Currently there are three major issues facing this community with regards to our relevant input into the decision making process, the search for superintendent, All City High School, and the most recent, Rochester’s School Construction program.
It is easy to become disconnected in trying to work to solve these problems. However, without this community working together there would be no superintendent search committee, All City High would be an adopted program, and women and minorities would be used to fill quotas without the benefit of receiving employment. The only way we will achieve success is by working together and supporting one another in whatever plan of action is proposed to bring about change in the system of education for our children.
The question was asked, if a parent wants to become involved in the fight for true systemic change in education, what group or groups could they join?
First and foremost, parents can participate in their school’s PTO/PTA as the first line of defense.
Alliance for a Quality Education (AQE) is a statewide group with a local chapter at 167 Flanders St., Community Advocates for Educational Excellence (CAFEE) meets twice a month on Saturdays at 101 S. Plymouth Ave. from 10:00Am to 12Pm, Community Education Task Force (CETF) meets Tuesday evenings, 5:30PM at St. Stephen’s Church, 350 Chili Ave., Coalition for Justice in Education (CJE) generally meets once a month, 4pm at School Without Walls, Parent and Community Coalition for Educational Change meets once a month on Mondays, 5:30PM at 30 N. Union St., in the Lilac Room, and Rochester Parents United meets Mondays, 6:30PM at 76 N. Union St. It is also important that parents and community members attend the various committee meetings of the Board whose schedules are announced on the district website.
It is crucial to remember that this community, working together, supporting one another, was able to change the dynamic of the School Board with the election of Commissioner Mary Adams. We can, working together, supporting one another, change the system of education for all of our children.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
