Today's newsletter has an article aimed at creating better educations for all public school students through a concerted effort by all of us, including:
  • Talking with other members of CCOP about improving education for kids who do not have the advantages most of our kids have.
This effort might be improved by our
  • Taking full advantage of opportunities to talk to other people. Pay attention to what they say. Try to figure out what's going on with them.
We are hoping you will make yourself known to this newsletter's editorial staff--e-mail us at: socialjustice@catholicsofpleasanton.org
TriValleySocial Justice Issues in the Tri-Valley

Social Justice and Our Public Schools

CCOP parishioners can be instrumental in transforming the public schools to better serve all of their students. Although we are blessed in the Tri-Valley with an abundance of resources for our children, there are families in our community who live at or below the poverty level. Academic success is not possible if a child's basic needs are not met. Through our efforts, we can help students put their talents to work and lead more productive lives.

Despite a historic Supreme Court ruling outlawing segregated schools, today huge numbers of students remain in separate and unequal schools, most in inner cities. Special PBS correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault talked with Pedro Noguera of the University of California, Los Angeles, about the consequences of such inequality and what can be done. To listen to the podcast or read the transcript of this informative interview, click here.

To learn more about a recent report from the Economic Policy Institute on how social disadvantages depress students' academic outcomes, click here.
SocialTeachingCatholic Social Teaching and the Real World 
 
Catholic Social Teaching
 
This is not a subject that most Catholics need to study the way you would study Trigonometry at school. Instead, it is something everyone needs to understand in the same way you know how to speak politely to someone who asks for your help. So, a good way to come to understand the Church's social teaching is to talk about the right and wrong way to deal with various ethical situations. These are good topics for conversation within families. (See "Conversation pieces" below.) You learn about morality from experience in trying to lead a moral life.
 
For a gold mine on Catholic Social Teaching from the Oakland Diocese click here. It has the brief USCCB document, "Seven 
Themes Of Catholic Social Teaching". The themes (with some name changes) are
  • Life and Dignity of the Human Person 
  • Call to Family, Community, and Participation 
  • Rights and Responsibilities 
  • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
  • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers 
  • Solidarity 
  • Care for God's Creation
Click any of the links at this website to learn more. These topics would make excellent "conversation pieces" for family dinner times. 

The Real World
 
Whenever you have a conversation with an employer or supervisor, ask about their company's training and apprenticeship programs. This may prompt them to give more attention to such programs.

At the same time, it is good for us to talk to our fellow employees wherever we work about our work situation and what satisfactions we find. We can talk about how we learned to do our jobs, and also how we learned to get along with our co-workers from diverse backgrounds. Such conversations can help employees to have more of a fellow-feeling for their coworkers and be more mutually supportive.
 
WiderWorldThe Wider World 

This section of the newsletter has been concentrating on encouraging our readers to think about the news sources they use, and we've mentioned or referred to the PBS Newshour several times, along with other sources. We could mention that the Newshour covered the President's State of the Union address and the Republican response to it last night, both of which have gotten favorable comments.

So much is happening in the world, and people's lives are changing. In looking for something interesting related to education, we found these
 
    
  
The photos came from the website of YEP, Young Education Professionals. Click here. You'll that find technology means there are new names for everything.
UpcomingUpcoming Events
Thursday, February 4, 7:00 P.M.
Social Justice Committee meeting
Cry Room, St. Elizabeth Seton church

Friday, February 5, 8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Social Innovation Maker Fair
For more information, click here

Friday, February 19, 1 P.M.-5 P.M.
6th Annual Social Justice Forum
Ecological Sustainability:  A New Paradigm for Environmental Justice
Holy Names University, Oakland
For more information,click here
 
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 26, 27, 28
Religious Education Congress
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, CA
For more information, click here 
 


Questions?  Click here to e-mail the Social Justice Committee
Click here to sign up for the Social Justice Newsletter
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