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Charter school plan faces public backlash
in kindergarten through first grade, adding students in elementary grades each year and of the Herald eventually serving 486 students Uniondale school officials in kindergarten through fifth and staff are joining others in grade, according to its applicaHempstead and West Hemp- tion. “The Uniondale School Disstead in voicing strong opposition to a revised charter school trict continues to be impacted application that by the expansion could impact pubof charter schools lic-school funding the Hempstead hat is often in in nearby districts. area,” Uniondale Residents, stuoverlooked district Superindents, staff and Monique in the conversation tendent elected leaders Darrisaw-Akil said gathered at meet- about charter in a statement on ings on Jan. 20, in Monday, “as our schools is the West Hempstead, District includes a n d J a n . 2 1 , i n incredible work parts of HempH e m p s t e a d t o that’s happening stead. The continspeak out against ued expansion and in the public the proposal. oversaturation of The plan comes schools. charter schools rob from Diamond our students of Charter School, programs and serw h i c h r e c e i v e d ALLISON ChApLAR vices that support approval from the President, Uniondale their growth and S U N Y C h a r t e r Teachers Association success and unfairSchools Institute ly burden our taxnearly two years payers.” ago to open in Hempstead, The district is paying $27 mildespite widespread opposition lion in tuition, as more than 800 from Hempstead and surround- students have left the public ing communities. The school is school system for charter scheduled to open this Septem- schools — a shift that signifiber. cantly strains the district’s budThe charter school is initial- get. These figures do not ly expected to serve 162 students
By MADISON GUSLER, LUKE FEENEY & STACY DRIKS
Billy Harrison/Herald photos
Fifth-grade students at Grand Avenue Elementary School performed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and learned about other heroes of the civil rights era.
Bringing civil rights icons to life
Students learn about movement’s unsung heroes By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
At Grand Avenue Elementary School in Baldwin, fifth-grade students didn’t just learn about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. this year — they became voices of the civil rights movement. For the first time, fifth-graders marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week with a teacher-led program performed by students in a “radio talk show,” in which they portrayed historical figures who helped lead the fight for equality. The talk-show format transported the audience through time, highlighting conversations with King, Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Dorothy Height and Ella Baker — figures who helped reshape American history. Principal Samantha Dias opened the program by reminding students that King’s legacy still speaks to today’s world. “Dr. King taught us that our words, our actions matter — and small acts of kindness can help make the world a better place,” she
told the audience. “As you watch today’s performance, think about how you can show respect, courage and care for others each day. Today we’re going to celebrate and live out Dr. King’s dream together.” Five fifth-grade students took the stage on Jan. 21, using their “studio” as a portal to the past, where laws were unfair to Black Americans and those who demanded change. They played both hosts and heroes, asking and answering questions in character about the challenges each leader faced — and the courage it took to persist. The assembly was written and directed by Paul Weiss, a pre-K STEAM and literacy teacher at the school, who said he wanted students to engage with history in a more meaningful way. “I created the talk show; I chose some unsung heroes of the time that their names are not always popping out,” Weiss said. “You hear stories about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, but John Lewis, Dorothy Height, Ella Baker — you don’t hear too ContinuED on pAGE 10
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