Community Solutions to Norfolk's Dropout Problem to be Highlighted at June 6 Conference

Nationally Recognized Author-Educator will be Keynote Speaker

The quest for community solutions to Norfolk's 13% public schools dropout problem continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009, with a conference aimed at "Engaging the Parents and Students Beyond the School Doors" and including ideas on how parents can keep their children constructively focused -- and away from trouble -- throughout the summer.

The keynote speaker will be Salome Thomas-El, a well-known Philadelphia educator and author of the best-selling book, "I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City," and "The Immortality of Influence," with a forward written by actor Will Smith. The Walt Disney Co. recently purchased the movie rights to "I Choose to Stay."


Thomas-EL, currently CEO and principal of the Russell Byers Public Charter School in Philadelphia, gained national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School where eight of his students won recognition as national chess champions. He has motivated hundreds of children in Philadelphia to attend magnet high schools, major colleges and universities and he frequently appears on C-SPAN, CNN and National Public Radio.

The June 6 conference, open to the community, will be held at Coleman Place Elementary School, 2445 Palmyra St., Norfolk and will include a free lunch for anyone who registers by June 4.

The conference is sponsored by the Norfolk-based nonprofit Hampton Roads Children of the Sun Athletic/Education Foundation in partnership with Gen. Colin Powell's America's Promise Alliance and the State Farm insurance company. The event is the first follow-up program to the April 4 Dropout Prevention Summit at Booker T. Washington High School, which also was spearheaded by Children of the Sun with help from America's Promise and State Farm and drew more than 600 people.

"Participants at the April 4 summit said they wanted more focus on ways to keep parents and students constructively engaged with each other. They believe that is one of the key action-plan items for keeping students in school, so that's why our first follow-up conference will concentrate on that theme," said A.L. Aswad, executive director of Children of the Sun and a resident of Norfolk's Ballentine Place neighborhood.

Coming near the conclusion of the school year, the June 6 conference will be especially helpful to parents by giving them ideas and resources for motivating their children during the summer vacation and guiding them away from trouble, Aswad said. "It's important to keep the momentum going for parents and students," he said. "This can be difficult for parents who work and cannot always keep their eyes on their children during the summer."

The conference will include a presentation on Gang Awareness by the Norfolk Sheriff's Department and workshops on "Engaging the Parents and Students Beyond the School Doors," "Healthy Start" (nutrition and health issues), "The Impact of Parental Involvement" and "The Student/Parent/Teacher Relationship." Each workshop also will have resources for summer activities.

The June 6 conference also will honor people who live or work in Norfolk, as well as Norfolk businesses and organizations, that have motivated youngsters to stay in school instead of dropping out.

Children of the Sun is planning additional follow-up events during the 2009-10 school year, according to Aswad.

The focus on dropout prevention in Norfolk connects with one of the policy themes of President Barack Obama, Aswad said. He noted that on Feb. 24, Obama told the nation and Congress that "... dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country -- and this country needs and values the talent of every American."

Aswad also noted the negative impact of quitting school before graduation. Dropouts, he said, are more likely to become incarcerated, rely on public programs and social services, and go without health insurance than those who graduate high school.

To register for the June 6 conference, visit the Hampton Roads Children of the Sun website www.hrcots.org or send e-mail to hrcots@aol.com. Register by June 4 for a free lunch.

For more information, call A.L. Aswad at (757) 855-5358 or call Coleman Place Elementary School at (757) 852-4642.

For more information about Salome Thomas-El, visit Web site www.ichoosetostay.com or call (215) 972-1700.

To learn more about America's Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.