EdConnection Updates (1/21/26)

Jan. 21, 2026

Nominate outstanding seniors for national award program One of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors, Ohio schools and districts can nominate eligible students in three components: General Academic Achievement, Arts, and Career-Technical Education (CTE). Submit nominations by Jan. 29. Nominate a student

Register for Ohio school-based health care conference Registration is open until Jan. 23 for the Ohio School-Based Health Alliance’s 2026 Annual School-Based Health Care Conference: Healthy Kids Learn Better, taking place Feb. 5 in Columbus. Sign up now   AI literacy grant opportunity for rural middle schools The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University is seeking six rural middle schools to join its grant proposal to help students and families build AI literacy. School leaders must indicate interest by Jan. 30. Take the survey   Public comment period open for the 2026 Ohio School Design Manual The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is inviting feedback for the 2026 Ohio School Design Manual, an annual guide to designing effective, efficient, and future-ready school facilities. Submit comments

New Rules for Public Comment The Department regularly posts rules for public comment. Draft rules regarding the Adult Diploma Pilot Program and Adult High School Diplomas and draft rules related to School District Expenditure Flow Reports were posted and are open for comment through Feb. 15. A draft rule was posted regarding preschool children eligible for special education; a draft business impact analysis was also posted with this rule. These will remain open for comment through Feb. 19. Draft rules were also posted related to Payment of Debt Service Charges and Distribution of State Aid, and these rules will remain posted until Feb. 19. Find previously announced public comment opportunities for rules and related deadlines on the Department’s website. Check back often as additional rules may be added throughout the week.

Dates and Deadlines Approaching deadlines or important dates mentioned in earlier editions of EdConnection.  JANUARY 1/23: Academic success webinar: Advanced Learning Opportunities in Mathematics and Updates from the Office of Academic Success 1/26: Report Card Value-Added ratings webinars 1/26: Report Card training session: Traditional Progress component 1/28: Report Card training session: Traditional Progress component 1/29: Webinar: Using Ohio's Integrated MTSS to Inform District, School, and Building One Needs Assessments and One Plans (part 1) 1/31: OEDS updates for school leaders due for roster verification FEBRUARY 2/2: Farm to School student chef competition applications due 2/13: Academic success webinar series 2/17-18: 2026 Summer Summit: SUN Meals, Bright Ideas 2/26: Webinar: Using Ohio's Integrated MTSS to Inform District, School, and Building One Needs Assessments and One Plans (part 2) 2/27: Registration closes for Military Signing Day 2/27: 2026 Federal Quota Registration of Blind Students due MARCH 3/10: Military Signing Day

New 11.0 VLA Release Coming Soon (1/16/26)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

NEW 11.0 VLA RELEASE COMING SOON!

📅Friday, January 23, 2026

🕑3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Click Here to see what's new!

In case you missed it!

Below are links to view previous webinars:

December, "Current Events": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6769a7e1c67105b88e3b7cfd

January, "Conservation Science": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6793d7543faeb7b5954a4b4a

February, "VLA Review of OETC '25": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67c1f48417e65ab15aa932b6

March, "What is VLA?": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67e6f330c454d1e13e26b2fe

April, "VLA in Full Bloom": https://edpuzzle.com/media/680bb04afbad2de94d4871c4

August, "NextUp Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68b07b48b17b8bdffa8782e1

September, "Ideastream-NewsDepth Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68d568d36cd30abd4d75c875

October, "OSBA, Mark Bobo Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/69038e0112c83d950dd5aa98

November, "Edpuzzle, Kailey Rinehart Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/691f43e1c620e5290c3b7091

Happy Holidays (12/26/25)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

Happy Holidays!

The JCESC Virtual Learning Academy wishes you and your families a happy holiday season!

Enjoy your holiday break!

10 Minute Timer (12/22/25)

Click the video below to learn more about the 10 Minute Timer within our units!

24/7, Year-Round VLA Access (12/19/25)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

🕚24/7, Year-Round Access with JCESC Virtual Learning Academy💻

Even with holiday break approaching, learning doesn't have to pause!

The JCESC Virtual Learning Academy offers students the flexibility to continue working on their coursework at their own pace, whether they want to get ahead or catch up on missed assignments.

Our courses are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, on any device. There's no app to download, making it easy for students to log in and learn whenever and wherever it works best for them.

This flexibility ensures students can stay on track academically while still enjoying the time and freedom that holiday breaks provide.

Have Questions?

740.283.3347 | vla@jcesc.org

In case you missed it!

Below are links to view previous webinars:

December, "Current Events": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6769a7e1c67105b88e3b7cfd

January, "Conservation Science": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6793d7543faeb7b5954a4b4a

February, "VLA Review of OETC '25": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67c1f48417e65ab15aa932b6

March, "What is VLA?": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67e6f330c454d1e13e26b2fe

April, "VLA in Full Bloom": https://edpuzzle.com/media/680bb04afbad2de94d4871c4

August, "NextUp Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68b07b48b17b8bdffa8782e1

September, "Ideastream-NewsDepth Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68d568d36cd30abd4d75c875

October, "OSBA, Mark Bobo Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/69038e0112c83d950dd5aa98

November, "Edpuzzle, Kailey Rinehart Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/691f43e1c620e5290c3b7091

P.E. Credit Online (12/12/25)

Jefferson County ESC

Virtual Learning Academy

Did you know?

The JCESC Virtual Learning Academy gives students the opportunity to get P.E. credit online!

Our online P.E. courses are designed to help students become more active, build healthy habits, and improve their overall fitness.

Through regular physical activity and simple lifestyle lessons, students will learn how to take charge of their health now and set themselves up for a stronger, healthier future.

Our courses are flexible, allowing students to choose activities they enjoy while gaining practical knowledge about nutrition, hydration, goal-setting, and personal wellness.

Students will learn:

✅ How to set personal fitness and life goals

✅ Proper workout clothing and hydration

✅ Using the updated food pyramid to make healthy choices

✅ How to warm up and cool down effectively

✅ Track and test fitness levels throughout the course

Give your students the opportunity to learn the importance of staying active and improving physical fitness, while building lifelong healthy habits!

🎥 To learn more about the course, watch the video below!

In case you missed it!

Below are links to view previous webinars:

December, "Current Events": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6769a7e1c67105b88e3b7cfd

January, "Conservation Science": https://edpuzzle.com/media/6793d7543faeb7b5954a4b4a

February, "VLA Review of OETC '25": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67c1f48417e65ab15aa932b6

March, "What is VLA?": https://edpuzzle.com/media/67e6f330c454d1e13e26b2fe

April, "VLA in Full Bloom": https://edpuzzle.com/media/680bb04afbad2de94d4871c4

August, "NextUp Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68b07b48b17b8bdffa8782e1

September, "Ideastream-NewsDepth Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/68d568d36cd30abd4d75c875

October, "OSBA, Mark Bobo Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/69038e0112c83d950dd5aa98

November, "Edpuzzle, Kailey Rinehart Interview": https://edpuzzle.com/media/691f43e1c620e5290c3b7091