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| District Highlights | Important Dates and Deadlines | Announcements | Professional Development |
| Funding Opportunities | Events |
District Highlights
- Get Your Questions Answered about the DC Science Assessment
- DCSAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championship Meet
Important Dates and Deadlines
Dates
- 2015 DC Assessment Timeline
- 5/28: Next Generation Assessment (NGA) Meeting
- 5/28: LEA Data Discussion Meeting
- 6/5: DeSean Jackson F.A.S.T Elite Skills Football Camp
- 6/6: DC Free Summer Meals Program Kickoff at Truck Touch
Deadlines
- 5/29: National Public Education Financial Survey
- 6/1: DC Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate Phase 1 Deadline
- 6/26: FY 2016 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Grant Application Deadline
- 6/30: DCTAG Application Deadline
- 7/20: Extended Learning Opportunities Grant Application Deadline
Announcements
New
OSSE has developed a DC Science Assessment FAQ, which provides detailed responses on questions OSSE has received on topics ranging from test administration to accommodations. For more details, please see OSSE’s website.
OSSE Celebrates School Bus Drivers and Attendants
Please join OSSE’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) in recognizing the School Bus Drivers and Attendants of the Month for May 2015:
OSSE DOT Drivers of the Month
Phyllis Commodore | 5th Street Terminal
Marie Sonia Bolane | Adams Place Terminal
Jean Jude Fonrose | New York Avenue Terminal
Eric A. Dyson | Southwest Terminal
OSSE DOT Attendants of the Month
Twanna Jones | 5th Street Terminal
Janie Barksdale | Adams Place Terminal
Karen Chamberlain | New York Avenue Terminal
Rosemary Foster | Southwest Terminal
Each month, OSSE DOT recognizes one exemplary bus driver and attendant from each of its four bus terminals in DC (5th Street, Adams Place, New York Avenue and Southwest) as part of the division’s Recognition Program for Bus Drivers and Attendants of Special Education Students.
The drivers and attendants have been identified by DC parents, students, teachers and school staff as outstanding stewards of the community. Since the program’s launch in May 2014, OSSE DOT has received over 700 online and mail-in nominations for DC bus drivers and attendants. Nominations are accepted year-long and counted the first Tuesday of every month. Recognize your school bus driver and attendant today!
Reminders
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.
- The PearsonAccess Next Webinar reviewed the Pearson Access Next Training Module and included step-by-step directions for completing student registration and managing computer-based test sessions.
- The Accessibility Features and Accommodations Webinar reviewed the Accommodations and Accessibility Science Crosswalk and included instructions on completing the Personal Needs Profile (PNP) for Science.
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].
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.
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.
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].
Professional Development
Reminder
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.
Funding Opportunities
New
On May 8, 2015 the NOFA for the Farm Field Trip Grant SY15-16 was released in the DC Register. The application will be available through the Enterprise Grants Management System starting on May 22, 2015 and a copy of the Request for Applications will be available for viewing on the Farm to School service page of OSSE’s website. All applications must be submitted through the Enterprise Grants Management System.
For more information about this grant email OSSE’s Farm to School Specialist Erica Walther or call (202) 442-8940.
Reminders
NOFA Release for DC Physical Education and Health Education
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is excited to release the Request for Applications (RFA) 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 total funding available is $1,000,000.
The Request for Applications (RFA) can be accessed here: http://osse.dc.gov/service/health-and-physical-education-and-physical-activity-program-hpe.
The grant application can be accessed here: https://osse.mtwgms.org/wdcossegmsweb/logon.aspx.
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
Events
New
DCSAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championship Meet
DCSAA hosts its third annual State Outdoor Track and Field meet on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 at Spingarn High School. Field events start each day at 3:00 p.m. followed by track events at 4:00 p.m. This will be the largest meet to date with 26 schools representing the traditional public, public charter and private school communities competing for the coveted DCSAA Championship trophy. No charge for admission.
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - Friday, May 22, 2015, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Spingarn High School - 2500 Benning Road, NE, Washington, DC 20002
For questions, contact Kenneth Owens at (202) 741-6486.
Reminder
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
