Catholic school keeps Jabbar on right track, mother says

Ten-year-old Jabbar Johnson had a difficult year; but, thanks to his mom's intervention and a Catholic school, he's on the right track.

Last school year, Jabbar was enrolled in a public school after his family moved to Albany from Yonkers. From the beginning, however, said his mother, Daphne Ratliff, he had trouble adjusting. Then, in December, he brought home a failing report card.

His mother said it was not because he didn't understand the work or had trouble reading. In fact, she thought it might be exactly the opposite: "He wasn't being challenged."

School troubles

In Yonkers, Jabbar had attended a Catholic grade school, Mt. Carmel/St. Anthony's and was an "A" student. In public school, Jabbar started complaining that he didn't like the kids or his teachers.

"My teacher didn't really care about teaching us anything," he said. "All we did was play games. In fifth grade, we were learning how to add numbers, and I already know that. That's third-grade stuff. I was bored, and so were the rest of the students. It was awful."

Said his mother: "I found out that his classmates were bullying him. I went to the school and talked to the principal. They didn't seem interested in my concerns. They kept minimizing my concerns. I felt very unwelcome there. They made me feel as if my concern as a parent was inappropriate."

New school

Saying "I didn't want him to fall through the cracks," Mrs. Ratliff finally decided to find another school for Jabbar. A friend recommended St. James Institute in Albany.

"What made me love that school was the fact that the principal [Christopher Bott] seemed to understand our situation," she said. "He wanted to interview my child, not just me. He asked for a writing sample from Jabbar and reviewed his records from his school in Yonkers. I was impressed."

Jabbar made the move to Catholic grade school in January.

Positive experience

"I learn more stuff there because my teacher really cares about education," Jabbar said of his new school. "Everyone has their own desk, not tables. Now my stuff is organized, and I have a lot of books to read. The principal has lunch with us and asks us about how things are going. I am learning new things in science and math, not just how to add up numbers. I'm not bored anymore."

As proof, at an awards assembly at St. James, Jabbar was presented with a handful of certificates for high grades and outstanding performance.

"My son has proven to me and to himself that if challenged, he can excel in his studies. He is a very smart boy, and I am proud of him," his mother said. "I am grateful that we found the right environment for my son -- one with morals, accountability, discipline, where people care about his education and progress.

"The tuition is a big sacrifice for our family, but we know it is the right decision for us. I'll do whatever it takes to keep him there."

(Fifth-grade awards presented to Jabbar include Excellent Attendance, Working Hard in Technology, Junior Achievement for work on "Our Nation" corporate project, Good Asthma Management from the American Lung Association, High Honor Roll for 97-percent grade-point average, and publication of his poem, "Friends" in Young Poets of 2005. Jabbar's favorite sport: basketball...book: "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom"...pastime: journaling and writing...career: basketball player or lawyer...wish: "Peace in the world, no guns, no violence in schools.")

(8/25/05) [[In-content Ad]]