I am going to offer up my opinion on District 150 and their 45 minute cut in class time that seems to have everyone, well at least about 2 dozen parents up in arms against the district. Some may like my two cents worth and some may not. It is long, so sorry about that.
I really don't think shaving 45 minutes from the primary schedule, that's K thru 4th, is really going to change anything for the worse. As it stands right now, things need to change for the better and if this gives teachers more time to coordinate their efforts, then we should see if it works. It is funny how some parents show up and complain when this district tries something they don't like. Ever notice it is those parents that have kids in school? Rarely parents with no children complain as loudly? Yet, none and I mean none of them have offered up any solution to what they see as the problems in our District other than we should fire the top heavy administration. Years back it was Edison, and now some parents are pissed that they are shortening the school day for Kindergarten through 4th grade by 45 minutes to allow teachers time. This is only for one year trial too. Edison, by some's admissions, has worked out pretty good for the District, Depends on who you talk to.
We want new schools, but we want them built here or there or not there but here. We want specialized training but we don't want higher taxes. We want old schools refurbished or torn down or we want this and that. Christ! We can't even agree on a new school building and where to build it and when we do, look out! The price gouging for Glen Oak is about to begin. I would imagine property values in that area are on the rise???
I look at our District and I know it has some of the finest teachers around. I mean our teachers are no worse than those at Dunlap or Notre Dame or anywhere for that matter. I know lots of kids that get a quality education through District 150 and there are numerous untold success stories. At private schools, if the kid fails, he/she is booted. Makes for a good bottom line doesn't it? Hell, private schools can claim all their kids graduate! Easy when you can weed them out. Harder to make claims when your school HAS to take the kid.
First, I will admit that I think the Administration is top heavy. We could really do without a couple of those Superintendents we have. So we fire them and save what, about $250,000? In the scheme of 150's budget, that is chump change. Now what? Maybe some of these knowing all people will run for the school board and change things. No, one of the biggest "mouths" out there against the board likens an elected seat to it as a 5 year prison term.
Have any of you out there ever visited all the Primary schools in Peoria? Do you realize the student makeup of this District? It is mostly poor minority children from one parent families who in most cases have been dumped off on to their grandmothers because mom is either on crack, too young herself to raise the child, financially unable or all of the above. Yes that is the majority of the cards this District is dealt. They can't pick and choose their students like a private school can. I'd wonder just how good Notre Dame would be if by law they had to accept all students within their district.
So it is not a matter of tools or decent teachers that plagues our District. Is it a matter of money? Is it a matter of mismanagement? I would like to think it is the money because if it is mismanagement, then we are all responsible. We vote the board in and the Board hires the administration. Being on the school board is 5 years of criticism without pay. We have had some decent Boards in the past but over the last few years, egos have played into Board politics. If you think the shit has hit the fan with Ms. Vespa firing off at the board over their latest action, then just wait until Martha Ross is not elected Board President like she thinks she deserves. It will not only be a miscarriage of justice in her eyes but the old race card will fall out and we all will have to endure another distraction has those who disagree will probably picket the school board as in the past.
Ross is one that has no business being on the Board. She has walked out on meetings (when they don't go her way), she has claimed to be to upset to vote on vital issues, and she thinks her shit don't stink. There, I pointed to the elephant in the room. She is rude and condescending and probably why no one else on the Board has challenged Hinton or asked for is replacement. They are all afraid of the race card being played on them and it has been played so often that one can never know for sure if a travesty has been accorded.
Our District has a money problem. It is highly regulated by the State on how it spends it's funds unlike what some people think. Yeah, it's a real party atmosphere at the District office's. twinkies, hohos, and houses for everyone. They also have a problem with demographics. In Peoria, we have a high percent of under privileged (read poor) minority families. Mostly one parent, mostly very young parents. The school population moves frequently and that too is a problem for the District. Children being moved from one school to another, that makes it hard to adjust to a learning atmosphere. The other problem is perception. Truth be told, middle to upper class white families would rather send their kids to a private school or move to another district. Why? It is called "white flight". Simply and truthfully put, these people don't want to send their kids to school with "those" children they deem of lesser worth. You can call it anything you like but that is the main reason. Then, these same people sit back from afar and do nothing but critique the District.
Yes, our schools have problems. They always have had problems. We have a Board, such as it is, and these people are really trying to make it all work. (most of them anyway) They have to try new things and money is an issue. I for one am going to support their efforts. We have enough of tearing down processes in this community. If this is the way our elected Board wants to take us, then we should try and make it work. If it doesn't, then offer up another plan. We need to get those young parents involved in their child's education. Some of our Primary schools are nothing more than a baby sitting service. We have some serious issues and this lessening the day by 45 minutes isn't really one of them.
In fact, complaining about this 45 minute issue is like throwing paint on a rusty bridge. The newly painted bridge may still collapse. The real problem is much deeper and imbedded by generations of a changing family and society structure which is out of any school district's hands. To find the magic fix for this would be a Nobel Prize winning fix. Our problems are the same nation wide. This District isn't off track, it may be on the wrong track, but it is on and it has to move forward. It is hard to play with cards you are dealt. Instead of pointing a finger and demanding your way or the highway, go to a school, your school, any school, and just walk into the office and say; "I'm here to help. What can I do?" Bring another parent with you. Sit in on a class, help a teacher, go to a student concert, play, or school function. I know, we just don't have the time. I don't have all the answers, but I am willing to wait and see how this plays out. If it fails after one year, well, I don't think we will have lost any brain surgeons or rocket scientists. Keep the faith or at least have a little faith.
Want to see me volunteer? Come to the Peoria Jazz Allstars concert at the downtown Holiday Inn tonight @ 6:30pm. I run the spot light for these wonderful District 150 kids who (the horrors) have talent and smarts and my God, they are products of District 150. They could use some support. Beats going to a bitch session. I know, you don't have the time.
9 comments:
Em- I already volunteer at my children's school. And lucky for you this vote did not affect your children. They've already graduated. Good for you. Shouldn't our kids get what your kids got? And do you expect us to believe for one minute that you kept your mouth shut about things that negatively impacted your children as they progressed through school? ROFLMAO!
Diane, Yes you bet I fit a bitch to various school boards during the time my children were in school. Yes, believe it or not even though I have no children in the district I do care very much so how this district goes. My wife works for them and I did too (part time) a few years back.
What I was trying to say in a sneaky kind of way was that this 45 minute issue, while concerning to you and others, there is a bigger problem coming. This board has some decent people on it but unfortunately, they aren't going to be running things and I felt the ineptness is really about to start. Good luck with your crusade on this issue but I am afraid it will fall upon ego stuffed deaf ears.
I know a special ed. teacher at Manual who has been there a dozen years-when they have a teacher/parent conference day or night, she might get one parent a year to come and see how their kids are doing. So this teacher was given her walking papers from Manual ( without a negtive report in her personnel file);how the hell can any teacher there feel secure or confident or enthusiastic with this attitude?
Thanks, Em. If we flee this district it will only be after I have given it my very best fight for the children and the city of Peoria that we love. If parents and community leaders are not willing to take a stand for what is right then we will leave with a clean conscience and the knowlege that those left behind will reap benefits exactly equal to what they were willing to sow.
Just make sure for the sake of the green movement that the last person who leaves the district turn the lights out behind you.
45 minutes is a great deal of time, if you have a child receiving other services. My oldest is in special ed and at one time he was receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. For each of these he was taken from class for the number of minutes deemed neccesary. He already lost instruction time and now there is the potential for other children in the same situation he was in to lose time and become even farther behind than they were to begin with.
thank you, thank you, thank you.
i welcome 45 extra minutes in the day to prepare my child for school. if the teachers are better prepared when they get there - well i guess we have a win win situation.
if they miss an art class - no problem, i have crayons and paints and the local museum. if they need p.e. they can go outside and ride a bike, play in the park, or take an extra curricular class.
i saw ms vespa and her crew of noise makers at the meeting last night. i volunteer at schools, i have children in district 150 and myself and many of the parent volunteers i talk with have absolutely no problem with the change in school time.
what ms. vespa is going to find is if mr. hinton backs down - they are going to have to deal with another group of parents who is tired of the same ole'group of trouble makers stopping the majority of children from receiving a good education.
just because they can get on computers and blog, and have some grasp of making comments in the media, does not make them right or tight.
diane vespa also needs to consider her position as a realtor - am i to understand that she will not sell houses in certain parts of peoria now because the schools are not worthy? don't we have laws against realtors doing stuff like that? yes, we do.
Well if you felt secure in your argument you would put your name to it wouldn't you? Your unwillingness to say who you are speaks volume. No doubt you are one of the parties directly responsible for spending money like a drunken sailor and making our children pay the price. You can continue to declare your authenticity as a parent, but until you sit down and have a cup of coffee with me, you will be considered nothing more than a ringer or a bully that has the best interests of the children as the last thing on their mind.
"You can continue to declare your authenticity as a parent, but until you sit down and have a cup of coffee with me, you will be considered nothing more than a ringer or a bully that has the best interests of the children as the last thing on their mind."
so this is how you respond to the thought that anybody who is a involved "parent" may have an opinion that differs from yours?
ROFLMFAO oh, so now you are the harbinger of all that matters as a parent? too funny.
me thinks that you are the bully ms. vespa - the above statement speaks volumes. so any parent who does not believe as you do is not authentic?
my children and all of the children i work with at the schools think i'm quite authentic. thank you so much.
You are the worst condesending BITCH out here. You are wasting your time. I hope Hinton play you all like a polish fiddle.
A SATISFIED PARENT
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