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Nominate your HS students for the annual Charter Champions award (learn more and nominate). Hurry, Leadership Summit tickets increase in price on Monday. Buy yours here.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
News & Commentary
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Local
Parent-activist: DPS board must reverse public-comment time limits (see Spanish version below)
Boardhawk | September 28, 2023
My name is Yaeel Duarte and I am a mother of a DPS student, a community leader and a strong advocate for mental health in our schools, communities and homes. Read more.
Denver Public Schools pledged to pay tutoring vendors based on their results. Did it work?
Chalkbeat | September 27, 2023
Two outside companies that Denver Public Schools hired to tutor students in an effort to make up for lost learning fell short of some targets that could have earned the companies extra pay. Read more.
9 candidates are vying for 3 open seats on the Denver school board
Chalkbeat | September 26, 2023
Nine candidates are running for three open seats on the Denver school board at a time when gun violence around schools and infighting on the board has raised its profile in a critical way. Read more.
Colorado foundation bets on new charter and private schools seats
Chalkbeat | September 26, 2023
A Denver foundation wants to help create tens of thousands of new seats in the state’s charter schools and other settings outside district-run public schools at a time when Colorado’s school-age population is shrinking. Read more.
Misleading DPS spin does a disservice to the public
Boardhawk | September 26, 2023
Take a look at the recently released Annual District Report and it’s hard to draw any other conclusion. It reads more like Orwellian propaganda than useful information. DPS should be ashamed. Read more.
More schools are adopting 4-day weeks. For parents, the challenge is day 5
GJ Sentinel | September 24, 2023
It's a Monday in September, but with schools closed, the three children in the Pruente household have nowhere to be. Read more.
How GALS charter school bucks the trend of declining girls’ ELA test scores
Boardhawk | September 22, 2023
When the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) scores were released this August, there was a slight decline in English Language Arts (ELA) scores for girls compared to boys since 2019. Read more.
National
Wait. Did Education Reform Just Become Inescapable?
The 74 | September 27, 2023
The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin published a piece not that long ago arguing that Democrats have an opportunity on K-12 issues. Read more.
Americans have poor math skills. It’s a threat to US standing in the global economy, employers say
APNews | September 27, 2023
Like a lot of high school students, Kevin Tran loves superheroes, though perhaps for different reasons than his classmates. Read more.
USDA final rule expands free meal access at high-poverty schools
K-12 Dive | September 26, 2023
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement called the final rule “an important step” toward achieving President Joe Biden’s commitment to create a pathway for 9 million more students to receive free school meals by 2032. Read more.
Finding ‘Lost Einsteins’ Means Fixing K-5 Science, Especially in Rural Schools
The 74 | September 25, 2023
This nation’s economic security will be won or lost based on the ability of elementary schools to energize science education. Read more.
Is This the Year Students Finally Catch Up From the Pandemic? Educators Think So
EdWeek | September 25, 2023
Educators are optimistic that this could be the year that students make up the academic ground lost during the pandemic. Read more.
Charter schools provide school choice to families of all incomes
Chicago Sun Times | September 25, 2023
Many parents, like me, felt a mix of emotions about the recent news regarding the educational choice — to send her son to private school — made by Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates. Read more.
Schools Brace For New COVID Surge: What the New Variants (and New Vaccines) Mean for Students
The 74 | September 22, 2023
What you need to know about how the pandemic is shaping schools and education policy, vetted by AEI Visiting Fellow John Bailey. Read more.
Community Announcements
ACT Members Pre-Election Briefing
Want a preview of what will be on your ballot in November? The November election is right around the corner, so join us for an ACT member exclusive pre-election briefing on October 5 at noon. League staff Angelina Sierra Sandoval, Director of Government Affairs, and Lauren Freemire, Director of Regional Advocacy, will provide an informative overview of the major issues and races you'll see on your ballot this year as well as ways you can engage your charter school community in the election to support our schools. Register for this free event today
Charter Development Summit Series
Join the Schools of Choice Unit for our first of three webinars in our Charter Development Summit Series as we explore the ups and downs of opening a charter school in Colorado. Dr. Jim Christensen will facilitate our conversation as we explore the steps to opening a charter school in Colorado and the importance of understanding community needs in the creation of a charter school. Amanda Marquez will tell us about her journey to open Be the Change High School in Adams 14. This webinar is open to charter school developers at all stages with a particular focus on those in the beginning stages. Register for the first part of the series on October 19, 2023 at 12 PM.
U.S. - China Pen Pal Program
The US-China Pen Pal Program is looking for schools to partner with for the upcoming academic year! This is a unique initiative aimed at connecting students in the U.S. and China through letter writing. Students who sign up form these two cultures, will foster empathy, promote cross-cultural communication, and instill a sense of global citizenship. For more information or to enroll, please contact [email protected].
Inviting Applications FY24 Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations
The U.S. Department of Education has published the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants) competition. Applications are due January 5, 2024. The NIA can be accessed in the Federal Register here. The competition website can be accessed here. CSP will host a webinar to review the competition’s eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, application requirements, and assurances. The webinar will also review the steps required to complete the Grants.gov registration and submission processes and answer participants’ questions. Register for the webinar.
Daniels Scholarship Application Is Now Open
The Daniels Scholarship Program helps make college possible for motivated students from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, allowing them to attend the college of their choice. Daniels Scholars receive financial and personal support, plus a new laptop computer. Scholarships range from $30,000 over four years to a full ride, depending on college choice. The application for the Daniels Scholarship Program will be open from September 15 through October 15, 2023 at 4:00 pm MT and typically takes students less than one hour to complete. Apply online now!
Charter School Insider Podcast featuring Bill Knous [League Director of Charter School Growth]
Welcome to "Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators" the only podcast dedicated to the ‘behind-the-scenes” business of running a successful charter school. Listen as they sit down with charter school leader, Bill Knous who shares how they are overcoming the biggest operational hurdles facing schools today. Each episode will leave you with unique insights and tactical strategies that you can implement at your school. Enjoy the show! Listen both here and on Spotify.
Free: 7 Eno Brand Whiteboards
48x64 inches. No stands or mounting equipment included. Available for pickup during school hours. Don't miss out on this great offer! If you are someone in your school who is interested please contact [email protected] for more information.
Congratulations to 23 Charter Schools Honored as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools
The U.S. Department of Education recognized 353 schools as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 23 of which are public charter schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.” Read the full press release here.
Elevate Charter Voices: Nominate Your Champion Today!
We are excited to announce the launch of the Charter Champion program for 2023-2024, an initiative aimed at recognizing and empowering the exemplary student leaders in charter high schools across Colorado. The Charter Champions program is a four month advocacy training endeavor designed for outstanding high school students in grades 9-12. It offers a platform for these aspiring leaders to collaborate, define what it means to be a student leader, and foster a culture of excellence within their communities. To learn more and nominate a Charter champion, click here.
Apply Now for an #EIE23 Scholarship!
Celebrating 15 years as the nation’s premier education gathering, ExcelinEd's National Summit on Education is convening policymakers, shapers and practitioners from around the country November 15-17, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Georgia. Join more than 1,000 education leaders and advocates for an unparalleled opportunity to network with—and learn from—America’s foremost experts and innovators in K-12 education policy. Learn more and apply for the scholarship here.
Flagstaff Academy Charter School Teachers Receive More Than $15,000 in Grants from the Colorado Department of Education
Flagstaff Academy is pleased to announce that 23 of our dedicated educators have been awarded grants totaling more than $15,000. The Colorado Department of Education, in collaboration with DonorsChoose, provided up to $1,000 in funding per teacher to help purchase classroom supplies. Read the full press release 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.
2023-24 Local Food Program Grantees
The list of School Food Authorities participating in the 2023-24 pilot year of the Local Food Program is available on the Reimbursement and Funding Nutrition webpage. Approximately $500,000 was awarded to the sponsors for the purchase of Colorado grown, raised, processed and value-added products. The goal of this program is to help bolster farm to school activities and support Colorado producers, farmers and ranchers.
MindSpark's Education Accelerator funded by The Daniel's Fund
This program will allow your school to bring forward a team of 2-8 individuals so solve your largest problem of practice. The Education Accelerator (EA) is an innovative, fully customizable leadership program lasting five months. It is designed to support schools in developing an innovative culture, solving their biggest problem of practice, and elevating their future by leveraging entrepreneurship. It is a cohort-based model, where several teams bring forth a problem and we help you work through it! This opportunity is completely free thanks to The Daniel's Fund! Please feel free to reach out to Kiki Huckaby, [email protected] if interested in learning more, or use this link to register.
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 and watch how McGraw Hill and MLK Holiday Commission celebrate new scholarship opportunities here.
Colorado Gives More Than $17 Million to Fund DonorsChoose Program
Colorado teachers can apply now to receive $1,000 to purchase supplies, resources, learning materials, and more that will improve the learning experiences. I encourage all teachers to apply today while funding lasts! We are investing a total of $7.1 million to support school supplies, and Colorado teachers can submit projects to receive funding by visiting: www.DonorsChoose.org/colorado.
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.
Free crisis services available through Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 844-493-TALK(8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay.
To get help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know visit the Colorado Crisis Services website.
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:
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The Charter School Board Governance Guide: Recruit and Manage Your Board
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The Charter School Audits Guide: Preparing for the Annual Audit
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The Charter School Facilities Financing Guide: Buy Your School
CDE Updates
Official ratings designated in the District and School Dashboard
For all districts, performance framework PDFs available in Syncplicity have been updated to include “Official” in the name of the PDF to help support districts with communications. Preliminary official ratings are also available publicly in the District and School Dashboard and are noted as "Official". Official ratings are used for state accountability and public reporting. PDFs will be made public in December when ratings are finalized. For questions related to Syncplicity, training support or the Colorado growth model, email [email protected].
Alternative Education Campus performance frameworks released
For districts with Alternative Education Campuses, the 2023 AEC performance frameworks have been provided to District Accountability contacts via Syncplicity. All ratings have been incorporated within the District & School Dashboard and posted to the CDE website. For questions related to Syncplicity, training support or the Colorado growth model, email [email protected].
CCSP Start-Up Grant Competition
The Schools of Choice (SOC) Unit at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is conducting the 2023 Colorado Charter School Program (CCSP) Start-up Grant Competition and is in need of a number of substantial volunteers with experience in charter schools to read and review grant applications. This program provides grant funds and technical assistance for up to 4-years to new and expanding charter schools across all of Colorado. To learn more information about the CCSP Grant and upcoming competition, see the attached flier, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/grantprograms and/or send inquiries via email to [email protected].
Regional Accountability support tour – In-person training, work sessions and consultation
Beginning next week, CDE's School Improvement and Planning team will offer in-person sessions to support district and school leaders with accountability and improvement planning efforts. Participants can select from multiple session options, including options for work time with available consultation of CDE staff. Click here for training dates, location and registration links.
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
Register for the free CDE Equity and Excellence Conference
Registration for the 2023 Equity and Excellence Conference is open. The free Equity and Excellence Conference, titled “Strengthening and Expanding Practices: All Students and All Educators Emerging Stronger,” will convene Nov. 1-2. The goal is for attendees from diverse professional backgrounds to strengthen and share ideas, strategies and plans for how to improve best first instruction through evidence-based and best practices.
Find out more on the Equity and Excellence Conference webpage.
League News & Events
CDE's Schools of Choice Fall 2023 Equity Convening Recap
Thank you for attending the CDE's Schools of Choice Fall 2023 Equity Convening. The Fall Equity Convening began with impactful keynote presentations by Ulcca Joshi Hansen on "Why Food Matters" and Jessica Wright on "The Landscape of School Food in Colorado," setting the stage for discussions on equitable access to school meals. Expert panelists further enriched the day with insights on "Healthy Meals for All Now and in the Future," illuminating innovative approaches to ensure every student's access to nutritious meals. A compelling case study in the second panel, "Exploring Promising Practices in School Nutrition," offered a detailed examination of effective strategies in the field. The event concluded with four dynamic breakout sessions covering crucial aspects of school nutrition, providing attendees with practical tools and knowledge to address these critical issues, from Culturally Relevant Food to Solving Infrastructure Challenges, Food Partnerships, and Federal Programs.
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Health & Wellness
Community grant opportunity to support and promote Healthy School Meals for All
The Blueprint brings people together to make sure Coloradans can easily get food where and when they need it. By supporting the Healthy School Meals for All program with a statewide marketing and outreach campaign, we’re on a mission to transform the lives of Colorado public students and their families – one nourishing school meal at a time.
To ensure every child has the right to access nutritious and delicious meals, we pledged $370,000 for community-based organizations to support and actively promote the new program locally.
The online application opens on Monday, September 25. Colorado-based organizations and coalitions are eligible to apply for one of three levels of grants that range from $5,000 - $20,000 for roughly a year of activity. This includes those who are traditionally overlooked for funding. Organizations led by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) folks and/or non-staff community members directly affected by Healthy School Meals for All are encouraged to apply!
Find out more about this upcoming grant opportunity.
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
Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility grant program applications open
Eligible local education providers can apply for the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant, which was created to provide menstrual hygiene products at no expense to students and make products accessible to students regardless of their gender identity. Approximately $100,000 is available to award for the 2023-24 school year, and awards are anticipated to be between $1,000 and $5,000. Funding can be used to acquire and distribute menstrual hygiene products at no expense to students and install and maintain dispensing machines and disposal receptacles for menstrual hygiene products. An informative webinar is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 10. This program is open to Colorado educational providers who serve 50% or more students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. Review the program website and Request for Applications for more information.
School Nurse Professional Development grant application available
The School Nurse Professional Development grant, funded through CDC’s COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Supplemental Funding, will support local education providers in their efforts to provide professional development opportunities for school nurses that increase current school nurse capacity and/or retain qualified school nurses. Allowable expenses include:
- School nursing professional development tuition and registration fees.
- Travel expenses to attend school nursing professional development events, including lodging, per diem and mileage reimbursement.
- School nursing professional development speaker and/or facilitator fees.
- School nurse-related publications, such as reference texts.
- School nursing professional dues
- School nursing licensing renewal fees.
Approximately $100,000 is available for the 2023-24 school year. Awards will likely range from $1,000 to $5,000, based on the amount of funding requested and the number of applications received. See the Request for Applications on the program webpage for more details.
Suicide Prevention
September is Suicide Prevention Month. 17% of youth who participated in the 2021 Healthy Kids Colordo survey reported thoughts of suicide, with LGBTQIA youth disproportionately represented. Here are ways to help along with resources from SAMHSA:
- Educate yourself and others about suicide prevention: Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Read and share SPRC’s new resource: Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: A Resource Guide for Professionals, Families and Communities.
Health Equity
Check out the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC)’s 90-minute recording of Equitable Language and Why it Matters.
School Health Professionals play a vital role in student health! Enroll in the Health Equity Online Module, a 2.5-hour, self-paced online course from the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center. The course is free and meant for those who are serious about walking their health equity talk but aren’t quite sure how to get started.
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Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (September 20, 2023)
- NEWS (September 22, 2023))
- MOVE (September 8, 2023)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (May 8, 2023)
- CONNECT COHORT (September 7, 2023)
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