2020-21 Start of School Training Videos On-Demand (reminder)
OSSE has released a new section of its Start of School website devoted to the 2020-21 Start of School training series. Organized by priority area, this central hub provides LEA points of contact (POCs) with a one-stop shop for accessing the video recordings and materials for each Start of School training opportunity held this summer. Training series is specifically available for: 1) LEA Data Managers, 2) English Learner Coordinators, 3) Enrollment Audit POCs, 4) Special Education POCs, and 5) Transportation POCs.
The objective of these trainings is to ensure that each LEA has a team of skilled POCs who can leverage student-level data from multiple systems to meet state and federal requirements and effectively serve students on the first day of school. The training series includes orientation sessions for brand new POCs, as well as deep dive content sessions for all levels of POCs.
For questions regarding these trainings, please contact Annette Thacker-Bartlett at Annette.Thacker@dc.gov.
Start of School Checklists for LEA Leaders and LEA-Level Points of Contact Now Available (reminder)
To ensure that LEAs are fully prepared to welcome students for the 2020-21 school year, OSSE has created checklists that outline some of the most critical tasks for LEA leaders and their LEA-level points of contact (POCs) to complete.
Additional information about the 2020-21 Start of School Campaign, including full details and resources for each priority area, registration for summer trainings, and a comprehensive list of dates and deadlines for getting start-of-school-ready should visit OSSE's website.
OSSE Seeks Outstanding Teachers! Apply to Join OSSE’s Teacher Advisory Council
Teacher voice is critical for education in DC. OSSE is seeking DC teacher leaders for the next cohort of OSSE’s Teacher Advisory Council. This group will serve as a sounding board for the superintendent and OSSE leadership on key state-level policies affecting public education in the District of Columbia, providing insight and feedback from their important vantage point in the classroom. Selected teachers will serve a 12-month term, meeting with OSSE leadership on a quarterly basis beginning November 2020.
Teachers at DCPS and public charter schools are welcome to apply using this online application by Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, 11:59 p.m. For questions, please contact Annette Thacker-Bartlett at Annette.Thacker@dc.gov.
Metric Calculation Confirmation Phase III (reminder)
Metric Calculation Confirmation (MCC) is the process that OSSE uses to confirm the accuracy of all of the information that we publish on the DC School Report Card. We are excited to begin Phase III of MCC, which started on Wednesday, Sept. 9. LEA Data Managers who log in to the MCC Qlik Application will find our MCC Guide which will help navigate through the review of your data. As with each phase, we encourage you to log OSSE Support Tool (OST) tickets with questions and concerns. Phase III will close on Oct. 30, when all LEA Heads of School certify the accuracy of each data in the phase. For further details, please reference the full MCC Policy. For questions, please contact Donna Johnson, director of accountability, at DonnaR.Johnson@dc.gov.
Recently Updated Trainer Approval Program Manual is Now Available (reminder)
The recently updated Trainer Approval Program (TAP) Manual is now available on OSSE's website. The Division of Early Learning is committed to providing a clear message to our professional workforce to use developmentally appropriate best practices that reflect current and evidence-based research in the early care and education (ECE) field. The TAP Manual covers the comprehensive and detailed procedural guidance needed as an OSSE-certified trainer of ECE professionals in the District.
For those interested in becoming a TAP-certified trainer, there will be an information session in November or December. Please look out for it in the Professional Development Information System (PDIS) course catalog. For current TAP-certified trainers, there will be a training to include a review of the updated TAP Manual as well as new related policies and procedures in November or December, which will also be posted in PDIS.
If you have any questions about the updated manual or anything else related to TAP, please contact DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC) at OSSE.DCchildcareconnections@dc.gov or (202) 678-0027. DC CCC manages the TAP process on behalf of OSSE.
Important Immunization Reminder and Requirements for In-Person Learning (reminder)
As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, District physicians have recorded an extremely low rate of pediatric immunization administrations this year. According to DC Health, the rate of pediatric immunization administrations has dropped by 70 percent in the District as families have avoided or not had access to well-child care during the emergency period. Due to this, many children in the District are not fully immunized, creating a high risk for an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable infectious disease such as measles among our students. DC Health has advised that such an outbreak of another infectious disease could be as much, or even more, of a public health risk for school communities than COVID-19 itself, and would add another complex obstacle for school operations this year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of protecting children against contagious diseases. Now, more than ever, families should make appointments and receive their necessary immunizations and flu shots. DC Health is prepared to support schools and families by providing more information on the importance of immunizations and details on where to access immunizations in the District. A list of health providers and locations offering pediatric immunizations is available on the DC Health website. Health providers are prepared to continue accepting appointments for administering immunizations throughout the duration of the health emergency and are taking protective measures to ensure safety of patients.
Due to the dangerously low pediatric immunization compliance and in an effort to protect the health and safety of all students, DC Health and OSSE have advised that all schools are to adopt the Immunization Policy for In-Person Attendance beginning in the 2020-21 school year. This includes notifying and potentially removing non-compliant students from in-person instruction after a 20-school day period due to the public health risks of in-person congregation without up-to-date immunizations. We request your assistance with communicating immunization requirements to all families now to give them as much time as possible to make appointments with their health care providers before the start of school.
OSSE's website has resources, training and information available for schools and families to support meeting immunization requirements. For questions about the Immunization Policy for In-Person Attendance, please contact OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov. For questions about immunization information, data, and locations where families can receive immunizations, schools can contact DC Health at SHS.Program@dc.gov or visit the DC Health Immunization Program webpage.
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) 2020-21 Deadline Extended (reminder)
OSSE is extending the deadline for applicants to complete the DCTAG application and submit all supporting documentation from Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 to Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. View official notice on OSSE's website.
The DCTAG application opened Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 for the 2020-21 academic year, which includes the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. Applicants must submit certain supporting documentation to prove domicile in the District of Columbia. A prior year’s Certified D-40 Tax Return from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) is a commonly used document to demonstrate domicile.
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Bowser and OTR extended the District of Columbia’s tax filing deadline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. OSSE’s extension of the DCTAG application deadline to Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 will allow families taking advantage of the extended tax filing deadline to use the Certified D-40 Tax Return to demonstrate domicile for DCTAG. Also, DCTAG has been allowed to make an exception to accept non certified D-40 taxes for the 2020-21 school year only. For students who are planning to apply for DCTAG for the 2021-22 school year, the certified 2019 D-40 and the certified 2020 D-40 will be required.
For more information, please visit the DCTAG website.
Upcoming Virtual PD Sessions for DC Educators
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) is pleased to announce the release of their Fall 2020 PD Catalog, which includes a robust offering of professional learning opportunities that are now open for registration. All OSSE TAL PD trainings are listed within the OSSE Training Registration application. In addition to the catalog, educators can stay informed of PD opportunities by viewing the September 2020 TAL PD Bulletin. For questions, please contact the relevant member of the TAL PD Team.
Fall Symposium: The Pediatric Provider's Role in School Attendance and Engagement
School administrators and staff are encouraged to join an evening symposium organized by the DC chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on opportunities to collaborate across sectors to support school attendance and engagement this school year. The event will feature a panel discussion and break-out groups. Presenters and facilitators will include experts from across the education and healthcare sectors, including school staff, parents, partner organizations such as Children’s Law Center and Flamboyan Foundation, as well as Dr. Lee Beers, the president-elect of AAP.
This free symposium will be held virtually via the Zoom platform on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. Health care providers and educators in DC, Maryland and Virginia are invited to attend. For more information and to register, visit the events website. Please RSVP by Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 as space is limited.
For questions, please contact Dr. Heidi Schumacher, assistant superintendent of Health and Wellness at OSSE, at Heidi.Schumacher@dc.gov.
Duplicative Enrollment Application Training (reminder)
OSSE’s Office of the Chief Information Officer will host two virtual trainings on the Duplicative Enrollment Application, Monday, Sept. 21, from 9-10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 9-10:30 a.m. The Duplicative Enrollment Application was released on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020.
The training will cover how to navigate within the application, submit appeals, upload documentation, and review OSSE’s final determination. The same content will be covered in both trainings. Interested participants should visit OSSE's Training Registration Site to register.
Prerequisites for Accessing the Application
Attendees must have:
SLED credentials; and
Designated as either the LEA Data Manager or Enrollment Audit POC in eSchoolPLUS.
Notice for IDEA Annual LEA Determinations Webinar (reminder)
The Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) requires OSSE to make annual determinations about each LEA’s implementation of Part B of the IDEA. In making local determinations, OSSE considers federally required elements, as well as other metrics relevant to the IDEA.
The FFY 2018 IDEA Determinations will be issued this month through the IDEA Determinations Application. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, OSSE provided each LEA their designated determinations assignment through a web-based application. This web-based application provided a more informative approach in ensuring LEAs were provided with the data and tools to understand their determination assignment.
OSSE will host a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, from 1-2 p.m. to walk through each section of the web-based application to ensure each LEA feels supported and knowledgeable about their determination assignment. Register
Youth Mental Health First Aid – Virtual Workshop (reminder)
Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is a public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.
This blended-learning course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. [Register] Participants are required to complete a two-hour self-paced intro course prior to attending the virtual training. All pre-work and virtual details will be provided to participants one week prior to their training date.
Homeless Education Program September 2020 PD Webinars (reminder)
OSSE' Homeless Education Program welcomes you to the 2020-21 school year! Under the federal mandates of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, every LEA is required to have an identified homeless liaison to assist students and parents experiencing homelessness.
To help homeless liaisons prepare for various aspects of their role in the new school year, the Homeless Education Program is offering a variety of PD opportunities for homeless liaisons with various levels of experience. All homeless liaisons are asked to review the remaining PD schedule for September 2020 and register for the appropriate trainings.
Youth Shelters, Services and Programs
During this webinar session, attendees will hear from program staff representing the following District program providers:
Covenant House of Greater Washington
Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Latin America Youth Center
Date and time: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, 1:30-2:30 p.m. [Register]
Four Key Dimensions of Self-Care
Attendees will be presented with information on how to maintain their well-being across four key dimensions: emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual health.
Date and time:Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, 10:30-11:30 a.m. [Register]
For questions and technical support, please contact Tasheen Stallings at Tasheen.Stallings@dc.gov.
Fiscal Year 2021 DC Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant Notice of Funding Availability
OSSE is pleased to announce the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the OSSE Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant.
Grant funds will be used to establish up to eight community schools in the District of Columbia, as defined by the Community Schools Incentive Act of 2012. The overall goal of the grant is to provide resources that will enable eligible consortia to create and enhance community-based partnerships, and develop a framework for continued funding as well as ongoing evaluation of program success.
This is a multi-year grant program to begin in fiscal year 2021. Subject to funding availability, successful applicants shall be eligible for three years of grant funding.
A virtual pre-application meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, from 1-3 p.m. [Register] Please see the NOFA for more details regarding this grant. For more information or questions, please contact Melissa Harper-Butler at (202) 478-2409 or Melissa.Harper-Butler@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.
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