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Letter Writing Tips for DoDEA Parents

Do not download or forward this information while on government time or while using government equipment. Also, do not forward this information to any government email account, such as DoDEA Outlook mail.

FEA suggests that DoDEA parents write to their local military commanders and/or Congressional representatives to express their outrage over the proposed cuts in middle school and kindergarten staffing. You can obtain addresses through your local command or at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.

Letters to Military/Elected Officials:


Suggested points to make:
  • Introduce yourself as a DoDEA parent in order to make the reason for your concerns clear. If you have a child in middle school, be sure to mention this information as well.
  • State the issue or issues you are most concerned about (massive growth in middle school class sizes, hiring 160 new "Resource Managers" at the same time teaching staff are being cut and class sizes are being increased)
  • Cite examples, based on your own experience, to explain why these proposed changes would negatively impact your child and DoDEA schools. Personal examples from your life will help to make your case stronger.
  • Call for the military commander or elected oficial to register his/her dissatisfaction with Dr. Miles and the Pentagon, and to call for a stop to Dr. Miles' plans.
  • See FEA's information sheets about middle school PTR, and proposed Resource Managers for more background to help you in your letter writing.

Sample letter:

Dear General Smith (or Senator Smith)

I am writing as a military spouse and the parent of two children in Department of Defense schools to speak out against a proposal by DoDEA to increase class sizes in DoDEA middle schools.

Larger class sizes make it harder for each teacher to give all students the attention they need and deserve. Putting more students into each class will harm the educational environment for my children. What's more, the move is completely unnecessary, as evidenced by DoDEA's simultaneous decision to create 159 new Resource Manager positions throughout DoDEA schools. DoDEA should be spending its budget on more staff to make class sizes smaller and provide more learning opportunities for each students, rather than hiring unnecessary Resource Managers to make life easier for principals.

The Director of DoDEA schools, Dr. Shirley Miles, has said no decision on middle school class sizes will be made until after the 2009-2010 school year, pending input from a task force she will create to "advise" her on this issue. I have serious doubts about the independence of such a task force and its ability to advise Dr. Miles on a decision she has apparently already made.

I ask you to contact the Pentagon and DoDEA to inform them of the dissatisfaction with this proposed change. The quality of DoDEA schools is at stake.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
(your name)

Letters to the Editor


Parents are also highly encouraged to write to their local base publications and to global media such as Stars and Stripes and the Army Times.

Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Avoid using obscure language and acronyms. State the issue you are concerned about, the reasons for your concern, and the course of action you would like followed.

Example:

Editor, Stars & Stripes:
As the parent of a middle school student at Smith Middle School I am outraged over plans by DoDEA Director Dr. Shirley Miles to raise the Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio (PTR) in DoDEA middle schools worldwide.

Such an increase in class sizes defies logic, as it contradicts all recommendations for improving academics. In DoDEA's recent customer service survey, parents and students both indicated their belief that lowering class sizes was one of the most important things that could be done to improve DoD schools. It is irresponsible and reckless to consider raising class sizes.

I call on Dr. Miles to abandon this effort. Instead of hiring 160 new "Resource Managers" to do work already being performed by other management employees, those positions should be used to lower the PTR in middle schools.
Sincerely,
(your name and contact information)

Addresses for letters to Stars & Stripes:
Europe:
Stars and Stripes
Unit 29480
APO AE 09211

Pacific:
Readers Forum
Stars and Stripes
Unit 45002
APO AP 96337-5002

Addresses for letters to Army Times:
Army Times Publishing Company
6883 Commercial Dr.
Springfield, VA 22159-0500

To make your letter more personal, it would be a good idea to share any anecdotes or examples you have of how DoDEA schools have helped your child and how these proposed staffing cuts would negatively impact your child. You can use the same format for letters to any news publications, including local paper and on-base publications.

Always remember that military quality of life is a very important issue to the Pentagon and to your elected representatives. The need for DoDEA schools to provide an OUTSTANDING (not just average) education for your children is a crucial quality of life issue. That makes your opinion very important. Don't be shy about letting the "powers that be" know what you want.