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	FEATURE ARTICLES Can Man cashes it in Mayoral candidate Smith: 'I get it, and I can get it done' Family night feels right Five year wait for sidewalks, major improvements Portland businessman takes on 'Amandia' Two more tax abatements approved 'Micro' urban renewal districts underway About the MEMO MEMO Archives MEMO Advertising MEMO Country (Map) MEMO Web Neighbors MEMO Staff MEMO BLOG © 2012 Mid-county MEMO Terms & Conditions	Family night feels right TIM CURRAN THE MID-COUNTY MEMO Fir Ridge Campus Juniors Kori Williams and Shakira Glover get dinner at the Eighth Annual African American Family Night last month. La Shawnta Spears--“Ms. Taye” to her students--announces senior Jawuante Raines is one of the first four recipients of the Rob Ingram Academic Achievement award at the Eighth Annual African American Family Night at Fir Ridge Campus. Mid-county Memo photos Tim Curran Creating a family atmosphere at a school event is not easy. Fir Ridge Campus counselor La Shawnta “Ms. Taye” Spears works diligently to pull it off at the annual African American Family Night. “The whole feel of the night was very positive. I'm striving to get more parents involved. Parents can utilize resources here tonight in supporting their students' success.” Eight years ago, Spears began the event to help connect parents with Fir Ridge staff. Spears said she was tickled with the help she received from the district this year. “Not only did the district help pay for the food, the assistant superintendent and a vice-principal from the high school showed up. Not only are students supporting the event but my district shows me an enormous amount of support.” She invites African American FRC students - 32 this year - their families and relatives to share a meal with Fir Ridge and David Douglas staff and teachers. “The parents and families of students we're recognizing here tonight aren't just from Fir Ridge,” Spears said “They're from all over the district. We have an even bigger turnout this year.” Since Spears understands student achievement is related to parental involvement at home, she invites educational organizations, government and non-government groups, and individuals whose missions are about education and career opportunities to the event to give parents access to services and resources they were not aware existed. Presenters included Mt. Hood Community College, Urban League, Portland Parks & Recreation and Self Enhancement, Inc. Featuring black adult role model speakers and presenters, Spears emphasizes the African American experience. Honoring last year's featured speaker Rob Ingram, who unexpectedly passed away in November, Spears created an award in his name. Ingram was Portland's Office of Youth Violence Prevention director and also had a presence at both DD high schools. Seniors Kamyra Hasan and Jawuante Raines were the first recipients of the Rob Ingram Academic Achievement Award. Portland School District teacher and Journey to Freedom Project Foundation Executive Director Karanja Crews, told how his foundation gets young black men reading literature. Melissa Lowery showed her documentary, “Black Girl in Suburbia” (www.blackgirlinsuburbia.com). David Douglas School District has over 10,000 students, 225 at Fir Ridge Campus. Spears said because the event keeps growing, she formed a committee to help manage it. In addition, she is conducting a survey of parents in April to find out what they would like to see next year. Spears wants to make it better. Fir Ridge Campus is at 11215 S.E. Market St. For more information, call Spears, 503-256-6530, ext. 8167.
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