Charter School Advocacy Day

TO: Charter School Leaders

FROM: Jeff Maclin

DATE: December 7, 2009

RE: Charter School Advocacy Day in Albany

Charter schools lost $50 million in this year's state budget. Next year's budget is just around the corner and our funding will again be at risk.

This year, our annual Charter School Advocacy Day in Albany is February 2, 2010. It's not an option to sit out this annual trek to the State Capitol!! The stakes are too high. We need every NYC charter school represented to defend against another "freeze" in charter school funding.

This year's event will be held in the Convention Hall of the Empire State Plaza. This is the largest meeting space at the Capitol complex, and we intend to fill it with 2,400 cheering charter school supporters! As in years past, the Charter Center will cover the cost of buses and lunch for the day.

In order to provide each school with an equal chance to participate, and to maximize the number of charter schools that attend, we need to do the following:

1. Each school in New York City should bring up to 55 participants (one full bus load). Parents/voters are the best people to bring, but students, administrators, Board members and teachers are of course all welcome. For those schools that cannot fill a bus, we ask that you bring at least 25 participants (½ a bus load).

2. A draft flyer is attached to help you recruit parents, staff and board members.

3. Each school must submit their number of committed participants to me by December 21. If you think your school could bring more than 55 people, you should indicate that as well. A form, which can be faxed (212-227-2763) or emailed to me, is attached for this purpose.

4. The Center will reach out to schools that have responded in early January 2010 to confirm the number of participants attending Advocacy Day from their school.

Pre-Advocacy Day training sessions have been scheduled for attendees. We are also working with our partners (New York Charter Schools Association and Democrats for Education Reform) to secure the participation of key state leaders and underscore the urgency of protecting full funding for charter schools. The logistical planning involved in this event, from generating press and briefing materials to reserving buses and ordering food, requires your full cooperation. Please respond no later than Monday, December 21, if not sooner.

Thank you for helping us make the 2010 Advocacy Day a success, and please contact me via email or at 212-437-8310 if you have any questions.