THE COMMISSION
CONNECTION

MAY 2017 
Ever wonder why May 5th is celebrated in the US and Mexico?  Click here to get the history of Cinco de Mayo. 

if you're looking for a little Mexican inspiration,click here for a tasty guacamole recipe.
CHARTER COMMUNITY CORNER
Kudos to Horizon Science Academy - McKinley Campus on their participation at the Illinois Junior Academy Region 2 Science Fair and Concept Schools Science and Engineering Fair (CONSEF) last month. McKinley students walked away with a total of 10 Gold medals, 10 Silver medals, 7 Bronze medals and 1 Best of Category in Chemistry award. 
A special shout out to Melodie Chavez who advanced to the State Science Fair. 
     The Commission acknowledged HSA McKinley at its April 25th Commission meeting. 
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COMMISSION?
POLICY UPDATE     
The Enrollment Policy was unanimously approved at the April 25th Commission meeting.  A copy of the policy can be found here.
OTHER CHARTER NEWS
   U-46 Board OKs Resolution Supporting Charter School 
Click here to read the story.
  Charter School Withdraws Appeal, No Longer Seeks to Open in Aurora  
Click here for more information. 
  HB768 UPDATE
On Wednesday, April 25, Illinois House of Representatives voted to pass HB768, which eliminates the right to appeal charter school denials, revocations and non-renewal decisions. 
The bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by Governor to become effective.  Special thanks to David Ireland, Mary Bryant and Alvin Boutte, Jr.  who are working with Executive Director Hosanna Jones and INCS staff to stop this bill from moving forward. We will keep you posted on any further developments.
If you have ideas or would like to help defeat the bill to please reach out to Hosanna Jones.

ISBE INFO
For ISBE Superintendent Tony Smith's Weekly Message, click here.  
FY18 ELL-TBE/TPI and Title III Application Now Available in IWAS

The FY18 ELL-TBE/TPI and Title III (state TBE and TPI, federal Title III LIPLEPS and Immigrant Program) grant applications are now available in the Electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) through the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) for Fiscal Year 2018.
 
All eligible applicants must create an application through the IWAS system.  The application submission deadline is June 30th, 2017. 

UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
     ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM WEBINAR
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
1 - 2:30PM
Check your email for meeting invite and link to webinar.
REMINDER
The Final 2016-17 School Calendar is now available via the Public School Calendar on IWAS.  Final school calendars must be completed and submitted by the last day of school. For additional information, check out ISBE Superintendent Tony Smith's Weekly Message, page 5.
     NEXT COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Michael A. Bilandic Building
160 N. LaSalle Street
3 - 6PM  
OPPORTUNITIES
Loyola University Chicago School of Law and School of Education
are pleased to invite you to an Information Session for the Online Certificate Program in School Discipline Reform.
This online certificate program is designed for professionals committed to serving their students and their communities by understanding, shaping, and implementing prevention-oriented approaches to school discipline. 

Please click the link below to learn more about the online certificate program and to RSVP for one of the information sessions.  Feel free to contact [email protected]  if you have any questions about this program. 
 

ILLINOIS STATE CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION
Illinois State Charter School Commission
160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 601
Chicago, Illinois  60601
312-814-1258
     DeRonda Williams, Commission Chair
Catherine Rich, Vice Chair
Bill Farmer, Secretary
David Feinberg
Carlos Perez
Troy Ratliff
Kathryn Robbins
Lisa Schuchart
Richard Van Evera  
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