February 23, 2011
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Articles of Interest...
Editorial
Charter schools are public schools; they should work together.
For the full article click here
Department of Education
Funding Opportunity:
The Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination (AEMDD)
For the full article click here
Department of Education
Funding Opportunity:
Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program
For the full article click here
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Contact Us
Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
33 N. Third Street,
Suite 600
Office: (614) 744-2266
Fax: (614) 744-2255
www.oapcs.org
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Notes from CEO Bill Sims
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The state budget and policy agenda is tightening up in Ohio. The newspapers have been full with stories of numerous legislative initiatives from members of the 129th General Assembly. The timeline is growing short for the Governor’s submission of the executive budget. But what seems to be garnering the most attention is the issue of collective bargaining, not only in Ohio but also in other states. In Ohio the initiative to limit collective bargaining is being spearheaded by Senator Shannon Jones through Senate Bill No. 5. This bill would most significantly impact public employees but also public school teachers as the bill in its current form would limit teachers’ collective bargaining to salary issues.
The obvious question for our members is, “What about charter schools and charter school teachers?” Senate Bill 5 will be amended to exempt charter schools from collective bargaining. The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools supports this amendment. Here’s why.
Ohio’s charter school movement was founded under the general precept of autonomy. This relative independence was legislated to facilitate flexibility and innovation and to encourage divergent educational systems within the confines of the state’s accountability framework.
In order to preserve the intent of this autonomy for accountability compact it remains imperative that charter school leaders, governing authorities, and management companies are able to maintain the freedom to manage personnel, budgets, benefits, schedules, curriculum, professional development, and the like without restrictions implicit in collective bargaining.
This viewpoint is not proffered as a judgment on the merits of collective bargaining per se, but rather as a judgment on the suitability of collective bargaining respecting charter schools. For the charter school community, autonomy will always be critical to their unique mission.
Meanwhile, the paramount issues for us and our advocacy work remain equitable per pupil and facilities funding. Other issues in the mix include calamity days, tax exemption for charters leasing from commercial entities, alternative teacher certification, high-quality charter school replication, hybrid schools and start-up funding. We will notify you immediately upon the passage of any legislation that will impact charter schools and the way you conduct your business as leaders within the charter school community.
– Bill Sims
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Legislative Update: February 18, 2011
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The main activity at the state capitol this week centered around Senate Bill 5, which would end collective bargaining for state employees and restrict it for local employees. The Ohio Alliance submitted a white paper to policymakers emphasizing the importance of autonomy in the charter school movement. OAPCS recommends that Ohio’s charter schools be exempt by law from collective bargaining and that this provision be included as an amendment to Senate Bill 5.
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Best Practices in Student Data Management - A Very Successful Event!
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As we readied for our symposium last Thursday afternoon, we nervously watched as snow blanketed most of Ohio. We were pleasantly surprised the next morning to have all presenters and a full house of attendees – both charter and traditional district guests – arrive safe and ready to share and learn. Don Ginder, of the Center for Education and Learning Technology, explained the elements of an Instructional Improvement System, and how the state is gathering requirements to create a workable system for Ohio’s schools. School presenters included: Bexley City Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Plain Local, the Classroom Assessment Project, and Dayton Early College Academy. OAPCS extends warm gratitude to these presenters for braving the weather and sharing their hard work and progress with schools across Ohio. We will be compiling these presentations, along with profiles of data management practices in a wide variety of Ohio schools in a publication. Let us know if you would like to participate and have your school included! Contact Marianne at (614) 744-2266 ext. 201 or mlombardo@oapcs.org.
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Columbus City Schools Transportation Meeting
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You are invited to attend the annual Community School Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the Northgate Center located at 6655 Sharon Woods Blvd. This will give us a chance to share very important information that will be helpful to you in planning the 2011/2012 school year.
Applications for Pupil Transportation for the 2011/2012 school year will be distributed, as well as other forms and information. As in previous years, the deadline for applications is June 15, 2011 to allow sufficient time to route your students for the first day of school.
An agenda of the topics to be covered is attached for your convenience. Please complete the enclosed registration form fax it to us at (614) 365-5815 by March 7, 2011.
Please make plans to attend the workshop. If you have any questions, please call (614) 365-5074.
Feel free to contact Jenny Wall at the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools at jwall@oapcs.org for more information as well.
Please click here for the Registration Form
Please click here for the Agenda.
Please join us at the School Leader Consortium May 20th, 2011. Contact me for further information!
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Competitive Grant Opportunities for Participating RttT Charter Schools
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Could you use $1 million dollars to start a New Tech High School?
Could you use $800,000 to start an international studies program with the Asia Society?
Could you use $749,000 dollars to start an Early College High School?
Could you use at least $250,000 dollars to support the STEM turnaround model?
Could your middle school benefit from FREE licensure for AVID?
$17 million dollars is available for innovative programs via competitive grants for RttT LEAs ONLY from the state share of RttT. For more information on how to apply for these $$$$ attend a ONE-TIME only RttT Innovation Symposium on Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215)
Don't miss this face-to-face opportunity to meet with innovation experts and school practitioners to learn more about the RttT Innovative Programs: Asia Society, AVID, Early College, New Tech and STEM and the required competitive grant application process.
Register in STARS before 5pm on March 7, 2011 (Find the event by searching STARS with "RTTT" or "INNOVATION" as the keyword. Please check your STARS profile prior to registering to insure that you are associated with your current LEA. Registration is limited to 1000 participants.)
For more information, contact Joan Nichols, Ph.D., RttT Communications and Outreach Manager Ohio Department of Education
25 South Front Street, MailStop 7-034 Columbus, OH 43215-4183, Joan.Nichols@ode.state.oh.us
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School Leader Consortium
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May 20th, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
OAPCS School Leader Consortium is an informal gathering of professionals. Its agenda is the product of its members. The OAPCS provides meeting facilities and a conference bridge for those interested in participating by phone. There are no costs with consortium membership other than membership in the OAPCS.
OAPCS School Leader Consortium was created to provide a forum for charter school operators to discuss common advocacy, operational, technical, and academic issues. It is also a forum for sharing best practices and school innovation.
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Workshop for Available CEU Credits
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Educating All Our Children: Bringing "What Works" to Scale
Conference Date: February 25, 2011
Conference Time: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: $65 for CEU; $50 without CEU
Keynote speakers include Sonia Nieto and Marc Lamont Hill and all participants will receive a free copy of a book by each speaker!
Participants can receive CEUS and attend specialized, selected breakout sessions relevant to their work. CEU credits are available for educators, psychologists, guidance counselors, and social workers.
If you know anyone who might be interested in attending, please pass along this information.
Online registration can be found here:
http://csuohio.edu/cehs/partnershipconference/
This workshop is offered by Smart Solutions.
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Is School Closed?
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Is School Closed? Need a way to notify parents and students of school closures, events, and emergencies at NO COST to your school?
Ohio Alerts is a FREE text and email alert system for Ohio’s school districts and community schools. Find out more at http://ohioalerts.org. An audio demo on the page (way on the bottom) explains the service. You can contact your ITC or info@ohioalerts.org to get set up.
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Best Practices
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Staff Appreciation at Horizon Science Academy Dayton
Horizon Science Academy and Concept Schools show their appreciation of the amazing staff they employ through various ways throughout the year. These gestures come in many forms whether it is a staff dinner, shirts, or staff activities. Horizon works hard to promote camaraderie among its staff and administration. On November 22nd, 2010 the school staff was honored by going to dinner with the school’s Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Yilmaz, Mr. Herman, Representative of our Sponsor Lucas County, and Mr. Deger, a Board Representative. It was one of the ways Horizon Science Academy and Concept Schools promote partnership throughout the company.
The Tomorrow Center Integrates the Arts
Mrs. Seckel, a Science and Intervention Specialist at the Tomorrow Center, has created a lesson where her students are using their creative skills in art to develop very large scale periodic table to be displayed on the wall outside her classroom. Mrs. Seckel feels by implementing movement within the classroom and hands on activities, students will be provided with a more meaningful experience.
Mr. Smith has also used art in connection with math. Students have used painting in their math classes as well as the health classes. The paintings were done as alternative way for students to express their knowledge of particular math concepts in their art work. Other art work in math has been for students to take nets of geometric figures and fold them in order to get the idea of how three dimensional objects are constructed.
During health classes students were studying the effects of color on human emotion. During this research the students were instructed create an office with a color scheme that would promote a relaxed environment and work productive environment.
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KidsExpo on April 30th, 2011
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KidsExpo on April 30th, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Great Lakes Expo Center 1200 Babitt Road Euclid, OH The inaugural 2011 KidsGO Expo is a unique opportunity for one-stop shopping for parents to explore the best products and services for their families. It’s fun for the parents AND the kids, because there are lots of activities and new things to see. There will be schools and sports, music and food, all in one convenient place for parents to discover. Be a part of this experience by presenting your company or organization to an audience that is anxious to see what you have to offer. Don’t miss this captive audience. This is your chance to enroll new students, sign-up more kids for your activities or demonstrate your product or service.
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OAPCS Membership News
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Attention Authorizers! Free Membership in the Ohio Alliance?
For authorizer/sponsors whose schools are all members of the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, your membership is FREE! If you are currently a member, you will receive a certificate for your renewal in the upcoming year. Please contact our offices to be notified of how many of your schools are currently members of OAPCS and how many of are still ready to join. We look forward to hearing from each of you shortly.
OAPCS is now on Twitter, be sure to follow us to receive the latest news and updates!
Parent Membership Program – Be A Brick
The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) firmly believes that quality performance is the key to the healthy growth and sustainability of the community charter school movement in Ohio.
Quality performance cannot be achieved without parental engagement. Parents deserve to be able to choose the best school for their child, and they need to be involved, informed and active with organization that can help with school choice. So it stands to reason that we want charter-school parents to be knowledgeable and engaged on matters that relate to their children’s schools. So parents: “Be a Brick.” If every parent becomes a “brick,” we can build strong walls that stand firmly for charter schools.
OAPCS is now offering a Parent Membership program that allows individuals to join our organization. Benefits of being an individual member:
• An association of quality values
• Legislative “Updates” and “Alerts”
• Bi-monthly newsletter
• Content-rich website
• Parent Networking/Newsletter
• Discount on products at all Staples Stores
• E-mail bulletins
• Access to OAPCS Community Boards
Please contact Jennifer Brzoski-Wall at jbrzoski@oapcs.org or at (614) 744-2266 ext. 205 to become a Parent Member or for any other membership questions.
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Online course for AP and other classes
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Offering online course for AP and other classes not offered in your school
Options for online AP courses and other classes not available through your school can be found at the “Ohio Learns Gateway” at http://www.ohiolearns.org.
OhioLearns! is a catalog of distance learning courses offered in Ohio at both the high school and college level. Students in grades 9-12 who are interested in high school courses including Advanced Placement courses… are eligible for AP Course Fee waiver. For additional information please contact: Deb Segner, OhioLearns Manager, Ohio Learning Network, dsegner@oln.org. Phone: (614) 485-6737
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Speech and Debate team competed against 450 students
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The Horizon Science Academy Cleveland Speech and Debate team competed against 450 students from 33 northeast Ohio high schools in the Ohio High School Speech and Debate District Tournament held earlier this month. OAPCS is thrilled to announce that Horizon Science Academy won the coveted Brother Joe Clark and Doctor Henry Strater Award. This is awarded to the program that has shown the most improvement in the season.
Horizon Science had 17 students competing at various tournaments during the season – kids who got up, dressed in debate attire, and choose to take part in a "brainy" activity for an entire Saturday or more. We commend these students and the hard working, dedicated staff at Horizon Science Academy Cleveland!
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Assessment Updates
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Test Administration in 2011
The OAA test administration in 2011 will begin on April 25. In 2011, Easter is on April 24 and many districts have scheduled, or are considering scheduling, spring break the week of April 25. Spring break during the week of April 25 will mean the district has the week of May 2 for the initial administration and the week of May 9 for make-up testing only.
Districts cannot use the week of May 9 for initial administration. To meet the results deadline in June, the scorable materials need to be picked up during the “rolling” pickup period: May 6, May 9 and May 10. If this does not happen, the return of test results in June would be jeopardized.
Please consider scheduling spring break the week before Easter. If time off is required after Easter, perhaps the Monday following Easter also could be included in the spring break. This still would allow districts time to administer tests the week of April 25.
Reminder – Suspension of Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA) in Writing and Social Studies
The development and administration of the OAA grades 4 and 7 writing assessments and the grades 5 and 8 social studies assessments will continue to be suspended for the school year 2010 – 2011 due to budget cuts. The OAA-Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities in the areas of writing and social studies also will continue to be suspended for the school year 2010 – 2011. At this time, we do not know if these tests will be returned to the assessment program. Development and administration of assessments for these subjects is dependent upon funding available in the next state biennial budget.
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E-Rate Deadline
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The application window for the FY 2011 eRate program is scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Since Form 470s must be posted for 28 days, the last possible date to file a valid Form 470 for FY 2011 is Thursday, February 24, 2011. We strongly advise applicants to file as soon as possible so as to provide adequate time, after waiting the required 28 days, to select vendors, sign contracts, and file Form 471s.
This year, more than any year in the past, applicants should do all in their power to avoid last minute filings of Form 471s. Major modifications are being made this year to the SLD’s online filing system to accommodate the new versions of the Form 470 and Form 471. Applicants continue to report software bugs in the system. The SLD is continually working to correct these problems, but software patches have an annoying tendency to create new bugs. You do not want to have to rely on a problem-free filing on March 24th. Contact Lorrie Germann for more information. (614) 485-6050, lorrie.germann@etech.ohio.gov
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Parent Involvement Coordinators' Meeting
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The Ohio Department of Education invites you to attend a Parent Involvement Coordinators’ Meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, from 3 – 5 p.m. (NOTE: TIME CHANGE FOR THIS MEETING). This meeting will occur before the start of the Ohio Association of Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs conference, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
There is no registration fee for this meeting. Two contact hours will be available for those who attend the entire session.
Join us to review the parental involvement requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind). We will share new ideas to increase the engagement of families in the education of their children.
We encourage you to stay for the entire conference set for March 30, 31 & April 1, 2011. Please go to www@oaasfep.net and click on the “conferences” button for information.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Bohman, Educational Consultant
Federal Programs and Parent Involvement
Ohio Department of Education
Center for School Improvement
Office of Federal Programs
ann.bohman@ode.state.oh.us
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Ohio Charter School Teachers: Resources Available for Your Classroom!
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Need classroom materials to teach and support your students this year (lab equipment, calculators, novels, etc.) Sign up for a free teacher account on DonorsChoose.org to begin requesting these resources now!
How do I participate?
1. First, log in to your teacher account on www.donorschoose.org/DonorsChoose.org (if you don't have one, any public school teacher can sign up at www.donorschoose.org/teacher).
2. Once you're logged in, submit a request for the classroom materials you need (microscopes, math manipulatives, models, notebooks – you name it!).
Note: Teachers are especially encouraged to submit projects this summer, as many DonorsChoose.org funders are eager to support requests in the late summer and early fall.
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Customized Insurance Package for OAPCS Members
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OAPCS members have access to an exclusive program for their schools’ insurance needs. CharterSafe is the first insurance program designed specifically for charter schools by school leaders and school insurance experts. CharterSafe was created as a direct response to schools’ needs of finding insurance options that provided the correct coverage at group reduced rates.
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Apple in Education
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Apple offers special education pricing on Apple computers, software and select third party products to College Students, or Teachers, Administrators and Staff of all grade levels. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE for more information and to register your school and start saving today.
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