Weekly Field Memo: Recent News and Items of Interest From the Agency

Audience: Vermont Educators, Grades 6-12 Educators

This captivating collection from Ken Burns' new documentary, Leonardo da Vinci, dives deep into the life and works of the ultimate Renaissance man, and will help students understand and discover his groundbreaking contributions to art, science, and invention. Explore engaging videos, activities, lesson plans, and a 3D interactive model, all of which help bring Leonardo's inventions to life in the classroom and inspire students to think critically, push creative boundaries, and explore the intersection of art and science, presented by Vermont Public and PBS LearningMedia. Visit the Vermont Public Educators page for more recommendations of high-quality resources.

Contact: Emily Leute at [email protected]

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, and Afterschool Directors

We wish to remind all interested parties that the application period for the Center Track Grant is nearing its conclusion. The final deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This grant offers significant support for the development and expansion of single-site afterschool centers. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals through the Grants Management System before the deadline. For any assistance with the application process, please contact us for support. Thank you for your commitment to advancing youth programs.

Contact: Johannes Haensch at [email protected]

Audience: VT High School Special Educators and Special Education Directors

This Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR) Access Training will cover how high schools who are using PBGRs to determine graduation can make the requirements accessible for students with intensive needs. This is the system that replaces the multi-year plan. Please register for Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR) Access Plan Training.

Contact: John Spinney at [email protected]

Audience: Administrators, Curriculum Directors, K-12 Educators, Physical Education and Health Educators

The Vermont State Board of Education on December 18, 2024, as per their responsibilities outlined in 16 V.S.A. § 164, adopted the 2024 SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and the 2024 National Health Education Standards. These standards will replace in full the previously adopted 2007 National Health Standards and 2013 SHAPE America National Standards for K-12 Physical Education starting in the 2025-26 school year. See this memorandum for the announcement and information on the rollout of the standards. Please reach out if you have questions about the memo, the standards, or the rollout.

Contact: Ian Burfoot-Rochford at [email protected]

Audience: Administrators and Early Educators

The keynote speaker for this year's Kindergarten Conference is Christine Hertz Hausman, an educator, author, and professional learning facilitator. Her keynote, The Powerful Role of Playful Literacy, will highlight examples of how teachers can foster emergent literacy and language skills as they deepen children's play and empower them with the tools needed to express their unique voices, connect with their communities, and share their diverse and multiple literacies. The conference will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the DoubleTree in South Burlington. For more information, please see this flyer.

Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons at [email protected]

Audience: Curriculum Directors, Administrators, Educators

The AOE Act 139 Review and Recommendations for K-3 Universal Screener s is now available. The document reviews the screening instruments most commonly used in Vermont, offers recommendations, and provides practical guidance for screener use and selection. Register to attend an Orientation and Q&A session about this screening guidance on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Contact: Emily Lesh at [email protected]

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