News-Record.com

Allen,
it is now time for you to shut up and get behind Amos Quick. He has stood up for he believes in. The school, the teachers and the children are behind him. Now we as a community must stand up and be counted to help and support Dudley.

This attitude of yours is doing a dis-service to Amos and the Dudley children. It does nothing but perpetuate the old school board thinking that a poor child can only learn next to a middle class child. As you have clearly documented you have been doing this for five years now!

Its time to STOP!

Stop this childish charade and get behind Amos! Believe in our children and endorse neighborhood schools now!

Allen, the interactions you describe above are part of the daily interactions at SW High where the the non-white population is 44% as we speak. The SW district is one of the most diverse districts in the county. All you've done in the last two years editorially is aid people who sought to exploit this school for their own needs, whatever they may be. You are preaching to the choir. You're going on about diversity and we're going on about piracy. Please visit SW. We're talking about two seperate issues here so we go around and around. The only solution is to come and see what you are writing about.

Truth:
That is clearly NOT my point. If you would read the piece again, you would hear my white classmates say THEY benefited from their Dudley experience.
Nowhere do I suggest their mere presence raised achievement levels. In fact, that wasn't even an issue or a problem then. There was no racial achievement gap.
There were high-achieving black students at Dudley before they arrived and there were after they arrived.

Allen, ever consider a career as a matador?

For me (Class of '74) is just that I don't really keep up with ANYBODY. I haven't kept in touch with high school or college friends. Sad, I know. But that's jsut me.

Astro Boy..I'm feeling so sad for you. I'll bet if your High School had been more diverse, you'd be more likely to have kept in touch with your friends there. It's amazing what a little forced-diversity can do for a person. It makes us all wonder where you'd be today if that had been the case.

I'm sorry. I hope you're having a good life anyway--really.

Good luck to ya.

Viva, Senor Johnson!!!!Ole'....Ole'...

Kelly,

Thank you for the sympathy. Actually, I am white, and Dudley WAS my high school! No, my inability to keep up with old friends is a symptom of a deeper issue. But that's a posting for another time! Or therapy. LOL

Seriously, though, if I had to say, I'd say that I do have a good life...family, friends, work, hobbies. I just don't feel strongly enough about some of the people in my past to keep up with them.

You know, when you're a kid, you don't really have a choice about who you hang out with...neighbors, classmates, etc. But as I got older, I started chosing more consciously the people I wanted to spend time with. I guess I grew away from a lot of those that I used to have to hang out with.

OK, Allen. Now that you've wandered down memory lane. We all agree that integrating Dudley was beneficial for all. Let's get on with integrating Dudley onve again. So, maybe we can make the math work with a choice plan with Dudley and Page and Smith and Grimsley? If the benefits are there, surely we can make the math work and overcome the obstacles, can't we? We oew it to the students of Dudley and Smith to find a way.

Sure thing. But why stop there? What about Northwest? What about the whole system?

Page,Grimsley,Dudley and Smith.
You know the county would get more bang for the buck there because the bussing distances are much shorter than in HP.
But, since I do not agree with bussing I ask this of Mr Johnston once again. In this time of need. A time where we all need to come together as a community to support Dudley. We should not be coming out and discussing the bussing of Dudley children. YOu are sending the wrong message.
Don't do what you have encouraged in HP. Do not write off a whole generation of children by saying that you can only learn next to a person who lives in a bigger house than you.
Allen, YOU MUST, lead the call for neighborhood schools in support of Amos.
We as a community must join together and help eachother.
Allen, do your duty!

Allen,

I have no problem with integrating Northwest, but you were the one that said awhile back that the distance was too far, but sure, let's do Northwest and all of the rest. You must feel that I am a Northwest racist that wants it done everywhere but there. Not so, my friend. I'm ready, are you?

The problem I have with you is that you keep saying that Dudley and Smith can't be integrated until the whole district is integrated. But, that didn't seem to stop you from giving your support to integrating Southwest. You seem to be confused about this issue. That is what Southwest parents have been saying for two years, if we believe that integration works and is a good thing, then let's do the whole county. Why are we holding back now that Southwest is integrated, if you want the whole county integrated? You seem a little conflicted and inconsistent in your statements?

Truth,

You labor under the misconception that Allen really believes in and wants Dudley integrated. He is just talking the party line. What he wanted and got was to have your school integrated. You see, he believes, just as Marti Sykes, your kids need diversity. But, you better leave their kids alone, they are just fine as they are.

Here are some sad quotes from Central's audit report.

Read this and you will see Grier's version of diversity at first hand!

"Some interviewees indicated that minorities and economically disadvantaged students were not well represented in these academically advantageous courses. One interviewee indicated that such students were often tracked into the Occupational Course of Study program that did not enhance their chances of getting a college degree. Another said that students from well-to-do families go into AP and IB courses while minority students are tracked into low-challenge courses euphemistically called “college prep” to disguise their true nature. Several interviewees noted that minority students did not go into academically challenging courses because of peer pressure. As one interviewee put it, “it’s not cool to be smart.”

"White students dominate the academically advantageous AP and IB courses at the school.
While they represent slightly less than 40% of the student body, they constitute 80.4 percent of the IB enrollment and 65.7% of the AP enrollment.

With the exception of Multiracial and American Indian students in a few AP courses, non-white student are consistently underrepresented in AP and IB courses. For example, Blacks, the largest student group at the school, comprise 42.7% of the school’s enrollment, but only 21.5% of AP enrollment and 14.4% of IB enrollment.

"However, strong perceptions exist among most teachers and staff that students from socio-economically deficient circumstances are not capable of achieving the high standards established by the State’s Courses of Study. Instead of believing that they can create an environment that fosters the success of all students, many staff believe they cannot compensate for the major academic deficits of freshmen students. Varied expectations for students’ deportment are evidenced by teachers’ observed tolerance of minor conduct violations and low homework demands"

"we stereotype kids, IB/AP are rich white kids .For other kids we hold low expectations".

Susan Mendenhall is not fighting for all the children in this school like Amos with Dudley. I wonder why?
Are all her country Club friends childrens in AP/IB? Why spoil it Suse?

I strongly believe that Garth will join Amos in the fight against the Mill mentality of this County. All children deserve an education, not a bus to a school within a school!

"Sure thing. But why stop there? What about Northwest? What about the whole system?"

Allen, you and Alan Duncan maintain this charade that Dudley and Smith can't be integrated because of too many problems to overcome. Let's address the latest problem of redistricting with Northwest being too distant. In terms of busing, would you not agree that miles are not as important as driving times?

According to Mapquest.com, the driving time from Southwest to Andrews is 15 minutes, and the school board selected the Parkview neighborhood to be sent to Southwest, and this neighborhood is far beyond Andrews, so the actual time would be closer to 20 minutes or more, but that seems to be acceptable.

Now, let's consider Northwest and its driving time to Dudley and Smith. Northwest to Smith is 21 minutes and Dudley is 25 minutes. Of course, some Northwest neighborhoods are closer to Greensboro than the actual school (Andrews). So, at what point is the distance too great for a redistricting of Dudley or Smith with Northwest? Is 20 minutes too much? Allen and Alan, let's stop this charade. Neither of you want to integrate Greensboro schools. You supported the forced busing in High Point to satisfy Dot Kearns and the Central High crowd.

Allen, Took you recc. and rented "Capote" last night.
I appreciated the Faustian elements and the cost to a writer of telling a story a certain way and having the reality not neatly fall into the schedule the writer would have wanted, and the considerable price paid by the writer when he realizes the betrayal involved in setting out the story the way HE felt it should be told. I kind of understand why you would have related to it.

Also, thanks for the George
Will column today. People's education compromised by someone else's politics...imagine.

Allen,
why do you refuse to support Amos and the children of Dudley?

Viva. EL JOHNSON! Ole' Ole'. the crowd cheers as El Gran Toreador sidesteps another charge.

Allen,
a young Dudley girl spoke at last nights forum and mentioned that as recent as last year children were transfered from Grimsley to Dudley. These students were students with "diffulties" her words.
My suspicion is that Marty has cleaned up her school and now she is off.
Grimsley needs Diversity!

Truth:
Once again, sloooooowwwwwwwly:
I have never suggested that having white kids sit next to black kids makes black kids smarter. I DO suggest that it makes ALL kids smarter because it exposes them to the world as it is, not to racially segregated enclaves that are not realistic in a country that is fast becoming majority minority.
Being separated in our schools and neighborhoods only fuels prejudices such as those implied by some commenters who assume that white kids are the smarter ones and black kids are not.
I reject that notion outright.
And I resent anyone sending such an ignorant, mean-spirited message to black kids.
Further -- and I'll say this again slloooowwwly, too -- racial desegregation in and itself is not the answer. It is one of several solutions.
Other things have to happen as well:
1. Attracting the best teachers to the neediest schools.
2. Socio-economic diversity in schools creates a more robust learning environment; it did when I attended Dudley as both an all-black and an integrated school. (And I actually believe we were integrated for a while there, not just desegregated.) Dudley is not socio-ecomomically diverse now.
3. Parental and community involvement are paramount.
4. Smaller class sizes and specialized learning environments will help as well.
5. Discipline and order in the classroom are essential in every school.
6. Students should be challenged with high expectations and the most rigorous course work they can handle.
7. And teachers need support and encouragement beyond just better salaries and incentives to work at so-called "high-risk" schools.

There is no one solution. A complex problem such as this one requires multiple remedies.
Since John Gehris followed my recommendation to rent "Capote," here's another recommendation:
Read "The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America" by Jonathan Kozol. It is very relevant to the discussion we're having now

Allen,

The N&R has been noticeably quiet about the situation of the schools in High Point since the redistricting vote. I take that to mean that the N&R believes the problems have been fixed. Yet, only 1 of your 7 steps to good education have been done.

Again, sloooowllllly - either all the schools in GCS need to be diversified or all the schools should follow a neighborhood schools concept.

The N&R should either demand all 7 of your steps in High Point or it should demand neighborhood schools for all. You're still preaching a double standard.

Investigate:
Not sure I follow you? Your point is that the young lady mispronounced a word, therefore ...?

Allen,

Once again, sloooooowwwwwwwly.

Would you address a little fassster my point about Northwest not being that much different bus ride time for Smith and Dudley, than Andrews and Southwest. You keep talking aobut desegregation, but you seem to want to do it verrry sloooooowwwwwwwly. C'mon, Allen, what's it going to be? Let's get it done before TG takes off for CMS.

Allen, maybe you should ask Kris Cooke, Marti Sykes and Alan Duncan to read "Shame" also, so they can come in next week and get those Grimsley and Page kids rollin'. That's all we're asking. SW is 44% minority, is this not exposing kids to life the "way it is"? You are battling the wrong people. They've duped you!!!!

John,

You're right - SWHS is currently 44% non-white, but next year, after redistricting, the number will be 54% non-white.

I think SWHS will then need some help from NWHS to help even out the numbers.

I think there's enough at NWHS to spread across the county.

Allen, also for our geographic enrichment, could you tell us where the "segregated enclaves" are in Guilford Co? I don't think any of the people who you are battling are living in any.

ps looked like Stormy might have hooked you with a horn, not seriously, thank god. El Torreo must continue.

Allen,

ssssssllllllloooooooowwwwwwwwwllllllllyyyyyyyy,

Why doooooo yooooooouuuuuuuuu nooooooottttttt
suuuuupppppprrrrrrroooooottttttttttt
AAAammmmmmooooooooosssssssssssssss Quiiiiiiiccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk? and the Duddddddddddllllllllleeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy cchildreeeeeeennnnnnn.

Thhhhheeeeyyyyyy nneeeeeeeeddddddd ooooouuuuuurrrrr ssssssuuuupppppppppppppoooooorrrrrrtttt noooowwwww not beeeee ttollllllddd that tooo bbeeeeee aaabbleeee to learn thhhhheeeeeeyyy need to sit nexxxxxxtttttt to a wwhite child. Thissssss issssss what you continue to insist on. Amos does not want to bus these children.
HHeeeeee waaaaanttssssss them to go tooooooo their neeeeiiiiighborhood schoooooooolllllllll.

I don't care who you are, that was FUNNY, Truth.

MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE MEGSPASE