Strong Public Schools

HELP STOP REN10’s Attacks on Neighborhood Schools.

Here’s three ways …

When? Tuesday and Wednesday, February 24-25, 2009

(1) Candlelight Vigil (7 p.m.- 9 p.m., Tuesday 2/24/09)

(2) “Displaced City” Camp (10 p.m.- 5 a.m. Tuesday, 2/24/09, 125 S. Clark Street)

(3) Rally and March for Moratorium/HB363 “Soto Bill” (2/25/09, 3:30 p.m. start, 125 S. Clark)

Where? Chicago Public Schools (in front), 125 S. Clark Street

Why? To demand a moratorium on Chicago Board of Education’s planned school closings/phase-outs, consolidations, reconstitutions and new school openings until a thorough, independent study is conducted on community impact. To support HB 363 (“Soto bill”) to design a city-wide School Facilities Plan that includes a fair, democratic process with meaningful community input and oversight to improve, not just move, Chicago public schools, their students, families, and teachers.

Events sponsored by the Grassroots Education Movement (GEM), a coalition of Chicago-based education and community organizations that includes Blocks Together, Caucus Of Rank-and-file Educators, Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Youth Initiating Change, Designs for Change, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Parents United for Responsible Education, Pilsen Alliance, South Side United Local School Council Federation, Southwest Youth Collaborative, Substance News, and Teachers for Social Justice.

Dear Coalition Partners,

Below are listed the 17 House Co-Sponsors of House Bill 363.  This large number of co-sponsors reflects the work of the coalition, affected schools, and Representative Soto herself:

Luis Arroyo - Karen A. Yarbrough - Sara Feigenholtz - Maria Antonia Berrios, Marlow H. Colvin, William Davis, Paul D. Froehlich, Annazette Collins, Elizabeth Hernandez, LaShawn K. Ford, Esther Golar, Deborah Mell, Arthur L. Turner, Michael K. Smith, Thomas Holbrook and Monique D. Davis

The more we can add to this list, the stronger the momentum will be to pass the bill.  If you want to find the State Representative for your school address or home address, go to:  <http://civicfootprint.org>  Enter the address and all the elected officials for that address will be displayed.

The sheer number of co-sponsors makes an impact.  It would also be very good to get more North Siders and suburban Democrats and Republicans.

Sincerely,
Don Moore

Note: to check on the progress of this bill go here.

PURE has detailed eight major problems with the Mayor’s plan.

Thursday, Feb. 12, meet at the PURE office, 100 S. Morgan Street, at 5:30 pm to plan strategy for the February 25 Board of Education meeting.

Location: 125 S. Clark
Description: Join us Wednesday, January 28 at CPS headquarters for a day-long protest against Renaissance 2010.

Beginning at 6 am, line up (125 S. Clark Street) to sign up to testify at the Board of Education meeting.

Press conference at 10 am in the lobby.

3:30 pm meet for a rally and march starting at CPS headquarters.
Start Time: 6:00
Date: 2009-01-28