The view from Idaho
Here is a nice look inside Gem Prep schools in Idaho, a network which includes both brick-and-mortar schools and an online school. The structure made for a smooth and quick pivot to all-online learning when school closures came to the state. And Gem Prep is sharing their lessons learned with other schools who might want some advice.
Efforts to provide remote education
Accel charter schools in Cleveland have a similar set up to that of Gem Prep. Here is a look at their early efforts to adapt to distance learning due to school closures. The piece also features a look at the efforts of the Breakthrough Network and Intergenerational charter schools as well as a number of Catholic schools in Cleveland. The piece labels those efforts “uneven”, but no comparison is made here to traditional districts’ efforts.
A trio of stories from Horizon schools in Cleveland and Columbus
It is refreshing to see charter schools included in the mix of recent news stories looking at the ins and outs of students learning—and teachers teaching—remotely. A few examples: Horizon Science Academy in Cleveland was featured in a public media story discussing English and math curriculum as well as the work of an intervention specialist in an online environment. Meanwhile, students at Horizon Science Academy in Columbus were using their 3D printer and materials from their now-cancelled robotics season to make and donate protective masks. And a senior at Horizon Science in Cleveland wrote a column for Cleveland.com in which she mourns the loss of daily interaction with her “friends and mentors” at the Broadway Boys and Girls Club.
From a trio to a quartet
Here’s a look at the band snarls (no caps), based in central Ohio. The young rockers—its four members are in their late teens and twenties—were on an upward trajectory early this year after meeting and forming their band while attending the Arts and College Prep Academy (ACPA) in Columbus. Here’s hoping that they can maintain that trajectory when the world opens for business again.
SBA loans for charter schools
Greg Richmond of Bluum had a timely and important piece posted on The 74 this week, noting that loans provided by the federal Paycheck Protection Program via the Small Business Association are available to charter schools. Despite protestations to the contrary.
COVID resource page: updated
We have previously noted the COVID resource page put together for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Those resources have been updated on an ongoing basis, and NAPCS’ new partnership with Bellwether Education Partners has made it even stronger. Make sure to revisit it, if you haven’t already.
