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Jennings Staff Help Clean Up Streets of Ferguson the Day Before Classes Started
One day last week approximately 200 staff members from the Jennings School District demonstrated positive community support by helping clean the streets of Ferguson in the aftermath of the unrest in the that community.
In response to Superintendent Tiffany Anderson’s request to help rebuild the community by cleaning up the streets of Ferguson while school was closed, the majority of the staff answered the call. Administrators, teachers, and district support staff joined together to pick up debris along West Florissant in Ferguson last Tuesday morning.
Smiles were abundant on the faces of participants and spectators alike. Cars honked in support and some drivers pulled over to join in the effort. Many onlookers stopped and shared hugs with staff. “It was simply amazing, seeing the Jennings family helping to strengthen the community,” said Supt. Anderson. “The positive collective energy from this effort sends an optimistic message that so much good can be accomplished if we all work together.”
Jennings is located in North County where the command center that is addressing the Ferguson unrest is located. Jennings is comprised of students who are 90% free reduced-price lunch and over 90% are African American students. Lessons on resiliency and restorative justice practices are taught regularly in classrooms in Jennings given the experiences kids face daily in many high free reduced lunch settings. They believe this has contributed to the peace their community has maintained during this time of unrest for surrounding areas.
While classes were cancelled on Aug. 18 and 19, free lunches were available to students at their schools. In addition, schools were open for family mental health counseling services.
Classes resumed on August 20. The school day was peaceful and smooth with over 83% of the student body in attendance. Teachers and counselors carried out carefully planned lessons to help students express and process their feelings, ask questions and have dialogue about issues facing the neighboring community. “We want students to feel safe and cared for in their school community. We want to empower them with strategies to support the healing process,” said Anderson.
Staff member teams will continue to attend mental health training and continue to have carefully planned lessons regarding all of the recent events addressing justice, the judicial system, violence, equity and other social justice topics. Superintendent Anderson added. “There are so many teachable moments throughout the events over the last two weeks, and Jennings plans to integrate those in various ways.”
