FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 09, 2016
***Media Advisory***
Contact: Tawana Petty, tawana.detroit2012@gmail.com, 313-433-9882
Parents Create Alternative to Rodent, Mold Infested Schools
Freedom School echo civil rights era movement for justice
DETROIT – Fed up with sending their children to decaying, vermin-infested schools, a group of Detroit parents and their supporters have created a clean, safe alternative – a Freedom School to be held at Central United Methodist Church. Parents are pulling their children from Detroit Public Schools on count day, Wednesday, February 10, to protest how funds have been misspent and misused. Parents and students are also showing solidarity with Detroit Public School teachers whose “sick-outs” blew the whistle on deplorable conditions that students and staff have struggled with.
The “Let the Children Come,” Freedom School is a direct descendant of the Freedom Schools founded in Mississippi during the civil rights era to protest inadequately funded segregated schools.
Families will speak out at a press conference before the start of the school day at Central United Methodist Church at 8:30 a.m.
Who: Detroit Families fed up with unsafe, inadequate schools
What:
Press Conference: “Let the Children Come,” Freedom School, Count Day Protest against misspent funding and deplorable school conditions in the Detroit Public Schools
When: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 8:30 a.m.
Where: Central United Methodist Church – 23 East Adams, Detroit, MI 48226
Alternative Freedom School Schedule, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Student Assembly 10:00 a.m.
Classes 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Social Studies/Black History
Art (including making take home instruments -drums, shakers etc.)
Gym (including -Double Dutch, Aerobics and Dance)
Music and Drumming – including Freedom songs, hip-hop and rap
Lunch 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Student Assembly 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Parent Track
Michigan Coalition for Human Rights video
Summer Job Opportunities
Parent Action Planning for School Reform
Student Assembly Parent Presentation
Drawings for incentive prize awards – games, books, sports equipment, etc.