Volume III, Issue 9,  March 19, 2007

This Issue of the Charter Leader News features information on the following. . .

Advocacy
Fiscal Policies and Procedures Workshop
2nd Annual Service Providers Marketplace
Board Chair Forum
Special Education
Playground Funding Opportunity

Teacher Certification Workshop

Write, Call and Visit Your State Lawmakers on Cap Lift!

In collaboration with the New York Charter Schools Association, the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence is urging all charter schools to encourage their parents and stakeholders to write, call and visit state legislators and voice their concern about proposed legislation that would adversely affect charter schools.

Letter templates and additional details can be found at:  http://nycchartercenter.org/breaking_news.html

As always, the Charter Center will continue to proactively engage allies in the Governor's Office, the State Assembly and State Senate to ensure that any legislative amendments to the existing Charter School Law strengthen the law, and preserves the autonomy, flexibility and quality of public charter schools.

Letters from school leaders, board members, parents and supporters help reinforce those efforts. Thank you.

OPERATIONS NEWS

SAVE THE DATE!

Fiscal Policies and Procedures Workshop - April 10, 2007:

The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence's April 10, 2007 workshop, "Right from the Start and Audit Ready: Charter School Fiscal Policies and Procedures" is designed to provide participating charter schools with the tools they need to create and maintain fiscal soundness and integrity in their financial operations.

Attendees will receive an UPDATED license and electronic copy of a template charter school policies and procedures manual that can be customized for each school.

New features include: 

• A new, more accessible, chapter format that follows the accounting cycle
• Expanded and new sections on internal controls for charter schools, including a self-assessment check list for internal controls audits and tips for working with auditors describing the school's relationship with a fiscal outsourcing firm, or charter management organization
• Roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
• Month-end closing procedures
• And more!

Please contact Vinice Davis at vdavis@nycchartercenter.org for further details and to register.

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REMINDER! Second Annual Service Provider Marketplace - March 28, 2007:

There are only ten days remaining until the Second Annual Service Provider Marketplace on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 from 10am-5pm at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel, 371 Seventh Avenue, New York.

Registration is now open!! Click here to register!

This year, the Marketplace will provide valuable information sessions and panel discussions complementing the product and service offerings of the vendors. There will be more than 40 vendors in attendance, including food service providers, educational products and services, accounting firms, banks, back office support organizations, enrichment programs and services and MUCH MUCH more!

Come and meet with quality vendors!

Ask questions!

Learn about new operations and educational products and services!

This is a great opportunity to not only hear about service offerings, but also to learn about why these products and services are important and how they can be used to improve your operational efficiency and classroom experience. Click Here to view an outline of the schedule and contents of the Information Sessions.

Be sure to check out our sponsors:

Technology - Network Outsource www.networkoutsource.com

Austin & Co. www.austin-co.com

Educational Support - Presentation Products www.pproducts.com / www.SmartBoards.com

Real Estate - Commerce Bank www.yesbank.com

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Status Report - Protocols for the Provision of Special Education Services to Charter School Students:

Following the release of the New York City Department of Education's (NYCDOE) updated "Protocols for the Provision of Special Education Services to Charter School Students" memorandum, a number of concerns were raised by charter school leaders.

The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence held a very productive working group meeting on these issues with school leaders and NYCDOE. As a result, there was general agreement that the latest memorandum was a step forward, but needed some clarifications and greater specificity in a couple of areas.  NYCDOE is moving forward in providing this additional guidance, and the Charter Center will work with the school community and other stakeholders to assure that students get the services they deserve while responsibilities and costs are appropriately allocated.

For more information, please contact Dirk Tillotson at dtillotson@nycchartercenter.org.  We will provide additional updates in the coming weeks.

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Update - Charter School Teacher Recruitment Initiatives:

The New York City Center for Charter School Excellence wishes to take this opportunity to update schools on the progress we've made with our teacher recruitment initiatives:

• This year's NY Charter School Career fair (March 3, 2007) was a success. Approximately 50 NYC public charter schools participated and had access to more than 400 candidates.
• We continue to invest in the Resume Bank and Job Posting Collection.  Additionally, we will expand our site, http://www.nyccharterjobs.com/, to allow for easier school access and vacancy posting.
• Increase teacher sourcing options by renewing our Teach For America grant and developing NYC Teaching Fellow access for charter schools. In the coming weeks we will outreach to schools to determine specific needs and interest in participating in these two programs.
• Define and share Best Practices in staff sourcing, selection process and screening.

We look forward to assisting schools with their teacher recruitment needs. Please direct any questions to Jessica Nauiokas at jnauiokas@nycchartercenter.org.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Do you need a playground at your Charter School?

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization working to create a great place to play within walking distance of every child in North America. Currently, KaBOOM! has a corporate sponsor who would like to help fund and build a new playground in the New York City area in late June 2007. While the corporate sponsor will provide the majority of the funding and 160 volunteers to build the playground structure, KaBOOM! is searching for an elementary school, park or non-profit organization that can do the following:

• Fundraise $7,500 USD towards the cost of equipment.  The playground area will be worth approximately $35-$40,000 USD at completion.

(Community Partners also receive a free Toolkit, a set of four books, including a fundraising guide, to help fundraise for the Community Partner contribution.)   

Visit www.playworldsystems.com to view the type of equipment we would use for your playground.  Attached is a sample playground design!

• Provide 2500 sq ft for the site.  We are also looking for a partner that can complete any needed site preparation, i.e. grading the land, removing old playground equipment.

• Recruit parents who are excited about serving on planning committees for 2 months.

• Recruit 100 volunteers for Build Day and 10-20 parents for the planning phases.

• Accept ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the playground upon completion. 

Your school should be aware that this is a competitive process and other organizations in your area are submitting applications for the same playground opportunity.

If you are interested please email or fax the attached application by noon on Monday, March 26, 2007. We are looking to make a selection within the next four to five weeks.

For more information please email or call Matthew Todaro at (202) 464-6070.  For application assistance contact Florence Adu at fadu@nycchartercenter.org.

To learn more about KaBOOM! please visit their Web site at www.kaboom.org!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Teacher Certification Workshop - March 31, 2007:

Based on the  continued success of our past certification workshops, and the ongoing need for uncertified teachers to have a plan of action towards achieving certification, the Charter Center is hosting an early spring workshop on Saturday, March 31, 2007.

Current and prospective uncertified teachers and teacher assistants (as well as teachers from out-of-state who need assistance with the New York State certification process) are encouraged to register for this workshop.  Each participant will be assigned a 30-45 minute time slot between 9 am and 4 pm to meet individually with a certification specialist who will recommend a personalized education plan leading to certification. A hard copy of this plan will be given to the participant and an additional copy will be mailed to the school leader for appropriate follow-up to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.   

Please share this announcement with current and prospective hires and advise them that they need to register in advance by emailing Caryl Cohen at ccohen@nycchartercenter.org no later than March 22, 2007. Their email must include the name of their charter school and if they would prefer a morning or afternoon appointment.

All workshop participants must bring student copies of complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if applicable) and any other related documents such as proof of the Child Abuse Identification and Violence Prevention workshops, any previous State Ed evaluations, etc.  Those who possess certification from another state must bring a copy of their college transcripts as well as their out-of-state certificate. 

Please note that all participants must show a photo ID to gain building access. The workshop will take place at the NYC Center for Charter School Excellence, 111 Broadway, Suite 604, New York, NY 10006 (near Wall Street).

All questions should be directed to Caryl Cohen at the email address above.

CURRENT EVENTS

REMINDER! Next Board Chair Forum is Thursday, March 22, 2007:

The next Board Chair Forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2007, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Herb Fixler, Board Chair from Hyde Leadership Charter School, is hosting the event at his office (location/phone#?)

Brooke Mahoney, Executive Director of the Volunteer Consultant Group (VCG), will  inform Board Chairs of resources available to them (i.e. board recruitment). Keynote Presenter, Lawrence Butler, author of The Nonprofit Dashboard: A Tool For Tracking Progress (BoardSource, 2007), will present information and tools for Boards to use as they create or develop a performance dashboard for their schools.

Space is limited. Charter school board members who wish to attend should contact Kelsey Blumenstock at 212-437-8317 or kblumenstock@nycchartercenter.org.

MISSION

The mission of the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence is to stimulate the supply of high-quality charter schools and support ongoing student excellence in all NYC charter schools, impacting the effectiveness of public education. As an independent nonprofit, the Charter Center is an advocate, bridge and catalyst for the achievement of academic and operational success and sustainability of all NYC charter schools for each young person.