samples of letters to the editor
Write a letter about why after school is important to you
Sending a letter to your local newspaper is an important way to let others, including elected officials, know that after school is important. Many newspapers accept letters via email, or on a form on their web site. For more tips on how to do this, click here.
Remember - Most letters to the editor cannot be longer than 200 words. You will need to add your name and town to the letter, as well as a daytime phone number. Phone numbers will not be printed.
Sample Letter to the Editor (After School Day Specific):
Dear Editor:
On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, after school program providers, families, school officials, youth, and other key supporters will gather at the Capitol for After School Day at the Capitol in order to celebrate and share our successes stories of what works for children, youth and families across Connecticut.
As you know, after school programs provide countless opportunities before school, after school, over the summer, and during school vacations to serve the whole child, the whole day, for the whole year. After school programs foster social-emotional growth, keep children safe, complement school day learning, and provide essential skills to close the achievement gap and prepare all students for 21st century success.After school programs provide children and youth opportunities to learn essential social, emotional, artistic, health, and academic skills that inspire them to learn and are vital for their future success.
Here in (town), we have a program (program name) that (Describe your program and its critical role in your community).
There has never been a more important time to support after school programs – for providing quality services, supporting working families, supporting economic growth, strengthening workforce development and keeping kids safe!
Thank you for your support of children, youth, families and communities!
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Program)
(Program Phone Number/E-Mail)
(Program Website)
Sample Letter to the Editor 2:
After school programs are important not only for the health and development of children, but for the well-being of the state's economy. As children are dropped from programs due to budget cuts, there is a corresponding impact on the workforce. Working parents rely on these programs to maintain their employment. The proposed cuts will not only harm children, but will also add thousands of parents to the unemployment rolls.
Legislators, as you prepare your budget deliberations, please remember that children did not get the state into the current budget crisis. The budget should not be balanced on their backs.
Sample Letter to the Editor 3:
Children did not get the state in the current budget crisis. They should not be the ones whose backs the budget is balanced upon.
Cuts to after school programs hurt not only children, but their families and the economy as a whole. The cut in funding to State After School Grant fund would mean that nearly 7,000 young children will lose access to their after school program. As of October, Care4Kids was serving 4,000 children less than it was last May, due to Governor Rell's decision to restrict eligibility to reserve some of the funds the legislature appropriated (a “forced lapse”). As far as the economy is concerned, working parents rely on these programs to maintain their employment. The proposed cuts will not only harm children, but will also add thousands of parents to the unemployment rolls.
Legislators, please keep programs for children funded and intact.
Publications:
Hartford Courant: (daily) (statewide coverage)
www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/thc-letters,0,1754910.customform
Journal Inquirer: (daily) (Andover, Bolton, Coventry, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Hazardville, Hebron, Manchester, Marlborough, South Windsor, Stafford, Suffield, Tolland, Vernon, Windsor, Windsor Locks)
New Britain Herald: (daily) (New Britain area)
New Haven Register: (daily) (Greater New Haven Area)
Norwich Bulletin: (daily) (Windham County and most of New London County)
Connecticut Post: (daily) (Bridgeport area)
Danbury News-Times: (daily) (Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield)
Meriden Record-Journal: (daily) (Meriden, Wallingford, Cheshire, Southington)
New London Day: (daily) (New London and surrounding area)
https://campus.theday.com/frm_letters.aspx
Willimantic Chronicle: (daily) (Willimantic, Windham, Coventry, Chaplin, Lebanon, Hampton and surrounding areas)
Stamford Advocate: (daily) (Stamford area)
Middletown Press: (daily) (Middletown, Meriden, Middlefield and surrounding towns)
The Cheshire Herald: (weekly) (Cheshire)
or at: www.cheshireherald.com/node/21
Newington Town Crier: (weekly) (Newington)
newingtontowncrier@ctcentral.com
Reminder News: (Weekly) (Bolton, Coventry, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Hampton, Hebron, Lebanon, Manchester, Mansfield, Somers, South Windsor, Stafford, Stafford Springs, Staffordville, Storrs, Suffield, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willimantic, Windsor, Windsor Locks)
www.remindernews.com/LetterToTheEditor
The Glastonbury Citizen: (weekly) (Glastonbury)
The Rivereast News Bulletin: (weekly) (Portland, East Hampton, Middle Haddam, Cobalt, Marlborough, Hebron, Amston, Andover, Colchester and Salem)
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Get the facts:
- Millions of dollars will be cut from dozens of programs that support children and families. Click here to see the list of all proposed cuts.
- Last year the After School Grant Program supported more than 7,000 kids grades K-12 at 74 sites in 32 Connecticut cities and towns.
- More than twice as many grant applications were submitted for this competitive grant program than could be funded, showing that the need for this type of funding is great.
- After school programs 1) keep kids safe, 2) help working families, and 3) improve academic achievement.
- Click here for the latest fact sheet on the Value of High Quality After School Programs.
- For a full list of Connecticut State Representatives, click here.
- For a full list of Connecticut State Senators, click here.
- To find out who your state legislators are, visit the Connecticut General Assembly's Web site: http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp First find your town in the left hand column, then click on the district number in the House (to find your Representative) or Senate columns. If your town is split into more than one district and two numbers appear in a column, clicking on these numbers will take you to a map of your town so you can choose which district you live in.
Toll free numbers to reach your State Rep or State Senator:
- House Democrats- 1-800-842-8267
- Senate Democrats- 1-800-842-1420
- House Republicans- 1-800-842-1423
- Senate Republicans- 1-800-842-1421