where in the hell is my survey???
You launched a big press conference to tell the city that you are issuing one. A lot has been said about parental influence and all I got today was a stinking postcard to tell me to be on the lookout for one starting April 30th. Well here we are May 3rd and no survey in my child's backpack.
No automated call from the overcrowded high school, nothing, zip, zilch, nada you get the point.
By the way love your slogan When one parent speaks schools listen, when one million parents speak schools change.
What a bunch of bull. We have been speaking but you never listen.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Name Calling
Why when the Mayor faces opposition he has to revert to name calling?
Funny that he uses name calling like a elementary school child to parents who are trying to call attention to the fact that he is a major bonehead. Oops would that be name calling, silly me.
So when a group of parents asked for us to ask for real parent input on the new surveys sent to parents his only response was that they are trying to
“subvert the system and sit around and complain and not make it any better.”
Now these parents that signed the letter do not just sit around and complain and not make it any better.
They are parent leaders, people who have gone out and tried to make it better, but our Mayor thinks that he is much smarter than parents who children are being educated in the public system. Who would know better the private school parent (Mayor Mike and Joel Klein) or the actual parent who has a child being screwed by the system. Now I know I am saying that the system is broken and that the Mayor wants to fix it, but his fix is not a real fix. It is set up for failure. I have cited why many times before. Just wait until September and our I told you so's become fact.
Then Mayor Mike is going to have to truly listen to the parents when they realize that once again their child is being screwed by the system.
Funny that he uses name calling like a elementary school child to parents who are trying to call attention to the fact that he is a major bonehead. Oops would that be name calling, silly me.
So when a group of parents asked for us to ask for real parent input on the new surveys sent to parents his only response was that they are trying to
“subvert the system and sit around and complain and not make it any better.”
Now these parents that signed the letter do not just sit around and complain and not make it any better.
They are parent leaders, people who have gone out and tried to make it better, but our Mayor thinks that he is much smarter than parents who children are being educated in the public system. Who would know better the private school parent (Mayor Mike and Joel Klein) or the actual parent who has a child being screwed by the system. Now I know I am saying that the system is broken and that the Mayor wants to fix it, but his fix is not a real fix. It is set up for failure. I have cited why many times before. Just wait until September and our I told you so's become fact.
Then Mayor Mike is going to have to truly listen to the parents when they realize that once again their child is being screwed by the system.
Survey Says....
The DOE is starting a new campaign to ask parents & students what they think is wrong or right with their schools. Like we need a survey, what is this Family Feud?
The initiative is called Learning Environment Surveys. This is a gigantic waste of money. Parents have already been screaming about what is wrong with the system but as usual it is ignored. I believe the main reason for this initiative is so the Mayor and the Chancellor can say we asked the parents and they said we are doing a wonderful job. You know they are going to ignore all the negative comments since that has been what they have been doing all along.
They will come up with the everything is rosy approach just like the great graduation rates and the test scores improving.
The New York Times are reporting that a group of 8 parents are urging parents to cross out the questions and send back the message real parental input. Let's make that 9 parents, and I am sure that their is a long line of parents right behind me.
The initiative is called Learning Environment Surveys. This is a gigantic waste of money. Parents have already been screaming about what is wrong with the system but as usual it is ignored. I believe the main reason for this initiative is so the Mayor and the Chancellor can say we asked the parents and they said we are doing a wonderful job. You know they are going to ignore all the negative comments since that has been what they have been doing all along.
They will come up with the everything is rosy approach just like the great graduation rates and the test scores improving.
The New York Times are reporting that a group of 8 parents are urging parents to cross out the questions and send back the message real parental input. Let's make that 9 parents, and I am sure that their is a long line of parents right behind me.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Come one, come all
There will be a Press Conference on May 9th at 5PM on the steps of City Hall to protest the reforms that the Mayor and the Chancellor have proposed for our children. Since parent's have been left out of the equation here is your opportunity to let them know that we represent the unheard voices of our children. Who better to represent them but us.
Be there, I am going to be there the one with the Pissed Off look on her face.
I am so disappointed but the press conference has been called off.
Be there, I am going to be there the one with the Pissed Off look on her face.
I am so disappointed but the press conference has been called off.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Politic's as usual
Political games are being played with our children.
Let us just look at the Children First Reforms. Bush visiting a Charter School to say how great his NCLB reforms are working.
Why did Bush not go to one of the worst schools in our city and go sit in a trailer that leaks when it rains or watch the children being taught in the broom closet. By the way I was a student that was taught in a janitors closet way back in the days when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
I have been reading all the comments that people who have been involved with education issues when Mrs Pissed Offs daddy still braided her hair in pigtails, and they all say the same thing. That the new reforms should be put on hold.
One thing I find interesting is that they say that this new reform is designed to make the middle class flee from the system in droves.
I will say this, in my middle class neighborhood it has been well known that you send your child to the elementary school, the middle school if your child makes SP or magnet and start saving your money for Private High School. I find this sad, parent's would be apt to trust the DOE if they were honest with the public.
About the Class Size Issue, this is what got me involved with education issues. Class size is enormous and with two children that were in large classrooms I know how hard it is on a teacher to give individual attention to a large class, especially a class that needs to be put in order for behaviour. Mr. Pissed Off figured out that if a class size was 36 a teacher would have 6 1/2 minutes to spend with your child alone. This is in a elementary school setting.
I remember at one time that small class size funds were to be given down from Albany specifically for small class size. It was a victory and it was done for a few years until then Governor Pataki decided to give block grants instead. Well we all know what happened to small class size it was all but forgotten.
Now the DOE is saying that they will come up with a plan to implement small class size in the next five years, and proponents are saying it can not happen and lets not rush into it. Lets not rush into it how about we just forget it all together, how about we just close down the schools, children just do not need to be educated why bother. There is more than enough room in the jails for them.
So when is that revolution???
Let us just look at the Children First Reforms. Bush visiting a Charter School to say how great his NCLB reforms are working.
Why did Bush not go to one of the worst schools in our city and go sit in a trailer that leaks when it rains or watch the children being taught in the broom closet. By the way I was a student that was taught in a janitors closet way back in the days when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
I have been reading all the comments that people who have been involved with education issues when Mrs Pissed Offs daddy still braided her hair in pigtails, and they all say the same thing. That the new reforms should be put on hold.
One thing I find interesting is that they say that this new reform is designed to make the middle class flee from the system in droves.
I will say this, in my middle class neighborhood it has been well known that you send your child to the elementary school, the middle school if your child makes SP or magnet and start saving your money for Private High School. I find this sad, parent's would be apt to trust the DOE if they were honest with the public.
About the Class Size Issue, this is what got me involved with education issues. Class size is enormous and with two children that were in large classrooms I know how hard it is on a teacher to give individual attention to a large class, especially a class that needs to be put in order for behaviour. Mr. Pissed Off figured out that if a class size was 36 a teacher would have 6 1/2 minutes to spend with your child alone. This is in a elementary school setting.
I remember at one time that small class size funds were to be given down from Albany specifically for small class size. It was a victory and it was done for a few years until then Governor Pataki decided to give block grants instead. Well we all know what happened to small class size it was all but forgotten.
Now the DOE is saying that they will come up with a plan to implement small class size in the next five years, and proponents are saying it can not happen and lets not rush into it. Lets not rush into it how about we just forget it all together, how about we just close down the schools, children just do not need to be educated why bother. There is more than enough room in the jails for them.
So when is that revolution???
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Principals to be given power to boot PTA's
If this is not another attempt to silence parents I just can't figure out what else it could be. Today's New York Post has penned an article saying that the DOE "are mulling over a policy plan to allow Principals to ban PTA's for patterns of negative behavior". They still have yet to constitute what "negative behavior" is.
I as a parent find this to be very disturbing. It is another way to bully parents to keep us quiet. To make us not complain, to make us go with the status quo, to worry about what will happen to us if we do complain about the ills of the system. This is not a good thing at all.
Why bother to have a PTA at all? PTA's were put in place to be the voice of the parents and if the parents have a problem who else can we turn to, but the PTA.
They represent us directly. They have the same stake in the school that we do.
I really don't understand what Klein and Bloomberg are thinking, or if they are at all. I say we revolt. That's right a revolution against the boneheaded policies that the DOE are coming up with the make us all be like mimes.
I as a parent find this to be very disturbing. It is another way to bully parents to keep us quiet. To make us not complain, to make us go with the status quo, to worry about what will happen to us if we do complain about the ills of the system. This is not a good thing at all.
Why bother to have a PTA at all? PTA's were put in place to be the voice of the parents and if the parents have a problem who else can we turn to, but the PTA.
They represent us directly. They have the same stake in the school that we do.
I really don't understand what Klein and Bloomberg are thinking, or if they are at all. I say we revolt. That's right a revolution against the boneheaded policies that the DOE are coming up with the make us all be like mimes.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Concessions
The DOE has made some concessions with the UFT & (Parent Groups) on some of the provisions in the Children First reforms.
The first that was a major sticking point for parents and educators alike were teacher's salaries, especially teachers with seniority.I see it as a great thing that teachers with experience will be protected, what I do not like is the back door provision that when the teacher retires or leaves that said money can be spent on a a teacher with a lessor salary and the remainder of the monies can be spent as the principal sees fit. Now I know the Principal should be able to choose the best person for the job, I don't argue that point, but.....if a school is strapped for cash what will the Principal ultimately choose?
The Rally for May 9th has been cancelled. Well I say that we should still hold this rally. To show that we still disagree with the reforms, hey can we can agree or disagree right Randi? I say we DISAGREE!!!!
I am happy the UFT spoke up for the teachers and the Mayor has conceded on salaries, but at what sacrifice to the child?
I am still wondering what parents were available on the meetings, it was not CPAC or CEC you know the parents who disagree with the funding, the parents who have been drawing up resolutions AGAINST the funding. The ones who oppose what Kleinberg are trying to do.
I have no faith in the DOE and any new reforms they are trying to pass, I remember them all. It is just business as usual
suggested reading
and the New York Times article
I am sure there are more and I would love to see the links
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
We the Students
I loved this story in USA Today about the second grade teacher Diane Schmiesing teaching her children how to write a Constitution for their classroom. I also noticed she had 19 students (ooh a small class they do exist), what a great way to teach younger children about how laws work.
Student Loan Scandal
I do have a child in college as you know. I was happy to see that Andrew Cuomo took on the student loan companies. I hate to tell you what my child is paying in interest for his loan. The probe has pushed Congress to action and all I can say is it is about damn time. Here is the link to the USA today story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
