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New: OSSE Start of School Webpages are Now Live
OSSE has launched our 2025–26 Start of School webpages for LEAs with important updates, timelines, and resources to help you plan for a strong start to the new school year. This year’s priorities are grouped into three areas, including Serving All Students, Operations & Data, and Academics with nine core priorities across programs. You can visit the webpages here and if you have any questions, you can submit them here.Â
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New: OSSE Parent Portal FAQs for LEAs AvailableÂ
We are excited to share a new resource: the OSSE Parent Portal FAQs for LEAs. This comprehensive document answers the most frequently asked questions we’ve received from schools and includes guidance to help staff navigate the new process, communicate with families, and better understand your role.Â
You can access the FAQ document here.Â
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OSSE Parent Portal for Transporation (Update)
The deadline for the OSSE Parent Portal has passed, and the data is showing momentum with more than 60% of parents with transportation-eligible students logging into the app. That’s real progress, and we are grateful for your efforts. At the same time, we still have work to do, especially as we remain concerned about missing or inaccurate contact information for many eligible students’ families.Â
We also want to hear directly from you. Are there additional resources that would support your team? Is your school hosting a back-to-school event where OSSE can promote the portal? Just send us an email at [email protected] with your ideas or questions. We're here to help. Â
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STOP THE BLEED® Kits and Training for Public Charter Schools (Reminder)Â
Would you like to strengthen your school’s emergency preparedness and help protect students and staff in the event of a crisis? DC Health is offering free STOP THE BLEED® kits and training to public charter schools.* These kits are designed to empower bystanders to take immediate action in bleeding emergencies—situations where minutes can make the difference between life and death. Each kit includes essential medical supplies such as gauze, tourniquets, and protective equipment. Once the STOP THE BLEED® wall cabinets are installed in your school, DC Health’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers are available to provide training to your staff at no cost. For more information, view this presentation. To participate, please complete this brief form.
If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Hodgkiss, Emergency Management Specialist at DC Health, at [email protected]. Â
*Note: DC Health will work with DCPS central office to reach DC public schools.
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School Gardens in the District are Thriving (Reminder)
Check out the Thriving District School Gardens Storymap which provides an overview of school garden successes during 2024-25 school year, including creative and impactful ways that schools are engaging students in garden-based learning.Â
If you would like to share a school garden success story, please complete this short form. Â
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New: Discipline Data Collection Training Aug. 13 and Aug. 20
OSSE is pleased to announce that the Division of Data, Assessment, and Research (DAR) will host two training sessions focused on our annual discipline collection for those who are new to the discipline collection or would just like a refresher. These sessions are ideal for new LEA data managers, school leaders and discipline points of contact. However, anyone who works with the OSSE discipline collection is welcome to attend. The same content will be presented both in-person and virtually so you can choose the format that works best for you. Topics covered will include background information, key dates, collection requirements, data entry overview, and data review and certification. OSSE will offer the following sessions:
In-person
Online
Registration is open now. For questions, contact OSSE’s discipline team at [email protected].
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Science of Behavior Workshop, Wednesday, Aug. 13 (Reminder)
OSSE will host a one-day science of behavior workshop facilitated by Innovageous. This session will review the basic principles of behavior and how it communicates individuals’ needs. By examining the relationship between individuals’ behavior and the elements of the environment, participants will learn how to align proactive strategies and interventions more effectively.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives (1201 17th St. NW, Third Floor)
This professional learning is open to all DC educators; we strongly encourage school culture team members (e.g., dean of students, behavior technicians, etc.) to join. Register here.
For questions, please contact Byul Yim at [email protected] or Jessica Dulay at [email protected].
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Culturally Responsive Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), Wednesday, Sept. 3 (Reminder)
School mental health teams (e.g., social worker, school psychologist, etc.) are invited to join us for a one-day science of behavior workshop facilitated by Innovageous.
This session will provide an overview of developing a culturally responsive Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) and implementing it to meet the unique needs of students. Participants will learn how to leverage student backgrounds to understand the function of the behavior, collaborate with families to develop a culturally informed BIP and implement a cohesive intervention plan for the individual student.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: OSSE Headquarters (1050 First St. NE, First Floor)
Register here.
For questions, please contact Byul Yim at [email protected] or Jessica Dulay at [email protected].
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Tiered Behavior Solutions Workshop, Aug. 21-22 (Reminder)
OSSE will host a two-day tiered behavior workshop facilitated by Solution Tree.
Academic and social behaviors must be taught and reinforced within every tier of systematic behavior supports in schools. Take strategic action to close the systemic behavior gap, foster social and emotional learning, and boost student achievement by joining the Tiered Behavior Solutions Workshop.
When: Thursday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Where: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives (1201 17th St. NW, Third Floor).
This professional learning is open to all DC educators. Register here. For questions, contact, [email protected].
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Summer 2025 School Climate Trainings (Reminder)
Join us for a summer of learning. OSSE is offering professional learning opportunities designed to cultivate a positive school climate and support social and emotional learning for students and adults. To view the full catalog with registration links, visit OSSE’s School Climate and Culture website. These trainings are open to DC educators and support providers serving pre-K through Grade 12. For questions, please email [email protected]
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WIDA Scaffolding Learning Through Language Workshop, Aug. 5-7 (Reminder)
OSSE invites K-12 educators of multilingual learners to a three-part virtual workshop presented by WIDA on scaffolding language and content learning. Participants will explore strategies that contribute to rich classroom interactions and move students toward independent success.Â
By the end of this workshop series, participants will be able to:Â Â
- Identify scaffolding practices based on prior knowledge, new learning, and shared experience.
- Implement micro and macro scaffolding practices that apprentice students into language use for content area learning.
- Develop an action plan for scaffolding in their context.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 5 – Thursday, Aug. 7, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Where: Virtual Webinar Series
Participants will be registered for a WIDA Secure Portal account to access the online resources and webinar links. Attendees will receive 5 professional learning units (PLUs) for full participation. Register here. Â
For questions, contact Angela Awonaike at [email protected] or Francesca Smith at [email protected].
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 New: Update on Title and AEFLA Grant FundingÂ
OSSE was notified on June 30, 2025 that the US Department of Education (USED) would not be issuing Grant Award Notifications (GANs) on July 1, 2025 for the following ESEA Title grants: 21st Century Community Learning Center (Title IV-B), Title II-A, Title III-A, and Title IV-A. We later learned they also would not be issuing a GAN for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Grants.Â
Through the Office of the Attorney General, the District of Columbia has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging USED for not issuing on July 1, 2025 these Congressionally appropriated funds.Â
OSSE received more than $26 million this past year in aggregate across these programs – most of which was subgranted to LEAs. The District’s non-receipt of anticipated grant awards delays OSSE’s ability to release subgrant allocations and applications.
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We recognize this may complicate budget and planning processes for the 2025-26 school year. We remain committed to keeping you informed as new information becomes available.Â
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Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Whole Child and Educator Wellness (WCEW) Grant (Reminder)
The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Whole Child and Educator Wellness (WCEW) grant Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was published Friday, Jun. 6, 2025, at 12 p.m. in the DC Register. View here. The release of the Request for Applications (RFA) has been postponed due to DC Council's continuing budget discussions. The RFA is expected to be released on the District Grants Clearinghouse in August 2025. OSSE will publish a new NOFA in the DC Register and ServeDC's Grants Clearinghouse prior to the RFA release. Please check back for updates.
For questions, please email Kimberly Thompson at [email protected].Â
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