Mayor Bowser Speaks to Students at Gordon Parks Academy About The 2010 Census

EAST ORANGE---September 17, 2009--- Maria Johnson, a Quest Teacher and Environmental Coach at Gordon Parks Academy, engaged her students in a special project about “Census 2010 East Orange Counts.” As a result, the students had an opportunity to interview Mayor Robert L. Bowser about the upcoming initiative.

The production class, under the guidance of teacher David Balaban, gives students an opportunity to learn every aspect of video and sound production, taping, interview techniques and staging. For this production, the Mayor answered questions from students and provided them with an overview on the importance of participating in the census, stressing that it is essential for everyone to be counted.

“If we aren’t properly represented and counted as a City, we won’t be able to receive the necessary money it takes to provide you and your families all the services we as a City provide each individual” the Mayor stated. He went on to stress the importance of getting the word out, that the information collected for the census is CONFIDENTIAL and the information is not used for any purpose except to count how many people live in a particular area.

The children’s production will air on the City’s local access station on Comcast Channel 34. This will serve to not only educate on the purpose of the census, but also requests volunteers, to reach every representative of East Orange’s population.

The students operated the cameras, the computer production equipment, and conducted the interview. After the taping session ended, each student received a token of gratitude for a job well done from the City.

Gordon Parks Academy of Radio, Animation, Film and Television is one of 12 specialized elementary schools in East Orange which centers on a professional concentration.