Chicago Students Strike Back & FIght For School Social Workers
Editor’s Note: In mid-October 2019, the Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) went on strike for 11 days, in large part because they wanted to ensure that every school in CPS (Chicago Public Schools) had a school social worker (SSW), librarian, and school nurse. Many school social workers were on the picket lines every day and one of them, SSWN contributor Ms. Mary Difino wrote about it in “Striking is a Tier 3 Intervention.” CTU and the SSW won, and there is a lot of work currently underway to help make sure that the target of 1 SSW per Chicago is met. This incredible labor action–driven by educators, parents, SSW, and perhaps most importantly, students themselves made national and international news and has shown emphatically that there is increasing recognition of the importance and value of SSW in addressing the crucial issues that face students, teachers, and parents. In the midst of the strike, I first encountered the student activist group, Students Strike Back and was impressed by how clear their message was of solidarity with their teachers as well as their recognizing that they needed more mental health supports in their schools. They recently published a zine, and have graciously agreed to share it with us here. They write in their conclusion:
Students Strike Back Introduce Their Zine
We wrote a biography of the group and zine — Students Strike Back is a student-led group created during the Chicago Teachers Union one day strike in 2016. Students are neighborhood high school students in Chicago Public Schools from the southwest side. Students are determined to have their voice in education issues. “No decisions abuts without us”. As students who must endure the conditions of Chicago Public Schools, the group is determined to fight for education equity. For far too long, students have endured budget cuts after budget cuts. It is time for education to be taken seriously. There are multiple authors of this zine. Excerpts include statements and photos from Lindblom High Schools students, specifically Essence, David, D, and Alondra who organized a sit in during the #CTUSEIUstrike, Kelly High School student Jennifer, and Back of the Yards student Michael. Contributions include from Veronica and Karina, youth organizers from the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council.
CPS-Student-zine
