|
RECOMMENDED LINKS
Vivid Seats
Ticket Liquidator
NFL Tickets
 |
||
|
|
Derrick Thomas Academy to Open this Fall
June 3, 2002
Derrick Thomas Academy, a tuition-free public charter school that offers families a new choice in public education, was introduced today in downtown Kansas City. The academy is the first ever kindergarten through eighth grade public charter school named in honor of an NFL hero. Opening its doors in September, 2002 to approximately 100 students, DTA will expand to include the sixth through eighth grades over the next three years.
Dr. Diane Cox, director of professional development for the Lee's Summit School District and Derrick Thomas Academy president, stated at the time of the announcement: "We are here for one reason and one reason only - to create a place for all children to learn, feel safe, feel good about themselves and acquire all the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful as they venture into the world. No matter how tough the decisions, no matter what the cost, no matter what happens we, at the Derrick Thomas Academy, will make decisions based on what's best for the children."
When asked about the naming of the school after Thomas, Chiefs president Carl Peterson noted that "as much as anything Derrick did on the football field, it was his contributions off it that stamps his time here on earth. He was committed to helping others. Over two years ago, at the time of his death, I stated that something good would come of this because a good man left us. This good, perhaps, can be a school that holds his name and continues his commitment to service to his community."
When officials sought a partner to create a school to honor Thomas and continue his vision of providing educational opportunities for children, particularly children facing challenging life situations, they found a willing partner in the University of Missouri-Kansas City. UMKC is the official sponsor of Derrick Thomas Academy in order to help local urban students make rapid progress academically. Dr. John Cleek, UMKC dean of education, said that "the Derrick Thomas Academy is another outreach partnership for the University of Missouri-Kansas City which extends the educational opportunities for students and parents in our community. We believe the Academy should be a comprehensive, innovative, and inspiring charter school which will focus on the unique needs of all students."
Derrick Thomas Academy is located at 201, East Armour Plaza. For more information on the school, please contact the start-up office at 816/753-0954. Open Houses are available for interested parents taking place on June 6, 11 and 20 at Penn Valley Community College (5th floor) at 3201 SW Trfway from 6 pm to 8 pm. An Opus Forum will take place on June 18 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Gem Theater.
kcchiefs.com
|
|
|
|
||