The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has a new plan for implementing an extended day. Here’s the article on the new plan from the Waterloo Region Record.
If you live in Waterloo Region, you have almost certainly heard about the debate on how to implement before and after school programs for four to seven year olds. The local school boards planned to be the sole provider of these programs. They planned to do so even in schools served by community organizations like the YMCA or YWCA including schools that included licensed child care services. The original plans had an impact upon the whole child care system in the region including care for children under age four.
The Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition looked to Communicate & Howe! to help with its community relations and media relations. I am pleased to have been a part of helping to raise important issues that needed to be considered and encouraging a discussion on them. I can’t take all the credit since the efforts of parents and members of the coalition were critical to this outcome. I am happy though that I created materials that they used as tools to push for a better plan for children and families.
What did we do?
Our work included this Parent handout and this FAQ to help parents understand what was happening and the consequences. We also provided some media relations support such as this news release. Other material and advice was used behind the scenes.
This type of work is aligned with our philosophy of genuine, organic change. I believe strongly in public engagement and that advocacy is an important tool in changing the world so that it is a better place to live.
[...] Given my experience working for the Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition during the extended day…, I have serious concerns about Fife’s ability to effectively serve the people in the riding of Kitchener-Waterloo as their member of provincial parliament. [...]