Monday, Nov. 22, 2004
Letter to the Editor, posted at 6:31 p.m.
Epiphany in Baltimore has moved to epiphanyinbaltimore.blogspot.com I have never felt compelled to write a letter to the editor here, until today. The place should have been swarming with press. Not one.Here is what I just sent in, minus the X's, of course.
Dear Editor:
In my four years as a Balxxtimore Cixxty Public School teacher, I have seen the school system get its fair share of negative press. Much of it, like the budget crisis of last year, was richly deserved. However, it is disappointing that when something positive occurs within the school system - even inside the infamous walls of the central administration building at Noxxrth Avenue - it gets no attention at all.
On Monday, Nov. 22, the Fxxund for Educxxation Excxxellence, in conjunction with Baltimxxore City Public Schools and the Thornxxton Commission, issued $34,000 in grants to BCxxPS teachers for educational supplies. I was granted $500 to purchase audio recorders to help prepare students for stringest external assessments through the (advanced studies) program housed at (my school). Colleagues were issued the same $500 grant to purchase preparation guides for the new SAT, to provide art supplies for classes, and to support an All-School Book initiative. Teachers throughout the city system won the grant, to the great benefit of each student in their school's care. The Fund for Edxxucational Excexxllence and BCPS should be applauded for their efforts, not ignored. This is good news for all the students in Baxxltimore City, and the Baltxximore Sun should have put just as much effort into reporting it as it did the budget crisis and school fires.
In the last four years as a BCxxPS teacher, I have seen my student load double in size (an increase of 75% last year, and an increase 25% this year), my facilities erode into disrepair, and my supplies disintegrate. In the face of budget crises and large student loads and class sizes, the educational mini-grant and the classy and well-organized reception for the grant winners was a reminder that teachers, the school system and even the central administration at Noxxrth Avenue are all on the same team. Good things do emerge from the central administration at Nxxorth Avenue. I think the rest of Balxxtimore should have learned about the event with some press coverage. Reporting of positive events is something that should be pursued with as much vigor as the negative events. Our students deserve it.
Sincerely,
me