School Walkout Organized
The protests over the proposed school closings are not letting up.
“We’re implementing a walkout,” says Maria P. Jones, an activist and parent of a Burroughs Elementary student. “We have to make people, the teachers and the parents and students aware of their power.”
Parents and activists are organizing this citywide school walkout for January 31. Organizers are encouraging teachers, students, and any other DCPS employees to not go to school on that morning and instead join in a protest/march. According Jones, the schedule will be as follows:
*The protest will begin at 8:35 a.m. at DCPS headquarters. At that time there will be a non-denominational prayer.
*At 8:45 a.m., the protesters will march to the Wilson Building. They hope to reach the Wilson Building at 10 a.m.
*What the activists do at the Wilson Building is still to be determined.
“We must send a message that Michelle Rhee doesn’t have the will of the people,” Jones says. “If we do not resist, 23 schools will close and many, many people will lose their jobs.”
For a critical look at who exactly is upset over the school closings, read this week’s LL column.
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2:09 pm
People in DC are good at bitching but when it comes time for them to sign a petition, walk a line or any overt act, they become instant pussies.
2:23 pm
“If we do not resist, 23 schools will close and many, many people will lose their jobs.”
What are the “jobs” that Ms. Jones is referring to? At schools where students are failing miserably and have been for years and years, where less than half of students are proficient, clearly everyone there is not a hard-working, professional educator and adminstrator. I don’t care if overpaid babysitters and behavior managers lose their jobs. They should have lost them long ago. And besides, we already know that most of these teachers are tenured and will NEVER lose their jobs. Union rules will allow them to be forced on other schools and likely continue the cycle of poor performance. Using this uniformed opinion, Maria Jones is obviously just trying to make the situation about jobs and not about educating children, a it always is with those trying to preserve the same, sad status quo.
4:33 pm
Kelly, I agree but there will not be enough people to come out that will phase Fenty and his goons.
11:34 pm
clam up Rees
7:52 am
dont even worry about falling a year or two behind, just read and educate yourself during that time in subjects you enjoy. its sad, but the only way to show the people in power that you are the future.