Capital Day Recap
Thanks to each student, parent, teacher and supporter of online public school programs who came to our Third Annual Online Learning Day at the Capitol, April 6th. Thanks, too, for the families who launched www.waonlinefamilies.org that provided our first ever online registration with advance info to over 150 participants. The invitations, schedule of activities, maps of the Capitol, directions for parking, tips for talking with legislators and other insider info, helped make planning a trip to the Capitol easier than ever.
Over 250 of us started our day in the Capitol’s Columbia Room where students delivered distinctive name-tag lanyards to everyone. Each group was given a waonlinefamilies.org red bag with colorful, helpful handouts inside. Between 9:30-11:00, expert “insiders” provided short briefings with Q&A sessions on-the-spot. Unfortunately, the acoustics weren’t great. So, next time, we’ll need a PA system.
After registering and getting their questions answered, families were encouraged to meet one-on-one with their elected representatives. Many used the student-created Capitol note cards to leave personal messages at their legislator’s offices. Since both the Senate and House were “in session” throughout the day, other families were able to “pull” their legislators “off the floor” to share why online learning is a good fit for their family. Everyone was well received.
At noon we all gathered under the Capitol Dome to present our “Pioneer Educator” awards -- authentic sounding, old-fashioned school bells -- to leading legislators for their strong support for online education in Washington State: Senator Tracey Eide, Senator Curtis King, Senator Eric Oemig, Senator Rodney Tom, Representative Skip Priest and Representative Dave Quall. State Attorney General Rob McKenna welcomed us.
What a beautiful gathering of supporters from Washington Families for Online Learning. In the photo you can see we packed the marble steps of the Capitol Rotunda from top to bottom, side to side.
State Rep. Dave Quall (D-Mount Vernon) was recognized at the 3rd Annual Online Learning Day at the Capitol by Washington Families for Online Learning. The organization honored Quall with a Pioneer Educator Award.
Each of our award recipients offered brief words of encouragement about the value of online public school programs. You can see some of the program in this video provided by Sen. Rodney Tom’s office.
Our ceremony ended with lively entertainment by a talented family singing about their own online learning experiences.
We’re so glad you came. We hope you’ll share your ideas on how to make the day even better for you next year by emailing us at info@waonlinefamilies.org . We’d love to post some photos you may have taken, too. Please send photos to waonlinefamilies@gmail.com. If you have a video from the day, please post it on YouTube with a tag “WA CAP DAY 2009” and email us the link.
Our coalition of WA Families for Online Learning made a lasting impression on our elected representatives who will determine the future of online learning for your child and thousands of other students. If you weren’t able to join us this year, we sure hope to see you next time!
Finally, stay tuned for more info about the outcome of this legislative session. YOU made a positive impact this year. We’ll send a session recap soon!
Over 250 of us started our day in the Capitol’s Columbia Room where students delivered distinctive name-tag lanyards to everyone. Each group was given a waonlinefamilies.org red bag with colorful, helpful handouts inside. Between 9:30-11:00, expert “insiders” provided short briefings with Q&A sessions on-the-spot. Unfortunately, the acoustics weren’t great. So, next time, we’ll need a PA system.
After registering and getting their questions answered, families were encouraged to meet one-on-one with their elected representatives. Many used the student-created Capitol note cards to leave personal messages at their legislator’s offices. Since both the Senate and House were “in session” throughout the day, other families were able to “pull” their legislators “off the floor” to share why online learning is a good fit for their family. Everyone was well received.
At noon we all gathered under the Capitol Dome to present our “Pioneer Educator” awards -- authentic sounding, old-fashioned school bells -- to leading legislators for their strong support for online education in Washington State: Senator Tracey Eide, Senator Curtis King, Senator Eric Oemig, Senator Rodney Tom, Representative Skip Priest and Representative Dave Quall. State Attorney General Rob McKenna welcomed us.
What a beautiful gathering of supporters from Washington Families for Online Learning. In the photo you can see we packed the marble steps of the Capitol Rotunda from top to bottom, side to side.
State Rep. Dave Quall (D-Mount Vernon) was recognized at the 3rd Annual Online Learning Day at the Capitol by Washington Families for Online Learning. The organization honored Quall with a Pioneer Educator Award.
Attorney General Rob McKenna offers welcoming remarks at our Day at the Capitol.
Each of our award recipients offered brief words of encouragement about the value of online public school programs. You can see some of the program in this video provided by Sen. Rodney Tom’s office.
Our ceremony ended with lively entertainment by a talented family singing about their own online learning experiences.
We’re so glad you came. We hope you’ll share your ideas on how to make the day even better for you next year by emailing us at info@waonlinefamilies.org . We’d love to post some photos you may have taken, too. Please send photos to waonlinefamilies@gmail.com. If you have a video from the day, please post it on YouTube with a tag “WA CAP DAY 2009” and email us the link.
Our coalition of WA Families for Online Learning made a lasting impression on our elected representatives who will determine the future of online learning for your child and thousands of other students. If you weren’t able to join us this year, we sure hope to see you next time!
Finally, stay tuned for more info about the outcome of this legislative session. YOU made a positive impact this year. We’ll send a session recap soon!
