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Are you a leader new to your role or to the charter sector? If so, we’d love to feature you in the September issue of MOVE. Please take a moment to tell us here.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
News & Commentary
Top News
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Local
Ulcca Joshi Hansen drops out of Denver school board race, citing outsize role of outside spending
Chalkbeat | August 30, 2023
Ulcca Joshi Hansen, one of five candidates running for an at-large seat on the Denver school board, announced this week that she’s dropping out of the race. Read more.
‘Neighborhood schools’ vs. integration in Denver | Alan Gottlieb
The Gazette | August 30, 2023
I started writing about socioeconomic and racial segregation in Denver Public schools back in the mid-1990s, when, as a Denver Post reporter, I covered the district’s decision to return to neighborhood schools after a federal court order mandating busing for integration was lifted in 1995. Read more.
Adams 14 leaders cite ratings improvements as they make case against state reorganization orders
Chalkbeat | August 30, 2023
Adams 14 leaders are hoping to stop efforts to reorganize the district and point to improved state ratings as evidence they’re on the right path. Read more.
School Punishes 12-Year-Old Colorado Boy For ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ Patch
Catholic Vote | August 29, 2023
A Colorado charter school kicked a seventh-grader out of class because he had a patch of the Gadsden flag on his backpack. Read more.
Colorado parents: Need help paying for preschool? Check out these programs.
Chalkbeat | August 29, 2023
Starting this fall, Colorado is offering 10 to 15 hours of tuition-free preschool to all 4-year-olds as part of the state’s universal preschool program. Read more.
How District 51 adjusts, sells itself amid growth of charter schools
The Daily Sentinel | August 27, 2023
With the arrival of Ascent Classical Academy this fall, as well as Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado’s plan to open four micro-campuses in the Grand Valley starting next school year, Mesa County Valley School District 51 is only seeing more competition as time goes on. Read more.
Ascent Classical Academy prepares for first year in GJ amid excitement, controversy
The Daily Sentinel | August 27, 2023
When Ascent Classical Academy opens its doors to students Sept. 5, it will become the first new independent charter school to open in the Grand Valley since Mesa County Valley School District 51 became an exclusive authorizer in 2019. Read more.
Auon’tai Anderson spikes his attempted DPS board member conflict-of-interest policy suspension
Boardhawk | August 24, 2023
A request by Denver School Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson to suspend a policy prohibiting board members from being employed by the district was pulled late Thursday after Anderson decided to wait until his term ends to seek DPS employment. Read more.
National
Texas’s controversial takeover of Houston’s schools
Fordham Institute | August 31, 2023
If you believe the media, it seems a dark lord has come to cut down the educational Eden that is the Houston Independent School District. Read more.
Wyoming Charter Schools Growing; Snowy Range Academy Talks Parent Involvement
LaramieLive | August 30, 2023
School choice and parental input in education are becoming prominent topics nationwide. In Wyoming, the Wyoming Charter School Authorization Board (WCSAB) was created this last legislative year to bring more high-quality educational opportunities to the state. Read more.
3 new charter schools approved to open in Las Vegas next year
Fox 5 Las Vegas | August 29, 2023
The applications for three new charter schools were approved by a state board on Friday, as the schools seek to open next year. Read more.
OPINION: Our kids need extra help. This is no time to slash federal funding for schools
Hechinger Report | August 29, 2023
As a principal for 21 years, I take pride in supporting my students. I’m the kind of principal who knows where students work, how many points or goals they scored in their last game, what part they played in the musical and how well they did on their last test. Read more.
Teachers Have Too Many Extra Responsibilities to Be Effective. Some Ways to Help
The 74 | August 28, 2023
Summer break offers a timely moment to take a step back and check in with teachers, to ask: “How are you really doing?” We posed this question to 1,000 teachers in our April 2023 annual survey of educators from across the country, and their responses align with our own everyday experiences: Teachers are not doing well. Read more.
1 Way to Avoid Fiscal Cliff: Make It Easy for Districts to Apply for Funding
The 74 | August 27, 2023
School superintendents across the country are getting nervous: Federal COVID relief dollars have begun drying up, and with control of the House and Senate split, Congress is unlikely to infuse another round of funding into schools, even though students still have a long way to go to recover missed learning. Read more.
Questioning the Constitutionality of Religious Charter Schools
Royal Examiner | August 26, 2023
In December 2022, outgoing Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor dropped a bombshell opinion that, if upheld by the courts, has the potential to change education forever. Read more.
Community Annoucments
Colorado Energy Day
On Saturday, Sept. 23 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., hundreds of students and their families will get hands-on experience with robots, monster rocks, a weather center and a pressure house, showcasing how various forms of energy and STEM are applied in real life. Highlighting the importance of energy, conservation, and efficiency in our daily lives, in schools, and in our homes. Colorado Energy Day is held at East High School at 1600 City Park Esplanade. We hope you’ll us on Saturday, Sept. 23. If you have questions, contact Consumer Energy Alliance at [email protected] or 303-916-1002.
Colorado Charter School Institute Awarded Local Food Program Grant
The Colorado Department of Education recently announced they will be awarding the Charter School Institute the Local Food Program Grant, a program that connects Colorado food producers with local school districts and School Food Authorities. Colorado Charter School Institute is excited for this opportunity to partner local growers to serve more local foods to students.
“We are thrilled to have four charter schools selected for the Local Food Program this year,” said Ilene Agustin, School Nutrition Manager for Colorado Charter School Institute. This program gives our students access to fresh, nutritious food while also supporting our local farmers, ranchers and businesses. It’s a great opportunity that benefits our kids, the economy and our local community!” Charter schools participating in the program this year include Colorado Early Colleges (Fort Collins), Community Leader Academy (Commerce City), Academy of Charters (Commerce City) and Pinnacle Charter (Federal Heights).
The Local Food Program is a pilot program that launched following the passage of Colorado HB-1132 in 2019. The grant will help us provide students with nutritious, high-quality food so they can excel in the classroom while also supporting our local Colorado farmers, ranchers and businesses. For more information, please visit The Local Food Program.
Current teachers, assistant principals, principals, and other school staff - the Colorado statewide School Safety Working Group needs your support to understand school safety resources and accessibility. We invite you to participate in an open dialogue around challenges to accessing school safety resources including programs and training.
We are organizing two opportunities for discussion:
Office Hours
Sept. 5: 9 - 10:30 AM, 12 - 1:30 PM
Sept. 7: 11 AM - 12:30 PM
Focus Group: Sept. 7, 3 - 4 PM
Sharing your experiences gives us a clearer understanding of potential challenges and pathways to effective solutions. If you want to engage in either of these opportunities or schedule a one-on-one conversation, please contact Jamita Horton at [email protected].
Colorado’s Charter School Family Grows by Five
It is always a joy and privilege to welcome new charter schools into Colorado’s public school landscape! Going into the 20232-243 school year, we are thrilled to celebrate the opening of five new charters around the state. Please join us in welcoming Pleasant View Charter (Southwest Colorado), American Legacy Academy (Windsor), Sky Ranch Academy (Watkins), and two new Ascent Classical campuses (Grand Junction and Brighton). Read about the other schools here.
Extreme Heat Resources
Due to inclement weather, schools and districts may be asked about extreme heat protocols. Click here to review guidance from the National Weather Service on extreme heat, and to view other school safety and crisis materials from CDE.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Welcomes 10 High School Students to Second Cohort of Rising Leaders
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is thrilled to welcome the 2023-2024 class of Rising Leaders, the program’s second cohort. Ten charter high school students were selected from more than 100 applicants to grow their leadership and advocacy skills through intensive programming, team building, and opportunities outside of their school classrooms. Students will receive a year of training and mentorship from policy professionals and various experts. The program was designed to further develop students who have a demonstrated commitment to service, scholarship, and improving their schools and communities. Read the full press release here.
School building becoming available July 1
Empower Community High School closed at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. The available building is located 450 S. Chambers Road, Aurora 80017 and will be available July 1, 2023. If interested please reach out to Rich Wilcox with any questions.
Gates Family Foundation’s Capital Grants Program
Does your nonprofit organization need support for a big capital project? September 1 is the second of two 2023 deadlines to apply for a grant from Gates Family Foundation’s Capital Grants program — and the Gates team is hosting office hours to help you navigate the application process. If you are planning to submit for the September 1 deadline and have questions, we invite you to sign up for a 30-minute Zoom session with Senior Program Officer Lisa Rucker: Register for office hours here.
Cahn Fellowship
Cahn Fellowship provides advanced leadership development and recognition in large metropolitan areas to strong, talented school leaders to improve public education.The best schools are led by strong principals. Cahn Fellowship selects high-potential principals to participate in programs that maximize their talents and enhance their skills. These programs aim to have a dramatic impact on the performance of the school, the outcomes for the students, and the satisfaction and commitment of the principals themselves. Learn More.
Does your school need a GymGuard Vinyl Floor Protector and Storage Rack?
Introducing the GymGuard Vinyl Floor Protector and Storage Rack - your ultimate solution for safeguarding your precious floors from unnecessary wear and tear. Our waterproof and rot-resistant floor covers, designed in a versatile tan color, ensure that your gym area remains pristine and protected. The accompanying storage rack provides both convenience and organization, keeping your covers easily accessible when needed.
For only $500 or best offer, you can secure this indispensable duo to preserve your flooring investment. Act now and get in touch with David Boyd at Aspen View Academy for additional information and photos. Contact David at [email protected] or call 720-733-3436 to seize this opportunity and ensure your gym's longevity.
Teaching Dr. King as an Antidote to Violence
Developed by Dr. Shawn Joseph and Dr. Matthew Daniels and endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young, MLK curricula employs the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to teach his unifying, non-violent principles to a digital generation. Also calling upon students to dream on paper – as a central project of the course – about how they can harness the historically unprecedented power of digital and social media to be torchbearers for these timeless principles in the Digital Age. To learn more about how McGraw Hill Education has incorporated these practices, view their Civil Rights: A Global Perspective PowerPoint and watch how McGraw Hill and MLK Holiday Commission celebrate new scholarship opportunities here.
Youth Guidance Evolve Program
Youth Guidance’s Evolve program is a Tier 2 Educator social-emotional learning (SEL) program designed to cultivate a culture of support and trauma-informed engagement by delivering training and resources to school-based staff to implement the most effective components of the organization’s most renowned programs – Becoming a Man (BAM) & Working on Womanhood (WOW). The Evolve program model creates the space for youth to thrive in a school ecosystem of supportive, emotionally attuned, and culturally competent adults. The Evolve Model meets the urgent need by bridging the therapeutic principles used to support youth growth and development in a mixed-gendered environment, with relatable engagement formats delivered by trusted school leaders, professional development opportunities, unlimited access to the Evolve Curriculum and youth engagement resources through an online learning community--known as "Evolve Central." Learn more.
Learning Opportunities
TAPP Seeks partners to expand in Colorado
TAPP Online is a five-year study that aims to identify the most effective way to prepare school specialists to implement the Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP) intervention in rural communities, while creating family-school partnerships to improve student success.
Our research team is leveraging virtual professional development to bring TAPP to rural communities. Our goals are to support school specialists as they deliver TAPP and promote positive school outcomes for students they serve. Teachers and parents enrolled in the study will be paid for their participation.
For more information and to learn how to get started, please contact Laura Escobedo or Kate Watson.
Charter School Capitol Updated Resources
Charter School Capital broad library of charter school resources aims to provide the information charter leaders need to help their schools thrive! A plethora of resources has recently been updated or created for your use. Each of which have tips, strategies and guides on a range of topics. Check out all of the new material:
- The Charter School Board Governance Guide: Recruit and Manage Your Board
- The Charter School Audits Guide: Preparing for the Annual Audit
- The Charter School Facilities Financing Guide: Buy Your School
- The Charter School Budget Guide: Budget for Success
- Charter School Budgeting Terms Defined
- The Charter School Growth Guide
CDE Updates
Grants Administration Implementation and Navigation System (GAINS) Trainings
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is excited to launch our first department-wide, grants management system in the fall of 2023. This new system, the Grants Administration Implementation and Navigation System (GAINS), will streamline and consolidate multiple application systems and processes into a single location and system. In preparation and support for the launch and transition, CDE, in collaboration with the system vendor, will be hosting a series of in-person trainings for Local Education Agencies (LEAs)/Local Educational Providers (LEPs), and post a recording of one virtual training. Attendees will receive hands-on training and resources on how to access, login, and navigate funding applications in GAINS. These trainings are open to district or school staff involved with accessing, writing, submitting, reviewing, approving, or managing Colorado state and federal grants administered by the CDE.
This training is the first of several that aims to provide LEAs with the necessary tools and knowledge to support the grant application process. The focus will be on the following key areas:
- General Navigation
- Applications for Funding
- Reimbursement Requests
- Checklist, History Log, and Comments
CDE is committed to providing system training to all potential applicants and system users and will announce future opportunities as individual grant applications open and upon request. Register and find a location near you.
From the CDE an Accountability Update (August 9, 2023)
Given past experience, we know there is a lot coming your way this time of year. While I cannot promise you a short update this time, please know that we’ve done our best to give you a thorough and relevant summary of accountability-related information. Click here to view the full update.
Proposed Changes to Public School Finance Rules
The Colorado Department of Education's School Finance Unit is currently seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Public School Finance Act (PSFA) rules and will continue collecting feedback through mid-August. Your perspectives and ideas will play a vital role in creating a fair and effective PSFA framework that benefits our schools and students. You can find the proposed rule changes linked below. The Department has recently been in conversations with the State Board of Education to explore making revisions to the Public School Finance Act (PSFA) rules (1 CCR 301-39) to modernize the rules to reflect the educational delivery system of today and make some technical updates/changes. Your early participation is critical in influencing the decision-making process. After this initial feedback phase, the State Board of Education will announce a formal rulemaking process, which will afford additional opportunities for input. This is an excellent opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping the future of public school financing in Colorado. Please respond below.
- To review the proposed draft edits to the School Finance rules: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WHiUICSxbpBq9TCNft_xGtz-v9f7r0DE/view?usp=drive_link
- To provide feedback on the draft edits through the feedback survey by mid-August: https://forms.gle/pNqwp5u3EYrbfCLU8
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the CDE team below:
- Questions about the full rules – Amy Carman, Executive Director of School Finance and Grants, CDE
- Questions about the Blended Learning Initiative – Mallorie Klemm, Blended Learning Sr. Consultant, CDE
League News & Events
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Health & Wellness
Back-to-school with Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA)
Colorado is one of the few states in the nation to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students at districts participating in the Healthy School Meals for All program. Meal participation is expected to increase under HSMA and we are excited to see how the program grows this year.
Sponsors must complete their program application in the Child Nutrition Portal no later than Friday, Sept. 15. Flexibilities allowed under the Keep Kids Fed Act expired on June 30 and are no longer available to sponsors. To prepare for the school year, access these trainings and resources:
- The back-to-school checklist outlines key requirements and tools for a smooth start to the school year.
- View the HSMA FAQ.
For questions or support, reach out to your school nutrition point of contact. For questions or more information about Healthy School Meals for All, contact Jenny Herman at [email protected] or 720-812-3119.
The Colorado Health Foundation
Oct. 15, 2023 Grant Deadline
- Advancing Advocacy and Justice with Communities of Color
- Building a Pipeline of Primary Care Providers to Serve Diverse Communities
Feb. 15, 2024 Grant Deadline
- Building a Pipeline of Primary Care Providers to Serve Diverse Communities
- Capital Infrastructure - Increasing Access to Care for Coloradans of Color
- Equitable Community-Designed Outdoor Spaces
- Supporting Coloradans in Recovery through Nonclinical Programs
- Supporting Holistic, Culturally Responsive and Youth- Driven Physical Well-being
Jobs
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| Careers |
Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (August 17, 2023)
- NEWS (August 25, 2023))
- MOVE (August 18, 2023)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (May 8, 2023)
- CONNECT COHORT (May 18, 2023)
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