School Performance & Support
May 7, 2024, is National Fentanyl Awareness Day in Virginia
Article: 2024-17-159
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, School Counselors
Contact:KristinneStone, School Mental Health Grant Project Manager, [email protected]
Governor Glenn Youngkin is recognizing May 7, 2024, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day in Virginia. This day brings together individuals, parents, teachers, corporations, community groups, and government entities to educate and raise awareness of the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs.
In May 2023, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 26to combat the Fentanyl crisis in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In November 2023, to ensure transparency and community awareness around the safety and well-being of Virginia's children, Governor Youngkin released Executive Order 28. The Executive Order directed the Virginia Department of Education to issue guidance regardingbest practices to support decision-making protocols for school leaders, develop parent notification protocols, and reinforce best practices for law enforcement collaboration.
For more information, please view the following documents:
For more information on how you can recognize Fentanyl Awareness Day in your school and community, please visit the National Fentanyl Awareness Daywebsite.
May 9, 2024, Virginia Recognizes Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Article: 2024-17-158
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals
Contact:Martha Montgomery, School Psychology Specialist, [email protected]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 9, 2024, has been selected as the date for Virginia to recognize Children's Mental Health Awareness Day (CMHAD). The goal of this day is to raise awareness of the importance of every child's mental health. Intentionally engaging in activities that boost mental health should be prioritized as much as routine physical care.
Announcing Division Awards for the Recruitment Incentive for Public Education (RIPE) Award
Article: 2024-17-157
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact:Shawna LeBlond, Director, Office of Apprenticeships, [email protected]
Last August, the VDOE announcedthe Recruitment Incentive for Public Education (RIPE) to support recruitment efforts for school divisions hiring to fill certain instructional positions. We are pleased to announce the 2023-2024 RIPE awards by school division.The grant award period will end July 31, 2024. The RIPE awards are funded by federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The RIPE application is open in the Single Sign-On for Web Systems (SSWS)portal for school divisions to submit information on individuals eligible to receive the incentive award. Division Superintendents or the Superintendent's designee will be requested to verify that individuals receiving the award are employed full-time in a Virginia school division, received a satisfactory performance evaluation for the 2023-2024 school year, and provided a written commitment to return to the same school for the 2024-2025 school year. The verification report must be submitted by June 14, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control Respiratory Virus Guidance
Article: 2024-17-154
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, School Nurses
Contact:Joseph A. Wharff, Directorof Behavioral Health and Wellness, [email protected]
With this updated guidance, people with respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)can return to normal activities when, for at least 24hours, both are true: symptoms are getting better overalland fever has resolved (without the use of fever-reducing medication). As a reminder, schools and childcare programs are subject to disease reporting and control regulations. Schools and childcare programs should refer to the Virginia Administrative Code12VAC5-90-90or the VDH outbreak reportingwebsitefor additionalinformation. If a known or suspected outbreak occurs among students or staff, the school or childcare program should contact its local health department.You can also report an outbreak using the VDH outbreak reporting portal.Your local health department will work with your facility to provide disease control and prevention recommendations to slow or stop the spread of illness.
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