Bernie Sanders is the New Zayn Malik

How exciting is this: According to a 2/14/17 New York Times article, civics is the new teen obsession for middle and high school students across the United States. 

Teachers and principals report that, with Trump in the White House, students are "showing a level of civic engagement they have not seen in years." Talk of Trump's executive order on immigration, for example,  has replaced chatter about Beyonce or "somebody's new sneakers."  I-phones are being used to follow up-to-the-minute news on cabinet posts and other political developments so students can keep up with lunchtime discussions in the cafeteria.  

NYC English teacher Emily Kaczmarek explains: Students are "wak(ing) up to their citizenship, to the fact that citizenship is not passive, or shouldn't be." 

Talking with the Experts

A critical part of the research phase of SLP's Residency Program is interaction with experts in the field.  Last week, staff from Care for the Homeless (CFH) met with two groups of 3rd graders at an elementary school in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  Both classes have chosen to help solve the growing crisis of homelessness in NYC, with a particular focus on street homeless.  

After describing their critical work providing medical care and other support to homeless New Yorkers, the CFH staff gave the students advice about how to be effective advocates.  They then asked the students to consider advocating for one CFH's new initiatives: a peer-to-peer mentoring program.  If CFH succeeds in raising funds from the City Council, they will hire and train currently and formerly homeless adults to go out and find homeless people and bring them to CFH clinics to receive free medical care. 

Visit the CFH website to find out more about CFH and how you can support their important work, including the peer-to-peer mentoring program. 

We are so grateful to CFH and all of SLP's partner organizations, who take time our of their own advocacy work to share their expertise and advice with our students! 

Coalition Z

Check out this article about a group of more than 50 NYC high school students who have come together post-election to speak out on critical policy issues.  

The three founders (all high school students) are determined to "give students, who might otherwise feel they don't have a voice in politics since they're too young too vote, the chance to take proactive action, and stand up and make their voices heard."  So inspiring! 

You can follow Coalition Z's progress on their facebook page. 

Yes "We Can" - Part 2

"Change only happens when ordinary people get involved and get engaged.

And they come together and demand it." 

President Barack Obama, Farewell Speech, January 10. 2017 

Yes, "WE CAN"

So this is an amazing story.  And seriously inspiring. 

A few years ago, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben recorded a song called "We Can." Originally intended to inspire people to run the marathon (he had just completed his first NYC race), the song has since taken on a life of its own. It's larger message: we can work together to make the world a better place for everyone. 

An elementary school teacher heard his song and wrote Jesse a letter inviting him to visit her school in Vancouver.  Another person might have sent a nice note back, a few cds.  But not Jesse. He flew to Canada and spent a week with the students learning about their community projects and recording a "We Can" video documenting their great work. 

After the Vancouver experience, Jesse created the "We Can" Project, which has since inspired more than 125,000 students in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Canada and the U.S. The Project asks students, teachers, and parents to write a list of goals that are important to them, their peers, and their communities. Each participant then selects one of their goals (planting a garden, volunteering at a shelter, creating a recycling program) and commits to making it happen, either on their own or with a group. 

Now that he's a New Yorker, Jesse is eager to work with more NYC schools.  If you are a student, teacher, or parent, contact the "We Can" Project to find out how to get started, and how you can support this amazing program.  

Education Secretary to Schools: Give Students Opportunities to "Do" Democracy

Earlier this week, National Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. made an incredibly compelling case for service learning. 

Some highlights from his speech to the National Press Club: 

"Schools have a special responsibility to prepare students for their role in democracy...This is one of the original goals of American public education, something that has become more important as the country becomes more diverse."

"Preparing students for civic duties is just as much a priority as preparing them to succeed in college and in their careers." 

Teachers should help students "think beyond their own needs and wants and help them develop as writers and speakers who could engage leaders and fellow citizens. 

"It is not enough to just shout their disappointments and criticize the ideas of others.  They have to offer solutions.  They have to work to advocate for these solutions.  They have to push to make sure their solutions are implemented." 

Yes!! 

Hilary's National Service Reserve

Last week, Hillary Clinton announced her plan for a 5 million member national service reserve project.  Americans across the country would continue in their full-time jobs but would be on call to respond to national disasters, health emergencies, and other crises.  

 "America works best, " she said, "when citizens volunteer in their own communities."  She added, "Working together is the best way to solve problems." 

How Can We Integrate NYC Schools? Talk to the Students.

Matt Gonzales, Appleseed's School Diversity Project Director, believes that students are a critical part of the process of integrating NYC schools. We agree! 

He elaborated in a recent interview:  "We need to highlight the voices of students and actually ask them what they want, and try to help those students tell their parents what they think is the best way for them to learn. And I have a feeling that students will be able to articulate the benefits better than us, too. So part of it is going to be having students really raise their voices up."  

If students at your school would like to join other NYC youth advocating for school integration, visit IntegrateNYC4Me.