Clean Air for Schools program

by: Bryce Reedy

Feb

08

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently launched the Clean Air for Schools program to provide free HEPA filter portable air cleaners and associated supplies to improve schools’ indoor air quality.

The program is currently open for all public, private, charter, parochial, facility and Tribal K-12 schools to apply. Schools are encouraged to apply by spring break to ensure timely delivery of the air cleaners.

CDPHE is partnering with Carrier West to distribute the air filters to schools. To learn more and to apply for the program, visit Carrier West’s Clear Air for Schools webpage.

Email any questions about the program to the CDPHE Clean Air for Schools team at [email protected].

National School Counseling Week 2023

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

The School Counselor Corps Grant team recognizes the hard work of school counselors during National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6-10. Dedicated school counselors from across the state make SCCG successful by helping students achieve their postsecondary and workforce readiness goals.

Visit the American School Counselor Association's website to learn more about National School Counseling week and to access resources.

CDE thanks all school counselors for all they do for students, schools and communities.

Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation webinar Feb. 28

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

Register for the 2023-24 Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation webinar at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to learn about the timeline and process for submitting slot requests for the 2023-24 school year.

Visit the TREP webpage for more information.

2023-24 School Counselor Corps Grant Program applications open

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

The 2023-24 School Counselor Corps Grant Program Intent to Apply forms are due Wednesday, March 1, and the Request for Application forms are due Wednesday, March 15.

The purpose of SCCGP is to increase the availability and implementation of effective school-based counseling to help increase the state graduation rate and the percentage of students who appropriately prepare for, apply to and continue into postsecondary education.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition to launch this month

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant's next grant competition for Cohort X is scheduled to launch the week of Monday, Feb. 13.

CDE will host weekly office hours for 30 minutes every Tuesday for potential applicants to ask the 21st CCLC team any program/fiscal questions about the Cohort X Request for Application.

CDE will also host several trainings across the state for potential applicants to learn how to write competitive applications for this grant. The trainings will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Monday, Feb. 27, in Denver Metro
Wednesday, March 1, in Limon
Monday, March 6, in Montrose
Tuesday, March 7, in Glenwood Springs
Wednesday, March 15, Virtual

Visit the CCLC Cohort X webpage for additional information, to attend an office hours webinar or to register for a training session.

School Health Professional Grant funding opportunity

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

The 2023-26 School Health Professional Grant Request for Applications closes Tuesday, March 14. Local Education Providers, on behalf of K-12 schools, are eligible to apply for this opportunity. An eligible LEP can be a school district, a Board of Cooperative Services, a charter school authorized by a school district, or a charter school authorized by the Charter School Institute.

This funding opportunity is intended to enhance the presence of school health professionals in K-12 schools throughout the state to facilitate better prevention education, screening for early identification, and referral care coordination for K-12 school students with substance use or misuse and other behavioral health needs.

The anticipated level of funding is approximately $14 million annually for the 2023-26 grant cycle. Additional grant funding beyond the 2023-24 fiscal year will be contingent upon annual appropriations by the State Legislature and grantees fulfilling all program and fiscal reporting requirements.

To view the RFA and more information, visit the SHPG webpage.

Computer Science Education Grant applications open

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

The Colorado Computer Science Education Grant Program is open for a second round of applications and will close on Friday, Feb.17. Awards will be distributed for use during the 2022-23 school year. This includes only the Computer Science Education Grant which provides funding with the purpose of increasing enrollment and participation of traditionally underrepresented students in computer science education activities.

For more information, and to check for updates, visit the Computer Science webpage or contact Chris Summers.

Distinguished Speaker Series

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

08

CDE presents the 3rd Annual Distinguished Speakers Series, which will feature some of the nation’s leading education voices who will address the state’s most critical issues.

The Spring Distinguished Speaker Series will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, with Ken Williams presenting on ruthless equity. Kareem Neal, Leigh Ann Erickson and Jennifer Braverman will present in a TED-style session titled "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: What Matters Most & What Matters NOW!"

The final webinar will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. At this time, Mike Mattos will explore how to systemically close learning gaps and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

For more information on each session and to register, visit the Distinguished Speakers Series website.

School Readiness Description feedback opportunity

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

Colorado's Achievement Plan for Kids requires the State Board of Education to review and adopt a description of school readiness every six years. As part of this process, CDE is seeking input on the school readiness description.

To provide feedback, complete the School Readiness Description Input Form. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3.

Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth will meet Thursday, Feb. 9

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

The Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. The public meeting will be held via Zoom.

The meeting agenda will focus on new Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness indicator measures and other accountability related topics.

View the TAP webpage for additional information.

Next ECLC Town Hall

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission will host its next town hall at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, to provide families, providers, members of the workforce and early childhood stakeholders with updates about the Department of Early Childhood and the Universal Preschool Program implementation process and opportunities to get involved.

Join the webinar via Zoom to hear from members of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and the Governor's Early Childhood Transition Team.

K-12 Licensed Personnel Performance Evaluation focus groups for stakeholders

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

A second round of Senate Bill 22-070 focus groups is open for stakeholders. Evaluators, teachers, SSPs, principals and district/BOCES leaders, including HR and central office staff, are invited to participate.

Focus Groups will take place virtually from February through April. Each session will focus on a specific topic of the legislation, and a variety of dates and times are available for each topic. The links below connect to an interest form for each Focus Group topic with the dates and times included on that form:

Register for only one session per topic to maximize availability for all interested participants. Space will be limited.

Implementation of Senate Bill 22-070 will begin in the 2023-24 school year. Visit the Senate Bill 22-070 Overview webpage for additional details about this legislation.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Educator Preparation Programs Report featuring new Colorado teacher information

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

The interactive dashboard with information about the effectiveness of the programs in Colorado that train teachers, principals, special services providers and administrators has been updated with data for the 2020-21 cohort of completers who first taught in 2021-22.

The Educator Preparation Programs Report, released in collaboration between CDE and the Colorado Department of Higher Education, features demographic information on teacher candidates enrolled in educator preparation programs, candidates who have completed the programs and newly trained teachers who have obtained teaching jobs in Colorado public schools.

Information about new teachers includes licensure exam pass rates, employment data, on-the-job performance metrics and data about teacher retention and teacher mobility.

For a full list of report highlights and to access the interactive dashboard visit the Educator Preparation Programs Report webpage.

Summer Food Service Program training webinar

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

CDE's School Nutrition Unit in March will offer a two-part training event on the Summer Food Service Program for program sponsors. Part 1 is a virtual training series available on the SFSP training webpage.
Part 2 is a live webinar that will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 20. Registration details will be sent out closer to the date.

The SFSP provides an opportunity to offer nutritious meals at no cost to families during the summer when kids and teens no longer have access to school meals. According to the "2022 KIDS COUNT in Colorado!" report, 37% of households with children were not eating enough food because food was unaffordable and the U.S. Department of Agriculture waivers that expanded access to summer meals expired.

To become a program sponsor or continue sponsorship past this school year visit the SFSP webpage for additional information.

Save the Date: 2023 Teaching and Learning CoLabs

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

The dates and host sites for this summer's Teaching and Learning CoLabs are:

Thursday, June 1, in Grand Junction hosted by Colorado Mesa University.
Wednesday, June 14, in Greeley hosted by the University of Northern Colorado.
TBD in Pueblo hosted by CSU-Pueblo.

The Teaching and Learning CoLabs are one-day, multi-disciplinary regional professional development workshops developed in partnership with Colorado's higher education institutions, professional teaching organizations and CDE. This year's content areas are expanding to include ELA, math, health, PE, science, computer science, social studies, visual and performing arts and school leadership. Schools are encouraged to attend a CoLab in teams, with teachers representing multiple grades and content areas.

Free GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp for teachers

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

Applications for the GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp are due March 31. The camp will take place June 12-16, in Colorado Springs.

This introductory GenCyber teacher camp is funded by the National Security Agency and designed to train middle and high school teachers how to teach cybersecurity to their students. Participants will learn cybersecurity principles, concepts and teaching techniques during the week-long, hands-on camp.

Participants are eligible for four CEUs and a stipend up to $1,200.

View the Cybersecurity event webpage on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs website for additional information on available stipends and travel accommodations.

Monthly Co-Literacy Conversations for Grades 4-12

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

CDE is hosting monthly virtual conversations for leaders, teachers and other classroom practitioners who support literacy in grades four to 12. The webinars will include research, resources and Tier 1 instructional support.

The next session will be at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, via Zoom.

Teacher Recruitment Education & Preparation Webinar Feb. 28

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

Do you have students interested in participating in TREP for the 2023-24 year? Register for the TREP 2023-24 webinar at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to learn about the timeline and process for submitting slot requests for the 2023-24 school year.

Visit the TREP webpage for additional information.

2022-23 High-Impact Tutoring Grant

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Feb

01

CDE’s High-Impact Tutoring Program Grant is open. An application information webinar will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Intent to Apply forms are due Friday, Feb. 15, and applications are due Wednesday, March 1.

View the HITP grants webpage for application instructions.

READ Act Office Hours

by: Bryce Reedy

Category: Newsletter

Jan

25

The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness Office will host office hours twice a month beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, to discuss and explore topics related to READ Act implementation.

Questions can be submitted one week prior to the date of the scheduled office hours to ensure specific questions are answered.

To view the schedule or to register for an office hours session visit the ELSR Literacy Team Office Hours webpage.