Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Sept. 18, 2003, edition 1 / Page 1
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CAR-RT-LOT- *C02^^^^-W" "W" TT^ "W f ? ** 1 "W~ ?> ? FORSYTH'COTY PUB LIB ;^Tl_J wJ*JVv/l r Reference 1 ip Not to be taken 75 cents Winston-Salem ? GRKENSBOuq . Hl(iH Poi> Vol. XXX No. 2 Mmmmmmmu????? 'rom library West JVs trounce North Forsyth -JcrApU Journalist talks at Salem about war - See Page A4 Jamaican cooking comes to Winston -Ste FmgrA* Fiesta returns for its 12th year w -Set Page CI Photos by Bruce Chapman Billie Matthews (left), is a retired math teacher who is mistaken for white. Stacie Lawrence, a Glenn High School senior; said people often inquire about her ethnic background. Veteran teachers become leaders Program designed to help equity-plus schools BYT. KEVIN WALKER I HE CHRONICLE The city-county school system is piloting a program this school year aimed at help ing the system's equity-plus schools develop more well rounded teachers. Eight veteran teachers make up the first crop of the system's Lead Teacher Pro gram. The teachers have been placed at schools with high popula tions of students who come from low-income fami lies (equity-plus schools) and will serve as mentors and what the system calls "a critical friend" to other teachers at the schools, many of whom have less experience in the class room. "We started the program to try to retain and recruit experi enced teachers into some of our equity-plus schools," said Toni Bigham. assistant super intendent for elementary administration. Bigham said statistics show that equity-plus schools tend to have a higher percentage of teachers that are relatively new to the profes sion. Some attribute the small er numbers of experienced teachers to the state's ABCs accountability system, which gives bonuses to teachers at schools that meet the state's growth standard. But Bigham said teachers leave schools for a variety of reasons. Also, in recent years, many of the sys tem's equity-plus schools have met growth standards and teachers have received bonus es. Bigham said each equity plus school was given the opportunity to sign on for the Lead Teacher Program. Three schools - Diggs, Kimberley See Program on All Gorham Then and Now Skin color is an issue that has transcended the decades, women say "I've always felt like I'm me and that is all || can be, and if people don't accept me for my color, that's their problem." - Billie Matthews BY COURTNEY GAILLARD THE CHRONICLE This is the third article in a series about the experiences of light-skinned African-Americans and the prejudices they face. Billie Matthews, 70, and Sta cie Lawrence, 17, have grown up generations apart. But the two share a trait - their light com plexions - that generates the type of questions and curiosity that transcends the decades that sepa rate them. Matthews, a retired teacher originally from West Virginia, is frequently mistaken for white. Lawrence, a high school senior, Ijprn and raised in Winston Salem, is often asked if she is biracial. "I'm sure I have taught people who didn't know I was black or white. They wouldn't know, I'm sure," said Matthews. "Life has been interesting." Named after her father, who affectionately called her by her full name - Billie Marie - Matthews said she received more grief about her name growing up than she did about her complex ion. Both tjf her parents were light-skinned blacks. Flip through any photo album in Matthews' home and you will see that most of her relatives are of a similar light complexion. The large extended family has been gather ing for reunions almost on a year ly basis for decades now. Although Matthews' appear ance gives no indication, as far back as she can remember, her family members have been black. "My mom and my dad were both considered black. My mom's mom and dad were Negro, as they said it back them' My dad's mom and dad were Negro, and if I go back a little further their parents were Negro," said Matthews. For the most part. Matthews said that her experiences in school as a child were "wonderful." The majority of the families in her hometown knew one another. They all lived, went to school and worked together. Any time some one would ridicule her about her complexion, she said, there was always someone who would come to her defense. Even though Lawrence is a young person in a century and in a generation that are known for their racial tolerance and accept ance. Lawrence said her school years have not been as positive as Matthews'. The Glenn High School stu dent is all too familiar with being ridiculed about her complexion. See Black on A11 Church helps fill void left by center Tutoring and other programs would be offered in North Hills BY COURTNEY GA1LLARD Till CHRONICLE Mercy Seat Holy Church is reaching out to the children of the North Hills community who have been displaced since the closing of the North Hills Recreation Center earli er this year. This Saturday, the church, at 145 Pine Tree Road, will hold Community Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for families who are interested in signing up for a number of programs that the church will offer in the coming months. S t u - dents who need extra academic help can sign up for the tutorial program at the church to receive help with school work in such areas as study skills, computer competency, reading and preparation for end-of-grade testing. Teenagers also will have an opportunity to sign up for a Teen Involvement group at the church. Phyllis Penn, who teaches at Atkins Academic Academy, is one of many teachers who will be volunteering her time as a tutor at the church. She said the program aims to assist students who are unable to attend the tutoring sessions at their schools. "As teachers we are seeing that the need is growing more and more for kids who need additional help." said Penn. "When we determine their academic needs we will key in on it and help them." Penn said it is important to reach out to the children in that community and assure ? them that they have a place to socialize and study after school despite the absence of a rec center in their neighbor^ hood. See Church on A10 Hairston Ringer Rumble Photo by Ke\ in Walker j Ray Cole and Sheila Campbell were among those who went head to head Saturday at a horseshoe tournment at the Sims Recreation Center. The cen ter hosted several activities on that day, including a car show. To read more about the car show, see page A10. Children learn to fight back BYT. KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE A small child battling a full-size adult may seem like a lopsided, losiug battle, but Baccy Put.-_ tridge said tfiaf does not necessarily have To be the case. Saturday. Partridge demonstrated to dozens of pint-sized youngsters martial arts techniques that cuuiu uc uncu to stymie a kidnapping attempt. The little ones punched and kicked padded martial arts instructors who played the roles of kidnappers for the demonstration. The kids accented their blows with screams of "You're not my parent" and "kidnapper." The self-defense les sons were among many free child safety precau tions touted at the Kid Safe 911 Fair held at Partridge's United Tae Kwon Do Academy on Jonestown Road. The academy sponsored the more than four hour event along with the Winston-Salem Police Department". See Safety on A4 Partridge Photo hy Kevin Walker A young girl practices martial arts techniques that could be used to fight off a kidnapper. the Only ChoiceJor African-American and Community News
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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