 🌿 Dig into Recent Headlines This week’s headlines explore shifting education policy, from the Administration's DEI and testing rollbacks to the Supreme Court's case that could allow publicly funded religious charter schools. Plus, rising measles concerns in Colorado and charter schools in the news. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.   Colorado SKIES Academy Middle School Drone Soccer Team Takes Flight on the Global Stage
Newark Life | April 17
Colorado SKIES Academy (CSA), an aviation-focused middle school based in Englewood, Colorado, is flying high after an incredible season for its drone soccer team, CSA TopDrone. Sterling Ranch charter school application draws scrutiny
CCM | April 17
John Adams Academy’s application to the Colorado Charter School Institute, submitted in March, provides the clearest look to date at what the charter school proposes for Sterling Ranch, including its vision for a classical K-12 program, a projected enrollment of 825 students and a multimillion-dollar budget.  DPS board may require 3-year pause between rounds of Denver school closures
Denver Post | April 15
Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education is considering requiring a pause of at least three years between rounds of school closures, reflecting members’ reluctance to shutter classrooms amid falling K-12 public school enrollment. Colorado Military Academy Earn Prestigious Purple Star Status
KRDO | April 15
The CSI authorized Colorado Military Academy in Colorado Springs was one of 27 schools to receive the designation which recognizes school communities for their work to support military-connected students and their families.  Colorado won’t comply with Trump anti-DEI demand, state schools chief says
Chalkbeat | April 10
Colorado will refuse a demand from the Trump administration to certify that its schools have eliminated what the federal government says are illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, state Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova said Thursday.  *Power plays in federal education: Three flashpoints, three branches
Fordham Institute | April 17
Three emerging issues—each unfolding in a different branch of government—offer a telling snapshot of where federal education policy could be headed.  Trump administration freezes $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard over campus activism
Denver Post | April 15
The federal government says it’s freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University, after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus. NAPCS Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Consider Implications for Millions of Public Charter School Students in Upcoming Case
NAPCS | April 7
Today, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in support of the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision to prohibit the authorization of a religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. *Featured League Staff or Board Member  
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Interdisciplinary Additive Manufacturing Research Experience for Teachers (IAM-RET)
Spend six weeks full-time at the Mines campus in Golden, CO, doing hands-on 3D printing research with metals, ceramics, and polymers. Earn a $7K stipend, develop curriculum, and receive 3D printing supplies for your classroom. Visit the IAM-RET website for details.  Upcoming Opportunities to Learn and Lead
Colorado educators can take advantage of free professional learning through Project MOMENTUM to meet the 45-hour PD requirement for supporting multilingual learners. Meanwhile, upcoming Lunch and Learns on April 23 and May 7 will focus on youth relationships and mental health literacy. Evidence-Informed Strategies for Math Instruction
CDE’s free, self-paced math course is now accepting interest forms for its third cohort. Designed for K–12 educators, it offers 14 modules, school-wide facilitation guides, and optional graduate credit—complete the form for priority registration. Webinar: Trauma-Informed Practices in Arts Education (April 21)
Join CDE’s Arts team on April 21 from 1:00–2:30 PM for a webinar on Trauma-Informed Practices in arts classrooms. Learn strategies to create inclusive, supportive spaces in music, dance, drama, and visual arts—register here.
GET INVOLVED
National Charter Schools Week 2025: Celebrating 30 Years of Impact
National Charter Schools Week will be celebrated May 11–17, 2025 with a theme that recognizes 30 years of the Charter Schools Program (CSP). Since its inception, CSP funding has supported the growth of high-quality charter schools across 42 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam—highlighting a lasting, bipartisan commitment to student-centered innovation. Plan your school’s celebration!  Apply Now: Be Colorado’s Next Teacher of the Year
This prestigious program recognizes an exceptional educator who will serve as an advocate for teachers and students across the state. Any teacher may apply, and applications are due by Wednesday, April 23. Submit Your Promising Partnership Practices Year-round
SACPIE and CDE are collecting standout partnership practices for the eleventh annual Promising Partnership Practices—Colorado book. Schools, districts, and educational organizations are encouraged to submit their initiatives year-round to highlight innovative collaborations for student success.  Join Today’s Legislative Lunch
Join our free, virtual Legislative Lunches every Friday from 12:00–12:30 PM for quick updates on education policy and charter school issues. Stay informed on key developments at the state Capitol throughout the legislative session. Find a Learning Community
Enhance your professional growth with our ten specialized Learning Communities. From board chairs to marketing professionals, these opportunities will help you collaborate, learn, and strengthen the charter school community.
RESOURCES & GRANTS
Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
Boost literacy for Colorado's children (birth-12th grade), especially children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. Apply for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant by May 1st at 4 p.m.  Free Girls’ Leadership Curriculum
Lean In Girls is a free, evidence-based leadership curriculum for girls ages 11–15, designed to build confidence, reframe failure, and inspire bold leadership. With 15 one-hour sessions, it’s easy to implement in after-school programs, advisory, or enrichment periods. Learn more or join an info session to see how schools nationwide are empowering girls to lead with confidence! Support for Rural LEAs and BOCES
Register to join the first ESEA Office Hours session at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. This new series will focus on rural needs, discuss federal funding opportunities, share strategies, and provide just-in-time support for busy administrators. Questions? Contact [email protected]. Immigration Resources for School Leaders
In response to requests, the League has compiled a list of immigration-related resources to help schools navigate regulations and rights. Access the resources here, including details on how to view the recorded webinar. Free K-12 Math Resources
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has released free K-12 math resources to improve student proficiency. Developed with educators and institutions, these toolkits offer research-based materials, assessments, and activities to address declining math scores.
CDE UPDATES
 CDE's Response to April 3 Title VI Certification Request
CDE will not collect or submit signed copies of the April 3 Title VI certification, as it was not approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act and lacks legal clarity. CDE remains committed to Title VI compliance and will submit the most recent OMB-approved civil rights assurances. CDE Statement on DHS Directive Change Regarding Sensitive Locations and Protected Areas
CDE is aware of the recent DHS directive rescinding the designation of schools as “sensitive locations” for federal immigration activities. CDE remains committed to ensuring all students, regardless of immigration status, have access to a safe learning environment and encourages school leaders to review federal resources to support immigrant students and their families.  Spring Updates  With the 2025 CSP grant cycle underway, now is the time for school leaders, developers, and operations teams to engage with key opportunities designed to support your growth and success. Both the New/Replication/Expansion and Continuation Grant Applications are now open, with deadlines approaching in May. If you're applying — or considering it — be sure to attend one of our upcoming Technical Assistance sessions to get your questions answered and set yourself up for success. This season also features our next Prospect Cohort session on May 13 — focused on Training & Technical Assistance — and our Quarterly Business & Operations Cohort on May 15, promoting financial health and operational excellence across Colorado charter schools. There’s something for everyone in this vibrant learning community, and we’re here to support you at every step. Read the latest issue of our monthly newsletters here. 
| 4th April 2025 |
| Garment Graphics |
| "One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade." |
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| April Healthy Schools Meeting |
| We’re excited to invite you to our free, in-person CHSC workshop on April 30, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM at the Lowry Conference Center in Denver. Complete the initial sign-up to reserve your spot. Session details will be shared by April 1. |
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| Upcoming Training Series on Preventing School Violence |
| We are excited to announce the upcoming Preventing School Violence Mini Training Series, designed to equip educators, school staff, and community members with essential strategies to create safer learning environments. See this flyer for registration details and more information. |
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| Grant: School Access for Emergency Response |
| All eligible applications, EOP, MOUs, and Implementation plans received by Tuesday, May 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM MST will be reviewed by the grant selection committee (GSC). Learn more. |
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