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June 5-11, 2019
In this issue...

2019-20 Start of School Campaign New Reminders Professional Development Opportunities Dates to Remember
2019-20 Start of School Campaign
Communication to Families of Students with Disabilities Missing Transportation Forms  (reminder)

This year, the OSSE Division of Student Transportation (DOT) will send communication directly to families for whom we do not have a complete transportation request form (TRF) following the TRF deadlines for the 2019-20 school year. This communication will inform parents and guardians of students eligible for transportation services that OSSE has not received a TRF for the 2019-20 school year and will ask families to contact their school to ensure that the appropriate school liaison has the accurate information in order to submit a TRF. As a reminder, the deadline for the 2019-20 school year was Monday, June 3.

For questions about communication to parents, contact our Parent Resource Center at (202) 576-5000. For questions about the TOTE system, please contact our TOTE Support Line at (202) 576-5520.


Data Manager Orientation  (reminder)

All new LEA data managers should attend the data manager orientation in June and July.
 
Data manager orientation will cover expectations, data collection, data systems, and processes, while LEA feed management orientation will provide participants with the tools to view the status of the daily enrollment, demographics, contacts, attendance and adult program data feeds from the LEA student information system (SIS) to OSSE and assist LEAs in troubleshooting problems with the feeds.
 
OSSE will offer in-person trainings on the following dates, covering the same content in each session:
  • Thursday, June 6, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Monday, July 8, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Register

Transportation Online Tool for Education (TOTE) Training  (reminder)

To ensure that all students who require transportation services are routed in a timely fashion, OSSE's Division of Student Transportation (DOT) will host training workshops on navigating the new Transportation Online Tool for Education (TOTE) platform.

This training is required for LEAs and special education transportation coordinators and is designed to provide information on entering school calendar information and transportation request forms (TRFs) into the TOTE system for students who require transportation for the 2019-20 school year.

Dates for the upcoming training sessions are listed below. All training sessions will be held at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, Fourth Floor, Bill Nye Training Room 442, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Register
  • Tuesday, June 11, 2019 (Start of School Summit)
  • Wednesday, June 26, 2019
  • Tuesday, July 9, 2019
  • Tuesday, July 16, 2019
All attendees are asked to bring laptops. If you or someone within your LEA requires assistance, please contact the TOTE Helpdesk at (202) 576-5520 or DOT.Data@dc.gov.

Register Now! 2019 Start of School Summit  (reminder)

To help ensure that all LEAs are able to plan for a smooth start to the 2019-20 school year, OSSE will hold this year’s LEA Start of School Summit on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University.

The 2019 summit will help critical LEA data managers and points of contact for English learners (ELs), enrollment audit, special education, and transportation gain the training and tools necessary to help their LEAs seamlessly transition from the end of the current school year to the beginning of the next. LEA-level staff should plan to attend to learn about key policies, training, and resources related to data connectivity, data troubleshooting, duplicative enrollment, ELs, enrollment audit, special education, and transportation.

LEA teams should consist of the LEA data manager and the main points of contact for ELs, enrollment audit, special education, and transportation. More details, including registration, can be found on the OSSE Start of School website.

LEA Data Mapping (LDM) Tool  (reminder)

 

If LEAs have not yet done so, it is strongly encouraged that data managers complete LEA data mapping and schedule a configuration session three weeks before the first day of school; these steps are critical to ensuring the successful flow of data required to submit transportation request forms (TRF), view test score history, and access individualized education programs (IEPs) for newly enrolled students. If the TRFs are not submitted at least two weeks before a student’s first day of school, OSSE cannot guarantee transportation service by day one.

 

For more information, visit the Start of School website for resources, tools, dates, and deadlines related to connecting to OSSE’s data systems and follow up with your OSSE DAR liaison regarding any outstanding questions.

For questions, please contact Annette Thacker-Bartlett at Annette.Thacker@dc.gov or Erin Garratt at Erin.Garratt@dc.gov.


Create 2019-20 School Year Calendars in eSchoolPLUS  (reminder)

LEA data managers create and update calendar(s) and points of contacts in eSchoolPLUS.
 
LEAs are expected to complete calendars in eSchoolPLUS four weeks prior to the first day of school. If there are changes to LEA staff, LEAs should update points of contacts in eSchoolPLUS. This will ensure these points of contacts receive regular communications from OSSE and access to data systems.


What’s Coming Up

For more information, including new updates, see the complete 2019-20 school year Start of School calendar.
  • Submit Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) elections for the National School Lunch Program by Friday, June 14.
New
Grant Management Training Series Survey
 
OSSE offered a grant management training series in the 2018-19 school year. We would like your feedback on what topics will be helpful for the 2019-20 school year and how OSSE can better support your work in managing and implementing local and federal grants.
 
The following training sessions were offered in the 2018-19 school year:
  • Understanding the Uniform Guidance and Best Practices in Submitting Approvable Reimbursements;
  • ESSA Updates and Use of Federal and Local Funds;
  • Process and Procedures Training on Federal Grants (Applications and Amendments Best Practices, Audits and Monitoring Reviews, K-12 Risk Based Monitoring, ESEA Complaint Policy); and
  • ESEA Consolidated Application Budgeting and Planning.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey which closes on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.
 
For more information, please contact Renu Oliver at Renu.Oliver@dc.gov.

Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate: Upcoming Deadlines

The verification of the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) cohort is an annual process to ensure that OSSE can calculate the graduation rate accurately and efficiently in the fall. This year, the verification of the ACGR cohort is happening as part of the data validation process. 
 
All LEAs that have high schools should keep in mind the following key deadlines for the ACGR process:
  • Friday, June 21 - Certification day for current year enrollments
  • Friday, June 28 - Last day to submit OSSE Support Tool (OST) tickets
  • Friday, July 12 - Certification day of four- and five-year ACGR cohort through data validation
We’re off to a great start and we are here to support you along the way. OSSE will continue to communicate with LEA data managers throughout data validation. For additional information, please see our ACGR webinar, ACGR technical guide and ACGR policy guide.
 
For more information or questions, please contact Kelley Scholl at OSSE.ACGR@dc.gov.

Growing a Community of Excellent Educators: Talent as a Lever of Equity
 
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning and the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders are pleased to offer a June talent event, Growing a Community of Excellent Educators: Talent as a Lever of Equity. The event will convene LEA- and school-level leaders of instruction and talent and provide opportunities to build skills, collaborate, network, and learn about best practices. It will also kick off OSSE’s new Talent Community of Practice (CoP).

The event will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the DCHR Building 1015 Half St. SE, Ninth Floor. Please find an agenda for the day. To register, please first review the session breakout list. Once reviewed, please register for the event. For questions, please contact Rose Goff at Rose.Goff@dc.gov.

Action Required by June 30: Submit ESEA and IDEA Funding Applications in EGMS – FY20 Phase I Assurances

By Sunday, June 30, 2019, LEAs must complete their Phase I applications to apply for federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Titles I-A, II-A, III-A and IV-A and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). More information and opportunities for training and technical assistance has been sent to LEA heads of school and grant managers. Please complete the application assurances in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).

For questions, please email Con.App@dc.gov.

Register Now! 2019 NSLP Training

Registration for the 2019 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) training is open. Training will be held at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, First Floor, Eleanor Holmes Norton Conference Rooms on Friday, July 19 and Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Attendance at this year’s annual training is mandatory for all School Food Authorities participating in NSLP.

Training is offered on two separate days for your convenience; however, your attendance is only required for one of the two days. Register
 
For questions about this year’s training or experience any issues with registering, please feel free to contact Nigel Henley at Nigel.Henley@dc.gov.
Reminders
FY20 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKV) Grant Program Competition

OSSE invites LEAs to apply for federal funding for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKV) grant program.

The purpose of the MKV grant is to provide supplemental funding to help (1) facilitate the identification, enrollment, attendance, and success in school of homeless children and youth; and (2) ensure homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to all other students. Services provided through this grant cannot replace regular academic programming. LEAs within the District of Columbia are eligible to apply.
 
All applicants must submit applications via the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) by completing an online MKV application, which will be released Friday, June 7, 2019. A total of at least $69,833.94 in grant funds will be distributed based on a competitive process.
 
The following are key dates to remember regarding the MKV competition:
  • Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Release Date: Friday, May 17, 2019
  • Request for Applications (RFA) Release Date: Friday, June 7, 2019
  • Pre-application technical assistance conferences (applicants must attend at least one):
  • Intent to Apply Deadline: Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 3 p.m.
  • Application Submission Deadline: Monday, July 15, 2019, 3 p.m.
For questions, please contact Danielle Rollins at Danielle.Rollins@dc.gov.
Proposed 2019-20 School Year Testing Windows

OSSE’s Office of Assessment seeks feedback on proposed testing windows for the 2019-20 school year. Below are the proposed options:
 
Assessment Proposed Testing Window(s)
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Feb. 17-March 27, 2020
MSAA & DLM March 16-May 1, 2020
PARCC & DC Science Option A: March 30-May 15, 2020
Option B: April 6-May 22, 2020

Holidays, common school breaks, and timing in relation to the end of the school year were all considered in creating these proposed windows. LEA leadership and assessment coordinators can share their thoughts by completing this brief survey by Friday, June 7.

For more information or questions, please contact Cassie Lynott at Cassie.Lynott@dc.gov.

DC Public Library Summer Challenge Kickoff Event at Martha’s Table

Kids, teens, adults - even babies - can get in on the fun this summer by participating in DC Public Library's Summer Challenge. Start the summer with fun reading activities on Saturday, June 8, 2019, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Martha’s Table, 2375 Elvans Road SE, and sign up for the challenge to read 20 minutes every day throughout the summer. Enjoy performances by DC Strings, the Hip Hop Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Library services will also be available, such as Story Time and mobile book check out. This is a family-friendly event and perfect for parents/guardians with children ages 6-12.

For more information please contact Aja R. Clark at Aja.Clark2@dc.gov or visit the DC Public Library website.


2019-20 OSSE Teacher Leadership Cohorts: Applications Now Open for K-12 Science and Secondary ELA
 
OSSE’s Teacher Leader Cohorts consist of outstanding K-12 teacher leaders recognized for their dedication to providing the most innovative education to their students, their commitment to professional growth, leadership and community engagement, and their enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues in their schools and across the District. Cohorts provide critical guidance and feedback on the implementation of standards-based instruction, educator career pathways, and intervention supports for struggling learners. The 2019-20 District of Columbia Teacher Leader Cohorts will focus on supporting OSSE in two key subject areas: K-12 science and middle and high school English language arts (ELA). Participants will receive a $2,500 stipend upon successful completion of the term.
 
Full-time teachers who serve students in grades K-12 (science cohort) or grades 6-12 (ELA cohort) at a public or public charter school in the District are eligible to apply. Please review the full eligibility criteria listed in the online application form.
 
Timeline and Expectations: The time commitment for cohort members will be one week in the summer (July 2019), and approximately 50 hours over the course of the school year. The year of commitment is from July 1, 2019 through June 1, 2020. Please review the online application form for additional details on required program activities.
 
To be considered, teachers must complete the online application by Friday, June 14, 2019 at 5 p.m. including a resume, personal statement, letter of recommendation, and the principal’s letter of support. Up to 30 participants will be selected across both cohorts (science and ELA) for the 2019-20 school year. Applicants will be notified of their selection by Thursday, June 20, 2019.

For questions, please contact Dr. Tiphanie Scroggins at Tiphanie.Scroggins@dc.gov.

New Advanced Placement Working Group

OSSE is convening an Advanced Placement (AP) working group to discuss best practices and determine and make recommendations for state-level activities that can support LEAs and schools as they work to increase participation, equity of access, improve student outcomes, and the overall offering of high-quality AP coursework in local high schools.

The in-person meetings run for two hours and will occur in July, September, November, and December with specific dates to be finalized with working group members.

Desired participants: OSSE seeks AP teachers, coordinators and administrators to participate in the working group.

For questions, or if you are interested in participating the working group, please contact Nicoisa Jones at Nicoisa.Jones@dc.gov by Monday, July 1, 2019.

Blog Post: How Can Charter Schools Best Share Lessons Learned Across Sectors?

Using dissemination funding from OSSE, Perry Street Preparatory Charter School released a new video sharing what they learned in their efforts to turn around their school. Find out more about how public charter schools can share lessons learned across sectors and watch the video.
Professional Development Opportunities
(Unless stated otherwise, all trainings are held at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE)
Essential Understandings for Learning and Teaching about American Indians: Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom
 
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and OSSE invite English language arts (ELA) grades 3-12 teachers to the second session in a three-part series: Culturally Relevant Literacy Instruction.

This workshop session will be held Thursday, June 27, 2019, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. For more information about the event and to register, please visit OSSE's website.

For questions, please contact Ashleigh Tillman at Ashleigh.Tillman@dc.gov or Renee Gokey at Gokeyr@si.edu. Save the date for part three of this workshop series, Theory to Practice: Planning for a Culturally Responsive Literacy Classroom, on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., location TBD.

Restorative Schools Overview

This one-day experiential workshop will introduce teachers, administrators, and school staff to restorative concepts and practices. Participants will explore the continuum of restorative practices, experiencing proactive circles for strengthening relationships and social-emotional skills. More fundamentally, participants will come to see restorative approaches as a means of shifting school culture and climate, as well as addressing systems of power and oppression. This workshop alone is not intended to equip participants to facilitate any particular restorative process, but is a foundational overview and a prerequisite to subsequent restorative trainings.
 
This training will take place on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Hart Middle School, 601 Mississippi Ave. SE. [Register] For questions, please contact Jessica Dulay at Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.

Response to Intervention Foundations
 
Response to Intervention (RtI) is a school-based, multi-level prevention system of identification and intervention for students at academic or behavioral risk.

This training is open to LEA educators, administrators, and support staff who are interested in learning about RtI for the first time, or who would like a refresher. This training will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at OSSE, Fifth Floor, Nannie Helen Burroughs (Room 523). [Register] Participants will receive three OSSE professional learning units (PLUs). For more information or questions, please contact Angela Awonaike at Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov or (202) 481-3870.

Webinar: Understanding and Implementing Section 504
 
Join OSSE for a webinar training that explores both the law and the school’s role for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is a civil rights law that requires school districts to provide eligible students with disabilities a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Section 504 contains non-discrimination requirements which states that all students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities must be protected from discrimination and receive education services that are equal to that of their non-disabled peers.

This training is only open to educators, administrators, and staff that serve in DC Public Schools and DC public charter schools. This training will take place on Friday, July 12, 2019, 9-11 a.m. [Register] Participants will receive two OSSE professional learning units (PLUs). For more information or questions, please contact Angela Awonaike at Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov or (202) 481-3870.

Summer Boot Camp for New Dual Language Teachers
 
OSSE, in partnership with Paridad Education, will provide a five-day professional development training for new pre-K through grade 12 dual language teachers. This training will provide guidance and support to teachers about principles of effective dual language programs, the science of bilingual brain development, cultural proficiency, family engagement, and effective use of native and target language in instruction. By the end of the boot camp, participants will be able to:
  • Use instructional strategies for differentiation;
  • Develop effective content and language assessment tasks;
  • Foster growth in all four language domains; and
  • Develop cultural proficiency for themselves and their students.
The target audience for this training is new bilingual teachers and teachers working in dual language programs. The training will take place Monday through Friday, Aug. 5-9, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To pre-register, please email Santiago Sanchez at Santiago.sanchez@dc.gov with your name, school, and role. Participants will receive six OSSE professional learning units (PLUs) for each day of participation. For questions, please contact Santiago Sanchez at Santigo.Sanchez@dc.gov or (202) 741-5311.
Spanish Literacy for Bilingual Language Teachers
 
OSSE, in partnership with Paridad Education, will provide a two-day professional development training for pre-K through grade 5 bilingual language teachers. This training will support teachers in Spanish dual language programs with instructional strategies to develop academic language in Spanish related to grade-level content areas in the domains of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Participants will acquire skills to leverage students’ translanguaging skills to build their linguistic and content knowledge.
 
The target audience for this training is bilingual teachers working in Spanish dual language programs in pre-K through grade 5. The training will take place Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12-13, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To pre-register, please email Santiago Sanchez at Santiago.Sanchez@dc.gov with your name, school, and role. Participants will receive six OSSE professional learning units (PLUs) for each day of participation. For questions, please contact Santiago Sanchez at Santigo.Sanchez@dc.gov or (202) 741-5311.

Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction: A Framework to Increase Engagement and Student Achievement  (reminder)

OSSE invites English language arts (ELA) grades 3-12 teachers and instructional coaches to participate in a three-part, professional development learning series around culturally responsive teaching framework and pedagogical practices.
 
Teachers will leave with the knowledge needed to shift their mindset to make their literacy environment culturally responsive which will increase student engagement and student achievement while developing a more inclusive mindset and improving instructional practice.  
 
The first session will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Road SE, Room 100. [Register] Participants will receive six OSSE professional learning units (PLUs). Registration for parts two and three of this series will open later this spring.
  • Part 2: Essential Understandings for Learning and Teaching about American Indians: Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom, Thursday, June 27, 2019, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Independence Ave. SW.
  • Part 3: Theory to Practice: Planning for a Culturally Responsive Literacy Classroom, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location TBD.
For questions, please contact Ashleigh Tillman at Ashleigh.Tillman@dc.gov or Kristian Lenderman at Kristian.Lenderman@dc.gov.
Best Practices in Family Engagement, Pre-K through Grade 3  (reminder)
 
In this session, participants will review and compare elements of evidence-based family engagement models and create a family engagement plan for their own classrooms using the knowledge gained about programs. This training is open to educators serving students in pre-K 3 through grade 3 in public schools, public charter schools, Head Start agencies, and community-based organizations in the District of Columbia, with an aim toward increasing coordination between early childhood educators across all sectors through joint professional development. 
 
This full-day training will take place on Friday, June 21, 2019, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at OSSE, Fifth Floor, Nannie Helen Burroughs (Room 523). Participants will receive six OSSE professional learning units (PLUs). Registration is now open in the DC Early Learning Professional Development Information System (PDIS).

As a reminder, all LEA staff serving pre-K 3 through grade 3 may now create an account in PDIS and register for any relevant early childhood trainings available (instructions for creating an account, as well as a list of upcoming training opportunities, were announced in the May 1-7, 2019 LEA Look Forward).
 
For questions about this training, please contact Jenye Fletcher at Jenye.Fletcher@dc.gov. For questions about registering in PDIS, please contact the OSSE Early Childhood Education Help Desk at (202) 478-5903 or DCPDIS@dc.gov.

Reminder: To help children transition from Head Start and other early childhood programs, Title I LEAs have signed a citywide coordination agreement. Title I LEAs have committed to participating in at least two early childhood joint professional development events per year. Several trainings available in PDIS, including the one listed above, can help LEAs fulfill this requirement. For more information on ESSA early learning coordination, please visit OSSE's website.

Starting with the Root: Strategies and Tools to Design Behavioral Interventions  (reminder)
 
OSSE will host a training for educators on how to use student behavioral data to design intervention plans. Starting with an overview of the Response to Intervention framework, the workshop will dive into the step-by-step process of supporting students who need Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior interventions.


The workshop is intended for teachers, school deans, and behavior technicians serving in public and public charter schools in the District. The half-day workshop will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at OSSE, Fifth Floor, Nannie Helen Burroughs (Room 523). Register
 
For more information, contact Kristian Lenderman at Kristian.lenderman@dc.gov.

Leadership Workshop: No-Nonsense Nurturer Approach to Schoolwide Discipline Policies  (reminder)
 
OSSE, in collaboration with CT3, will host a two-day workshop for school leaders and their teams to develop schoolwide discipline policies that are aligned with the No-Nonsense Nurturer approach.


This workshop is intended for leadership teams (e.g., administrators, deans, counselors, team leads, etc.) serving in public and public charter schools in DC. The two-day workshop will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, July 24-25, 2019, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School, 1201 17th St. NW. Register

For more information, please contact Kristian Lenderman at Kristian.lenderman@dc.gov.

The No-Nonsense Nurturer Workshop for Classroom Teachers: Improving Classroom Management and Restorative Practices  (reminder)
 
OSSE, in collaboration with CT3, will host multiple No-Nonsense Nurturer workshops for educators that focus on learning the theory and practices of classroom management and engagement. Participants will reflect on relational approaches to classroom culture and managing student learning. The workshop includes thought-provoking classroom video investigations, lively discussions, opportunities for self-reflection and analysis, and role-playing and rehearsal to increase teachers’ skills and confidence as effective No-Nonsense Nurturers.
 
This workshop is intended for classroom educators serving K-12 students in public and public charter schools in DC. This one-day training will be offered multiple times. Participants should select from one of the following training dates:
  • Friday, July 26, 2019 at Friendship Public Charter School Community Office
  • Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 at Eastern High School
  • Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019 at Aiton Elementary School
  • Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 at Noyes Elementary School
  • Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 at Bunker Hill Elementary School
  • Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 at OSSE
All workshops will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. [Register] Participants will receive an No-Nonsense Nurturer Participant Toolkit to facilitate their learning and to begin their planning for classroom practice, as well as six OSSE professional learning units (PLUs).

For more information, contact Kristian Lenderman at Kristian.Lenderman@dc.gov.
Dates to Remember
OSSE Leadership Team and OSSE Contact Resources

OSSE Key Points of Contact for LEAs
OSSE Organizational Chart

OSSE will continue to update and redistribute these resources quarterly. If you have a question not addressed in these resources, please contact OSSE Communications at OSSE.Communications@dc.gov.
Subscribe to LEA Look Forward

To subscribe to OSSE's LEA Look Forward, please contact OSSE Communications at OSSE.Communications@dc.gov and provide your first name, last name, and email address.






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