Thank you for agreeing to serve as the Parent Coordinator who will facilitate 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. The School Choice Petition Drive, under the auspices of the New Jersey School Choice Alliance, is a joint effort by its members, which includes the New Jersey Catholic Conference, New Jersey ALLIANCE of Catholic School Families and Knights of Columbus. The purpose of the School Choice Petition Drive is to present the signed petitions to state legislators so that they will get an indication of the support for the general concept of school choice within their districts. There will be no attempt to pressure anyone to sign the petition. Since this is also designed as an educational experience, we have provided an information sheet that you should duplicate and have available at the drive for those who wish to have more clarification about school choice and about the myths that are perpetuated by opponents of school choice.
Enclosed are guidelines for coordinating the project in your school. Also enclosed are short inserts for your school’s newsletter or regular communication envelope to be sent home with students during the first weeks of school leading up to the
signing of the petition. Note: High School students who are 18 years old can sign the petition. The New Jersey School Choice Alliance contributed to the content of these guidelines; however, for further clarification, please email or call the appropriate Diocesan Director for the New Jersey ALLIANCE of Catholic School Families listed below, who will serve as the contact person for each diocese.
Archdiocese of Newark: Mary T. McElroy
Phone: 973.467.9396; Fax: 973.467.1439
Dioceses of Camden and Trenton: Mary Ellen Procaccini
1923 Bay Terrace, Ship
Phone:
609.361.7885; Fax: 609.361.7886
Diocese of Metuchen: Judith Krilla
Phone: 908.526.3898; Fax: 908.526.1870
Diocese of Paterson: Kathryn McGee
Phone: 973.305.8391; Fax: 973.305.0560