To: the People of Newark!
I Pledge to Continue the Fight to Protect Newark’s Public Schools!
Cami Anderson is out. Chris Cerf is in. One Christie-appointed puppet will replace another Christie-appointed puppet. Until Newark achieves full local control over our public schools, I will continue to stand with the students, parents and teachers of Newark!
Why is this important?
We should celebrate Cami’s departure cautiously (and briefly). The fact is that the movement of students, parents, teachers and concerned residents has never been about the narrow goal of Cami’s resignation.
The movement in Newark to reclaim our public schools has been about local democratic control, increasing the resources and funding needed to strengthen Newark’s public schools, developing community schools and ensuring a strong future for our children. Unless her permanent replacement is selected by the Newark community, and until Newark’s schools are properly funded, the movement to reclaim our public schools will continue.
As we ready ourselves for the next phase of the fight to restore local control and invest in community schools, let’s find inspiration in the amazing work that has taken place so far. For the last three years, NJ Communities United and the Newark Students Union have fought together in solidarity, organizing more than a half-dozen massive student walk-outs, countless rallies and a week-long sit-in at Cami Anderson’s office. Following recent student walk-outs, both East Side and Weequahic are no longer on the list of turn-around schools. This demonstrates that the constant escalation and mobilization have forced the superintendent’s arm. The voices of the Newark Students Union, bolstered by technical and strategic organizing support from NJ Communities United, elevated the fight to protect Newark’s schools to national and international levels.
The Newark Students Union and NJ Communities United will continue this fight – and we hope you will continue to stand with us!
The movement in Newark to reclaim our public schools has been about local democratic control, increasing the resources and funding needed to strengthen Newark’s public schools, developing community schools and ensuring a strong future for our children. Unless her permanent replacement is selected by the Newark community, and until Newark’s schools are properly funded, the movement to reclaim our public schools will continue.
As we ready ourselves for the next phase of the fight to restore local control and invest in community schools, let’s find inspiration in the amazing work that has taken place so far. For the last three years, NJ Communities United and the Newark Students Union have fought together in solidarity, organizing more than a half-dozen massive student walk-outs, countless rallies and a week-long sit-in at Cami Anderson’s office. Following recent student walk-outs, both East Side and Weequahic are no longer on the list of turn-around schools. This demonstrates that the constant escalation and mobilization have forced the superintendent’s arm. The voices of the Newark Students Union, bolstered by technical and strategic organizing support from NJ Communities United, elevated the fight to protect Newark’s schools to national and international levels.
The Newark Students Union and NJ Communities United will continue this fight – and we hope you will continue to stand with us!