Name for middle school at issueSome want local campus to honor black astronaut; others, botanist By Diette Courrégé (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Glick/Boehm & Associates, Inc Rendering of the new North Charleston middle school. Some ideasName suggestions for the new North Charleston middle school that will open in August 2009 include: Mary Mcleod Bethune: Black activist and college founder. Theodore Collier: Former principal. Corbett Edwards: Former teacher. Daniel Jenkins: Founder of the Jenkins Orphanage. Ron McNair: Astronaut and physicist. Andre Michaux: Famous French botanist. Some say the new North Charleston middle school should be named after a local black leader because it would enhance the connection between the school and its potentially majority black student body. Others say it should be named after a famous French botanist who lived here because his work could shape the school's spirit, curriculum and building. The debate about the school's name is heating up more than a year before the $24.4 million school is scheduled to open. The Charleston County School District organized a committee of local residents and school board members to make a recommendation to the superintendent and the school board, which ultimately will choose the school's name. District officials hope to present their final choice to the school board at its April 14 meeting. The committee's unanimous choice thus far is the Daniel Jenkins Middle School for Science, in honor of the local resident who founded the Jenkins Orphanage, the country's oldest operating black orphanage that has served thousands of children and produced world-renowned brass bands. The school district once had two North Charleston schools named for Jenkins, but those schools have been closed. The committee considered names of former district schools that no longer exist today while compiling the list of people who students could look up to as heroes, said Hillery Douglas, chairman of the school board, a resident of North Charleston and a member of the naming selection committee. The committee agreed that Jenkins would be the most fitting choice. "He did so much during the turn of the century for orphans, for young black kids," Douglas said. "I think the committee felt like out of all the names, he was not only an educator but a humanitarian because of his desire to care for the downtrodden and those who needed care the most." Other names discussed included: Bonds-Wilson, a former high school named for both a black supervisor of the segregated black schools in North Charleston and the principal of the school, respectively; Theodore Collier, a former black principal at North Charleston and Bonds-Wilson High schools; Mary Mcleod Bethune, a South Carolina native and black activist who helped found Bethune-Cookman College in Florida; Corbett Edwards, a former teacher in a one-room local school; and Andre Michaux, a famous French botanist. Dot Scott, president of the Charleston National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, has been pushing for the district to name the new school in honor of Ron McNair, a Palmetto State native and a black astronaut and physicist. The district had a Ron McNair Elementary, but the school closed and the former building is used as temporary space for other schools under construction. Naming the new North Charleston middle school for McNair would be a source of pride for the mostly black students who would attend the school, she said. The name could encourage students' feelings of ownership and belonging, she said. Many of the schools that local black residents attended have been closed and their names not reused, and she said officials should be mindful in naming buildings to ensure they represent North Charleston residents, roughly half of whom are black. She said she would be satisfied if the school was named for Jenkins, but she still would like to see McNair's name attached again to a school. The Rev. Joe Darby, vice president of the Charleston NAACP, agreed with Scott's naming suggestion but wasn't opposed to the school being named for Jenkins, who made a monumental difference to the community. "I would not have a problem with that," he said. "It's an appropriate choice." Officials with the Charleston Horticultural Society, Drayton Hall plantation and the Andre Michaux Garden Committee want the school named in honor of Michaux, who was not black. Michaux came to Charleston in 1786 on a mission to identify plants that would benefit France, and his home and garden were near the new school. Michaux traveled across America gathering plant specimens and identified 283 new plant species. Groups that want the school named after Michaux are interested in forming a partnership with the school and giving it an environmental focus. Reach Diette Courrégé at dcourrege@postandcourier.com or 937-5546. |
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Comments
This article has 55 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on March 27, 2008 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All great ideas BUT I had one... How about the "Rev Louis Wright Militant middle school" See how that just flows right off the tongue?
Posted by gococks1985 on March 27, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ever wonder why we still have a race issue here...hate to bring it up and this will probably fuel some pretty nasty responses, but let's just name the school and not be concerned with the color or nationality of the person it's named after. Better yet, have a contest and let the children name the school. That's how the two new schools in Dorchester county got named. It worked for me!!!
Posted by Missthang on March 27, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gococks, i think that is a great idea. moonpie, your comment was so unnecessary.
Posted by JH09915 on March 27, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just call the damn thing North Charleston Middle School and be done with it.
I can not believe how supposed grown adults whine and bitch and moan about such trivial,unimportant crap...
Grow UP!!
Posted by theronce on March 27, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reference the fourth paragraph, "unanimous choice". Ok, done. Now we can sit back and see what we can dream up to divide us tomorrow.
Posted by wm123 on March 27, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's just hope they put as much thought into how to make this school more successful than the other middle schools in North Charleston. It takes more than a beautiful new building with a name . . .
Posted by grannyofsix on March 27, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JHO9915 YOUR RIGHT or name it after a presdent
Posted by JDHawg on March 27, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what does it matter what the hell they name the school, It's not help one way or another. There has to be something better to spend our tax dollar on!!!Hey I know how the children,on getting them the best education instead of fighting what to name a freaking school.
and they wonder why we have no money for the schools they waste it on bullcrap like this.
Posted by Weeeee on March 27, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Totally agree with JH09915. This is an example of why I'm through with Charleston. Please. Think of something to debate that has a little more meaning than "oh what should we name this school? Let's name it after someone black because the majority of the students will be black and that'll bridge the racial divide". I'm not racist or prejudice in any way. I don't care enough to be. I'm sure there will be guns/drugs at this school just like any other Charleston County middle school.
Posted by kendl44 on March 27, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree JH09915
Posted by Weeeee on March 27, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"...she still would like to see McNair's name attached again to a school." Wasn't the last Ron McNair school an elementary school with barbed wire fences and bars on the windows?
Oh but this will be a new school. Nothing will change. The guns/drugs will just be closer to my home.
Posted by Paul on March 27, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
North Charleston Middle School
Posted by crankyyankee on March 27, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about "The Dot Scott School of racial relations". Sweet jesus there are some idiots running the show around here!
Posted by raregar67 on March 27, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee folks I wonder....when we build a new prison should it be named after an infamous inmate? Think now---The PeeWee Gaskins Correctional Facility. Now there is a keeper, my choice: The Duncan Proctor middle school of sensitivity training. Not bad Raregar!
Posted by mlm on March 27, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You would think we would be trying to expose these students to an entire world of possibilities that exist beyond the horizon of narrow and limited world we have more recently settled for in Charleston County. If the next generation is to be competative, our kids will have to learn to look beyond the petty fights and self interests of the people making the most noise over issues like this.
These loud and obnoxious self styled "leaders" obviously have no real interest in the educational and economic challenges these kids will have to face. They are only interested in advancing their own egos.
What's in a name? The answer should reflect solid future commitments and sustainable support for the educational mission of this school. It will need that and much more to succeed in this environment that has sold so many of them short within CCSD. The name and those behind whatever it is should be part of an effort that will not leave these kids in a lurch as they have been for so long. Given the reputation of most of those quoted in this article, that exactly what will happen once the spotlight moves on to some other racially charged provocation that serves only a few selfish individuals.
Andre Michaux's mission here was not just to benefit France; he made a permanent and lasting mark in history by establishing an agricultural and botanical experiment station of a size, scale and scope that was one of the first of its kind in the world when he established his farm near the site of what is now the Charleston airport. The French Revolution caused his professional association with the French government to end, but his discoveries and the plants he imported to Charleston from around the world are now deeply intertwined with the international image of our community.
It was CCSD that also said that minority kids shouldn't be offered foreign language classes in 2004...the same week that EADS (the parent corporation to Airbus) announced that they would not choose Charleston for a major new industrial plant for the manufacture of their airplanes. Wanna bet it had something to do with our lack of interest in educating our children for a global market?
I would prefer the suggestion (and committment of support) from the Horticultural Society, but because CCSD is so provincial, it and nothing like it will be the name eventually chosen.
Posted by RTC on March 27, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's glorious raregar. LOL
The Jeffrey Dahmer Culinary Institute?
Posted by desspec on March 27, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In your face, Whitey!
Posted by ln1959 on March 27, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
North Charleston Middle School sounds like a good choice since they don't seem to be a school with that name.
One thing that upsets me in this blog, when our community is fighting to give our young black kids hope and someone to look up to, there are all these nasty and negative things said.
There are some of us black people that still have hope in saving our children, so let us work to do this and all you continue to support your children as well.
grannyofsix:
What president would you suggest...
moonpie:
Wont waste my keys strokes on you today.
Posted by grannyofsix on March 27, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets see John F. Kennedy middle school would be nice.
Posted by LowcountryMoose on March 27, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"George W. Bush No Child Left Behind Middle School"
Stay the course.
Posted by raregar67 on March 27, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
desspec...Where is all that anger coming from? Stool softener is on sale at the Bowels Store. Remember Dot Scott's demand: leave no butt unkissed. Since ole' Duncan was 1/2 black and 1/2 white I'll stick w/ him for the name of the middle school. Here's to a happy digestive system and a happy day old chap.
Posted by Corder2007 on March 27, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the way you think JH09915 could not have phrased it more appropriately myself!!!! Now that is my kind of post! I mean really it is a freaking school and all the drama started over a name is ridiculous! Who gives a s**t what the name of the school is.......
Posted by quickthought on March 27, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In1959, it is going to take alot more than the name of a school to give these children of your's salvation. With all the detrimental substances, images, and role models these young people are paired with day after day, these children need "people" in their lives. The name of a school is going to give them hope?! Please!
Posted by lantanagurl on March 27, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mlm... Your post is so refreshing because it is obvious you thought it out before spewing your view on us, as some in this forum often do. CCSD is truly a joke and I honestly am not sure what drives their thinking. It apparently is not the children. Wando High School is a prime example. Studies have shown that larger schools are a detriment and yet "we" chose to build it anyway. It would be so refreshing if CCSD would actually care about the future of our community, which lies in our children, rather than focus on a silly name for a school. On another note, I think it would behoove many people in this country to take a race relations class like the ones mandated in the military every time a racial slur is used. Especially for people like moonpie, who show themselves to be a racist by the inane comments often made. BTW, I report them every time. Golden Rule - Treat people as you want to be treated. I for one expect to be treated with Respect regardless of my race or gender.
Posted by ln1959 on March 27, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
quickthought:
I am sure I said:
"One thing that upsets me in this blog is, when our community is fighting to give our young black kids hope and someone to look up to, there are all these nasty and negative things said."
I didn't say the school would give them hope, but maybe being name after someone they could look up to might just touch one or two.
Yes, your right, the parents has to do the rest by supporting the schools and they kids.
Posted by Zod on March 27, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some sound reasoning leads you to honor one name among that group. That name is Jenkins.
Posted by lantanagurl on March 27, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sadly many parents of all races have neither the time nor the inclination to be good parents. Positive role models are disappearing. Athletes, Entertainers, Politicians, Teachers & Parents have a responibility to our youth. They know full-well that kids are watching them & emulating them. One cannot even emulate the police force as they have also lost their integrity in many communities by the way they treat people and by their own bad behavior. I know of officers who drink & then drive, ones who bust a druggie & then keep the drugs to sell themselves. Sadly this is not isolated. A qualifier before I get blasted for being off topic - I say these things because the discussion turned from what to name a school to what is happening with our youth.
Posted by Corder2007 on March 27, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Raregar I can not stop laughing about the post referencing a new prison and a name for it. Hell my husband has been to CCDC so many times they should name it after him. Although it is for stupid driving offences he has his own inmate number!!!! You aret oo funny Rare!! thanks for the smile today
Posted by raregar67 on March 27, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I made lite of the naming of the school to show how shallow it is. I have deep passion for our kids and realize their key out of poverty, crime, and dead end jobs can happen only w/ a good education. Please don't underestimate a supportive community, teacher accoutability, and leadership from our school board (which we must demand). Let's get behind these kids and show them we care and then back it up. Listening Nancy Mc.?
Posted by LowcountryMoose on March 27, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"PACT House Middle" where they teach to the test and still score below the rest.
Posted by greyrider on March 27, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, I could care less what they "name" it. I just care about improving the education system period. If the "black" community wants to name a predominantly "black" school after a "black" leader, that's fine with me. But when are we going to quit seeing each other as "black" and "white"?
Posted by grannyofsix on March 27, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you know if the school is predominantly black, why not Martin Luther King Middle school. he was a good man and wanted a lot for the childern. yes am am white but have always admired him and what he try to do to bring the races together.And if naming the school is a big issue for some so be it. i can promise you if it were a predominantly white school this disscusion would have a different turn around.
Posted by nochasgirl on March 27, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems that we have started putting too much emphasis on naming things--highways, overpasses, bridges, schools, etc. I think North Charleston Middle School is the perfect name. We have North Charleston Elementary, North Charleston High School. Why shouldn't a school represent the area that it serves?
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I say they name the school North Charleston Middle and name the library The Bethune Library, name the gym The Jenkins Gymnasium, and name the science Lab/Greenhouse The Michaux Science Lab and Greenhouse.
Posted by grannyofsix on March 27, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think gococks1985 had it right. let the children of the school have a contest, and name the school that would be great, and the kids have a chance to really fill good about it as well. something to tell thier grandkids later in life that they helped name the school.
Posted by greyrider on March 27, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman, that makes perfect sense to me.
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks, greyrider. I mean, if these "leaders" would stop and think for a second they would see that as well.
*The word "leader" is in ("") because I use the term very loosely.
Posted by ThePhink on March 27, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how about 'Everyone's Blood is Red Middle School'?
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be good if the kids were able to choose the name as well. That is how we did it for Timberland High (the name, mascot, and colors). They narrowed the choices down and brought in voting machines and we exercised our right to vote. It was great. Now we tell the kids at T-High now, that we gave them their name, colors, and mascot. It feels good to be able to sat that.
Posted by KidYendor on March 27, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I propose that to not offend the minority whites at the school who will feel disenfranchised and belittled knowing that their school was named solely on the basis of race, and to not empower the majority blacks to boast in a syndrome of domain knowing that their school was named solely on the basis of race that the school be named Happy Raine Middle School in honor of our Charleston's beautiful television Indian maiden that spread joy and love to Charleston's children through the fifties until the seventies. Happy Raine Middle School. That is a name all can live with. So let it be written.
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
say* not sat!
Posted by Roger1978 on March 27, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Choosing a name based on race is racist. North Charleston Middle School is fair. If you want to push the name it after a person issue then how about a local person? Someone that came from North Charleston, that is really someone the kids could look up to, not people who never lived here.
Allwoman had a good idea about using all the names but letting the kids decide is a good idea too. And since it will be a predominatly black school they will get their wish and it will be named after a black person.
Posted by TP on March 27, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The moose is loose! LOL @ Pact House Middle.
Posted by GG on March 27, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The possible community division caused by choosing a school name after a person is completely avoidable.
Do what many more progressive school districts in SC currently do - name the school by its location. Certainly there are many options to choose using that approach.
This does several things:
1. Helps visitors identify its physical location,
2. Potentially avoids any discussion of race,
3. Largely prevents egos from being crushed if the school isn't named after them,
4. Eliminates the possibility that in the future a school named for a person might be tainted if that person's character comes into question, i.e., Ravenel Bridge, Marion Barry High School (DC), Ted Kennedy Elementary (Mass), etc........
Posted by charlestonhome on March 27, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Style over substance - the liberal mantra. The so-called leaders will spend more time and effort over what its named than what is taught there.
North Charleston Middle School is a perfect name. How about stop wasting time and taxpayer dollars on this nonsense and focus on curriculum, discipline, and teachers!
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Say it again, charlestonhome. They need to get their priorties in order. The kids probably won't even care what the name of the school is or why it was named what it's named. Just go with NCMS and spend more time on making sure they have the best curriculum and resources and administration in line.
Posted by jonsey on March 27, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about "Jimmy Crack Corn Middle School" --- because I just don't care. No matter the name they will need to have an on-campus police sub-station to save gas for the city police. Government schools (that's "public school" for you folks in Lincolnville) have been shown to be failures -- the gubment seems to care more about what to name the joint than what's going to be taught there and by whom. Typical crap for the P&C to drege up to people all hot and bothered about: a non-issue race issue. That's some great work folks!
Posted by Cocamaro on March 27, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, allwoman. The students won't care why it's named what it's named. They probably won't even know who the school was named after. Just name it North Charleston Middle School and get it over with.
Posted by ForPnC on March 27, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gococks1985 posted "Better yet, have a contest and let the children name the school. That's how the two new schools in Dorchester county got named."
PERFECT IDEA!
Posted by Weeeee on March 27, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me just say Moose's responses are excellent. Great touch with "stay the course".
I couldn't agree with Cocamaro more. These morons want to name it "Mary McLeod Bethune". They'd end up all praising their decision to name it that and have 1500 kids all wondering "wtf is that?!? oh, that's that black lady".
IMO, this article's existence is a complete waste of time. If it was printed on hard copy, it'd be a waste of the resources taxed to do it.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on March 27, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dag, I was all ready to say let location win the day when I started laughing hysterically at "jimmy crack corn" and now I kant evn rite.
Posted by madcity on March 27, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Dot Scott would spend more time taking care of the real issues that local blacks have to deal with, and less time going barging in, and trying to throw her weight around at meetings for her grandsons basketball team, that she wasn't invited to, trying to intimidate the coaches, so her daughter can get her way, then Charleston would be a better place for African- Americans.
Posted by allwoman on March 27, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cocomaro-
The really sad thing is that some of the administration probably won't know or care either.
jonesy-
The "Jimmy Crack Corn" comment was priceless.
Posted by moonpie on March 27, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent "lowcountrymoose" ! Those were all good and hope we all poked a little fun but your right, who cares and North Chuck Middle was an overwhelming favorite!
Sounds like "madcity" gots some dirt on Mrs Scott?
Posted by Reader on March 27, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First, I do not believe that any grade schooler is really very likely to sit around and contemplate the accomplishments of his school's namesake. That is both a little optimistic and naive. I was a pretty serious student, but I could not begin to tell you who my elementary school was named for.
Second, if the name of the school is supposed to be a source of pride, what is wrong with North Charleston Middle School? Perhaps the school district should express a little pride in the community, and perhaps students should be proud of their community.
All that having been said, most of the people named would be fine choices to name a school after (except for the educrats). What is painful is that, while Ron McNair is the sort of person who deserves admiration, his accomplishments transcend his race. He was not successful just because he was black, so it seems odd to pick him as an honoree for precisely that reason.
The same could be said of Mary Bethune and others. If the school district just so happened to select one of them, I would be quite content. The problem is knowing that they were selected only because they are black.
This is the problem with affirmative action in general. There are lots of blacks who are super-qualified for lots of high-ranking positions, but when blacks continue to push for race-based honors, it is hard to take any minority stand-out seriously.