Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Be Positive

Eugene is complaining about the local news media. He says it doesn't write or report any positive stories about IPS. Is he right or just whiney?

78 comments:

  1. Didn't know the board prez was named Eugene. I thought is was Dr Brown. IPS BS is a moron.

    There are positive stories. They are burried in (what used to be called) the Metro Section. The negative ones are above the fold.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eugene is the moron. Perhaps he needs click the heels of his ruby red slippers and imagine that he is getting good press. As long as he has miserable tyrants like Prudence "Pearls Lounge" Bridgewaters, Jane Kendrick, Dexter Suggs and Sarah Bogard, he is going to continue to get bad press.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We have TRIED to get IPS positive PR. In order to get schools in the media for positive things, we must follow proper procedure.
    It is hard to do that when MLB and Hooper don't get back to schools in a timely manner. Not only that, you have to book a time to see White six months in advance. It is a joke.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm unsure if IPS gets any less media coverage than other Central Indiana school districts. Unless a school district boasts outstanding athletic teams, the media does not cover much in the way of educational news. Frankly, most school type stories from any district are fairly dull and uninteresting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. "...we must follow proper procedure." quote from above

    This strict adherence to procedues and a chain of command is holding IPS back in more than simply garnering positive media coverage. Vibrant and healthy organizations don't get bogged down in a chain of command situation; they spread the good news as it occurs, and the bosses are happy when they do!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MLB and Hooper have never said you can't go directly to the media. In fact, they encourage it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Is is about 50-50 as far as positive and negative. It galls me when people try to think IPS is s bad and just look at all the teacher/adults you have all over the city & state ( Carmel, Wayne, Lawrence etc.) in inappropriate relationships with minors. This time I am almost down with the boss on this topic. Everybody is quick to downgrade IPS faults, but I had an adult tell me that a middle school in Washington Township has the most out-of-control, disrespectful children he has ever seen--and he has worked in IPS, too. It is all about perception. Because our kids are poor, they are perceived as less than or criminal, while WT students are just--let's see--mischievous?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Man...you people need to go back and take Government 101--this would include Dr. White and his do-nothing board.
    .
    The BOARD is ELECTED by the people, for the people. The SUPERINTENDENT is appointed by the BOARD.
    .
    The SUPERINTENDENT is NOT a member of the board, AND the ELECTED BOARD members are not part of the administration.
    .
    Goverance in IPS is a joke, because there is no governance. There's just one guy running the show with no accountability.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The amazing thing is that Dr. White whines about negative press but no one bad mouths IPS more than Eugene White. He bad mouths the teachers, the parents, the students, the facilities, and cries about underfunding. He also brings about bad PR by traveling at taxpayers' expense all over the world, hiring relatives and increasing administrative jobs on an almost daily basis. EUGENE.....quit bad mouthing IPS.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well I am whinning about no toner or ink in IPS. NONE since last spring...can't copy anything send via email unless I do it at home and use my ink.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Blogmaster,

    It is unfortunate and emabarassing to have to read comments at the level of tripe, vulgar language, and innuendos situated in the previous "Arlington chaos, true or false?" thread and its Oct. 5 responses on IPS BS. It would be laughable except all of this is a product of the times and the local, state, and national pressure on IPS/Dr. White to perform.

    Yet, IPS BS would not have arisen if communications from the beginning of the post-Pritchett era had been fluid, open, democratic, and dialogical. However, this pressure to perform became matched with Dr. White’s inability to deal with complexity, leading to an intolerance of dissent and the fear of reprisal, school uniforms, and his mono-logic style of communications This not only created a legitimation crisis, but a communications vacuum. It appears that out of this nothingness, a critical mass of IPS staff who believed they needed to be heard created a chorus of teacher voices such as is IPS BS.

    So, blogmaster, don’t let doubters get to you. You shouldn’t be ashamed. Keep up the good work. Keep providing a forum for dissent despite the garbage. I love IPS B.S.!

    ReplyDelete
  12. On this one he is right. Though Tully at the Star is giving a good look at Manual, for the most part the others just come by when there is a negative story.

    Look at today. In the "CARMEL STAR" there is many meet the teachers. Why doen's the Indy STAR do that and go school to school? In addition there are regular articles on their sports teams (minor sports) and clubs. Not so with IPS. When is the last article on a soccer or cross country team in IPS?

    When IPS wins competitions like the academic super bowl where is the STAR or TV stations? Even a day late would be good.

    I believe this because most of the reporters live outside IPS. They would rather make reports to show they are doing the right things for their kids by living outside IPS. So then the only good report to them is one critical of IPS. Besides they don't want to swim upstream against the others reports.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think part of this has been created by Eugene. He is the only who constantly berates the media. He is the one who sends Mary Louise to lie to the media when they know that she is not telling the truth. He is the one who creates negativity that gives them an opportunity to report about negative happenings. I wish non IPS people could be in our schools and see the discontent, the low morale, the frustration and the complete distrust and lack of faith in White and his Ed. Center cronies.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Its Mary Louise's job to get out the good news daily, she does nothing. Why even cut the lady a cut, fire her and hire a sharp PR person to upgrade IPS.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Newspapers love press releases from schools, organizations, etc. That means they don't have to pay a reporter to find the news; the news comes to them.

    I agree with the above poster that the primary responsibility for insuring good press about IPS falls within the purview of Ms. Bewley.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The "bobble-headed board" just sits and they will wobble their little heads at the "Pimp Daddy" with his red Gucci shoes. "Pimp Daddy is looking so fine with the huge rings on each cubby finger. Thank God the wobbles gave the "Pimp Daddy" a clothing allowance,now we can be so proud of the "Pimp Daddy" styling for the public.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Let's hope this May's election gets rid of some of the bobbleheads. I know that there are strong candidates preparing to run against each one of them.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Two of the better board members are up for re-election--Michael Cohen and Kelly Bentley--but I hear they are not running. It will be a sad day for IPS if they are replaced by a couple more Bobbleheads. Michael Brown is up for reelection and he is the King of the Bobbleheads---and in 2012 Mary Busch, the Queen Bobblehead; and Marianna Zaphiriou and Elizabeth Gore, the Bobblehead Princesses also need to go.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I agree Bentley and Cohen need to stay and Michael Brown is spineless and clueless and just a gopher for Eugene. We need to make sure he is NOT reelected.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You can mock the administration and schoolboard all you like but you're only prove your own lack of professionalism. Because you're namecalling and scapegoating and calling out people by name, not disputing policy. And even though they all know about this site and ALL of them have individual teachers they could get on here and call out by name and scapegoat and namecall, none of them do. Because they are more professional than you are. And I'm not administration, I'm not even a teacher. I'm just a parent who feels that every "bobblehead" and "ditz" and "ruby slippers" comment serves as a public demonstration of the culture of IPS staff shows exactly why many parents are hesitant to trust you with their kids.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Back to the school board. Michael Brown lives in an area that is heavily hispanic. It would be great if someone from that community were to run against him. Our board could stand some more diversity.

    ReplyDelete
  22. What is Eugene going to do about all of the unfilled sub positions??? Does he even care?? Surely some of his multitude of supervisors, consultants, coaches etc could come fill some of these classrooms that have no teacher. He did IPS no favor when he made the drastic cut in the sub pay for retired teachers? Many no longer sub and others are just doing a few days.......

    ReplyDelete
  23. Careful now, don't offend the parent who posted above. Be professional. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  24. It would be cheaper for the School Board to contract with the Marion County Health Department to offer free flu shots to all IPS employees than to pay for the substitutes who will be needed very shortly during this flu season.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yeah, like the teacher at our building with H1N1 who's been to school twice this week to leave stuff for her sub. Wonder how many of the students/staff were exposed?

    Oh, silly me. I should know by now that no one cares.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Our IPS principal announces each afternoon before the close of school for any employee or student who is running a temperature of 100 or higher, is experiencing nausea, etc. to stay home. Don't come to school, in other words.

    ReplyDelete
  27. School 15 today.....13 teachers absent, only 3 subs.........can't some of those coaches spend some time in the classroom?? Oh, that is right. They are coaches because they were ineffective in the classroom.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AN ODE TO MY PRINCIPAL

    You've broken my spirit; you've broken my will.
    All of my hopes for this year, you've managed to kill.
    The student got off with nary a day,
    Proving that in my classroom, I have no say.
    You made me look like a total fool, having no authority to enforce one rule.
    Your behavior, sometimes raving like a lunatic,
    It makes me, and many others, very sick.
    Your school is throughly out of control,
    The wild, disrespectful behavior is on a roll.
    Your nasty little puppet pissed me off today,
    With a condescending little e-mail she copied my way.
    She clicks down the hall like her shit doesn't stink,
    But others have a very different opinion, I think.
    On the date of my birth, I'll be absent that day,
    For down to Human Resources I will sway,
    To turn in the paperwork that will guarantee,
    That you, crazy bitch, I will never again see.
    Don't search for clues for my identity, the truth you will get get from me.
    If you ask if it is I, I'll cross my heart and lie,
    I'll even look you in the eye and lie.
    I'll swear on the grave of my poor dead mother,
    Knowing full well, the truth, I will smother.
    You've broken my spirit; you've broken my will,
    But in the end, since it's you I blame,
    Through the printed word,
    'Twill be you, I'll blame.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh, a correction to my above post. The last line should read, "Twill be you, I'll NAME."

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh do tell, which one of the fine administrators are you going to name, name them and Eugene White will be promoting and praising them, since this seems to be the goal of many administrators, to break the spirit and will of teachers.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh for the love of Pete. You're a grown woman. If your job or your boss is "breaking your spirit" you need to up your dosage or seek counseling or change jobs or whatever you have to do. But fixating on the people you don't like is beyond unprofessional. It's mentally unstable.

    And you spelled Lexapro wrong. Twice.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sounds like you need to get a life!
    My clever little poem was written by my wife.
    As for you, itchy-b calling me unstable,
    I'll keep posting blogs whenever I am able.

    ReplyDelete
  33. p.s. My blog name is a clue to my identity.

    ReplyDelete
  34. It doesn't matter who wrote it. You're the one who posted it in two different threads. Like it has some profound meaning. Every self-absorbed, unbalanced teenager I've ever taught writes and passes around similar cold-cruel-world-against-poor-broken-me poems. In kids, it's a healthy expression of a healthy, albeit immature, developmental phase. In adults, especially educators, it's just disturbing.

    And I think you're blog name is more likely a "hint" for somebody you want to throw under the bus. Your poem admits you'll lie about who you are. If your own wife calls you a liar...

    As far as calling me the B-word, I'll tell you what I've told the occasional student that tosses that word in my direction. [sweet smile] You haven't even seen my best work.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I feel better after reading the last several posts. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who had a long stressful week. Must of been the full moon, because the kids were awful.

    ReplyDelete
  36. The poem must be about Lora Elliot at Shortride. She is an itchy-b. With her barked orders to teachers and her rude emails to the staff. Her treatment of the students is shaming.

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is called a hostile work environment and you can file a legal action on the person personally along with IPS (big pockets). You can file formal complaint on Bridgewaters about her sexual advances on you during her visits. What many are unaware of is IPS has a list of "bad teachers" that they want out of the system by December, and many are excellent teachers, but pissed off the Bridgewaters lover, Denny. That means every day, the adminstration is writing up cetain teachers for no reason, then Bridgewaters makes her visits. The sad part is that IPS is not even following the set procedures and will lose in court. Its been hell on too many teachers. Every female teacher needs to file a formal complaint with their building administration, and make sure your AR is with you when you make the complaint that Bridgewaters has made sexual advances on you with each visit.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Regarding the comment about coaches not being able to fill in for teachers who are out...I am a coach who is always willing to do that...who volunteers to do it and welcomes the chance to be in the classroom lest I forget how hard it is to be "in the trenches". Also, I learn a lot about what goes on in the classroom from day to day which can help me help you...but, it sounds like you wouldn't think I had anything to offer or suggest even though I was in the classroom for many, many years and now seek all the additional training I can get (on my own time) to better be able to help new and struggling teachers. You have made what our debate teacher called a "hasty generalization" in saying that coaches became coaches because they were ineffective in the classroom. Perhaps you should apply for the position because you evidently know what makes an effective teacher and could share that knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Back to the "hostile work environment" blog. There are so rumors flying about the "bad teachers" list. How can someone find out if they're on it? Where does the IEA stand in this? Do we even have a Uniserve Director? What happens if a teacher gets fired because their name is on the list?

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have no desire to be a coach. Why would I want a made up do nothing job surrounded by people who are clueless.....I am very happy working with my students in helping prepare them for life........I just wish that I didn't have to waste time with instructional coaches and non stop demands from the Ed. Center that have no value but take away from the teacher's day.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Head to the IEA web site for information on the process and yes, you are on the list. I would like to thank the coach above that helps out when the school is short on teachers and will step up to teach a class. Its been so long since I seen team work in play at school.

    ReplyDelete
  42. When was the last time you saw a coach teach a class? Where the coaches with School #15 had 10 uncovered classes Friday? Coaches like to do "driveby" visits but don't hold your breath waiting on them to pitch in and teach a class.

    ReplyDelete
  43. To the poster who said "head to the IEA website." What is the address? And, how do you presume to know that I am on it?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Has the rug been found and returned yet?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Again, www.iea-in.org, a simple goggle search would of took you all of one minute to find the web site. Look under the section that states Dr. Bridgewaters Visit and learn about your rights.

    ReplyDelete
  46. To all those running in fear from the " Bad Teacher List: I hear it doesn't exist. So to the person who someone tried to intimidate by saying " your name is on it." I highly doubt that. What I have heard is that some principals are looking at teachers who have had questionable evaluations in the past. There is no IPS Bad Teachers List!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Better read the handout you should have picked up during the first day meeting with Dr. White.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Why is has the IEA set up guidelines for "bad teachers" evaluations from Dr. Bridegwaters that IPS must follow, its not your normal evaluations? Boo ya

    ReplyDelete
  49. Yeah, to the f***ing c*** who thinks they know which "Anonymous" blogger is on the list...who have you been doing the horizontal with to know who a blogger is?????

    ReplyDelete
  50. I guess it isn't too important that a teacher gets the swine flu and exposes their students to it...and these students go on a field trip to expose the population of Indianapolis.

    ReplyDelete
  51. To the genius who told me to "goggle" the iea website. I read the "Bridgewater Visit" guidelines and it STILL didn't mention any such list. Put up or shut up.

    ReplyDelete
  52. To the Blogger who wants to know if the rug has been returned.............no, and the crazy ass secretary who stole it still has a job!!! The Principal is so scared of confronting her about the missing rug. Isn't that what being a Principal is all about being "confrontational"? Oh! how I wish the Principal would get some balls and take control of her school building. Word is she will be gone this time next year! They'll just move her to another building to destroy! Another paycheck wasted!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. To the last blogger...the principal you are referring to has been discussed repeatedly on this blog-site. We all know her school is out of control, duties aren't properly covered, sick people roaming the building, etc., etc., etc. While she won't confront the secretary, she sure will shoot nasty e-mails to any teacher who offends her. So what if she's gone next year? Why doesn't someone do something THIS year? Word is that two of her teachers are on the "hit list." Why not her?

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hey, girl! How's it going? :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. I don't think Cohen can run again. Given the three from one district. The court ruling was to let him keep his position, but I don't think he can run again. Does anyone know for sure? And yes, what a shame if we lose Bentley. Cohen, Bentley, and Arnold are the ONLY decent members. Teachers and parents need to find a candidate that has the ability to make a difference, and support that candidate.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Regarding "when is the last time you saw a coach teach a class?"...unless you are omnniscient (sp?) how can you know that there are not coaches covering classes and being in classes everyday? You may be making this judgement based on the school where you are but, believe me, that is not the case for every school. To lump a whole group of folks together and make a blanket statement is quite unfair. I would not presume to make a blanket negative statement about all teachers because I don't know what all teachers are like. You don't know what all coaches are like...and neither do I, for that matter. We can only be accountable for ourselves...so if you try to be the best teacher you can be, I will try to be the best coach I can and do whatever needs to be done to support teachers.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Guess you weren't one of the coaches they sent to Marshall at the end of last school year.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I have friends in most IPS schools and the story is the same.......if you are making a positive contribution as a coach, you are one of the rare ones................part of the problem is that most coaches spend their days degrading teachers.

    ReplyDelete
  59. To the coach above, I think most teachers agree with you that the problem isn't "coaches" as a whole any more than "teachers" as a whole. But if any of us post that, the blogmaster here will start accusing us of being spies from central office ;)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Is it a hostile environment when a teacher who has the swine flu CONTINUES to come in the building to do her lesson plans? Obviously she has never heard of a computer or respect for other people.

    ReplyDelete
  61. It's up to the PRINCIPAL to take care of that. Hmmmm...is she not doing her job?

    ReplyDelete
  62. I have a feeling the principal is doing what she has been told to from downtown.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Far be it from downtown to give a rat's ass about the employees in a school.

    ReplyDelete
  64. WILIAM A. BELL #60 a so called science magnet elementary school is out of control!!!!! No leadership from you know who.........the students run that school building. This school and Tech win 1st prize for "spoil the students, spare the rod" and "most chaotic school building".

    ReplyDelete
  65. Some people have been at that building way too long and obviously feel way too comfortable there. What do you mean "so called" science magnet? The only way it's a so called science magnet is if the teacher is choosing not to teach science. If your not, that's your fault. Maybe you need to move to a different school to get more experience and realize, that this school is actually run by a great and POSITIVE leader. I think you've become too comfortable in your own shoes. You don't realize how good you really have it and maybe it's a sign of the time, and you need to move on.

    ReplyDelete
  66. That school is POSITIVELY out of control. MANY previous blogs have alluded to it, but finally one names it. "So-called" science magnet because ANYONE can attend there.

    "If your not..." Listen genius, that should read "If you're not..." Maybe you're part of the problem.

    ReplyDelete
  67. "Yeah, like the teacher at our building with H1N1 who's been to school twice this week to leave stuff for her sub..."

    Wonder which building that blog is talking about??? DUH..........Is there any dumbass out there who can't figure that out?

    ReplyDelete
  68. It's a so-called Science Magnet because 60 is on School Improvement and after we get finished fulfilling the requirements of being on School Improvement, there is simply no adequate time to devote to science. It's purely logical; a Science Magnet, by definition should have students with a flair or inclination for science. We have students who, due to no fault of their own, do not have the appropriate background to even appreciate science. It was suggested last year at a teacher's meeting that we not go down the route of being a science magnet; somehow it was pushed on us again.

    If we did have a great leader, she would have put her self out there for us in getting rid of that magnet label. As it stands now, it's like an albotross around our necks.

    ReplyDelete
  69. The sad thing is that nobody cares. There are so many schools that are out of control, I'm beginning to think that those are the ones downtown smiles upon. Unfortunately, wild, crazy and disrespectful is the new norm. BUT, the teacher would be blamed for that, too.

    ReplyDelete
  70. All I can say is I will be using my accumulated sick days this school year in order to survive!
    IPS is not going to get the best of me by making me physically or mentally ill. At the end of the day...............I will die and IPS will still be around. So I refuse to bend over backwards for a school district that does not give a rats ass about me, my health concerns and my well being!!!! IPS SUCKS!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. The students aren't. The administration encourages stupidity. Today Dr. White offered $1000 to the boyz at A-House to rap about the m-fing school, and the b's that teach there.
    It is really sick.

    ReplyDelete
  72. WHAT??? Please explain that last post.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Can I enter the contest mentioned above? I can rhyme and rap with the best of them!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Today I left early, my mood quite surly,
    Big boy being lazy, ejecting kids gone crazy.
    I am surely positive my mind is getting hazy.

    ReplyDelete
  75. School 60 has been going downhill for years. They have never been able to enroll only magnet students, and it's the boundary students whose parents do not apply for them to go there that ruin things.
    I live close to 60 and I know exactly what the problems with the boundary students are.
    Everyone in the neighborhood who owns a home send their kid to a charter, private, or parochial school.
    The kids from the Section 8 duplexes go to 60. They do not own books. Their parents have no routines in place for meals, homework, or bedtime. The children literally run the streets until they are tired enough to fall asleep.
    I pity the poor teacher who tries to get through to these exhausted, hungry, starved-for-love children. When their basic needs are not met, they are just not ready to learn.

    ReplyDelete
  76. So why doesn't someone NOTICE that #60 is such a disaster and put a strong principal there who believes in tough love? I pity the students there who actually want to learn because all of the attention is focused on the trouble-makers.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Someone from downtown(like Dr. Johnson or Dr.White) need to clean up School #60 by weeding out all of the bad seeds(disruptive students, bad teachers and administrator) and making only the students who are science magnet material eligible to stay and get a good education..... but of course that makes to much sense, for IPS to do something that intelligent!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Dr. Johnson is too busy cleaning up Dr. White. I remember about 15 years ago she was screwing the Assistant Principal at my school. Keep in mind he was married.

    ReplyDelete

Followers