Calaveras County: San Andreas Parents Using Social Media to Stop Closure Of Their Kids' After School Program
Media savvy worried moms and dads turn to social media for help
Nov 20, 2013: San Andreas, CA: Politicians use it. Corporations use it. Everyone is using it. Social media has become the fast-track highway to use if you want to get attention for anything you are doing. Just two weeks ago, worried parents whose kids attend San Andreas Elementary School have launched a marketing campaign to save their after school program from pending closure.
Spokesperson Nancy Vicknair said: "An online petition, drafted by a retired gramma, was the first to be put in place. We chose change.org and it has been amazing. We have almost 200 signers and the results have been fantastic."
After the petition went live, the parents drafted many press releases and email letters which were sent en masse to local media including the sympathetic Calaveras Enterprise. Another dad created a national press release on pr.com which discusses the issue. "Our kids are thrilled to see their school all over the web!" said one busy mom recently.
Last night there was a big meeting of the Calaveras Unified School District and the meeting was packed. Lots of speakers spoke from the heart about their concerns about losing their important after school program. Some said they would have to quit their jobs. Others declared they would have to move their kids to another school-in another county-as of Jan 1 2014. Diana Py said " For every child that is denied after school care and is forced to transfer to another county school district will cause a huge reduction in revenue for CUSD."
Parents from San Andreas Elementary School stated they will continue their fight to change Supt Mark Campbell's decision to close their after school program. The battle will continue up until Christmas. No turkeys or holiday shopping for these savvy parents--they will be online as often as their work schedules permit to gain continued support for their campaign.
http://www.pr.com/press-release/527940
http://www.change.org/petitions/calaveras-unified-school-district-superintendent-mark-campbell-keep-the-after-school-program-open
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Mark Campbell Responds "Facts about after-school program closure" Still The Same Story Though!
Facts about after-school program closure
Calaveras Enterprise
After hearing the testimonials at a recent board meeting
outlining all questions, issues and concerns with the pending closure of
the after-school program at San Andreas Elementary, Kids Place, I felt
it necessary to provide additional insight on the topic.
First, let me convey that I am sincerely sorry for any hardship this decision creates for all families involved. I am not insensitive to the impact the closure has on the parents and students, as well as the community.
The question was raised as to why San Andreas
Elementary is closing but not other programs. San Andreas Elementary was
funded by a federal grant and the most recent application for a renewed
grant was denied, due to lack of sufficient funds at the federal level.
Other school sites in our district that are grant funded will remain
open. Jenny Lind and West Point elementary schools are funded through
state grants. I remain fully interested in dialogue regarding options to
keep the San Andreas Elementary School after-school program open, but
that would have to be an option that does not impact the Calaveras
Unified School District budget. I would entertain options to provide a
facility to a qualified entity offering after-school care in a very
user-friendly lease arrangement.
While it is true that the district has been able to provide this program to parents, students and the community for many years (and it has been very pleased to be able to do so) what we have provided has been a benefit and privilege – an additional service – in that our only responsibility or obligation is to provide the standard school program (academics, meals, enrichment, etc.) during the course of the six-hour school day. The fact that we have had the luxury of offering the after-school program, I believe, has created a sense of expectation that I understand but is unrealistic.
The reality that we are no longer able to afford the program should not result in the district being viewed in a negative light specific to any impact to families and our community. That is a perspective that is misguided and unfair.
At the end of last year, the district school board voted to approve closure of the program. This was done early enough so staff or parents could make whatever adjustments were necessary. The timing does not negate the negative impact this has on all involved but this was not a last-minute decision. As the district looks for options to reduce the deficit that exists in its budget (exploring areas to cut or reduce program) it does not make sense (fiscally) to keep the program open.
Any conversation about keeping the San Andreas Elementary after-school program open would need to also include what we are willing to cut (people and programs) in order to free up the funding to pay for it – which might include closing a small school, reducing programs elsewhere or using district reserves at the risk of future fiscal stability.
The closure is not a judgment on the program. The staff has done a fantastic job of providing high-quality service to students, and I am grateful and appreciative for the dedicated efforts of all involved. I am sincerely sorry for the impact on children, families and staff. I wish I had a better decision or direction to move forward with. However, external circumstances dictate our reality, as outlined above, regretfully.
Mark Campbell is the superintendent of the Calaveras Unified School District. Contact him at mcampbell@calaveras.k12.ca.us.
First, let me convey that I am sincerely sorry for any hardship this decision creates for all families involved. I am not insensitive to the impact the closure has on the parents and students, as well as the community.
While it is true that the district has been able to provide this program to parents, students and the community for many years (and it has been very pleased to be able to do so) what we have provided has been a benefit and privilege – an additional service – in that our only responsibility or obligation is to provide the standard school program (academics, meals, enrichment, etc.) during the course of the six-hour school day. The fact that we have had the luxury of offering the after-school program, I believe, has created a sense of expectation that I understand but is unrealistic.
The reality that we are no longer able to afford the program should not result in the district being viewed in a negative light specific to any impact to families and our community. That is a perspective that is misguided and unfair.
At the end of last year, the district school board voted to approve closure of the program. This was done early enough so staff or parents could make whatever adjustments were necessary. The timing does not negate the negative impact this has on all involved but this was not a last-minute decision. As the district looks for options to reduce the deficit that exists in its budget (exploring areas to cut or reduce program) it does not make sense (fiscally) to keep the program open.
Any conversation about keeping the San Andreas Elementary after-school program open would need to also include what we are willing to cut (people and programs) in order to free up the funding to pay for it – which might include closing a small school, reducing programs elsewhere or using district reserves at the risk of future fiscal stability.
The closure is not a judgment on the program. The staff has done a fantastic job of providing high-quality service to students, and I am grateful and appreciative for the dedicated efforts of all involved. I am sincerely sorry for the impact on children, families and staff. I wish I had a better decision or direction to move forward with. However, external circumstances dictate our reality, as outlined above, regretfully.
Mark Campbell is the superintendent of the Calaveras Unified School District. Contact him at mcampbell@calaveras.k12.ca.us.
Press Release Save The After School Program
Our press release going out today!!
PRESS RELEASE
Save The After School Program
Nancy Vicknair
209-216-949
PETITION STARTED BY CUSD PARENTS TO STOP CLOSURE OF THEIR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
November 12, 2013, San Andreas. CA: Drawing Thanksgiving pictures, buying turkeys, shopping of the holidays has stopped for many Calaveras County families.Today concerned parents affected by the impending closure of their after-school program at San Andreas Elementary School started an online petition. They hope to get support for their efforts to keep the program from pending cessation on Dec 31, 2013. Their petition-with change.org-is addressed to CUSD School Superintendent Mr Mark Campbell, Mr. Darren Spellman, Supervisor District 5, and Ms. Karan Bowsher, President CUSD Board of Trustees.
http://www.change.org/petitions/calaveras-unified-school-district-superintendent-mark-campbell-keep-the-after-school-program-open
After only a few hours, there were already more than 75 signatures on the petition. Grandparent Nancy Vicknair recently stated "We know a petition is not enough to overturn Mark Campbell's decision to close our after-school program. However, folks don't turn to petitions up here, so this should be a wake-up call for the school board and Mr Campbell. My grandbabies will be without their after-school program and I don't want to see that happen."
This petition is just a part of the current campaign by local San Andreas parents that
includes writing letters, phone calls, looking into recalls, strong pr efforts, and attendance at
all upcoming CUSD meetings -closed and open.
Parents are very concerned. They need this after-school program. It is not an 'entitlement' as labelled by Campbell-it is a necessity with so many parents working just to stay at poverty level.
The media is encouraged to stay in touch with us. There will be a big turn-out at the CUSD
meeting at Jenny Lind Elementary on Nov 19th, with the closed session at 4:30pm and open session at 5:30pm.
CUSD Meeting NOV 19 Location-
Jenny Lind Elementary
5100 Driver Rd
Valley Springs, CA 95252
Expect a very large turnout and speakers as the scheduled closure of the after-school program gets closer and closer. Dec 31st!
For more information about this release, please contact Nancy Vicknair at 209-216-9499 or by email nancydesk@yahoo.com
PRESS RELEASE
Save The After School Program
Nancy Vicknair
209-216-949
PETITION STARTED BY CUSD PARENTS TO STOP CLOSURE OF THEIR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
November 12, 2013, San Andreas. CA: Drawing Thanksgiving pictures, buying turkeys, shopping of the holidays has stopped for many Calaveras County families.Today concerned parents affected by the impending closure of their after-school program at San Andreas Elementary School started an online petition. They hope to get support for their efforts to keep the program from pending cessation on Dec 31, 2013. Their petition-with change.org-is addressed to CUSD School Superintendent Mr Mark Campbell, Mr. Darren Spellman, Supervisor District 5, and Ms. Karan Bowsher, President CUSD Board of Trustees.
http://www.change.org/petitions/calaveras-unified-school-district-superintendent-mark-campbell-keep-the-after-school-program-open
After only a few hours, there were already more than 75 signatures on the petition. Grandparent Nancy Vicknair recently stated "We know a petition is not enough to overturn Mark Campbell's decision to close our after-school program. However, folks don't turn to petitions up here, so this should be a wake-up call for the school board and Mr Campbell. My grandbabies will be without their after-school program and I don't want to see that happen."
This petition is just a part of the current campaign by local San Andreas parents that
includes writing letters, phone calls, looking into recalls, strong pr efforts, and attendance at
all upcoming CUSD meetings -closed and open.
Parents are very concerned. They need this after-school program. It is not an 'entitlement' as labelled by Campbell-it is a necessity with so many parents working just to stay at poverty level.
The media is encouraged to stay in touch with us. There will be a big turn-out at the CUSD
meeting at Jenny Lind Elementary on Nov 19th, with the closed session at 4:30pm and open session at 5:30pm.
CUSD Meeting NOV 19 Location-
Jenny Lind Elementary
5100 Driver Rd
Valley Springs, CA 95252
Expect a very large turnout and speakers as the scheduled closure of the after-school program gets closer and closer. Dec 31st!
For more information about this release, please contact Nancy Vicknair at 209-216-9499 or by email nancydesk@yahoo.com
Monday, November 11, 2013
Blitz Campaign Begun To Save After School Program In San Andreas California
Today we initiated a blitz to prevent the after school program from closing at San Andreas Elementary School. To start off with, we began a petition with change.org targeting Superintendent Mark Campbell asking that the after school program not be closed as of Dec 2013.
After only a few minutes we already had five signatures!
Here is the link: http://www.change.org/petitions/calaveras-unified-school-district-superintendent-mark-campbell-keep-the-after-school-program-open
Tomorrow we will contact all local media within 100 miles of the Calaveras Unified School District. Phone calls and press releases are on the top of our to-do list.
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