On February 1, 2012, Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country will observe "National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools," the centerpiece of National Catholic Schools Week. As this election year unfolds, it is more important than ever to spread the good news to members of the 112th Congress on how Catholic education provides a public good that benefits the nation.
As Superintendent, I am asking for your support to join me in communicating directly with our public officials in a timely way to uplift the voice of our 73 Catholic schools and advocate out the message that Catholic schools make a dramatic and positive influence in the lives of the citizens and the economic well-being of Washington state.
- Letter from the Superintendent. Please review the attached letter that as Superintendent of the Catholic schools of Western Washington, I will be sending out to our congressional representatives in Washington by February 1. It may serve as a template for each school.
- Letters from Students, Parents, Principals, and Teachers. We also would like members of Congress to receive letters from parents, teachers, principals and students. These letters tend to be more effective when they include personal accounts about the value of Catholic education. (e.g., Students might tell a story about why they value their Catholic education. Teachers might explain their reasons for choosing to teach in Catholic schools. Principals could discuss parental involvement in schools, test scores, graduation rates, and/or examples of service projects that contribute mightily to the greater public good of society. Parents could outline the reasons for sending their children to Catholic schools, stressing the importance of legislation that assists low and middle income parents in exercising their right to choose the school they believe will best meet their child's needs.) These letters should be e-mailed or faxed directly to the legislative office on Capitol Hill by February 1. It is our hope that thousands of letters filled with reasons to support Catholic schools will reach the Hill during National Catholic Schools Week.
- How to Reach Congressional Leaders. Through the NCEA membership in CAPE (Council for American Private Education), you have access to a great resource for contacting Congressional representatives in Washington at the following internet address: http://capwiz.com/cape/home/
At this site, type in your zip code and it will open to a template page with a direct link to your representatives and a message box where you can edit, cut and paste our sample letter or type one of your own. Of course, you may edit and use the enclosed letter and attachments and send them on your own to your representatives.
Thank you for your leadership in making "National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools 2012" a success!
Sincerely,
Tom Lord
Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools of Western Washington
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