A Call to Action!
February 21, 2008
"With shame comes the chance at redemption."
That's our take on the disturbing developments in Madison this week.
Here's the latest news. And it's good news! The State Assembly will move next week to revive the Bipartisan Public Virtual School Rescue Plan.
Odds are they will add the Governor's audit and study provisions, but not the onerous Lock Out imposed by the State Senate. We can live with that.
Our job is clear. To let everyone know that when the Senate and the Governor get a chance to reconsider their actions, they put partisanship aside and pass the Plan without the lock out. Even one of the Senators who voted to put the lock out amendment on the bill admitted that their work wasn't the end of the line...that there was plenty of opportunity to resolve this issue. They know this issue will be back before them again. The odds of them doing the right thing increase dramatically if our stories our told.Every time we've mobilized, we've helped advance our cause further. No longer are they questioning the right of these schools to exist. We need to keep at it. How can you help? By spreading our message in the court of public opinion. It's time to flood Wisconsin's newspapers with letters in support of the Bipartisan Compromise, and against the lock out.
Talking points
We recommend that your letter include a series of short paragraphs, one on each of the following subjects.
- Your story. How the teachers at your child's public virtual school help them.
- The feelings you had when you heard that a bipartisan compromise would save these schools.
- The disgust and sadness felt when some senators blew up the bipartisan deal and attached the Lock Out amendment.
- Hope that when they are given a second chance (AND THEY WILL BE), the Senate and the Governor will do the right thing and vote for (in the Senate's case) and sign (for the Governor's) a bill that saves these schools without locking out new families from this option. As long as the legislature is in session, it's not too late for them to do the right thing.
- Encourage others to contact the Governor (608) 266-1212 and tell him to support the Bipartisan Public Virtual School Compromise without an enrollment cap lock out.
Use the Coalition's website for any talking points, information on the legislation/timeline of events, etc. But write your letter in your own words. Editors can spot canned, cookie cutter letters that are mass produced. You have a great story to tell. Go tell it!
Your letter doesn't need to be flowery or fascinating. Be straightforward and passionate and your letter will turn out great.
Letter writing tips: You will need to include your name, address and hone number for verification. They won't publish your street address or phone number.
Shorter is better. Every paper has a word limit for letters and because of space considerations, the shorter ones are also generally the ones that get published.
If you want to run your letter past us, we'd be happy to take a look. We can also answer questions you may have regarding legislative procedure, how your Senator voted, etc.
Simply email us at info @ wivirtualschoolfamilies.org.
Time is of the essence here. Tell your story. Tell our story. And encourage others to join this effort as well.
There will be more 'homework' assignments in the days to come, but it's crucial that we get these letters out today!
Some newspapers have an online form for submitting letters. Simply click on the paper listed below to send your letter to your hometown daily paper: Appleton Post-Crescent:
Beloit Daily News:
Capital Times:
Dubuque Herald-Telegraph:
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
Fond du Lac Reporter:
Green Bay Press-Gazette:
Hudson Star Observer:
Janesville Gazette:
La Crosse Tribune:
Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter:
Marshfield News-Herald:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Oshkosh Northwestern:
New Richmond News:
Pierce County Herald:
River Falls Journal:
Sheboygan Press:
Stevens Points Journal:
Superior Daily Telegram:
Wausau Daily Herald:
Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune:
To submit letters to these papers, go to their websites for further directions on where to email your letter:
Antigo Daily Journal:
Ashland Daily Press:
Baraboo News Republic:
Beaver Dam Daily Citizen:
The Chippewa Herald:
Daily Jefferson County Union:
Kenosha News:
Marinette Eagle Herald:
Monroe Times:
Portage Daily Register:
Racine Journal Times:
Shawano Leader:
Watertown Daily Times:
Waukesha Freeman:
West Bend Daily News:
Wisconsin State Journal:
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