Take Action This Thursday, January, 19, 2017
Say No to Billionaire Bullies!
This week, school communities across the nation are gearing up to take a stand against to Trump and the attack on public education in an “unprecedented alliance of parent, youth, community and labor organizations that together represent more than 7 million people nationwide.”
“Educational Justice is Racial Justice”
Public schools are the foundation of a strong democracy, and is critical for racial and economic justice. The Alliance to Reclaim our Schools (AROS) is a national organization working with grassroots organizations across the country. Together with national and local teachers unions, and parent and community groups, they are fighting to reclaim the promise of public education.
Join me this Thursday, January 19th, along with other parents, teachers and labor and community leaders in fighting to ensure all our kids go to high quality, equitable schools. Stand with members of the SF Families Union, Coleman Advocates, United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), Jobs with Justice, SEIU at SFUSD, and many other community and school organizations fighting for high quality, equitable public schools.
Education is a right — it should not be a privilege for the few!
National day of action to protect our students, schools and communities – THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
Why take action?
Across the country, educators, school staff, parents, students, political leaders and community allies will stand together to show President-elect Trump that we are committed to protecting ALL our students, our schools and our communities, and to demonstrate our opposition to Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. For decades, DeVos and her family have spent millions on an anti-public-education agenda, defunding and destabilizing public schools while at the same time promoting private, for-pro t schooling without any regulation, transparency, accountability or respect for civil rights and church-state separation.
What is the goal?
We are organizing to fight the president-elect’s agenda to dismantle public education, and to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams free from fear. On January 19, we will demand that:
- Our schools and campuses remain centers of learning that are protected against threats of bullying, racism and deportation;
- The Senate support public schools by rejecting Betsy DeVos as secretary of education (read this fact sheet and learn why her appointment is so strongly opposed by teachers, parents and education advocates; and
- Policymakers increase investment in public schools, make Wall Street and billionaires pay their fair share, and protect Title I funds.
What sort of actions?
Take an action that is right for your school, your community or your city, and that reflects our commitment to protect our students, schools and communities. You know your local situation best. You know how to bring together staff, students, parents and other community members to draw attention to the need to protect our students and schools.
Many locals are considering a “hands around your school” action, with participants creating a human chain around, or right in front of, their school or worksite (large buildings may require the use of extenders—like strips of cloth tied together—to get all the way around). Other locals are planning rallies at schools and district of ces, actions to urge their Senators to vote “No” on Betsy DeVos, and other highly visible demonstrations.
(Download a flyer of the above information to share with your school community!)
What’s happening in San Francisco?
Join me and thousands of parents, educators, students, and community leaders to show our president elect, our schools are not for sale!
Here are the details…
What: In SFUSD, teachers and parents are working together to organize school-based actions at individual sites before school. Because organizing is site-based, not all schools will have actions planned. United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) has an updated list of participating sites. Contact UESF for more info.)
Where: Actions will take place outside of school sites and will not disrupt instruction.
When: Because each school has different start times, actions will take place as early as 7:00 am and as late as 9:00 am.
How do I get involved?
If you are an SFUSD teacher…
Contact your UBC representative to see what plans may be underway at your site. If you’d like to organize your school to participate, contact Susan Soloman, at the UESF office.
If you are an SFUSD parent or SF community member…
Contact United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) directly. Go directly to their website for more info. Or email Susan Soloman, UESF Executive Vice-President who is coordinating this effort.
Everyone! Share this info!!!
- Share this post on social media and in parent and teacher email groups!
- Download a printable flyer to share with your community
- Download and share this handout with others interested in participating in the January 19th event. Then scan and email it back to UESF.
- On the Thursday, January 19th: I’ll be tweeting, posting and blogging… Be sure to follow me on Twitter, and Instagram and Facebook! Use the hashtag #ReclaimOurSchools and #DayofResistance.
How do I get more information?
Go to UESF’s website for SF info. You can also go to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) website and Alliance to Reclaim our Schools website.
