By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, March 16, 2007 at 8:04 PM
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Last report has about 30 students sleeping in City Hall tonight, some in the Mayor's office and others in hallways. At one point today, over 200 students and parents crowded the halls of City Hall.
School officials reported that numerous high school students staged protests at Soldan International Studies and Gateway Institute of Technology this morning. Administrators at each of those schools were able to get the majority of students back into their classrooms.
Students at Roosevelt High School also walked out of class in protest.
"I understand the desire of these students to have their voices heard," said Superintendent Diana Bourisaw. "We are working to provide them answers to their questions regarding the proposed unaccreditation of the St. Louis Public Schools. In the meantime, I want them to all return to their classrooms."
This morning, Dr. Bourisaw and Senator Maida Coleman met with seniors representing all SLPS high schools. Bourisaw shared with the students the results of the district’s research into how unaccreditation might impact college acceptance.
"So far our research has found only one private college and one public university where students may have difficulty in getting accepted if the district loses its accreditation," she said. "However, the majority of our students should not have any difficulty in being accepted to college."
Yesterday, Bourisaw met with the students currently holding a sit-in at City Hall and encouraged them to return to school. She offered to answer any questions they had and offered to follow-up on the college accreditation issue. This afternoon, answers to the students’ questions regarding college admission were delivered to them.
"We want all of our students to be in school every day," Bourisaw reiterated.
23 Comments:
To those in the bowels of City Hall, I wish you peace. Some of you also need to be camped out in Jeff Smith's office, calling your state reps, and maintain your ground. For the times it gets slow, read Thoreau's Civil Disobedience and King's Letter From the Birmingham Jail.
The issue of quality education in 2007 is just as valid as the integration of the 1950s. People need to wake up and smell the reality of this dual system of education that is being imparted upon the lives of the urban centers of America. If Missouri is going to see the reality of how harmful charter schools are to public education, I encourage Jeff Smith to propose legislation that will open all of Missouri to charter schools. Watch the other school districts throw a fit.
Another point that I want to address is that this is a last resort for the mayor. Why won't any other university or entity sponsor charter schools? What would happen if a new mayor no longer wants to sponsor a school? Read between the lines St. Louis, this is nothing more than a power grab at a time when one side is vulnerable. The charters are nothing more than centers for the profit of stockholders, and we can see where Jeff Smith is starting to profit. City sells $23 million in bonds for Confluence Academies and now Slay gets his opportunity to run schools. Look at the situation in Riverview Gardens as an indication at what happens when the adults on a board of education lose focus of the children. The whole system collapses.
The students and parents have every right to be there in Mayor Slay's office. They have legitimate concerns and are entitled under the constitution to peaceably assemble on public grounds. There are problems that need to be addressed within our schools, but the children should not be compared to the incompetence of previous boards, superintendents, principals, educators, or parents. I applaud them for their sacrifice and willingness to seek the truth.
3/16/2007 10:30 PM
SHAME!
This may make great political theater, but these kids are being used as political puppets.
SHAME ON LIZ BROWN
SHAME ON DONNA JONES
Listen to these kids talk. Poor grammar. The state needs to take over tomorrow.
3/16/2007 10:36 PM
Anon, shame on YOU. How dare you consider yourself better than someone based on speech patterns. If you were lucky enough to grow up in a household with perfect Queen's English - well, bully for you. Many of us had a much longer road than that and learned standard pronunciations later in life. We aren't less intelligent or less valuable to society. As an adult I am in Mensa, but as a child I spoke like the child of poverty that I was. No teacher in elementary school could override my mispronunciations. I have made plenty of contributions society, and I sounded just like they sound at that age. Family and peers are way more influential to adolescents.
3/16/2007 11:41 PM
Shame my ass! PRIDE! GO Go Go!
3/17/2007 12:15 AM
I agree shame on them all. Bad leaders Bourisaw, Purdy, Downs and Fowler. Bourisaw working with the union against the district. Bourisaw helped organize the student protest. Bourisaw should be run out of town. All she cares about is herself and being on TV.
She and her boss Purdy are begging people like us the employees for money to sue. If you notice everyone this lady has gone she has started trouble. She and her four board members are going to end up in the same cell with the guy from Riverview. Just review the district since she has been there. Pay attention to what O'Brien keeps pointing out in the meetings about the district.
State come on down and help us teachers out.
3/17/2007 12:16 AM
Some anon said...
"Bourisaw working with the union against the district"
Why would the union work against the district and cut their own throats? Why would Bourisaw work against her own district?
Your comments make no sense and have no basis in fact.
These kids may just succeed where we have failed. All REAL teachers should join them tomorrow.
Tent city anyone? See you tomorrow.
3/17/2007 12:28 AM
Teenagers using poor grammar??!!!
I'm shocked!
3/17/2007 3:53 AM
Bourisaw works against her district because she is just that dumb. Bourisaw is trying to get public support make noise to keep her job. When Bourisaw first came she told legislators she was able to bust the union. She is using the union to make noise in support of her. She wants Mary out and Byron in. Bourisaw needs attention and the union is her tool along with the students.
3/17/2007 9:21 AM
Anon, you said...
"Bourisaw works against her district because she is just that dumb. Bourisaw is trying to get public support make noise to keep her job. When Bourisaw first came she told legislators she was able to bust the union. She is using the union to make noise in support of her. She wants Mary out and Byron in. Bourisaw needs attention and the union is her tool along with the students."
Your first statement about Dr. Bourisaw is not worth answering.
As far as trying to get public support to keep her job...what is wrong with that? ANY superintendent should try to have the support of the public. The public is who she/he serve!
As far as her being able to bust the union...the union is perfectly able to do that ourselves! But this is not the first time differing factions have temporarily joined together when their interests overlap. (I can already hear your attack about how all we both care about is money, blah, blah, blah, so don't bother. That is not true.
When (if) things ever settle down I'm sure Bourisaw and 420 will square off.
As far as Mary (Armstrong) out and Byron(Clemens) in...how about a third choice?
The union is fully aware of Dr. Bourisaw's positions and is not being manipulated by her. You are correct that we have "joined" together in their push to focus on stability and regaining accreditation.
(Not everyone is aware of this but the Local 420 Executive Board voted by about a two-thirds vote NOT to remove former Supt. Williams for the same reason...the need for STABILITY.) Like I said, they will square off in the future.
The biggest question concerning the union is (continues to be) whether or not the membership will stand up and be strong when the time comes. My feeling is we will when things get bad enough, if we have someone who has faith in its members and can inspire and lead them...this has been lacking.
3/17/2007 9:50 AM
heger you are proving the point. so what does the union think of you?
3/17/2007 12:10 PM
They think I'm a pain in the ass. Go figure.
3/17/2007 12:57 PM
Anon, I agree with you. But let's not take to much attention away from the role Lizz is playing in this. She, Purdy and Downs are using the publicity to line their own pockets.
You correctly made a statement in comparing the situation to Riverview Gardens, though. It was Lizz who led the call for Marlene Terry to be elected. It was Marlene Terry who led the call to hire and re-hire Superintendent Henry Williams.. And Lizz got paid well throughought the entire fiasco.
Don't trust her leadership people, she's dangerously misleading. Just like Bush led the whole country into a senseless war by utilizing fear and our children, Lizz is doing the same thing on a local level.
It truely is about the money . . how much of it they can get their hands on!!!!
3/17/2007 1:02 PM
After reading the various posts here, it seems to me that the first one by g.e.b. contains a tremendous amount of substance and credibility that demands serious reflection by all.
Take time to reread what g.e.b. wrote and consider the consequences of what is transpiring here in St. Louis and in our legislative bodies.
3/17/2007 1:37 PM
What role is Lizz in this. She is a strong supporter of us and I am sick and tired of all of these haters talking. SHUT UP and calm all that down. Stop trash talking our supporters. We don't need all that negativity. What message are you setting for your kids? If you have any.
3/17/2007 9:38 PM
SHAME!
This may make great political theater, but these kids are being used as political puppets.
SHAME ON LIZ BROWN
SHAME ON DONNA JONES
Listen to these kids talk. Poor grammar. The state needs to take over tomorrow.
3/16/2007 10:36 PM
No shame on you! How dare you call me a puppet. In whatever way you put I dont have strings on my back and I can speak for myself. Question is who are you speaking for. I have a voice and mind of my own. I maintain a 3.7 gpa or higher your welcomed to see my report card but dont say stuff about me when you dont know me! devdamvp@yahoo.com
3/17/2007 9:58 PM
I can't believe you people who think adults have put the kids up to this. Have you ever met a teenager? Have you ever tried to use a 17 year old as a "puppet?" Kids this age do what they want to do. After all, if they were out committing crimes instead of trying to make a statement, the city would be up in arms about wanting to try them as adults. These seem to be good, smart kids, and even if you are out of touch enough to not get what they are feeling about how the adults in charge have let them down, calling them "puppets" is just ridiculous.
3/17/2007 10:24 PM
Why don't these kids speak and write proper English? That tells me a great deal.
3/17/2007 10:46 PM
Anon at 10:46 AM, what you consider "proper English" and what teens consider proper are two different things. Have you never spoken with a teenager before? Were you not one at some point? You act like the way you speak now is how you've always spoken. When I moved to ST. Louis, I was stunned by the language differences from where I was raised - both north and southside, adults and children. I heard weird things like "youse", the number "farty", the profession of "fer-tography". I also heard lots of extra preopsitions at the end of sentences, like, "Where is she AT?", instead of, "Where is she?" Besides, this isn't about adolescent speech habits, it's about freedom of speech.
3/18/2007 12:31 PM
g.e.b., you are correct in your statement: "Look at the situation in Riverview Gardens as an indication at what happens when the adults on a board of education lose focus of the children. The whole system collapses."
As I recall, Lizz Brown spearheaded the election of Marlene Terry and it was Terry who orhestrated the hiring of Williams. Now she (Liz) wants to do the same for the City of St. Louis?!??!!
Be afraid my neigbors to the East. Be very afraid of what Lizz brings to the fight.
3/18/2007 4:58 PM
I find it intersting that of the "several adults" present withthe children, neither Lizz, Quincy Troupe, April Harris or Irene Smith have ever had the pleasure of actually having children. Seems like they enjoy living vicariuosly through others.
Just like Gearge Bush, they are quick to sacrifice other peoples children to their respective wars (bush v. sadam / brown v. slay).
It's not uncommon for people who have been told they have an enemy to begin acting against that enemy, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. No weapons of mass destruction (Iraq), no secret plot to destroy public schools (SLPS). A people who want to rid themselves of an occupying force to determine what best for them (Iraq), a community of parents who want something better for their children (true school choice).
Pharoah Burisaw, let my people go!!! If they want to get out of this system, let them go! And please do not tell them they can not utilize the same resources that are used to educate them in the standard "public" school system.
3/18/2007 5:17 PM
Antonio, or anyone from the "takeover bunch who would care to aswer just one question:
Did the young lady lie about her scholarship to the University of Hawaii? Yes or No????
No spin. No smoke&mirrors. No irrelevant answers. Just that one question please.
If she didn't lie, I'm on my wasy with a two hundred dollar check. If she did, please say so and stop spreading that story.
3/18/2007 5:22 PM
Anon 5:22 please see 3/17/2007 10:24 PM anon post about how to use teenagers as puppets. They are no different that adults. Feed them with false and known bad information that is of an emotional nature to them and then shake them up and let them go.
3/18/2007 8:33 PM
I believe that students should be allowed to voice their opinions, but I further believe that the real issues are lost in the spin of things.
It takes everyone to take blame for what has happened in our school district. Teachers, students and parents should take a closer look at what has happened and what needs to be done to correct the problems. The state needs to hold up on their complete take over and allow other intervening methods to take place.
These three intricate components (teachers, student, and families must stay in agreement for the wel-being of the school district and the goals and objective set forth by this district.
For example, You can have the best teacher in the world and if the student is not paying attention in school, then instead of fighting with the teachers, the parents need to help the child understand their role in school.
For example, That old adage "what did you do?" should be the beginning of the questions we should ask ourselves.
?
3/18/2007 10:33 PM
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