Power of Ten Update
In This Issue:
1. The Invisible Ones
2. Listening Sessions Monday November 29
3. YAFFED Gala December 7
1) The Invisible Ones
It is a well-known fact that ever since the hostile takeover of the East Ramapo public school system, the basic functions of the system have been systematically dismantled.
However, the personal stories of the lives impacted by the pillaging of district resources remain invisible to the wider community.
What is the impact of dropping out of high school on an individual’s life experience? What is the impact on our community when as many as 5 out of 10 Latino students do not finish high school?
What is the impact on a mother or father when their child is not learning to read? How does a child feel about him or herself when they are still struggling to learn the alphabet in second or third grade?
How does a teacher feel when they see children failing because classes are overcrowded, children are not placed according to need, there are no social workers, there was no bus, etc. etc. etc.?
The actions of the school board have directly caused these outcomes. They are the only ones who benefit from the invisibility of their victims. Those who remain silent are accomplices. As Bishop Desmond Tutu said – “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
2) Listening Sessions Monday November 29
Proyecto Faro and the Every Child Counts Committee invites you to their upcoming community listening sessions on Zoom and Facebook Live.
Monday, November 29, 2021
English 6-7pm
Spanish 7-8pm
Creole 8-9pm
Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84905838431?pwd=VUJNaVRnWXNmNW11QXNPRHdXdW9QUT09
Meeting ID: 849 0583 8431 Passcode: 242254
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ksgD7fXRU / +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
FB Live @ Proyecto FARO
3) YAFFED Gala December 7
The other invisible victims of educational neglect in East Ramapo are children attending Ultra-Orthodox yeshivas. While some Jewish schools offer both religious and secular education, many do not. Failure to educate a child in private school has just as much negative impact on our community. The state education department has announced they will be implementing new regulations by the next school year. What better place to learn all about it than the Yaffed Virtual Gala?