THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 6, 1995 TAG: 9509060420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Hampton Roads Back To School
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
For Keith Goodman, walking his two children to school Tuesday was a bit ``nostalgic.'' That's because he attended their school, Emily Spong, soon after it was integrated in the early 1960s.
But much has changed since then. The school - recently converted back to an elementary after serving as a special center - is now nearly all black, like the neighborhoods that surround it. It's centered on a math, science and technology theme. And this school year, the district stopped busing elementary kids solely for desegregation purposes, allowing them to attend schools closer to home.
Goodman said enrolling his children at Spong, instead of another year at Highland-Biltmore Elementary, was convenient because the baby sitter lives nearby. But the ``community schools'' plan that allowed him to do that left Spong and six other elementary schools with nearly all-black student enrollments, several of them serving the city's most disadvantaged youngsters.
It's an outcome that rubs salt in an old wound. ``I call it segregation,'' said Goodman, 37. ``But I'm willing to give it some time to see what happens.''
Educators are banking on the breathing room.
``I'm not going to let any of these children get any less than anyone else,'' said Spong Principal Stephanie Johnson, who's already planning activities to involve senior citizens and more neighborhood parents in the school. ``I want the community to just give us a try. I don't think they'll be disappointed.''
Neighboring Norfolk, also a predominantly black urban district, ended elementary school busing for desegregation in 1986. In Portsmouth, a plan approved in March 1994 paved the way to end nearly three decades of busing elementary kids to achieve racial balance.
On Tuesday, the plan became reality: Dozens of parents were seen walking their kids to school. But because elementary students aren't locked into a given community school, buses criss-crossed the city to transport those who opted to attend schools beyond their communities.
Like Spong, most of Portsmouth's 18 other elementary schools also reported a fairly smooth opening, although several were still waiting for library books and textbooks to be delivered. About 8,400 elementary students showed up Tuesday; the district anticipates about 9,300 this year.
The community schools plan comes at a time when the district's financial outlook is bleak.
In response to shrinking city and federal revenues, the district cut school budgets for instructional materials and supplies by 34 percent this year. Total funding for magnet programs was reduced nearly 30 percent.
The district anticipates at least a $500,000 loss in federal Title 1 money, which is used to bring disadvantaged youngsters up to grade level in reading and math.
In the predominantly black neighborhoods that will provide Spong, Brighton, S.H. Clarke Community Academy and Mount Hermon elementary schools with most of their students, the percentage of residents living below the poverty line is at least twice the city average of 18 percent.
It's no time to be on cruise control, said Spong guidance counselor Leo E. Bond Jr.
``We're right here, in the community,'' he said. ``The school can reach out more to rely on the community and its resources and it will be easier for parents to reach back. It's time for everyone to help.''
Most of Norma Clark's fourth-graders arrived at Spong sporting new navy-and-white uniforms. It was the first day back - in a new school, no less - but Clark's students had plenty of work to do.
Clark, a 15-year veteran, looks forward to the years ahead. ``I'm a proud teacher and I feel like I have a lot of positive things to pass on,'' she said. ``With strong leadership and cohesion among the teachers, everything will be OK. I really believe that.''
The school's off to a strong start, said Darl Yancey, who walked her 9-year-old fraternal twins, Clayton and Adrien, home from school Tuesday.
``It seems like a really good school,'' Yancey said.
``Yeah, it's pretty nice,'' Clayton chimed in. ``And I like the uniforms, too. Blue's my favorite color.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by BETH BERGMAN, Staff
Jessica Coker, a kindergarten teacher at Emily Spong Elementary,
greets Diamond DeLoatch on the first day of school.
KEYWORDS: NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL PORTSMOUTH SCHOOLS by CNB