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PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 17, 2020
This is what the spread of coronavirus looks like in Pa.
In two charts | Tuesday Morning Coffee
PA Capital Star By John L. Micek March 17,
2020
Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.
With the state reporting an increased number of COVID-19 cases every day, and with much talk about flattening the curve, we’ve put together this chart of the spread of the outbreak. The data visualization below was created by Capital-Star Staff Reporter Elizabeth Hardison.
With the state reporting an increased number of COVID-19 cases every day, and with much talk about flattening the curve, we’ve put together this chart of the spread of the outbreak. The data visualization below was created by Capital-Star Staff Reporter Elizabeth Hardison.
PSBA: Coronavirus Preparedness Guidance
In the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2), which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, has become a topic
of concern nationwide. Although the virus is not widespread in Pennsylvania at
this time, that status could change. Being proactive is key to prevention and
mitigation. Below, you will find a list of resources on all aspects of
preparedness, including guidance on communication planning, policy, emergency
management and disease control. Use these resources to help you make decisions
regarding the safety and health of those in your school district.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has provided
further clarification as school districts begin to navigate closures due to the
COVID-19 outbreak.
PDE's #coronavirus guidance for
staff, students and district operations
PDE COVID-19 Response Efforts Updated March
15, 2020 – 12 p.m.
Pennsylvania’s top priority is keeping
students and school communities safe. On March 13, Governor Tom Wolf announced
all public schools in Pennsylvania will be closed for the next two weeks. The
spread of the COVID-19 has required everyone to work within rapidly changing
circumstances. We are incredibly proud of the education leaders who have been
navigating this extraordinary situation for weeks – the work that has been done
helped inform the Governor’s actions. The following provides greater clarity on
COVID-19 response efforts by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Pa. senator introduces bills to waive this year's PSSA,
Keystone, and streamline online learning over COVID-19
The Sentinel by Naomi Creason March 16,
2020
A Democratic senator from West Chester said
he’s introducing legislation that would eliminate standardized testing and
streamline necessary approvals to move to online learning in light of the
rising number of cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Sen. Andy Dinniman said one
bill calls for the cancellation of the state PSSA and Keystone exams for this
school year, and requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to ask the
federal government for a waiver of federal accountability regulations. Dinniman
said canceling the tests would address the concerns over schools deciding to
close for periods of time, and added that not all schools having the same type
of available instruction online should schools move to virtual classes. He also
said the bill would help direct money that would have been used on tests to
assist schools with costs associated with closing. “In the face of COVID-19,
our focus should be on public health and ensuring that we have adequate and
accurate tests for the virus itself, not on worrying about standardized tests
or other bureaucratic procedures,” Dinniman said. “Let’s trust our local
schools, teachers and staff to do what needs to be done in dealing with an
alarming and unprecedented event.” The other bill allows school districts to
move ahead with online learning without approval from the state Department of
Education. It also calls on the department, within two weeks, to put in place
alternative plans for schools districts that may not have online resources
available, as well as give school districts the freedom to put programs in
place for the school year.
Phoenixville renews Renaissance Academy charter for 5
years
West Chester Daily Local by Evan Brandt
ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter March 17, 2020
PHOENIXVILLE — Twenty-one years
after Renaissance Academy
charter school first opened its doors, the
Phoenixville Area School Board has unanimously approved a five-year renewal of
the school's charter. The vote came at an unusual Sunday afternoon meeting
conducted by the school board in order to avoid being in conflict with the
state order that all school buildings be closed starting Monday, March 16,
according to board President Blake Emmanuel. The recommendation to renew the
charter until June 30, 2025, came from the district administration, but it came
with conditions. Currently, the school's enrollment has .05 percent of English
language learners. But the two districts that send the most students to
Renaissance — Norristown and Phoenixville — are diverse communities
with English language learner enrollments of 39 percent and 29 percent
respectively. "It's surprising to me that the English language learner
enrollment is so low" at Renaissance, said Soto. The district has also
recommended the academy support moving more of its teaching staff to
"level two" certification. Another recommendation is for Renaissance
to increase its spending on special education students. Phoenixville
Superintendent Alan Fegley said the school receives $5.6 million from state and
district sources as part of the charter school formula but spends only $1.6
million on special education.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey order businesses, schools to
close as coronavirus cases mount
Inquirer by Justine McDaniel, Pranshu Verma and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, Updated: March
16, 2020- 10:21 PM
Pennsylvania moved to shut down all
nonessential businesses on Monday, while New Jersey shuttered schools and
clamped down on casinos and restaurants, as the two states, along with the rest
of the nation, tried to hold off the spread of the coronavirus without
collapsing the economy. Two days after urging social distancing and
nonessential businesses to close in the southeastern corner of the state, Gov.
Tom Wolf expanded his order across the commonwealth, an extraordinary step he
said was the “only way to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by
patients.”
Governor orders COVID-19 shutdown across Pennsylvania
Delco Times By MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press March 17, 2020
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf extended
a shutdown order Monday to the entire state of Pennsylvania in an effort to
halt the spread of the coronavirus, although he also maintained that he will
not send the National Guard or state police to force businesses to close or
stop events. Wolf acted in similar fashion as neighboring states, including
Ohio, New York and New Jersey, as he closed schools statewide and a range of
government offices in the days leading up to Monday. The shutdown of
nonessential government offices and nonessential business activity will begin
Tuesday and last for at least two weeks, he said. “This isn’t a decision that I
take lightly at all," Wolf said during a news conference at the
headquarters of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. "It’s one
that I’m making because medical experts believe it’s the only way we can
prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients.” State-owned liquor
stores were directed to shut down after being open Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day,
and restaurants were to end dine-in service. Wolf had in recent days issued
similar orders for four heavily populated southeastern Pennsylvania counties —
Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery — where the state has confirmed most of
its cases of COVID-19, while Philadelphia took a similar step Monday.
Some schools forego instruction during shutdown
Delco Times By Loretta Rodgers Times
Correspondent March 17, 2020
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on March 13,
announced the closure of all non-essential travel, services and activities in
the county, including all schools through March 29 due to the coronavirus
pandemic. In addition to logistical issues relating to the closings, school
districts were faced with difficult decisions in reference to continuing
education for students while on the mandated break. Some districts such as
Chester Upland decided to refrain from sending work home with students, but
encourages pupils to continue reading, writing and working on basic skills that
will enhance previously learned instruction. “Our number one goal is to do
whatever we can to prevent the spread of the virus and make sure our students
and staff stay healthy and in some cases get healthy,” stated Chester Upland
Superintendent Dr. Juan Baughn. The Marple Newtown and Haverford school
districts will also not be providing formalized instruction during the closure.
“With a mandated school closure, the expectation that formal instruction can
continue is not possible, as we cannot ensure equal access to resources,
instructional technology, internet access, equipment, delivery of IDEA, etc.,”
reads a message from Marple Newtown Superintendent Dr. Tim Kane. “In the coming
days, the MNSD leadership team will coordinate skills and enrichment
opportunities for students. These optional opportunities will be communicated
by email and posted on the district’s website. We appreciate everyone’s
patience and continued support as we work through this mandated closure
together.”
Pennsylvania legislature will vote remotely as
coronavirus spreads
WHYY By Gillian McGoldrick, Spotlight PA March
16, 2020
This article originally appeared on Spotlight PA.
The Pennsylvania House passed temporary rules
Monday allowing members to vote remotely, essentially putting the 203-member
body on an indefinite work-from-home policy as cases of the coronavirus
continue to increase. The resolution, meant to deter social contact, allows
lawmakers to submit votes to their respective party leaders. Those leaders and
committee chairs, however, will still need to come to the Capitol if the
legislature wants to formally consider any legislation. The state Senate
already had a system for remote voting in place. The rules change also
dramatically reduces the amount of time required for legislation to move
between the two chambers. Usually, it takes at least several days to get
legislation passed and moved to the governor’s desk. Under the new rules, it
can happen in three hours. Also, House members are now allowed to send mailers
to constituents about COVID-19 during what is usually a “black-out” period in
the months leading up to an election. All of these rules will immediately
expire when Gov. Tom Wolf lifts his emergency proclamation. In the meantime,
Republican leaders in the House — in agreement with their Democratic colleagues
— are temporarily dropping their legislative priorities to focus on passing
bills to help Wolf slow the spread of the coronavirus, said Mike Straub, a
spokesperson for House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster). Neither
the House nor Senate plan to come in Tuesday for session as originally planned,
but will operate under a “12-hour call time,” meaning members should be
prepared to vote remotely if called upon.
A special election in Bucks County won’t be delayed
because of coronavirus, judge rules
Inquirer by Sean Collins Walsh, Updated: March
16, 2020- 9:48 PM
A judge on Monday night denied Bucks County
officials’ request to delay a special election in Bensalem that is scheduled
for Tuesday, despite county residents being subject to a directive by
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to close all nonessential
businesses and public spaces due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ruling
was a win for House Speaker Mike Turzai (R, Allegheny) who has insisted on
holding the election for Pennsylvania’s 18th state House District over the
objections of Wolf and local officials. “We
were left with no choice but to file suit,” Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, chair of
the commissioners as well as the county’s Board of Elections, said in a
statement before the ruling. “The risk is too great. Nothing is more important
than the health and safety of our residents.” An elderly poll worker from
Bensalem testified by phone in the emergency Court of Common Pleas proceeding
and said that holding the election would force her to choose between looking
out for her health and exercising her right to vote, according to a
spokesperson for the commissioners. The race pits Republican K.C. Tomlinson,
the daughter of state GOP state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, against Democrat Harold
Hayes, a union plumber. They are vying to replace Republican Gene DiGirolamo,
who resigned to become a county commissioner. The ruling is the latest twist in
a contentious behind-the-scenes dispute between officials over the special
election.
Pittsburgh Public Schools activate emergency plan
ANDREW GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette agoldstein@post-gazette.com MAR 16,
2020 10:42 AM
Pittsburgh Public Schools has initiated its
emergency response plan amid the 10-day shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The
plan aims to continue providing some basic services to students while keeping
staff members financially stable. “As a large urban district, we have to be
prepared for any public safety crisis. Fortunately, significant planning has
been underway in anticipation of the need to close schools to stop the spread
of COVID-19,” Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said in a statement. “As an
educational institution, we are compelled to balance the need to act in an
abundance of caution to ensure student and staff safety with meeting the needs
of our staff and students, especially those students who are most vulnerable.” Students
can receive “Grab and Go” meals at all 54 city schools and early childhood
education centers, as well as the district’s two alternative schools
— Clayton Academy and Student Achievement Center — from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday though this Friday. The district said it will reevaluate food
distribution for the second week of the closure. Students should go to the
school closest to their home for meals, which is not necessarily the school
they attend.
Philly District, city officials still working out how to
handle the mass closure of schools
The goal is to keep nearly 200,000 students
safe, learning, and fed -- not an easy task.
The notebook by Bill
Hangley Jr. March 16 — 4:17 pm, 2020
With public schools closed and a growing
number of businesses and public services restricted to slow the spread of the
potentially deadly coronavirus, officials from the City of Philadelphia and
School District are working to confront the urgent needs of students even as
they start to plan for the longer-term needs of the District. Turnout was light
but steady on Monday at the District’s 30 “grab-and-go” food stations, where
officials said they hoped to see a steady increase in demand as word gets out
in the neighborhoods. At the Add B. Anderson Elementary School in West
Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek neighborhood, school staff said they served up
almost 100 meals in four hours, many of them to young people out on their own
looking for a meal. “I haven’t really seen that many parents, it’s just kids
walking up by themselves,” said Kyeema Worthem, a District food services
assistant. “They didn’t seem stressed but they really wanted their lunch, so I
guess it’s really a good thing that we’re still open for some kids to come in
and eat.” By the end of the day, officials said the District had distributed
1,949 breakfast and 1,949 lunch meals across the city.
Philly’s plan for displaced students falters due to
push-back from rec center staff
Already, hours have been cut back to 2 until
6 p.m., with a meal but no organized activities.
The notebook by Avi-Wolfman Arent, Miles
Bryan, Bill Hangley March 16 — 2:34 pm, 2020
Philadelphia’s plan to take care of children
during coronavirus school closures hit a snag Monday. According to the city,
“unexpected staff shortages” prevented some of the 50 city rec centers from
opening that had been planned as daytime activity hubs. A source close to Mayor
Jim Kenney’s administration said about half of the city workers who were
supposed to help distribute meals at schools and run rec center activities did
not report to work Monday. Officials advertised over the weekend that the
recreation centers would be open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays — but by
midmorning many of the facilities were locked. At one such site, East Passyunk
Community Center in South Philadelphia, freshly printed signs were taped to the
iron gate: “CLOSED, STAFF AT EMERGENCY MEETING.” The city’s plan was
reluctantly put in place after Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered the closure
of all public and charter schools for the next two weeks in an attempt to curb
the spread of COVID-19. City leaders created an 80-site network for
children to receive some of the services schools normally provide. The network
includes 30 schools where families can take two “grab and go” meals and 50
recreation centers were supposed to provide activities for any children between
10am-6pm.
York County schools struggle to make sense of Wolf's
shutdown order
Lindsey O'Laughlin and Lindsay C VanAsdalan, York
Dispatch Published 6:06 p.m. ET March 16, 2020 | Updated 6:47 p.m. ET
March 16, 2020
There's widespread confusion among school
district officials about whether teachers are allowed to provide any
instruction, such as remote cyber learning, during
the statewide shutdown caused by the coronavirus. Gov. Tom Wolf's
order Friday to shutter schools was one of several serious measures
taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a highly contagious respiratory
illness sweeping the country. "We all know that we are in unprecedented
waters here, and it’s kind of scary right now, but the important thing is to
remain calm," said Pennsylvania State Education Association
spokeswoman Lauri Lebo. PSEA is the union that represents teachers throughout
the state. In statements posted to their websites, Red Lion Area School
District, Northeastern School District, Southern York County School
District and Central York School District indicated that their teachers
would not be able to teach students remotely during the closure because the
two-week shutdown is state mandated.
How Lehigh Valley educators plan to keep kids learning
for the next 2 weeks
By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For
lehighvalleylive.com March 17, 2020
Many Lehigh Valley educators
plan to send two weeks worth of classwork to students -- if they haven’t
already -- after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools to shut down for
10 business days in an effort to thwart the
spread of the coronavirus. The state Department of Education
Sunday released additional guidance for Pennsylvania schools about the
instruction of students and operation of Pre-K Counts and Head Start
supplemental programs during the COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Educational
services include flexible instruction days for districts/schools with approved
plans; online/digital learning opportunities; and non-digital learning
opportunities, such as materials being sent to homes. The decision to use one
or more of the those methods, however, continues to be made on the local level
of the districts based on feasibility, availability of resources, access and
equity considerations, as well as the state’s social distancing
recommendations. Local districts are required to provide full access to
learning for all students, with particular attention to appropriate public
education for students with disabilities and English as a second language
services for English Learners, according to the state.
PA Cyber to resume classes Wednesday
Beaver County Times By Dani
Fitzgerald @dfitzgeraldb Posted
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:34 PM
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
announced it has received authorization from the state Department of Education
to resume classes Wednesday “as long as it ensures social distancing,”
according to a press release. The state’s largest cyber charter school will
resume classes Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School announced
Monday it has received authorization from the state Department of Education to
resume classes “as long as it ensures social distancing,” according to a press
release. PA Cyber CEO Brian Hayden said the school will resume classes, which
includes live teaching and tutoring, Wednesday to its 10,000 students. “I
believe we are obligated to create some sense of normalcy for our students and
our families,” Hayden said. “We regularly argue that there are advantages to a
cyber education; this is one of them.” The cyber school closed last Friday
after Gov. Tom Wolf announced school closures to mitigate the spread of
COVID-19. PA Cyber’s regional offices will remain closed and no activities,
field trips or other social and extracurricular activities will occur at this
time. Tutoring, counseling and a student assistance program will remain
available to students and families, the release stated.
Most Beaver County public schools won’t require
instruction during shutdown
Beaver County Times By Daveen
Rae Kurutz @DK_NewsData and @DKreports Posted
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:25 PM
Students in 11 of Beaver County’s 14 school
districts won’t have any homework responsibilities during Gov. Tom Wolf’s
mandated two week closure, superintendents said on Monday. No more homework, no
more books — well, at least for two weeks. Students in 11 of Beaver County’s 14
school districts won’t have any homework responsibilities during Gov. Tom
Wolf’s mandated two-week closure, superintendents said Monday. “A lot of us had
planned on providing continuity of services using an online approach, but we’re
pulling back on that for the next two weeks,” said Carrie Rowe, superintendent
at the Beaver Area School District. “Things keep continuing to shift, so until
we have greater guidance from the state that will help us, we’re not offering
instruction.” A big concern for officials was how to provide instruction for
students of all abilities, particularly those with special education needs. “We
are responsible for providing free appropriate public education to all
students,” said Jeff Fuller, superintendent of Freedom Area School District.
“For our students placed in out of district placements that we don’t provide
the day-to-day instruction for, we’re asking how do we go about providing that
appropriate instructional activity?” All districts are working on that issue
now. But in the meantime, South Side Area School District intends to offer
instruction online to students beginning as early as Wednesday, Superintendent
Alan Fritz said.
Pa. public schools are shut down for 2 weeks — now what?
Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer March 17,
2020
Have a question about schools being closed
for the next two weeks?
For many aspects of the situation, there are
no definite answers. Many concerns regarding how long the statewide shutdown of
public schools ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf last week might last and how it might
affect proms, graduations and other end-of-year events are still unclear. Here’s
what we do know and don’t know about the shutdown.
“School District of Lancaster has about 11,000 students, of
which 91% are economically disadvantaged and 19% are English language learners.
The district gave out 1,666 meals Monday. It plans to continue offering meals
throughout the two-week closure.”
Here's where to pick up free meals during the 2-week
schools shutdown
Lancaster Online by ALEX GELI | Staff Writer March 17,
2020
Juice. Apple slices. Cinnamon roll. Carrots.
Sandwich. Repeat.
That’s how Monday morning and afternoon went
for Kelly Wilson, a food services team leader at School District of Lancaster. The
district, like many other Lancaster County districts, responded to Gov. Tom
Wolf’s order temporarily closing all Pennsylvania public schools by preparing
thousands of breakfasts and lunches for its students, many of whom rely on
school for meals throughout the year. “It’s just craziness,” Wilson, who
started preparing meals at 5:45 a.m. Monday morning, said as she and other food
services workers — tired but in good spirits — worked on an assembly line at
the McCaskey campus. The meals were prepared and packaged at McCaskey and
shipped to each of the district’s schools. Families trickled in for meals
throughout the day. Some meals, however, were delivered. Miriam Ortega-Brown, a
reading specialist at Carter and MacRae Elementary School, spent part of her
morning bringing meals to families that she knew couldn’t make it to her
school. One household, she said, is a set of grandparents watching seven
children — some related and some from next door. Another is a family of
refugees. “We just love our kids and want to make sure that they’re taken care
of,” Ortega-Brown said.
Delco schools offer meal options during shutdown
Delco Times March 17, 2020
The following school districts are offering
some meals for students during the coronavirus shutdown:
Dealing with coronavirus crisis, Midstate districts offer
students new versions of school lunches
Penn Live By Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com Updated Mar
16, 2020; Posted Mar 16, 2020
A growing number of midstate school districts
are launching food pick-ups
for students, and in some cases all resident children who need the meals while
schools are closed, starting as early as this
evening. For details about specific programs, such as addresses of pick-up
sites and other specific requirements, please refer to the district’s website. In
most cases, the districts are requiring that the child being serviced be
present at the time of pick-up. This list includes those districts that have
announced plans thus far. It will be continually updated as more information
becomes available.
How three Pennsylvania teachers tackle remote learning in
the time of coronavirus
WHYY By Sojourner Ahebee March 17, 2020
Tiffany Borsch says that schools are the
place students and teachers go to work together and become better people. Borsch
is an elementary science teacher at Friends’ Central’s Lower School, an
independent, co-ed Quaker day school located in the heart of Wynnewood. Friends’
Central (FCS) is one of the many schools across Pennsylvania impacted by
Governor Tom Wolf’s recent school closure mandate, which called for a shutdown
of all K-12 schools for ten days in response to the growing COVID-19 crisis. Borsch,
a mother of two, recognizes the tremendous impact school closures will have on
her children and her students, who have looked to Quaker values and tenets to
inform their sense of community.
If coronavirus has you stuck at home these Pa. museums
offer virtual tours
Penn Live By Marcus
Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com Today 5:00
AM
Under Gov. Wolf’s statewide shutdown of
nonessential businesses across Pennsylvania there’s probably not a single
museum open if you did want to venture out into a world altered by coronavirus
for a break from confinement in your home. Even if the kids, home from school
for the next two weeks at least, need it. But here are a dozen virtual museum
experiences from a variety of museums across Pennsylvania.
AP Updates for Schools Impacted by Coronavirus
The College Board March 16, 2020
The AP Program is developing resources to
help schools support student learning during extended closures, as well as a
solution that would allow students to test at home, depending on the situation
in May. Additional information will be posted by March 20. We will announce
portfolio submission deadline extensions for AP 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and
Design, Computer Science Principles, Drawing, Research, and Seminar courses by
March 20. Schools do not need to call AP Services for Educators to request these
extensions.
EdVotersPA: Take action now to support charter school
reform in PA!
Education Voters PA Published by EDVOPA on February 25, 2020
We have helped build a movement to fix
Pennsylvania’s worst charter school law in the nation in every corner of the
commonwealth. Now it is time to take this movement to Harrisburg!
Please click HERE and sign a letter to
your state representative and senator calling on them to support charter school
reform. Ed Voters’ volunteers will hand deliver each constituent letter to
state lawmakers’ offices in mid-March. Make sure yours is included!
We will need to deliver thousands of letters
to send a strong message that Pennsylvanians expect lawmakers to take action
this legislative session.
PSBA Board Presidents Panel April 27 & 28; Multiple
Locations
Offered at 10 locations across the state,
this annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through
roundtable conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of
experienced regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. Board
Presidents Panel is designed to equip new and veteran board presidents and vice
presidents as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue
a leadership position in the future.
Info and registration: https://www.psba.org/2020/01/board-presidents-panel/
PSBA: Coronavirus Preparedness Guidance
In the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2), which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, has become a topic
of concern nationwide. Although the virus is not widespread in Pennsylvania at
this time, that status could change. Being proactive is key to prevention and
mitigation. Below, you will find a list of resources on all aspects of
preparedness, including guidance on communication planning, policy, emergency
management and disease control. Use these resources to help you make decisions
regarding the safety and health of those in your school district.
Bucks County Intermediate Unit: FLU AND CORONAVIRUS
RESOURCES
Resources for School Leaders; Bucks County
Intermediate Unit Website
This page contains a collection of news
articles, health agency resources, and school system templates related to the
Flu and Coronavirus. This page is by no means exhaustive and in no way
serves as an endorsement for specific resources. Instead, it
serves as a collection point for school leaders seeking resources and
exemplars. Please contact Dr.
Mark Hoffman with any additional documents or links
to post!
Blogger note: support Governor Wolf’s proposed charter reforms:
Reprise: PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb 10, 2020
1. Adopt resolution for charter funding
reform
2. Ask your legislators to cosponsor HB2261
or SB1024
3. Register for Advocacy Day on May 11th
Adopt: the 2020 PSBA resolution for charter school funding
reform
PSBA Website POSTED ON FEBRUARY 3,
2020 IN PSBA
NEWS
In this legislative session, PSBA has been
leading the charge with the Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s
Administration to push for positive charter reform. We’re now asking you to
join the campaign: Adopt the resolution: We’re asking all school
boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding reform at your
next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to PSBA.
Cosponsor: A 120-page
charter reform proposal is being introduced as House Bill
2261 by Rep. Joseph Ciresi (D-Montgomery), and Senate Bill 1024,
introduced by Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and James Brewster
(D-Allegheny). Ask your legislator to sign on as a cosponsor to House Bill
2261 or Senate Bill 1024.
Register: Five compelling reasons for .@PSBA .@PASA .@PAIU school leaders to come to the Capitol
for Advocacy Day on May 11th:
Charter Reform
Cyber Charter Reform
Basic Ed Funding
Special Ed Funding
PLANCON
For more
information: https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-day-2020/
These meetings will be converted to digital meetings. Details
will be forthcoming.
Hear relevant content from statewide experts, district practitioners and
PSBA government affairs staff at PSBA’s annual membership gathering. PSBA
Sectional Advisors and Advocacy Ambassadors are on-site to connect with
district leaders in their region and share important information for you to
take back to your district.
Locations and dates
- Wednesday,
March 18, 2020 — Section 7, PSBA
Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Blvd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
- Tuesday,
March 24, 2020 — Section 1, General McLane
High School, 11761 Edinboro Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412
- Tuesday,
March 24, 2020 — Section 4, Abington
Heights School District, 200 East Grove Street, Clark Summit, PA 18411
- Wednesday,
March 25, 2020 — Section 3, Columbia-Montour
AVTS, 5050 Sweppenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Wednesday,
March 25, 2020 — Section 6, Bedford County
Technical Center, 195 Pennknoll Road, Everett, PA 15537
- Thursday,
March 26, 2020 — Section 2, State College
Area High School, 650 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801
- Monday,
March 30, 2020 — Section 5, Forbes Road
Career & Technology Center, 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
- Monday, March 30, 2020 — Section 8, East Penn School District, 800 Pine St, Emmaus,
PA 18049
- Tuesday, April 7, 2020 — Section 5, Washington School District, 311 Allison
Avenue, Washington, PA 15301
- Tuesday, April 7, 2020 — Section 8, School District of Haverford Twp, 50 East Eagle
Road, Havertown, PA 19083
Sectional Meetings are 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. (across all locations). Light
refreshments will be offered.
Cost: Complimentary for
PSBA member entities.
Registration: Registration is
now open. To register, please sign into myPSBA and look for
Store/Registration on the left.
Rescheduled: Join us for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg to support public
education Monday May 11, 2020!
All school
leaders are invited to attend Advocacy Day at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania Association of
Intermediate Units (PAIU) and the Pennsylvania Association of School
Administrators (PASA) are partnering together to strengthen our advocacy
impact. The day will center around meetings with legislators to discuss
critical issues affecting public education. Click here for more information or register
at http://www.mypsba.org/
School
directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you need
assistance logging in and registering contact Alysha Newingham, Member Data
System Administrator at alysha.newingham@psba.org
PSBA Board Presidents Panel April 27, 28 and 29; Multiple
Locations
Offered at 10 locations across the state,
this annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through
roundtable conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of
experienced regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. Board
Presidents Panel is designed to equip new and veteran board presidents and vice
presidents as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue
a leadership position in the future.
PARSS Annual Conference April 29 – May 1, 2020 in State
College
The 2020 PARSS Conference is April 29 through
May 1, 2020, at Wyndham Garden Hotel at Mountain View Country Club in State
College. Please register as a member or a vendor by accessing the links below.
Register today for the 2020 PASA/PA Principals
Association PA Educational Leadership Summit, August 2-4, at the Lancaster
Marriott at Penn Square
(hosted by the PA Principals Association and
the PA Association of School Administrators). Participants can earn up to 80
PIL hours (40 hours for the Summit and - for an additional cost of $50 -
40 hours for EdCamp) for
attending the conference and completing program requirements. Register
early to reserve your seat! The deadline to take advantage of the Early Bird
Discount is April 24, 2020.
Click here to
register today!
Network for Public Education 2020 Conference in Philly Rescheduled
to November 21-22
NPE Website March 10, 2020 7:10 pm
We so wanted to see you in March, but we need
to wait until November!
Our conference will now take place on November
21 and 22 at the same location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please
read the important information below.
Registration: We will be rolling over our
registration information, so there is no reason to register again. You will
be automatically registered for the November dates. If you cannot attend in
November, we ask that you consider donating your registration to absorb some of
the costs associated with rescheduling the conference. If you feel you cannot
make such a donation, please contact: dcimarusti@networkforpubliceducation.org.
Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization
that I may be affiliated with.
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