Month: November 2013

To Everyone in Our Schools: Thank You for Your Compassion and Empathy

To Everyone in Our Schools: Thank You for Your Compassion and Empathy

Reading Time: 2 minutes

This week I will ask my kids to tell me what they are thankful for.  I will most likely get the usual responses – my dog, my video games, my doll, my Transformers.  And when I ask them to reflect a little more I’ll get some answers I like better – my house, my family, my coat, healthy food.  This year I decided that I will put a little thought into it before I sit down at the table.  And as I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about how grateful I am for the compassion and empathy I have seen inside my children’s school this month. Continue reading “To Everyone in Our Schools: Thank You for Your Compassion and Empathy”

Local Activism for Equity

Local Activism for Equity

Reading Time: 2 minutes

CRJ imageThere is an exciting movement under foot in Iowa City, as residents across our community–diverse by race, geography, culture, language, income, and wealth–join together to approach the Iowa City Community School Board tonight.  Earlier in the year, the Calendar Committee, appointed by the superintendent of schools, presented a school year calendar to the school board, which included holding school on the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday.  The idea was that the schools would engage in a “Day On” and take part in the national day of service.  However, the calendar committee, the school board, and the superintendent did not realize the sacredness of this holiday for many in our community and the many activities already planned to honor Dr. King and the thousands who worked–many who worked in grave danger–to right the injustices of racism.  Members of our local Coalition for Racial Justice, the Center for Worker Justice, and community residents are asking the school board to reconsider their decision to go with the calendar committee’s recommendation. Continue reading “Local Activism for Equity”

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