New initiative aims to listen to and activate public school students
8/24/2016
ONE by ONE: Student Voice will kick off with community meetings that begin September 24
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., August 24, 2016 — Too often, crucial public education decisions are made without the group that is the most affected by these changes: students.
That’s why the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, in collaboration with several local organizations, is assembling a group of dynamic and driven Duval County youth to speak on their current experience as public school students and personal definitions of success.
The initiative, called ONE by ONE: Student Voice, will kick off with a community meeting taking place in three different regions around the city where participants will have the opportunity to listen directly to students, then work with them in small groups to take action.
“When it comes to public education, students are the real experts. Reaching the goal of high-quality public schools for all children can’t happen without listening to the voice of students,” said Trey Csar, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.
ONE by ONE: Student Voice is born out of the successful history of the ONE by ONE movement, which was launched in 2011 to rally the community to create a vision for success in public education. After a series of community conversations across Duval County, that shared community vision was ultimately incorporated into the strategic plan for Duval County Public Schools. This new initiative is aimed more specifically at activating youth and helping them work together with adults to envision the next steps toward a future where all students have access to the resources they need to be successful.
Parents, teachers, administrators, community members and organizations working to support youth are all welcome to participate in the events, which will take place in different parts of the city over the next six months. The events are free and open to the public, but registration is required at jaxpef.org or by calling(904) 356-7757.
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Westside Community Meeting Saturday, September 24 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Riverside Baptist Church 2650 Park St. |
Northside Community Meeting Saturday, November 5 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Johnson Family YMCA 5700 Cleveland Rd. |
Southside Community Meeting Saturday, January 28 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Location TBD
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In addition to attending the three large events listed above, community members are invited to host small group conversations at their homes, civic groups, houses of worship or workplace. More information is available at jaxpef.org.
Finally, students and adults are also invited to begin participating immediately by sharing their stories, photos and videos on social media using #mysuccesslookslike.
*** Editors: Advance and live coverage is encouraged. Contact Deirdre Conner, Director of Advocacy & Communications, at (904) 345-0597 orDeirdre@jaxpef.org for more information. ***
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About the Jacksonville Public Education Fund
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is an independent nonprofit organization that works to inform and mobilize the community to advocate for universally high-quality public schools for all children. For more information, visit www.jaxpef.org or call (904) 356-7757.