Greetings!
Thank you to everyone who came to INPEC 2021 earlier this month! It was so nice to be in person with you all to learn and grow together in our profession to make non-public education in Indiana even better for our students.
As we head into the latter part of fall, this is the time of year that we start prepping for the legislative session starting in January. Coming off a successful year for non-public schools at the statehouse, we're excited to get back to it! More information is included below on the annual virtual advocacy trainings we'd love for you to participate in. School engagement in the legislative process was incredible this past year, so we're hoping to keep that train going!
Thanks for all you do,
John
|
|
INPEC Recap
We don't know about you, but we always end up feeling so rejuvenated after our conferences. Yes, it was a long couple of days at the convention center, but the planning and preparation felt so worth it when we were able to see all your smiling faces and fill our cup with encouraging professional development! We had concerns about turnout this year with COVID, but 1,744 attendees created a positive energy and vibe that could be felt throughout the two days. It affirmed we made the right decision. We needed to be together! The response to our keynoters has been overwhelming. Jon Gordon and Gerry Brooks both hit home runs!
Take a look at some photos captured during those two days on our website here and let us know what was your favorite part of INPEC! If you haven't completed the evaluation survey sent out to all participants, please do so by clicking here and pass this request along to your staff who attended.
*We found a ring in the exhibit hall on Tuesday during the conference. If you think you might have lost a ring where they did the drawings in the exhibit hall, please email Beatrice at bbursten@inpea.org.
Now that INPEC 2021 is complete, we're already switching gears to plan for our administrator's conference next year! Save the date for #INPAC2022 on September 22-23, 2022! More information to come.
|
|
Dues Statements
We sent out annual dues invoices at the end of September, so all schools should have received them at this point. Thank you to the many who have already sent in their checks! We greatly appreciate your support of the work we do on your behalf. We had a great year at the statehouse last session and hope for many more successes in the future. Your dues, donations and conference attendance help keep INPEA strong and viable!
If you'd like to support us in other ways, please visit our website and learn more about our "Friends of INPEA" designation or fill out our form to become a "Friend" today!
|
|
We're hiring!
Saying good bye and hopefully hello! This week is Heidi's last week with INPEA as our communications and member relations director. Heidi has made a huge impact in her 3 plus years at INPEA. There is no doubt that our communications efforts are better because of her work! Although we're sad to see her go, we wish her well in her new professional endeavors and as a new mom (of Poppy, pictured here)!
Although we're sad to see her go, we're currently taking applications for her replacement at our office in Indianapolis. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please direct them to the job posting here.
|
|
Data Survey Responses Needed
Besides our annual membership dues, the other item we ask from all our schools every fall is to fill out or data survey. The information you provide us in those surveys are extremely helpful to our work during the legislative session every year. We're able to use the data we collect to support our positions on certain bills that may affect our non-public schools.
An email was sent out this past Monday to every school with their specific username and password to fill out their data survey. Please let us know if you need us to resend.
|
|
ADAC Special Education Study
You've seen information about the special education study we're doing in partnership with ADAC in our past newsletters. This is to ensure school leaders have the information and skills to advocate for their students accessing the services and funding to which they are entitled.
The in-person training dates were this week with the final one taking place tomorrow in Evansville. There will be a “make-up” virtual training on November 11, 2021 at 9:30 AM ET. We are hoping that all schools will participate. The registration link is below.
|
|
It is very important for all schools to respond to our special education school leader survey at the button below. If you have not responded, please do so ASAP. This is an essential part of the study. |
|
Legislative Advocacy Training
We're already gearing up for the 2022 legislative session. This will not be a budget year, so any legislation with a cost associated with it will most likely not be considered. We anticipate that our focus will be on playing defense. Last year was one of our best years in terms of schools engaging with their legislators. Schools created videos, met personally with their legislators, held town halls, sent thank you notes, came to the statehouse, and engaged their parents. We're hoping to build on that momentum. As always, we ask schools to appoint a legislative liaison and set two public policy goals. We will be conducting virtual advocacy training for leadership (school leaders, board members, legislative liaisons, and other interested stakeholders). You can find dates and times below. We will also be partnering with Institute for Quality Education (IQE) who will be focusing specifically on training parents in legislative advocacy. Please encourage your school leaders and stakeholders to participate.
INPEA Virtual Training Dates
Register at one of the above links to the virtual training you plan to attend. Please encourage participation to your school's legislative liaisons or parent/teacher community.
|
|
School Requirements Concerning COVID-19
Dr. Kristina Box sent the following documents to superintendents and local health officers this week to clarify any confusion about requirements concerning COVID-19 in schools:
|
|
Voucher Family Stories
As you know, the Choice Scholarship (voucher) Program grew tremendously this past legislative session. We're looking for stories to tell about families impacted by the new financial limits. Reach out to John at jelcesser@inpea.org to connect us with your school family who was positively impacted today!
|
|
Notes from IDOE
Data Exchange Office Hours
IDOE will be hosting weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET and Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. These office hours are intended for school personnel to ask questions and troubleshoot support with Data Exchange implementation. These meetings will be drop-in style and are not recorded. To join the office hours, log in to the Data Exchange Training and Community course in Moodle and select the page for Data Exchange Office Hours. Questions about Data Exchange may be directed to dataexchange@doe.in.gov
Collection of Testing Accommodations
Due to outstanding issues and time considerations, the Department will be opening the DOE-TA Testing Accommodations collection in STN Application Center for collection of testing accommodations for 504, English Language Learner Students with accommodation not housed in the ILP system, and Choice Scholarship Special Education plans (CSEP). This will be the same process used in previous years to submit accommodations for these students. These additional accommodations will not be collected through Data Exchange and should be submitted on DOE-TA. As in prior years, accommodations from IEP and ILP will continue to flow from the PCG systems and do not need to be submitted in STN Application Center. DOE-TA opened on Monday, October 18 and will remain open for all assessments during school year 2021-2022.
|
|
Annual Report
INPEA is blessed tremendously by your annual membership dues that allow us to continue operating the way we do. Do you ever wonder where your dollars go and what we do throughout the year? Take a look at our annual report from this past fiscal year and see how you've helped us make an impact!
|
|
Many thanks to our business partners! |
|
*Would you like to be come an INPEA Business Partner or know a business that would be a good fit? Check out our website here or contact John Elcesser at jelcesser@inpea.org for more information!
|
|
Mission
The Indiana Non-Public Education Association serves as an advocate, promotes engagement, and strives for the advancement of non-public schools.
|
|
|
|
(317) 236-7329
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
