[Un]Fair Housing - The Legacy of REDLINING in Northeast Ohio

 

In This March 29, 2022 News Forums on [Un]Fair Housing, Join Us at CIFF, Volunteer With LWVGC Hosted by Real Talk in close partnership with Ideastream Public Media, Akron Beacon Journal, and The Freedom Bloc.  Real Talk is a collaboration of the Leagues of Women Voters of Akron Area, Greater Cleveland, Hudson, and Kent.   Part 1 (April 13) Erasing the Red Line: Opening Opportunities   The speaker and panelists will explore the history of redlining and how it shaped and continues to influence Northeast Ohio communities.    Moderated by Rick Jackson, Host and Producer, Ideastream Public Media.  Opening Speaker: Carrie Pleasants, Executive Director, Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research.    For a full list of panelists and information on how to attend, go to our website.   Part 2 (April 20) Housing Justice: Universal, Stable, and Affordable Housing   After an exciting keynote address, local advocates will discuss how they are working to break down the barriers that individuals face in finding universal, stable, and affordable housing.    Moderated by Seyma Bayram, Reporter, Akron Beacon Journal. Keynote Speaker:  Demetria L. McCain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.    For a full list of panelists and information on how to attend, go to our website.

Letter to Educators and Parents Regarding New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children with Disablilities

 

March 24, 2022 Letter to Educators and Parents Regarding New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children with Disabilities Today, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona wrote a letter to educators and parents regarding new Centers for Disease Control recommendations and the recommendations’ impact on children with disabilities. This letter addresses the needs of students with disabilities as we move into a new phase in our response to the pandemic. The letter addresses the CDC’s February 2022 framework for identifying COVID-19 Community Levels and encourages schools to lead with equity and inclusion to ensure all students have access to in-person learning alongside their peers. The letter includes sections on leveraging the individualized education program or Section 504 process to ensure schools have protections in place to protect in-person learning; continuing use of layered prevention strategies to keep school communities safe; and ensuring students receive education and services in the least restrictive environment. Letter to Educators and Parents Regarding New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children with Disabilities (March 24, 2022) For additional COVID-19 resources relating to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and OSERS, please go to Program Information: FAQs and Responses — Special Education & Rehabilitative Services page. You can also find more COVID-19 resources on ED's Disability Rights and COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families pages.

Request for Public Comment

 

Ohio law requires the Departments of education and public safety develop a model curriculum for instruction in grades nine through twelve on proper interactions with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.  The draft of the model curriculum is open for public comment until 4 p.m. on March 28. The public can access that information on the Department's website with this link. Please share this email with your student (or parent) groups. We want to receive as much public comment from Ohio students and parents as possible on the Peace Officers model curriculum.

Education Advocacy

 

The Week Ahead... Join us in the weeks ahead for an array of local and national honesty-focused panels, training, and workshops that are geared to build knowledge, capacity, and community around honest education. We're proud to highlight the events and resources of our partners, near and far, who are working to: Protect Students and Educators Advance Anti-Racist Initiatives Defend LGBTQ+ Rights Champion Social-Emotional Learning Advocate for Fair School Funding Combat Book Bans Build Communication Skills for Honest and Courageous Conversations CHECK OUT THE EVENTS BELOW!   GET OUT THE VOTE! Ohio Primary Election: May 3, 2022 Voter Registration Deadline: April 4, 2022 Register to Vote NOW -- Do Not wait! IMPORTANT Already registered to vote? Check your voter registration status to confirm your information is up-to-date and to ensure you were not purged from the Ohio voter registration rolls. ••• Election Resources Head to our Election page to register, learn about Ohio's three different options for voting, and how to research your candidates. GOTV HERE   UPDATES STATEHOUSE HB 322 & HB 327 - DIVISIVE CONCEPT BILLS There is no scheduled activity for HB 322 or 327 this week.  TAKE ACTION ACLU: Pledge to Defend Every Student's Right to Learn HERE Ohio Library Council: Contact Your State Representative About HB 327 HERE Council of American-Islamic Relations: Oppose HB 327, Ensure Safe Learning Spaces for Muslim & Minority Students HERE NEWS & MEDIA Mar 21, From libraries to police training: Controversial Ohio education bill goes beyond classroom, Dispatch Mar 20, Ohio Legislature eyes divisive education bills, Yellow Springs News Mar 18, Appalling legislative attempt to muzzle Ohio teachers, restrict educational content, Cleveland.com Mar 14, Dayton's Mayor calls H.B. 327 dangerous, how it would impact you, Dayton 24/7 HB 327 RESOURCES TAKE ACTION Against HB 327 HERE HB 327 Testimony Workshop WATCH | SLIDES Learn About HB 322 and HB 327 HERE Status of HB 322 HERE | HB 327 HERE House State and Local Government Committee HERE Statehouse TAKE ACTION Toolkit HERE  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION NEXT STATE BOARD MEETING Monday and Tuesday, April 11-12, 2022  Public comment presented on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Location: 25 S. Front Street, Columbus Meeting Information HERE Important Issues for April Meeting: 1) Hiring Ohio's Next State Superintendent The State Board is searching for Ohio's next state superintendent of public instruction. This state role is responsible for the leadership and administration of the Ohio Department of Education, which educates some 1.7 million students in 4,778 schools, across 610+ school districts. Help ensure the candidate is qualified to lead, has a professional background that centers children and families, and brings a deep understanding and commitment to the Each Child Our Future Strategic Plan and the Whole Child Framework.  Learn how you can TAKE ACTION HERE 2) Speak Up for Social-Emotional Learning Help guard against efforts to remove social-emotional learning standards from Ohio education. Learn about the importance of Social-Emotional Learning and why it belongs in education: CASEL American Federation of Teachers Children's Defense Fund Ohio SEL Fact Sheet   HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1) Contact YOUR State Board Member: Email or phone your State Board representative. Contacts HERE 2) Submit Letters to the Editor: Use our hard-working local media to amplify what matters in education. Tips HERE 2) SPEAK OUT at the April State Board Meeting: Attend the meeting and present your comment in person. Instructions HERE 3) Submit Written Comment for the State Board Meeting: Email your written comment to the Board. Instructions HERE SBOE RESOURCES: Learn about the Each Child Our Future Strategic Plan HERE Learn about the Whole Child Framework HERE TAKE ACTION to Select the Next State Superintendent HERE TAKE ACTION Toolkit HERE Watch Previous SBOE Meetings HERE Download Meeting Schedules and Materials HERE Contact SBOE Members HERE K-16 Campuses   PEN America Free Expression Essay Competition Open to High School and College Students PEN America is hosting a national student essay competition about the role of free expression in today’s world. Students: What do you think about the threats to this crucial right? PEN America will award $15,000 in prizes to the competition winners. Winning essays will be published on PEN America’s website, and promoted on social media channels. Submission deadline is April 15, 2022  LEARN MORE EVENTS COMING UP... Tuesday, March 22, 7:30pm Sweep Salon: Building Coalitions HOSTED BY: Red, Wine & Blue REGISTER Tuesday, March 22, 7pm Essential Questions and Answers: Honesty in Education HOSTED BY: League of Women Voters Ashtabula & Ashtabula NAACP REGISTER Thursday, March 24, 7pm Fair School Funding: The Unfinished Agenda and How to Win HOSTED BY: League of Women Voters Ohio ​REGISTER Thursday, March 24, 7:30pm Troublemaker Training: Book Ban Edition HOSTED BY: Red, Wine & Blue REGISTER Monday, March 28, 7pm Honesty in Education HOSTED BY: Federated Social Justice Advocacy Ministry (SJAM), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Sadler Institute for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (SIJEDI)  JOIN Thursday, March 31, 6pm Limiting Critical Race Theory and the Effect on Education, Non-Profit Organizations and Governmental Systems HOSTED BY: United Way Cleveland REGISTER Friday, April 1, Noon Honesty Lunch & Learn: Combatting Book Bans in Ohio, Featuring Red, Wine & Blue, The Unicorn Express, KSU College of Communications HOSTED BY: Honesty for Ohio Education ​REGISTER Sunday, April 10, 2pm Honesty Youth and Young Adult Coalition Meeting HOSTED BY: Honesty for Ohio Education REGISTER Monday & Tuesday, April 11-12, 8am State Board of Education Meetings INFO   WORKSHOPS Tuesday, March 29, 7pm WORKSHOP: Relational Organizing Intro HOSTED BY: Learn From History ​REGISTER Thursday, March 31, Noon WORKSHOP: Power Mapping 101 HOSTED BY: Ohio Voice​ ​REGISTER Thursday, March 31, 2pm WORKSHOP: Shared Meta-Narrative Project HOSTED BY: Policy Matters Ohio REGISTER April Thru May - Wednesdays, 7pm ET Honest Education Trainings & Workshops Hosted by New York University Metro Center & Race Forward REGISTER   ICYMI Thursday, March 17, 7pm The Education Exchange: Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights in the Classroom, Featuring Equality Ohio HOSTED BY: Honesty for Ohio Education ​WATCH | SLIDES   More Events NEWS Mar 21, From libraries to police training: Controversial Ohio education bill goes beyond classroom, Dispatch Mar 20, Doctors fighting racial health disparities face threats, harassment, NBC News Mar 20, Ohio Legislature eyes divisive education bills, Yellow Springs News Mar 18, Appalling legislative attempt to muzzle Ohio teachers, restrict educational content, Cleveland.com Mar 17, The far right’s national plan for schools: Plant charters, defund public education, Salon.com Mar 15, Critical race theory, ’1619 Project’ criticized as ‘divisive’ by Idaho Legislature, Idaho Statesman Mar 15, Mississippi governor signs law restricting discussions of race in schools, The Hill Mar 15, Florida’s racist and anti-LGBTQ bills are already having a chilling effect, The Real News Mar 15, Why Mississippi’s ‘critical race theory’ ban is such a mess, MSNBC  Mar 15, Anti-critical race theory bill signed into law by Mississippi governor, ABC News Mar 14, Dayton's Mayor calls H.B. 327 dangerous, how it would impact you, Dayton 24/7   More News PARTNERS Become an Honesty Partner! JOIN HERE Join Today! LEARN MORE TO DO MORE Visit the Honesty website to learn how you can help protect honest education across Ohio! Statehouse State Board of Education Local Schools Youth & Young Adult Coalition Events Resources News

Virtually Offered Workshops BEFORE Convention!

As we prepare to meet members at the end of April, here are eight (8) Ohio PTA workshops virtually offered for our leaders. Registration is required and can be accessed by clicking on the link under each workshop title listed below.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

*****For those coming to convention and attending four of these eight virtual workshops, we will have a “thank you” gift waiting for you!*****

 

Wednesday, April 6    6:45-7:45pm PTA Healthy Minds Program

                                    8:00-9:00pm10 tips for PTA DNA (Dynamic, Nimble, Amazing) Leaders

 

Thursday, April 7        6:45-7:45pm Bylaws and Standing Rules: How Comfortable Are YOU?

                                    8:00-9:00pm Cultural Fitness with JEDI Training

 

Monday, April 11         6:45-7:45pm Treasurer Topics

                                    8:00-9:00pm Membership Driven Intentional Leadership

 

Tuesday, April 12        6:45-7:45pm Programs, Training, Advocacy to direct your PTA mission

                                    8:00-9:00pm HWS Position Statement and Panel Discussion

PTA Healthy Minds Program

Presenter: National PTA Healthy Minds Ambassador, Shaton Berry

Join Shaton for a robust discussion on the PTA Healthy Minds Program developed to empower families to make mental health an everyday priority. At the Ohio PTA in-person convention, Dr. Brett Zyromski from OSU will talk more about the power of families and schools to support the mental health of children!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvf-2hpzwjE9X8gqyuc16mqgFl4ZqVjzGI

 

10 tips to help the PTA DNA (Dynamic, Nimble, Amazing) Leader

Presenter: Jackie Arendt, Ohio PTA President

                  Angela Revay, Ohio PTA President-elect

You were born to lead and help children succeed! The work is not always easy, but so worth it! Join us to learn the top ten tools to get you ready for your role as a PTA leader! From running a nonprofit to membership growth to managing the unexpected! And don’t forget to join us at convention to learn more in our roundtable discussions!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtf-CqpzMvGtS-KQ8d3UKl3uqRFgxTQEb5

Bylaws and Standing Rules: How Comfortable Are YOU?

Presenter: Janis Zart, Ohio PTA Board Member, Bylaws Chairperson

Learn the importance of Bylaws and Standing Rules and how they help us manage our PTAs. Discover how to use, review and update these important documents on a three-year cycle.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uf-2uqz0sGNxbh9WqWTrMDuJtFIwDZ48w

 

Cultural Fitness with JEDI Training

Presenter: Jackie Arendt, Ohio PTA President

Whether your goal is building onto your diversity or knowing where to start, learn how the intentional changes in your leadership style can impact the messaging to members and cultivate a more diverse membership that focuses on equity, inclusion, and justice in your unit, council, and community activities and events.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsceytrzMqHde1nDb1FXYprG2r0Ijn1pJf

Treasurer Topics

Presenter: Dana Paul, Ohio PTA Secretary-Treasurer

                  Angela Revay, Ohio PTA President-elect

Being the financial leader is very important! Learn the various duties and responsibilities needed to get the job done step by step! This covers the basics and will prepare you for the convention workshop on financial reviews, 990s, and insurance!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscOuprzsvG9Hf02GF9DCdxEX2XjUIMDBt

Membership Driven Intentional Leadership

Presenters: Nicole Lesnick, Ohio PTA Board Member, Advocacy Chairperson

                    Janice Wanko, Ohio PTA Board Member, Membership Chairperson

How do you weave the mission of PTA into your membership goals? Find out! Membership in our PTAs is for everyone and is also everyone’s responsibility. Join us and explore ways to engage current members and expand membership in new and diverse ways.

Nicole will continue her intentional leadership training at our in-person convention!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcOGpqT8jEtZg7Ru_9SCD9vgBTjgkwnA-

Programs, Training, Advocacy to Direct your PTA Mission

Presenters: Jackie Arendt, Ohio PTA President

                    Angela Revay, Ohio PTA President-elect

What is the purpose of PTA? How do we value our members through training? What education issues should we know? Ohio PTA runs amazing programs, provides training and supports advocacy efforts that are essential to carrying out the mission of PTA. We will discuss the many ways to PTA and focus on what members want to know more about by offering roundtable forums at convention.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUldO-hrz0oGtagn9RXObtxkDxCCJhj-smP

 

HWS Position Statement and Panel Discussion

Presenter: Kyle Vath, Ohio PTA Board Member, Health Welfare & Safety Chair with panel member Dr. Rudy Breglia

To prepare for ratification of our pending position statement on the importance of vaccines, join Ohio PTA Board Member and HSW Chairperson, Kyle Vath, in an open discussion about this and other health, welfare and safety topics. Dr. Breglia will also be a keynote speaker at our convention!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlfu-vrTItGNLjSOGr_W8PmbG5oAIfbV1N