'Race To Nowhere' on TV... 'our opportunity to raise awareness about the toll over-packed schedules are taking on the health, happiness, cognitive development, creativity and emotional development of our children...'
Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and President Barack Obama are two of the architects of the attacks on real public schools and teacher unions across the USA. Obama gave Emanuel the boost he needed to win the mayoral election in Chicago in 2011, but since then Emanuel's attacks on the real public schools of Chicago and on the Chicago Teachers Union have obliterated the support he had gained from the Obama endorsement in 2011, and in 2015 he faces defeat in his attempt to win re-election.[Editor's Note: This just came in from Fair Test and is an opportunity for readers of Substance to see an important addition to the debate over education policy. We are reminded that four years ago, the ruling class was pushing "Waiting for Superman", which was propaganda for charter schools and an unrleenting attack on the nation's real public schools. The next year, the school year opened with the propaganda film "Won't Back Down" -- another attack on real public schools and unions and another push for charter schools. While both movies failed, the thrust of Hollywood propaganda was against public schools nationally, and in 2013 - 2014 Hollywood (Robert Redford) brought the propaganda film "Chicagoland" to a national audience. That perversion of reality featured Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as a kind of superhero of urban reforms, while trashing the Chicago Teachers Union and those who protested Rahm's massive school closings. George N. Schmidt, Editor, Substance].
FROM FAIR TEST:
Dear Friends
We've reached a tipping point.
From schools banning homework to the American Academy of Pediatrics sounding the alarm on a student sleep-loss epidemic, communities are more restless than ever to break out of our current education culture. This fall, we have an unprecedented opportunity to channel our collective will into national action.
RACE TO NOWHERE PREMIERES ON PUBLIC TELEVISION
Starting TONIGHT [September 26, 2014] and continuing through October, Race to Nowhere will air on public television's World Channel, reaching 70 percent of households across the country. This television event represents our chance to harness the power of public television to bring a crucial conversation about American educational culture into living rooms nationwide. It also marks the launch of our national social action campaign, BAN BUSY: Time to Thrive.
Invite your friends and family to watch on TV and download our broadcast party tool kit. Then, visit our BAN BUSY site and learn how you can join the movement today!
Go to http://www.racetonowhere.com/broadcast?utm_content=monty%40fairtest.org&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=here&utm_campaign=Race%20to%20Nowhere%3A%20Public%20Television%20Premiere!content for more info.
Why BAN BUSY?
As I point out in today's op-ed in USA Today, the research shows that children today are busier than ever, and it's affecting their health, their learning and their happiness.
Starting with tonight's broadcast premiere, and in celebration of Race to Nowhere's 5th anniversary, we're launching BAN BUSY: Time to Thrive, a national social action campaign that busts the myth that busy is better. Grounded in research, the campaign is our opportunity to raise awareness about the toll over-packed schedules are taking on the health, happiness, cognitive development, creativity and emotional development of our children.
We're challenging you---students, parents, educators, coaches and club advisors---to restore balance for the children in your care. You can help us paint a picture of what balance can look like---in and out of the classroom. Build forts and bake cookies. Take hikes and take naps. Tinker, craft and create. Make time for downtime, playtime, family time. Then, using the hashtag #banbusy, post pictures on Twitter and Instagram documenting the ways you are transforming time for your students. It's time we replaced images of stress, anxiety and overworked students with a picture of what's possible for childhood and education.
Help us build momentum for this movement. Stir a #banbusy conversation in your community by sharing our latest USA Today op-ed and posting your #banbusy pictures today!
Banning busy may be the best thing you ever did for your students, your family and yourself.
We'll be cheering you on,
Vicki Abeles and the Race to Nowhere Team
-- Monty Neill, Ed.D.; Executive Director, FairTest; P.O. Box 300204, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130; 617-477-9792; http://www.fairtest.org; Donate to FairTest: https://secure.entango.com/donate/MnrXjT8MQqk
