Educators, parents, students, community members participate in ‘virtual rally,’ urging Congress to make Michigan’s students top priority LANSING — Thousands of Michigan educators, parents, students and community members today called for federal relief for education amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic during a Facebook Live “virtual rally.” The Our Children, Our Future coalition urged Congress to…
DetailsWhile so much about the near future remains uncertain, one thing could not be more clear: Going forward our schools and our students will need more support – not drastic funding cuts. To get the help our students need, it’s time to raise our voices together in a virtual rally this Friday at 5 p.m.! Without…
DetailsIf you’re interested in serving on Michigan’s new non-partisan redistricting commission, applications are due to the Secretary of State this coming Monday, June 1. Created by the passage of the Voters Not Politicians ballot measure in 2018, this commission will take over drawing legislative district maps for 2022, following the 2020 Census (if you haven’t already…
DetailsLast year, MEA member Bill Boerman launched an ambitious greenhouse project at Holland Middle School because he knew it would pay big dividends in his STEM students’ learning about design, gardening, and nutrition. Now it’s led to a benefit he didn’t imagine: delivering fresh produce to a local food bank for people thrust into need…
DetailsEAST LANSING — Through one art project, MEA member Julie Durocher has found a way to both alleviate stress for those quarantining at home and help homeless people in her community who lack safe shelter during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Durocher lined up visual artists in Jackson County — where she is a professional artist and elementary…
DetailsThe global pandemic has wreaked havoc on state budgets, and Michigan is no exception; we face an estimated $6.2 billion shortfall through next year. To avoid catastrophic cuts, educators across the country are asking for help from Congress, like what has already been provided to such large corporations as airlines, cruise companies and banks. Specifically,…
DetailsThrough one art project, MEA member Julie Durocher has found a way both to alleviate stress for those quarantining at home and to help homeless people who lack a safe place to hunker down amid the global coronavirus pandemic. Durocher lined up visual artists in Jackson County – where she is a professional artist and…
DetailsFriday’s announcement of an over $6 billion pandemic-driven hole in the state budget reinforced the urgency of getting help from Congress to help maintain essential services, like public education. Following relief for big businesses like airlines and cruise operators, it’s time for the federal government to help schools and other state-funded essentials deal with the…
DetailsOn Friday, Gov. Whitmer announced the creation of a new Return to Learning Advisory Council – comprised of students, parents, frontline educators, administrators and public health officials – to formalize a process for how schools can safely reopen. “It’s critical we bring together experts in health care and education, as well as students, educators, and…
DetailsEAST LANSING — Patrick Lothrop is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on two fronts. In a single day, Lothrop runs laboratory tests on patient blood and bodily fluid samples — including COVID-19 screenings — and helps keep the minds of his students sharp during the pandemic. Lothrop works part-time as a front-line health care worker at…
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