Is it a coincidence that a school named for a man who owned slaves would implement a program that disproportionately rewarded Black students for academic excellence? Here we stand before Dewitt Clinton Elementary School, a place where history and progress seem to have collided in a bittersweet symphony. Dewitt Clinton Elementary School stands as a testament to the complexities of American history. The school was named after DeWitt Clinton, a prominent figure who, despite his contributions to New York’s development, was also a slave owner. This uncomfortable truth casts a shadow over the school’s legacy. Yet, Dewitt Clinton Elementary School has also been a place of positive change. In 2003, alumnus Jim Mills established the “One Year Older, One Year Smarter” program, awarding cash prizes to students for improved academic performance on standardized tests. This program, though well-intentioned, unintentionally highlighted the systemic inequalities in education, as Black students, often starting with a disadvantage, consistently earned more awards due to their significant improvement. This sparked conversations. Conversations about privilege, opportunity, and the long shadow of history. It’s a conversation that continues today within the classrooms and hallways of Dewitt Clinton Elementary School.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one