Legislative Kick-off
Come take part in this sharing of what we know about the upcoming legislative session — all wisdom welcome!!

The beginning of the 2010 legislative session is February 4 — but much is happening right now. By all accounts this will be a very difficult session and it is an impossible scenario to consider how public schools will be exempt from these difficulties. 2010 is also a big election year in which all five statewide Constitutional seats (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Attorney General), House and Senate seats are up for grabs!

There’s no charge for this event, but please let us know, by email or phone, 651-999-7391, if you plan to attend. Details and directions are at our website.

In this issue

RTTT
If this acronym looks familiar to you — you have been paying attention to the fastest growing buzz in education. Race To The Top grant applications are due this week and at this point 250 school districts in Minnesota have signed onto the initiative to share the federal dollars that the grant may provide. More specifics have been provided in past updates.

Caucuses
The one thing I hear over and over again is, “But I’m not political!” The truth is in Minnesota the caucus system is the way neighbors work together to have their voices represented in the election process. Besides voting, attending a local caucus is the most direct way to have your voice heard. At your caucus, you can present a resolution that can work its way up to a party’s platform. It may seem scary at first, but remember — if you are not present whose voice is being heard?

Try it — February 2 — attend your neighborhood caucus. Get all the information you need about caucuses at our website.

In this issue

We have come into the 21st century with a bang!
Become a fan! Sign up to follow Mary!

We are happy to have a Parents United Facebook page so you can check in with us at your leisure: Become a fan and suggest our page to friends! (Use the “Suggest to Friends” button below our logo on the left sidebar.)

I will be sending Tweets during the session. So if U R interested in being instantly connected w/ what is happening around education at the leg make sure U sign up to follow Mary Cecconi on Twitter! We can promise some interesting news will be transmitted!!

Parents United End-of-Year Fund Appeal
Our end-of-year fund appeal is the one time each year that we make an all-out plea for funds to continue the work of Parents United. I want to thank all of you who generously donated to our work. Simply put, without you Parents United would not exist.

Even with a very tough economic climate, we met our goal this year! In 2009, more than half of our operating dollars came from individual donors. We are humbled by individuals who partner with us. We have donors who contribute $5 and those who contribute $5000.
We are grateful for each and every one of you!

If you would like to become one of our partners, please visit our website.

In this issue

Hot Topics at Our Website

State may delay payments to school districts. The state may look to solve short-term cash flow problems by delaying payments to school districts and holding back some tax refunds, state budget officials told a legislative panel, Session Daily. (Estimated payment delay by school district.)
Want to know more about the structural imbalance in the state budget? There are a lot of resources at our Features page.
In December, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills released its comments on the mathematics and English/language arts standards developed through the Common Core State Standards Initiative of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers (i.e., the proposed national standards).
Learn about the candidates for Minnesota Governor.
Use our News & Events Desktop to stay informed on all the latest education news!

In this issue

Mary Cecconi, Executive Director (mary@parentsunited.org)
Parents United for Public Schools
1667 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55108
651-999-7391
www.parentsunited.org

Helping parents find their voice at the places where school policy and funding decisions are made.
Parents United for Public Schools • 651-999-7391 • info@parentsunited.org
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