Basic outline of the paper.

1. Background/Introduction

a. Place

b. Time

c. Background

d. Thesis

2. First idea

a. Where did this Idea come from? History, influences events, etc.

b. Thorough explanation of the idea

3. Second idea

a. Where did this Idea come from? History, influences events, etc.

b. Thorough explanation of the idea

4. Third idea

a. Where did this Idea come from? History, influences events, etc.

b. Thorough explanation of the idea

5. Conclusion

a. The impact of these ideas on others

Dear Supporters of Open Education,

The Minneapolis Public Schools are now poised for significant restructuring.  There is a rigorous public debate about which community and magnet schools will be retained.  On April 14th, our district leadership will recommend to the Board of Directors which schools and programs they would like to see continued.   We write to you with deep concern about the future of open education in Minneapolis Public Schools. 

We would like to organize a small discussion with a few supporters from open programs that have stood the test of time (Marcy, Barton and South) to discuss: 

1)  our hopes for progressive education in Minneapolis; and
2) action we might take in this short amount of time (before Spring Break which begins Friday, April 3rd).

We aim to meet with at least one board member (perhaps late afternoon this Friday?) to discuss open education.  (The April 14th meeting will occur right after Spring Break.)  While program decisions will be finalized on May 12, it is our sense that our greatest moment of influence will be prior to April 14th.

Please join us for conversation this Wednesday, March 25th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the Dunn Bros. at 530 University Avenue SE, Mpls., MN 55414, Ph:  612-331-5195.  We will meet specifically to talk about ways we can voice support for the continuance of open pedagogy, and hopefully to plan a meeting with at least one Board Director.

Please R.S.V.P. and invite others to weigh in as you deem appropriate.  (Since I'm a South/Marcy parent, Barton parent Peggy Clark is going to help me with outreach to Barton folks.)  Whether or not you can join us, we hope that you will use this communication to share your perspectives and how you might support our efforts.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you this Wednesday, March 25th.
Kate Towle (13-year Marcy parent; Co-Chair, District Parent Advisory Council);  Ph: 612-743-5107 (cell)
Lisa Hondros (Marcy Site Council, 8-year Marcy parent); Ph:  612-812-7677 (cell)

Current Events 

158 Sudanese Refugees Head Home, OneWorld US, February 20, 2009
  The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that some 158 Sudanese who had been refugees in Ethiopia for over a decade went home last week on a United Nations-organized road convoy. 

Foreign Workers Could Be Barred from Entering UK, Guardian, February 22, 2009
  New measures to bar tens of thousands of foreign workers from outside Europe coming to work in Britain as the recession bites deeper were outlined by the home secretary 

• The MPS main website, and all of the departments
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• The parent and student portals