The following originally aired on KQED-FM and published on Turnstyle News.

In 2009, more than half of the African-American males who started high school in Oakland, California never graduated. Pendarvis Harshaw joined Oakland Unified School District's African American Male Achievement Initiative to reverse that trend.

By: Pendarvis Harshaw

The phrase "I don't give an F-Bomb" resonates throughout high school hallways every day, especially in Oakland public schools. Which begs the question: how do you get students to actually give a flying F-bomb?

The numbers show that young black men drop out of school at higher rates, and are more likely to be incarcerated than other groups. Earlier this year I worked as an educator in the Oakland schools, in a pilot program designed to prevent young black men from dropping out. My students, all freshmen in high school, were in my class because of discipline issues, low attendance, or academic shortcomings. We called our class the Young Lion’s Lair.

To maintain focus, we did pushups. We did wall sits. We did sets of 20 jumping jacks. And everyone had to stop at the same time, or else we’d do it again.

At the start of class- we’d toss around a tennis ball and review the prior day’s lesson. And at the end of class- we’d toss around that same ball and review what we learned that day.

Please join Oakland Unified School District, Manzanita Community Schools, and many other faith and community-based organizations in a walk and block party to build community! This event, held on March 16th from 4-7pm, aims to demonstrate the richness of the community in terms of diversity, youth assets and commitment to making a better Oakland! Read more...

The following was originally broadcast on KCBS, San Francisco:

If Oakland schools cared less about money and more about students, Alana Williams might still be alive today.

Two weeks ago, sixth grader Alana Williams was crossing the street in front of her East Oakland school when a dark sedan pulled around a corner and struck her in the crosswalk. The sedan sped away and Alana died.

Police want to know who the hit-and-run driver was. But I want to know why there aren’t crossing guards at every single school in the Oakland Unified School District. Oh, right, the money! Every school in the state is dealing with budget cuts.

But money shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to students' lives!

I remember when I was a crossing guard in elementary school. I carried a big stop sign and looked out for my fellow students as they walked safely back and forth from school.

Let’s bring back the student crossing guards for middle schools, and even high schools. You can pay them with extra credit or community service hours.

Because the fact of the matter is, Alana’s middle school isn’t the only Oakland school with a crazy intersection, but she should be the last student to die in one.

With Van Jones' recent resignation as President Obama's Special Advisor for Green Jobs, we need new leaders in the environmental field more than ever. Environmental legislation is being passed (such as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's law for mandatory composting) and concern about global warming is heightening. The call is being heard for emerging leaders, scientists, and activists in this field, and Oakland Technical High School is answering with their new Green Academy.

Use the audio player to listen to the whole story!

Photo: Public Domain.

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