November Principal Newsletter
Dear Ralph Bunche School Families,
Even though the weather keeps changing on us and the leaves are falling with brilliant colors of orange, red and yellow to decorate our school grounds the academic process here at the RBS is staying constant. The teachers and scholars have established their routines and procedures for class lessons. November is an important time for us all to reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon us. I am certainly thankful for the many blessings in my life, including working with the amazing scholars, parents/caregivers, teachers, and support staff at the Ralph Bunche School. This being our second year as a progressive school is exciting because I am thankful that I have 100% support from the educators that I lead. When you take on an endeavor like this you need to know that you have the support of your staff and they have taken a leap of faith with me that this is the right approach for our school and the community.
Thomas Jefferson said, “Education is the foundation of democracy.” The importance of participating in the democratic process was instilled in me at a very early age. Every election year, my house was filled with lively political discourse as my parents debated the important issues of the day like Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, or free breakfast in schools. They conveyed to their children the serious implications of political action.
My mother had the responsibility of insuring that voting in our home was the priority on Election Day. She would leave home with me and my twin sister along for the journey. My mother would remind us of the sacrifices made and instilled in us this responsibility of honoring our civic duty. We would sit in awe as we learned about a time when people of color or women were denied this right. Then she would remind us that when we grew older, we would have the opportunity to exercise our rights and responsibilities as a citizen of this great country.
I still take those rights and responsibilities very seriously--especially as a principal. One of the jobs of educators is to ensure that our students graduate and enter college with the ability to think critically. The classroom is a training ground where children learn how to participate in the democratic process. Through critical thinking, problem solving, respectful debate, and exposure to diverse opinions, children become informed citizens who learn how to ask pertinent questions, formulate defensible opinions to complex issues, and understand the responsibilities and limitations of power. Opportunities like turn and talk, Socratic seminar, and other group interactions teach our students that active participation is the most effective means for change. We want our students to begin to think about themselves as stewards of this amazing democracy.
An African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Whether you can give an hour, time once a week or once a month, we need you here. If it works to participate as a classroom representative, Parent Association meeting, orSLT meeting, we will make sure that your time is well spent. You just need to get involved. Contact our Parent Coordinator, Griselda Hernandez, and she will assist in providing you the details about the meetings. Aliya Thomas and Tomoi Zeimer, Parent Association Co-Presidents have done a superb job working hard to strengthen the bond between home and school and they are always seeking additional support for the school community. Democracy is not only something that we talk about it is alive in our actions. We believe in all children having access to a quality education that allows them the opportunity to fully participate in a global society.
The RBS Parent Association and Office of the Parent Coordinator were extremely generous during the Book-A-Ween Parade on October 31st. Thank you for donating treats and toys. The parade was such a success because families created a safe, warm environment for our scholars to show off their favorite storybook characters. It was great to see scholars discuss why they selected their character based on the character’s strengths. Thank you also to the parents/caregivers who volunteered to supervise Book-A-Ween parties in the classrooms.
During the October 28th assembly, scholars participated in an assembly focusing on Hispanic and Latino Heritage. The performers at our assembly were scholars from PK – 2nd grade. Kudos to the 3rd – 5th grade families that donated food for the food tasting event. When scholars value diversity, they become responsible world citizens.
I am grateful to work with a committed group educators that are always striving to improve their practices. We are fortunate to have many great academic institutions supporting us in this work. BMCC has always had a relationship with the RBS. They have placed their student teachers here to gain the experience of what it is like to be an educator in a West Harlem public school. Two professors (one has a child enrolled at the RBS—Rebecca) approached me about transforming the RBS into a model school with the assistance of the BMCC faculty. BMCC just received a grant to implement a Comprehensive Educator Empowerment Program for the RBS. Our work will focus on aligning our curriculum, teaching practices and the use of authentic assessments to develop a more coherent progressive program. Many thanks to Rebecca and her associate Cara for always believing in what the RBS could be!!! We look forward to this new partnership.
Recent research has found that regular attendance and arriving to school on time is crucial to a child’s success, and that even a minimal number of absences or lateness during the school year can have a serious impact on a scholar’s ability to achieve. If you have any questions or need any assistance please contact our attendance coordinator (Benjy Blatman) at 212-666-6400. You may also speak with Ms. Hernandez, Parent Coordinator.
Yours in Education,
Reggie Higgins
Principal