2018 Day at the Capitol Press Release

OVER 500 PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS RALLIED AT THE COLORADO STATE CAPITOL TO EMPOWER COLORADANS TO BE ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE

DENVER, February 16, 2018 – This morning, over 500 parents, guardians, students, and educators from the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families (CCCF) descended on the Colorado State Capitol to rally for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado. Schools of Choice are threatened across the country and school choice advocates throughout the state turned out to send a message to state legislators. 

"Colorado families are blessed to have abundant school choice options, but we will never take these options for granted. The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families believes parents should be empowered with school choice, students should have access to the educational options that fit them best, and parents should be trusted with their education decisions,” said Tillie Elvrum, a cyberschool parent and president of CCCF. “I was excited to join cyberschool families from across Colorado as we celebrate our school choice and the unique role cyberschools play in public education."

Cyberschools are a critical component to our public school system and must be preserved. Cyberschool students include elite athletes, like Arielle Gold, who want to gain an education while practicing many hours a day, LGBTQ students who have experienced bullying in traditional classrooms, or even students who simply prefer to work at their own pace due to a learning disability or emotional issue. Cyberschool students include anyone and everyone.

“Bullying, differing learning styles, and military parents – these are just a few reasons why families choose online schooling for their children,” said Emerald Zeitz, a cyberschool parent and board member of CCCF. “My daughter lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and the typical public school setting was simply not equipped to deal with her differences. With online schooling, my daughter embraces her differences without fear of being bullied as her grades, knowledge, and confidence soar.”

At the rally, CCCF honored four legislators with Golden Apple Awards, which recognized legislators who have shown a commitment to school choice. This year’s honorees were State Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Jefferson), State Senator Bob Gardner (R-El Paso), State Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-Jefferson), and Minority Leader Patrick Neville (R-Douglas).

Four cyberschool students also shared their personal experiences and successes with cyberschooling at the rally.

This was Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families’ 14th annual Day at the Capitol.

About the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families

The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families is a group of committed parents who have united to be powerful and vocal advocates for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado. The coalition believes that all children should have free and equal access to public online schools without restrictions. For additional information on CCCF, please visit www.coloradocyberfamilies.org.

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