Jennifer Limas, TCSA Director of Grassroots Advocacy

Neighborhoods are defined by their communities. Attending a community meeting in Metz Recreation center earlier this week affirmed—as a long time Austin resident, what I already knew—the residents of East Austin are passionate and committed to their neighborhoods.

The community has shown a strong presence at numerous town hall meetings held over the past few months to discuss the potential collaboration between Austin ISD and IDEA Public Schools, an active member of TCSA.

As a person who has worked in Austin’s non-profit community for ten years, I know the challenges and history our East Austin communities have faced. Inequities in education have long plagued these areas and change is long overdue.

Change is not always initially celebrated; especially by a public who may still be uncertain about charter schools’ role in education. Directing the grassroots advocacy effort for TCSA, I’ve seen firsthand that although we have made significant gains, the charter movement has more work to do to increase public awareness of our schools.

Charters and traditional public schools both have a central role to play in public education, and parents and students want and need them both.

In communities across this state—like Dallas and in Houston—school districts are also beginning to partner with charters to both emulate some of the successful practices of charter schools and to joint venture a number of campuses.
 
Its time to embrace charters, work with them, and ensure the lessons learned are put to use for the betterment of ALL public schools.

Jennifer Limas
Director of Grassroots Advocacy

1. Si  usted comienza a enseñar su cara en la escuela de su hijo, le demostrara a él, que usted está tomando interés.  Si usted pasa los lunes viendo futbol americano en la noche, su hijo sabe que usted disfruta el futbol americano. Si usted se emociona cuando invita a amigos para cenar a su casa, su hijo reconoce su entusiasmo.  Cuando usted se presenta en la escuela de su hijo por una razón que no es obligatoria, su hijo es lo suficiente inteligente para comprender que usted está ahí porque es importante.
2.  Cuando su hijo cree que la escuela es importante para usted, esto envía el mensaje fundamental que la escuela si vale la pena. 
3. Pasando tiempo en la escuela, en la comunidad, y alrededor de los compañeros de su hijo le ofrecerá un mejor entendimiento de las actividades diarias de su hijo.  Como padres, sabemos que no solo podemos basarnos en la palabra de nuestros hijos para poder comprender lo que les gusta o no les gusta y lo que están aprendiendo. Pasando tiempo en la escuela de su hijo le ayudara a entenderlo.
4. Pasando tiempo en la escuela de su hijo también le ayudará a entender su lenguaje y su perspectiva. Le actualizará los juegos, las modas, la jerga, y los intereses de los niños de esa edad. 
5. Uno de los papeles más comunes de los padres voluntarios es ayudar a recaudar fondos.  El tiempo que dan los padres permite que estos eventos se realicen, y estos eventos permiten que las escuelas puedan ofrecer más actividades atractivas que son educativas y extracurriculares.
6. Los empleados de las escuelas chárter están acostumbrados a hacerse cargo de varios diferentes trabajos para asegurar de que todo este hecho bien.  Los padres voluntarios pueden ayudar a aliviar esta carga.  
7. Ya sea que se ofrezca ayuda en una escuela, una iglesia o con una organización sin fines de lucro, es importante dar nuestro tiempo y talento a causas que son importantes para nosotros y en las que creemos. 

Hay muchos elementos que afectan una experiencia voluntaria, así que asegúrese de que su tiempo vale la pena tomando en cuenta estas sugerencias:

Sea Claro – Si usted está ocupado asegúrese de que la escuela entienda el compromiso de tiempo en que usted está dispuesto a hacer, que tan flexible puede ser con su tiempo y si quiere ser un voluntario regularmente o sólo una vez.  Necesita hacer claro su disponibilidad para poder ayudar a la escuela encontrar oportunidades que funcionen bien con su horario.

Comience Con Algo Pequeño – Si usted nunca ha ofrecido su tiempo con esta escuela o simplemente no está seguro cuánto tiempo usted puede ofrecer, no se abruma con cargándose con un compromiso que puede durar todo el año escolar.  Comience con algo pequeño y después cárguese con más ya que determine sus intereses y flexibilidad. 

Probar Diferentes Papeles – No tenga miedo de intentar algo nuevo cada año hasta encontrar una oportunidad voluntaria que le guste.  Ofrecer su tiempo libre debe añadir a la calidad de su semana—no ser una mala experiencia.

Obtenga Información y Comunique – No tenga miedo hablar con los empleados de la escuela.  Pregúnteles si está haciendo bien su trabajo y dígales lo que usted piensa.  La educación de su hijo es una colaboración entre usted y los maestros; ofreciendo su tiempo también lo es.

Nunca es demasiado tarde para empezar… ¡y no se detenga! No importa el tiempo que su hijo ha asistido a una escuela, que época del año es, o cuánto tiempo otros padres han sido voluntarios, nunca es demasiado tarde para involucrarse.  ¡Y no se detenga! La mayoría de los padres voluntarios están muy involucrados durante la primaria, pero no tanto durante la escuela intermedia, y no participan en absoluto durante la escuela secundaria. Los estuantes y los profesores en todos niveles pueden utilizar su tiempo y energía. 

1. Letting your child see your face at school shows your child you take an interest. If you spend Monday nights watching football, your child knows you enjoy football. If you get excited about having friends over for dinner, your child recognizes your enthusiasm. When you show up at school for a reason that is not mandatory, your child is smart enough to understand that you are there because is matters.
2. When your child believes that school matters to you it sends the crucial message that school is worthwhile.
3. Spending time at the school, in the community, and around your child’s peers will provide you understanding of your child’s daily activities. As parents, we know we can’t solely rely on our child’s words to truly understand what they like and don’t like and what they’re learning. Spending time at school helps you to understand your child’s world.
4. Spending time at school also helps you to understand your child’s language and perspective. It keeps you up to date on the games, fashions, lingo and interests of the kids his or her age.
5. One of the most common roles for parent volunteers is assisting with fundraisers. Parent time enables these events and these events enable schools to provide more engaging educational and extracurricular activities.
6. Charter school employees are used to doing multiple jobs in order to make sure everything gets done. Parent volunteers help ease the load.
7. Whether volunteering at school, church or a local non-profit, it is important for each of us to give back to the community by donating our time and talents to causes we believe in.

There are many factors that affect a volunteer experience, so ensure that your time is worthwhile by taking these suggestions into consideration:

Be Clear – If you are busy, make sure the school understands the time commitment you are willing to make, how flexible you can be and if you want to volunteer on a regularly schedule or only one time. Being clear about your availability will help the school find opportunities that match your schedule.

Start Small – If you’ve never volunteered with this school before or are not sure how much time you are able to give, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on the big, year-round commitments as a rookie. Start small and work your way up as you determine your interests and flexibility.

Try on Different Hats – Don’t be afraid to try something new each year until you find a volunteer opportunity that you enjoy. Volunteering should add to the quality of your week–not be a burden.

Get Feedback and Communicate – Don’t be afraid to talk with the school staff. Ask them how you are doing and tell them what you think. Educating your child is a partnership between yourself and the teachers; volunteering is as well.

It is Never too Late to Start…and Don’t Stop! – It doesn’t matter how long your child has been at a school, what time of year it is, or how long other parents have been volunteering, it is never too late to get involved. And don’t stop! The majority of parent volunteers are heavily involved during elementary school, but back off in middle school, and do not participate at all in high school. Students and teachers at all levels can use your time and energy.

The Imagine International Academy of North Texas, a public tuition-free charter school scheduled to open in the fall of 2012 in McKinney, held a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the commencement of construction for the school's permanent home.

The first week in November was my second anniversary of employment at the Texas Charter Schools Association. As the only full-time staff member in the Marketing “department”, I often joke that I am chained to my very messy desk. Don’t misunderstand, I am grateful to have meaningful work, and the view from my window is quite lovely. Unfortunately, this also means that I have limited time to spend “in the field” visiting with all of you and seeing the success of our charter students first hand inside your classrooms.

Over the past two years, I have had an opportunity to visit schools in Austin, Houston and San Antonio but had yet to make a trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. When not one, but two, charter events came up in Dallas on the same day, I jumped at the chance to accompany Denise Pierce, VP of Member Services, to double down in the Big D.

Our intentions were to fly in early to allow plenty of time to travel to a luncheon downtown hosted by Uplift Education. However, finding ourselves sitting in the Hertz lot at 9am with no immediate plans, we quickly began making presumptuous inquiries to nearby schools as to whether we could squeeze in a few campus tours before lunch. And, even though we know she was very busy finalizing Uplift’s lunch programs, Rosemary Perlmeter graciously arranged for a last minute visit at Williams Preparatory.

So, off we went, arriving unannounced a short time later at a totally different Uplift campus. A quick call to Rosemary confirmed that we had mistakenly entered the wrong address into our GPS and our current satellite location placed us at the North Hills Preparatory campus.

Undaunted, we upended the morning of another unsuspecting member of Uplift’s staff with our request for an impromptu tour. Maggie Stirton, Director’s Assistant,  gave us an amazing look around and introduced us to the International Baccalaureate program that was to become the theme for the day (more on that later). We were most impressed with the student greeters in each classroom who shook our hands, welcomed us to their class and told us what they were currently studying.

Realizing that we were running short on time but not wanting to miss the opportunity to visit Williams Prep, we rushed over to the school – and we were so glad we did! KC Cox, Director of Operations, introduced us to a cafeteria full of enthusiastic students followed by a tour of the campus by two of their best students, Sharon Flores and Cecilia Garza. College was clearly the goal here and the young ladies were looking forward to visiting potential universities in Atlanta at the end of the school year.

We arrived just in time for the Uplift lunch held at the new Omni hotel in downtown Dallas. The announcement of Uplift’s intentions to open four schools and enroll 13,000 additional students by 2015 was made jointly at separate luncheons – one in Dallas and one in Fort Worth – and simulcast via video from both cities. Again, we were struck by the audacious spirit of the Uplift students we met. The high school student that thanked us for coming made sure to tell us her plans to become the first in her family to attend college, specifically, Yale University.

Next, we headed over to St. Anthony School where Laquise Bennett showed us their campus, introduced us to her staff, and proudly told us of their recent increase in enrollment. Another charter participating in the International Baccalaureate program, we saw similar evidence of the IB’s “recognizable common educational framework” at St. Anthony. The media room – a requirement of IB – incorporated the IB’s value system within their rapidly growing collection of books and media.

Finally, Denise and I made our way north to an empty field in McKinney, Texas. A tent, stage and mound of dirt with a row of shiny shovels marked the spot where the new Imagine Academy International of North Texas would soon be built. The weather had turned cold with a bitter wind but the collective enthusiasm of those who had worked for many years to bring an IB program to North Texas warmed our spirits. Active supporters came from as far as Florida and Ohio and included builders, bankers, board members, and politicians. State Representative Ken Paxton (R), McKinney, read a resolution from the State of Texas congratulating Imagine Academy on their achievement of breaking ground for the new charter school.

I’m so pleased that our “two event trip” evolved into so much more. Although unintentional, the deep dive into the International Baccalaureate program clearly exemplified consistent positive themes across grade levels and charters. It was evident at all the schools we visited that the values and ideals of the IB program encouraged the students we met to “develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.” Now, with new charter schools in Fort Worth (Uplift Education) and McKinney (Imagine Academy International), even more students will have the opportunity to benefit from the IB program and be prepared to achieve at the college or university of their choice (even Yale!).

Back at my desk now (it’s still a total mess), I am reenergized and inspired by the good work happening in charters in Dallas and Fort Worth. I look forward to continuing to support your missions from my post in Austin and to breaking my metaphorical chain to spend time with each of you at your schools in the upcoming year.

With this in mind, I’m pleased to invite you to the inaugural Innovation in STEM Conference, hosted by Harmony Public Schools (HPS) on November 14 and 15, 2011. The conference will provide a forum for sharing best practices from STEM education initiatives around the nation by bringing together key individuals from public schools, higher education institutions, state and governmental agencies, non-profit & philanthropic organizations and businesses & corporations. We believe stronger relationships and connections will be forged among these groups, all for the benefit of the students we educate.

HPS is a network of 36 charter schools in Texas and is a pioneer in education practices emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) across the K-12 spectrum.  Educators and leaders at HPS strive to develop students who are prepared and empowered to matriculate in competitive college programs, and eventually make future strides to a wide variety of STEM-based fields.  Our STEM model is achieving results – our students have received recognition at state, national, and international levels – and STEM education is continually being highlighted by our nation’s education leaders. In fact, 17 of our campuses are designated T-STEM campuses.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently said, “Everyone has a stake in improving STEM education. Inspiring all our students to be capable in math and science will help them contribute in an increasingly technology-based economy, and will also help America prepare the next generation of STEM professionals-scientists, engineers, architects and technology professionals-to ensure our competitiveness.” We couldn’t agree more, and hope that this inaugural conference is an important step toward improving and expanding STEM education in Texas.

We hope you will join us for an exciting lineup of speakers, including former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, as well as panel discussions and breakout sessions designed to facilitate networking and the sharing of information in a collective effort to shape STEM education. For more information and to RSVP for this event, please email dhouston@harmonytx.org.

Dr. Soner Tarim
Superintendent, Harmony Public Schools

Our schools are as diverse as the students we serve – we may differ in mission but we share challenges. As a community, our schools are often overlooked or misunderstood. Sometimes, we have to work extra to overcome those challenges.

Through my work with TCSA’s grassroots campaign, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many of our member schools as they work to educate their communities and equip their supporters to act on charter school issues.

Each school has their own approach in managing this work. Some schools, like East Austin College Prep respond to the needs of parents, students and community through several leadership development programs. The grassroots team and I have attended and presented at many of EAP’s trainings and meetings. The school’s two primary groups are – the Academia de Padres/Parent Academy, developed to increase parents capacity to support their students education path and the EAP’s Concilio de Padres/Parent Council, a parent organization dedicated to uniting board members, parents, staff and community to discuss issues effecting EACP and its surrounding neighborhood.

In San Antonio, KIPP Camino campus invited community members to hear directly from school leaders on their approach to education. Events like these provide a forum for the public to gain a greater understanding of this school’s innovative approach to education and the great opportunity it affords its students.

Down the road, at New Frontiers charter school, a ribbon cutting ceremony for their renovated facility gives the school an opportunity to invite local officials, State Board of Education members and neighbors into their school. The best way to understand and appreciate charter schools is to visit one.

TCSA applauds East Austin College Prep, KIPP San Antonio, New Frontiers and all other member schools who are proactively engaging their supporters and working to advance the movement.

During the interim leading to the next legislative session, TCSA is looking to help member schools develop campus advocacy action plans. We will meet with campus leadership and identify ways to increase your presence in the community.

To ensure our interim work continues, TCSA has recently launched a contribution drive in support of our grassroots programs. We ask you to support this effort and promote it on your social media sites.

We challenge our member schools to stay active in grassroots advocacy and strengthen our unified voice!

Jennifer D Limas
Director of Grassroots Advocacy, TCSA

Necesitamos su ayuda para asegurar que este esfuerzo continúe y nuestra voz se haga más fuerte.

Éxitos del año pasado fueron posibles gracias a una beca filantrópica que se expira en noviembre. Es fundamental que se utilice el ínterin legislativo de base para continuar la programación regional para producir mejores resultados en el próximo período legislativo. Tuvimos progresos en la sesión anterior, pero todavía se necesita terminar bastante trabajo para traer las reformas políticas pro-chárter para poder ayudar a la mayoría de los estudiantes posibles de Texas.

TCSA está buscando hacia los defensores de chárters para que apoyen y mantengan nuestro programa de “grassroots” para asegurar que el movimiento de escuelas chárter de Texas fortalezca antes de la próxima sesión legislativa.

Durante la última sesión legislativa TCSA fue capaz de:
•    Ayudar a asegurar la victoria legislativa más grande para las escuelas chárter en más de una década. Después de tantos años luchando para obtener fondos para construcción y renovaciones, muchas escuelas chárter podrán recibir financiación estatal igual que todas las escuelas públicas.
•    Organizar y asistir a más de 270 eventos en las escuelas y visitar a más de 60 legisladores del estado;
•    Entregar a más de 43.000 tarjetas postales para informar a los legisladores acerca de sus prioridades para las escuelas chárter;
•    Realizar ralis de escuelas chárter, en febrero y mayo en la Capital con más de 2.800 asistentes;
•    Enviar a más de 250 acciones de alerta informando le cuando necesita contactar a su legislador sobre selecta legislación.

Cada contribución nos ayuda a crecer. Dona ahora y conéctese a nuestra red de Comunidades Unidas. Su contribución le da acceso a lo siguiente:
•    Eventos regionales para defensores de “grassroots”
•    TCSA E-boletín
•    Ralis en la capital en 2012
•    Oportunidades en su área para tomar un papel activo en el movimiento

La  Asociación de Escuelas Chárter de Texas es una organización sin fines de lucro 501 (c) 3 y una organización de caridad, su donación es 100% deducible de impuestos.

Ayúdenlos a seguir trabajando para los 120.000 estudiantes, 390 escuelas y miles de personas que se encuentran en las listas de espera de las escuelas chárter.

Juntos, verdaderamente somos una Comunidad Unida.

We need your help to ensure that this effort continues and our voice grows louder.

Last year’s successes were made possible by a philanthropic grant that expires in November. It is critical that we use the legislative interim to continue grassroots regional programming to produce greater results in the coming legislative term. We made progress last session, but there is lots of work left to be done to bring pro-charter policy reforms to help the most Texas students possible.

TCSA is looking to charter advocates to support and maintain our grassroots advocacy program to ensure that the Texas charter school movement strengthens before the next legislative session.

During the last legislative session TCSA was able to:
•    Help secure the biggest legislative win for charter schools in more than a decade. After years struggling to secure funding for construction and renovations, many charters will now be able to receive state backed financing just like all other public schools;
•    Host and attend over 270 campus events and visit over 60 state lawmakers;
•   Deliver over 43,000 postcards informing lawmakers about your charter school priorities;
•    Hold charter school rallies in both February and May at the state Capitol with over 2,800 total attendees;
•   Send over 250 action alerts informing you when to contact your legislator regarding select legislation.

Every contribution helps us grow. Donate now and get connected to our Communities United network. Your contribution gives you access to the following:
•    Regional Grassroots Advocacy Events
•    TCSA E-Newsletter
•    2012 State Capitol Rallies
•    Opportunities in your area to take an active role in the movement

The Texas Charter Schools Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization; your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Help us keep working for 120,000 students, 390 schools and thousands on charter school waiting lists.

Together we are truly Communities United.

15th Annual Texas Charter Schools Conference
THRIVE:  Learn, Perform, Shine
November 7-9, 2011
Galveston Island, Texas

The final preparations for the 15th Annual Texas Charter Schools Conference are underway. Our theme this year is “Thrive.” This past year has been stressful for Texas charter schools; for the first time since our inception, state funding was decreased, and not by just a little … by 6%! As always, Texas charter operators rolled up their sleeves and worked through the loss. This November, the conference is about reflecting on the energy spent surviving and re-focusing that energy on thriving. The Conference Committee has sought out experts to help you work smarter, run leaner organizations, stay in compliance, and better understand the changing laws that govern your school. A record number of breakout sessions (150) and featured speakers (8) are just days away. Are you and your staff registered to attend? If not, start your preparation for the conference by clicking here!

Here are just a few highlights:

• School Law: 14 sessions from top school law experts
• Effective School Leadership: 3 experts on leadership, innovation, and growth
• Quality Best Practices: Tools and resources to help your school improve from our Quality Initiatives Team
• Advocacy: The beginning of the 83rd legislative agenda discussion begins
• Finance: Facilities, regulations, and best practices for your finance office
• Plus: Fundraising, marketing, governance, and more!

See our conference website for a complete list of breakout sessions for your teachers, board members, and yourself.

“Thrive” has something for you personally and professionally. Come to Galveston Island and Prepare to rejuvenate your heart and school.

P.S. Bring a Hawaiian shirt for the Luau!

Teresa Elliott, TCSA Chief Operating Officer

Last week, charter school leaders from around the state gathered in the new auditorium at Harmony Public Schools in Houston, TX to take part in the first ever Statewide Charter School Legal Summit. Outside of the Annual Charter Schools Conference this was the first time charter schools had ever had two-day training exclusively dedicated to the unique legal needs of Charter Schools.

With classes having just started a few weeks ago for most Texas Charter Schools I was impressed to see so many of my charter friends in Houston for this event—nearly 80. We were all there on a quest for answers because charter schools face unique legal challenges especially when trying to successfully navigate the intersection of non-profit and governmental compliance. Together with expert presenters, charter leaders were able to gain clarification on key legal issues and proactively plan for the school year.

What I loved about the training were the questions asked by participants. Charter leaders were firing away question after question keeping presenters on their toes. What impresses me most is when you have a charter school finance officer, probably a CPA by trade, asking about very specific special education issues. This just continues to show how we all have to wear so many hats as charter school leaders and do everything in our power to continually better ourselves.

At the conclusion of the training, attendees toured Harmony Science Academy’s state of the art labs and were impressed by science demonstrations by AP physics students, including my favorite—the runaway hovercraft! Honestly, I only remember getting to dissect a worm or two in school, let alone figure out a way to send my buddy spinning across the classroom and not get in trouble.

Finally, thank you again to our sponsor Ziegler, attendees, presenters and staff that helped make this training a success and I look forward to doing it again next fall. Together, we all made this possible.

Matt Abbott, TCSA Director of Training Services