Samples
A Better Place to Grow Up (Epilogue)
Epilogue
Richard Baron finally got in touch with Alderman April Ford Griffin, D-5th Ward, and invited her to his office. They didn't speak of Pruitt-Igoe. Instead, Baron showed her his plans for a child and family development center to be built adjacent to Jefferson School.
The center for 100 infants and toddlers would be staffed with a pediatrician, a nurse, a social worker and teachers and aides, some hired from the neighborhood. The center would teach reading readiness lessons from the same university that designed the Success for All program used at Jefferson. Parenting classes would be offered and space would be made available for the many people in the neighborhood who provide child care in their homes.
Griffin loved the concept and promised Baron she would work with him to get the city permits for construction.
Ann Meese, the principal, is already looking ahead to next year. She's working on an incentive package to lure new teachers and to retain the best ones she already has. She says she's tired and looking forward to spending more time at home with her husband, Jon, in Columbia, Mo. For all the difficulties at Jefferson, she says, she still feels like she's got the best job in the world.
Mary Spencer, the fifth-grade teacher, will teach summer school in the Wellston district. Back at Jefferson next school year she would like to arrange a series of field trips for her students that show them their city from top to bottom.
Marlene Hodges has met a music teacher who has access to some used band equipment. She's thinking of starting a neighborhood band and choir.
Toni McNeal will enroll her son, Howard Small , at Pruitt Military Academy next year. Pruitt offers a program heavy on discipline.
Howard will wear a uniform next year and may not get away with as many things as he used to.
Over the past year, Howard has given a variety of answers when he's asked what he'd like to be when he grows up -- scientist, doctor and soldier, among them.
At last check, Howard had decided -- without a doubt -- that he would become a movie star.
