Posted on 05/04/2010 4:06:51 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
An Ann Arbor elementary school principal used a letter home to parents tonight to defend a field trip for black students as part of his school’s efforts to close the achievement gap between white and black students.
Dicken Elementary School Principal Mike Madison wrote the letter to parents following several days of controversy at the school after a field trip last week in which black students got to hear a rocket scientist.
“In hindsight, this field trip could have been approached and arranged in a better way," Madison wrote. "But as I reflect upon the look of excitement, enthusiasm and energy that I saw in these children’s eyes as they stood in the presence of a renowned African American rocket scientist in a very successful position, it gave the kids an opportunity to see this type of achievement is possible for even them.
“It was not a wasted venture for I know one day they might want to aspire to be the first astronaut or scientist standing on the Planet Mars.
“I also think it’s important that you know that I have talked to the children who did not go on the field trip, and I think they have a better understanding of the purpose of the AA Lunch Bunch now, as I hope you do. I’m sorry if any kids were upset by the field trip or my discussion afterwards with them, and I have let them know that.
“The intent of our field trip was not to segregate or exclude students as has been reported, but rather to address the societal issues, roadblocks and challenges that our African American children will face as they pursue a successful academic education here in our community.”
A handful of parents have complained to district administrators about the trip, the group and Madison. More than a half-dozen parents contacted AnnArbor.com to raise the complaints, but none would agree to talk on the record, citing concerns of reprisals to their children by Madison.
While there’s no clear agreement between the two sides about exactly what happened, most of the controversy centers on a field trip taken last week by the Lunch Bunch for African American boys and girls to hear a black rocket engineer talk.
District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said after the trip was over, those who went returned to their fifth-grade class and were greeted by boos by those who didn’t go on the trip. Margolis said Madison, who is black, heard the boos, and went to talk to the class. She said he and the class had a “discussion” about race issues.
“He wasn’t yelling at them. He was very passionate about it,” Margolis said.
Parents have complained he was yelling at the class and belittled a Muslim girl who said she also had experienced racism and discrimination.
The program itself began earlier this year after the school received its latest achievement results. Margolis said the Lunch Bunch came from the school’s School Improvement Team and is tied to that team’s goals. She said several other schools in the district have similar programs targeting specific subgroups of students who are at risk.
According to meeting minutes, Madison introduced the club to the PTO in February as part of the school and district’s equity work.
Parent Vicki Haviland, who is white and has three children at Dicken, said she is supportive of the overall program. Haviland is the secretary of the Dicken PTO and has filed papers for the open school board seat.
“I think the African-American Lunch Bunch is totally in line with the district’s equity work,” she said. “I think the field trip was a fine idea.”
She said she hopes the school and the district would “do a better job in talking about (race in education). Clearly there are people who don’t feel heard about it.”
Behold the very epitome...
of racism.
That photo needs to be cropped in order to be accurate. Losing the ‘en’ will do it.
I’m a UofM grad. Believe me, the entire town is Communist!
So when is the white kids’ trip?
...and the trees were all kept equal by hatchet axe and saw.
Ha. That would be interesting.
hard work....the only way to bridge the achievement gap. We need to stop keeping school data by race. Data based on achievement of individual students and how the succeed with each teacher might have some benefit.
“Momma! Momma! We gots to hear a rocket scientiss!”
If you or I singled out one race, our race, for special treatment we would already be dismissed. Sadly, the racist Michael Madison can expect to be around many more years.
You make a great point. The white kids would definitely have benefited from seeing a black role model just as the black kids did. It’s not only about racial identity, but also racial understanding. Seems as though some people can’t see beyond their own race, regardless of their color.
Fifth grade? Kids being relentlessly exposed to discrimination every which way? Guess it’s nothing Ann Arbor didn’t ask for.
Black, female = a Twofer.
Black, female, lesbian = a Threefer.
Black, female, lesbian, over 40 years old = Untouchable beyond CEO.
If they thought about it more, they would have taken all the students ...
Definitely agree. All the kids should have been able to hear the special speaker. Perhaps he could have come to classrooms. My kids ought to think more about careers other than farming and-or professional rodeo.
Fuggetabout it, Jake. It’s Ann Arbor.
“I’m a UofM grad. Believe me, the entire town is Communist!”
I was born in Ann Arbor, grew up there, got an Engineering degree there, and headed to Texas as soon as I had my diploma.
It’s what any sane person would do.
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