PACAPE represents a significant amount of the private school community in PA, and as such is primarily a supportive, networking organization driven by Private School Associations. It is very positively recognized in the public policy community in PA as representing the diverse communities within the private school community. With a small budget, but highly committed participants, it accomplishes a lot that individual Associations cannot do. 2020 has provided our Association several challenges and opportunities that are highlighted in our spring report.

Several LEAs are pushing toward nonpublic schools not receiving transportation from their school district(s). Here is a bussing letter from Phil Murren; he has given us permission to share and use this document, so please feel free to attach your schools letterhead and use this letter. If you have any questions please reach out to us at pacape@champion.org.

The IU1 recently held a meeting on the NonPublic Health and Safety grant that has some information that may be helpful to you. If you are interested, you can watch the recorded meeting and view their PowerPoint presentation. If you want to be included in the grant application, please submit your letter of support no later than Tuesday, June 30.

* CDC cleaning guidelines for reopening

* EPA list of disinfectants to use to mitigate COVID-19

Pennsylvania received $471 million in funding from Washington. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) created its own set of rules to distribute that money in a manner that blatantly ignores federal guidance. Gov. Wolf and the PA Department of Education are looking to take most of the funding that Congress wants distributed equitably to ALL students. The end result significantly lowers the amount of money to be passed onto Christian schools and non-public school students.

Please take a few minutes to respond to the voter's voice below and contact your legislator:

https://www.votervoice.net/ACSI/campaigns/74654/respond

You can find a sample consultation letter here.

This meeting covered the Equitable Service Ombudsman as required under ESEA sections 1117 (a)(3)(B) and 8501 (a)(3)(B), reviewed statewide consultation meetings, including the goal for each consultation, the transferability of authority and equitable participation, guidance and upcoming trainings. Please read this document for more information regarding the NP Quarterly meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to postpone this year's award ceremony until next year. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for this year; all nominations will be carried over to next year.

PACAPE recently reached out to Governor Wolf and some other legislators to thank them for their leadership in handling the COVID-19 crisis as well as to urge them to include private schools in all school COVID-19 resources and funding. Click here to read the letter.

Click here to view the Congressional Response to COVID-19 as of March 27.

Thank you Senator Toomey for your leadership in the area of school choice and advancing private education.

We are still accepting nominations for the 2020 Teacher & Administrator Awards! If there is someone you believe is worthy of honor and recognition for their hard work and dedication to their students and education, we encourage you to nominate them!