Thursday, March 10, 2016

Councilors: Unruly and violent students rampant in New Bedford schools

Councilors: Unruly and violent students rampant in New Bedford schools

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ever since Durkin rolled into NB, teachers cannot give conduct cards or discipline these out of control students. She does not want the principals to make her look bad. Teachers get no help, these kids cause so much havoc and ruin the classroom. They are sent to the counselors,who have an unbelievable work load, and they send these brats right back into the classroom without consequences. I have seen other teachers pushed, kicked and attacked by these students and nothing happens. The PARENTS of these out of control kids should be held accountable. We have huge class sizes and that does not help! I am talking about the elementary level! Enough is enough, it's about time something happened! Durkin should be held accountable. Get rid of her , she is horrible!

Anonymous said...

I vowed to stop writing to this blog, but the news in today's S-T just made it too compelling to share my thoughts. I will go back to silence. All stakeholders should be "OUTRAGED" by the overall student behavior taking place at Keith Middle School. If the Superintendent were to walk into my classroom and observe a class out of control I would be reprimanded, one way or another, most notably on the spot. The Superintendent, and Keith administration should be reprimanded for what appears to be common occurrences at the school, and it is probably prevalent in other schools. It is that simple. Durkin and the school administration gets a pass because the majority of the parents, like their children could care less about education. It is the minority of parents and children that do care about education that need to step up and continue to pressure those in charge of policy. The teacher's opinions for years have fallen on deaf ears, and neither the mayor, superintendent or school officials will begin to listen. All but Cotter are useless on the SC. Save Cotter, all should be dismissed of their position.

I would like to address students eating breakfast in all classes, and maybe in some cases the district providing at the schools. Students should be eating breakfast and dinner with their parents or caretaker or siblings at HOME. Build that relationship, and build it at HOME. For students with special circumstances, find another solution. A teacher's relationship should primarily be based on content and relevant subject matter.

One last comment, Paula Bailey's quote is priceless: "It (students) gives them hope for the future." in reference to the JA program. Since when is hope a strategy! I call this view apathetic. This district is a disgrace, and it is not because of the teachers!

Mike Lawrence and Kathleen McKiernan are you beginning to understand the teacher's plight?

Anonymous said...

This is happening at the elementary level also. Durkin has to go and take her useless polices with her. Most of the SC should be let go except for Chris Cotter. Be a parent... provide for your child, discipline your child, feed your child. This is what teachers put up with everyday....it's not one child that is disruptive, it's many. Do something now! I had parents that were strict and care for me deeply. It's time to step up!

Anonymous said...

It is very apparent that Pia Durkin with her minions has created an atmosphere of frustration, anxiety, anger, and hostility for all throughout the system, and it has manifested in the students acting out on a large scale. Principals are forced to target teachers unfairly and arbitrarily, the latest rumor being that Pia has directed principals to fire 2 teachers from each school. Whether true or not, the fact that this rumor is out there,forces teachers to walk on eggs and teach under a cloud of doom. She has engulfed our schools in a fearful environment which is disrespectful to teachers, has tied their hands in terms of creating a successful learning experience, prevented them from using disciplinary methods which have worked in the past,and has destroyed the classroom as a welcoming, comfortable place. The kids see it, the kids feel it, and by the time they reach middle school they have the confidence to act it out.

She distorts the statistics of teachers and principals who have left to work elsewhere. Pia knows that none of them will blow the whistle on what's actually happening here, because they may need to seek employment in another system and are afraid of backlash. The new hires don't stay long when they see what is occurring, and I don't blame them.

Unfortunately the School Committee in their ignorance of the facts and blinded by her authoritarian glibness has extended her contract.

Given an opportunity,parents should either pull their children out just as Mayor Mitchell did, or band together to be rid of Pia Durkin and her ruthlessness.

Anonymous said...

Nothing short of a recall petition will wake up this current school committee. Chris Cotter is the only member who has the courage and conviction to stand up to the status quo. I urge a grassroot effort to recall the incompetent school committee members. The momentum is on our side. Let's figure out how to do it!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen such a horror show! The students are blatantly disrespectful to teachers. They use the F work and other disgusting language...in elementary. Everyone is afraid of losing their jobs if they confront any of Durkin's mandates. Durkin has created this horror show and she should be held accountable instead of blaming the teachers that are following HER rules. She has to go...Please , just leave and go destroy another school district.

Anonymous said...

WHEN THE MAYOR OF THE CITY PULLS HIS CHILDREN YOU KNOW ITS BAD......didn't want to take chance they weren't learning and ruining their chance to go to HARVARD."......................

Anonymous said...

It's a joke and the coverup that goes on is terrible go to the big schools and go unannounced you won't believe what you see and don't let the principal and her little minions guide you that's to distract you from the truth start in the southend

Anonymous said...

This is the norm in NB! There are more unruly kids than good kids who want to learn. Come on parents, let Chris Cotter and the City Council hear your voices! I am a parent and my child does not want to go to school anymore. The teacher's hands are tied, they complain ,,they reprimanded! I am going to speak up ! Durkin was a huge mistake!

Anonymous said...

It starts at home...period! Parents with violent kids should be held accountable!