School Choice

Do you believe that parents should have the ability to choose the educational environment that best suits the needs of their child?  Do you also agree that parents should be able to make that choice regardless of their street address and/or their personal economics?  Thank you for your interest in this great initiative!

School Choice is a very exciting movement in Rhode Island which is gaining momentum every day.  Rhode Island Families for School Choice is a coalition of parents, educators, and other like-minded citizens who recognize the many benefits and opportunities for educational growth that come when parents choose. The Rhode Island Catholic School Parent Federation (RICSPF) supports the work of Rhode Island Families for School Choice. 

Would you like to become an ambassador for expanded school choice?  We would love to have you become part of our growing network!  There is a place for everyone who is interested in spreading the message that citizens of Rhode Island are ready for expanded School Choice!

Parent Federation Initiatives

• Contact State Representative/Senator: This can be done by email, phone, or mail. You choose. The more citizens who express their interest in School Choice the more the RI Legislature will work with us!  
• Specific Bill/Notification Campaigns:  When we have a bill being introduced or heard we need our network to contact their State Representatives/Senators to let them know we want their support of our efforts.  This might need to be done more than once a session and can be done by email or phone.
• Local Hosts:  To get the word out and to start the conversation on local levels these volunteers can invite their friends and neighbors to informal coffee hours with their local state legislators.  Another way to be a local host is to invite RIFSC to come to a meeting of an organization you are involved in such as a PTO or a local club.
• City/Town Network Coordinator:  We are looking for a person or two in each city/town to help coordinate our efforts.  These volunteers could host local meetings and help spread the word to others in the town about RIFSC.  
• Local Public Relations:  This position would contact local newspapers to submit press releases from RIFSC.
• Attend a State House hearing:  Come demonstrate your support when legislation is submitted or scheduled to be heard in committee.
• Office help:  RIFSC needs volunteers for data entry and other such functions. Best part is the office is right at home from your own computer!
• RIFSC Committee Member:  The committee meets once a month to plan upcoming campaigns and events to spread the word about bringing School Choice to all Rhode Island Families.
• Other:  If you have another way you would like to help please let us know!

This information is sent directly to Mr. Edward Bastia, the Business Manager at the Catholic School Office in the Diocese of Providence. 

Email: ebastia@dioceseofprovidence.org
Phone: (401) 278-4500