Donations-based summer school for the disenfranchised…
- Guest Post by Anna B. Scott
Don't let this be us
On May 29th, The Los Angeles Unified School District was forced to cut its summer school session for all elementary, middle school and most high school students. According to a CBS2.com report: “The district says the move is expected to affect more than 225,000 students and save about $34 million.”
We all know that in the long run, this move will cost not only the district, but the city and most importantly the families and their children significantly more than $34 million.
Instead of sitting around and anxiously awaiting crowded parks, beaches, malls, and maybe even a bit of mayhem (Los Angeles City College also cut its summer session), people across the city are looking for ways to take action. Some are marching, others are on hunger fasts, others are pounding on every door they can find at LAUSD Headquarters, still others are ringing phones off the hook in Sacramento and the Mayor’s Office. United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) held a special meeting on June 13th for parents affected by the summer school cut, but there does not seem to be a report up yet on their website.
In response, parents in Los Angeles have formed a new Cause on Facebook called Summer Arts Simple & Easy (S.A.S.E.)
This Cause, S.A.S.E., joins in the efforts to support students and their families by acting as a clearing house for existing programs and initiatives that are putting together and administering a community-run summer school option(s) based in the arts.
Partnering with Keep the Arts In Public Schools (K.A.I.P.S., also a Facebook Cause) to share the message, S.A.S.E. is an ad hoc listing of artists offering donations-based to free courses across the city. The goal is to offer at least a half day of coursework near the middle school(s) in each district. We CANNOT use the schools because they cannot afford to run the electricity and pay janitorial staff…and at this juncture, we cannot afford to rent the space back, [and frankly that seems rather silly, since we paid to have them open in the first place...].
THE PLAN (subject to refinement but we want to KISS it;->)
- Create a list of EXISTING summer arts programs in each district willing to offer space to kids.
- Create a list of artists willing to donate their time but who need a space
- Identify spaces/businesses that are willing to donate time slots and cover janitorial
- Partner with art education organizations and presenters to cover supplies
- Match artists & locations & supply donors (Artists are encouraged to work in teams of 5 or 6 with a clear plan and 1 month calendar)
- Place all items as they are announced on a centralized live google map & calendar
- Get the word out to parents, students and teachers
- Start classes after 4th of July weekend
WHAT WE NEED NOW: Collaborators!!
This is a great opportunity to be of service, be active, share your wealth and have a good time. Prior experience working with kids is essential for those offering classes.
- If you are an artist (ALL fields), we need your participation as instructor, course designer, producer and visionary
- If you are a donor angel, we will need your help in getting supplies & permits (if necessary) & space
- If you are a parent, we need you to help spread the word and let us know where you are (which district)
- If you are a teacher, we would like to partner with you to deliver the math, science and writing via art projects
- If you are a journalist, we need you to cover this so that other citizens working on this issue can find us and we can find them.
- If you are a student, we need you to show up with enthusiasm for the best summer experience yet.
There will be more to come, but time is of the essence. Sign up and get ready for some hands-on action, community art and education!
The arts are incredible social devices/healers/creators, but they are also messages and promises that together we are far more than we ever imagined. It is my hope that you will recall this and join me and others around the city to send a S.A.S.E. into the near future addressed to ourselves full of love, hope, joy and understanding.
Peace & Time,
Anna Scott (Vita Vibrare) for S.A.S.E.
Thank you to Anna for her tireless dedication to putting this together last minute and to all of you who feel moved to support.
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