John Rolfe Middle School White Educator Offers Lesson In “Niggerology” To Black Students

UGOTNERVE received a report from several Rolfe students and parents that we HAD to share with our readers. 

One student shared that their white reading teacher tried to justify the use of the word “nigger” by reading the definition of the word from the dictionary and stating that the word can apply to everyone, not just black people.

Several of the students became extremely upset at the teacher’s “lesson on niggerology–the study of the term “nigger”.  It was very disturbing to others that a white teacher, who is the same teacher that directed students to www.ednews.org in order to make comments about an article that was written about Rolfe Middle School, would think that she knew best and that the students should not be so “offended” by the word.  This topic was not approved within the teacher’s lesson plans, but she discussed it anyway. 

Needless to say that the teacher was never reprimanded by Armstrong, Jepson, Royal, or Morton, or even the school board, in any form for her actions….but of course, you guessed it, she is white!

This is yet one more example of the blatant racist white double standard that exists due to Rolfe and Henrico’s Central Office discrimination toward black children and black educators.  Earlier this year, an African-African educator held a discussion with her students regarding racism within the races and was attempting to dispel myths about light-skinned blacks and dark skinned-blacks.  Before she could blink her eyes good, she was escorted out of her classroom by Mr. Jordan, her belongings were packed up in front of her students, and she was placed on administrative suspension for the discussion.  Eventually, Jepson had to apologize  for the “rush to punishment” and stated that the county’s actions were based on a “misunderstanding“. 

Needless to say that this highly competent African-American educator that taught the advanced science class for eighth grade students was extremely upset regarding the manner in which this was handled by white administrators that are clearly not only culturally insensitive, but incompetent as well.  Shortly  following the incident, Rolfe Middle School lost an excellent educator; yet another casualty of deadly incompetence that is directly impacting our children.  They have yet to replace her properly.

UGOTNERVE would love to hear Armstong and Morton explain why white faculty members can do the exact same things as their black counterparts and go unaddressed, unpunished, and in most cases defended or excused by the white administration.  This is institutionalized racism and discrimination at its worse within OUR schools!

The student continued to share that one of the students in the class became so upset at the lesson in “niggerology” that she called the teacher a “liar” after listening to how the word “nigger” was being commonized by a white teacher.  It was reported that the teacher took the student outside the classrom and reprimanded the student for calling her a liar.

The white educator that certified herself in “niggerology” is also the same educator whose students take pictures throughout the school, violates school policies by roaming the halls without passes, permits student to go in unauthorized areas of the school, pulls students from their core subjects to grade papers, and has even yelled at her peers…but no action has been taken against her.  We guess it is because Armstrong and Morton are too busy targeting black educators like Lucas and covering up for white incompetent educators and administrators. 

Just one more example that establishes the fact that at John Rolfe, if you are WHITE, you are ALWAYS RIGHT, but if you are BLACK the administrators and central office will ATTACK you to lie on you, bully you, threaten you, then remove you!

What’s next, can we expect a course on “lynchnology” or “knowing your inner slave self”  or “careers for slaves” to make a come back at Rolfe?  It is clear that no one is trying to protect educators like this one from our children, not only that, they are  making sure that those that would speak out against things like this are forcefully reassigned and nonrenewed so that they can continue to destroy the minds, spirits, and souls of our children without serious opposition.

It is ongoing incidents like this that prove that John Rolfe is not safe for OUR children.  It is not physically, psychologically, mentally, emotionally, or academically safe, but Morton and Armstrong could care less because there are not THEIR children.

If a child molester or abuser had access to take advantage and destroy our children day in and day out, we would be outraged…we hope.  How is that situation different from what OUR children at Rolfe are going through?  UGOTNERVE sees no difference because neither situation is working for the welfare of OUR children.

If you ain’t mad…you should be…and you should demand that this educator, Armstrong, Morton, Jordan, Rokenbrod, Royal, Jepson, Ellis, and the others be removed NOW!  As one parent stated, John Montgomery should also be replaced if he cannot be a true advocate for children and their families instead of protecting, defending, and upholding Morton, Armstrong, and the perverted system that they have created to the destruction of our children.  It is time for all fake players to leave the playground and the momentum is growing.

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

Where Da’ Money At For The Education of Our Kids???!!!

No, we don’t have the money for more pre-school intervention programs in Henrico!

No, we don’t have the money to install hot water in Fairfield Middle School!

No, we don’t have enough money to have computer labs in every school in Henrico!

No, we don’t have enough money to have textbooks for students with special needs in Henrico!

No, we don’t have the funds to begin vocational training at the middle school level!

No, we don’t have the funds to hire individuals to develop and manage the Individualized Educational Plans of students with special needs so that special educators can dedicate all of their attention to educating students as opposed to completing administrative duties.

No, we don’t have enough money to install a sewer system at Elko Middle School!

No, we don’t have enough money to establish “at-risk” programs within every school as opposed to sending our students to other schools outside of their communities!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide technology within every classroom within every school!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide teachers with the resources of books, training, and support that they need!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide enough copy paper for our schools!

No, we don’t have  enough money to offer parent-training sessions!

No, we don’t have enough money to offer Japanese, Russian, or other needed languages for our students in order to prepare them for the 21st century!

No, we don’t have enough money to ensure that every child has the opportunity to travel outside of the state of Virginia at least once during their educational experience!

No, we don’t have enough money to hire one-on-one behavior specialist for students that need it!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide stipends for special educators that not only do the job of a general educator, but serve as case managers with a case load of at least ten students each!

No, we don’t have enough money to have before and afterschool enrichment programs!

No, we don’t have enough money to renovate Fairfield Middle School NOW!

No, we  don’t have enough money to combat the growing influence of gangs within our elementary, middle, and high schools!

No, we don’t have enough money to install sufficient lighting around our school buildings!

No, we don’t have enough money to bring Highland Spring’s cafeteria up to health code standards!

No, we don’t have enough money to offer free summer school remediation for all children!

No, we don’t have enough money to fund a county-wide mentoring program for our schools!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide a reading remediation program for illiterate middle schools!

No, we don’t have enough money to pay teachers incentives for their efforts and qualifications!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide the necessary services for students that are hard of hearing!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide free adult literacy programs for our parents within the community!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide the proper security within all of our schools!

No, we do not have enough money to begin JROTC at the middle school level, even though we know that these are high risk students that need this type of intervention NOW!

No, we don’t have enough money to hire the proper law enforcement, guidance counselors, and crisis  counselors for our schools!

No, we don’t have enough money to hire additional educators to reduce class sizes!

No, we don’t have enough money to provide mentors for all educators that need them!

No, we don’t have enough funding to hire enough educators and translators to serve our diverse student and family populations!

No, we don’t have enough money to build the proper facilities that facilitate excellence in education for students!

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO….WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SERVE YOUR CHILDREN!

Yes, we have enough money to increase the funding for our legal costs!Yes, we do have enough money to build “fieldhouses” on the West End!

Yes, we do have enough money to target and terminate competent educators that we can’t control!

Yes, we do have enough money to hire additional attorney firms to cover up our incompetence and gross negligence regarding employment law, civil rights, and special education violations!

Yes, we do have enough money to hire retired educators as monitors within classrooms of teachers that  don’t need them, but that we are targeting for termination!

Yes, we do have enough money to select, hire, and place incompetent individuals over our schools, inspite of the cost to our children!

Yes, we do have enough money to bring in dozens of central office personnel to compensate for one principal that should have never been hired, but we “appointed” because….because….because…we wanted to!

YES, WE DO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR WHAT WE WANT!

See Henrico County Public School’s budget: http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/administration/finance/budget.html

KNOWLEDGE GIVES NERVE!

Fred, We Trusted You!

We have heard from many parents regarding their feelings about Henrico County Public Schools, its board, and its leadership. The most common comment that we hear is when our parents say, “we trusted them with our children but they do not care.”

Those words should stab the very cold, unethical, and uncaring hearts of the leaders in Henrico County Public Schools, especially Superintendent Fred Morton.

Other parents shared that this county would not be in the terrible condition it is in where inequality, retaliation, and discrimination are commonplace if Mark Edwards or Bill Bosher were in place because they were competent leaders that cared about the education of children and their reputations, not just their reputations.

There are educators that are parents and residents within the county that are extremely disappointed in the arrogance, nonchalant, and uncaring attitudes of Henrico County Public School’s leaders. One of them is an outspoken special educator and long term educational advocate, Ms. Kandise Lucas. She shared how her family has had four children go through John Rolfe Middle School and how different it was when they were there. Two of the four received full scholarships to Virginia Tech, one for Communications and one for Engineering. She also has two that are still in Henrico County Public Schools.

Ms. Lucas shared that what has happened to John Rolfe Middle School over the years is almost like watching a child die a slow death, everyone knows what is wrong, those in power have the cure right in their hands, but the refuse to heal the child and would rather it die than swallow their own pride and give the cure to heal him.

Her frustration at the failure of our schools when it comes to saving our children and her passion for driving our children to succeed, has resulted in her advocating for the students, families, and educators of John Rolfe even though her children are no longer there.

UGOTNERVE has witnessed Ms. Lucas go from home to home, hold “advocacy clinics” in the local libraries and churches, and even drive parents to school board meetings that may not have the transportation all so they can have their voice heard for their children.

She, too, wants to know why Fred Morton, Marilyn Royal, Philip Jepson, Andy Armstrong, John Rokenbrod, and Courtney Ellis are at peace with violating the trust of our parents when they place their most valuable possessions in the care of this district, our children.

When trust is violated, relationships are broken. Parents, educators, and students do not work for Mr. Morton and his crew, THEY work for us. They support us. That is their job. That is the job that they are failing at miserably.

Ms. Lucas shared a conversation that was held between Ms. Royal and herself where Ms. Royal stated that Ms. Lucas had no right to share any expectations of her with her. What the devil?!! That is the reason that a majority of middle schools in Henrico County are failing our children miserably, all because Ms. Royal has not been held to expectations and has not been held accountable.

The failure to do this by the school board, is killing our children, but no one that is elected or paid to care cares! They just dismiss us as a disgruntled little group that is inconveniencing their life of luxury, free of accountability and responsibility. When one fails to do the job that they are paid or elected to do, but still continue to collect compensation for it, that is called stealing….stealing…stealing. They are theives that are not only stealing a paycheck, but they are stealing the futures of our children with no remorse and no consequence.

Will this school board restore integrity and trust back into this county’s school leadership or will they become full fledged members of the “Politics First, People Second” club?

We will see….

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

But 70% Feel Safe…..

UGOTNERVE cannot get pass Mr.  Morton’s proud statement that 70% of Rolfe’s staff feels safe while at school.  As we shared, one educator pointed out that that is a “D” on Henrico’s grade scale, one point away from failure.  Like my grandmama used to sing in church every Sunday, “Not even 99 and 1/2 will do, we got to make that 100!”.  We wish that the leaders of Henrico Schools had 100 as their goal for our children, educators, and schools.

Not only is it disgusting that 70% is acceptable for our children, it is sickening that they would “brag” about it as though this is a great accomplishment.  This statement by Morton is enough to have him removed.  The school board extended his  contract so that he can retire from Henrico.  We want to ask the board did they also extend his contract so that he could “retire” our children. 

The question has to be asked why the previous board did not extend Morton’s contract when they had the opportunity to.  At no point did the new board ask the county of Henrico, its parents, educators, or residents for their opinion on whether to extend Morton’s contract, they just did it as they played the political game.

Morton’s contract needs to end in June 2008, or sooner if possible.  He does not deserve another year to destroy the lives of our children.

We wonder if anybody in Henrico has heard Bush’s statement:

  ”Our schoolchildren should never fear [for] their safety when they enter into a classroom.”

                      – President George W. Bush, 10/3/06

The Words of An Educator

We received this poem from one of the educators at Rolfe Middle School that shared how Ms. Lucas’ actions have given her strength to stand up and speak out herself.  We thought that it was powerful and wonder if Armstrong, Rokenbrod, Ellis, Morton, Royal, and Jepson even have a clue of where she is coming from.  We are assuming that they don’t, so we are dedicating this poem to them.

Was I To Remain Silent

Was I to remain silent?

Was I to close my eyes?

Was I to keep my mouth closed?

Was I to cover up my ears?

Was I to look the other way?

No!, my pure soul would not give me peace,

No!, my soaring spirit would become heavy laden,

No!, my logical mind could not justify it,

No!, my passionate heart could not dismiss it,

I see the empty souls of our children daily, waiting to be filled with our compassion and caring,

I see the hardened hearts of our children daily, longing to be melted by the discipline and direction of one that loves them enough,

I see the fear in their eyes daily, because school is no longer a safe place for them,

I hear the anger in their voices  daily, because we have betrayed their trust by choosing to be their friends instead of their guides,

I see, I hear, I know…so I fight!  You don’t see or hear, so you do not fight…you do not love enough to fight for them,

I fight for the return of their innocense so that they can be children, free to love, free to learn, free to live!

I fight for the return of their lives so they can see without anger,  breath without fear, walk without insecurity!

I fight for them, I tell others to fight for THEM, not our jobs, not our positions, not our school, not  our principal, not our reputation, but to fight for THEM….OUR children.

The adults around me have not had the revelation…the one that shows you that fighting for our children is sometimes not the same as fighting for a school, principal, or your job. 

If you can remain silent and not feel a pain in your heart for our children because of your silence then move the hell out of the way because you do not deserve them.

Sometimes, they are on opposing sides, but you have to be strong enough,  wise enough, bold enough, honest enough, and love our children enough to put all else aside for them.

I can no longer remain silent because if I do, if you do, if we do, OUR CHILDREN DIE!

Fired for Following the Law, Reprimanded for Doing Right! If You Would Just Go Along With Us, You Can Keep Your Job!

UGOTNERVE obtained the reprimand letters that Fred Morton and Andy Armstrong are referring to Henrico County Public School’s board as evidence that Ms. Lucas’ teaching contract should be nonrenewed.  They are pretty pathetic and textbook retaliation!

The reasons that Armstrong cited in his February 22, 2008 letter addressed with the allegation that Ms. Lucas was:

1) Unable to manage the learning environment (maintains a safe and healthy learning environment, disciplines students according to school and school division policies and legal requirements, instills respect for school property and the property of others, addresses disruptions in a timely and effective manner.)

2) Judgement (Acts in the best interests of students, uses procedures which “common sense” dictates, avoids conduct or situations contrary to good professional practice)

3) Cooperation with Total Staff (works cooperatively with faculty, administrators, and supervisors to meet the needs fo the total program, is a team player)

4) Communication Skills (expresses self in a clear, concise and appropriate manner when speaking or writing.  Maintains open communication with administrators, staff, parents, and students)

*We think that Mr. Armstrong meant to issue a reprimand to himself, Mr. Rokenbrod, Ms. Ellis, and Ms. Royal instead of Ms. Lucas. 

In November 2007, he issued a reprimand to Ms. Lucas for refusing to permit three verbally and physically aggressive and disruptive students into her class room that Mr. Rokenbrod refused to discipline.  These students continued to be disruptive to other classes with little or no consequence from either Armstrong or Rokenbrod.  In fact, they both violated Henrico’s student code of conduct repeatedly when dealing with these and other students.  So, why was Ms. Lucas reprimanded for doing right as she upheld the exact requirements of this responsibility?  One of the students in question became verbally and physically assaulted another educator, all thanks to Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Rokenbrod.

In April 2007, Ms. Royal was visiting the building and demanded that Ms. Lucas  permit a student that had stabbed several other students the previous day, into her classroom.  Ms. Royal stated that she wanted the student out of the hall due to guests being in the building.  Ms. Lucas refused to admit the student citing the stabbing incident that had taken place and that the student needed to be consequenced.  Instead of Ms. Royal addressing the inappropriate behavior of the student, she isssued a reprimand to Ms. Lucas stating that she was “appalled” at the fact that Ms. Lucas would not allow the student to enter the class.  We want to know why she, as the Director of Middle Schols, was not “appalled” enough to take actions to deal with this student in an effort to protect the other children and educators within the school. PA-THETIC PRIORITIES!  The student in question moved from assaulting students to assaulting a teacher…all thanks to Ms. Royal’s lack of intervention.

In December 2007, Mr. Armstrong and Ms. Royal issued a reprimand demanding that Ms. Lucas no longer document safety issues via email during school hours.  They also stated that they were placing a classroom coach in her room because she had been complaining too much about habitual offenders within the school.  The goal was to shut her up, but it did not work. So much for following the “Professional Responsibilities for Licensed Professionals.”  With this reprimand, Armstrong and Royal violated several areas of the code all so they could go on being incompetent and continue to ignore the horrific condition of the undisciplined students at Rolfe.  THEY INSTRUCTED MS. LUCAS TO VIOLATE THE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN THEIR REPRIMAND, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED TO THEM!  This proves that ethical behavior is dead for some at Rolfe and Central Office:

In January 2008, Mr. Rokenbrod and Ms. Ellis issued a written reprimand to Ms. Lucas because she held two of her peers, Ms. Moore and Ms. Little accountable for violating school, state, and federal laws when dealing with students with special needs.  Mr. Rokenbrod wrote in the reprimand that they were “displeased” with the fact that Ms. Lucas confronted them about violating the policies and procedures and that it was “unprofessional” for her to do so.  So, what Rokenbrod is saying is that Ms. Lucas WOULD HAVE been professional if she had remained silent while her peers violated district, state, and federal laws?????    When is ANYONE “pleased” with being told that they are wrong?  If Ms. Ellis, Mr. Rokenbrod, Mr. Armstrong, or anyone else at central office had been doing their jobs, Ms. Lucas would not have been placed in the position to confront her peers for blatant violations of the law that could have cost everyone their licenses if it had not been corrected. 

In January 2008, Ms. Royal issued a reprimand stating that Ms. Lucas had violated confidentiality by discussing the impact of making wrong choices with a student while at a birthday party.  The student had been suspended.  Ms. Lucas contacted the parent of the student, requesting a meeting with her and the student in order to discuss the matter.  The parent then advised Ms. Lucas that she had requested a meeting but was advised by Mr. Armstrong that Ms. Lucas did not want to meet with the parent.  Ms. Lucas advised the parent that Mr. Armstrong had never asked her to meet with the parent.  She also shared that she volunteered to meet with the parent, but was denied that request by Ms. Royal and Mr. Armstrong.  This shows that they will lie, steal, manipulate, cheat, and do whatever is necessary to frame Ms. Lucas in order to get rid of her, all because she expects them to follow the law. 

Eventually, the meeting was held, it was determined that there was not a violation of confidenitality, just a caring adult encouraging a child that she saw in the community.  Of course, Ms. Royal was furious over the fact that she could no longer pervert this incident for her purpose of using it to dismiss Ms. Lucas.  She was so furious that she refused to issue a retraction to the originial reprimand even after the mother of the student issued an email stating that she had no  problems with Ms. Lucas. 

Oh well, sorry Royal, FOILED AGAIN!  To make matters worse for Ms. Royal, during a recent school board meeting, a parent shared that Ms. Royal shared confidential attendance information with her regarding a student that she had no ties to.  Isn’t that they kettle calling the pot black???!!  We wonder if Ms. Royal was issued a written reprimand for that by the board?  If not, Ms. Lucas has another discriminatory case against Henrico!

In February 2008, Mr. Armstrong issued a written reprimand to Ms. Lucas for guess what….you will not believe it…..TAKING PICTURES OF STUDENTS!  We know…can we say “desperate”?  He stated that he had received a statement from a parent that was upset that Ms. Lucas was taking pictures of her student.  When Ms. Lucas asked to see the statement, he stated that he left it at home.  What the devil?He stated that he would bring the statement to school the next day, but of course, never did.  So much for that ”telling the truth” thing that Fred talks about.  Ms. Lucas has taken pictures of students for the past year with no question.  She is a sponsor for the Girl’s Step Team and took pictures of them.  She was completing Valentine’s Day projects with her class and was taking pictures for this.  In addition, she was “catching her student doing the right thing” and took pictures of this to email to parents.  But Armstrong never asked to see any of the pictures because if he had, it would have dismissed the reprimand that his little hands were so hot to falsify. We will note that NO OTHER TEACHERS OR STUDENTS THAT TAKE PICTURES REGULARLY WERE EVER APPROACHED OR REPRIMANDED BY ARMSTRONG!  But that’s not all!

Armstrong also issued a reprimand to Ms. Lucas for handing in “gang activity” photos that were printed out in the library “late”..whatever “late” means.  He stated that Ms. Lucas did not had them into him quick enough, so she exercised poor judgement when she asked other teachers to identify the students so that she could forward the pictures with names to administration.  Now, in December, he had just instructed Ms. Lucas NOT to deal with safety issues during school hours, but then he issues a reprimand stating that she should have.  Armstrong keeps digging his hole deeper and deeper, all because he refuses to tell the truth and just do his job!  Of course, even when he received the pictures of the students engaged in “gang-activity” within the school and having printed out the pictures on the school computer and printer, he did nothing.   The students continue to walk the school halls even though they should have been referred for expulsion based on the student code of conduct, but had the nerve to issue a reprimand to Ms. Lucas. 

We guess that it is easier for a weak leader to recommend a compliant teacher for expulsion than a violating student. 

Upon hearing this, other teachers stated that they will NEVER share anything with Armstrong because he would rather blame the teacher than discipline the student.

In EVERY instance of a reprimand that Ms. Lucas received from Rolfe’s administration and central office, she was confronting others for NOT doing the right thing by following district, state, and federal guidelines.  If she had just gone along with Morton, Armstrong, Jepson, Royal, Rokenbrod, Ellis, Moore, and Little as they broke the law repeatedly, then all would have been fine.  But she did not.  She took the “high road” for our children and her peers and has the war scars to prove it!

So, now it is up to the school board to send a message as to whether they will:

1) PUNISH those that support the laws of this district, state, and country for the protection of our children 

or

2) SUPPORT those that support the laws of this district, state, and country for the protection of our children

As Ms. Lucas stated during the last school board meeting, if the board votes to nonrenew her contract, then they are sending a strong message to:

Our Educators:  DO NOT TELL US WHEN ADMINISTRATORS ARE BREAKING THE LAWS THAT WE APPROVED! SHUT UP AND TAKE IT OR YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR JOB, WE DO NOT CARE IF CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING!

Our Parents:  DO NOT TRUST US BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE OUR OWN “WATCHDOGS”.  WE CANNOT HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE WITH INTEGRITY FOR THE WELFARE OF YOUR CHILDREN.  WE WILL COVER-UP, KISS-UP, AND DO WHATEVER ELSE WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT THOSE THAT DO NOT ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF YOUR CHILDREN AND WILL FIRE THOSE THAT DO.

Our Children:  DO NOT EXPECT YOUR TEACHERS TO STAND UP OR PROTECT YOU FROM OTHER ADULTS THAT ARE HURTING YOU WHILE AT SCHOOL.  WE, THE SCHOOL BOARD, HAVE SENT A MESSAGE THAT THEY MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN PROTECTING YOU OR KEEPING THEIR JOBS, AND WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THEM WILL CHOOSE TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.  IT IS NOT RIGHT, IT IS NOT FAIR, BUT WE DO NOT CARE ENOUGH ABOUT YOU TO SUPPORT TEACHERS THAT ADVOCATE AND SPEAK OUT FOR YOU AGAINST ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF THAT DO NOT ACT IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS.  YOUR TEACHER CAN NO LONGER LOOK OUT FOR YOU AND YOU ARE RIGHT, YOU SHOULD NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE IN SCHOOL.

“[To] do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time,
with the right motive, and in the right way,
that is not for every one nor is it easy;
wherefore goodness is both rare and laudable and noble.”
(Aristotle, Ethics II.9, p. 1958)

We will see what message the board sends…..

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

Have John Rolfe’s Leaders Resorting to Intimidating Our Students Into Silence Too?!

We already know that Henrico County School’s Central Office staff and Rolfe’s principal have gone to great lengths to intimidate, bully, and silence the adults at Rolfe, including our parents.  While we thought that they may have some shred of decency as far as knowing that our children are off limits for intimidation, even though they are clearly not off limits for neglect and mistreatment it is clear that one of Rolfe’s leadership team has crossed even this line.

UGOTNERVE was contacted by a very concerned parent and sixth grade student that shared their story with us.  They stated that on the Wednesday following the airing of Mr. Morton and Ms. Lucas on Channel 12, a sixth grade english teacher, who is also an administrative aide for Mr. Armstrong’s Administrative Team, asked the students if they felt “safe” at Rolfe.  Not only did she ask them if they felt “safe” she asked them to put how they felt in “writing” WITH their names on their papers so that she could give them to Mr. Armstrong.

While a majority of the students stated that they did not feel “safe” at Rolfe, many of them became very concerned when they were told to write down what they felt and to put their names on their papers.  The parent that contacted us stated how upset they were that this was done without the parent’s permission, and that they would contact central office or the school board but decided not to since they are all in the “cover up” together based on the parent’s previous dealings with Henrico.

The student shared that the teacher called the student up to question them about what they wrote and reiterated that the principal was going to get the student’s paper.  The student also shared that the teacher was very “smart” when she stated to the students that Rolfe had been “plastered all over the TV.”

Have the adults slithered to new lows at Rolfe?  The main concern for this parent is that their student and the other students that shared their fears will be targeted by the adminstration, just like the teachers are targeted.  The parent shared that if they will target, attack, and remove a teacher like Ms. Lucas for voicing these concerns, imagine what they will do to our kids!

The parent states that they plan to make a formal complaint to the Virginia Department of Education and the Office Of Civil Rights based on the fact that she feels as though this was an intimidation tactic that originiated with Mr. Armstrong and the central office staff in yet another desperate and feable attempt to discredit Ms. Lucas’ claims that are now more than substantiated by Fred Morton’s own comments during the NBC12 clip.

Another educator shared that the sentiment is that there will be a “mass exodus” at Rolfe if Ms. Lucas is returned to her home their.  We say “GOOD!”  There needs to be a “mass exodus” of the incompetent, lazy, uncaring, unethical, politically-focused, willing to cover-up, can’t wait to kiss-up, using the backs of our children to move-up, adults that care more about the reputation of the school,  their jobs, and protecting an incompetent principal than they care about the fact that children are dying and they are doing nothing but helping dig the graves. 

In addition, based on what UGOTNERVE has heard through the “Rolfe-vine”, there has already been a “mass exodus” with the number of educators that are transferring, leaving the county, and planning to leave but do not plan to give notice until the last minute.

We guess that Mr. Morton is going to get his wish.  It was reported that he stated that he will move EVERYONE out of Rolfe before he will move Armstrong out.  So much for putting children first!  If Mr. Morton brings Armstrong back another year, then he  is saying loud and clear that not only do children not matter, but that he does not mind destroying the lives of our children or denying them the promises guaranteed by the mission of Henrico County Public schools as long as his pride remains in tact.

Morton, it is time to swallow your pride and get a heart!  Failure is the ONLY option that you have given the children, parents, and educators at Rolfe. You have done everything to help Rolfe’s children fail, but nothing to help them be successful, all because you put the needs of adults over the needs of children. STOP IT!!!!! Do the right thing….just imagine that YOUR child is at Rolfe and DO THE RIGHT THING, NOW!

School board, if he does not see fit to swallow his pride and do his job, then it is time for you to stop the cycle failure at Rolfe.  Take the same action that you would take if your child were at Rolfe.  Rolfe’s children matter to US enough to speak out for them.  Do they matter to you or will you keep playing politics with their lives as you keep pushing them own the “cradle to the prison” pipeline?

Fred, GET SOME NERVE….FOR THE CHILDREN!

SCHOOL BOARD, GET SOME NERVE…FOR THE CHILDREN!

Parents and Educators, KEEP UP THE NERVE!  Justice is coming for our children!

Taking Your Stories On The Road to Congressman Scott’s “Teen Summit On Violence”

We received an invitation to join Congressman Bobby Scott’s “Teen Summit On Youth Violence” in Portsmouth, Virginia today.  The summit was outstanding!

Of course, prior to the start of the summit, we had the opportunity to hand deliver the details of the plight that is facing our students and educators at John Rolfe Middle School directly to Congressman Scott and Margaret Keator, his Senior Legislative Assistant.

The auditorium of I.C. Norcom High School was filled to capacity with students, educators, congressmen, judges, assemblymen, community activists, parents, children, grandparents, police officers, Norfolk’s superintendent of schools,  and many others.  They all came out in support of Congressman Scott’s H.R. 3846-The Youth PROMISE Act.

For nearly two hours, we heard stories of how students felt unsafe in school and how wrong it was for the adults to permit it to be that way.  Students spoke of expecting adults to protect and take action on their behalf, but nothing was done.  One student on the speaker’s panel shared that her mother always told her that there are three places that a child should feel safe; home, church, and school.   A majority of the night was spent exploring why our homes, schools, and communities are not safe, nurturing, and positive environments for our children.

Congressman Scott shared that “…a large percentage of this country’s minority children are on what the Children’s Defense Fund refers to as a “cradle to prison pipeline”.  We are not preparing our children for the 21st century, we are preparing them for death and the grave.  The goal of The Youth PROMISE Act is to create a “cradle to college pipeline” to take over the “cradle to prison pipeline.” 

One extremely disturbing statistic was shared by Honorable Judge Jerrauld Jones, former Director of the Virginia Department Juvenille Justice and current Chief Judge, Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, 4th Judicial  District of Virginia.  He shared that a predicting factor that is used to determine projected prison populations is the number of students that cannot read by the third grade.  The statistics support that students that cannot read by the third grade are more likely to be caught up in the juvenile and criminal justice systems for a majority of their lives.  Congressman Scott went on to say that “by third grade you learn to read, after that, you read to learn, reading is fundamental!”

After attending this summit, speaking with Congressman Scott and his team, hearing young people literally “beg” for safe schools where they can learn without being bullied, scared, or hungry, UGOTNERVE is even more commited to advocating for schools like John Rolfe, it’s students, and its TRUE educators that put children, NOT politics first. 

This summit was a sobering reminder of how easily the lives of our children can be destroyed beyond repair by irresponsible, uncaring, incompetent, heartless adults that, as one student shared tonight, do not have the “heart” to help us.  One of the panelist shared that the greatest area of violence, confusion, crime, abuse, neglect, and suicide is within our middle school ages.  She went on to share that there are middle schools in our state that contribute to the incarceration of our children, ages 10-15, with no remorse or interventions.  They make no effort to be proactive or take preventative measures to stop the cylce of “cradle to prison pipeline”.

Congressman Scott went on to share that it is time to stop “playing politics”, saying things that sound good, providing good sound bites for the media, but failing to take any meaningful actions to save our children from being victims of this “cradle to prison pipeline.”  Sound familiar?

As we shared the highlights of the summit with our parents and educators, we all renewed our commitment to stand firm for our East End Henrico children in order to stop what many of Henrico County Public School’s leaders are promoting, that “cradle to the prison pipeline”, with no regard for providing the quality instructional leadership and resources that our children need in order to switch pipelines and take the ride to college instead of the prisons.

UGOTNERVE has spoken to many parents from John Rolfe Middle Schools, and has even heard parent after parent speak out, in vain, at the school board meetings.  They are PLEADING with the central office administration and school board to intercede in order to stop the destruction and downward spirals of their children as a result of their interactions at school. Students that come from good, disciplined homes come to school and find out that the discipline that they experience at home does not exist at school.  Parents find this out as well, despite the promise that Mr. Morton makes in Henrico’s Student Code of Conduct. 

We must continue to stand and fight so that eventually, the “cradle to prison” pipeline in Henrico and all over the world is closed permanently!

The school and parent relationship should edify, empower, and educate our children; not destroy, kills, and steal from them.  Until Mr. Morton, Mr. Montgomery, and the others begin to see that we are in a fierce fight for the souls, minds, and spirits of our children, they will continue to politicize and egocize this conflict for equality and adequacy in education that parents and educators, like Ms. Lucas, are willing to loose everything over, even their jobs…all to spare our children from traveling down the wrong pipeline.

If we don’t DO it, if we do not DEMAND it, if we do not FIGHT for them, then no one will!

Read the entire report for yourself:  http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=c2pp_report2007, as one mother told her two daughters during the summit, this could easily be you if you do not make the right choices and if I do not help you make the right choices!

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

NAACP Has On-line Complaint Processing For YOU!

This NAACP has on-line complaint processing for us to share the discriminatory and retaliatory actions of Armstrong, Morton, Jepson, and others.  This is just one more organization that can be contacted to hold Henrico’s administrators accountable.  We are organizing  “advocacy clinics” throughout the county and next month in order to help file complaints online.  Email us if you need help.

Here is the link:

http://www.henriconaacp.org/form.html

KEEP UP THE NERVE!

Special Education Case Resources

Here is a link to a great resource regarding special education rulings that will be beneficial to parents, educators, and administrators (that want to be competent).

http://www.wadleighlaw.com/articles/School/special education_case_law_review_010927.htm