WINTER 2015

EXPANDING HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION

A newsletter about charter schools for parents of charter school children

Contact NECSN

50 Elm StreetNew Haven, CT 06510

Phone: (203) 691-7232 (TOLL FREE)

Fax: (203) 889-2605

www.necharters.org

@necharters

/necharters

As 2015 begins and our elected officials head back to the Capitol, we’re excited to share the items we’re focused on securing for charter schools across the state:

Modernizing of Connecticut’s charter school lawConnecticut’s charter school law is 20 years old and is no longer state-of-the art. This year the legislature will take on updating it, and we look forward to working with them during the process.

NECSN has released comprehensive recommendations on modernizing Connecticut’s charter law to make it possible for more children to have access to a great school and to ensure charter schools are overseen effectively and transparently.

Helping existing charters growDid you know that a number of Connecticut’s 22 charter schools are scheduled to grow and serve additional grades next year? It’s an important step for students who benefit from having a consistent learning environment as they pass from grade to grade.

Unfortunately, although the state has approved the growth of each school they never provided the money for it to happen. That means each school needs our support and the support of elected officials, who must vote to fund the approved grade expansion.

Funding for new schoolsThere are also two schools scheduled to open in the fall of 2015 that are approved by the state but remain without money in the budget. Along with those schools, there are still thousands of students on waiting lists for charter schools across Connecticut, and even more students without any education options beyond their one local school.

There are so many students waiting to attend the school of their choice, and the only thing holding them back is this year’s budget. We will put pressure on elected leaders to ensure students get the opportunities they deserve.

2015 will be a critical year. The legislature is facing a billion dollar budget deficit and every dollar spent will be scrutinized.

Join us at the Capitol, and together we can help put success within reach for every child.

Dear Charter School Parents,

Thank you for taking the time to read through the winter edition of the Northeast Charter Schools Network parent newsletter. We want to keep you up-to-date on the transformative work of Connecticut’s charter schools, as well as share some of the successes we’ve had as a membership organization.

Our schools have had a successful start to the school year. We are only able to highlight some of the great things going on across Connecticut, but chances are you’re seeing the positive impact your child’s school is having on his or her future.

If you are interested in finding out more about Connecticut’s charter school community, please feel free to contact me at jgrace@necharters.org.

Yours in the Movement, Jeremiah Grace

Call to Action for 2015 Legislative Session Inside this IssueIntroducing Michael ShulanskyIntroducing Chris HarringtonSchool Spotlight: Side by Side in-school artistFor Every Child Rally overviewCall to action for 2015 legislative session

Dear Parents,

It is a privilege to introduce myself as NECSN’s new Policy Manager for Connecticut. I recently graduated from a dual degree master’s program at the University of Maryland focusing on business management and public policy. During that time, I managed a college retention program aimed at improving graduation rates and grade point averages for over 150 African American and Latino undergraduate students attending the University of Maryland.

I am drawn to the charter school movement and NECSN because charter schools represent an opportunity for communities to reclaim their right to an outstanding and impactful education experience for their students. On a personal note, access to high quality education transformed my life, and I truly believe that it is my mission to ensure that the next generations of students are able to have an even better education experience than I had.

As Policy Manager, it is my job to make sure that our state and local elected leaders hear your voices and the voices of our charter school students, parents, and teachers.

I am greatly looking forward to meeting and working with each of you, and am excited to join a movement that is transforming the lives of so many children and improving our communities every day.

Best Regards, Chris Harrington Policy Manager – Connecticut

Dear Parents,

It is a honor to introduce myself as NECSN’s new Deputy Director of Communications for Connecticut. I am a fifth generation Nutmegger, originally from West Hartford, and a graduate of Hofstra University. I come to NECSN after three years at Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) where I began my work to ensure every Connecticut child has access to a great education.

I truly believe that if we want to make our state a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family, all of Connecticut’s children must have access to high-quality schools. Charters are providing that great education for so many kids, and we need to work to ensure charters continue to grow and thrive in Connecticut.

I will be working alongside State Director Jeremiah Grace and Communications Director Jessica Mokhiber to share the transformative work of our state’s charter schools, and find new ways to tell the stories of charter parents, students, and staff. My job, at all times, is to elevate the voices of Connecticut’s charter school community.

I look forward to working together to ensure that people across Connecticut hear about the positive impact charter schools are having on the lives of our children.

Best regards, Mike Shulansky Deputy Communications Director – Connecticut, Northeast Charter Schools Network

Norwalk’s Side by Side Charter School is excited to be part of a pilot program with the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art and two other Connecticut public school districts. The initiative is called “Common Ground: A School-Museum-Artist Curriculum Partnership,” and its primary focus is to ensure a direct and positive impact on Side by Side’s curriculum through collaborative partnerships and student engagement.

The Common Ground project is based on three major ideas:

� First, how can the museum contribute to the school’s curriculum?

� Second, how can the museum and school staff work together as collaborative colleagues and peers? As a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) project the artist in resident will work with staff across disciplines to enhance learning in all classes.

� And lastly, the heart of the collaboration is exposing students to contemporary artists.

In December students took a trip and visited the museum to view several artists’ exhibits. They were guided to view an exhibit of David Scanavino’s – the artist who will be working with Side by Side students – work. The students were asked specific questions throughout the visit in an effort to engage their individual learning process and give them the opportunity to innovate and explore.

In February, David will do a weeklong residency at Side by Side. During that time, students will work with David to generate ideas on how to transform their own school space. David’s week-long residency will end with a few small group student art projects to transform Side by Side’s school space—this can include a performance by students; a sculpture; a painting, etc.

We’re exited to see how the Common Ground initiative will help students at Side by Side develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Congratulations to Side by Side for piloting this innovative program that helps both students and teachers grow to new heights.

On December 3, thousands came together to hold the largest education rally in Connecticut history. Our voices were heard loud and clear, and Connecticut’s charter school students, families, teachers and staff were a huge part of that success.

Together, we made it clear to our elected leaders that every Connecticut child deserves access to a great public school. We need bold and swift change to ensure children get those opportunities as soon as possible.

The rally received wide media coverage, including front-page stories from the Hartford Courant and New Haven Register, as well as TV coverage from Channel 3 Eyewitness News, FOX, WTNH and NBC Connecticut.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch spoke, as did Hartford State Representative Doug McCrory, students, parents, school leaders, and community leaders.

The rally brought crucial attention to the tens of thousands of Connecticut children whose schools aren’t preparing them to do reading, writing, or math at grade level. It also created the momentum we need to make positive change for students across the state in 2015.

Introducing Mike, NECSN’s Deputy Director of Communications for Connecticut

Introducing Chris, NECSN’s Connecticut Policy Manager

Side by Side Artist Overview

For Every Child Rally Overview

� 81% of Connecticut public charter schools are performing better than the district schools in their town.

� 8,167 students will be attending Connecticut’s 22 public charter schools this year.

� 3,633 names are on public charter school wait lists.

� 73% of students come from low-income families; 86% are black or Latino.

� 71 of Connecticut’s 169 towns have kids that attend charter schools.

Did You Know?About the Northeast Charter School Network

MissionThe Northeast Charter Schools Network’s mission is to support and expand New York’s and Connecticut’s high-quality charter school movement. NECSN is the leading statewide advocate and proponent for charter schools. Our agenda strengthens the movement to expand access to high-quality education to students in every zip code and we work with our schools to communicate their successes to the community. Our member services are designed to help schools operate more effectively, with a particular emphasis on academic achievement and responsible governance.

AdvocacyOur experienced advocacy staff understands that despite tremendous promise and performance, there are those who seek to undermine public charter schools. NECSN’s team has been successful on many fronts, bringing significant victories to the charter school movement despite tough budget cycles. During the 2013 legislative session, NECSN’s staff helped secure the approval of four new charter schools by the State Board of Education -- the most new schools approved in a single year since Connecticut’s charter law was first passed. In addition to our front-line advocacy efforts, we provide immediate updates to schools on policies and proceedings in Albany and Hartford, circulate legislative updates, help organize advocacy visits for schools and parents, and communicate with the media.