Today I received text messages and emails about the protest at Spingarn high school. Spingarn high school students protested early this morning and walked the long track down to the Wilson building to meet with elected leaders. On the opposite side of town, McKinley Senior high students staged a 'sit-in' in Room 150 while Principal David Pinder lost control of his students for a third day in a row. I have posted an anonymous email that I received about the Spingarn protest as well as pictures of both demonstrations.
"Candi – I was at Spingarn this morning, along with Robert Brannum, Nathan Saunders and Rev Hagler. There were about 100 students demonstrating in front of the building. They were chanting Save our teachers,” “No teachers, no school” and “Fire Chancellor Rhee.” They were excited but orderly. They sometimes crept out onto the street, but moved back when asked. Whenever a car going by honked in support, the kids went nuts. Here’s what some of their signs said:
- Bring our teachers back
- Our education is on the line
- 50 plus has been good for us
- A senior this year, a DC voter next year
About 9:45, the students went down to Benning Road where they could be seen by more people. They walked down Benning Road until it turned into H Street where they headed straight towards the District Building. Students were escorted the entire way by numerous members of the DC metropolitan police force. While I left before the students went into the District building, I couldn't help but think what a wonderful testimony to DC teachers."
Posted by The Washington Teacher, featuring Candi Peterson, blogger in residence
11 comments:
Attend Events
Entrepreneurship & Personal Enterprise Speaker Series - Michelle Rhee AS '92
Monday, October 5 - 7:30-8:30 pm - Bailey Hall
Entrepreneurship Event - All
Speaker List and Bios
AEM 1210, Entrepreneurship & Personal Enterprise Speaker Series, and the Iscol Family Program for Leadership Develoment in Public Service presents Michelle Rhee AS '92, Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC. Open to the public. Admission is free but advance tickets are required and are available at the Willard Straight ticket office and the Ticket Center in Center Ithaca on the Commons.
When our students need her she is at Cornell helping THEIR students. I think this is despicable.
Sadly, the leadership of the AFT and almost all of its locals is hopelessly compromised regarding the hostile takeover of public education, symbolized in its most vicious form by Michelle Rhee.
But as every teacher knows, it's the kids that give you hope. More power to the students and young people of DC; they are the one's who have the most to lose, and they're the ones who can stop these people in their tracks.
excellent!
i'm so proud of these students and their efforts ... -- let's keep it going until all of the high schools have organized some type of protest. y because rhee is sticking to her story and not budging on her decisions to layoff so many teachers. i really think she should be fired for such a stupid mis-management ploy. also, y r dcps teachers writing curriculum when all other jurisdictions have prescribed curriculum with pacing charts and lesson plans. in 2 years, she has been able to put together a team to write curriculum. oh ... wait she fired them. janey was rewriting the curriculum. another reason she should be fired. it's absolutely ludicrous to think that teachers should write extensive lessons plans and unit plans. they should be provided and the teacher should be able to build on it. that's what happens in other school districts. i can't wait for the hearings on this whole process and her impact evaluation. for years, she hasn't done a ***** **** thing but fire people and it has created efficiency on any level - because remember that was her goal. i hope these students protest each and everyday somewhere in this city! BRAVO! i guess she wants to fire the students next. can't do that -- so let's see what she does for them ...
I think the students are doing a GREAT job at protesting at a time they feel will get their voices heard. Well Done!
Students are the one group that Rhee can't control.
Go for it, kids. She can't fire you.
Mr. Fiorillo, we are well are of AFT dealings and non-action concerning the protection of DC Students and Teachers. Their time is coming.
What happened to Chicken George Parker is he still running around telling people the protests are unorganized. That's actually funny because that coward was trembling at the last protest DC teachers had.
Just stopping by Candi and DC teachers to lend my support in what small way I can from New Mexico. I am pleased to hear of the student protests and wish you all the very best.
Sounds like the nation's oligarchs (Bill Gates and Eli Broad) are getting their way in your schools and it is time for people to stand up to them big time. That by virtue of their enormous wealth they can largely control the national narrative about our schools and teachers (with the aid of an uncritical and often complicit mainstream media) is symptomatic of what is wrong with our country and the loss of democracy.
I realize there is more to it than Gates and Broad but I believe their influence in these oppressive, dictatorial "reforms" is enormous. As you know, the U.S. DOE has filled quite a number of key posts with officials having connections to Broad and Gates. Whatever these two self-annointed ed deformers say, no matter how great the distortions and disinformation, the media gushes over it and swallows it hook, line, and sinker.
Anyway, just my .02. Teachers are on trial and under tremendous pressure all over the nation. However, teachers like me have it easy compared to teachers in urban schools like D.C., NYC, and Chicago. Just want you to know I'm with you in spirit.
I check your blog almost every day.
Courage? Not hardly. They would rather be getting on the news than sitting in class. What teenager wouldn't? As soon as I see a demonstration on the students' own time, like afterschool or on the weekend, I will change my tune.
OBAMA HEARD OUR VOICE, WHY COULDNT FENTY...FIXING THE SYSTEM DOES NOT MEAN GETTING RID OF DEDICATED TEACHERS WHO PAID THEIR DUES. I GUESS IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH OF A CHALLENGE AND TASK TO WORK HARD AND FIX THE SYSTEM, BUT INSTEAD BLAME IT ON TEACHERS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH TRIAL AND TRIBULATIONS TO BE THERE FOR US (STUDENTS) DESPITE ALL. THEY DEDICATED 20 YEARS, HOW MUCH DID RHEE AND FENTY DEDICATE ? WE TRUSTED YOU, AND YOU BETRAYED LOYAL EDUCATORS INSTEAD OF FACING THE REAL CHALLENGE. I'M HURT.
This was one of my proudest days. These are not kids trying to skip a day of school. They are competent, well mannered, young adults with knowledge of the direct impact on their education. They handled the police, crowds and nervous anxiety very well. I am convinced this began in the minds of student leaders and was bolster by the September 24 teacher rally by the rank and file teachers at DCPS Central. At that Rally, Sheila Gill, Professional School Counselor and WTU Executive Boardmember, stood front and center with courage and sparked the fire in all Mckinley Tech students. The Ellington Students, Spingarn students and others have now called for justice. Bravo DCPS High Schools Students; Kudos Robert Brannem and Rev. Hagler.
Nathan Saunders,
General Vice President
Washington Teachers Union
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