Marking the Tenth Anniversary of charter schools, the Second Annual National Charter Schools Week begins Monday through Friday, April 30-May 4, and will be observed by thousands of commemorative events and celebrations in most states.

CER Sponsored Charter School Week Activities in Washington, D.C.

• April 30 - CER Ranks the States: Release of "Charter School Laws: State Rankings" update, containing the most recent information, state-by-state, on strength of new and amended charter school laws.
• May 1 - Congressional Tour of D.C. Charter Schools, bus departs at 8:30 am from the Rayburn Horseshoe (South Capital Street Entrance).
• May 2 - Pre-release of key data from the 2001 Survey of Charter Schools, providing a snapshot of current charter school information, including data on enrollments, state assessments, curriculum and populations served.
• May 3 - Capitol Hill showing of PBS film, "Charter Schools that Work." Screening will be held at 5:00 pm in Room 2257 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
• May 3 - 11:30 Odyssey Charter School students will be meeting Representative Larson on the steps of the Capitol on the House side ...contact Whitney Moran phone 202 226-6973

Activities in Different States: Georgia:

In Georgia charter school leaders are announcing the formation of a new Georgia Charter Schools Association who will act as charter advocates on a state and local level. The Association has designed and distributed special National Charter Schools Week T-shirts to member schools. 

Hawaii:

In Hawaii, the Connections Charter School in Mountain View will open the "Charter School Gallery of Youth Art" and formally announce the expansion of its program from K-6 to K-12. The expanded program will include a Japanese exchange program.

Michigan:

April 30th, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) will host a graduates luncheon honoring nearly 1,000 Michigan charter school seniors. For more information, call (517) 374-9167.

Massachusetts:

Students from West Springfield, Massachusetts New Leadership Charter School will participate in a leadership training exercise led by the Massachusetts National Guard from April 30-May 3. The New Leadership Charter School was founded in partnership between the Urban League of Springfield and the Massachusetts National Guard. For more information, call (413) 750-2454.

North Carolina:

In Raleigh, North Carolina, more than one thousand charter school students, teachers, and parents wearing "Lift The Cap" stickers visited with their elected representatives Tuesday. The event was part of the celebration during National Charter Schools Week. Charter Schools are public schools offering students and parents choices in tuition free education.

California:

In Sacramento, California on May 2nd individual schools will rally at the capitol. For information call: California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) 650-654-6003.

Academy for Academic Excellence, Apple Valley 4th grade field trip to Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally. Also filming a documentary with NASA.

Academy for Career Education Charter School, Wheatland BBQ for parents and community

Advanced Instructional Model Charter School, Elk Grove Attending Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Alianza School, Watsonville Open House showcasing charter school programs, invited guest include community members and school board members.

Animo Leadership Charter High School, Inglewood School field trip to Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Antelope View Home Charter School, Antelope Attending Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Baldwin Hills Charter/LEARN Elementary & Magnet School, Los Angeles Open house/new playground installed

California Academy for Liberal Studies, Los Angeles Student Activities all week/Family Open House/Invitations sent to local politicians

California Charter Academy of Orange County Recognition program within school

Cesar Chavez Dual Language Immersion Charter School, Santa Barbara Exhibit photos from art students

Challenge Charter High School, Oroville Annual public house/invite's to parents and prospective parents/press release to papers

Charter 101 Elementary School, Victorville Students invited Assembly members Pete Knight and Phil Wyman to come to their school and observe a day

Charter Alternatives Academy, Visalia Had Open House last week.

Charter Community School, Home Study Academy & Extended Day Program, Placerville Invited legislative members. Open houses. Making a video, Displaying banner. Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally

Charter Home School Academy, Visalia Open house on 5/15, with board members and administrators

Chico Country Day School Open House and Grandparents Day celebration at school

Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Ground Breaking/Performance from Fine Art's students, school visits

Circle of Independent Learning, Fremont Art work will be displayed by Assemblyman John Dutra's office

Community Charter Middle School, San Fernando Art Exhibit at North Gallery of CS Northridge. Invited Elected officials on Friday for a reception.

Darnall E-Charter School, San Diego Business partners/community folks/open house/Directors Chat/campus visits.

Escondido Charter High School Selected as a Profile Charter School by the San Diego Business Roundtable for Education, State Assemblyman Mark Wyland spoke to the student body, Rep. Randy Cunningham addressed the student body on his "never give up" philosophy, Open House for parents.

Explorer Elementary Charter School, La Jolla 27 Self portraits of kindegartners will be displayed in Assembly members Dede Alpert's office

Fenton Ave. Charter School, Lake Veiw Terrace 50 Students from Leadership program are participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally. "Partners" luncheon with school supporters including local business people, foundation representatives and government officials.

Grass Valley Charter School Art display @ county government building and community meeting and kick off new enrollment/open house/"walk-about" to local businesses to present charter school and to get pledges for Jog a Thon

Heritage Family Academy, Manteca Open House. Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally

HomeSmart Kids of Knightsen, Antioch Mention on website. Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally

Indio Charter School Parent run events.

Journey School, San Clamente May Day celebration/parent mixer fundraiser and auction for parents, legislators and community members visits

Keyes to Learning Charter School, Keyes Spring celebration and open house

Kingsburg Community Charter Extension Talent Show/Open House/Celebrate year

La Sierra High School, Visalia Handing out materials at the mall

Learner-Centered School, Antioch The 49'er basketball game against faculty/friends/parents

Linscott Charter School, Watsonville Open House with board, supervisor and media

Mare Island Technology (MIT) Academy Middle School, Vallejo ART Day on May 2nd 9-3pm. Invited state legislators/school district representatives

Mountain View Montessori Charter School, Victorville Literature Day with Superintendent. Visiting local fire station. Appreciation Ceremony and County Superintendent is visiting the school.

Muir Charter School, Grass Valley participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally

Museum School, The, San Diego Proclamation from Mayor Susan Davis and local politicians will visit school

Natomas Charter School, Sacramento 55 students will be performing at Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally

Nevada City School of the Arts Open house and Blue Ribbon ceremony

Options for Youth, San Juan Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Options for Youth, Mount Shasta Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Options for Youth, San Gabriel Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Options for Youth, Upland Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Options for Youth, Victor Valley Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Options for Youth, Burbank Participating in Capitol Charter School "Celebration" Rally.

Orchard View School, Sebastopol Board is invited to visit. Open house for families and art display.

Pacific View Charter School, Oceanside Letters to state legislators.

Plumas Charter School, Quincy Governor Davis' wife is coming to give check for library. Science Fair and Open House. Field Trip to see Robin Hood.

Premiere Education Charter School, Long Beach Fundraising event

Redding School of the Arts Performances at Redding Reads

Redwood Academy of Ukiah New Classroom's and Parents Expo with 4000 parents

River Oak Public Charter School, Ukiah Cinco de Mayo with local officials including Congressman and other politicians

Sanger Hallmark Charter School Sec of State Bill Jones is coming to school's art gallery opening. Also in attendance are Maurine Jones, Dr. Peter Mehas from the Fresno Co Office of Ed, Sarah Reyes, Assembly Member and community members

Sojourn Middle School, Santa Cruz Open House

University Public Schools, Stanislaus Programs that help make parents aware of the benefits of charter schools

Westwood Charter School Hosting Open Houses for community

Willits Charter School Open House for community. Work will be displayed. Performances from Art and Drama classes

Yuba River Charter School, Nevada City "Walk through the Grades" program to educate community about curriculum. May 4th forum on effect that media has on our children. May Fair--Celebration of Spring-time

University High School/CSA Fresno Open House for all Community and University members to further educate community on the charter school.

A listing of other events from around the states can be found at the Charter Friends National Network's website at: www.charterfriends.org/csweek.html.

For more information, go to DC CHARTERS TO OPEN THEIR DOORS TO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION Tours of DC Charters to Highlight Contributions.

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The Center for Education Reform is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1993 to provide support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For further information, please call (202) 822-9000.

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