Regions: Central Valley
Last Call: June Regional Meetings (Sacramento, Fresno, San Diego)
Final regional meetings are this week and next in Sacramento, Fresno, and San Diego! Don’t miss this chance to connect with charter leaders in your region and CCSA team members to discuss your local needs and ways to best support your schools.
Registration Open for June Regional Meetings
Calling all Northeast, Central Valley and Southern California Charter Schools:Your regional meeting is around the corner! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with charter leaders in your region and CCSA team members to discuss your needs and ways to support your school.
Debunking Myths About Special Education and Charters
An inspiring story from a parent of a student with special needs whose life was transformed by a charter school.
CCSA Answers: Receiving Credit for Emergency Days When Determining ADA (Drought Update)
Question: The drought was recently added to the list of emergency conditions for which public schools throughout California can receive emergency day credit. How can charter schools receive credit for emergency days when determining average daily attendance (ADA)?
Fresno Charter Schools Recognized for Civics, Arts, and Character
The Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL) Charter High School, Fresno was named one of only thirteen California High Schools to be awarded the Civic Learning Award of Distinction.
Lunch & Learn: Facilities Funding Opportunities - Fresno
Join us for the session, “Building Credit to Finance Your Building,” coordinated by your Regional Director and offered by CCSA Vendor Member, RBC Capital Markets.
Lunch & Learn: HR Best Practices - San Bernardino
Join us for the session, “What Teachers & Staff Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income,” coordinated by your Regional Director and offered by CCSA Vendor Member, First Investors.
Just Around the Corner: Finance Academy Part One
This in-person workshop, offered in the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Los Angeles, will assist charter schools that are engaged in the strategic planning process work toward long-term sustainability.
Now Hiring! Parent Organizer, Northeast and Central Valley
Do you know someone who loves charter schools, and ‘clicks’ with a wide range of people? If so, he or she might be the perfect candidate for this position!
Upcoming Central Valley Charter Events
January and February offer four valuable opportunities for charter leaders in the Central. Get the details!
Parent Empowerment Act Webinar - November 21!
Learn about the Parent Empowerment Act and how parents can organize and advocate for a quality education.
Charter School Opens in a National Park
A small foothill community partnership to create mountains of opportunities for students.
Foothill Leadership Academy Approved by Tuolumne County Board of Education
Sonora to see a new leadership and arts school opening in 2014
Celebrate National Charter Schools Week at the State Capitol
As Advocacy Day approaches, our Government Affairs team will provide you with a schedule and all the materials you need in preparation for the day.
20th Anniversary Advocacy Day -Speak up for Charter Schools!
Join charter leaders and parents from our region at the State Capitol on May 8 for the 20th Anniversary Advocacy Day.
Regional Charter Leaders Seen and Heard at the 20th Anniversary Conference
Here are just a few examples of where your colleagues where seen and heard at the 20th Annual Conference in San Diego.
Meet Up with Local Colleagues at the Conference
Be sure to attend the welcome reception and regional meeting for a chance to meet up with local colleagues at the conference.
The Continuing Need to Educate the Community on Charter Schools
The Association encourages our schools to print, link to, embed, and share all of the resources on our website including the overviews of what charter schools actually are to your audiences.
Northeast and Central Valley Regional Meeting Wrap Up
Here’s a look at what was shared at the four regional meetings in the Northeast and Central Valley region February 4 -7.
One of the Best Rounds of Central Valley Charter Meetings Yet
Thank you to all of you who participated in the recent round of Central Valley Regional Charter Leader Meetings.
Sycamore Valley Academy Making a Difference in the Facility Resources Struggle in the Central Valley
For that reason, schools participating in Prop 39 facilities applications and SB 740 facilities private lease reimbursements should be applauded in their efforts to formally communicate the need for facility resources for charter schools.
Renewals are Signs of Good Things to Come for a Number of Schools
The relationship with your authorizer is critical to the existence of your school. Never is that more apparent then when your school is up for re-authorization. I
Topics to be Discussed at the Upcoming Central Valley Charter Leader Meetings
In addition to the opportunity to network with other charter leaders from your area we will be discussing particular topics specific to each area for the three regional meetings happening in the first week of February.
Should we Change the Locations of our Regional Charter Leader Meetings to Different School Sites in the Central Valley?
I look forward to the discussion on this subject.
Central Valley Charter School Accomplishments
This is not an all inclusive list so apologies if I’ve left out information about your school.
Upcoming Opportunity for Charter Leaders to Get Together
Our regional charter leader meetings are on the horizon. The Central Valley meetings are less than 2 months away and will be taking place the first week of February.
Knowing Your Special Education Options is Always Beneficial
As many of you are aware, providing special education services at public schools is a very complex subject.
Lots of Value in School Visits
I have a renewed commitment to visiting schools. I encourage all schools to also make this a priority.
November Votes Impact Education
The Association has developed multiple resources to engage your schools & parents at various levels and I believe all are complimentary in their efforts.
Charter School Facilities Are a Political Issue
With the deadline for the Proposition 39 facilities application happening this week, I believe it’s worthwhile to talk about why facilities are such an important issue to the charter school movement.
Fresno Big Picture Middle & High School Sponsors a Community Grand Opening Event
Community dignitaries, in-kind supporters, friends and school family members will be treated to a very special evening for this event.
Quality Training of School Leaders for Charters is Essential
I appreciate so much when a school leader brings a staff member with them to one of our regional meetings or a board member sits in these meetings because it adds a different perspective to the conversations that happen at the meeting.
Recent Last Week's Central Valley Regional Charter Meetings a Success
Thank you to all who attended the regional charter leaders meeting last week.
This Week's Fall Regional Charter Leaders Meetings
The last two Central Valley Regional Charter Leader Meetings are happening this week. The locations and times of this week’s meetings are below so please attend or send a designee if necessary.
Kepler Neighborhood School Authorized by Fresno Unified
The Fresno Unified School Board unanimously approved a charter petition for the Kepler Neighborhood School, a proposed K-8 that founders plan also to use for community improvement and adult education.
Fresno Area 20th Anniversary of Charter Schools Rally a Success
Thank you to everyone who attended the 20th Anniversary of Charter Schools Rally at Valley Prep Academy Charter School in Fresno.
Upcoming Fall Regional Charter Leaders Meetings this Month
I hope you’ve seen the notices about the upcoming regional charter leader meetings and are planning to attend .Information on the three Central Valley meetings is below so please attend or send a designee if necessary. The Fresno area meeting…
20th Anniversary Rally in Fresno
Please plan to attend the 20th Anniversary of Charters rally held on Wednesday September 19 at 10:00 am at Valley Preparatory Academy Charter School at 4221 N Hughes Ave. Fresno, CA 93705. Fresno County Superintendent Larry Powell will be the…
Taking Parent Engagement to the Next Level
Strong parent leaders are the foundation of strong charter schools. Here are three tips to jumpstart family engagement at your school.
Visiting Schools is Worth the Time Investment
The school year is now over but when the time comes to start thinking about the next year, I’d recommend creating a plan to visit other charter schools.
Renewal: Summer is a Great Time to get Ready for September Charter Submission
Last week I co-presented a webinar on garnering support for charter renewal with my colleague from San Jose, Alicia Gallegos. It was the third is a series of webinars designed to support schools that are up for renewal in the 2013 school year.
Stepping Up when the Legislature lets us Down
Thank you to all of you that called your legislators and the Governor’s Office last week. Your phone calls made a big difference!
Educating the Public about School Choice is a Public Service
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked by a parent of what charter school options they have in their community…
Dropout Prevention and Recovery Schools are Providing a Valuable Service
We have a couple of excellent local examples. Serving this population is challenging; there is much to be learned from these schools.
Being Prepared for Charter Leader Turnover Should be a Priority
I believe it is important to have a robust professional development program or process in place at our schools to inspire folks to continue to improve and take on new duties and challenges.
Fresno Area Charter Leaders Meeting Filled with Exciting Discussions
Thank you to all who attended the Fresno Area Charter Leaders Meeting. If you weren’t able to attend… check out one of the remaining two meetings in our region.
Central Valley Regional Meetings: 20th Anniversary Celebration Discussion
Have an idea for an activity to celebrate 20 years of charter schools in California? Join us at the next regional meeting near you.
Fresno's University High School is Among the Top High Schools in the Country
Congratulation to University High School which sits on the Fresno State University campus for once again being ranked by US News & World Report as being one of the top high schools in the state and the nation. University High…
Join Us at the Upcoming Regional Meetings
These meeting are getting better and better each time we meet so please don’t miss them. If you are unable to attend, please send a designee.
CCSA's "YouTube" Channel Packed with Great Info
They cover a variety of topics, all relevant to the work that we do on a daily basis.
ACEL Charter High School Approved
In what was a dramatic ending to an emotionally-charged night which went past midnight when the Academy for Civic & Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL) was approved for another 5 years at their hearing in front of the Fresno Unified School District Board.
Plenty at Stake for Charter Schools in Upcoming Elections
It makes a lot of sense to encourage your parents, administrators & teachers to get involved in the upcoming elections.
Aspire Public Schools Making their Presence Known in the North Valley
I am a strong advocate of seeking a good balance of diverse selections of school choices serving families in the Central Valley with organic independent charters as well as charter management organizations who run multiple schools. Aspire Public Schools operate…
April 19: Free Governance Workshop in Sacramento
This is the workshop charter school board members DON’T want to miss! Find out everything you need to know to be a responsible steward of your school from the Brown Act to financial and academic oversight.
Supporting Downtown Fresno Charters
A limited number of charter schools located in the downtown Fresno area serve students from all over the local region. Please do what you can to communicate your support for one of them…
Increasing School Choices and Dropout Prevention
There’s been a lot of news lately in the Fresno area on the ongoing drop out problem occurring locally and of course nationwide.
Supporting Each Other as our Local Charter School Movement Evolves
At our last regional meetings in the Central Valley & the regional meeting at the conference, you could clearly get a sense of community in the room…
Fresno County Office of Education Recognized as Authorizer of the Year
Fresno County Office of Education (FCOE) was recognized as this year’s Hart Vision Brian Bennet Authorizer of the Year Award recipient at our recent 19th Annual Charter Schools Conference.
Use the Conference to Find Answers and Connect with People
The California Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference is here … amazing how fast a year goes by.
Central Valley Charter Leaders Meeting Included Sharing Innovative Financial Solutions from Charter Leaders
Along with the updates provided by the Association, there was the sharing of a variety of financial solutions by by charter leaders happening at their school sites.
Connecting Central Valley charters with legislators During Advocacy Week at the Upcoming CCSA Conference
Don’t miss your opportunity to develop relationships with your legislators!
Business Managers Meeting combined with Modesto-Area Charter Leaders Meeting
Thank you for all of you who participated in last week’s meeting and thank you Alice Miller for helping us combine the Business Managers updates with the Modesto-area Charter Leader Meeting. In the next round of regional meetings, we will be looking to do the same in Fresno and Bakersfield.
Please RSVP for the upcoming Central Valley regional meetings
Please RSVP to the upcoming Central Valley regional meetings. We will be going around the room asking charter leaders for innovative financial solutions to help each other through these rough financial times, so come with your ideas of how to save or raise money for your schools.
Great Valley Charter denied authorization at Salvation Army site in Modesto
Great Valley Academy was denied in their bid to open a school at the Salvation Army Red Shield Center in Modesto.
2 Fresno Unified charter schools are successfully renewed for 5 years
Congratulations to both Valley Preparatory Academy & Sierra Charter School in their successful bid for renewal from the Fresno Unified School District.
Regionalized agenda topics emphasized for the next round of regional meetings
We have heard your feedback and our regional charter leader meeting are adjusting to accommodate more regionalized issues.
Local Charter School Authorized in Mariposa County
Congratulations to the Sierra Foothill Charter School (SFCS) for being authorized by the Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD).
Upcoming Central Valley Winter Regional Meetings
Be sure to mark your calendar and attend the upcoming Central Valley Winter Regional Meetings
The Local Charter Landscape Continues to Change
Change sometimes happens slowly but a number of activities have occurred which could impact the local charter schools environment in the Fresno area.
Investing Time and Energy into a Well Executed Authorization Process
Both renewal and initial authorization require extensive time, preparation and organizing of their charter communities. And it is time well spent.
Positively Impacting Something Larger Than Us
There is something special and entrepreneurial when you experience a dynamic charter school first hand.
Charter School Developer Taking the Right Steps
Getting your charter initially authorized as a school developer or going through re-authorization to keep your school in existence can be a bit trying…
Charter Management Organizations in the Valley
There is such a variety of schools that make up the charter school landscape in the Central Valley.
Improved services to our Central Valley families with special needs
A number of schools have approached us about creating an informal working group on special education. This will involve a dialogue about the challenges each school faces in serving special education students and engagement from our team of special education experts to help look for solutions.
Charters School Approvals Impacting Authorizer Decisions in the Central Valley
The Visalia Unified School District approved the the Sycamore Valley Charter Academy petition at their meeting Tuesday in a 6-1 vote. The school will open in August 2012.
Special Ed 101 & 201 Webinars Available to Valley Schools This Week
I’ve had a lot of questions and info requests from member schools on special education issues. Even in the Valley, where we’ve had our first County Office of Education SELPA provide new special education options for charters.
Central Valley Regional Meetings Wrapped Up
There are really quite a lot of exciting developments that continue to propel the Central Valley to new heights in the charter school movement.
Share Critical School Data - Plus Regional Meeting Wrap Up
Your participation in two important surveys will help CCSA with critical work.
Two More Central Valley Regional Meetings this Week, Fresno and Bakersfield
Last week we had our first fall regional meeting in Modesto and it turned out great. For those of you in the Fresno and Bakersfield areas, please do all that you can to attend this weeks meetings.
The Work that I Do On Behalf of Members and the Greater Charter School Movement
Have you ever wonder what your Regional Director does and why? Let me share some of what I do in my role as your Regional Director.
I Want to Hear About Your School's Successes
I have visited many schools and recognize that measuring success by any one method does not truly represent everything about your school.
Central Valley Regional Meetings
Register today for the meeting near you. Fresno members - your meeting will include a brief presentation by the CCSA Special Education team.
Local Schools are Making their Mark in the Media
I have been noticing more and more marketing & advertising from our local charters and I think it’s fantastic.
Mark your calendars: Fall Central Valley regional meetings
Regional meetings are coming up soon - plus a congratulations to Grimmway Academy in Bakersfield!
How to: Set Your Default "Region Page"
Save yourself a click! Did you know you it is easy to make a default regional selection on ccsa.org? It’s easy. Here’s how to do it.
Get the Latest State Budget Information
New information about Governor Brown’s veto of the budget.
Families That Can Offers Tips on Connecting with Your Legislator
How can parents have an impact in Sacramento? How do you get a meeting with your legislator? What is the process for a proposed bill to become a law? Get the details from Families That Can.