Virginia Department of Education

09/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 06:44

#2024-37 Virginia Education Update September 19, 2024

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#2024-37 | Update for September 19, 2024

This Week's To-Dos

This Week's Articles

Highlights

News from Across the Commonwealth

Mr. King's 9th grade English class at Hopewell High in Hopewell City Schools recently launched their deeper learning project. This project will be a 60 second newscast called "New Hope in 60". The production will occur every other week and will highlight important happenings at New Hope and in the community. The students have been learning about green screens and writing short concise news stories and are excited about their first production which will occur mid-September. Way to go! 

Fifth graders at W.W. Robinson Elementary in Shenandoah County Schools were busy dissecting flowers in science class as they explored the reproductive parts of plants and got the chance to view the specimens under the microscope for a closer look! What a fun project! 

Announcements

Cell Phone-Free Education Final Guidance & Resources

Article: 2024-37-387
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Office of Communications, [email protected]

After listening to and reviewing the thousands of comments and suggestions from Virginians on how to bring cell phone-free education to our children's schools, VDOE has published final guidance for school divisions on policies and procedures to be implemented to establish cell phone-free education and remove cell phones from Virginia's public school classrooms.

VDOE has also published the School Leader Implementation Toolkit, in addition to other resources on our website.

Superintendent's Message

Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction

As school safety is on the forefront of everyone's minds, I want to remind each of us of the critical importance of communication. As we have held listening sessions across the state, our families have strongly advocated for increased two-way communications with their schools. Our team reflected on that call to action and have added several items in the Cell Phone-Free Guidance and in the Cell Phone-Free Administrators Toolkit. As part of this work, the VDOE has partnered with several superintendents to share their templates and resources. Alexandria City Public Schools, Chesapeake Public Schools, and Washington County Public Schools have provided samples that school divisions could choose to use and personalize for your school division. As the department has spoken to many law enforcement officials over the past two weeks, it has become clear that having communication templates, plans, and protocols in advance of emergencies help school and school division leaders to be prepared to navigate the challenges of a crisis situation. Division leadership teams should meet and determine the frequency of family communications during different emergency situations and discuss school-based scenarios with the central office team and school leadership teams to ensure preparedness. See the Appendix: School Safety Considerations for Virginia Public Schools in the Cell Phone-Free Guidance for more information.

I also want to thank Dr. Vic Shandor and Dr. Kevin Newman for allowing my team and I to visit early literacy classrooms to see the work taking place with students and teachers. We appreciate seeing the hard work our teachers are doing to improve their literacy instruction and how divisions are implementing the Virginia Literacy Act.

Finally, please visit Cell Phone-Free Hub to see the final guidance released this week. The Final Guidance continues to define Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia's public schools as "bell-to-bell", meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first bell at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic school day. "Bell-to-bell" includes lunch and time in between class periods. Today, the toolkit has been released to support school leaders as school divisions choose how to implement Cell Phone-Free Education. We are also excited to announce our next steps on the opportunity for microgrants that is now available. These grants are focused on mental health and safety initiative and to support community conversations.

Please let VDOE know how we can support you in adopting bell-to-bell cell phone policies by January 1, 2025.

Thank you for everything you do to ensure every child matters, every day.

-Lisa

Upcoming Events

Fireside Chat with the First Lady of Virginia and Author and Researcher Dr. Jonathan Haidt - Live Broadcast for Virginia's Schools 

Article: 2024-37-403
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Office of Communications, [email protected]

The First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin invites communities across the Commonwealth to join in a fireside chat with award-winning social psychologist, author, and researcher Dr. Jonathan Haidt.

On the evening of September 19, the First Lady and Dr. Haidt will convene a fireside chat to discuss the findings of Haidt's book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness and how it informs our communities and schools in limiting social media and cell phone use to help restore childhood and play. The event will be broadcast live to participating schools. Schools will use the chat as an opportunity to facilitate community conversations with parents, educators, students, and families to create best practices for the use of cell phones and social media both in and out of school.

Professional Development & Training

Introducing Generative AI to K-12 Teachers

Article: 2024-37-401
Audience: Teachers
Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Associate Director of the Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation, [email protected]

The Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with Germanna Community College, is offering free workshops across the Commonwealth to advance the use of Generative AI in K-12 classrooms. These sessions, titled "Introducing Generative AI to K-12 Teachers," aim to revolutionize education by empowering educators with cutting-edge technology. Generative AI is transforming education by personalizing learning, fostering creativity, and preparing students for future careers. This workshop will equip educators with the skills to create engaging and innovative learning experiences.

Division leaders are encouraged to share this opportunity with K-12 content area and resource teachers, ITRTs, librarians, and other educators involved in technology integration. Attendees are expected to share their knowledge with colleagues to inform classroom, school, and division practices and policies.

Fall Virtual Training Sessions for Supporting World Language Programs 

Article: 2024-37-395
Audience: Superintendents, World Language Supervisors, Gifted Education Supervisors
Contact: Dr. Lisa Harris, World Languages Coordinator, [email protected]

World language supervisors/contact persons and gifted education coordinators who oversee the Governor's World Language Academies application process are invited to participate in three world language-related training sessions facilitated by VDOE. Please register in advanceto attend one or more of the following sessions.  

  • October 8, 10:00 a.m. - Orientation for new world language supervisors. This overview of tools and resources to support a school or division's world language programs is designed for new world language supervisors and for those who want a refresher. Topics include the Seal of Biliteracy, World Language Academies, and the implementation of the World Language Standards of Learning.
  • October 15, 9:00 a.m. - Governor's World Language Academies: Accessing and Navigating SSWS. This session will focus on how to request access and use the Single Sign-on Web System (SSWS) to enter data for the Governor's World Language Academies. 
  • October 15, 10:00 a.m. - Governor's World Language Academies application process.Learn about the student nomination process for World Language Academies, including Survey Monkey Apply, roles, responsibilities, and how to support schools and students through the application stages.

Literacy

Division Literacy Plan Postings

Article: 2024-37-400
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Michelle.Wallace@doe.virginia.gov

Per the Virginia Literacy Act, each local school board shall post, maintain, and update as necessary on each school board's website a copy of its division-wide literacy plan and the job description and contact information for any reading specialist employed by such school division pursuant to subsection G of § 22.1-253.13:2and for any dyslexia specialist employed by such school division.

The VDOE is also required topost each division-wide literacy plan on its website.  VDOE plans to post the links to division literacy plans by September 25, 2024.

  • Divisions should maintainan accuratewebsite link which containsthe DLP, job descriptions and contact information for reading specialists and dyslexia specialists employed by the division. 
  • Divisions should share the DLP with stakeholders, including teachers who are implementing the plan, parents, and the community. 

Teaching & Learning

The Johns Hopkins Teacher Survey of Curriculum UseProject with the Virginia Department of Education

Article: 2024-37-391
Audience: Superintendents
Contact: Dr. Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, [email protected]; and, Dr. Kecia McCoy, Program Administrator at The Institute of Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education, [email protected]

The Institute of Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education is conducting a Teacher Survey of Curriculum Useon behalf of the Virginia Department of Education. The purpose of this survey is to learn more about teachers' experiences with K-12 ELA and math instructional materials and curricular resources. This survey poses detailed questions about teachers' use of curricular materials in general and for specific lesson-planning components; teachers' use of supplemental curricular materials; their opinions about published ELA and mathematics curricula; and the prevalence of specific instructional practices. This information will be used to inform future decisions about K-12 ELA and mathematics instructional materials and resources used to support the curriculum in the Commonwealth. The survey window is from September 25, 2024, through October 16, 2024. All K-12 ELA and mathematics classroom teachersare being asked to complete the brief survey. Division superintendents will receive a welcome letter and survey link on September 25, 2024, from Dr. Kecia McCoy, Program Administrator at The Institute of Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education. 

Division superintendents are asked to share this information with key division leaders to ensure that the survey is disseminated to all K-12 ELA and mathematics classroom teachers. 

VA250 Mobile Museum - starting Fall 2024

Article: 2024-37-386
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: ChristonyaBrown, History and Social Science Coordinator, [email protected]

Bring the 250th Mobile Museumto your school and community!  A hands-on, interactive, and immersive "museum on wheels",the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled "Out of Many, One" will be housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer that will travel throughout Virginia and beyond, starting in Fall 2024.  For more information or to pre-request the VA250 Mobile Experience, visit VA250 Mobile Experience.

Executive Order 36, Stand Tall Initiative, for Virginians Leaving Incarceration

Article: 2024-37-385
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Adult Education Program Administrators
Contact: Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, Ph.D., Directorof Adult Education, [email protected]

Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 36, Stand Tall - Stay Strong - Succeed Together Reentry Initiative, is designed to strengthen cross-provider services for Virginians leaving incarceration and reentering communities. In support of this initiative, the VDOE recognizes education and training as proven strategies to prepare incarcerated adults for successful reentry into their communities, including improving community safety.

In Program Year 2023-2024, adult education providers served over 1,000 individuals in correctional facilities and successfully assisted over 400 of those to work toward earning an industry-recognized credential through the integrated education and training (IET) programming model. An additional 374 justice-impacted individuals participated in community-based and probation-based IETs to train for in-demand careers.

The VDOE's Connecting Probations to Adult Education in Virginia(passcode:W!FNyzN5)is an informational videodeveloped forprobation and parole officers about adult education programming models for their clients.The agency also maintains resources for adult educationand adult education regional programson its website. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the VDOE, the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center (VALRC)provides resources and training for adult educators serving in a variety of instructional settings.

School Performance & Support

Nominations for Standard Setting Committees for the MathematicsStandards of Learning Tests Based on the2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning

Article: 2024-37-399
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Division Directors of Testing, Supervisors of Mathematics
Contact: Student Assessment, [email protected], 804-225-2102

The Office of Assessment is accepting nominations for standard setting committees for the Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Standard setting is necessary because of the implementation of new mathematics tests in spring 2025 based on the 2023Mathematics SOL. The committee meetings will be held November 19-21, 2024, in Glen Allen, Virginia.

The standard setting committees are responsible for recommending performance level cuts that not only reflect students' achievement status but also promote high expectations for all students in Virginia. The recommendations developed by the committee will ultimately be considered by the Board of Education as part of a broader, comprehensive process for establishing performance level cuts. Committee members selected for these committees will be expected to sign and adhere to a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement and be present for the entire first two days of the meetings. Some committee members will be asked to attend a third day, November 21, of the standard setting process and will be notified of this request ahead of time.

School division leaders are invited to nominate teachers from their school division to serve on each of the standard setting committees using the Mathematics Standard Setting Nomination form. Nominations are to be submitted by school division personnel in the online nomination form no later than Friday September 27, 2024. Please refer to the Mathematics Standards Setting information documentfor detailed information and criteria.If you have questions, please contact the assessment staff at [email protected] or (804) 225-2102.   

Required Justification to Exceed One Percent Participation in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)

Article: 2024-37-388
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Deborah Johnson, Specialist-Intellectual Disabilities, [email protected]

States must ensure the total number of students assessed in a subject using the alternate assessment aligns with alternate achievement standards, and the state may not exceed one percent of the total number of all students who are assessed in a subject. However, states are precluded from setting a division-level cap on the percentage of students who may be assessed with an alternate assessment. Additionally, any school division that exceeds the one percent cap must submit information to the state justifying the need to exceed it.

To meet this requirement and to be in alignment with VDOE's Corrective Action Plan for exceeding the one percent cap for alternate assessment participation, school divisions are asked to examine their Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) participation. This review will determine the school division's need to exceed the one percent cap, and therefore, its need to provide justification for exceeding the one percent cap to the VDOE.

School divisions are requested to complete the 2024 Justification to Exceed One Percent Participation in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)online survey by November 1, 2024.

Special Populations

School Leaders Series on Including Students with Disabilities in Assessments

Article: 2024-37-383
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Administratorsand Division Directors of Testing (DDoTs)
Contact: Deborah Johnson, Specialist-Intellectual Disabilities, [email protected]

The VDOE revised and augmented its guidance regardingVirginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) participation, effective July 1,2024. The purpose of the revision is to ensure Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams are identifyingthe appropriate studentsfor VAAP participation. The VDOE continues to support school divisions in improvingthe implementation of the VAAP participation guidelines, available on theVDOE'sTeacher Resources & Training for VAAP webpage.The goal is to ensure that the appropriate studentsare assessed using this alternate assessment. In order toprovide assistancetoensure that the appropriate studentsare assessed using this alternate assessment, school and division administrators are encouraged to review the School Leaders Series on including Students with Disabilities in Assessments. Information in this series can be tailored to meet school division needs and continue to support IEP Teams in their decision-making process regardingassessments and preceding academic instruction to promote positive outcomes for students with disabilities.

Learning Library Resource for Dispute Resolution

Article: 2024-37-384
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Sabrina Gross, J.D., Coordinator for Complaints and Special Projects, [email protected]

The VDOE Office of Dispute Resolution, in partnership with the Center for Implementation and Evaluation of Education Systems at Old Dominion University, has developed the Office of Dispute Resolution Learning Library. This online library provides training videos and resources to aid in understanding special education laws and regulations, as well as strategies to encourage effective collaboration between parents and educators to ensure that school divisions deliver a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities.

The learning library includes Back to Basics: Special Education Law, a series of professional development video modules focused on topics of special education laws and regulations to support Virginia teachers and division personnel. Certificates are available upon completion of each module and quiz.

The learning library also offers training videos on managing high-conflict and low-conflict Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to help IEP Team members foster healthy relationships and enhance collaboration with parents. The Resources section includes resolution strategies to further enhance the preparation of school division personnel for potential situations that may arise during IEP Team meetings.

Parental Engagement

Microgrants Available for Schools to Support Cell Phone-Free Education and Mental Health Concerns

Article: 2024-37-397
Audience: Superintendents
Contact: Melissa Duval, Executive Director of Parental Engagement, [email protected]

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce a microgrant opportunity for school divisions to support educating families in removing barriers to education, specifically focusing on cell phone addictions and mental health challenges related to social media. These parent education programs can also support chronic absenteeism, social media, bullying and hazing. The school-based grant has been referenced as a support to the implementation of Executive Order 33. Parent education programs should focus on community conversations and removing student barriers to learning. 

Schools can seek up to $5,000 through this competitive grant award process. Interested school divisions should complete the application. If the proposal is the same for multiple schools within a division, one application may be used. The school division may apply for up to $10,000 for multiple schools. 

The VDOE will work through the school division's designated contact person, as provided by the division, for all matters related to the application, contacts, negotiations, and notifications. Applicants submitting proposals that are not awarded by the VDOE will be notified in writing. 

The division's designated contact person should complete the application.  

The deadline for grant proposals is October 3, 2024.

Health & Student Safety

Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Resources

Article: 2024-37-382
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, School Nurses, Coaches, Athletic Directors
Contact: Na-Keisha White, School Health Coordinator, [email protected]

Over 2,000 healthy young people under the age of 25 die every year due to sudden cardiac arrest in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest is a "life-threatening emergency that happens from an abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function leading to loss of consciousness and collapse."  

SB 1453 passed in the 2023 General Assembly session requires each local school board to develop a plan for the placement, care, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every public elementary and secondary school in the local school division. 

School divisions are encouraged to develop and maintain a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and identify staff members who can serve on a CardiacResponse Team.  Schools should periodically run practice drills throughout the school year, similar to fire drills, to enact the plan and ensure the team is ready to effectively respond in the event of an emergency.  In addition, school divisions should: 

  • Ensure AEDs are available during all sporting events (including on the field during training and practice). 
  • Ensure availability of AEDs during other extra-curricular and after school activities such as cheer and band practice. 
  • Ensure availability of AEDs during field day activities. 
  • Increase AED availability and accessibility within the school setting; work with community-based partners and stakeholders to acquire additional AEDs. 
  • Engage in regular AED Maintenance. 

Visit Cardiac and Emergency Managementfor additional information and resources.

Student Immunization SurveyReport-Annual School Self-Reports of Immunization Coverage

Article: 2024-37-392
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, School Nurse Coordinators, School Nurses
Contact: Joseph Wharff, Director of Behavior Health, and Wellness,[email protected]

According to the Code of Virginia §22.1-271.2(Immunization requirements), within 30 calendar days after the beginning of each school year, each admitting school official shall file a report with the local health department stating the immunization status of students in school. 

The Student Immunization Status (SIS) reporting tool is available for schools to report their immunization data to Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and can be found at the Student Immunization Survey(SIS)site. As a reminder, immunization data should be reported as of thefirst day of school and the immunization data entries are due on or before October 15.An updated step-by-step guide for completing the report is available on the VirginiaSchoolImmunizationSurveyStep-by-Steppage. 

The passwords for the upcoming school year are:

  • Public Schools Password: Public school*25;
  • Private Schools Password: Private school*25'
  • Neither password is case-sensitive; and
  • The password length is much longer this year; please copy and paste the password into the login field to prevent login errors. 

Please use this Annual School Self-Reports of Immunization Coverage to the SIS dashboard to monitor the current year's activities. VDH will update the dashboard with the 2024-2025 immunization data after the reporting period closes in December.

For questions or issues, please contact [email protected]

Suicide Prevention Survey for School Counselors

Article: 2024-37-394
Audience: Directors, School Principals, School Counselors
Contact: Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation, [email protected]

The Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation (ICRE)at the Virginia Commonwealth University is conducting a survey on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)to better understand suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention in schools across the Commonwealth. The survey should be taken by one school counselor at each school across Virginia, although the person taking the survey would be welcome to request input from anyone else on their team when responding to the questions. Findings from the survey will help inform VDH and the VDOE about policies and resource allocation to support suicide prevention in PK-12 schools in Virginia.

A brief videoand slidesare available to assist school divisions with key questions about the survey effort. You can preview the full survey here. There should only be one response for each schoolacross Virginia.

Access the Suicide Prevention in Virginia Schools Surveyto participate.The deadline for completing the survey isFriday, October 11, 2024.

Virginia Department of Health's Naloxone's Distribution Program

Article:2024-37-381
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Health Coordinators, School Nurses, School Principals
Contact: Joseph Wharff, Director Behavior Health, and Wellness, [email protected]

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a new naloxone ordering portal for eligible entities/organizations. For school divisions that already have active agreements with VDH:

  • Register for a naloxone account, if you have not already done so; this will notrequire you to establish a new agreement.
  • Once your registration is processed, you can log in and order naloxone through the Pharmacy Partner Hubportal.

School divisions that do not have an active agreement with VDH and would like to order Naloxone at no cost can now apply for an agreement.

Naloxone provided at no cost from the VDH may only be used to administer to an individual experiencing an opioid overdose. Each school division may receive up to ten kits of 4mg nasal naloxone spray per school, with replacements for product that has been used or has expired. VDH will only develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with school divisions, not with individual schools.

School divisions are also eligible to purchase naloxone through VDH. If a school has an anticipated use of naloxone that is outside the parameters of the Naloxone Distribution Program (e.g., providing naloxone to each teacher/staff) please contact VDH about establishing an agreement to purchase product.

School divisions may also purchase epinephrine and albuterolthrough VDH.

Questions?

Contact VDH at [email protected].

School Nutrition & Operations

2024 Virginia Farm to School Celebrations

Article: 2024-37-396
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Bee Thorp, SNP LeadFarm to School Specialist, [email protected]or Sara Hazan, SNP Farm to School Specialist, [email protected]

The VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) invites and encourages school divisions and community sponsors to celebrate Virginia farm to school events in October, including:

  • Virginia Farm to School Week (October 7-11, 2024): The Genral Assembly has designatedthe first full week in October as Virginia Farm to School Week. Program operators celebrate in various ways, including seasonal foods featured on school menus, poster contests, farm tours, Standards of Learning (SOL)-based lessons highlighting Virginia Harvest of the Monthcrops, and the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth.
  • Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth (October 10, 2024): Across the Commonwealth, Virginians will make noise for farm to school programs by biting into fresh, Virginia grown apples. To participateand receive the digital 2024 Crunch Toolkit and marketing materials, complete the Crunch Registration Form. The Toolkit containslesson plans with SOL for all ages/grade levels. Participants are encouraged to share their celebrations on social media using the hashtags #VACrunch, #VAFarmtoSchool, and #ElevateEducatorsVA,and tagging @VDOESCNP. 
  • National Farm to School Month: Throughout October, celebrate and build connections between school nutrition programs, local farms, school gardens, and nutrition and agriculture education.
  • Virginia Farm to School and Directors' Conference(October 29-30, 2024) convenesschool and community nutrition program operators, producers, nonprofit organizations, and other farm to school stakeholders for program capacity building and networking. Visit the conference websiteto learn more.

For additional information, please reference the VDOE-SCNP (Director) Memo No. 2024-2025-22and visit the VDOE-SCNP Farm to School Website.

Annual Pupil Ridership Count

Article: 2024-37-393
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Transportation
Contact:Kerry Miller, Director of Pupil Transportation, [email protected]

The annual Pupil Ridership Count is scheduled for the week of October 14, 2024. This information will be used when completing the Pupil Transportation Report for the 2024-2025 school year. This count should be conducted for five consecutive days that school is in session starting on Monday, October 14th. If your school division is closed anytime during this designated period, please use the following week to reach the five-day requirement.

During this week, school bus drivers count the number of pupils being transported by every yellow school bus each day. School bus drivers should conduct the count each morning and again each afternoon for every yellow school bus. At the end of the week, take the higher count of students from the morning or afternoon for each day of the week and calculate an average for the five days. Keep the ridership count separated by pre-K, non-public, regular, and exclusive ridership. Thank you for your division's efforts in obtaining this important data.

Annual Pupil Transportation Report

Article: 2024-37-389
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Transportation, Finance
Contact: Kerry Miller, Director of Pupil Transportation, [email protected]

The annual Pupil Transportation Report used in calculating pupil transportation funding through Standards of Quality Basic Aid will be open for data entry on September 30, 2024. The Pupil Transportation Report application is locatedinVDOE's Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal. This data is requiredper the Board of Education's Regulations Governing Pupil Transportation at8VAC20-70-235. Funding for Pupil Transportation.

Please note that your school division's Annual School Report Financial Section (ASRFIN) data must be submittedto VDOE before the Pupil Transportation Report can be completed. Pupil Transportation Reports should be submittedto VDOE via the SSWS portalby October 31, 2024.

Increased Equipment Expenditure Threshold

Article: 2024-37-380
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Child Care Center Operators
Contact: SNP Policy, [email protected]

Effective October 1, 2024, the per-item threshold for equipment will increase from $5,000 to $10,000. This means that pre-approval from the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) will only be needed for a single piece of equipment that costs $10,000 or more and is not on the Virginia SCNP Approved Equipment List.

The increase in the per-item threshold for equipment is in recognition of inflation and other contributing factors. SFAs and community sponsors must obtain prior written approval using the Equipment Purchase Pre-Approval Request Form(found in SCNP Director's Memo #2024-2025-21, Attachment A)from VDOE-SCNP before purchasing a single piece of equipment that costs $10,000 or more and is not on the Virginia SCNP Approved Equipment List (found in SCNP Director's Memo #2024-2025-21, Attachment B). The Virginia SCNP Approved Equipment List includes items that have already been determined to be allowable; therefore, prior approval is not necessary. SFAs and community sponsors must purchase these items using proper federal, state, or local procurement procedures.

Note: Approval of the 2024 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant does not count as prior written approval for items with a per unit cost of $10,000 or more and are not on the Virginia SCNP Approved Equipment List. An Equipment Purchase Pre-Approval Request Formwill be required.

Federal Program Monitoring of the School Nutrition Programs in 2024-2025

Article: 2024-37-379
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Nutrition Administrators
Contact: Andrea Nannery, School Nutrition Program Coordinator, [email protected]

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) is required to conduct an administrative review of the federally funded nutrition programs in each participating school division. The VDOE-SCNP received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct these comprehensive reviews on either a five-, three-, or two-year cycle, based on established criteria and a risk assessment.

The five-year Federal Program Administrative Review (FPAR) cycle and the school year (SY) 2024-2025 schedule of the school nutrition programs (SNP) are now available. The review cycles and SY 2024-2025 schedule are available in SCNP Director's Memo 2024-2025-23. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and At-Risk Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) review schedule for school divisions and community organizations will be forthcoming. SFSP and CACFP reviews are included in this memorandum only for school divisions on this year's FPAR schedule.

Updated Certification of New School Nutrition Program Administrator

Article: 2024-37-378
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: School Nutrition Programs,[email protected]

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) published the updated Certification of New School Nutrition Program Administrator form, found in Attachment A of SCNP Director's Memo #2024-2025-24. This form is for division superintendents to certify that any newly hired school nutrition program (SNP) administrator meets the hiring standards as outlined in 7 CFR §210.30. Hiring criteria depends on the local education agency (LEA) enrollment size. The demands and complexity of SNPs increases as student enrollment increases. Refer to SCNP Director's Memo #2024-2025-24and attachment for a list of the minimum education hiring standards and training requirements.

Division superintendents must complete and submit the certification form, along with a copy of the newly hired administrator's resume, to the VDOE-SCNP State Director within 30 days of hiring a new director. The SNP administrator (director) is responsible for the operation of the SNP, must be the contact for all VDOE-SCNP communications, and must be designated as the SNP administrator in the SNPWeb system. The local Educational Registry Application administrator should assign appropriate permissions in SSWS to grant SNPWeb access. The VDOE-SCNP will monitor compliance with the professional standards as part of the administrative review process. Failure to follow this guidance could result in withholding of federal reimbursement.

Early Childhood & Learning

VQB5 Registration - 2 Weeks Left! - Deadline October 1

Article: 2024-37-398
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Lucy Mitzner,Quality Improvement Specialist, [email protected]

VQB5 Registration - 2 Weeks Left! - Deadline October 1

All publicly-funded programs that serve children ages birth to five are required by state law to participate in VQB5 and must complete registration in the LinkB5data portal between August 15 - October 1. Contact yourReady Regionfor VQB5 registration support and CLASS training.  

VQB5 Quality Profiles Preview

This fall, families will have access to information about quality options as required by state law.  Additional information can found in the following resources:  VQB5 Quality Profile Fall Preview(PDF Presentation) or Quality Profile Fall Preview Recording(5 min Video). 

Virginia Board of Education

Science Standards of LearningUpdate

Article: 2024-37-377
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Instructional Leaders
Contact:Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, [email protected]

The Proposed Draft 2025 Science Standards of Learning will be presented to the Board of Education for initialreview at the meeting on December 3, 2024. The 2025 Science Standards of Learningare for the current Board-approved high school science courses that do not have existing standards (High School Level II courses and Environmental Science). Once adopted by the Board, divisions are expected to implement the science standards in the 2025-2026 academic year. The 2018 ScienceStandards of Learningfor kindergarten through high school physics will remain unchanged in content and practices. Instructional guides, scheduled to be released in May 2025, will include structures to increase specificity and provide clarity about performance expectations of the Standards.

Recognitions

2024-2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program

Article: 2024-37-390
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Federal Program Coordinators
Contact: Sarah Gallagher, Title I Specialist, [email protected]

School divisions are invited to nominate one eligible school for the 2024-2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program. An eligible school may be nominated to represent one of the following categories:

  • Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years
  • Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups
  • Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners)

For a school to qualify for the National ESEA Distinguished School award, the school must have:

  1. A poverty rate of at least 35 percent for each of the two most current consecutive school years.
  2. Demonstrated exceptional academic achievement for two or more of the most current consecutive school years.
  3. Met full state accreditation for two or more consecutive years.

School divisions wishing to nominate an eligible school must submit an application and School Participation Form electronically by email to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. Additional information on the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Recognition Program can be found on the ESSA website.

VDOE Celebrates Blue Star Welcome Week to Recognize Virginia's Newest Military-Connected Families

Article: 2024-37-402
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, Military and Community Partners
Contact: Daniel Dunham, Military Student and Families Specialist, [email protected]

The VDOE is officially recognizing the second to last Saturday in September and the eight days thereafter as Blue Star Welcome Week. The VDOE is proud to partner with Blue Star Families, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families and strengthening communities across the United States, from September 21 - 29, 2024, to raise awareness among Americans and build grassroots support for our military families.

Each year, Blue Star Families conducts the Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) - the largest, most comprehensive survey of its kind - that acts as a listening tool for military families to sound off on what is and is not working for them. Data from the 2023 MFLS report shows that only 41 percent of active-duty respondents feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community. Blue Star Welcome Week addresses this by creating opportunities for community engagement that bring together local supporters, neighbors, and military families to help build stronger, integrated connections, and ease the stress of frequent moves.

Blue Star Welcome Week is made possible through the support of valued partners, dozens of local small businesses, nonprofit partner organizations, and more. Support from corporate sponsors, private foundations, and individual donors sustains Blue Star Families and its mission to strengthen America's military families by offering services and programs such as Blue Star Welcome Week.

To learn more about Blue Star Welcome Week events and opportunities to get involved, visit Blue Star Welcome Week 2024: Fostering Community and Belonging for Military Familieswebsite.

VDOE Careers

The Virginia Department of Educationis hiring. Access the list of our current job openings to learn more and apply.