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Proclamation recognizing A+ Schools upon the occasion of its 10th anniversary and naming June 19, 2014 as "A+ Schools Day" in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, high quality public schools in our urban core are essential to the strength and vitality of our region; and
WHEREAS, A+ Schools was founded in 2004 as Pittsburgh's Community Alliance for Public Education to serve as an advocate for equity and excellence; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, A+ Schools published the first Report to the Community on Public School Progress which provided the public and policy makers with an easily accessible reference tool to monitor and track how well our schools were educating students and have continuously provided this and other critical reports to the community over the past decade; and
WHEREAS, over the past ten years A+ Schools has been a critical voice for reform at our schools winning changes that have increased access to advanced courses, library services, arts and music courses, world languages and counselors for students; and
WHEREAS, parents, students and community members have become more involved in advocating for changes in Pittsburgh Public Schools through the A+ Schools programs of TeenBloc, Parent Nation, Board Watch and School Works and have been recognized by the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh with a Good Governance Award in 2011 for their efforts;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby proclaim June 19, 2014 as "A+ Schools Day" in Allegheny County. We urge all residents to support A+ Schools' goals of equity and excellence in public education in Pittsburgh in their neighborhoods and communities.