Kindergarten student Isaiah Cummings counts as he works on a math question during class on Tuesday December 11, 2012 at the100 Black Men Community Charter School in Oakland, Calif. © Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle
Imir Stills-Bey, left, Donavon Richard and Kavion Hammond lead Mr. Peter Wilson's sixth-grade class in the "scholar holler" at the start of school. The chant is done every morning before class at the 100 Black Men Community Charter School to promote a eagerness for learning. © Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle
Sixth-grade student Jayden Brumfield acts exasperated as teacher Peter Wilson assigns homework. The children that were chosen to attend the 100 Black Men Charter School were students who acted out or had learning disabilities that the other schools in the district did not want. © Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle
Crystal Watson-Johnson, Assistant to the Dean, and Dean Spencer Hooper try to console fourth-grader Delyon Rice after he was sent to the restoration room for punching his teacher. Students are sent to the restoration room for screaming, hitting teachers, fighting, or generally acting out. © Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle
Fifth-grade student Joshua West listens to principal Dr. Stanley Johnson as he talks to him about his behavoir while standing among drawings of Tommie Smith, an African American athlete who is known for giving the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics. He visits the students at their school once or twice a year. © Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle
Jozif Martinez, 4, drinks a cup of Kool Aid at the dinner table in the family home in Capulin, CO. He ate tortillas and bacon for dinner. ©Judy DeHaas/The Denver Post
From left, Jamarion Atencio, Fai'zon Mitchell, Nia Atencio, Santiana Atencio and Nevaeh Atencio wake from their afternoon naps on the living room floor of the family home. © Reza A. Marvashti/The Denver Post
Charina Cook bathes her unwilling daughter, 3-year-old Lakota Vanessa Rene Douglas, in the kitchen sink. Cook and her children moved back in with her parents after her husband left them. © Joe Amon/The Denver Post
Shawnette Dorsey, 32, carries her baby girl, 13-month-old Shalisiana Fenwick, through the halls at Decatur Place apartments. Between trips to the laundry room, she was ironing clothes in preparation for church that morning. © Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post
Three-year-old Wyatt Motter tries to help with the yardwork. © Joe Amon/The Denver Post
Shawnwunza Smith, 8, watches Analisa Angel serve macaroni and cheese to the children enrolled in the day-care program at Sun Valley Youth Center. The center offers tutoring, mentoring, meals and recreation to neighborhood children who have few alternatives. © Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post
Wyatt Motter, 3, climbs into the kitchen sink for his nightly bath. His grandmother, Kalin Cook, who was willing to help him up, looks on. A pan of water for the next bath was heating on the stove. © Joe Amon/The Denver Post
Three-year-old Lakota Vanessa Rene Douglas plays with some of the 10 dogs that live on her grandfather's 40 acres in the San Luis Valley. © Joe Amon/The Denver Post
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