Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families

Challenge

For 20 years, the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families (CCCF) has hosted a Day at the Capitol, which brings together parents, students, and educators from across the state to showcase support for cyberschools, online learning, and school choice. In 2023, the event would be a dual celebration– not only marking the resurgence of in-person gatherings since 2020, but also commemorating the 20th anniversary of this important annual event.

Novitas Communications was tasked with crafting a meaningful event with the following objectives: promote the event and gather RSVPs; create an informative, educational, and enjoyable event with interactive activities that appealed to all ages; foster a sense of community among cyberschool families and educators from across the state by creating opportunities to connect, share experiences, and build lasting relationships; advocate for the invaluable role of online education and school choice in Colorado by sharing stories from students, families, and educators; and cultivate connections with Colorado legislators to raise awareness of the benefits of online learning, promote schools choice, and, in doing so, prevent harmful legislation from being introduced.

About

The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families is a group of committed parents who have come together to be powerful and vocal advocates for online public schooling in Colorado.

Solution

Novitas Communications initiated event promotion with a “Save the Date” email dispatched via the Colorado Coalition of Cyber Families (CCCF) to cyberschool leaders statewide. Novitas extended formal invitations to the CCCF network through emails and newsletters, as well as to the broader online learning community via social media. We created reminders via email and social media, including a countdown to the day of the event to create excitement. All promotions including the Eventbrite link for RSVPs to gain an approximate count of attendees.

Novitas partnered with the History Colorado Center, strategically located near the State Capitol, which provided ample space and catering services. We worked with Colorado Legislative Strategies to provide information about key education bills being heard at the legislature. We reached out to Colorado Humanities to secure a live history performance by Storysmith® Susan Marie Frontczak, portraying Marie Curie. Novitas also organized Capitol tours and free museum tickets, enhancing the educational piece of the event. We also worked with the State Capitol facilities team to secure the iconic West Steps for the rally.

The beginning of the event included breakfast and networking opportunities for the adults, while students were encouraged to design their own posters (supplies provided) to take to the rally. This provided the opportunity for them to form connections with students from other schools.

Novitas solicited the CCCF network for speakers, extending invitations to students, parents, and educators to share their cyberschool experiences. During the rally, several students and educators shared personal narratives that underscored the transformative potential of online learning and its positive influence. The video crew captured the day’s events and gathered testimonials from students, families, and educators.

CCCF presented Golden Apple awards to four state legislators – two senators and representatives from each party – thanking them for their continued support of school choice and online learning. Novitas invited all current Colorado state legislators to attend the rally at the State Capitol. This also provided an opportunity to introduce the work of CCCF and the importance of online schools in Colorado. Finally, we collaborated with Governor Jared Polis’ office to draft and secure the proclamation declaring the day of the event Digital Learning Day in Colorado, further demonstrating his support for school choice and online learning in Colorado.

Results

Overall, CCCF’s 20th Annual Day at the Capitol was a resounding success. Approximately 150 people RSVPed and approximately 200 students, families, and educators in attendance from multiple schools across the state, demonstrating the success of Novitas’ promotion of the event via email and social media.

The morning event at History Colorado Center went very well and bonds were formed among parents, students, and educators. The educational presentation from Storysmith® Susan Marie Frontczak as Marie Curie was very well received, and it was the perfect combination of history and science. The video crew was able to capture great footage throughout the day and several testimonials. Both were shared on the CCCF website and on social media to amplify the positive experiences and results of online learning in Colorado.