| |  | September 12, 2004
I'm just wondering if this is a school or a prison? Or even better, are prison facilities better than this one? Don't the people running this place understand that a horrible, broken down, shoddy environment communicates value? These halls, and wall communicate and basically scream to the students at Eastern High School that they are not valuable. That they don't deserve the best. It's disgusting and dehumanizing to learn in a rat hole.
—Andrena Mason (New York City School Teacher/No relationship to the school)
| September 27, 2004
While I agree most of these pictures show unacceptable conditions, I notice that three of these show damage caused by students: the sink torn off the wall, the urinal torn off the wall, and the dented lockers. Why aren't the student's parents paying for this damage?
| October 8, 2004 - 1:42:44 pm
This is a deplorable facility! I attended a Washington DC HS and I can assure you that if a hall looked like these halls in the photo's there would have been a large scale protest with news cameras and politicians. (Schwartz's children attended HS with me.)
Equity throughout the city needs to be a norm. The school is telling these students you're worth very little and we care nothing for your safety and well being. How tragic!!!
| November 19, 2004 - 10:52 pm
It is an outright disgrace for my alma mater to look like this. Although, the school was deteriorating in 1999, you would think some type of authority at the school would take enough initiative to fix the school up! How in the world can Eastern S.H.S. carry the title, "Pride of Capital Hill?" There is strictly no pride in the school or in education in the D.C.P.S. System. I am outright disgusted! The Mayor & City Council (some of them)members should be ashamed of theirselves, we don't need another stadium, nor do we need baseball, what we need is our schools fixed and education back on track!!
Signed,
—Irate Alumni
| December 10, 2004 - 7:04 pm
I am outraged. I was proud to be an Eastern Rambler during Highschool. I always thought of Eastern as being one of the most beautifully built highschools in the District. It now looks like something off of an innercity gang movie. Eastern needs to once again become the "Pride Of Capital Hill.
—Casaundra Blackmon (Former Student 1994)
| December 11, 2004 - 10:47 pm
As a custodian in the pittsburgh public school the board would have some head rolling please get your acts together washington maintenance crews!!!!!!
—Bob J. (just a friend)
| December 13, 2004 - 10:22 am
I had a child that attended Eastern Senior High School. And need less to say...I pulled him out. I wrote a letter to the schools principal, and the superintendent about Eastern last year. No one ever responded to my letter, the princpal or the superintendent. The bathrooms are terrible. My son, and a couple of other students was complaining to me about the cafeteria. I had the Food and Drug administration to do an inspection. They failed miserably. I was told if the school was a restaurant, it would have been shut down. There was rodent feces, cock roaches, mice, etc. I don't understand how anyone would let a child work under these conditions.
—(Child attended schoold)
| December 15, 2004 - 9:41 am
I understand the fustration and the complaints everyone has about the repairs of the DC school, but no one cares because if they did they would have fixed and repaired the problems. I work in a DC government building and our working conditions are worse more then the pictures you have posted, we have large rats running around our office as if they were staff. an no one have fixed that problem yet. so we are wasting our valuable time complaining about it because no one cares.
—Lashawn Tolliver (No Relationship)
| December 20, 2004 - 9:38 am
I am really upset with my school's apperance. I always wanted to attend this school. Now that I am here I can not wait to June of 2005. Our school is a prison and is really suffering do to the fact that no one cares how there future leaders would turn out. No one cares what our school conditions are in and how it is affecting the kids in here all I can say its a shame.That this school is not fit to carry on its name "The Pride Of Capitol Hill"
—Dominique A (senior class of 2005)
| December 21, 2004 - 4:14 pm
My mother, father, brother and his children are all graduates of Eastern Senior High School. I graduated from Eastern S.H.S. in 1979. In the pass, we showed pride in our school. It is not the teacher's or the principal's fault. I blame this on the PARENTS, THE MAYOR, THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CITY COUNCIL. As a parent, how can you allowing your kids to be in this mess? How can this city, the capital of the United States, allow a public school to look this way? The Mayor, School Board and the City Council members should all be kicked out of office. If the Mayor used the same energy that he is using to get baseball and a new unneeded stadium into the schools, the schools would not be looking like this. I would bet that none of the City Official's children are attending DC Public schools. If they did, the schools would not be looking like this. It's a shame that this very important city is being managed by a bunch of ignorant people.
—(An embarassed alumni)
| February 24, 2005 - 2:47 pm
Is this Eastern High or Eastside High??!! DC Public Schools already have a reputation and this is exactly why. I graduated from Eastern in 2003 and this is by far the most embarrassing thing I have ever seen as an alum from any school I have ever attended!! Fellow students at my college all the way in North Carolina who know this is my alma matta saw the report on Eastern's condition on a local television station, how embarassing was that!! The mayor is so busy trying to build a damn stadium that he doesn't even recognize "The Pride of Capitol Hill" is starting to look like an extension of the DC Jail across the street from it and whose to say , the jail might just look better. Would he let his children attend a school that looks like slum? Would the City Council? Would any parent that could help it? How could he as the mayor allow this? Is he waiting for the walls to cave in and kill everybody inside, or for that window to fall and smash somebody's fingers? (which by the way has been that way since I was a student). Not only is he at fault, but the staff should get involved as well, as a whole. Just how many of the staff there do you think have THERE CHILDREN attending Eastern in it's condition? Right. Some people blame the kids, there out of control, unruly, disobdient. But how can they learn anything in an enviornment that isn't condusive to the learning process and education friendly. Afterall, attitude reflects leadership and just what kind of leadership is this, if any at all.
—Andrea (Alumni 2003)
| April 12, 2005 - 11:53 am
To: clifford.janey@k12.dc.us, Peggy.Cafritz@k12.dc.us, wellsthos@aol.com,cgraham114@aol.com, mayor@dc.gov, lcropp@dccouncil.us,sambrose@dccouncil.us, kpatterson@dccouncil.us, schwartzc@dccouncil.us
Subject: Eastern Senior High School
A few years ago the Army Corps of Engineers recommended Eastern Senior High School for modernization in 2005. That recommendation was widely accepted then mysteriously the school was pushed back to 2011 and now the school isn't on anyone's radar for upgrades. The building is 82 years old! Repairs are needed immediately in Eastern Senior High School!
What's worse than the physical condition of the school is the academic and programmatic poisoning because of gross incompetence at 825 N. Capitol Street. Eastern has had SEVEN PRINCIPALS IN SEVEN YEARS! SEVEN PRINCIPALS IN SEVEN YEARS! During this period the student body has suffered a loss of over 1,000 students! Yet, Eastern is expected to maintain at the same pace as every other high school within the system. Please show me what entity (public, private, etc.) could have survived, let alone maintained, under these unrealistic and harsh conditions. You all proclaim to be about the children yet you allowed this injustice to fester.
Yes, Councilwoman Ambrose I'm specifically directing this to you. You've allowed Eastern to become a laughing stock and utter embarrassment to every student, parent, community member and alumnus. You should have fought for us if no one else dared. I suspect the racial makeup isn't to your liking. Once again, its' only my speculation as we never ever hear from you. Your voice is completely silent when it comes to Eastern.
I implore somebody to stand up for Eastern. At one point, the school "was" a crown jewel in this school system.
Sincerely,
John Gibson
—John Gibson (former LSRT Chair, Eastern SHS)
| April 21, 2005 - 4:41 pm
This is to Bob J. who blamed the conditions of DC schools on the custodial staff.
Did you know that all custodial staffing and staffing of the maintenance departments has been cut by almost over half in the last ten years? Someone decided these cuts were needed and it has impaceted greatly on the ability to keep schools in repair.
Eastern went from twelve custodians to six, however the amount of space to maintain did not change.
| May 3, 2005 - 9:29 am
Here we go again. If its not one school, its another. What I can't understand is how city leaders expect students to learn and grow in a safe and secure environment, when the building it-self is in question. Who do we blame? When a shooting or stabbing occurs, we see almost each and every parent kicking the doors down making sure their child is alright. However on the flip side of the coin, we see no-more then 10-15 parents at PTA meetings and report card pick-up's. Note this, it's the same parents each time. City Leaders should ensure our children receive a good quality education and parents should advocate more for their children's education. In closing, another fact, it's not all of the schools in the District, just those in low income sections of the city-Mayor Williams.
—T.J. McMichel, Sr. (No relationship to the school)
| May 24, 2005 - 3:00 pm
I am an 11th Grader attending Eastern Senior High Schoool. The conditions are deplorable and really need to be fix. I believe that the system has failed us and really let me and all of the other students down. I believe taht we have the funds and resources but they are just being stuborn. We need are schools fixed.
—Michael Wallace Watson (Student)
| May 27, 2005 - 8:26 am
I am outraged that my former high school has been allowed to fall into such disrepair. It was the most beautiful school in the district in my day. Our tax dollars need to be spent more responsibily.
—Brenda M. Johnson (Alumna)
| July 11, 2005 - 1:18 am
I too am ESHS alumni. My mother, father and two sisters both went there. I graduated in 1994. When I was there, it was the most beautiful school in the city, it was "The Pride of Capital Hill." When I visited recently about our ten year reunion, it ws the most disguisting thing I have ever seen. Who is to blame? The students? The Parents? The administration? The city? Well....at least we have a new stadium and a new baseball team. Black people, this is what kept us in slavery:ignorance and shackles. Can we not break this? Wake up, please!!!
—James (Alumi)
| August 21, 2005 - 3:18 am
I am a current student at Eastern Senior High school going to the 10th this year 2005-2006...Last year the school looked really bad and I believe that the people who run the district can take the time to actually see whats going on..the students at eastern go through this everyday during the year and towards the end of the year the building is really hot...So someone really needs to pay attention!
—charise hughes (student)
| August 22, 2005 - 2:12 pm
Is this a good educational environment or a hell whole? can somebody tell me how can these student learn under these conditions??
—Micheal O. Ross (Student)
| September 29, 2005 - 9:04 am
ANSWER TO DAMAGE BY STUDENTS.
We don't know all the facts about missing sink and urinal, but when money for up-keep is cut and maintenance people are layed off, the misguided rage of vandelism usually follows lack of up-keep. "Pride of Ownership" means nothing when maintenance is neglected.
The students are already paying for the damage from the city's lack of sensitivity to their learning conditions. As for Sharan Ambrose, she refused to push restoration of DC General Public Hospital in her ward, so why should she care about A public school in her ward? She wants to Gentrify and Privatize Capitol Hill anyway.
—LeROY HALL (supporter)
| January 18, 2006 - 12:56 pm
I don't understand why the school is in these conditions. I am a senior at Eastern Senior High and each year there is a problem. On every floor the bathrooms either don't have tissue, soap or paper towels. In every bathroom students have vandalize school property by putting their neighborhood signs on the walls, it's just isn't fair. Then you have other students smoking in the building,I mean what's up with that. They need better security here because oviously they are not doing their job. They need to stop hiring those fat and lazy security because they are not doing their job. I beleive the school shouldn't look like this it's just not fair. In some classes you have windows broken, the heat don't work and even the ceiling is fallen apart. That's just not right.
—(a student from Eastern )
| January 18, 2006 - 1:08 pm
To me personally,I don't understand why our supposely school should look like this. I wanted to attend Eastern for the academy they had/have when I got here it wasn't all that it seemed to be. The restroom facilities are in poor conditions I don't understand how they allow these things to happen. I mean what is really going on? The security is very poor, you got some of them incouraging the students to fight and some of them are their friends. That was my first year there, since then they have improved the staff and security. Thery still need to work on some of the other problems such as, the restroom facilities.
—(class of "06")
| February 21, 2006 - 11:24 am
I am a producer for a local TV station. I am working on a story about the conditions of the cafeterias in DCPS. If anyone would like to talk about the conditions at Eastern, please email me at newsdiva2001@yahoo.com.
| March 2, 2006 - 6:05 pm
Iam currently an 12th grader at Eastern SHS. I have been attending Eastern since 9th grade and it seems that each school year the school gets terrible and more terrible by the year. I think its an outrage the way these restrooms, lockers, cafeteria hallways and classrooms look. I remember in 9th and 10th grade it was days the students were sent home because there was no heat in the building or the air condition was broke, it was sad.Eastern is in worse shape than what those pictures show. Somebody needs to do something about,DCPS always talking about"Children First-Their future is now". If thats the case they need to be not just fixing Eastern but alot of other schools.
—Markida G. (Student)
| June 8, 2006 - 12:29 pm
I am a 1997 graduate of Eastern and have been living in NC since that time. I was able to do so because Eastern had prepared me to move on to receive higher education and accomplish goals. Thus, I proudly boast to students I work with about my experience at Eastern and being a Rambler. It wasn't until today that I was informed about Eastern's conditions. No wonder other students from DC I encounter look in disdain when I mention Eastern's name. What has happened to the place I use to treasure? What happened to the beauty, the appreciation and love from administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents. What happened to DCPS being accountable and taking ownership of their most significant role of educating our youth and providing quality service? I have never seen a school in such poor condition. Why have these problems festered and why are students being subjected to this ill fate? What sense in the world does it make to have in our nation's capital- a place of politics, tourism, and power over the economy, to have schools that do not measure up. The once was "Pride of Capitol Hill" is now looking like the "Shame of Capitol Hill." This community needs Eastern to be revamped, revitalized, and renewed.
—Darnita Howard
| August 21, 2006 - 10:48 am
Eastern SHS when I here that name It use to make me smile now I just frown because when I just think about all the prblems I had when I attended that poor ass school it makes me sick because when i walk to class the rats where there with me the teachers where as disrespectful as the students there were too busy trying to be the kids friend then teach I use to seat in class and look around to see if i was the only one paying attention and when I did so I found me and just 2or3 still awake every bathroom in the school where lock except 2 and that was in the basement how sad was that
| August 21, 2006 - 11:05 am
I hated Eastern SHS because the staff never listen to me or others but guess what they hide so much in them walls trust I know because I use to attend there in "02" and personly i will be glad when they chang the scool completly around the kids in my neborhood use too be scared to go to eastern and we all lived on the hill and i think easter should be a school for all race not just black because that allows people to be able to cope in the real world with all race so help "THE HELL OF CAPITAL HILL"
—I HATED THE SCHOOL (GRADUATE OF "02")
| September 18, 2006 - 12:03 pm
You know the school was far from great when I was there, but now it seems like they just dont care anymore. I was once a proud rambler, and I would hold my head high and proclaim that to anyone would who listen. But who can be proud of that?
—Porsche Crawford
| September 18, 2006 - 12:07 pm
Okay I am a graduate of Easter Class of "03" I loved ever bit of it I have to admit that it was bad kids just didn't care but you had some who did. I know people say that they have teachers who don't care but you do the school's condidtion is not a reflection of the teacher's it is a reflection of the student that attend it. In "03" we had our share of bad walls lockers that did not work and other thing but I tell you this it was nothing like what I have just seen in these pictures that have been posted. It is a shame that the student do not pride themselves or others. It is like a principal once said "If you want to live like dogs you will be treated like dogs". I am ashamed of the way this school we once called the "PRIDE OF CAPITOL HILL" looks today. It needs to be fixed or I have to say it shut down until the conditions are better.
—Chanel Holland (Alumi Calss of 2003)
| September 26, 2006 - 1:45 am
DCPS need to get it together, they need to fix that school, those pics are just sad, and there is no way the people in charge or at "the top" can sit here and look at these images and do nothing, enough is enough and its time for a change. I went to Eastern from 9-12th, and it looked worse every year, the bulding changed every year, alone with our principles, and like people dont care, and honestly i think they dont.
| November 15, 2006 - 3:28 pm
Gross is all I have to say.
—Emily Bailey (none thank God!)
| November 30, 2006 - 2:14 pm
This school looks like East Side High....We need Mr.Joe Clark to come in and change it.
—April Ervine (alumni class of 2000)
| November 30, 2006 - 2:26 pm
Graduate from the class of 1996. I say they need Mr. Neal back, former principal of Eastern SHS. Ever since he left this school as gone down hill. Principal after principal. His voice was heard not only by the students, but also by the community.
| November 30, 2006 - 3:05 pm
As an '06 graduate, I am embarrassed to say that the hightlight of my life was i that building. I feel horrible for the current students there to not be able to feel honored of what they are accomplishing and where! Mr. Neal would have never allowed any of this to happen. I am not saying that this is the prinicipal fault, none of them in seeing as though we had several since 1996, but he got the job and every job done! I hope that all alumni will be at the Critical Meeting on 12/9/06 to attack these issues head on. Let's make it in numbers people! I am disgusted and embarrassed!!!!!!!
—Tamika Lathon (1996 graduate)
| November 30, 2006 - 3:20 pm
Just last night I was completing an assignment for grad school on my life. When I began writing about my E-Ball (as we called Eastern) days my heart over flowed with love. My eyes filled with tears! The administrative staff made sure that we, the students, felt that we could do anything we dreamed of! Regardless of where you were from, you were somebody at Eastern. The AWESOME life changing experiences I gained as a member of the World Renowned Eastern High School Choir and the Health & Human Services Academy are irreplaceable. As far as I see it, Eastern changed, molded and shaped my life. It is so unbelievable that the legacy got lost. As a result so many youth missed out on the opportunity to say with pride "I am an EASTERN~RAMBLER!"
Prayerfully some how-some way the legacy can be re-discovered in order to live on.
—Dawn Carter Miss Eastern 1995-1996 (Class of 1996)
| November 30, 2006 - 3:36 pm
As graduate of 1996 from the Heath and Human Services Academy I can say that this is shameful. Eastern was one of the better looking schools in the city. I mean look how big the school is, look at the athletic facilities. How did the city allow this to happen, but at the same time, look at the property in the area.....Cap. Hill. It is more of an advantage for home owners/tax payers to have that all black high school destroyed to make way for development. This is called gentification, but it is a shame that it is at the expense of the students getting a quality education. But look at the teachers, we all know that there were teachers there that did not give a damn about the students or providing quality instruction.......must I name names.......lol. Second, the current/former principle.......you can't be combative against students, second, there needs to be some implementation of customer service.....we all know the type of people that work there. Thrid, if you want to make it a scholar school, then make the cirriculums for that and you will keep the rif raft out. Maybe it is time to change cultures at that school, change the management. Really this is sad that so called African-American educators do not want to educate, but have their own hidden agendas.
—kevin alexander (1996 Graduate)
| November 30, 2006 - 3:46 pm
I am also very embarrased by our Eastern SHS. My brother attends the school now and everytime I have to go take of business for my parents, I am disgusted. From the staff to the building, something has to change, and SOON. I will be there on the 9th.
—Sharonda Lee (1996 Graduate)
| November 30, 2006 - 9:40 pm
I am also a graduate of the class of 96! I was just talking about my high school today and someone started laughing. It was hard for her to believe that Eastern was the Pride of Capitol Hill! That the school was once well respected and just the name Eastern (E-Ball)always had bragging rights! (ok.. except for our football team! Luv ya'll). I was priviledged to have been in the Pre Law program my full 3 yrs. Our senior class made it to the State Championship (for Mock Trials). The 1st time in 20 yrs. I was also a part of the greatest band ever and one of the members who helped shape the ROTC program, winning it's first awards during my sophmore year. We had programs and teachers who were proud to say they taught at Eastern and who were proud of their students. We had a principal who's name struck fear into anyone daring to walk the halls without a hall pass! Must I mention his name (Mr. Ralph H. Neal). My brother went here his entire 3 yrs and on my first visit back I was semi shocked, but I figured it would get better! Wrong! My cousin now attends high school here and she marches in the band trying to represent it to the fullest, but the students now have it alot harder than we did 10 yrs ago. I think WE, (not just alumnis), but WE the entire student faculty need to take pride once again in our school! I can honestly say that Eastern's Pre Law program and the Army ROTC program and the teachers that we had associated with those programs really helped me make life decisions. I can say that with pride as I completed my 10th yr in the United States Air Force! We need to take 1 day out of our busy busy lives and come together to help with this project! I will definitely be there on the 9th! We can display our disgust to let people know that it wasn't always like this ( I know it's hard to believe) all day long, but we need to go farther than posting a comment... we need to show some action! Back in the day everything that Eastern did had a crowd! Let's not make this any different! Go RAMBLERS!!!!
—Shavahn L. Boyd (Erby) (Class of 96)
| December 1, 2006 - 10:34 am
I am also apart of the Class of 96. And yes, I have much pride being a member of Eastern and a Rambler for life. I will try my best to attend the meeting on the 9th. But I am in agreement with the closure, reconstruction, and the reopening of the school. Looking at the pictures above, the school has no other choice, but to close. No child should attend any school that is in that shape or condition. Yes, being a Rambler means I support whatever is good for the school and the community.
I have a family members that is apart of the staff at Eastern and that staff person even states that the school is in need of an overhaul.
—Jacquelyn A. Moore
| December 1, 2006 - 3:45 pm
Whoa... This is amazing, it is really a shock to me to sit here ano look at such bad pictures of Eastern. I never in a million years would think that Eastern would have gone down so much. It's hard to beleive that one of the best choirs in the City who us to perform at the White House every Christmas no longer exists. I think alot of the problem started happening when the shcool lost Mr. Neal. You never had to worry about this 10 plus years a go. I haven't been in the school in like 10 years. The sad think about this situation is that I don't think Eastern could every make a come back after looking at all the horrible pictures. I'll come show my support on the 9th.
—Katreese Offutt (Alumni)
| December 2, 2006 - 10:27 pm
I am outraged! These pictures show the times we are living in AND how DC values the education of it's younger generation(s).
What saddens me most is how DC's the most powerful city in the country at yet has one of the worst public school system. A born and raise Washingtonian--it hurts me to say that my children WILL NOT be attending any schools in the DC metro area for the specific reasonings shown in those pictures, the current White House administration, and the DCPS Board.
Perhaps Mayor elect Fenty can make a change, but I just don't have the patience to wait and see....
:o(
Romekia "Meka" c/o '95
| December 5, 2006 - 9:49 am
I am totaly disappointed at what I am seeing. I am a graduate from Eastern SHS and yes I can say Mr. Neal would have never allowed this school to look or become what it is today. Not only did he take pride in the school but he also saw to it that the students and the teachers took pride in the school. If you didn't like it than leave. He worked hard to make the Eastern Ramblers what they were 10+ years ago... The city needs to realize they need to put pride, money, time and alot of other things into the schools and the children. The city has created this messs !!!!
—Terreya S.
| December 6, 2006 - 10:13 am
I am proud to see that the Class of 1996 will not take this issue lightly. I, too, am a proud member of the Class of 1996. But at this moment I am a disgusted alumnus of Eastern SHS. As a parent, I strive to provide the best quality education that there is for my daughter, and I can strongly say that it is not within our DC Public School system. When I attended ESHS I had the confidence and strive. But I did not get that alone. It was learned by what was provided to me by the teachers, administration, and programs that were offered at Eastern. It is now time to get that administration, strong teachers, and all programs back and fully running. These kids are different this time around. Yes, we might have seemed a little off the wall when we were in high school, but these kids are REAL DIFFERENT. They think differently, they act differently, they just learn differently from the way we learned. It is time to get an STRONG, STRUCTUAL administration and staff in our school to bring it back around to what it was. Yes they could close it and turn it into condos. But what does that solve for the kids there? It makes another school over crowded and a problem. So for the current students, past students, teachers, parents, and administration, PLEASE make your voice heard.
Unfortunately, the meeting scheduled for December 9, 2006 has been canceled due to scheduling conflict. But as soon as it is rescheduled I will post it for all.
A Proud & Concerned Alumnus
—Charisse C. Swann
| December 12, 2006 - 1:23 am
to look at these pictures brought tears to my eye to see how society has thrown away the pride of washington,dc. What happened?
—Iola K Thomas- Davis
| January 3, 2007 - 10:59 am
i don't like how dirty the school is at the same time i like the school but it is trashy then the street
—Chandra (my brother ramon burgess )
| January 18, 2007 - 6:45 pm
WOW.....WOW..WOW..
I HOPE & PRAY THAT SOME CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE BY NOW ,,,THIS IS POOR LEARNING CONDITIONS .MY PARENTS GRADUATED IN 1969 ..AND MY HUSBAND CLASS OF 84.. I NOW HAVE A SISTER THERE WHO WILL BE IN CLASS OF "08" NO WONDER SHE HATE TO GO TOO SCHOOL , I WOULD NOT WANT TO GO EITHER IF IT LOOK THIS WAY . FENTY ..YOU CAN DO SOMETHING .
| January 22, 2007 - 10:16 am
I just want to piggy back on a previous comment about Mr. Neal. I say all of us that care go drag that man from his office and beg him to come back to Eastern. My children will be going there soon. They are just dying to be Ramblers. Not because their friends are going but because we have a long line of relatives that attended Eastern SHS. I would hate to break that tradition, but if things don't change I won't have a choice.
—Casaundra Blackmon (Former student)
| May 2, 2007 - 7:02 pm
These are old pics, come now the school is way better
—Harold Coleman (Alumni (07))
| May 19, 2007 - 12:40 am
As an older woman attending California State University at Northridge, my class was made aware of this horrible situation. I'm sorry but I agree with the "embarrassed alumna" who put the blame squarely on the parents, school board, and politicians. There is, without a doubt, a moral dimension to this disgusting situation. Harold Coleman Alumna of 2007 who says the pictures are old, the school is much better now, doesn't understand that the degradation that occurred to the students (who also allowed this to go on) will be felt by them for most, if not all, their lives. It staggers my imagination knowing this was/is tolerated in the greatest nation in the world.
| July 24, 2007 - 4:34 pm
While it is unfortunate that Eastern is not currently shining as brightly as it once did there are still many positive things that are going on in our building. Today, I challenge all who have posted comments, and those who will post in the future to come and volunteer here at Eastern. We receive many complaints and negative press. What we do not get are volunteers to come in and assist in helping to turn the tide. If you merely want to vent about our school, feel free. If you want to make a difference, please call me at(240) 413-9300. We would welcome you as a volunteer.
—P. Irene Jones (School Improvement Specialist)
| August 5, 2007 - 4:06 pm
I am a Eastern grad of 1975. I have since moved out of the Washington area but I was always proud to be a Rambler. Whem I saw those pictures of my old school, I could not believe that was a DC public school, not in the Nations capital located just blocks from the US Captital. Anybody that attended Eastern back in the day know that "Bull" Johnson and his staff would never have let Eastern fall into that embrassing condition. Eastern has a long list of alumni. Lets get together, pool our resources and fix OUR school. I hope that these conditions have been fixed by now.
—David McAlister (alumni)
| October 12, 2007 - 9:34 am
I am an alumni of this once beautiful and I am appalled. When Mr. Neal was principal, I graduated in 1988, this would NEVER be the appearance of "The Pride of Capitol Hill". I was also part of the Blue and White Marching Machine. Why is the DCPS not improving these conditions? I do see where some improvements have been made, but not enough? I currently live in NC with my family and have always told stories of the beauty of my high school. Am I now a liar? PLEASE improve the conditions of the school. Alumni, let's come together and see what we can do to improve OUR school! I believe with more pressure on the school board, we can make it happen. Start now so that future Ramblers can be just as proud as we are now in our adult life.
—Solange Avent-Montgomery (alumni c/o 88)
| January 16, 2008 - 8:09 pm
I graduated from Eastern Senior High School in 1983 and I cannot believe the current conditions of the school. When I attended the school, there was a since of pride in the students.
I saw these conditions mentioned on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show and I could not believe that this is my prior high school.
Current Eastern students, I am proud of you for speaking up about the deplorable conditions there. Please continue to unite to get your voices heard.
—Joannie Williams Burtoft
| March 24, 2008 - 7:38 pm
My Girlfriend went to this school and put up this website for me to look at what it has turned into. Truly disgraceful, where are taxes in DC, this is truly shameful, and people expect students to be proud of the education, absurdity!! It is no wonder that the crime rate is so high, i would not want to learn in such a piss poor environment, better yet i would never show up!!
--Absolutely Disgusted Individual
—(Sad Observer)
| March 24, 2008 - 9:50 pm
I graduated from Eastern in 2003, its heart breaking that the school conditions have worsen since I left in 2003. It was horrible then but to deny students of a proper environment to learn in is disgraceful. I study Human Development at Penn State and I always research African American adolescents who live in poverty stricken areas and the lack of motivation that they have. One of the main problems beside the lack of financial resources is lack of motivation to gain an education and the growing of the poor condition in which the students have to go to school in is not helping at all. Why are we not concerned with the education of our youth, them getting an education is what is going to help our race improve. Believe in the education of our children so we can prosper.
—Monique L (Alumni )
| July 15, 2008 - 11:05 am
I graduated from Eastern in 2008, I would have to say alot of things had been fixed but still need more work....
—Esther Dupree (Alumni)
| March 13, 2009 - 10:09 pm
I am deeply saddened by these pictures. This alma mater of mine is just not the Eastern I remember. I graduated in 1995 and we were proud attendees and graduates. We could not wait to walk down those "center steps". I miss it, but seeing these photos have certainly deterred me from remotely wanting to visit. As an adult, I bumped into a few of my former teachers in the stores, but I haven't gone back. I probably won't now!
—Ashamed Alumni (alumni)
| March 13, 2009 - 10:28 pm
I know that things can not get turned around in one day, but GOOD GRIEF! I graduated from ESHS in 1995. It was a great school, i graduated with honors and was proud to do so. the curricula that were available gave us youth an opportunity to focus on a career goal and pursue it. I was a member of the Health and Human Services Academy, which was truly a blessing for me. I am now still currently employed in the healthcare industry and value my education acquired from Eastern. I just recently took my youngest two children to the armory for the travelling zoo and we parked about a block away from the school. I looked at it and it did not give me that nostalgic feeling, it was just like "Oh, that was my old school." I did not get a fuzzy warm feeling. I was born and raised in DC. Before eastern, i only attended one other school: Patricia Roberts Harris (AKA - PR Harris and Friendship). This too was a DC public school and I attended from K-9th grade. this school too has deteriorated and is now closed. What a saddening feeling. I used to frequent Friendship and I stopped by eastern a couple of times post-graduation,but it hurts me to my heart to see how both of my schools are no longer the clean and well-kept institutions that I took part in. 2 of my 3 children also attended a DCPS, but the teachers and atmosphere just are not the same. I am hopeful that more resources are invested in the education of the youth of today and especially in the Nation's capital. Though I now reside in PG County MD, I consider myself a Washingtonian and I would like to stay proud of my background, but these photos don't support that cause!
| March 13, 2009 - 10:29 pm
The above comment was posted by me: Danielle Hall
—Danielle (Brock-Smith) Hall (alumni c/o 95)
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