"I worked for my diploma, as everyone else did. To be just a statistic is hurtful." [View All]

[Bluebear]

- Central Falls HS graduate.

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O JORNAL - Central Falls - For the past couple of months Central Falls High School has been on everyone's radar, from the national media to the White House.
With Superintendent Frances Gallo firing more than 90 teachers, her actions enraged the state's teachers union, earned criticism from students, and brought praise from state officials and even President Barack Obama, who called it an example of holding failing schools accountable...
"I worked for my diploma, as everyone else did. To be just a statistic is hurtful," stated Theresa Agonia, 18, a former Central Falls H.S. student who is protesting the move. "I feel like they are saying my education, my certificate, was worth nothing."
In hopes to give the student body a voice, Agonia created the facebook page "Central Falls High School: We Stand Together."
"No one has really asked them how they feel about this.These teachers taught me everything I know. My parents were born in Portugal and never went to school... They couldn't teach me," she said.
Agonia explained to O Jornal how some of the teachers would take time after school to talk to her about problems affecting her life.
"They were mentors and friends, not only teachers," she explained. "They were beyond a family, we had a special bond."

http://www.ojornal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20415853&BRD=2677&PAG=461&dept_id=543384&rfi=6