Subject: some thoughts and reflections

Sender: Rafael Lewy

To: Marilyn Phillips

May 27, 1994

Needless to say that yesterday's event was one of the most impressive I've attended in a long time. It is much too early to draw conclusions, but the potential for the future is thought-provoking.

I think you have the making of promoting a culture that may counter the long prevailing street culture. Inner city schools and their problems are not a matter of race and poverty, but the subject of a counter that undermines the culture of schooling.

I think we have the beginning of what may develop into the most effective tool to counter at this street culture. This is more important than programs aimed poverty and bilingualism (Chapter 1 and the ESL). If we diverted our resources to build the community support I witnessed yesterday into something permanent and durable, if we could slowly get them to change their priorities, if we could expand the pride I saw yesterday, we may accomplish something.

We must have a long-range plan and think beyond the next performance. But above all, we must hit while iron is hot. One thing we must not do: waste the next two years and go about business as usual.

I have heard other people expres interesting ideas. Why don't you arrange for some brainstorming? Get a diverse group together and begin to explore. This may be your opportunity to accomplish what everybody else is only dreaming about.

(Rafael is on the grant evaluation team for the district. He wrote this after attending our final all-school concert.)