I’m calling Bishop Maginn the “School Of Good.” Good is in the air there.

Ron Dre came by Bishop Maginn High School’s Open House tonight to pick up his class schedule,  and thank me and the Army Of Good for getting his tuition paid for the next three years (perhaps four) and through to college.

He also picked up the two books I got him about Greek Mythology, one of his interests. He came to the school with his aunt and grandfather,  they both expressed their thanks for helping Ron get into the school and stay there.

I know we raised the tuition for the first three years, and Principal Mike Tolan told me he was still receiving some checks directly from the Army Of Good.

If you wish to support Ron’Dre or the school’s budding new tuition fund, you can do so directly by sending a tax-deductible contribution to Mike Tolan, Principal, Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, New York, 12202. Please note “tuition” on your check if that’s where you want it to go.

He is very grateful to be there, and grateful, he was very eager to get into the school. I will stay in touch with him throughout the school year and beyond.

This gifted 15-year-old was sponsored by two different principals who had him in their schools, both told Bishop Maginn Principal Mike Toland he was the best student they ever had in their respective tenures at the school.

His family had no money to pay for tuition. His father asked me to thank you also.

I was impressed by Ron, he is sharp and curious and he also asked me if he could sign up for my Writing Workshop in October at Bishop Maginn. I said I would be delighted to have him in my class.

I enjoyed talking to Ron, we clicked. He is interested in Greek Mythology, especially Poseidon. We talked about some other books, and I answered a bunch of questions from his aunt and grandfather about the school.

I’m meeting with several other refugee students next week, their families are desperate to keep them out of the public high school, where several refugee children were beaten and harassed.

I could see that Ron Dre’s grandfather was very happy about Ron Dre getting into Bishop Maginn. He clasped my hand and gave me a big hug.

They had that New Yorker edge of curiosity and advocacy, I enjoyed talking with them. He was nervous when he came to the school last week, but he was grinning ear to ear tonight.