Saturday, October 29, 2011
Students' best interests?
One of the things most of us in this community have in common is our concern for the well-being of our kids. Ideally, every decision made by administrators, teachers, parents, and taxpayers is made with the best interests of students in mind. What are some examples of recent decisions made in our district that have been good for students? And how could we make better use of available resources (time, energy, funds) to benefit the people we claim to care about most: our children?
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248 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 248 of 2488:18 I agree w/ everything you said except "small town". We're the second largest city in the state. Personally, I think that taking the high road, and showing some class (I mean high class, not the low class this other displays) is important no matter the size of the town. I'm glad there's an administrator showing some judgement on this blog; if anything, they should be even more agressive in their deletions.
@ 6:23 PM what I meant by small town, is the community that visits here is a "small" one compared to national news/ topic blogs which generate 100's of comments in a day.
Unless a person monitors a blog 24/7 they could not possibly be more aggressive in deletions or unless again it were a "big town" blog with delayed posting or programmed to edit in some fashion.
What are you talking about?
The board meeting had an amazing moment last night when a parent went before the board to lodge a complaint about how the administration at Simmons has done nothing (except commit a cover up) while her son has been bullied, victimized and even sexually assaulted. The board sat there with their mouths open as the mother detailed how she has gone to the administrators at Simmons Mechelle Patterson, Wilson Morales and John Young explaining the torments her son has been subjected to and the administrators have done nothing to protect this child. She had even contacted the superintendent’s office and nothing was done to protect her son or punish the student who has been the harasser. She spoke to Lisa Morales. I can only imagine that Lisa tried to cover it up to protect her husband. I wonder if Jerome knew this was coming or if he was just as blindsided as the board members were.
I can only imagine how much more victimized she felt when the board tried to silence her in the middle of her statement (because her 3 minutes was up). Fortunately, her daughter also signed up for time. Her daughter had to finish the statement she wanted to make to the board. I personally was shocked that the board tried to silence her as she was detailing the crime and how Mechelle Patterson, Wilson Morales, John Young and Lisa Morales have covered it up. Don’t they have some responsibility to investigate and act if a crime has been committed within the district? I guess that she will now be retaining an attorney to get the justice that has thus far been denied.
I’ve known for years that administrators at Simmons were both incompetent and very vindictive. I never thought that they could be this uncompassionate and unethical and possibly criminal. The administrators at Penn State are facing jail time for covering up a sexual crime. Apparently, we have a similar situation at Simmons Middle School.
After what has happened at Penn State I can't believe that they would handle it like this but this is just the first step. The parent should contact the State Board of Education now that she has addressed the board. Things don't happen overnight but it seems now if schools overlook this the States Attorney or IL School Board will.
To the administration's credit, they did bring in a nationally-recognized expert on bullying to speak at Simmons last week.
But SHAME on everyone involved in this situation--both the perpetrator(s) and those who covered it up or looked the other way.
And BRAVO to the mother/daughter tag team who had the guts to confront the School Board.
You are talking about not voting for someone to get them out? This incident, which will be in the Beacon on Monday, along with the cover up and Simmons admins re-writing the child's statement are grounds for immediate resignations. If you truly want to protect this child, start with going before the board and insisting on the immediate resignation of Supt. Roberts and the top admins at Simmons. I am also surprised the police are not involved, as this situation simply has no place in our schools-period!
Yes. There is already a group that will be pushing that she not be re-elected.
Annette JOHNSON = Higer Taxes!!!
They should be fired and not be able to get another job with a district. You won't get them to get rid of Roberts they have had grounds to do that but for some reason they don't. Would we really want this board to pick a new Superintendent? The whole board needs to go also.
8:17 I am also surprised the police are not involved. As mandatory reporters, the teachers and administrators are REQUIRED to contact the police/DCFS. I can understand trying to handle it first w/ the school administration, but frankly, I don't understand the mom even calling the superintendent when the school didn't handle it. The second call should have been the authorities.
The mom was correct calling the superintendent's office to report that the Simmons Administrators were not doing their job. She called the superintendents office and she then informed the board.
The mother has been more than patient and reasonable throughout this whole ordeal. I probably would have beaten the crap out of someone by now.
I am sure the mother didn't know that Jerome's secretary Lisa was Wilson Morales' wife. If she had, she would have demanded to speak directly to the superintendent.
If a teacher is not exhibiting the highest ethical standards or does something that brings disgrace to the school district, they are terminated. We will see if the board holds the administrators to the same standard.
I think the mother made it clear. If the board terminates those involved in the cover up (Mechelle Patterson, Wilson Morales, John Young and Lisa Morales) and deals with the kid who did this to her son, she would drop legal action against the district.
This should be a no brainer for the board.
When that mother spoke to Lisa Morales the mother should of been told by Lisa that she is just and administrators assistant and can do nothing about the situation and directed her to someone who could help.
Even if they get rid of the ones involved I would still do a legal case against them because unless the employees, administration, superintendent and board will continue business as usual because they believe they are above the law.
This isn’t the only screw up Lisa Morales has made recently. Just a few weeks ago, she ticked off a large group in the African American community. St John African Methodist Episcopal Church had sent out information to all the area school districts that they wanted to hold a celebration for all African American Teachers in the community. Every school district in the county responded except District 131.
A teacher in the district who is also a member of the church tried to remedy the situation. She contacted Lisa Morales. Lisa acknowledged that she had received the letter but no longer had it. (I’m sure it went straight to the trash) She asked the teacher to have the church send the information again. The teacher contacted the church who e-mailed the information to Lisa.
Lisa then wrote a note (intended to go to Clayton Muhammad) where she tells Clayton that he was going to have to deal with this bothersome church group. The letter made Lisa’s negative feelings about the church quite clear.
THE PROBLEM: Lisa hit “REPLY” instead of “FORWARD”. The letter was sent back to the St John African Methodist Episcopal Church. They are seriously ticked off at the district now.
This is a community group with branches all over the area who were reaching out to our district and only wanted to celebrate teachers. Due to Lisa’s incompetence and vindictive nature, the district has alienated a large group in our community. The board really does need to reevaluate her position in this district.
Again what does Lisa have to do with these kinds of things? The letter should of gone to Clayton. This women needs to be put in her place because she is stepping out of bounds. Also, the district should let these groups know who to contact about these kind of activities.
If the district is being threatened because information is not getting to the superintendent, the superintendent and board have the responsibility to remedy the situation.
It makes a person wonder how many other cover ups Lisa has comitted to protect her husbands incompetence.
It sounds like Johnson should sue Rayanne because of false lies on this blog. Of course Rayanne has no money and a house that has a bigger mortgage than it is worth so where would it get her.
What proof is there that they are sleeping together.
I WISH Rayanne could be held accountable for all of the BS posted here.
Rayanne (or co-administrator), thank you for doing the right thing and deleting those comments alleging an inappropriate relationship.
2:21 p.m., aren't "false lies" the same as THE TRUTH??
Rayanne does not run this blog anymore. It is run by Johnson et al. Pictures speak a thousand words Annette. Your time is near.
We need this blog, if for no other reason but to have information disceminated to the public. All other channels are being censored. Below is a memo sent from Dr. Roberts to all the principals. Teachers receive the same type of letter on a fairly regular basis. It shows the districts position on staff opening their mouths.
Memo
TO: School Principals
FROM: Dr. Roberts
DATE: November 10, 2011
RE: News Media
This memo will serve as a reminder that if your school is contacted by a media outlet (newspaper, TV, radio, etc.) they should always be directed to our Community Relations Director, Clayton Muhammad, before speaking to the reporter or granting any interviews or allowing any photos to be taken.
One of the reasons for this is that if a student’s photo is taken and the parent has not given consent, you may be liable for allowing that to occur. Furthermore, without Clayton’s (or my) knowledge of the pending article, photo-shoot or the like, we cannot inform the board of a possible article that could be controversial or damaging to the district’s image campaign.
I cannot emphasize this enough as proper protocol as a District 131 principal.
The office of Community Relations involvement at the onset can prevent the possibility of any such occurrence and thus protect your professional reputation and legal status as well.
If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The restrictions on teachers are even greater. Simply put, if a teacher is contacted by anybdoy (Press reporter, lawyer, etc.)they are required to send them to Clayton. We are not allowed to say anything.
The top administrators are the only ones who really hate this blog. They have no control over it and therefor no control over the whistleblowers who make the administrators illegal actions public.
No one who wants more transparency can oppose this blog. It is the only real transparency this community has.
Excuse me... that was the sister not the daughter n her son is not the only one being bullied at simmons middle school. She can bring more parents to the next board meeting or better yet to the beacon news. She has a friend her daughter was being bullied in the 6grade. The parent went to Mr. Morales about her daughter and Mr. Morales said to the parent to write down everything the girls were doing to her daughter on paper and bring it to him.... i thought he would do something the day it was brought to his attention. It took the parent a 3rd time intill he took action but thats because the parent didnt take a "no" for an answer. I hope they do get fired and I can bet anyone that the teachers are harassed as well. All three principles @ Mrs. Morales cover their backs in order to keep there jobs GUESS what "GAME OVER"
Wilson Morales has been ripping up teacher referrals for years. It's easier than processing them and looks better to his superiors that referrals appear to be down.
It doesn't really matter that discipline has gone to hell at Simmons. Roberts never visits the building to see for himself.
Mechelle Patterson and Wilson Morales both have come to faculty meetings and directed teachers not to write referrals.
Simply put, their jobs would be in jeapordy if the central office knew how out of control the building really is.
I used to be at Simmons. I gave up on Wilson Morales the day I saw the worst fight I had ever seen between students.
The fight was viscious. Punches were thrown, hair was pulled, the girls were rolling on the floor trying to kill each other. It took two adults all their physical strength to pull the girls apart.
The girls were dragged down to the office and a referral was written on each girl and given to Wilson Morales to process.
What was Wilson's response? He "talked" to the girls. He made them hug each other in his office and took a picture of the hug. He then threatened that if they fought again, he would post the picture throughout the building.
These girls should have been suspended a minimum of 10 days and arrested on the spot. Instead, Wilson only thought of his own career.
If Johnson runs again I will go door to door she is the only one who had the guts to get rid of Marin Gonzalez. To bad the old witch has tenure I heard she is going back to teaching
7:22 p.m. said (supposedly quoting a memo from Central Office to principals):
"...we cannot inform the board of a possible article that could be controversial or damaging to the district’s image campaign..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THAT'S what administration cares most about--their precious IMAGE. Not necessarily what's best for students (or, in the words of the original post in this thread, in "students' best interests").
I'll give credit where credit is due. I heard Anita Lewis went out to speak to the mother of the boy who was assaulted at Simmons. She offered some words of appology and compassion for what she and her son have been put through.
It's too little and too late but it does show that at least one person at the top of our district still has some humanity left in them.
That sounds like something Anita Lewis would do; she's definitely one of the better ones on our board/administration.
The top administrators are the only ones who really hate this blog. They have no control over it and therefor no control over the whistleblowers who make the administrators illegal actions public.
No one who wants more transparency can oppose this blog. It is the only real transparency this community has.
November 23, 2011 7:30 PM
I don't hate this blog, and I want as much transparency as we can get. But there are times I DO oppose this blog, and wonder if the positives outweigh the negatives. How does unsubstantiated gossip, and outrageous and unbelievable accusations of sexual impropropriety, enhance transparency? They don't -- they only damage the credibility of this blog. And I wish someone WOULD file a libel suit, not against Rayanne, but against the posters who put such trash in writing. Once a suit was filed, subpoenas could be issued for the blog's computer records, and the IPs of the posts could be revealed. And maybe the low life scum could be caught.
And to head off the inevitable guesses, no, I'm not employed by the district, am not on the board, and never have been. I'm a parent.
China provides the type of censorship you are asking for. Perhaps, you should move there. Oh and by the way, don't be surprised when a tank rolls down the street to keep people in line.
You are a perfect example of why this community is thought of as complete idiots. Someone said something I didn't like to hear. Quick, shut them up.
12:07 a.m. mentions "outrageous and unbelievable accusations of sexual impropriety".
Yes, there have been several of those types of posts in the past few days. Fortunately, Rayanne and/or the co-administrator deletes them soon after they are posted. There are many, many blogs where sexual accusations and filthy language are not only allowed to remain but are initiated by the blog administrators (Openline Blog is a local example).
I am grateful for this blog for again & again bringing to light things that certain people in power in our district would prefer be kept secret. And I am not employed by D131; I am a concerned parent and taxpayer.
Oh yes, look at all of the good things being accomplished here. SHAME on those of you who want it shut down.
B......S......!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
7:39 a.m--
AMEN!
China provides the type of censorship you are asking for. Perhaps, you should move there. Oh and by the way, don't be surprised when a tank rolls down the street to keep people in line.
You are a perfect example of why this community is thought of as complete idiots. Someone said something I didn't like to hear. Quick, shut them up.
November 24, 2011 12:45 AM
And you appear to have a big reading comprehension problem (or you're deliberately distorting my position). That's not at all what I said. There are lots of things said here that I don't like, but I didn't say to shut them up. I was speaking specifically of unsubstantiated rumor, gossip, and inuendo. I will defend the right of anybody to say something I don't like IF it's true (or even if there's credible reason to think it might be). Expecting people to refrain from publishing comments about things they have no way of knowing are true or even they know are false (like claiming somebody is sleeping w/ somebody else), which is obviously what I was referring to, is NOT censorship like what you'd see in China. In China they censor what the government doesn't like, even if (or especially if) it's true. And your inability to understand the difference show that YOU are the perfect example of why this community is thought of as complete idiots.
And 7:39 I agree, kudos to the Blog Administrator who obviously agreed w/ me by removing the comments that I was talking about. Openline blog actually is a good example of the kind of censorship that 12:45 falsely accused me of promoting here. On Openline they not only keep but PREFER the unsubstantiated and offensive gossip, rumor, and innuendo (as long as it's directed toward certain targets), BUT Openline frequently quietly deletes comments that he doesn't like especially when they make valid points contrary to his own skewed opinions. No notice left that a comment had been removed, it just disappears.
12:07
So you ASSUME that every sexual accusation made on this blog is false. You next ASSUME that every person making an accusation knows that the accusation is false and is deliberatly trying to destroy a persons reputation. You next ASSUME that based on your assumptions that libel suits should be made and everyone who posts on this blog should have their rights violated.
I find it interesting that you only have an issue with accusations made of a sexual nature. America is a highly repressed society sexually, especially in the midwest. The world is made up of Nudes and Prudes. You are a shining example of a midwest prude.
10:55, the world is not either/or, black/white, nudes/prudes.
In MY experience (although maybe not yours) there is definitely a middle ground, a range of possibilities between extremes. And I have no problem with discussions of a sexual nature, as long as they do not include accusations of inappropriate behavior. I wouldn't want such accusations made against me, and I definitely appreciate that the blog administrator deletes them here.
Free speech according to your rules. I got it.
So you ASSUME that every sexual accusation made on this blog is false. You next ASSUME that every person making an accusation knows that the accusation is false and is deliberatly trying to destroy a persons reputation. You next ASSUME that based on your assumptions that libel suits should be made and everyone who posts on this blog should have their rights violated.
I find it interesting that you only have an issue with accusations made of a sexual nature. America is a highly repressed society sexually, especially in the midwest. The world is made up of Nudes and Prudes. You are a shining example of a midwest prude.
November 24, 2011 10:55 AM
This is 10:30/12:07. LOL at you. You ASSUME that I actually made all those assumptions, and of course I didn't. And then you go on to make the totally false statement that I only have problems w/ the unsubstantiated gossip and rumors of a sexual nature. I have problems w/ ALL the forms of unsubstantiated gossip and rumor that appear on these pages. The current discussion mentioned the sexual stuff because recently there has been some particularly agregious examples of that. I'm not "assuming" that anyone should file suit, I'm HOPING that someone will file suit some day. Our rights stop when they impinge on someone else's rights. Our right to free speech doesn't give us the right to publicly say hurtful, untrue things about another named person. Or to be more specific, you can be held accountable for what you say. A lot of people on the internet say things about someone they would never have the guts to say to their face. When it's between 2 anonymous people, that's one thing. When it's one anonymous person saying things about a specific person, such as Annette Johnson, or Jerome Roberts, or Rayanne Carlson, they need to understand that they can be held accountable if the things they're saying are untrue. And subpoena-ing the records of a blog to find the identity of someone saying potentially libelous things is not a violation of their rights, it's an upholding of the rights of the libelled person.
Oh, and I'm really laughing at being "a shining example of a midwest prude". Another totally false assumption on your part. I'm not a prude by any means. And while I've lived here going on 30 years, I was born and raised in California. Which of course is well known as the most prudish state in the country, right?
The only person that said face to face was the two parents that said what they had to say at that board meeting. No Anonymous statements but face to face. In this case ppl can't say it face to face because ppl can't hang with the truth and want to argue the situation like everyone is doing on this blog. Most ppl that are educated speak the truth and for the ones that do get upset thats because the truth hurts.
The worst part is that the administrators in the Simmons case have been harrassing the staff members that encouraged the family to take it to the next level, because they wouldn't do anything about it.
Shame on them!
Everyone go to the title "REPUTAION" click on the newest comments it's getting intresting..... The parent went to Simmons's Middle school and demanded her child's statement... go read about it.. The story will be on the beacon new's next week.
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