| Author | Message | ||
     davidfrazer Citizen Username: Davidfrazer Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2001 |
This joint statement was released yesterday by the CHS Martin Lurther King Association, the CHS Student Council and the CHS Administration. It was signed by the head of the two student groups, Principal Pollack and Superintendent Horoschak. Tuesday, March 15, 2005 Joint Statement of Student Leadership and School Administration (Martin Luther King Association) There are two Columbias and this is unacceptable. We will not accept discrimination. We are here to learn. Our academic success depends on equal access to all of the opportunities this institution has to offer. We demand equal access and opportunities. We demand the highest levels of academic achievement for all students. We are talented and intelligent and our school must facilitate that success rather than thwart our efforts. There was an historic meeting held yesterday with the superintendent, president of the Board of Education, administration, parents and MLKA representatives. Our academic success is dependant upon the eradication of all barriers. Any discrimination among those who administer and deliver our education is unacceptable. We are willing to work with the administration and teachers to resolve issues of remedial programs, dedication to academic improvement and achievement and a new spirit of cooperation between the students, the administration and teachers toward the common goal of making all of Columbia High School the best it can be. (Student Council statement) The student council has recently been informed of the MLKA’s concerns dealing with the environment of the school and their plans of a walkout. The council commends the Martin Luther King Association for raising the consciousness of the issues at hand. We would like to make it clear that we are not anti-administration. We are elected officials by the student body and support the goals and initiatives of the MLKA and the students. We are willing to work with the Martin Luther King Association, the leaders of this effort because we represent you, the voices of the student body here at Columbia. (Mrs. Pollack) The administration is making a commitment to work and make progress with the student body as well as with teachers, parents, and the board of education to address the issues and concerns most recently raised by the MLK Association. We are prepared to initiate discussions and conversations with all constituents, listen to all voices and move toward accomplishing educational goals for all students. (Martin Luther King Association) We are willing to address the issues that have been raised by our platform and we are willing to continue as long as progress is being made. The student body, Martin Luther King Association and student council have initiated an assembly tomorrow during periods 2A and 2B. Time schedules will be in the teacher mailboxes after this announcement. This is not a commitment to call off the walkout. The MLK Association is asking all students in support of this initiative to honor the dress code, which is similar to that of what you would wear on a job interview. Thank you for your time and we will continue this discussion at the assembly tomorrow. Sincerely, Peter P. Horoschak Renee Pollack Quentin Williams Ugochi Opara Superintendent Principal President, MLKA President, Student Council Here is the latest update: With the cooperation of the CHS administration, the MLKA and Student Council presented an all-school assembly today to address issues raised by the MLKA. At the assembly, which I attended along with fellow board members Brian O'Leary and Mila Jasey, the administration, MLKA and Student Council pledged to work together on these issues. The MLKA, acknowledging that the walkout was a tool to get their voices heard, has postponed the walkout. There is an after school forum today to continue the dialogue. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3458 Registered: 5-2001  |
Thanks for posting this David Frazer. This sounds more reasonable. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 102 Registered: 10-2004 |
MLKA - way to go. You have presented the administration with the issues and now have to follow through to see that there is actual progress made. The whole community should be proud to have students so politically active and astute. | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 197 Registered: 8-2003 |
This is evolving as a significant positive occurrence for our community. There are at least three critical opportunities here that should be championed and nurtured: - Students asking for help in improving their educational achievement - Students taking political action in a responsible manner - Multiple parties seeking to reduce racial polarization and stigmatization I hope everyone embraces this initiative and gives real support to its potential for improvement to our schools. As a minor observation, I would be reluctant to describe a meeting that occurred yesterday as historic. The meeting was, perhaps, unprecedented. But I would await both the passage of time and some tangible results before declaring it historic. | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 1697 Registered: 6-2002 |
Mr. Frazer: What are the specific complaints of the MLKA? | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 1698 Registered: 6-2002 |
Sorry: I see there are details in another thread. | ||
| fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 827 Registered: 5-2001 |
What promises, if any, did Messrs. O'Leary or Ms. Jasey make to the students on behalf of the BOE and administration. If there were any, when will they be disclosed? | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 4412 Registered: 10-1999  |
Why would you ask a question like that? Individual board members can't promise anything on behalf of the entire board. All they really can do is promise to listen, and to communicate their concerns to their fellow board members. They may even have specific suggestions for their colleagues, based on the concerns they heard expressed. Seems to me that, if there was more listening and communicating going on (on a host of issues), that would be a good thing. | ||
| Sarah Macyshyn Citizen Username: Sarahzm Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2003 |
My daughter, a junior, attended the assembly. She had previously been a supporter of the MLK club and some of their grievances. She said that the behavior of the supporters of MLK at the assembly nullified their arguement. She said they were really rude, unwilling to give anyone else a chance and that the attitude was "really bad". She gave me several examples, but I cant remember the details accurately enough to relate them properly. This is from a white kid who was a proud member of the MLK club all through middle school. | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 1702 Registered: 6-2002 |
Sarah: I would like more details. "Rude" and "attitude" don't tell me much. They are subjective terms. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 833 Registered: 3-2003 |
anon more details would probably provoke the "r" accusation. We will see a lot of dancing around this one. | ||
| xavier67 Citizen Username: Xavier67 Post Number: 464 Registered: 6-2002 |
You mean "R"eactionary? You are truly anything but "R"eflective... | ||
| Carl Thompson Citizen Username: Topcat Post Number: 114 Registered: 4-2003  |
Rudenss and attitude from teenagers? Say it isn't so! | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3463 Registered: 5-2001 |
I know what Sarah is talking about. One of mine at the assembly said that there were some MLK representatives that were basicly saying "get whitey". This makes him very upset - he's gone to MSO schools his whole life. Makes friends with everyone. Swallows all the "diversity" and "acceptance of all" philosophy. Minds his own business. Follows the rules. And then is told that he is the problem by a bunch of MLK kids. Talk about divisiveness. | ||
| fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 830 Registered: 5-2001 |
There has already been some action on the list of the demands. Principal Pollack has apologized. Comparative data on racial performance based on information provided the Middle States Accredidation group has been provide the students (but not the public). And, mailings are being prepared with other data to all CHS students. Seems like the administration and some BOE mambers have acted already - I would like to know what else has been done, what else has been promised, and what if anything will be brought before the BOE | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 496 Registered: 9-2004 |
"Rude" and "attitude" It was probably more anger than the above, according to my son who attended. "We are willing to work with the administration and teachers to resolve issues of remedial programs, dedication to academic improvement and achievement and a new spirit of cooperation between the students, the administration and teachers toward the common goal of making all of Columbia High School the best it can be." The willingness to work with one another seems to be a good start.  | ||
| bklyntonj Citizen Username: Bklyntonj Post Number: 330 Registered: 7-2003 |
Sarah & Ffof, since you both have children who're directly being affected by this ordeal, I sympathize with you. Your children are going through the "black experience". Blacks are always being labeled and lumped into one category. While whites are viewed more by their nationality than their color (still a stereotype but less inclusive). By the kids in the MLK club having anger towards all whites in a racial situation is expected. No one walks around with a sign saying, I'm an "all equal" thinker just like no one walks around with a sign saying, I'm a "racist". Therefore, all are guilty until proven innocent. Hmmm, sounds familiar, I wonder where these kids get it from. Could it be the stereotypical, prejudice-thinking adults they're exposed to? | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3469 Registered: 5-2001 |
First - I too think that the willingness to work out the levelling problems from both sides (students versus admin) is a step toward better communication and education. Win-win. But, Excuse me blyntonj-It is the MLK club who is doing the lumping of all blacks into one category. They are doing it to themselves. And it is not an all black experience (the "stuck in a level" thing). Plus, there are many very high achieving black students at CHS. While I'm sure they are empathetic to anyone who has been caught in a leveling problem, do you think that the MLK club speaks for them to? Blacks (the vocal MLK ones in this case) want to keep it blacks vs whites. Maybe that's the way to get the administration's attention about levelling communication problems. But in the end, if communication regarding levelling is made better between students, teachers and administration, then I hope the MLKA group can come to terms with the fact that in the end it's about personal responsibility. Not whitey. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 499 Registered: 9-2004 |
ffof, But, Excuse me blyntonj-It is the MLK club who is doing the lumping of all blacks into one category. They are doing it to themselves. So now your a "Black Profiler". "THEY are DOING it to THEMSELVES". sad. "Blacks (the vocal MLK ones in this case) want to keep it blacks vs whites. Maybe that's the way to get the administration's attention about levelling communication problems. But in the end, if communication regarding levelling is made better between students, teachers and administration, then I hope the MLKA group can come to terms with the fact that in the end it's about personal responsibility. Not whitey." Listen to yourself! The above says ENOUGH! The MLK kids have some legitimate complaints which are now beginning to be addressed by CHS and the BOE. Given the atmosphere in that assembly by BOTH sides says that there are issues that have to be dealt with. Get out of your "bubble" and see for yourself. Instead of your complaining ranting of the MLK students, shift your NEGATIVITY energy into something POSITIVE. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3471 Registered: 5-2001 |
Look - i opened with the thought that communication is a good thing. You want to interpret that as Negative? Go ahead. ALso, I am upset for exactly the reason I posted above at 6:34am. Broklyntonj says well, hello and welcome to reverse racism. That's insulting and I don't feel that it advances the underlying problems. |
