The Branch

What is normal now? Is it teachers spending hours on educating through some type of on-line service? Is it staff members making a video of them reading books to show their students? Is it districts feeding children by way of a curbside hand-off? Is it the cancellations of proms, awards and sporting events?

This is not ideal for an education setting. Parents aren't able to work, teach and parent at the same time. Seniors are devastated that their graduation year ended so abruptly. Teachers are itching to see their students...worried about the ones that have not made contact in a month. Are they eating, how far back are they falling in their schooling? Companies are taking advantage of the stress of all of this on parents during the pandemic by pushing privatization of education. The ads for charters are being played on social media in abundance. Parent "advocacy" groups in low-socio economic areas are being created and paid for by education reformers. Dooms-dayers are recommending kids be homeschooled or enroll in a virtual school.

How do we make sure this doesn't become the new normal? Obviously social distancing, but when it comes to what can we do from home the key is fighting for our schools. We can promote all the wonderful things schools and teachers are doing right now on social media. You can read between the lines of articles that come out by reformer groups. You can chat with friends who are on the fence via email. Regardless of Covid-19, families are still moving to new cities. When they seek out school suggestions on facebook sites like Alamo City Moms Blog and other sites such as this, you can offer your advice. When the legislature goes into session, you can really pay attention to what comes down the legislation pipe.

RootEd Co-Founder, Terri Pease, wrote a blog on the value of public education. Please read here: https://www.proudlyrooted.com/rootedblog/the-value-of-public-schools

RootEd may be a parent grassroots group but we LOVE teachers!

Teachers make up a large amount of our RootEd Representatives. We've witnessed the tears when we tell them we're here to share their stories. They understand where we're coming from when we talk to them about marketing their classes. Everyone needs to know the amazing programs the teachers are putting into place at their schools. Teachers are some of our biggest cheerleaders when it comes to fighting for good education legislation. They want to know about bills and voting in support of their students. They have embraced the RootEd hashtag system and are learning how important it is to brag about their classes. It's hard for teachers to brag...that is not something they are used to doing, they want to just do the work and praise the students. Their giant hearts are something that normally only students would see on a daily basis.

We are so grateful for our teachers. They love on our children every day. Especially now during a crisis, we have seen teachers go above an beyond their normal routine to make sure their students are provided for in a multitude of ways.

Thank you to all teachers, we appreciate you.

COUNTIES LEADING THE COUNT FOR TEXAS

As of Monday, April 14th, 48.1 percent (71,200,000) of the nation’s households have responded to the Census either online or by phone, moving responses up the needle.

Texas had the highest daily total self-response rate Sunday, April 12 (0.4%) for all Southern states.

Texas 43.7 percent

Bexar County 52.2 percent

Comal County 55.5 percent

Atascosa County 31 percent

Travis 53.2 percent

Residents can still respond online or by phone. For households that did not respond as of April 8, they should have received a paper questionnaire in the mail. It has never been easier to respond on your own—all without having to meet a census taker.

Texas Educators Vote is taking a survey to learn whether educators and public education advocates believe that all Texas voters should have the option to request a ballot by mail. Please take the survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3GVT8GD

Librarians and STEAM staff across NEISD were asked by Bexar County Commissioners office to create a face shield for those in need as well as other products to make masks more comfortable for health care workers. The staff switched their 3-D printers from teaching student to helping the county in this time of crisis. It was exciting to see the social medias of so many NEISD schools blowing up with their life saving creations!

We would love to know where you will be next year! Complete the form attached so that we know what school you are representing the next year! Want to be a RootEd Rep? Feel free to complete the form and we will reach out! Are you a principal? Send the link to the person you think would represent your campus the best!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j0f9rPQDvAnvGoCAGgX4vdWc9qBMuBjqy2wzaHPFpUw

Ramona Love is the RootEd Rep for East Central High School in ECISD. Ramona has worked really hard to celebrate her school and the district. She keeps her social medias flowing with information and stories of her amazing high school. Ramona has been an awesome Rep from the very beginning of our partnership with East Central ISD.

"First, I’d like to say thank you for the feature. For years, I’ve always felt it an honor and privilege to be able to help inform our community of the awesome things happening in the East Central Independent school district. As soon as I heard of RootEd, I knew I had to be a part; and I was ecstatic that Mr. McKay, our principal, asked me to take the role of rep for East Central High School.

I have been part of the EC Family/ Community for many years. I and my 4 siblings all graduated from ECHS. Since then, I’ve had four children, three nephews, and a niece attend EC schools. EC has always been an outstanding place to be a part of, but it manages to get better every year. Students not only get a great education. There is a constant focus on character traits, encouraging each student to be reliable, resilient, and responsible members of the community. There are so many programs and opportunities to tap into the talents and interests of each and every student. ECISD even recognizes that not every student must be college bound; and provides opportunities to ensure that students are not only college ready, but job ready. I have and will continue to encourage anyone to take a look at all the amazing programs EC has to offer. And with addition of the CAST Lead school and Salado Leadership Academy, the opportunities continue to grow. In addition, the staff truly cares for the well-being and success of their students (from the administrators to the teachers, to the cafeteria staff, to the custodians). I am beyond blessed to be a part of the EC and RootEd communities."

RootEd is a parent-led, grassroots organization that promotes neighborhood public schools through storytelling, advocacy, and education. We believe a strong public school system for all children creates a robust economy and well-connected community. RootEd is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

Email: info@proudlyrooted.com
Website: www.proudlyrooted.com
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Phone: (210) 617-0824
Facebook: facebook.com/RootEdTexas
Twitter: @RootEdSA