THURS. OCT 12: Lawmakers Welcomed to Explorations Charter School for Breakfast, Forum and School Tour

Students, parents and staff of Explorations Charter School will open their doors to legislators Thursday for breakfast, a tour of the school, and the chance to hear first-hand testimonials about why fair funding is so critically important to charter school families and students in Connecticut.

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2017
Contact: Kerisha Harris, (203) 907-7238, kharris@necharters.org

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12: Lawmakers Welcomed to Explorations Charter School for Breakfast, Forum and School Tour

Winsted, CT – Students, parents and staff of Explorations Charter School will open their doors to legislators Thursday for breakfast, a tour of the school, and the chance to hear first-hand testimonials about why fair funding is so critically important to charter school families and students in Connecticut.

Explorations is one of Connecticut’s very first charter public schools, and provides a unique learning experience to just over 90 students in grades 9-12 from a host of communities throughout the greater Torrington area. As a charter public school, however, Explorations faces unique challenges related to funding inequity, including facilities funding and transportation for students. And like all of Connecticut’s charter public schools, Explorations has received just $11,000 in per pupil operational dollars from the state for three years in a row -- on average, that’s $4,000 less than district schools receive. As Connecticut’s budget stalemate continues, charter schools like Explorations are left hanging in the balance, unsure as to whether they will be fairly supported in the final budget.

Thursday’s event will include opportunities for media to speak with school leaders, students and families, as well as local and state elected officials, regarding both the successes and unique challenges faced by Explorations and the rest of the state’s charter public schools.

There will be video and still photo opportunities throughout the school.

WHO: Explorations Charter School community, representatives from the Northeast Charter Schools Network, as well as local and state elected officials from throughout the greater Torrington area

WHAT: Breakfast with legislators, remarks, forum and school tour

WHERE: Cafeteria at Explorations Charter School. 71 Spencer St, Winsted, CT 06098

WHEN: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., followed by remarks, Q&A and school tour

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network: The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools.

50 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06510
http://necharters.org