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African American Family Night for everyone

TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

Health teacher Tina Turner, from left, and school counselor La Shawnta Spears, Ms. Taye to her students, organizers of the African American Family Night at Fir Ridge Campus, chose outstanding student Dy Ansha Mosley to speak at the seventh annual event. Mosley, a junior, graduates early in June and is enrolling at Mt. Hood Community College.
TIM CURRAN/MID-COUNTY MEMO
Angela Braxton-Johnson, an inspirational speaker at last month's African American Family Night at Fir Ridge Campus, interacts with FRC students at the seventh annual event
Geared towards every student's success, but focused on specific challenges black students face every day, the African American Family Night at Fir Ridge Campus - David Douglas School District's alternative high school - is not just for African American students and parents, but is open to all David Douglas School District parents and students.

“The parents here tonight aren't just Fir Ridge parents,” said FRC counselor La Shawnta Spears (Ms. Taye to her students). “They're from all over the David Douglas School District. This was gratifying; we had another good turnout this year.”

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, nationwide the African American population is 12.9 percent. The African American enrollment at Fir Ridge Campus is 20 percent, nearly fifty of the 240 students.

These numbers define the need to reach out and focus on the African American family as a whole.
Another indisputable, color-blind fact is that student achievement and success directly relates to the amount of parental and family involvement.

With this fact in mind, Spears and FRC Health teacher Tina Turner have planned and presented the event for the last seven years.

The annual event offers families the opportunity to find out together about resources available to help increase graduation rates, job market opportunities and career path choices students will be facing soon.

Presented were job opportunities not only for students but also for parents by the Urban League, Portland Parks & Recreation and Self Enhancement, Inc. Additional ways for students to earn school credit outside of school were also presented.

Spears and Turner emphasize the African American experience by featuring black adult role model speakers and presenters.

“Previously we've always had a pastor come and speak,” Spears said. “We feel like they appeal more to our African American community because a number of our community members attend church. They speak directly more to our students and to the parents about the success and capabilities of our students.”

This year's featured speaker was Rob Ingram, President of the Portland Urban League's Young Professionals. Ingram also works on gang prevention with the Mayor's office.

Another speaker at the event, junior Dy Ansha Mosley, exemplified the possibility of success with Fir Ridge Campus' intensive education experience. Compelled to transfer to Fir Ridge from the high school because of low grades and her troublemaking behavior her freshman year, Mosley is graduating early, this June, and enrolling at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC was also represented at the event).

Mosley aspires to be a sign language teacher. “I'm the first one in my family (five kids) to graduate from high school.

What turned her around? “At the other high school I felt like I couldn't really connect with the teachers and get the opportunity to get to know them like I do here,” she said. “Here, they help you in any way. They try their best to help you and if they can't help you (during class), they'll help you one-on-one, or they'll find a teacher here that can relate to what you need help with; that helped a lot.” She added, “The smaller class size helped me; the (home) work helped a lot too. They really motivate you to do good; it's the support, a lot of support; I love this school.
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