Daily Archives: April 22, 2007

by | April 22, 2007 · 3:10 pm

Operation Loud & Proud

Lots of grassroots action on school funding issues happening locally. One I particularly like is from my son’s Language Arts and Life Skills teacher, Jon Hawkins. Jon has set up two letter writing workshops to help “anyone who is involved in the lives of our children and concerned about the future of their education…[to] speak out” more effectively. The workshops will be held at JC Wright Middle School Thursday April 26th (6:00 to 7:30 PM) and Saturday April 28th (12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM). More details here, including an offer to try to secure childcare and translation services.

My understanding is that students are encouraged to attend and write letters. Those of us who were at the Sondy Pope Roberts press conference know how effective the voices of students can be.

I don’t know if this is officially part of the “social action” component of the Wright charter, but I do think it is appropiate that a Language Arts and Life Skills teacher help others use language to participate in the legislative process. This is civic education of the best sort.

Thomas J. Mertz

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Filed under AMPS, Best Practices, Budget, Local News, School Finance, Take Action

by | April 22, 2007 · 12:46 am

What You Can Do to Support MMSD School Finance Advocacy Group: An Update from Arlene Silveira

The Board meeting on the evening of Wednesday, April 25 will be at 6:30pm at Wright Middle School. The purpose of the meeting is to outline a long-term advocacy strategy, empower community members to move this forward, discuss best ways of communicating. This will be an interactive meeting with the community. The agenda is below:

1. Update of legislative activities since the March 29 meeting (come and share any info you have on your advocacy efforts and responses from legislators or other community members)

2. Planning for long-term legislative advocacy to change the revenue limit law for K-12 public schools (break into small groups to talk about different strategies and prioritize our top issues)

3. Identification of people who would continue to lead the process of advocating to change the revenue limit law (does anyone ant to take a role in leading the different strategies we outline)

4. Next steps and action items

WHAT YOU CAN DO BEFORE THE MEETING?

In your advocacy efforts, if you have encountered questions that you could not answer, please let us know in advance of the meeting. We will prepare answers to these questions if possible.

If there is information you need to better advocate, please let us know. If it is something we should prepare in advance of the meeting, please let us know ASAP.

Start thinking about advocacy strategies that you can share at the meeting.

If you have any information you want to share with the group beforehand, please do so.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Thanks to all who attended the Sondy Pope-Roberts press conference on Thursday. MMSD had a great turn-out!!!! People are starting to listen.

VISIT THE CAPITOL on APRIL 25th

The Lowell parent group is organizing a trip to the capitol on April 25th at 3:30pm. Visit legislators and show support. If you need more information, please contact Lynn at 242-9355, Jill at 249-4377 or email Jack @ mjtrudell@charter.net

Thanks.
Arlene Silveira

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Filed under AMPS, Pope-Roberts/Breske Resolution, School Finance, Take Action