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Cheers to a New Year
We’re welcoming seven new schools to the Colorado charter schools family this year, bringing the statewide total to 265. We’ve also got new staff members for you to meet and a full year of events open for registration, including town halls, regional gatherings and Leadership Summit 2024.
Bonus: Our partner, Staples, is making it easier than ever for charter schools to simplify and streamline the purchase of office and janitorial supplies PLUS with new staff joining your team each year, take advantage of PACE’s offer to provide a 15- or 30-minute presentation to ensure everyone understands their benefits.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
The Opportunity Each Student Deserves
Good Morning,
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! In this August edition of the League’s MOVE, I want to thank you for everything you and your communities do to launch a positive, healthy, and successful school year. We see and appreciate all of you and the tremendous efforts of your staff, boards, families, and students. Let’s make this year an incredible one for the 135,000 young people we collectively serve across the public charter ecosystem in our state.
Last Friday, University Prep, the organization I have the privilege of leading, welcomed a new school into our space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at our network’s 3rd campus. It’s a school three years in the making, co-designed by unwavering parent leaders who wanted a new choice in their community. They want what we all want for our own children and the children we serve an excellent education that meets their needs and honors their voices. They want a school that provides them with an education that sets their young people up for limitless future opportunities.
Consider the words of the founding parents in a letter they crafted when initially submitting our charter application in 2021: “The addition of this proposed new school would be a beautiful step towards ensuring all families have the schools they want and need as options right here in our backyard.”
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
As the league’s leadership and board crafted its latest Strategic Plan, this core concept of opportunity—the opportunity for parent voice and parent choice—was front and center. Dan and the team will touch on that plan more throughout the year. Still, one of the standout items within it is our dedication to providing opportunities for students and families throughout the state, especially in areas where there simply isn’t enough choice to meet the wants and needs of the community.
On Monday, our new school officially opened with the Class of 2042, current preschoolers who will graduate from college in 18 years. Alongside families, we have created an educational opportunity to transform future lives. Our schools, across the incredibly diverse and robust charter sector, transform lives and provide choices to families who want and need something that works for them. Together, at our 265 schools, we represent the continuation of a movement that started more than 30 years ago – a movement that holds opportunity at its core – opportunity for children.
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE LEAGUE
Each year, the League works to better our charter school environment so that we can do mission-critical work with students. As we saw last year, the opportunity to better our sector is sometimes tied to finances. Sometimes, it is defensive, as bills are fought back. And sometimes, we push forward on the offense, as we’ve done over many years to fight for and win CSI equalization funding. This year will be no different, except that the stakes continue to rise.
Politics are getting more challenging, our bi-partisan nature and support are being stretched and tested in new ways, and our pro-charter governor will be termed out in only two years.
By necessity, the League is increasing its efforts in this arena. Through engaging more directly with each school leader in the state, ramping up staffing in its legislative and advocacy work (see article below), creating regional meetings for you to connect with each other and with League staff, and hosting major events, the League is getting ready for another great year of driving this critical work of strengthening our ecosystem despite all the obstacles.
Perhaps most importantly, we are beginning our efforts to prepare for the upcoming legislative session. If you have feedback or thoughts, please send them to Dan, Prateek, or me. You will also be prompted to provide your input throughout the fall.
SCHOOLS BELONG TO THE CHILDREN & FAMILIES THEY SERVE
When we cut the ribbon last Friday, one of the rallying cries from a long-time U Prep parent and champion, Charlene Nunez, was that “the school belongs to the families and students it serves.” We all carry this notion – across the public charter school ecosystem – our schools exist for the families and students they serve. Those stakeholders are the ones who matter most and the ones who drive our decisions.
As we all engage in shared efforts this year tied to policy, legislation, advocacy, and school funding, all with the intent of increasing opportunities for families and children, let’s stay grounded in Charlene’s core idea.
Welcome again to the 2024-25 school year. I hope it holds as much joy, promise, excitement, and opportunity for you as I feel it does for me. I look forward to seeing you at our major events, town halls, and throughout the year as our paths cross. Thank you again for all you do for the communities you serve and represent.
Sincerely,
David Singer, League Board Chair
Executive Director, University Prep
Seven New Charters Bring Statewide Total to 265
From core knowledge and classical to Montessori and dyslexia, seven new charter schools have opened their doors in Colorado for the 2024-25 school year. Two of those seven are Wildflower Montessori Public Schools (Cactus Bloom Community School and Mountain Juniper). Four are new campuses for an existing charter (James Irwin Elementary-Canada Drive Campus, Jefferson Academy Coal Creek, Leman Academy of Excellence at Parker-Bayou Gulch and one — University Prep Pre-K — is a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.). One is a conversion from a former BOCES school specializing in dyslexia (Orton Academy)
Together with these new seven, 265 charter schools across the state serve over 135,000 students and families, equaling over 15 percent of total public school enrollment statewide. The League has applied to administer the federal charter school program to bring new and better opportunities to the charter school space. Look for a decision and announcement in the next three weeks. It is also why school growth through expansion, replication, and new schools are a fundamental part of our strategic plan. If you are considering growth, please contact Bill Knous ([email protected]).
Please join us in welcoming these seven high-quality schools to the Colorado Charter Schools family! Read more about these schools or view them in our statewide School Finder.
Meet Nella García Urban, DSST’s New CEO
Nella García Urban became the CEO of DSST Public Schools in March 2024. She succeeded Bill Kurtz, the founding CEO and joined the homegrown charter school network in 2004. A ninth-generation Texan, García Urban came to DSST from YES Prep Public Schools, a 20,000-student, Houston-based charter school network (about three times larger than DSST). García Urban most recently served as Chief External Officer at YES Prep and held many roles there over a 20-year career.
She graduated from Rice University with degrees in English and Political Science with a focus in Latin American Studies as a Mellon Mays Fellow. She received a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Education Leadership focused on charter schools. In 2013, Nella was named a Pahara NextGen Fellow with the Aspen Institute. She completed The Broad Academy for Superintendents in 2020. She is a certified Executive Coach through the John Doerr Institute at Rice University.
Read the interview with Boardhawk’s Alan Gottlieb.
Member Engagement Coming Soon
As we embark on a new school year, the League team is gearing up to visit and engage with member schools across the state. This August, look for a personal email from your League contact with additional details about this opportunity to personally engage with and impact the charter school sector in Colorado.
Regional Gatherings
This school year, our regional gatherings are spread across several months, allowing our team at the League to best keep our pulse on what’s happening in your community and around the state. Join League staff and your charter school peers at one of these informal networking happy hours! Feel free to attend any event you want off the list below and bring 1-2 of your key leadership team. Specific venues will be posted shortly. Please register early. The League will provide food and beverages.
Sept. 17: Durango | Sept. 26: Aurora | Oct. 24: Glenwood Springs | Nov. 21: Pueblo | Jan. 14: Lakewood | April 10: Parker | April 16: Loveland
Welcome, Prateek, Dave, and Karolina
To better serve our membership base, we are proud to add the below staff for the 2024-25 school year. Please join us in welcoming the following outstanding professionals to our overall team:
Prateek Dutta, Vice President of Policy. Prateek Dutta is a K-12 education leader with extensive experience in district, state, and federal policy and direct engagement with students and families. Prateek grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado (Go, Bears!) before teaching in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He later earned a doctorate in Education Leadership.
Returning to Colorado, Prateek has spent the past decade driving policy and advocacy efforts that have significantly impacted the education landscape. He has been instrumental in passing legislation to expand access to rigorous courses for low-income students, securing increased funding for school counselors to boost FAFSA completion rates, and protecting public school choice for students across the state, including access to high-quality charter schools. Say hello at: [email protected].
Dave Mohr, Director of Accounting. Dave has over 30 years of experience in finance, operations, business development, and management experience, mostly recently while delivering financial and student data software solutions to help charters nationwide better serve their students. He spent a year in a Denver classroom teaching high school math, received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, and his MBA from Stanford University.
At the League, Dave will work closely with the VP of Finance & Operations, Mark Heffner, on financial reporting and ensuring the organization’s overall fiscal health. As a longtime Colorado resident, he appreciates the great outdoors and, in his spare time, can be found riding his bike (road, gravel, or mountain), golfing, hiking, and enjoying time with his family. Say hello at: [email protected].
Karolina Villagrana, Director of School Quality. Proudly born and raised in Denver, Karolina began her educational career as a teacher in Kansas City, teaching Spanish to K-8 students and multilingual learners in grades 6-9. She then served in various capacities, from school leader and academic director to founding teacher in San Jose, CA.
As a senior lead at Camelback Ventures, she leveraged her education industry experience to support early startups across the country with educational programs or schools. Karolina is dedicated to providing equitable educational opportunities to children so they can experience a life full of possibilities. She graduated with honors from the University of Colorado Denver and holds an M.A.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Columbia University. Say hello at: [email protected].
Annual Events at a Glance
Our 2024-25 calendar of events is filling up quickly. Don’t miss a single opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with your peers, and garner inspiration. From in-person signature events and regional gatherings to virtual town halls and online cohorts, there’s something for every charter school staff member.
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Expand Sports Programming with Youth Sports Giving Day
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. The Weld Trust, Broncos Foundation, Alpine Bank, and Strohm Family Foundation have also provided additional matching donations. Learn more.
Staples Online Portal Streamlines Supplies & Savings
As a longtime supporter of Colorado Charters, Staples is making it easier than ever for our members to simplify and streamline the purchase of office and janitorial supplies. With just a few clicks, schools can order from a vast selection of over 20,000 items across various categories, all conveniently located in one place and competitively priced.
Put your Staples Business Advantage benefits to work today (account number 1040312) and start the new school year off right! Plus, take advantage of a FREE site assessment today and identify areas where your school can save money and streamline processes. Questions or want to cash in on a free site visit? Contact Jody today!
Community Announcements
Funding Opportunities
Request for Proposals Resources & Support: Upcoming Youth Wellbeing Grant
Colorado AG Phil Weiser announced a third round of funding that originated from the Juul settlement dollars. Gary Community Ventures is interested in supporting Denver metro area school districts with the development of their grant applications to make the submission process as easy as possible for those interested in submitting grant proposals designed to Accelerate Outcomes for Multilingual Learners in Secondary Schools and Increase Family Affordability through Tax Credits. Letters of Interest and brief applications are due no later than Aug. 30 at 5:00 PM.
CDE Updates
Accountability Update
The mid-August accountability update from the CDE focuses on their accountability data release process, including an updated accountability timeline (with actual dates).
Colorado Nonprofits Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant
The purpose of this new state grant program, authorized by HB 24-1331, is to award funds to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide out-of-school time programs to students. Funded OST programs must be evidence-informed and high-quality. Starting next week, CDE will begin to gather feedback from collaborative partners across the state to develop this new grant program. CDE will be hosting several one-hour focus group sessions next week.
Educator Recruitment & Retention Program Offers $10K for Aspiring Educators
CDE 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.
This & That
Please Promote Your Staff For CDE's Teacher Tuesday Feature
CDE’s communications unit created a weekly social media campaign called Teacher Tuesday that highlights a teacher every week across all of the department’s social media.
The posts feature the teacher’s photo, their accomplishments, how long they’ve been teaching and what brings them joy about their work. We need your help to add more teachers. Please fill out this submission form to add a co-worker or yourself or pass it on to a friend.
PACE for Administrators & Benefits Managers
As you plan your back-to-school orientations and benefits schedules, don’t forget to include the Professional Association of Colorado Educators (PACE) in your agenda. As a CLCS preferred partner, PACE offers invaluable benefits. With new staff joining your team each year, a presentation by PACE State Director Ariel Elliott can ensure everyone is up to speed. Choose from 15- or 30-minute presentations to fit your busy schedule. Contact Ariel today at [email protected] or call/text at: 720-580-1326.
Top News
8 Things to Know About Tim Walz, the Democratic Ticket’s Top Teacher
The 74 | August 15
Tampon Tim? Try Teflon Tim. In the days since Vice President Kamala Harris tapped him as her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — a popular former rural high school social studies teacher/football coach-turned-politician — has emerged, on education matters, as a master needle-threader.
Five Compelling Charts Reveal New Truth About Charter Schools
Charterfolk | August 14
Readers know I stay on the lookout for information helping us keep abreast of the latest trends in charter schools. The most important trend is that charter schools are now clearly demonstrating better academic performance than district schools.
Four-day school weeks have exploded across Colorado districts — and are setting students back
Colorado Sun | August 14
The promise of a three-day weekend every week has become a popular tool Colorado school districts are using to lure teachers to their schools and try to keep them there.
Is AI in Schools Promising or Overhyped? Potentially Both, New Reports Suggest
The 74 | August 14
Are U.S. public schools lagging behind other countries like Singapore and South Korea in preparing teachers and students for the boom of generative artificial intelligence? Or are our educators bumbling into AI half-blind, putting students’ learning at risk?
Oklahoma Board Rescinds Catholic Charter School Founding Contract
The 74 | August 13
A contract founding the nation’s first religious charter school is now void, but it could be reestablished if the U.S. Supreme Court were to rule in favor of the school.
How Ohio Schools Reduced Chronic Absenteeism
The 74 | August 13
Schools in Ohio, like other schools across the country, are struggling to reduce chronic absenteeism, which spiked during the pandemic. But Ohio may have a head start on dealing with the problem, thanks to a 2018 state law encouraging a positive approach to discipline.
Building a Generation of ‘Math People’: Inside K-8 Program Boosting Confidence
The 74 | August 12
A new online math program is flipping traditional math instruction on its head, doing away with instructions and celebrating mistakes.
More Bullying and Violence, Modest Declines in Depressive Behavior: 5 CDC Updates on Today’s Teenagers
The 74 | August 11
Depression and suicidal activity have decreased slightly for teens since 2021, but simultaneously there have been alarming increases in violence, bullying and school avoidance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Colorado school vaccination rates are public. Here’s how to find them.
Chalkbeat Colorado | August 8
How many kindergartners are vaccinated against measles at your son’s school? How many are vaccinated against whooping cough at your daughter’s child care center?
Health & Wellness
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Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (July 29, 2024)
- NEWS (August 9, 2024)
- MOVE (June 14, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (May 8, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (August 15, 2024)
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