tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post3510530203250482783..comments2023-05-13T05:23:59.328-04:00Comments on New Bedford Educators Association: 'Were I permitted to speak' ... By Mayor Jon MitchellNBEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258299270468062184noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-11421641251429778462014-01-22T21:50:12.125-05:002014-01-22T21:50:12.125-05:00When you Mr.Mitchel hold a rally to support teache...When you Mr.Mitchel hold a rally to support teachers I will surely come out to listen to you. Why are some class sizes being raised this semester with no prior notice, planning, preparation, or supplies? We hear what goes on at our schools, don't you? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-84547762539539844762014-01-22T17:26:31.087-05:002014-01-22T17:26:31.087-05:00First of all i would like to say I am posting as a...First of all i would like to say I am posting as a concerned parent who has children in all age groups in the school system. I am also a former nbps student. I was forced to get my ged because my test scores were two high for the city to pay for me to go to school for two more years. I accepted that because it was my own poor choices that caused me to get caught in the change of credits to units as I should have graduated before the change. Unfortunately as a child that had undiagnosed disabilities I was in the foster care system and got bounced around and missed a great deal of school. I along with many of my potters remember what our school system was and the pride we carried as New Bedford students. It saddens me to see the state of our schools presently. I have children with special needs and advocate for them as well add working hand in hand with the teachers to give my children the best chance they can have at being successful in school. I have meet teachers that fight for students right along with the parents and are turned away disappointed because that student is denied what they need because of lack of funding. It used to be each district had a school with teachers hired specifically to work with sped students. Now if your cold goes to a school where they don't have the services your child needs oh well your child goes without unless you can afford to pay for the bussing to a different school. Handicap children are being sent to schools that are not handicap accessible and are not even being granted a paraprofessional to assist them. Parents that can pass a CORI and are willing to go into these schools and aid the teachers are being denied. We get told we are not allowed to have parents help in the classrooms. How do you expect teachers to teach 20 to thirty children in a classroom where half of those children need some type of services that they aren't getting without any help. How can they teach a lesson when they constantly have to stop and redirect a child who has behavioral problems or to help a child with a learning disability? We no longer have classrooms for these children in most schools, and the behavior rooms aren't good for a cold that is acting out because of a disability instead of truly being unruly. The budget cuts the government is approving is hurting our students and our teachers. Mismanagement of funding that has been granted is making it worse. Yes there are parents that don't care but a good prob of them are former students or school system had already failed, so they have lost faith in our school system. The reform needs to begin at the elementary school level. If not nothing we do at the middle and high school level will be long lasting. Our children deserve better than what they are being given but it is not the fault of the teachers. It is the fault if a failing school district that does not give or teachers the told they need top productively reach or childrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-31470292943743011912014-01-22T16:55:29.691-05:002014-01-22T16:55:29.691-05:00Guess who has now thrown his hat into the ring? G...Guess who has now thrown his hat into the ring? George Leontire,lol. Remember him? Yes he has come out of hiding from his farm I Westport to get involved in the NB school system. Gee, George, Craig.....makes me wonder who is watching the Westport School? If you live in Westport, worry about Westport. If you want to meddle in NB business, move to New Bedford.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-77553126522170004682014-01-22T16:47:41.851-05:002014-01-22T16:47:41.851-05:00Oh isn't it strange your name is anonymous. wa...Oh isn't it strange your name is anonymous. waving hi to you JonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-31138873656319630652014-01-22T16:33:55.988-05:002014-01-22T16:33:55.988-05:00Pollack and Liveremento have to go...start prepari...Pollack and Liveremento have to go...start preparing for the next election cycle. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-20369987820640698322014-01-22T16:17:05.710-05:002014-01-22T16:17:05.710-05:00It is so unfortunate that this situation has erode...It is so unfortunate that this situation has eroded so many good and genuine teachers’ aspirations of serving their students’ educational needs to the point of despair. I too feel this way. I have taught in NB for over thirty years and was not yet ready to retire, until now. This mayor, school committee and families of NB will realize one day the mistake they made by their lack of support for so many dedicated teachers. If the Mayor has not come to realize the negative impact that his actions may impose on the quality of education for the students in NBPS then maybe he should consider that of his own children. Unfortunately this climate that we now work in is adversely affected our performance even though it is not our intention. The children can sense it and feel it, no matter how hard we may try to hide it. <br />I intentionally omitted the school administration in experiencing the consequences of their actions unlike the true city stakeholders because I believe the turnover of administration positions that we have already witnessed and will continue to experience under Dr. Durkin is akin to that of carpet baggers. For many, their interest is primarily in their own hopes and dreams of their next job opportunity. You need only look at where many of these new administrators have been and for how long they have stayed at each of their previous positions. New Bedford will not become their home, merely a stepping stone to bigger and better opportunities. I don’ t begrudge them, simply stating what I believe. <br />I was educated in NBPS, K-12. I went to college and received a degree in education and returned to teach in my city for the past 35 years. I lived in New Bedford for 37 years, before moving to an area town. I will continue to live in this area for hopefully years to come. <br />I am a STAKEHOLDER in NBPS.<br />I know I have more to offer my students but in this current climate, I feel it is time to go.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-61442023338340150632014-01-22T15:52:32.348-05:002014-01-22T15:52:32.348-05:00Who's crusade was it to close down West side a...Who's crusade was it to close down West side alternative high school? Marlene Pollack! Who went along with it so he could have her vote on the school committee? Scott Lang! Is there a coincidence that behavior has gotten so bad at the high school since West side was closed ? Go after Pollack for poor policy making.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-83860750517395293832014-01-22T15:33:10.819-05:002014-01-22T15:33:10.819-05:00Mr. Mayor… A speech does not a dialogue make.Mr. Mayor… A speech does not a dialogue make.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-70406980549913988362014-01-22T15:08:35.624-05:002014-01-22T15:08:35.624-05:00My niece is a student at Keith who takes Algebra a...My niece is a student at Keith who takes Algebra at NBHS. Needless to say, she's very bright. She is getting an A in her high school math class, but will not be attending NBHS next year for high school because of the terror in the hallways. How sad! NBHS is missing out on a wonderful, intelligent young woman to another area high school because of the lack of discipline. Our students deserve the right to an education without fearing walking the halls. Shame on everyone who allows this to occur!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-86764806688257913062014-01-22T15:02:20.420-05:002014-01-22T15:02:20.420-05:00I am proud to be a NBHS graduate because I receive...I am proud to be a NBHS graduate because I received a wonderful education. I started my teaching career in NB, but because of politics, a friend of the Supt took my job and I was laid off. My children started their educational careers in NB, but with class sizes too big and one horrendous year, we moved out of the city. I am still an educator, just not in NB. It saddens me that many friends have to deal with this nightmare every day. I urge the mayor and school committee members to visit and observe classrooms, especially at the middle and high school. Fights are rampant, respect is forgotten, and there's little support from administration. I've been in the trenches and am so glad I am no longer. That saddens me to say it because it once was an excellent school system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-28358356175011207502014-01-22T14:12:44.824-05:002014-01-22T14:12:44.824-05:00The blogger who went to NBHS and commented about t...The blogger who went to NBHS and commented about the disruptive students who acted up without fear of reprisal is "spot on." Our scores are low because many students come to school to learn but are unable to do so. I see their faces every day. Also, teachers are battling electronic usage. We should follow Brockton's model and come up with an alternative location for the disruptive students who are not interested in learning and ruin the education for the others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-12389590980655649152014-01-22T13:25:06.802-05:002014-01-22T13:25:06.802-05:00Great Brockton blogger post. That is the type of b...Great Brockton blogger post. That is the type of blogging that needs to occur. <br /><br />Idea! There should be a special SC meeting open to the public with the only purpose and agenda to compare and contrast the transformation and turnaround models. <br /><br />Lets get it all on the table for "all" to hear and judge. Each position can be represented by select group of professionals that are proficient in each model, while challenging the others'. <br /><br />Debate is a fixture of American Democracy, as Mayor Mitchell himself has stated. Politicians debate all the time on important issues. Is there any one topic more important than our city's student education? <br /><br />Does this make sense to anyone other than me?<br /><br />Can this be thought of as thinking out of the box? Good idea or pipe dream? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-67621637097811191972014-01-22T13:25:01.437-05:002014-01-22T13:25:01.437-05:00To the commenter who called us union lackies signi...To the commenter who called us union lackies signing our post anonymously, where is your name? Oh so you can come here, call us lackies,complain that posters sign anonymously and then..........you do not have the courage to sign you name. Must be a slow day at City Hall that you have your staffers reading blog and making posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-44005065394935228742014-01-22T13:10:29.879-05:002014-01-22T13:10:29.879-05:00sounds like some back pedaling to me (for the sake...sounds like some back pedaling to me (for the sake of other comments made)...but the plan is still going forward...that hasn't changedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-14802398093526146442014-01-22T13:08:59.064-05:002014-01-22T13:08:59.064-05:00Mr. Mayor, will I be censored at school committee ...Mr. Mayor, will I be censored at school committee meetings if my dialogue exceeds 3 minutes? Will you be counting me down aloud as I am speaking?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-35489087466037675852014-01-22T13:08:37.055-05:002014-01-22T13:08:37.055-05:00I'm sorry, but I think Lou saved him Friday. W... I'm sorry, but I think Lou saved him Friday. Whatever message he had to share would not have been heard, good or bad. They have had dialogues and meetings, and he has his hour on the radio each week. That particular time was for the teachers and not a grand stand for the "other side". My hope is that the union and the School Committee are able to come together and find a solution in the best interest of the students, teachers, and our community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-32419609872831763752014-01-22T13:08:20.508-05:002014-01-22T13:08:20.508-05:00Politician's words are empty! Judge them by th...Politician's words are empty! Judge them by their actions. Who's pay they cut.... who they fire....... etc!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-26524988724448858172014-01-22T13:06:40.595-05:002014-01-22T13:06:40.595-05:00100% THE PROBLEMS START AT HOME!!!100% THE PROBLEMS START AT HOME!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-40722324907203107222014-01-22T13:06:15.977-05:002014-01-22T13:06:15.977-05:00I went to NBHS. All but one teacher i had did a gr...I went to NBHS. All but one teacher i had did a great job and did everything they could. Fact is a huge population of students did nothing but be disruptive, disrespectful and a long list of other wrongs. These kids did not fear punishment and purposely acted up. They are a direct cause of what is happening here and that is not the teachers faults. It starts at their home and it is the fault of the parent or parents. When i pick my daughter up the things i see and hear from the other parents there make me sick. Have the administrators go in the class room and sit at dismissal and see whats up. They would shut their elitist mouths then and support the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-92077718442684826602014-01-22T13:05:43.157-05:002014-01-22T13:05:43.157-05:00Why Mayor Mitchell do you believe you should have ...Why Mayor Mitchell do you believe you should have been allowed to speak at the rally at city hall? You sound upset because your voice wasn't being heard. The teachers voices haven't been heard for some time. This rally was a chance for them to be heard. Are you angry because the rally supported teachers? Sorry, Mayor Mitchell but your actions and comments do NOT support our educators. Although you write about the "enourmous respect" for what they do each and everyday, you choose to reward their efforts with an extreme plan designed to eliminate those who you hold in such high regard. If the Turnaround Model is unrealistic and both the superintendent and school committe are in agreement about this, why is Dr Durkin steadfast on continuing to implement it? It is because of this gross injustice that quality educators are choosing early retirement. This plan does more harm than good and will continue to hurt the students and educators of New Bedford.<br /><br />You agree that teachers are being unfairly villified and aren't being supported. Your sympathy is too little too late. The wounds are real and the scars will forever remain. According to Dr. Durkin, none of this matters and the plan is to stay the course. The decision has been made and there is no turning back. The plan is wrong. You know it, the teachers know it , and the public knows it! "The heart of the problem lies elsewhere." Mayor Mitchell, you admit the polical leadership failed the teachers. This political leadership includes YOU. You can't feign sympathy for teachers and turn a blind eye allowing this unrealistic approach to continue.<br /><br /><br />Brockton High graduates 75 percent of its students but they didn't implement such a drastic Turnaround Model. Apparently other options have been proven to be effective but not here in our city. It is my understanding the City on a Hill will open in September.<br />Willl this school accept and retain Ell students, Sped students or children with behavioral issues?<br /><br />It takes a big person to admit a mistake. It takes a bigger person to apologize and right the wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-89171256243519944742014-01-22T13:04:43.293-05:002014-01-22T13:04:43.293-05:0025 years ago when children received bad grades it ...25 years ago when children received bad grades it was the fault of the children. Now when kids receive bad grades it's somehow at the fault of the teacher? It's time for the powers at be to remove their heads from their anal cavities and realize that even the best teacher in the world can't teach a student that doesn't want to learn. I truly feel sorry for the few children that want to learn because they are stuck in classes full of children that don't. It starts in the home. Parents need to to teach children morals, respect for others and teach the importance of a good quality education at a young age.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-82031235571731551682014-01-22T13:02:59.175-05:002014-01-22T13:02:59.175-05:00If he were so open for discussions, why hasn't...If he were so open for discussions, why hasn't he agreed to meet and discuss until there's a rally. If he had done something like round table discussions there wouldn't be this problem of "lack of communication" that he claims. The truth is that the communication has only flowed in one direction so far and it's a little too late to call for discussions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-53223278350556997622014-01-22T12:49:53.068-05:002014-01-22T12:49:53.068-05:00We need to come to the table armed with testimonie...We need to come to the table armed with testimonies of students and parents, pictures of broken and obsolete computers and graffiti in obsolete textbooks. We must show documentation of lack of special education teachers and paraprofessionals, Spanish speaking staff, and a lack of critical equipment and supplies. How about pictures of broken down school buildings that the district had money to rebuild but spent on other things or other schools aside from the school that was earmarked? Or monies earmarked for books that went to other things? Or monies spent on fired superintendents or temporary consultants that could have been spent on student learning? We must be at the table demanding respectful and civil discourse that includes not belittling and terrorizing teachers in front of their students. We are ready to listen,but it has to be both ways! Let's go to the table armed with the truth and be unafraid. Document how many interruptions you must now tolerate in your class because disruptive students are now ruling the building! What do we have to lose? Our jobs? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-43750699368285687932014-01-22T12:40:09.939-05:002014-01-22T12:40:09.939-05:00I worked under three different superintendents as ...I worked under three different superintendents as a teacher for the New Bedford Public Schools. Mr. Paul Rodriques, Mr Constantine Nanopolous, and Mr. Mike Longo, these three men had tough jobs and made hard decisions, I didn't always agree with them but I respected them because I knew they respected their staff and teachers. They didn't blame us for mandates that didn't work. And they didn't work, not just because they were unfunded, they didn't work because they were stupid and unrealistic to begin with. Mayor don't point the finger at others. Point it right where it belongs at yourself and other politicians who don't have the guts to say no to the state when they cut art programs and music programs. When they think every kid can be taught the same way. You want good test results the teach math and not tests for passing math. Bring back smaller class sizes, and classes where kids are able to progress at their level and not everyone has to be able to work in the great mega math and science conglomerates of the future. So you graduated from Harvard Mr Mayor, well Bill Gates went and quit, so I guess it isn't the school you graduate from but the ideas you dream and fulfill that truly makes one a success. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216819897332534116.post-91946623297924948242014-01-22T12:07:43.230-05:002014-01-22T12:07:43.230-05:00I raised my own child in this city. I have helped...I raised my own child in this city. I have helped educate hundreds of our city students. I refuse to be blamed for economic injustice, drug addiction, trauma, poor housing, and misappropriation of funds in this city. STOP THE WAR on NB TEACHERS! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com