Rebecca McAuliffe
Join the Celebration!

Virtual Schools Capitol Day is less than three weeks away! This annual event is a great opportunity to celebrate virtual public schools and show your support for your education choice. We hope you can join us in Salem on March 14

Join the Celebration!
Rebecca McAuliffe
It's time to register for Virtual Schools ...

Virtual Schools Capitol Day is just around the corner. We are thrilled to return to an in-person event in Salem. Register today to join us for the 2023 Virtual Schools Capitol Day on Tuesday, March 14 at 10:00am.

It's time to register for Virtual Schools Capitol Day!
Rebecca McAuliffe
2023 Legislative Session, National Schools ...

After last week’s swearing-in ceremonies for Governor Kotek and new legislators, lawmakers met this week to officially convene the 2023 Legislative Session. Several bills have been introduced to raise or remove the 3 percent enrollment cap to make virtual public schools available to more Oregon families. We will keep you informed on how you can advocate for these bills. 

2023 Legislative Session, National Schools Choice Week and More
Rebecca McAuliffe
I'm grateful for school choice

As we prepare for Thanksgiving later this week, it’s a good time to pause, reflect and show gratitude for the positive things in life. I’m grateful for many things, including the opportunity to send my children to the school of their choice, a full-time virtual public school.

I'm grateful for school choice
Rebecca McAuliffe
Celebrate With Us

Although we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week earlier this month, we want to continue honoring our amazing virtual school teachers! Appreciation should not be reserved for just one week every spring but demonstrated throughout the year. As parents of virtual school students, we’re grateful for the hard work and commitment of our teachers. We applaud their passion for teaching and support of students across the state.

Celebrate With Us

May 2023 Newsletter

Family Survey

Families chose a virtual public school option for a variety of reasons. Why is a virtual school the right fit for your family? We value your opinion and want to learn more about your family’s virtual public school story. 

With your input we can inform the conversation surrounding virtual public schools. We can let our state education leaders know how you and so many other Oregon families have benefited from a virtual public school.

We strive to ensure families have access to a quality education so we gather this information annually to inform and educate state lawmakers about Oregon’s virtual public schools and the families who utilize them.

Teacher Spotlight

May 8 – 12 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Do you have a favorite teacher? Has a teacher made a lasting impression on you? This Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to tell teachers how grateful we are for their hard work and dedication to their virtual public school students. Tell us your story about a favorite teacher and we may feature your response on our social media channels.

Thank you for all you do to support our education choice.

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.

April 2023 Newsletter - HB3204

Show your support for virtual public schools

In 2011, the Oregon State Legislature placed a cap of 3% on the number of kids in a school district that can transfer to virtual public charter schools. On May 2 at 3pm, the Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 3204 A, which includes administrative changes to the 3% enrollment cap. While the bill doesn’t raise or remove the cap, it’s a positive first step to leveling the playing field and ensuring fairness for families seeking to enroll their student in a virtual public school.

The parent voice needs to be part of the conversation around the 3% enrollment cap. Please do your part and register to deliver remote testimony in support of House Bill 3204 A at the Senate Education Committee hearing on May 2.

Tell members of the committee what a virtual public education means to your family and urge them to approve House Bill 3204 A so more families have access to a virtual public school option.

How to deliver testimony in support of House Bill 3204 A

  • Thank the Education Committee Chair and the members of the committee for the opportunity to voice your support for House Bill 3204 A.

  • State your full name and the city where you live

  • Say that you’re the parent of a student who is enrolled in a virtual public school or who is seeking to enroll

  • Share your virtual public school story and what this option means to your family 

  • Tell committee members that virtual public schools are proven, established programs that have state-certified teachers and curriculum

  • Urge committee members to pass House Bill 3204 A so more families have access to a virtual public school option

  • Thank the committee for the opportunity to testify 

If you’ve never testified before a legislative committee, email us and we can walk you through how it’s done. 

If you can’t testify deliver remote testimony or if you would prefer to submit written testimony or comments, you can submit written testimony to the committee. Written testimony must be submitted no later than 24 hours after the start of the hearing, so no later than 3 pm on May 3.

Thank you for your support. 

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.

2023 Capitol Day Recap

OVPSA board members present Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson with the OVPSA Golden Apple Award for her support of virtual public education. Thank you, Rep. Breese-Iverson! 

Thank you for making Capitol Day a success! 

Thank you to all the families who attended Virtual Schools Capitol Day last month. We were excited to gather in Salem for the first time since 2020! During the event we:

  • Honored our legislative Champions Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson and Rep. Boomer Wright

  • Learned what's going on in the legislature that impacts our schools 

  • Participated in a fun and educational activity about the election process 

If you were unable to attend you can still do your part!

Do your part: Urge legislators to pass HB3204

If you couldn't attend Virtual Schools Capitol Day, you can still do your part. Our advocacy for virtual public education continues throughout the year. State legislators want to hear from you! Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and urge them to pass HB3204. This bill recommends administrative changes to the 3% enrollment cap on virtual public charter schools. While the legislation doesn't raise or remove the cap, it's a positive first step to leveling the playing field and ensuring fairness for families who are seeking to enroll their student in a virtual public school. Please contact your legislators today and urge them to pass HB3204! 

Thanks for making Capitol Day a success. We looking forward to continuing to work with you to advocate for virtual public education. Thank you for all you do! 

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.

Countdown to Capitol Day!

Virtual Schools Capitol Day is next Tuesday March 14! Please join us next week to celebrate virtual public schools and show your support for your education choice. We hope you can join us in Salem on March 14. Register today!

Capitol Day Schedule 

10:00am - Registration at the Willamette Heritage Center
1313 Mill St., SE, Salem (2 blocks from the State Capitol Building - free on-site parking available)
10:30am - Welcome
10:35am - Legislative Update
10:45am - Talking to Your Legislator
11:00am - Fun and Interactive Educational Activity for Students 
11:45am - Lunch
12:15pm - Legislator Awards Presentation 
1:00pm - Legislator Visits

Hearing on the 3% enrollment cap

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 8 at 3pm, the House Education Committee will hold a hearing on HB3204. This bill recommends administrative changes to the 3% enrollment cap on virtual public schools. While the legislation doesn't lift the cap, it's an important first step to leveling the playing field and ensuring fairness for families who are seeking to enroll their students in a virtual public school. Please submit written comments to the House Education Committee and urge them to pass HB3204 so more families can utilize a virtual public school option. 

Don't forget to register for Capitol Day. We look forward to seeing you in Salem for Virtual Schools Capitol Day on Tuesday, March 14 at 10am!

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.