A Richmond Times-Dispatch article today connecting the dots between working in the state’s least-affluent schools and principal turn-over lists the “25 Least-affluent schools in Central Virginia”.

Five of the 25 poorest in Central Virginia are in the East End of Richmond (#2 Fairfield Court ES, #3 George Mason ES, #4 Woodville ES, #10 MLK MS, #15 Chimborazo ES). Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School is the least-affluent middle school in the state of Virginia. The only neighborhood elementary school not making the list is Bellevue ES.

At Chimborazo, 88 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch — a leading national indicator of poverty — making the school the 15th poorest of the 276 public schools in the 20 localities in central Virginia.

Neighbors, politicians, teachers, students, and media turned out today for the beginning of the demolition of the round buildings at MLK Middle School. The new school is expected to be ready for students in January 2014.

According to a flyer distributed by Building a Better Richmond, the process of building the new MLK Middle School moves forward this Monday, December 19 at 2PM with a “Demolition Ceremony” featuring Mayor Dwight Jones.

The original schedule called for demolition to begin in the October of 2011 and the new school to be ready by August 2013. A later revision put the opening of the new school at January 2014; no word if the schedule has slipped any further behind.

Thursday, November 4th 6-8PM
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
1000 Mosby Street

For more details, contact Andy Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer for Richmond Public Schools, at 780-7707 or Don Coleman at 339-0745.

From the Richmond Public Schools press release:

For the first time since the state began its Standards of Learning (SOLs) testing program, every Richmond City school has earned full accreditation based on achievement standards in English, mathematics, history and science. The results, announced today by School Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon, signal a remarkable pattern of achievement by the city school district, according to school officials.

“I am so proud to serve as superintendent of a school district that has demonstrated such growth in student achievement in the past few years,” said Dr. Brandon. “In 2002-2003, just eight years ago, only 19 percent of our schools were fully accredited. Today, that number stands at 100 percent. Without question, our latest SOL scores demonstrate that Richmond Public Schools has delivered on its promise to provide a world-class education for all students. The report is truly a testament to the district’s outstanding teachers, hard-working students and dedicated parents. It’s a shared accomplishment of which we can all be proud.”

To be fully accredited, middle and high schools must have a pass rate of at least 70 percent in all four subject areas. Elementary schools must achieve a combined pass rate of at least 75 percent on English tests for students in grades three through five; a pass rate of at least 70 percent in mathematics, fifth-grade science and fifth-grade history; and a pass rate of at least 50 percent in third- grade science and history.

Congratulations to Chimborazo Elementary, Bellevue Elementary, George Mason Elementary, Fairfield Elementary, Woodville Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr Middle School, Armstrong High School, and Franklin Military Academy on getting the job done!

Richmond Public Schools is pleased to bring The Choice campaign to the 6th & 7th Districts on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Beginning at 10 a.m. – noon, the roll out of this campaign will kickoff at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School with students, staff, parents and community volunteers canvassing the neighborhoods of the 6th and 7th Districts and highlighting the vast opportunities our district provides. This multi-tiered marketing initiative marks the district’s first broad-based public awareness effort designed to retain and recruit local students and families.

We know first hand that by supporting our schools, we strengthen our communities and enhance the economic vitality of this city. To that end, we are asking for your support on multiple levels. First, we are in need of your assistance in identifying areas within these districts that have been unreached. During each Choice event, volunteers are strategically assigned to locations that will help us to strengthen our school communities. We would also be pleased if you would assist us in securing community volunteers. In order to make this event a success, we are in need of 100 volunteers.

If you would like more information or have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Public Information Office (804) 780-7100 or call Don Coleman directly at 804-339-0745

The elementary school meetings will include the presentation of renderings of the buildings, site plans and models, as well as dates for groundbreaking. The middle and high school meetings will include a display of new renderings, as well as a feedback session for the community to provide input on the design process.

Sept. 22, 2010 (Middle)
3:00 p.m. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

September 16, 2010 (all Elementary)
5:00 p.m. – Broad Rock
5:30 p.m. – Oak Grove
6:00 p.m. – Summer Hill
6:30 p.m. – Blackwell

Sept. 28, 2010 (High)
6:00 p.m. – Huguenot                         

Contact Necole Simmonds, Program Communications, at (804) 644-8515 for more information.

The percentage of schools attaining the ever-increasing standards needed to make AYP are down this year from 71% of schools statewide and 78% across the city last year. This drop was not entirely unexpected.

THe RTD is reporting that all of the local districts saw a drop:

In the metro Richmond area, Hanover, Chesterfield, Henrico, Petersburg and Richmond saw declines in their scores.
—Hanover: 19 of 23 schools made AYP this year compared to 21 of 23 last year
—Chesterfield: 36 of 61 made AYP this year, compared to 49 of 63 last year
—Henrico: 36 of 67 made AYP this year, compared to 52 of 67 last year
—Richmond: 28 of 45 made AYP this year, compared to 35 of 47 last year
—Petersburg: 0 of 7 made AYP this year, compared to 4 of 7 last year

For a school or school division to make AYP under the federal education law, it must meet or exceed a series of requirements and objectives. A school or school division that falls short on a single requirement or objective is not considered to have made AYP.

Meeting AYP is different than being accredited by the state. Accreditation is based on meeting testing requirements that are standard across the state and set by the Virginia Department of Education. AYP is a piece of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

1) View the 2010-11 AYP status for the East End schools

2) View the 2010-11 AYP status for all RPS schools (PDF)

From the East End Transformation Public Pin-up and Youth Charrette today at the Family Resource Center: a list of retail that teenagers would like to see, and maps marking in green and red the safe and unsafe places.

The Charrette Closing Session will be Monday, June 7, at 5PM at the Robinson Theatre (2903 Q Street).

Mayor Jones’ Community forum is for citizens to share their experiences with health care delivery in Richmond; identify health-related issues affecting our community; and, learning about how the Mayor is developing an action plan to solve problems and help citizens through the Mayor Dwight C. Jones Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy.

Ground-breaking and site utilities work is presently scheduled to begin October 2011 with the completion of construction scheduled for June 2013. Students are slated to occupy the space on the first day of school in August 2013. Demolition of the existing building and final site activities will be complete around the end of that same year.

A public meeting was held last night at Martin Luther King Middle School to get community input on the redevelopment project:

About 50 people showed up last night to express their thoughts on what they’d like to see at the middle school. [...] Meeting attendees put academic programs at the top of their priority list, followed by technology infrastructure and athletic programs. They also expressed a desire to see more programs and space for the community and after-hours uses.

City resident Shekinah Mitchell said the focus needs to remain on instruction and making sure the school provides every opportunity to help kids compete with their peers in the counties and around the world.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a Building A Better Richmond status update and to drill down and get specific neighborhood-based feedback on how the rennovated or newly constructed school site can best be designed for community use beyond the traditional school day. This meeting is where everyone in the community can have input! We need to hear from all citizens.

From the Mayor’s most recent Building a Better Richmond:

Plans for Martin Luther King (MLK) Middle School and Huguenot High School are currently in the conceptual stages, as architects and engineers are researching design options for both facilities. A final decision will be made on whether MLK Middle School will be completely rebuilt or undergo extensive renovations. [...] A community meeting to share the status of the MLK Middle School project and collect input from the community is being scheduled for late April.

The project is on schedule for construction to start in September 2011 with occupancy planned for September 2013. A community meeting will be held in early May to discuss the project status of the Huguenot High School project. Huguenot is on schedule for construction to start in November 2011 with occupancy planned for September 2014.

I’ve heard that the MLK meeting will be held at MLK on Thursday, April 29th time, at either 6PM or 7PM.

Richmond City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, East End 7th District and Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, Gateway 6th District, invite citizens to join them at the two-day Richmond 7th Annual Black History Month Extravaganza; cosponsored by Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, Member, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District.

The first-day of the event will include the Richmond 7th Annual Black History Month Extravaganza Heritage Community Awards Program and Dinner. This event will recognize individuals whose volunteer efforts have made significant differences in our community and include a program entitled “Embracing Our Culture, Saving Our Children, Reclaiming Our Community”. The event includes a free Soul Food Dinner.

The second-day of two-day Richmond 7th Annual Black History Month Extravaganza will include a program-driven discussion entitled “The Future of Richmond’s Past,” which will be held in a different location.

Both events (including the dinner) are free and the entire community is invited and encouraged to attend.

WHEN/WHERE

First-Day – Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Heritage Community Awards Program and Dinner

Keynote Speaker
Rev. Marcus Martin, Pastor, New Bridge Baptist Church
President, Baptist General Convention of Virginia Division of Clergy

Live Musical Entertainment
· Richmond Youth Jazz Guild
· Pilgrim Baptist Church Mass Choir
· Jake Holmes “In Due Season”
· Soulful Sounds

Includes
· Free Admission
· Free Soul Food Dinner

Location
Richmond Public Schools – Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
1000 Mosby Street, Richmond (In Richmond’s Historic Church Hill)

Second-Day – Sunday, February 28, 2010 2:00-3:30 p.m.
program-driven Discussion entitled “The Future of Richmond’s Past”

Location
Family Resource Center
2405 Jefferson Avenue (In Richmond’s Historic Church Hill)

WHO The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
East End 7th District,
The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Sam Patterson, at 804.646.3012; or sam.patterson@richmondgov.com

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2010/02/17/all-are-invited-to-the-2010-black-history-month-extravaganza_12283/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2009/12/14/mlk-middle-school-evacuated-due-to-gas-leak_11162/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/12/14/mlk-middle-school-evacuated-due-to-gas-leak_11162/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:29:09 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=11162 The RTD has a small article about a small gas leak at MLK Middle School this morning:

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School [...] was evacuated briefly this morning after a natural gas odor was reported inside the building.

No injuries were reported.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/12/14/mlk-middle-school-evacuated-due-to-gas-leak_11162/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/14/school-board-to-receive-public-input-and-vote-on-monday_10469/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/14/school-board-to-receive-public-input-and-vote-on-monday_10469/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:49:32 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=10469 The School Board meeting at 4:30PM on Monday includes the only opportunity for public input on the shift in priorities that has likely knocked any work on MLK Middle School out of Phase 1 in favor of a southside elementary school (agenda PDF). The Board will vote on this at the end of their 6PM meeting (agenda PDF).

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/14/school-board-to-receive-public-input-and-vote-on-monday_10469/feed/ 6 http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/09/king-tentatively-dropped-from-list-of-schools-for-redevelopment_10385/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/09/king-tentatively-dropped-from-list-of-schools-for-redevelopment_10385/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:15:46 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=10385 At a 3-hour meeting today, the School Board tentatively decided to pursue redevelopment for Huguenot High School, Broad Rock Elementary School, Oak Grove Elementary School, and George Mason Elementary School as Phase 1 of overhauling the city’s aging stock of school buildings. M.L.King Middle School, on the original list for redevelopment, was shelved in favor of the 3rd elementary school. Opportunity for public comment and an official vote will take place at the next School Board meeting on November 16.

The agenda for the meeting outlined the School Board’s intent to: review the list of schools for which new contruction is a priority, prioritize schools for construction, set opportunities for public comment, and develop a recommendation to the board.  An attached document described the 5 key factors to consider as: 1) instructional priorities, 2) demographic demands, 3) facilities shortcomings, 4) available financing, and 5) Mayor/City Council priorities. 

The Mayor’s proposal calls for a new Huguenot High School, an unspecified middle school, and 2 unspecified elementary schools to be reconstructed or overhauled. The 9 schools considered for redevelopment, with costs, were:

1. $ 5,000,000 – Amelia Street School
2. $10,000,000 – Capital City Program
3. $27,700,000 – Broad Rock Elementary
4. $35,000,000 – Elkhart Middle School
5. $29,600,000 – E.H.S.Green Elementary
6. $81,300,000 – Huguenot High School
7. $36,900,000 – M.L.King Middle School
8. $27,700,000 – George Mason Elementary
9. $27,600,000 – Oak Grove Elementary

The money for Amelia Street School and the Capital City Program has already been committed. In addition, Mayor Jones has already included Huguenot High School in Phase 1, a move vocally supported by the 9th District’s Evette Wilson and the 5th District’s Betsy Carr. The discussion then centered around which of the other schools should be a part of the initial push, and which priorities should be used to determine how to approach this. 

After much back on forth on funding, demographics, and the need for future data, the 7 participating School Board members and Superintendent Brandon were polled on which schools should be a priority. The first set of polling indicated  overwhelming support for a new Broad Rock Elementary, and strong support for George Mason Elementary, Martin Luther King Middle School, and Oak Grove Elementary (in that order).

In the following discussion to winnow the list further, population growth and school crowding on southside were brought up by both Wilson and the 8th District’s Page. In an attempt to bump up the chances for Oak Grove ES, Page pointed out that money has already been spent on the design work for all 3 elementary schools, with less work being completed for MLK MS; her point was that it would save money to move on the 3 elementary schools and shelve the plan for MLK MS. The 6th District’s Chandra Smith then spoke heatedly on the need for work at MLK MS. A repolling after the discussion dropped support for both George Mason ES and MLK MS to behind Oak Grove ES, pushing MLK MS to 4th on the list.

School Board 3rd District representative Murdoch-Kitt was not present at the meeting. School Board 2nd District representative Gray came in about an hour after the start of the meeting and did not take part in any of the polling. Gray asked questions about the legality of the process regarding from where the funding and direction were coming; this confused me a bit: look for a post by Isaac Graves or perhaps comments from others present (you know who you are…) for clarification on this.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/11/09/king-tentatively-dropped-from-list-of-schools-for-redevelopment_10385/feed/ 5 http://chpn.net/news/2009/10/21/what-is-the-plan-for-rebuilding-schools_9858/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/10/21/what-is-the-plan-for-rebuilding-schools_9858/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:42:14 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=9858 The on&off plan to build/rebuild city schools has gone through a number of permutations over the past 5 years. George Mason Elementary and Martin Luther King Middle School were usually mentioned as being near the top of any list, but perhaps not any longer. Mayor Jones presented a plan at last night’s school board meeting that emphasizes rebuilding Huguenot High School; the article in the RTD does not mention any other specific schools:

Jones’ administration has made $150 million available for school construction during the next five years. In addition to the high school, the city identified two elementary schools and one middle school to be constructed by 2014; construction would start on the first elementary school by December 2010.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/10/21/what-is-the-plan-for-rebuilding-schools_9858/feed/ 15 http://chpn.net/news/2009/09/18/drug-dealer-faces-30-years_9266/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/09/18/drug-dealer-faces-30-years_9266/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:45:17 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=9266 Edward Antaion Baker faces 30 years on a drug conviction after being arrested last February “near a convenience store at Fairmount Avenue and Mosby Street”:

The defendant, Edward Antaion Baker, 28, was arrested Feb. 25 near a convenience store at Fairmount Avenue and Mosby Street in the city’s East End. In testimony yesterday, a police officer described the parking lot area as the worst open-air drug market in the First Precinct, Baskervill said. It’s across the street from Martin Luther King Middle School.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/09/18/drug-dealer-faces-30-years_9266/feed/ 14 http://chpn.net/news/2009/08/13/100-of-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp-86-city-wide-2_7933/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/08/13/100-of-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp-86-city-wide-2_7933/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:52:09 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=7933 Six of the eight East End schools met this years AYP benchmarks. All of the neighborhood elementary schools and Franklin Military Academy met the adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards of No Child Left Behind, while MLK Middle School and Armstrong HS did not. 71% of schools statewide and 78% across the city met their targets for the year.

For a school or school division to make AYP under the federal education law, it must meet or exceed a series of requirements and objectives. A school or school division that falls short on a single requirement or objective is not considered to have made AYP.

These requirements include objectives for participation in state-wide standardized testing in reading and mathematics, achievement in these subjects, and attendance (ES and middle schools) or graduation (high schools). A minimum of 95 percent of students overall must participate in reading and mathematics testing, and 95 percent of students in each of the following subgroups also must take state assessments in these two subjects: white, black, Hispanic, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and students with limited English proficiency. Students may be counted in more than one subgroup. Students overall and in each subgroup must meet the annual measurable objectives (AMO) for proficiency in reading and mathematics or reduce the failure rates on tests in reading and mathematics by at least ten percent. Schools and school divisions also must meet annual objectives for progress on other indicators of academic achievement.

Meeting AYP is different than being accredited. The targets for school or systems AYP were initially set in relation to an individual school’s baseline performance and get progressively more stringent each year. Schools in a school system as highly regarded as Chesterfield County are expected to have difficulty making AYP as the requirements get tighter and tighter. More locally, for example, Fox Elementary in the Fan did not make AYP this year. Accreditation is based on meeting testing requirements that are standard across the state.

AYP Status for 2009-2010 based on achievement results from 2008-2009.
SCHOOL NAME	2009	2008	2007
Armstrong High	Did Not Make AYP	Made AYP	Did Not Make AYP
Bellevue ES	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
Chimborazo ES	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
Fairfield Court ES	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
Franklin Military Academy	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
George Mason ES	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
Martin Luther King Jr. MS	Did Not Make AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP
Woodville ES	Made AYP	Made AYP	Made AYP

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/08/13/100-of-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp-86-city-wide-2_7933/feed/ 2 http://chpn.net/news/2009/07/14/shooting-on-mosby_7005/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/07/14/shooting-on-mosby_7005/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:22:05 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=7005

As as-yet-unidentified 36-year-old man is in critical condition at MCV after being shot in the chest just before 6PM on the 1000 block of Mosby Street. Police hypothosize it was a retaliation shooting, but do not have much more to say at this point.

The shooting victim was walking on the sidewalk on the west side of the street, the same side as Martin Luther King Jr Middle School. Police taped off the 900 and 1000 blocks of Mosby Street and appeared to be examining the school building and grounds.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/07/14/shooting-on-mosby_7005/feed/ 7 http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/20/quiet-public-forum-clarifies-options-for-chandler-ms-students_5513/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/20/quiet-public-forum-clarifies-options-for-chandler-ms-students_5513/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:57:12 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=5513 Two scenarios of how the Chandler MS students might be distributed were presented at a public forum before the RPS School Board this evening. Both plans split the children between Martin Luther King MS and Henderson MS, and possibly Binford MS.

The meeting in the school board conference room took place with all 9 members of the school board, Superintendent Brandon, and a crowd of about 25. Half of the crowd look like media or seemed to be RPS affiliated in some way.

Two scenerios were presented:

SCENARIO 1

SCHOOL	CAPACITY NUMBER	09/10 W/OUT CHANDLER	CH.5th GRADE AFFECTED	CH.6th GRADE AFFECTED	CH.7th GRADE AFFECTED	# MOVING	09/10 WITH	CAPACITY PERCENT
MLK	1000	655	74	35	62	171	826	83%
HENDERSON	880	519	96	43	56	195	714	81%

SCENARIO 2

SCHOOL	CAPACITY NUMBER	09/10 W/OUT CHANDLER	CH.5th GRADE AFFECTED	CH.6th GRADE AFFECTED	CH.7th GRADE AFFECTED	# MOVING	09/10 WITH	CAPACITY PERCENT
MLK	1000	655	67	29	52	148	803	80%
HENDERSON	880	542	70	29	42	141	683	78%
BINFORD	540	386	26	19	16	77	463	86%

CURRENT BOUNDARIES

SCENARIO #1

SCENARIO #2

After the presentation, time was offered for public questions and response. Here are the main points of the speakers:

• Increasing capacity at Henderson threatens having the ability to offer an IB program in the future.
• Will Community High be moving to Chandler? 6ht District Rep. Smith – We are “moving forward with that plan.”
• Man has 2 kids zoned for Boushall, wants to get kids into Hill or Binford as Boushall is not accredited. Worries that these schools will be even more unvailable as options now.
• Chandler parent. Doesn’t want student to go to MLK or Henderson, is concerned about “overcrowding”, would like student to go to Binford.
• Parent whose daughter is in 5th grade at Fisher Elementery, new homeowner on Overbrook. Was countin on NCLB to get girl out of Chandler, does not want to sent her to MLK or Henderson.
• Art Burton (community activist and perenial candidate) – Support of Scenerio #1, concerend about dividing communities. The closing of Chandler offers the opportunity to provide resources to MLK. This stems declining enrollment. Has concerns about the condition of the facility, lack of parental involvement.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/20/quiet-public-forum-clarifies-options-for-chandler-ms-students_5513/feed/ 6 http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/19/public-forum-on-pupil-assignment-for-chandler-students_5446/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/19/public-forum-on-pupil-assignment-for-chandler-students_5446/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:20:49 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=5446

The Richmond City School Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 20, from 4:30–5:30PM to receive public comment on the recommendations regarding the redistricting of school boundaries for students who currently attend Chandler Middle School. Middle schools that may be affected by the closing of Chandler are
Henderson and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle Schools.

The public hearing will be held in the School Board Room located on the 17th floor of City Hall.

For more details, call (804)780-7716.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/04/19/public-forum-on-pupil-assignment-for-chandler-students_5446/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2009/02/28/6th-annual-black-history-month-extravaganza-mlk_4531/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/02/28/6th-annual-black-history-month-extravaganza-mlk_4531/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:06:58 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=4531 Everyone is invited to the 6th Annual Black History Month Extravaganza Sponsored by Delegate Delores McQuinn, 70th District, City Councilwoman 7th District representative Betty Squire, The Richmond Slave Trail Commission, and VCU, today at 2PM at Martin Luther King Jr Middle School.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, Professor, Department of African American Studies, Temple University. Special guest include: several city and state officials, the 2009 Heritage Award Honorees and of a fabulous soul food dinner. Admission is free. For more information, call 646-3012 or 677-4647.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/02/28/6th-annual-black-history-month-extravaganza-mlk_4531/feed/ 19 http://chpn.net/news/2009/01/29/chandler-middle-to-close-at-the-end-of-this-school-year_4032/ http://chpn.net/news/2009/01/29/chandler-middle-to-close-at-the-end-of-this-school-year_4032/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:20:26 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=4032

Northside’s Chandler Middle School on Brookland Park Boulevard is slated to close after this school year due to “failure to meet federal academic standards”, with a majority of the students to be transferred to Martin Luther King Jr. MS. The fully accredited Martin Luther King MS was formed at the beginning of the 2004/2005 school year when Mosby Middle School and Onslow Minnis MS were merged.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2009/01/29/chandler-middle-to-close-at-the-end-of-this-school-year_4032/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2008/11/13/tour-overby-shepard-mlk-and-and-franklin-military-institute_3130/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/11/13/tour-overby-shepard-mlk-and-and-franklin-military-institute_3130/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:00:59 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=3130 A message from 1st District School Board rep Kim Bridges over at Near West End News includes an invitation to tour a few of the neighborhood schools:

Tuesday, November 18 from 8:15 – 11:45 – Get on the Bus tour of 3 RPS schools. [...] This time we’re touring Overby-Shepard Elementary, Martin Luther King Middle and Franklin Military Institute. FREE to you if you RSVP to 780-7100 by this Friday.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/11/13/tour-overby-shepard-mlk-and-and-franklin-military-institute_3130/feed/ 3 http://chpn.net/news/2008/09/25/all-neighborhood-schools-expected-to-be-fully-accredited_2333/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/09/25/all-neighborhood-schools-expected-to-be-fully-accredited_2333/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:53:59 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=2333

The Virginia Department of Education released the data on the School Accreditation Status for 2008-2009 today and all of the neighborhood schools are designated as Fully Accredited. Congratulations to Chimborazo Elementary, Bellevue Elementary, George Mason Elementary, Fairfield Elementary, Woodville Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr Middle School, Armstrong High School, and Franklin Military Academy!

The Virginia DOE says that “school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning Assessments and other tests in English, history/social science, mathematics and science. Ratings are based on the achievement of students on tests taken during the previous academic year and may also reflect a three-year average of achievement.” To be considered Fully Accredited, schools must generally “achieve pass rates of 70 percent or above in all four content areas.”

The mosaic in the photo above is a rendering of Martin Luther King Middle School. Notice the round buildings at the right. The main entrance on Mosby Street is at the S in “Science”.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/09/25/all-neighborhood-schools-expected-to-be-fully-accredited_2333/feed/ 6 http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/11/mlk-student-shot-on-fairfield-avenue_1712/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/11/mlk-student-shot-on-fairfield-avenue_1712/#comments Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:45:30 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=1712 A shooting on the 2200 block of Fairfield Avenue just before 2:00PM has seriously injured a juvenile male. The young man, a 7th grade student at MLK Middle School, “has been taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries”. Police are offering an instant $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. [via]

Deshun Taylor

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/11/mlk-student-shot-on-fairfield-avenue_1712/feed/ 42 http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/04/books-on-wheels-this-saturday_1694/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/04/books-on-wheels-this-saturday_1694/#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:45:35 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=1694 Look out for the MobookMobikeMobile”¦ For the 2nd year in a row, Books on Wheels will be doing their book/bike thing at the MLK Middle School parking lot on Saturday, June 7 (11AM-3PM). Free books and free bike repair!

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/06/04/books-on-wheels-this-saturday_1694/feed/ 5 http://chpn.net/news/2008/05/01/brawl-at-martin-luther-king-middle-school_1586/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/05/01/brawl-at-martin-luther-king-middle-school_1586/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 18:40:24 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=1586 There was a ruckus among students yesterday at Martin Luther King Middle School at the end of the school day:

Some parents are upset with Richmond Police after a brawl at Martin Luther King Middle School spills over into Mosby Court. The fight happened Wednesday after school let out. Police came and disbursed the crowd and some parents claim they used excessive force. One juvenile faces disorderly conduct charges.

]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/05/01/brawl-at-martin-luther-king-middle-school_1586/feed/ 45 http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/19/5th-annual-community-awards-program-and-black-history-extravaganza_1400/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/19/5th-annual-community-awards-program-and-black-history-extravaganza_1400/#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:43:28 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/19/5th-annual-community-awards-program-and-black-history-extravaganza/ You are invited to the 5th Annual 7th & 6th Districts’ Community Awards Program and Black History Extravaganza sponsored by Councilwoman Delores McQuinn and Councilwoman Ellen Robertson. The event will be held at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School beginning at 1:30PM on Saturday, February 23rd.

The program will feature:

• Dr. Morris Henderson, Pastor of 31st Street Baptist Church as the Guest Speaker,
• the Inner Dance-Inner Fire Dance Company,
• the Richmond Boys Choir,
• the University of Richmond Jazz Band, and
• a fabulous dinner.

  The event is free to everyone. Bring the family, friends and neighbors.

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/19/5th-annual-community-awards-program-and-black-history-extravaganza_1400/feed/ 2 http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/11/mlk-and-bellevue-closed-today_1391/ http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/11/mlk-and-bellevue-closed-today_1391/#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:54:57 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/11/mlk-and-bellevue-closed-today/ Martin Luther King Middle School and Bellevue Elementary School are closed today due to power outages.
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2008/02/11/mlk-and-bellevue-closed-today_1391/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2007/12/05/convict-back-in-the-area_1232/ http://chpn.net/news/2007/12/05/convict-back-in-the-area_1232/#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:58:59 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2007/12/05/convict-back-in-the-area/ MLK Middle School is on lockdown in response to sightings of Alonzo Logan in the immediate area. 8:50AM: THEY CAUGHT HIM IN FULTON.
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2007/12/05/convict-back-in-the-area_1232/feed/ 15 http://chpn.net/news/2007/10/09/new-renovated-schools-plan-revisited_1096/ http://chpn.net/news/2007/10/09/new-renovated-schools-plan-revisited_1096/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:39:31 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2007/10/09/new-renovated-schools-plan-revisited/ A draft update on the school system’s facilities master plan, a step toward Mayor L. Douglas Wilder’s “City of the Future”, was presented to City Council last night. The plan includes efforts to replace George Mason Elementary and Woodville Elementary, renovate and add to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle, and evaluate Bellevue Elementary School for closing. [via]
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2007/10/09/new-renovated-schools-plan-revisited_1096/feed/ 1 http://chpn.net/news/2007/09/27/all-neighborhoods-schools-accredited_1065/ http://chpn.net/news/2007/09/27/all-neighborhoods-schools-accredited_1065/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:46:04 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2007/09/27/all-neighborhoods-schools-accredited/ The State Department of Education today released the data on the School Accreditation Status for 2007-2008. All of the neighborhood schools are designated as Fully Accredited except for Martin Luther King Middle School which is designated Accredited with Warning, with the warning coming in history (having met the benchmarks in both math and English).

  A related article on nbc12 points out that “Ninety-six percent of Virginia’s elementary schools received full accreditation, 97 percent of its high schools and 69 percent of the middle schools.”

  Virginia Accreditation Status for 2007-2008 based on achievement results from 2006-2007.
  School Accreditation Ratings
  Run on Thu Sep 27 16:29:20 EDT 2007
  SCHOOL NAME	RATING
  Armstrong High School	Fully Accredited
  Bellevue Model Elementary	Fully Accredited
  Chimborazo Elementary	Fully Accredited
  Fairfield Court Elementary	Fully Accredited
  Franklin Military	Fully Accredited
  George Mason Elementary	Fully Accredited
  Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School	Accredited with Warning
  Woodville Elementary	Fully Accredited

  View a more detailed chart, with data from the VDOE.

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2007/09/27/all-neighborhoods-schools-accredited_1065/feed/ 7 http://chpn.net/news/2007/08/23/all-but-one-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp_989/ http://chpn.net/news/2007/08/23/all-but-one-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp_989/#comments Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:02:34 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2007/08/23/all-but-one-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp/ All of the neighborhood schools with the exception of Armstrong High made AYP (“Adequate Yearly Progress”) for the 2006-2007 school year. Statewide, only 70% of the schools made AYP .

  Adequate Yearly Progress is the measure of yearly progress toward achieving state academic standards and one of the cornerstones of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. According to NCLB, states must develop target starting goals for AYP and the state must raise the bar in gradual increments so 100 percent of the students in the state are proficient on state assessments by the 2013-14 school year. AYP applies to each district and school in the state; however, NCLB sanctions for schools that do not make AYP for two or more years in a row, only apply to those districts and schools that receive Title I funds.

  AYP Status for 2007-2008

  SCHOOL NAME	2007	2006	2005
  Armstrong High School	did not make AYP	made AYP	did not make AYP
  Bellevue Model Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	did not make AYP
  Chimborazo Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP
  Fairfield Court Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP
  Franklin Military	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP
  George Mason Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP
  George W. Carver Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP
  MLK Middle School	made AYP	did not make AYP	did not make AYP
  Woodville Elementary	made AYP	made AYP	made AYP

  source: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/src/ayp.shtml

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2007/08/23/all-but-one-neighborhood-schools-make-ayp_989/feed/ 3 http://chpn.net/news/2007/06/02/mobook-mobike-mobile-today-at-mlk_849/ http://chpn.net/news/2007/06/02/mobook-mobike-mobile-today-at-mlk_849/#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:30:37 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/2007/06/02/mobook-mobike-mobile-today-at-mlk/ Books on Wheels stopped at MLK Middle School today and fixed a bunch of bikes and gave away a bunch of books. They’ll be returning the area in a few weeks as part of their tour of Richmond’s libraries, with a stop at the East End Library on June 20th.
  
  Mo’Books Mo’Bikes Mobile @ MLK Middle School
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2007/06/02/mobook-mobike-mobile-today-at-mlk_849/feed/ 2 http://chpn.net/news/2006/10/13/mlk-shut-down-again_572/ http://chpn.net/news/2006/10/13/mlk-shut-down-again_572/#comments Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:28:44 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=572 A broken water line in or behind the school has shut down MLK Middle School, only weeks after a gas leak at the school.
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2006/10/13/mlk-shut-down-again_572/feed/ 1 http://chpn.net/news/2006/09/15/mkl-middle-school-evacuated-for-gas-leak_539/ http://chpn.net/news/2006/09/15/mkl-middle-school-evacuated-for-gas-leak_539/#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:34:57 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=539 School was cancelled today at MLK MIddle School when a gas leak was discovered as the staff and students arrived this morning. The students were transported to the Arthur Ashe Center for the remainder of the shortened school day.
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2006/09/15/mkl-middle-school-evacuated-for-gas-leak_539/feed/ 3 http://chpn.net/news/2006/06/07/local-student-jeremy-henley-shot_436/ http://chpn.net/news/2006/06/07/local-student-jeremy-henley-shot_436/#comments Wed, 07 Jun 2006 10:58:32 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=436 Jeremy Henley, 15-years-old and of the 700 block of North 33rd Street, was fatally shot in the head yesterday afternoon while visiting his girlfriend at her home in the 2800 block of Fairfield Avenue. Henley was due to graduate next week from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. [via] [via]

  A prayer vigil for Henley will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. outside the family’s home in the 700 block of North 33rd Street.

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2006/06/07/local-student-jeremy-henley-shot_436/feed/ 32 http://chpn.net/news/2005/10/30/student-essays-honored_246/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/10/30/student-essays-honored_246/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:05:52 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=246 Student essays from a summer workshop at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and VCU have been compiled in a book, Two Sides of a One Track Mind.

  The summer writing workshop, a project of David Coogan and Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn will eventually be housed at the in-progress East End Teen Center.

  Two of the students, both current ninth graders at Armstrong High School, have seen there work published in the Times-Dispatch, including last August’s publication of Shebony Carrington’s essay and now Diontey McDonald’s The Real Me: From My Name To My Future.

  [ from the RTD ]

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/10/30/student-essays-honored_246/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/20/almost-all-neighborhood-schools-accredited_212/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/20/almost-all-neighborhood-schools-accredited_212/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2005 21:28:20 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=212 richmond.com is reporting that, based on the preliminary Standards of Learning scores for 2005, all but one of the the neighborhood public schools are accredited. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, the only area school not accredited, reportedly narrowly missed in but one area (English).
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/20/almost-all-neighborhood-schools-accredited_212/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/03/13-year-old-mlk-student-shot-on-southside_200/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/03/13-year-old-mlk-student-shot-on-southside_200/#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2005 11:50:41 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=200 Dyquan D. Gibson, a 13-year-old sixth-grader at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, was shot and killed early Friday morning.

  The school zones cross neighborhood boundaries, expanding the city for the students that attend. Located just behind Union Hill, MLK draws from all of the East End and a smaller part of Southside. All of the 13-year-olds that you might see out and about are starting off the school year knowing that one of their own won’t be coming back with them.

  A vigil in Gibson’s memory has been scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the 2300 block of Afton Avenue.

  [ from the RTD ]

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/09/03/13-year-old-mlk-student-shot-on-southside_200/feed/ 3 http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/30/wilder-announces-anti-truancy-initiative-from-mlk_198/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/30/wilder-announces-anti-truancy-initiative-from-mlk_198/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:31:06 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=198 Wilder announced an new anti-truancy initiative today from the main entrance of Martin Luther King Jr Middle School.

  To combat truancy, Mayor Wilder announced a plan that puts more personnel in target neighborhoods, along with a truancy hotline to report truant students. The city is setting up truancy centers in Mosby, Hillside and Highland Park in an attempt to reduce high truancy rates. The city now has 8 truancy officers, and will soon hire at least a dozen more.

  The truancy hotline number is 646-abcd and will be in effect starting next week.

  [ from nbc12 ]

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/30/wilder-announces-anti-truancy-initiative-from-mlk_198/feed/ 1 http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/12/where-im-from-where-im-going_179/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/12/where-im-from-where-im-going_179/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2005 11:40:04 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=179 Twenty-eight students from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School participated in a five-week writing workshop this summer.

  The RTD today published Where I’m from, Where I’m Going by rising ninth-grader Shebony Carrington about her experiences living in Fairfield Court.

  Her essay starts off strong and stays honest:

  I don’t know where you live or what you do, but I do know this: you don’t want to live where I live. You don’t want to see what I see every day. I live in Fairfield Court and I am going to tell you how I feel about it.

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/08/12/where-im-from-where-im-going_179/feed/ 1 http://chpn.net/news/2005/06/23/student-gets-free-playstation_139/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/06/23/student-gets-free-playstation_139/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2005 11:24:38 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=139 Obeying the rules is paying off for a student at Martin Luther King Middle School.

  
  
  

  Floyd Washington is receiving a Playstation 2 from School Resource Officer George Banks. Banks has purchased the Playstation with his own funds and plans to present it to Washington today at the school.

  “This student has followed all the rules without complaint and acted as a role model for other kids,” Banks said. “You hear so much about what’s wrong with kids, here’s one who’s done everything right and he deserves some credit for that.”

  [ from richmond.com ]

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/06/23/student-gets-free-playstation_139/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2005/05/20/teenager-pleads-guilty-in-mans-beating-death_117/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/05/20/teenager-pleads-guilty-in-mans-beating-death_117/#comments Fri, 20 May 2005 11:15:32 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=117 A 16-year-old Richmond youth, Tiwan Dante Parham, pleaded guilty yesterday to second-degree murder in the beating death of Roscoe J. Coleman behind Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School last July.

  
  [ from the RTD ]

  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/05/20/teenager-pleads-guilty-in-mans-beating-death_117/feed/ 0 http://chpn.net/news/2005/02/03/mary-jones-of-mlk-middle-named-teacher-of-month_67/ http://chpn.net/news/2005/02/03/mary-jones-of-mlk-middle-named-teacher-of-month_67/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2005 23:09:07 +0000 john_m http://chpn.net/news/?p=67 To honor local educators, The Richmond Voice Newspaper, will be highlighting a different local teacher every month. Mary R. Jones a science teacher at Martin Luther King Middle School was selected for the Teacher of the Month for January.
  ]]> http://chpn.net/news/2005/02/03/mary-jones-of-mlk-middle-named-teacher-of-month_67/feed/ 0