The 6th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Summer Summit will be held July 24, 2020 at Sun Prairie High School (8 am - 5 pm; dinner reception immediately follows. Welcome reception: Thurs, July 23, 7:30-9:30 at Buck & Honey's Barrel Room, Sun Prairie). Learn more about the event at https://summersummit2020.eventbrite.com.

We invite proposals for workshops and breakout sessions on the broad topic "Democracy and Public Education."

Topic may range from advocacy to academics, but we ask that all sessions include interactive discussions and provide either recommendations for or brainstorm of action steps to facilitate conversation on what we can do together to ensure thriving public schools where all students succeed.

Priority will be given to panels that are interactive and action-focused and reflect the diversity of our communities and the coalition nature of our local level organizing teams (eg pair organizers with experts and school leaders/educators).

Strong public schools are the heart of a strong democracy and public education is a fundamental human and civil right. How do we best protect these rights and ensure that every child in every public school has equal opportunity to receive an equally excellent public education? How do we preserve local control of local schools? How do we ensure that those we elect to represent us make decisions in the best interests of the children and communities they serve? How do we know where candidates stand on the issues that matter most to kids? How can we organize our communities to take a strong stand in support of local students? What does "civic engagement" really mean - in the classroom and in the community? How can we work together in 2020 and beyond to demand and deliver the change our kids deserve? Let's dig deep into all of these questions and get inspired to take action!

We expect the Summit to be attended by 400-500 parents, community members, educators, school leaders and administrators. We strive to create an atmosphere not of an academic conference but a once-a-year opportunity to gather face to face and learn from one another. We ask presenters to draw on the expertise and experience in the room as they lead sessions on the topics they'd like to address.  Sessions will likely be 60-75 minutes.

In appreciation of their time and expertise, presenters receive complimentary registration, which includes breakfast and lunch at the event.

Deadline for proposals: Feb. 15, 2020.

Please email Heather DuBois Bourenane at hdb@WisconsinNetwork.org with any questions.