In conjunction with the School2Home project leaders, Bridges teachers were able to spend time with elected officials and important advocates for education in Sacramento. We let them know of successes, needs, and challenges we face in education in our local schools. Representative Ash Karla invited educators from Bridges Academy and Fisher Middle School to his office. There, teachers were able to make presentations and speak with the state representative and his staff about how the legislators could help with the challenges we face daily in our public schools. Representative Karla stated that he was impressed with the work samples and use of technology that we are using at Bridges. He feels we have used technology well here and he would like to support us with our further needs at school, especially with regards to technology. Representative Karla is particularly interested in assisting with decreasing the "digital divide," the fact that there is a great gap in access to technology between people of different income levels and life circumstances. Representative Karla and others are advocating for funds and programs to help educators decrease the digital divide. Teachers from Bridges Academy were made aware of programs to help families of students get access to technology and the internet at home for drastically discounted prices or free. Teachers from Bridges are beginning to survey needs of families in our school and connecting them to services. Let your Bridges teacher, or Mr. Brookes at Bridges, know if you have needs for a computer and internet access at home. We will be working on closing the digital divide together. We thank the state representatives for their continued support. We will keep you informed as technology and school communication programs develop here at Bridges Academy. Please call or write your state representatives to advocate for education funding and decreasing the digital divide.