There has been mention of moving DESA from it's current location in Georgetown an affluent neighborhood tucked in DC's outer corridor to the former Logan Elementary School at G Street in NE.
Please lend your voice to vocalize your opposition. We will not be marginalized!
We the undersigned understand that there has been discussion about moving DESA from the Georgetown Corridor into the former Logan Elementary School which is located at G Street NE.
Allen Y. Lew, coined construction czar, has provided cost estimates for relocating Ellington as it stands today. Lew was approached by Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee to begin the discussion. The move is strongly supported by Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and the Mayor's Office. "Word of discussions about Ellington's future comes as Rhee has been working to retain a larger proportion of Ward 2 families in the public school system after they leave the elementary grades. In November, she replaced Patrick Pope, principal of nearby Hardy Middle School, which has an art and music program that also draws a primarily African American student body from outside Ward 2." (Ellington Arts School Might be Moved out of DC's Ward 2, 1/17/10)
We oppose the move as it is a direct attempt to marginalize children that have a rare opportunity to have a reprieve from their home environs. We know that DESA's current location is coveted real estate in an area where property values are not phased by today's recession. To remove children from an environment that has countless indicators of success would surely be an uncalled for fix to a process that is not broken.
Please stand with us to voice your opposition to the marginalization of our students, the erasure of our history, the attack on our artistic heritage.
Thank you in advance for lending your voice.
