On Thursday, January 19th, The Baltimore Teachers Union assembled partners from the Baltimore Education Roundtable to participate in the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) National Day of Action. Union members and partners gathered at City Springs Elementary/Middle School in East Baltimore to protest Gov. Hogan’s budget cuts to Baltimore City schools, as well as President Trump and Education Secretary Nominee, Betsy DeVos’, plans for public education.
Members of the Roundtable gathered alongside teachers, paraprofessionals, school-related personnel, union leadership, community members, and elected officials locked arms on the schools football field as a symbol to protect the city’s students.
The second portion of the program began with a welcome from BTU President, Marietta English,followed by comments from community and faith-based leaders. City Springs Elem/Middle ELA teacher, and BTU member, Wyatt Oroke, energized the crowd with his presentation before introducing 8th Grade SGA President Ricky Perez who highlighted all of the varied experiences he had been afforded as a City Springs student.
Members of the Baltimore City Council also offered remarks. Attendees heard from Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, Education Committee Chair (and former BTU member) Zeke Cohen and Education Committee Vice-Chair Mary Pat Clarke. Later in the program, Councilman Robert Stokes offered his support for students and educators in Baltimore City. The event was bookend by remarks from BTU President Marietta English and AFT Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Lorretta Johnson.
We would like to thank City Springs Elementary/Middle Principal Dr. Rhonda Richetta, Resident Principal Mr. Robert Summers, and charter operator Baltimore Curriculum Project for allowing us to host the AROS National Day of Action event at City Springs Elementary/Middle School.
Visit the Baltimore Teachers Unions Facebook page to see photographs from the event.