Social Justice Event

Providence School System

 

   I attended an event on November 19th. The presentation was given by a handful of youth led groups. All of the groups were from providence and they are all advocating for better school systems and opportunities. One youth led group that presented is known as the Providence Student Union. The organization is made up of a large number of Providence students that are trying to voice their feelings and opinions in order to reform the schools in Providence. The problems that some of the students identified are things such as leaky ceilings, water issues, and overall building infrastructure. As far as the water issues, they had pictures of yellow water coming out of the water fountains. The Providence student union is a student led organizations that is essentially identifying the rights that students should have. They have created a student Bill of Rights that consists of a list of rights that students should have, not just Providence students but all students. The Bill of Rights rights such as clean water, transportation to and from school, school lunches, safe learning environment and many more. Their website can be visited at www.psu-rights.com where the full student bill of rights can be viewed.

   After I went to this event I learned that a lot of schools have it pretty rough. Kids aren't able to go to school because of the conditions, whether they be at home or at school, and then some students don't even want to go to school because they don't have any connections from teachers or feel like they are out of place. School should be somewhere where all kids should feel comfortable to go and learn. Providence has many issues with infrastructure, teacher to student relations, and many other things. All of the issues are addressed in depth in the John Hopkins report. I have never actually read the report personally but I know that there are many issues in the school system. I have witnessed some of the issues in Providence with my service learning. The presentation was very eye opening to all of the issues.