Title
Calling for the Retention of Audenried School Teacher Hope Moffett.
Body
WHEREAS, Audenried School teacher Hope Moffett was removed from her classroom after expressing her personal opinions concerning district plans to transform the school into a charter school and provided tokens to students who wanted to participate in a demonstration on February 15, 2011 against the change; and
WHEREAS, More then 1,000 teachers, students and union supporters rallied outside the Philadelphia School District's headquarters on February 15th against proposed budget cuts; and
WHEREAS, Hope was assigned to an administrative office and former storage area known as the "rubber room" to sit in isolation for over ten (10) days; and
WHEREAS, Hope's immediate removal from the classroom and assignment to the rubber room has been deemed unfair by the Philadelphia Federation of Teacher's Union who stand in support of Moffett; and
WHEREAS, Audenried High School is one of the 18 schools designated for restructuring as part of Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman's academic reform initiative; and
WHEREAS, All school administration personnel, teachers, students, parents, residents and visitors in our City have a right to speak freely, without fear of retaliation or intimidation by others under our First Amendment rights; and
WHEREAS, In the midst of large-scale changes within the School District, the professional and personal opinions of all stakeholders are welcomed and encouraged; and
WHEREAS, It is severe and unwarranted sanction to be fired for an issue involving school tokens where it was done openly and with positive intentions; and
WHEREAS, It is important that students learn to be involved in educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Teaching with passion and understanding the needs of one's students is important to the complete learning process; and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Philadelphia City...
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