Retired city firefighter Donald Day, in a commentary, issues a community challenge to rebuild the fleeced student activities account from Dunbar School that led to the arrest and resignation of its principal. Donations payable to Paul L. Dunbar School Activity Account in care of Dunbar School, 445 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607. Day says he will make a $100 donation. Day writes the disappointment of kids has been lost in the process. His commentary follows:
What hasn’t been discussed is the hurt and disappointment of those young children from Dunbar School who found out their hard work to raise over $10,000 was squandered by their leader, their principal.
This lady who came into their school promised them if they follow her example then she will lead them to a better life. She promised them if they worked hard then they too can be prosperous and educated like her. She promised them if they worked hard at these fundraisers then they would get to do things and go places they will remember for a lifetime and that will transform their young lives. These young children believed in their leader, their principal and now after all their hard work and the hard work of their parents to have successful fundraisers that raised in excess of $10,000, they are left with nothing. Depending on whom you believe, JML or Maria, there has been significant improvement in their test scores which shows that the children of Dunbar School bought into her philosophy of education and enrichment.
I’m absolutely sure most of the children who go to Dunbar School know their school is lacking and is behind other Bridgeport schools academically. I’m sure some are feeling saddened by the actions of their leader, their principal and are wondering why can’t they catch a break in their young lives and if this is what they have to look forward to the rest of their lives. I’m sure there are some who are wondering if my leader, my principal is worthless then I must be worthless too. Bridgeport, we can’t let one of these students feel that way about themselves or their circumstances. We have to show them even though your leader, your principal turned their back on you, the residents of Bridgeport will not.
I would like to make a $100 donation to the student activities account for Dunbar School and I challenge the residents of Bridgeport to follow my lead and make a donation to the student activities account. I challenge the Firebird Society of Bridgeport, The Guardians, the State NAACP and every black organization and black fraternity and sorority to make a donation to the student activities account. I challenge the Hispanic organizations of Bridgeport to follow my lead and make a donation to the student activities account of Dunbar School. I challenge the readers and the posters of OIB who has demonstrated they have the cure for the ills of this city to make a donation to the student activities account of Dunbar School.
We can’t let these children feel the actions of their leader, their principal are what the City of Bridgeport as whole feels about them as students, as children or define their success in life. Please provide a name and an address for me and for those enlightened individuals from Bridgeport to send in their donations so we can show these children that someone really does care about their well being.
Donations payable to Paul L. Dunbar School Activity Account in care of Dunbar School 445 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607.
Donald Day, thanks for your leadership on this and I accept your challenge. I’m glad you made the first step and then challenged the Firebird Society, the organization we are members of. Although this is a Bridgeport public education issue, it’s important we as blacks support our own but also support the uplifting of all of children in Bridgeport.
Donald Day, I appreciated your most eloquent letter and challenge. It is so sad these children are the recipients of selfish self-serving sociopaths.
It is my hope your challenge replenishes the account immediately and a lesson learned that no one individual in the school should be in charge of financials. All dollars should be accounted for.
Ron Mackey, I truly do appreciate your pride in being a black man, but Dunbar school is not about black kids. It is about a socioeconomically challenged community that needs the love and support by all of us. I wish they would acknowledge Ms. Perin as the Principal. She has a strong rapport with the students and she is well respected. Fran Rabbinowitz, take note.
Of course we cannot forget about including the (IMA) Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport.
As a point of information, I made a $100 donation to the Dunbar student activity account this morning. My hope is the residents of Bridgeport will follow suit.
Donald Day,
Thank you for keeping this issue alive. It is a learning moment for the community.
For starters, what activities were planned and budgeted so we may know what disappointment will otherwise occur if funds are not there? I will happily join you with a $100 contribution for the benefit of the youth in that school especially if it will be put to good use.
As a teachable moment it is an opportunity to know what people and process will administer the replacement funds. Open, Accountable and Transparent process? The youth can learn a lesson about what happens when adults operate in a system without oversight or checks and balance process. We have Mayors, Governors and other officials, appointed and elected who have defied public trust to satisfy private needs.
Whatever the Social Studies curriculum is, I am sure there will be an opportunity to focus on how a community governs itself, how informed participants have a regular role, how stewardship and trustee roles trump personal desires and why it is conflicts of interest must be disclosed and dealt with to protect the larger community. If the money is restored through your challenge, if the activities take place as expected and if there is community learning about participation and stewardship responsibility, then we are survivors moving forward, rather than victims, stuck in place. Where shall we move? Time will tell.
John Marshall Lee, I strongly suggest you attend the Democratic Party endorsement Thursday night at Testo’s restaurant and get a front-row lesson on the DTC.
Ron,
Will you connect my comments above with your suggestion? I have no understanding of a connection if there is one. Waiting? Time will tell.
Will the ‘resigned’ principal be making restitution?
Dave Daniels, would you be so kind as to publish this post on your Facebook page? We have mutual friends who tell me you have a lot of followers and I want this to reach as many people as possible. Let me thank you in advance for your consideration.