Community letter released by local civic leaders
 Arizona Daily Star
4.02.2006
 
Tucson, Arizona | Published: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/122806

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/122793

 

The letter released Saturday:

Dear Tucson and Pima County Community Members:
Students from many schools in the greater Tucson community have recently demonstrated to express their feelings regarding proposed immigration legislation. This is not merely a local phenomenon but a national, historic event, and similar protests are occurring in many cities nationwide. We strongly support providing opportunities for students to become well-informed, and we accept the responsibility to develop options that lead students to constructive participation in civic actions.
To this point, only some student leaders have had the opportunity to participate in discussions about possible events to be held this week and in the future. We are committed to giving all students the opportunity to voice their opinions in a safe environment. Each school will provide opportunities from a menu that includes, but is not limited to, class discussions, forums, debates, panels, and letter or petition writing.
It is crucial to students, schools and school districts that the environment in schools is focused on supporting our children's educational success. We fully expect that students be in our schools and attend all of their classes. We are relying on parents and community members to support this effort. It is important to realize that high school students who do not participate in AIMS testing may not graduate. The weeks of April 3–7, April 10–12, and April 18–21 are AIMS-testing weeks. High school AIMS-testing will occur only on April 4 and April 18 (make-up date).
During the next two weeks, plans will be made in collaboration with student and community leaders to provide a variety of forums to discuss the immigration issue. While this is truly an historic event, it is also an important educational opportunity. Our students are our future. We must support them not only with the best possible learning experiences, but also by listening to their voices.
Signees:
Raúl Grijalva, U.S. Congressman; Ted Downing, State Representative; Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor; Jose Ibarra, Tucson City Councilman; Steve Leal, Tucson City Councilman; Shirley Scott, Tucson City Councilwoman; Nina Trasoff, Tucson City Councilwoman; Karin Uhlich, Tucson City Councilwoman; Robert Walkup, Tucson Mayor; Carol West, Tucson City Councilwoman; Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Unified School District Board Member; Alex Rodriguez, Tucson Unified School District Board Member; Linda Arzoumanian, Pima County Schools Superintendent; Raul Bejarano, Superintendent, Sunnyside Unified School District; Dennis Deardon, Superintendent, Marana Unified School District; Roger F. Pfeuffer, Superintendent, Tucson Unified School District; Patti Lopez, Deputy Superintendent, Tucson Unified School District; Alan Storm, Assistant Superintendent, Sunnyside Unified School District; Vivian Egbert, Assistant Superintendent, Sunnyside Unified School District; Nic Clement, Superintendent, Flowing Wells Unified School District; Calvin Baker, Superintendent, Vail Unified School District; Vicki Balentine, Superintendent, Amphiteather Unified School District; Patrick Nelson, Associate Superintendent, Amphiteather Unified School District; Jeanette Haas, School Community Partnership Council; Rosalva Meza, Tucson Education Association; Deborah Summers, Educational Leadership Inc.
On StarNet: The version of the letter than was released by the signees in Spanish. www.azstarnet.com/xxxxx

Spanish version of community letter released by local civic leaders

 
Estimados miembros de la comunidad y del Condado Pima:
Estudiantes de esta gran comunidad de Tucson han demostrado recientemente sus opiniones y sentimientos respecto a las propuestas legislativas de inmigración.
Esto no es solamente un asunto local. Similares protestas están ocurriendo en diversas ciudades del país.
Apoyamos proveer oportunidades para que los estudiantes estén bien informados. Aceptamos la responsabilidad de crear opciónes que ayuden a los estudiantes a participar constructivamente en sus deberes cívicos.
Hasta ahora, solamente unos estudiantes han tenido la oportunidad de participar en discusiones acerca de los posibles eventos que se llevarán a cabo esta semana y en el futuro.
Estamos comprometidos en darles a todos los estudiantes la oportunidad de expresar sus opiniones en un ambiente seguro. Cada escuela deberá proveer oportunidades de discutir este tema en diferentes formas a través de: discusiónes en clase, foros, debates y peticiones escritas.
Es esencial para los estudiantes, escuelas y distritos escolares que el ambiente en las escuelas sea concentrado en apoyar el éxito educacional de nuestros estudiantes.
Esperamos que todos los estudiantes estén en las escuelas y asistan a sus clases. Esperamos que los padres y miembros de la comunidad apoyen este esfuerzo. Es importante entender que los estudiantes de preparatoria que no tomen los exámenes AIMS corren el riesgo de no graduar.
Las semanas del 3 al 7, el 10 al 12, y el 18 al 21 de Abril serán los exámenes AIMS. La fecha de exámen para las preparatorias son el 4 de abril. El 18 de abril será la fecha para los que no tomaron el exámen el 4 de abril.
Durante las próximas dos semanas se planearán diferentes foros, en colaboración con estudiantes y líderes de la comunidad, para discutir temas de inmigración. Mientras ésto es un evento histórico, también es una gran oportunidad para educarse. Nuestros estudiantes son nuestro futuro. Debemos de apoyarlos no solamente en sus experiencias educativas, si no también escuchando sus voces.