Welcome Welcome to the Fall/Winter 2008 Rhode Island Scholarship Alliance (RISA) online newsletter!  As the coalition of school choice advocates working to promote educational opportunities to economically challenged students through the Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit Program, RISA is excited to be underway in its second full school year of helping students and families have a choice in educational options.  As we reflect during the holiday season about what we're thankful for, I know that RISA is grateful for the following: RISA's corporate donors, who through their generosity help create educational opportunities for families in need; RISA's Board of Directors, who work throughout the year to further the Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit Program; RISA's schools, their teachers and officials, who day-in, day-out, make their places of learning such wonderful, caring, and supportive educational environments; And finally you, supporters of RISA, who care about school choice opportunities for families in need, and what it means for students to be able to pursue academic excellence in a school that's best for them, regardless of geographic or economic limitations.  So please take a look below to see what RISA's been up to.  As always, we're here to assist the business and education communities in Rhode Island, so please don't hesitate to be in touch with any questions or comments about the program.  My e-mail is knagle@rischolarshipalliance.org, and my phone number is (401) 831-7472. I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008 holiday season, and look forward to a productive 2009 for RISA! -- Kate Nagle, Executive Director RISA In The News Student Spotlight School Choice Movement Launches Major National Campaign to Recruit 10,000 Activists RISA IN THE NEWS RISA was recently featured in a Providence Journal article.  Please click here to read the article which profiles one RISA family, and what having a choice in schools has meant for them. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Tashya - 3rd Grade, All Saints Academy Tashya, a 3rd grader at All Saints Academy in Middletown, has a whole lot going for her.  She loves solving problems in math class at school, which is her favorite subject, and also really likes to sing.  Perhaps she gets that from her mom, Paula, who has been singing All Saints Academy's praises ever since she was able to enroll Tashya there, as well as her younger sister Jamarya in the 1st grade, thanks in part to the Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit Program.  Paula wanted another option besides the local school where they were living, and said that she just got a really good vibe from the family atmosphere when she went to visit All Saints Academy.  With just 21 students in the 3rd grade, Paula feels Tashya is getting the attention she needs, which makes her feel confident with her choice to send her there.  As a mom, she feels Tashya is in the right environment to help her learn and grow.  QUOTE: "I like how the teachers at All Saints Academy really focus on the kids.  They put a lot into each child, and I get the sense that they really know them.  I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to send my kids here.  It would not have been possible for us without the help of tuition assistance." - Paula Arsenault / Tashya's Mother SCHOOL CHOICE MOVEMENT LAUNCHES MAJOR NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT 10,000 ACTIVISTS The Alliance for School Choice in Washington, DC recently announced an aggressive campaign to recruit 10,000 new school choice activists.  The "School Choice Works" campaign will promote the benefits of school vouchers and tax credit scholarship programs (like the Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit Program).  The effort will coincide with the start of state legislative sessions in 2009.  The Rhode Island Scholarship Alliance works closely with the Alliance for School Choice, who provide us with financial and institutional support for our work promoting educational opportunities here in the state.  Nationally, more than 152,000 children participate in 18 school choice programs operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia.  The bipartisan base of support for school choice is growing every year, with public opinion polls showing stronger support among Democrats, African-Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics than ever before.  So if you feel strongly about supporting educational opportunities, I urge you to please check out their website, www.letparentschoose.org, and sign up to help us reach that goal of 10,000 strong.