(Use the links below to get caught up on the state of Education in Newark, New Jersey. Englewood is not immune. If Dwight Morrow High School is allowed to slip into the designation of PRIORITY SCHOOL it also, will be in danger of closing. Do you really want to put your children on a bus knowing that you will not see their faces in some cases until after dark. It is time to stand. It is time to be an example. Be strong.)
All,
As most of you know, there has been a dramatic burst of news in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, Cami Anderson suspended - indefinitely and without pay pending an investigation - 5 NPS principals. Long story short, 4 were suspended because they spoke out publicly in support of their students, parents, and teaching staff's, and against the destructive policies Anderson is ramming down our throats in dictatorial fashion. While we do not fully understand the details of the fifth, we know it is in connection with Anderson's attempt to ban a parent (and PTO President for his school) from a school.
This is a CLEAR attempt to intimidate her critics, and to stunt the growing movement against her destructive policies.
NEW Caucus stands in solidarity with ALL who defend parents, students, and education workers from the unrelenting attacks from the corporate and political elite. We also stand with all who defend public education as an institution.
More on how you can get involved will follow soon...
With that said, here is just a smattering of the news from the past week (the news of the suspensions are at the bottom):
1) 3 excellent pieces from Labor Notes. One a book review on a book about the "sham" of corporate education "reform." A second on the Los Angeles slate running for election in their union election (hint: they're trying to rebuild and reorient their teachers union just like we're trying to do here!). The final piece is an inspiring piece about students in Portland standing by their teachers.
2) 3 NJ Spotlight articles. One on the charter school stampede into Camden to take advantage of the new Christie appointee's largesse, a second on Christie's push for longer school days, and a map on length of school days throughout the state.
3) Star Ledger actually published an article on the growing parent resistance!
4) Piece from Salon about the corporate connections and influence in education policy making.
5) Bill introduced into the New Jersey Senate this week that would make it easier for the state to control and monitor private (read corporate, hedge fund, etc) gifts to state controlled public school districts.
6) Bob Braun's good description of the principal suspensions.
7) Jersey Jazzman's take on the suspensions, with Ras Baraka's statement.
8) Perhaps most important, a piece from Edweek (nationwide magazine) covering the suspensions. To our knowledge this is the first attention given the events by a national outlet.
In Solidarity,
No comments:
Post a Comment