I read these posts and initially had the exact same thoughts. But there is another side.
Norm Scott has posted a letter from a parent on a few Yahoo groups.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ny...ews/message/
798
I've spoken to parents who feel similarly. They've said they like the new principal.
My answer is YES! Why else would a principal take a successful school and suddenly change what is working without input from the school community?
Does anyone at the DoE read Michael Fullan? He is an expert on change agents and says that any type of change is a journey, not a massacre.
Now this DoE puppet is refusing to enforce the discipline code that the parents, teachers and former principal put in place. She has cut the budget without consulting her teachers or parents. And more than 50% of the teachers are filing grievances.
Under Kleinburg, building a professional learning community is not an option. Instead he is out for revenge and doing so by making sure this once successful school fails because the parents and teachers stood their ground against him. He is the devil!
(And where is Randi on this issue???)
I agree that there are 2 sides to every story, but a few letters does not make a majority. Nor would half the staff file grievances unless there were issues that violated the contract.
Patrick,
Why was the budget changed?
Why are the discipline rules that were set up no longer enforced?
Why does this school get to have a C-30 committee when no other public school does?
Why were so many changes (some of which are not listed here) made so quickly without input? Any good administrator, outside Leadership, is taught that change is gradual because one must first get to know their community and start collaborating as soon as possible so that when changes are made, it is not met with such resistance.
A good leader would not do that unless he there is another agenda.
And if Klein wanted to divide this school, he has succeeded.
Schoolgal,
I really don't know the details but I'll ask the parents I know there to respond. I heard the principal had an issue with many teachers not being certified in the subjects they taught. Is that common? My kids are in first grade so this is new to me.
Teachers on the elementary level are usually certified. However many teachers have been waiting for the State to issue their certificates. Unfortunately the state is almost a year behind because the new requirements make it impossible to issue them in a timely manner. One person can only process about 4 a day because the new procedures are cumbersome. I certainly hope these parents and DoE are not using this against these teachers. Try to find out the specifics here too.
On the middle and high school level they should be certified on the subjects they teach. However I am sure new teachers are also in the same bind I mentioned above.
However I would like to know the nature of these grievances which sound contractual. I also read that teachers are no longer allowed to collect monies. Most teachers I know on the elementary level collect money for trips, pictures, PTA dues, candy sale, etc, and if it is for the PTA or PA, we turn it over to them. This is a great help since not so many parents can volunteer their time unless they are stay-at-home moms.
In my school we offer babysitting services for parents who want to attend PA or PTA meetings as a way of getting more parent involvement. But according to The Chalkboard, this provision was removed by the new principal. Schools are always looking for innovative ways to increase parent turnout. If this school had one, why take it away?
This sounds to me like the new principal and her "parent backers" are stirring the pot instead of improving on it. Why reduce the book budget and professional development budget? And why were administrative costs increased?
Does any of this make sense to you?
Something is not right. If the budget changes are being used as a weapon against the old PTA, it stands to reason the classroom suffers.
This sounds more like a power play by both sides. However I would have to agree with the old guard about the budget changes.
Also try to find out about the C-30 since other school principals are now appointed by the LIS, RIS and Chancellor.
I just heard a rumor that the Region 3 ROC will no longer be located in Region 3; it is now located in Flushing, Queens. I heard it is being moved to another region, in LOng Island City, which makes the Region 3 ROC inaccessible to Region 3 parents. I hope it's just a wild rumor because if it does transpire, there may be more than a little unrest in the outer boroughs. Say it ain't so, Mike and Joel.
ROC 3 is moving??? It is so convenient to drive to and park in the nearby bowling alley. LIC is not so easy because you have to deal with Queens Blvd. traffic or the LIE.
Of course ROC 3 is beginning the new school year with some pretty good P.D.
Maybe that's why they are being singled out.
On Friday I met teachers from Empowerment Schools who told me that their principals have no money for PD.
What a crock! They were given a budget in which they can decide which PD to purchase. So now ES admins are hoarding that money too, and no one can say a word about it.
Do you think plasma televisions and high-back leather office chairs grow on trees? And an office piano, even a baby-grand is gonna set you back a few semolians nowadays.
Do you want to see the principal wearing a straw hat and playing an upright with thumbtacks on the hammers? Rather undignified, if you ask me.
I am getting 2 sides to the NEST story. Here is a comment from Leonie Haimson based on some of the posts, a shade out of context here so I edited it a bit, but still with some very valid points.
Leonie says:
I don’t want this list to get too entrapped in the NEST controversy.
[I'll] make the following observation: On the one hand, NEST was able to provide smaller classes, and facilities unsurpassed in our public school system. The parents at the school was also able to successfully keep a charter school out of their building; and I for one am very admiring of the incredible organizing effort they made in order to achieve this win – one of the few times that Joel Klein has had to stuff it. I wish all parents in NYC were as aggressive and able as the NEST parents were in this case – though without Shelly Silver’s help, they still would have likely lost their battle.
On the other hand, the NEST administration often acted as though it was a law unto itself – abusing the rights of many parents and children at the school, as well as infuriating other parents in the district who understandably resented its overly elitist attitude. Not only did the school have highly selective admissions policy, but then also asked many children already enrolled in the school – especially boys -- to leave if they made minor errors or were perceived to be somehow not up to snuff.
I think we can all agree with what Betsy and Beth have said –that all NYC kids, not just those who happen to go to NEST, deserve these same sort of opportunities, as well as a more understanding administration that will try to help them succeed, rather than kick them out at the first evidence of weakness.
perhaps this can be the final word?
I for one can believe it about the parents because the PA in my school are not the nicest and are only out for their own kids instead of the whole school community.
I still want to know why the teachers are grieving?????
I can agree that all kids should be treated like that. But the final word has yet to be spoken, and NEST hit the tabloids again today.
These parents may not be perfect, but the wrath of the DoE isn't over yet.
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