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s the parent of a proud fifth grader at KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy (KNOLA) on St. Claude Avenue, I recently attended Public Hearing No. 3 in Council District C and was saddened and dismayed by misconceptions of the KIPP network cited by a handful of community members. During this forum, I listened to one parent after another declare the need for a “scholarly” school environment and diversification within the community. I watched several people become flustered because they didn’t think their voice was being heard or their concept of school accepted. Given that
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“I want the best education I can possibly give to my child. ... I already know that everything they are asking for in a school is the precise definition of KNOLA.” — Dawn McCormick
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KNOLA focuses entirely on academic achievement, community, culture, character-building and the whole child‚ I was shocked at their comments and wanted to clarify my KIPP experience and that of my son. I am originally from New Orleans and am a product of the New Orleans Public Schools system. Admittedly, I left the city to advance my career and life. Upon completion of my education and training, I returned home, accepted a nice corporate job, started my own business and immediately enrolled my child in a private school. The sub-standard curriculum and outdated teaching methods led me to question my decision to come back to New Orleans post-Katrina: What was I coming back to? Should I pack up and leave for the second time? Last summer, while volunteering in the community, I had the pleasure of meeting the leadership team at KNOLA. When I mentioned my dilemma, they spent time with my child and me outlin-
ing their principles around results, family, tailored instruction, extracurricular activities and a disciplined but nurturing learning environment. The principal and teachers said they were different [than other schools] and wouldn’t disappoint. They were correct. My child loves KNOLA. His teachers are knowledgeable, innovative and persevering. While always a scholar, my child is sufficiently challenged, motivated and has fun learning and growing. For the first time, he is playing an instrument and participating in a team sport. If I had not found KNOLA, I would have left the city, my home. I feel for the parents who oppose KNOLA’s relocation into the Colton building in 2012. Like them, I want the best education I can possibly give to my child. The only difference between us is that I already know that everything they are asking for in a school is the precise definition of KNOLA. I hope these parents will visit [the school], and see what is happening in our classrooms. Our doors are always open. D AW N M C C O R M I C K
Red Means Stop
e are writing in response to the recent coverage about the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s study of safety camera programs across the country. This study reaffirms these cameras work to prevent crashes, change driver behavior and save lives. They saved 159 lives in the 14 cities where the cameras were used between 2004 and 2008. Just imagine how many lives would be saved if the technology was used in every city across the country. This topic is of particular importance to us because we lost our daughter Sarah after a man ran a red light and crashed into her car. Our family, including her two children, lost a beloved family member after someone disregarded our most basic traffic safety law: Red means stop. Sarah’s death has led us to partner with law enforcement, medical professionals and safety advocates through the Traffic Safety Coalition to remind drivers that one small decision can have devastating effects. The study concludes that over 800 lives could have been saved if every large city in the country used traffic safety cameras. If there is a law enforcement tool that is proven to prevent tragedies, why wouldn’t we use it? Although nothing will bring Sarah back, we encourage the use of any tool or technology that will keep families safe and prevent senseless tragedy.
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PA U L A N D S U E O B E R H A U S E R
CO-CHAIRS, TRAFFIC SAFETY COALITION SOMERSET, OHIO