All Aboard the Parent Express Bus on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:info@ctparentsunion.org
Tel: (203)443-3203


All Aboard the Parent Express Bus on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

IT IS NO ACCIDENT that the pivotal Supreme Court decision launching the 
modern civil rights movement was an "education" case -- the 1954 Brown 
v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling.

Parents & Community Leaders, it’s Time to LIVE the Dream!

January 20, 2014: For the first time, the Connecticut Parents Union 
(CTPU) will participate in National School Choice week by launching the 
Parent Express Bus for School Choice on Martin Luther King Jr. birthday. 
Why? Because we firmly believe ALL children deserve equitable and equal 
access to safe & high quality schools and educational options no matter 
their race, neighborhood/zip-code or income level.

As a result, we want to bring the dream of Martin Luther King Jr., 
parents, students and community to life by hosting solution based mini 
parent and community empowerment events at various locations through-out 
Connecticut via CTPU’s all aboard – the Parent Express bus.

This event will include presentations on what is the current state of 
education in Connecticut, especially within marginalized communities,  
“why” school choice and educational options promote equity, ”why”  
parent and community engagement is critical for student academic 
success, “why” high standards college/career preparation works, voter 
education & registration, youth presentations and book giveaways...

With your support we can raise awareness about the urgency to create an 
educated citizenry for civic engagement and prepare a stable future 
workforce for a productive economy.



AGENDA:

On January 20th 2014,

1. 9:00am In FRONT of State Capitol- CT Parents Union & great schools 
for all supporters will "ring a bell" to symbolize the launch of 
National School Choice week in Connecticut and our commitment to the 
journey of ensuring ALL Connecticut children have access to safe quality 
schools and educational options, regardless of their race, 
zip-code/neighborhood or income level. THIS IS OUR COMMITMENT TO THE 
DREAM of MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

*Mr. Willie Nelson- "America The Beautiful" Trumpet Solo
Retired Veteran -Air Force Branch


9:30 our "Living The Dream " journey continues to Jumoke Academy 
Honors- Science, Math, and Research, Technology Middle School  - 339 
Blue Hills Ave Hartford, CT

11:00am our "Living The Dream " journey continues to Wexler Grant 
Community School-55 Foote Street New Haven, CT

1:15pm our "Living The Dream " journey continues to Common Ground High 
School -Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center - 358 Springside 
Ave New Haven

2:15pm our "Living The Dream " journey brings us to University of 
Bridgeport
( Front of Wheeler Rec Center) 126 Park Av Bridgeport CT

and the FINALE with a Buzybody Fitness "workout" for school choice will 
be at Church Without Walls 16 Isaacs street Norwalk CT 06851

^ Bring Sneakers because we are doing a custom 10 minute Workout for 
School Choice designed by BuzyBody Fitness


Invited Guest: Members from the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and other 
lawmakers and education advocates, students and community that support 
great schools for all

Confirmed Speakers To Date:

Ms. Gwendolyn Samuel - President and Founder, CT Parents Union

*Mark Ifill-Handy –Junior New Haven Academy & Student at Yale and 
Gateway College, Youth Leader at Teach Our Children and Youth UnleashED

* Dr.Carole R. Collins Ayanlaja, Education Leader
Dissertation:  Emerging Lenses:  Perspectives of Parents of Black 
Students on School Success
Research focus: race, culture, social capital, networks, parent 
engagement, and student achievement

*Jeremiah L. Grace-  Connecticut State Director of Northeast Charter 
Schools Network,. Before joining the team, Jeremiah was the National 
Regional Director for Project Vote, a nonpartisan, nonprofit 
organization that works to empower, educate and mobilize marginalized 
and under-represented voters. He is a former member of the Elizabeth 
Board of Education in Elizabeth, NJ, and brings an extensive background 
in state-level education reform and civil rights advocacy, as well as 
local political campaigns.

Stay tuned for event updates throughout the weekend

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