Stephanie and I had a fruitful visit to Dobie yesterday. The kids were super excited for their Christmas show- they are presenting "'Twas a night before Christmas," slightly modified to include both English and Spanish words. Instead of reindeers, their version will have burros (donkeys). This highlights the high number of Spanish- speakers at Dobie, and in this program. As Ms. Brittany from ALA was explaining the students' different roles in the show, a few kids needed Spanish translations. It would be interesting to look into this some more- the Spanish-speaking kids in the ALA program (are they getting anything useful from it, except for the social aspect of hanging out with their Spanish-speaking friends?)
We also chatted with Lee and asked him what he would like us as a class to research for ALA. From this conversation, Stephanie and I came up with a rough outline of points we should research soon. Instead of reading more literature about PYD, I believe we are ready to specifically to talk about Austin, Dobie and Webb neighborhood, and ALA.
1. How the schools have changed? Interesting fact: Dobie used to be more of a suburban school now urban. Discuss changing demographics of Austin, and the 2 school neighborhoods
Also find out why Webb receives more funds, especially from the Boys and Girls Club,for clubs and after school activities. While at Dobie, Keeping It Real probably is the only after school activity (that's what Lee believes)
2. Major Current Issues in these neighborhoods
a) Gangs (one youth was telling Lee last week of how he had to sleep on the floor because of drive by shootings.
b) Drop Out Rates- Find out the feeder high schools and their drop out rates
c) Pregnancy rates
d) Available clubs or after school activities
3. Recommendations
a) Specific for the schools
- Strategies
- Ways to get more money/ funds especially for Dobie
- Keep kids out of gangs
