It was a long night but a great outcome. The District 150 Board of Education voted Monday evening to approve the Peoria Charter School Initiative's application for a math, science and technology charter school to open in August 2010. What a great day for parents, grandparents, students, the Peoria community and District 150.

We couldn't have achieved this "YES!" vote without your support. Thanks to everyone who participated in bus trips and community forums, wrote letters to the editor, sent emails and made phone calls to school board members, spoke up at last night's meeting or simply showed support by proudly wearing a "YES!" button. The American anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." You proved the truth of that statement once again last night.

Much work lies ahead now that the charter has been approved. We'll need your continued support, particularly when we begin to recruit students from throughout District 150. We'll be in touch in the weeks ahead about next steps and ways you can stay involved. In the meantime, keep up to date by visiting our website and Facebook page:

http://www.peoriacharterschools.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peoria-IL/Friends-of-the-Peoria-Charter-School-Initiative/213270630984?v=wall&ref=mf

To Learn More
www.peoriacharterschools.org
(309) 495.5988