UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY Nov. 3 - 9, 2016 VOL. 6 NO. 2

Charleston Lee performs a dance during the ArtGusta Block Party, held on Eighth Street downtown on Sat. Oct. 29. (inset at left) A collection of colorful paintings by artist Sheena Milian (Art 4 the Soul) is displayed.

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

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Learn about the Magnet School/Programs at the Magnet Fair on Sat. Nov. 5 Richmond County School System Magnet Schools and Programs Applications will be available for the 2017-2018 school year on Tuesday November 1, 2016. Applications can be completed online at www.rcboe.org/magnet. The appli-

UPW Urban Pro Weekly

2746 Willis Foreman Road Hephzibah, GA 30815

cation process will be open until January 6th.

Magnet Schools and Programs will be holding open houses through December 15th.

The Richmond County School System will be hosting a Magnet Fair on Saturday, November

5th at the Augusta Mall from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The Magnet Fair will be an opportunity for prospective students and parents to learn about each of the Magnet Schools and Programs from the Principals and current students.

URBAN PRO WEEKLY Publisher URBAN PRO WEEKLY MEDIA 706-306-4647 urbanpromedia@yahoo.com

CEO / Sales FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com

Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist

NO OPPORTUNITY LEFT BEHIND

Opposition to ‘Opportunity School District’ is only the beginning It’s that time of year again — no, not the holiday season.

It’s the time of year when most of us have reached the saturation point of political discussions. In other words, we’re sick of talking about it. Plus, having two substandard presidential candidates isn’t helping the situation.

These candidates are so uninspiring, in fact, that it may discourage people from voting. Well, if you decide NOT to vote, you would be doing a disservice to yourself, especially if you live in Georgia.

You see, the Peach State has this initiative on education – the Opportunity School District – that sounds like a good deal. A “new Deal,” even.

Here’s the wording on Governor Nathan Deal’s proposed amendment regarding failing schools, as it will appear on your ballot: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?”

Oh, and this “preamble” added by legislators: “Provides greater flexibility and state

accountability to fix failing schools through increasing community involvement.”

Sounds good, right?

Well, the devil is in the details — literally.

If Amendment One passes on the Nov. 8 ballot, it would create a statewide school district that governs “failing schools.” That district would have one superintendent, which only answers to the governor. The superintendent would have the power to not only take control of LOCAL TAX DOLLARS, but also what it deems “failing schools” based on test results, attendance and graduation rates.

In other words, it would render the opinions of parents and the legislative powers of local superintendents and school board trustees irrelevant.

After doing the homework, the decision is clear on what I call the “NO Opportunity School District.” Vote no, NO, a thousand times NO! That’s only the beginning, however.

You see, we have this problem as a community, and within that community, I include educators and legislators. When we face adversity and challenges to con-

trol, we often get comfortable in the status quo as an alternative to a grim future.

We see this dynamic happening in the presidential election. Some people are comfortable with voting for Hillary Clinton because Donald Trump is the “KKK candidate” and represents a “worst-case scenario.” Those things may be true. However, the skeletons in Mrs. Clinton’s closet, and a history of the Clintons’ policies, particularly against African-Americans, make her FAR from a worthy candidate.

At any rate, let’s stick to the present dialogue. It is not acceptable for us to have failing schools in Richmond County. We have the template(s) from some of the most successful schools in the state and in the country when it comes to the likes of A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, as well as John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. We have stories of exceptionalism regarding students at schools deemed as “failing,” stories that could provide insight on how we can make those students the norm rather than an anomaly.

It’s not just enough for us to vote “NO!” for the “No Opportunity School

District.” It’s time for us to demand more, as students, teachers, parents and administrators. We have to challenge board members to create a culture and allocate funding that ensures educational success. We have to find a way to demand parent involvement and accountability.

I named this column “No Opportunity Left Behind,” almost in a tongue-incheek nod to the failures of “No Child Left Behind.” It’s scary to see politicians push for educational initiatives that are more political in nature than profound.

It’s that dynamic that underscores the need for the community to be proactive, so that these sinister programs can never see the light of day.

Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference,” a media conglomerate that incorporates podcasting/radio, social media and commentary. The podcast is available at soundcloud. com/makinadifference. Updates on the show are available at facebook.com/ makinadifferenceshow. Ken can be reached by email at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com or via Twitter @ differencemakin.

LETTERS

Ballot amendment is ‘shady coin toss’ leading to state takeover Parents are being bamboozled concerning the State takeover of schools, called the opportunity school district (OSD), and the charter school movement. The state, with the aid of local officials, has maneuvered confused parents to participate in a shady coin toss. The OSD is heads and the charter school is tails. The state tosses the coin and says heads I win tails you lose. No matter which way the coin lands the state wins.

That is why those who oppose the opportunity school district and those who promote charter schools are both losers. The state is still in charge of edu-

cation. The state provides the funds, and he who has the gold sets the rules.

The opportunity school district is a political scheme to stealthily transition more schools into the charter school model. However, nothing changes at the top and nothing changes as it relates to the downward spiral in academic achievement. Charter schools are not a solution to poor academic performance. They are public schools with a charter. The charter shifts most of the blame for failure away from the state.

Furthermore, under the charter, administrators and teachers will have

more autonomy and will be under more pressure to manipulate results to meet performance standards in order to save their jobs. That means bootlicking will be an invaluable survival skill.

Unlike the present administrative shell game, it will be more difficult to hide low performing teachers in charter schools. Therefore, in the name of job security, there will be more creative grading leading to more poorly educated children moving through the pipeline.

That is why the Indian spiritual teacher, Osho, said, “Children are the most helpless people in the world, and

the most exploited class.”

Just like in traditional public schools, the state will set educational standards in charter schools which aim to indoctrinate, not educate. Moreover, the assault on critical thinking and traditional values will continue, as well as promoting relative morality.

This explains why school leaders are preoccupied with appeasing children confused about which restroom to use and not focused on developing legitimate strategies to improve academic results.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA,

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin

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ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY CHEERLEADERS pose for photos during the Augusta City Classic football game. The annual event featured an SIAC showdown between Benedict College and Albany State University at Laney stadium. The Golden Rams defeated the Benedict Tigers 34-7 in the final score. (Oct. 29, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

THE ALBANY STATE GOLDEN RAMS MARCHING BAND performs during halftime at the Augusta City Classic football game.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/ Sports Journal

THE BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS MARCHING BAND performs during halftime at the Augusta City Classic football game. Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Augusta City Classic Hall of Fame inductees Coach Al Young (L) and Coach Clint Bryant (R) pose for photos during halftime at the game. The annual football event featured a showdown between Benedict College and Albany State University at Laney stadium. The ASU Rams defeated the Benedict Tigers 34-7 in the final score.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Benedict College running back George Meyers, Jr. (#5) gains yardage during the Augusta City Classic football game held at Laney stadium. The annual event featured an SIAC showdown between Benedict College and Albany State University. (Oct. 29, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Albany State University cheerleaders perform a cheer at the Augusta City Classic football game.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

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AUGUSTA CITY CLASSIC • Oct. 29, 2016 Albany State: 34 Benedict College: 7

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On Stage

ArtGusta Block Party

ARTHUR CHAPMAN performs a song during the ArtGusta Block Party, held on Eighth Street downtown on Oct. 30. The street party, dubbed as an “urban art celebration”, featured artists of various genres exhibiting their skills. The event was sponsored by Humanitree House, Garden City Jazz and The Art Dealer, Inc. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Ashley Elim, known as “AE The Cool”, performs during the ArtGusta Block Party, held on Eighth Street downtown. Elim describes her sound as “urban soul”. The street party, dubbed as an “urban art celebration”, featured artists of various genres exhibiting their skills. The event was sponsored by Humanitree House, Garden City Jazz and The Art Dealer, Inc. (October 30, 2016 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Urban Expressionism

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AUGUSTA Anthony R. Page through his company Blue Bistro Creative will executive produce a multi-genre performance event titled: Urban Expressionism. The event will take place on November 19 at 7:30pm at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans.

The show is an exploration of Black Culture through live theater, spoken word poetry, photography, music as well as performance art. The show centers around “What we see, what we hear, what we feel, and what we remember, as Black people living in America.

“Every member of our team has been impacted in some way by the “Black Lives Matter” movement. This inspired us as a company to create Urban Expressionism.

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Anthony R Page offers a new show with elements of Spoken Word, Theater & Performance Art which was developed to give our team a healthy means to lift their voices. Of course, we decided to do it in a way that we know best, through our creative talents. So this show will help us to see, hear, feel and reflect on our experiences and hopefully create a conversation toward healthy outcomes for our community. Furthermore, Urban Expressionism will have a high degree of entertainment value,” Page said.

Online tickets are available at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-expressionism-tickets-28004848255?utm_term=eventurl_text For more information go to: http:// anthonyrpage.blogspot.com/2016/10/ urban-expressionism.html

DEONDRE WALKER (R) PREPARES TO PUNCH DEONTE BROWN during the Augusta Boxing Club’s 5th Annual Boxing Classic held October 22 at the Georgia-Carolina Fairgrounds on Hale Street. Walker, 23, fights with the Augusta Boxing Club at 132 lbs. Photo by Anthony Hooker

AUGUSTA NATIVE RAYONTA WHITFIELD JR. celebrates winning an exhibition boxing match with father Rayonta Whitfield Sr. during the Augusta Boxing Club’s 5th annual Boxing Classic October 22 at the Georgia-Carolina Fairgrounds. Whitfield Sr., a former world flyweight boxing champion, was host to eight boxing clubs in a 14-bout exhibition. Photo by Anthony Hooker

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