The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back!
This issue covers many topics that are immediately useful like making the most of artificial intelligence in school programs, an opportunity to join a new eSports league, and free screenings of a recent documentary about anxiety among teens. Be sure to check out the lesson plans for teaching about Shark Lady!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we now include a guide to common abbreviations after all the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Taking a Vacation from Your Vacation. Summer break not go as planned? The Harvard Business Review offers a handful of suggestions about how to ease back into the day-to-day scrum of things.
Short 100,000 Staff. Washington Post highlights the challenges that school are facing in recruiting mental health professionals nationwide, with stories of short-term successes that may be helpful to Vermont’s school leaders.
How Often Does A Curriculum Release Make The News? WCAX covers Clemmons Family Farm’s new free tutorial videos, featuring Vermont grade school teachers and Clemmons Family Farm teaching artists, that give teachers an in-depth look at Windows to a Multicultural World lesson plans and tips on how to use the arts-integrated African-American history curriculum with their students.
Teaching with Artificial Intelligence. OpenAI, developers of the now-famous ChatGPT platform, has released a teacher guide that includes prompts that can be used as part of a lesson, an explanation of how ChatGPT works and its limitations, and more.
Shark Lady, Dragons, and Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Smithsonian’s Postal Museum has updated resources on the stories behind several stamps, ready for incorporation into elementary school classrooms.
Trauma-Informed Principals and Therapy Pods. VT Digger columnist Bill Schubart floats several ideas to support youth mental health in schools without placing further burdens on our teachers.
Smile for the Birdie! The Vermont School Board Association suggested in a recent Weekly Update that board members take advantage of the annual tradition of school pictures to get individual and/or group pictures of the school board for use on a website, annual report, or newsletter.
Making Education More Inclusive. WCAX profiles the efforts of the state’s Ethnic and Social Equity Standards Working Group, four years into its work.
Taming the Inbox. Educators Collaborative brings us several suggestions on email management to “think outside the Inbox.”
Improve the Culture and Keep the Teachers. Education Week interviews a Texas principal about his formula for creating a positive school culture that keeps kids learning and reduces staff turnover.
Burlington High School for Millions More. WCAX updates us on the increased costs of demolishing and rebuilding Burlington’s high school, and news that the school board will have to look for an additional $2 million for the construction.
New Boost in Medicaid for Schools. Axios reports that the federal government is looking to improve access to Medicaid for schools, including streamlining reimbursement processes. In fact, last year’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act requires Medicaid to increase mental health care and comprehensive health care more generally in schools.
All about AI in Education. ED published a 70+ page report on the impacts and implications of AI on education, with the benefit of more than 700 stakeholders giving input on the final product.
“As a Nation, We Talk About Mental Health Differently Now.” The New York Times profiles the positive impact of several changes that Yale University has made recently to support student mental health, lessons that may help many other education leaders, too. Gift link
Feds Investigate AOE. VT Digger’s Peter D’Auria pops the lid on an ongoing federal investigation of how Vermont’s Agency of Education handled local mask mandates, including the former Secretary’s stern message to a superintendent: “With all due respect, I am unaware that your district has greater public health expertise than the Vermont Department of Health.”
Back to School Mental Health Toolkit. Just in time for the new school year, Mental Health America published a toolkit that helps school leaders and educators combat the scourges of cyberbullying, body image, social comparison, and other social media activities that can contribute to youth mental health struggles. Thanks, Rep. Berbeco!
Bad Board Break Up from Supervisory Union. The Alburgh school board voted no confidence in its superintendent, the superintendent submitted a letter of resignation for the end of the school year, and the board voted to remove all references of the supervisory union from its letterhead. “Right now, I think you’ve got a better chance of finding a unicorn than improving this relationship.”
Downside of Electric Busses in Chilly Vermont. As the state wraps up a large pilot project to test electric school bus performance, one significant finding highlighted in this 380+ page report is that “as temperatures dropped, vehicle range reduced in a relatively linear manner,” by as much as 80% at zero degrees Fahrenheit. This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Heads Up, Vermont. Several states are taking innovative steps to support their students. Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
Schools in New Hampshire have banned student cell phones in an effort to curb cyberbullying and classroom distractions.
Three no-cost grocery stores are opening this year in Nevada to help students and their families, through a partnership with a local nonprofit.
Community colleges classes are now free in Massachusetts for students over 25, including tuition and fees, plus a books and materials allowance.
State government in Connecticut are subsidizing health care costs for paraprofessionals this school year with a $5 million investment.
School Shootings in 2023. Education Week’s tracker reports 28 school shootings in 2023. “On Sept. 1, a shooting near the stands during a high school football game in Port Allen, La., killed a 16-year-old male student and injured a 28-year-old woman.” Total school shootings in 2022: 51. As a reminder, DPS and AOE operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff, and their community: calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org. For questions about school safety training in Vermont, contact Rob Evans.
Reader Survey
In each issue we ask a survey question to get a sense of what is on our readers’ minds. Then, the following issue, we report back on what we learned. Last issue we asked: Where are your greatest staffing shortages at the start of the school year? The responses were about equally in favor of Teachers, counselors, and other certified positions and Paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and other classified positions, with almost no respondents selecting I don’t anticipate a staffing shortage.
This issue’s survey question: How is your community engagement going? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ Great, just the right level of school-to-community engagement
✅ We could use more or better school-to-community engagement
✅ We could do with less school-to-community engagement
Thank you to an educator from Chittenden County for that survey question. What’s on your mind? Suggest a survey question to find out how your colleagues respond in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed!
Job Listings
Superintendent. Addison Central School District is recruiting its next senior leader, a data-driven decision maker who is skilled at bringing together the school community to improve student outcomes. We are looking for a proven leader with a record of prioritizing equity and who can demonstrate an understanding of rural communities. Closing date for applications is September 28. Sponsored by McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
Interim Principal. Lowell Graded School is seeking an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of current practices that advance holistic outcomes for student learning for our pre-K to grade eight school of 85 students. Strong applicants will have a successful track record of managing complex change and effective school-community engagement. Sponsored by North Country Supervisory Union
Elementary School Counselor. Come join a dynamic, solution-focused team at Saxtons River Elementary and support our K-4 students through individual, small group, and classroom counseling lessons. Experience with Second Step, Trauma-Informed Practices, Responsive Classroom, and Restorative Practices is desired. Sponsored by Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
Health Teacher. Bellows Falls Union High School is seeking an enthusiastic, open minded health education teacher with a strong personal health and wellness knowledge and familiarity with National Health Education Standards. Preferred applicants will have at least two years of relevant experience. Sponsored by Windham Northeast Supervisory Union
Supercharge the Applicant Pool. The market for school staff in Vermont is fierce and it’s important to stand out when attracting quality candidates. Why get wedged in among thousands of open positions on SchoolSpring? Your opportunity can stand out in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed, dropping into the Inbox of 2,000+ readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with nearly a thousand job opportunities in K-12 education, about a third of them for remote work.
Looking for a Change? With so many open education positions in Vermont, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, South Burlington High School is currently looking for an eSports Head Coach who is available to start immediately.
Thank the Team
Like what you are reading? Want a creative way to show your support? Cover our coffee budget! Writing, editing, researching… all of that is caffeine driven. Choose this option and the extra energy will go to finding a few more updates to share.
From the Editor’s Pen
The school year is off to a great start in Vermont: kids learning, teachers teaching, and school leaders solving problems around bussing, classroom assignments, and whether to start swimming lessons in a post-flood pool in the basement of one of the buildings.
Although we are well underway, several schools in some cases have had to make last-minute changes to cover for substantial staffing shortages, but in many other places the positions are still open: more than 1,800 of them at last count. Post-pandemic federal stimulus funds have helped sweeten the deal, with about a dozen positions offering up to $3,000 in signing bonuses, yet the openings go unfilled.
Even more concerning is the number of one-year positions that no doubt have been made possible by ESSER funds - about dozen that are currently vacant plus many more than have been filled. Those colleagues will be looking for another job towards the end of the school year when this federal funding source dries up. We may see a rapid shift in the market with demand going up as supply of positions drops off significantly, this time without those signing bonuses to entice applicants.
The chart below tracks the total number of education openings in the 180 days prior to publication, presented as data points and no linear trend line this time. Data from SchoolSpring, except for 30-75 days ago when the editor was visiting family in Alaska.
Pass It On
Like what you are reading? Hit the button below to send a copy to a colleague, friend, neighbor, your boss… whoever!
Colleagues on the Move
Principal and Assistant Principal positions have been opening up and getting filled around the state. There have been 102 positions that have opened since the start of the calendar year, of which 101 have been filled. Data from VPA.
These colleagues received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed. Data from AOE’s Aithent Licensing System.
Sidney Martinez • Superintendent
Richard Angell • Principal
Debra Beaupre • Principal
Justina Boyden • Principal
Carolyn Brennan • Principal
Sara Crothers • Principal
Dale Mann • Principal
Megan McFarland • Principal
Shannon Miller • Principal
Jennifer O'Neill • Principal
Nicole Weeks • Principal
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
802 Ed in the News
The 802 Ed was highlighted recently by WCAX: Checking in on Staff Shortages As School Year Begins.
Grants & Opportunities
Trauma Informed Suicide Prevention for Administrators. Rising suicidal ideation among school staff and students can be overwhelming. Learn about resources available to schools, how to conduct a trauma informed risk assessment, and effective collaboration with community partners. 6pm, September 13.
Special Education Advocates. The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council published an RFP for an organization to develop a special education advocate program in Chittenden and Franklin counties through a $35,000 grant program. Deadline is September 15.
New Vermont eSports League. VPA announced a partnership with PlayVS for high school eSports, and state championship titles for League of Legends, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Schools that enroll in Super Smash Bros. receive a free Nintendo Switch and game codes, while supplies last. Deadline to register is September 22.
Unleashing the Power of AI in Education. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges is hosting a webinar to better understand AI and its implications for teaching, learning, and assessment. 9am -10 am, September 26.
Post-Secondary Success. AmeriCorps is presenting a webinar on its national service program, in partnership with the American School Counselor Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and AASA. 4pm, September 27.
All the Surgeons General on Youth Mental Health. Dartmouth College is hosting a panel discussion of the current and all six of the former (and living) U.S. Surgeons General on the topic of youth mental health. “The seriousness of student mental health cannot be overstated.” 1pm, September 28.
Making the Most of Lexile Measures in the Classroom. Demonstrated Success is presenting a webinar on using lexile measures to guide book selection, differentiate instruction, and more. 3:15pm - 4:15pm, September 28 or October 18.
Regional Superintendents Conference. The New England Association of School Superintendents, the oldest and only remaining regional organization of school administrators in the country, announced its annual conference in Newport, Rhode Island with the theme of Courage to Lead: “We cannot control the wind, but we can direct the sail.” October 4 - 6.
Benchmark Assessment Grant Application: Round 3. AOE announced a new round of applications for the ARP ESSER Benchmark Assessment Grant for supervisory unions and districts to purchase benchmark assessment systems for lexile and quantile measures, as well as supporting professional development costs. Deadline is October 12.
In Case You Missed It
Anxious Nation. NAMI Vermont and the Mental Health Initiative are presenting free screenings of a recent documentary that explores teen anxiety, with five opportunities to attend from mid-September to mid-October across the state.
From Microaggressions to “Full On Attacks.” Middlebury Union Middle School’s exiting Dean of Climate and Culture details in an Addison Independent op-ed many of her harrowing experiences during her first and only year on the job.
Centerpoint 2.0. Tucked into a Seven Days article about in-district therapeutic schools is the news that South Burlington plans to provide special education services in the recently shuttered Centerpoint school with many of the same staff, “building on Centerpoint's work” and likely costing the supervisory unions much less in per student costs.
“Draconian Cuts That Will Harm Our Most Vulnerable Students.” Vermont’s Principal of the Year published an op-ed in the Hechinger Report that takes aim at proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to federal Title I funding that will directly affect the most vulnerable students in his school, especially the provision of mental health services.
Thank a Superintendent Day. The good news is that it’s coming up on September 13. And the bad news is that at least one supervisory union currently has this posted on their calendar without realizing that the annual celebration is intended for golf course superintendents. Besides, why isn’t every day Thank a Superintendent Day?
The 802 Ed brings together the latest from Vermont's associations for principals, superintendents, and school board members, as well as state and national education agencies. We hope that you'll find something useful in each issue and welcome comments or suggestions for upcoming issues: editor@802ed.com.
Abbreviation list: AASA School Superintendents Association, ADM Average Daily Membership, AOE Agency of Education, CDD Child Development Division, DAIL Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, DCF Department for Children and Families, DPS Department of Public Safety, ED U.S. Department of Education, RFP Request for Proposals, NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, SBE State Board of Education, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association, VTSU Vermont State University.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: Looking for extra room for your next vacation stay in Florida? The minor league Pensacola Blue Wahoos stadium is available for rent: clubhouse, batting cage, regulation-size field, and a bunch of bunk beds, for just over $5,000 a night. Thanks, Daybreak!