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Brain Injury Awareness Month

It is estimated that in the US, over 2 million concussions occur each year in children under the age of 18. When schools have a Concussion Management Team, impacted students are supported early and can have quicker recoveries.

There are many free opportunities to educate yourself and school staff on how to support students who sustain a concussion.

School personnel can take an active role in supporting all students who are impacted.

Click Here for Additional Information.

Facility Schools Board vacancies

Volunteers are being sought for seats on the Facility Schools Board. Seats are open for:

  • One person who represents state-level child placement agencies.
  • One person who represents county departments of social services.

The term of membership is three years, and the board meets monthly. Members of the board serve without compensation, except for reasonable reimbursement of travel expenses. Applicants must include a resume and a cover letter/letter of interest by Wednesday, March 29. Application documents can be emailed to Judy Stirman at [email protected].

Early Childhood Leadership Commission monthly town hall

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission will host a town hall at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, to provide updates about the Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program implementation process.


Join via Zoom. Spanish language interpretation will be available.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort X Grant Competition Open

Colorado’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort X grant competition applications are due Monday, April 10.

CDE will award approximately $5.5 million in 21st CCLC funding for Cohort X. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $180,000 per year per center. Priority will be given to those programs serving students who attend high-poverty, low-performing schools.

For application materials, technical assistance opportunities, and tools and resource for applying, visit the 21st CCLC Cohort X webpage.

The 21st CCLC grant program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The purpose of this important program is to establish or expand community learning centers that:

  1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment to help students meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics;
  2. Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and
  3. Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

Save the Date: 2023 Teaching and Learning CoLabs

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.

Distinguished Speaker Series

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 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.

Instructional hours requirements compliance

With the last quarter of the school year quickly approaching, and the number of school closures this winter due to weather, some districts and schools are getting close to falling out of compliance with the instructional hours requirements.

Districts should review the posted “School District Calendar and Instructional Hours Guidance” that was last updated on Jan. 19. As described in this guidance, waivers to these requirements will not be considered until after the district has made a good faith effort to come back into compliance. Good faith efforts can include but are not limited to adjusting the start time and/or end time of the school day, reducing the lunch period or adding a student contact day.

2023-24 School Counselor Corps Grant applications due Wednesday, March 15

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.

School Counselor Corps Grant Advisory Board Vacancies

The School Counselor Corps Grant team seeks to fill four SCCG Advisory Board vacancies. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume by Friday, March 10, to be considered for immediate placement on the SCCG board through the 2023-24 school year.

Read the full memo and access the application on the SCCG Advisory Board webpage.

2023-24 Teacher Recruitment, Education and Preparation Program Intent to Participate is open

The Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation Program Intent to Participate for 2023-24 is open.

The submission is a two-step process. Once the ITP is received, a Syncplicity folder with a spreadsheet to collect student level data will be shared. The ITP and spreadsheet submission will close on Monday, May 1.

View the TREP webpage for additional information.

FAFSA/CASFA Grant applications due Wednesday, March 15

FAFSA and CASFA applications are due Wednesday, March 15. The application process, timeline, supports and new FAQ are available on the FAFSA/CASFA Grant webpage.

The FASFA/CASFA grant can be used to help:

  • Train community volunteers to help students.
  • Host a FAFSA night with giveaways for attendees.
  • Design and host a summer workshop for staff to enhance ICAP and financial literacy.
  • Hire a consultant/local provider to demonstrate how to enhance the FAFSA/CAFSA process.
  • Defray printing costs and build awareness of the FAFSA/CAFSA process.

Click Visit the Financial Aid and FAFSA/CAFSA webpage for additional information.

Free GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp for teachers

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

This introductory GenCyber teacher camp is funded by the NSA 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 continuing educations units 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.

Reviewers needed for CDE's Competitive Grants and Awards

The Grants Program Administration Office is recruiting volunteer reviewers to serve as members of reviewer pool. Reviewers with a diverse range of experience, expertise and representation will be selected to review applications for upcoming competitive funding and award opportunities. Reviewers serve as volunteers and stipend/honorarium payments are not available.

To become member of the reviewer pool, fill out this survey to apply. The GPA office will contact reviewers periodically to review applications applicable to the expertise and interests specified in the survey. The time commitment as a reviewer throughout the year is set by the reviewer.

Reviewers are needed for several upcoming programs:

  • High Impact Tutoring Grant – March 6 - 22
  • School Health Professional Grant – March 17 - April 4.
  • School Counselor Corps Grant – March 22 -April 7.
  • Early Literacy Grant: Professional Development – March 28 - April 11.

To sign up for a specific program fill out this survey.

Clean Air for Schools program

Applications for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Clean Air for Schools program are due by Friday, March 31.

The program is open to all public, private, charter, parochial, facility and Tribal K-12 schools.

CDPHE will hold a series of virtual question and answer sessions on March 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 11:30 a.m. to noon. District and school staff can register via Zoom. Select the preferred date in the drop-down menu.

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

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

ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant Program

CDE has created the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant to ensure that districts across the state can learn from colleagues facing similar challenges.

CDE will make up to $150,000 of ARP ESSER III funding available for this program. Eligible applicants are invited to submit applications that meet the needs of their program(s) with a maximum of $50,000 per application. 

A recording of the application webinar is available on the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant Program webpage.

Intent to Apply forms are due Friday, Feb. 24. The Intent to Apply is encouraged, but not required. Applications close on Wednesday, March 8.

  • Fiscal questions may be directed to Tricia Miller, grants fiscal management, at [email protected] or 303-877-2154.
  • Program questions maybe be directed to Christina Monaco, executive director of field services, [email protected] or 303-981-6513.
  • Application process questions may be directed to Mandy Christensen, grants program administration, [email protected] or 303-957-6217.

Early Literacy Assessment Tool Office Hours

CDE is hosting office hours related to the Early Literacy Assessment Tool Project at 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. The office hours will include information on the ELAT Project implementation and application, the change to ELAT assessments, and how this change will affect Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant participants. Registration is required.

Visit the Early Literacy Assessment Tool webpage for additional information.

Southern Colorado Education Job Fair

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is hosting the Southern Colorado Education Job Fair for employers and candidates on Friday, April 7. The event will take place on UCCS’ campus in the Gallogly Events Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Districts from across southern Colorado are hiring for a wide variety of positions, including licensed teacher, para-professional, bus driver, school counselor, secretary, school psychologist, nurse and special education teacher roles. Candidates may register for the job fair on the UCCS College of Education website.

High-Cost Reimbursement applications due March 1

Completed applications and all supporting documents for High-Cost Reimbursement are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. Districts that have not submitted their 2021-22 finalized audited financials by the deadline will not be eligible for the high-cost reimbursement program.

Visit the Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee webpage for additional information.

Public comment on “high-need” definition for Stronger Connections Grant

The Federal Programs and Supports Unit seeks public comment on Colorado’s definition of a “high-need” local education agency for the federal Stronger Connections Grant.

Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of June 2022, CDE was awarded $9.3 million. This one-time funding is in addition to the Title IV, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act funding annually allocated to CDE. Ninety-five percent of the Stronger Connections Grant funds will be made available to Colorado school districts through a competitive subgrant application. This bill includes a requirement for state agencies to distribute funds on a competitive basis to "high-need" LEAs to implement allowable Title IV, Part A activities aligned with the Safe and Healthy Students program purpose. 

Additional information regarding CDE’s proposed definition of a “high-need” LEA can be found on the Stronger Connections Grant webpage.

Feedback can be provided by completing this form or sending comments to [email protected] by Wednesday, March 8.

Register for grant-writing training for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant

To help 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant applicants write a competitive application, CDE will host several grant-writing training sessions across the state. The 2023 21st CCLC Request for Application will be used as a framework for the training.

Each training will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Register at for a grant-writing training session on the Cohort X Grant Application webpage.

Training Dates:

  • Monday, Feb. 27, Denver Metro.
  • Wednesday, March 1, Limon.
  • Monday, March 6, Montrose.
  • Tuesday, March 7, Glenwood Springs.
  • Wednesday, March 15, virtual session.