Call to Action

Hello!

A post about my latest classroom activities is coming, I promise. This past week I've had meetings with my boss, parents, and a staff meeting. Plus I've been calling UNC and bothering them about how I can afford school. I decided that it's not really feasible this time around and will try again in 2(!) years, when the program's offered again.

And now for something completely different.

Last year, I took this fantastic workshop called "Lifting Voices," about how we as teachers have the power and the responsibility to enact change. I'm part of their email list and received this email today. Even if you don't live in NC, check your state to see if they're meeting as well. Get involved and make sure your voice is heard!

NC General Assembly Returns for Short Session on May 14, 2014 The NC General Assembly returns to Raleigh on Wednesday, May 14th to start the 2014 legislative session, called the "Short Session."  And Governor McCrory is likely to announce his budget this week as well. There’s a lot at stake for early childhood education and now it’s time to lift your voice for young children and families. The NC Child Care Coalition will be working hard to preserve the early education system and ensure that its three signature programs—Smart Start, NC PreK, and Child Care Subsidies—remain intact and fully funded. Sign up for the Coalition’s Action Center at www.capwiz.com/ncchildren to receive critical updates and action alerts, and send a message directly to your own state legislator.  Invite your colleagues and others to subscribe - its open to the public and a free service.  During the session, please contact your legislators to let them know how important early education is to you and your community.  Write letters to the editors of your local media and showcase a local program or a child or family that benefits from early education.  Save the date for Child and Family Advocacy Day on June 10th and come to Raleigh to show your support for early childhood education.  We’ll be counting on you - our partners, members, and early childhood education advocates—to remind policymakers that the first 2000 days in a child's life have a lasting impact on later learning, health and success. Let them know that early investment produces a lifetime of results and is the key to North Carolina’s future prosperity.  Don’t delay – take action today to support thousands of young children and families and ensure the future of early childhood education in North Carolina. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or stories to share about your work for early care and education.  We look forward to working together this legislative session.  Michele Rivest Executive Director NC Child Care Coalition  www.NCChildCareCoalition.org If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

Have you ever lifted your voice for change? Tell us about it in the comments below!