PROVIDENCE TEACHERS UNION
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—In response to the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education’s decision to authorize the state education commissioner temporary control of Providence Public Schools under the Paul Crowley Act, Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro issued the following statement:
“Providence teachers want what Providence students need. We hope the board, elected leaders, parents, students, and educators with their union can work together to follow through on making these schools safe, supportive, respectful and welcoming environments for everyone who walks through the doors.
We look forward to doing that work together—as a community.
“As the teachers in the classrooms every day, we are acutely aware of the challenges facing our students and our schools. We are committed to tackling those challenges head-on and working with the state board and others to take action on these issues quickly.
For years, we have tried to draw attention to gaps in curriculum, social and emotional concerns, and the declining conditions we face, and we hope these issues will finally be addressed collaboratively and thoughtfully.
“We want all public schools to be places where parents want to send their kids, educators want to teach and kids can thrive.”