Saturday, July 7, 2012

Students from New Bedford High to offer their take on school's challenges | SouthCoastToday.com

Students from New Bedford High to offer their take on school's challenges | SouthCoastToday.com

35 comments:

Joe Teacher said...

Justin Braga - (Chairman of of the SCEP) and Elizabeth Jaikes - Vice Chairwoman of the SCEP) should have disclosed their affiliations to the education Rountable and the United interfaith Action.

What are those two trying to hide?

Anonymous said...

Braga is a a self serving egotist and Jaikes is a pawn for the UIA.

Anonymous said...

Both of these two children go around bad mouthing nbhs but both recieved an excellent education from there. Braga just got in to Brown.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, Braga is a hypocrite.

The Watchdog said...

Justin Braga has one concern in this world: Justin Braga.
He is a sycophant of Mitchell and the UIA to further his future political ambitions.
I read his little report. There are inaccuracies about the NBEA contract and some questionable word choices.
Justin and his group need to do more research and exercise more care in their writing.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Braga delivered a speech in a loud, aggressive manner at the graduation. I find him hard to take. He is over the top. Of course, Dr. Fletcher thinks he will be mayor someday. I hope not. He is over confident and pompous. I trust he will be humbled at Brown.

Anonymous said...

The child is also a disciple of a certain history teacher that got his come upance over Leadership Academy and now is leaving NBHS for greener pastures. One needs to learn that when you don't get your way you don't stomp your feet, pout and badmouth others.

Anonymous said...

The child is also a disciple of a certain history teacher that got his come upance over Leadership Academy and now is leaving NBHS for greener pastures. One needs to learn that when you don't get your way you don't stomp your feet, pout and badmouth others.

Anonymous said...

I think it's wonderful that Mr. Braga and Ms. Jaikes feel free and are assertive enough to speak out for what they believe in. I hope my children grow to be just as idealistic and passionate.

TIME2DUMPTHEUNION said...

It's about time someone addresses these problems with the NB school system. Great job Braga, Mitchell, and student committee!! It also amazes me how some refer them as kids when they are working and studying hard,and have REAL solutions while ADULTS sat back and HAVE DONE NOTHING to fix these problems. It's time for the teacher's union head and his slugs to come out with solutions and not hide. In the corporate world,some would be fired!!! It's your job and responsibility for our children!!
Enjoy your summer off!!

from.. NBHCLASSOF1984

Anonymous said...

Mini-Braga Student Representative on the SC Adam Vieira is on this so called "Ed reform" committee as well. I'm sensing a brainwashing pattern here.

Anonymous said...

Justin takes himself too seriously. He needs to go to college, find a girl, and even attend a few keg parties. However, don't drive like the Dutra/Africanos. In the words of Mike Longo, "Live, love, and learn."

Anonymous said...

First of all, the so-called "union head and his slugs" are not the ones that ANYONE happens to be listening to these days...in case you haven't noticed, it's everyone else but! Maybe if they were listened to, people would realize just how hard the majority of teachers work each day, and quite often for extra hours with no pay! And what's the matter with the mayor and the school committee, who are supposedly at the top of the food chain when it comes to making decisions for the district. I'm tired of Unit A personnel being blamed for all of the ills in the district, when they are not the ones in the position to make policy changes and truly turnaround the situation at NBPS. I was at the teacher meeting at PRAB on Thursday, and there were plenty of teachers and other personnel who were there (during their vacation time) listing problems with NBPS, but also offering solutions as well. Where was the mayor, the school committee, and the superintendent at that time? Also, was the author of that post at the meeting offering solutions?...probably not.

Anonymous said...

Justin Braga, keep sucking up to jon Mitchell, he may give you a job when you graduate. I think you'd make a fine nanny for his kids.

Anonymous said...

If nbhs is so bad how come Justin "the self centered" Braga got into Brown.

Anonymous said...

There are many successful recent graduates from NBHS that do not make spectacles of themselves with delusions of grandeur. Mr. Braga seems to think he is the only Ivy League material to work his way through the troubled halls of the NBPS. Hogwash!

Anonymous said...

Please people, GROW UP....start acting like adults and leave Justin Braga alone...I've spent a couple of hours reading over the SCEP report today, and it represents a very accurate picture of life at NBHS. There were a couple of inaccurate statements, but 95% of the report was neither incorrect nor untrue. (1) As far as I know, the NBEA has NEVER discouraged teachers from staying after school hours to help students, I've done it many times, and so have many other teachers in my building. (2) Not all classroom at the high school have internet access; mine doesn't, unless I use my own device which I purchased out-of-pocket, as well as my own laptop!
Justin's speech at graduation was neither self-serving nor overly political--I was there--and he ended it by calling upon his fellow graduates to "be the change we want to see." I sincerely hope that Justin is successful at Brown--with or without "a girlfriend and keg parties"--and that he returns to this community to make a positive contribution. Yes, many students are successful at NBHS; many more are not. The SCEP has spent much time, energy, and expertise, to prepare this report in an attempt to make things better for those who will remain in the system long after they are gone. Bloggers, try to remember that Justin is someone's child; stop the name calling. What are you all afraid of?

The Watchdog said...

"Bloggers, try to remember that Justin is someone's child; stop the name calling."
I have a real problem with this statement.
Mr. Braga's actions have propelled him into the adult arena. He makes speeches/statements and has entered into political alliances. Justin is also a high school graduate. He is also old enough to fight and die for our country. In other words. Justin is an adult now. With that designation comes the positive and not so positive.
In my humble opinion, his actions and status as a graduate of NBHS no longer gives him the protection of childhood. He is fair game for criticism.
Welcome to the adult world, Justin.

Anonymous said...

In respond to the last post, I congratulate you for defeding Justin. He is a kid, and someone's child and I too can't believe the name calling and insults that are being made towards him. I also heard his speech at the graduation and thought is was a very positive one for young people to hear. We live in a culture that people don't know how to communicate unless They use the intimidating method or insults. No change can ever take place unless good communication happens. As a teacher in NBPS I feel that is something that is lacking among us. We tend to go back and fowards discussing the same issues that are happening in our schools, but not really having good plan on how to solve them. I seems to me that Justin is acting more like the adult. We could express our opions it is our right, without trying to bully someone that does not agree with yours. After all, we are educators we teach our students how to respect others something that many of us don't do or apply.

Anonymous said...

I went back and read all the posts...bullying? With his brash style he will need to prepare himself for retorts of this nature.

Anonymous said...

Now I understand why this city lacks substantial progress, it's because of boneheads like some in this blog.

Anonymous said...

Yes Justin is an adult, who cares about the future of the students in the NBPS. Instead name calling take a moment to think about who is acting like the adults here. Justin and the Comittee are not pointing fingers they are pointing out facts. It takes a village to raise a child, so let's be the village and work together! Time to improve this broken system & be the change...be proud of these students they are our future!

Anonymous said...

I read the report and I think some may have misunderstood what they were saying. They never said that teachers don't stay after with kids. It is obvious that teachers do and they should be commended for it. It is great that teachers care about their students. I think they were alluding to the technicalities in the contract. "Many teachers are willing to volunteer their time in order to ensure that students further understand the material being taught" (pg. 60).

Anonymous said...

^This type of pablum is part of the problem. Justin has been duped by people that claim to want improvement when their real motives are questionable.

Anonymous said...

This is very disheartening how you so called adults are busy calling these adults who have a vision names. You should be proud of them, they are our future.

Anonymous said...

"Questionable motives"? Like making the high school a better place for everyone?

Anonymous said...

To the blogger who referred to some of us as "boneheads," my questions to you is: "Why are you reading and commenting on this blog?" I guess you fall into that exact category. "Speak for yourself John."

Anonymous said...

We are always asking our young adults to make a difference and take up a cause that they are truly passionate about. Now we have a group of students doing just that and some feel it necessary to belittle their ideas. How about listening and working together for change. Change is needed so lets not be afraid or offended by new ideas.

sillydingo said...

Great job Justin and the student committee . I am very proud of all you. You have worked very hard. It's a disappointment that these people called Justin Braga, Elizabeth Jaikes and Adam Viera a pawn,egotist , hypocrite, a nanny and self centered.It's sad that some of those names were in those blogs.The folks who wrote that, I say GROW UP! AND START ACTING LIKE AN ADULT!!!!!!!!! These kids worked very hard on a 90 page report and your calling them names.

Anonymous said...

Good good to all the NBHS studetns for your hard work. I am sorry for all the name calling that went on this blog. I understand and respect that people have the right to express their opions, but I think it could be done with class.

Anonymous said...

Ditto to sillydingo's post!!! I am also very proud of these young adults, our future leaders.

Anonymous said...

That 90 page report is for the kids who are struggling in school, for the kids who didn't go to college, for the kids who want to improve every year. Out of 465+ kids who graduated only one student is going to an ivy league school and that is Justin. It is very unnecessary and cruel to say quote " Braga is a selfserving egotist" and " they both bad mouth the school" because in all reality he and the group of students are stating the facts. They are showing the problems of the schools through the students eyes to improve the future students of NBHS lives and their education. These students did not have to go forth and do this they are going to college in a few weeks, they are doing this because they want to see this school succeed, and the students as well most important. Give these students the credit and the respect they deserve especially Justin Braga for the hard work on this paper the long hours and struggle they and he encountered, and also congratulations Justin on an excellent four years at NBH and being valivictorian of the 2012 class you work hard and deserved it. And respect your elders but it's hard to respect them if they do not respect the students as well

Anonymous said...

^More may have been accepted but choose to attend affordable schools when necessary. Top students make financial decisions to attend non-ivy schools that offer the programs they want. Our city grads have to be savvy about money and education.

Anonymous said...

check your fcats... Braga isn't the only NBHS grad going IVY. He isn't the first and won't be the last

Anonymous said...

The only out of the class of 2012 he meant^