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LEA Look Forward for May 14 - 21, 2015

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Let us know what you think about the new design. Email [email protected] with your feedback.

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PDF Version

DC Free Summer Meals

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District Highlights

Important Dates and Deadlines

Dates

>>>View the OSSE Calendar

Deadlines

Announcements

New

DC Science Assessment: Webinars, Manual, & Other Resources

As you know, the DC Science Assessment window this year begins on May 18, 2015 and ends on June 19, 2015. On May 11-12, 2015, OSSE hosted two webinars to support LEAs and schools prepare for administration of this year’s DC Science Assessment.  The webinars are archived on the DC Science Assessment website.

OSSE has also developed a 2014-2015 Science Assessment Manual to support this year’s test administration, also available on the same site.

You can stay up-to-date on the DC Science Assessment on the DC Science Assessment Website.  This site includes everything you will need to successfully administer the assessment, including an Accommodations Crosswalk, Field Test Guideline, PearsonAccess Next Training Module, and more.

For more information, visit osse.dc.gov or contact [email protected].

Preparing for End of the NCSC Test Administration Window

The NCSC administration window will close on Friday, May 15, 2015, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The NCSC Assessment System will be taken offline, so LEAs must complete all assessment activities by that time. School Test Administrators should contact their LEA Coordinators with questions and/or concerns. For additional support, please email [email protected].

Now Accepting Applications for the Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program

OSSE is excited to introduce a new opportunity for high school students to access funding for college. The Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides last-dollar funding support for DC students attending select institutions of higher education in the region. For the first time, eligible students must complete an online application to apply. Awards are available up to $4,000 and can be used toward tuition and fees.  We encourage you to share this funding opportunity with students who may be eligible, and to assist them in completing an application. The application is available on OSSE’s website.

For questions, please contact Amelia Hogan.

The DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey Administration is Approaching!

During the fall of school year 2015-2016, OSSE will be conducting the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) within all public middle and high schools throughout the District of Columbia. The YRBS is a tool designed to monitor “health-risk” behaviors, or behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and social problems among youth and adults in the U.S. Key health-risk behaviors include: unintentional injuries and violence, sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and inadequate physical activity. The YRBS data collection also monitors two health outcomes: obesity and asthma.

Through the collection of reported data, the YRBS allows for local, national, and, at times, international analysis related to trends in youth sexual behavior within the United States, including critical health issues and their status over time. More information about the contents of YRBS can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

The YRBS is a survey, structured in questionnaire format that is administered to students in schools, during one 45-minute class period. In the District of Columbia, the survey is conducted biennially, usually during the fall.

In the coming weeks, OSSE and/or its contractor, ICF International, will be reaching out to all LEAs serving middle and high school grades regarding the identification of dates and times to conduct the YRBS.   
 
For additional information, contact Julie Lane at (202) 481-3939.

NEW SESSION ADDED! DC Free Summer Meals Program Informational

Are you hosting a summer program for young children and teens?  Do you provide meals? Would you like to receive reimbursement for the meals you serve or receive free meals? If you answered yes to these questions; come join us at the DC Free Summer Meals Program Informational Session!

These informational sessions are designed for new organizations to learn about the DC Free Summer Meals Program and how to become a sponsor or a site in the Program. The DC Free Summer Meals Informational Sessions are open to non-profit organizations including, community based organizations, summer camps, afterschool programs, schools, churches, or any other type of organization that will have summer programming for children and/or are interested in serving free meals to low-income children this summer. We hope you will be able to attend!

Date:                           Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Time:                            9:30 a.m.–11 a.m.

Location:                    Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) 810 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Room: 4012

For further information, please contact Elisabeth Sweeting at (202) 368-3009.

Register your attendance

OSSE Summer School Data Collection (SY14/15)

For Summer School 14/15, OSSE will collect student demographic and enrollment data for the sole purpose of providing summer school enrollment data to DC One Card for student transportation.

To ensure access to this QuickBase application, please provide the name and email of staff that will manage summer school enrollment by Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

Attached is the Summer School 14/15 Roster Collection template. The roster must be uploaded in this format in order to populate the application with the student data.

The Summer School 14/15 Student Roster Collection QuickBase application will be available to LEAs beginning Friday, May 15, 2015. LEAs will have the ability to upload a summer school roster file through June 1, 2015. At this point, LEAs will need to manually make changes to the summer school roster within the application.

If rosters are not uploaded by June 1, 2015, LEAs will have to manually enter their students in the QuickBase Application.

Please send all questions and replies to [email protected].

Reminders

NPEFS/F-33 Survey Submission

The National Public Education Financial Survey (NPEFS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s annual collection of the nation’s public elementary and secondary school financial data. Data is used to calculate the State Per Pupil Expenditure (SPPE), which is used for Title I and other allocations.  If you received federal funds in FY 2014, you are required to fill out the survey.  Please send completed surveys to: Ometta Riggins no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015.

EGMS Performance Measures Survey

OSSE wants your feedback!  Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) represents a big investment for all of us and in the spirit of continuous improvement and user satisfaction, we have established three performance indicators that we will measure periodically to track progress:

  • With EGMS, grant applications are a straightforward process.
  • With EGMS, my agency/organization receives grant reimbursement on time (within 30 days of an approved invoice).
  • My agency/organization is using EGMS to support improvement in grant implementation and outcomes.

Share your thoughts on these indicators.  As you can see the survey is very brief and can be completed in just a couple of minutes. Please complete your survey by Friday, May 15, close of business.

Professional Development

New

Homelessness & Special Populations: A Professional Development Training for LEA Homeless Liaisons

Children and youth experiencing homelessness face a variety of challenges.  Homeless children and youth are even more vulnerable and have to overcome even greater challenges if they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth, are parenting, or are victims of sexual exploitation or human trafficking.

The Homeless Education Program, under the Division of Elementary, Secondary and Specialized Education, will host Homelessness & Special Populations: A Professional Development Training for LEA Homeless Liaisons on June 1, 2015, from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor (Grand Hall A/B). The training will provide homeless liaisons with insight and resources for supporting children and youth from these particular special populations.

Limited seating is available, so we request that no more than two representatives from each LEA register to attend.

Register

For questions, contact Nicole Lee-Mwandha.

Reminders

Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index Tool: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide Workshop (Free On-Demand Webinar)

The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide is an online free self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs.

This free on-demand webinar provides a school with a general overview of what SHI is, its purpose, and why it is used. Participants who complete this workshop will receive additional information on how to access resources and support for implementation.

Duration: Approximately 16 minutes

Register

For more information, contact The Health Education Team.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

This training is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. Participants will receive 8 Personal Learning Units.

Presenter:         Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)

Date:                  May 28, July 27, August 10, September 9, October 7, November 18, December 9

Time:                  8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location:           OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall or Room 806 (email will be sent)

Register

LEA Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Webinar

OSSE hosts a monthly webinar for all LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SE POCs) to ensure that schools are informed about relevant policies and procedures that support best practice in special education.  The next broadcast will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015, from 10 a.m.–11 a.m.  Various topics will be discussed, including:

  • SEDS updates and alerts
  • The release of new OSSE special education policies
  • OSSE Support Tool updates
  • Data quality, including enrollment, records transfers, compliance reports, etc.
  • Training tips
  • Resources and announcements

Presenter:          OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education

Date:                    Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Time:                   10 a.m.–11 a.m.

Register

Funding Opportunities

New

NOFA Release for DC Physical Education and Health Education

OSSE is excited to release the Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFA) for the District of Columbia Physical Education and Health Education (PEHE) grant. The purpose of this grant is to increase the capacity of District of Columbia public elementary schools and public charter elementary schools to provide 150 minutes of weekly physical education and 75 minutes of weekly health education (as required by the Healthy Schools Act) to all K-5 students during school years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. The full NOFA can be accessed here. The Request for Applications (RFA) and application will be available on May 15, 2015. The RFA will be available here and the application will be available here. The deadline to apply for the DC PEHE grant is June 26, 2015. Please contact Katie Lantuh for additional information.

McKinney-Vento (MKV) Homeless Education Assistance Act Grant

OSSE invites local educational agencies (LEAs) to apply for federal funding for the MKV Homeless Education Assistance Act Grant.  The intent of the grant is to facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and school success of homeless children and youth.  LEAs in the District of Columbia that are serving homeless students are eligible to apply.  The Request for Applications (RFAs) will be uploaded to the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) and the applicants must submit applications via the EGMS.  To apply for funding, please login to the EGMS on or after May 18, 2015. The deadline for submitting the MKV applications is 11:59 p.m. on June 26, 2015.  This funding is authorized by Section 726 of Title VII Subtitle B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by Public Law 107-110.

Link:  Webinar Registration

Contact:  OSSE Transitory Service

Reminder

Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act Requests for Applications Now Available

OSSE is pleased to announce that the Requests for Applications (RFAs) for FFY2014 SOAR Act Funding are now available at osse.dc.gov.

For more information, please contact Katherine Cox.

Events

Reminders

Strawberries & Salad Greens Day

Strawberries & Salad Greens Day is an annual event that celebrates seasonality and the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables as part of the school meal program. Each year, schools and food service companies purchase strawberries and a variety of salad greens from local farms to incorporate into the school breakfast, lunch or supper meals. In addition, schools set-up ‘education stations’ in the cafeteria that teach students what it means to ‘buy local’ and how strawberries and lettuce plants grow in the ground to help make the connection to the foods they are seeing on their tray. If your school plans on participating in this event, please click here to register. For more information, visit http://osse.dc.gov/service/strawberries-salad-greens-day.

  • Date                              Wednesday, May 20, 2015
  • Link                               Register for the event
  • Contact                        For further information, please contact: Erica Walther at (202) 442 – 8940 or [email protected].

2nd Annual DC Secondary Transition Institute

Did you know that secondary transition planning for students with disabilities is a federal requirement?  Did you know that compliance with this requirement is a priority improvement area for DC? The DC Secondary Transition Institute provides an opportunity for educators to receive resources and support that will assist schools in meeting IDEA secondary transition requirements and improving postsecondary outcomes for transition-aged youth (ages 14 to 22) with disabilities.

Participants in the DC Secondary Transition Institute will:

  • Receive information on how to increase student involvement in the transition planning process;
  • Learn how to foster interagency collaboration; and,
  • Develop a school-based strategic plan for improving secondary transition compliance and program quality.

Participating LEAs/schools are encouraged to register as teams, rather than as individuals, by May 26, 2015. Please see the event Web page for more details or contact Naté Dearden.

Registration Open! Federal Grants Management Conference

OSSE is pleased to announce the opening of registration for its annual Federal Grants Management Conference. The conference, sponsored by OSSE’s Office of Grants Management and Compliance (OGMC), will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2015, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Gallaudet University.         

The conference will address issues related to:

  • the federal grants management process;
  • available funding opportunities and resources;
  • basic grants management; and
  • procurement.

These topics and more will be discussed during the conference.

Date:  Thursday, June 4, 2015, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Gallaudet University - 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002

For further information about the conference, please contact Angela Clemons.

Register