High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) Grant - Request for Application (RFA) Release on Sept. 16 (reminder) OSSE is releasing funding for approximately five to seven grants to support existing successful evidence-based tutoring programs to scale. The funding period will run from approximately Jan. 9, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024. Please see OSSE’sHIT websiteor the2022-23 grants forecastfor more detailed information on the available award types and eligibility (for the latter, scroll down the page to download the Excel document with the grant details).
The RFA will be available on OSSE’s website at 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 at 12. The deadline to submit an application will be at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Applications will be accepted only through OSSE’s Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
A pre-application webinar will be held following the release of the RFA. Please see the RFA for information on the date, time and how to register for this webinar. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers via a public FAQ document.
If you have any questions about the grant, please email the HIT grants team atHIT.Grants@dc.gov.
DC Approved for Fiscal Year 2022 Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) (reminder) In July 2022, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved P-EBT benefits for fiscal year 2022 (FY22). Details are below.
Summer 2022 P-EBT Benefits
The District will issue summer P-EBT benefits to eligible families by the end of September 2022. To ensure all eligible students receive this benefit, schools must process all Free and Reduced-price Meal (FARM) applications that were submitted by Aug. 29, 2022, and update student eligibility in the student information system (SIS) by Sept. 15, 2022. FARM applications submitted after Aug. 29, 2022 should continue to be processed within 10 days to determine meal eligibility.
Children eligibly for P-EBT will receive the federally approved flat rate of $391 per child. DC children are eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits under the following circumstances:
A child older than age 6 (as of Sept. 30, 2021) was enrolled in a school in the 2021-22 school year that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and either:
the school participated in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP);
applied for FARM before Aug. 29, 2022, is determined eligible by the School Food Authority (SFA) and eligibility is updated in the SIS by Sept. 15, 2022;
Directly certified for FARM (which includes students receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF]).
A child younger than age 6 (as of Sept. 30, 2021) is part of a household that received a SNAP benefit between Aug. 30, 2021 and Aug. 20, 2022.
School Year 2021-22 P-EBT Benefits for children younger than age 6 Children who were younger than age 6 on Sept. 30, 2021 and were part of a household participating in SNAP will receive a monthly benefit of $60.20 for each month they were enrolled in SNAP, or $602.02 for the year. These children will also receive a flat benefit of $391 for the summer.
Additional information can be found on theDC Department of Human Services (DHS) P-EBT websitein multiple languages. DHS’s public benefits call center can be reached at (202) 727‑5355, Monday–Friday, from 7:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Resources are linked below and more information will be sent directly to nutrition points of contact, including when and how to contact DHS.
CDC, DC Health Release Monkeypox Guidance for Schools
To address schools’ questions about responding to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DC Health have each issued guidance for schools. According to the CDC, at this time, the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents is low.
The basics about monkeypox, including but not limited to its symptoms, risks, how it spreads, treatments and who should get vaccinated;
Strategies for preventing monkeypox in schools, including staying home when sick, isolation for individuals with symptoms of or confirmed monkeypox and recommendations for hand hygiene;
Protocols for responding to suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox at a school, including reporting to DC Health, cleaning and disinfection protocols, and contact identification.
Similarly, the CDC has published a list of answers to frequently asked questions about monkeypox for school administrators and staff. You are encouraged to review this information with your staff.
OSSE will also host a health and safety technical assistance call focused on monkeypox on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 1-2 p.m. During this call, we will review guidance from DC Health and the CDC and answer your questions. Join the call here. Advanced registration is not required. LEA leaders who wish to have questions addressed on the call can email the Division of Health and Wellness at OSSE.HealthandSafety@dc.gov.
COVID-19 Testing for 2022-23 School Year
As we enter the new school year, OSSE and DC Health are preparing to support LEA’s potential COVID-19 testing needs. As communicated on Aug. 17, LEAs will receive one mass shipment of test supplies intended for the fall of the 2022-23 school year (through Winter Break 2023). Details for the use of these tests, as well as next steps, were communicated directly to LEA leaders and COVID-19 testing points of contact in the Aug. 17 email.
School Health and Safety Guidance Technical Assistance (reminder)
OSSE's Health and Wellness Division offers the following technical assistance:
The next School Health and Safety Community of Practice call will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Join the call here. Advanced registration is not required.
LEA leaders who wish to have questions addressed on the call can email the Division of Health and Wellness at OSSE.HealthandSafety@dc.gov.
Updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for Schools (reminder)
The CDC updated its Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning on Aug. 11, 2022, which is available here. Updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
Removing the recommendation to quarantine for people who are exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19);
Removing information about Test to Stay;
Removing the recommendation to cohort;
Changing the recommendation to conduct screening tests to focus on high-risk activities during high COVID-19 Community Level or in response to an outbreak; and
Adding detailed information on when to wear a mask, managing cases and exposures and responding to outbreaks.
OSSE’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources webpage will continue to provide links to resources for implementing strategies aligned to the CDC guidance.
Expanded Vaccine Access Opportunities (reminder)
The best place for DC families to access immunizations is at their primary medical provider as part of their comprehensive well-child care. If a family does not have a health care provider for their child or they have difficulty securing an appointment before the first day of school, they can select one from a list of pediatric clinic locations in every ward. In addition, DC Health will expand access to vaccination services which include:
Mobile Vaccination Units – DC Health has placed free mobile medical units at schools and additional sites at recreation centers, COVID Centers and other community locations in all eight wards. Dates and locations can be found here. Families can pre-register for the free mobile vaccination units by using the registration link. (also available in Spanish – Español)
Vaccination Block Parties – Children’s National is hosting free school-based immunization clinics every Saturday in August and September. In addition to free vaccines, there will be food trucks, raffles, giveaways and more! Staff will be available to answer questions about immunizations. Families should pre-register for an immunization appointment using the registration link.
COVID Centers – The COVID-19 vaccine is available for free to any individual age 6 months and older at the District’s COVID Centers located in all eight wards. More information on accessing the COVID-19 vaccine is available on the District’s coronavirus website.
Vaccine Exchange – Schools can use the Vaccine Exchange to request and coordinate on-site vaccination clinics with health providers.
2021-22 DC Statewide Assessment Results and Resources Now Available DC statewide 2021-22 school year statewide assessment results presentation and supporting data files are now available on OSSE's website. The data files provide aggregate state-, sector-, and school-level results for both PARCC and MSAA.
OSSE, Consortium of Universities Host College Admissions Panel Discussion
Join OSSE and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area on the campus of Catholic University on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. for a panel discussion with admissions directors from local colleges and universities. Come learn about some of the exciting programs happening at area institutions of higher education (IHEs) and insider admissions tips from college decision-makers. Stay for the networking reception offered at the conclusion of the panel.
All school counselors, college counselors and college access staff are invited to attend! Please RSVP here by Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.
2022-23 Continuous Education Plans (CEPs) Published School year 2022-23 CEPs for all approved LEAs are now published and can be found and downloaded here. For compliance purposes, plans must be shared with your school community. Please download the PDF of your LEA’s plan for immediate publication to your website and for wider distribution.
For additional information on 2022-23 CEPs, please contact Joseph Hood at Joseph.Hood@dc.gov.
OSSE DOT's Bus Resource Kit: Information Guide (reminder) OSSE Division of Student Transportation (DOT) Bus Resource Kit is an at-a-glance resource for vital information related to DOT’s start of school efforts. Learn more and download a copy of the new resource kit here.
OSSE and DME release 2022-23 School Year UPSFF Payment Letter (reminder) In an effort to provide clear communication, increase transparency and enhance predictability, OSSE and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) have released guidance to charter LEAs regarding the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) for the new school year. The 2022-23 School Year UPSFF letter provides information on school funding for the upcoming school year, including the timeline for quarterly payments (including charter facility payments), supplemental payments and extended school year (ESY) payments.
If you have any questions, please contact OSSE Director for Budget and Finance Ryan Aurori at Ryan.Aurori@dc.gov.
OSSE and DME Seek Participants for UPSFF Working Group (reminder) OSSE and DME are looking for representatives from LEAs and the public to join the UPSFF Working Group, which will review the UPSFF and provide input and recommendations regarding revisions.
Members must commit to participating in monthly meetings from August to December. LEA representatives should be Heads of School, Chief Financial Officers, or other staff familiar with the UPSFF and school finance. Interested members of the public should have direct experience with school budgets and finance such as conducting research on education finance policy or providing consulting support to LEAs on budget development.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact OSSE Director for Budget and Finance Ryan Aurori at Ryan.Aurori@dc.gov.
School Culture & Climate: Upcoming PD Opportunities (reminder)
OSSE will be offering several professional development (PD) trainings in the month of September for DC educators. Please use the OSSE Training Registration App to view and register for all upcoming PD sessions. In addition, the OSSE Teaching and Learning (TAL) team will be announcing additional PD opportunities associated with the launch of our new learning management system (LMS), through an upcoming special edition of the TAL PD Bulletin. Subscribe here to receive this newsletter.
Understanding the Impact of Trauma and Stress on the Brain: OSSE, together with InSite Solutions, will host a virtual 2-hour introductory session to provide a quick and accessible way for schools to begin learning around brain-based theory and practice within the larger school environment. This virtual training will take place on Thursday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. View details and register here.
Interactive Storytelling for Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood: OSSE, in partnership with Dramatic Solutions, will host a two-part virtual training that combines storytelling and participant-centered practices to build social and emotional skills, support engagement, and encourage creative and critical thinking skills for early learning programs. Part 1:Storytelling will take place Saturday, Sept. 17, 9-11 a.m. Register here.Part 2: Emphasizing Puppetry Work will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, 12-2 p.m. Register here. The target audience for both trainings is educators serving students in pre-K through grade 2.
Games, Creative Exercises, and Brain Breaks for SEL and Academic Achievement: This online training series explores how active and cooperative drama strategies can support academic achievement for high school, middle school, and elementary school students. Part 1 takes place Saturday, Sept. 24, 9-11 a.m. Register here. Part 2 takes place Saturday, Sept. 24, 12 – 2 p.m. Register here.
Foundations of Special Education – New Coursework, Micro-Credential and Endorsement Opportunities (reminder) By providing the foundational knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve ALL students, especially students with disabilities, these professional learning opportunities will build the capacity of District of Columbia educators through meaningful and engaging coursework, while leveraging the flexibility of technology.
Beginning fall 2022, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will offer a professional learning pathway for District of Columbia educators in the Foundations of Special Education. This learning pathway includes asynchronous online coursework to earn professional learning units (PLUs) and micro-credentials. Participants may also qualify to receive a $1,500 stipend by pursuing a Special Education Endorsement Credential add-on. The coursework for these initiatives will be hosted on OSSE’s new learning management system (LMS) platform.
Office Hours with the Office of Multilingual Education (reminder)
As part of OSSE’s Start of School initiative, the OSSE Office of Multilingual Education will host virtual office hours on Thursday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. School and LEA leaders and staff are invited to drop into this informal virtual session to ask questions, express concerns, or just to say, “Hi!” Please RSVP via email to Anika.Harris@dc.gov to receive the meeting link.
Upcoming Virtual Professional Learning for DC Educators
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) offers a robust menu of virtual professional learning opportunities, including live virtual sessions, multi-session series and asynchronous modules. Find more details and registration links in the OSSE Training Registration application. For questions, please contact therelevant member of the TAL Professional Learning Team.
Full-Service Community Schools Federal Grant Opportunity (reminder) The United States Department of Education’s (USED) Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Programis offering a competitive federal grant opportunity direct to LEAs and community-based organizations for planning, implementation, and operation of full-service community schools. A full-service community school is a partnership among school staff, families, children, youth, and the community to raise student achievement by assuring that children are physically, emotionally, and socially supported to learn.
Applications are now availablehereand are due to USED by Sept. 12, 2022.
Applicants for the 2022 FSCS grant may select from several competitive priority areas, including a FSCS State Scaling Grant. Partnership with OSSE, the District of Columbia’s state education agency, is required for those in DC applying under that priority. If you intend to apply for a 2022 FSCS grant focused on state scaling, please contact Dr. Kelly Rudd-Safran at KellyRudd.Safran@dc.gov.
21st CCLC FY23 Continuation Application Announcement (reminder)
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Continuation Application is now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). This application should be completed by subgrantees awarded initially in FY21 and FY22. The deadline to submit this continuation application is Sept. 16, by 5 p.m. EST.
Completion of 21st CCLC continuation applications inEGMSincludes completing the FY23 Central Data and 21st CCLC Continuation Application sections by Sept. 16, at 5 p.m.
For technical support accessing the grant application within EGMS, please contact the EGMS Support Team atOSSE.CallCenter@dc.gov or (202) 719-6500.
OSSE Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant – Updates and Reminders As the Community Schools Incentive Initiative (CSII) Grant approaches the end of the grant year, recipients are required to complete an end-of-grant-year report, submit evidence and participate in a site visit and evaluation.
All CSII end-of-grant-year reports are due no later than Sept. 30. All reports and any supporting documents should be uploaded in EGMS.
End-of-grant-year site visits will be conducted in September 2022, and grantees will be evaluated at that time. As a component of the evaluation process, evidence documentation will be required and is due no later than Sept. 30. Evidence documentation will only be accepted viaDC Government’s Box.
For questions or additional information about the Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant, please contact Sylvelt Walker atSylvelt.Walker1@dc.gov.
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.
