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| District Highlights | Knock It Out of the PARCC: Next Generation Assessments Tips and Resources | Important Dates and Deadlines | Announcements |
| Professional Development | Funding Opportunities | Events |
District Highlights
- District Kicks Off “Month of the Young Child” Celebration with Read Across DC
- Registration Now Open: It Takes a City: DC Does it Best!
- Go Blue on April 10 for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month
Knock It Out of the PARCC: Next Generation Assessments Tips and Resources
- Resources for Schools
- Resources for Parents/Community
>>>Learn More
Important Dates and Deadlines
Dates
- 2015 DC Assessment Timeline
- 4/2: Read Across DC
- 4/11: OSSE Adult College Completion Fair
- 4/28: 2nd Annual Infant and Toddler Conference
- 5/7: Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Deadlines
- 4/3: DC PAY Grant Application Deadline
- 4/9: College, Credential, and Career Ready Summer Initiative NOFA Deadline
- 5/1: AFHK School Grants for Healthy Kids Application Deadline
- 5/4: ESY 2015 Student Transportation Certification Deadline
- 5/11: Public Comment Ends for FFY 2015 Draft State Grant Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- 5/20: DC Free Summer Meals Sponsor Application Deadline
Announcements
New
District Kicks Off “Month of the Young Child” Celebration with Read Across DC
The District of Columbia today kicked off “Month of the Young Child,” an annual celebration highlighting the needs of young children and their families, and early learning programs and services.
As part of the Month of the Young Child, hundreds of District residents, community and business leaders, and government employees participated in Read Across DC. to help promote early literacy. The event, which is sponsored by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), helps promote early literacy.
Read the full announcement here.
Mayor Bowser Announces Partnership to Create Year-Long Internships for 100 Participants in the Boys and Men of Color Initiative
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new partnership to create internship and mentorship opportunities for the District’s Boys and Men of Color Initiative (BMOC). This partnership between the DC Chamber of Commerce, Enlightened Inc., and the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation will support one-year paid internships with host businesses and organizations for 100 young men who read President Obama’s The Audacity of Hope as part of the District’s Boys and Men of Color Initiative.
Read the full announcement here.
Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives Honored as April Location of the Month
The D.C. Office of Motion Picture and Television Development is pleased to recognize the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, located in the Northwest D.C., as the April 2015 Location of the Month.
The Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, constructed in 1872 and designed by German architect Adolph Cluss, was one of the first public elementary schools in Washington, D.C. for African American Students and was named for U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, a major figure in the fight for abolition of slavery and the establishment of equal rights for African Americans. In honor of Emancipation Day in the District, celebrated on April 15, the Sumner School is recognized for its historical significance, exquisite architecture, and diverse capabilities for filming and special events.
Read the full announcement here.
Reminder
Go Blue for Strong Families and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Month
We all want every child in our city to grow up in safe and healthy families. Yet the tragic fact is that thousands of our young people fall victim to abuse and neglect each year.
In April 2015, as part of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, OSSE has partnered with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect (MACCAN) to increase public awareness related to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. On April 10, 2015, OSSE, along with many other DC Government agencies, will GO BLUE. Wearing BLUE indicates that you are standing up for strong children and families in DC through the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. So, GO BLUE on April 10, 2015.
DC Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2015)
In May 2015, as part of the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, OSSE has partnered with the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to increase public awareness related to children and youth mental health promotion. Sponsored by the United States Department of Health and Human Services- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Children’s Mental Health Awareness month promotes positive youth development by reinforcing the importance of children’s mental health. In preparation for the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, OSSE and DBH would like to invite all schools to join in the District’s effort to raise awareness on this important public health issue by participating in various district wide activities.
Please read the letter from interim director of DBH, Dr. Barbara Bazron, highlighting events that will take place during the month of April. Should you have any questions or like additional information, please contact Yuliana Del Arroyo, OSSE director of special programs, or Kendra Fitzgordon, DBH social marketing specialist.
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: May 7, 2015
Pre-K – 2nd Grade Poster Making Activity: April 6 – April 24
Poster Display: May 4 – May 8
Field Test of DC Science Assessment in Spring 2015
This spring, OSSE will field test the nation's first statewide assessment of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This computer-based assessment will be administered to all students in 5th and 8th grades and all high school students enrolled in biology. The testing window runs from May 18th through June 19th. Schools will have flexibility in scheduling the administration of the DC Science Assessment within this testing window.
The DC Science Assessment is untimed and will take students 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. For an overview of the DC Science Assessment, see OSSE’s website.
Additional Training for New SLED Users
The Division of Data, Accountability, and Research will be hosting an additional training session for new users of the Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System. This training will take place on Friday, April 3, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at OSSE.
To register for the training sessions, please send an email message to [email protected].
Date: 4/3/2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street NE, in the 3rd Floor Training Lab
ESY 2015 Student Transportation Certification Deadline May 4, 2015
The deadline for ESY 2015 certification for student transportation is Monday, May 4, 2015.
All Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and schools that will serve as ESY sites and have students eligible for ESY transportation, please log in to the Transportation Online Tool for Education (TOTE) and submit ESY school calendar information (as applicable) and transportation requests for students eligible for student transportation.
For our non-public schools, if you are an ESY site, please upload your ESY calendars in TOTE, which will allow the LEAs to complete the transportation request for your ESY students.
This week, continue to work on submitting transportation requests for all eligible students for the ESY 2015 school term. Read more.
For questions, please reference the TOTE Quickstart Guide on OSSE DOT’s website. You may also reach out to the TOTE support team via the “Contact TOTE Admin” tool or via email at [email protected].
For more guidance, register today for training on the ESY certification process (sessions offered every Thursday, April 2–30 2015).
Professional Development
New
LEA Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Webinar
OSSE hosts a monthly webinar for all LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SE POC). The next broadcast will be Wednesday, February 18, 2015, from 10:00 a.m.—11:00 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, April 22, 2015
Time: 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Register
LEA Homeless Liaison Orientation
Under the federal mandates of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, every LEA is required to have an identified homeless liaison to assist students and parents experiencing homelessness. We recognize that during the course of the school year, staffing changes may occur and there may be newly appointed homeless liaisons in need of guidance regarding their role and responsibilities. OSSE is offering the following training for newly appointed homeless liaisons and homeless liaisons in need of a refresher training:
LEA Homeless Liaison Orientation: McKinney-Vento 101, Resources & QuickBase Homeless Student Referrals
Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Training Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor (Rm 3002), Washington, DC 20002
A training invite will be sent directly to LEA Homeless Liaisons. Please note that space is limited. Therefore homeless liaisons should confirm their attendance as soon as possible after receiving the training invite. For any questions regarding this training, please contact Nicole Lee-Mwandha.
Training for High School Homeless Liaisons on Youth Vulnerability Index and Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT)
At least one in every twenty-four enrolled public school students in the District of Columbia is homeless. OSSE is working aggressively to remove educational barriers for students in unstable and/or transitory housing. In 2015, as a part the work of the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness (DC ICH), OSSE is partnering with other District agencies to design, implement, and test a system of coordinated entry for at least 150 unaccompanied homeless youth (without children in their custody) within 100 days. The primary focus of this effort is to ensure that the most vulnerable students receive more timely supports and interventions. In order to succeed in achieving this ambitious goal, OSSE is encouraging homeless liaisons from every District high school to attend this important training facilitated by The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, if they have not attended a previous VI-SPDAT training.
To register for this VI-SPDAT training, please click on the registration link below:
McKinney-Vento Liaison VI-SPDAT Training for Unaccompanied Youth
Tuesday, April 22, 2015, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Register here
Training Location: 1331 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
All sessions will begin promptly on time. Please note that parking is limited.
For any questions regarding the VI-SPDAT Training, please contact Nicole Lee-Mwandha.
Mandated Reporting Training
In collaboration with the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), OSSE will host a mandated reporting training. Mandated reporters are professionals obligated by law to report known or suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect. The training will provide information on:
- How to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect.
- How to talk to child and youth victims.
- When to report.
- How to report.
For any questions, or further information about child abuse and neglect, please contact Yuliana Del Arroyo, OSSE Director of Special Programs, at: [email protected].
Presenter: Child and Family Services Agency
Date: April 27, 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street NE, Room 806
Register
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid 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 addictions 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.
Presenter: Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program, developed by Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), is embraced worldwide as a highly effective behavior management system for organizations committed to providing quality care and services in a respectful, safe environment. The strategies taught in the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program provide participants with a proven framework for decision making and problem solving to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to disruptive or assaultive behavior. This event will not go over physical restraint techniques. Please wear comfortable clothing, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle.
Presenter: OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education
Date: July 21 and August 11, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
Funding Opportunities
New
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) –Apply Now!
Are you interested in the opportunity for your students to learn more about the variety of fruits and vegetables available at their fingertips? Through the FFVP, you can offer your students a free fresh fruit or vegetable snack during the day, to supplement your participation in other Child Nutrition Programs. Enhance your school’s healthy environment with the FFVP, by providing healthy snacks, and education about nutrition and wellness.
To be eligible you must:
- Be an Elementary School
- Have 50% or more enrolled students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price meals
- Participate in the National School Lunch Program
- Offer free fresh fruits and vegetables to all enrolled students during the structured school day
- Serve fresh fruits or vegetables a minimum of 2 days per week
- Publicize the availability of free fresh fruits and vegetables
School Year 2015-2016 FFVP Applications are available here. Applications due by 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2015.
Fire Up Your Feet! Spring Challenge
Fire Up Your Feet is a core program of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership available to any elementary and middle school (grades K-8) nationally. Made possible in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, this program offers free resources, an online activity tracker, a school fundraising organizer, and more, all aimed at increasing physical activity before, during and after school for students, parents, school staff and teachers.
The Fire Up Your Feet Spring Activity Challenge awards more than $100,000 to schools in participating regions across the country that bike, walk, dance, jump and are the most active! It is all about the most participation in your active school – so grab your parents, students, teachers, administrators and school staff – that's right, everybody can move and help you earn cash awards to help improve your school!
For additional questions and general inquiries, please e-mail [email protected].
For a Fire Up Your Feet! School District Toolkit: http://fireupyourfeet.org/assets/pdf/2015_school_district_toolkit_v1.pdf.
Events
New
Registration Now Open: It Takes a City: DC Does it Best!
OSSE is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its final 2014-15 LEA Institute, “It Takes a City: DC Does it Best!”, to be held May 1-2, 2015, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, DC.
DC public school and public charter school teachers, administrators, service providers, parents and families are invited to attend this exciting two-day event. During the institute, participants will select from over 100 workshop sessions on topics including:
- Instruction and the Common Core
- STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards
- Positive Behavior Supports
- Special Education
- English Language Learners
- Educator Effectiveness
- Early Childhood
- Parent and Family Engagement (including sessions for parents/families, as well as LEA staff)
Participants will receive OSSE Professional Learning Units (PLUs) for workshop attendance.
Register Now
Reminder
Meet and Greet: New State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang (For LEA Leaders Only)
Save the Date: Grants Management Conferences
LEAs: June 4, 2015 at Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University
CBOs: June 16, 2015 at Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University
Growing Young Minds: Nurturing Healthy, Happy and Secure Children
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Early Learning presents the 2nd Annual Infant and Toddler Conference. This engaging conference will bring together more than 900 professionals in Infant/ Toddler early care and education professionals. Conference attendees will include early intervention and infant/toddler specialists, home visitors, social workers, mental health providers as well as physical, occupational therapists, pediatricians, dietitians and other professionals.
This exciting and interactive conference will feature:
- Nationally acclaimed speakers, presenters and authors
- The Early Head Start Framework
- Early identification, Intervention and Support Services
- Hands-on Interactive Exhibits
- Education Scholarships and Training Programs
Dates: April 28, April 29 or April 30, 2015 (waiting list only)
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the Campus of Gallaudet University 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
