Tuesday, March 30, 2004

SAVE DR. O!!!!!!
Today, for the first two periods of school, 7:30 to 9:45 am, most of our high school stood out on the football field in the 31 degree weather. Why? Because our principal's contract is not being renewed. Meaning, he won't be back next year. The students who wanted him to stay went out to the football field in protest to the Board of Education's decision. I was one of them, so was Roxie. The decision was brought forth by our superintendent, Saxton (I know him by no other name). I downright hate that man. After he took money from the Tech program to help build his shiny, new marble bathroom; he decides he wants to fire a very nice person. Dr. O may not exactly suit a principal role at first, but when it comes to matters, he is a fair judge of character and always knows how to help people. He is very enthuasiastic about the sports programs and he is an all around cheerful guy.
Since, the first mention of his being fired, students and parents have fought to keep him around. We all love him, with the exception of a few. It was planned that we would rally on the football field on Wednesday of this week. The decision of moving it to Tuesday was made when, on Monday, students discovered some of the teachers knew and had told. A huge effort was made Monday night to pass the word of the change so everyone would know. This morning, myself and other students gathered on the football field, despite the cold weather, and refused to leave until someone noticed. Z100, a radio station in New York gave us a shout-out when students called in to get some media attention. I started borrowing cell phones and getting numbers for other radio stations using 411. I also got the number for ABC news and NBC. News 12 came to see the rally. We were on TV! Here is the article and you can watch the report:
Oakland high school students rally in favor of renewing principal’s contract

The Oakland (now that you know where I live) Board or Ed called an emergency meeting, but I do not believe it will work. Many others agree. Now, people are worried about the consequences of the rally. They counted the missing two periods as cuts. We're not supposed to get detentions or suspension from that though. I never even cared if there would be consequences, I feel that it should have happened and now that it did, I'm happy even though we might not have achieved anything at all. I was glad to be apart of something I believed in with others.
Today was a good day, though I am sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I normally don't get home till about 10:30 pm from Tech. I hope you are all doing well. I have recovered from being sick, I was out of school Mar. 24-26 and I was still sick on Saturday. I will post again tomorrow hopefully because I have Writer's Workshop. Till then...

~Lumi ^_^
P.S: Save Dr. O!
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