News from Idaho School Choice Week 2023
/Big Country Lewiston/Grangeville: School choice advocates gather at the Idaho State Capitol
Tom LeClaire, president of the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families, said his organization is committed to being advocates for parents. “We love parents, we trust parents, and we fight like parents,” LeClaire said, encouraging parents to reach out “if you ever get in trouble with any of your regulators, or (have concerns.)”
Idaho Ed News: Charter organization hosts school choice rally
The IDVA student said she was in a dark place before leaving her traditional school. But the transition to online school, she said, allowed her to escape the bullying and ostracism she experienced at her public middle school, meet like-minded people and pursue an associates degree while in high school.
NBC/KTVB-Boise: Hundreds Gather at Statehouse to Celebrate School Choice
Video: “Do we want to be controlled or make our own choices?” Student
Idaho Press Front Page: School Choice Advocates Gather at State Capitol
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BOISE — Last year, Marilyn Villagomez thought she would drop out of school.
“At my previous school, I constantly avoided going to class,” Villagomez said. “I did not feel that the teachers cared about us. It was so big, there were so many students, it was almost impossible to make a connection with any of my teachers.”
But Villagomez got a call one day asking her if she would like to take a tour of Elevate Academy, a year-round career technical charter school. She agreed, and it changed her life, she said.
Now a senior, Villagomez has attended the school for less than a year and said she has been given opportunities to learn about careers in her community through field trips, and to visit colleges she is interested in attending. Read full article at the Idaho Press here.
Virtual School Emergency Funding in Jeopardy
/Virtual School Funding in Jeopardy! They stepped in during the pandemic when schools closed. They hired hundreds of teachers. They helped thousands of Idaho students maintain an uninterrupted education during the pandemic. Now, lawmakers want to fund them millions less than they are supposed to. Send lawmakers an email with this tool we setup for you to tell them why your virtual school worked for you.
Your voice is needed now: If emergency funding bill HB 22 does not pass, they will have to cut enrollment and layoff teachers.
or call: 208-334-3531, 208-332-1355, or 208-332-1349 and tell them why your virtual school needs their support!
Follow the status of HB 22 here.
Here’s an article in Idaho Ed News explaining the situation and the emergency bill.
Prizes Announced for School Choice Week Events
/Today the CSF announced some of the prizes to be awarded to those who pre-register to participate in the events January 24-29th to celebrate National School Choice Week in Idaho.
You can pre-register here for any of the events.
Must be pre-registered and participate in the event to be eligible for prizes
One prize raffle entry per email address registered.
Multi-Book Library Booster Pack from ChildrensBookstore.com your source for online book fair fundraising! $300 Value
Reed’s Dairy Classroom Ice Cream Party for up to 30
Pizza Party for a Classroom of 30! $150 Value
A book from Childrensbookstore.com your source for online book fair fundraising!
Annual subscription from ReaderZone.com for up to 100 Readers
Big Al’s Amusement Center- Prize Package is 4 Games of Bowling and 4 Game On Passes (30 mins of unlimited arcade play)
Dutch Bros Gift Card
Cold Stone Creamery Gift Card
Subway Gift Card
Movie Theater Tickets
Altitude Trampoline Park- 3 family packs (Family pack= 4 jumpers for 1 hour)
Children’s Museum of Idaho- 4 passes
30 Second Dance Party Button (Click to watch how it works!)
Amazon Gift Card
X Box Gift Card
Playstation Gift Card
Commemorative poster of your choice from Idaho State Parks and Recreation
