Saturday, May 28, 2011
End of the school year!
And what a year it's been...we've dealt with extreme weather (including a record-breaking snowstorm in February, and an April with the least amount of sunshine in recorded history). We've said "goodbye and good luck in retirement" to some of our district's finest, including Rollins Principal Karen Hart and Dieterich teachers Ms. Diane Backes and Mrs. Liz Hardy. We've witnessed a contentious School Board election, and are hoping to have a full Board seated later this summer. And we look to the future with optimism, because those of us who've been part of this district for awhile know that our KIDS are the best, and deserve our support and encouragement!
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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 224 of 2242:56 just because no specific person was blamed doesn't eliminate the FACT that the phrase "dropped the ball" has a negative connotation. The post would have been just fine (and better for our current kids) w/o mentioning the years of not going. THAT would have been positive, giving them kudos, and keeping the focus where it belongs -- on the members of the current band.
Some of us would rather discuss the entire situation, both positive and negative.
And in this district (and pretty much any school district I'm aware of), there is a mixture of good & bad.
It is what it is.
3:41 p.m. says:
"Wrong they took multiple trips"
No, YOU are wrong. The EHS band took ONE, and ONLY ONE trip overseas during the '60s and '70s.
Go ahead, 3:41 p.m.--be specific and name any other, besides the trip mentioned by 2:56 p.m.
Or are you just hoping that your lying will be overlooked by those of us who know the history of the band program??
Wrong, they took at least 5 trips.
You don't know anything about the band program. You think you do, but you are really pretty dumb.
Actually, 7:36, there is positive and negative in every district, every home in the district, every family, and every situation in life, including yours. The important thing is to make a positive change in the world. If discussing the negative will make that change, it's appropriate. If all it does is rehash the past and make NO change, it's counterproductive. I can just imagine what it's like for your kids: "Wow, Johnny, you got straight A's this year! But, you know, 5 years ago you got that 1 D. And no matter how good you do, we'll always be discussing that."
The EHS band under G. Edward Nelson took ONE trip overseas. ONLY ONE.
There were also a few short trips to neighboring states like Wisconsin and Indiana.
THAT'S IT.
Stop trying to rewrite history.
Good article in the Beacon today about how West is moving forward to keep everyone informed on how the district is doing.
West looking to data to tell how school district’s doing
By Matt Brennan For The Beacon-News June 24, 2011 1:28PM
The dashboard will allow the district to establish accountability, provide transparency, educate stakeholders, and communicate the data, Vlasvich said.
10:01 p.m., go ahead and imagine what it was like for my kids!
Yes, I did sometimes bring up a bad grade they got years ago, to tell them how much they had improved. And if that D had been unjustified, you can bet I'd still be talking about the situation, even years later. I taught my kids that "the past is prologue", and that mistakes are part of life, to be remembered and learned from.
Now my kids are college graduates, working in healthcare and law enforcement--two of the many fields in the "real world" where denying or glossing over negative history can be a recipe for disaster!
Just because that's what you taught your kids does not make it right
Whether YOU think it's right or wrong, it's the way things work in our society! I taught my kids how to function (and what to expect) in the real world, not some ivory tower utopia.
5:21 p.m., you wouldn't last a day working in a field such as journalism, medicine, or law with your Pollyanna attitude.
Oh, but you COULD be a spokesperson/spinmeister/community relations director for this district.
"Now my kids are college graduates, working in healthcare and law enforcement--two of the many fields in the "real world" where denying or glossing over negative history can be a recipe for disaster"
Glad to hear your kids are doing well. And as a member of the healthcare field, I agree that denying or glossing over negative history can be a recipe for disaster. But so can constantly rehashing it and focusing on it and never moving on. You learn the lesson and remember it, but then you focus on the NEXT patient and doing your best for THEM. Right now, MY focus is on congratulating THIS band for THEIR accomplishments. THAT'S what's important.
10:01
I saw a interesting program on CNN they said a school board member is one of the most important elected positions a community can have. It not only effects the kids education but the community tax base and real estate values. This community is a joke when they can elect Mary Fultz and Robert Hill both on welfare with no job. Sure sends a great message let us not forget Juanita Wells.
Then we have Hull and Lewis who are there to advance there kids and Gonzalez who got a job for her daughter. Then there is Johnson who is there for her own ego and may be the best of the bunch but she has a inapporiate relationship with Roberts. Some group
So what has been done to make sure this doesn't happen in the future to anyone that works in this district? The band situation keeps coming up but have you done anything to make sure the mistakes like this don't happen again I think not this board and administration still does things that aren't right but I guess since it isn't the band situation no one wants to stand up. The board still thinks that the administration and superintendent know more than them and that the board should just listen to what they say and things will still go on the same until the board does their job and ask the right questions they are the ones that make policy and they are the ones that don't make the administration and superintendent follow them.
It wasn't a mistake.
...it was a disaster.
But our kids deserve our support, and I for one will be doing what I can to help make their trip to Disney World next summer possible. I'll be watching the district website, Facebook, the local papers, and this blog to find out about fund-raising opportunities.
I will support them also and donate to the trip that doesn't have to stop but if you keep your head in the sand and not stand up for what you believe is wrong in the district we will never get anywhere.
Good Morning Bloggers,
I was told that there has been a lot of traffic on the blog lately about my family so I felt it was time to respond.
1. My granddaughter does NOT get lessons from Brian Liska. She doesn’t even know him. She is in middle school. If she needs help with a music piece she gets it from her Aunt who is a very good Saxaphone player.
2. My grandson is in special ed and because he was getting beat up, harassed and the existing structure at Waldo was not working he is in an outplacement. He is at a facility that several other middle school children from our district are in also. Dr. Roberts had nothing to do with his placement. It was through a lot of hard work by the counselors and SpedEd group that he is getting the program that he needs. They have done a fantastic job with him and also with many other kids in our district.
3. The current board is very supportive of the Fine Arts. We all see the connection between Fine Arts and grades. So , yes, the board approved a nice portion of funds this year to the Fine Arts. It includes restoring Art class to the grade schools, and yes money for the Band program. The high school band room is in desperate need of practice rooms and some instruments. That is what the money is getting used for.
4. I agree with the blogger that said that this blog is very destructive. I ran for the board because I care about the kids. I purposely waited till my daughter graduated high school because I did not want there to be any conflict or favoritism. And now it gets gossiped that I am on the board for favors for my grandchildren. It is so bad that my granddaughter did not even go to the Leadership Camp this year because of all the criticism she received last year when she did her community service project. Being on the board does not help your family, it hurts them. I am sure this is true for Mr. Hull, Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Gonzalez, as I know it was for Mrs. Weaver.
I have no problem if you criticize me or my actions but I don’t think it is right to criticize the kids. I know for a fact that several good candidates have refused to run for the board because they don’t want to put their families through all of this.
I know many of you are supporters of the district and want better opportunities and education for your families and are just trying to get information. But do it by showing up at activities, and asking questions in person.
If you have questions you can email the board through the district website. We are bound by IASB and state rules to not breach confidentiality but if we can we respond or can at least direct you in the correct place, we will. Please feel free to attend board meetings and speak. We have made many changes because of information and feedback that we have received from people. But we will not make changes because of a blog that people will not even put their name to.
Thank you for your time,
Anita Lewis
PS- The district has strict policies about internet use at work and they are monitoring Central Office correspondences. I do not with for anyone who is a hard worker to loose their job over a blog so whomever is leaking confidential information might want to reconsider.
I'm glad you stated something Anita but can you honestly say that you as a board member haven't broken any policies? Think about that before you answer.
You know what Anita maybe if the district let citizens know about things like that, and they don't have to mention names, they would be more understanding and maybe trust the board more about how it handles things. I have no problem with removing students especially if the are special needs that are being harmed. There have been serious problems with that for many years.
Instead of removing your grandchild from a school because you feel the enviroment was not suitable for a child, why don't you use your position on the board to correct the underlying problem of the bad school enviroment?
Seems to me the selling point of the referendum was "if you don't vote for it we are going to cut, cut, cut-fine arts."
Just now, in 2011 these education wizards realize the importance and positive impact of the arts in the classrooms. They are going to take the art off "the cart" and put it back into the classroom! They probably brainstormed that "strategic plan" at a retreat. Way to go 131 admin!!
okay just a few points positive and negative...NJROTC is a program you elect to be in, Drill team (where you saw the kids being shouted at) is another program you choose to be in just like a sport. As for NJROTC going to Florida all past years with the exception of last (which i will get to in a min) have been paid for by the Navy the kids pay $50.00 to go to Pensicola (idk how to spell that sorry)they can only go to that compition if the Drill team wins 1st place.
Now negative...I am wondering if you guys realize and this has been stated by the "New" Commander...last year the drill team went to Daytona the team did not have to fundraise as the SCHOOL BOARD paid for the entire trip and put the kids, instructors,bus drivers, and chaperones up at the Hilton. According to Commander the BOARD will be doing this again this year???? Next, this year already the Board gave NJROTC 20,000 for new computers which was really not needed....maybe band should bring that up and see if the board will pay for their entire trip as well
I may be mistaken, but I believe the Board "approves" the money to be spent from a NJROTC fund. The Board does not "pay" for the trip. Maybe it is a simple answer from the commander to explain to the students, without detailing how NJROTC is funded.
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