CAPES in Action

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A strong presence was felt at last night's meeting as sixteen CAPES advocates gathered to maintain a room filled with positive energy and a shared commitment to supporting our district’s students.

Speaker Summaries:

Speaker 1: Expressed strong support for the "Say Yes to Recess" movement, advocating for state legislation that would guarantee daily recess for K–5 students. Drawing on personal experience with the impact of ADHD, the speaker argued that denying recess as a form of punishment or to complete unfinished work is counterproductive to student behavior and well-being. The Board was urged to adopt policies that protect outdoor break time as a fundamental need for all children, ensuring that "touching grass" is never used as a bargaining chip for academic compliance.

Speaker 2: Highlighted the direct link between a student’s environment and their academic success, asserting that a sense of belonging and respect is the necessary foundation for learning. The speaker argued that when students are burdened by stress or uncertainty, their focus shifts from engagement to survival, making academic growth nearly impossible. By prioritizing emotional safety and supportive conditions, the district does not lower expectations but rather provides the essential stability required for students to meet and exceed them.

Speaker 3: Commended the district for the success of the recent Mental Health and Wellness Fair, describing the event as a powerful example of the school serving as the heart of a diverse community. The speaker highlighted the CAPES' booth at the event including the "Tree of Welcome" activity where students contributed messages of kindness and self-acceptance on paper apples they then placed on the tree, illustrating that children naturally understand the value of inclusivity. The presentation concluded with a note of gratitude to district leadership for placing mental health and wellness at the forefront of the community’s priorities.

Watch the board meeting on YouTube.

CAPES was represented by fifteen advocates committed to protecting student interests and ensuring district accountability.

Speaker Summaries:

Speaker 1: Addressed the shifting federal landscape regarding transgender student protections, noting that as national safeguards are rolled back, the responsibility for student safety falls increasingly on local leadership. While acknowledging the board’s current protective policies, the speaker emphasized that these measures are only effective if paired with consistent staff training and clear implementation expectations. They urged the Board to move beyond policy adoption toward long-term follow-through to ensure every staff member feels empowered and equipped to support vulnerable students in real-time.

Speaker 2: Delivered a poignant testimony regarding the psychological weight carried by students in immigrant families, highlighting how the fear of deportation and enforcement actions directly impacts a child's ability to learn. The speaker argued that silence from the district on these issues can be interpreted as a lack of support, leaving families without necessary clarity or reassurance. They called for P-CCS to take a proactive stance by implementing specialized staff training, establishing clear safety protocols, and providing accessible resources to ensure all families feel the district has their back.

Speaker 3: Celebrated recent student-led initiatives, including the PoliCon Club’s town hall, and promoted CAPES’ upcoming participation in the P-CCS Mental Health & Wellness Fair as a way to build a stronger community foundation. The speaker also formally requested a partnership with the district for school grounds beautification and challenged the traditional "back to basics" educational narrative. They argued that a modern definition of "the basics" must prioritize a student’s sense of safety, belonging, and emotional well-being, as these are the essential prerequisites for academic success.

Watch the board meeting on YouTube.

CAPES maintained a powerful presence at last night’s meeting, with fifteen advocates standing in solidarity to champion the needs of our students and the integrity of the district.

Speaker Summaries:

Speaker 1: Addressed the growing threat of "propaganda" and the systematic dissemination of biased information intended to erase or "whitewash" the lived experiences of marginalized groups. They specifically highlighted efforts to obscure racial atrocities in American history and the historical presence of transgender individuals. Drawing parallels to global democratic shifts, the speaker warned that silence in the face of such erasure constitutes a form of complicity. They concluded with a firm call to protect students by refusing to sanitize educational curricula and committed to "holding the line" for historical truth.

Speaker 2: Examined the localized impact of school vouchers on the Plymouth-Canton district, arguing that redirecting public funds to private institutions creates a tiered system of education. They noted that unlike public schools, private entities are not mandated to serve every child nor held to the same standards of transparency. The speaker emphasized that as funding is diverted, the responsibility of P-CCS to serve all students becomes increasingly difficult to fulfill, ultimately widening achievement gaps. They urged the community to advocate against voucher expansion to ensure public resources remain dedicated to public students.

Speaker 3: Provided a practical roadmap for effective family advocacy within the school system. They outlined a clear escalation process for resolving concerns, beginning with direct communication with teachers before moving to IEP teams, principals, and district leadership. For incidents involving discrimination, the speaker highlighted the importance of using the "hate and bias reporting form" to ensure administrative oversight. They encouraged parents to remain persistent and student-centered, noting that unresolved systemic issues should be brought formally to the Board of Education through citizen comments.

Speaker 4: Offered a personal and data-driven perspective on the state of special education services, noting that local outcomes for students with IEPs currently fall below the state average. The speaker characterized these challenges not as isolated incidents, but as systemic issues requiring urgent attention. They advocated for a collaborative model of leadership where goals are aligned between parents, educators, and administrators. The speaker emphasized that the best outcomes for students are achieved when their best interests remain the central focus of every district decision.

Speaker 5: Highlighted the critical role schools play as "havens" for immigrant families, sharing testimonies from a recent CAFE training regarding the impact of deportations on students. They described harrowing instances of teenagers assuming parental roles and families relying on community aid to survive, noting that for many, the public school is their only stable link to the community. The speaker called for the district to implement more robust staff training and resource partnerships, arguing that current efforts must be expanded to ensure every child—regardless of status—receives safety, dignity, and respect.

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While many members were attending a training session on supporting immigrant students, nine members represented CAPES at the meeting. 

Speaker Summary:

Addressed the potential impact of Federal Book Ban Bill (H.R. 7661) on school libraries, noting that its broad language could pressure districts to remove literature to avoid risking federal funding. The speaker specifically highlighted concerns that the bill targets materials referencing gender dysphoria and transgender individuals, which risks marginalizing the experiences of students within the district.

Additionally, it was noted that the bill favors literature tied to private religious curricula, posing a challenge to public schools that serve families of all beliefs. The Board was urged to remain vigilant in protecting intellectual freedom and to continue supporting librarians and educators in their mission to expand, rather than limit, student perspectives.

Watch the board meeting on YouTube.

The meeting brought together sixteen members of CAPES, supporting five speakers who addressed pressing issues facing immigrant students and families in the community. 

Speaker Summaries:

Speaker 1: Expressed appreciation for the board, educators, and district leaders for their support of immigrant students and families, and emphasized the need for increased outreach to ensure families feel safe and supported, especially given recent events involving ICE agents in Minneapolis. The speaker addressed immigrant families directly, reaffirming their value within the community and outlining concrete ways allies can offer support—such as providing meals, transportation, tutoring, translation services, and legal assistance. The message was a clear call to action, highlighting the immediate and significant needs of vulnerable families.

Speaker 2: Shared concerns about children growing up in an environment that seems to diverge from core community values. Gratitude was expressed to HR Director Dr. Madyun for his responsive engagement with community members. The speaker referenced the life and death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, to contrast values of compassion with recent actions by federal authorities. The importance of modeling positive values in schools was underscored, particularly in the context of upcoming board elections. Attendees were urged to consider what qualities and beliefs should be instilled in future community leaders.

Speaker 3: Highlighted the emotional impact of events in Minneapolis, referencing losses within the community and an increase in ICE activity in Michigan. The speaker provided data illustrating a significant rise in detentions and arrests, noting that most detainees had no criminal charges. A reminder was given that all children, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to a free public education. The speaker called upon the district to ensure comprehensive staff training and clear protocols for potential interactions with immigration authorities, stressing the need to safeguard students from trauma and confrontation.

Speaker 4: Offered a personal account of the fear experienced by immigrant families, discussing the anxiety felt by children in response to news about ICE. The speaker cited recent statements from policymakers concerning ICE activity and advocated for more visible district support for students of color. Reports of school closures and incidents involving ICE agents were shared, and the importance of naming and addressing violence within the community was emphasized.

Speaker 5: Addressed the connection between traumatic events occurring elsewhere and the emotional impact on students within the local community. It was noted that fear and intimidation are not confined geographically, and that vulnerable students are already experiencing repercussions. The speaker also raised concerns about leadership responses to these issues, urging accountability, empathy, and advocacy for all students within the district.

Throughout the meeting, CAPES speakers and attendees demonstrated deep commitment to confronting injustice and supporting those affected. The speakers’ messages underscored the urgent need for action and collective support, and audience participation visibly amplified their impact.