Posted on 03/16/2010 4:29:13 PM PDT by Graybeard58
TORRINGTON -- Parents on Monday demanded action from school officials whom they said have long ignored deep-rooted racial tensions in the school system and community at the expense of Hispanic students.
The issues were raised during a town hall-style event at Workman Memorial AME Zion Church attended by about 70 people, most of them Hispanic. The dialogue was at times impassioned as parents criticized the school system for being out of touch with an increasingly diverse community and for ignoring students' discrimination complaints.
The meeting came in response to the revelation last week that undercurrents of gang activity had colored an ongoing conflict between groups of Hispanic students and white city residents, which culminated into gang threats March 7. Police have found no gang connections among city residents or in the school system, but officials Monday acknowledged the threats and fighting have been a wake-up call to more closely probe racial friction.
"Our children every day feel discriminated against," parent Doris Ramirez said through a translator. "We're here tonight because we want to stop this. We don't want to hear words we're going to do this. We need action tonight."
Schools Superintendent Christopher G. Leone and Torrington High School Principal Marsha Olsen were told that despite Hispanic students' pleas for teacher and administrator intervention, their concerns were often ignored. One tearful parent said her son had recently been attacked twice early in the school day at the middle school, but administrators only intervened when her son retaliated -- not when he was being picked on.
Gerarcy Hernandez, a 17-year-old senior at Torrington High School, said only after racial tensions peaked were teachers and administrators responsive, and even then Hispanic students felt like they were being condemned.
"We feel that we don't have the same rights like the other children -- how they brought us all together in a room -- they didn't do it with other students, and we felt bad," Hernandez said. "So we hear tonight that teachers want us to go to them, but most times, the teachers do nothing. And that's why we say, you know what, we'll resolve things ourselves. We don't have any other way to do it because we don't feel supported at the high school."
Leone, who took over school district leadership on Jan. 19, shook his head often as parents relayed stories of teachers and administrators who were unresponsive to phone calls, or one parent who said a student was targeted for a bag search because she was Dominican.
Leone said the stories stirred up feelings of anger, and that it didn't matter whether he could confirm there was truth to the accusations.
HA!
hey immigrants...ALL immigrants faced discrimination....in the 30’s they were called “Micks” and “Kikes”, in the 40’s and 50”s they were called “Krauts” and “Polaks” and “Ruskies”....
Hey mrs. Ramirez, instead of demanding the school do something, why not invite some of your son’s friends over, fix them a great meal and let them play their music and have fun! show them your culture, and welcome your child’s friends, instead of setting him up. Teach your kid to be proud of his heritage and to excell at school or sports or dance or whatever!
“Being UNPOPULAR “ is the ancient curse of the teenager. Deal with it.
I forgot to add, if the school is having such violence , fights problems....seperate the girls and boys in classes and see how things calm down!
What does this “parent” say when white students are searched as well(which they probably do a heck of a lot more than they search Dominicans).
This politically correct crap is gone too darn far, and is dragging the country rapidly into the ground. Next thing we know, these Latino parents will be suing the school and trying to rip off yet another multimillion dollar payment from the school on tax payer dime.
That isn't how I remember Torrington from my days in the Hartford area from 68-72.
ML/NJ
I am so sick of the damn illegals taking over the parks in CT with their stupid pelotas and volleyball nets.
parent Doris Ramirez said through a translator
That’s part of the problem. Learn English!
Sick of friggen’ illegals DEMANDING their “rights”.
They have the right to get the hell out if they don’t like it...
Learn English or GO HOME!
EXACTLY! ..........parent Doris Ramirez said through a translator.
How’s anybody supposed to hear without a freaking translator...
They need to go to freaking school and learn how to communicate.
Pixxing people off is not going to further your cause, especially since a major portion of it is most likely exaggerated or false claims to get whatever the HELL it is you want!
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