Spanish speaking residents respond

Bilingual presentation of Lorain Promise given at Sacred Heart Chapel

What changes are planned for Lorain City Schools? The Morning Journal explores the Lorain Promise in a three-part series. Nov. 2: How is the Lorain Promise different from previous academic improvement plans?

Nov. 3: What is the response of Spanish-speaking community members?

Nov. 4: What is the response of English-speaking community members?

Spanish-speaking families responded with optimism to a recent bilingual presentation of the Lorain Promise of Lorain City Schools at Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain.

Lorain Schools Chief Executive Officer David

Hardy Jr. spoke through interpreters Victor Leandry, executive director of El Centro de Servicio Sociales; Anabel Barron, a social worker at El Centro; and Leticia De la Vara with consulting group TNTP hired by the district.

Hardy told of children hungry to learn if adults would provide what they need academically, physically, socially and emotionally.

He also is changing the power structure of the district to focus on creating scholars who can compete with youth from the best schools worldwide.

The presentation Oct. 30 at Sacred Heart Chapel included time for citizens to talk about concerns.

Parents asked for more ways children can be successful even if they are not high achievers, and for psychological or emotional testing in younger grades to help hurting children sooner.

Others said parents need to step up and help the schools, and to accept responsibility for their own children.

After a presentation and dialog, people responded positively to the message.

Martin Leibas, 55, a social worker, said he was born and raised in Lorain.

“I think it was a great program, but there’s got to be initiatives to address adults in the community and parents,” Leibas said. “We have to address programs for our children through our parents. Parents don’t know what’s available for their children.”

Ray Pagan, who retired in 2001 from Lorain Schools after serving as a Southview High School principal and then worked for 12 years for Lorain County Community College, said he likes the Lorain Promise plan.

“I think it’s great,” Pagan said. “I always worry about them starting and stopping. I hope they follow through and get the fi- nances and do it, because it’s really a good plan. I heard the CEO saying that we need to do a lot of things and to work with parents a bit, and that’s nice to hear.”

A Lorain Academic Distress Commission meets 5:30 p.m., Nov. 6, in a media center at Lorain High School with a purpose of approving the Lorain Promise and sending the plan to Ohio Department of Education according to state law.

Hardy said he plans to challenge the community to bring their strengths and gifts to the table to help children and to turn the district around.

A Community Business Schools Partnership meeting is 8 a.m., Nov. 15, in a foyer outside the auditorium at Lorain Performing Arts Center on the Pole Avenue side of Lorain High School.

Residents said they are pondering the breadth and depth of the academic recovery plan.

“I was reading over the whole weekend the Lorain Promise,” Barron said. “It’s great, but it’s going to take a number of years. It’s great if we can achieve this. Lorain will be a better place.”

I always worry about them starting and stopping. I hope they follow through and get the finances and do it, because it’s really a good plan. I heard the CEOsaying that we need to do a lot of things and to work with parents a bit, and that’s nice to hear.” — Ray Pagan, who retired in 2001 from Lorain Schools after serving as a Southview High School principal and then worked for 12 years for Lorain County Community College