Don't fill the administrative vacancies.
1. Principal at PRAB for the ARE program (will save 2 teachers)
2. Eliminate the Administrator of Equity (will save 2 teachers)
Eliminate the position of Drop Out Prevention Specialist at the PRAB Building.
Put a freeze on vacant administrative positions at middle schools.
Put a freeze on the hiring of additional administrative positions this year.
21 comments:
I say no to cuts in pay.
I say no 35 to a classroom!
What happened to the governor's decree of no cuts in education?
Why were 17 of the 27 layoffs at Keith Middle School? Makes you wonder.......
After reading this morning's paper, letter to the editor... Kudos to those children who did the right thing at Keith Middle School and graduated with their heads held high. Shame on those who did not do the right thing, and even more shame on those administrators who did disrespect the students who did the right thing by letting those others cross the stage. Exactly what message IS Principal Cimo sending? Then to ignore the students when they had a legitimate gripe?!? My hat off to those youngsters who have learned to advocate for themselves! Things will get better at the High School.
I have checked and re-checked the paper today aand cannot find the Letter to the Editor referenced. Please tell me more about what happened at Keith. Perhaps you could put the letter on the blog.
35 kids to a class makes about as much sense as asking people to voluntarily take a paycut.
Why not put a freeze on hiring and take a serious look at the necessity for non essential, non union administrative jobs. A principal for a 30 kid school at Westside,a principal for the ARE program--35 kids???. A dropout prevention specialist at PRAB. Who is this person and exactly what does he/she do??? An administrator for equity and diversity (yeah, the teaching and administrative staffs are really diverse). How about eliminating some of the "duties in lieu of teaching" that some at the high school and other schools enjoy and have them teach.
LETTER: Keith sent a bad message at graduation ceremony
July 08, 2009 6:00 AMKeith sent a bad message at graduation ceremony
My name is Helena Lobo. I was born in Brava, Cape Verde, and came to the United States of America when I was 9 years old. I entered the fourth grade at the Gomes School. I was in all bilingual classes. I had a difficult school experience because of my language barrier.
In the fifth grade, I stayed back. I was very sad. However, I was determined to work hard. I passed the fifth grade and promised myself that I would never stay back again. I have since become a very serious learner.
On June 19, I graduated from the eighth grade at Keith Middle School. All during my stay at Keith Middle School, I respected my teachers, my peers and myself every day. I did not disrupt any classes, and I worked proudly. Some of us stayed after school regularly to attain our academic goals. However, there were a number of students who crossed that stage with me at graduation who did not pass the eighth grade. Some of them disrespected our teachers and students on a daily basis. Some of them disrupted our learning and dampened the standards that the students and staff had established.
Some students, who need to attend and pass summer school, were allowed to cross that stage. Others failed too many classes to qualify for summer school. They were also given the privilege to graduate with us on June 19. What does this mean in terms of the dropout prevention program? What is the message to all of us?
Out of concern, I was determined to speak with our principal, Mrs. Deborah Cimo. When I finally had the opportunity to meet with her on June 18, I expressed my confusion about students who had failed and were scheduled to walk across the stage. I asked Mrs. Cimo, "What are you teaching me, to slack off?" I told her I felt disrespected. I am still waiting for an answer.
With respect to "No Child Left Behind," we are all being left behind. We beg our city parents to help us change our educational experience for a better tomorrow, today!
Helena Lobo
New Bedford
This letter was co-signed by Caitlyn Haley and Anita Bela Fonseca Goncalves, fellow 2009 graduates of Keith Middle School.
Kudos to Helena for working so hard to graduate. I am so proud of you.
When will society learn that we aren't doing kids a favor by promoting those that haven't passed?
Portia claims to have high standards. Helena's letter shows that since Mike left the standards have been lowered.
In speaking with colleagues from all three middle schools about the lack of skills and the behavior problems we experience each year with new students,the comment always seems to be the same: "Wait until next year." We will get these kids at the high school and then have to be accountable when they get suspended as well as have to take the credit when they drop out. The debate about social promotion verses retention continues. As a math person I have personally seen how unprepared some students arrive at the high school. Some don't have the four basic math skills required for algebra (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Some are actually surprised, as are their parents, when we administer discipline for such mundane things as cutting class, disrespecting teachers, inappropriate language,etc. Naturally it is the teacher's fault and the problem of the high school since these kids "never had any problems in middle school." Just ask their parents.
Should I believe that this kind of thing (graduation even if you don't deserve it) does not go on at the other two middle schools? I don't know if we can blame the people at the middle schools though. Consider their choices: "Keep them here or send them to the high school where they will be someone else's problem."
If I were the school committee person/s concerned with the suspension and dropout rates I would invite the young people who wrote the letter to a school committee meeting and publicly thank them for having the courage to speak up. These young people sound like the kind we at the high school look forward to working with.
All students are allowed to go to the promotional ceremony. Students who have failed still need to complete the required summer school and pass before they are promoted to the High School!
I agree with Big W. The school committee should invite those children to their next meeting. They would then hear the truth about what goes on in the middle schools.
Responding to Big W-Did you read the letter written by the Keith "student"? Am I the only one who thinks she writes well beyond her years? Was this student used to further an adult issue? If so shame on you using a kid!!!!
Heads up to the High School folks when 6th graders arrive at our door we wonder what are they doing at the elementary! Parents say "we never had a problem with him/her until they came to middle school" or "he/she never failed at ----school". This thinking is not new just one group of "professionals" pointing fingers at another. There seems to be alot of that lately.
In response to 17 layoffs at Keith please get your facts stright before you post. Your information is incorrect and upset more than a few Keith staff members.
Let us all take a deep breath and think before we attack. Please remember when we are bashing Administrators some of these folks are due paying members of this Union!
Perhaps someday we can begin to have intelligent conversation and comments about education on this site instead of the bashing and negativity!
I thought we were all accountable for the education of our students. How does one "promote" a student who isn't able to achieve basic standards. When a student arrives at the high school with a 2.9 reading level and isn't involved in some sort of modified plan I get a little more then slightly concerned. How does one get through the system like that. How about report cards signed by principals that state the child has "made up" work for promotion? Please.....
Some students are passed on to another grade because parents refuse to keep them back. Teachers can give their recommendations, but they are not always followed.
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