On Aug. 13 the state Board of Education approved a system of testing that will determine whether a student is eligible to graduate from high school. Before the proposal had even been approved, the Education Committee of the Pennsylvania State Conference of NAACP Branches released a resolution against the Keystone tests. “The state conference of the NAACP has unanimously voted its opposition,” said Joan Duvall-Flynn, chair of the education committee. “It systematically sorts Pennsylvania’s young people.” Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, students would be required to take tests in math, English, science and social studies. The scores on these tests would equal one-third of their final grade in each subject.
On Aug. 22, 143 people gathered at Heinz Field for training in the Be a 6th Grade Mentor program. To date, 670 people have applied to be mentors to sixth-graders in eight Pittsburgh Public Schools. “What we’re going to do in Pittsburgh is make huge numbers of interventions,” said Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Mark Roosevelt. “We think this will be a key piece to changing the outcomes for a whole variety of urban students.” Roosevelt joined the mentors-in-training during lunch to tell them his vision for the program and how their participation will help students become “college ready” by the time they graduate. POSITIVE ROLE MODEL—Mentor Will Johnson takes a break from the daylong training session at Heinz Field.
The Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh concluded their weekend of events with a donation of more than 900 school supply items to Mt. Ararat Baptist Church’s school supply campaign. The offering on Aug. 23 was the culmination of four days of events to showcase UYLP-GP’s new leadership and mission for the 2009-2010 term. “ULYP-GP has been empowering the lives of young professionals and assisting them in enhancing the communities in which they live, work, and serve for over seven years,” said ULYP-GP president Sabrina Saunders. “Our goal in establishing the ‘new ULYP’ is to foster a greater commitment to community and professional development of our membership.” YOUNG PROFESSIONALS —Sabrina Saunders welcomes everyone to the ‘It Takes a Village’ networking reception Aug. 20.
Dwelling House Savings and Loan in the Hill District was recently ordered closed by the federal government. We asked Pittsburghers what they thought and if they saved there and here’s what you said:“I’ve heard they’ve been in financial turmoil and have been hit hard by robberies. I think it’s sad since they’re alienated from the rest of the business district on Centre Avenue. I did not save there.”Leia WinbushHill District LEIA WINBUSH
SINGAPORE (NNS)—Capt. Richard L. Clemmons Jr. relieved Capt. William A. Kearns III as commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 31 in a ceremony held aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) July 30 at Changi Naval Base. “To say it has been a remarkable 17 months in command of DESRON 31 would be an understatement,” said Kearns, whose next assignment will keep him in Hawaii as Executive Assistant to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “I can’t imagine a commodore having a more fulfilling tour.” RICHARD L. CLEMMONS JR.
