Federal, municipal and APS officials gathered for a rally Monday at Young Middle School to promote Atlanta’s 2010 Census in Schools program to promote awareness of the once-in-decade survey of the U.S. population. U.S. Census Director Robert Groves joined his regional director, Renee Jefferson-Copeland, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta Board of Education Chair LaChandra Butler Burks and APS Deputy Superintendent Kathy Augustine for the rally attended by the school’s sixth- and seventh-graders. (The eighth-graders were undergoing testing at the time of the rally.)
“This is a special day for us, and it’s great to be here at this new school,” said Groves, alluding to the newly renovated Young Middle campus. “Schools like this one connect to the Census. How do you build a school? You build them where the kids are. Census data helps people in Washington (D.C.) make good decisions on where to build where the kids are.”
Augustine was equally encouraging of the students to make sure their parents turn in their Census form by the looming April 1 deadline: “Based on the U.S. Census, the federal government distributes dollars to help operate schools and hospitals and other institutions around the country,” she said. “Yet, in spite of the census dollars and decisions at stake, experts say that African Americans and Latinos have traditionally been under-counted. You can help change that.”
Mayor Reed recalled playing basketball in this same gym when Young was another school during his youth, and was happy to return to encourage children to make sure their presence mattered. “We want you to participate in something that will have a direct impact on everyone in this city and every school district in this city,” Reed said. “We need everyone to fill out the form so that everyone is counted. … For every person that goes uncounted, the city, region and state loses $1,700 in possible funding. Your mayor is coming here for help!”
Census in Schools gives schools a wide range of free, optional, standards-based lesson plans on subjects related to the Census, ranging from math to social studies. The program is designed for students in kindgarten through 12th grade and will reach all 118,000 schools and 56 million students nationwide.
The audience was treated to talented Young Middle performers, including the Young Middle band under the direction of Robert Jeffrey and the string orchestra under the direction of Eric Herndon. Teachers Kelly Gaynor-Copper and Wendolyn Jones co-directed a vocal performance by students. Young seventh-grader Geramy Perriman served as the host for the ceremony. Teacher Philip Thompson sang the national anthem to help begin the ceremony. Principal Thomas Kenner expressed his pride at his students for getting involved in this project. The students enjoyed a special visit by Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Media coverage of the event was extensive; NBC Nightly News plans a segment on the event this evening. For more images, check out the photo gallery here.