Contact Your Legislators!

If you agree that Early Childhood Education is a priority for Illinois, here is your chance to act. Below is the text of an e-mail I received from the Ounce of Prevention Fund. Visit their website to learn more about the organization and the benefits of Early Childhood Education.

Ask your legislators to support early childhood priorities in the FY09 budget!!

Recently, members of the Illinois House of Representatives were asked to prioritize important budget issues. These issues will be critical as legislators begin to negotiate budget priorities for FY09.

TAKE ACTION!
Urge your legislators, Representatives and Senators, to talk with leadership about including the following early childhood investments in the FY09 budget:

Provide a $68 million increase to the Early Childhood Block Grant in the ISBE budget
Talking Point: A $68 million increase is needed in FY09 to ensure that we stay on track with our Preschool for All enrollment goals as well as to better respond to the overwhelming statewide demand for more infant-toddler programs.

Provide a $10 million increase to expand home visitation programs through the Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Families and Parents Too Soon budget lines
Talking Point: Home visiting programs in Illinois have not experienced an expansion since 2000 and serve only a tiny percentage of the at-risk children and families who could benefit from these services. Healthy Families, Parents Too Soon and other research-based parent coaching models effectively work with families, starting as early as pregnancy, providing support through the first years of life, to ensure that children at-risk of poor developmental outcomes grow up healthy and ready to learn.

Provide $30 million in any capital bill for early childhood facilities
Talking Point: Young children need safe, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environments to stimulate learning. Yet, in certain areas around the state, families’ demand for early childhood services outpaces the availability of high-quality learning spaces.

Support increased investments in the Child Care Assistance Program
Talking Point: Support quality by maintaining the proposed FY09 IDHS Child Care budget. The budget includes $55 million to increase the child care reimbursement rate by 3% for all child care providers to meet the SEIU collective bargaining agreement and ensure parity. In addition, a budget increase of $45 million is needed to implement HB5297/SB 898 reducing parent co-payments to be no more than 10% of a low-income family’s income.

When contacting your legislators make sure they know how important these priorities are for the children and families in their districts. Urge them to talk with leadership about these early childhood issues and to include them in their list of priorities. If you can not make a call, please write an email or send a letter right away.

Click here if you need contact information for your legislators.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of young children and their families across Illinois .

201 Super put on Leave, Zarate Appointed Interim

Dr. Nowakowski, Superintendent of District 201, was put on paid leave until his contract expires at the end of this year. District 201 School Board appointed Morton East principal, Frank Zarate, interim Superintendent until a search is complete. Frank Zarate has indicated he will apply for the permanent position. Here is a promising article in the District 201 e-newsletter about the direction of our high school district in the near future with Zarate.

There is mention of CARES efforts to draw attention to the shortcomings of District 201:

"District 201 has been publicly criticized in recent months by residents and local education advocacy groups for not properly addressing serious challenges facing the schools' academics. Failing test scores and struggling graduation rates are among the district weaknesses that Zarate said he will broach during this transitory period."

The strong focus on curriculum and achievement hinted at in the article is very encouraging!

Rock the Vote Rescheduled, New Venue

Rock the Vote has been rescheduled for Friday, May 30th at 7pm at Tiger O'Stylies. Same plan: $40 gets you Open Bar, food, silent auction, live music, and a good feeling because you are giving to a good cause! We will be raising money for $1000 scholarships for Morton West seniors headed to college.

RSVP to berwyncares@yahoo.com to reserve your tickets!

Check back this week for blog posts related to elected officials and their impact on education in Berwyn.

Morton West Student named Golden Apple Scholar

Click here to read from the District 201 website about Morton West Student named Golden Apple Scholar. What an honor! Congratulations to her and her family.

At the Golden Apple website, the rigorous application process is described:

"Prospective Scholars must submit an application with seven essays, letters of reference, test scores and transcripts, and must interview at the finalist stage."

The award includes opportunities to study and train with master teachers during Summer Institutes, scholarships, and opportunities for paid internships and workshops. This program is funded primarily by the State of Illinois and some significant private donations.