August 2012
Capitol Update 8/31/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* And They’re Done (Almost)
* CCSA Continues to Support School Funding Reform
Sept. 13: You're invited - A Conversation with Supt. Deasy
Charter school teachers in Los Angeles are invited to a a conversation and reception with current LAUSD Superintendent, Dr. John Deasy hosted by Teach Plus.
Business Managers' Meetings Kick Off Sept. 25
Questions on the new budget proposal and how the state’s financial situation will impact your school? Look no further than CCSA’s Business Managers meetings! This webinar will be offered on four different days for your convenience.
Fellowship for School Developers - Apply by Sept. 15!
Building Excellent Schools is looking for entrepreneurial individuals from education, law, policy and/or business to design, found, lead, and sustain schools in underserved communities. Apply today!
Join us for our Fall Regional Meeting!
Please save the date to join us at our upcoming Regional Meeting. This is your opportunity to engage with CCSA staff and your colleagues around policy and advocacy issues that are impacting you the most.
Sept. 5: LAUSD Special Education Options Open House
LAUSD-authorized charter schools are invited to learn more about their SELPA options, including the “Charter Operated Programs” (Option 3).
An Oakland Update: Lots to Share
Updates from Regional Director David Castillo on cash flow challenges, CIVICS, OUSD SELPA changes, the upcoming Oakland Regional meeting and more.
CCSA Answers: Deadline for Opening a Charter School to Receive ADA
Question: Where in the Education Code does it state that charter schools must open by September 30 in order to receive state funding for ADA?
Featured Grant: Charter School Facilities Credit Enhancement Grant Program
Funding to support the acquisition, renovation or construction of charter school facilities, or to support the refinancing of existing charter school facility debt.
CCSA Kicks-Off 20th Anniversary of Charter Schools Act at the San Carlos Charter Learning Center
On Tuesday August 21, 2012, CCSA hosted a news conference at California’s longest-running charter. Charter leaders, as well as former and current parents, and some alumni, joined the celebration.
Capitol Update 8/23/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* 6 Legislative Days And Counting…
* PCSGP Grant Application Expected in September
* CCSA Members: Cash Flow Relief Alternatives
* ELL Legislative Briefing at State Capitol
* Share Your Expertise: Present at the 2013 Charter Schools Conference
Don't Wait! Register Now for the Annual Conference
The Back to School Registration Special, with a super low rate of $325, is available for only a few more weeks!
New Member Publication: California Charter Schools Buyers' Guide
The 2012-2013 California Charter Schools Buyers’ Guide is one of many resources available to help you operate a high-quality charter school. This brand new publication focuses on best practices in purchasing and procurement and ways to cut costs, and it also contains a complete listing of CCSA Vendor Members.
Making the Case for Athletics
Natomas Pacific Pathways families and school leaders ask the Natomas Unified School District Board of Education to allow students to compete on district sports teams.
ELL Legislative Briefing at State Capitol
Because CCSA strongly believes that the best way to make sure elected officials know about charter schools is by hearing from charter schools themselves, we recently held a brown bag briefing on “English Language Learners in California’s Charter Public Schools.”
Charter Movement 20th Anniversary Kickoff
CCSA officially launched the 20th Anniversary of the charter school movement at a news conference at San Carlos Learning Center Charter School, the oldest operating charter school in the U.S. The event took place August 21.
External Opportunity: Aug. 23 Webinar - Exploring Successful Models for Green Charter Schools
Attend a Free Webinar Thursday, Aug.23. The event covers green building opportunities plus financing opportunities.
CCSA Answers: Surplus Property under SB 1016
Question: May any charter school, even a charter school authorized by another district, submit a request for surplus property, under SB 1016?
Featured Grant: Good Sport Equipment Grant
Grants for sports, fitness or recreation equipment
Golden Valley Charter School Embraces Families That Can
100 Sacramento area families joined Families That Can. Read more for ideas about how to engage YOUR families.
Capitol Update 8/16/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Two Anti-Charter School Bills are Defeated; Several Bills Still Move Forward
Revamped Spanish Language Content On CCSA Website
CCSA’s Spanish language website content has been updated and expanded.
CCSA's annual Fall Data Campaign (FDC)
A data-driven membership and professional organization, CCSA is now in the midst of this vital project, which collects movement-critical information from every single charter school in the state. That is more than 1,000 schools this year!
Capitol Update 8/9/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Cash Flow Difficulties Continue for Charter Schools, New Deferrals Effective Immediately
* CCSA Hosts English Language Learners (ELL) Brown Bag
* And They’re Off…
* Leadership Changes
* Charter Schools May Receive Access to District Surplus Property: Act Now!
* Share Your Expertise: Present at the 2013 Charter Schools Conference
* CCSA submits letter to Superintendent Torlakson regarding SB 740 concerns
20th Anniversary Toolkit
Get involved in the 20th anniversary of the charter schools movement in California! Communications Toolkit has information, templates, and ideas of how your charter can celebrate.
Welcome, Regional Director Fátima Cristerna-Adame to the Inland Empire
CCSA is proud to welcome Fátima Cristerna-Adame to the Regional Director, Inland Empire position. Fátima is a long time San Bernardino resident and activist.
CCSA Answers: Can a Student with Special Needs who is over Age 19 Generate ADA?
Question: A student who is eligible for special education services and is over the age of 19 would like to complete his high school education at our charter school. Would we be able to collect ADA for this student? He would be enrolling in our school for the first time.
Featured Grant: I Love My Librarian Award
Award for librarians who are improving the lives of people in a community, school, or on a campus
Aug. 18: External Opportunity: Building Our Economy Through Education Technology
Teachers and educators get in free at an upcoming half-day conference on education technology in Los Angeles!
CCSA submits letter to Superintendent Torlakson regarding SB 740 concerns
We have heard from many members about problems with receiving SB 740 (Charter School Facility Grant Program) funding in a timely manner and have been working with Superintendent Torlakson and his staff at the California Department of Education (CDE) non-stop on this important issue.
CCSA Answers: Accessing Planning and Implementation Grant Funding
Question: My charter school currently serves grades K-8. We are adding grades 9-12. Will we qualify for the PCSG with expanding grades, or are we required to create a separate high school?
Call for Charter Schools Program Peer Reviewers
Be a peer reviewer! This new grant program is designed to encourage high-quality charter schools to partner with non-chartered public schools and non-chartered LEAs to share and transfer best educational and operational practices.
Aug 30: Stand Out - Use Your Mission to Effectively Reach Audiences
Delivering an effective message that resonates with several audiences and raises the profile of your charter school is essential in today’s media-driven world.
External Opportunity: Bring "First Generation" to Your School
A new documentary follows the journey of four high school students as they navigate the road to college as the first in their families to go to college. The filmmakers are screening the film at schools and community centers to spark a community dialogue and help first-generation students learn to navigate their way through the system.
CCSA Launches 20th Anniversary Website
This September marks 20 years quality, choice, and innovation in California’s public schools! To celebrate this milestone, CCSA recently launched a 20th anniversary-themed website.
Aug 28: Fundraising 101
Join us for a background in the funding opportunities available to schools, effective strategies for garnering support from diverse sources, and tools to build an initial fundraising plan.
Capitol Update 8/02/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Upcoming Deadline: SB 740 Facility Expenditure Reports
* The Legislature is Returning to Sacramento; Charter School Items on the Agenda
* Update on New Mandate Block Gra
* CDE Posts Apportionment Schedule and Estimator
* What’s Happening with Charter School Employee Pensions?
* New Federal Charter School Grant Program
* Common Core Standards Update
Featured Grant: Good Sport Equipment Grant
Grants for sports, fitness or recreation equipment
Update on Mandates Block Grant
Learn how to take advantage of the new Mandate Block Grant to access funds for mandates.