On December 5, 2018, the Communities for Just Schools Fund (CJSF) will release Do the Harder Work--Create Cultures of Connectedness in Schools, a report responding to the proceedings of the Federal Commission on School Safety and calls to "harden" schools.

During this report launch event (which is open to press), CJSF's community partners--youth, family, and community organizers from around the United States--will provide a roadmap for the harder work of fostering "cultures of connectedness" in schools by investing in restorative justice, culturally relevant curricula, diverse teaching staff, anti-bias training for educators, mental and emotional health supports and more.

We hope you will join us as we push beyond the limited frame of "school safety" and toward what's needed to transform schools into places where young people of color are prepared to succeed and thrive in school, in career and in life. When school is a welcoming, nurturing and safe place for students, where they have a deep sense of belonging, and where they are challenged to grow, our communities are stronger and our future is limitless.

Event Details:

National Press Club, Fourth Estate Room
529 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20045

December 5, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Program:

9:00AM - 10:00AM Breakfast & Welcome
10:00AM - 11:00AM Press Briefing & Panel

Panelists to include youth and parent leaders from Communities United (VOYCE, Good Kids Mad City), Padres y Jóvenes Unidos, Gwinnett SToPP, Nollie Jenkins Family Center, and Californians for Justice.

Registration Details:

Non-press guests, please RSVP in advance, as day-of event admission will not be available. You will receive a scannable QR code by email that will give you access to the National Press Club.

Press do not need to RSVP. Press credentials will give you access to the event space.

Background:

Over the last year, CJSF's community partners testified at the Federal Commission on School Safety's public listening sessions. Youth and parent organizers shared powerful personal experiences about what they know makes youth of color and gender nonconforming students feel physically and emotionally safe in schools.

Our community partners' testimonies and recommendations pushed back on calls to “harden” schools. Do the Harder Work--Create Cultures of Connectedness in Schools is a curation of their testimonies and includes a broader set of recommendations for school safety that prioritize cultures of connectedness.

*For general registration and/or press inquiries please contact asmith@cjsfund.org.