Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair draws largest crowd ever
People once again gathered for the 10th annual Teaching for Social Justice Curriculum Fair in Chicago, the largest crowd ever at more than 800 according to experienced observers and participants. The event took place in the Orozco Elementary School building in Chicago's Pilsen community Saturday, November 20th, 2010.
Part of the crowd of 800 that attended the November 20 Teachers for Social Justice annual Curriculum Fair at Orozco school in Chicago on November 20, 2010. Substance photo by Al Ramirez.This year’s theme was “Another Education is Possible— Another World is Necessary.”
According to Aisha El- Amin, a volunteer with the fair, over 800 people came to the fair this year to “Explore ideas, projects, make new friends and build relationships.”
The opening session included speeches by The Chicago Teacher’s Union President Karen Lewis and the Araceli Gonzalez of the Whittier parents group. The Whittier parents had just led the successful 43-day sit-in to get a school library for their children at Whittier Elementary School, less than a mile from the Curriculum Fair site.
Aside from speeches there were workshops and tables covering a wide range of topics and issues. The event was put together by Teachers for Social Justice, Rethinking Schools and with the help of many volunteers.
According to a statement summarizing the event published on line by Teachers for Social Justice, the event was the most successful ever. The TSJ notice read as follows:
"Dear TSJers, November 22, 2010
"The Tenth Annual Teaching for Social Justice Curriculum Fair is now history! Saturday, November 20, 2010, we had over 900 registered attendees at Orozco School in Pilsen! This tremendous event had almost 100 curriculum exhibitors, resource tables, and workshops, and over 100 volunteers, helping with setup, cleanup, registration, media, outreach and PR, food preparation, cooking, baking, cleaning, putting up signs, directing people, MCing, delivering coffee, putting up flyers on school bulletin boards, speaking in classes, designing the program, making photocopies, art and t-shirt making, sending posters through the mail runs, going on the radio, leafleting CTU meetings, and in some many other ways, too many to name!
"We thank us all — because this is truly collective work. We make this road together. And we especially thank Orozco School, Rethinking Schools (our co-sponsors!), the Chicago Teachers Union, the Chicago Childcare Collective, and our speakers and performers — Kuumba Lynx, Whittier mom Cheli González and her young fighting daughter, Daniela Mancilla, Karen Lewis (CTU president), Patrick Camangian (our keynote speaker, all the way from Oakland), and Kevin Coval and the Louder Than A Bomb All-Stars!!!
"Our NEXT TSJ MEETING, to sum up the CF and plan ahead:
"Sunday, December 5, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, UIC College of Education, 1040 W. Harrison St., Room 3233 (the "Commons")
"Thanks also to:
Bagwis
Lawndale/Little Village High School Campus
Leftist Lounge
Luis _Logan Lu_ Tubens
Paz Justicia Esperanza
People's DJs Collective
RadioArte
Sage Community Health Collective
Una Aya Osato
Venus Collective
Alvin Yu of Fyusion Dining
"Generous Donations from:
Paula Baron, Communitas Charitable Trust
UIC College of Education
Caire's Pizza
Cheli's
El Alamo
El Fandango
Heartland Cafe
La Casa del Pueblo Taqueria
Lagos Fruit Market
La Esperanza
La Baguette Bakery"
By: The Retired Principal (RP)
Whittier School Fieldhouse/Library
The Whittier School fieldhouse/library struggle continues! Ron Huberman lied to the Whittier parents and NOTHING is settled! Hopefully, Terry Mazany will be smarter than Ron Huberman!