Grassroots Education Network- September 2020 Newsletter
The NPE Grassroots Education Network is a network of 155 grassroots organizations nationwide who have joined together to preserve, promote, improve, and strengthen our public schools. If you know of a group that would like to join this powerful network, please go here to sign on.
If you have any questions about the NPE Grassroots Education Network please contact Marla Kilfoyle, NPE Grassroots Education Network Liaison at marlakilfoyle@networkforpubliceducation.org
Notes from Marla
As schools across the country reopen, in many forms, organizations in the NPE Grassroots Education Network are mobilizing for children, their public schools, and their communities. From helping to spread information about internet access, to laptop pickup, and mask distribution, many organizations not only continue to fight the battle to save public education but also to support communities in times of need. I hope that as you read this newsletter, you will pick up ideas for your community, connect with organizations in your state to help out, or share information with anyone who can help or needs help. As always, I am humbled to work with all of you and appreciate the work you continue to do.
National Organizing
The Network for Public Education continues to host Conversations with Diane. This month Diane’s guest was author and adjunct at the Institute for Liberal Arts of Emory University, Steve Suitts. Diane and Steve had a conversation about Steve’s new book, Overturning Brown: The Segregationist Legacy of the Modern School Choice Movement. Go here for the archive of this informative conversation. Diane also had an amazing conversation with University of South Carolina professor, Derek Black. They spoke about Derek’s new book, Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy. To view the archived video go here. Defending the Early Years released their latest report this month. Re-Thinking School Readiness: Knowledge Goals vs. Intellectual Goals and Short-Term vs. Long-Term Outcomes is written by Marcy Guddemi, PhD, MBA National Consultant, and DEY Treasurer. DEY’s Dr. Denisha Jones also published a powerful report, The Impact of COVID on Young Children, Families, and Teachers, that is a must read. In the Public Interest released several stories this month about charter schools. Go here for all the latest reporting by ITPI! The Journey for Justice Alliance podcast On The Ground, hosted by Jitu Brown, airs every Monday at 6 PM CST. J4J remembered Johnnie Lattner late last month with this tribute to his amazing life. J4J National Director Jitu Brown led a rally to protest the closing of Mercy Hospital. Fairtest publishes a newsletter each week about the misuses and flaws of standardized testing. They are a valuable resource and clearinghouse for everything testing and test reform. Fairtest has published a list of test-optional universities and colleges. Head over to their open Facebook page for updates and their weekly newsletter. Rethinking Schools announced the launch of a new book this month Anti-Racist Teaching During the Pandemic: Lessons from The New Teacher Book. The Parent Coalition for Student Privacy published a Top 10 Back-To-School Student Privacy Tips and Resources for Parents this month. Parents for Public Schools launched a very powerful International Literacy Day campaign this month. To see their campaign go here. Parents Across America provides position papers and key documents on their website. It is a great list to keep handy for advocacy work in your area. The Schott Foundation highlighted the COVID-19 and Mass Protests: Lessons Learned and Future Directions on their website this month. Go here to view this informative virtual convening.
The Badass Teachers Association (BATs) is very busy this month. They are conducting an online survey of teacher experiences during the pandemic, rallying people to take the Census, and supporting the Black Lives Matter at School Campaign. Go here and get involved. The BATs also just released, in partnership with the University of Alabama, a survey of teachers about Teaching in the Time of COVID-19. Dr. Denisha Jones and Dr. Brianne Kramer are conducting a study for BATs. They are recruiting current teachers to provide their views of the move to virtual/remote learning in the spring and to learn more about the educational decisions that have been made for the 20-21 school year. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes and can be found here. Trinational Coalition to Defend Public Education (USA) has a public Facebook group that features information from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. about how communities are navigating the worldwide COVID crisis. The Ontario (Canada) Secondary School Teachers Federation OSSTF/FEESO President, Harvey Bischof appeared on the Brian Crombie Radio Hour show to discuss Back to School. Wear Red for Ed has an active open Facebook page which tracks the Red for Ed movement nationwide. It is also tracking education issues that are surfacing due to the shutdown of our schools. To follow Uniting to Save Our Schools (USOS) check in with their event calendar on Facebook each month. First Focus Campaign for Children shared this month that the USDA extension of the school nutrition waivers will ease child hunger. To read more about this issue visit their website. Kinderchat continues to host their popular twitter chat every Monday night at 9 PM EST. The chats are informative and provide great resources for teaching kindergartners during school closures. Check them out on twitter at #Kinderchat. Kinderchat also has a fantastic website full of resources. For the Instituto Nueva Escuela emotional well-being and collective work of their guides and assistants is a priority. This is why, during the month of September, they have had two professionals in the field of psychology, working hand in hand with their assistants. In these meetings groups share obstacles and celebrations in the beginning of classes. INE also celebrated the birth, 150 years ago, of Maria Montessori. Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood CCFC’s Board Chair Angela Campbell calls for strengthened privacy laws in this editorial. Hear Josh Golin, Executive Director of Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood on NYC WBAI Talk out of School with host Leonie Haimson. Josh spoke about why schools need to minimize screen time and the use of ed tech apps and to maximize student privacy during remote learning. He also explained how parents can advocate for this to happen. Equal Opportunity Schools was featured on Box Blogs ‘Make Mom Proud’ spotlight series. Hear Dr. Sasha Rabkin, Chief Strategy Officer at EOS, on how EOS is working tirelessly to close the classroom equity gap that negatively impacts students of color and low-income students. When Public Schools Reopen are hosting “No Box” Zoom conversations as in “Don’t think outside the box… think like there is no box.” There is no set agenda. Participants are invited to share what’s on their mind. Recent topics have included school openings, suspensions and SROs, and anti-racist teaching. The schedule and Zoom link for the conversations are posted in their closed Facebook page (you will need to ask to join). There are usually three conversations each week.
State Organizing
Please use this clearinghouse to encourage people to join organizations in their state and support their work! Call on family, friends, and colleagues to join the fight to save public education. The state organizing section is also a place to get great ideas for organizing and actions.
Alabama
SOS (Support our Students) highlighted Ayrika Jones, a 5th-grade student at Glen Iris Elementary School in Birmingham, on their Facebook page. Ayrika wrote her first book titled “How Did You Know It Was Me, Mr. Tomato?” Ayrika spent two months writing her book while school was out during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. She credits her parents for inspiring and helping her publish her first book.
Arizona
Voices for Education shared the UA Ed Policy Center survey of over 1200 teachers across Arizona about their experience teaching on-line. Arizonans for Charter School Accountability update their website frequently about charter corruption across the nation and in Arizona. Save our Schools Arizona is hosting Educational Talk on their open Facebook page. Check it out here. Arizona Educators United co-sponsored an event- Fighting for COVID-Safe Air Quality in Public Schools– early this month. If you are an Arizona educator, or know someone who is, have them join their private Facebook group to connect and attend events such as this.
California
California Educators United is posting news about school reopening in California. Head to their open Facebook page for more information. The Public Core program, Between Two Teachers, is informative. To view all their archived programs go here. The Association of RAZA Educators took part in the historic commemoration of the 50th Chicano Moratorium Caravan this month. Check out Bay Area Collective Keeping Privatizers Away from Community Schools (BACKPACS) on Facebook to keep up with all their movements in fighting back the charter lobby in the Bay Area.
Colorado
Pueblo Education Coalition gave out over 200 school supplies bags early this month to kids to make sure they get the year started out right.
Connecticut
Children Are More Than Test Scores continues to host readings on their Facebook page. Here their Director Dr. Jesse Turner reads The Mighty Jackie: The Strike Out Queen. Re:public Ed informs Connecticut residents about state, local and federal education policies that impact teaching and learning. New London Parent Advocates updates their open Facebook page weekly with all that is happening in the New London Public Schools.
Florida
For all that is happening in Florida education, and there is so much, please go to Facebook and follow Fund Education NOW, Florida BATs, and Broward BATs . Pastors for Florida Children and the Florida Council of Churches participated in a Florida Clergy Convening this month. The convening was called Building a Faithful Democracy: Hope to Face the Future. Opt Out Florida Network reported that district health departments are being gagged by the State of Florida regarding current data on COVID-19 cases and quarantines by school. Opt Out Florida Network is encouraging their followers to ask schools for the information. Pinellas Parents Advocating for School Improvements organizes in a private Facebook page. If you know of anyone in the Pinellas area, have them join to connect. Protect Our Public Schools, Manasota believes that free, quality public education is a right for all children and is necessary for the optimal functioning of a democratic society. To keep up with their movements during the COVID-19 crisis go here.
Georgia
To keep up on what is happening in public education in Georgia give Public Education Matters Georgia a follow on Facebook. Moms and Dads Now Enduring Surrealistic Stupidity (MADNESS) has a vibrant public Facebook group that discusses how education in Georgia is going during the COVID crisis. If you are interested, here is the link to that public group. Opt Out Georgia organized the opt out movement in Georgia via a closed Facebook group of over 8,000 members. If you live in Georgia, or know someone who does, encourage them to connect with this group. The Georgia Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) was founded in 1990 to bring together individuals from all academic levels and disciplines and from diverse educational institutions, and other organizations, occupations and communities who had an interest in multicultural education. NAME is committed to a philosophy of inclusion that embraces the basic tenets of democracy and cultural pluralism. To keep up with their movements visit their website.
Hawaii
Parents for Public Schools Hawaii asked parents to fill out a quick 5 minute survey this month seeking family school re-opening Views. We will report their findings in our October newsletter.
Illinois
Illinois Raise Your Hand has been hosting several meetings this month. The meetings cover topics from special education resources to remote learning plans. Please head over to their Facebook page for updated events and activities. Illinois Families for Public Schools has been holding events around the Fair Tax issue in Illinois. To learn more, and to attend their events, go here.
Indiana
The Indiana Coalition for Public Education encouraged their members to attend the statewide charter school authorizing board meeting this month and to speak up during the public comment session. Indiana Coalition for Public Schools – Monroe County invited community and University partners to participate in a School of Education virtual gathering intended to create opportunities to discuss the role of the school in creating equitable schools with Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig (who is also an NPE Board member!). The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education shares their most popular posts on Facebook each week. Check them out for the latest in public education in the state of Indiana. Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education has a private planning group on Facebook. If you know anyone from Northwest Indiana please have them join and connect.
Iowa
Iowans for Public Education partnered with Iowans for a Safer Return, and convened a panel of experts, to give the real facts and the latest science on COVID-19. The panel covered everything from masks to social distancing. The video is about an hour long – but well worth the watch.
Kansas
Game On for Kansas Schools helped to expose yet another charter scandal. Kansas has stronger charter school laws than Missouri. Some would like to change that, but Game On For Kansas Schools will oppose any efforts to increase the risk of this happening in Kansas. For more information go here.
Kentucky
Dear JCPS is asking their community to please take their Justice for JCPS Students survey and provide examples. It will help them fine-tune and streamline their list of demands to present to district leaders between now and the Sept 29 board meeting. Kentucky SOS exposed a new super PAC attempting to boost candidates who support school choice. Pastors for Kentucky Children Pastor Sharon Felton shared a devotion for educators, and all of us as we begin this new year.
Louisiana
Step Up Louisiana took part in a mass march to renew the eviction ban in New Orleans and all of Louisiana.
Maryland
The Baltimore Algebra Project has launched a YouTube channel. Check it out here.
Massachusetts
Citizens for Public Schools asked their membership to join them this month in rallying for in-person learning options for the students with the highest needs. The New Bedford Coalition to Save our Schools held a drive-in rally to protest the privatization of public education. Go here for video.
Michigan
The Michigan Network for Equity in Education continues to support children and their families by providing information about services they can access to make remote education happen. Save Michigan’s Public Schools supported an audio protest against Betsy DeVos who was visiting a local Catholic school in Grand Rapids. To read more about this protest go here. Michigan Parents for Schools post important information for parents in Michigan on their public Facebook page. MI Ed Justice launched a new website this month. Check it out here. Give Trusted Voices ED a follow on twitter to keep up with their events and issues.
Minnesota
Parents for St. Paul Schools reported that the City of St. Paul agreed this month to put a 6 month pause on approving any conduit bond financing for charter schools. This is a huge victory but it is just a start. Minnesota Collective for Educational Equity sent out a survey to school psychologists across the state of Minnesota. Their input can help MCEE advocate for a more equitable, effective system for ALL students. We will have the results in our next newsletter.
Mississippi
Parents for Public Schools – Moss Point continues to support their community with information about storm resources, education, meals, and much more. Parents For Public Schools of Greenwood and Leflore County continue to host Early Childhood Development programs for their community. They have been doing this since March. For more information on their programs go here. Parents For Public Schools of Philadelphia advocates for children and schools in the Philadelphia Public School District. Make sure you give them a follow on Facebook. Parents For Public Schools of Starkville is a local organization working to strengthen public schools in Starkville. They promote the great work being done in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.
Missouri
Keep up with the Missouri BATs by giving them a follow on twitter. Columbia Parents for Public Schools promotes parent engagement to improve education and build public support for public schools in Columbia.
Nebraska
Stand for Schools posted all the latest in public education and advocacy on their open Facebook page. Give them a follow here. Nebraska Loves Public Schools tweeted how one rural school’s approach to mental wellness and behavioral health makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the students and families.
Nevada
Educate Nevada NOW shared that the Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against DeVos trying to divert money to private schools included CCSD (Clarke County School District) parents.
New Hampshire
Barrington Educators Association is the local chapter of the New Hampshire-NEA. You can view updated work here. To contact them about issues happening in NH, go here.
New Jersey
Save our Schools NJ initiated an action alert to call Gov. Murphy this month. In Governor Murphy’s proposed budget, there are cuts to School-Based Youth Services by the NJ Department of Children and Family Services. The programs these funds support provide students with access to many services including suicide prevention, mental health, counseling services, and other student supports. SOS NJ made it clear that these funds must not be cut. The Newark Students Union reported that Students across the Newark district completed a survey and graded the Newark Public Schools district on their response to the COVID19 emergency. They encouraged others to join the Facebook LIVE event on the Alliance for Newark Public Schools Facebook Page to hear the grades the community has given Superintendent Roger Leon. Delran Education Association hosted a Pizza Kit Giveaway this month. If you are a resident of Elizabeth, ask to join the Elizabeth Parents and Students Care closed Facebook group to connect. Montclair Cares About Schools uses its open Facebook page to inform the community about school openings and the COVID crisis. Montclair started the year remote and will move to hybrid when it is deemed safe. To read more about that go here. Give Our Children Our Schools a follow on twitter to keep up with any future events. South Orange-Maplewood Cares About Schools organizes in its closed Facebook group. If you live in this area, or know anyone who does, please ask to join the group here. Paterson Education Fund shared that the Great Falls Teachers’ Collaborative wants to help teachers plan for remote learning. They have posted lesson plans, tutorial videos and resource lists to help their teachers prepare.
New York
Class Size Matters is blogging and keeping up on what is happening in NYC and school reopening. They also have amazing resources and research to advocate for small class size. Head to their website for materials, resources, and research on reducing class size. Visit the NYSAPE (New York State Allies for Public Education) website for all the latest about education in New York State. LI Opt Out has a vibrant public Facebook page. There are important discussions going on about school reopening on Long Island, the national center of the testing opt out movement. NYC Opt Out also has a public Facebook group that is currently having important conversations about the reopening of NYC schools. If you live in NYC go here to connect. The Alliance for Quality Education issued a new report this month. Set Up to Fail: How Cuomo’s School Cuts Target New York’s Black & Brown Students shows how 20% cuts in school aid would disproportionately cut from high need school districts, serving NY largest populations of Black & Brown students. Give Change the Stakes a follow on Facebook to keep up with what is happening in NYC education during the COVID crisis. NY BATs are holding actions to make sure that there is a safe return to school for students and teachers. To connect with NY BATs, ask to join their closed Facebook group to organize. Also NY BATs are asking NY teachers to help them track COVID infections in NY schools. Head to this spreadsheet to add any information. Keep up with FUSE (New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees) by checking out their news and views. MORE-UFT launched a petition to the Chancellor, Mayor, and UFT demanding remote professional development meetings this month. The Jackson Heights People for Public Schools held a rally to support the use of permanent open streets. Parents for Public Schools- Syracuse has been posting important information about special education events in their area. Croton Advocates for Public Education (CAPE) advocates for fair assessments, enrichment opportunities, and funding for their schools. The Port Washington Advocates for Public Education closed Facebook group is a place to connect and organize if you live in Port Washington, NY. North Country Alliance For Public Education works to end the reliance on high stakes testing and to stop the privatization that is taking over their schools. If you live in the North Country of New York consider joining their closed Facebook group to connect. Visit the Rochester Coalition for Public Education website for all that is happening with Rochester education.
North Carolina
Public Schools First NC and Wake County hosted a Conversation About Public Education With Governor Roy Cooper this month. We will have the video in our next newsletter. North Carolina Families for School Testing Reform organize in a closed Facebook group. If you know anyone who lives in NC who wants to make sure that education is not driven by tests, please share this link to have them connect with NC Families for School Testing Reform. The Board of Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods is currently seeking community feedback to help with their strategic planning process. If you live in Georgia, please take a moment to take this brief survey to share your priorities for development in your community and assist them in planning the future of NBN. You can take the survey here. Pastors for North Carolina Children held a fantastic Public Education Advocacy and Faith Forum on September 16, 2020. To see the archive video go here. Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County was highlighted in The Daily Reflector for their Community Conversations Report.
Ohio
Ohio BATs initiated an important call to action this month against state testing, a moratorium on state report cards, and using course grades for graduation. It Takes A Village To Tackle HB70 and It Takes A Village requested their members send in testimony to the State Senate to freeze state report cards and request a waiver for state tests. Northwest Ohio Friends of Public Education have launched a fantastic new website. Check it out here. Public Education Partners (PEP) shared that the Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding Steering Committee organized and coordinated the DeRolph school funding litigation, but the horrific financial drain from school districts to charters and vouchers has worked counter to any gains triggered by the Ohio Supreme Court decisions in DeRolph. The Coalition has accepted the request of several district boards of education leaders to coordinate a legal challenge of the EdChoice voucher program. Please share this with anyone you know who lives in Ohio. Has their local school district joined the fight? Parents For Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati post upcoming events on their open Facebook page.
Oklahoma
Pastors for Oklahoma Kids has highlighted an article by Rebecca Fine from OK Policy about charters this month. To see the amazing graphics they have created from this article go here. The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee shared that late last month Gov. Stitt unveiled details about the ‘Learn Anywhere Oklahoma’ plan, and officials said 123 public school districts across Oklahoma had enrolled in the initiative. The program accounts for $12 million of the Governor’s $39.9 million available for emergency educational needs. But with 200,000+ students lacking a device or internet access at home, Stitt’s plan directs a quarter of the funds to private schools and half will only reach 1% of students. To read more about this issue go here. Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education & Oklahomans for Public Education organize in a private group on Facebook. If you live in Oklahoma, or know someone who does, join up to connect. Oklahoma Teachers – The Time Is Now organizes in a private Facebook group of over 64,000 members. The purpose of the group is to unite all educators in the state of Oklahoma, so they can come together and educate, collaborate, and discuss what options they have moving forward to improve Public Education. If you know any Oklahoma educators send them to this group to connect.
Oregon
Community Alliance for Public Education (CAPE) member Jerry Rosiek, who is also a professor at the University of Oregon, created a document for parents who are confused about how to choose from online schooling options. Check out Oregon Save Our Schools on Facebook for all the latest in Oregon education. Oregon BATs organizes in a closed Facebook group. If you are an Oregon teacher, or community member, ask to join and connect.
Pennsylvania
The Keystone State Education Coalition issues a Keystone State Education Coalition Policy Roundup each week. Pennsylvania School Board Association hosted Dr. Kristen Swanson in their final webinar this month. We will share the webinar, “Building Learning Communities Inside Digital Platforms: It All Starts with Relationships,” in our next newsletter. The Pittsburgh Task Force on the Right to Education hosted the Right to Special Education Zoom event this month. The featured speaker was Ann Hermann, Executive Director, PSE (Special Education). Education Voters PA co-hosted a webinar with their statewide partners this month. The webinar was about how we can come together to support our public schools. Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools cofounder Lisa Haver published a commentary in the Philadelphia Inquirer this month. To read that article, titled A tale of incompetence: Report on Ben Franklin/SLA debacle shows Philly schools need a new leader, go here. APPS have also published two very important pieces on their blog about who is really shaping public education in Philadelphia. To read these pieces go here and here.
Rhode Island
The Providence Student Union is asking PPSD students to help them by filling out a quick survey about Back to School and COVID 19. Please share with any PPSD students. To keep up with what is happening in Rhode Island give Parents Across Rhode Island Facebook page a follow.
South Carolina
The Quality Education Project co-hosted a school board candidate virtual town hall this month.
Tennessee
The Momma Bears have a great blog full of information about the fight for public education in Tennessee. Check it out here. Make sure to give Tennesseans Reclaiming Educational Excellence (TREE) a follow on twitter to keep up with all that is going on in Tennessee education. Pastors for Tennessee Children hosted a discussion of Community Schools with Dr. Robert Kronick. Dr. Kronick is founder of University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS), a program he developed while serving as a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. UACS is a full-service, grant-based program that extends the regular school day for at-risk students in twelve local schools. Each day, UT students, faculty, and staff provide school children academic support services, physical education, music, and art programs after regular school hours. Through these programs, UACS is able to enhance the interpersonal skills, critical-thinking skills, and academic success of participating children. Tennessee Strong also has a public Facebook group where they are currently sharing information about the state and how COVID has had an impact on children and communities. If you know someone who lives in Tennessee, share the link so they can learn.
Texas
Pastors for Texas Children will be hosting NPE President Diane Ravitch next month for a virtual lunch. To learn more about this event go here. CFISD Community Leadership Committee shared that privatizers have launched a new strategy targeting Texas public schools. The Coalition for Public Schools Texas is composed of religious, child advocacy, and education organizations representing more than 3,000,000 Texans statewide. If you are in Texas share their list of organizations so that people can connect. Texas Kids Can’t Wait are advocates for equitable and adequate funding for Texas public schools and for a sane assessment system. They strongly oppose the corporate takeover of public schools. To follow their movements go to their open Facebook page. Check out what RootEd was up to last month in the latest edition of their monthly newsletter The Branch. If you know of anyone in the Houston community please have them connect with Parents For Public Schools of Houston. They post important activities for the Houston community on their open Facebook page. Community Voices For Public Education are encouraging parents to choose virtual learning in the Houston community. They do not feel the phase in plan that the district has created is safe for reopening schools. To learn more about their call to action go here. Our Schools San Antonio joined the San Antonio Alliance this month for a Facebook live event on Reimagining Public Schools During a Global Pandemic. On September 10, 2020 The Coalition for Equity in Public Education testified before the Texas State Board of Education against allowing eight new charter operators in the state. The Board vetoed three of the eight. They are currently organizing a committee to study the impact of charter schools on their local district, Dallas ISD, for a future community education campaign. Texas AFT let their membership know that it is important to understand their school district’s reopening plan and the safety protocols it outlines. Getting adequate PPE supplies and maintaining a safe workplace, though, will require teachers to be proactive. Texas AFT #KnowYourRights broadcast will show teachers how to organize for safety.
Vermont
The Vermont Coalition for Equity in Education joined the network this month. To learn more about them go here and here. Please give them a follow on Facebook and Twitter. Here are two news stories they have written to describe what they are currently fighting against – Democracy Prep buying Marlboro College. Read the stories here and here.
Virginia
Virginia Educators United took part in the National Educators United town hall on COVID Air Quality in public schools. Give Virginia BATs a follow on their open Facebook page to find out what is happening in Virginia for school reopening. Support Our Schools-Shenandoah County organizes to fight for public education in that region. You can connect here. Virginia Public Education Partners joined the network this month. To learn more about their work visit their Facebook page.
Washington State
WA BATs has an active twitter feed full of powerful graphics. Check it out here. Washington Paramount Duty continues to fight for a fair and equitable budget for Washington children. Read here about their fight against an austerity budget and a need to implement progressive revenue streams for public education.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Education Network hosted an important and informative conversation about what “back to school” looks like in Wisconsin and around the nation. The conversation included national updates from Daarel Burnett II, staff writer for Education Week and Mike Griffith of the Learning Policy Institute. Panel members also included Dee Pettack, Policy Initiatives Advisor for the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Schools and Communities United highlighted the fact that many MPS students don’t have the supplies they need to start school this year, especially those families hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a collaborative effort to help called ‘No Empty Backpacks,’ and it’s the fifth year organizers have helped make sure kids don’t go without school supplies. Parents for Public Schools Milwaukee are sharing valuable resources and workshops for public school parents on their open Facebook page.
NPE Grassroots Education Network – Resources and Graphics
The NPE Grassroots Education Network has compiled a list of resources to help communities navigate the COVID pandemic. We created a list of c3 organizations you can donate to help others in need. We have created a space for resources to help educators and parents trying to navigate remote learning. Finally, we are collecting stories highlighting how Public Schools are helping their communities.
Here is a link to our resources page. It will help you navigate resources covering a variety of topics. This is a live document and will be updated so check back for new resources.
Here is a link to our graphics page. It will provide powerful visuals for you to share on social media. This is a live document and will be updated so check back for new graphics.