From the superintendent
Banishing the elephant
Skin color and zip
code shouldn’t matter
when it comes to a
child’s ability to access a
high-powered education.
But it does. It is the
tale of our country, our
state, our city and our
school district.
As a person of color,
it grieves me that I lead
an organization with a
Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D., history of being influSuperintendent
enced by racist principles and by perceptions that being poor equates with
being a second-class citizen.
I know these statements make some people uncomfortable and cause deep consternation in others.
However, here are the disturbing facts: Our school
district has had a pattern of treating African-American and Hispanic children differently when it comes
to teaching, suspensions and expulsion. Students
with special needs also have faced these obstacles.
We didn’t need state and federal officials to tell us
we have this problem. We have piles of data that
show this.
We also know that the so-called “achievement gap”
in education exists in Albany. This persistent gap in academic performance shows up between African-American and Hispanic students, at the lower end of the
performance scale, and their white peers.
There is a similar academic disparity between students from poor families and those who are better off.
I often hear people say that schools can’t do it all
and that families need to step up. I agree to a point,
but that argument has been used to justify inexcusable biases and prejudice.
I have had enough of that argument. It is the elephant in the room that is the City School District of
Albany, the elephant that impedes our ability to move
forward.
It’s time to banish that elephant.
The first step in that process is for all of us to honestly acknowledge our biases. I have them. Anyone
raised in this society has them and they don’t necessarily define us. So we need to pay attention to our
thoughts and how we interact with people who are
different than we are, and we need to start talking
about it.
These are difficult conversations to have. But
nothing will change until we start confronting these
issues with honesty and optimism – and without
judgment.
I raised these issues with our staff of 1,400 just
before the start of this school year at our annual
“Opening Day” ceremony. I continue to discuss them
with our families and members of the community in
hopes that the more we talk about the elephant in the
room, the easier it will get.
There is a connection between struggling schools
and the elephant, and our schools will continue to
struggle if we do not continually acknowledge, confront and banish the elephant at every turn.
Our district has begun these difficult conversations in earnest. I ask for your honesty, insights and
commitment to working with us to create an equitable system in which every child, of every race and
economic background, will learn and grow to their
full potential.
Capital Education is published by the
City School District of Albany.
Please direct comments about the newsletter,
story ideas and questions to
Ron Lesko at (518) 475-6065
or [email protected], or
Lisa Angerame at (518) 475-6066
or [email protected].
City School District of Albany
1 Academy Park
Albany, New York 12207
2
www.albanyschools.org
Voices Q: Election Day was Nov. 3. Why is it
important for people to vote?
It’s good to vote because it’s a right we
have as citizens. It allows us to be a voice
that will affect our lives. It’s also important to vote if you don’t want a specific
candidate to win because you think that
they might ruin America even more.
– Katerina Cakri, senior
Albany High School
It is important to vote because it gives us
a voice for change. It also gives us the right
to choose the best candidate to lead us in a
positive direction. As citizens we contribute
to society by voting. Voting gives us a
chance to help approve important things
like school budgets, local representatives
and medical issues, as well as the president
of the United States. We make the world a better place by voting.
– Megan Culbertson, seventh grade
William S. Hackett Middle School
Why is it important to vote? It wasn’t
until 1920 that everyone in our country
had the right to vote. When the 19th
amendment to the Constitution was passed
women for the first time could vote also. It
is important as a citizen to vote because I
want to support the person who I think will
do the best job. When voting for a person, I
want them to be a good scholar, hard worker, great leader, focused
on the job, have a good personality and be kind toward us, showing that they care about us. Someday I will get the chance to vote
and support the person I think will be the best leader. I can’t wait
for 2024!
– Iscys Duncan, fourth grade
North Albany Academy
Have you ever wondered why people
vote? What is so important about it? It is
important to vote because if you don’t
vote there would not be any form of government. Without government there would
be no laws. Without laws that means
someone could commit a crime and not
be arrested and who wants that? Without
a president someone could take over the country and we would
have a dictator. Most importantly if you don’t vote you won’t
have any fun because when you vote you choose who or what
you like. Vote! It’s very important.
Voting is the voice of the citizens and
their opportunity to be heard. Voting is a
way for people living in the country to
speak about everyday problems and work
toward fixing them by electing someone
they think will best work to solve them.
There will always be many candidates and
they will always have different ways to
help their country or community, so there will always be people
who vote differently than other people. Different opinions are
OK, though. What is important is that we have the right to vote
and we have a say in how we can make our world better.
– Shafin Hossain, fifth grade
Eagle Point Elementary School
It is important for us as U.S. citizens to
vote. Voting is not only a right but also a
privilege. For instance, African-American
men were not allowed the right to vote until
1870. Even after they were allowed to vote
they were being killed and tortured in their
attempt. Women also weren’t allowed to
vote until 1920 when the 19th Amendment
was passed. Women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought for voting rights for women. My mom has taught my
brother and me the importance of voting by taking us to vote on
Election Day. Let your voice be heard. Take the opportunity given
to us and vote to make this a better country.
– Roy Kippins, eighth grade
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
Voting plays a crucial role in today’s government. This is because we are a democracy and everyone gets a say in
governmental decisions. To help the best interest of the majority it is crucial to participate in elections no matter what the degree
is – presidential, budget, school board or
local and state government. Elections help
decide the outcomes that can impact the community and nation.
– Mario Ravelo, senior
Albany High School
It is important for people to vote because we live in a democracy. We have a
chance to vote for who we want to run our
country. Another reason voting is important
is because not many countries or nations
have the privilege to pick their leaders, they
are just appointed. Voting is an important
part of our freedom as Americans.
– Ronald Hill, sixth grade
Pine Hills Elementary School
– Kimberly Fowlkes, sixth grade
Albany School of Humanities (ASH)
At a glance: Thomas O’Brien Academy
of Science and Technology
Principal: Shelette Pleat | Grades: Prekindergarten-6 | Address: 43 Lincoln Park
One of three themed magnet schools in the City School District of Albany, the school we know as Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology – TOAST for short – began as Public School 24. The original P.S. 24 was built in 1893 and
located a few blocks north of the current building, which was built 1954. In 1990, the school was named for Thomas
O’Brien, who served as principal of the school more than 100 years ago. TOAST was completely renovated in 2011.
Today’s 50,000-square-foot, three-story school is handicapped accessible, energy efficient and technologically advanced.
Students: 549 | Teachers: 44 | Total employees: 70
Points of distinction:
• Only district elementary school emphasizing science and
technology across all subject areas
• Hands-on rock park on school grounds to teach students
about geology
• Outdoor learning pavilion
• Optional school uniform policy
Programs and partners:
• After-school child care
• Albany Book Project
• Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Albany Grassroot Givers
• Albany Institute of History and Art
• Albany Visitors Center
• Astronomy Night
• Ballroom Dance Club
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
• Bird-watching Club
• Capital Area School Development Association
• The College of Saint Rose
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
• Fishing Club
• Gardening Club
• Joseph Henry Science Fair
• Junior LEGO League
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• New York State Museum
• Police Athletic League (PAL)
• PTA
• Scratch
• SEFCU
• Soapbox Derby
• Teacher/Leader Quality Partnership Program
What makes our school special?
At TOAST, learning involves curiosity, observation, problem-solving, inquiry, creativity and discovery, allowing
students to build their own understanding of the world and
how its parts fit together. Hands-on learning and community collaborations actively involve children in acquiring
the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to succeed in
high school, college and beyond.
Did you know?
The school’s motto is “cogitate strenue” – a Latin phrase
meaning “challenge the mind.”
FAL L 2015