Hi Free'scoolers,
even though we're taking Sundays off, there loads of planning and contacting that has to happen for September.
Tomorrow, for all who are free, we're meeting in Trinity Bellwoods Park around 2pm, near the Queen St. gates entrance, to do some work and hang out.
list of topics that we can potentially cover tomorrow: Website, email list-serves, space, teachers/classes, community outreach, zine, human rights framework, collaboration with Anarchist Free University
bring: paper, pens, computers, phones, food, music, good cheer :)
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sunday August 12th
Reminder, we are spending the day tomorrow at the Zeitgeist Annual Media Festival in Kensington Market - Augusta Street across from Freshmart.
For those interested, we will meet at 11am in Bellevue Park (Kensington Market) to finish the half hour workshop we are presenting at the festival. We will walk over at noon together.
For those interested, we will meet at 11am in Bellevue Park (Kensington Market) to finish the half hour workshop we are presenting at the festival. We will walk over at noon together.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tomorrow: Banner Making for Garden Party 12pm onwards
Hi everyone,
For those not up to date, on Saturday there is a Garden Party in Queen's Park with a potluck picnic, free gardening classes and much more. The human rights class has taken particular interest in the right to water...especially locally re: the planned mega quarry for south ontario (click here for details)
We are making some banners to show city solidarity with the 'stop the mega quarry' campaign. Come out to our usual art spot near ossington station (message us if you have not been before but would like to come), starting 12pm tomorrow.
peace!
For those not up to date, on Saturday there is a Garden Party in Queen's Park with a potluck picnic, free gardening classes and much more. The human rights class has taken particular interest in the right to water...especially locally re: the planned mega quarry for south ontario (click here for details)
We are making some banners to show city solidarity with the 'stop the mega quarry' campaign. Come out to our usual art spot near ossington station (message us if you have not been before but would like to come), starting 12pm tomorrow.
peace!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Sunday July 15th Schedule
12:30-1pm - Gather...anyone interested in teaching yoga or other exercise?
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Jo
- Plant Identification with Doug
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent
- First Nations History with Brenda
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner
- Natural Dyes with Doug
8:00-10pm - Understanding Resistance with Roxy
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Jo
- Plant Identification with Doug
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent
- First Nations History with Brenda
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner
- Reminiscing about Occupy Toronto on their 9 month anniversary
- People interested in Fundraising will meet to discuss scavenger hunt
- Discuss Letter to UofT Engineering Society re: skule
- Discuss support for COMER's July 18th Court Case Against the Bank of Canada (Press Release)
- If you play music, come entertain us :)
- Eat and Have Fun
6:00-8pm - Political Intervention Theatre with Grace- Natural Dyes with Doug
8:00-10pm - Understanding Resistance with Roxy
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Direct Action Class' June 22nd Action
TORONTO DELUGED WITH RED SQUARES IN SOLIDARITY WITH STUDENT RIGHTS
TORONTO, ONTARIO - 22 JUNE 2012 - As a class project of a Toronto Free Skule course, students unveiled red squares in the city today to draw attention to the abhorrent condition of Ontario’s post-secondary education system. Acting in solidarity with the “Maple Spring” student movement quickly spreading across Canada, they hope to inspire a greater awareness of the issues facing students in Ontario today. The red square, the iconic symbol of the Quebec student strike, signifies that students are “squarely in the red” - that is, deeply indebted because of the costs of education. The issues of debt and education costs are pressing for Ontario students, who pay the highest tuition in Canada. Students' human rights are being violated, and a major policy reversal is needed to correct these violations.
Canada's commitment to uphold the right to education is enshrined in several documents, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This treaty recognizes that “education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights”. As part of this agreement, governments are obliged to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to education, by not creating barriers to education, and by actively supporting individuals and communities in attaining education. As well, the Covenant states: “Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education”. Our government's obligation to uphold the right to education is crystal clear. But when we look at their actions, it is equally clear that they have ignored this responsibility.
Funding for education has been disappearing rapidly. While government funding once covered 80% of postsecondary operating costs, today it only covers 50%. Tuition fee hikes have been implemented to cover this funding shortfall, yet as we pay more, the quality of education falls. Between 1990 and 2006, the ratio of students to full time faculty increased by nearly 40%. Provincially, the government’s behaviour has been abhorrent. In the 1990s, under Premier Mike Harris, Ontario saw a 25% cut in funding for Ontario universities. In 1998, Harris deregulated tuition fees for all graduate and certificate professional programs, resulting in tuition fee hikes of over 500%. This has never been rectified! There is further evidence of displacement of funds: at times, the province of Ontario has decreased funding in the same year that the Canada Social Transfer has increased. Where’s our money actually going?
We must also look at the oppressive denial of education for First Nations, consistent with the systematic oppression on which Canada was and continues to be built. Between 1992 and 1997, the government shifted funding for First Nations’ post-secondary education to block funding, and in 1996, increase to funding was capped. Because of this, 10,500 First Nations youth were denied postsecondary funding between 2001 and 2006. First Nations, the fastest growing and youngest population in Canada, are systematically denied education. This is shameful, and unacceptable.
So, just how much have tuition fees gone up? In 1990/91 tuition fees were $1653; and for the 2011/12 school year, fees averaged an incredible $6640. Adjusted for inflation, tuition fees have seen a real increase of 244% since 1990, and they are projected to increase by 4-4.5% annually for the foreseeable future. Increasingly, the burden of education costs is being shifted onto the shoulders of students.
The debt load which accompanies these fees is daunting, with a provincial average of $26,000 for an undergraduate degree. This is understandably a huge obstacle, and a deterrent particularly for students from low-income backgrounds and students with children. Debt also has a negative effect on retention rates, and success. This is perpetuated through an extremely problematic loan system, the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP. After being assessed by OSAP, students are allotted extremely minimal living allowances amounting to a measly $7.50 per day for food. If a student is not healthy enough to think, isn’t their ability to enjoy education hindered?
Consequently, students with high debt levels are far less likely to complete their education; if they do graduate, their career choices are highly distorted by this burden. By forcing students to work while they study, we are preventing them from reaching their potential and in many cases keeping them from completing their education. On top of this, students pay high interest rates on their loans; this amounts to a penalty for lower-income students who are unable to afford tuition costs up front.
So what is the alternative? It would only cost $2.5 billion annually to eliminate tuition fees; $170 per household per year in income tax. Only $1.5 billion would reduce tuition fees to their 1992 levels. The unpopular corporate tax cuts of 2009 equal a loss of $1.6 billion in revenue this year; we would go a long way towards making education accessible by simply reversing the tax cut. More funding should also come from the federal government. If taxation rates were at the same level as they were in 2000, the federal government would be collecting $48 billion more in revenues each year; a mere tenth of this lost revenue would be enough to eliminate tuition fees for all attending postsecondary in Canada. As the government finds money for faulty fighter jets and corporate tax cuts, it is clear that cuts to education are not a product of necessity, but of misplaced priorities, and broken treaties.
Free or fully-funded tuition is not a radical or impossible demand; it has already been promised to us, and is fully attainable. The defunding we’ve seen over the last few decades violates human rights as it strips the youth of opportunities provided to previous generations. Instead of placing maximum resources in education, and instead of fulfilling their promise of protected, accessible, and free education, the government continues to cut corporate taxes and social funding. It's time for Canada to get its priorities straight. Students at the Toronto Free Skule, a democratic open-access school which runs every Sunday in Alexandra Park, will continue to find creative ways to draw attention to these pressing issues and build momentum around solutions. Keep your eyes open for more red squares appearing around Toronto - this movement isn’t going anywhere! For more information, contact: Sage.Indigo@gmail.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO - 22 JUNE 2012 - As a class project of a Toronto Free Skule course, students unveiled red squares in the city today to draw attention to the abhorrent condition of Ontario’s post-secondary education system. Acting in solidarity with the “Maple Spring” student movement quickly spreading across Canada, they hope to inspire a greater awareness of the issues facing students in Ontario today. The red square, the iconic symbol of the Quebec student strike, signifies that students are “squarely in the red” - that is, deeply indebted because of the costs of education. The issues of debt and education costs are pressing for Ontario students, who pay the highest tuition in Canada. Students' human rights are being violated, and a major policy reversal is needed to correct these violations.
 |
| Toronto Free Skulers' Drop Banner above highway, June 22nd 2012 |
Canada's commitment to uphold the right to education is enshrined in several documents, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This treaty recognizes that “education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights”. As part of this agreement, governments are obliged to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to education, by not creating barriers to education, and by actively supporting individuals and communities in attaining education. As well, the Covenant states: “Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education”. Our government's obligation to uphold the right to education is crystal clear. But when we look at their actions, it is equally clear that they have ignored this responsibility.
Funding for education has been disappearing rapidly. While government funding once covered 80% of postsecondary operating costs, today it only covers 50%. Tuition fee hikes have been implemented to cover this funding shortfall, yet as we pay more, the quality of education falls. Between 1990 and 2006, the ratio of students to full time faculty increased by nearly 40%. Provincially, the government’s behaviour has been abhorrent. In the 1990s, under Premier Mike Harris, Ontario saw a 25% cut in funding for Ontario universities. In 1998, Harris deregulated tuition fees for all graduate and certificate professional programs, resulting in tuition fee hikes of over 500%. This has never been rectified! There is further evidence of displacement of funds: at times, the province of Ontario has decreased funding in the same year that the Canada Social Transfer has increased. Where’s our money actually going?
We must also look at the oppressive denial of education for First Nations, consistent with the systematic oppression on which Canada was and continues to be built. Between 1992 and 1997, the government shifted funding for First Nations’ post-secondary education to block funding, and in 1996, increase to funding was capped. Because of this, 10,500 First Nations youth were denied postsecondary funding between 2001 and 2006. First Nations, the fastest growing and youngest population in Canada, are systematically denied education. This is shameful, and unacceptable.
So, just how much have tuition fees gone up? In 1990/91 tuition fees were $1653; and for the 2011/12 school year, fees averaged an incredible $6640. Adjusted for inflation, tuition fees have seen a real increase of 244% since 1990, and they are projected to increase by 4-4.5% annually for the foreseeable future. Increasingly, the burden of education costs is being shifted onto the shoulders of students.
The debt load which accompanies these fees is daunting, with a provincial average of $26,000 for an undergraduate degree. This is understandably a huge obstacle, and a deterrent particularly for students from low-income backgrounds and students with children. Debt also has a negative effect on retention rates, and success. This is perpetuated through an extremely problematic loan system, the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP. After being assessed by OSAP, students are allotted extremely minimal living allowances amounting to a measly $7.50 per day for food. If a student is not healthy enough to think, isn’t their ability to enjoy education hindered?
Consequently, students with high debt levels are far less likely to complete their education; if they do graduate, their career choices are highly distorted by this burden. By forcing students to work while they study, we are preventing them from reaching their potential and in many cases keeping them from completing their education. On top of this, students pay high interest rates on their loans; this amounts to a penalty for lower-income students who are unable to afford tuition costs up front.
So what is the alternative? It would only cost $2.5 billion annually to eliminate tuition fees; $170 per household per year in income tax. Only $1.5 billion would reduce tuition fees to their 1992 levels. The unpopular corporate tax cuts of 2009 equal a loss of $1.6 billion in revenue this year; we would go a long way towards making education accessible by simply reversing the tax cut. More funding should also come from the federal government. If taxation rates were at the same level as they were in 2000, the federal government would be collecting $48 billion more in revenues each year; a mere tenth of this lost revenue would be enough to eliminate tuition fees for all attending postsecondary in Canada. As the government finds money for faulty fighter jets and corporate tax cuts, it is clear that cuts to education are not a product of necessity, but of misplaced priorities, and broken treaties.
Free or fully-funded tuition is not a radical or impossible demand; it has already been promised to us, and is fully attainable. The defunding we’ve seen over the last few decades violates human rights as it strips the youth of opportunities provided to previous generations. Instead of placing maximum resources in education, and instead of fulfilling their promise of protected, accessible, and free education, the government continues to cut corporate taxes and social funding. It's time for Canada to get its priorities straight. Students at the Toronto Free Skule, a democratic open-access school which runs every Sunday in Alexandra Park, will continue to find creative ways to draw attention to these pressing issues and build momentum around solutions. Keep your eyes open for more red squares appearing around Toronto - this movement isn’t going anywhere! For more information, contact: Sage.Indigo@gmail.com
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Friday Night Masquerade Solidarité: Students and Allies Unite Against Tuition Fees
Where: St. George Subway Station
When: Starting 7pm
What: A Masquerade party in the streets; march and afterparty. Bring a mask (there will be some provide for those who don't have time or money for one), an noise-maker, and a good spirit!
Why: Charivari, a form of political protest dating back to the 16th century, is a peaceful method of bringing attention to socially unacceptable behaviour, especially that of government. Quebec has again brought the charivari back to life through casseroles and masquerades; and, on June 22nd, we bring this protest in the form of masquerade to the streets of Toronto. Our targets are the federal and provincial governments, our reason: the continued exploitation of students and perversion of the education system through privatization, cuts to funding, and mounting debt.
The streets of Toronto: filled with the most beautiful masks and costumes – a party. A party with a purpose: to heckle our governments for their dehumanizing policies, and their unwillingness to respect, protect, and fulfill those most fundamental rights which they already agreed to decades ago. Demand your right to education be upheld, and tuition fees eradicated.June 22nd will be the 5-month anniversary of when Quebec students first stood in the streets with these same demands. When called upon to fulfill its responsibility on education, the Quebec government responded by violating more human rights through Bill-78, the bylaw prohibiting masks or bandanas at protests, and have since engaged in extreme political profiling – based only on the colour of your square. With Harper’s Bill C-309 set to do the same nationwide, it is more important than ever that Canadians band together to protest these egregious violations of our rights.
Our governments are violating national, and international law. If you are fed up with having your right to expression trampled, if you are looking to make noise, if you just want to have a good time: put on a beautiful mask, grab your pots, pans, and drums, and come celebrate!
Who: this event is being hosted by the Ontario Student Mobilisation Coalition osmc.ca
facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/399285933447185/
When: Starting 7pm
What: A Masquerade party in the streets; march and afterparty. Bring a mask (there will be some provide for those who don't have time or money for one), an noise-maker, and a good spirit!
Why: Charivari, a form of political protest dating back to the 16th century, is a peaceful method of bringing attention to socially unacceptable behaviour, especially that of government. Quebec has again brought the charivari back to life through casseroles and masquerades; and, on June 22nd, we bring this protest in the form of masquerade to the streets of Toronto. Our targets are the federal and provincial governments, our reason: the continued exploitation of students and perversion of the education system through privatization, cuts to funding, and mounting debt.
The streets of Toronto: filled with the most beautiful masks and costumes – a party. A party with a purpose: to heckle our governments for their dehumanizing policies, and their unwillingness to respect, protect, and fulfill those most fundamental rights which they already agreed to decades ago. Demand your right to education be upheld, and tuition fees eradicated.June 22nd will be the 5-month anniversary of when Quebec students first stood in the streets with these same demands. When called upon to fulfill its responsibility on education, the Quebec government responded by violating more human rights through Bill-78, the bylaw prohibiting masks or bandanas at protests, and have since engaged in extreme political profiling – based only on the colour of your square. With Harper’s Bill C-309 set to do the same nationwide, it is more important than ever that Canadians band together to protest these egregious violations of our rights.
Our governments are violating national, and international law. If you are fed up with having your right to expression trampled, if you are looking to make noise, if you just want to have a good time: put on a beautiful mask, grab your pots, pans, and drums, and come celebrate!
Who: this event is being hosted by the Ontario Student Mobilisation Coalition osmc.ca
facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/399285933447185/
Anarchist Book Fair This Weekend
Although on Sunday we will be enjoying a beautiful day of learning together in Alexandra Park, Saturday is the Anarchist Book Fair! Free Skule will have a table on Saturday - stop by, or come volunteer!
Workshops: Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th, 10 AM -5 PM at the Bahen Centre, 40 St. George Street (north of College, near Spadina Avenue).
Tabling: Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th, 10 AM - 5 PM at the Galbraith Building, 35 St. George Street.
facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/376709855699088/
Check out the website for the full schedule: http://torontoanarchistbookfair.wordpress.com/
Workshops: Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th, 10 AM -5 PM at the Bahen Centre, 40 St. George Street (north of College, near Spadina Avenue).
Tabling: Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th, 10 AM - 5 PM at the Galbraith Building, 35 St. George Street.
facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/376709855699088/
Check out the website for the full schedule: http://torontoanarchistbookfair.wordpress.com/
"This year, we have over 20 amazing workshops, 40 tablers, as well as a Kid Zone with great kids' programming, an Anti-Authoritarian Indigenous/People of Colour space, a DIY space with flexible workshops, a space to relax if you need a nap, and an opportunity to connect with and hear about different projects that our fellow anarchists, anti-authoritarians, and radicals are involved in at a giant go-around. We have also identified that talking about and addressing racism in radical spaces must be a priority in our community and is a priority of the Bookfair program. As a result, “Racism in Radical Communities,” will be the topic of the closing panel discussion on Sunday. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the weekend and lunch will also be served on both days. Food and drinks will be offered for whatever you can pay.
On Saturday evening, there is a book launch for Beautiful Trouble: Toolbox for Revolution at 7pm at Tranzac. 292 Brunswick Avenue. Please see the Facebook event for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/375859059129847/ "
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sunday, June 17th Schedule
This Sunday is our once a month Skule-wide discussion! All day there will a knowledge tree to which you can post ideas, concerns, successes, points of improvement, etc. Therefore, this week's social how will be an even bigger celebration! Also we have two, possibly three amazing new courses - come check them out!
12:30-1pm - Gather
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Josephine
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent or
- First Nations History with Brenda Wastasecoot, teacher at the University of Toronto in Aboriginal Studies
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner with Everyone
one-hour plant identification walk with Occupy
Gardens.
6:00-8pm - Economics with Dix or
- Love in Action with Veronica: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-In-Action/396077967096314
8:00-10pm - Equity Studies and Writing with Roxy
10:00-12pm - Direct Action Training with Ian
Come to the classes that fit with your schedule, come and eat, and hang out. Bring your instruments for between classes jam time, and the social hour. Bring your frisbees, and balls for between class sports. Remember to bring something for the potluck!!!
Also, we are pleased to welcome the Free Skule Drama Club to our school! check them out on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Vayyabell or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/freeskulethedramaclub
12:30-1pm - Gather
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Josephine
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent or
- First Nations History with Brenda Wastasecoot, teacher at the University of Toronto in Aboriginal Studies
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner with Everyone
one-hour plant identification walk with Occupy
Gardens.
6:00-8pm - Economics with Dix or
- Love in Action with Veronica: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-In-Action/396077967096314
8:00-10pm - Equity Studies and Writing with Roxy
10:00-12pm - Direct Action Training with Ian
Come to the classes that fit with your schedule, come and eat, and hang out. Bring your instruments for between classes jam time, and the social hour. Bring your frisbees, and balls for between class sports. Remember to bring something for the potluck!!!
Also, we are pleased to welcome the Free Skule Drama Club to our school! check them out on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Vayyabell or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/freeskulethedramaclub
Friday, June 08, 2012
Remember, We've Changed Locations; See You In 2 Days in Alexandra Park!
Sunday Schedule:
12:30-1pm - Gather
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Josephine
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner with Everyone
6:00-8pm - Economics with Dix
8:00-10pm - Equity suspended for one week: Self-Care and Support Networks when Changing the World with Laura and Roxy
10:00-12pm - Direct Action Training with Ian
Come to the classes that fit with your schedule, come and eat, and hang out. Bring some food to share, and some blankets to sit on. Bring your instruments for between classes jam time, and the social hour. Bring your frisbees, and balls for between class sports.
-----------------------------------------
Recommended Assignments:
Human Rights - bring research on human rights in relation to education/ the student movement
Occupy Democracy - Read Part 2 except at circleofdemocracy.net
Equity and Popular Education - write a phrase to page on: "Who Are You In Relation To The World?"
- no one's done this yet...you'll get a new assignment when you complete the first one
--------------------------------------------
Tuesday June 12th - Student Union meeting 6-8pm @ Philosopher's Walk.
12:30-1pm - Gather
1:00-3pm - Human Rights with Josephine
3:00-5pm - Occupy Democracy with Brent
5:00-6pm - Social Hour and Dinner with Everyone
6:00-8pm - Economics with Dix
8:00-10pm - Equity suspended for one week: Self-Care and Support Networks when Changing the World with Laura and Roxy
10:00-12pm - Direct Action Training with Ian
Come to the classes that fit with your schedule, come and eat, and hang out. Bring some food to share, and some blankets to sit on. Bring your instruments for between classes jam time, and the social hour. Bring your frisbees, and balls for between class sports.
-----------------------------------------
Recommended Assignments:
Human Rights - bring research on human rights in relation to education/ the student movement
Occupy Democracy - Read Part 2 except at circleofdemocracy.net
Equity and Popular Education - write a phrase to page on: "Who Are You In Relation To The World?"
- no one's done this yet...you'll get a new assignment when you complete the first one
--------------------------------------------
Tuesday June 12th - Student Union meeting 6-8pm @ Philosopher's Walk.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The World Is Changing Because of Our Learning
What an absolutely amazing first day of St. James Classes yesterday! With over 45 people in attendance, we brought back community to a park once filled with revolutionaries.
Yoga, human rights, economics, democracy, deescalation, first aid, and city gardening - great classes each and every one of them!
On a gorgeous summer day, we sit in a circle - the back of which is partly elevated by a hill - under the shade of a tree. Next to us is the gazebo which holds our lunch, our library, and our wandering learners. It was amazing to sit in front of 25 people and "substitute-teach" human rights. As I probe the learner-teachers for answers on what makes a human right I look around: all the other teacher-learners and sitting in the class, actively participating. Learners are eager to be heard. Artists create beautiful artwork together as they too participate. Musicians are heard a few feet away. A few learners wander into the class; one or two wander out, sitting at the library to enjoy some potluck lunch and a good book.
It was a truly relaxing, truly fun learning, and teaching experience. I felt as though I were amidst the bohemian revolution. I felt supported, and loved by the skule community, and I shared that love back to the fullest of my capacity.
The human rights class discussed human rights violations in quebec, and will subsequently be doing a theatrical action on tuesday may 22nd at the student protest rally. If you would like to be involved...or informed, please meet us at hart house (UofT campus) at 1pm on Tuesday. bring a mask.
We are also writing up a document of all the violations we discussed. If you would like to help in the creation of the document please email occupyfreeskule@gmail.com
If you would like to share your personal account or feelings on the day, please send them to our gmail account, and we will post it on the web!
Yoga, human rights, economics, democracy, deescalation, first aid, and city gardening - great classes each and every one of them!
On a gorgeous summer day, we sit in a circle - the back of which is partly elevated by a hill - under the shade of a tree. Next to us is the gazebo which holds our lunch, our library, and our wandering learners. It was amazing to sit in front of 25 people and "substitute-teach" human rights. As I probe the learner-teachers for answers on what makes a human right I look around: all the other teacher-learners and sitting in the class, actively participating. Learners are eager to be heard. Artists create beautiful artwork together as they too participate. Musicians are heard a few feet away. A few learners wander into the class; one or two wander out, sitting at the library to enjoy some potluck lunch and a good book.
It was a truly relaxing, truly fun learning, and teaching experience. I felt as though I were amidst the bohemian revolution. I felt supported, and loved by the skule community, and I shared that love back to the fullest of my capacity.
The human rights class discussed human rights violations in quebec, and will subsequently be doing a theatrical action on tuesday may 22nd at the student protest rally. If you would like to be involved...or informed, please meet us at hart house (UofT campus) at 1pm on Tuesday. bring a mask.
We are also writing up a document of all the violations we discussed. If you would like to help in the creation of the document please email occupyfreeskule@gmail.com
If you would like to share your personal account or feelings on the day, please send them to our gmail account, and we will post it on the web!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Student Union Meeting Tomorrow May 15
The next Student Union Meeting is scheduled. Please come to OISE, 252 Bloor Street West (at University Subway Station) between 5 and 7 PM. 5th floor lounge. MAP
Agenda: Classes for Sunday
Advertising
Info + Library
snacks and drink
funding/resources
Tuesday, May 22nd - free education rally - support and action (?)
Inquiries: OccupyFreeSkule@gmail.com
Agenda: Classes for Sunday
Advertising
Info + Library
snacks and drink
funding/resources
Tuesday, May 22nd - free education rally - support and action (?)
Inquiries: OccupyFreeSkule@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Student Union Meeting Tomorrow 7-9pm
Tomorrow (Wednesday May 9th) evening, from 7-9pm we have our first official student union meeting!
On the Agenda:
- Recap (minutes, structure, ideals, conduct, etc)- Course Approval - what does this mean and how is it achieved? - Sunday - courses, location, advertising, announcing location, etc- Summer Plans- Assigning Tasks
We hope to have free skule running on Sunday (May 13th), so there's lots of planning that needs to get done.
Location: Hart House Bickersteth Room: http://maps.google.ca/
On the Agenda:
- Recap (minutes, structure, ideals, conduct, etc)- Course Approval - what does this mean and how is it achieved? - Sunday - courses, location, advertising, announcing location, etc- Summer Plans- Assigning Tasks
We hope to have free skule running on Sunday (May 13th), so there's lots of planning that needs to get done.
Location: Hart House Bickersteth Room: http://maps.google.ca/
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Free Skule and OT People's Library Reoccupation Recap
Wow! What an amazing first day of classes! And What a Library Debut!!!
On Tuesday, May 1st the OT People's Library MOD (Mobile Occupy Device) took the streets with thousands of other Torontonians in the may day march for no borders, and decolonization.
Then, in Alexandra Park at the Cultural Event (amazing performers by the way), the people's library set up shop: we lay out most of our books on shelving, and invited passersby to come explore knowledge with us. About 8 books were lent out on an honour system loan, and many more amazing free skule conversations were had...the hype is building!
After, we marched with Occupy Toronto to the 24hr occupation site at Simcoe Park, a small, mostly concrete park across the street from the metro convention center. We set up the library on top of the marble-esque barriers that surrounded the park. I was a wonderful outreach and inreach tool all night and day. even the coppers were reading our books!
On May 2nd, we started our day early (although for many of us no sleep was had the night before as the cops were waking us up every 15 minutes or so). Sunni led a beautiful meditation class. We walked around the park a few times, down through the food court bellow us in the path, around the park again, and then sat for a contemplative 20 minutes in front of a large congregation of police.
Following this, Laura led us in yoga, and then Ian taught de-escalation, as Laine taught theatre and creative writing on the other side of the park. We then had a break for a wonderful Barrick Gold Protest, through which we also learned a lot!
At 1:30 we had our first free skule general meeting, where we went through what free skule means, and our organizational structure. Then, at 3pm, Jo Grey lead a thought-inspiring Human Rights Class, Anne from C.O.M.E.R. led a fabulous economics discussion, Alice a meaningful homeslessness and occupy class, and Jeff and Erin a truly revealing class on the mysteries of life.
The library was busy in these final classes. The police, because of rush-hour, told us the MOD could not be in the streets, on the sidewalk, or in the park. So, we began to pack up the books aaaassss slllooooooooooooowwlllyyyy as possible - we made it take over an hour and a half, and managed to keep the library going for the rest of the occupation which ended at 6.
GOOD JOB EVERYONE, and I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE SKULE!
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
May 1st and May 2nd - ReOccupy and Learn
UPDATE: OCCUPY TORONTO'S REOCCUPATION IS TAKING PLACE AT 255 FRONT STREET WEST, ACROSS FROM THE METRO CONVENTION CENTRE
On May 1st at 9 pm at Alexandra Park, at the end of May Day, Occupy Toronto will announce and march to the location of the 24 hour occupation. Free Skule will be there!
All night there will be documentary showings and impromptu discussion groups. (and a sleeping area).
Then on May 2nd, we have a jam packed day of potential
6:30-7:30am - meditation - with Sunni
7:30-8:30am - Yoga - with Laura
8:00-10:00am - Location #1: De-escalation - with Ian
Location #2: Food - potential, depends on kitchen
Location #3: Theatre and Creative Writing - with Laine
10:00am-1:00pm - Barrick Gold Shareholders Meeting Protest...a.k.a. recess
1:30-3:00pm - Free Skule General Meeting / What Is Free Skule?
Location #1: Human Rights - with Josephine
Location #2: Economic Disparity - with Anne
Location #3: Homelessness and Occupy - with Alice
Location #4: Mystery Discussion - with Emil Eye
5:00-7:00pm - Occupy Toronto General Assembly
7:00-9:00pm - Clean-Up
Come on out May 1st and 2nd - stay over night if you can!
Occupy Free Skule
On May 1st at 9 pm at Alexandra Park, at the end of May Day, Occupy Toronto will announce and march to the location of the 24 hour occupation. Free Skule will be there!
All night there will be documentary showings and impromptu discussion groups. (and a sleeping area).
Then on May 2nd, we have a jam packed day of potential
6:30-7:30am - meditation - with Sunni
7:30-8:30am - Yoga - with Laura
8:00-10:00am - Location #1: De-escalation - with Ian
Location #2: Food - potential, depends on kitchen
Location #3: Theatre and Creative Writing - with Laine
10:00am-1:00pm - Barrick Gold Shareholders Meeting Protest...a.k.a. recess
1:30-3:00pm - Free Skule General Meeting / What Is Free Skule?
Location #1: Human Rights - with Josephine
Location #2: Economic Disparity - with Anne
Location #3: Homelessness and Occupy - with Alice
Location #4: Mystery Discussion - with Emil Eye
5:00-7:00pm - Occupy Toronto General Assembly
7:00-9:00pm - Clean-Up
Come on out May 1st and 2nd - stay over night if you can!
Occupy Free Skule
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Free Skule Volunteer Orientation @ Occupy Toronto Monday GA
Want to help out with free skule for re-occupation (and after)? Email us and/or come out to the Occupy Toronto Monday GA @ Cloud Gardens 7:00pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)