Welcome new chapter!

We are very happy to welcome a new chapter in Pennsylvania, PAA-Suburban Philadelphia, and leader Danielle Arnold-Schwartz. Danielle is a parent and teacher - please take a minute to look at her wonderful blog, "What's the Big Idea Schwartzy!"

Chapter/affiliate web sign-up feature back
         
Apparently the "Start a Chapter or Affiliate" link on our web site has been down for several weeks without our being aware of it. We're back in business now, so If you are interested in forming a PAA chapter or affiliate, get the information you need here! You can also e-mail us at info@parentsacrossamerica.org.

PAA-South Bend has a new partner

PAA-South Bend leader Don Vila reports that the Indiana chapter has become a part of the local Jobs With Justice campaign. Don was invited to a strategy meeting for the upcoming year and very warmly received by the JWJ leadership.
 
Don adds, "I would encourage other chapters to pursue similar alliances - it is a natural fit.  While much of our concern is targeted at outcomes for children, degradation of public school employment has a downside for students as well as teachers and staff."

Indianapolis affiliate planning urban education conference Nov. 9

PAA-Indiana leader Delana Ivey has announced the "Active in Urban Education Conference." The conference was born of a need for a wider conversation about education in Indianapolis. "You are invited. We will all listen. This is your time to explore selected education topics by sharing your knowledge and experiences, while learning from fellow conference participants. Trained facilitators are there to move the group conversation forward and scribe themes and ideas."

For more information and to register, please go to the event website here.

Two major events coming up in Chicago

PAA and PAA's Chicago affiliate, PURE, will be represented at the first annual Chicago Neighborhood Schools Fair, scheduled for Saturday, November 16.

Local School Council members, parents and others came up with the idea for this fair after noticing that the Chicago district holds fairs for charter and other non-traditional schools, but rarely promotes neighborhood schools.

The Neighborhood School Fair will let prospective parents know that neighborhood schools are a good choice for their children and help parents already at neighborhood schools strengthen their schools. It will highlight the many wonderful programs and involved families at neighborhood schools across the city and bring together parents and students for a meet and greet that reaches across neighborhood boundaries.  

More information here. Can't attend? Please like the Neighborhood Schools Fair Facebook page!

inBloom forum with Leonie Haimson

As mentioned above, PAA co-founder Leonie Haimson will be the main presenter at a forum on inBloom in Illinois on Thursday, November 21 in Chicago.

Next year, the Chicago Public Schools plans to join a state database of private student information created by inBloom. The Nov. 21 forum will give parents, students, teachers and the general public a chance to find out what's going on, learn about parent, student, and teacher rights, and join with others to protect our privacy!

 

The forum is sponsored by More Than a Score, Parents United for Responsible Education, Parents Across America, Raise Your Hand, Parents 4 Teachers, Chicago Teachers' Union, ACLU of Illinois, Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education, and Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood.

More information here.