July 1, 2016

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: 2016 Rural and Low-Income Schools Symposium

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the 2016 Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2, Rural and Low-Income Schools Symposium offered in collaboration with the Title III, Part A, English as a Second Language Program, and the Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children Program. This professional development opportunity will be held at the following site on the dates specified below:

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the 2016 Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2, Rural and Low-Income Schools Symposium offered in collaboration with the Title III, Part A, English as a Second Language Program, and the Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children Program. This professional development opportunity will be held at the following site on the dates specified below:

Date and Time	Symposium Location and Lodging Information
Thursday and Friday September 22-23, 2016 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.*	Doubletree by Hilton Charlottesville 990 Hilton Heights Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (434) 973-2121;

*Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

This symposium is open for practitioners and administrators employed in rural school divisions.  Family Engagement will be presented by Ron Mirr, Senior Vice-President of Learning Supports and Family and Community Engagement (FACE) at Scholastic Inc.  The four sessions referenced below will be provided.

• Session 1: Even though we are working so hard, why doesn’t every student learn?
• Session 2: Can families really help students learn? 
• Session 3: Why don’t all families participate?
• Session 4: What does an effective family literacy night really look like?

Registration and Lodging:  The Office of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech will manage the registration, make hotel reservations, and provide confirmation. A limited block of hotel rooms for participants outside of a fifty-mile radius of the training location will be provided; lodging for these participants will be master billed. To register, please use the following link: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/rss/.  The deadline for registration and lodging is August 19, 2016.

Authorized Expenses: Breakfast, lunch, and materials will be provided.  Evening meals, parking, and travel costs are the responsibility of attendees.  However, using the state-approved rates, these allowable expenses may be charged to the respective programs: Title I, Part A; Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A; Title III, Part A, or Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2.  

Cancellation: If participants need to cancel their hotel reservations, please contact  Jeneen Preston no later than September 16, 2016, at pjeneen7@vt.edu or (540) 231-7330.

Please direct your questions regarding this symposium to Judy Radford, Title III professional development coordinator, at Judy.Radford@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 786-1692.

SRS/jr