I am having a hard time wiping the smile off my face this morning. Why? Read today's editorial in the S-T. It appears that the editor has finally awakened from his coma and is seeing things a bit more clearly for a change. The "ball is in your court, parents." His final statement is that the schools and teachers (is he referring to the teachers that are getting fired, the ones that will be staying, or the new hires?) cannot do it alone! No kidding....when did he make this discovery??? Until now he has blamed the teachers of New Bedford, their union, and especially Lou St. John for the state of our public school system.
I wonder what changed his mind - could it have been the VERY poor attendance at the superintendent's informational meeting for parents? All along the teachers of our city and the union president have said that students reflect the attitudes of their parents. Why should they care about getting an education if their parent(s) don't and won't attend a meeting that will certainly affect their future? And I do not accept the excuse that parents were working - my husband and I both worked when our daughter was a student and we never missed an open house, or any other meeting that concerned her education. Her education was our priority.
Anyone who teaches in New Bedford knows exactly what they are dealing with. It's about time that the editor, superintendent, and school committee admit that there is no easy fix. In his editorial, the editor appeals to the city council and the rest of us to get the word out and inform the parents of the up-coming meeting. The editor mentioned in one of his earlier rants that it is NOT the City Council's job to "stick their nose" into School Department Business. I hope the CC doesn't help in any way - I know I have no intention of "helping" and "supporting" a plan that terminates too many of New Bedford's dedicated teachers. Guess what - Durkin is on her own on this one!
14 comments:
Again, it seems to be an attempt to have people spilling out of the room on Monday night. It may work...how many of those people will actually be parents or future NBPS parents--that is the question.
Even a few of the"15" on Friday were not actually parents of current students.
EVERYONE should attend Monday night's meeting! As parents, grandparents, family member, and concerned citizens we should ALL be there to here this wonderful plan that has yet to be approved by the DESE.
there were 12 parents and several of them were also nbps teachers who have children enrolled at nbhs.
^The statement above is true. I was one of those teacher/parents.
It's nice that you "won't accept the excuse that they were working" because your memory tells you you "never missed an open house" but it doesn't change the fact
- that many parents were working.
- that this meeting was an info dump on a plan that will not be changed.
Why turn up for that? Slashing teachers was set in stone in November, new staff hiring set in stone in January, new contract is done and dusted.
Are you kidding me ? This meeting was a waste of anyone's time.
You are also comparing apples to oranges, saying that your kid's specific teacher conferences were never missed ( Congrats! Here's a cookie) with a "going through the motions" meeting on a plan for the high school that is already written.
Give me a break. The Standard Times is looking for scapegoats and jumps from union to parents to individuals.
I for one refuse to behave like them.
And, at Open House or Parent/Teacher conferences, the parents who show up are the ones who genuinely care about their child's education. The parents who do not attend are the ones we really want/need to see. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to call their homes, only to find their number/s have been disconnected, changed, or a full message box!
Good point about the "ALL CALL" system. Pia comes from districts where families actually have a home number for life. Not in this city! They change phone #'s as often as underwear. She actually thinks they are all getting her messages?
Durkin can continue to toot her own horn from now until eternity, but we are not drinking her turnaround "Kool- Aid".
wonder how much longer it will be before we are buying the new sup, out????!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
wonder how much longer it will be before we are buying the new sup, out????!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
^ hopefully, very, very soon. :(
I hate her and I don't even know her..she has come into our school system and destroyed it at the emotional level
She had 2 meeting dates and times. One in the early afternoon which most ppl can not make if they work days. However, for those ppl there was a meeting in the evening. The afternoon meeting would be perfect for ppl who work later shifts. She has covered herself. What she doesn't realize is that she thought she had the support of parents with all her teacher bashing. Turns out that most of the ppl there were teacher/parents. She stands alone. Not sure when she will get this but she stands alone. The S-T did try to guilt the parents into attending. Not sure how that will pan out.
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