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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... 1999
Releases
The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| FEBRUARY
16, 1999 9:30 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stand for Children Eliza Leighton of Stand for Children, 202-234-0095 ext. 121 or Email: eliza@stand.org |
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| Stand for Children Day Theme Chosen in Response to Grassroots Call For Action | ||||
| WASHINGTON
- February 16 - Stand For Children announced today that "Ready to Learn, Ready to
Succeed" will be the platform for the fourth annual Stand For Children
Day. Over one million people nationwide are expected to take part in over
1,500 Stand For Children Day events on and around June 1 as part of the growing grassroots movement working to improve children's education
in
and out of the classroom. At Stand For Children Day events people will be
calling for immediate action to solve the education crisis in America which
threatens to leave millions of children unprepared for the demands of the
21st century.
The "Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed" platform means that in addition to caring and supportive parents, every child must have: -- Health coverage. Children who can't see the blackboard, can't hear the teacher, or are distracted by pain can't learn to the best of their ability. Stand Day events will help children succeed by signing children up for health insurance under the new Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). -- Substantial new investments for affordable, quality child care. Young children need proper care and nurturance, stimulation, and early education to enter school ready to read and to succeed. -- Safe, productive after-school activities. Enriching after-school programs can help the nearly five million young people who are home alone in the afternoon each week stay out of trouble, and also give them the extra boost they need to succeed in school -- and in life. -- Schools that challenge all children. With small classes, skilled teachers, high standards, and involved parents, every child can perform at high levels. The supports and expectations, both in and out of school, can help all children succeed. "Until every child goes to school ready to learn and ready to succeed, America's promise will never be realized. Each of us must make a commitment now to work in our community to put the education needs of children first," says Stand For Children executive director Jonah Edelman. Across the country Stand For Children Day events will raise awareness about the urgent need for a holistic plan to get every child ready to learn, ready to succeed and push for federal legislative solutions such as expansion of the 21st Century Learning School Fund, new funding for school construction, and new investments in the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). In local communities, Stand For Children Day events will make direct improvements in the lives of children through renovation and construction of playgrounds, book drives, rallies, and children's resource fairs. Stand For Children Day '99: Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed will also join people from all over the world via a "Cyber-Stand For Children" on the World Wide Web. "Cyber-Stand For Children" will take place in conjunction with local Stand For Children Day events on the Stand For Children Website at www.stand.org. More than 200,000 visitors are expected to visit the web site to learn about how they can help ensure all children are ready to learn in the classroom and ready to succeed in life. Visitors will be encouraged to sign the Stand For Children pledge and send Cyber-Postcards to their elected officials encouraging them to stand up for legislation to support children and families. Last year 150,000 people participated in Cyber-Stand For Children, 1,000 of whom sent emails to their Members of Congress. In 1996, the first Stand For Children Day drew more than 300,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial in the largest demonstration of commitment to children in U.S. history. In 1997, more than 700 local Stand For Children Day events focused on the health issues of children, and encouraged legislators to pass the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which will provide health insurance to more than 5 million children. In 1998, more than 1,200 events nationwide, focused national attention on issues related to child care, and helped pass the Kerry/Bond amendment, the strongest vote for child care in over a decade. Volunteers interested in participating in or planning a Stand For Children Day '99 event should call 1-800-663-4032, visit the web site at www.stand.org, or via email at tellstand@stand.org . Stand For Children will provide technical support and assistance and link organizers and their events to millions of people nationwide. Stand For Children is a nonprofit, nonpartisan national membership organization organizing a powerful citizen voice to give all children the opportunity to grow up healthy, educated, and safe. Stand For Children is an affiliate of the Children's Defense Fund with more than 100 Stand For Children Chapters which have completed or are undertaking hundreds of initiatives for children. -0- |
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