1 Sep 2010
Teachers Union and Dallas ISD Work to Build Community Partnerships
DALLAS—During visits to two Dallas schools Tuesday, community, business, union and school leaders stressed the importance of taking shared responsibility for strengthening public schools and ensuring all children get a high-quality education. The leaders—including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Dallas Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa, and Alliance-AFT President Rena Honea—visited David W. Carter High School for a parent forum, and Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School, where business and community groups made donations for the school's supply closet.
"All children—not just those who happen to live in the right ZIP code—deserve a world-class education and the support they need to succeed in life," said Weingarten. At the AFT convention last month, Weingarten called on local unions to renew and strengthen connections with their communities as part of the union's quest to strengthen public education. Dallas' work today, she noted, is the beginning of that commitment and could set the pace for other school districts nationwide.
"It'll take all of us—school, community and elected leaders; teachers; and parents—to create the conditions that promote learning for all kids. Each of us has a responsibility to do what we can to ensure that our schools have the right ingredients to improve teaching and learning," Weingarten said.
At a school tour and parent forum in the morning at Carter High School, school leaders highlighted parent and community involvement in programs aimed at helping students succeed. The "No Sagging" campaign focuses on getting students to wear their pants at their waists, and the "Stand Up, Man Up" program pairs young men at the school with business leaders who can teach them about responsibility and good work ethics.
"To be truly successful, schools need support from the communities that surround them," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "Teachers, parents and students can only do so much. When communities step up, even in the smallest of ways, it signals that the critical work taking place on that campus is recognized by many who stand to benefit from an educated workforce in the future."
During an afternoon visit to Hawthorne Elementary School, more than a dozen business and community groups presented donations to the school to replenish its supply closet with supplies for students and teachers, and school uniforms.
Alliance-AFT President Rena Honea said the school visits were just the beginning of an effort to build stronger community partnerships across Dallas. "With budget shortfalls everywhere, we have to work together to take care of our most important resources, our children. Nowadays, it takes a community to raise a child, and we are putting that into action."