to the divisions that have already committed to participating. We encourage all divisions to join this effort so that Virginia’s exemplary work in educational technology is fully represented in the national data.
Using Zearn Math for Impact Through ALL-In Tutoring
Article: 2026-14-176 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers Contact: Victoria Bohidar, Mathematics Coordinator, Victoria.bohidar@doe.virginia.gov
Zearn Math offers 1,000+ research-based digital math lessons and instructional materials designed to help students catch up and move forward. In a Virginia-specific study, an independent third party found that students who used Zearn consistently were more likely to improve on the state assessment, with high-fidelity users 18 percentage points more likely to improve at least one progress indicator level on the SOL assessment than their matched peers. Zearn Math’s evidence base is also nationally recognized, earning a “Strong” (Tier 1) rating on Evidence for ESSA. Read the review here.
ALL-In schools and divisions using Zearn should motivate your students to complete the research-backed goal of 3+ grade-level lessons each week. Visit Zearn’s math motivation hub for ready-to-use classroom resources like lesson trackers, challenge kits, celebration certificates, and posters designed to help you spark excitement, strengthen routines, and celebrate student success.
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3E Readiness & Pathways
Article: 2026-14-180 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff Contact: Brittany Everett, Postsecondary Access and Success Specialist, Brittany.Everett@doe.virginia.gov
Level Up Virginia, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) Center on Transition Innovations and Reynolds Community College, will host a Statewide Transition Fair for Students with Disabilities on May 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Reynolds Community College.
This event is designed to support students with disabilities as they explore postsecondary pathways and prepare for life after high school. Eligible schools include middle, combined, and high schools in which 50% or more of students receive free or reduced‑price lunch. Review the 2025-2026 report to confirm your school’s eligibility.
Students attending the Transition Fair will have the opportunity to:
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Explore postsecondary education and training options
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Connect with college representatives and community organizations
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Attend presentations focused on transition planning and available supports
Please note that lunch will not be provided. Light snacks and drinks will be available, and schools are encouraged to plan accordingly.
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School Nutrition
SUN Meals Food Safety Training Webinar – April 27
Article: 2026-14-183 Audience: School Food Authorities and/or community sponsors Contact: Maggie Parker, MSW, CNP Coordinator, VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs, Maggie.Parker@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is pleased to partner with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Health Services to offer the live webinar, SUN Meals Food Safety Training, on April 27, 2026, 2-3 p.m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Participants will receive an overview of key food safety practices, including risk factors for foodborne illness, proper hygiene, time and temperature control, contamination prevention, and food allergen awareness. The webinar will also include an overview of the inspection form used by local health inspectors for monitoring SUN Meals feeding sites.
Culinary Training for Frontline Cafeteria Staff – Register by May 1
Article: 2026-14-181 Audience: School Nutrition Program Directors Contact: Katelynn Stansfield, VDOE-SCNP, Team Nutrition Training Grant Project Specialist, Katelynn.Stansfield@doe.virginia.gov
Registration for the Culinary Training for Frontline Cafeteria Staff will open on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 8 a.m. If your staff (cooks, cashiers, etc.) are interested in attending this training, please complete the participant registration form by Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. Availability is limited, and registration is first-come, first-served.
After opening the registration link, select the desired training date and location. Complete all required fields for each staff member who would like to attend the training.
If you are registering more than one participant, after completing the form for one participant, click on “register another person” in the center of the screen. Most fields will auto-fill from the previous entry. Carefully review and update each field to ensure it reflects the correct information for the new participant. Each participant must have a unique email address they can access during the summer for training updates.
In July and August 2026, the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is providing the Culinary Training for Frontline Cafeteria Staff in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. This series of one-day, hands-on training, Shaping a Stronger School Meal Experience, will prepare cafeteria staff in strengthening their understanding of the USDA school meal patterns, essential culinary techniques, food safety for scratch cooking, workflow efficiencies, and strategies to prepare for the upcoming added sugars requirements in the final rule—Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This training is designed for staff earlier in their school nutrition career or in need of a refresher.
School Year 2026-2027 School Nutrition Programs Application – Due July 1
Article: 2026-14-177 Audience: Superintendents, Directors Contact: Andrea Nannery, VDOE-SCNP SNP Coordinator, Andrea.Nannery@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) is announcing that the School Nutrition Programs application for School Year 2026-2027 will open in SNPWeb on May 11, 2026. This annual application covers participation in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and NSLP Afterschool Snack Service. All School Food Authorities must submit a complete application by July 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. Applications must be approved before claims for reimbursement for the new school year can be processed.
School food authorities are also encouraged to review SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2025-2026-39 to review the attachments that are required to be submitted in the application packet.
Options for Providing Meals to Children in the Summer
Article: 2026-14-175 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals Contact: Maggie Parker, MSW, CNP Coordinator, VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs, Maggie.Parker@doe.virginia.gov
For families already facing rising costs, the loss of school breakfast and lunch in the summertime creates additional financial pressure. USDA-funded summer nutrition programs help fill this gap by ensuring children continue to receive healthy meals when school is out. Last summer, approximately 130 Virginia school divisions and community partners served more than 4.4 million meals and snacks from May through August, underscoring the importance of these programs for students and families.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) allow schools and community partners to serve meals in areas where at least 50% of children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Sponsors are reimbursed for meals served and receive training and technical assistance from VDOE. Schools may choose SSO for a streamlined application process, while SFSP provides simpler meal pattern requirements and higher reimbursement.
Schools and community partners in USDA-designated rural areas may offer multiple days’ worth of take-home meals at once. The VDOE’s 2026 Rural Non-Congregate Kick-Off webinar offers a program overview and best practices.
SUN Bucks is a USDA-funded benefit providing eligible households $120 per child to purchase groceries during the summer. Accepted at SNAP retailers, SUN Bucks is administered by VDSS, and schools are encouraged to promote the program.
The VDOE is here to support your efforts to strengthen summer meal access in your community. Working together, we can ensure that children across Virginia continue to receive nutritious meals that bridge the summer gap.
Information on the Federal Appropriations Act, 2026 and Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
Article: 2026-14-174 Audience: School Food Authorities and/or community sponsors Contact: Sara Bennett, VDOE-SCNP Director, Sara.Bennett@doe.virginia.gov
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Crediting vegetables at Breakfast
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Prohibition on the Use of Chicken and Seafood from China
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Compliance with Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Requirements
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Food Safety Inspection Reports
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Student Health & Safety
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Article: 2026-14-173 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Non-teaching staff, School Counselors, School Social Workers, School Psychologists Contact: Sarah Bazemore, Behavioral Health and Instructional Supports Coordinator, Sarah.Bazemore@doe.virginia.gov
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. This year’s theme, Pinwheels of Possibility, reminds us that strong partnerships among schools, families, and communities are key to preventing child abuse before it occurs. Prevention starts with ensuring families have access to essential supports, resources, and connections before challenges escalate into crises.
Schools are uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge, connecting students and families to vital resources and reinforcing protective factors that promote well-being. Fostering safe, supportive learning environments and building relationships with students and their families are critical. Additionally, as mandated reporters, educators are legally and ethically responsible for recognizing and reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
The VDOE encourages schools to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month by displaying pinwheels as a visible symbol of hope and prevention. This small act can spark meaningful conversations and raise awareness across school communities.
Opioid Abatement Education Program for Educators
Article: 2026-14-172 Audience: Principals and Administrators, Teachers, School Nurses, School-Based Mental Health Professionals, School Resource Officers Contact: Nenneya Shields, Opioid Abatement Program Manager, Nenneya.Shields@doe.virginia.gov
The Opioid Abatement Education Program was developed to support K-12 teachers, school-based mental health professionals, school nurses, school resource officers, and administrators with instruction on delivering evidence-based opioid abatement education and prevention programming for students that supports the Health Standards of Learning. The use of the Botvin Lifeskills Training in schools to support instruction on opioid misuse and prevention is free to school divisions. Stipends are available to educators who complete the training program and implement it in their schools. For those interested in training through the Opioid Abatement Education Program, additional information and details are available on the VDOE Opioid Abatement Education Plan web page.
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