One too many years of cuts

Education News Colorado - March 25, 2011
Keith King, R-Colorado Springs and the administrator of a charter school. And one witness, former State Board of Education member Randy DeHoff, argued that it's "a mistake" to focus on funding alone. "Much of K-12 funding has little effect on the ...

Technology program coming to charter school

Elbert County News - March 24, 2011

Legacy Academy Charter School in Elizabeth is officially an iSchool, the first of its kind in Colorado. On March 8, the school board voted unanimously to incorporate the iSchool program into the fall 2011 school year.

Bustin' a move to keep from bustin' a brain

Greeley Tribune - March 24, 2011
The two were talking about one of the things University Schools has done to help motivate and prepare its students for the long days of the Colorado Student Assessment Program tests.

Broomfield Rep.'s bill aims to open empty buildings to charter school use
Broomfield Enterprise - March 24, 2011
A bill that would allow charter schools to petition local school districts for use of vacant facilities was approved by the Colorado House of Representatives and is now gearing up for a tougher test in the Senate, officials say.

Making the grade

Durango Telegraph - March 24, 2011
When clicking on this link a password box may pop up. If so, simply click cancel to view the article. This week, Mountain Middle School announced the hiring of its new head of school - Jackie Oros, an assistant principal at Timberlane Regional Middle School in Plaistow, N.H. - as well as an infusion of nearly $600,000 in grant money over the next three years.

Educators warn further Colorado cuts will gut schools

9News.com - March 24, 2011

Teachers lined up in Colorado's Capitol Thursday to give senators an earful about how looming budget cuts will hurt students, even as state economists warned that improving state finances won't prevent education from being cut next year.

Brutal day for education bills

EdNews Colorado - March 23, 2011
The "kill committees" did their work Wednesday, defeating bills on charter school facilities, state aid for private college students and regulation of school-management firms.

Dougco considers "voucher charter"
EdNews Colorado - March 22, 2011
Robert Ross, the district's attorney, said the creation of a district charter school for voucher students is the most likely of three possible options that have been considered, largely because of the flexibility of the state's charter laws.

Colorado recognizes Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley schools
Daily Camera - March 22, 2011
The Boulder Valley schools recognized are Bear Creek Elementary, Boulder High, Douglass Elementary, Eldorado K-8, Fairview High, Foothill Elementary, High Peaks Elementary, Horizons K-8, Jamestown Elementary, Louisville Middle, Mesa Elementary, Monarch High, Platt Middle, Peak to Peak Charter, Southern Hills Middle, Summit Middle Charter and Superior Elementary.

Elizabeth charter school students go digital with iPad2

Fox31 News Denver - March 9, 2011
Legacy Academy in Elizabeth will become Colorado's first iSchool. Under the Apple based program, every student at the K-8 charter school will be provided an iPad2 and more wireless bandwidth than the whole town of Castle Rock.

School board moves ahead with charter school, Coyote Ridge expansion
Loveland Connection - March 2, 2011
After the proposed charter school's initial application was remanded back to Thompson School District last month by the Colorado Department of Education, the school district's Board of Education once again tackled the issue Wednesday night, handing down a favorable decision.

Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board Receives 73 Grant Applications Totaling $366.4 Million From 56 School Districts And Charter Schools 
Colorado Department of Education - March 24, 2011
The Capital Construction Assistance Board this week reviewed grant applications from across the state seeking $366.4 million in grants from the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) financial assistance fund.

Tough budget decisions demand context
EdNews Colorado - March 24, 2011
The current year DPS budget shows a total of $886 million in operational expenses, including almost exactly half given directly to district schools. Combining charter and contract schools, along with school support, brings the total to 94 percent ($837 million). Ten million represents a roughly 1.25 percent cut against projected 2.2 percent enrollment (nearly 1,700 more students), about $350 less per pupil.

KIPP student selected for an 11-day, expenses paid educational tour to Peru

EF Educational Tours - March 22, 2011

KIPP Denver student, Louie Luna, has been named Global Citizen Scholarship recipient, by EF Educational Tours. KIPP Denver partnered with EF on this project. By incorporating EF's prompt into the curriculum KIPP earned one of just 20 total scholarships given to students from across the U.S. Louie will travel on an 11-day, expenses paid EF Educational Tour to Peru.  The trip departs on June 20th when Louie will meet his fellow scholarship winners in Miami before continuing on to Lima, Peru.

Mountain Middle School Announces Start-up Grants and New Head of School

Mountain Middle School - March 22, 2011

The Board of Directors of Mountain Middle School (MMS), a free, public charter school opening August 22, 2011 is pleased to announce the CDE Startup grant award and the selection of Jackie Oros as the Head of School (HOS).

Schools Receive Governors Distinguished Improvement Awards and John Irwin Schools Of Excellence Awards
Colorado Department of Education - March 22, 2011
The Colorado Department of Education announced today that 153 schools in Colorado have been recognized with the "Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards" and 151 schools received the "John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards."

Reach Out to Teach Out
Hosted by Elements Academy
Date: Saturday, March 26
Time: 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Location: Montbello Rec Center, 15555 E. 53rd Avenue , Denver, CO 80239
Description: We need your help to make this school a reality. For a few hours on Saturday, March 26th, we'll all be spreading the word about this great program and talking to families about their children's education. We are excited to serve our city's youth alongside you.  Elements Academy believes in providing a joyful learning environment that empowers kids to reach their educational and personal potential. Click here to register.

Expanding Horizons - 2nd Annual Liberty Auction at the Ranch

Hosted by Liberty Common School

Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Description: Music, Western Dinner Buffet and Dessert Auction. Cash Bar Available. For more information email libertyevent@libertycommon.org.

Are You Smarter than a KIPP-ster?

Hosted by KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy

Date: Wednesday, April 6
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Denver Museum of Nature and Science , 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO

Cost: $75 general admission $50 Young professionals (under 35)

Description: RSVP at www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp (code: kippster)
To learn more about forming a corporate team or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mandy Hughes at 303-513-1144 or mhughes@kippcolorado.org.

Overview of Relevant Educational Laws
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Thursday, April 7
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Description: This session provides an overview of relevant educational laws, including reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (currently referred to as No Child Left Behind), School Accountability Committees (SAC), Response to Intervention (RtI), English Language Learners (ELL), Advanced Learning Plans (ALP) and the Colorado Basic Literacy Act (CBLA). While each of these topics could involve a full day of training to get a complete understanding, this introduction will provide participants with overview information about the key educational laws and terminology, allowing you to incorporate the various components into your charter school application or evaluation.  Click here to register.

Gala Event at Red Rocks Park to Benefit the Compass Montessori Education Foundation
Hosted by Compass Montessori Education Foundation
Date: Saturday, April 9th
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Ship Rock Grille, Red Rocks Visitor Center, Morrison, CO
Description: Live and Silent Auction, Performances from Denver Blues Greats Jack Hadley and Neil Haverstick as well as Shamwari, a youth marimba band from Boulder.  Tickets $45 - $65 sliding scale. Food and complimentary drink with ticket price.  Cash Bar.  Representative Max Tyler will be present to speak about the state of Education Funding in Colorado.
Come on out and support public arts and literature education!
Info? Gretchen Roberts, Compass Director of Development, groberts@compassk12.org or www.compassmontessori.org.

Intro to Using NWEA's MAP Assessment
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools 
Date: Tuesday, April 12
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Location: Colorado League of Charter Schools, 725 S. Broadway, Denver, CO, 80209
Cost: FREE 
Description: School leaders and teachers will gain a thorough understanding of MAP assessments and how to get the most out of this computer adaptive assessment. To register, email Jeff Tilton at Jeff.Tilton@NWEA.org no later than Tuesday, April 5. Event is contingent upon 10 confirmed attendees.

Pikes Peak Leader Meeting
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education

Date: Tuesday, April 12
Time: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: James Irwin Charter School, 5525 Astrozon Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
Description:  Register on SurveyMonkey by Friday, April 8, 2011, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HLZCRM6. After submitting the registration, a confirmation screen will appear. There is no fee to attend this lunch meeting; however, those who RSVP and fail to attend will be billed $16 for their lunch.

Introduction to Using Scantron 
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools

Date: Wednesday, April 13
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Colorado League of Charter Schools, 725 S. Broadway, Denver, CO, 80209
Cost:  FREE
Description: School leaders and teachers will gain a thorough understanding of Scantron assessments and how to get the most out of this computer adaptive assessment. To register click here no later than Wednesday, April 13.  Event is contingent upon 10 confirmed attendees. 

CDE Board Training
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education

Date: Thursday, April 14
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Adams 12 Five Star Schools Conference Center, 1500 E. 128th Avenue, Thornton
Description: Register by Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9CDH5JR. After submitting the registration, a confirmation screen will appear.

Slice of Pi
Hosted by Denver School of Science and Technology
Date: Friday, April 15
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: DSST Stapleton High School, 2000 Valentia St., Denver, CO
Description: Honoree: Laura Barton. Laura has been a DSST supporter and advocate since DSST's earliest days and DSST is proud to recognize her contributions. Proceeds support existing DSST Public Schools programming. DSST Public Schools operates open-enrollment STEM Charter Schools and is part of the Denver Public Schools district. Click here for more information.

President's Council WEBINAR
Hosted by the Colorado Department of Education
Date: Friday, April 15
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Description: Register by Wednesday, April 13, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C7S2W88. After submitting the registration, a confirmation screen will appear.

2011 Colorado Charter Schools Rally

Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools

Date: Thursday, April 28

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: West Steps, Colorado State Capitol, Denver
Description: The Colorado Charter Schools Rally is a great chance for the charter school community to come together to voice support for equitable funding and treatment for Colorado charter school students -- and to educate elected officials about why "Charter Schools Rock!" Click here for more information and to register for tours of the State Capitol.

High Point Academy Playground Community Build
Hosted by High Point Academy
Date: Saturday, April 30 - Sunday, May 1
Time: The weekend will be divided into four work sessions: 8:30 - 12:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 on Saturday, and same times on Sunday.
Location: 6750 N. Dunkirk St, Aurora, CO 80019
Description: Over 100 people will join together to build two playgrounds that will provide a safe and fun outdoor play area for over 600 HPA students and the local community. It promises to be an amazing weekend, filled with hard work, new friends, and the satisfaction of building something that will bring joy to children for years to come. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Annette Sloan at asloan@highpointacademy.net.

2011 National Charter Schools Conference

Date: Monday, June 20 - Thursday, June 23
Location: Atlanta, GA

Registration: Click here for more information and to register.  

Description: The 2011 National Charter Schools Conference's theme, Because Every Child Can Succeed, embodies the charter school movement more than ever before. We hope you will join us for next year's gathering to be held June 20 through June 23, 2011, in Atlanta.

• Conference and Events Calendar
• Grants