Below are upcoming opportunities to explore.

May

MBK Community Challenge Competition Request for Proposals  My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), an initiative of the Obama Foundation, is now accepting applications for its first MBK Community Challenge Competition. MBK Alliance will be investing more than $5 million nationwide across 12 communities into high-performing nonprofit organizations, affiliated with an MBK Community, with demonstrated experience serving as a “backbone” organization in a “collective impact” model.  The deadline for application submission is 5:00 pm EST on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Engaging Families In Your Childhood Collaboration  Illinois Action for Children invites you to participate in a dynamic workshop where you can learn the latest proven strategies and tactics for actively involving families in your Collaboration.  Join Elaine Robbins Harris, owner of Innovation Solutions Consulting, for a highly impactful learning experience where you will draw from your own insights, personal experiences, and curiosity while hearing expert perspectives and techniques for truly involving and engaging families in your Early Childhood Community Collaboration.

There is no cost to attend and there are four sessions to choose from:

  • May 23 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.| Normal, IL
  • May 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.| Normal, IL
  • June 5 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.| Chicago Heights, IL
  • June 26 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.| Arlington Heights, IL

Call for Reviewers: IL-EMPOWER Learning Partner Applications ISBE is looking for district, school, and teacher leaders to review applications submitted by vendors that wish to work in IL-EMPOWER as a Learning Partner (Partner). IL-EMPOWER, which was approved as part of the Illinois Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan, is the statewide system of accountability and support that empowers schools with greater choice and voice in the school improvement process. IL-EMPOWER is focused on capacity development for statewide school support and it is required for those schools identified to receive comprehensive services. Schools that receive services will complete a needs assessment process using multiple data sources. The findings will guide the identification of priority areas to address in collaboration with Partner(s).  ISBE anticipates receiving between 50-60 applications in late May 2018. Each application must be read by three reviewers within a 15-day time frame.   If you are interested, please submit a summary of professional experience to Henri Fonville at hfonvill@isbe.net. Contact Jason Helfer at jhelfer@isbe.net or (217) 782-4123 with questions.

June

The Elevate Teaching Summit – Ensuring an Excellent Educator for Every Illinois Classroom  Saturday, June 2, 2018, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Oak Park, IL. Join national and state PreK-12 teachers, principals, advocates, and policymakers for a dialog on teacher quality in Illinois.By the end of the Summit, we will leave with new objectives and refreshed momentum toward elevating the teaching profession in Illinois. For more information, contact Jim O’Connor at 312-235-4537 or joconnor@advanceillinois.org

Illinois Birth-to-Third Grade (B-3) Continuity Conference  The Illinois Birth-to-Third Grade (B-3) Continuity Conference is set for June 13-14, 2018 at the Double Tree Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois. The B-3 Conference is open to school districts and community leaders working towards birth-to-third grade alignment strategies in their community. Communities are encouraged to come as teams with representatives from early childhood, K-12 schools, and the broader community.

October

2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium  October 11–13, 2018, in Denver, Colorado.  In the spirit of collaboration, Battelle for Kids and the National Rural Education Association (NREA) will host the 2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium.  This annual event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community—national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders—to learn and share ideas around the topics at the forefront of rural education and to ensure 21st century learning is a reality for all rural students.