15 Dec 2024

"All I Want This Winter is Afterschool!" Letter-Writing Campaign

Out-of-school time programs are vital to students, families, and communities across New Jersey. Join NJSACC in advocating for continued support and funding for these programs by engaging students and families in a letter-writing campaign to Governor Phil Murphy. Below are detailed instructions for three templates designed for students in grades K-4, grades 5-8, and high school students or parents.

By December 19th Mail letters: Place completed templates in an envelope addressed to: Governor Phil Murphy, The State House, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625.

This template helps younger students express their thoughts visually and through simple captions. Students will create a four-box drawing with the following prompts:

  1. Favorite part of Afterschool: Draw and label what you enjoy most about your afterschool program.
  2. What I do in the program: Show what activities or learning you do after school.
  3. How the program supports my family: Illustrate how your family benefits from the program.
  4. What I’d do if there were no afterschool: Draw what you might do instead of attending afterschool.

Steps for Facilitating:

  1. Prepare materials: Provide each student with the four-box drawing template, crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
  2. Discuss prompts: Explain each box and encourage creativity in their drawings and captions.
  3. Write the greeting: Help students write “Dear Governor Murphy” at the top of their templates.
  4. Collect and review: Ensure drawings are complete and captions are legible.

This template guides middle school students through a fill-in-the-blank letter format to help articulate their thoughts clearly.

Sample Letter:

Dear Governor Murphy,

I am a student in [Grade] at [School Name], and I am writing to tell you how important afterschool programs are to me.

My favorite part of afterschool is _______________ because it allows me to _______________.

In the program, we do activities like _______________ which helps me to _______________.

The afterschool program supports my family by _______________.

Without afterschool, I would be spending my time _______________.

I hope you continue to support afterschool programs in New Jersey. They make a big difference in our lives!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Steps for Facilitating:

  1. Distribute templates: Hand out the fill-in-the-blank letter templates to students.
  2. Explain the format: Read the prompts together and answer any questions.
  3. Encourage personal details: Suggest students provide specific examples to make their letters more meaningful.
  4. Review and revise: Check for clarity and legibility before collecting the letters.
  5. By December 19th Mail letters: Place completed templates in an envelope addressed to: Governor Phil Murphy, The State House, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625.

This template allows high school students and parents to write their perspectives on the impact of afterschool programs, starting with the prompt:

“Because of Afterschool, I can…”

Steps for Facilitating:

  1. Provide templates: Distribute templates with pre-printed college-ruled lines and the salutation, “Dear Governor Murphy.”
  2. Explain the prompt: Encourage participants to write about specific ways the program has helped them or their family (e.g., academic support, social growth, career readiness).
  3. Encourage depth: High school students might reflect on skills gained, friendships formed, or opportunities created. Parents might focus on peace of mind or family benefits.
  4. Collect letters: Ensure all letters are signed and legibly written.

Campaign Reminders

  • Encourage creativity, sincerity, and personal stories in all letters.
  • Highlight the importance of these letters reaching the Governor by the campaign’s end date.
  • Celebrate participation with a group photo or event to document the advocacy effort!