Weekly Field Memo: Recent News and Items of Interest From the Agency

Content:

Audience: Students, Principals, Guidance Counselors, Teachers, High School Seniors

The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program is statewide recognition for student excellence in academics, community service, the arts, technical skills, and leadership in three categories: General, Career Technical Education (CTE), and the Arts. The deadline for nominations is November 6, 2026. For detailed information about each category, including requirements, deadlines, and nomination forms, please refer to the Awards and Recognition web page. Please note that in the General and CTE categories students may self-nominate. Feel free to distribute this information to high school seniors where appropriate. Students who are residents of Vermont and are currently attending school out-of-state may apply through the self-nomination process.

Contacts:
General Category: Ryan Parkman at [email protected]

Audience: District level Administrators, building Administrators

Interested in building new pathways to teacher licensure in your School District or Supervisory Union? The Vermont Agency of Education, in partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor and the National Center for Grow Your Own (NCGYO), is pleased to announce the Vermont Grow Your Own Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant.

This new competitive subgrant opportunity is made possible through an education grant awarded to NCGYO, and is designed to support educator preparation providers seeking to create or expand Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Programs across Vermont.

School Districts and Supervisory Unions interested in partnering with educator preparation programs on this grant opportunity can sign up for one of the pre-proposal information sessions at the link below, or reach out to [email protected] to learn more.

Contact: Amelia Wurzburg at [email protected]
CTE Category: Julia Schuster at [email protected]
Arts Category: Eric Howard at [email protected]

Audience: All licensed Vermont Educators

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has adjusted the user fees for Criminal Record Checks (CRCs). Educators applying for licensure will now be charged $15 for a CRC. More information can be found in the FBI's announcement online via the Federal Register.

Contact: General Licensing Inquiries at [email protected]

Audience: Educators Grades K - 8, Administrators

Designed by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife for Kindergarten through eighth-grade youth across Vermont, this FREE program allows students to get outside and explore the Vermont landscape in a unique way.

Students will watch a pre-recorded video highlighting a unique Vermont species each week. Each class also has the option to participate in question-and-answer sessions conducted virtually each week by Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff.

Each pre-recorded video focuses on one Vermont wild animal and covers topics such as habitat, lifecycle and fun natural history facts! After the video, students venture outside with their educator and look for the appropriate habitat of the animal that was discussed, paying close attention to any scat and tracks or other signs of the critter.

Registration is open until December 15 and may be completed on their website.

Contact: Corey Hart, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife at [email protected]

Audience: Educators, Administrators

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is once again inviting Vermont schools to name the State's big orange snowplows. To enter the 2026 Name a Plow program, the school's Principal or Director should complete our online form on the Name a Plow webpage . The deadline to submit a name is October 30, 2026.

AOT plow operators will visit the schools that name a truck this year on Tuesday, November 10, at 9:00 AM (weather permitting) to celebrate Vermont Plow Day. Schools are invited to take photos of their students and staff with the plow truck and name sign.

Contact: Tamyra Ladd, AOT at [email protected]

Audience: Teachers, technology IT professionals, technology integrators and coaches, school librarians, and Administrators

This annual conference, hosted by Vita-Learn and the Vermont School Library Association, features a variety of workshops and presentations that support participants in deepening their knowledge and skills to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms, libraries, and schools. Featuring keynote speakers Dr. Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR Model, and Amanda Jones, acclaimed author of That Librarian. Learn from two of the most influential voices in EdTech, and modern librarianship, respectively. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field, share best practices, and explore new tools and strategies to enhance their educational environments and strengthen their data privacy and cybersecurity posture. Whether you're a seasoned tech professional, school librarian, curriculum leader, or a classroom teacher, Vermont Fest provides valuable insights and practical solutions to meet the evolving needs of today's educational landscape, support efforts to improve student outcomes, and foster a culture of innovation in schools.

Register using their link by October 22 for early-bird pricing.

Contact: Josh Blumberg at [email protected]

Audience: Teachers, literacy leaders, Principals, Curriculum Directors, literacy coaches, Interventionists

Know Better, Do Better: Teaching the Foundations So Every Child Can Read Book Study: The recording is now available for the orientation session of the Know Better, Do Better: Teaching the Foundations So Every Child Can Read book study with authors David and Meredith Liben, which was held on September 24. There's still time to register for the book study and watch the recording of the orientation session if you missed it. Session dates and times are as follows. Please commit to attending all remaining sessions.

• September 24: 3:30-4:15 PM | Orientation session recording
• October 22: 3:30-4:45 PM | Chapters 1-3
• November 19: 3:30-4:45 PM | Chapters 4-5
• December 10: 3:30-4:45 PM | Chapters 6 -7 and Wrap-up

Contact: Emily Leute at [email protected]