Thomas Jefferson High School is one of two dozen high schools that are being phased out. On Monday, after eighty-five years, Jefferson graduated their last class.
For decades Jefferson educated the children of immigrants. Proudly displayed around the hallways are the names of famous graduates – a roll call of renowned scientists, scholars, educators, athletes and performers.
The crack epidemic decimated parts of this city, the violence of the streets invaded our schools. In 1993 two students were shot to death inside of Jefferson. The Board of Education effectively abandoned the school – weak and ineffective leader after leader allowed the school to spiral out of control and in September 2003 the new Regional Superintendent announced the closing of the school.
The staff of Jefferson has done a remarkable job as the school phased down. A dynamic principal and a loving staff adopted the two hundred plus seniors … at the graduation ceremony the graduates and their guests gave their longest applause to the teachers.
I sat on the stage feeling nostalgia and sadness and joy, for a school that was, for a school that reinvented itself, and for the new Jefferson.
Next year the four small high schools in the building will celebrate their first graduating classes. The campus-wide teams are alive and well … the girls basketball team won the city championship. Students from all of the campus schools proudly join the Marine ROTC program.
It’s not a question of large schools or small schools … the Department has a moral obligation to support all students and all schools … not abandoning schools due to their small school bias.
The joy in the audience was palpable – the joy of the graduates and their families and their teachers. It was a joyous day …
3 Comments:
1 36man
· Jul 14, 2007 at 1:05 am
Teaching at a “phase out school” myself I am amazed at this posting. When my school (Walton H.S.) closes it will not be a joyous day, quite the opposite. There are those who have disparaged Walton, but I have seen the good work done there first hand. I have been to 9 graduations, most were quite joyous. This last one made me cry because I know that the next one will be the last graduation for this storied institution. For one, where will these joyous teachers be teaching next year? Are they aware that their salaries will count against the budgets of their new schools? We love our school, we tried to save it all, we tried to save part of it, but alas, our “love was all in vain.” Although I identify with some of the feelings here, I am saddened by the closing of my school. In my heart of hearts I believe that the UFT will not let the teachers down who remained at Walton out of loyalty, dedication and perhaps because they had no better options. I sincerely propose that the salaries of teachers from closing schools not be held against the budget. Schools won’t have to take us, but if they do they will not take a budget hit for hiring experienced, award winning teachers! Let’s even the playing field!
Peace J
2 36man
· Jul 14, 2007 at 9:03 am
Teaching at a “phase out school” myself I am amazed at this posting. When my school (Walton H.S.) closes it will not be a joyous day, quite the opposite. There are those who have disparaged Walton, but I have seen the good work done there first hand. I have been to 9 graduations, most were quite joyous. This last one made me cry because I know that the next one will be the last graduation for this storied institution. For one, where will these joyous teachers be teaching next year? Are they aware that their salaries will count against the budgets of their new schools? We love our school, we tried to save it all, we tried to save part of it, but alas, our “love was all in vain.” Although I identify with some of the feelings here, I am saddened by the closing of my school. In my heart of hearts I believe that the UFT will not let the teachers down who remained at Walton out of loyalty, dedication and perhaps because they had no better options.
I sincerely propose that the salaries of teachers from closing schools not be held against the budget. Schools won’t have to take us, but if they do they will not take a budget hit for hiring experienced, award winning teachers! Let’s even the playing field!
Peace
3 BOB
· Jun 7, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Trying to remember the last name of a girl named BONNIE…excellent athlete…was in the Walton Class of 1962 or 63…
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