I sort of see this as a nothing burger but- is there seriously a Jewish Affinity Group at NT? I have more of a problem with that. Not really in practice, but where does it stop? Can we form a White Irish Catholic affinity group? (Because, if St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago tells us anything, it’s that we need a safe space 🙄). I’m just not into the whole vibe of affinity groups in public schools on the whole. But- even this doesn’t bother me terribly. One thing I can vehemently state- with all the draconian cuts d65 will be making soon, I expect a wholesale SLASH to the budget for ANY more consulting nonsense. If teachers don’t get contracts renewed, no consultant should, either. Download the materials and offer them as SSR to teachers and staff. This consulting racket has got to be reigned in. Of course, try telling that to this BoA.
Thank you for writing & sharing this, particularly since it is bound to be a sticky issue. As a teacher I find this as inappropriate as the Nabors convocation (given by his daughter) at d65. Government - in this instance schools - have no business allowing those in positions of power to proselytize to teachers and staff.
Really failing to see the controversy here. You don’t talk anywhere about Jewishness as a culture or Jewishness as a identity. If you don’t understand how writers and thinkers are guided by moral and ethical backgrounds of their own heritage, look up: Naomi Shihab Nye, Ghandi, Dr King Jr, Malcolm X, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and sooo many others. For goodness sake Mr Rogers, a Methodist minster, used his spiritual guidance to drive all of his work. Where’s the outcry??
Being a paid consultant doesn’t prevent Corrie Wallace from her freedom of speech. I’d say by virtue of being an LLC, that her perspective, experiences, and stances are specifically part of her brand and work.
Side note: I also thought the districts apology for Rev Nabors was a total caving to white power in town. Apologize for wishing peace and a positive school year? Make it make sense. Any person who comes in peace to wish peace upon others should not be shamed or forced to make an apology for sharing their truths, wishes and moral guidance. Truly not what separation of church and state is about.
Finally, the perpetual elephant in the room: The North Shore needs to stop trying to silence or nitpick Black cultural leaders. It feels witchhunty and a true true true infringement on citizens rights of free speech.
The most important thing here is that schools must diversify curriculums and meet the needs of underrepresented student populations. We need to teach about race in school, and we need to make sure all students are heard inclusively. But I have to ask what does that prayer have to do with teaching children? Why are teachers and admins being made to go through activist training?
Just to be clear, there is a boring purely pedagogical and academic definition of critical theories (plural) that is separate from the social/political topics of race etc. CRT and other critical theories are also not being taught in our schools, but curriculums and teacher training are rooted in the praxis of these theories. (Very pithy stuff I know!!!)
There needs to be a clear debate on academic grounds about this subject. Again, it is a must that subjects like race, among other difficult topics, are taught in schools. I wish we could discuss this topic openly without fear of reprisal through misunderstanding of the core concepts.
Kind of related to the general topic, have you seen the "Change.org" petition being circulated by the D65 Facebook Equity Army?
Apparently there are "parents in our community" who "have been weaponizing their Jewish identity to attempt to speak on behalf of all Jews and silence any staff member who expresses support for Palestinian people in any way."
Of course zero examples are given of this "weaponization." And in this appeal to the D65 & 202 school boards they are "asking that you, our school leaders, continue to keep your teaching staff and all employees safe from attacks."
It is a really strange petition and seems it's only purpose is to silence someone who upset the Equity Army.
I sort of see this as a nothing burger but- is there seriously a Jewish Affinity Group at NT? I have more of a problem with that. Not really in practice, but where does it stop? Can we form a White Irish Catholic affinity group? (Because, if St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago tells us anything, it’s that we need a safe space 🙄). I’m just not into the whole vibe of affinity groups in public schools on the whole. But- even this doesn’t bother me terribly. One thing I can vehemently state- with all the draconian cuts d65 will be making soon, I expect a wholesale SLASH to the budget for ANY more consulting nonsense. If teachers don’t get contracts renewed, no consultant should, either. Download the materials and offer them as SSR to teachers and staff. This consulting racket has got to be reigned in. Of course, try telling that to this BoA.
Thank you for writing & sharing this, particularly since it is bound to be a sticky issue. As a teacher I find this as inappropriate as the Nabors convocation (given by his daughter) at d65. Government - in this instance schools - have no business allowing those in positions of power to proselytize to teachers and staff.
Really failing to see the controversy here. You don’t talk anywhere about Jewishness as a culture or Jewishness as a identity. If you don’t understand how writers and thinkers are guided by moral and ethical backgrounds of their own heritage, look up: Naomi Shihab Nye, Ghandi, Dr King Jr, Malcolm X, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and sooo many others. For goodness sake Mr Rogers, a Methodist minster, used his spiritual guidance to drive all of his work. Where’s the outcry??
Being a paid consultant doesn’t prevent Corrie Wallace from her freedom of speech. I’d say by virtue of being an LLC, that her perspective, experiences, and stances are specifically part of her brand and work.
Side note: I also thought the districts apology for Rev Nabors was a total caving to white power in town. Apologize for wishing peace and a positive school year? Make it make sense. Any person who comes in peace to wish peace upon others should not be shamed or forced to make an apology for sharing their truths, wishes and moral guidance. Truly not what separation of church and state is about.
Finally, the perpetual elephant in the room: The North Shore needs to stop trying to silence or nitpick Black cultural leaders. It feels witchhunty and a true true true infringement on citizens rights of free speech.
The most important thing here is that schools must diversify curriculums and meet the needs of underrepresented student populations. We need to teach about race in school, and we need to make sure all students are heard inclusively. But I have to ask what does that prayer have to do with teaching children? Why are teachers and admins being made to go through activist training?
Just to be clear, there is a boring purely pedagogical and academic definition of critical theories (plural) that is separate from the social/political topics of race etc. CRT and other critical theories are also not being taught in our schools, but curriculums and teacher training are rooted in the praxis of these theories. (Very pithy stuff I know!!!)
There needs to be a clear debate on academic grounds about this subject. Again, it is a must that subjects like race, among other difficult topics, are taught in schools. I wish we could discuss this topic openly without fear of reprisal through misunderstanding of the core concepts.
Kind of related to the general topic, have you seen the "Change.org" petition being circulated by the D65 Facebook Equity Army?
Apparently there are "parents in our community" who "have been weaponizing their Jewish identity to attempt to speak on behalf of all Jews and silence any staff member who expresses support for Palestinian people in any way."
Of course zero examples are given of this "weaponization." And in this appeal to the D65 & 202 school boards they are "asking that you, our school leaders, continue to keep your teaching staff and all employees safe from attacks."
It is a really strange petition and seems it's only purpose is to silence someone who upset the Equity Army.
https://www.change.org/p/protect-evanston-teachers-from-parent-harassment