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October 2024

• HAPPY October!
• THEME MONTH: Graduation and Pathway Preparation
• TRAINING - Continuous Improvement Webinar Series: SMARTIE Goals
• REMINDER: Accessing Basecamp
• 2024-25 Theme Calendar
• GRANTS: OSSI Grant Applications Due October 31
• GRANTS: Community Member Stipends
• SY2024-25 Grant Reminders
• Cycle 3 - 2024-25 Continuous School Improvement Schedule of Activities
• RECORDING: New Director Orientation
• CERTIFICATION: Renewal Process Update
• RESOURCE: First 100 Days of MTSS Guide
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Graduation Equity Webinar Series
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Listen & Learn Sessions
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Authentic Family Engagement Modules Road Show
• Regional Supports Teams
• OSSI Continuous Improvement Team

HAPPY October!

Welcome to the October 2024 Continuous Improvement Newsletter.  In this monthly newsletter, you can find theme month resources, announcements, grant information, reminders, and contact information for Coordinated Support Team (CST) member including Continuous Improvement Partners (CIPs), ESD leads, and the Continuous Improvement team at OSPI.

THEME MONTH: Graduation and Pathway Preparation

The October Resource Toolkit builds on the focus of Graduation Pathways from the May Resource Toolkit and dives deeper into fine tuning Graduation and Pathway Preparation in particular for school systems growth to support identified student groups. Supporting students, in particular multi-lingual Learners and students identified with disabilities, with viable plans for education tailored for post-secondary success is a necessary facet of school improvement plan development. Students are most successful in pathways, even those that they find difficult, if they find the work valuable for post-secondary options. By viewing a school’s course options not just as an alignment by subject but by how an LEA is arranged vertically by program from elementary through post-secondary, supports a student’s ability to be successful, graduate and achieve increased success through their scholastic career. In turn, this assists and supports an identified school with their goals for improvement.  

TRAINING - Continuous Improvement Webinar Series: SMARTIE Goals

Need some guidance on Continuous Improvement (CI) topics? The Continuous Improvement team will be hosting a series of webinars to assist our schools and districts in CI tasks. Webinars will cover topics such as: Writing SMARTIE goals MTSS Implementation Comprehensive Needs Assessments And more... We will also be posting webinar recordings onto Canvas with additional resources.  Our first month's recording and resources are available now for writing SMARTIE goals. To sign up and join the Canvas course to receive the materials, you can click on the link below: https://waesd.instructure.com/enroll/J79EBR. Or you can sign up at https://waesd.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: J79EBR OFFICE HOURS: To support our Webinar learning series, we will be hosting open office hours on this month's topic: SMARTIE Goals October 10, 2024  3:30-4:20PM Join us here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84652303606 Future Webinar Office Hours:  November 21, 2024, 3:30-4:20PM December 19, 2024, 3:30-4:20PM January 16, 2025, 3:30-4:20PM February 13, 2025, 3:30-4:20PM March 13, 2025, 3:30-4:20PM April 17, 2025, 3:30-4:20PM May 15, 2025, 3:30-4:20PM For any questions or concerns, please contact Roger A. Rich, Jr., Continuous Improvement Network Program Supervisor.

REMINDER: Accessing Basecamp

As a reminder, SY2024-25 marks the start of the final transition from SharePoint to Basecamp. School Improvement Plans and Progress Monitoring documents will no longer be uploaded to SharePoint and will now be uploaded to Basecamp for review and storage. All documents previously uploaded to SharePoint are already available on Basecamp.

To request access to Basecamp, please fill out the District/School Contact Form. Once you are granted access, you will receive an email from Basecamp to assist you in setting up your profile. For instructions on locating your district and school folders, refer to the Accessing Basecamp instruction sheet on the Continuous School Improvement Resources webpage.

For any questions or concerns about Basecamp, contact Erica Olivera, Continuous Improvement Program Specialist.

2024-25 Theme Calendar

Each month for the 2024-25 school year we will be focusing and highlighting a content theme that is aligned with supporting continuous school improvement (see below for the theme calendar). We will be featuring articles and resources aligned with the theme in our monthly newsletter and we will be providing monthly resource toolkits to supplement and support the monthly theme.

GRANTS: OSSI Grant Applications Due October 31

Initial applications for Office of System and School Improvement (OSSI) grants for SY24-25 are due on Thursday, October 31 at 5 PM. No new applications will be accepted after this deadline. All applications must be submitted to EGMS. All Tier 3/3 Plus schools should have their School Improvement Plans (SIPs) submitted to their school folder on Basecamp by this time but be sure that your SIP is also attached to your application. If you need guidance on using EGMS, please refer to the trainings and resources on the Continuous School Improvement Resources webpage and click on the tab "OSSI Grants and Fiscal Guidance". Guidance materials include: OSSI Grants Application Guide OSSI Grants Fact Sheet 2024-25 OSSI Grant Office Hours and Support EGMS Resources & Guides For questions, please contact Akiva Erezim, Program Supervisor of Continuous Improvement - Grants.

GRANTS: Community Member Stipends

It has been a question from many if community members can receive stipends for their time using OSSI funds for cultural work or contributions. With OSSI funds, we may not provide stipends, unless federal/state/local procurement and purchasing statutes/regulations are followed.

This would mean following all necessary procedures of fair bidding, request for procurement/request for qualifications, or contracting laws/rules. There would need to be a written agreement with clear deliverables aligned to Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs). The standard of evidence is high, as any pursuit to use these funds to compensate donated services or such similar contributions outside a business arrangement can be perceived as “gifting” (CFR § 200.434).

Please, reach out to Akiva Erezim if you have any questions.

SY2024-25 Grant Reminders

Funding Amounts and Eligibility for SY24-25 Funding amounts and eligibility are now available on the CI Resources webpage via the OSSI Form Packages and Eligible Grantees List. All OSSI form packages will be in the Education Grant Management System (EGMS) for SY24-25. Deadlines The initial deadline for SY24-25 grant applications is: October 31st, 2024 @ 5:00PM. No new applications will be accepted after this date. The final deadline when all finalizable/approvable materials must be submitted is: December 15th, 2024 @ 5:00PM. No additional revisions to initial applications will be accepted after this date. Grants Information and Guidance The following information documents are available via our CI Resources webpage to assist you with OSSI grants application and management processes. Please refer to these documents moving forward when working through the OSSI grants application process. OSSI Grants Fact Sheet 2024-25 OSSI Form Packages and Eligible Grantees List 2024-25 OSSI Grants Application Guide OSSI Grants Allowable Activities OSSI Grants Definitions of Allowable Activities OSSI Grants Prohibited Expenditures List OSSI Grant Office Hours and Support For schools that need technical assistance with EGMS, we are continuing our office hours. Please refer to the OSSI Grant Office Hours and Support document above for Zoom access.

Cycle 3 - 2024-25 Continuous School Improvement Schedule of Activities

Calendar: Schedule of Events   Fall 2024 August/September/October 2024 - Fall Outreaches ESD / Date: 101: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 105: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 112: Monday, August 9, 2024 113: Monday, August 12, 2024 114: Thursday, September 5, 2024 121: Thursday, September 19, 2024 123: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 171: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 189: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Please contact your ESD Lead (see contact information below) for Outreach attendance. October 31, 2024: OSSI Grants: SAS and Initial Application Due                                    Please submit your initial grant application onto EGMS by or before October 31. No new applications will be accepted after this date. December 15, 2024: OSSI Grants: Application Revisions Due                              Please submit your grant application revisions onto EGMS by or before December 15. No revisions to initial applications will be accepted after this date. The Cycle 3- 2024-25 Continuous School Improvement Schedule of Activities is a year-at-a-glance schedule for schools and districts on the events and deadlines for the 2024-25 school year.

RECORDING: New Director Orientation

Last month, OSPI offered a New Director Orientation with representatives from each of our Title programs (including Title I 1003 School Improvement). Target Audience: Start the new year right! This session is designed for directors who are new to their roles in Categorical Programs, or those who would like a refresher, to ensure a confident start of the school year. Objective: Understand start-of-the-year key requirements for each program. Learn about crucial submission and compliance deadlines. Prepare for important upcoming meetings and events. Additionally, directors will acquire resources, network with peers, receive guidance from other former new directors, and can consult with program experts. Programs Participating: Title I, Part A (Closing Educational Achievement Gaps) Title I 1003 School Improvement OSSI Title I, Part C (Migrant Education) Title II, Part A (Improving Teacher/Principal Quality) Title III (Multilingual Education) Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Achievement) Title V, Part B (Rural Education Initiative) REAP and RLIS Learning Assistance Program (LAP) Equitable Services in Federal Programs If you missed the New Director Orientation webinar in August or would like to review the content, the webinar has been uploaded to the waOSPI YouTube channel. You can click here to view the training.

CERTIFICATION: Renewal Process Update

This is a courtesy announcement from the OSPI Professional Certification Department to inform school district Human Resource (HR) staff and Administrators that educators must now apply to renew their certificates on or before January 1, 2025, if those educators have a certificate expiring on June 30, 2025.

Your district may have educators who have certificates expiring at the end of this current school year. Due to a change in renewal processes, adopted by the Professional Educator Standards Board, educators must now apply to renew their certificate six months prior to the expiration date listed on their certificate. Any application to renew a certificate submitted on January 2 or after, will be considered late.

Due to the significance of this process change, PESB and OSPI’s Certification Department have decided to not begin charging late fees for applications until January 2, 2030, so that all educators who hold a current certificate will not be charged a late fee for this first renewal cycle, even if they apply late.

Applying late will still have an impact on the educator however, as those educators will not be able to start counting clock hours for their next renewal until after their next certificate is issued. With this being the case, the Certification Department strongly advises all educators to apply to renew on time, if at all possible.

How Districts Can Support:

1. Run the certificate expiration report for your district to identify your educators’ certificate status using 6-30-2025 as the expiration date. This report will show all certificates with an expiration date of 6-30-2025.  

• Check for those with no application submission noted to determine if an application is needed. Disregard those educators who already have a renewal application on file or who have already been issued another certificate.

2. Notify educators who have a valid certificate and have yet to apply to renew their certificate. 

• Instruct these educators to submit an application to renew as soon as they have completed all certificate renewal requirements.
• Inform these educators that if they do not submit their renewal application on or before January 1, 2025, then their application will be considered late and they will begin to receive late notices from OSPI.
• Late applications WILL NOT be charged a late fee until January 2, 2030.

RESOURCE: First 100 Days of MTSS Guide

The First 100 Days of MTSS Guide from Branching Minds provides a framework for education leaders to follow during the first 100 of MTSS. This guide provides steps
and resources to help leaders gauge their practice and understand where their MTSS practice may be lacking.

This guide will cover each step along the way to help leaders ensure that their MTSS framework is built upon a solid foundation. Resources have been included in each segment to provide more information to share with MTSS and school teams.

For more resources or guidance from Branching Minds, feel free to schedule a call with Melissa Shotts.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Graduation Equity Webinar Series

Graduation Equity Webinars were designed for leadership teams to highlight best practices with strategic real practitioner examples and help growth minded education leaders and advocates to learn from Washington districts who are doing innovative work. Using OSPI data and experience from practitioners, Graduation Equity Webinars reveal the systems that drive success with an equity focus and key strategies that are getting students to graduation.

Click here to register for webinar series

If you can't make it, we post all our videos on the OSPI YouTube Channel - Check out our playlist! Subscribe by clicking on the bell to get alerts for videos as we post them.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Listen & Learn Sessions

This September and October, OSPI is hosting a series of Listen & Learn sessions for staff, families and community partners at each of our 9 regional ESDs.  During these events, participants will learn the who, what, why, when and how about the upcoming statewide transition to a universal High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) platform beginning in Fall 2025 and have opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions. 

Morning and early afternoon sessions are designed for staff and educational or community partners; the late afternoon/evening sessions are for students, families and community members. Registration is required for all participants, including students and families. Everyone can sign up for the session that best fits their role using this HSBP Listen & Learn Registration Link or the QR code on the flyer.  Please share this flyer and information with your staff, students, families and community partners and encourage them to attend!  

For those unable to make the in-person event, there are virtual session options available on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. Again, participants can use the same HSBP Listen & Learn Registration Link or QR code on the flyer to sign up for one of the virtual Listen & Learn sessions to learn more and get their questions answered. We look forward to learning from everyone and using that feedback to inform our support for this upcoming statewide transition!

Listen & Learn Session Agenda (Subject to 

• Why a Universal Platform?
• Historical Context of the HSBP
• Universal Platform ~ Vision & Timeline
• SchooLinks Partnership/Platform (brief demo of platform)
• Planning/Preparation for Implementation
• How We’re Engaging Our Customers
• Feedback Survey  
• Q&A

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Authentic Family Engagement Modules Road Show

In-Person 2-hour Workshop Select from Morning or Afternoon Session Register in PdEnroller (see table below; NOTE: links for the last three modules are not available at this time) Target Audience Parent-facing staff such as School Team Leaders, Principals, Assistant Principals, Family Engagement Coordinators, Family Engagement Liaisons, Federal Program Coordinators, Migrant Coordinators, School Community-based Partners Objective Present the Authentic Family & Community Engagement Modules, examining strategies for removing barriers and building bridges using three of the modules. Demonstrate how this resource aligns with federal family and community engagement requirements and provide participants with a complimentary resource. For questions about the road show, please contact: Title1a@k12.wa.us Date Time Location/Format Tuesday, October 10, 2024 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 1:30-3:30 PM ESD 112 Room: Clark, Pacific, Skamania, Klickitat Tuesday, October 29, 2024 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 1:30-3:30 PM ESD 123 Wednesday, October 30, 2024 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 1:30-3:30 PM ESD 105 Room: Maggie Perez Lower Level Tuesday, November 5, 2024 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 1:30-3:30 PM ESD 101 Room: Panorama and By-County Thursday, January 16, 2025 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 2-4 PM Virtual Only Thursday, January 23, 2025 PdEnroller Registration 9-11 AM 1:30-3:30 PM ESD 121 Room: Cedar & Duwamish

Regional Supports Teams

Below are the regional supports by Educational Support District (ESD) for 2024-25:     ESD 101 ESD Lead: Erik Wolfrum Continuous Improvement Partners Monica Hulubei Piergallini Jake Rodgers ESD 105 ESD Lead: Darcie Jamieson Continuous Improvement Partners Ruth Beggs Sue Ann Bube ESD 112 ESD Lead: Kathy Whitlock     Continuous Improvement Partners Kate Stetzner Samara Gilroy-Hicks ESD 113 ESD Lead: Russell Rice      Continuous Improvement Partners Hugh Flint Michelle Kagan Gaines ESD 114 ESD Lead: Mona Johnson Continuous Improvement Partners Hugh Flint Michelle Kagan Gaines ESD 121 ESD Lead: Anthony Brown      Continuous Improvement Partners Conrad Hurdle Hannah Gbenro Christy Bowman-White Catherine Brown Dedy Fauntleroy ESD 123 ESD Lead: Molly Hamaker-Teals  Continuous Improvement Partners Kathryn Page Christine Clem ESD 171 ESD Lead: Ashely Goetz Continuous Improvement Partner Carrie Sorensen ESD 189 ESD Lead: Gayle Every  Continuous Improvement Partners Gloria Mitchell Manuhuia Barcham LaShae Lee Mike Olson

OSSI Continuous Improvement Team

Liza Hartlyn, Director of Continuous Improvement and Student Support liza.hartlyn@k12.wa.us, (360) 870-4832 Jim Burlingame, Continuous School Improvement Administrative Assistant 3 jim.burlingame@k12.wa.us, (564) 999-0064 Mary Neal, Continuous Improvement Partner Support Program Supervisor mary.neal@k12.wa.us, (360) 764-0198 Ellen Zito, Continuous Improvement Systems Processes Program Supervisor ellen.zito@k12.wa.us, (360) 972-4784 Akiva Erezim, Continuous Improvement Program Supervisor – Grants akiva.erezim@k12.wa.us, (360) 464-0147 Erica Olivera, Continuous Improvement Program Specialist erica.olivera@k12.wa.us, (360) 725-4468 Roger A. Rich, Jr., Continuous Improvement Network Program Supervisor  roger.rich@k12.wa.us, (564) 233-1565