You're needed in Olympia
Want to keep your online public school program going strong?
You are needed in Olympia this Wed, Jan 13!
Today, January 11th, our elected representatives returned to the state Capitol to write a new state budget since their old one is billions of dollars in the red. The governor's budget cuts programs throughout government, including some education programs. It won't be the final budget, yet the Constitution requires that the final budget be balanced, so cuts will be made. Right now, in these first few days of the legislative session, we must let legislators know why they need to protect our online education programs.
Fortunately, Chairman Quall has just invited four online programs to present
to the House of Representatives Education Committee.
Wednesday, January 13th at 1:30 pm
in the WA State House of Representatives Hearing Room A.
Wouldn't it be great to fill the room with students, teachers, staff and supporters of online learning from across our state?! It holds hundreds. A packed hearing room would help our elected officials understand how important it is to continue funding our outstanding online public school programs. Typically legislators know very little about what an online public school program really is. You do. Although it's very short notice, this could be an easy, important, timely, lasting way to let them know. All that is required is we show up in Olympia this Wed. When the Chairman of the Education Committee schedules a public hearing about online public school programs, we need to go out of our way to get there. Can you juggle your schedule to come???
You can go to http://waonlinefamilies.org/rsvp/ to sign up... or just show up!
House JLOB-A at 1:30 pm. Visitor info: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/pages/visitingthelegislature.aspx When it ends at 3:30, WA Families for Online Learning would like to treat you to a soda in the Cafeteria. http://www.waonlinefamilies.org/ was launched last year by a few families wanting a more effective voice for students, teachers, staff and supporters of online learning. Now it's there for all of us to build on. Please do what you can to strengthen our voice.
Coming up - Save the Date (more information to follow)
Save Monday February 15th (President's Day)
for our Fourth Annual Online Learning Day at the Capitol.
Can't make it to Olympia? Still want to help? Are you willing to email your experience with online learning so we can share it with our elected officials? Just a paragraph or two from you and hundreds of students/families would send a powerful message. We'll collect all the stories at info@waonlinefamilies.org.
Thanks in advance for giving serious thought to rescheduling your week.
This is a late assignment, yet a most important one. We'll all be graded on the level of support we give to our online programs by the number of families that come. Your presence with us in Olympia or your email about your online learning experience could be the one that makes the difference.
Rich Dingle WA Families for Online Learning info@waonlinefamilies.org
