Radio Free JoJo

I’ve been writing a bit about the Erie school district and the major restructuring and right sizing that is underway. I’m interested in the outcomes because I’m a proud Erie parent. My son, Josh Natalie is a senior at Collegiate Academy and a  varsity letterman in swimming, cross country, and track for Strong Vincent, the school he competes for.

He is having a heck of a year, and this past weekend, met a goal he set before the season of winning an event at an invitational. His hard work paid off as he placed first in both the 800 meters and 1600 meters at the Franklin Invitational.

Those wins caused the Erie Times-News sports writers to nominate him as a Male Breakout Athlete of the Week, a huge honor. Now it’s up to the readers to vote in the winners. As his dad, and knowing the effort he puts it to go after his goals, I would humbly appreciate your support by voting for him. The voting ends Tuesday, May 1st at 11:59 PM.

To vote click the link below and scroll down the side to Josh Natalie’s name, click the circle then vote. Thanks in advance!

Vote for Josh! http://www.goerieblogs.com/sports/varsity/2012/04/29/erie-times-news-breakout-athlete-of-the-week-nominees-3/

Right before a public hearing Wednesday night at East High School, officials of the Erie School District have announced the proposal to close 3 elementary schools in the city:

• Burton Elementary School, 1661 Buffalo Rd.
• Glenwood Elementary School, 3503 Peach St.
• Irving Elementary School, 2310 Plum St.

If you look at the map below, you can get a feel of why these schools were chosen. In the case of Irving, it is the closeness to Perry Elementary. With Glenwood, you have a school in a neighborhood with low density of kids that would attend there. As far as Burton is concerned, it could be a promixity issue, or a facilities condition issue.

We will find out more at the community forum tonight.

Erie City schools slated for closing indicated by blue shaded circles