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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