President’s Letter
Happy Spring, virtual school families! This month's newsletter includes legislative updates and an exciting field trip opportunity. We want to hear from you - please fill out our parent and board interest surveys, linked below. The parent survey data is valuable when speaking with legislators about virtual schools in Oregon.
We also celebrate our wonderful virtual school teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May! Tell us what you love about your teacher.
Our family loves astronomy, so we hope you can join us for the free planetarium field trip on May 9. This is a free event, but registration is required. The registration link is included below.
FREE Event at the Eugene Science Center
Please join the Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance on Friday, May 9 for a fun and interactive day at the Eugene Science Center. During this FREE event you will explore the exhibit hall for a hands-on science experience, then sit back in the comfy chairs of the planetarium for a show about space.
Visit to the Eugene Science Center
Friday, May 9, 1:15pm – 3:15pm
2300 Leo Harris Parkway
Eugene, OR
Schedule
1:15pm – Arrival & check in
1:30pm – Explore the exhibit hall
2:20pm – Planetarium show about space
3:15pm – Departure
This is a FREE event, but you must register to attend. Click here to register.
Registration link: https://schoolofchoice.wufoo.com/forms/s1bs3sky14u8j6a/
We hope to see you in Eugene on May 9.
Legislative Update
The Oregon legislature reached a critical milestone on April 9. Two bills related to virtual public charter schools failed to move out of committee and are now considered dead for this legislative session.
HB 2144 would have made technical changes to the 3 percent enrollment cap on virtual public charter schools. The bill never received a hearing and died in committee. HB 2583 proposed changes to the Student Success Act to make community-managed virtual public charter schools eligible for Student Investment Account (SIA) grants. When the Student Success Act passed in 2019 virtual public charter schools were not eligible for SIA grants. The -1 amendment to HB 2583 would have expanded SIA grant eligibility to community-managed virtual public charter schools and those operated by education management organizations. The bill was not scheduled for a work session and died in committee.
The OVPSA will monitor activity on these issues during the legislative interium.
Board Member Spotlight
Stephanie Widler shares her experience serving on the OVPSA board
"Finding a virtual public charter school for my son was transformative for my family. Serving as an Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance board member allows me to help ensure other families have access to the same kind of virtual education options that my family desperately needed. Board membership doesn't take a lot of time; we have one meeting a month virtually, and we try to have an in-person meeting once a year. We also host Capitol Day during the legislative session, usually in February or March; this brings families together from across the state and helps students and parents understand the legislative process and their role in it. It's a really great way to get involved and learn more about the importance of advocating for your student and your school choice. I hope you will consider board service."
Why Do You Like Online School?
Oregon families choose an virtual public school option for a variety of reasons. We value your opinion and want to hear your family’s story. Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey and tell why an virtual public school works for you.
Your survey responses will help us inform the conversation surrounding virtual public schools in Oregon. We gather this information annually to inform and educate state lawmakers about Oregon’s virtual schools and the families who utilize them.
The first 10 people who complete the survey will receive an #ITrustParents hat. Don’t delay! Complete the survey today!
Have a great spring! Thank you for all you do to support our schools.
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.