- from Rockford Schools News Release -

SEPTEMBER 1, 2009

Jesse Jackson to address students at Jefferson High School

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will bring his anti-violence, give-peace-a-chance message to Jefferson High School when he addresses 500 students at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2009, in the school’s auditorium.

Rev. Jackson’s remarks will focus on the theme “Learning to Live Together: Life's Choices and Consequences." The noted civil rights leader will speak to Jefferson’s junior class and students in government and economics courses about the work of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and its “Student Pledge of Excellence in Education and Against Drugs, Guns and Violence.” The pledge asks students to commit to:

1. Attend school daily and strive for excellence in all they do.

2. Respect the authority of parents and teachers.

3. Study three hours each night without interruptions from anything or anyone.

4. Read each day.

5. Complete all classroom and homework assignments.

Rev. Jackson will discuss bridging the achievement gap and empowering students academically, socially, politically and economically. He also will express support for the Rockford Public Schools’ vision and agenda, and he will speak to students about how the public schools can be a mechanism to heal the community.

Admission to Rev. Jackson’s talk is restricted to students, staff and invited guests. He is expected to speak for approximately 30 minutes. The general public may not attend.

Watch for updates on wifr.com and 23 News at 5, 6 and 10 P.M.

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