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The Oregon Youth Corps has summer opportunities for Douglas County youth!
Phoenix Charter School oversees the program. Those ages 16-24 are eligible to work full-time Mondays through Thursdays for six weeks in June and July. Duties include improving local public lands in collaboration with the Umpqua National Forest, Roseburg Bureau of Land Management and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
Students will work on backcountry trails in the Tiller Ranger District, monitor legacy sugar pine trees for the Calf-Copeland Restoration Project in the Umpqua National Forest, improve trail and campground enhancement, help with noxious weed crews, and more.
Click here or call Phoenix Charter School at 784-8608 for more information.
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State Board of Education Student Advisor Opportunity
The Oregon State Board of Education welcomes upcoming high school seniors to apply for a one-year appointment as a student advisor to the Board. This appointment begins August 2022 and ends July 2023. To qualify, students must be a current high school junior (senior during the 2022-23 school year) in good academic standing. As a State Board Advisor, students are expected to attend board meetings beginning in August 2022 and assist the Board in analyzing the policies, proposals and requests before it.
Criteria for Advisor Selection
- Interest in serving as an advisor for one year
- Commitment to attend board meetings and any special board functions
- Willingness to participate in policy discussions
- Ability to deliberate policy issues
- Demonstrated leadership qualities
Applications will be reviewed as submitted, and the application portal will remain open until the positions are filled. If you have any questions about this appointment or the application, please review the full announcement or contact State Board Administrator Corey Rosenberg by email.
Encourage your students to apply - we'd love to see the charter community represented!
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Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is pleased to invite all Oregon elementary and middle school-aged students to participate in the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book essay contest.
About the Contest
The Oregon Blue Book is a unique and special book because it captures snapshots in time of our state . Oregonians can go back to editions from decades ago and gain an understanding of our state during that era. Since early 2020, Oregonians have been faced with the COVID 19 pandemic. Students have been impacted in many ways, and we’d like to hear about those experiences. These essays will be a part of our mission to tell the story of Oregon during this snapshot of our state’s history.
Essay Topic: Oregon students share their pandemic experience
Students can approach the essay in the way that best describes their experience. Here are some essay prompts that might be helpful:
- How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your everyday life?
- How did the COVID19 pandemic change the way you attend school and other activities?
- What are some things you learned during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- In what ways did the pandemic impact you and your friends?
Students may submit a written or a video essay. Students who choose to submit a written essay will also provide a drawing/illustration they created to go with their essay.
Contest winners’ written essays/drawings and names of video essay winners will be included in the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book published version. Video essay winners will be prominently featured on the digital version of the Oregon Blue Book. All winners will be invited to the State Capitol for the official Oregon Blue Book release party and celebration in early 2023.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 20, 2022.
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School Opportunities and Resources
VELA Education Fund Microgrant
VELA Education Fund announced their latest VELA Microgrant round is now live! VELA Microgrants support early-stage ideas for PK-12 education programs that redefine how, when, and where learning takes place, and that allow families to access options that better meet their needs, outside of the traditional school system. Microgrant applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through the end of October. Micro grant applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through the end of October. Learn more and apply today.
Filling the Gap Fund: Funding for Supplemental Learning Options
A new opportunity from the Walton Family Foundation and Bellwether Education Partners invites public schools, networks, and nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to support ideas that ensure families have access to supplemental learning opportunities that meet their children’s needs, interests, and goals. Responses to their request for information are due Monday, June 6, 2022, with grants available from $50,000 to $300,000.
Additional Resources for EIR Grant Opportunity
Applications are still open for early-phase, mid-phase, and expansion grants within the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program. The purpose of these grants is to support the incubation, development, and expansion of promising innovative practices. Applications for early-phase are due July 21, and for mid-phase and expansion are due June 21. For additional information on these grants, see these summaries from our partners at Penn Hill Group: early-phase summary, mid-phase summary, and expansion summary.
National Charter School Resource Center Funding Opportunity Database
The database includes one-time and ongoing grants, fellowships, prizes, and scholarships. Sponsors include the U.S. Federal Government and philanthropic organizations. The page is updated frequently as charter school funding opportunities are announced. Click here to view the database and search for funding opportunities.
Upcoming Events
Programs, Policy, and Research
Register Now: 2022 National Charter Schools Conference in Washington, DC
Registration is open for the 2022 National Charter Schools Conference in Washington, D.C., June 19-22. The National Alliance is committed to hosting a safe and rewarding event to make up for the time we’ve lost together, but space is limited. Join them where the movement meets. See their keynote speakers (more to come!), breakout sessions, and promo video for more on why you can't miss out. Click here to learn more.
Administration Launches "Internet for All" Initiative
The newly launched Internet for All initiative will invest $45 billion in affordable high-speed internet for everyone in America by expanding infrastructure, teaching digital skills, and providing necessary technology. The initiative includes three programs: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program; Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and State Digital Equity Act programs. Learn more at the Internet for All website.
National Charter Schools Week Recap
Last week the National Alliance celebrated National Charter Schools Week 2022: Charter Schools Rising. They spent the week honoring our leaders, teachers, families, and students in our movement and community.
Congratulations again to the 2022 Changemakers and Champions for Charters!
27 Senators Join Bipartisan Resolution Honoring National Charter Schools Week
Continuing a longstanding tradition, last week 27 Senators joined a bipartisan Resolution honoring National Charter Schools Week. Once again, the Resolution was led by longtime charter school supporters Senators Michael Bennet of Colorado and Tim Scott of South Carolina. Many thanks to the Senators who joined our celebration of National Charter Schools Week!
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Charter Schools in the News
Here are a few local headlines from the past few weeks:
Portland Public Schools heads to budget vote with $9M to help fill gaps, Oregon Public Broadcasting
Oregon Youth Corps With Summer Opportunities, KQEN News Radio
More parents opt for online learning for their children, KPIC
Should the state or parents have control over educating children?, The Register-Guard
Here are a few national headlines from the past few weeks:
CRT Law Undermines Texas Charter School for Black and Latino Students (Op-Ed), The 74
Facing pushback, Biden administration clarifies charter school rules, Washington Post
Charter school parents voice concerns over proposed Education Department charter funding rules, Spectrum
Biden Abandons the Obama Legacy on Charter Schools, New York Magazine
ChartersAt30 Part 3: Change Makers feat. Nina Rees, Charter Nation
New Biden Administration Rules for Charter Schools Spur Bipartisan Backlash, The New York Times
Backlash Against the U.S. Department of Education, RAS Reports
President Biden’s Attack on Charter Schools (Op-Ed), El American
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Is your school a member of ORC3S yet?
We are a coalition of community-based, public charter schools representing all corners of our state. Although, we are all unique in our pedagogy and practice, what unites us is our commitment to educational innovation and to high-quality schools for all students. Our mission is to provide a voice and sustainable support and guidance for the members of our coalition.
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