2010 Census Info. URGENT!!

From The Office Of Steven E. Lee
Chief Executive Officer Chester Community Charter School

URGENT MESSAGE

Dear Chester Community Charter School Families and Friends,

I am writing to inform you about the importance of the United States Census 2010 and what it means for the citizens and families of Chester. To achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living in cities and towns throughout the country, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The census determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade, (a 10 year period). 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $3 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In 2000 Chester had a Census return rate of only 48%. That means more than half of the people who lived in Chester in the year 2000 were not even counted!

For the funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the Census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. Based on what you know about CCCS, if your child came home with a grade of 48, you immediately realize that’s a failing grade and something needs to be done to improve upon it. The same can be said about the Census. A 48% return rate is a terrible failure! We must and can do better and our CCCS families and friends hold the key to getting the return rate up to a respectable 75-85 percent.

The facts gathered from Census 2010 also help shape decisions for the next 10 years about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more. I know that all of you join me in the positive vision for the future of our children. The future for our children is very bright and doing your small part by completing one of the shortest questionnaires in history, will make their futures even brighter. The 2010 Census asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. The form is only one page and takes only about 10 minutes to complete!

I became involved in this project because I know that over the past 10 years, Chester has not received all of the funding that our city desperately needs and richly deserves. I think about the future of our children and how we should always seek ways to make things better for them.

Completing the Census 2010 form is such a small price to pay for the future of our children and our city. It truly takes very little time and very little effort to complete.

As always, I’m counting on you, the parents, guardians and friends of Chester Community Charter School to do the right thing and complete the Census 2010 form. For more information about the 2010 Census, go to 2010census.gov.

2010 Census Key Dates

FEBRUARY to MARCH 2010
Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households

MARCH to APRIL 2010
Be Counted Program is implemented. Census questionnaires are available at select public sites for individuals who did not receive one by mail.

APRIL 1, 2010
Census Day. Please mail your completed Census questionnaires by this date.

MAY to JULY 2010
Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.

DECEMBER 31, 2010
By law, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President.

MARCH 2011
By law, the Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.

Please help Chester, Pennsylvania get its due by returning your completed Census form in a timely manner. Be sure that you and members of your household are counted! In this way, you can make a difference in our children’s future and in the quality of life for all members of the community.

Most Sincerely,

Steven E. Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Chester Community Charter School