FYI this article will be printed in tomorrows Sun Newspaper 4/29/2009 that is why it says the meeting is tonight.
Colton school board to consider renaming proposal
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/28/2009 03:10:10
COLTON - Colton Joint Unified trustee Robert Armenta Jr. has devised a compromise to try to settle the name debate surrounding Ray Abril High School.
Armenta wants the 67.5-acre site in Grand Terrace where the high school will be located called the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex. He also proposes that the school, scheduled to open in fall 2011, be renamed from Ray Abril High School to Grand Terrace High School. The complete name would be Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
"I think it's a good compromise," said Grand Terrace resident Letti Byrd, a leader of the parent group seeking the name change.
The school board has scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 tonight to consider Armenta's proposal.
"This renaming proposal both respects the city identity of Grand Terrace and duly pays tribute to Mr. Ray Abril Jr.'s advocacy and passion for children's progress in the classroom," Armenta said in a news release.
The board voted 5-1 in March to call the school Ray Abril High School, angering many Grand Terrace residents who wanted the school named after their city. Trustee Patt Haro voted against it, and Board President Marge Mendoza-Ware was absent.
Supporters of renaming the school launched a campaign to pressure the board to change the name.
Last week, the board deadlocked 3-3 on a proposal to put the matter on the agenda of the next meeting for a vote.
Mendoza-Ware said she thinks there are enough votes on the board to change the name.
"I think it's a win-win for everybody," Mendoza-Ware said of Armenta's proposal. "I support it 100 percent."
If the board renames the school, Byrd said the group will urge parents to make sure their children participate in a state achievement test offered in the district over the next few weeks.
Several parents signed waivers opting their kids out of the test in protest of the board's initial naming decision.
District spokeswoman Katie Orloff said the waivers can be canceled if parents change their minds and want their children to take the test.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916
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11 comments:
On the eve, and morning, of a new day, I send this message to all who have devoted their efforts to ideas that are worth fighting for:
"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community...Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own." ~ Cesar Chavez
CJUSD current Board members and future members of the CJUSD Board - heed the wisdom of those who have gone before you, fighting injustices for which we are ALL profoundly in their debt. No one makes it through life alone. We must each count on others to help us along our way. I am proud to stand, walk, and BE COUNTED with all who have been and all who will be brave enough to take that first step.
Lori Walton
Teacher, CJUSD
Lori, I loved your words. Thank you!
I believe if you don't add value to your community, you are doing it an injustice. We are all here to help each other, regardless.
Amanda Betten
Amen and Amen Sistas!
Now... I hate to be cynical... but can you guys PLEASE get the new name on a contract, written in blood, sealed by God... so they can't change the name back after all of you have pulled your waivers?
I just want to put it out there...that until I see the dedication and the name in Metal on the school, I will not believe it. I hope they stay true to this vote, if it goes through...
Way to go GT citizens!
You ladies have done an awesome job with this. I want to thank you for all you have done. Also want to give thanks to Patt Haro who has stood up against others. I hope this goes well tomorrow. Like Saundra said, I will believe it once they put it on the school wall.
Wow is it finally about the kids and the community now!!??
"Wow is it finally about the kids and the community now!!??"
Is improving the dropout rate on the agenda? Is improving college attendance on the agenda? Is improving test scores and increasing the numbers of students succeeding in advanced coursework on the agenda? Nope.
Is it about the kids now? nope. Maybe that will change in the future but so long as more people show for a board meeting to protest the name on a school then real issues that affect the student body I don't think anybody can honestly say that most people in the community really care about the quality of education.
then why is the opening picture on the blog of kids? its about them
Kaugsburger... I see your point...and as usual... you are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day with your tone and attitude...
Let's hope all these lovely people continue the fight for better education as well as the new name.
My guess is that each and every one of these parents wants the very best for their children... and it all starts at home anyway doesn't it? If we all do our jobs as parents... then it will and can fall into place.
Each parent must voice concerns when there in an injustice within the school district... and speak for all students.
Hopefully this injustice will open the flood gates for more involvement within the district from more parents.
Re: "then why is the opening picture on the blog of kids? its about them"
I am hoping that was meant to be sarcastic. It was unclear from the context.
Obviously that argument is clearly false. Just because you get a kid to hold up a sign doesn't mean that 'kids' support it. If someone got some kids to hold a sign that said "Kill all the Jews" or "Slavery was good" it would be absurd to say supporting those opinions is 'for the kids'.
The majority of students probably couldn't tell you much, if anything, about the Cooley family, Alice Birney, Paul J Rogers, Ruth O Harris, Ruth Grimes, or any of the people who have schools named after them. It's a safe assumption that most of the students don't care either. The name on the school doesn't affect them.
Lori thank you for quote, I referenced it during a speech. It is beautiful and so true.
Amanda Betten
Lori, I wish I had your email address! My government teacher also thanks you for that beautiful quote from Cesar Chavez. She is now using it as her signature for her emails! Lori, you continue to inspire people who aren't even in your classroom!! Thank you!
Amanda Betten
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