I follow Betsy on Substack, and her latest post caught my attention: Soundtrack for the First Week.

When I use my School Belonging Framework, I often analyze situations, lesson plans, or newsletters through that framework. This particular post — and the teaching behind it — made it easy for me to tick through each domain in the framework.

Here’s the comment I ended up writing on the post: What a great way to strengthen the community! Help children see themselves in the curriculum/the academic day, build relationships, and bring the outside in!

These are the four areas of the framework:

Without further ado, Betsy has permitted me to repost this great activity. Note how students could come up with their own song title even if they didn’t have one in mind.

Last Friday, a teacher friend of mine asked her students to come up with a song that best described their first week of school this year. They could choose an existing song or create a title for a song that would characterize their experience if it were to exist.

Here’s their list:

• A New Start
• Hell is Real
• Chill out and Learn the Ropes
• In my Bones by David Kushner
• Almost Finished
• Toxic Garbage Island
• Fade into You by Mazzy Star
• Flight b741
• Back To School (Mini Maggit) by Deftones
• Good and Happy
• So High School
• Fifteen (Taylor’s Version) by T.S!!
• I Want to Go Back to Sleep
• Friday Come Sooner
• Coming Home
• Happy
• Ivy by Frank Ocean
• Thinking about You by Frank Ocean
• Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys
• Hikouki gouko de Yumi arai (serene journey after death)(vapor trail disappearing into the blue sky)
• Only If
• Pretty isn’t Pretty by Olivia Rodrigo
• Why Is My Schedule Confusing

I have obviously included links to the songs that appeared (to me) to be real. Given that I’ve never heard of any of the songs I included links to, it wouldn’t be surprising if I skipped some real songs, thinking they were made-up. I prefer to think that Hell is Real, Chill Out and Learn the Ropes, and Why Is My Schedule Confusing are made-up titles, but I could be wrong about that. Correct me where I’m wrong!

And here’s a challenge for you: Pick a title, any title. And write a song to go with it. Even just a couple lines. Or just the refrain. Or just the instrumental intro. If you send me your song, I’ll include it in a post and credit you with a world premiere. Let’s start constructing a soundtrack for the first week of school!

Thank you, Julie from Vermont, for sharing these titles. They made me laugh, and they made me love your students from afar. I hope you and they have a fantastic year together!!

Please sign and share often: https://www.change.org/ShakowskyImpeachTrump

Petition to Rep. Jan Schakowsky: File Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald Trump

To: Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois

We, the undersigned, call on Rep. Jan Schakowsky to file articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his repeated violations of his oath of office, disregard for the Constitution, and actions that have harmed vulnerable communities in the United States.

Over the past two weeks, in line with his track record, President Trump has continuously acted in ways that undermine the rule of law and put the safety and well-being of many Americans at risk. His actions continue to harm the public trust.

Here are just a few reasons why we believe that President Trump should be impeached:

1. Violation of the Constitution and Abuse of Power

President Trump’s actions, including attempts to undermine the democratic process, violate the principles of the Constitution and his oath of office. As has been well documented, he has systematically undermined the democratic process, attempting to incite violence and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. His actions surrounding the events of January 6, 2021, directly led to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, threatening the foundation of our democracy (U.S. Senate, 2021).

In just the past two weeks, President Trump has taken several harmful steps, including:

• Executive Orders and Federal Funding Cuts: Trump continues to use executive power to defund important programs, harm public employees, and dismantle critical safeguards for the American people. Details of Trump’s actions demonstrate his continued misuse of the office to push his harmful agenda (WBAL-TV, 2025).
  Federal Funding Disruptions: Trump’s attempts to shift funding away from essential programs and services jeopardize the welfare of many Americans, particularly those in underfunded communities. His disregard for the common good endangers people’s lives (6abc, 2025).
• Executive Order Attacking Transgender Service Members and DEI: Trump recently signed an executive order targeting transgender people serving in the military, as well as efforts promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in federal programs. This harmful decision directly undermines the rights and dignity of transgender individuals and people of color, further dividing our country. Details on this action show how his actions continue to marginalize and endanger vulnerable communities (NBC News, 2025).
• Anti-DEI Orders Targeting Federal Employee Groups: Trump’s anti-DEI policies undermine efforts to build an inclusive government, especially targeting federal employee groups that support diversity and inclusion. These actions are part of his broader attack on progress toward racial and gender equity (NBC News, 2025).

2. Disregard for the Safety of Vulnerable Communities

Since the inauguration, President Trump has continued to take actions that put the lives of historically overlooked and underserved populations. For examples:

• President Trump’s continued immigration crackdowns, including rising arrests at schools, endanger immigrant families and disrupt children’s education (NPR, 2025).
• In a recent article, CNN reported that at least 15 Indigenous individuals in Arizona and New Mexico have been stopped, questioned, or detained by federal agents during immigration enforcement actions. In response, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren advised tribal members to carry state-issued identification or their Certificate of Indian Blood to prevent such incidents.
  This is only the beginning.

His executive orders and public statements demonstrate a blatant disregard for Americans’ rights, safety, and dignity.

As is well-documented, President Trump’s rhetoric and policies continue to embolden hate and discrimination, putting marginalized groups in greater danger and undermining efforts to build an inclusive and fair society (Columbia Law School, 2025).

3. Continued Safety Risks

President Trump’s actions continue to create safety risks for countless people. His rhetoric and policies have emboldened hate groups and extremists, directly contributing to an environment of fear and danger for historically vulnerable populations. Some examples:

• Shutdown of Critical Health Agencies: Trump’s shutdown of critical health agencies like the CDC and NIH, as well as his mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, worsened the public health crisis, making the American people more vulnerable. His decisions directly endangered public health and safety. His actions during the pandemic led to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths (Yahoo News, 2025; KFF Health News, 2021).
• Emptying Jails of January 6th Criminals: In a move that further jeopardizes public safety, Trump has worked to clear out the jails of those involved in the January 6th insurrection, a dangerous act that directly harms the rule of law and increases the risk to the public. These actions reinforce his willingness to prioritize his interests over the safety and well-being of the American people.

If not now, when?

President Trump is a two-time impeached president, and his continued actions endanger our democracy, public safety, and the lives of vulnerable Americans. His role in the January 6th attack, his emptying of jails, his mistreatment of marginalized groups, and his continued disregard for the lives of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic are evidence that he must be held accountable. The American people deserve a leader who upholds the Constitution and ensures the safety and rights of all citizens. If we do not act now, when will we?

We cannot allow a president to continue to act with such disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the well-being of the American people. Rep. Schakowsky must take a stand and work toward holding President Trump accountable for his actions by filing articles of impeachment. As required by the Constitution, only a member of Congress can introduce articles of impeachment, making it imperative for Rep. Schakowsky to act on behalf of the American people and initiate this critical process.

We demand that Rep. Jan Schakowsky take immediate action to file articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump and work toward removing him from office to protect the integrity of our democracy and the safety of all Americans.

Sign this petition today to show your support for accountability and justice.

Citations:

• WBAL-TV. (2025). Trump’s record executive orders and federal funding cuts. Retrieved from https://www.wbaltv.com/article/donald-trump-record-executive-orders-week-one/63576990
• 6abc. (2025). Trump’s moves on federal funding and employees. Retrieved from https://6abc.com/post/trump-federal-funding-actions-list-summary-trumps-moves-employees-programs/15844281/
• NBC News. (2025). Trump’s executive order targeting transgender military service members and DEI. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/trump-executive-order-transgender-military-dei-rcna189470
• NBC News. (2025). Trump’s anti-DEI orders targeting federal employee groups. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/trump-anti-dei-orders-target-federal-employee-groups-rcna189212
• Yahoo News. (2025). Trump’s shutdown of CDC and NIH and its impact. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-shutdown-cdc-nih-direct-100634930.html
• KFF Health News. (2021). Record COVID-19 deaths under Trump’s presidency. Retrieved from https://kffhealthnews.org/news/nation/records-400000-covid-deaths-on-last-day-of-donald-trump-presidency/
• Columbia Law School. (2025). Trump’s actions are harming vulnerable communities. Retrieved from https://trumphumanrightstracker.law.columbia.edu/
• U.S. Senate. (2021). Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/24
• NPR. (2025, January 27). Immigration arrests at schools are rising as Trump’s crackdown continues. Here & Now. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/hereandnow/2025/01/27/immigration-arrests-schools
• CNN. (2025, January 27). Navajo citizens are reporting being questioned and detained by federal agents during immigration enforcement actions. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/us/navajo-detained-ice-indigenous-immigration-trump/index.html

Decision Maker: Jan Shakowsky, https://schakowsky.house.gov/contact

Rep Jan Shakowsky: Telephone

Skokie — (773) 506–7100

Washington — (202) 225–2111

Fax

Skokie — (202) 226–6890
Washington DC — (202) 226–6890

Postal Mail

In Skokie
4500 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60076

In Washington, D.C.
2408 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The petition is here