VOLUNTEER FOR BEU AT BROOKLINE DAY
Sunday, September 23rd 11- 3
Help us remind the Brookline community that a strong BEU is good for our schools.
Volunteer for an hour or two at Brookline Day at Larz Anderson Park on Sunday, September 23. Greet the community, make pinwheels with children, set up, or clean up!
Sign up here:
https://goo.gl/forms/
At their May 14 meeting, the BEU Representative Council will discuss and vote on whether to endorse an upcoming Brookline Town Meeting warrant article calling for a name change for the Edward Devotion School. BEU members will be discussing the question in their buildings in the coming weeks so they can share their viewpoints with the reps who will decide on the BEU position.
The call for a name change has been gaining momentum. A growing number in the Brookline community are considering the implications of a history that a transition to a new building provides one reason to examine. Edward Devotion rejected the anti-slavery creed and was a slave owner. Wealth derived from the labor and treatment as a commodity of a human being became part of a bequest to the town that was later celebrated with the naming of the school for the slaveholder, Devotion.
The campaign has become a powerful opportunity for the Brookline community to disclose the hidden exploitation of people of African descent in Brookline’s history and beyond, and to finally ask how this exploitation can be redressed and ended in our time. The union has joined this effort.
HERE ARE MATERIALS FOR DISCUSSION CREATED BY MEMBERS OF THE CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF DEVO:
Frequently asked questions about the name change
Historical Chronology of the Edward Devotion school name
Why a name change matters–presentation to the School Committee by Deborah Brown
Educator’s Day (join Newton MTA members)
Saturday, April 28
42 Russell St
Pick either 10AM Kickoff or 1PM Kickoff
Canvassing and Phone banking – 2 hours
*
Organize a team of 2-4 buddies – 2 hours
Evenings, 4-7pm; or Saturday or Sunday, Noon-5:00
*
Get Out the Vote!
Thu. May 3 – Tue. May 8
PLEASE CONTACT ERIN & LET HER KNOW WHEN YOU’LL VOLUNTEER
erinrstock@gmail.com (508) 212-0712
Jennifer Monopoli is the parent of two children in the Brookline Schools. She is a public school teacher in Newton.
“Our students deserve excellence in education in a vibrant and caring learning environment that meets their needs. As a parent and teacher, I know we can achieve this by working together as a community to ensure equity and grow our safe, just, and caring learning environment.” – Jennifer Monopoli
David Pearlman grew up in Brookline, went to Devotion, graduated from BHS, and is now a child welfare attorney and Town Meeting Member.
“The Brookline schools helped raise me, and now it’s time for me to give back to the schools. I feel we need a strong new generational voice (and ear) that will promote creativity, prudence, and transparency.” – David Pearlman
Jim Swaim is a long-time Brookline resident whose children went through the Brookline schools. He is a retired Brookline teacher and principal.
“We must regain the trust of our expert teachers and prepare for 21st century learning by providing them the freedom and support to teach the whole child.” – Jim Swaim
TUESDAY APRIL 10TH
7:00 – 8:30 pm
11 Milton Road
(at the home of Susan and Joe Rothstein)
Jennifer Monopoli is the parent of two children in the Brookline Schools and is a public school teacher in Newton.
David Pearlman grew up in Brookline, went to Devotion, graduated from BHS, and is now a child welfare attorney and Town Meeting Member.
Jim Swaim is a long-time Brookline resident whose children went through the Brookline schools. He is a retired Brookline teacher and principal.
MTA News