Don't let a politically motivated special interest group chill academic freedom and expression in our schools in the interest of promoting Israel's image among our students. The Lower Merion school board announced at a 12/3/24 school board meeting that they have unilaterally decided to partner with the Weitzman Organization and the Anti Defamation League on their antisemitism training initiative.  Both groups rely on the highly controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism, which infamously conflates antisemitism with protected political speech that is critical of Israel.   Do we want our kids to be punished if they ask the question, "Is Israel's nation state law which codifies a legal system of Jewish supremacy consistent with democratic values"?  Should language used by a consensus of international human rights and legal experts including terms like "apartheid, occupation, and genocide" be prohibited when talking about Israel in school?  Should a child be suspended for saying "free Palestine"? Join me in voicing our concern that allowing Weitzman and the ADL to shape our district's curriculum will have just such a repressive effect and is inconsistent with our values.  

OUR KIDS ARE AT RISK - BENZENE IS A KNOWN CARCINOGEN CHILDREN’S HEALTH IS AT RISK: The World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognize benzene as a hazardous air pollutant and a known carcinogen.  These organizations emphasize that children are particularly vulnerable to benzene exposure due to their developing systems and greater relative intake of air.  Exposure to benzene is associated wit respiratory problems and leukemia.  Google it - it’s terrifying! ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Increased emissions and traffic have the potential to harm not only preschoolers, but the entire neighborhood.  The plan to store 120,000 gallons of fuel underground - doubling their current capacity of 60,000 gallons of underground storage. INSUFFICIENT REVIEW: This project was deemed EXEMPT from ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.  The Culver City Planning Commission granted Costco an exemption from doing an Environmental Impact Report which would require an analysis on impacts on traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality - the report would require an analysis to the impact on the preschoolers, a “sensitive receptor” population.’’ HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1. SIGN THIS PETITION 2. VISIT OUR WEBSITE - https://www.futurenotfossils.com/ 3. EMAIL THE CITY COUNCIL Please email the Council members (templates below) to express your opposition to the relocation. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Utilize and customize one of the templates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i9Rmq3FbnwyYTgHw6MoqHwh8MFYDqJSplB3dXvJSAm8/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-xtzm9RAUOCznXCu2eFY4ENednAEeD8nHiwcoSU5lew/edit?usp=sharing 4. SPREAD THE WORD Please share this issue with friends and neighbors.  The more voices we have, the stronger our message. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Sincerely, Noah & Alba Beller

 Sign this petition to help unban cellphones in South Carolina schools! Cellphones are more than devices—they’re lifelines in emergencies, powerful tools for learning, and essential for preparing students for a tech-driven world. Let’s create policies that teach responsibility, not restrictions, and empower our students for success 

Time and time again, the far-right majority of the Supreme Court has put special interests and politics ahead of people and above delivering justice under the law. But we cannot and will not be silent. Student debt fuels economic, gender, and racial inequality. Our persistent racial wealth gap means that students of color, especially those who are Black and brown, are more likely to have student debt, borrow in higher quantities, and face more struggles in repayment. A higher education should be the key to a better future, instead of a lifetime debt sentence that limits borrowers’ ability to buy homes, start small businesses, and save for retirement, cutting into opportunities for wealth-building over their lifetimes. This is why student loan cancellation is so important. Trump's agenda includes dismantling the Department of Education (DOE), which would have devastating impacts on our communities. The DOE oversees the Pell Grant and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which gives aid to college students who need financial aid. The DOE also enforces the civil rights of students, and supports school programs that support students with disabilities. But Trump, Republicans, and Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices cannot have the last word. We won’t let them win. We have to push back and be in solidarity with each other. Together, we can keep getting loud to show the President Biden that he has the power to to give millions of Americans the student loan relief they need and deserve. President Biden must cancel student debt via executive order before Trump and Republicans gain control over all three branches of our federal government. Will you sign the petition?

If you or someone you love is LGBTQ+ on this campus, sign this petition to take necessary steps in making UPG safer and actually inclusive. 

Emma Prusch Farm Park stands as a living testament to San Jose’s agricultural heritage and serves as an irreplaceable community treasure. When Emma Prusch gifted this land to the people of San Jose in 1962, she entrusted us with preserving a piece of Santa Clara Valley’s farming legacy amid our rapidly urbanizing landscape. Her vision continues to enrich our community in countless ways. This park is far more than just open space - it’s a vital educational hub where urban children discover the wonders of agriculture through hands-on experiences. The park houses San Jose’s largest 4-H barn, providing unique opportunities for city youth to learn farming skills that are increasingly rare in our digital age. Through its community gardens and rare fruit orchards, the park connects diverse groups of residents, fostering cultural exchange and community bonds through shared cultivation of the land. Veggielution Community Farm, operating within the park, plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by providing fresh produce and educational programs to low-income families. This partnership exemplifies how the park continues to serve its intended purpose of benefiting all San Jose residents, regardless of their background. The park’s programs and facilities offer irreplaceable opportunities for environmental education, agricultural preservation, and community engagement. In our rapidly developing city, Emma Prusch Farm Park remains one of the last connections to the agricultural heritage that once earned our valley the nickname ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight.’ Protecting this legacy and ensuring its proper management isn’t just about preserving the past - it’s about securing these vital resources for future generations of San Jose residents

UPDATE 6/11/2025: Pittsburgh Public Schools is moving forward with its plan to close, consolidate, and reconfigure schools despite lacking sufficient community support. The School Board is expected to vote on June 25th to start the closure process.  It's not too late to add your signature to the Petition to Save the Friendship School. Petition results will be delivered to the School Board Members before the June 23rd Public Hearing.  Further action can be taken in the following ways before June 23rd: • Write letters to your school board members: 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  Remember to address your letter to the "Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors" or the specific Board member(s) you wish to reach.  • Email individual board members. Email addresses are available on the PPS website. Silvia Wilson represents Pittsburgh Montessori,  [email protected].  • Sign up to speak at the June 23rd Public Hearing: You can register to speak at a Public Hearing by signing up on the School Board website. • Parent Hotline: For general inquiries or student/school concerns, you can call the Parent Hotline at (412) 529-HELP (4357) or email them at [email protected].  • Stay informed with talking points and updates via 412 Justice: https://412justice.org/talkingpoints/ • Submit question and concerns to the school board through 412 Justice: https://412justice.org/questions-for-pittsburgh-public-schools/ Original Petition: Earlier this year, Pittsburgh Public Schools engaged a consultant from Boston to create a consolidation plan which controversially proposes the closure of 14 schools, including the iconic Friendship School. This plan leaves the treasured school and community space permanently shuttered, displacing students and potentially leading to blight and decline in our neighborhood. Why the Friendship Montessori School Matters: The Friendship School, which sits in the heart of the Friendship neighborhood, is currently home to the PPS Montessori PreK-5 program; a thriving, vibrant school community. Built in 1899, the school is an architectural gem and designated historic landmark. The building, designed for quality education, is filled with functional beauty and charm that makes it an ideal Montessori learning environment. Many of the students walk and bike to school, but families come from across the district to be a part of the highly sought-after Friendship Montessori school community. Moreover, the school grounds are a vital gathering place, utilized by residents, sports teams, community groups, churches, and more. The beloved play park, built by Friendship Community Group, serves as a public amenity and a testament to the strong community involvement that surrounds the school. The Case for Preservation: While we acknowledge that maintaining a historic building poses challenges, we firmly believe that the Friendship School is worth the investment. Closing this school would not only displace a tight knit family of students but also deprive the community of a vital resource. Instead of viewing it as an expense to cut, let’s see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to maintain the vitality of our district and our community. We urge Pittsburgh Public Schools to explore grant opportunities and engage with potential funders to secure the necessary resources for renovation and accessibility upgrades. The Friendship School can meet the standards for a healthy, equitable school environment while continuing to serve as a cherished community space. Through our network of architects, engineers, attorneys and grant writers, the Friendship Community Group is committed to assisting PPS in any way necessary to achieve this goal.  Join Us in Saving Friendship School! The Friendship School is not just a school building; it is the beating heart of our neighborhood. Sign this petition to demand that the school board abandon the plan to close the Friendship School and commit to investing in its future! Together, we can ensure that this iconic landmark continues to serve our community for generations to come.

For too long, the voices of Indigenous people have been pushed to the margins of history books and distorted into harmful stereotypes. This book finally allows history to be told to our children and families across the Country with balance and perspective that can only come from the very people who derive from it. History should never be censored and certainly never reclassified as fiction. When we understand our past and can tell it with a fair and open mind, we become more compassionate and free to move forward in a better way. 

Online harassment and cyberbullying are pervasive issues that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. While I was fortunate enough to secure a restraining order, many individuals are not equipped with the knowledge or support to navigate such legal steps. The existing legal framework is often ineffective, leaving victims feeling powerless and vulnerable. Pew Research Reports indicate that 41% of Americans have personally experienced some form of online harassment.  I am urging lawmakers to implement stricter laws specifically addressing online harassment and cyberbullying. These laws should include clear definitions, penalties, and legal recourse for victims. Establish dedicated resources for those affected by cyberbullying, including access to mental health support, legal advice, and reporting mechanisms that are easy to navigate. Require social media companies and online platforms to take proactive measures in monitoring, reporting, and addressing instances of cyberbullying. This includes better reporting tools and transparency in how they handle cases of harassment. Facilitate partnerships between tech companies and law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action is taken against serious cases of online harassment, protecting victims and holding offenders accountable. By signing this petition, you are joining me and countless others in advocating for a safer online environment. Your support is crucial in pushing for legislative changes that will protect individuals from the harms of online harassment. Together, let’s ensure that no one has to endure what I and many others have experienced.

Hurricane Helene and the upcoming Hurricane Milton have caused significant damage to our county. Many of our schools have been used as shelters an evacuation zones, leaving us with little time to complete assignments or properly absorb information. An extension would allow us to learn and set us up for success truly.

MacBride Hall and by extension the University of Iowa is making a conscious choice to make the lives of their disabled students more difficult, and have made no effort to correct their discriminatory inaction. Help us put their feet to the fire, and spread the word. MacBride is the tip of the iceberg: many accessible entrances, bathrooms, elevators, and even evacuation plans demonstrate a clear lack of desire to truly accommodate disabled students. Our mission across our time here at Iowa is to hold the whole of the University accountable for their numerous violations of disabled rights.

It is important for the ninth graders to participate in my campaign, as it is unjust that we are excluded from the highschoolers' recreational activities despite being acknowledged as members of the school community. By rallying others to our cause, we can convey to the higher authorities that our desire for inclusion is not isolated but rather a collective sentiment. Together, we can effect change and secure our rightful participation in a broader array of activities at the highschool.