SAMPLE NEWSLETTER STORY Dear Parent, You may have heard about a ballot initiative called “Elimination of Charter Schools” that was recently filed with the state. If successful, this initiative would shut down every single charter school in California. This effort is being led by small anti-charter group that has been spreading all kinds of lies about charter schools and is now trying to gather enough signatures to get this initiative to qualify for the ballot in November 2016. It’s upsetting, but it also needs to be understood in context. For several reasons, charter school leaders and advocates like me think the initiative has a low likelihood of being passed; most importantly, because it is simply out of touch with the more than half a million students in communities across California who attend charter schools and over 150,000 students on charter wait lists. It is unlikely that this anti-charter group will be able to gather the hundreds of thousands of signatures needed — at least 365,000 by May — to even quality for the ballot. However, this effort does remind us that as a charter school, we are part of a larger public education movement that is vulnerable to political and ideological attacks. In times like these, it is always helpful for all of us to speak out and send a message to anyone who’s listening and watching, from our friends and neighbors to the media and school boards, that families like you love and depend on your charter school. So I encourage you to share your views on charter schools, in conversations, on social media, wherever you feel comfortable. Please contact me with any concerns or questions and thank you for being a part of the charter school movement. Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org EJEMPLO BOLETÍN EN ESPAÑOL Estimados padres, Quizás hayan escuchado sobre una iniciativa de ley que se llama “Eliminación de las escuelas chárter” que fue recientemente presentado al estado. Si tiene éxito, esta iniciativa cerraría cada una de las escuelas chárter de California. Un grupo contra las chárter está dirigiendo este esfuerzo y diseminando todo tipo de mentiras sobre las escuelas chárter y ahora está tratando de recoger suficientes firmas para lograr que la iniciativa califique para la votación en noviembre 2016. Es inquietante pero también hay que entenderlo en contexto. Por varias razones, líderes y defensores de las escuelas chárter como yo creemos que la iniciativa tiene una baja probabilidad de ser aprobada; más importantemente, porque es sencillamente ignorante de los más de medio millón de estudiantes en comunidades por todo California que asisten a las escuelas chárter y de los más de 150,000 estudiantes en las listas de espera para entrar una escuela chárter. Es improbable que este grupo contra las chárter pueda recoger los cientos de miles de firmas que se necesitan — al menos 365,000 antes de mayo — solo para calificar para la votación. Sin embargo, como una escuela chárter este esfuerzo sí nos recuerda que somos parte de un movimiento de educación pública más amplio que es vulnerable a los ataques políticos e ideológicos. En momentos como éste, siempre es necesario que todos de nosotros levantemos la voz y mandemos un mensaje a cualquier persona que esté escuchando y mirando, desde nuestros amigos y vecinos a los medios de comunicación y las juntas escolares, que las familias como la suya aman y dependen en su escuela chárter. Entonces quiero animar a ustedes que compartan sus perspectivas de las escuelas chárter, en conversaciones, en los medios sociales, donde se sientan más cómodos. Por favor, pónganse en contacto conmigo por cualquier pregunta o inquietud y gracias por ser parte del movimiento de las escuelas chárter. Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org SAMPLE E-MAIL TO FRIENDS Dear friends, Since enrolling in a charter school, my child [NAME] has grown in countless ways. The [SCHOOL NAME) supports and encourages every student to achieve their full potential. I can’t imagine what our life would be like without our local charter. But now, suddenly, I have to imagine just that. Why? Because our charter school – along with every single charter school in California – is under attack. A small anti-charter group that has been spreading all kinds of lies about charter schools and has filed a ballot initiative called “Elimination of Charter Schools” that would close every charter school in the state. They are trying to gather enough signatures to get this initiative on the ballot in November. Now, we don’t know if they will be successful, especially since charter schools are hugely popular in California, with more than half a million students attending charters and 158,000 more on wait lists. But I think it’s important to send a message to anyone who’s watching, from the media to politicians: that families love and depend on their charter schools. This ballot initiative is a shameful, politics-as-usual effort to rob us of the great schools that our communities need and deserve. Please join me in sending a quick, simple message on Facebook or Twitter calling on California to support its charter school students, parents and teachers! Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org SAMPLE FACEBOOK POSTS POST 1 I love my charter school. An anti-charter group wants to play politics and file a ridiculous ballot initiative to shut down every charter school in the state. Good luck! California loves its charter schools. Please join me in supporting charters and the great education they provide to students, families and their communities! Join our group “Save California’s Charter Schools” https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveCACharterSchools/ POST 2 Have you heard that an anti-charter group is trying to gather enough signatures to put an initiative on the ballot in November that would close every single charter in California? Join me in asking California to support its charter schools and not let a few angry people close great public schools. Join our group “Save California’s Charter Schools” https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveCACharterSchools/ POST 3 Are you a charter school parent, student or supporter? So are we! We think you should know that a small group of misinformed people are trying to shut down ALL CHARTER SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA by trying to pass a ridiculous ballot iniative in November. California loves its charter schools, with half-a-million kids attending charter schools in the state and 158,000 on wait lists. Join us to support charter schools and their families by stopping this initiative. Join our group “Save California’s Charter Schools” https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveCACharterSchools/ Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org SAMPLE TWEETS TWEET 1 A charter school parent’s love for their child’s unique edu will defeat any anti-charter group! Join @savecacharters https://twitter.com/ savecacharters TWEET 2 California loves its charter schools and won’t let any anti-charter group shut them all down! Join @savecacharters https://twitter. com/savecacharters TWEET 3 Anti-charter group wants to close ALL CA #charters. I love my charter school and I say no-way! Join @savecacharters https://twitter. com/savecacharters TWEET 4 Half a million students are finding their voice in CA charter schools. Their song cannot be silenced. @savecacharters #WeLoveOurCharters Possible hashtags: •#WeLoveOurCharters •#families4charters •#CAlovescharters •#CAcharterLove •#KidsLoveCharters Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org SHAREABLE INFOGRAPHICS Select the image and “copy” or “save.” Then, you can post on social media. Questions? Contact Chris Ponz: cponzi@ccsa.org