On Jan 20th their Martin Luther King march became a rally of protest and support for their school. The entire 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades marched down Union to Martin Luther King, then up Cherry….they were greeted with honking horns and waives as passerby’s cheered them on. The Student Council then marched (via parent carpools) downtown to speak at the School Board meeting. The students told passionate personal stories about the impact Madrona has had on their own lives. The PTSA was there in full support and parent Christina Williams delivered a powerful message:
1. The families at Madrona K‐8 would like Dr. Goodloe‐Johnson to schedule a meeting with us immediately.
2. We ask that the school district document policy regarding principal reassignments and process regarding transition and school community involvement in principal replacement.
The PTSA will demand more involvement with the school district and equitable access to its leadership. The school community remains steadfast that keeping Ms. Andrews at Madrona is the best decision for Madrona students. In the event we must start a transition, the Madrona school community will fight for “true” inclusion and collaberation on that process. Title I schools do have a voice! To find that powerful voice, all one has to do is look at Madrona K-8 students!
See the video of the Madrona students at the Seattle School Board Meeting 1/20/10: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4457 (starts at 21:00 with students, then go to 43:43 for PTSA member Christina Williams, you’ll have to fast forward around)
