Save Douglass High Schools Curriculum and Magnet Program

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND SIGN THE PETITION TO SUPPORT AND POTENTIALLY SAVE DOUGLASS HS CURRICULUM AND MAGNET PROGRAM
Attention ALL Douglass Alumni                                       

Douglass needs your help. APS and Beverly Hall have decided to remove the magnet program, and Fine and Performing Arts at Douglass. North Atlanta, Grady, and Mays will be the only schools allowed to keep Magnet programs and recruit students, while North Atlanta, Grady and Carver will be the only schools allowed to operate band, chorus, and orchestra in the curriculum. I think these move by the Dr. Beverly Hall is would be a death-blow to the students, parents, and community served by Frederick Douglass High School.

Under the proposal to cut the magnet programs at "select" high schools, a financial inequity would exist in the Atlanta Public School System. For Example, while North Atlanta would continue to enjoy an extra $680, 655 beyond the money given for regular instruction, Douglass would stand to lose $207,509 in what is already a financially inequitable picture enjoyed by North Atlanta, and Grady.

Further, the schools that lose their magnet title will also not be allowed to recruit students. This will create a greater inequity among the schools in APS and at Douglass. Allowing, majority White Grady and North Atlanta to recruit the best and brightest students, while forcing schools like Douglass and Washington to give up this right. This will create two in equities: 1) It will limit student choice, and 2) allow for a brain drain in the majority black schools.

Astros, imagine going to Homecoming in 2009, and not seeing the Frederick Douglass High School Marching Band in the stands. As many of you know, Mr. Moody is retiring as the band director at Douglass in June after 40 years of service to Douglass. Mr. J. Austin Brown, Beverly Hall, and APS have decided to not allow Fine and Performing Arts at Douglass. This means that Douglass will lose its Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. North Atlanta, Grady, and Carver will be the only schools allowed to keep Fine and Performing Arts Programs; thus their children will be the only students able to have access to these programs. This is despite the fact that the teachers at Douglass voted to make Fine and Performing Arts a part of the curriculum. Yet once again, Dr. Beverly Hall and APS have decided that only students at "select" high schools should have access to these programs.

Dr. Hall wants to bring the Northern mentality toward music she learned in Newark and New York City Public Schools, to Atlanta. I tell you today my fellow Astros that this mentality will destroy the future of the students in Atlanta. Hundreds of students at Douglass and throughout APS have gone on to College because of their involvement in music. These students have not only been afforded the opportunity to go to college, but also with the financial incentives needed to stay in college. This has been the case with Band, Chorus, and Orchestra over the years. Further, these activities allow students to develop a strong, well-rounded academic and extra-curricular profile that colleges look for in making admissions decision at colleges and universities across the country.

Astros, It is also with a sad heart that I inform you that Mr. J. Austin Brown, current principal of Douglass, supports these proposals by Dr. Beverly Hall. I say to you here today my fellow Astros, any principal who would support taking additional money, resources, and educational opportunities away from the Douglass community is no friend of the Students, Parents or Teachers at Douglass. Mr. J. Austin Brown is an incompetent principal who is surrounded by incompetent assistant principals. As a retired principal from North Carolina, and as a personal friend and crony of Dr. Beverly Hall, Mr. Brown has no vested interest in Frederick Douglass High School, its students, or its community. The teachers at the school have no faith in his leadership, and the students have no respect for him as shown through their discipline.

If you looked at the Frederick Douglass High School of today, you would hardly recognize the school today. Once a symbol of student discipline at its best, the current Frederick Douglass High School is rampant with violence, fights, cursing, etc. There is a lack of discipline that is present at the overall school on a daily basis. These violent crimes at Douglass have included a young lady jumped by students carrying a knife, and a teacher (Mr. Campbell) being jumped and beaten by several student at Douglass.Douglass serves no more purpose for Mr. Brown than extra money in the pockets of an administrator who has let an entire school literally go wild. It is clear that Mr. Brown is not the man for the job at Frederick Douglass High School, and should be removed immediately and replaced by an principal who can restore discipline and the academic integrity of the institution.

We, -alumni, parents, teachers, and students at Douglass-should not fooled by this ploy by Mr. J. Austin Brown, Beverly Hall, and the Atlanta Board of Education to remove the magnet program money from Douglass just to shift that money to North Atlanta, Grady and Mays to make them better while simultaneously taking resources away from our students at Douglass. This will mean that students access to a quality education will be directly tied to their school zone. This will create the same environment that was in Atlanta in the Pre-Brown versus Board of Education era when White Schools had better schools, books, and programs than Black schools in Atlanta.

This is not acceptable, it is not right, and it will not happen at Frederick Douglass High School! As we reflect on the election of our first Black President in the United States, we should also heed the words that he spoke so eloquently "WE ARE THE CHANGE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR." I am asking the Frederick Douglass High School FAMILIY to take a stand. A stand for our children, current and future, who will step through the halls of Frederick Douglass High School. I say to you simply in the words of Frederick Douglass, "If There is No Struggle, There is No Progress".

We need you to send out e-mails to the Atlanta Board of Education and Beverly Hall telling them why it is important that CFEAT remain at Douglass, and urging them to keep CFEAT at Douglass. We should also urge the board and Dr. Hall to remove Mr. J. Austin Brown as the principal of Douglass. If you live in Atlanta, please make that indication also.

Send your e-mails to the following e-mail list, and you will e-mail Beverly Hall and the entire Board of Education. Please send this e-mail ASAP. Time is not on our side!! Please put Save the CFEAT in the subject line.



blhall@atlanta.k12.ga.us, jmccloud@atlanta.k12.ga.us , bmuhammad@atlanta.k12.ga.us, bmuhammad@atlantapublicschools.us, khaatimsel@atlanta.k12.ga.us, khaatimsel@atlantapublicschools.us, chkinnane@atlanta.k12.ga.us, chkinnane@atlantapublicschools.us, kpattillo@atlanta.k12.ga.us, kpattillo@atlantapublicschools.us, lbutler@atlanta.k12.ga.us, lbutler@atlantapublicschools.us, yjohnson@atlanta.k12.ga.us, yjohnson@atlantapublicschools.us, ewwilson@atlanta.k12.ga.us, ewwilson@atlantapublicschools.us, mriley@atlanta.k12.ga.us, mriley@atlantapublicschools.us, edjohnson@atlanta.k12.ga.us, edjohnson@atlantapublicschools.us, KWalton@atlanta.k12.ga.us, rbynum@atlanta.k12.ga.us, janeross_mosley@yahoo.com, nsedconsulting@gmail.com

With Astro Pride,

John Lee
Class of 1998
Frederick Douglass High School

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View the following website: http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/hso/hso.html

The above link is the slideshow of the plan that APS is proposing. I am not prepared to advocate or oppose the plan at this point, because I think more perspective is necessary to get the "big picture of the plan." If you go through the slide show, you will see that Douglass and Washingtonl are in the second to last wave of what they are calling the "high school transformation." The plan is essentially intended to break each high school into four "mini schools," which would operate like mini-magnets.

Under this plan, Douglass's mini-magnet programs would include the following:
- Center for Engineering and Technology
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality, Travel, and Marketing
- Communications and Journalism

Also, North Atlanta, Mays, and Grady are scheduled to undergo, as the final wave, the same "transformation" in 2010.

My opinion is that the powerpoint, as can be expected, is one-sided and paints the picture that APS wants us to see. However, it does shed light on some of the concerns we may have and help frame what needs to be brought to the school board. I think there are many challenges with this concept that the school board needs to be called on, particularly with regard to zoning, academic quality and community involvement in some areas, in addition to the strength of the administration at school's like Douglass to effectively handle disciplinary and other issues in that area and seek meaningful solutions.

As a final note, I think clarity is needed on the statement about "elimination" of the Fine and Performing Arts program. My understanding is that it is being eliminated from the curriculum, which is different from saying it will be eliminated. These programs could, and most likely will, continue as extra-curricular activities. Case in point, Therrell H.S., which underwent the transition in 2007. While band and chorus are no longer a part of the curriculum - meaning students are not enrolling in these courses as electives - the school does still have a band and a chorus, as extra-curricular activities. I am still troubled by this somewhat, but under the facts, it is more clear. The impacts to consider would include students' ability to participate in after-school programs and the ultimate - funding, among other things.

TRACK RECORD OF SCHOOL

The Rise and Fall of Frederick Douglass High School -A Systematic Destruction In The Name of Education

In the midst of the tumultuous sixties, a vision was born and a legacy began with the inception of Frederick Douglass High School . The leadership of the school was provided by Dr. Lester W. Butts, a profound and dedicated man whose priority was providing quality education for all of the students at Frederick Douglass High School . This giant of a man and educator, along with his hand selected faculty and staff, insisted on high student and staff expectations, unwavering school spirit and pride and the family concept as a bridge to student success. This was quite a challenge because the students and most of the faculty and staff were transplants from three rival schools---Turner, Harper and West Fulton . These schools, while located within three or four miles of each other, were highly diverse in socioeconomic and cultural dimensions. Yet, during the first year of operation (1968) Douglass won the coveted WSB School Spirit Award. Although the population was large (2,000 students) and socio-economically diverse, the learning environment was conducive to personalized learning. The PTSA was an important part of the school. PTSA meetings were held in the gymnasium in order to accommodate the attendance at PTSA.

The first class graduating from Douglass had 38.9% of the class attending four-year colleges. That number had increased to 90% by 1992. There have been dozens of National Achievement finalists, including a high of 14 in 1988, the largest number in the southeastern region. Three Astros became National Merit finalists: Charles C. Earl, Richard Hardon, Jr. and Christopher Nuckles, who became the school%u2019s first National Merit Scholar. Graduates have studied and received degrees from the most outstanding schools in the country---Brown, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Cornell, Howard, FAMU, Emory, Spelman, Georgia Tech---just to name a few. They are gainfully employed in a wide array of occupations. Because of the high expectations of students and the lack of windows, Douglass was fondly called %u201CThe Little University,%u201D %u201CThe Prison%u201D.and %u201CThe Big D%u201D. All across the city of Atlanta , parents were constantly seeking special permission for their children to become a part of the Douglass High School family.

The academic program was the primary focus at Douglass. In addition to the basic requirements for graduation, students were urged to pursue enrichment and advanced courses. As a result, students were offered 8 advanced placement courses thereby enabling some students to enter college with almost a year of college credit. The Magnet Program, The Center for Engineering and Applied Technology, was begun in 1983. The Lanier Corporation, Mr. W. Cantrell, president, was the principal sponsor. Talent Centers were begun in 1990. During the 1992-93 school year, Douglass High School became a pioneer school in the electronic age by joining in partnership with several other high schools and colleges through the Distance Learning Laboratory sponsored by Southern Bell and NEC. Courses were offered to the students in third year French, African -American Studies, English and physics on the college level. Through the leadership of the Curriculum Council, many school-wide projects were successfully implemented such as the SAT Test Prep Program (before and after school and on Saturdays), BST Prep Program and the Saturday Tutorial Program. All teachers held at least one tutorial weekly before the initiation of the system-wide practice. Students chose to attend early morning, after school and/or Saturday morning tutorials. On Saturday mornings Douglass was filled with students, regular classroom teachers (who for years were not compensated), tutors from Georgia Tech, Morehouse and Morris Brown and parents. Many of the school-wide efforts and Saturday tutorial were later adopted by the system, including Saturday Work Detail for students who failed to abide by the rules and regulations of the system and the school. Work details were begun with a philosophical discussion of %u201CDesiderata%u201D. In essence, the work detail was not simply punishment but it was also a time when students were able to develop wholesome relationships with the faculty and administration. It was a time when many of the students learned the social graces, common courtesies, school pride and life lessons.

Though academic achievement was the primary focus, activities that helped to produce well-rounded citizens were encouraged and supported vigorously. Our sports teams were runner-ups for many years when the 1984 basketball team won the school%u2019s first state championship. Christopher Morris, former National Basketball Association player, led the team to this title. Ricky Birdsong , the former successful basketball coach of the Northwestern University Wildcats (who was tragically killed in a drive by shooting in 1999) in his book entitled %u201CCoaching Your Kids In The Game of Life%u201D, credits Coach William Lester and Douglass for his foundation in basketball. Harold Ellis, one of the assistant coaches of the Detroit Pistons, played basketball for Douglass and had a stellar basketball career at Morehouse College . Coach Brewer, the head basketball coach at Morehouse College , is a former Douglass basketball player.

In 1993, for the first time in the school%u2019s history, both the girls%u2019 and boys%u2019 varsity basketball teams won the 7-AAAA regional title and advanced to the state tournament. In a year of stirring triumph, the boys%u2019 Cross Country team won the 7-AAAA regional title and the girls varsity track team overcame stiff competition to win the State 4AAAA Championship at the state meet by placing first in the dramatic closing event. The football teams have been consistently competitive. The 1975 team won the North Georgia Championship. Douglass graduates who have been or are members of the National Football League include: Anthony Blount, Melvin Shy, Bobby Olive, Jamal Lewis, Robert Hicks, Amad Carroll and Daryl Hackney. Presently, graduate Jerome Boger is a National Football League Referee.

In a school-wide effort to involve as many students as possible in clubs and organizations, every teacher played an integral role by sponsoring a club. There was school-wide recruitment for clubs and club activities were built into the school schedule. Teacher-supervised intramural sports were provided, with competition between homerooms. To further enhance teacher-to-student relationships, the annual senior versus faculty basketball game was an anticipated activity.

The music department has been very successful in providing another anchor for students. The music department has produced musicals that would rival off Broadway. The band and choruses have won numerous awards for their excellent performances. The students have won college scholarships in voice and band. In an effort to perpetuate the legacy and to give back to the school, many of the music students have volunteered their services to the band. The music program helped to develop a sense of achievement and pride in those students who may not have ever received recognition in any other program. This opportunity is being taken away from the present students of Douglass. How does this decision help to serve all the students at Douglass?

Perhaps the most significant event in the history of Frederick Douglass High School was being recognized in 1984 by the National Secondary Schools Recognition Program as a National School of Excellence, the first high school in Atlanta to be declared a National School of Excellence. Frederick Douglass High School , regardless of inevitable changes in faculty and staff, must maintain its enviable record of leadership, commitment, integrity and dedication in its pursuit of excellence. In the words of Frederick Douglass, %u201CThis is scarcely a day for prose. It is a day for poetry and song, a new song. We stand today in the presence of a glorious prospect.%u201D

And what is the prospect? Under the most capable leadership of Dr. Lester W. Butts and Dr. Samuel L. Hill, Douglass High School flourished and achieved excellence in education. The question is, What decisions have been made to enhance and/or improve upon the success that the two previous administrations had so feverishly worked to attain?

Dr. Hall, with the approval of the Board, has made two administrative decisions of instructional leadership. These decisions have not enhanced or improved Frederick Douglass High School . The data tells us this.

The first principal appointed by Dr. Hall was permitted to employ extra policemen and personnel to monitor the halls and keep a lid on the mounting discipline problems under his leadership. He was permitted to take his best teachers out of the classroom! The department chairpersons, the master teachers, were permitted to teach as few as two classes and ultimately no classes. What impact do you think that the removal of 8 to 10 master teachers from the classroom would have on the quality of instruction? The schedules were a nightmare. Students were from 3 to 6 weeks into the semester getting into the proper classes. There was no distinction between a magnet and a regular class. How did this impact the quality of instruction? Funds were used to decorate the building, buy seniors bookbags, take selected students on trips, feed faculty and staff from china and provide faculty and staff with paraphernalia. Could these funds been used more effectively to help support programs to support more student-centered programs? How did this impact the quality of instruction?

The hiring of the second principal was an insult to the Douglass students, teachers and parents. And to make matters worse, he wasn%u2019t given any help. Why would a school like Douglass High be given to a retired Virginia principal? Would not you want a young professional who has a future with APS? What about an experienced principal to work with a young professional for a few years? Supposedly there is a young professional pool of teachers being trained for leadership. Did anyone take the time to study the dynamics of Douglass High School ? Could not there have been a better fit for this school that would give it a better chance to recover from the first appointment?

Now you are about to put the last nail in the coffin. In your restructuring of schools into small learning communities, you take away from Douglass its magnet program---and you say to the Douglass community that this will improve learning! You are taking away over two hundred thousand dollars from its available financial resources and the right to recruit students---and you want the Douglass community to believe that this will improve learning at Douglass? Let%u2019s say, you take away Douglass%u2019 Magnet Program when you take away the magnet programs at Grady and North Atlanta . You know as well as I that, politically, you will never take away the magnets from, what you believe to be, your premier high schools!

Then, as if that were not enough, you have refused to permit Douglass to have a Fine and Performing Arts community. So today, at Douglass there is no band class, no chorus, just music appreciation---and you want the Douglass community to believe that this is going to improve learning?

I guess the Douglass community should be appreciative of the fact that all of these decisions, you say, will improve learning at Douglass and personalized learning environments can be fostered. I am having some real difficulty in comprehending your goals. You are systematically destroying a school that has been a pillar of the community. I can see clearly what you are taking away from the community---you are taking away the fine and performing arts, the Center for Engineering and Applied Technology, the recruitment of students which promotes diversity and over two hundred thousands dollars in financial resources that will support efforts to improve learning. My vision is truly clouded when I try to determine what you are giving us---you are giving us a retired, incompetent principal, low teacher morale, teachers being attacked by students, a learning climate not conducive for learning and, as Randolph Bynum stated, %u201Cpersonalized learning environments.%u201D

May I suggest, before you move anything else from Douglass, that the ineffective leadership be removed. Replace him with people and other resources to regain the respect of the student body. The teachers must be provided an atmosphere in which they may effectively practice their craft---teaching. Those of us who worked so hard, sometimes 6 and 7 days a week, for a school we love and of which we so desperately want to be proud, left and entrusted Dr. Hall and the Board of Education not just to maintain but to enhance and to improve our school. That has not happened--- Douglass High School has not only not been enhanced but you have failed to maintain it and that, I submit, is a tragedy! I cannot convey to you the hurt we feel over this entire tragedy!

Your systematic decisions have destroyed Frederick Douglass High School . This is a tragedy at your feet--- you made it-now I challenge you to fix it! I would appeal to you, Dr. Hall, to visit your schools. I know what you have on paper and we know how we can massage figures to reflect what we want to reflect -but please visit Douglass High School . Please go see for yourself! Investigate the violence at the school, the low teacher morale, etc. Your mentor, Dr. J. Jerome Harris, made it a point to visit all schools. When he decided to get a man to assist him, he asked whose school could run effectively without him. In answer to this question, he selected our beloved leader, Dr. Lester W. Butts. Under the able leadership of Dr. Samuel L. Hill, we, the faculty and staff, kept the school going successfully when Dr. Butts became the Superintendent of Atlanta Public School . What happened after Dr. Hill%u2019s retirement is on your administration and the Board of Education.


Bettye S. Smith

Former Teacher, Counselor, Instructional Coordinator

Frederick Douglass High School

Atlanta Public Schools

3633 Howard Drive, #319

Atlanta , GA 30337

404-763-8173

Alumni and parents of Frederick Douglass High School will be attending the Board meeting on Monday, Dec 8. If you want to ask questions you must sign in between 5:00 and 5:45. The board meeting will be held at Atlanta Public Schools Headquarter downtown. In addition, at a later date, Dr. Hall will have a forum for Douglass only to discuss the Magnet program. The date and time will be provided once it is confirmed.

Sincerely,
Michael Julian Bond
Class of 84
"There will be no more, like the Class of 1984"

READ MORE ABOUT FDHS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglass_High_School_(Georgia)