Category Archives: Voices

MY BEEF WITH TESTING

by Cesar Aguirre Last night I was organizing things in my room when I ran across an article I was quoted in regarding standardized testing and parents’ right to opt-out http://tucson.com/news/local/education/more-parents-see-standardized-tests-as-harmful/article_489549a5-5dfa-5a7b-9324-1065d37866bc.html. The one thing I must say before I go on is that, despite what the title says, I am not against testing. I onlyContinue reading “MY BEEF WITH TESTING”

MY WEEKEND AT CASA MARIA

by Cesar (Big Cesar) Aguirre My usual weekend, going to Tucson from Ajo and helping out at Casa Maria when I can. This past weekend my son unexpectedly asked me to join him for a book study gathering at Brian’s. I was hesitant to go but I did anyway (my best move of the day).Continue reading “MY WEEKEND AT CASA MARIA”

THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH AND WHAT THE RESEARCH SUPPORTS

Special thanks to the Tucson Children’s Project, Mimi Gray, Pauline Baker, Ben Mardel, Teresa Acevedo, and especially Lella Gandini of Reggio Emilia, Italy for making this all possible. by Cesar Aguirre As an avid supporter of public education and an extremely involved parent at Ochoa Elementary, I have done a lot of research and studiedContinue reading “THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH AND WHAT THE RESEARCH SUPPORTS”

WELCOME OCHOA ELEMENTARY’S NEW PRINCIPAL JULIO MORENO

The South Tucson and Ochoa community have organized over the years to improve the the community and keep the schools in our barrio open. We continue to organize today to improve the quality of education for our barrio youth. Due to this work the parents have been successful in working with Tucson Unified School DistrictContinue reading “WELCOME OCHOA ELEMENTARY’S NEW PRINCIPAL JULIO MORENO”

IN DEFENSE OF AUGIE ROMERO

by Cesar Aguirre On the second page of today’s Daily Star (12/2/14) the headline reads, “State reviewing TUSD on Mexican American Studies”. This is because Augustine Romero was baited into an argument over whether or not Mexican American Studies had returned to TUSD in the form of a federally required Culturally Relevant Curriculum (CRC) thatContinue reading “IN DEFENSE OF AUGIE ROMERO”

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR TUSD AND THE ROLE OF LOW-INCOME PARENTS

by Cesar Aguirre It is just after 9pm, the girls are finally settled in bed and my eyes are heavy from a long day. I know I should have gone to the board meeting but after cleaning, finishing the laundry and cooking dinner, the last thing I want to do is drag my girls toContinue reading “STRATEGIC PLAN FOR TUSD AND THE ROLE OF LOW-INCOME PARENTS”

Thoughts of a TBRU Supporter

This piece was sent in by a friend and supporter of the Bus Riders Union. Thanks for your thoughts M! By M. The City of Tucson has been irresponsible throughout the entire Streetcar project. Initial negotiations regarding the Streetcar included major contributions from the University of Arizona, yet when the UofA changed their mind theContinue reading “Thoughts of a TBRU Supporter”

Daily Star says “Bus riders can rest easy now,” Tucson Bus Riders Union says “no, not yet!”

by Cesar Aguirre Thanks to the Tucson Bus Riders Union there will be no fare increase, but the City is looking at other ways to balance their budget on the backs of poor bus riders. In order to keep our city’s transit system strong the City must increase ridership. That means that they can’t cut routes or reduceContinue reading “Daily Star says “Bus riders can rest easy now,” Tucson Bus Riders Union says “no, not yet!””

Remembering Archbishop Oscar A. Romero

by Anita Timpani Bubany “Let my blood be a seed of freedom.” -Romero Monday, March 24th marks the 34th Anniversary of the death of Archbishop Oscar A. Romero. As Catholics and workers for justice – we should be mindful of those that have walked before us who worked to bring the kingdom of God hereContinue reading “Remembering Archbishop Oscar A. Romero”