While the UFT sells a "What me worry attitude" to the members, the teachers as some SIG schools, joined by supporters led by activists within the UFT but not associated with the leadership, have begun to take the battle beyond where the UFT is willing to go.
Teachers at John Dewey HS are taking the lead with today's viewing of the inspiring GEM film response to Waiting for Superman that is being ignored by the UFT, followed by Fight Back Friday rallies both AM and PM tomorrow. A wider FNF is planned for next Friday, Jan. 27 where all schools can join --- please consider having one at your school as a show of solidarity (don't be surprised to see the UFT/DOE settle things and the money be restored --- it may take 'till next year for the full results of the settlement to hit the school we may see militancy die back for a while.)
Here is the press release and fliers:
PRESS RELEASEDate: Friday, January 20, 2012Contact:Michael Solo, Teacher at John Dewey High School : 917-750-7510Martha Blitzer, Teacher at John Dewey High School : 718-501-2359.Fight Back Friday: John Dewey High School Fights Back Against Bloomberg AttackWith a cynical misrepresentation of the truth, Mayor Bloomberg is holding 33 Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) schools hostage to his demands. The NYCDOE walked out on negotiations with the UFT to finalize an evaluation system for teachers. Agreement on an evaluation process would have allowed School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds to continue being available for the (PLA) schools. Funding for the schools has been frozen because of the impasse in negotiations. The NYCDOE refuses to return to the negotiating table and has threatened the 33 (PLA) schools with closure through a process called “turnaround”.Funding is being used to drive a wedge between the UFT and the public, but Bloomberg’s real motivation is the implementation of an evaluation process that deprives teachers of due process protections.The John Dewey High School community has endured years of neglect and threats from the NYCDOE. We have worked hard to move our school forward and we are making great strides in overcoming the tremendous obstacles that were put in our path by the NYCDOE. Why is Mayor Bloomberg threatening our school community?Bullies depend on their victims to be unprepared to defend themselves. The entire John Dewey High School community has decided to fight back. We are tired of being used as pawns in Mayor Bloomberg’s bid to cripple our school and public education. We are continuing our push back, which began last year, with a new round of Fight Back Friday protests.Our push back actions will take place on Friday, January 20th. There will be a morning protest, in front of our school building, at 7:15am and an afternoon protest at 2:45pm.fightbackfridays.blogspot.com
Here is the general announcement for other schools to join in on January 27
School Closings, Increased Charter Co-locations, Larger Classes, Merit Pay, Firing Half the Staff at 33 Schools AND A Flawed Teacher Evaluation System...The Education Mayor?It's time for the first Fight Back Friday of 2012(soon to be occupy Friday??)NEXT FRIDAY: JAN 27th. WEAR BLACK!PICKET OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR SCHOOL!LEAFLET AROUND YOUR SCHOOL!Fliers and stickers and such to follow.(one announcement flier attached, feel free to use)
PLEASE FORWARD AND POST EVERYWHERE!!Please respond to this email or email:if you think your school might participate.Or to ask for more info or help in planning an action.We want to get coverage for all the actions and let the public know that parents and teachers are fighting back!Last spring over 50 schools participated on several Fridays. It’s a great way to build solidarity among your staff, reach out to parents and students and to begin to create the coordinated city-wide effort we all know is needed.It is time for rank and file teachers, parents and our students to move towards becoming ungovernable.Mayoral control, the attacks on our livelihoods, and on our students' education will not end simply because we want them to.It will take mass mobilization at the school and city-wide level.We need to end the privatization of Public Education through charters and merit pay!End the destructing of education through the abuse of high stakes testing!Say NO to school turn-arounds that will destroy school communities, our student's education and the lives and careers of our colleagues.WE MUST DEMAND AN END TO MAYORAL CONTROL!PARENTS AND EDUCATORS MUST HAVE A CONTROLLING VOICE IN EDUCATION!JOIN SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE CITY ON JAN 27TH!And please let us know that you will be participating!Here are some times articles covering FBF in the past. We have had lots of other coverage as well.And the FBF Blog from John Dewey HS.They have an action planned for this Friday as well.in solidaritysamfor the rank and file Fight Back Friday committee
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thanks a lot
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