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Institute Newsletter for January 26, 2026

Institute Newsletter for January 29, 2026

Dear Colleague:

We have several important updates for you as everyone digs out from this past weekend’s snowstorm and our colleagues in NYC prepare for another storm this weekend (allegedly – but I am not a meteorologist). As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions and stay safe.

Kathryn

SUNY System Updates

2026-27 Empire State Services Corps – Host Site Application Deadline January 31, 2026 

In 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Empire State Service Corps (ESSC) to promote paid civic and service opportunities in NYS. This application is for campus or community-based organizations, non-profits, school districts, charter schools, and other mission aligned organizations that would like to host Empire State Service Corps Members for the 2026 summer corps and serve as an ESSC Summer Corps Host Site. Summer Service period is approximately May through August 2026 (exact start and end dates are flexible and subject to both student and organization needs/availability.)

New York charter schools are eligible to apply to be host sites for the ESSC member students.  (The priority deadline is January 31st, but applications will be accepted through the fall. Interested organizations are highly encouraged to apply by the deadline.)

ESSC member students are expected to work 300 hours over the academic year (and no more than 29 hours per week) and will be paid $16 an hour through the program (not by the host site). Student members are employed by their SUNY campus and designated to a host organization placement site where they will perform service work/projects during the summer service period. The ESSC will also support with initial onboarding, including fingerprinting and background checks for ESSC members and partners. Host sites will support campus staff by maintaining regular communication, ensuring placed students are reporting accurate hours and that their performance is in good standing.

Students will be interviewed for the ESSC program in early February. Once students are selected, ESSC will identify a potential host site match. ESSC will then contact the targeted host site and together determine whether the student will be the right fit. All final matches will be determined by March 5th.

Learn more about the program
Apply to be a host site

Institute Updates

Reminder: Departure of Trustees
As outlined in § 2.2(f) of the Charter Agreement, the board must notify the Institute, in writing, within 5 business days of any resignation, removal, expiration of a term without re-election, or other departures of a board member. For more information on when and how a board may remove a trustee, please see the Institute’s Guide to Board Governance on our Legal Compliance website.

The board must send an email with the departing trustee’s name, date of departure, and reason for departure to [email protected]. If available, please include any resignation letter or email from the departing trustee.

Please note: Trustees who depart from the board during the year are still required to complete a Financial Disclosure form for inclusion in the August 1st annual report. To ensure timely submission, it is best practice for the board to collect the completed form at the time of the trustee’s departure.

Reminder: Process for the Approval of New Board Trustees
Please note that when the board votes to add a new trustee, that individual cannot vote, count toward quorum, or take any official action on behalf of the education corporation until the Institute issues an official approval in writing.

As outlined in § 2.3 of the Charter Agreement, the first step when electing a new trustee is for the board to vote on the approval and record the vote in the board minutes. After the board vote, a board representative should send an email with the candidate’s name to [email protected]. The Institute team will schedule tasks in Epicenter for you to upload the required documents listed below.

  • Request for Information Form* (“RFI”) completed and signed by the candidate;
  • Resume or brief biographical information of the candidate;
  • A copy of the board resolution or minutes showing approval of the prospective member; and,
  • An updated and complete Board Contact List* of board members, the candidate, and officers.

*Please use the template forms provided in the Epicenter Task. Once all documents are received and reviewed, and if everything is in order, the Institute will issue an approval letter.

Reminder: Q2 Financial Report / Enrollment or Admissions Policy Revisions Due February 16, 2026

Please see the compliance calendar for details. For questions on the reporting requirements for the financial reports, please email [email protected]. For information on the revisions process, please reach out to [email protected].

NYSED Updates

ESBOCES Data Reporting Training

The NYSED Charter Schools Office, in collaboration with ESBOCES, will host ESBOCES Data Reporting training in person. School and operations leaders, and any other staff responsible for data reporting are welcome to register and attend the training course.

New Level 0 Users: Ideal for anyone in their first year of responsibility reporting data in the NYS Level 0 software. Attendees will learn about the NYSED annual reporting requirements, the order in which data is reported and the flow of data for the NYCDOE in Level 0 to NYSED.  The training will outline SED’s reporting timeline, data reporting requirements and use of data reported requirements. The training will emphasize the resources, systems and help desk supports available from ESBOCES to complete this work. You will also get a thorough review of our favorite tips and tricks to support your work reporting data in Level 0.

Returning Level 0 Users: This session will review the NYSED annual reporting requirements and present information on the new template rolling out this spring: Student Infraction Response. You will also get a thorough review of our favorite tips and tricks to support your work reporting data in Level 0.

Details:
When:

  • March 9:
    Returning Level 0 Users: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    New Level 0 Users: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • March 10:
    New Level 0 Users: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    New Level 0 Users: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • March 11:
    Returning Level 0 Users: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm
    Returning Level 0 Users: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Where: 65 Court Street, Brooklyn, Room 922B
Register in advance for this meeting: https://forms.office.com/r/MqK9xdgKQr
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For questions, submit a ticket at charterschools.mojohelpdesk.com.
Your DOE credentials may be required to access the link(s) above.

New Podcast

Launching a New Charter School with Natalie Lozada, Executive Director, Haven Charter High School

Natalie Lozada, the founding Executive Director of Haven Charter High School, joins the podcast to discuss the STEM-based CTE high school’s launch this past August. Natalie discusses the inspiration behind Haven and how the school built ties within the local Bronx community and successfully navigated initial challenges and the pre-opening process.

Listen or watch on:

Opportunities for SUNY Authorized Charter Schools 

  • The Aspiring Teachers Program at New Leaders: New Leaders, a national education nonprofit, has partnered with St. Francis College on the Aspiring Teachers Accelerator, a competency-based teacher preparation and certification program designed to support paraprofessionals, underqualified teachers, and career changers to enter full-time teaching roles at the elementary school level. The flexible, fully online pathway provides educators with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree and teacher certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities and includes partial funding to support enrollment through a grant from the Buck Foundation. The program includes student teaching experience, mentorship and support, and the chance to earn credit for prior experience and coursework to move faster toward completion. Applications for the Spring cohort are due February 9, 2026, so reach out to New Leaders today through their website.

 

 

  • Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz: Microcredentials for Educators 
    The Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz is a nationally recognized hub for educators united by a shared goal: improving literacy outcomes for all children through research-backed teaching practices. Grounded in decades of cognitive and educational science, the Center promotes evidence-based knowledge that helps teachers and school leaders support every student, regardless of socio-economic status, in becoming a confident, capable reader. Offerings include:
  • Continuing education microcredentials, live events, webinars, and professional networking opportunities, all designed to strengthen instructional practice across districts and classrooms, and;
  • The Science of Reading Fundamentals Microcredential, a fully online, self-paced program that offers a deeper understanding of the science behind how children learn to read and apply these strategies immediately in their classrooms. The credential, which costs $50 per individual, provides 35 CTLE hours for New York educators.

The Center has also established partnerships with state, regional, district, and nonprofit partners and encourages charter schools to contact them directly at [email protected]