The Caucus of Working Educators Racial Justice Committee is sponsoring a Black Lives Matter week campaign from January 23 – 27. We were inspired by the Black Lives Matter at School action that took place in October in Seattle. Two thousand teachers across 80 schools wore Black Lives Matter shirts to show support for their students of color.

We are organizing a similar action to show our support as Philadelphia educators for the lives of our students and community. Our proposal has divided the 13 guiding principles of Black Lives Matter across the week of January 23-27, 2017 in thematically organized days:
January 23: Restorative Justice and Empathy and Loving Engagement (Kick-Off)
January 24: Diversity and Globalism
January 25: Transgender affirming and Queer Affirming and Collective Value
– Screening of 13th and Talkback: Steele Elementary School
January 26: Intergenerational and Black Families and Black Villages
January 27: Black Women and Unapologetically Black (Panel Conversation – location TBD)

The goals of the week:
Create a space for dialogue and deeper introspection around the 13th guiding principles
Provide deeper connections between educators, parents, students, and community organizations
Stand in support with national organizing supporting Black Lives Matter

All schools are encouraged to participate in an opening day, where educators would wear Black Lives Matter shirts, buttons, and/or stickers. It would be exciting to see individual schools plan their own events aligned with the aforementioned themes. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

informational pickets
Assemblies
classroom lessons
after-school workshops
film screenings

Use this form bit.ly/BLMPHLed to sign up for the week’s activities. We are seeking all levels of commitment. If you or any school/organization you are affiliated with are interested in endorsing or helping to plan, please email [email protected]