WHO WE ARE AND OUR BELIEFS
Save Colorado Summers is a statewide coalition of parents, teachers and community members disappointed with the ever-earlier start to the school year. Our mission is to educate consumers of the education system, taxpayers and other interested people about the negative impact the early-August school start date and nontraditional school calendars have on our students, teachers and families. It is our hope that we can work with parents, school districts and elected officials to help establish educationally and fiscally sound school calendars; a school calendar that allows more money to flow into teachers' salaries, classroom supplies and educational services ... without a heavier tax burden on Colorado families.
LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
February 24th, 2009
Senator Lundberg Sponsoring SB 09-236, Transparency & New School Construction
Senator Kevin Lundberg has stepped up for transparency and is sponsoring a SB 09-236 which would require a public hearing before new school construction commences, and make available for public inspection plans related to the construction at that time. A bipartisan group of almost 20 senators and representatives also have signed on to the bill.
Jeffco Non-Personnel Expenses (The example shown is for the month of April 2008 and is apparently for refreshments, this catagory routinely has over $20,000/month charged to it.)
Jeffco Facilities Budget for 2008-2009
Champions Of Transparency:
House Prime Sponsor -- Rep. Murray
Additional Senate sponsors:
Senators Brophy, Cadman, Harvey, Kopp, Mitchell, Penry, Romer, Scheffel, Schultheis
Additional House sponsors:
Representatives J. Kerr, Looper, Marostica, McNulty, Nikkel, Sonnenberg, Summers, Tipton
October 8th, 2008
TOWN HALL MEETING HOSTED BY STATE SENATOR MIKE KOPP ON 10/08
A big thanks to all of the parents and teachers who showed up in support of a later school start date and more consistent school calendar.
The meeting was a SUCCESS! Many parents and teachers voiced their concerns about current school calendars, and many courses of action were discussed. Jefferson County School District, the largest school district in the state, has committed to starting school later next year. We are still waiting for confirmation on the dates. It was agreed at the meeting that a one year calendar change is not a real solution to the problem.
Parents are the most important 'stakeholder' group in education and should have the loudest voice in the education of their children. This should include having a role in educational decision making. Please encourage everyone you know in Colorado to get involved with this issue. It will take an 'all hands on deck' approach to make our voices heard. Send emails or letters voicing concerns to your legislators, school board members and the media. Spread the word about this issue to family and friends and check back often for updates.
--- We would also like to thank State Senator Mike Kopp for hosting this very important meeting. ---
Materials that were handed out at the meeting:
Year Round Schools Don ' t Boost Learning, Paul von Hipple, Ohio State University
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State School Start Date Laws
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Did You Know, A Summary of Talking Points
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Proposed Calendars
Read more
October 7th, 2008
JEFFCO SCHOOL'S RELUCTANT TO GIVE OUT PUBLIC INFORMATION
Save Colorado Summers, via a public information request, has asked the Jefferson County School Board for any correspondence received regarding the school calendar. In addition, to that request we have asked for the following:
#1. Research/studies/data that Jeffco Public Schools says they have that supports their position on the early school start date and a Year-round-school system.
#2. Justification for why exams should be given before winter break.
#3. Mandates put on by the Teachers Union as far as the calendar is concerned.
#4. Energy costs related to schools and buses on an annual basis.
Jeffco has responded back to us and said that they are reluctant to give us this information and in some instances have indicated that they can not find the data. It should be noted that this is public information and should be available to anyone.
September 20th, 2008
JEFFCO SCHOOL BOARD ASKS FOR OUR RESEARCH
After the school board meeting on September 18th, Jefferson County Public Schools asked for our research and documents pertaining to the school calendar. We obliged and politely handed over our documentation to the Board of Education.
September 19, 2008
JEFFCO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON SEPT. 18TH
Many concerned parents, students, teachers and community members showed their support for having a later start date at the Jefferson County Board of Education meeting on Sept. 18th.
The Calendar Committee for Jefferson County School District has resigned and Superintendent Cindy Stevenson and possibly the Board of Education will be making a new decision on the 2008-2009 school start date.
The district committed to start later next year, but will it be late enough?
Will the district eliminate the many one and two day breaks that concern so many of us?
Or will they take valuable family time away at Thanksgiving and Christmas instead?
WWW.SaveColoradoSummers.com hears your concerns. We are hearing from thousands of other concerned citizens from all over the state that enough is enough. We hear that you want your summers back, your hard earned taxpayer money to be used by teachers to educate your children, and not used for the increased costs associated with a bloated calendar. You want a better education for your kids by allowing the teachers to teach on a consistent basis, not an interrupted one and you want family time back. We’re working on it. We’re making progress! We invite you to join us and help us let your voice be heard. Check back here often for updates and let everyone know about www.SaveColoradoSummers.com.
