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A weekly update of Federation news and events

 
July 25, 2012
In This Issue
FY13 21st CCLC RFP Released
New Financial Aid Website
Investing in Opportunities for Children - Now
New Roles for School District Central Offices

Illinois Community School Forum  Creating a Community Vision for Our Children's Success 

October 19, 2012 -  
Chicago, IL

Our 8th Annual Illinois Community Schools Forum supports community school development by gathering stakeholders to share creative approaches to organizing systems and resources to support student and family success.    

 

Visit our website for more information.    

 

Register now - Rates increase September 1! 

Upcoming Events

   

Monday, July 30 

Leveraged Resources:  Expanding Capacity to Support Student Success  

Metropolitan Family Services

235 E. 103rd St.
Chicago, IL 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Register with Greg Hall

 

Tuesday, August 7

ISBE 21st CCLC Technical Assistance Bidder's Webinar

12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Webinar will relate to specific proposal requirements. 

Register here 

Job Postings

 

Family Focus is currently hiring for the position of Community School Evaluation Coordinator.  The person in this position will be responsible for coordinating the evaluation of Family Focus's Community School programs to support high quality program services and meet funding requirements. This position works in a team of other professionals in supporting the use of program outcomes as a method for continuous program improvement.  View the full job description and application  instructions here.
Quick Links

 

 

 

FY 2013 21st CCLC RFP Released 

 

We are happy to announce that ISBE released the FY13 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) RFP last Friday.  ISBE also provided information about the RFP submission processes and additional guidance and background about 21st CCLC grants.  The deadline for submission is September 18, 2012.  Click here to view the RFP.  

 

Please also note: The technical assistance bidder's webinar will be conducted on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, from 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. This informational webinar will relate to the specific proposal requirements.  Register here.   

DOE Launches New Website to Help Student Navigate Financial Aid Process


The US Department of Education recently launched a new streamlined website and several social media tools that will make it easier for students and families to navigate the financial aid process and make informed decisions about paying for college. The launch of the new website -  StudentAid.ed.gov - follows a report from the U.S. Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about consumer protection issues with private student loans and recommendations to improve the student loan marketplace.  Read the full press release here.    

Investing in Opportunities for Children - Now

 

According to this year's Illinois Kids Count report, "Investing in Opportunities for Children - Now", children are caught in a "budget crossfire" at both the state and federal levels, and policymakers are neglecting to address the erosion of long-term investments in children.

 

Join Voices for Illinois Children to discuss the report's findings specific to the individual communities listed below.  This is an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively to address the challenges communities face in these difficult times, and to articulate a shared vision for the future of all children in Illinois.

 

You must RSVP separately for each symposium by clicking on each individual symposium's "register here" link below.

 

Carbondale

Tuesday, August 28 from 9:00 am - noon

John A. Logan College, Batteau Room

700 Logan College Road

Carterville, IL

Keynote speaker: Lt. Governor Sheila Simon

Register for Carbondale   

 

Peoria

Friday, September 14 from 9:00 am - noon

Peoria Civic Center/SMG

201 SW Jefferson Ave.

Peoria, IL

Keynote speaker: Reyna Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent, Center for Language and Early Child Development, Illinois State Board of Education 

Register for Peoria 

 

Northwest Cook County

Monday, September 28 from 9:00 am - noon

St. Alexius Medical Center

1555 Barrington Road

Hoffman Estates, IL

Keynote speaker: Jerry Stermer, Acting Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget

Register for Northwest Cook County   

School District Central Offices Take on New Roles

 

published in Education Week may offer insight into the direction in which the Chicago Public School (CPS) district is headed, and suggests a strategy other districts around the state may employ, as well.  The article describes a trend of school districts around the country "shifting responsibilities that once rested with the central office to principals." School districts in cities like Hartford, New York City, Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, and Baltimore have moved towards a structure in which central office administrators do not manage district-wide initiatives, but instead manage a "portfolio" of options available to principals. Principals are given the autonomy and flexibility to, for example, implement strategies and choose curricula they believe will meet their students' needs, within a set of parameters established by the district. The district provides strategic support and guidance in implementing a range of initiatives or programs at the school level, without requiring a specific set of choices. While the approach to school district management described in this article seems to also reflect changes underway at CPS, it remains to be seen how much autonomy principals will ultimately have and how this shift will impact existing district-wide strategies like the Community Schools Initiative, roll out of the Common Core Learning Standards, and the Full School Day plan.