Aug 29

VASSP Member Update, August 29, 2022

Articles of Interest

Former Highland Springs High to serve as region’s first full-service community school | Education | richmond.com

More schools taking a much harder line on cellphones, as indicated by latest Virginia Beach vote

Carroll’s first student school board

https://www.wtkr.com/news/virginia-beach-school-board-to-vote-on-phones-in-class-policy?_amp=true&fbclid=IwAR2tzXfhtQ8lY9PJoVvid05W47JA01EjL2cEA3T0MGK9w4cI8ii0fhI-g2o&fs=e&s=cl

Powhatan School Board votes to approve electronic device restrictions

Parents and teachers cautiously optimistic for new school year 

VDOE Updates

VDOE Presentations for Teachers

Recorded presentations for teachers are available on the Growth Assessments page on the VDOE website. The recordings currently posted on this webpage describe a method for using Standards of Learning assessment data to inform instruction, assist in using the Student Detail by Question data extract file, and provide an overview of the Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics Growth Assessments for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond. Check them out today!

VDOE Science Teacher Webinars

These Webinars are opportunities for Virginia science educators to hear directly from the VDOE Science Team and will be held the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. starting September 21. The topic of the September Teacher Webinar is Safety and the Science and Engineering Practices. Future topics include Supporting English Learners in Science (October), Using the Common Rubric with Science Performance Assessments (November), and Developing Science Literacy (January). Attendees will receive certificate from VDOE for attending each full webinar.  Consider registering for any or all of the VDOE Science Teacher Webinars today!

2021-2022 SOL Results

The 2021-2022 school year marked the return to in-person learning for all 132 Virginia school divisions and the return to normal levels of student participation in the state testing program. Despite one-year gains in most subjects, student achievement in all areas remained well below pre-pandemic levels. See more from VDOE. 

Virginia General Assembly House and Senate Page Program 

The application for admission to the Senate Page Program class of 2023 is now available.  The Senate Clerk’s Office staff will confirm receipt of applications within three business days.  Applications are due by 5 p.m. October 17. Make every attempt to avoid a last-minute submission.  There is not an online application process this year

VDOE New Science PD: Taking Kids Outside

This new virtual professional development offered by the Virginia Department of Education, is open to Virginia public school science teachers who teach Grade 4 Science, Grade 6 Science, Life Science, Biology, and Environmental Science. Teachers will investigate grade appropriate ways to engage students in both field experiences and stewardship projects on their school grounds or in their community. In addition, optional one day field experiences are being provided across the Commonwealth by our environmental stakeholders for those educators selected for this opportunity.  A stipend will be provided upon successful completion of the PD. Space is limited; however, a fall and spring version of the training will be available. Deadline to register for the fall session is September 2.  

VDOE Fall 2022 Cohort Journey into Teaching Academy

This is a yearlong professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching at the end of the 2021-2022 school year and entering their third year of teaching during the 2022-2023 SY as a provisionally licensed special education teacher. The Academy provides teacher support beyond mentorship in an effort to enhance the retention, as well as the overall performance of provisionally licensed special education teachers. Completed applications and recommendations are due to the VDOE by September 23. See Superintendent’s Memo 163-22 for details.

State Superintendent Memos

David Ellena