Choice rally draws charter parents, students to fight for options | ajc.com

Insanity! Charter schools can't be funded in Georgia with tax dollars. Tax payers dollars get appropriated the way the local government sees fit?? We - the taxpayers - are losing our grip on all our constitutional rights. If we just stand by, whose to blame? If you don't support educational reform in your area, your opinion is useless. Note: Even the kids are taking action...follow their lead!!

What's happening in your area? Go to ezra-foundation.org and let your voice be heard today! Let's fight back!

 First day of school!!! - well, actually it's now the second day. (Ouch!)

What a wonderful time for students as they're rip-roaring to get back to...what? Rip-roaring to get back simply for the sake of getting back together, or for the sake of learning.

 Back in my day - many, many, moons (and suns) ago - I think it was a combination of both. Though it may diminish with some as the months go on, I think there's a general consensus that students do, if only momentarily, anticipate learning. In today's broken - author's emphasis - educational system, it is the job of the stakeholders to determine how we keep that momentary light from going out.

Welcome back Brown Middle School!

A Word From The Director

Ezra Project, Inc. has just finished an exciting pilot year!! Though off to a slow start - due to bureaucracy, we started working with the students in Janurary - due to community response, we have experienced invaluable insight regarding our direction moving forward.

Ezra Project was established realizing that youth have "individualized" needs that require "individualized"  attention. Our objective has always been measurable impact. Being mindful of that objective, we have come to an early crossroad: do we continue on our current course of safe sustainability, with lower impact, or do we take the approach that leads to higher, more resourceful, impact by teaming a  strategic curriculum http://elschools.org/  with an innovative approach to being a impactful educator: Charter School.

Charter school frees an administration of the many antiquated regulations and statutes that restrict schools of addressing the effectiveness of meeting students at the point of their "individualized" needs, creating a value for education that is critical to learning.

As our school prepares for the transition from low-impact mentoring, to high-impact educating, we seek the acceptance and support of the city.
We'd love to hear from you. If you have any cares, concerns, or comments regarding the impact you feel a charter school can positively or negatively make, we are open to hear from you.

   We are a community-based organization who wants to hear from the community it serves. Check our our new website:
Web:    http://ezrafoundation.wix.com/education
  Email: ezra.foundation@gmail.com

We're back! Thought we'd give you another perspective - video. Take a peek into the theatrics of nature vs 7th graders - well, 8th graders now. 

Whether swimming, fishing, or taking out trash, we think you'll - as did we - enjoy the life and times of our Lake Lanier week end. Don't miss it!!

Reality: 101 Lake Lanier Camping Trip

Our end of the year camping trip was nothing short of adventure-filled. One hour after arriving we were hit with almost tornado-like winds (see pic) that almost eradicated our camp site; aside from that the outing was  fast, fun, and furious!
We'd like to share a few pics and videos for your enjoyment! Check in for our upcoming event.

After the storm!

 Renovation needed!

 True fisherwoman

 Soul Food

BIG time catch!

Atlanta Greek Picnic 2011

Joint

Yeah, it was that time again! Atlanta hosted the 2011 Greek Picnic fraternity event turning Atlanta into a four day extravaganza! From Sweet Georgia Juke Joint to the Atlanta library, Cascade Skating Rink to the Step Show at Morehouse College Forbes Arena, community service to church, to Loca Luna's.
The Greeks utilized the great city of Atlanta, and now they're gone!

Joint Sponsor Tiwaworks of Atlanta, recognized Ezra Project, Inc and partner Morehouse Education Association as community organizations that are making a difference in the community.

We thank you Tiwa, and wish you continued success in your upcoming Nigerian event.

Education; The plight of a nation

To make a difference in the plight of education is Ezra Project's purpose for existent. We recognize that the current system has issues that run deeper than the current provisions being offered as "educating" our youth. 


Interestingly, the U.S. currently ranks 15^th among 27 recognized industrialized countries in college graduates, and we fall outside of the top 20 countries in mathematics, science, and reasoning. We are looking to make change. If that's not enough, African-American males are in an even worse predicament as 53% of African-American males do not graduate from high school and 86% do not graduate from higher education at all.


The solution to these provocative statistics need intensive, deliberate attention; of the kind that not just educates a student, but reforms a generation.
To reinforce the theoretic position of Ezra Project, Inc., we interviewed  three middle school teachers, soliciting their personal perspective to the question: How can we help?
Check out the three links: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3


 Your comments are helpful and welcome.  Won't you partner with us?

Men of Honor

Students in the Reality: 101 leadership mentoring program at Brown Middle School express their viewpoints concerning the program,  and what having a mentor meant to them. It has been an eventful, yet rewarding year. As a means to recap, reflect, and have fun, in June the students and staff will be taking an expeditionary week end trip to Lake Lanier, GA. 

We at Ezra Project, Inc. salute and give thanks to the students, parents, and Brown Middle School administration that has done so much to make this pilot year a success! We anticipate a wonderful new year, one filled with expectation and hope. Won't you partner with us? 

"A Taste of Atlanta II" fundraising event

Look for our newest - and tastiest- fundraising effort: "A Taste of Atlanta II" fundraiser. With local culinary school students, supervised by Master Chef Mark Ziegler of Z Sauce Works, we  will host a, "no-holds-barred cook-out" at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.  All proceeds will benefit Ezra Project, Inc., for the continued development and expansion of the mentoring leadership program, Reality: 101.

The date has not yet been set. If you, as an individual chef, or your culinary organization, are looking for local and business community exposure, feel free to contact us at: PH: 404-510-9090  Email: ezra.foundation@gmail.com. 
This will be a lip-smacking event! Visit us again for upcoming details.

We are currently looking for sponsors to off-set the cost of the event. Won't you partner with us in helping children succeed?

Spelman English major volunteer Kelly Harper tutors students at Brown Middle School in preparation for language arts portion of the CRCT test. Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark University students have been instrumental as educational mentors to the middle school boys. 

A big shout out to the colleges for their extraordinary support. Keep up the good work! 

Walmart Fundraiser

Ezra Project's fundraiser at The District at Howell Mill Rd. shopping center Supercenter Walmart was a delightful success. The event was slated for 4/8 - 4/10, which produced $850 in donations toward the Brown Middle School Reality: 101 leadership mentoring program year-end camping trip to Lake Lanier in June.  

Thank you Walmart management and staff for helping make the fundraising event a success! Thank you donors!

Fundraising made fun

"Slice the Price of Pizza Fundraiser"
 Dominos Pizza and Platinum Fundraising partner with Ezra Project, Inc. for a fundraising drive to raise money for the students at Brown Middle School, who are part of the Reality:101 leadership mentoring program. The funds are being raised for a year end trip in appreciation of the outstanding effort the boys have made in their quest to become leaders.
This weeks event will be held at the Walmart on Howell Mill Rd., the 8th - 10th between 2 - 6pm. Come out to help make this event a success!
PS Shout out to Brett Reinhardt for his great work on the poster. If you want Brett to do any graphic work for you or your organization, his email is: brettreinhardt@gmail.com

Men of Distinction

From left front: Darnell Wells, Shannon Lyons; from left rear: Anthony Ralph III, Zechariah Haley
Missing: Gordon Williams, Kelvin Ferguson

The young men of the Reality:101 leadership mentoring program at Brown Middle School gather after school to discuss their fundraising strategy for the year-end "expedition" field-trip planned in May. At present Morehouse College,Walmart and the local PTA, have partnered with Ezra Project, Inc. in an effort to make the trip a reality.

The program is wholly funded from the generous donations of those who want to make a difference in a child's life. Ezra Project, Inc. is a proud partner with Atlanta Public Schools (APS). If you want to know more about the organization, or a method to donate, feel free to visit http://ezraproject.yolasite.com/ Ezra Project, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization, your donations are tax deductible.

Won't you partner with us today?

PTA: Student Advocacy Day was a hit

Students in session

The PTA - Parent Teachers Association - sponsored Student Advocacy Day was a smashing success, with the students and teachers alike.

Students from many school's throughout the Metro Atlanta School system were on hand.

Beginning at the Floyd Room, the students learned about educational issues that are currently on the legislative floor for approval or otherwise; issues that may impact them directly.

Next - see picture - they were rustled over to the Capitol building for a bird's-eye view at lawmakers in action. The purpose being to provoke student's interest in the politics that make a difference in their lives...and the lives of those to come.

Lastly, a luncheon at the Georgia Freight Depot was scheduled for a opportunity for individuals to meet and network with their legislators; as well as a means to arrange meeting to present concerns or requests.

Personally being asked very interesting questions by some students, I had a genuine opportunity to be able to see the benefit of the event.

The PTA has, again, revealed its purpose for being. We thank you Georgia PTA for your work and concern.

Atlanta Public Schools: Produces quality results

As a testament to the level of production the Atlanta Public School system (APS) produces Jasmine Guy, a APS proud graduate of North Atlanta High, came to give back to her alma mater, speaking to the Center for the Arts  students about her experiences throughout the yrs., as a student, actor and theater performer.

This is strong indication not only of the level of alumnus that the APS system has produced over the span of many years, but right until today.

When attending Atlanta High, Ms. Guy spoke of her stage fright when called upon by one of the theater directors to audition for a part in West Side Story school production. The highlight being when one of the students asked her what she did when she was faced for an audition against someone she perceived as better than her. Ms Guy stated she would "go to the bathroom."

Atlanta school system's current direction with its High School Transformation initiative, is making great inroads into producing not only quality education, but attracting and cultivating quality teachers. 


We applaud you Atlanta Public Schools for your attention and tenacity in your desire to produce quality education...making a better society.   

Parent's Action Day 2011

Parents Action Day at the state capitol was a smashing success. Parents and partners from throughout the Metro Atlanta area converged on the Capitol in support of what was an amazing testament to the power of people, who care, in the lives of children. The forum was the 3rd annual. An event brought about for the purpose of rallying and celebrating parents who care enough to make a tangible difference in a student's life, and making the concerns of the parents of Atlanta-area students known to those that can most dramatically affect their lives: lawmakers.
 Pilot Program, a youth leadership organization, presented middle and high school students who eloquently placed their own concerns before the feet of those who have the power to address their agendas.

Vernetta Nuridden with Pilot Leadership Program Students 

Parent Action Team co-founder Vernetta Nuriddin, ever so finessefully, made quite a compelling case regarding the cuts that affect the education of our children, and ultimately the condition of our country. I look forward to Parent Action Day 2012.