Kudos!

*“Derived from the Greek word "κῦδος", meaning "fame" and/or "glory".
Used for awesomeness
#awesome#cool#respect#winning#owning”

*The Urban Dictionary

WATG has kudos to share!  As many of you know, we have been asking folks to share their personal GT stories with their representatives and make the ask for a $2.5 million budget for Wisconsin’s gifted children.  Currently Wisconsin’s ~100,000 gifted children receive less than a total of a ¼ million dollars of funding and that is in the form of competitive grants. Simple math will tell you that is about 25 cents per gifted student per year.  Yes, you read that correctly. 25 cents. Hence the push for the additional funding in the next two-year funding cycle. Some valiant efforts have been put forth by individuals on behalf of our gifted students and I want to highlight them this month.  

We had two individuals stand before the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) hearings and offer their heart-felt testimonials.  A huge shout-out goes to:

Hillarie from Altoona
and
Martha from Weyauewga

In addition, the following individuals (or groups) joined me in submitting written testimony to the JFC.  These folks include:

Deb-Waukesha
Lessa-Eau Claire
Amanda-Whitefish Bay
Shelley-Elm Grove
Chris-Madison
Jennifer-OshKosh
Pam-Madison
Wendy-Wausau
Linda-Elm Grove
Mollie-Ashland
Chris (group)-Madison
Alison and Bryan-Manitowoc
Beth-Cedarburg
Jackie-South Milwaukee
Sue-Oconomowoc
Sarah-Waukesha
Rebecca-Appleton
Katie-Appleton
Becky-Hudson
Robin-Appleton
Lalitha-Glendale
Mary-Menomonee Falls
Penny-Eau Claire

Have you submitted a testimonial? We would appreciate adding you to our growing list of movers and shakers.  Please email advocacy@watg.org and let us know of your work!

If you have not contacted your representative, but you are willing to, please let us know that as well.  At this point, the deadline has passed for submitting both oral and written testimony to the JFC, but your individual representatives can take your personal phone calls, letters and/or visits to their offices.  We will happily coach you through the process, although your heartfelt concerns will be heard and listened to without coaching.

This is a crucial time for lobbying for gifted education funding in Wisconsin.  By July we will have the next budget set for two years. A budget change for gifted education is our goal in THIS budget cycle! It would be remarkable to have a ground swell of unsatisfied constituents contact their representatives in the next two months (May and June).  You can and will make a difference!

Please share with us if you are advocating for gifted education and let us know how it is going for you!  We want to hear and share the news of our collective work! Email advocacy@watg.org  Share your news!

Will you join us in a commitment to our gifted students?  Thank you and KUDOS to those who have! We are grateful!

“#awesome#cool#respect#winning#owning”
~Cathy
​
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.                                            
~Margaret Mead