Emerson High School: A Downtown School in Need of a Neighborhood
I’ve written about Emerson High School before; it’s an alternative education school at NW 7 and Walker where kids with some of the biggest challenges (teen pregnancy, not fitting in) are trying to overcome great odds and obtain a high school diploma.
I was first drawn to the plight of this school when I learned it was possible that those horrible (and they are horrible) run-down metal trailers outside the historic building could be left standing and in use as classrooms AFTER it undergoes its MAPS for Kids renovation.
That threat, last I heard, went away, but the underlying issue remains: there are elements of our community who seem to think these kids are least deserving of our help and attention.
Think about that – kids who have made bad choices, are paying the consequences, and yet are still trying to get a diploma and live productive lives. Who amongst us didn’t do something stupid when we were young? Who amongst us didn’t risk getting into serious trouble when our brains weren’t finished cooking yet?
Yet this logic prevails. I even encountered one person, an individual in a pretty prominent position in our downtown community, who suggested coming to the aid of these kids, putting Emerson out front and center, wouldn’t fit “Midwest values.”
I bit my tongue at least a dozen times when he said it. Readers, you’ve been very complimentary of me in recent days, with more than one of you commenting how “diplomatic” I tend to be in my writing. But let’s be honest for just a moment. There are times when I want to scream out IDIOT! in response to outright bigotry and ignorance. Want to guess why I had to bite my tongue a dozen times?
I wanted to say so much to this individual. Guess what pal? We’re not in the Midwest – we’re in the lower Plains. And to be precise, we’re Oklahoma. It’s a totally different deal here all together. We’re not the wealthiest folks in the country, but look at any charitable giving list and you’ll find Oklahomans are by far the most generous. We come to each others’ aid, regardless of age, income, class or race. It’s the Oklahoma Standard. And that means yeah, we’re going to come to the aid of a struggling pregnant 16-year-old high school student because she’s trying to make something better of herself – and create a better future for their child. Tomorrow night you can show this person they’re wrong by attending what will be a series of meetings related to the MAPS for Kids overhaul of Emerson. Learn for yourself what obvious needs are not be addressed – and why.
Here’s the info:
Emerson Alternative School to host MAPS for Kids community meeting
Emerson Alternative School will host the third of four MAPS for Kids community meetings at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26. The meeting will take place in the school’s cafeteria, 715 North Walker Avenue.
During the meeting, parents, teachers, students, neighbors, community members and school administrators can provide input and share their ideas for the school’s upcoming renovations.
The school, which was established in 1894, will receive over $3.4 million in facility improvements from MAPS for Kids funds.
The two remaining community meetings held for Emerson Alternative School will cover:
Meeting 3 – preliminary design presentations
Meeting 4 – final design presentation
Funding for the nearly $700 million MAPS for Kids program comes from two voter-approved sources: a seven-year penny sales tax which ended on Dec. 31, 2008 and an Oklahoma City Public Schools bond issue. Once completed, every student in the Oklahoma City Public Schools district will attend a new or fully renovated school.
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Comments
I have preached to any one that would listen. I have talked about the weak link in the “coming back” of OKC was the schools. I thought the MAPS would help. It has a bit, but not near enough. Do I have an answer, not yet. But giving ANY OKC district student a less than adequate place to learn is just wrong. Remember not all of our leaders of tomorrow come from private schools. In fact I would love to see some of the OKC alums that have made good come forward. Their stories are the real ones.
This name calling totally violates what I preach about keeping these threads civilized. Of course, no specific person is being called an idiot… so….
Dare I be tacky, Steve, and ask if this person considers himself to be a Christian?
“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
I generally agree with you about the charity of Oklahomans, but there also appears to me to be a great disconnect when so many in the state tout their religion but miss the message.
This individual is NOT an Oklahoman. He is a relative newcomer to Oklahoma City who doesn’t seem to know squat about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma.
Thanks, I feel a little better. Except for the fact that he’s “in a pretty prominent position in our downtown community.” Yikes!
[...] Central calls for better community support of the Emerson alternative high school in downtown OKC. The OK Policy Blog reports on the first [...]
As much as I despise that attitude of the newcomer at least he had the spinal rigidity to speak it out oud. As I am sure there are may more who feel the same way but remain silent.
Judging by the shape of Harding High School, I am going to guess the school probably needs about 20 million instead of the the 3.4. I guess every bit helps.
Steve – I can empathize with the frustrations some older people have towards young people who make mistakes. I am one.
I tried to steer a young, at-risk family member towards education, self-sufficiency and independence, but ultimately she rejected the offer of free college tuition, became pregnant out of wedlock (“dad” is in jail), and she even rejected my offer to help her create a personal budget (she simply wanted handouts). Another young relative chose a different path, and she starts college next month. Who would I rather help? To whom would I more quickly pledge my time and money? The latter, of course. I’m available any time the former calls and needs help, but I won’t proactively make further offers.
It would be wonderful if we had unlimited resources to help everyone, but we simply don’t.
Thanks for taking up this issue; I know a few people who have done horribly stupid things and have come back from it; none of them did it all by themselves, all of them had help at critical moments- the sort of help that Emerson maybe can provide.
not long ago (at least in my memory), classen high school was a dump with troubled kids, while northwest classen was considered a good school where kids like vince gil graduated. not surprisingly, when the district decided to put their best resources into classen, they now have a waiting list.
i am sickened that once-proud schools such as grant and john marshall were allowed to deteriorate into sinking grounds. it is ironic (and refreshing) that a former republican candidate for governor was the driving force behind MAPS for kids. i hope we can continue to see positive leadership from ALL sides and enjoy the day when urban living is seen as preferable to urban sprawl.
I’m speechless. I pass Emerson all the time and I always wonder where is her benefactor. I would have wanted to call him something far worse than IDIOT.
Jack ass comes to mind.
Unbelievable story. Public education is supposed to be the great equalizer. When funded properly and given support many schools succeed tremendously in developing better citizens for our society. Unfortunately, suburban public schools, where opportunities are already present, are by far the most successful. It’s scum like the person you mentioned that prevent the real investment for kids that are already overcoming the toughest of odds. That’s what Oklahoma should be about.