I am currently out of town and unable to read the 100's of comments that has shown up on the blog. I scanned through and see some sincere dialog going on. I appreciate that. I am creating this new post just to shorten the scrolling for ongoing dialog.
I hope the students are too busy in FL to post but look forward to their return and comments about their experiences.
Till later..................
254 comments:
1 – 200 of 254 Newer› Newest»SIMMONS SUCKS !!!!!
If you feel Simmons sucks then do something about it.
If all the complaints and lawsuits against the Simmons Administration haven't moved the Central Office to do anything by now, what exactly do you suggest I or anybody else can do?
All lies if these lawsuits are filed you must be able to them with names?
I notice in this morning's Beacon that Oswego has suspended their Building Trades program. What a shame! Building Trades is one of those classes that gives kids real-world experience that can lead to a good job right out of high school. Hopefully OHS students will be able to take Building Trades classes at the local community college until the program is reinstated.
But what really impressed me about the Beacon article was the fact that it was written by Dr. Dan O'Donnell, the superintendent of D308 schools. Dr. O'Donnell (a former band director, by the way) took it upon himself to explain, in plain English, the specific reasons why the program was suspended: small class sizes, difficulty selling the Building Trades houses, a shortfall in state funding. Dr. O'Donnell gave the community a straightforward explanation of the School Board's decision, without hiding anything or blaming anyone.
Too bad every superintendent can't be like Dr. O'Donnell!
To bad Superintendents don't have Dr Roberts financial ability then maybe they could have a building trades department.
Compared to our previous superintendent, "Serial Bully" Radakovich, Dr. Roberts is a saint! He does try to be diplomatic and fair.
But when was the last time you read anything in the local papers by him (or for that matter by Dr. Rydland in D129), explaining a decision or policy?
If Dr. Roberts has financial ability why don't we have newer text books or an updated scheduling system for the teachers.
Interesting comments from the Beacon openline blog. Not only is Roberts a saint but our Board must be one as well compared to D129
teacherwestaurora wrote:
What a union they could even investigate why Superintendent Jim Rydland got his $300,000 plus in salary, pension, and perks at 12 noon in executive session before the Christmas holiday. The Board took care of Jim and stuck it to the tax payers
route47 wrote:
This is a bad deal. The average class size will increase for the 2010/11 school year. The taxpayers and students in West Aurora got screwed AGAIN. A pay freeze isn't enough. The long term solution is to cut salaries and eliminate non-core related programs.
teacherwestaurora wrote:
Why should I and risk losing my job. You the residents of the West side just passed a referendum and you are already out of money. You are still going to have large class sizes. Why did Rydland not take a pay freeze? Why is he allowed to have a $12,500 expense & travel account. Why is he allowed to run about town with Ormond and other Board members treating themselves to the finest Aurora has to offer. Sounds like the residents should fire him and the Board.
Not really. The board president and other members of the board run around with the Superintendent and who can really tell how much they spend. Just like the IPhones the administrators got no one would of know if someone hadn't posted it. Most of the board thinks the administration can do know wrong and just approve everything they do.
We will be a better district than 129 when there students lie to go to our schools.
Changing the subject:
Does our district have any policy about teachers and students being Facebook friends? I'm not talking about alumni "friending" their former teachers, or students joining Facebook pages run by teachers (such as drama, band, or athletics). I'm talking about a couple of EHS teachers who have 200+ students as Facebook friends, along with adult co-workers, college roommates, etc. These teachers make inappropriate comments (for example, one teacher called a student a "cougar" when that student made a flattering remark about a younger classmate)
Becoming Facebook friends with current students seems unprofessional, and could lead to trouble. It blurs the line between those in authority and those who look to teachers as role models. Many districts have clear guidelines about this sort of thing--why not us?
I can see where there could be a problem with teachers and present day students being facebook friends don't they have enough adult friends?
I would have a problem with a Superintendents contract being approved in executive session. Rydland is turning into the serial bully by those standards.
How Ryland's contract as approved has nothing to do with this district and I would think they have enough people that go to meetings that would complain with how it was done.
It is no different than how ours was done just because they voted in open session doesn't mean that there wasn't back door things done with the lawyer. If you want to prove that this district did it the right way post his contract with nothing white out on the district website and the we will see who is open and honest.
In fact post all non teachers pay rates on the district website to show how fincially honest and sound the district is.
Wasn't this posted to wish the band a safe and enjoyable trip? Now you people have taken this post to discuss the administration and students being friends with teachers on facebook...you people are sad
About the Facebook friends thing, back when I was in high school I didn't even know my teachers' first names--they were all "Mr." or "Mrs." to me. I thought most of my teachers were so much more mature and knowledgeable than I was. Now I guess teachers are supposed to be kids' pals. Times have sure changed!
If there is a policy, you would have to start with Clayton. He is Facebook and MySpace friends with tons of students in this district. That's in large part how he communicates with his illegal fraternity and sorority. He has all sorts of contact with students outside what would be considered normal and proper venues. If any teacher did what Clayton does, they would be written up at least and terminated at worst.
Clayton has saved many kids and got them to go to college what have you done.
Just because Mr. Muhammad has done some very good things for the kids in this district does not mean that it is appropriate for him (or others in authority over our kids) to "friend" them on Facebook or Myspace.
After students have graduated they are no longer under teachers' authority. They are no longer minors but young adults. Then it's different--but until then, adults need to be role models instead of pals!
I have been teaching for more than twenty years. I have had thousands of kids go through my classes and teams. I've taught them to read and write. I've taught them to live their lives in an ethical and moral way. I've taught them to respect the laws of our land.
Many of them have gone on to colleges, universities, trade schools etc. and live honorable and productive lives.
I do the same thing that teachers the world over do everyday and I, like them, don't need my name in the papers to do it.
It's a shame that some people believe it's acceptable to break the law, even if they do believe they are doing it for the right reasons.
The rest of us fight the good fight and do it the right way.
The problem with all of this and even though some good has come out of it is if anything inapporate should happen the district is libal for it. Say a student talking to a teacher on facebook or myspace takes something wrong and thinks they are trying to suduce or make them do something wrong can come back to a lawsuit for the district.
There are many organizations and groups outside of the school that have help students graduate to focus on one person is wrong.
I see nothing wrong with teachers being friends with their students on Facebook. It's a good way to keep in contact if you have a question, and i see it as an easier way to Facebook them than to e-mail them.
Also, i thought teachers were to be seen as someone you can trust. Yes, an adult with authority, but also as a friend, or someone to go to if you ever needed help with school problems, or maybe even family problems. I don't understand why teachers should be seen as people who you can't talk to if it doesn't involve class issues. I believe a great teacher is one who has a good relationship with their students, but can also take control of their class when needed. I see their teaching to be more effective that way.
As a parent, I would prefer that my kids' teachers NOT be their "friends". I would agree that it is often easier to communicate by using Facebook, but there are pages on Facebook specifically for EHS drama, band, sports etc.--and that's where students, parents, and that's where community members should find out about upcoming events and ask questions.
My teenaged daughter has no business being in the same circle of "friends" as her 30-something teacher's college roommates and drinking buddies. She has plenty of friends her own age. What she needs from her teachers is for them to be role models, not pals.
And all it will take is for one parent to hire a lawyer and sue the district if something inappropriate is said between a student and their teacher/"friend". The district could end up spending thousands of dollars on legal fees and settlements that could have gone for our kids' education. Should we afford to take that risk?
Why does a teacher have to be a friend on facebook why not just pick up the phone and call or email. I would have to wonder to if these are teachers pets not students that need help with something. If a student needs conselling then they should get it from someone who has the right knowledge to do so. Unless it is not possible the frist person a student should go to is the parents not a teacher. The problem no a days is parents, teachers and others want to be childrens friends instead of being someone to look up to and for guidance.
Facebook is public I am a friend on Clayton's site as is the District watchdog and chief complainer Rayanne Carlson if something that is wrong is being said to the students I am sure she would be more than happy to stick it to the District. I happen to find Clayton news and communication with the kids inspirational. Would you rather see private emails or phone calls than a public site.
"Facebook is public"--not really, 9:50 a.m.! A person's private information and activities posted on their wall can be viewed ONLY by their "friends". Not by minors' parents, who consider it our responsibility to keep an eye on what they're doing (online and off).
And Rayanne and I are both adults. Unless you're a high school student, 9:50 a.m., there's absolutely nothing wrong with being online friends with whomever you choose. The inspirational messages that Mr. Muhammad puts on his Facebook page should be available for anyone to read on his Boys II Men website.
What makes everyone think it is Rayanne that always comments about this and I do believe most where commenting on teachers having current students as friends. Someone has to watch out for what is going on here and I know that it isn't only Rayanne posting.
There are other groups that districts students go to that don't feel a need to post on facebook but have there own type of communication system. It is a sad time that students have to go outside the home to get inspirational messages. That should be the job of the parent to guide them in those areas.
The district has teacher web pages on each of their school web sites. This is a more appropriate venue as everything communicated can be monitored and recorded by the district.
There's no need for adults to be communicating with students outside of normal district channels. It invites scrutiny and criticizm and casts a large shadow over the teachers reputation.
As a teacher you understand that you never put yourself in a position where you communicate with students in private. You never enter a room with a student that doesn't have windows. You never drive with a student alone in your car. You never meet with a student outside of the school or a school sponsored event and never without other adult witnesses.
The district should seriously question the judgement of any adult who has been communicating with children on any social networking site.
Not true all other Districts have the same format as d131
Nothing will be done because the current President and Clayton are big friends as is Roberts the rest of the Board does not care they just let her run the show.
Nothing is ever done with the illegal, immoral and enethical acts done by Clayton. Some day it's going to come back and bite the district in the butt. Some smart lawyer is going to be representing some employee and ask the simple question, why are all employees not held to the same school codes and board policies. Why are some employees persecuted while other are excused/
We need a clearly-defined policy. Here's just one example of a school district that sees the wisdom of teachers remaining role models instead of pals:
~~~~~~~~~
Granite teachers soon could be required to give their students a cyber cold shoulder.
The Salt Lake Valley school district is considering a new social-networking policy that would forbid employees from fraternizing with students online, including being Facebook friends. But it also would allow teachers and schools to create online forums to engage students for educational purposes.
The rules would be among the first of their kind in Utah, where most school districts have relied on general guidelines that teachers act as role models and not have inappropriate contact with students.
The relatively new realm of online social networking has prompted many sticky questions for schools.
If a teacher has a private account on social site, is it OK for him or her to post revealing photos, drunken escapades or political rants? What if a student or parent gains access to the teacher's site? Should teachers and students ever be Facebook friends?
"We've had a number of these [social-networking] issues in professional practice cases," said Carol Lear, a State Office of Education attorney and executive secretary of the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. "There have been pictures of teachers on their own sites where the behavior may be legal but sort of questionable for a teacher."
Lear said developing a specific, district policy on the use of social-networking tools is a "great idea."
"Teachers tend to want
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rules," she said. "It will be helpful for teachers in the long run ... There are lines they have to stay within if they want to be public school teachers."
Lear said she has heard of very few districts in Utah discussing formal policies.
Canyons School District is crafting one. Last month, Alpine School District adopted guidelines that forbid employees from texting or engaging in online networking with students if the activity is not for a school purpose.
"A teacher should not be a Facebook friend on a student's personal page," said Rhonda Bromley, Alpine spokeswoman. But "there's some exciting new ways the teachers can utilize modern technology to help with teaching... As long as what you're doing is within your scope of employment, it's OK for you to do it."
So you need to go all the way to Utah a very conservative State for a policy on Facebook. Some think television is to immoral.
I don't know. I thought Utah was fairly progressive, especially pushing for the whole mutiple wives thing.
In any case, here is one a little closer to home. Chicago Public Schools ban the use of FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, etc for all contact between teachers/staff and students. Chicago Public Schools require all communications between staff and students to be done using their official school e-mail accounts. Teachers are not even allowed to use their personal e-mail accounts to communicate with students.
It's very simple.
All communications between district employees and district students are district business. It should be done in the light of day and in full view view of everybody. The district should not have to hire investigators to hunt down the private communications between staff and students. Parents should not have to wonder the content of conversations between their children and the adults who run this district.
There is never an instance where it is appropriate for adult staff members of a school district to be holding private online conversations with children/students. The district should be investigating any outside communications between staff and students. Any staff member found to be communicating with children outside of appropriate school channels should be disciplined appropriately and all communications should be recorded in the employees official record. If an employee made a deliberate attempt to hide their communications with students from the view of others should be disciplined more severely (perhaps even terminated). There can not be any reason that a school district employee should be hiding their communications with students from administrators, parents or other community members.
Rudy, I'm sorry but you are again showing your youth.
While it is relatively rare, improper things do happen between adults and children. It is the responsibility of the district to protect the children of the district and the district itself.
Point of correction; I did not say phone calls, I only said district e-mail accounts. A teachers district e-mail account can be monitored by the school district. This basic fact makes people consider carefully what they write, especially to a student.
While an excellent teacher should relate well with their students there needs to be a professional divide. They are your teachers not your friends.
Rudy says:
"Networking sites allow for a broader and easier way to send information to more students quickly and effectively."
That's true, Rudy. For example, Mr. Liska maintains an excellent, up-to-date Facebook site for the East Aurora Bands. You, your fellow band students, your parents, and the community can easily get information about band events that way. You can also ask questions and leave comments on the site.
But minor students have NO business being "friends" with their teachers on their PERSONAL Facebook pages! Your teacher is an authority figure, not your buddy. You have plenty of friends your own age--and it's inappropriate for you to be in the same circle of friends as your teachers' college drinking buddies.
Ruby is correct in fact Facebook is more open because someone like the fools that post on this blog can read what is being said. All you need to do is become a friend of Clayton's like Rayanne Carlson is. Do you think Rayanne be the District watchdog would ever let Clayton have a less than professional discussion with a kid.
For the other teachers who are on Facebook that represents the many Clubs, Band or Sports. it is a public open discussion viewed by all students who are on that account.
The teachers personnel emails could never be viewed by so many. Do you really think unless something goes wrong the District even checks emails. Phone calls are certainly private. Again the District would never have access.
There is also the issue of the law teachers have amendment rights as to regards to the internet and that would get the District sued as well.
The only reason you attack these individuals (Clayton & Liska) is because they have provided a positive influence on the kids and the kids are motivated.
After-all this blogs main purpose was to destroy the District get dirt on the administrators and rip apart anyone that does good for the kids.
No Facebook is not open because people like Clayton have to invite you into his circle. So, first you have to find out there is a Facebook account, then you have to request to become a friend and finally someone like Clayton has to accept you as their friend. And that's only Clayton's account. Now that Clayton has an account and students can post to his account, Clayton is also able to post to a students Facebook account. It is nearly impossible for anyone to monitor this sort of activity. And that's just Facebook, Clayton also uses Myspace (privately of course) and who knows how many other means to speak to district students privately. These tools can be great tools for communication but can also be a means for an adult to abuse their authority and children. There is no reason why any responsible adult has to hide their communications with children.
More lies Clayton is not even on My Space also he has 4600 plus friends and I am sure you are one of them just Rayanne Carlson, Anita Lewis, Juanita Wells, and Carol Farnum all past or present Board members along with a to many teachers and administrators to mention. So I am sure it is watched. You seem to not mention West Aurora communicates the same way with their students.
Why is it you are always trying to cast doubt over these people. Are you that jealous that other people are that well liked and respected.
Clayton may not be on Myspace personally but Boys II Men is. So who do you think you're contacting when you go to that site.
Frankly, I can't understand anyone but a child molester who would support teachers and students communicating privately. How could anyone find this appropriate?
I'll tell you what, check out this website... www.badbadteacher.com
It is full of hundreds of instances of teachers who have been caught having inappropriate contact with children, one or two even have ties to East Aurora. If you look long enough, you'll start to see certain patterns forming. The majority of the abusers on the site dealt with children outside of the normal school day (ie. Band Directors, Coaches etc.) Secondly, they communicated with students using many of private channels being discussed here.
These things do happen. Any district that doesn't protect it's children with policies regarding adult/child communications is being criminally negligent.
One teacher who has more than a hundred high school Facebook "friends" at East High has posted pictures of her wedding, including pictures of her daughter attending the wedding as a guest. Not exactly the role model I would choose for my daughter!
But I guess EHS teachers aren't expected to be role models anymore. They're supposed to be pals.
Because East High kids don't get pregnant.
Again, if you are sooooooo worried about this, GO TO A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AND SPEAK ABOUT IT. THIS BLOG DOES NOTHING. But none of you will go even about this because you are all too lazy and you don't care and you don't think it is a big deal. You just like picking on people and you are running out of stuff to talk about, because things are not that bad.
Look at what you are discussing, facebook, really, that is our biggest problem?
Guess what the word "friend" in facebook, does not mean "friend" in real life. A "Facebook Friend" is somebody that you let see whatever you post. That is pretty much it. Can you talk via a chat box, yes, does that mean they actually do, NO.
I dare one of you to get off your ass and talk to the school board about it. I DOUBLE DARE YOU.
Amazing how that teacher's Facebook friend list just decreased by about 300 in the past day or so.
Used to be 750, now less than 400.
Coincidence?
Stalker much?
Inappropriate contact with minors much?
Never, but nice try
Nobody Cares
Except the parents who SHOULD be aware of who their minor children are friends with.
You're right, PARENTS should know. PARENTS should monitor. NOT YOU - GET OVER IT.
If the shoe fits....
I happen to be a parent of a teenaged daughter. I resent the idea that my minor child can be "friends" with an adult on a website, and that I as her parent cannot have access to information (such as pictures) posted by that adult. That is INAPPROPRIATE and WRONG.
YOU should have access to your daughters account and if you don't like who she is friends with, you should talk to her, and have her block the people you don't like.
Why is it that even the simplest situations become so complicated when Clayton's and Liska's name get attached to the conversation.
No one here is really arguing that adults should be allowed to contact children outside of normal district channels, they are arguing that Clayton and Liska should be allowed to do it.
Apparently, we all acknowledge that it is a poor idea that creates great risk and liability for the district but a few individuals are having difficulty seperating their personal emotions (or perhaps their personal reputations) from their intellect.
Outside of Clayton, Liska and a perhaps few of their pet students, I can't imagine anyone who would support a district policy that allowed such interactions between adults and children.
The district board is not yet in the 21st century but they have addressed staff/student interactions in the past.
Board Policy 500.19
General Personnel – Student/Staff Interaction
The Board encourages all staff members to actively support the academic progress and maturation of each District 131 student. However, staff members should be careful to avoid excessive attention to a particular student or students, in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism or differential treatment.
Staff members should limit all verbal communication and physical contact with a student to that which is appropriate to the age and maturity of the student.
Social interaction between staff members and students that is not connected with school or school-related activities should be avoided when the parents or guardians of the students are not present.
… (reference to 500.20 section on sexual harassment) …
Staff members are encouraged to seek the advice and guidance of the building principal or other administrators in addressing the application of this policy to particular situations.
Conduct that violates this policy will subject the staff member to appropriate discipline, including possible discharge from employment and arrest.
The board has alread set policy on staff/student social interaction. It is not to be done outside the presence of the child's parents. It doesn't matter if it is a phone call, Facebook page, MySpace etc. It is not allowed by board policy.
I especially like that part about the appearance of favoritism or differential treatment.
Every student board member has been part of Clayton's Boys II Men Fraternity. If that isn't the appearance of favoritism or differential treatment, I don't what is.
Just a quick note of fact. The superintendent and 2 board members chose the student co-members in 2009. I know this because I requested this new process for choosing the student members and I was one of the 2 board members.
IF they were B2M members prior to being chosen, I don't recall that coming up at their interview.
I feel the best 2 candidates were chosen for many reasons-none of which had to do with any group they were affiliated with. They were both hard working, self motivated, community oriented young men. I am very proud to have been a part of the decision to have both of them as our student board members.
Rayanne is correct they made the students and community come together. As a note the new student board member is a girl so she would not be Boys II Men. How did I find this out a post on Facebook from Clayton's site.
I'm sure she's part of Clayton's Illegal Diamonds Sorority then.
Rayanne, where did the students who applied for the board position come from? Did you go to the high school and select them at random? Or were certain students paraded in front of you for you to choose from? Why didn't you ask about where and how they were selected?
It's a common teaching trick. Make the students think they have a choice when none really exists. It's like asking the students in your history class do we want to study about the Union or the Confederacy today. They think they have a choice but the teacher has already dictated that they are studying the Civil War. No real choice exists.
Every student board member has been associated with Clayton. The board has had no choice nor have they had the competency to inquire about the most basic of issues.
You're just showing the boards and your own incompetency not the legitimacy of the process.
The new student board member is Sam Nunez's girlfriend (one of the past student members) ...so...you make the judgement. :)
You're right Rudy there will always be crime, let's just get rid of all rules and laws, after all they will never stop a criminal. While we're at it, let's disband the police department, the court system and all the prisons. They have been there forever and there is still crime.
Rudy, maybe you should think a little before you post an opinion.
If a new student board member has been appointed to the board, shouldn't that person have been announced on the district web site?
That does not shock me about the girl becoming a student board member. You can bet Roberts and the Board President picked her because Clayton and the Board President are working on getting that program going again. She was in the paper with him on the Diamonds.
I never abdicated the destruction of social networking sites. They do have their place in society.
I stated that it is inappropriate for adult professionals to be "friends" with children. I stated that any legitimate district business should be done in the open and not hidden from the district and parents. I stated that if the district allows their employees to hold "private conversations" with children, then if and when inappropriate behavior happens, the district is just as guilty/liabel as the teacher.
I did propose a way for electronic communications to be more easily monitored between staff and students, all electronic communications between staff and students should be done using official school district e-mail.
If you haven't figured it out by now, name calling only shows your own ignorance, not the target of your attack.
June 13, 2010 7:20 PM- The students were not selected. There is an application process for student board members and the students are given a packet of things they must complete prior to the interviews. This includes obtaining personal letters of recommendation.
The duties and time commitment of this position may discourage many students from applying. I am NOT going to print it here. If you have true concern of the "incompetence not the legitimacy of the process" you may go to the district website and look it up under the policies. Section 2 #272. If you need more help to legitimize the process, ask...and I will try to help you further. Though, your head seems to be in a dark region, and you seem determined to reject efforts of enlightenment.
It peculiar that everyone here seems to know who the new student board member is when it hasn't been posted on any official district site.
Reviewing the board packets, the new student board member has not been announced as a topic of discussion. The only one's who seem to know what's happening are the students with whom Clayton has been communicating with privately.
This is an amazing way to run a school district.
Rayanne, you lost all credibility when you voted to make a business partner out of a group you were fully aware was illegal in the State of Illinois.
We all know how your own personal legal problems with the teachers union disappeared when you agreed to just vote YES to everything placed in front of you at board meetings.
Frankly, there is nothing I will ever hear you say again. That's not choosing to keep my head in a dark region, that's choosing to rise above your crap.
It was announced at the last meeting in public. It was stated that Ms Lewis, Johnson and Roberts selected the member. They will make it official at a meeting in August. The President commented that seven kids applied and they all talk about the pride they had for East Aurora.
Rudy, no one wants to "destroy the medium", as you put it.
Let me break it down for you, very simply (using the band as an example, since you are in band):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minor students being on the Facebook site "East Aurora High School Band"--
A GOOD THING. ACCEPTABLE. APPROPRIATE. POSITIVE.
Minor students being "friends" on teachers' personal Facebook pages--
NOT A GOOD THING. UNACCEPTABLE. INAPPROPRIATE. NEGATIVE.
Is that clear enough?
Social networking sites should not be dismantled but teachers and students should not be friends together on them.
To: June 13, 2010 9:04 PM
I agree upon the condition that administrators and parents also have easy access to everything communicated on the site.
I still believe it would be better yet if the site was administered by the district technology department and managed by Liska.
Administrators and parents DO have easy access to the "East Aurora High School Band" site, 9:12 p.m.! All you have to do is Google it, and you're right there.
Unlike teachers' personal pages, which are PRIVATE unless you've been "friended". THAT'S the big difference, and that's why it's inappropriate for high school students to be Facebook friends with their teachers.
Please, the districts "technology" department is a joke.
I agree, you can't get any information using the district web sites. If you've ever tried getting informationout to students and parents, then you know that you can't get the district tech department to post anything and when you complain and push to get the information out, you are directed to Clayton and still nothing is done.
But Clayton's student "friends" CAN and DO find out information (such as who the new student board member is) before their parents and the larger community.
Just one more example of how backwards this district is!
I'm a parent, and I just went onto the East Aurora High School Band site on Facebook and was able to get all the information and updates I could possibly want about upcoming band activities. Plus, there are lots of great pictures!
This tells me two things:
--Whoever is in charge of the EHS Band site on Facebook (I'm assuming it's Mr. Liska) is doing an excellent job!
--There is absolutely NO reason (or excuse) for high school students to be "friends" on teachers' personal Facebook pages, since the band, drama, etc. sites provide all the information necessary as well as a way for students, parents, and the community to comment or ask questions.
I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of administrators look at job candidates' Facebook pages to see whether they have current students as "friends". The more professional, hire-able candidates would be more careful about who they share their private lives with.
No
Excuse
I doubt they care.
The bully administrators probably don't care whether they hire teachers who maintain a professional distance in their relationships with students. They just care whether the teachers they hire will be willing to kiss their rear ends.
to the person that told reyanne her union problems only went away because she voted yes, you have no clue what you're talking about. the allegations went away because they were based on lies. the teachers wanted her there, she wasn't in the meeting but in the school, and the district did it on purpose to try to disuade the teachers at waldo from continuing their grievance again barnes. those teachers have had to deal with so much crap at that school and were basically shown that if they voice their opinions there will be consequences. did you know barnes got rid of the union rep and had her transfered to the high school. she told her the last day of school. the grievance hadn't been settled yet and then of course with the transfer of the union rep the teachers were left with no support and no one wanted to be the new union rep because they learned that if you voice your concerns your voice will be silenced.
about facebook, why would the district make a policy when they are all the ones on facebook themselves? facebook is blocked at all schools but it is not blocked at the service center. the people at the service center sit on facebook everyday
many teachers have facebook pages with students on there and say inappropriate things many times about school and their students in a negative way! why is it when it is brought to the attention of administrators they just ignore it? because once again too many people are doing it so no one want to set a policy. they policy in place just says it discourages contact not prohibits.
our district just needs a big lawsuit to learn its lesson.
i wonder what would have happened if parents had found out that barnes hired an assistant principle a few years ago before doing a background check. he was hired, introduced to staff, spent time at school with students, and even started with summer school only to one day disappear because someone finally did their job and saw he wasn't supposed to have contact with kids!!!
and 1 more thing anyone knoe why tony riose left cowherd? i heard it was because he was made to resign because he suspended to many kids, and specificaly to many black kids. anyone notice the racial favoratism that has been going on latly?
How many crazy pills did you take today, or was it stupid pills?
the sad thing is no crazy or stupid pills
the things i wrote are 100% true and that is the crazy part
if you know anyone at waldo and you ask them about any of the things i wrote they will verify it all, none of it is secret its all well-known information
I love all the accusations of "inappropriate conversations" and absolutely ZERO examples.
Tony Rios has been an administrator at Cowherd for nearly a decade. He is very well liked and supported by the staff. To bid Tony farewell a party was thrown at a local establishment and most of the staff was able to come out and bid Tony adieu. At the end of the year staff meeting, the staff gave Tony a standing ovation for the service he has done for our school and district.
No reason was given to the staff as to why Tony was asked to resign. The request came from the principal and has been a point of significant contention for staff members.
I do know that Tony's replacement will have to be stellar or the principal will lose all credibility with the staff. Her reputation is on the line with this decision. This decision was hers and hers alone. The credit or blame is entirely upon her.
To: June 15, 2010 5:50 PM
Harrassment of union representatives is normal in this district. What is unusual is that in this district, the union leadership supports the administration and doesn't support anyone who contests the administration.
Your observations of Rayanne miss two points. After her union issues were "dropped", Rayanne stopped contesting the administration. Her votes were all YES votes following the dropped charges and issues that she was contesting with the administration all of a sudden she started supporting the administration.
I understand viewpoints and opinions but actions speak volumes. I saw what she did, it means more than anyones opinion.
the new student board member, iliana rivera, is the worst possible choice. she is not dedicated to anything, she is rude and narrow minded.
horrible choice.
Wow, way to give somebody a chance. Illiana is involved in band and drama, I'm not sure about anything else.
you must not know her very well
No, but I don't condemn somebody before they are given a chance.
if you say so
To say "Rayanne stopped contesting the administration. Her votes were all YES votes following the dropped charges and issues that she was contesting with the administration all of a sudden she started supporting the administration." only shows me how little you really paid attention to what went on at the board meetings. I never stopped bitchin' about what I felt was important and I did NOT start supporting admin.
I did what I felt best suited the students and their education.
Sometimes choosing a stand on certain battles, that may not have been what YOU may have chosen to do, does not mean I backed down from everything I felt most important. The minutes reflected my voting and my comments often expressed my opinion, which was not with the majority of the board.
I have told you before, if you would care to meet and chat, I have no connection to the district any longer that restricts who I meet and chat with. You may find we have a lot of common ground and lots to talk about. Call me.
News about our neighbors:
Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley were included in Newsweek magazine's just released list of America's Best High Schools.
Newsweek's list is a national ranking based on a formula that divides the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by students into the number of graduating seniors from approximately 27,000 of the nation's public high schools. According to Newsweek, this measurement places Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley in the top 6 percent of high schools in the county. This is the sixth time that Neuqua Valley has made the list and the fourth year in a row for Waubonsie Valley.
Indian Prairie offers 24 Advanced Placement courses that provide the opportunity for students to tackle challenging, college-level academics. Across the district, more than 3,050 AP tests were taken in 2009.
Looks like Tony Rios was just one more victim of BULLY ADMINISTRATORS.
The fact that Tony was well liked and respected by parents, students, and colleagues means very little in this district. After all, Kevin Kaisershot was honored with a D131 "Teacher of the Year" award, then bullied out of his job a few years later.
Just add Tony's name to a growing list of stellar D131 employees who have been victimized by our infamous corrupt administrators. And we will keep reminding this community exactly WHO has been responsible, until every last bully is finally GONE!!
You mean you will keep posting on a blog that does not matter, if you really gave a shit, you would show up to a meeting.
Some of us have been known to do both.
And some of us work nights, or we would go to board meetings.
And if this blog doesn't matter, why waste your time reading and posting on it, 7:36?
It's how I get my jollies!
Im keeping my friends close but I like to keep my enemies closer
With friends like you, who needs enemies?
Bully administrators are their own worst enemies.
Tony Rios defended Bob Green you do the math.
Not only are the administrators bullies but so is the new Board President.
And what's the best way to beat a bully......?
Post anonymously on a blog!!!!
You sure are showing them ;)
Actually, sharing information and raising awareness is a good way to fight bullying.
And if someone fears retribution, anonymity is a wise choice.
;)
They don't care Roberts is here another 5 years so nothing will change.
who is bob greene?
A bum who could not pull his weight and pulled the "race card"
Personally, I think it would only be right for a teacher to add a student if the student is above legal age, or if the student thinks that the teacher is cool enough. I know that being part of a department's group should be enough, but the world doesn't always work in everyone's favor. I know that there have been occasions in which I really needed to speak to a teacher immediately (obviously because I'm very irresponsible and constant;y need attention/guidance) and the only reason I was able to contact her was because I had added that teacher and she was in my IM list. I was then able to discuss what I was supposed to do that night. As you see, having a teacher as a friend can be really helpful to east aurora students, students who aren’t ready to have responsibilities. I can't believe that we are so stupid that we can't even do something as simple as write down an assignment in a notebook and remember to check it later.
This post is spam, but I doubt it matters. A lot of you seem to be posting crap that nobody cares to hear.
After all, we all just need that attention, no matter how pathetic the person it's coming from is.
Ha-ha, I love you all!
13
If you need to reach a teacher, you should use their district e-mail account. You can find it on your school web site. There is no reason you need to be friends on facebook.
What's with the 13 at the end of your blog post?
Rayanne, there is a gang in Aurora that represents themselves with the number 13. You can check this with any cop or administrator. I personally wouldn't allow such to remain on here but that will have to be your call.
Rayanne lets anything on here:
Personal attacks on teachers, administrators, and school board members
Personal attacks on students
Lies
People attacking families of teachers and administrators
Everything is fair game
So there's a gang that represents themselves with the number 13. There are also gangs that represent themselves as "people" or "folks"--should all posts with those words be deleted?
And back to Rayanne's original topic: the band's Disney trip. I see on the Facebook site "East Aurora High School Band" that the trip was indeed a safe and enjoyable experience. Mr. Liska has posted plenty of pictures showing our kids having a good time and representing us proudly.
Too bad there had to be 5 years of blunders before good stuff like this could happen, thanks to BULLY ADMINISTRATORS.
And a year or two with the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Where is the Washington D.C. trip???
Excuses, excuses. Amazing that 2 years ago a jazz group made up mostly of East High alums and families managed to successfully audition and perform at Disney World.
But whatever--there's no getting those lost years back. And there's no forgetting exactly WHO was responsible for the blunders, either: those BULLY ADMINISTRATORS who turned a blind eye & deaf ear to the hundreds of us who dared to question and challenge their support of a personal vendetta.
How long since the Washington D.C. trip???
The last item on the agenda to be discussed at the School Board meeting this coming Monday is "Confidential Newsletter". What's that about??
About the Washington, D.C. trip--I believe the last one organized for a large group of D131 students was pre-9/11 (maybe 1999?). As a parent, I would NOT want my 8th grader participating in a large-group trip like this in our current political climate. I would rather take my children to historical sites as a family--they would learn more that way and get a more educational experience.
7:59 doesn't care about whether our kids learn anything on a DC trip. They just want to deflect attention from the 5 years of blunders at the high school, thanks to BULLY ADMINISTRATORS.
I love the "pre 9/11" argument. What a load of bullshit. Have you been on a plane since 9/11, have you been to New York, have you been on a train, because there have been bombs on trains in other countries, have you gone outside, because there have been car bombs, have you let your kids go to school, because you know since Columbine.
What a double standard. It isn't OK for the 8th grade to go to Washington DC because of 9/11 but it would be OK for the high school band? And on top of that, unemployment is the highest it has been and we are in the midst of the worst recession this country has seen since the 1920's? But it is a good excuse for the 8th graders (because we like those people). However, let's continue to beat up on the administration (who we don't like) that the high school hasn't gone to Disney. I know you will find a way to turn this all around because you are very good at the double standard -- you are very good at calling names and whining. You are very good at holding a grudge to the point of being ridiculous. I don't know why I bother other than it is great that there are finally some people on this blog who are questioning what and how you say what you do. Keep it up. At least it is no longer so one-sided.
Oh no, the "BULLY ADMINISTRATORS" got rid of a lazy ass teacher. OH NO.
13 post-... anonymous habit.
I don't support gangs and since the internet sites I go to don't have them, I'm usually free to give any hint of identification I want, including my favorite number. I'll remember to do otherwise next time I post in a community related blog thing. Point is, I'm stupid and you are too.
Hey, don't worry about it, my opinion doesn't matter.
13
72
54
Antonio Rios is perhaps one of the most caring individuals that works in District 113. He is home grown, a role model, an upstanding citizen, and a believer in Aurora's youth. I am sure that the previous post is not referring to Tony as that "lazy ass teacher." He will be an asset to the high school but it is unfortunate that politics of a district dictates the trajectory of one's career when they are no longer deemed a fit for a school administration team. He could have left years ago and accepted a position at a better paying district, but he continues to stay and make a difference in the lives of our children. Koodoos to Tony!
Name ONE local school district that has sent groups of middle-school students to Washington, DC since 9/11. None that I'm aware of.
Now name the local high schools that have sent student performing groups to Disney World in just the last two years:
--West High
--Waubonsie Valley
--Oswego East
--Batavia
(And those are just the public schools. Rosary, Marmion, Aurora Central, etc. may have also gone).
So it's neither a fair comparison nor a double standard. Just putting the facts out there about the "5 lost years", thanks to BULLY ADMINISTRATORS.
D204 - Crone -2008
D203- Jefferson - 2010
that's just 2 I found quickly
D204 - Still - 2009
D204 - Hill - 2010
District 131
Simmons Middle School has taken their 8th graders to Washington D.C. as part of their academic incentives field trips for many years.
The 6th graders who meet the academic requirements go to Chicago, the 7th Graders go to Springfield and the 8th Graders go to Washington D.C.
There is no District 131 policy prohibiting trips to Washington D.C. and the trips by Simmons proves this beyond a doubt. If the High School Band has not gone to Washington D.C., it had nothing to do with 911.
The high school band NEVER went to Washington D.C. the middle school band used to go every other year. Why don't they go now.
Way to just make shit up 10:47 - No basis in reality whatsoever, even our own school district has sent kids to Washington D.C. since 9-11 (just not the band).
That's what I'm talking about. Let's just state a complete LIE as fact.
I think 10:47 was specifically talking about PERFORMING groups.
I read the Board President is off planning her social calender by a discussion that she is off to IASB. I sure they will all be off staying at hotels and spending money on big dinners. Why discuss it you know they are all going. Gonzalez and Truza need to buy Christmas presents in November so why not go to the conference. Wells and Hall won't go but they will vote yes. Lewis will just say yes she may actually go to a session or two and of course Weaver will stand alone.
uhhhh
Look
There goes the point
So, 5:34, it's ok to send non-performing groups to Washington D.C. but not performing groups. For some reason a band would get attacked by terrorists but not a group studying history or politics.
Wow, that is really stupid. Good job.
No, there's no reason to send middle-school performing groups to Washington D.C. if non-performing groups from that school are already going. Especially in this economy, parents aren't going to want to pay for 2 trips for the same student (and band kids tend to be high achievers academically, so they would qualify for the trip offered as an incentive).
More excuses
I love how now the economy can be a factor.
8:10 p.m., your side mentioned the economy as an excuse first:
"Anonymous said...
And a year or two with the worst recession since the Great Depression.
June 18, 2010 7:48 AM"
You cannot have it both ways. If "the economy" is to blame for the EHS band not going to Disney from 2006 until 2010 (when they had previously gone every other year since 1991), then "the economy" can be blamed for middle school groups not performing in Washington D.C.
Right, but somebody said that the EHS band not going to Disney because of the economy was just "an excuse."
But then somebody else brought it up as a reason that the middle schools have not gone to Washington.
So it can't be "an excuse" for one group, and a "legitimate reason" for another.
You people are so God damn slow and stupid, it's amazing.
You cannot even see your own hypocrisies.
8:56 p.m., where do you see the phrase "legitimate reason" used on this thread?
Here's the first mention of "excuses":
"Excuses, excuses. Amazing that 2 years ago a jazz group made up mostly of East High alums and families managed to successfully audition and perform at Disney World."
Immediately after that comment came the other side's volley of "when did the middle school bands last go to Washington D.C.?"
Plenty of hypocrisy going on from the potty-mouth team!
BB
RR H
II E
CC A
KK D
WW B
AA A
LL N
LL GING
any questions??
Kids!
that head banging music makes them think wrting in columns is not decipherable.
Ha!
8:20
"that head banging music makes them think wrting in columns is not decipherable."
http://www.flashpointsocialmedia.com/Area51/Orion/Images/o_rly.jpg
haha, you're a joke.
A couple of positive things happening in our district, in the Beacon-News today:
--An East High teacher has won a Fulbright award to teach in Taiwan
--Mr. Muhammad has founded a group called FYI (Fathers who are Young and Involved) to encourage young men to be active fathers
Sure is nice to read good things about our district!
No, this blog will turn Claytons group into a fraternity and say he is promoting teen pregnancy.
What does it say about our community when it's leaders have to tell fathers to be involved in their own childrens lives.
We apparently have young men who don't know that they have to take care of the children they father?
Wow, it's a wonder that our kids can't pass a test that measures higher level learning skills?
I thought Clayton was supposed to have saved all these at risk young men during their teen years in Boys II Men? Apparently family matters are not part of the program for illegal fraternities in this community.
I think most of us know the difference between an illegal fraternity and an organization that encourages young men to be involved in their children's lives.
Isn't it possible that Mr. Muhammad has done a lot of good for this community, despite just a couple of negative things? If I were giving him a grade, it would be about 95% (an A by any standard). It's just that so much of what Mr. Muhammad does is in the public eye. Unlike (probably) you or me, any little misstep is on display for everyone to see.
Fathers neglecting their responsibilities is epidemic in this country today! Kudos to people like Mr. Muhammad for doing something positive about it.
And I'd like to wish a very happy Father's Day to those dads I know who DO pick up the ball and take care of the children they helped bring into the world. Doing the right thing isn't always easy--thanks to those who do!
Maybe Clayton could have saved more kids if the East Aurora Board would have not killed his program for two years. Everyone should know he only uses the name fraternity because it makes kids want to join. But no the Board could not figure that out. Say what you will this Board cares for kids.
It's alright to break the law as long as most of what you do is good?
So, the sunday school teacher who killed that child should go free? After all she had a hundred kids in class, she didn't kill 99% of them. (That's an A by any standard)
Maybe, if Clayton were actually certified or qualified to perform an educational job, he would have known the Illinois School Code.
Simply put, if it had been any other District 131 employee who was breaking the law, they would have been terminated. It's only Clayton who seems to be held to no standard whatsoever.
Comparing him to a killer shows how sick you are. I hope your not a teacher I would not want you around children
My point was that he is breaking the law and I emphasized it by using a law no could say was acceptable.
Only in this district do we justify lawbreaking. Some actually state that it is OK to break laws. Since he is doing some good things, we should just ignore that he is also breaking Illinois Law.
99% is not an A, if the other other 1% is breaking the law. I don't give a damn that you walked a little old lady accross the street if you beat and robbed her when you got to the other side. I like to see people do good things but their good acts do not justify lawbreaking.
The rest of us are doing great things for the students of this district and we are doing them without breaking the law. We also do them without weekly press releases for our own praise.
MAYBE IT IS NOT A REAL FRATERNITY!!!
DID YOU EVER THINK OF THAT?????
MAYBE HE JUST USED THE WORD!!!!
And maybe the word "fraternity" has several meanings, some of which are quite different than the odious, exclusive high-school societies prohibited in the 1960s. The word "fraternity" can be interpreted to mean "brotherhood", from the Latin word "frater".
And in Black culture, a fraternity or sorority is an organization on college campuses that promotes life-long friendships and community service. Mr. Muhammad may be using the word "fraternity" to encourage kids to aspire to attend college.
The high-school fraternities prohibited by that 1960s law were not the positive influence that Boys II Men and Diamonds are today.
The group actually has to BE a fraternity not just use the word. It has to follow the same rules as a college fraternity, not just call itself one.
You can call anything whatever you want, that does not make it so.
And now you'll say:
Just because "blah blah blah" does not make it "blah blah blah."
Thanks, great job
If knowing that a fraternity is not allowed in high schools someone who is starting something like that should know that they shouldn't us that word fraternity. You do not see other groups that are starting something positive for these students using fraternity for their groups. I do believe that they do use some of the rules that fraternities use to get in like have someone sponsor you and go before peers to see if you should be in it.
To obtain full membership in Boys II Men, prospective brothers must:
Be enrolled in 8th – 12th grade
Have a personal desire to succeed in life
Have parental permission
Attend four (4) consecutive chapter meetings
Complete the Application for Membership
Complete an Interview with the Directors
Recite The B2M Creed during the Induction
Prospective members who completed all requirements for membership are officially inducted into the organization during New Members Class held on 5th Sundays at 6:00 p.m. throughout the year.
These are fraternity type rules not the regular rules that people do to join groups.
Which one of those is a "fraternity" type rule.
You're an idiot.
Yes, the entrance requirements have definately changed in the last year or so since the group has come under so much scrutiny.
Before the changes, you needed to be invited by a current member to even attend a meeting. To become a member you had to be elected in by the Fraternity Leadership and of course you had to be either Black or Brown to join.
All these requirements were very well documented in several interviews Clayton gave to newspapers.
Clayton himself at a recent school board meeting stated that in conversations with a college president it had been discussed how Boys II Men had been organized exactly the same as other fraternities.
Just because Clayton has made a few changes in entrance requirements recently doesn't change the fact that this has been and continues to be an illegal group that discriminates against anyone who is not Black or Brown. A token white kid or two doesn't change that fact.
All the other Districts continued B2M after East banned it. Why then if is was illegal did the other Districts continue with it?
The very fact that Clayton has made changes to the entrance requirements for Boys II Men is a defacto admission that he had been violating the law for years.
Only in District 131 do we tolerate criminals to continue to be employed. It has been and continues to be a disgrace for our town.
Just because other people are doing illegal things does that mean it becomes legal for you to do it.
It doesn't matter if one person is doing it or a hundred people. Wrong is wrong.
What law says that fraternities at high-school level are wrong and why was it made?
Honest question, don't flame.
(105 ILCS 5/31‑1)
Definition.
A public school fraternity, sorority or secret society, in this Article means any organization, composed wholly or in part of public school pupils, which seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such school on the basis of the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by the rules of the school to fill the special aims of the organization.
Sec. 31‑2. Inimical to public good.
Any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society is inimical to the public good.
Sec. 31‑3. Suspension or expulsion of members, pledges and solicitors.
The governing body of any public school shall suspend or expel any pupil who is a member of or joins or promises to join, or who becomes pledged to become a member of, or who solicits any other person to join, promise to join or be pledged to become a member of any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society.
Sec. 31‑4. Solicitation unlawful‑Penalty.
It is unlawful for any person not enrolled in any public school of this State to solicit any pupil enrolled therein to join or pledge himself or herself to become a member of any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society or to solicit any such pupil to attend a meeting thereof or any meeting where the joining of any such fraternity, sorority or secret society is encouraged. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined not less than $25 nor more than $100.
Sec. 31‑5. Not applicable to universities.
The provisions of this Article do not apply to fraternities, sororities or secret societies in any State University nor to students thereof in their relations to such organizations in these institutions.
The school board and administration knew Boys II Men was illegal. The Assistant Superintendent, Marin Gonzalez stated publicly at a school board meeting that high school fraternities were illegal and then the board and administration did nothing to stop the group or Clayton from continuing their illegal actions.
This whole mess has been a disgrace to our district and our town.
Anything Marin Gonzalez says does not shock me that she makes stupid statements like that.
She single handed ruined the High Schools students pride examples would be the band as well as the many clubs and sports those mass changes had been made to under her rule. Now she has been on a steady decline with test scores at the High School since major changes have been made Curriculum. When is the Board going to wake up and change her.
I have never been a fan of the Board but hats off to them for having a survey done on the middle schools.
It proves a point the schools are well run even Simmons. The Parents and Students gave their schools high marks even Simmons. However, the teachers survey was interesting first you can not read all the sub-headings. But it appears the teachers are not happy with the Central office. So again the building, staff and administrators do a good job but not the District. Yes you are correct change needs to start at the top that would be Gonzalez
IL law says no fraternities.
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1079004
Many states have laws banning Fraternities due to the exclusiveness having ill affects on youth:
http://bul.sagepub.com/cgi/pdf_extract/36/188/131
So Illinois law prohibits any organization in high school that:
"seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such school on the basis of the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by the rules of the school to fill the special aims of the organization".
And Boys II Men's membership qualifications are the following:
"Be enrolled in 8th – 12th grade
Have a personal desire to succeed in life
Have parental permission
Attend four (4) consecutive chapter meetings
Complete the Application for Membership
Complete an Interview with the Directors
Recite The B2M Creed during the Induction"
~~~~~~~
Maybe Boys II Men (and its sister group, Diamonds) USED to fit the state's definition of an illegal organization--but their current admission requirements seem to be as inclusive as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.
6:06 a.m. says:
"it appears the teachers are not happy with the central office"
No kidding! Who would be happy working for people like Marin Gonzalez, who has a long-standing reputation as a vindictive bully?
The biggest problem with Dr. Gonzalez is that she could become our next superintendent. She has her doctorate, and currently holds the same position Dr. Roberts held under "Serial Bully" Radakovich.
Hopefully there will be enough of us around in 2014 to remind this community why she would be a disastrous choice to lead our district!
My child is in the Girl Scouts and did not have to do these things.
Attend four (4) consecutive chapter meetings
Complete the Application for Membership
Complete an Interview with the Directors
So because your daughter did not have to do that, makes B2M a fraternity.
None of those requirements makes it a fraternity.
Those three requirements makes it sound to me like they want dedicated members and they want members who are informed about what the organization does. Attending 4 meetings shows you are dedicated as well as will give you a good idea of the group. An application show that you really want to be there. The interview, I don't know about but I bet if you actually asked Clayton, he would tell you.
I don't know if you are to stupid to realize this, but East Side kids have a problem with committing to things, even things they want to do. The first meeting of clubs always has a lot of kids, but by the 2nd month or so, enrollment has dropped, sports players don't even show up to practice if they don't "feel like it."
There was definitely a requirement to attend meetings (or provide a note of explanation from parents) when my nephew was a Scout! He made it all the way to Eagle.
And filling out an application and going through an interview are valuable learning experiences for adolescents. Requirements like these help our kids develop skills they'll need in the "real world".
Very interesting survey but it seems like the problem is central office related. Teacher lack materials we can't really read the full meaning of the other questions that got low marks. Everyone is overall happy about their buildings. Why not take this same survey at the High School as a District employee I see the kids reach a certain level and all falls off.
The Technology survey also shows very interesting data. It seems like this Board is willing to publish these surveys and are looking into what is wrong. I am very happy to see such openness. We should give them a chance not always talk about old news like the band and B2M
If B2M was done on Clayton's personal time and the boys that are in it there would not be the problem that is going on here. Since it is done on school time and Clayton is paid by D131, this is where the problem tends to be. Anytime anything is done in the nature that B2M is being done, there will always be issues about it. Plus the fact that is has the boards approval. The board or administrators should not be involved at all, especially since Gonzales did make that remark she did at that meeting about it(B2M)being illegal. Anything like B2M should be done on people's own personal time like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Campfire Boys and Girls, etc.
I miss Florida.
My name is Florida.
Maybe in another 5 or 6 years the band will go again.
So move to any other neighboring district. Their bands go every other year.
Yeah, and maybe one day the middle school directors will try and do something to keep students interested in band instead of continuing the 80 to 90% drop out rate from 5th grade to 8th grade.
The middle-school band directors have no control over scheduling. Many, many students would CHOOSE to continue in band but cannot because of scheduling conflicts.
But I guess it's easier to blame the directors, especially when trying to defend the blunders at the high school level.
Or you can join a Drum and Bugle Corps. They travel the whole country all summer. Oh wait, you have to be a trained musician to join one, nevermind.
Why don't you instead go see a Drum Corps show and see what teens actually can do with real leadership and determination. There is a local Drum Corps show at Oswego High School on July 1st. The tickets are $15 or $20 depending how close to the 50 yard line you want to be.
There are usually other shows at Naperville and NIU during the summer also. I don't have the particulars for those yet. It would be an eye opening experience to all those who think our kids are living up to their full potential.
Drum Corps are awesome! They do, however, require a lot of time, money, and commitment from those who participate. My niece was in a drum corps for a couple of years in high school--it was pretty much her only extracurricular activity, outside of school. She had no time for a part-time job (which would be a dealbreaker for most of our kids)--but she had a lot of fun & made lifelong friends.
Our D131 band kids will be participating in Band Camp next week, and marching in the 4th of July parade. They always do a terrific job!
E-A Pride!!
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