Perhaps everyone is shocked and amazed at the apparent incompetence of Alvin Matthews and Irene Jenkins, bus monitor and substitute driver respectively, who left a five-year old autistic and asthmatic student on board a bus at the school district’s bus depot. Certainly, I find this report rather alarming, but not shocking. We can remember the 13 month-old child who died in the back of a day care van and the young man who was responsible served six months of home confinement. According to the Richmond-Times Dispatch report “Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary E. Langer said warrants were filed yesterday charging the bus driver and bus monitor with one count each of felony child neglect. The charge carries a maximum of five years in prison upon conviction.” Given the court’s leniency in the former case, can we really expect that these two should face anything more than a serious fine, if that? I’m near willing to say that the loss of their jobs and the social stigma they are now facing is punishment enough.

The endangerment of children by those we permit to care for our children seems horrendous, but I doubt that there are many parents who have not at some point in their lives carelessly endangered their own children through some moment of “neglect.” I do not mean to excuse anyone for neglect, but I think it is important that we consider the context of the situation. I’d really like to know why two adults who are responsible for handicapped children would not take the five seconds it takes to walk to the back of the bus and check the seats. I’d like to also know how these two will manage to maintain their lives if they are convicted of a felony.

If my perspective offends you, please bare in mind that I am only interested in developing a sense of compassion for those who have erred so foolishly before the public and the media forever abandon and condemn these two people for something that many members of the public may also be guilty of sans public castigation.

A unique effort is being made by Richmondmom.com to award a thousand dollars in prizes to teachers who are nominated and then voted for as the teacher of the year by the public. Generally, teachers of the year are nominated by their peers within schools, but this group is an independent agency with their own sponsors and donors. Click on the link above to go to the site and nominate your favorite teacher, but you better hurry as there are only two weeks to make a nomination!

From the Richmond Public Schools website:

Huguenot High School will present an evening of instrumental and vocal music June 4 as the school holds its annual spring concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The concert, free and open to the public, will feature performances by the Huguenot concert band, choir, guitar ensemble, orchestra and jazz band. For more information, contact Chris Moseley at 320-7967. Huguenot High School is located at 7945 Forest Hill Ave.

From Richmond Public Schools:

On May 28 at 7 p.m. the Fine Arts Department of George Wythe High School will hold its Spring Extravaganza in the school’s auditorium. The evening will feature a student art exhibit and performances by the school’s jazz and concert bands, inspirational dance troupe, choirs and drama department. The performance is free and open to the public. George Wythe High School is located at 4314 Crutchfield Street. For more information, call 780-5037.

From the Richmond Public Schools website:

The Student Council of Huguenot High School has planned an afternoon full of beautification projects for the exterior of their school on May 18 as part of ‘The National Great American Cleanup’. Aptly titled “Extreme Makeover Curb Appeal Edition,” the project is a partnership with the Richmond Department of Public Works in conjunction with National Public Works Week.
The program will begin at 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. with teams of students, staff and parents sprucing up the landscape of the district high school. Volunteers are invited to participate in this cleanup effort.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Wanda Wilder, Student Council Sponsor, at 320-7967.

Some of our readers may recall that Altria spent 40,000 dollars this school year on improving George Wythe High. Some may be aware of many other private partnerships that have benefited our school district in various ways. The opportunity to thank those private organisations will be available on April 29, at the Hilton Garden Hotel at 501 East Broad Street from 4:30 – 6:00.

Though it is doubtful that anyone will be turned away at the door, an RSVP is required and the event is free of charge. Valet parking is available for $6.00. You can find out more about the event, including who is attending, by going to the RPS website.

Sponsors of the event include: Richmond Education Foundation, Communities in Schools, Venture Richmond , Virginia Mentoring Partnership, and Genworth Financial.

J.L. Francis Elementary’s PTA cordially invites you to attend Community Night on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:30p.m. at the Korean Presbyterian Church (Gymnasium) 2990 Broad Rock Blvd. Richmond, VA 23224.

Building relationships in our community
coming together to achieve common goals

Find out what’s going on in your community
We love to have you join us!

If you plan on attending please contact the
Community Night Event Coordinator
Ms. Ote, y at 804-745-3702 or respond to this email

JL Francis Elementary PTA
5146 Snead Road Richmond, VA 23224
(804) 745-3702
jlfrancispta@yahoo.com

As perhaps one of the most exciting and potentially volatile issues in education on the Southside of Richmond, the Patrick Henry Initiative (PHI) has got the school board, the public, and the blogosphere actively looking for answers to a lot of questions. The myriad of issues that a charter school brings to a public school system are complicated.

Although the original intent of this article was to cover what a charter school is, the issues it raises in general, and of course the local discussions that have been on going, the scope has proven to be much too large for one article, so this report will be broken up into distinct parts, which shall begin with an explanation of charter schools.

Keeping in mind the community news focus of this blog, know that the intent of this article is to maintain a neutral perspective, but comments of all dispositions are encouraged.

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