NORTH HAVEN -- North Haven resident Marilyn Calderon is executive director of Connecticut Parent Power, an organization that is trying to get the word out about the current education reform bill.
A people's forum will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday (April 14) at the Institute for Technology and Business Development, 185 Main St., New Britain. There is free garage parking on Walnut Street, behind the building.
According to Calderon, Connecticut Parent Power has maintained a neutral perspective on Senate Bill 24, which has drawn many perspectives across the state.
"After meeting with many parents and realizing that there are still many who do not know enough or have some questions and/or ideas that are being talked about…we were compelled to ask parents what they would like to see happen and they suggested a People's Forum that brings all stakeholders together to not only become more knowledgeable on SB 24, but to also come up with some solutions that will best shape the end result for our most vulnerable, our children," Calderon said.
Connecticut Parent Power' s mission is to educate, engage and mobilize parents to act on the issues that matter most to them in the areas of quality early childhood/care/education, health care reform and K-12 schools systems - with a strong focus on prevention with the critical early years of Birth through 8.  "Our belief comes with a deep understanding that we all have a responsibility to raise up our voices to ensure that our legislative/representative leaders are always making the most sound decisions for our children and families across our state in a way that looks at all perspectives fostering democracy in action," she said.

"Through our collaborative People's Forum we hope to facilitate a process that validates and embraces the varying opinions and suggestions that each participant brings.  Then, we will have one facilitator at each round table to foster a dialogue that comes up with a collection of solutions and action steps that continue supporting all children and their families in the long run.  This is an event to work  as a collective process building upon the strengths of the proposed reform with a unified voice. 

"We are looking to have all parents from across the state present at this meaningful event, so please join us," Calderon said.

The event is free. For more information call Calderon at 203-980-8511 or Sasha Davis at 860-888-8889 or register at http://peoplesforurm.eventbrite.com/.