Ana Roque deDuprey, Von Humboldt closings draw bitter criticisms from parents, community leaders
There were plenty of hugs and tears on June 24, 2013, the last day of school at Ana Roque deDuprey School and Von Humboldt Schools in East Humboldt Park. The two schools, which have shared the century old Von Humboldt building since Roque deDuprey was closed down fiave years ago, had been voted out of existence at the Chicago Board of Education's May 22 meeting, despite impassioned please from the community and their alderman. About 40- 50 parents, community members, staff and students gathered to say goodbye to their school on its last day.
Parent Magdalene Thurmond was one of dozens of parents who stood outside Ana Roque DeDuprey on the last day of school. On May 22 (above), she was joined by other parents at the Board of Education meeting that voted to close her school. Their pleas were ignored by the Board. Thurmond, a parent of a nine- and seven-year-old at the school, says she is being forced to send her children to Diego School, which is nearly a mile away and on the other side of Western Ave. “I’m outraged with President Obama for endorsing Rahm Emanuel who brought in Barbara Byrd Bennet to cause chaos in our community and the lives of so many families,”Magdalene Thurmond, a parent of a nine- and seven-year-old at Ana Roque deDuprey School says she is being forced to send her children to Diego School, which is nearly a mile away and on the other side of Western Ave.
“I’m outraged with President Obama for endorsing Rahm Emanuel who brought in Barbara Byrd Bennet to cause chaos in our community and the lives of so many families,” she told Substance. Thurmond is concerned about safety and recently attended a safety meeting where parents were told that parents will be on all corners with walkie talkies connected to the police. She is still not convinced that travel to Diego will be safe.
Mariana Miller, a parent of a kindergarten graduate at Ana Roque deDuprey school, says she is being forced to send her child to De Diego School and that she is devastated because “my daughter is being targeted.” Miller is parent involved in the lawsuit scheduled for July 16 hearing. Miller stated that: “Emanuel is a bully who is giving our kids to gang bangers by making them travel so far to school.”
Anastacia Mustain is a parent of a second grader at Ana Roque deDuprey. She plans to send her daughter to Sabin Magnet school next year. "I love this school with its small classes," Mustain said. "The older children are so good with the younger children, even reading with them. Not only have the teachers but the lunchroom staff cares about the students.” Safety is an issue with Mustain, also, because she sees little kids walking by themselves to school and worries about them, especially now when they will have to walk a farther distance.
Crossing Guard Mariam Davila has been at this school for ten years. Her daughter did her student teaching at Von Humboldt.
Juanita Garcia, a parent of a student at Ana Roque deDuprey, stated that “We’re not a big school but we have a big heart. We have all kinds of students who speak different languages, such as Spanish and Polish but when they leave Ana Roque deDuprey, they know English. We have lots of free programs here that Chicago public Schools do not pay for."
Noting that CPS has been promoting a nearby charter school while closing the real public schools in Humboldt Park, Garcia spoke fiercely: “Our scores kill Erie Charter School scores, but they are still closing Von Humboldt and Ana Roque deDuprey. “
Bickerdike (community organization) organizer, Kelly Viselman, stated that the next step will be working with receiving schools to make sure they keep all the promises that have been made to the parents and students. Parents will be meeting with the Principals of the receiving schools. Also, Viselman is organizing parents to go to the August CPS Budget meetings and fight budget cuts for all schools. Noting that there is a Board of Education meeting June 26, she said that community residents, parents and students are encouraged to attend and continue speaking out.
