r * — Page 8, Portland Observer, December 16, 1987 Apology From Roseburg The following statement was given to Nyewusi Askari Decem­ ber 14, 1987, 11:00 a m. by Mr. Steve Iberson, Principal, Rose­ burg High School. "On behalf of Roseburg Senior High School and on behalf of the community at large, I would like to share that this community is deeply hurt by the allegations related to the football contest with Benson High School. It is very disappointing that a few people can give off a message that's certainly not representative of this community or Roseburg High School. This community, nor Rose burg High School, will not have any part of, or contribution to, any forms of racial incidents. It is my hope that the alleged racial incidents are not construed as a philosophy, a way of thinking, a practice or a racial perception on the part of Roseburg High School or the Roseburg community by students of Benson High School or the com­ munity at large in Portland. To the contrary, we feel really good about what has happened in Roseburg in the past in our contests with the basketball and football pro grams that have come down and participated. It has been a very positive experience for our commu­ nity. Many times team members have stayed overnight at the homes of both our students and athletes, and it's been just a super, rewarding experience. It would be a sad time, I believe, for interscholastic athletics and aca­ demics when school cannot come together and share blessings of fel­ lowship and competition. That has been our experience in the past. It would be our hope, and the hope of our students, that we can continue to work to develop the type of school relations tnat will bring about the kind of world where all people can live and share with each other. We re certainly not going to allow anyone or anything to prevent us from making a very positive step in this direction. I think one of the things both communities can now work on is engage in more athletic contests, and give more articulation of our arts and academic programs. I think the more contact we have between both communities, the closer we ll get to our ultimate goal of produc­ tive growth of our students and citi­ zens. Whether this contact be cultural or athletic, there is always going to be those who don't see the greater good of the purpose. Those people certainly don't represent Roseburg High School or the larger commu nity of Roseburg. I have heard some really positive comments about the relationship between the teams from the city of Portland and the Roseburg community. The good far outweighs the ugliness or the problems we've had. I certainly apologize for the ac tions of anybody who caused pro blems tor the students and fans from Portland's Benson High School. I am not aware of who they are or who they were, but for the best interest of everybody, I would not want that to represent the school of Roseburg or the commu­ nity. We will work hard to maintain a positive association with our neighbors from Portland and else where. We would welcome, at any time, groups, schools or individuals to contact us to further discuss this issue. I am confident that our stu­ dents feel the same way.” Parent Advisory C o m m ittee Reports on School Transportation Safety Recom m endations by Nyewusi Askari After many hours of observing boarding and unloading of buses, examining training and safety re cords, talking to school bus drivers, school staff members, bus loaders and community agents, the Trans portation Parent Advisory Commit tee has submitted its recommen­ dations for the safety of young school children. cation tags during the entire school year and be instructed by bus load­ ers. This measure must be adopted and enforced by all schools, . • Identification tags must be standardized for the entire districj and should be the same in size» material and information on them; < • All pre-kindergarten student$ must be met. Drivers must assuré students are met. Students' grades not age, shall determine if they rnusi Education: Not to Despair, The Genes are Still There by Professor McKinley Burt Correction to last week's article: Dr. Helen Edmonds was brought here in 1969 to conduct a Black History Workshop for Portland High School 'teachers', not teenagers. It is in the area of science and technology that most committed educators and parents find the most alarming trends and omissions in the preparation of our children for full participation in the modern world. It is not debatable whether those of African descent can make major contributions to our sciences or cul­ ture. They have always done so, from 4000 B.C. to our space pro­ gram: Plato gave Africans credit for originating mathemathics, astro­ nomy, and letters Isaac Newton Crediting the African astronomer Atlas with developing the concept of the sphere (spherical geometry)2; ED U C A TIO N and Dr Tompkins documenting the intricate mathematics and geodesic mapping incorporated into the Pyra­ mids at a time when the Greeks were illiterate barbarians (like Ho­ mer) — not yet having attended the Egyptian Temple Schools (like Pythagoras, Thales and Democri­ tus) 3; we note here that Isaac New­ ton, that great researcher into A fri­ can History, Science and Religion, held up his Theory of Gravitation for two years, awaiting confirmation from Africa of the cordinates of the earth and solar system as given by that Mensa Perpetua, The Great Pyramid at Gizeh *. But, is it necessary to perform these feats all over again - even through the seminal contributions of the Black Inventors, whose inno­ vations subtended the Industrial Revolution - before we can per suade educators to provide Black children such illustrious role models for their motivation? I cited the following disabilities in the preface to the lesson plans I used at the Albina Science For Kids program at St. Andrews (OMSI- sponsored): ". . • The innercity student is demonstrated to have special needs in terms of compre­ hending the effect of technology upon his life in general, and speci­ fically upon his academics, career path, and his economic future. Ex­ perience has shown that, generally, we may not expect to find the same frame of reference or the same fami­ liarity with technical terms and acti­ vities as found in the majority popu lation. I find that less than a fifth of Black students have such regular science-oriented experiences as watching television series like "N ova", "National Geographic Specials,” "Newton's Apple," or "Cousteau" — The number of homes receiving science publica­ tions is pitifully low. Children do not pursue interests or activities for which they have not been given the proper frame of reference or cog­ nitive tools." But certainly there are areas of the country and successful school systems to which we can look for couple of pieces of round steel, guidance in structuring as effective and some materials, he constructed ] a working model of a steam engine. learning process — and hiring His master soon afterwards got proven practitioners, meeting what him the place of a helper in the ever financial considerations neces department of Natural and Experi sary. How many of the readers mental Philosophy in the Naval know that the recent installation of Academy at Annapolis. He sold his state-of the-art computer systems first steam engine to a Midshipman. for both the Nike Shoe Company With the proceeds, and what and the Portland Oregonian News money he could lay up (his master paper was supervised by a young allowing him five dollars a month Black graduate of Tuskegee Uni versity (John Timberlake)? What out of his wages), he built an engine large enough to drive the first cutter may we say here about the 'caring environment of certain southern of a sloop-of war at the rate of six Black primary and secondary teen knots an hour. . . Professor Hopkins, of the Aca­ schools or colleges? demy, says that he gets up the ex One again I would like to furnish the reader with one of those magni­ periments for the lecture-room Being shown ficent historical documentations of very handsomely. once how to line up the parabolic the innate Black genius: Slave In ventor at the United States Naval mirrors for concentrating heat, he | So Academy. This letter was written always succeeds afterwards. with the chemical experiments, he I to one of the persons who had pro vided funds to buy the freedom of a makes all the gasses, and w orks' slave, Benjamin Bradley. Bradley with them, showing the Drummond helped pay for his own freedom and light, &c. Prof. Hopkins remarks of him that "HE LOOKS FOR THE eventually paid back his bene LAW BV WHICH THINGS ACT." factors'. He has been taught to read and Dear Sir: — I am very happy to write, mainly by the Professor'’ inform you that the freedom of the children; has made very good pro slave Benjamin Bradley has been gress in arithmatic, and will soon accomplished by the payment of take hold of algebra and geometry. $1,000, to which you contributed The Anglo African Magazine, Vol 1 INovem the final $122 necessary to make ber, 18591, p. 367 Reprinted from the Jour it up. . . . nal of Commerce. Bradley was owned by a master Aha! The youth had mastered in Annapolis, Maryland. Eight years the 'Scientific Method (caps ago he was employed in a printing above). How many of equally intel office there. He was then about ligent youngsters can we rescue sixteen, and showed great mechani here in our local system. It will take cal skill and ingenuity. With a piece of gun-barrel, some pewter, a all of us, administrators, teachers, parents, and THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. Let us work at it Not to despair WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A LIVE XMAS TREE 4 To delight in its natural beauty and fullness I To fill your room with the scent of the holidays that only a natural tree can give I Photo by Richard J. Brown The Committee found that the existing Transportation Guidelines clearly identified the extra care that must be given to four-year-old stu­ dents, but felt that the existing pro cedures should be strengthened by the adoption of uniform identifica­ tion methods. The Committee also found that King, Boise-Eliot and Chapman schools have used out standing efforts to assure the safe return of their students. They have been successful in using color coded tags, check off lists or roll calls. The Committee's report is the result of a request by Superinten dent Dr. Matthew Prophet, after several young school children were mistakenly allowed to get off school buses without anyone to meet or escort them to their destination. Dr. Prophet asked the Committee to conduct a department review. The Committee made the follow ing recommendations: • All pre kindergarten through second grade must wear identifica­ tion tags from the start of school until October 15th; • Pre-kindergarten and kinder­ garten students must wear identifi Cited in text: ’ Plato, The Tim.iem. > Manuel, Isaac Newton: Historian; 'James, George G M , Stolen Legacy: 4 Tompkins. 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Williams & Skidmore Personal and friendly service Wholesale Pricing On Groceries Gone Public Did you know that for almost 30 years you could have bought some of your groceries at wholesale prices? The Bee Company, for over 30 years, has offered the public weekly shipments of name-brand groceries at genuine wholesale prices. You I find canned and packaged goods, pet foods, as well as frozen and close dated deli products on the shelves. The best feature is that you do not have to buy by the case. You buy just what you want to buy, just the amount you need. Located a, 800 N Killingsworth, just east of I 5, they are open Monday through Saturday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Isn t it about time you save on your grocery bill7 Next to Geneva’s Restaurant PHONE 283-3171 QUALITY CHRISTMAS WREATHS AVAILABLE 7 HRS: Mon Sat 9 6 They'll Tell You All About It i ?• be met at their home bus stop; • In the beginning of the school year, parents should be encouraged to volunteer to ride buses during the first few weeks; • Schools should be encouraged to establish a "buddy-system in which an older student assists new, young students to acquire bus ris­ ing skills; • Parents should be encouraged to practice with their children the best, safest way to and from the bus stop. They should also discu$s with their children alternative plans in case they are prevented from meeting their children when the bus arrives. Upon submitting its report and recommendation, the Committee said that all persons contracted to participate in the review, including Mr. Ed Green, Mr. Peter Gregg, and the staff of Laidlaw Bus Ser­ vice, were very responsive and gave their full cooperation. Members of the Committee said they hope their recommendations will prove to be helpful and con tribute to the added safety of stu­ dents in Portland Public Schools. Academ y Nom inations Advisory Com m ittee M eets Dec. 18th ; Congressman Denny Smith an nounced Dec. 9, 1987 that 44 yoilfig men and women will be considerfed for nomination to the various ser vice academies when his Acaderfiy Nominations Advisory Committee meets at his Salem office Decajn ber 18th. $ "These kids are impressive. They are achievers who are active in their schools and communities, and excel scholastically. I' delighted thatjso many people are aware of this ex