Making Public Education A Community Priority Steering Committee

Shari Davis, CO-CHAIR
Louise Jaffe, CO-CHAIR
Judy Abdo
Keryl Cartee
Lauri Crane
Gleam Davis
Rick Gates
Don Girard
Michael E. Gruning
Craig Hamilton
Chris Harding
Harry M. Keiley
Rebecca Kennerly
Rochelle Lewis-Fanali
Debbie Mulvaney
Colleen O'Beirne Brydon
Cheri Orgel
Laura Rosenthal
Nathaniel Trives
Denny Zane

TREASURER
Graham R. Pope, CPS
WEBMASTER
Maryanne Solomon

October 2005
Dear Friend of Public Education,
Last April, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) partnered with California State PTA on Caravan for Kids. Caravan mobilized thousands of parents and students throughout the state against education funding cuts. The work of many Caravan volunteers, together with the financial contributions of our supporters, enabled us to organize local community events which were covered in every major media market across the state culminating in a massive demonstration on the Capitol steps in Sacramento.

This summer, CEPS was invited by California State PTA to make a Caravan for Kids presentation in San Diego. We wish you could have been there to experience the standing ovation; it was applause for everyone who helped make Caravan such a successful event!

The next critical step in our collective efforts is to defeat Proposition 76 in the November 8th election. Locally, CEPS and the Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs are working together to inform our community about this devastating proposition. Please see the enclosed info sheet on Proposition 76 and look for more information in your mailbox closer to election time. Please be sure you vote on (or before) November 8th: Vote NO on 76!

As we prepare for this latest unwelcome election cycle, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to Community for Excellent Public Schools. Without you, we are unable to advocate effectively. Please remit your $20 membership to CEPS for the '05-'06 school year and make a substantial financial contribution to our ongoing work. Please be as generous as you can be.

Your support of these efforts is essential as we work to "Make California Schools Great Again," starting right here in Santa Monica-Malibu!

Thank you for your support.

Yours for excellent public schools,
Shari Davis, Co-chair Louise Jaffe, Co-chair

Please see:

√ Info sheet opposing Proposition 76
√ Photograph from The Sacramento Bee coverage of Caravan for Kids. (Please also take a moment to review Caravan's Press Coverage -- reaching voters and policymakers statewide -- at www.CaravanforKids.org )
√ "Guest Commentary" from Santa Monica Daily Press
√ Remit envelope for your membership dues and generous contribution!



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