On Monday morning, authorities rushed to the shooting at Covenant School.
Three children and three adults were killed on Monday when a female shooter opened fire at a private Catholic elementary school in Nashville, according to officials. Police shot and killed the alleged shooter, according to authorities.
The shooter, who officials said was equipped with “at least” two assault rifles and a handgun, and the victims’ names and ages have not been made public by the authorities.
The Covenant School in Nashville, where the incident took place, is a private Christian school for students in pre-school through the sixth grade, when students are roughly 11 or 12 years old.
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN – Starting next week, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, PACCT Board will host two forums for the public to talk to 2020 candidates for the Kalamazoo school board. The forums will take place on September 16th and 23rd at the same time (see time information below). The purpose of this event is for residents and students to express their needs and question these candidates! This year more than ever, we need to hold our leaders accountable for the safety of our kids.
DATE:
Wednesdays (9/16, 9/23, 9/30)
TIME:
6:00PM-6:25PM Virtual Meet & Greet
6:25PM– 8:00PM EST School Board Candidate Forum
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION: Live Stream from Interfaith Homes
Promise Advocating for Children & Community Transformation (PACCT) is a group of diverse stakeholders in Kalamazoo in direct opposition with KPS Administration and Board of Trustees lax efforts to make changes in district policies that are criminalizing, bias and not equitable to all students and families in the district. The formation of PACCT amplifies the voices of many parents, students and educators that are experiencing substandard treatment. This fierce group of individuals from the community is directly impacted by the education system and move as a collective to educate the community of the intersectionality of the issues the community faces. We will show intersections and educate using the known examples of the STPP (school 2 prison pipeline) in Kalamazoo, and State. We will also show how the juvenile justice system is connected to the school system and how the next prosecutor and sheriff election is important to Kalamazoo County.
Majyck Radio- All four candidates in the race for Board of Education appeared at a public forum Thursday to discuss challenges facing the school system.
The forum, third in a series of 4 held at the Vine Neighborhood Association, covered several issues under the board’s purview, but highlighted budgetary priorities, school safety and curricula.
Each candidate responding to each question with time allocated for the forum. Each candidate had one-minute to respond to each question with an optional rebuttal. The next forum is October 25, 2018 at Allen Chapel AME at 804 West North Street.
Kalamazoo, MI- Hundreds of socially activated citizens from around the state descending to Lansing for, “The People’s Lobby, known in recent past as, “Capital Day”. 2018 makes the 7th year residents meet with their local legislators on issues ranging from Criminal Justice Reform, the Long Term Care Study Bill, Universal Family Care, Medicare for All, Water for Flint and Immigration.
S.E.E (Social. Economic. Educational) Change, group of families, students, educators, and community members working together to break the School to Prison Pipeline and dismantle barriers to success through advocacy, education, empowerment, and action. S.E.E Change took a group of teen members from Kalamazoo’s area Girl Scouts and Kalammazoo Public Students and parents to meet with 60th House District Rep. Jon Hoadely and State Senator Margeret O’Brien.
Students were able to participate in a Direct Action Rally demanding a resolution for Flint residents and the water crisis that continues to this day.
S.E.E Change youth invited Representative Jon Hoadley to the 2nd Annual E.R.A.S.E Celebration on June 13, 2018 to celebrate all youth and the end of 2017/2018 academic school year at 1009 E. Stockbridge Street in Kalamazoo, MI.
Douglass Association Townhall Meeting Feb. 7. 2018
A town hall event Wednesday evening at the Douglass Community Center offered a chance for local residents discuss concerns about child safety in the wake of the tragic murder of a Grand Rapids teen, an attempted child abduction in Kalamazoo, and scandal relating to a violent incident at Kalamazoo Central. Co-hosted by Jermaine Jackson, the Circulation Director at the Alma Powell Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library Antiracism Transformation Team member, and Jacob Pinney-Johnson of Kalamazoo’s 4Dad Fatherhood Initiative. The event was well attended by parents, caregivers, community leaders and other residents eager to discuss concrete ways to support and protect the city’s kids.
Mr. Jackson spoke of the recent abduction of a 4-year old girl in Kalamazoo was thwarted as a result of an adult intervention. Jermaine expressed his hope that the would-be tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for adults who too often feel that they should “mind their own business” when they have a feeling something isn’t right. He also stressed the need for parents to have frank conversations with their children about how to stay safe away from home, and about what to do if they find themselves in a dangerous situation.
Pinney-Johnson, Community Educator and advocate adding that the important role men and fathers play in safeguarding the lives of young people should not be overlooked.
4Dad’s Care Coordinator Derek Miller, alongside Mr. Pinney-Johnson work to support fathers in Kalamazoo by offering fellowship opportunities for men to share their experiences with fatherhood, free parenting workshops, and direct outreach to new or expecting dads.
Elisheva T. Johnson, Community Organizer with Michigan United’s S.E.E. Change, a campaign focused on educational advocacy and the School to Prison Pipeline, expressed her support for the teacher who was harmed in an attack by a student at Kalamazoo Central High School, as well as her deep concern for the minor child who was arrested the same day.
While he should be held accountable, Ms. Johnson said, his actions indicate a possible history of trauma and deep social and emotional struggles that will only be worsened by involvement in the criminal justice system. She urged the community to advocate for Restorative Justice measures in the prosecutor’s handling of the case, and called for the implementation of supportive, proactive policies at Kalamazoo’s schools, in line with Restorative Practices, to address the needs of vulnerable children and prevent future crises.
Many in attendance eagerly shared concerns and offered creative ideas for increased supervision and involvement in the development and safekeeping of neighborhood kids. Suggestions ranged from establishing specific homes as “safe houses” for children to go in case of an emergency to organizing “bus stop ministries”, whereby volunteers keep a watch over kids as they wait for their school bus.
Local organizer Ed Genesis announced a plan of action, modeled after the Black Panther’s Block Patrols of the 1960’s. The collaboration between S.E.E. Change and WE ACTIVE, a campaign focused on decarceration and criminal justice reform, is designed as block-by-block, a street-level initiative involving committed volunteers who will work in shifts around the clock to actively patrol and safeguard their streets.
While Wednesday’s agenda revolved around safety and neighborhood collaboration, an unexpected announcement of Jermaine Jackson’s candidacy for a seat on the Kalamazoo Public School Board drew enthusiastic applause. Mr. Jackson’s long record of youth and community involvement, as well as his enthusiasm for literature and education, will likely make him a popular choice for voters in November.
Discussions WIth 4Dad is held every Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Douglass Community Center, and is open to men and fathers of all ages and experiences. For more information on other events and services offered by Kalamazoo County’s 4Dad Fatherhood Initiative, Mr. Johnson can be reached via email at dsmill@kalcounty.com.
Upcoming events at the Douglass Community Center can be found online at dcakalamazoo.com
Kalamazoo- The League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo have put out a voter guide for elections in 2016. Please click Voter Guide 16 valuable candidate information.
Voter Forum: Location: Kalamazoo Public Library 315 S. Rose Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Time: 6:30Pm-8:00pm Purpose: Prosecutors make MAJOR decisions about what justice looks like in our community! ASK questions of the candidates. On August 2nd, there will be a primary election to determine candidates for the general election in November. This is YOUR chance to hear WHO THEY ARE!
For many in SW Michigan students from elementary to college are headed back to classrooms for the start of the 2015-2015 calendar school year. Many residents and business owners welcome new and returning students and professionals to Kalamazoo.
KPS offers bus transportation to students in grades K-5 who live at least a mile from their elementary school and to students in grades 6-12 who live at least a mile and a half from their middle or high school.
Drivers will also want to take a little extra time getting to their destinations as traffic from school buses and other drivers take to the roads Monday morning.
The district does not transport students who are attending a school outside their boundary area, unless it is a magnet school.
Families who qualify for bus transportation and have not received a letter, and families who have moved, should notify the child’s school and the KPS Transportation Department at 269-337-0500.
S.E.E (Social. Economic. Educational) Change, group of families, students, educators, and community members working together to break the School to Prison Pipeline and dismantle
in an attack by a student at Kalamazoo Central High School, as well as her deep concern for the minor child who was arrested the same day.
enthusiastic applause. Mr. Jackson’s long record of youth and community involvement, as well as his enthusiasm for literature and education, will likely make him a popular choice for voters in November.
