MLK Day rally for educational equality
Today, the observance of Martin Luther King's birthday and the eve of the historic inauguration of the nation's first black president, a group of political and educational heavyweights will try to bring attention to the distance yet to travel. Dr. Alonso will join a rally in Washington today organized by the Educational Equality Project, founded by New York City Chancellor Joel Klein and the Rev. Al Sharpton. "We cannot ignore the achievement gap and the work that remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream," says a press release from the group, which says it "considers fixing the nation’s schools to be the critical civil rights challenge of our time."
Among those scheduled to attend the rally: Martin Luther King III, John McCain, Margaret Spellings, Arne Duncan, Michelle Rhee and the mayors of Newark and Philadelphia. It will be held at 12:30 at Cardozo High School in D.C.
Categories: Around the Region, Baltimore City
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Where were the calls to service in our Baltimore City Public schools? I have been involved in public service projects on MLK Jr day since freshman year (I attended an HBCU) and always look for local events to support the community. Was there a call to service from Dr. A to the employees, parents, and community members of City Schools?
Posted by: Alrighty Then... | January 19, 2009 5:36 PM
An email blast went out from AAA about MLK birthday and the inauguration. In it he mentioned the call to service -
"Also on Monday, our great kids and communities right here in Baltimore are coming together in response to President-elect Obama’s call for a national day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to continue the work of building our nation. I urge you to join them and participate in one of hundreds of important projects in our schools and our city, or spearhead one of your own. Join dozens who are clearing fields at City Schools’ Fresh Start Farm. Beautify one of our schools. Clean a park. Donate books to an Enoch Pratt Free Library branch. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter or family center. For more ideas on how to make Baltimore better and our families stronger, please visit www.USAService.org to find or host a service event."
I was at the Fresh Start Farm and the work that was accomplished was inspiring (although my legs and shoulders are very tired at the moment).
I think you can sign up for the newsletter at
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/
or maybe here - http://www.kintera.org/Autogen/Newsletter/SubscriptionForm.asp
Posted by: a parent | January 19, 2009 6:55 PM
For city school employees, service opportunities are posted on the BCPS opening page and on TSSS. These opportunities are not just for MLK Day but for everyday. As Obama eluded to today,we all need to serve both in our professional lives and in our personal lives.Be sure to read the first proclamation Obama signed today.Schools need school, community, business, and individual volunteers all the time! Many(most) school employees volunteer many, many hours beyond the work day.
Posted by: Wise Educator | January 20, 2009 6:59 PM
So...how did the rally go? Good turnout?
Posted by: sceptic | January 21, 2009 12:06 AM
Great! Thanks all...
Posted by: Alrighty Then... | January 21, 2009 1:06 PM