 Welcome to the NEWS for August 2, 2024 Welcome back to the 2024-25 school year and our weekly NEWS update. In this issue, two League board members weigh in on lessons from charter authorizers and political support for the sector. Plus, free school supplies, haircuts, vaccines, and more for families and how a micro-sized charter school may be coming to Park County. Seeking to expand sports programming at your school? Don’t miss this new funding opp from Daniels Fund. We want to know what’s happening in your community. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.
Top News
| 1st August 2024 |
| From Ednium: Learning through diverse classrooms and experiences |
Boardhawk | Aug 1
Growing up in Denver, I spent my entire K-12 education in Denver Public Schools. From Ebert Elementary, which shut down at the end of my kindergarten year, to Park Hill Elementary, Smiley Middle School, and eventually George Washington High School, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the DPS community. Read more. |
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| 1st August 2024 |
| With $8.5M Investment, New Mexico Tries Once Again to Get Tutoring Right |
The 74 | Aug 1
In April, New Mexico launched a tutoring effort with all the “high-impact” elements experts say lead to success: small groups, led by a trained tutor for 90 minutes of instruction spread throughout the week. Read more. |
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| 1st August 2024 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy adds fourth grade, emphasizes Ute language |
The Journal | July 31
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Kwiyagat Community Academy has added fourth grade to its roster of class offerings, with the goal of offering kindergarten through 12th grade in the future. Read more. |
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| 1st August 2024 |
| ‘Gap Busters’: Lessons from Charter Authorizers in Helping All Kids Achieve More |
The 74 | July 10
Four years after the pandemic rocked America’s education system, students continue to post lackluster test scores and far-from-adequate learning gains. Too many children still are not getting the education they need to thrive. Read more by League Board Member, Karega Rausch. |
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| 1st August 2024 |
| Charter schools can’t afford to lose Republican support |
Thomas Fordham Institute | July 4
Charter schools are in for a slog. It doesn’t matter who wins in November. Joe Biden is not a fan. Donald Trump was lukewarm on the topic when he had his hands on the switch. Even the president’s potential replacements are bad on the issue. Read more by League Board Member, Dale Chu. |
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Local Headlines
Undocumented kids have a right to attend public schools. This coalition wants to keep it that way.
Chalkbeat | July 31
A new coalition is on high alert for violations of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that guarantees children the right to a free public education regardless of their immigration status. Read more.  Free school supplies, haircuts, vaccines, and more. Check out these 2024 back-to-school events
Chalkbeat | July 26
Summer is almost over, and families are getting ready to head back to school next month. In preparation, families have to fill out school lunch forms, make sure their kids’ vaccinations are up to date, and go shopping for school supplies. To help families out, several organizations are offering free school supplies. Read more. School district board supports community group in applying to open charter school in Fairplay
The Flume | July 23
A micro-sized charter school may be coming to Park County, following a recent decision by the Park County School District RE-2 Board of Directors to release its exclusive chartering authority for the High Rockies Community School (HRCS). Read more.
National Views
 Alternative STEM education: A non-college path to jobs for students from underrepresented groups
The Hechinger Report | July 31
About one and a half years ago, Isaiah Hickerson woke up in the middle of the night having dreamt he was a coder. The dream was totally random, as dreams so often are. He didn’t know a thing about coding. Read more. Title IX ‘Milestone’ Goes into Effect for Students in Less than Half the Country
The 74 | August 2
New protections against sexual harassment and discrimination, including for LGBTQ students, went into effect in less than half the country yesterday as legal challenges to the Biden administration’s Title IX rewrite pile up. In a webinar, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona celebrated the “milestone” but rejected “any efforts to politicize Title IX or efforts to sow more division in our country.” Read more. How Locking Up Students’ Phones Left More Time for Learning at One School
The 74 | August 2
Today, we’re sharing a special dispatch out of Missouri about a Kansas City charter school that cracked down on cellphones after seeing the ways in which devices interfered with student learning and growth. Said one educator, the policy made a “night and day” difference in classrooms and the broader school community, reducing disruptions, power struggles and social media-fueled conflicts while promoting social and engaged downtime. Now, 18 months later, the school is pondering how to ease up without reverting to the same old problems. Read more. Forget Hot-Button Ed Issues — Voters Want Safe Schools and Kids Who Can Read
The 74 | July 30
As ESSER funds run out, districts need to consider these priorities as they plan their future budgets. Read more.  From Success Mentors to Washing Machines, Ways to Help Kids Stay in School
The 74 | July 29
For lack of a washing machine, a seventh-grader was nearly lost. This student, who lives in temporary housing in the Bronx, missed the first two weeks of class. When his mother finally agreed to a visit from a social worker, she revealed that she had no money for laundry and her child had no clothes or shoes for school. Read more. From COVID Learning Loss to Artificial Intelligence, Education R&D Can’t Wait
The 74 | July 29
Schwinn & Wright: In our states, we used the latest research to help students learn. Congress, state leaders must make education innovation a priority. Read more.
Community Announcements
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Daniels Fund Offers Opportunity to Expand Sports Programming
Daniels Fund is thrilled to share an exciting funding opportunity for all Colorado charter schools to expand their sports programming: Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day. The inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day on September 4 is a collaborative effort between the Daniels Fund and The Aspen Institute’s Project Play with a goal of helping youth sports organizations and schools with sports programs raise funds to get more kids playing sports. Daniels Fund will match donations to sports programming dollar-for-dollar until the fundraising event ends on September 30 up to $500,000 or until the funding runs out. Learn more.  The League Wins one of 83 Community Resilience Initiatives Grants
We are pleased and proud to share that 83 entities have been selected to receive multiyear grants under the seven Community Resilience Initiatives. These grants commenced July 1, 2024, and will continue until the end of 2026. Read more.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Practices Improve Learning Experiences & More for Students with Disabilities
The Networked Improvement Community for Students with Disabilities, a group of 10 public charter school networks, worked to reimagine how they serve students furthest from opportunity. Using the tools of improvement science, educators and content experts developed and refined more than 20 evidence-based practices to improve learning experiences, environments, and outcomes for Black and Latinx students with disabilities experiencing poverty. The practices address common challenges schools face in five areas and offer step-by-step instructions, templates, and case studies. Learn more.  Get Your School in its A-GAME
Over the past five years, a bold group of charter school authorizers from across the country have been reflecting on better ways to measure school quality. We have embraced the slogan: Measure What Matters, When It Matters. We now know we can only go so far without YOU at the table. Join these upcoming conversations as we get on our A-GAME together. CDE UPDATES Mid-Summer Accountability Update
CDE provided an update on the use of PSAT/SAT results in the 2024 performance frameworks and many other items, e.g., accountability data release updates, updates to the district accountability contact list, and reminders on other accountability-related work and support/resources. Click here to learn more. Educator Recruitment & Retention Program Offers $10K for Aspiring Educators
The Colorado Department of Education invites aspiring educators to apply for up to $10,000 in financial assistance for educator preparation program fees. The Educator Recruitment and Retention program provides direct support for qualified individuals interested in teaching in a shortage area and who can commit to working in that area for three years. Learn more and apply by Sept. 30. Opportunities for Current Educators
Opportunities for School & District Leaders
- Register for our Enhancing School Safety Regional Training
Grand Junction: Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at R-5 High School
Sterling: Friday, Sept. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Northeastern Junior College
- Improve math learning through a new traveling workshop, "Math Success Blueprint for Leaders." All content can be tailored to a district's needs. Email Math Specialist Jason Cushner to learn more.
- Prevention and Promotion Science in MTSS Training
Craig: Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moffat County Extension Office.
Denver: Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CSU Spur.
Opportunities for School & District Staff
Upcoming Events
| 20 September 2024 |
| Town Hall September 2024 |
| Featuring experts in a wide variety of fields, these virtual meetings for the charter school community are held at 10:00 AM on the third Friday of every-other-month from September through May. |
| Town Hall |
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| 11 October 2024 |
| Leadership Summit 2024 |
| Join us at the Colorado League of Charter Schools Leadership Summit on October 11, 2024, where we'll celebrate the theme of Catalysts: Supporting & Celebrating Agents of Change. This annual summit brings together visionary leaders and decision-makers from across Colorado, serving as catalysts for innovation and progress in public education. With attendees representing over 15% of all public school students and significant financial influence, this event is pivotal in shaping the educational landscape of our state. Be a catalyst for change, and join us in shaping the future of education in Colorado! |
| Leadership Summit |
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| 28 January 2025 |
| Advocacy Day |
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| 27 – 28 February 2025 |
| Annual Conference 2025 |
| Embark on a transformative educational journey at the highly anticipated 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference! Join us for an immersive experience where innovation meets inspiration, fostering a dynamic environment for educators, administrators, and stakeholders alike. Discover cutting-edge strategies, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with visionaries shaping the future of education. Unleash your potential, embrace new perspectives, and be part of a community dedicated to redefining the landscape of learning. Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to elevate your educational endeavors. Secure your spot at the forefront of innovation – register now for the 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference! |
| Annual Conference |
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Health & Wellness
| Health Equity in Schools: Data-Driven Strategies |
| One-hour, on-demand module with the CDE's Colorado Healthy Schools Program. |
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| Girls Movement Program |
| The Girls Movement is a new FREE program powered by Marathon Kids that is dedicated to empowering girls through running. Qualifying schools may receive a grant-funded Coach Empowerment Kit which includes a coach stipend! The awarding cycle for the Coach Empowerment Kit starts on July 31st, so sign up to join the interest list today. |
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| Free High School Mental Health Club |
| Over the last 8 years, Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) has empowered students to advocate with friends, teachers, and others for mental health awareness to help create more empathetic and stigma free school environments across the country. Start a club for free today! |
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| Lunch Gets a Local Boost at Victory Prep Academy |
| Chef Taylor of Nourish Colorado embarked on a culinary adventure with Victory Prep Academy in Commerce City, transforming ramen with local ingredients and personal connections. |
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Careers
| English Language Arts Teacher |
Contract type: Part-Time
Salary: 30,000-37,000
Closing date: Aug 09, 2024 12:00 AM
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| Pagosa Peak Open School, Pagosa Springs, CO |
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| Pre-Kindergarten Paraprofessional |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: Starting at $15.00 hour, based on experience
Closing date: Aug 30, 2024 12:00 AM
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| The Academy, Westminster, CO |
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| Reading Specialist |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: 50K-70K
Closing date: Aug 30, 2024 12:00 AM
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| Legacy Academy, Elizabeth, CO |
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| Lower Elementary Lead Guide |
Contract type: Full-Time
Salary: $40,000-$60,000
Closing date: Sep 01, 2024 12:00 AM
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| St. Vrain Community Montessori School, Longmont, CO |
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Recent League Newsletters
| The League provides a variety of quality professional development opportunities for member schools. |
Vendors and partners are ready to support our membership. Check out options across all categories. |
The League's ACT Network mobilizes charter school communities to strengthen and support schools statewide. |
Thank you to our Premium Sponsors |
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