THRIVE ACADEMY
Thrive Academy is a privately owned (charter) boarding school in East Baton Rouge Parish which currently enrolls 6th-10th grade minority students classified as being "at risk."
WHY MINORITIES WERE FIRST TO BE TARGETED
In order to fund the residential portion of the school, Executive Director Sarah Broome must seek donations of $12,500 per student from foundations. Foundations providing funding to charter schools typically prioritize their philanthropy to fund those schools serving the highest percentages of minority students. Given Thrive Academy's need for funding, its enrollment policy is very reflective of the foundations' priorities.
THRIVE ACADEMY'S REPORTED ENROLLMENT:
2012-2013 Total Enrollment--20 minority students
2013-2014 Total Enrollment--50 minority students
2014-2015 Total Enrollment--80 minority students
2015-2016 Total Enrollment--80 minority students
What is life like for these students who must be away from their families for more than 5 days out of each week? According to Ms. Broome, they are scheduled from 6:00 A.M. until bedtime. They have classes, chores, cook for themselves, do their own laundry, and must earn "pretend" money to pay for any privileges.
What does this privilege system look like?
Um...It looks like prison:
"Each day, student’s performance will determine their Privilege Level for academic day and the residential evening. Paychecks will be monitored and updated using the Google Documents System. Each student will start with $25 on their THRIVE Paycheck at the beginning of each academic day and residential evening. Students will be able to exchange their earned money to purchase various rewards at the Rewards Shop such as family field trips, assorted luxury items, and days out with staff members. Trips, celebrations, dances and other special activities for maintaining positive behavior will be provided to students on a monthly basis. To earn access to these special activities students must achieve the specific monetary value on their paycheck for the month."
A student may sign-up each day for a time-limited "Phone Call Home opportunity" appointment---unless their phone privilege is taken away. At times, phone privileges are also "monitored."
"Faculty and staff have a unique status with the student: "in loco parentis" which means "in place of the parent." Or, as Sen. Appel said to Ms. Broome: "You're supplanting the family."
Please, keep in mind that, according to Ms. Broome and Rep. Carter, these are simply children--some as young as 10 years old--who are not doing well in school, have exceptionalities, or other difficulties. They are not criminals; so, why are they being treated as though they are? After completing such a mind, body, and soul-restricting program, it is hard to picture how they will be able to function outside of this type of setting.
BUT, IT'S "WORKING," RIGHT??
Well, that depends on your definition of "working." Ms. Broome prefers to look at the amount of personal and educational "growth" that she sees in her students, rather than to strictly define success by the School Performance Scores. For purposes of keeping it real, however, we think looking strictly at performance scores just as is done with all other schools is the way to go:
According to Ms. Broome, Thrive Academy is ranked 5th by School Performance Scores among Middle Schools in East Baton Rouge Parish. In our opinion and given the tax funding and political and philanthropic support the school receives as was touted by Ms. Broome in committee, a ranking of 5th place while having limited enrollment in one of the lowest performing districts in the state should raise red flags.....not congratulatory banners!
THRIVE ACADEMY FAILS TO THRIVE
Hard to believe when you think about how warm and fuzzy it seems, but Thrive Academy has increased enrollment by only 60 students since opening in 2012. As a result, Thrive Academy isn't receiving the per pupil dollars they were expecting to be getting by now.
But, enrollment isn't its only problem.
Ms. Broome, has reported that her donor well is drying-up, too. Donors told her "to find a way to wrap back into the traditional system because it is not something that they can support philanthropically in an unending way."
Since investors have grown wary and families don't want what Ms. Broome is selling, you would expect our legislators to run from such a failing model. Much to the contrary--and to our shock and horror-- Rep. Carter has ridden in on his white horse to bailout Ms. Broome's failed enterprise:
REP. CARTER TO THE RESCUE!
Since this charter school model is unsustainable as a private business, Rep. Carter's HB 887 will force taxpayers to fund this failure to the tune of $22,500 per child in addition to our federal tax dollars that the school receives.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! Rep. Carter's bill will also help Ms. Broome with her enrollment problems. Should HB 887 become law:
---Thrive Academy will be able to "recruit" students statewide rather than being restricted, as they are now, to East Baton Rouge Parish;
---The academy will enter into agreements, according to Ms. Broome, with the local school districts and each year the school districts will send some of their students to Thrive Academy.
---The definition of students who are "at risk" and, therefore, candidates for enrollment at the academy will be changed in such a way that ANY CHILD will be able to be labeled as being "at risk." That's right, ALL LA children can be targeted as "at risk" under Rep. Carter's HB 887!
Thrive Academy is a privately owned (charter) boarding school in East Baton Rouge Parish which currently enrolls 6th-10th grade minority students classified as being "at risk."
WHY MINORITIES WERE FIRST TO BE TARGETED
In order to fund the residential portion of the school, Executive Director Sarah Broome must seek donations of $12,500 per student from foundations. Foundations providing funding to charter schools typically prioritize their philanthropy to fund those schools serving the highest percentages of minority students. Given Thrive Academy's need for funding, its enrollment policy is very reflective of the foundations' priorities.
THRIVE ACADEMY'S REPORTED ENROLLMENT:
2012-2013 Total Enrollment--20 minority students
2013-2014 Total Enrollment--50 minority students
2014-2015 Total Enrollment--80 minority students
2015-2016 Total Enrollment--80 minority students
What is life like for these students who must be away from their families for more than 5 days out of each week? According to Ms. Broome, they are scheduled from 6:00 A.M. until bedtime. They have classes, chores, cook for themselves, do their own laundry, and must earn "pretend" money to pay for any privileges.
What does this privilege system look like?
Um...It looks like prison:
"Each day, student’s performance will determine their Privilege Level for academic day and the residential evening. Paychecks will be monitored and updated using the Google Documents System. Each student will start with $25 on their THRIVE Paycheck at the beginning of each academic day and residential evening. Students will be able to exchange their earned money to purchase various rewards at the Rewards Shop such as family field trips, assorted luxury items, and days out with staff members. Trips, celebrations, dances and other special activities for maintaining positive behavior will be provided to students on a monthly basis. To earn access to these special activities students must achieve the specific monetary value on their paycheck for the month."
A student may sign-up each day for a time-limited "Phone Call Home opportunity" appointment---unless their phone privilege is taken away. At times, phone privileges are also "monitored."
"Faculty and staff have a unique status with the student: "in loco parentis" which means "in place of the parent." Or, as Sen. Appel said to Ms. Broome: "You're supplanting the family."
Please, keep in mind that, according to Ms. Broome and Rep. Carter, these are simply children--some as young as 10 years old--who are not doing well in school, have exceptionalities, or other difficulties. They are not criminals; so, why are they being treated as though they are? After completing such a mind, body, and soul-restricting program, it is hard to picture how they will be able to function outside of this type of setting.
BUT, IT'S "WORKING," RIGHT??
Well, that depends on your definition of "working." Ms. Broome prefers to look at the amount of personal and educational "growth" that she sees in her students, rather than to strictly define success by the School Performance Scores. For purposes of keeping it real, however, we think looking strictly at performance scores just as is done with all other schools is the way to go:
According to Ms. Broome, Thrive Academy is ranked 5th by School Performance Scores among Middle Schools in East Baton Rouge Parish. In our opinion and given the tax funding and political and philanthropic support the school receives as was touted by Ms. Broome in committee, a ranking of 5th place while having limited enrollment in one of the lowest performing districts in the state should raise red flags.....not congratulatory banners!
THRIVE ACADEMY FAILS TO THRIVE
Hard to believe when you think about how warm and fuzzy it seems, but Thrive Academy has increased enrollment by only 60 students since opening in 2012. As a result, Thrive Academy isn't receiving the per pupil dollars they were expecting to be getting by now.
But, enrollment isn't its only problem.
Ms. Broome, has reported that her donor well is drying-up, too. Donors told her "to find a way to wrap back into the traditional system because it is not something that they can support philanthropically in an unending way."
Since investors have grown wary and families don't want what Ms. Broome is selling, you would expect our legislators to run from such a failing model. Much to the contrary--and to our shock and horror-- Rep. Carter has ridden in on his white horse to bailout Ms. Broome's failed enterprise:
REP. CARTER TO THE RESCUE!
Since this charter school model is unsustainable as a private business, Rep. Carter's HB 887 will force taxpayers to fund this failure to the tune of $22,500 per child in addition to our federal tax dollars that the school receives.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! Rep. Carter's bill will also help Ms. Broome with her enrollment problems. Should HB 887 become law:
---Thrive Academy will be able to "recruit" students statewide rather than being restricted, as they are now, to East Baton Rouge Parish;
---The academy will enter into agreements, according to Ms. Broome, with the local school districts and each year the school districts will send some of their students to Thrive Academy.
---The definition of students who are "at risk" and, therefore, candidates for enrollment at the academy will be changed in such a way that ANY CHILD will be able to be labeled as being "at risk." That's right, ALL LA children can be targeted as "at risk" under Rep. Carter's HB 887!
Children will be labeled as "at risk" if their parents:
1) enroll their children in Medicaid as their required health provider
2) enroll their children in public schools that fail to teach them to read on grade level
3) enroll their children in public schools whose principal, counselor, or teacher recommends the student attend Thrive Academy
4) allow their children to be tardy and/or absent more than 5 times in a semester and are, as a result, considered neglectful by oppressive state truancy laws
5) allow their children to sleep on a sofa or in a motel or to live with their family in a trailer park—all of which qualify a child as “homeless” under the McKinney-Vento Act.
It takes only one of the examples listed above for your child to be deemed “at risk” according to HB 887.
Can't you just picture your child living the good life just like the current students at Thrive Academy?
Sarah Broome can...
FINAL HOUSE VOTE ON HB 887 TODAY, SUN., JUNE 5TH!
HOUSE WILL BEGIN MEETING @ 3:00 P.M.
WHAT TO DO??
---Please, email the reps by copying & pasting the email block below. Tell them to vote NO to HB 887 (Carter):
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
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[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected]
---Not sure if the Capitol Switchboard will be working, but, please, give it a try to leave a message for your Representative: 225-342-6945
---Click on your reps name if he/she is on the list below of those who think HB 887 is such a great idea that they have signed-on as cosponsors of the bill. The link will give you their contact info so that you can send them a special shout-out for selling-out our kids!
Thomas Carmody
Paula Davis
Rick Edmonds
Reid Falconer
Franklin J. Foil
Jerry "Truck" Gisclair
Cedric Glover
John E. "Johnny" Guinn
Stephanie Hilferty
Edward Ted James
Joseph Lopinto
Sherman Q. Mack
Denise Marcelle
Ed Price
Jerome "Dee" Richard
John M. Schroder
Patricia Smith
Julie Stokes
Kirk Talbot
Major Thibaut
Jerome Zeringue
1) enroll their children in Medicaid as their required health provider
2) enroll their children in public schools that fail to teach them to read on grade level
3) enroll their children in public schools whose principal, counselor, or teacher recommends the student attend Thrive Academy
4) allow their children to be tardy and/or absent more than 5 times in a semester and are, as a result, considered neglectful by oppressive state truancy laws
5) allow their children to sleep on a sofa or in a motel or to live with their family in a trailer park—all of which qualify a child as “homeless” under the McKinney-Vento Act.
It takes only one of the examples listed above for your child to be deemed “at risk” according to HB 887.
Can't you just picture your child living the good life just like the current students at Thrive Academy?
Sarah Broome can...
FINAL HOUSE VOTE ON HB 887 TODAY, SUN., JUNE 5TH!
HOUSE WILL BEGIN MEETING @ 3:00 P.M.
WHAT TO DO??
---Please, email the reps by copying & pasting the email block below. Tell them to vote NO to HB 887 (Carter):
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ;
[email protected] ; [email protected]
---Not sure if the Capitol Switchboard will be working, but, please, give it a try to leave a message for your Representative: 225-342-6945
---Click on your reps name if he/she is on the list below of those who think HB 887 is such a great idea that they have signed-on as cosponsors of the bill. The link will give you their contact info so that you can send them a special shout-out for selling-out our kids!
Thomas Carmody
Paula Davis
Rick Edmonds
Reid Falconer
Franklin J. Foil
Jerry "Truck" Gisclair
Cedric Glover
John E. "Johnny" Guinn
Stephanie Hilferty
Edward Ted James
Joseph Lopinto
Sherman Q. Mack
Denise Marcelle
Ed Price
Jerome "Dee" Richard
John M. Schroder
Patricia Smith
Julie Stokes
Kirk Talbot
Major Thibaut
Jerome Zeringue