Here's a try at a Mission Statement

Please feel free to comment, change, or criticize. (I have no problem with that)

SOS-Support Onteora Schools is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising the public awareness of educational issues in the Onteora School District. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student of Onteora enjoys a rich and positive academic experience by advocating progressive educational values. We feel that this advocacy, by providing a nurturing educational environment for all of the students, will inevitably enrich the entire Onteora community and have a positive effect on the values of our lives as well as our homes. We believe that a fulfilling educational experience and a fiscally responsible school district are not mutually exclusive. SOS will address current issues before the school board as well as support candidates for the school board with similar educational philosophies as to ours.

-- Anonymous, March 03, 2001

Answers

Here's a bit of grammatical editing-nothing major.

SOS-Support Onteora Schools is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising the public awareness of educational issues in the Onteora School District. We are committed to ensuring that every student of Onteora enjoys a rich and positive academic experience by advocating progressive educational values. We feel that this advocacy, by providing a nurturing educational environment for all of the students, will inevitably enrich the entire Onteora community and have a positive effect on the values of our lives as well as our homes. We believe that a fulfilling educational experience and a fiscally responsible school district are not mutually exclusive. SOS will address current issues before the school board as well as support candidates for the school board with educational philosophies similar to ours.

Off to a good start !! I wonder whether we want to be any more specific about our educational goals and values beyond "progressive". Some rough ideas: Strive for academic excellence - ability to pass all state exams as well as encourage creative and critical thinking among our students. Support the ability of all students: special ed, regular ed, and advanced ed, to strive for their personal best and make sure we have the resources to back them up. Promote values such as equality, human rights, tolerance, commitment to social justice, giving back to one's community, not only by teaching these values in the classroom, but through example by practising them in the very structure of our educational system. Provide as much opportunities for hands on learning as possible. Promote the development of positive social skills in our students in order for them to relate comfortably and effectively with others. Create a safe environment for our students through a school-wide" no-bullying" policy, and educating both students and teachers as to warning signs of violence. Yours, Irene

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

This is a "sound byte" edit:

SOS, Support Onteora Schools, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive educational values in the Onteora School District. We think we should have a school system that gives all our children the best possible education and the taxpayer the best possible value. To achieve these goals, SOS will address the issues important to the Onteora district, endorse a good budget, and back school board candidates whose educational philosophy is similar to ours.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001

i'm with zorro or to that effect

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001