April 21, 2022
"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." 
-Pablo Picasso
AS USUAL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET
OF COURSE WE'LL CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES for NYS public ed, but now is the time to see what problems are left from the fallout of the NYS budget and how best to advocate going forward. So join us on Monday, 4/25 at 6:30 pm for WPSBA's Advocacy Meeting to be part of the discussion about post-budget advocacy priorities. Your input is essential to understanding what issues are most important to address.
DEMOCRACY READY PRODUCES A WHITE PAPER ON CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN SCHOOL
CONTROVERSIAL CONVERSATIONS GET A bad rap, but Democracy Ready is offering support to educators who address difficult topics with students. This coalition (which includes Karen Belanger, representing WPSBA) is working to reverse the trend of inhibiting discussion in the classroom. Drawing on this work, NYSSBA has revised their model policy on teaching controversial issues.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON BANNING BOOKS
NOW THAT THERE IS A NATIONWIDE EMPHASIS on removing books from school curricula, it's important to understand the purpose these novels are meant to serve developmentally. Read this piece in the New York Times written by a HS junior about how recent conversations about book banning are not about the merits and drawbacks of the actual books. This student thinks there isn't necessarily a binary choice here, but rather it's important to look at when and for who these books are appropriate to make informed decisions about this content.
We tend to get excited this time of year...
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