Homeschoolers fight back

9/3/01
Homeschoolers win!!

It's official! Homeschoolers are now allowed to be part of their program. Originally you had to be a real sleuth to figure out if you could participate, but NOW it's official. According to "Ask Anne" section of their website (which is still a bit hidden from the front page of the program), it says:

(From Campbell's website)
"Are homeschools eligible to participate in the program?
Homeschools are eligible to participate as long as they are accredited through their county or state. Please send a letter with proof of your accreditation to:

Campbell's Labels for Education
PO Box 3130
Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55745-3130

Write Anne Pizzaro
or call 1-800-424-5331
and tell them that Homeschoolzon.com sent you!!
(tell us if there are any problems, too!)

at their website

Comments

What "accredited" means
In our conversations with the director of the program, Anne Pizzaro, it was our sense that Campbell's was primarily interested in have people in the program who were legitimately homeschooling their children, as opposed to a notion of a process of state sponsored accreditation. They are just looking for something that shows that you are really doing what you say when you say you are homeschooling. This is examplified by a letter from one of our members who lives in Pennsylvania.

From: Dawn of PA

Hi Joe,
I sent another e-mail to Anne, asking about what she meant by being accredited.  This was the response I got.  It seems that they are going to live up to their promise to homeschoolzone.  I've copied the e-mail in its entirety for you to read.

From Anne Pizzaro, Director of Labels For Education

Dear Dawn,
Since each state has different laws for homeschools to follow, we ask that you send in a copy of your affidavit, or something with proof of your homeschool.  Just send that to the below listed address and we will help you get started!  Thank you for your interest in helping to support Labels for Education.
 
Campbell's Labels for Education
Attn: Shela
1105 S.E. 8th St.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55745
 
Sincerely,
Anne Pizarro,
Director of Labels For Education

Here's how it began....

August 2001
Campbell's Soup:
Soup Labels for Education
Homeschoolers CAN participate
(if they can find the program)

• Recently, Sue Spataro managing editor for The Homeschoolzone, talked with Anne Pizzaro the director of Campbell Soup's Labels for Education Program (1-800-424-5331).
• Their Labels for Education Program,which encourages public and private schools to collect labels from all Campbell's products ( which includes companies Pepperidge Farm and Godiva), allow students and schools to exchange labels for such goodies as videos, art supplies, even computers.
• When talking with Ms. Pizzaro, it was discovered, through a lengthy conversation, that homeschoolers COULD participate in the Labels program.
• But there was still an obstacle in their way.
  Homeschoolers have to already know to call the Campbell people to enroll in this program.  Their television ads and web site do not in any way indicate that homeschooling families are eligible.
• The Homeschoolzone.com contacted Ms. Pizzaro and asked that this obstacle be removed by clearly stating on their web site that homeschoolers can participate in their Labels for Education program. In fact, Sue has sent as per Ms. Pizzaro's request, an e-mail citing where and how in the Campbell's online rules that homeschoolers could easily be included.
• Campbell's failed to respond to this and was called for a third time to discuss this issue.  As it stands right now, according to Ms. Pizzaro, this request is "filed".
• Spataro is now contacting Campbell's director of marketing, Mr. McWilliams, to continue this "conversation" about having homeschoolers included on their web site and as participants.

Homeschoolers fight back

Join in the struggle!!

The message is clear: For homeschooling and homeschoolers to be regarded as another educational option like private education we all must chip in and help open the eyes of the folks around us.   Linda and The Homeschoolzone.com have shown what can be done when you mix equal parts passion and perseverance.

You can do it too,
we want to hear from you!
click here

Scholarships, Grants & other FREE stuff
Who says they're is no free lunch. In this section we are collecting contests, grants, scholarships and all sorts of things to make your life easier (and cheaper!!). It is constantly changing, so come by every few days.

"The Future of Education in America"
An exclusive interview
with William Bennett, Ph.D.
hosted by Sue Spataro
William J. Bennett has devoted most of his professional life to improving America's schools and studying what works in education. He is the former U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Bennett has also served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He has written and edited 14 books—including national bestsellers such as The Educated Child: A Parent's Guide. In this exclusive interview with William Bennett, we discuss: the breakdown of the traditional two-parent family; what's wrong with the public-school system in America; Dr Bennett's new k12.com program; and changing attitudes about homeschooling.