PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The principal at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter High School is taking on the additional responsibility of trying to protect students from gun violence, after a school year which saw four members of the Gratz community shot within a one-week span.
Namir Johnson, 15, a Gratz sophomore, was shot and killed April 6. Less than 24 hours later, Michael Mines, 21, a recent graduate, was also killed.
In addition, Gratz students were shot the preceding and following weekends.
“It was a very tragic week and a very dark week for my entire campus,” said principal Le’Yondo Dunn.
“That week by far was my hardest week as a principal...it’s desensitizing to our students, to our families, almost in a way in which they unfortunately expect this to happen.”
Citywide in 2020, almost 200 children under the age of 18 were shot, and 26 died, according to police records. In 2021, 22 children under 18 have been shot and killed in Philadelphia as of Thursday.
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Dunn said in addition to being an educator, he’s taking on the role of advocating for the safety of young people. Dunn said he’s been connecting with city leaders and community activists, to help his students navigate the effects of repeated gun violence.
“I refuse to accept that the lived experience for students and families in North Philadelphia should be that they are expecting or anticipating that something tragic like this is going to happen to a member of their family,” he said.
After so many tragedies and the yearlong disruption caused by COVID-19, Dunn said this week’s graduation proved to be a healing experience for the Gratz community.
“I could almost stick my hand out in the air and touch the feeling of joy and pride for families, in a way that I have not been able to do in a very long time," he shared.
Dunn said that in an effort to provide positive activities for students this summer, Gratz is widening its summer enrichment program. He said the expanded offerings include SAT prep, arts, painting and driver’s education.
What’s ultimately important, Dunn said, is that the 1100 Black and Brown students at his school know that their lives are valued.
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