<p>I know this is off topic and doesn't apply to BS, but I frequent this board and was hoping a few of you fellow BS parents might help me out. My son goes to a small charter school and we are participating in a national school spirit contest. Remarkably, we are in 4th place in the nation at the moment. If we can get to #3, we will get some prize $$$ for technology. </p>
<p>So if you'd consider casting a vote for Brighten Academy, I'd greatly appreciate it. Here's a direct link: Brighten</a> Academy, Douglasville, GA 30135</p>
<p>Thanks for helping us out. Every single vote puts us closer to some technology money. And we definitely need it!! </p>
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<p>And here's a link that has nothing to do with that contest, but may be of interest to some of you who work or have children in public school. </p>
<p>Education</a> Nation Scorecard for Schools</p>
<p>I tried. It wouldn’t send me a ballot.</p>
<p>As it happens, my kids’ tiny little public school is currently in first place in that very contest. So hmmm…tempted to try to launch a counter campaign here, but I won’t!</p>
<p>I think they’re having some technical problems today. Thank you for trying neato. </p>
<p>And classicalmama, that is too funny. Who would have guessed? Brighten has quite a way to go to be a threat to your school. How did your school manage to get so many votes so quickly?</p>
<p>Small town, but touristy…I think they put a notice up on our local International Bear Center website, which apparently attracts thousands of visitors because of its live bear cub webcam! 
A local state park just won a hefty grant from Coca-Cola doing the same thing. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, tourists don’t generate much money for the school…so we’ll (hopefully) be able to put the money to good use too. Don’t even get me started on the essential “extras” that have been cut in the past few years.</p>
<p>Well that explains it. And we thought the ‘bears’ was your school team.</p>
<p>No…that would be the Timberwolves. But the International Wolf Center’s website doesn’t get as many hits… :)</p>
<p>How can we vote for a school we know nothing about?</p>
<p>Very easily. It’s just a matter of clicking on a few links. </p>
<p>But if your having issues with your conscience and your choice to support the school , that’s a different story. You can learn more about the school (or any public school) by going to the ‘Education Nation’ link in my first post or ‘greatschools.org’ and put in our school’s name and zip code. </p>
<p>And rest assured, if I didn’t feel good about the school, my child wouldn’t be there, nor would I be supporting it myself.</p>
<p>Four more votes and we’re in the $$$. If you tried before and couldn’t vote, please consider trying again. They were having some technical difficulties this past week, but I think it’s working now.</p>
<p>[Brighten</a> Academy, Douglasville, GA 30135](<a href=“http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/1303/757/?refer=21744.04.1287362863.430624]Brighten”>http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/1303/757/?refer=21744.04.1287362863.430624)</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>