Gifted Programs Illinois
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:44:54 +0000
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Dear Friends of Gifted Learners,
It is time once again to notify our legislators that an important piece of legislation needs their support.
We are suggesting that everyone consider sending a letter, an e-mail or making a
phone call to encourage legislators to sign on to co-sponsor House Bill 5841
which will allow school districts easier access to money designated for gifted
education.
In the letter , e-mail or phone call you may want to:
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Thank your legislator if in
fact your legislator has been a supporter of funding for gifted education in
the past.
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Let your legislator know
that Renee’ Kosel is sponsoring HB5481 which will amend the current state code
and get money designated for gifted education directly to school districts.
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Let your legislator know
that the Illinois Association for Gifted Children along with Illinois State
Board of Education supports the bill.
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Let your legislator know
that this amendment to the current school code makes perfect sense as it allows
school districts that do not have full gifted programs to have access to
dollars, rather than making it available only to those districts that can
afford to provide a full gifted education program.
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;
mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Emphasize that this
amendment to the school code is designed to level the playing field for districts
throughout the state, giving all districts equal access to dollars as they
become available.
The words can be simple, such as this:
Dear Representative Brady,
Thank
you for your past support of gifted education. Currently Representative Renee’
Kosel is sponsoring HB 5481, which will give school districts in our state
easier access to dollars for gifted programming. I urge you to co-sign this
bill. I believe the bill is written in a manner that will allow all districts
in the state equal access to any gifted education funding that becomes
available and that is important to me. I hope you understand that in our area
there are few districts that have full gifted programs in place due to the lack
of funding available for gifted education. This amendment recognizes that not
all school districts can afford full programs but still want to provide
services for their gifted and talented students. The bill is a positive one for
the schools in our area. Please do your part to support our schools by co-signing
HB5841.
If you are part of a parent organization, you may want to sponsor a letter-writing
event where the children and parents get together and work on cards and letters
together. Bring your scrap booking supplies and have fun with this!
The important thing is for each card or letter to look and sound unique and for each card and letter to be
mailed individually. 11.0pt""> Please do not copy
anything directly from this mailing. If you have children write letters, have
them use their own words with some help from you. Make sure everyone includes
their address on the letter or envelope, as this is important to legislators.
You may want to include an invitation to your legislator to your child’s school,
as those visits can result in a positive relationship and a better
understanding of the needs of gifted learners on the part of our legislators.
Make sure if you do invite your legislator, that you notify the building
administrator.
Within any letters, ask for a response. Let your legislator know that you are aware that they are busy, and you appreciate their time and consideration.
We have a quick turn-around time once again as the legislators will be meeting at
the end of the month. You will want your letter to reach them before they meet.
“They say that
time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself”~ Andy
Warhol
Your IAGC Advocacy Committee Chairs,
Cathy Greene11.0pt""> and font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC TT Bold""">Susan Rhodes
To read HB 5481, go to http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus_pf.asp?DocNum=5481&D...
To find your Illinois State legislators, go to http://www.votesmart.org/ and enter your zipcode
For more tips on writing to your state legislators, go to http://www.iagcgifted.org/advocacy/WriteStateLeg.pdf
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