Parents rally for education: CC9 will hold rally June 11 to garner support for their education reform platform

By Denáe Brewer
Editor in chief

The Community Collaborative to Improve District 9 Schools (CC9) is asking parents to come out and “rally for educational justice.”

On June 11 parents from all over the district are expected to speak up for their child’s education.

“We want to show those in the Department of Education that we are serious about improvements,” explained Angelica Otero, of New Settlement Apartments and CC9.

Over the years, CC9 has petitioned the powers that be in the city’s education system to implement several key points that they feel will contribute to vast educational improvements. Citing the need for more highly skilled, well-trained teachers, the best principals to lead these schools and a real partnership between schools, families and community, CC9 believes communication is key.

“We’re all working towards the same goal—a better education for our children,” said Ms. Otero. “Together, we can make it happen.”

Working with 10 schools throughout the Bronx, CC9 is comprised of six community-based organizations — ACORN, Citizens Advice Bureau, Mid Bronx Senior Citizens Council, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, New Settlement Apartments and Highbridge Community Life Center along with the help of the NYU Institute for Education and Social Policy. They are all committed to building a movement to ensure that the children of District 9 will receive the highest quality education. The group believes parents and community members must have a meaningful voice in their children’s education.

This is a sentiment shared by many. Recently, CC9 met with Irma Zardoya, Regional Superintendent of Division 1 schools. They report that she and several educational officials feel that CC9’s actions are important.

“There’s a real dialogue,” said CC9 member Ocynthia Williams. “There was a time when we [the parents] felt that they didn’t care about what we had to say. Now it’s different. Now there’s respect and a greater understanding.”

The better communication could be the result of Mayor Bloomberg’s handeling of the schools.

After years of New York City students routinely failing to meet educational standards, last June the mayor assumed control of the city’s 1 million pupils.

Coincidentally, the mayor is stressing the same points of parental involvement and accountability as CC9 does.

The rally will take place June 11 at the Latino Pastoral Action Center at 14 West 170 Street. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, teachers’ union representatives, Ms. Zardoya and elected officials were invited.

For more information, contact Frances Calderon or Marcus Walton at (718) 681-5212.