July - September 2006

TOC teaches principal a lesson she won’t forget

By Beverly Chevalier
Teach Our Children

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Teach Our Children (TOC) caught the attention of community activists and New Haven Public Schools administrators during a June rally at Katherine Brennan Elementary School. The TOC rally was held on the last day of the 2005-2006 school year to support Katherine Brennan parents’ demands for accountability from the school’s principal who, having been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, held an assembly with students to talk about the incident, but did not inform parents of the contents of her talk.

Parents, upset over what their children reported had been said in the assembly, requested that the principal send home a written explanation of her actions. The request went unanswered. Parents were further enraged that the superintendent of schools refused to address their concerns or to take any disciplinary action against the principal.

A handful of parents and community supporters, and two press teams looked on as, less than half hour into the rally at Katherine Brennan school, an assistant administrator approached TOC parent leaders to set up a meeting with the superintendent. A TOC parent leader met with the superintendent and vice-president of the Board of Education. The administration still has not met TOC’s demands, but the fight goes on.

Several weeks later at a community meeting organized by TOC, the superintendent showed up with over 100 New Haven Public School employees to try to intimidate the parents. Surely, for the New Haven Public School administration to put so much energy into trying to distract and frighten us (during summer vacation!) means they are threatened by our work.

Community groups around New Haven support TOC’s work and our actions have received favorable attention from several local media editors. TOC parent leaders tasted victory by catching the attention of the superintendent so quickly. We know that as we continue to grow, the New Haven school system will not be able to procrastinate or deny the power of the people!

Parent leaders from Teach Our Children rallied at Katherine Brennan Elementary School to let the principal know they would not be ignored. Above right, leaders speak with the press. Above left, Hazel Jones shakes hands with the superintendent's chief of staff, who subsequently offered TOC a meeting with the superintendent.