Sample+Workforce+Letter

Dear Representative X,

With the ensuing battle of the budget about to take place, I was hoping to inform you of an educational concern. As you know, many schools in your district have had the good fortune of receiving grant money for Classrooms For The Future (CFF). This grant has had a large impact on the teaching and learning in your District. Never before have we seen such an energy and re-energized conversations as we have with CFF; it is rigorous, relevant and student centered.

We know that you represent a suburban district largely made up of professional workers. Still, we understand that many are struggling to keep the bills paid, find a job or maintain health insurance. This dire issue for many of our families represents the very reason we need a line item in next year’s budget for CFF.

Classrooms for the Future was originally a grant that included equipment for our schools as well as professional development and coaches. It is truly a workforce initiative. You have an opportunity now to sustain this grant by cutting the equipment (thereby realizing a substantial savings) but maintaining the CFF coaches as a line item in the budget.

In the past, most of our grants have not been sustainable. In my xx years in education, I have seen a lot of money thrown into grants. Every grant was well intended, most served their purpose, but few were sustainable. As soon as the money went away, the grant died and the intended purpose faded. The CFF initiative can be sustained through continued coaching efforts – at a cost substantially less than the original grant. Ø //CFF FITS // with every initiative established by our educational leaders in Harrisburg; from the Standards Aligned Systems to Resiliency and Distinguished Educator work. //IT FITS// with all NCLB goals as well as local PSSA improvement. Ø //CFF FITS // in small schools and large schools. //IT FITS// in Technical High Schools as well as regular high schools. //IT FITS// city schools and rural schools. Very few grants cover this broad range. Ø //CFF FITS //the framework for a 21st Century workforce initiative. Now, more than ever, we need our high school students to graduate ready to compete globally and use 21st century skills.

CFF was never about the equipment anyway. It has a framework designed for students to learn thinking and evaluation skills. It is a framework that allows them to actually create new content. It has changed the practice of teaching. The coaches can continue to integrate this message across the Commonwealth if you will help.

You now have a rare opportunity. You can help sustain a grant for relatively little money. You could have a huge impact on our educational system in the Commonwealth. Please consider CFF as a line item in the budget. Your students in COUNTY deserve the chance to be competitive across the globe and have the skills that fit into a workforce in the 21st century. Please consider CFF as you sift through all of the difficult decisions in the coming days. Thank you for all that you do daily for our kids and our Commonwealth.

Sincerely, Name Contact Info