How can the school board renew his contract when we are losing 900 students this year in addition to the schools the state is going to take over? We need to stand up and fight for doing what is best for the children in the Indianapolis Public Schools.
New board members: please go after Chancellor Michelle Rhee with the DC schools. She is truly reform minded and would have the Ed center cleaned out in a month.
Seems like if the answer to a failing school is to "turn it around" and get rid of 51% of the staff, they should use that same philosophy for a failing district and get rid of the Intendent and 51% of the Ed Center folks.
Well, according to Oprah, teachers are the problem and we don't deserve tenure. We should also be available to students until 11pm. Charters are the answer according to Oprah. We don't know what they do that is so revolutionary, but apparently they are working enough for Oprah to shell out millions of dollars.
The mayor of DC was just defeated in an election in which one of the primary reasons wss the arrogant attitude and bullying tactics of Michelle Rhee........we don´t need her.
Guess, we know how many are watching Oprah on this blog. Oprah likes nice numbers and cushy explanation without knowing what is truly gowing on then making assumptions. She believes almost the first person who talks to her and then shells out money without looking into it.
As for this Superintendant of DC. My wife told me that she basically does not like due process. She believes it is OK to just walk in and let anyone from principals to teachers and custodians go.
So, just another administrator who does not want to go through the proper steps to let poor teachers go. If an administrator truly wants to get rid of a TRULY under peforming educator it can be done in less than a semester. (tenure or not) It is all a mater of following the process.
The truth is most administrators don't want to do the proper paper work and steps. So, since the proper steps were not taken poor educators are in our buildings.
Let's get rid of the the dress code (colors, etc.) and just enforce something sensible (no sagging, cleavage showing, etc.) and then spend our time enforcing behavior issues that really make a difference.
"Let's get rid of the the dress code (colors, etc.) and just enforce something sensible..."
I understand this belief and what it is based in. However I have to disagree.
It's the "something sensible" part that is so difficult. You and I may have completely different views on what is considered "sensible".
So, take that to a student vs. teacher perspective. The student may honestly thing there is nothing wrong with what they are wearing but the teacher may disagree. Then it becomes a matter of opinion.
Then look at it from a teacher-to-teacher perspective. Mrs. Smith may see nothing wrong with what the student is wearing. Mrs. Jones may not think it's appropriate. So when Mrs. Jones says something to the student there is an immediate attitude-fueled response of, "Mrs. Smith didn't have a problem with it!"
The dress code that is in place leaves little to no ambiguity. This is what you can wear and that is it. There is less (or no) room for interpretation and therefore can be more evenly enforced.
It's much easier to spend time addressing other issues when you get the kids to follow the basics to begin with.
Yes, I agree that there needs to be continuity among teachers and students as to what is acceptable...but I don't think we need to be hung up on colors, fabric (is that jean fabric or not?), tucked or untucked, collar or no collar, etc. We could simplify it to no graphics, no sagging, length, neckline, no tank tops, etc. We are just so hung up on the color, tucking, jeans, etc. -
as long as a student is not sagging, I don't care if they have a belt (though it may be hard to not sag without one), I don't care if they are wearing the school colors or what color shoes they have on...right now the kids are finding all kinds of ways to get around the dress code and I think it is ridiculous to send a student home because they do not have a belt (if they are not sagging) and many kids look better if their shirts are not tucked in, especially kids who are heavier. If you are a kid who is heavy, do you want to announce to the school that you are permitted to leave your shirt untucked because you are overweight? - even very think girls may look better with the shirt untucked if it is long enough to cover their middle. The only way for a dress "code" to really work is to have a uniform policy - other than that, what we need is a true "code" that is workable.
O.K. - we won't talk about the dress code anymore...and perhaps you can stop talking about who is having an illicit affair with whom since we also have no control over that. At some point, we need to address the things we might be able to influence.
For the love of Pete (and Sally and LaShonda and DaShawn)...perhaps we really need to stop talking about where the secret listening devices are hidden in the schools and discuss what might be encouraging students to go elsewhere...dress code could be one of those factors...
What if EVERY adult employed in the district was assigned one student to "follow"...and even given an hour a week from their duties to do that; express an interest in a student, listen to their concerns, encourage them, know them, make them special, review work with them, etc.?? I think it would be an eye-opener for those who have little contact with students and an encouragement to those who are overwhelmed by the needs of their students.
I know where some of the bugs are planted and how many computers are beng watched. Dr. White will be calling in some members of his staff some with their final check. I see where three American Fellows walked out of a third grade class at School 14, cream of the crop my @ss. We need real training for these "wonders" and some have been great, but three, come on downtown.
That's interesting. I thought there was only one TEACHING fellow at School #14. Why would they have 3 in one room? Mikus utilizes his staff better than that, doesn't he? I do, however, agree that they need better training and shouldn't be getting jobs over more qualified people.
We will unfortunately lose more students when IPS changes to year-round. I, personally, think the idea is wonderful. Most of the parents I have spoken to do not.
Interested in ideas about how this loss of students can be countered, such that in the next year more students stay than leave? What is in our power to do to stem these losses in the future? Or are we powerless?
If Eugene White and Mary Bush were not such ignorant assholes, IPS mightactually start to increase enrollment. Instead their selfish desires to be powerful, drive students and parents away.
White wants another year added to his contract. We better show up at the next board meeting raising hell. Call your board members and get on the agenda to speak
The dress code is not the reason for students leaving. There are much bigger reasons than that:
1. Charter schools 2. Public perception about IPS. The "perception" is that IPS is full of bad/lazy teachers with lazy, violent, dumb kids. I'm not saying that is fair or accurate, but it is how IPS is viewed by many in the community. 3. Schools in township closer than IPS. I live in Lawrence...Arlington and Lawrence Central are close- many are choosing LC over Arlington due to #2 on my list. 4. Lazy parents. Where are these missing kids? I doubt that all are at other schools. Unfortunately we do have some parents who don't give a damn whether or not kids are in school.
Instead of getting rid of princials who don't enforce the dress code, how about getting rid of principals who can't lead? Get rid of principals who don't know what exceptional teaching looks like and who don't do something about bad teachers.
Why wouldnt the public have that perception about IPS when Eugene White a lot of time bashing his teachers and Mary Busch sits on the school board saying yes, yes, yes with her 1972 hair style.
How about principals who don't believe in discipline? At our crazy, out-of-control elementary school, two students who got into a fist fight weren't punished at all. Another student threw a desk across the room, was sent to the office, and sent back to class an hour later. They are NOT respectful or responsible. Wake-up, lady, before someone gets seriously hurt. Your building is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Hear THAT, board members?
In reference to the comment above, "Where are the missing kids?": some of them are not missing at all. I enrolled my son in a charter school and then called school 56 to tell them that, in the very first week on August. They have since called me 5 times (yes, 5!) to find out where he is. Parents are fleeing IPS because the bloated bureaucracy can't deal with a simple student transfer--much less reform the failing schools. The charter school has control of everything from transportation to food service to curriculum--there is no blaming "downtown". They can hire the best, brightest teachers that agree with their model. They are not required to find a place for "lemon teachers".
"The charter school has control of everything from transportation to food service to curriculum--"
Baloney. I just talked with a cadre teacher who has had their child in several charter schools till she found one she half-way liked. She told us the charter kids act up just as bad as IPS kids. Some have gone so far as to have sex in the school! Where's the media??? It's all hidden. The teachers have NO prep time and endless meetings with no breaks. The kids act up and they stay in the school for fear of losing enrollment. We may lose these kids now but I'm sure we'll get them back by December once the charters take the cash. Our school just enrolled several new kids this past week and they are all out-of-state kids. Our enrollment is fine!
"Oprah likes nice numbers and cushy explanation without knowing what is truly gowing on then making assumptions. She believes almost the first person who talks to her and then shells out money without looking into it."
She is all about the cash. I'm waiting for the Taliban Charter School, The Colts Charter School, The Indy Star Charter, The Nascar Charter School and anything else they can give money to some for-profit corporation while other schools go without air conditioning.If the scores look bad they can re-invent themselves and get another sponsor. Just get a copy of the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine School Rankings and see where they rank in the city...the bottom.
Half-true. You're right that the worst schools in the city are charter schools. But so are the best schools in the city. Charter schools are too different from one another to be pooled into one category. It's like saying "family restaurants are better (or worse)than chains." It depends on which family restaurants and which chains, and it depends on how you're defining "better."
Gee, I just got another former Charter School student. They don't know anything and all they did according to the parents are play. It is really a crime to give state monies to these Charter Schools.
Are you aware of a teacher, Lisa Render, using Facebook publicly (http://www.facebook.com/lisa.render?v=wall&ref=search) to talk about drinking and grading papers? Not only that she also bashes students. Read for yourself...she calls them "nuts" "rude bitch" and posts from her cell phone!
Sept 13: Lisa Render - Blue Moon, beer cheese, blue tortilla chips ... and grading. Almost the perfect night!
August 27 (noon on a school day from her Cell Phone) : Lisa Render - I am about to lose it today - too much bullshit!!! When is beer:30??? August 27 at 12:54pm via Mobile Web
August 30: Lisa Render - Now this is ridiculous! I got up to make seating charts for all my new freakin' 8th graders and IPS online in STILL down! Seriously??? Wait, I forgot ... POSITIVE... screw that, I'm mad!
August 31: Lisa Render Today was much better :) An awesome colleague delivered flowers to cheer me up, and my 8th graders appluaded the news that they could leave their textbooks at home. Also, I learned that my most frustrating student just had her meds reduced. Mom promised to re-up - LMAO! She really WAS nuts! (Btw, exactly what disorder makes you act like a completely rude bitch?)
"Gee, I just got another former Charter School student. They don't know anything and all they did according to the parents are play. It is really a crime to give state monies to these Charter Schools."
Anonymous said... "You sound just like the people who say it's a waste to give tax money to IPS."
The corporations want these JOKE charter schools because it lowers salaries and cuts budgets. Instead of rebulidng old IPS buildings and putting school nurses in every school like ALL other Indianapolis schools have they have deliberately tried to strangle IPS. They did with court-ordered busing and now with property tax caps, tax abatements and now charter schools. Instead of fixing what they have they start something else with only moderate results but at the expense of the other. Let them try. Eventually charter school teachers will organize too!
To: Eventually charter school teachers will organize too. Your circular argument actually addresses why most charter schools have higher income potential for starting teachers than the traditional schools. If they have lower salaries, they will attract only the weakest teachers, and the teachers will likely unionize, making it inevitable that the charter school will have the same problem with IPS (to many high-paid, poor-quality teachers). So if charter schools want to avoid unionization, they need to stay competitive. Which they do. Your anti-charter school b.s. shows your political agenda, but doesn't address any actual facts about actual charter schools. Also, why you insist on lumping all charter schools together is beyond me. It's like wanting to end public education because there are some really bad schools. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Let's shut down the really bad schools (be they traditional or charter) and leave the rest alone (bey the traditional or charter).
The thing about charter schools is their student base is 100% voluntary. I don't understand why anyone wants to shut down schools where families WANT to be so that they can FORCE them into schools where they don't want to be. And then when those kids don't do well at the inferior schools, everybody will tsk tsk and say "It's the families. They don't care about education."
How can the school board renew his contract when we are losing 900 students this year in addition to the schools the state is going to take over? We need to stand up and fight for doing what is best for the children in the Indianapolis Public Schools.
ReplyDeleteNew board members: please go after Chancellor Michelle Rhee with the DC schools. She is truly reform minded and would have the Ed center cleaned out in a month.
ReplyDeleteSeems like if the answer to a failing school is to "turn it around" and get rid of 51% of the staff, they should use that same philosophy for a failing district and get rid of the Intendent and 51% of the Ed Center folks.
ReplyDeleteWell, according to Oprah, teachers are the problem and we don't deserve tenure. We should also be available to students until 11pm. Charters are the answer according to Oprah. We don't know what they do that is so revolutionary, but apparently they are working enough for Oprah to shell out millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteThe mayor of DC was just defeated in an election in which one of the primary reasons wss the arrogant attitude and bullying tactics of Michelle Rhee........we don´t need her.
ReplyDeleteGuess, we know how many are watching Oprah on this blog. Oprah likes nice numbers and cushy explanation without knowing what is truly gowing on then making assumptions. She believes almost the first person who talks to her and then shells out money without looking into it.
ReplyDeleteAs for this Superintendant of DC. My wife told me that she basically does not like due process. She believes it is OK to just walk in and let anyone from principals to teachers and custodians go.
So, just another administrator who does not want to go through the proper steps to let poor teachers go. If an administrator truly wants to get rid of a TRULY under peforming educator it can be done in less than a semester. (tenure or not) It is all a mater of following the process.
The truth is most administrators don't want to do the proper paper work and steps. So, since the proper steps were not taken poor educators are in our buildings.
Let's start with getting rid of Principals who don't enforce discipline or the dress code!
ReplyDeleteLet's get rid of the the dress code (colors, etc.) and just enforce something sensible (no sagging, cleavage showing, etc.) and then spend our time enforcing behavior issues that really make a difference.
ReplyDelete"Let's get rid of the the dress code (colors, etc.) and just enforce something sensible..."
ReplyDeleteI understand this belief and what it is based in. However I have to disagree.
It's the "something sensible" part that is so difficult. You and I may have completely different views on what is considered "sensible".
So, take that to a student vs. teacher perspective. The student may honestly thing there is nothing wrong with what they are wearing but the teacher may disagree. Then it becomes a matter of opinion.
Then look at it from a teacher-to-teacher perspective. Mrs. Smith may see nothing wrong with what the student is wearing. Mrs. Jones may not think it's appropriate. So when Mrs. Jones says something to the student there is an immediate attitude-fueled response of, "Mrs. Smith didn't have a problem with it!"
The dress code that is in place leaves little to no ambiguity. This is what you can wear and that is it. There is less (or no) room for interpretation and therefore can be more evenly enforced.
It's much easier to spend time addressing other issues when you get the kids to follow the basics to begin with.
Yes, I agree that there needs to be continuity among teachers and students as to what is acceptable...but I don't think we need to be hung up on colors, fabric (is that jean fabric or not?), tucked or untucked, collar or no collar, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe could simplify it to no graphics, no sagging, length, neckline, no tank tops, etc. We are just so hung up on the color, tucking, jeans, etc. -
as long as a student is not sagging, I don't care if they have a belt (though it may be hard to not sag without one), I don't care if they are wearing the school colors or what color shoes they have on...right now the kids are finding all kinds of ways to get around the dress code and I think it is ridiculous to send a student home because they do not have a belt (if they are not sagging) and many kids look better if their shirts are not tucked in, especially kids who are heavier. If you are a kid who is heavy, do you want to announce to the school that you are permitted to leave your shirt untucked because you are overweight? - even very think girls may look better with the shirt untucked if it is long enough to cover their middle.
ReplyDeleteThe only way for a dress "code" to really work is to have a uniform policy - other than that, what we need is a true "code" that is workable.
that should say "very thin girls"
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you are still talking about the dress code. Get over it.
ReplyDeleteEUGENE WHITE SHOULD RESIGN OR BE FIRED!!
ReplyDeleteO.K. - we won't talk about the dress code anymore...and perhaps you can stop talking about who is having an illicit affair with whom since we also have no control over that. At some point, we need to address the things we might be able to influence.
ReplyDeleteFor the love of Pete (and Sally and LaShonda and DaShawn)...perhaps we really need to stop talking about where the secret listening devices are hidden in the schools and discuss what might be encouraging students to go elsewhere...dress code could be one of those factors...
ReplyDeleteWhat if EVERY adult employed in the district was assigned one student to "follow"...and even given an hour a week from their duties to do that; express an interest in a student, listen to their concerns, encourage them, know them, make them special, review work with them, etc.?? I think it would be an eye-opener for those who have little contact with students and an encouragement to those who are overwhelmed by the needs of their students.
ReplyDeleteI know where some of the bugs are planted and how many computers are beng watched. Dr. White will be calling in some members of his staff some with their final check. I see where three American Fellows walked out of a third grade class at School 14, cream of the crop my @ss. We need real training for these "wonders" and some have been great, but three, come on downtown.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I thought there was only one TEACHING fellow at School #14. Why would they have 3 in one room? Mikus utilizes his staff better than that, doesn't he? I do, however, agree that they need better training and shouldn't be getting jobs over more qualified people.
ReplyDeleteWe will unfortunately lose more students when IPS changes to year-round. I, personally, think the idea is wonderful. Most of the parents I have spoken to do not.
ReplyDeleteInterested in ideas about how this loss of students can be countered, such that in the next year more students stay than leave? What is in our power to do to stem these losses in the future? Or are we powerless?
ReplyDeleteIf Eugene White and Mary Bush were not such ignorant assholes, IPS mightactually start to increase enrollment. Instead their selfish desires to be powerful, drive students and parents away.
ReplyDeleteWhite wants another year added to his contract. We better show up at the next board meeting raising hell. Call your board members and get on the agenda to speak
ReplyDeleteThe dress code is not the reason for students leaving. There are much bigger reasons than that:
ReplyDelete1. Charter schools
2. Public perception about IPS. The "perception" is that IPS is full of bad/lazy teachers with lazy, violent, dumb kids. I'm not saying that is fair or accurate, but it is how IPS is viewed by many in the community.
3. Schools in township closer than IPS. I live in Lawrence...Arlington and Lawrence Central are close- many are choosing LC over Arlington due to #2 on my list.
4. Lazy parents. Where are these missing kids? I doubt that all are at other schools. Unfortunately we do have some parents who don't give a damn whether or not kids are in school.
Instead of getting rid of princials who don't enforce the dress code, how about getting rid of principals who can't lead? Get rid of principals who don't know what exceptional teaching looks like and who don't do something about bad teachers.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldnt the public have that perception about IPS when Eugene White a lot of time bashing his teachers and Mary Busch sits on the school board saying yes, yes, yes with her 1972 hair style.
ReplyDeleteHow about principals who don't believe in discipline? At our crazy, out-of-control elementary school, two students who got into a fist fight weren't punished at all. Another student threw a desk across the room, was sent to the office, and sent back to class an hour later. They are NOT respectful or responsible. Wake-up, lady, before someone gets seriously hurt. Your building is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Hear THAT, board members?
ReplyDeleteThe same could be said of many schools in IPS. Lawsuits just waiting to happen to say to least.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the comment above, "Where are the missing kids?": some of them are not missing at all. I enrolled my son in a charter school and then called school 56 to tell them that, in the very first week on August. They have since called me 5 times (yes, 5!) to find out where he is. Parents are fleeing IPS because the bloated bureaucracy can't deal with a simple student transfer--much less reform the failing schools. The charter school has control of everything from transportation to food service to curriculum--there is no blaming "downtown". They can hire the best, brightest teachers that agree with their model. They are not required to find a place for "lemon teachers".
ReplyDelete"The charter school has control of everything from transportation to food service to curriculum--"
ReplyDeleteBaloney. I just talked with a cadre teacher who has had their child in several charter schools till she found one she half-way liked. She told us the charter kids act up just as bad as IPS kids. Some have gone so far as to have sex in the school! Where's the media??? It's all hidden. The teachers have NO prep time and endless meetings with no breaks. The kids act up and they stay in the school for fear of losing enrollment. We may lose these kids now but I'm sure we'll get them back by December once the charters take the cash. Our school just enrolled several new kids this past week and they are all out-of-state kids. Our enrollment is fine!
"Oprah likes nice numbers and cushy explanation without knowing what is truly gowing on then making assumptions. She believes almost the first person who talks to her and then shells out money without looking into it."
ReplyDeleteShe is all about the cash. I'm waiting for the Taliban Charter School, The Colts Charter School, The Indy Star Charter, The Nascar Charter School and anything else they can give money to some for-profit corporation while other schools go without air conditioning.If the scores look bad they can re-invent themselves and get another sponsor. Just get a copy of the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine School Rankings and see where they rank in the city...the bottom.
Half-true. You're right that the worst schools in the city are charter schools. But so are the best schools in the city. Charter schools are too different from one another to be pooled into one category. It's like saying "family restaurants are better (or worse)than chains." It depends on which family restaurants and which chains, and it depends on how you're defining "better."
ReplyDeleteGee, I just got another former Charter School student. They don't know anything and all they did according to the parents are play. It is really a crime to give state monies to these Charter Schools.
ReplyDeleteYou sound just like the people who say it's a waste to give tax money to IPS.
ReplyDeleteAre you aware of a teacher, Lisa Render, using Facebook publicly (http://www.facebook.com/lisa.render?v=wall&ref=search) to talk about drinking and grading papers? Not only that she also bashes students. Read for yourself...she calls them "nuts" "rude bitch" and posts from her cell phone!
ReplyDeleteSept 13: Lisa Render - Blue Moon, beer cheese, blue tortilla chips ... and grading. Almost the perfect night!
August 27 (noon on a school day from her Cell Phone) : Lisa Render - I am about to lose it today - too much bullshit!!! When is beer:30???
August 27 at 12:54pm via Mobile Web
August 30: Lisa Render - Now this is ridiculous! I got up to make seating charts for all my new freakin' 8th graders and IPS online in STILL down! Seriously??? Wait, I forgot ... POSITIVE... screw that, I'm mad!
August 31: Lisa Render Today was much better :) An awesome colleague delivered flowers to cheer me up, and my 8th graders appluaded the news that they could leave their textbooks at home. Also, I learned that my most frustrating student just had her meds reduced. Mom promised to re-up - LMAO! She really WAS nuts! (Btw, exactly what disorder makes you act like a completely rude bitch?)
Looks like the above post may be adding to the loss of children. Since when did it become "okay" for a teacher to behave like this?
ReplyDelete"Gee, I just got another former Charter School student. They don't know anything and all they did according to the parents are play. It is really a crime to give state monies to these Charter Schools."
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
"You sound just like the people who say it's a waste to give tax money to IPS."
The corporations want these JOKE charter schools because it lowers salaries and cuts budgets. Instead of rebulidng old IPS buildings and putting school nurses in every school like ALL other Indianapolis schools have they
have deliberately tried to strangle IPS. They did with court-ordered busing and now with property tax caps, tax abatements and now charter schools. Instead of fixing what they have they start something else with only moderate results but at the expense of the other. Let them try. Eventually charter school teachers will organize too!
The best school in the city and state continues and will remain to be the Hasten Hebrew Academy. Simply fact- that is where I am sending my kids!
ReplyDeleteTo: Eventually charter school teachers will organize too. Your circular argument actually addresses why most charter schools have higher income potential for starting teachers than the traditional schools. If they have lower salaries, they will attract only the weakest teachers, and the teachers will likely unionize, making it inevitable that the charter school will have the same problem with IPS (to many high-paid, poor-quality teachers). So if charter schools want to avoid unionization, they need to stay competitive. Which they do. Your anti-charter school b.s. shows your political agenda, but doesn't address any actual facts about actual charter schools. Also, why you insist on lumping all charter schools together is beyond me. It's like wanting to end public education because there are some really bad schools. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Let's shut down the really bad schools (be they traditional or charter) and leave the rest alone (bey the traditional or charter).
ReplyDeleteThe thing about charter schools is their student base is 100% voluntary. I don't understand why anyone wants to shut down schools where families WANT to be so that they can FORCE them into schools where they don't want to be. And then when those kids don't do well at the inferior schools, everybody will tsk tsk and say "It's the families. They don't care about education."
ReplyDelete