Thursday, May 1, 2014

Low Attendance, High Hopes At Parent Community Forum

What are you thoughts?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the parents know a half hearted phoney attempt when they see one

Anonymous said...

Thirty parents? What a leader. At least the professional climate is at an all-time high.

Anonymous said...

Her words are not the words of an urban superintendent. She speaks in flowery sentences about child rearing. Her perceptions do not match our reality. She is a "bad fit" for New Bedford.

Anonymous said...

You are correct Mr. Papas that is a problem. Not only is it “a” problem, in my opinion it is “the” problem. I am not the blogger the “Elephant” but he has been talking about this taboo subject for some time. God forbid the politicians do the un-politically correct thing and place the blame where much of it lies, on the parents. No, it is much easier for the mayor and SC to scapegoat the teachers. There are parents such as you who truly care about their children and their education. To you and those parents, you are to be commended. And then, there are those who don’t. The problem lies as to what percentage there are. The low percentage of parent’s that attended the superintendent’s meetings clearly demonstrates that there is a real concern in this regard. This has been a problem in NBPS for some years now. Had Dr. Durkin had less of an ego and more leadership qualities she would have reached out upon her arrival to staff and administrators who had knowledge of this history and would have helped to guide her in this endeavor. But she sees herself as the anointed one and therefore needs no input from anyone. This latest attempt to reach out to parents of NBPS students by her office failed miserably and should be an embarrassment not only to her but to the SC and the mayor as well. Her ego will be the path to her demise; unfortunately the city of New Bedford will also suffer greatly along the way. The public has clear evidence by these failed attempts by the superintendent of NBPS of what the lowly teachers in this district have know and have been confronted with for some time.

All she had to do was ask.

Anonymous said...

Not surprised at the low turnout for parents. Remember how many parents showed up the the Level 5 Parker School, I believe it was around 5 people. The high school's meeting regarding the turnaround had a low turnout also.

Anonymous said...

The superintendent is a bad fit for the district. Recovery may be almost impossible if something is not done soon. A new mayor and school committee will be left with a unbelievable mess. It's not that the problems have been underestimated. The problems have been misdiagnosed. The patient is becoming terminal and bandages are being used as the cure. Shame on the Mayor and School Committee.

Anonymous said...

The good parents should be commended. Thank you. The parents who could give two ..... stop having kids if you cannot and will not care about how they turn out as adults! Shame on you! I am a parent, I work two jobs and I was at this meeting! I refuse to let my children fall into the "entitled" syndrome of handouts!

Anonymous said...

The leaders of this city and school dept. need to know that the teachers also don't live in the lap of luxury. We give all at work and home. Our whole identity is wrapped up in our work as city teachers. Pia keeps talking about how difficult things are for parents---TEACHERS ARE PARENTS!

Anonymous said...

That's right, I am a parent and a teacher! I sacrifice time with my children so my students will succeed! I spend my MONEY on my students because we do not have paper, books and the supplies we need to be successful! DATA is not the way to teach, these absurd requests that are piled on the teachers prevent us from family time. I work everyday 9 hours easily , go home work another 3! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Anonymous said...

Or, have spent countless hours for a higher education that also takes away from family time. Teachers make many sacrifices to excel in their profession.

Anonymous said...

Can you imagine going through life being disliked on a professional and personal level by so many people in so many communities? I can't. It's incomprehensible.

Anonymous said...

Stop complaining about not having family time...don't you know your not allowed to have family time under this new leader..

Your students are your only family.

Anonymous said...

Pia has the solution to the courts problem. Fire 50% of the judges!

Anonymous said...

It's time to act as a brotherhood. The police and firefighters not only practice it, they live it. It is time for NB Educators to follow their lead. It should be a non-negotiable. To join the Teacher's Union is to join its brotherhood.

If you were not at the meeting on Friday it is your obligation, yes obligation to represent yourself in the brotherhood of the NBEA and vote this Tuesday or Wednesday at the NBEA office. Your vote matters. There is no one telling you how to vote, you just need to vote. You must understand that not voting is in fact voting whether you realize it or not. When you actually vote your intentions are clear and concise. It's simple; vote confidence, no confidence, or abstain. Its your choice.

For those Educators that live in fear, and believe the gremlins will be watching, you need to be brave and cast your vote. And for those of you who continue to pretend or dismiss your participation on this year's on-goings, you need to think of your students, and the brotherhood of teachers that are trying everyday to make a positive difference in the lives of families in NB. Break free of the cage that you believe you are living in and cast your vote.

Voting is serious business in any sense. Look at the turnout year to year in our city and look at the election results. Unhappiness with the elected mayor and school committee is not by chance, it's a consensus . Only votes count as a means to an end.

There is no excuse not to take the ten minute to drive downtown from any school and let your voice be heard through the simple democratic process that has been the backbone of our existence. Vote.