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Mayor Vincent C. Gray, State Superintendent of Education Jesús Aguirre, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Beatriz “BB” Otero, and Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning Elizabeth Groginsky Celebrate Infant & Toddler Education Expansion
District Highlights
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Save the Date: 5th Annual Postsecondary & Career Education Conference
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DCSAA Class A & AA Football Semifinals (See Events Calendar)
Important Dates and Deadlines to Remember
Dates
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12/3: DCSAA All Day Workshop: "Title IX: Equity and Sexual Misconduct in Athletics"
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12/15: Launch: My School DC Application Period for SY 2015-16
Deadlines
Announcements
New
At Watkins Elementary School, Kids Love Kale
A question for all you parents out there: Are your kids still working their way through a pile of Halloween candy?
Maybe you have even confiscated some to give back as a reward for eating the healthy, green things they don't like. Things like...kale.
Well, imagine an alternate universe, where kids talk about kale as if it is candy.
Welcome to Watkins Elementary in Washington, DC!
Read more about Why Watkins Elementary School Kids Love Kale
November 7, 2014, “It Takes a City!” LEA Institute Inaugural Event: OSSE Appreciation and Next Steps
OSSE appreciates the full engagement of LEA staff and agency partners in its recent inaugural LEA Institute on Friday, November 7, 2014. It was an important "one-city" dialogue about supporting children in DC. To make sure we sustain the momentum and learn as much as possible from the experience, we are asking attendees to complete a brief survey regarding what worked well and what suggestions you have moving forward.
OSSE is taking the following steps designed to support the work:
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We have posted all of the session presentations.
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We are compiling a brief agency resource guide for parents and school staff, which we will circulate next month.
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We are compiling recommendations from the "deep dive" sessions and will share notes with participants regarding 60-day action steps. We will share these within the next two weeks.
Thank you again for your commitment to serving DC’s children. We look forward to continuing the work!
New Combined Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice on Effective Communication for Students with Disabilities
Periodically, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) releases guidance to States and LEAs on a variety of topics, including the proper implementation of special education and related services for students with disabilities under the IDEA.
On November 12, 2014, the DOE and the U.S. Department of Justice released combined guidance which discusses communication issues to consider for students with hearing, vision, and speech disabilities under the IDEA and Title II of the ADA.
The Rights of Undocumented and/or Unaccompanied Students
Under federal law, DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools are required to provide all children with equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level. It is important to ensure that student enrollment practices do not discourage the participation, or lead to the exclusion, of students based on their or their parents’, guardians’, or primary caregivers’ actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Policies and practices that discourage the enrollment of undocumented students are in violation of federal law. To ensure that student’s undocumented status does not become an enrollment barrier, LEAs are encouraged to:
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Ensure that enrollment practices do not pressure unaccompanied children and youth to identify an alternate caregiver.
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Share information about the rights of students who are undocumented and those who are homeless.
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Collaborate with youth-serving agencies in your community.
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Help youth navigate higher education admissions and financial aid.
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Ensure that school policies do not assume that all students have lawful immigration status.
Please keep in mind that some students may not have or be able to obtain standard immigration documents when planning school activities, such as vocational programs, voter registration events or field trips requiring identification.
For more detailed guidance, please access the documents provided in the following links:
U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education: School Enrollment Procedures Memo
Administration of Children and Families: Unaccompanied Children Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Guidance Regarding Graduation Fees for Students in Transitory Housing
OSSE encourages high schools to unbundle graduation costs so that homeless students and students with limited financial resources have the opportunity to participate in graduation exercises. High mobility, trauma, and poverty associated with homelessness create unique educational barriers and challenges that may prevent homeless students from participating in graduation activities when there are associated fees.
OSSE strongly encourages you to ensure that homeless students are not prevented from participating in these activities because they cannot pay these fees. Timelines, graduation fees, required parental signatures, bundled graduation costs, transportation costs and other local policies should be closely reviewed and revised to eliminate any negative impact on homeless students’ ability to participate in graduation. Federal funds can be used to cover some costs associated with graduation.
For detailed guidance, please visit OSSE’s webpage for Homeless Youth Graduation Guidance.
Schools and Early Care and Education (ECE) Centers: Please Share Information Below with Parents and Guardians
Physical activity is an important aspect of leading a healthy lifestyle and the lack of physical activity has been identified as a public health concern for children and youth in the District of Columbia. This needs assessment was designed in order to evaluate the knowledge base and needs of families regarding physical activity in their children’s school/center, community, and home. The responses to this questionnaire will be used to determine knowledge gaps and ways to increase physical activity among children, adolescents, and within their families. All questions and answers are anonymous and contain no identifying information.
Please answer the questions completely and honestly and return by December 3, 2014. Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.
For questions and inquiries please email [email protected].
Physical Activity Survey Links:
For Parents/Guardians with children at Early Care and Education (ECE) Centers
For Parents/Guardians with children at Schools (k-12)
OSSE Requests Nominations for Early Childhood Education Multi-State Study
OSSE is requesting nominations for Early Childhood Education teachers, Instructional Coaches and Master Educators to participate in a multi-state standard setting panel to recommend a minimum passing score on the Early Childhood Education licensure exam. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) will facilitate two multi-state standard setting panels for the Early Childhood Education exam that will meet on February 9-10 and February 12-13, 2015 on the ETS campus in Princeton, NJ. ETS will issue a Professional Development Certificate to each standard setting participant, and will pay for travel, lodging and meals. Teacher nominees must have 3 to 10 years of experience and an Early Childhood Education license from OSSE. If you would like to nominate a teacher or coach/mentor to participate, please submit the nominee’s name, school, daytime contact number, and email address to Kadena Duncan-Lawrence. Self-nominations are acceptable.
Data, Accountability, Assessment and Research (DAAR)
New
Healthy Schools Act (HSA) School Health Profile Data Collection for 2014-2015
The Healthy Schools Act (HSA) School Health Profile collection has been added to the OSSE LEA Data Collection Calendar for School Year 2014-2015. Access the OSSE LEA Data Collection Calendar in Statewide Longitudinal Education Data system (SLED.)
For questions about the HSA School Health Profile collection, please email [email protected].
Funding Opportunities
New
DC School Garden Grant (SGG)
OSSE’s Division of Wellness and Nutrition Services is soliciting grant applications for the DC School Garden Grant (SGG) as mandated by the Healthy Schools Act (HSA) of 2010 (DC Law 18-209). The purpose of this grant is to increase the capacity and scope of DC school gardens as educational resources.
Eligibility: OSSE will accept applications from DC public schools and public charter schools participating in the HSA in partnership with DC-based school garden or farm to school focused organizations with 501(c) 3 status. OSSE will accept 1 application per school campus, however an organization may submit up to 4 applications with 4 different schools. Schools that have been awarded 3 or more SGG awards within the past 5 years are not eligible.
Length of Award: The grant award period will be one year. Grant activities must take place between March 2, 2015 and March 1, 2016.
Available Funding for Award: The total funding available for this award period is $300,000. Applicants may apply for an award amount of up to $15,000 to fund new and active school garden/farm to school programs.
Application Submission Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2015
The RFA and all supporting documents will be available November 21, 2014 on the OSSE Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) portal.
Request For Applications for the 2015 CTE Certification Program
OSSE Postsecondary and Career Education Division invites the submission of applications for funding for the CTE Certification Program. The purpose of this grant is to support eligible LEAs and the University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC) with full or subsidized payments for certification exams within Priority Career Sectors in DC as identified in the CTE Strategic Plan.
For questions, contact Simone García or call (202) 727-4312.
2015 Schools Technology Fund Application Now Open
The 2015 Schools Technology Fund application is now open in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). The fund is treated like a formula grant and is distributed to Local Education Agencies that participated in the 13-14 Annual Enrollment Audit. The funds are to be used to enhance technology in DC Public and Public Charter schools to support next generation assessments.
For questions and inquiries contact by email Matthew Brownlee
Notice of Funding Availability: State System of Support Best Practices Grant
OSSE is soliciting grant applications from District of Columbia public schools that have successfully implemented academic improvement strategies and are willing to partner with other schools to disseminate and support the replication of these practices. This grant opportunity is a component of OSSE’s State System of Support (“SSOS”), which based on the delivery of data-driven, targeted technical assistance that in ways that are meaningful and relevant to school needs. Under this system, OSSE seeks to promote partnerships between schools to address common challenges through the identification of best practices worthy of replication. The purpose of the grant is to reward schools for implementing best and promising practices, to foster innovation through the dissemination of these practices, and to provide funding to build effective relationships between higher-performing schools and schools in need of appropriate supports aimed at raising student achievement. Grantees will be required to partner with at least one school in Priority or Focus status. The Request for Application is expected to be available on the OSSE website on December 1, 2014.
For more details, including eligibility requirements and funding priorities, please see the full Notice of Funding Availability currently available on the OSSE website.
Revised Release date for Mathematics and Science Partnership FY2015 RFA in EGMS
The date for release of the RFA for the Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) competitive has shifted. The revised date is Monday, December 8, 2014. Please be sure to register for the Pre-Application Conference on December 4, 2014 at 2:00pm at OSSE headquarters using the link below. The due date for application submission will be revised as well to allow additional time. The due date will be finalized at the Pre-Application Conference.
Professional Development
New
The Nuts and Bolts of Secondary Transition
Educators who understand the basics of transition planning have increased abilities to develop realistic postsecondary goals, provide individualized transition services, and maintain overall Indicator 13 compliance. This introductory training will provide a brief overview of the foundational theories that guide quality transition planning. Participants will learn about secondary transition (a) best practices, (b) legal requirements, (c) tips for creating compliant secondary transition plans, and (d) how to capture this information within SEDS (Special Education Data System). Additionally, participants will receive information about interagency collaboration and become familiar with resources that can support transition plan development and implementation.
Presenter: OSSE
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE 8th Floor Room 806 A & B, 810 First St. NE, Washington DC
Early Learning Foundations Day 4 (Morning): Nutrition for Early Learners
This highly interactive training will provide participants with an understanding of the fundamentals of the District of Columbia Common Core Early Learning Standards (DC CCELS) in order to use the standards to build a foundation for high quality care and education for all children from birth to pre-kindergarten. The training will use group discussions, hands-on activities, and video clips to allow participants to explore the components and structure of the DC CCELS and develop an understanding of the beginning stages of effective implementation.
Presenter: OSSE
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2014
Time: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE 8th Floor Room 806, 810 First St. NE, Washington DC
Early Learning Foundations Day 4 (Afternoon): Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Participants will learn ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in child care settings, and will learn how to communicate with parents, and other caregivers about safe sleep practices.
Presenter: OSSE
Date: Friday, December 5, 2014
Time: 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
Location: OSSE 8th Floor Room 806, 810 First St. NE, Washington DC
Early Childhood Leadership Seminar II: Roadmap for Human Capital Challenges
A human capital plan supports the development of a highly effective, performance-based organization through recruiting, acquiring, motivating and rewarding a top performing workforce. Develop a vision and strategically plan to positively integrate and build human capital.
Presenter: OSSE
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.–Noon
Location: OSSE 4th Floor Room 4002, 810 First St. NE, Washington DC
Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) Curriculum Training
OSSE Wellness and Nutrition Services Health Education Team (HET) will be hosting Day 2 of the SPARK curriculum training. SPARK strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students.
SPARK Physical Education (P.E.) is a two day physical activity based training. Day 1 of the training was held on October 15, 2014. We are currently accepting responses on preferred dates to host Day 2. The training will be held within the Raymond Recreation Center 3725 10th St. NW, Washington, DC.
Complete the Pre-K to 8 New Trainer Training Date Request Form form at http://adobe.ly/1wUtb4T.
For questions and inquiries, please contact [email protected].
Events
New
Join OSSE at the My School DC EdFest (DC Citywide Public School Fair)
OSSE will participate in EdFEST on Saturday, November 22, 2014, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at the DC Armory. Visit OSSE at Booth 2006.
OSSE representatives will be onsite to familiarize parents, students and stakeholders with OSSE programs and resources. OSSE will also showcase LearnDC.org. Admission is free!
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2014
Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol St SE Washington, DC 20003
Transportation:
Metro Station: Stadium – Armory (Orange / Blue / Silver lines)
Metro Bus: B2, D6, E32, 96, 97
Onsite parking available
*Sign language and in-language interpretation (Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, French) available throughout the day.
For more information, visit the official My School DC EdFest page.
Save the Date: January 23, 2015 - “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!”
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is pleased to announce its second “It Takes a City” Institute to be held on January 23, 2015 at Gallaudet University’s Kellogg Center. This LEA Institute is focused on preparing and gearing up educators for the Next Generation of Assessments (NGA) including (a) PARCC, (b) NCSC, (c) NGSS, and (d) health. OSSE is inviting national and local experts to provide pertinent information and to answer your most pressing questions in the following areas:
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NGA Communication Strategies
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Assessment and ESEA Accountability
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Curriculum Alignment: Tools of the Trade
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Instructional Shifts and Best Practices
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Assessment Procedures and Technology Readiness
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Assessment Considerations for Special Populations
Participants will have the opportunity to present their questions to subject matter experts during panel presentations and in one-on-one sessions. In addition, an OSSE NGA ambassador will be assigned to each local education agency to provide them with supports and information. Follow the event on social media: #DCITAC and look for registration information coming soon!
