Focus Day Action Alert Feb 20, 2012
Dear advocates,
Kids come first.
· Kids need a great basic education. And most important, kids need it fully funded.
· Kids need to be kept healthy and safe. And most important, kids need champions.
· They need you to be their champion. Today.
Take action.
February 20 is Washington State PTA’s Focus Day. This is the day we focus on Olympia and tell our state leaders that kids come first.
It is also the day key legislators meet with members to let us know what’s ahead and how we can better focus our work. The chairman of House Ways and Means, Rep. Ross Hunter, will help kick off our rally at noon on the Capitol Steps. He promised to be brief but warned he had a fair amount to say about what’s next.
What’s next is February 21 -- budget day, when the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on its proposal. The Senate will release its proposed budget shortly thereafter.
Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling that Washington is failing to meet its paramount duty there are legislators who are not convinced that K-12 can’t take more cuts. Who explore the idea of cutting school days, or cutting requirements to make basic education more affordable.
Kids are relying on you. The education they get HAS to be the one they need. And it can’t come at the expense of their health and safety.
Please take action. Help us focus on Olympia. Tell legislators kids MUST come first in this budget. Re-invest in schools. Keep kids safe.
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
Kids come first.
· Kids need a great basic education. And most important, kids need it fully funded.
· Kids need to be kept healthy and safe. And most important, kids need champions.
· They need you to be their champion. Today.
Take action.
February 20 is Washington State PTA’s Focus Day. This is the day we focus on Olympia and tell our state leaders that kids come first.
It is also the day key legislators meet with members to let us know what’s ahead and how we can better focus our work. The chairman of House Ways and Means, Rep. Ross Hunter, will help kick off our rally at noon on the Capitol Steps. He promised to be brief but warned he had a fair amount to say about what’s next.
What’s next is February 21 -- budget day, when the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on its proposal. The Senate will release its proposed budget shortly thereafter.
Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling that Washington is failing to meet its paramount duty there are legislators who are not convinced that K-12 can’t take more cuts. Who explore the idea of cutting school days, or cutting requirements to make basic education more affordable.
Kids are relying on you. The education they get HAS to be the one they need. And it can’t come at the expense of their health and safety.
Please take action. Help us focus on Olympia. Tell legislators kids MUST come first in this budget. Re-invest in schools. Keep kids safe.
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
Please take a minute to send your legislators a valentine thanking them for making kids the heart of decisions down in Olympia.
TAKE ACTION
Some context for legislative advocacy this session:
CONCERN: Nearly 4 out of 10 kids are living in families that struggle to afford food, health care, housing and child care. Between 2007 and 2010, the unemployment rate among parents more than doubled; at last count, 1 in 10 children had at least one unemployed parent.
GOOD NEWS: On time graduation rates in the state have steadily increased over the last 5 years, from 70 percent to 76 percent. The biggest increase was among black students, from 54 percent in 2005-06 to 67 percent in 2009-10. In some counties, the increases were much higher. (Find out how kids are doing statewide and in your area: Kids Count in Washington.)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? PTA’s hard work to better support K-12 students is paying off, but small ones just coming into the system may face tough obstacles and more of our older students may be in poverty.
Washington State PTA advocates for the well-being and education of all children. That means getting them off to the right start, making sure they are healthy and safe, and – especially – giving them the education they need to live great lives.
Help kids out by sending a valentine on their behalf.
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
Some context for legislative advocacy this session:
CONCERN: Nearly 4 out of 10 kids are living in families that struggle to afford food, health care, housing and child care. Between 2007 and 2010, the unemployment rate among parents more than doubled; at last count, 1 in 10 children had at least one unemployed parent.
GOOD NEWS: On time graduation rates in the state have steadily increased over the last 5 years, from 70 percent to 76 percent. The biggest increase was among black students, from 54 percent in 2005-06 to 67 percent in 2009-10. In some counties, the increases were much higher. (Find out how kids are doing statewide and in your area: Kids Count in Washington.)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? PTA’s hard work to better support K-12 students is paying off, but small ones just coming into the system may face tough obstacles and more of our older students may be in poverty.
Washington State PTA advocates for the well-being and education of all children. That means getting them off to the right start, making sure they are healthy and safe, and – especially – giving them the education they need to live great lives.
Help kids out by sending a valentine on their behalf.
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
State needs to keeps its promise
Legislative Action Alert http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/ State needs to keep its promise
House bill would kill 24-credit diplomaThe House Education Committee is considering a bill, HB 2411, that would abandon the 24-credit college and career diploma promised in the Program of Basic Education. The state instead would provide for 18 credits in high school.
Washington State PTA strongly opposes.
The expanded graduation requirements laid out in 2009’s HB 2261 would allow high school students to take the core curriculum they need while also exploring their interests through electives. We believe students should be able to take arts, music and physical education. They should be able to take four years of math and science as well as a few career and technical education classes. We don’t believe children should be tracked.
This bill closes off opportunities and is a step back in a system that is already underfunded, inequitable and unstable.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
House bill would kill 24-credit diplomaThe House Education Committee is considering a bill, HB 2411, that would abandon the 24-credit college and career diploma promised in the Program of Basic Education. The state instead would provide for 18 credits in high school.
Washington State PTA strongly opposes.
The expanded graduation requirements laid out in 2009’s HB 2261 would allow high school students to take the core curriculum they need while also exploring their interests through electives. We believe students should be able to take arts, music and physical education. They should be able to take four years of math and science as well as a few career and technical education classes. We don’t believe children should be tracked.
This bill closes off opportunities and is a step back in a system that is already underfunded, inequitable and unstable.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Take Action - Cutting School Hurts Kids 11/29/11
There are a million-plus kids in K-12 public schools. Wouldn’t it be amazing if 1 million voices spoke up for their basic education?
Take Action – Cutting schools hurts kids:
http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/
Alert is live through 12/30.
(We’re just under 1,000 alerts sent)
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
rhatttendorf@wastatepta.org
(mobile) 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. West, Tacoma, WA 98466
(office) 253-565-2153
Take Action – Cutting schools hurts kids:
http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/
Alert is live through 12/30.
(We’re just under 1,000 alerts sent)
Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
rhatttendorf@wastatepta.org
(mobile) 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. West, Tacoma, WA 98466
(office) 253-565-2153
Kids' Health/Nutrition Action Alert
November 22, 2011 Dear Shelley,
Your voice was extremely important as we tried to keep Congress from blocking improvements to the meals served to our kids at schools all over the U.S. We were successful at protecting most of the nutrition standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Unfortunately, some members of Congress were able to weaken several of the agency’s key recommendations.
Let Congress know that you're disappointed that they didn’t stand up for children’s health.
USDA proposed a plan last spring to make school meals healthier. The proposal, based on the most up-to-date nutrition science, would ensure schools include more nutrient-rich, dark green, orange, and leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as part of school cafeteria menus. The standards would limit salt, unhealthy fats, and calories.
Well-balanced, nutritious school meals support what parents do at home, and help kids stay healthy, reducing their risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses. Thousands of schools across the country are already making a difference by serving healthier school meals, showing it can be done in an era of tight school budgets. Parents and teachers know from experience and science tells us that kids who eat well aren’t just healthier; they also perform better at school. Ultimately, that affects all of us, benefiting our economy while reducing healthcare costs.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives appropriations committee tried to stop USDA from moving forward with its plan. Your emails were critical in preventing that attempt.
However, this fall, the parallel committee in the U.S. Senate dealt a blow to the process when it voted to block any restrictions on how often starchy vegetables can be served in school meals, limits that had been proposed to encourage kids to eat more nutritious veggies. In addition, USDA’s proposal would have changed a policy that allows as little as two tablespoons of tomato paste to count as a serving of vegetables; this policy has been interpreted to allow a slice of pizza to be considered a serving of VEGETABLES! Unfortunately, the final bill agreed to by House and Senate negotiators includes a provision that could impede the agency from closing this loophole—so pizza may actually be considered a vegetable under the final rule.
Tell Congress that you don’t support actions that undermine the goal of giving all children access to healthy school meals with real fruits and vegetables. Let them know that thousands of schools across the country are already proving healthy changes can be made, at reasonable costs and without relying on an old stand-by to fill their menus.
Your voice was extremely important as we tried to keep Congress from blocking improvements to the meals served to our kids at schools all over the U.S. We were successful at protecting most of the nutrition standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Unfortunately, some members of Congress were able to weaken several of the agency’s key recommendations.
Let Congress know that you're disappointed that they didn’t stand up for children’s health.
USDA proposed a plan last spring to make school meals healthier. The proposal, based on the most up-to-date nutrition science, would ensure schools include more nutrient-rich, dark green, orange, and leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as part of school cafeteria menus. The standards would limit salt, unhealthy fats, and calories.
Well-balanced, nutritious school meals support what parents do at home, and help kids stay healthy, reducing their risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses. Thousands of schools across the country are already making a difference by serving healthier school meals, showing it can be done in an era of tight school budgets. Parents and teachers know from experience and science tells us that kids who eat well aren’t just healthier; they also perform better at school. Ultimately, that affects all of us, benefiting our economy while reducing healthcare costs.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives appropriations committee tried to stop USDA from moving forward with its plan. Your emails were critical in preventing that attempt.
However, this fall, the parallel committee in the U.S. Senate dealt a blow to the process when it voted to block any restrictions on how often starchy vegetables can be served in school meals, limits that had been proposed to encourage kids to eat more nutritious veggies. In addition, USDA’s proposal would have changed a policy that allows as little as two tablespoons of tomato paste to count as a serving of vegetables; this policy has been interpreted to allow a slice of pizza to be considered a serving of VEGETABLES! Unfortunately, the final bill agreed to by House and Senate negotiators includes a provision that could impede the agency from closing this loophole—so pizza may actually be considered a vegetable under the final rule.
Tell Congress that you don’t support actions that undermine the goal of giving all children access to healthy school meals with real fruits and vegetables. Let them know that thousands of schools across the country are already proving healthy changes can be made, at reasonable costs and without relying on an old stand-by to fill their menus.
Send a Message to our Legislators: School Nutrition
Hungry kids? What would our founders say?!
Dear advocates,
School lunch programs are taking a $6 million dollar hit. The Meals for Kids Coalition could use our help. Cut and paste below.
Find your legislator: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
----------------------
Dear xxx,
I am channeling the PTA pioneers today in asking you to please support school nutrition and restore funding to OSPI's food service budget. Back before our association got proper lunch programs in place, the Washington ladies lugged in vegetables from home and cooked up pots of simmering soup -- right outside the schoolhouse.
It's been over 100 years, but the need is the same. Our kids need those vegetables and whole grains -- now more than ever. Food costs are going up, and proposed cuts will leave kids hungry.
So please, help feed the kids and throw some money in the pot.
Thanks so very much!
-----------------
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
Dear advocates,
School lunch programs are taking a $6 million dollar hit. The Meals for Kids Coalition could use our help. Cut and paste below.
Find your legislator: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
----------------------
Dear xxx,
I am channeling the PTA pioneers today in asking you to please support school nutrition and restore funding to OSPI's food service budget. Back before our association got proper lunch programs in place, the Washington ladies lugged in vegetables from home and cooked up pots of simmering soup -- right outside the schoolhouse.
It's been over 100 years, but the need is the same. Our kids need those vegetables and whole grains -- now more than ever. Food costs are going up, and proposed cuts will leave kids hungry.
So please, help feed the kids and throw some money in the pot.
Thanks so very much!
-----------------
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
ACT NOW! Go the the Legislative Action Center and send a message to our Legislators.
It's Quick and Easy.
http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/
Action Alert: HB 1443
Dear advocates,
Our lead bill, HB 1443, has cleared committees and the House floor with bi-partisan support, but it hasn't gotten a hearing in Senate Ways and Means. This identifies thoughtful steps we can take in this bad economy to improve instruction, close the gap and support teachers.
It needs your help. I have an Action Alert set up (yes - the alert center is back and running!). Please click over and send Senator Murray, chair of Senate Ways and Means, a note.
http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/
(Click on Take Action button in the featured alert)
Many thanks!
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
Our lead bill, HB 1443, has cleared committees and the House floor with bi-partisan support, but it hasn't gotten a hearing in Senate Ways and Means. This identifies thoughtful steps we can take in this bad economy to improve instruction, close the gap and support teachers.
It needs your help. I have an Action Alert set up (yes - the alert center is back and running!). Please click over and send Senator Murray, chair of Senate Ways and Means, a note.
http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/home/
(Click on Take Action button in the featured alert)
Many thanks!
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
Save the Office of the Education Ombudsman
Education Ombudsman could be abolished. Please act
CHECK THEM OUT:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/oeo/
PLEASE contact Senator McAuliffe ASAP. We need as many people as possible, especially special education parents. The message is:
Dear Senator McAuliffe,
Please remove the line that abolishes the Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO) in SSB 5639. This office saves state money by resolving complaints before they turn into expensive lawsuits for parents and schools! It promotes continual improvement while collecting statewide data so it can advise all educators, families, students and other government agencies on which steps we need to take to keep kids in school.
This office helps each of the 1 million children in Washington public schools and is critical for our most marginalized.
rosemary.mcauliffe@Leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7600
Please also contact YOUR senator and let them know the same message.
Find your legislator:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
BACKGROUND:
Several years ago Washington State PTA was a strong supporter for a new Office of the Education Ombudsman. Education Ombudsmen are trained problem-solvers who bring families and educators together to resolve conflict and disputes that otherwise drive kids out of school. As impartial third parties, they provide consultation, coaching, facilitation, and mediation.
This is the first agency of its kind in the nation and it offers our K-12 schools innovative, cost-effective alternatives to costly lawsuits and administrative hearings. It promotes continual improvement while collecting data so it can advise all educators, families, students and other government agencies on which steps we need to take to keep kids in school. Most of their cases deal with special education or bullying and harassment.
The Washington State PTA strongly supports this office. It is beneficial to each of our 1 million public school students and is critical for our most marginalized.
Well, the office would be abolished in a bill before the Senate - SSB 5639. We need you to contact Senator McAuliffe ASAP.
SSB 5639 is the governor's new education governance (P-20) bill. The governor's version highlighted the Office of the Education Ombudsman. The Senate education committee voted in the substitute to abolish it. It was in the Senate Ways and Means Committee last week (where we testified against) and it has been sent back to Senator McAuliffe for re-drafting.
Senator McAuliffe is in District 1, which encompasses: Bothell, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Northcreek, Martha Lake, North Lynnwood, Maltby, Echo Lake and Cathcart.
Here is her contact information:
Senator Rosemary McAuliffe
403 Legislative Building
PO Box 40401
Olympia, WA 98504-0401
(360) 786-7600
Fax: (360) 786-1999
Her e-mail: rosemary.mcauliffe@Leg.wa.gov
Thanks so much!
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
CHECK THEM OUT:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/oeo/
PLEASE contact Senator McAuliffe ASAP. We need as many people as possible, especially special education parents. The message is:
Dear Senator McAuliffe,
Please remove the line that abolishes the Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO) in SSB 5639. This office saves state money by resolving complaints before they turn into expensive lawsuits for parents and schools! It promotes continual improvement while collecting statewide data so it can advise all educators, families, students and other government agencies on which steps we need to take to keep kids in school.
This office helps each of the 1 million children in Washington public schools and is critical for our most marginalized.
rosemary.mcauliffe@Leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7600
Please also contact YOUR senator and let them know the same message.
Find your legislator:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
BACKGROUND:
Several years ago Washington State PTA was a strong supporter for a new Office of the Education Ombudsman. Education Ombudsmen are trained problem-solvers who bring families and educators together to resolve conflict and disputes that otherwise drive kids out of school. As impartial third parties, they provide consultation, coaching, facilitation, and mediation.
This is the first agency of its kind in the nation and it offers our K-12 schools innovative, cost-effective alternatives to costly lawsuits and administrative hearings. It promotes continual improvement while collecting data so it can advise all educators, families, students and other government agencies on which steps we need to take to keep kids in school. Most of their cases deal with special education or bullying and harassment.
The Washington State PTA strongly supports this office. It is beneficial to each of our 1 million public school students and is critical for our most marginalized.
Well, the office would be abolished in a bill before the Senate - SSB 5639. We need you to contact Senator McAuliffe ASAP.
SSB 5639 is the governor's new education governance (P-20) bill. The governor's version highlighted the Office of the Education Ombudsman. The Senate education committee voted in the substitute to abolish it. It was in the Senate Ways and Means Committee last week (where we testified against) and it has been sent back to Senator McAuliffe for re-drafting.
Senator McAuliffe is in District 1, which encompasses: Bothell, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Northcreek, Martha Lake, North Lynnwood, Maltby, Echo Lake and Cathcart.
Here is her contact information:
Senator Rosemary McAuliffe
403 Legislative Building
PO Box 40401
Olympia, WA 98504-0401
(360) 786-7600
Fax: (360) 786-1999
Her e-mail: rosemary.mcauliffe@Leg.wa.gov
Thanks so much!
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
Focus Day Follow Up
Ask three friends to call or write their legislators:
Help us save our ABCs. Please let your legislators know education is your priority and that K-12 schools need their strong support. (On the line? Kindergarten, class sizes, instructional time.)
CALL, toll-free hotline: 800.562.6000.
EMAIL: https://dlr.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx.
Hearing impaired toll-free TTY hotline: 800.635-9993.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR, FIND THEM BY YOUR ADDRESS:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
1003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
Help us save our ABCs. Please let your legislators know education is your priority and that K-12 schools need their strong support. (On the line? Kindergarten, class sizes, instructional time.)
CALL, toll-free hotline: 800.562.6000.
EMAIL: https://dlr.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx.
Hearing impaired toll-free TTY hotline: 800.635-9993.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR, FIND THEM BY YOUR ADDRESS:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
Ramona Hattendorf
Government Relations Coordinator
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
1003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
JOIN WITH WSPTA TO TAKE UP NATIONAL PTA’S NATIONAL ADVOCACY CHALLENGE
As you probably know, many of the national programs that benefit children came about largely because of PTA advocacy. That legacy has been passed on to us because of the work of those who preceded us as PTA leaders. Earlier this week National PTA President Chuck Saylors issued a challenge to all PTA members and their state associations to carry on the legacy of national advocacy at an even higher level than before:
To increase PTA’s voice on Capitol Hill, we challenge all PTA members to join the PTA Takes Action Network and respond to every action alert by reaching out to their members of Congress. The state with the highest increase in number of PTA Takes Action Network members and response rates to action alerts between now and May 15, 2010, will be named the National PTA Takes Action Challenge Champion and recognized at the National PTA Convention in Memphis, Tennessee, June 10–13, 2010.
Washington State PTA is taking up this challenge, and we encourage every local unit to make it one of their highest priorities. The most important effort is to encourage as many of our members as possible to sign up for the PTA Takes Action Network, and then use the user-friendly system to communicate PTA’s message to your Senator or Congress member. To help you, National PTA has provided us a Local Unit Leader Tool Kit which includes the full text of President Saylor’s challenge and which you can download from the WSPTA Advocacy Page. Washington has a long history of advocacy at the local, state and national level, and we urge you to help us continue that work on behalf of our children.
Bill Williams Executive Director Washington State PTA 2003 65th Avenue W. Tacoma WA 98466 1-800-562-3804 every child.one voice
As you probably know, many of the national programs that benefit children came about largely because of PTA advocacy. That legacy has been passed on to us because of the work of those who preceded us as PTA leaders. Earlier this week National PTA President Chuck Saylors issued a challenge to all PTA members and their state associations to carry on the legacy of national advocacy at an even higher level than before:
To increase PTA’s voice on Capitol Hill, we challenge all PTA members to join the PTA Takes Action Network and respond to every action alert by reaching out to their members of Congress. The state with the highest increase in number of PTA Takes Action Network members and response rates to action alerts between now and May 15, 2010, will be named the National PTA Takes Action Challenge Champion and recognized at the National PTA Convention in Memphis, Tennessee, June 10–13, 2010.
Washington State PTA is taking up this challenge, and we encourage every local unit to make it one of their highest priorities. The most important effort is to encourage as many of our members as possible to sign up for the PTA Takes Action Network, and then use the user-friendly system to communicate PTA’s message to your Senator or Congress member. To help you, National PTA has provided us a Local Unit Leader Tool Kit which includes the full text of President Saylor’s challenge and which you can download from the WSPTA Advocacy Page. Washington has a long history of advocacy at the local, state and national level, and we urge you to help us continue that work on behalf of our children.
Bill Williams Executive Director Washington State PTA 2003 65th Avenue W. Tacoma WA 98466 1-800-562-3804 every child.one voice
Action Alert in Support of Education Funding – Use Your Voice to Support Kids!
You can influence the funding decisions that will be made over the next few months, but you need to act now and encourage all of your contacts who support public education to act as well.
Olympia needs to hear our message loud and clear. Here’s why:
Legislators need to hear from parents about how last year’s education cuts impacted kids and the expected impact in the coming year. Many really aren’t sure that there is a problem.
· Those who lobby for the other kinds of services, for example pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies that lobby for healthcare, will also be speaking out loudly.
· Many other groups are also better funded and more organized than the education community.
· If we want legislators to value education as part of the upcoming process, we need to let them know that we care and are willing to speak out.
Follow the link below to the action alert which will be live until December 20. Let’s see how many messages we can generate! I will be tracking and sharing progress. Challenge: See which region can post the most messages, figured as a percentage of those in your region!
http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/
Kim Howard
Government Relations
Washington State PTA
2003 65th Ave. West
Tacoma, WA 98466
253-565-2153 office
360-951-0174 cell
khoward@wastatepta.org
You can influence the funding decisions that will be made over the next few months, but you need to act now and encourage all of your contacts who support public education to act as well.
Olympia needs to hear our message loud and clear. Here’s why:
Legislators need to hear from parents about how last year’s education cuts impacted kids and the expected impact in the coming year. Many really aren’t sure that there is a problem.
· Those who lobby for the other kinds of services, for example pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies that lobby for healthcare, will also be speaking out loudly.
· Many other groups are also better funded and more organized than the education community.
· If we want legislators to value education as part of the upcoming process, we need to let them know that we care and are willing to speak out.
Follow the link below to the action alert which will be live until December 20. Let’s see how many messages we can generate! I will be tracking and sharing progress. Challenge: See which region can post the most messages, figured as a percentage of those in your region!
http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/
Kim Howard
Government Relations
Washington State PTA
2003 65th Ave. West
Tacoma, WA 98466
253-565-2153 office
360-951-0174 cell
khoward@wastatepta.org
