Did You Know?

More than 4 in 10 voters believe the United States is falling behind other countries in education.

»  Share ASCD's Whole Child website and newsletter.

When a Lion Roars

When a lion roars, few question his commitment, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy roared often as a champion for children. Today, like many in the United States and around the world, we mourn the passing of a legend in American democracy who used his unique capacity to work with Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, to truly ensure that each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. His record on Head Start, minimum wage, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Title IX, and the National and Community Service Act, and his decades of leadership on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (even in the form of a commitment to "fixing" the flaws of NCLB without losing the central purpose of access and equity which motivated his sponsorship) simply stands alone among his legislative colleagues.

Yet, we also have reason to celebrate today in true recognition of the Kennedy commitment to service and to taking a stand for children. We are thrilled to announce that New York is the first state to reach the 1,000-signature threshold on the Whole Child Petition! Just a few months ago, we asked each of you to go on record by signing the petition asking your state board of education to support policies for the whole child. More than 7,000 of you have responded so far, including nearly 1,100 in New York alone. Right now, New York State ASCD is finalizing plans to hand deliver one copy of the petition for each signature to the Board of Regents and the commissioner of education. Which state will be next?

In our official statement, ASCD remembered Senator Kennedy as "a powerful spokesman who used his bully pulpit to expose the gross inequities in both our education and health care systems, reaching across the political divide to forge solutions and effect change for the benefit of innumerable youngsters." We can only aspire to use the pulpit of our petition as skillfully, powerfully, and inclusively.

» Have you signed the Whole Child Petition? Have you "roared" by inviting others to do the same? Can you think of a better time than right now?

Stay Informed About H1N1

ASCD's H1N1 Web page is designed to be your definitive source for the latest H1N1 virus developments and resources. Help minimize the virus's effect on your students' learning by utilizing a variety of resources and information from ASCD, the U.S. Department of Education, and others. This page will be continually updated as more resources and information become available.

Share your questions, concerns, and strategies related to H1N1 on the Whole Child Blog, and we may include them in our September 10 Whole Child Podcast.

» Expect More. Get More.

“We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make.”

This message was sent by ASCD. Click here to unsubscribe.
View this newsletter and past issues in the archives.
Learn more at www.wholechildeducation.org.