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

Contents:

Seeking Student Member for Vermont State Board of Education

Audience: Vermont Secondary Students, Superintendents, Principals, CTE Directors, Guidance Counselors, Secondary Educators

The Governor's Office is seeking a student representative for the State Board of Education. This appointment will be for a two-year term (first-year as a non-voting member and the second-year as a voting member). Rising sophomores and rising juniors are encouraged to apply. Candidates may apply by submitting a resume and letter of interest to [email protected]. Application deadline is Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Questions about the State Board of Education may be directed to Maureen Gaidys ([email protected]) at the Agency of Education. More information about Boards and Commissions can be found here: Boards and Commissions | Office of Governor Phil Scott.
Contact: Maureen Gaidys at [email protected]

Informational Session (Reminder): Using Grant Funds to Promote College and Career Readiness

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Curriculum Directors, School Counselors, Teachers

Empowering Students. Elevating Educators. Strengthening School Communities. Learn how to use grant funds to enable teachers to become credentialed to teach concurrent college courses in their high school classrooms. High school teachers who hold a master's degree in their subject area or a general master's with 18 credits in the subject area can qualify as college adjunct faculty, enabling them to offer students equitable opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. Use this link, Using Grant Funds to Promote College and Career Readiness, on Wednesday May 20th from 9:30 - 10:30 AM to access this informational session. No preregistration is needed.

Contacts: Ryan Parkman, Flexible Pathways Program Manager, College and Career Readiness Division [email protected]. Jessie Murray, State Title 1 Director, Grants Management Division [email protected]. Amy Dodge, Post-Secondary Programs Coordinator, College and Career Readiness Division [email protected].

VSBA New Board Member Academy

Audience: Vermont School Board Members

The Vermont School Board's Association (VSBA) is providing a two-session free virtual training for newly elected and appointed school board members on the six pillars of essential work of school boards: Vision & Community, Establish Policy Superintendent, Partnership Budget & Financial Oversight, Monitor Progress, and Effective & Ethical Operations. Register for: Thursday May 7th 6:00- 7:30 PM via Zoom or Tuesday May 12th 6:00 - 7:30 PM via Zoom .

Contact: Deborah Singiser, Director of Board Services, Vermont School Boards Association at [email protected]

Student Voting Open for 2025-2026 Vermont Youth Book Awards

Audience: Educators, School Librarians, Community Members

Voting is now open for the Vermont Youth Book Awards, closing Monday, June 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Adults can submit student votes for the Red Clover and Vermont Golden Dome book awards through the same form. Teens can directly submit votes for the Green Mountain Book Award. Winners will be announced by the Vermont Department of Libraries by Friday, June 5th. Each year, thousands of Vermont students select their favorite books for these three awards:

• Red Clover: Picture books for students in kindergarten - 4th grade
• Vermont Golden Dome: For 4th-8th grade students
• Green Mountain: For 9th-12th grade students

Contact: Lilly Talbert at [email protected]

"Confident Kids" Campaign: Digital and Print Materials Available

Audience: Superintendents, principals, school nurses, school counselors, families, coaches and athletic directors

The "Confident Kids" campaign encourages parents and caregivers to use supportive language about food, bodies, and movement to help children build confidence and develop healthy relationships with food and movement. The "Confident Kids" page offers resources to help adults learn how the language we use can contribute to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. It offers language tips that adults can use to change the conversation. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Please help spread this message:

• Digital toolkit: Sample newsletter/email copy, social media posts, and printable flyers/posters. Linked images can be downloaded through April 2027.
• Printed Flyers: request professionally printed flyers while supplies last or until Monday, 5/11: "Confident Kids" Flyer Request form.

Contact: Laurel Omland at [email protected]

May 6 - School Nurse Appreciation Day

Audience: All school community members

This Wednesday, May 6, 2026, is School Nurse Appreciation Day! Please join the Agency in showing our appreciation for our school nurses across the state. School nurses play a critical role in our communities far beyond access to healthcare. To all the nurses managing illness and injury, assisting with student learning plans, supporting curriculum and catching everything in-between - we see you and are thankful for you today and all days!

Contact: Taylor Goodwin at [email protected]

Upcoming Opportunities for Vermont Health Educators

Audience: Vermont sexual health educators

The Vermont Department of Health has shared two professional development opportunities for sexual health educators in May. Full Day Training: May 7th. This workshop will give educators the practical knowledge, experience, and confidence to teach comprehensive sexual education free from shame, stigma, and fear. Please register via the Professional Development Workshop for Health Educators Registration page. SHEP Community of Practice for Educators and Administrators: May 13th. Join a training on responding to misinformation about sexual health education, managing sex education controversies, strengthening partnerships between teachers and administrators, and reviewing laws and policies regarding sexual health education with the AOE. Please register via the Community of Practice Registration page.

Contact: Michelle Salvador, Vermont Department of Health at [email protected]

Deployment Impacts on Vermont Students

Audience: School Counselors, Principals, Educators

The Vermont National Guard underwent a significant deployment of troops in January, and another deployment is forecast for the near future. A soldier's family is greatly impacted by deployment. Students who have a family member deploying may need extra support in the school environment as they navigate the emotions and day-to-day changes resulting from the deployment. The Agency of Education MIC3 and the Vermont National Guard Family Programs Office will hold a webinar on Wednesday, May 19th from 3:30-4:15 PM. We will cover what deployment is and the impact on families, red flags for youth, school internal support planning, and resources. To request a meeting link, please send an email to Lisa Helme at AOE at [email protected].

Contact: Lisa Helme at [email protected]

The VT Agency of Education is hiring

Audience: All Administrators, Educators and communities

The Vermont Agency of Education is hiring. To support our ongoing recruitment efforts and keep the field informed, all current open positions at the Agency will now be shared in the Weekly Field Memo (WFM). We encourage you to review, share, and distribute these opportunities throughout your schools, districts, and professional networks. View four current openings on the VT Careers website. Thank you for helping us spread the word and connect talented professionals with meaningful work in Vermont education!
The following positions have been posted: