Dunbar is a block away from my house, but I have no idea what goes on there. I wish the community had better relations with the school.There was the WashPost article back in August 2009 that outlined plans for the Brooklyn-based organization “Friends of Bedford” to run Dunbar, but there seems to have been some problems, according to this followup article below. BACA did begin contacts with the PTSA last year (I attended one of their meetings and the PTSA President spoke at a BACA meeting), but the PTSA president has since changed, and according to this article so had the school’s principle. I would welcome outreach on behalf of the school and perhaps more collaboration with the neighborhood would help some of the issues they are facing.
D.C.’s Dunbar High School getting new administrators, more security to quell violence
By Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 4, 2010; 11:11 PM
Dunbar Senior High School will get new administrators and extra security this week to quell violence and disorder, two years after the school was placed under a private management team by former chancellor Michelle A. Rhee.
Interim chancellor Kaya Henderson said that on two recent visits students roamed the halls and many classrooms were in disarray. She also said “a huge beef” involving neighborhood groups Sursum Corda and Saratoga has spilled into the school.
On Nov. 23, six students were arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old girl in an unoccupied area of the sprawling school in Northwest. District prosecutors announced last week that the charges of first-degree sexual assault had been dropped, but did not say what prompted the decision. Henderson said concerns about the school predated the alleged incident.
“Things are really difficult at Dunbar this year,” Henderson said. “The school culture is not conducive to learning.”
Read the rest of the article here: D.C.’s Dunbar High School getting new administrators, more security to quell violence.
Bates Area Civic Association 