RALLY CRY! WHO WILL HELP MAKE AN IMPACT?

Yesterday I wrote an article about SACS placing the DeKalb County School on probation.  In that article, I made a plea for the citizen’s of DeKalb County to unite in the wake of said action.  I also placed that same plea in a public forum/blog that I frequent on a regular basis.

I received a response and found that the general disposition of the reply was defeatist in tone and manner. I was asked what I thought could be done?  The responder felt that we are “POWERLESS”, and that this was a lost cause.  I was encouraged to save my son, as no one else cared or would do anything to help.

It took me a bit to read through that reply, and to seriously think about what the response meant.  I sat and I thought about all of the challenges that life presents us with- I then sat and thought about the various challenges I have had in my life- and I wondered how someone could respond in that manner, and why.

I was raised in the 60’s in a household where FAILURE WAS NOT an option. In fact, it was not even an allowed word in our vocabulary. The motto my parents instilled in me was…."If at first you don’t succeed, you try, and try, and try…"  I continue to live my life with that same set of morals and upbringing- Giving up is NOT an option, and never will be…

I think about the current state of our School System, the full implications of what comes with the lack of taking action- and I ask- DO WE HAVE A CHOICE?

Are you willing to risk that?

I’m Not……

So as I thought about this individual’s response, the first thing that came to mind was something I learned in Kindergarten.  A simple little concept called Good Old fashion Team Work….Anyone remember that concept and how it works?

Teamwork is defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary as “a joint action by a group of people, in which each person subordinates his or her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group.”

Teamwork is possible, and it works. We have seen it first hand during major times of crisis-

Most recently, Sandy hit the Eastern shore, and bands of strangers came together to help. We as a Nation have banded together and worked in ways not thought possible to help our fellow man. We have seen a nation rally together to support those in Newtown, CT from the unfortunate tragedy of this weekend past

DEKALB COUNTY RESIDENTS- IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP HERE….WE ARE IN A CRISIS IN WHICH THE LONG TERM OUTCOME IS CATASTROPHIC.

What we are facing has a huge impact on the whole state of Georgia and not just DeKalb County proper. It also impacts the future of this State, the future of some generations.  Did anyone stop and think that and in 20 years the current Junior and Senior High School students will be making major decisions about our well being. Take care of them, and in return, they will take care of you- a novel concept- and we are NOT holding up on our end of the bargain. I don’t know about anyone else, but I consider this a crisis of a catastrophic magnitude, and we need to address it expeditiously!

Now is NOT the time to be selfish and adapt and attitude of every man/woman for themselves. Now is the time to RALLY behind what we believe in and make a difference.

One way to do that is for Governor Deal to remove the board, including the newly elected members. A petition that you may sign that will go to Governor Deal is on the AJC’s Get Schooled blog. For your convenience I have included the link to the petition here.

This is a start, but don’t stop with the simple signing of a petition- stand ground and take it a step further. I keep reading and hearing cries to remove the School Board Members both present and newly elected.  We must not just turn to the board as the source of our problems. Please remember that the JOB of a BOARD MEMBER is TO EVALUATE the Superintendent's performance.  Anything above and beyond is considered interference with day to day activity. We need to seriously evaluate the performance and leadership of Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson. Let us not forget that interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson must also be held accountable for what DID/DID NOT happen under her leadership.

While cleaning house; let’s look deep into the intertwining of the “Friends and Family” network of the old DeKalb County School regime. One can not continue to plant on barren land.  It is time to start fresh and anew.

Yes, I could quietly sit back, take care of mine, and take the attitude of every man for themselves- but what kind of person, citizen, and parent would that make me? As an advocate for my community- do I now become selfish simply because the impact truly will affect my household? Or do I stand up and make a difference?

In my mind, this is NOT about my son- This is NOT about Black or White.  This is NOT about North vs. South. This about EVERY CHILD in this school system.

I ask each of you to take the time to inform your neighbors, friends, family, brethren, ANYONE who will listen about our crisis!

Rally behind this force, and when asked- DO SOMETHING- don’t expect someone else to do it for you.  WE DO HAVE A VOICE; WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE- STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!  TAKE ACTION!!!

Look for further communications from myself- as well as Cheryl Miller, founder of Get The Cell Out of ATL.  We both welcome comments, and are willing to meet with other stakeholders to see what we can do collectively as a united front.

Denise McGill

Founder & Director