HOW AND WHEN TO BEGIN

As soon as Training Materials are received:

1. Solicit as many volunteers as needed to conduct the School Choice Petition Drive at your school’s Back-to-School Night or at other appropriate functions that occur early in the school year, keeping in mind that signed petitions must be returned by Wednesday, October 20.

2. Distribute materials and discuss local logistics with all volunteers.

3. Identify captains (see definition on the following “Guidelines for School Choice Petition Drive” pages).

4. Photocopy the School Choice Petition and the Some of the Myths about School Choice information sheet attached. You will need to estimate the number you will need based on the size of your school. If you have Spanish-speaking school families, please photocopy a supply of the Spanish version of the petition as well to meet your school’s needs.

Beginning of September (Start of School Year)

5. Have School Secretary include the series of seven inserts in your school’s newsletter or regular communication envelope sent home to parents during the first weeks of school.

6. Prepare announcements to be read at all school functions where parents, faculty and high school students who are 18 years old are present emphasizing the importance of signing a School Choice Petition.

7. Hang the enclosed poster in a visible place in your school so that parents, faculty and high school students who are 18 years old will become familiar with the language of the petition.

8. Have School Secretary include the petition in your school’s newsletter or regular communication envelope sent home to parents during the first weeks of school along with the Some of the Myths about School Choice information sheet. Parents should be encouraged to ask other family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers and high school students who are 18 years old to sign the petition, keeping in mind that all signed petitions must be returned to the School Coordinator by October 19.

The Week Before the School Choice Petition Drive is held at your Back-to-School Night or other appropriate school function:

1. Ensure that you have sufficient copies of the School Choice Petition in English and Spanish, if needed, and the Some of the Myths about School Choice information sheet.
2. Ask Maintenance staff or volunteers to set up tables and chairs in time for your school’s Back-to-School Night or other appropriate school function.

After the School Choice Petition Drive is held:

1. All School Choice Petitions should be returned to the School Coordinator by Tuesday, October 19.

2. By Wednesday, October 20, the School Coordinator should mail all signed School Choice Petitions in the pre-addressed envelope provided. The Diocesan Director of the New Jersey ALLIANCE of Catholic School Families will contact the School Coordinator to follow up if signed petitions are not received.