Tag: Gwen Samuel

Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”
Hartford · In the State

Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”

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Wanted to share with my readers the latest by parent rights advocate and founder of the Connecticut Parent’s Union, Gwen Samuel, where she takes on the normalization of stereotypes about black parents — Check it out: ” The Struggle is still so real – sigh… The stereotypes and prejudgments about Black, brown and poor parents… Continue reading Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”

Who Gets To Speak For Parents? Hint: It’s Not The Teachers Union
In the State

Who Gets To Speak For Parents? Hint: It’s Not The Teachers Union

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A few days ago I noticed a new pop-up ad that I hadn’t seen before. It read: “Don’t balance the budget on my back,” featuring a sad boy, bogged down by an enormous backpack. Here’s what the ad looked like: Clicking on the link sent me to the Connecticut Education Association’s (CEA) web page. That’s where… Continue reading Who Gets To Speak For Parents? Hint: It’s Not The Teachers Union

A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence
Hartford · In the State

A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence

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I wanted to share with my readers a recent blog post published by parent advocate Gwen Samuel. (If you haven’t already, you should check out her other blog posts too – she writes at RealTalkGwenSamuels.com) In her most recent post, she reflects on Fredrick Douglas’ famous July Fourth speech, “What To The Slave Is The… Continue reading A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence

CT Parents Union Founder Tells State To Do Their Job: Asks That They Follow Up On Child Abuse Report
Hartford · In the State

CT Parents Union Founder Tells State To Do Their Job: Asks That They Follow Up On Child Abuse Report

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In case you’re wondering how done parents are with Connecticut’s State Board Of Education, Connecticut Parents Union founder Gwen Samuel explained it — in detail —  on Wednesday morning at their monthly meeting. Here’s the video of her testimony:

“Parents have to know that you are reading about their abuse and neglect,” to the state board of education during public comments. She’s talking about an Office of the Child Advocate report on mandated reporting that was released a few weeks ago. The report found that Hartford Public Schools routinely and systematically ignored allegations of child abuse. 

Since the report’s release, Hartford Public Schools responded by releasing an Action Plan, but Samuel says this doesn’t go far enough. 

“Do what you were appointed to do,” said Samuel, who wants the state board to step up and ensure that districts are complying with state law, referencing the groundbreaking CCJEF v. Rell ruling.  According to Superior Judge Thomas Moukawsher, the state has a “non-delegable” responsibility to provide free public education. Samuel argues this extends to protecting children from abuse — as it should.