"I would be in full support of the city contributing more than the minimum to the school department as other communities do." "I understand the budget constraints the city has to deal with, but I believe investment in education is of the utmost importance. I hope to see that happen within the next few years and stay that way." - Candidate Josh Amaral
"I'm against it." "Not only am I here to protect the students' best interest, but, as a School Committee member, you have to protect the taxpayers of the city of New Bedford, too." - Candidate Michael Janson.
"I think we first have to look at what over the last eight years has caused the mismanagement of the school district." "If ... we fix those problems and there's still not enough money, then I think it would be OK to look at that, but I think we need to look at a lot of different things. I don't want to take any options off the table." - Candidate Brian Pastori
"I think a lot of it is putting everything else in front of the students. That's where I think we've fallen into a problem when it comes to the schools," "I honestly do think the wrong things have been prioritized." - Candidate Christopher Cotter
"Everybody is a stakeholder in terms of education and our City Council is one of our greatest stakeholders." "I would like to sit down with them and see how we can work together." - Maria Mojica-Mosquea
"I'm a loyal guy and I will be very loyal to Dr. Durkin — that's how strongly I feel about her." "I personally think she's a gem and I personally think she's going to straighten things out. That's one of the reasons I'm running, to support her." - Candidate Jack Nobrega
What are your thoughts?
21 comments:
Brian Pastori is a member of the Coalition for Social Justice. He will most like be a puppet for Marlene Pollock.
^I agree. Pollock is running him. If he gets in, Pollock will have another puppet she can control. Who's the other puppet? I'm glad you asked. The other one is Jack Lavipimento.
Josh Amaral is the only candidate with a clue!
I like Jack Nobrega but he's throwing his support to a superintendent who's last contract was non-renewed. Usually contracts are renewed when people a doing a good job. Obviously her last school committee thought she was lacking. Maybe that's why the standard times and Bob Unger like her so much. If she were a good superintendent Bob wouldn't want her here.
I would not vote for anyone involved with the coalition for social injustice.
I've never seen Chris Cotter at a single school committee meeting.
Jack Nobrega's gem is really cubic zirconia. Go back to sleep Jack.
Josh is the only new candidate who has been attending ALL the School Committee meetings for at least the past two years. He gets it, knows what it was like to be a student in the New Bedford Public School system, graduated with enough AP courses from NBHS so that he is able to complete four years of college in three years.
The system is WORKING for STUDENTS who wish to succeed.
Brian Pastori was one of the major driving forces of the Innovation Schools which in my opinion is most likely one of the reasons he is running for School Committee to support Pollock and Livramento.
To the post above about Cotter, you're correct as I have never seen him at one School Committee meeting unless he came in at the last minute and left early which I rather doubt.
Brian stated "I think we first have to look at what over the last eight years has caused the mismanagement of the school district." Remember Brian that Pollock and Livramento sat through those budget hearings for more than one year for Livramento and at least six years for Pollock. Your UIA members were part of the problem with the mismanagement of the district by not doing their homework along with other members of the Committee during the budget hearings and the finance sub-committee meetings.
I am voting for Josh Amaral. I have a sign on my front lawn for him. In previous years, I have put a sign up for another current SC member. When he called this time, I told him that there was no room on my lawn for members who do not support the necessities of the public schools. It is time to show them that we do vote!
Josh Amaral sounds like the best candidate to help improve our schools. It would be helpful to get some guidance from our union on who to collectively back. There are enough wolves in the hen house.
Plunk for Josh Amaral!
Josh Amaral!!!! However we CAN'T forget that next time around Livermento and Pollack NEED to go!!! Spread the word. This cannot and should not continue...we MUST get them out!
Notice Mr. Nobrega did not discuss how he would serve the kids. He commented on being loyal to Dr. Durkin. Am I the only one to notice that?
Yes. I too wish for some empty words about the kids. We could always use more of that.
Let's not forget that Dr. Larry Finnerty didn't return the two calls from Natalie for comment.
"dont want to take any options off the table." is Pastori talking about schools or Syria?
I can assure you that my vote will NOT go to anyone associated with Pollock, the UIA, or anyone who voted FOR Innovation schools! New Bedford students deserve a school committee comprised of people who actually care about them. ALL of them and not just a select few.
Although we were given the politically correct definition of rigor, when referred to from an educational perspective, we are shifting from one paradigm to another. To provide rigorous instruction means to challenge students with engaging practices so they are compelled to think critically and be actively engaged. In other words, we have moved away from the transmission approach in which the teacher is the expert and that knowledge is deposited into students' minds to a participatory and constructivist approach to learning. As for rubrics, they have been around forever. Remember the scale of 0-4. Using rubrics can make life easier and grading becomes less subjective. If you attach a rubric to each student's work, you can highlight the strengths and weaknesses with two different highlighter colors. This data can also be shared with colleagues or as portfolio content. When I was completing my research study, I created a metacognitive checklist (holistic rubric) which prevented students with limited English proficiency from being penalized as they were still learning, changing, and growing. It was a great success. Rubrics serve as great documentation, as well, and hard to dispute. In regard to the upcoming election of politicians and SC members, and in support of NB educators, I would like to become a registered voter in NB. Where would I go to register? Additionally, after hearing your stories, my heart goes out to you and the students. If I was a wealthy woman, I would most certainly donate a large portion of money to our educational system. Like my friend Dave says, education is not about the students. It is a business. Guess who suffers?
Through my unexpected sabbatical,I have had time to reflect. I now realize much of what we do is not appreciated. And to think, we educate America's future. When something goes wrong, the ball drops on us. It is always our fault despite the variables.
Most importantly, I learned that it is not okay to disagree because it finds its way back to bite you. The state of our educational system is disheartening and the people in charge are just as bad. I think I will write myself a pass to a deserted, tropical island and live in isolation as trust, security, and enthusiasm for our profession, no longer exists!
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