Recap: Oregon Virtual Schools Capitol Day
Oregon Virtual Schools Capitol Day was a huge success! We had a great turnout of students, parents and teachers at the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem. Families learned about legislative issues impacting virtual education and the importance of advocating for virtual public schools. Teachers presented a fun and interactive education program for students highlighting how a bill becomes a law.
After the legislative update and student activity, families walked over to the Capitol to present Golden Apple legislator awards to Rep. Emily McIntire and Rep. Tracy Cramer. These legislators were the chief sponsors of HB3204, a 2023 legislative session bill that made some administrative changes to the enrollment cap related to count dates, appeal notifications, and students who are currently enrolled in a virtual public charter school but move to a capped district. This bill was an important first step in leveling the playing field to ensure fairness for families who are seeking to enroll their students in a virtual public charter school.
Families visited legislative offices in the Capitol to urge legislators to support virtual public schools and to continue to improve access to those families who choose to utilize them.
Thank you to all families who were able to join us for Capitol Day. If you couldn’t attend, you can check out our Facebook and Instagram accounts to see a recap of the day.
Thank you for all you do for our schools. We look forward to advocating with you in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Tricia F. Powell
President
The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.