Paul Soglin: Waxing America

Wisconsin State Journal: "Have you no sense of decency...Sean Duffy?"

This morning the Wisconsin State Journal (WSJ) weighed in, asking, with hyperbole, "Have you no sense of decency, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy?"

The newspaper opined: No Red Scare in Madison, Rep. Sean Duffy

...but the mayor also made some good points while delivering a clever zinger most of his constituents will love. The only thing communist about Madison, Soglin told the Associated Press, is that revenue generated here is redistributed to help economically struggling communities in Duffy’s 7th Congressional District in northern Wisconsin.

The editors went on:

Wisconsin has long struggled with an urban-rural divide...We all should be on the same side in Wisconsin when it comes to helping each other succeed across regions of the state. When southern Wisconsin does well, that’s good for northern Wisconsin, and vice versa...

And that is where the conversation goes from here. We need a deliberate discussion to make sure the closing of Wisconsin public schools come to an end, which will only happen when the failed economic policies of Duffy, Governor Scott Walker, and the Republican State Senate come to an end. From WISC-TV, Channel 3:

River Valley School District to close Lone Rock, Arena elementary schools

"I fear for the future of our local communities as they look toward the loss of local schools, creating falling property values, creating terrible busing situations for our youngest students, and having families with young students deciding not to move into our area,” a speaker at the meeting said Thursday night.

District officials said the closures will make up for about $950,000 worth of the $1.5 million deficit projected through the next two school years.

 

Help a Student Succeed!

Madison Metropolitan School District Partners are seeking AmeriCorps Members to serve in Madison Schools.

AmeriCorps Members work in the schools to help students succeed in reading and math through providing literacy and math programs.  Their impact has been consistently positive!

Back in April, I had the honor to read with several students at Chavez Elementary during the AmeriCorps Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service.  It was an excellent opportunity to engage with some of Madison's schoolchildren and it could not have been done without the support of AmeriCorps dedicated members.

I encourage you to serve our schools and our community by applying to become an AmeriCorps Member in any of the following MMSD partnership programs:

•        Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project – Help an elementary student improve their reading skills
•        Partners for After School Success (PASS) – Middle & High School literacy and academic support
•        Achievement Connections – High School Algebra and academic support

One of the many things that makes Madison such a special place to live, work, learn and raise a family is the commitment we make to each other.Volunteering is a great way to contribute!

Safety Town

Recently I joined the Safety Town group for their Media Day. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Safety Town is a program for incoming kindergarteners brought to you by the Madison Fire Department, the Madison Police Department, and the Safe Kids Coalition. Children participate in activities in an actual small-scale city that includes streets, homes, and sidewalks with the purpose of teaching them about safety and injury prevention in their community, including lessons on traffic safety. The children also have the opportunity to interact with actual City of Madison Police Officers and Fire Fighters to help them learn a new safety lesson each day.

Take a look at some photos of Safety Town's Media Day!

Full Service Schools

Congratulations to Madison Schools on their receipt of a $300,000 grant from the Madison Community Foundation to develop full service schools! Alder Denise Demarb attended the press conference on behalf of the City to hear the announcement.

Full service schools provide access to countless community services for children and parents alike, including on-site access to health care, food, mentoring, academic tutoring, and parent leadership opportunities. I am proud to have provided my support to their grant application efforts.

This grant represents a huge step in the right direction as we work to eliminate barriers to opportunity for all Madison residents.

Check out the press release at the link below:

https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/madison-community-foundation-awards-madison-schools-300000-grant-develop-full-service-schools

Hawthorne Elementary Visit

Recently, I had a very important meeting with a group of fourth graders from Hawthorne Elementary.  The kids asked intelligent questions about my career thus far and my future plans for our city. I shared my ideas about the importance of a quality education and creating a fair, equitable city now, so they can have the bright futures they rightfully deserve later.  Check out some pictures from our meeting!

"Read Your Heart Out Day" at Falk Elementary

Recently I joined a class at Falk Elementary School for “Read Your Heart Out Day”.  Every year the Madison Metropolitan School District participates in “Read Your Heart Out Day” in order to give family members and community members alike the opportunity to come into the classroom and share in the activities the children enjoy on a daily basis. I shared in their celebration by reading one of my favorites to the class, The Story of Ferdinand. To add to the spirit of the day, readers wore African Kente cloths, which are traditionally used to commemorate special occasions. I am proud to have been invited once again to spend some time with the school children and engage with them in their learning!

Shabazz High School Visit

Recently I visited Malcolm Shabazz High School to spend some time talking with and getting to know the students and teachers. Malcolm Shabazz High School provides a unique learning environment for our Madison youth by providing them with smaller, more personalized classes, allowing them to work at their own pace, and encouraging them to apply their lessons to real life situations. It is essential that our Madison community provide our youth with the opportunity to succeed in an alternative education style.

I started my day with a tour of the school, met Principal Soderbloom, shadowed a student to class, and wrapped up the day with a discussion in the Service Learning Class. I was impressed by the students’ aspirations for their future. I am looking forward to seeing these youths achieve their goals!

Black History Month at the Madison Public Libraries

You may have seen Janetta Pegues, the new Goodman South Madison Library Supervisor on Channel 15 news recently discussing all that the Madison Public Library is doing to celebrate Black History Month.  At the South Madison location, Janetta has created a black history display including library materials and books with information on politics, black inventors, and children's stories. The library is also showcasing pieces, including a traditional African Kente cloth, a symbol of African culture. The display and showcased pieces will supplement the exciting events that are scheduled to take place!

Next year we can look forward to an impressive Black History Month roll out at all nine public libraries, including displays and events for all Madisonians to enjoy.

Stop by the Goodman South Madison Library on February 7th for the kick-off Black History Month event. Event attendees will hear from legendary storyteller Fabu, join in some hip hop dance, and enjoy some treats.

To read more about the February 7th event click on the link below!

http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/celebrate-african-american-history-month-fabu-carter-and-araceli-esparza-42579

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Party

I headed over to Pinney Library this week for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten 1^st Year Party. I joined Alder Ahrens, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, News Anchor Michelle Li, representatives from Madison Police and Fire, and several others to celebrate a year of participation! The kids celebrated with balloons, snacks, and fun facemasks while they listened to the stories.

“1000 Books Before Kindergarten” is a challenge to parents to start reading to their newborn, infants, and toddlers. The goal is to read 1000 books before the child starts kindergarten. Reading to kids at such an early age not only promotes bonding between the parent and the child, but exposes children to words and sounds. This makes them even more comfortable with language upon their entrance to kindergarten.

I read the story A Duck on a Bike by David Shannon, a really nice story about a duck who challenges himself to ride a bike, even though he looks silly.

Any Given Child

Recently I was pleased to head over to Lincoln Elementary School with Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham, Overture President/CEO Ted DeDee, and Kennedy Center Vice President for Education Darrell Ayres, to discuss the findings on the Any Given Child program and kick off phase two of the project. Any Given Child is an initiative that ensures that public school children have constant access to the arts throughout their entire academic career.  The initiative includes five main goals: cultivate leaders and sustain systems for access and equity, create art rich schools, cultivate a community network, develop an accountability system to track progress, and advocate for the arts.

Research findings have consistently shown that students and educators alike have found arts to be a positive edition to their lives and assist them in developing essential skills and characteristics, including creativity, problem solving, confidence, and self-expression.

The release of the research findings marks the beginning of phase two of the project. Phase two will include implementing practices to fulfill each of the five goals. So far we have identified an art liaison in each school building and began setting up professional learning classes to teach artists to modify their art form in order to excel in an educational setting; but there is still more to be done! Check out the link below to learn more about the project!

http://www.anygivenchildmadison.org/