Upcoming and Past Events
Feb 13: MCAS Reform Lobby Day
Introduction:
The 1993 Education Reform Act called for a system of multiple assessments to determine whether or not a high school student had reached a sufficient level of competence to earn a diploma and graduate. However, when the Board of Education began to implement the new standards, it developed MCAS instead: a single set of high-stakes tests requiring a minimum passing score for students to graduate from high school.
While the MCAS has been an important evaluation tool and a key part of broader efforts to invest in and improve our public schools, the use of the standardized tests as a must-pass graduation requirement has contributed to unintended consequences, including:
Increased drop-out rate and lower graduation rate
Narrowing of curricula and “teaching to the test”
Inflated scores that don’t reflect real learning
Extreme pressure on students to perform on high-stakes exams
Decreased motivation to learn
Diversion of school resources away from non-tested subjects/activities
Ignoring important student strengths that standardized tests do not measure: creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and diligence
What this Bill does:
Directs the board of education to create a High School Graduation Requirements Committee which will be given the responsibility of developing a multiple assessment system to determine student competence. The committee will consist of 31 members appointed by organizations representing a wide spectrum of affected parties and educational authorities.
Ensures that multiple formats and measures be used to gauge competence, and provides for students who do not meet minimum standardized test scores the opportunity to offset their scores with other measures of performance.
Provides that, until the committee develops and implements the new graduation requirements, no student shall be denied a diploma for failing to obtain a passing score on the MCAS.
We hope that you will join us in our efforts to better public education through MCAS reform. For more information please email .
Jan 11: 1 in 10 at 11 - A Conference for Those Serving LGBT Middle School Students
If you are involved with the middle school population then this is a must attend conference!
Sessions include:
Creating Welcoming Space for Middle-Schoolers
Safe Church, Safe Child-Challenges to privacy and counseling in congregational and educational settings
Too Young to Know- Speaking of self-identity, the pre-teen, and developmental skills
The experience of the LGBT child in the middle school setting
Helping LGBT children cope with hate speech and bullying
Spirituality and the LGBT Pre-teen
Please attend at First Church Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA
To register: or 781-665-2111
Click 1_in_10_at_11.pdf for a flyer for the conference!
Oct 18: Promise the Children Workshop with Barbara Hidlt: Conflict Resolution and Peaceable Relationships
Mark the Date!
Promise the Children invites adults and youth to a workshop at the North Parish Church in North Andover - 190 Academy Rd., North Andover, on Thursday, October 18th from 6:30 - 9:00. Light supper will be served at 6:30. Workshop Leader will be Barbara Hildt, YES Executive Director and Senior Trainer. The workshop will teach strategies for conflict resolution and peaceable relationships.
Workshop Leader: Barbara Hildt, YES Executive Director and Senior Trainer
In 2003, Barbara Hildt founded YES Inc. (Youth Empowerment Services) to create opportunities for youth of all backgrounds and for adults who work with them, to learn peaceable, healthy relationship skills so as to be able to:
1. communicate effectively
2. resolve conflicts nonviolently
3. solve problems creatively and cooperatively and
4. collaborate in leadership to promote peace and prevent violence
Barbara Hildt will give an introduction to HIPP, (Help Increase the Peace Program
HIPP) and invite participants to experience some key HIPP activities that:
1. Create safety so that youth and adults can speak from their hearts
2. Help participants to listen to others with empathy
3. Cooperate in solving a common problem maintaining a peaceable community.
4. Build a foundation for an inclusive, caring peaceable community.
5. Discover and appreciate things people in common while accepting differences.
RSVP to Becky Richardson at 781-581-0432 or
Directions, From I-93 take Rte 495 North to Mass. Ave. (Exit 43). Turn right at end of ramp onto Mass. Ave. Continue through two stoplights. The 2nd set is Route 125. Go ½ mile into Old Center of North Andover. A large common is on the right. North Parish Church is on the left.
Aug 08: Promise the Children Board Retreat
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Apr 22: Legislative Action Day 2008 for Youth and their Advisors at First Church in Boston!
Sponsored by Promise the Children, The UU Service Committee and First Church in Boston
When: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 8:30-3:30
Where: First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston
What: Morning discussion - presentation of two issues and how to lobby them followed by an afternoon trip to the State House to lobby legislators/legislative aides. Breakfast, lunch and, last of all, ice cream sundaes!
Who: Youth, parents, youth leaders, friends and guests are invited to this event and to join in the discussions!
Suggestions? Youth groups and Youth Leaders - please e-mail with current issues that are important to you!
Cost: $10 per youth or attendee
To register: Download a registration form and permission slip off this website and return by
April 15, 2008 by snail mail to: Promise the Children,
58 Winter Street, Nahant, MA, 01908 or…
call Meryl at: 978-356-4403
Apr 03: UU Lobby Day sponsored by UU Mass Action
The issues that UUs have chosen to lobby for this year are “Global Warming” and “Hunger & Poverty”. Between 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m we will hear from Rev. Bill Sinkford, Dr. Charlie Clements, and Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie on these topics. If you rarely talk face-to-face with your legislators this is an excellent opportunity! It’s a great time to get training on how to communicate effectively with legislators for church members too! At 1p.m. we will visit our state Senators and Representatives to lobby these issues. For more information, please email .
Feb 14: MCAS Reform Virtual Lobby Day
Yesterday’s Lobby Day was a success!
Hundreds of students from Boston, Somerville and other urban communities came to the State House yesterday. Parents and other education activists also spilled out of the hearing room which was not large enough to hold the crowd.
The attendees surprised the Governor"s office when they came en masse to deliver post cards with our message:
“State standardized tests should not be a barrier to graduation for students who can demonstrate they have met the state standards in other ways. Students are suffering from the unintended consequences of MCAS. We must reduce the weight of MCAS and use a range of evidence to determine graduation, as has been done successfully in other states.”
“Lobbyists” then fanned out and met with legislators.
Teen Empowerment held a news conference and distributed their publication Voices of Children Left Behind in Massachusetts Public Schools.
If you were unable to attend this event you can still participate in our Virtual Lobby day. Telephone and email scripts are on the MTA website.
We are asking our legislators and Governor Patrick to ensure high quality education by reforming MCAS now. Tell our lawmakers that while assessment is necessary, MCAS is not working for our students or schools. Virtual lobbying: Call and Email the Governor, your Representative and your Senator the week of February 11-18 and ask for their support of MCAS Reform.
Governor’s Phone
#: 617-725-4005 - State House Phone #: 617-722-2000.
Governor’s email: Go to www.mass.gov . Click on “contact the Governor’s office” and you
will be directed to an email form. Legislators’ email, go to: www.mass.gov/legis/ and click on House or Senate or go to www.massteacher.org and click on MCAS Reform depends on you.
Feb 14: Sermon Contest - Entries due by May 20th
Promise the Children announces a new and unique sermon-story contest. Three prizes will be awarded this year at General Assembly. One for a sermon given by an adult; the second for a sermon or portion of a sermon given by a youth or young adult under age 21; and the third for a children’s story or children’s sermon given during a Sunday service or children’s worship.
The mission of Promise the Children is to help Unitarian Universalists advocate for and with young people. We give special priority to initiatives that promote the well-being of low-income children and youth. For more information visit our website at http://www.promisethechildrenuu.org
We are especially interested in those sermons or stories that:
* Encourage a Unitarian Universalist voice in the public arena in support of all children and youth,
* Relate issues of treatment of children to issues of poverty, race and class,
* Call upon our UU values in support of all children and youth, and/or
* Suggest ways that congregations and individuals can offer hope and opportunity to our nation’s children and youth, highlighting both advocacy and service.
Sermon entries should bring to life the mission of Promise the Children, and/or the entries should highlight the critical importance of our current campaign to increase equity in public education.
Awards - $300 for the adult sermon (over 21 years), $100 for a young adult or youth sermon, and $100 for the children’s story. The winning entries will be available at the Promise the Children workshop and Exhibit Booth at the UUA General Assembly in Ft. Lauderdale in 2008.
Eligibility - The sermon must have been delivered during a Unitarian Universalist service to adults or young people before May 15, 2008. Sermons or presentations at services and workshops at summer conference centers, District meetings, etc. will also be considered.
Ordained clergy, lay preachers and presentations by young adults and youth are eligible for these awards. We especially encourage seminarians to submit their sermons. We also encourage young adults and youth (under 21 years) to submit their presentations.
Submissions - Please send your entries postmarked by May 20, 2008 to Promise the Children
58 Winter Street, Nahant, MA 01908
or send electronically to .
Include a cover sheet with your entry giving your name and contact information, as well as the date and the name of the congregation or location in which the sermon or was presented. As much identifying information as possible should be removed from the body of the entry itself.
Judging - A sub committee of our Board of Directors will evaluate the entries. Members of the Board and of this sub committee are not eligible for this contest.
*To print this information for your congregation, please link to the pdf!A_Sermon_and_Story_Contest.pdf
Jan 12: 1 in 10 at 11 Conference continues
Oct 30: Lobby Day for Women’s Health and Safety and Comprehensive Health Education
The Great Hall * The State House * Boston, MA
Join Planned Parenthood on this day and demonstrate to your legislators that you support safe access to women’s health clinics, and comprehensive, age-appropriate health education for our children!
Lobby Day for Women’s Health and Safety activities will include:
- A briefing for Lobby Day 2007 participants
- Comments from key legislative sponsors and committee chairs
- Face to face meetings with your state legislators
*Free transportation will be provided from central and western Massachusetts*
Find Out More!
Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard! Check out our event calendar at: http://www.ppaction.org/pplm/upcoming-events.tcl to sign up and get additional details!
You can also email us at Or, call 617-616-1660 x 1552
Jun 23: “There is Joy in Justice!"--Workshop at General Assembly
Saturday, June 23, 2007
1:00 PM--2:15 PM
Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly
Portland Oregon
Reverend Mary Harrington, our board member and friend, will lead our workshop entitled, “There is Joy in Justice! Advocating in Church and Community.” Rev. Harrington’s son, Sam Teitel, will also be assisting with the workshop.
Jun 22: Reception for Children’s Advocates—General Assembly
Friday, June 22, 2007
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
The Halsey Room at the Doubletree Hotel
Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly
Portland, Oregon
All are welcome. $10 donation is requested to cover costs.
Please rsvp to , or at our exhibit booth at General Assembly.
Apr 22: No Child Left Behind Conference Call
Sunday, April 22nd
9pm EST
Please email shelby [at] promisethechildrenuu.org for the phone number.
We have heard from many Unitarian Universalist children’s advocates that you would like to learn more about No Child Left Behind (NCLB). NCLB is another important piece of legislation that is up for reauthorization by the U.S. Congress this year. NCLB was enacted in 2002 with the goal of improving student assessment and achievement. However, NCLB has been widely criticized for placing a strong emphasis on standardized testing, and for imposing unfunded federal mandates.
Tamara Wilder, an expert on NCLB, will talk with us about the pitfalls of NCLB, and how it needs to be changed to improve public education in the future. Ms. Wilder is a Ph.D. candidate in Politics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds a M.A. in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences from Columbia University. Her research focuses on equity issues, accountability, school choice, and parent and community involvement in schools. Prior to graduate school she worked as a community organizer in Oakland, CA.
Apr 17: Legislative Action Day for UU Youth
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
8:30am to 3:30pm
At First Church UU
66 Marlborough Street in Boston
Youth, parents, and youth leaders—all are invited to join the discussion!
$10 for UU individuals, $7 for UU’s attending with youth group (group discount!).
Registration Deadline: April 9th.
Contact (for registration or questions): Becky Richardson, 781-581-0432
Please bring your completed permission slip with you to the Legislative Action Day.
LAD_Permission_Slip.pdf
Mar 25: Worship at First Parish Church of Groton
Sunday Morning Worship
March 25, 2007
10am
First Parish Church of Groton
Worship led by Shelby Meyerhoff, M.Div.
The sermon title is “Powerful Feet.”
Ms. Meyerhoff is the national organizer for Promise the Children. She
will share stories about her work with young people, and address how
each of us may be called to help children in our communities.
Mar 03: Green Web Workshop at the Social Action Conference
Saturday, March 3, 2007
9:30am-11:30am
Social Action Conference, sponsored by the Mass Bay District’s Youth Steering Committee
Location TBA
Promise the Children staff will lead the Green Web workshop on environmental protection. All youth attending the conference are invited to participate.
Feb 25: Green Web Workshop at North Andover, MA
February 25, 2007
6:30pm-8pm
North Parish of North Andover, MA
Junior Youth Group
Promise the Children staff will lead our Green Web workshop on environmental protection.
Feb 11: Green Web Workshop at the First Parish of Watertown, MA
5:30pm
Promise the Children facilitates the Green Web workshop with the high school youth group.
Feb 04: Green Web Workshop at the First Parish Church of Groton, MA
6pm to 8pm
We will facilitate the Green Web with the junior and senior youth groups at Groton. The Green Web is Promise the Children’s global warming workshop for UU youth.
Jan 28: Worship Service at Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church
Promise the Children’s national organizer, Shelby Meyerhoff, will lead a worship service entitled "Powerful Feet." Ms. Meyerhoff will share stories about her work with young people, and address how each of us may be called to help children in our communities.
Jan 13: Green Web Workshop at the Social Action Conference
THIS CONFERENCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED. WE WILL UPDATE OUR SITE WHEN A NEW DATE HAS BEEN SET.
We will present the Green Web workshop at the Social Action Conference (SAC). The SAC is run by the Mass Bay District Youth Steering Committee. The Green Web is Promise the Children’s global warming workshop for UU youth.
Nov 07: Cast Your Vote to Support Children and Youth
For information about voting in the state of Massachusetts, please visit the Elections Division.
For information about voting in all other states, please visit Vote 411.
Oct 12: Participate in Lights On Afterschool
Join 7,500 communities and 1 million Americans in celebrating the Afterschool Alliance’s 7th annual Lights On Afterschool! This nationwide event calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open.
Promise the Children is pleased to be a Lights On Afterschool National Partner. Too many children—14.3 million—are missing out on afterschool opportunities.
We are encouraging Unitarian Universalists to attend local events and express support for afterschool programming. This is an opportunity to show your community that their Unitarian Universalist congregation takes a stand for children and youth. To find out more about how you can support a local Lights On event, please e-mail PromiseTheChildren[at]gmail.com, or call 781-248-1422.
Jun 23: Unitarian Universalist General Assembly Dinne
FREE DINNER
Friday, June 23, 5:30pm
at General Assembly
Kemoll’s Restaurant
Promise The Children invites
Local Partners to dinner at…
Kemoll’s Restaurant
211 N. Broadway (near the America’s Center)
St. Louis, Missouri
63102
To RSVP or for more information,
e-mail Becky
()
or visit our exhibit booth!
The Unitarian Unversalist
General Assembly will be held
this year in St. Louis, MO
From June 21 to June 25
May 08: Youth Peace Conference
Teen Empowerment presents
A Youth Peace Conference
on Saturday May 13th
From 11 am to 5 pm
Doors close at 11:45
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
64 Arlington St., Boston
Admission $3
Apr 18: Training for High School Youth
Legislative Training and Action Program for High School Youth. Visit your legislator’s office at the State House.