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Investing In the Next 100 Years
There is nothing for teenagers to do in U. City. Especially poor, urban teenagers, the majority of who are black and live in poverty. Nevertheless, youth who are 16 years old and younger will have to start watching the clock a little earlier in University City. In June of 2010, the University City Council approved a change to the Loop curfew for minors. An adult must accompany those who are under 16-years-old after 9:00 p.m. every day. The previous curfew had been 10:00 p.m. The community needs a place where all 1,100 UCHS students can go – morning, noon and night for recreation. Recent research has shown that quality after-school and summer programs reduce crime, delinquency, and victimization of children and youth. The
passgage
of a $53 million dollar bond
issue for U. City schools in April of 2009, did not include
funds to
renovate all of UCHS or keep the Nataorium
open. The
good news is there is a campaign to build a privately financed, revenue
producing recreation center with a new pool. The school district
is being aided by Project Appleseed in a $30 million capital campaign
to improve the high school facilities and establish them as the major
recreation center for a large portion of St. Louis County. Project
Appleseed,
a
national
school improvement organization with roots in
University City, proposed a multi-million dollar capital campaign that
begins with the construction of a new
regional recreation center, as
part of the total renovation of this historic high school. The concept
was encouraged and approved by former University
City
Superintendent
Dr.
Vern Moore in 2004 and has the support of current Superintendent Joylynn Wilson. The
project calls
for razing the outdated and costly Natatorium and the old Boys &
Girls Gyms which were built in 1959. University City High School must be refitted to become a Green School. Green schools cost less to operate, freeing up resources to truly improve students’ education. Their carefully planned acoustics and abundant daylight make it easier and more comfortable for students to learn. Their clean indoor air cuts down sick days and gives our children a head start for a healthy, prosperous future. And their innovative design provides a wealth of hands-on learning opportunities. Phase I calls for the
building of a $30 million regional
recreation center,
with a Olympic competition pool
of eighteen lanes, a separate recreational pool with 100 foot plus
water slide, current channel, splash fountain, and a vortex pool, four
multipurpose courts, student
and public fitness centers with selectorized weight circuit and
cardiovascular equipment. Phase II
of the project calls for the
renovation of the academic wings of the building, upgrades to classroom space, a new library
that will feature a Center for the
History of African-Americans in
St. Louis which will compliment the Jewish Center, a new
cafeteria with commons, and air-conditioning for the entire building. 60% Of black and hispanic children can't swim, black children 2.5 times more likely to drown
Keeping
schools
open
longer--before-
and
after-school,
and
during
the
summer
and
weekends--can
turn schools into community learning centers,
providing students, parents, and the community Youth are at greatest risk of violence after the regular school day. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, youth between the ages of 12 and 17 are most at risk of committing violent acts and being victims between 3 p.m and 6 p.m.--a time when they are not in school at the end of the regular school day. Organized activities help children resist unsafe behaviors and enhance learning. After-school and summer programs can offer the support and supervision children need in order to learn and to resist the influences of unsafe or violent behaviors. Community public school facilities can offer the venue for such programs, for, otherwise, from the last bell of the school day to the first bell of the next day--16 hours each day--one of the community's largest capital investments sits mostly vacant.
Plan calls for turning
UCHS into Why does U. City need this project? Concerns about
educational attainment: The
condition of UCHS does have a measurable effect on
student achievement and student behavior. Studies support what
educators consider to be common sense: Students do better when they
hear well, see well and are not packed into tight spaces.
Concerns about negative youth behaviors: During the late 1980s and early 1990s, many cities reported substantial increases in drug use and violent crime among youth, accelerated school dropout rates and increased rates of teen pregnancy. While declines in these negative trends have occurred in the last few years, the rates are still unacceptably high. Local residents and political leaders have looked for youth development programs to be part of the solution to these problems.
Changing demographics: The proportion of African-Americans to white students has increased substantially since 1970. University City's population is 50% black and 50% white while the birth rate is approximately 65% black and 35% white. The school district's enrollment is 86% black and 12% white - inevitably creating tensions and challenges of assimilation within the community. The situation is exacerbated by the high rates of unemployment among young people and the relatively large number of families living below the poverty level. Hence, communities like University City want to use recreation programs to help with assimilation and enhancing cultural and economic diversity. Middle-class stability: To guarantee the future of University City schools, the community must work hard to ensure that UCHS has the resources it needs to be a "shining city on a hill" that attracts families from all backgrounds. UCHS must be the place where students from impoverished homes get the help, encouragement and skills they need; it must also be a school that gives all parents confidence that expectations are high for all students, the courses and activities are challenging and varied, and the facilities are first-rate. Funding The project was originally encouraged by former University City Superintendent Dr. Vern Moore in 2004, with the understanding that all planning expenses and associated risks would be borne 100% by Project Appleseed and our dedicated donors. Under this concept the newly created University High School Foundation would own and operate the facility with 100% of the profits going to renovate University City High School. The
UCHS
Foundation Board of Trustees
will have all fiduciary responsibility and will be comprised of UCHS
alumni. Project Appleseed expects the Foundation to be
operational in 2010.
University City High School Foundation is trademark of Project Appleseed |
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Copyright 2010 PACE /
Project Appleseed, the National Campaign for Public School Improvement,
a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit All
Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2010 Project Appleseed - All Rights Reserved |
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