Feb

18

Parents and Community Members to Picket School Board

Written by S. Beaumont and filed under Education, Event 

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted through our contact form. I have no background of ACORN, but can appreciate how this story could be of community interest.

On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 1:00 pm, ACORN members and concerned parents and citizens will come together in a demonstration in response to the segregated assemblies that occurred at Dillard Drive Middle School in Raleigh, NC, on December 4, 2007.

WHO: ACORN members, parents, and concerned citizens
WHAT: Picket at Wake County Public School Board against Dr. Teresa Abron
WHEN: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm
WHERE: Wake County Public School Board Office at 3600 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC

Background
On the morning December 4th, 2007 there was a fight between two seventh grade girls at the Dillard Drive Middle School. One of the girls was African American and the other was Hispanic. The Hispanic girl tied a bandanna around her leg that symbolized her participation in a gang, and the African American girl, upset by the bandanna, asked/told the other girl to take it off and when she refused, they began arguing. The argument became heated and friends of the girls got involved, but before actual fists were thrown, the girls were separated.

Later that afternoon, in response to the fight, Dr. Teresa Abron sent out an email to all of the seventh grade teachers requesting them to send all African American students to the auditorium at 1:55 pm. After the first assembly, teachers were instructed to send all Hispanic students to another assembly. In the assemblies, Dr. Abron addressed the students on conduct, grades, and the school’s intolerance of gangs. The principal did not remove or disrupt class time for any other students. When addressed with concerns about the segregated nature of the assemblies by a local news channel, Dr. Abron defended her actions and said that she would hold segregated assemblies again if she thought it to be necessary.

When an ACORN member who is also a Dillard Drive parent expressed concern about this issue, Raleigh ACORN sought to help facilitate dialogue between concerned parents and the school administration. The parents collectively requested a meeting with Dillard Drive Principal Dr. Teresa Abron shortly after the incident occurred. When the principal refused to meet with parents and community members, the parents submitted a petition requesting a formal meeting. After submission of the petition, amassing 177 signatures, Dr. Abron still refused to meet with parents and concerned citizens.

After exhausting all diplomatic avenues to resolve this issue with the Dillard Drive Middle School administration, parents will turn to the Wake County School Board to seek resolution. ACORN is proud to stand together with those who are committed to ensuring equality in our public schools, and recognize the obligation of community members to speak out against the marginalization of anyone based on race or ethnicity.

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