Launches National Movement to Save Our Sons
Governor Paterson, Chancellor Klein, Russell Simmons, Allan Houston, Elected Officials to Attend Opening
The Eagle Academy Foundation, which runs all-boys public schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, will open a $50 million state of the art school in the Bronx at the start of the new school year on September 8, 2010 at 8:00am. Governor David Paterson, Chancellor Joel Klein, Russell Simmons, a supporter of the school, Allan Houston, members of the U.S. Congress and other elected officials will be present at the opening to celebrate the launch of the new school.
Two thousand or more are expected to attend the opening, which will close off several streets in the area. Those attending will include students, parents, community leaders from the Bronx, school officials and local residents.
In 2004, One Hundred Black Men, Inc. and The Eagle Academy Foundation opened the first Eagle Academy for Young Men at a temporary facility in the Bronx, starting the movement to help save our sons with the help of the City of New York, the Department of Education, former New York Senator Hilary Clinton and other elected officials. Now six years later, the new permanent school will serve as a home and epicenter to the national movement to save our young men of color.
The Eagle movement was founded by One Hundred Black Men, Inc. and the launch of the new school is a culmination of the movement to save our sons,””said David C. Banks, President of the Eagle Academy Foundation. “We look forward to continuing this national movement and our model of success in the new building.”
The new $50 million, 78,500 square foot, state of the art facility features:
- Wireless Internet connectivity throughout
- Apple computers in every classroom
- A music room with a sound booth recording studio and a floating floor
- A Senate room for debate
- A full sized, regulation basketball court and volleyball court in the gym, and a wall-to-ceiling partition to divide the room
- An impressive, modern weight room
- An art room with a vaulted ceiling, a 20 x 10 ft window to allow natural light throughout the day, pottery wheels and a kiln
- Outside terrace
- Central air and heating
The Eagle Academy schools educate and mentor young men, assisting them in becoming future leaders committed to excellence in character, scholastic achievement and community service. One Hundred Black Men, Inc. and The Eagle Academy Foundation are committed to making the Eagle Academy a national model for other initiatives that promote educational excellence by instituting comprehensive after school programs, a lengthened school day, a mand atory Saturday institute, a mentorship program that guarantees a mentor for every student, a summer bridge program, greater demand s on parental involvement, peer to peer support systems, a comprehensive teacher development institute, strong principal leadership, and other tools. Efforts are tied to an acute understand ing of the unique needs of young men, who are unfamiliar with the requirements of a college preparatory, educational experience.
Interview Opportunities Include:
7:00am ““ 8:00am: Interviews with parents, students and teachers
8:00am ““ 9:00am: Ribbon cutting ceremony
8:45am ““ 9:15am: Press avail with Governor Paterson, Chancellor Klein, Russell Simmons, Allan Houston
9:15am ““ 9:45am: Indoor dedication ceremony
The Eagle Academy for Young Men is located at 4143 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457. To cover the opening or to interview David Banks, contact Sara Davis at 646-723-4344 or [email protected].