flags presentation 11 19 09
DESCRIPTION
Presentation from the Fairfax FLAGS work session held Nov. 19, 2009. This is a quick update and a breakdown of committees to help in the Fairfax FLAGS mission to preserve the quality of Fairfax County schools and elementary foreign language programs.TRANSCRIPT
Update & Work Session
Nov. 19, 2009
Since we last met… Meetings
Fairfax Education Foundation Corporate funding not optimistic
Schools hosted meetings with School Board & County reps
Kent Gardens, Lake Anne, Great Falls, anyone else?
Community dialogues Huge turnout from early foreign language Most stayed on message to not attack other
programs & advocate for FCPS funding
Since we last met… Continue to establish liaisons & streamline
Please check out our liaison list on the website Let us know of contacts at “vacant” schools
Various discussion & advocacy groups Lake Anne, Great Falls, Laurel Ridge,
Cunningham Park discussion & info sites FACE: Elementary Band & Strings Advocacy Any others?
Check out www.fairfaxflags.org
Check out www.fairfaxflags.org
Fan “Fairfax FLAGS”
Facebook & www.fairfaxflags.org Content will build & evolve
Schools can feed latest events & information by emailing [email protected] with “website” as subject line
Post discussion topics on FB Will continue to upload relevant links & videos Always seeking feedback & ideas for sites
Moving forward…
"The core issue is not one program vs. another program, but rather the level of funding we receive. We have only three
options as we prepare for FY’11: additional State funding, additional county funding, or
cutting programs.”
– FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale
Facing issues How to get more funding for FCPS?
Educate the community this is a BIG issue for FCPS not just foreign language
Spread the word to all stakeholders (website) not just FCPS parents
When talking about solutions say… “Fairfax County must increase funding for FCPS to
preserve its programs that make it a world-class school system.”
State funding is improbable
Taking Action Attend community dialogues: Dec. 2 Organize rally for community dialogues? Submit online budget feedback forms Highly active schools should…
Set up meetings w/ district county supervisor Invite all FCPS schools under that supervisor
Letter writing now – spread the word County supervisors & Chairman Sharon Bulova State officials to voice concerns & take action to
advocate for FCPS Must involve PTAs: Issue is FCPS
Contact Fairfax County Council PTA (FCCPTA)
Fairfax FLAGS Role Serve as the platform to unite & promote
advocacy efforts to maximize impact Website & Facebook provide centralized
resource for information, ideas & strategies Connecting schools to share best practices &
ideas for advocacy success Communicate with & through liaisons Provide support & guidance to liaisons, schools,
committees when requested
Role of Liaisons Set up advocacy team in school Communicate & publicize advocacy
Reach parents by using or building email distribution list
Update FLAGS on latest efforts in your schools & successes to share with other schools
Solicit help with committees as needed Talk it up & get others to help motivate parents
to TAKE ACTION Publicize website & Facebook as a source of
information & action items
Organization of Committees Prefer two leaders per committee
Provide us with contact information for website Ensure committee is on track & making
progress toward advocacy goals Provide updates to FLAGS leadership Communicate any pertinent findings to other
FLAGS committees Request support from leadership & other
committees when needed Solicit more committee members if needed Solicit experts or specialists for guidance or as
resource if needed
Committees Budget (SK)
Analysis of FCPS & County Grant/Alternative funding Research & identify cost-
savings possibilities Stay current with latest news
Media & Publicity (TM) Organize rallies Letters to editors Create & distribute business or
“promo cards” Press releases & packets Video productions
Political Outreach (SK) School Board County Board of Supervisors State, Federal, PACs Embassies
Organizational Outreach (TM) Businesses Government Agencies Influential Organizations Community & Associations University Outreach
Public Hearings & Meetings (SK) Prepare for public hearings &
solicit variety of speakers Organize & publicize district
meetings
Advocacy Communications (TM) Discussion groups Facebook monitoring News & info scouring Letter campaign tracking Gather testimonials
Budget Analysis of FCPS & County
Follow online budget questions submitted by School Board & Board of Supervisors
Identify potential cost savings & suggestions Research & answer budget questions by group
members Stay current with budget changes & issues
Grant/Alternative funding Research grant possibilities Explore corporate funding options Endowments Fees for services
Political Outreach Ensure relationship-building, calls to action
& constant communications with: School Board County Board of Supervisors State officials Federal officials Political Action Committees Embassies
Keep FLAGS community informed
Media & Publicity Organize rallies or public demonstrations
Figure out venue & timeline Letters to editors Create & distribute “promo cards” Press releases & packets Provide necessary responses to articles Provide talking points when needed Video productions Gather video clips & photos for promotions
Must have permission from parents
Organizational Outreach Ensure relationship-building, calls to action &
constant communications with: Businesses: local & global
Volkswagen, Hilton, Deutsche Bank, etc. Government Agencies
CIA, State Department, Military, Homeland Security Influential Organizations
ACTFL, CAL, The Language Flagship, NNEL, Japan Foundation Los Angeles, French-American Foundation
Community & Associations Chambers of Commerce, FCCPTA,
University Outreach Area universities, internat’l studies, business schools, etc.
Public Hearings & Meetings Prepare for public hearings
Work on public hearing strategy Start identifying potential speakers by working
with organizational & political outreach committees
Organize online registrations for speakers Support & organize district meetings
Motivate & schools host cluster-wide meetings with County Supervisor & FCPS Board Member
Ensure all concerned school are invited when possible
FLAGS leadership will be involved
Advocacy Communications Daily monitoring & tracking of information
Discussion groups Facebook News & info scouring Letter campaign tracking Gather testimonials
Report new findings or inappropriate postings
Keep group & leadership informed Make recommendations for improvement
Let’s Get to Work! Break into your committee of interest Those serving on multiple committees, be
sure they have your contact info Before leaving, provide committee contact
info to Sandy or Tina Before leaving, committees report their
initial ideas of how they will move forward