Dear friends and supporters:

 

I’m writing this to you shortly after Alex Pretti was murdered during the federal siege of Minneapolis. Terrors such as these make for a winter that tests our hearts. But as Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught, “it is forbidden to despair.” Our neighbors in Minnesota are showing us the way through the appalling tragedy and unceasing violence of authoritarianism. Ordinary Minnesotans are showing up with love and courage put into action through organization and solidarity, showing us that our humanity cannot be torn from our hearts, not by the gun of an ICE agent nor by the threats of a cruel government. This is a moment to show up for each other, to show that the fabric of our community is stronger than the lead of a bullet. 

 

Education is complex, interpersonal work – learning together binds people through care, attention, and shared experience. Our schools are where so much work of weaving together community happens. This is but one reason why, right now, the work of public education is as important as ever. 
 

Campaign Updates

 

We have yard signs! Do you want one? This is a great way to get my name out there, plus it lets all your neighbors know that you’re staying in-the-know about important local issues like who is on the Board of Education. We will be distributing yard signs in the coming weeks with pick-up locations on the East and West sides. Please fill out this form if you would like to receive one. 

 

We’re hosting our first “Public School Plug-In” in the SASY neighborhood on Thursday (January 29th, 5:30-7pm). I want to meet families in their neighborhoods and hear about what’s going on in their schools. These gatherings are an opportunity to think together about what young people need to be safe and engaged in their schools. Snacks will be provided for adults, pizza and games will be available for kids, who are welcome to come along.

 

I’m also very proud to announce that last night, the MMSD Board of Education took action on gun violence by passing a resolution that I introduced. Going forward, MMSD will be developing a campaign to promote safe storage of firearms throughout the community. You can read more about this in the Board of Education news later in this email. You can read the resolution here. 

 

With campaign season ramping up, we’re getting around town to talk to unions, parent-teacher groups, and neighbors about public schools. I got to talk with the Lapham-Marquette Parent Teacher Group during their January 13th candidate forum, you can check out the recording here. This is a time where we want to talk to as many people and groups as possible, so if you know of a place where you think I should be, email me and let me know! 

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Upcoming Events
 

Public School Plug-In with Blair! Join SASY neighbors on January 29th from 5:30-7pm to meet up with me and talk about schools. There will be pizza and games for kids as well as snacks for adults. Please email bmf4mmsd@gmail.com for the address.

 

On February 13th, the day before Valentine’s day, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford and I are organizing a fundraising event called “I Love Consent.” We'll be hosting the event at Jade Monkey Cocktail Lounge on Cottage Grove Road (Google Maps), additional details will be announced soon. Dina Nina is the City of Madison’s District 15 Alder, and she is running for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent the 76th District. I’m so proud to support her and to have her support. This event will be a fantastic love-fest

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Get Involved
 

•  Do you want a yard sign? We will be distributing yard signs in the coming weeks. Please fill out this form if you would like to receive one.

 

• Get connected with your neighborhood rapid response ICE group chat and attend a training. I’ll be attending a meeting co-sponsored by MTI and Voces de la Frontera on Wednesday that’s already generated so much interest, it’s sold out. But organizing like this is non-heirarchical and leaderful, so talk to your neighbors to see what’s happening on your block. You can check out other organizing opportunities from Voces de la Frontera and online from Showing Up For Racial Justice to learn how to get started.

 

• Talk to your neighbor about what is happening in Minneapolis. Make sure you know each other and have each other's phone numbers. 

 

• Do you want to host a neighborhood “Public School Plug-In” event? These are opportunities to bring together your neighbors so we can talk about public schools together. Please email bmf4mmsd@gmail.com if you’re interested in hosting!

 

• If you haven’t already, please follow and like on social media (Facebook and Instagram). Please talk to a friend about the campaign, forward this email to them, ask them to donate, and sign-up for email updates. These small steps really really help.

 

Board of Education News

 

Last night, the Board of Education passed a resolution I was proud to introduce, directing the district to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote safe firearm storage for MMSD families. Community safety and school safety are inextricable from one another, meaning that safer communities make for safer schools. Safe gun storage is a proven public health, harm reduction approach to reducing death and injury caused by firearms. So often, the crucial factor in the precipitation of gun violence is simply access to firearms. This resolution mandates the district to develop a program, modeled on similar successful programs from around the country, that helps reach out to MMSD families and connects them to safe storage resources in our community. I’m grateful for the members of our community and fellow board members who supported this resolution and am eager to continue working together towards real student safety.

 

Also last night, the board also voted to reaffirm an important resolution to protect refugee and immigrant students and families of our district. Beyond offering symbolic support to immigrant and refugee communities, this resolution makes non-cooperation with ICE into district policy. Standing up for our students by refusing any and all cooperation with ICE is crucial at this moment. This resolution also gives clarity and support to staff in schools who are working with immigrant and refugee students everyday. I’m proud to see our district stand together with our community at this dire moment.

 

Last week, I attended the Wisconsin State Education Convention in Milwaukee as the MMSD representative to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards delegate assembly. With delegates from all over the state, I helped pass a progressive slate of resolutions to oppose voucher expansion, support free school meals for all, and demand the state honor its promise to fairly contribute to special education funding. WASB will use these resolutions to inform the statewide legislative platform they advocate on throughout the year. 

 

MMSD’s Superintendent’s Wellness Advisory is still collecting feedback about what will improve wellness in our schools. You can take the survey here, and feel free to spread it around! The survey is open until Feb. 6. 

 

Earlier this month, the MMSD Board of Education met to read a first draft of a Parental Leave Policy that would provide MMSD employees with paid leave when they become parents. Currently, MMSD employees who welcome a child through birth or adoption have to use accrued sick leave to cover them. This has negative impacts on employees, especially birthing parents. 

I hope you’re all finding ways to take care of yourselves and stay centered during these increasingly demanding times. My inbox is open to every one of you if you want to commiserate, brainstorm, or connect. Thank you for caring about the future of our city by investing in our public schools. 

 

In Solidarity,