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Superintendent's Message
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of kicking off a literacy convening for Richmond City Public Schools. Principals, assistant principals, literacy coaches, and reading interventionists came together to reflect on student achievement data and align on the division’s literacy priorities for the 2026-2027 school year.
It was inspiring to be in a room filled with educators who are deeply committed to continuous improvement and student success. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations, analyzed data with purpose, and collaborated to identify strategies that will strengthen literacy outcomes for all students.
As schools and divisions across the Commonwealth begin summer professional learning, data reviews, and strategic planning for the year ahead, I want to recognize the dedication educators demonstrate year-round. Their commitment to learning, growth, and excellence extends far beyond the school calendar.
Wishing everyone a well-deserved summer break—and here’s to building on this year’s successes and creating even greater opportunities for students in the year ahead!
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
Back in September, culinary arts students at Heritage High School in Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) opened the Lunchburg Express, a student-designed food truck donated to LCS by Intuit in partnership with Beacon of Hope. At one event, the students served nearly 100 customers in downtown Lynchburg, preparing Chicago-style hot dogs and street tacos in the truck.
Congratulations to these students for applying what they have learned in the classroom. Read more: LCS & Intuit Launch Student-Run Food Truck | LCS | Lynchburg City Schools
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First graders from Chincoteague Elementary School in Accommack County Public Schools recently had a splash-tastic day at the Chincoteague Bay Field Staton and Shad Landing in Greenbackville. They rolled up their pants and got their feet wet while exploring the rich ecosystem living in the shallow waters of the Chincoteague Bay. Having a world-class outdoor classroom just steps away is one of the many perks of growing up on Virginia’s beautiful Eastern Shore! |
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School Finance
2026-2027 School Security Equipment Grant Application
Article: 2026-22-257 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Facility Directors, School Security Directors, Budget Directorsvijay.ramnarain@doe.virginia.gov Contact: A.K. (Vijay) Ramnarain, Director Office of Support Services, vijay.ramnarain@doe.virginia.gov
In April, the Virginia Public School Authority finalized the approval of $12 million to fund the 2027 School Security Equipment Grant (SEGM).
This grant is awarded on a competitive basis, and school divisions are eligible to receive grant awards up to $250,000. SEGM grant information is located on the Security Equipment Grants webpage. Grant applications must be submitted to VDOE between July 1, 2026, and August 1, 2026, using the VDOE SSWS portal. All funded security equipment must be purchased and installed within six months of notification of the grant award or by March 1, 2027.
To support the installation of school security equipment during the summer months, school divisions and regional programs may apply for grants reimbursements for school security equipment expenditures beginning on or after April 30, 2026. Such projects must otherwise meet all existing program guidelines and only approved projects will be reimbursed.
Awarded grant funds will be maintained and disbursed from accounts administered by the State Non-Arbitrage Program (SNAP) under the Virginia Public School Authority.
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Instruction Implementation, Support & Evaluation
Navigating K-12 Computer Science Implementation Workshops – June 17-25
Article: 2026-22-260 Audience: Superintendents, Computer Science Supervisors, Directors, Instructional Leaders Contact: Keisha Tennessee, Coordinator of Computer Science, Keisha.Tennessee@doe.virginia.gov
The Computer Science (CS) Unit of the Office of Innovation invites CS Supervisors and division teams to participate in the annual Navigating K-12 Computer Science Implementation Workshop, offered across four locations throughout the Commonwealth. Divisions should plan to attend the date and location most convenient for their team. Pre-registration is required.
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June 17: Winchester - Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
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June 22: Roanoke - Virginia Western Community College, STEM Building
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June 24: Richmond - Henrico Adult Education Center, Regency Campus
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June 25: Spotsylvania - Spotsylvania School Board Office
This workshop serves as a structured, collaborative forum through which division teams will advance the development of programmatic frameworks and instructional systems to strengthen computer science education statewide — including the intentional K-8 integration of CS across core classroom instruction.
This year's workshop will address the following priority areas:
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Standards alignment and pacing guidance to promote consistent, high-quality implementation
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Expansion of secondary CS opportunities across programs and pathways
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Elementary CS course infrastructure and implementation support
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ACSE programmatic overview, inclusive of reflections and updates from the prior year of implementation
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CodeVA CS Ready partnership program opportunity for schools
Article: 2026-22-259 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Christonya Brown, History and Social Science Coordinator, vdoe.hss@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE is seeking applications for the History and Social Science (HSS) and English Language Learners (ELL) Summer Resource Review Committees. Committee members will assist with curriculum development, training design, review processes, and train-the-trainer professional development. Educators with classroom experience and knowledge of the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning, or educators with teaching experience and a strong working knowledge of ELL strategies and collaborative learning models are strongly encouraged to apply.
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The English Language Learners Instructional Guide Enhancement Committee will work collaboratively to create short, flexible inquiry experiences that integrate ELL strategies with history and social science content and skill development. These tasks will help build students’ historical thinking skills, cooperative learning, and communication.
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The History and Social Science/English Language Learners Inquiry Committee will work collaboratively to create short, flexible inquiry experiences that incorporate ELL strategies along with history and social science content and skills. These tasks are designed to build students’ historical thinking, collaboration, and communication. This initiative integrates effective, research-based language acquisition strategies from the ELL Strategy Library to ensure that all students can fully engage in inquiry.
To apply for either one or both committee(s), submit an online application by June 26. Selected members will be notified by July 3.
2026-27 Academy for New Directors of Special Education – Register by June 30
Article: 2026-22-258 Audience: Superintendents Contact: Dr. Zenia Burnett, Director of Instructional Services, Zenia.Burnett@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE invites all newly hired local Directors of Special Education to the 2026-27 New Directors Academy. This yearlong professional development opportunity aims to support educators in their roles and responsibilities within their local school divisions and to enhance the outcomes of students with disabilities across the Commonwealth.
A new Director of Special Education is defined as an individual who is new to the position, has not served as a special education director in another local school division, or became a director after last year’s Academy. If your school division has employed a new special education director, please complete the Registration for the 2026-2027 Academy for New Directors of Special Education by June 30, so that information about this academy may be provided.
This yearlong academy will include seven in-person sessions. The schedule and details for all academy sessions will be disseminated via email to registered participants in July. Each new director will be assigned an experienced mentor to provide support in their new role.
Identify Fine Arts Educators for 2026 Fine Arts Teacher Leadership Program – July 17
Article: 2026-22-256 Audience: Superintendents, Directors Contact: Kelly Bisogno, Coordinator of Fine Arts, kelly.bisogno@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE’s Fine Arts program invites school divisions to identify fine arts educators to participate in the 2026 Fine Arts Teacher Leadership Program. This new initiative aims to build leadership capacity among dance, music, theatre, and visual arts teachers and prepare them to support division-level professional learning and curriculum development.
Divisions may nominate one educator per discipline. Selected teachers will engage in a series of five required virtual meetings. Participants must also attend one in-person session on either October 7 (Region 1), October 14 (Region 7), or October 21 (Region 5), from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Division leaders should plan for selected educators to take on leadership responsibilities related to fine arts professional learning and curriculum work during summer 2027 and/or the 2027-2028 school year. Before submitting names, divisions should notify each educator of their nomination for the program and verify availability.
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School Nutrition
2026 Virginia Farm to School and Directors Conference: Call for Proposals and Event Registration
Article: 2026-22-255 Audience: School Nutrition Program Directors and Staff, Community Child Nutrition Sponsors Contact: Bee Thorp, VDOE-SCNP Local Food Systems Coordinator, Brittany.Thorp@doe.virginia.gov
This dynamic educational event convenes Virginia school and community nutrition program operators, producers, distributors, nonprofit organizations, and other farm to school stakeholders for program capacity building and networking sessions. The Pre-Conference Site Visits on September 21 and the Virginia Farm to School Conference on September 22 are open to the public. The Directors Conference on September 23 is open to child nutrition leadership only.
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