Middleton High Struggles To Get School Spirit Back
Read the article.
Sounds like a sociologist and an anthropologist might give some insight into the problem.
"He knows Middleton's progress has been hindered by a lack of continuity, which is crucial for a young school. He is the third principal since 2002. The old Middleton had just four principals in 37 years."
There is something in the last two sentences that just gets my attention.
Who is in charge of Middleton?
That is not a simple question.
Maybe it is just me, but it seems like those who are fighting to reestablish the "history" of Middleton (and Blake) are caught in a bad spot because they are trying to reestablish a sense of "community" that can not be established in today's world.
How would it play out if a "white community" tried to reestablish the history of a past segregated "white school"?
Can we imagine a group of "white community leaders" getting together to talk about "the white community" and asking their kids to embrace "their white heritage"?
There seems to be a disconnect.
"
"Segregation forced us to take care of one another," said Fred Hearns, who graduated in 1966.
But the Middleton that the alumni remember is much different from what exists today."
Exactly.
Maybe it is just me, but I wonder if the black kids get a mixed message when they are told to embrace the past.
Maybe it is just me, but "embracing the past" brings many different sociological and psychological challenges, all of which are not warm and fuzzy like the Alma Mater.
Maybe it is just me, but perhaps one reason there is difficulty in developing a sense of "community pride" by the black leaders is because "the community" no longer is restricted to a black-only population. Middleton is a magnet school. It attracts others from "outside the community".
There seems to be a disconnect.
Maybe it is just me, but I wonder if the students feel the disconnect. And maybe the hypocrisy.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Where Is Brenda Lee When You Need Her?
"I'm sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
Love could be so cruel
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
[Spoken:]
(I'm sorry) I'm sorry
(So sorry) So sorry
Please accept my apology
But love is blind
And I was to blind to see
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
I'm sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
But love was blind
And I was too blind to see
(Sorry)" Brenda Lee
If we could just have Brenda Lee on our School Board, being kicked to the curb and having our fat asses bumped off the "free-is-not-for-me-anymore" bus would be a little easier.
(Hey Thomas, read the link and see where money was the initial motivation to "make our kids fat". Now we see that this was a precursor of rationalizations to stop "courtesy busing". Instead of "we will no longer provide courtesy busing" it was presented as "look at how we will provide healthy exercise for our beloved children".)
Brenda would have asked us to accept her apology that she made a mistake for loving us.
Brenda would have told us she was sorry for having blind love and giving us free bus rides that we were not deserving of all of these years.
Brenda would have sung to us like we were the reason for her existence.
Love is blind, I guess.
Now and then there's a fool such as I.
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
Love could be so cruel
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
[Spoken:]
(I'm sorry) I'm sorry
(So sorry) So sorry
Please accept my apology
But love is blind
And I was to blind to see
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes
I'm sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
But love was blind
And I was too blind to see
(Sorry)" Brenda Lee
If we could just have Brenda Lee on our School Board, being kicked to the curb and having our fat asses bumped off the "free-is-not-for-me-anymore" bus would be a little easier.
(Hey Thomas, read the link and see where money was the initial motivation to "make our kids fat". Now we see that this was a precursor of rationalizations to stop "courtesy busing". Instead of "we will no longer provide courtesy busing" it was presented as "look at how we will provide healthy exercise for our beloved children".)
Brenda would have asked us to accept her apology that she made a mistake for loving us.
Brenda would have told us she was sorry for having blind love and giving us free bus rides that we were not deserving of all of these years.
Brenda would have sung to us like we were the reason for her existence.
Love is blind, I guess.
Now and then there's a fool such as I.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Driver On The Bus Says "I Told You So"
While there is some room for those who would challenge my claim, my response is "prove me wrong".
Frequent readers of my blog would know that I have written several times about how the public education system sets up practices that may come back to bite them in the ass ("free" busing", "free" breakfast). These same frequent readers would know that I submit that the public is blamed for not being independent whenever the public school system cuts the service that was the initial step in creating the public dependency. How many parents succumb to the "if it's free it's for me" mindset when "everyone does it", such as "free busing" and "free breakfast"?
While I was perusing my blog and other local education blogs, I fell on this early post that I made as "anonymous".
For those who care, I learned a long time ago that if my real name of Richard L. Hancock was attached to something, my "concerns" were discounted because I was known as a "malcontent", an "isolated incident" attacker-by-the-hundreds(?) or a "broad brush attacker" against the HCPS (from Earl himself).
For what it is worth, here is a comment I made a long time ago on April Griffin's blog:
"
Anonymous said...
Within any system, with increasing numbers of units involved, logistic strategies must change to adapt.
If the District wants to enforce the State guidelines then stick with this as the focus of the debate. When exceptions are made, they must be made on reliable data, not personal whims from either side. The data should be solid enough to withstand scrutiny.
Leadership must rise above the rest if they want to be credible. When District personnel use ad hominem stategies to boister their position it sets the arena for the debate and we end of with distorted rationalizations from both sides. The result of these ill conceived tangents continues the degradation and gives credence to those who see a lack of competent leadership.
August 12, 2007 10:27 AM "
************
I think I an right again about my perception of "the system".
I wrote my above comment a year ago.
For those who are challenged with the concept, just think about the fact that the "state guideline" of busing was ignored by the district for many years. Now, the district wants to enforce it.
What is to be expected?
For advanced thinkers, this is the same problem that exists with how the system deals with behavior.
When the hammer "really" comes down, the fact that the "hammer was never used for (days, weeks, months, years), the resulting "fit of the student(parent)" is more about the "hypocrisy" than it is about the "rule".
Frequent readers of my blog would know that I have written several times about how the public education system sets up practices that may come back to bite them in the ass ("free" busing", "free" breakfast). These same frequent readers would know that I submit that the public is blamed for not being independent whenever the public school system cuts the service that was the initial step in creating the public dependency. How many parents succumb to the "if it's free it's for me" mindset when "everyone does it", such as "free busing" and "free breakfast"?
While I was perusing my blog and other local education blogs, I fell on this early post that I made as "anonymous".
For those who care, I learned a long time ago that if my real name of Richard L. Hancock was attached to something, my "concerns" were discounted because I was known as a "malcontent", an "isolated incident" attacker-by-the-hundreds(?) or a "broad brush attacker" against the HCPS (from Earl himself).
For what it is worth, here is a comment I made a long time ago on April Griffin's blog:
"
Anonymous said...
Within any system, with increasing numbers of units involved, logistic strategies must change to adapt.
If the District wants to enforce the State guidelines then stick with this as the focus of the debate. When exceptions are made, they must be made on reliable data, not personal whims from either side. The data should be solid enough to withstand scrutiny.
Leadership must rise above the rest if they want to be credible. When District personnel use ad hominem stategies to boister their position it sets the arena for the debate and we end of with distorted rationalizations from both sides. The result of these ill conceived tangents continues the degradation and gives credence to those who see a lack of competent leadership.
August 12, 2007 10:27 AM "
************
I think I an right again about my perception of "the system".
I wrote my above comment a year ago.
For those who are challenged with the concept, just think about the fact that the "state guideline" of busing was ignored by the district for many years. Now, the district wants to enforce it.
What is to be expected?
For advanced thinkers, this is the same problem that exists with how the system deals with behavior.
When the hammer "really" comes down, the fact that the "hammer was never used for (days, weeks, months, years), the resulting "fit of the student(parent)" is more about the "hypocrisy" than it is about the "rule".
Friday, August 29, 2008
Who Will "They" Hire - Part Four
Calls flood school bus hotline - St. Petersburg Times
Another news article.
Here is what got my attention in this article:
"The transportation hotline fielded 1,500 calls Thursday over bus route changes. While the volume has dropped during week, the numbers remain strikingly high."
""Have we gotten to the point of the performance level where we should be, ought to be and need to be? I don't think we have," said board member Doretha Edgecomb, looking beyond the immediate crunch. "One of the things we have really got to work hard on is repairing the public's trust.""
"Davis said he could no longer work 70-hour weeks after fracturing two vertebrae in his back in late June. He wants to turn the job over to someone with the energy to put in the necessary effort at this critical juncture."
******
In one of my previous posts, I alluded to the pro's and con's about Mr. Davis. The "cons" were that he went along with the system's practices even when the system's practice did not meet the requirements needed.
For lack of time, I will make a long story short. In the early 90's, my son was at Colson Elementary when Mr. Davis was the principal. My son was provided a "one-to-one" through his IEP because he needed someone to help him learn signing skills and act as an "intervener". Mr. Davis "had to hire someone through the pool". This person had no signing skills and openly stated she was not going to learn them.
From my perspective, the system was more important to "them" than meeting the intent of the IEP which was to meet the needs of the student.
In fairness to Mr. Davis, he worked very hard to compensate for the system. I just wished he could have confronted it.
Apparently the only way to confront the system is to resign.
Sad ending for a long career.
Another news article.
Here is what got my attention in this article:
"The transportation hotline fielded 1,500 calls Thursday over bus route changes. While the volume has dropped during week, the numbers remain strikingly high."
""Have we gotten to the point of the performance level where we should be, ought to be and need to be? I don't think we have," said board member Doretha Edgecomb, looking beyond the immediate crunch. "One of the things we have really got to work hard on is repairing the public's trust.""
"Davis said he could no longer work 70-hour weeks after fracturing two vertebrae in his back in late June. He wants to turn the job over to someone with the energy to put in the necessary effort at this critical juncture."
******
In one of my previous posts, I alluded to the pro's and con's about Mr. Davis. The "cons" were that he went along with the system's practices even when the system's practice did not meet the requirements needed.
For lack of time, I will make a long story short. In the early 90's, my son was at Colson Elementary when Mr. Davis was the principal. My son was provided a "one-to-one" through his IEP because he needed someone to help him learn signing skills and act as an "intervener". Mr. Davis "had to hire someone through the pool". This person had no signing skills and openly stated she was not going to learn them.
From my perspective, the system was more important to "them" than meeting the intent of the IEP which was to meet the needs of the student.
In fairness to Mr. Davis, he worked very hard to compensate for the system. I just wished he could have confronted it.
Apparently the only way to confront the system is to resign.
Sad ending for a long career.
Who Will "They" Hire- Part Three
Hillsborough School Bus Administrator Retiring
From the reader comments we now have this one. I have highlighted the sentence that got my attention:
"Posted by ( hhrusso ) on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jack Davis has been much more than Transportation administrator. After 34 years of service he is very deserving of his retirement. He served the district as an instructor, principal, and administrator. I wish he and his family much happiness in his retirement.
Some of these comments are pure trash. Some Board Members vote on something and then blame anyone but themselves. It is unfortunate that this transportation conversion had some very serious giltches. What you do not here is how everyone is pitching in to get it all on track. With a district the size of Hillsborough it is a difficult task at best.
If everyone would step back and take responsibility for their own that would be great. Parents - it is YOUR responsibility to get your children to and from school. Busing is a SERVICE!!!
Superintendent Elia you have my support. It is a pity that people are so narrow minded that they can't see the good you have done and continue to do for our children. Thank you. Board members take a hard look on what you have before you lose it. You have a leader that is recognized nationwide for her accomplishments. Pity you do not see it at home.
Now watch all the little minds jump on a positive posting with even more simple minded comments."
*****************
Remember when I talked about how the public school system decides to provide something to the public for "free"? Remember when I talked about that when this "free" provision becomes too costly for the school system, the system discontinues the "free" provision. Remember when I talked about how the public then becomes angry and frustrated when something is taken away? Remember how I talked about that when the parents get angry for losing this "free" provision, the school system blames the parents for being irresponsible? Remember when I said that everyone forgets that the school system started the mess by offering a "free" provision.
I conceptualized this when I read the article about "free" breakfast being offered by the school system. What do you think is going to happen when the "free" breakfast is taken away? Parents will be blamed for not being responsible for giving their children breakfast and everyone will forget that the school system was the one that started the dependency.
PRO on HCPS: Blaming Parents 101
From the reader comments we now have this one. I have highlighted the sentence that got my attention:
"Posted by ( hhrusso ) on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jack Davis has been much more than Transportation administrator. After 34 years of service he is very deserving of his retirement. He served the district as an instructor, principal, and administrator. I wish he and his family much happiness in his retirement.
Some of these comments are pure trash. Some Board Members vote on something and then blame anyone but themselves. It is unfortunate that this transportation conversion had some very serious giltches. What you do not here is how everyone is pitching in to get it all on track. With a district the size of Hillsborough it is a difficult task at best.
If everyone would step back and take responsibility for their own that would be great. Parents - it is YOUR responsibility to get your children to and from school. Busing is a SERVICE!!!
Superintendent Elia you have my support. It is a pity that people are so narrow minded that they can't see the good you have done and continue to do for our children. Thank you. Board members take a hard look on what you have before you lose it. You have a leader that is recognized nationwide for her accomplishments. Pity you do not see it at home.
Now watch all the little minds jump on a positive posting with even more simple minded comments."
*****************
Remember when I talked about how the public school system decides to provide something to the public for "free"? Remember when I talked about that when this "free" provision becomes too costly for the school system, the system discontinues the "free" provision. Remember when I talked about how the public then becomes angry and frustrated when something is taken away? Remember how I talked about that when the parents get angry for losing this "free" provision, the school system blames the parents for being irresponsible? Remember when I said that everyone forgets that the school system started the mess by offering a "free" provision.
I conceptualized this when I read the article about "free" breakfast being offered by the school system. What do you think is going to happen when the "free" breakfast is taken away? Parents will be blamed for not being responsible for giving their children breakfast and everyone will forget that the school system was the one that started the dependency.
PRO on HCPS: Blaming Parents 101
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Who Will "They" Hire- Part Two
Embattled Bus Administrator Retiring
As always, read the public comments.
My previous post asked the question "would the person be hired by how long they have worked for the District?"
Please read "Peas" post - the last two sentences (copied below).
Am I the only one that thinks that promotions to administrative positions are based on the "life time of sacrifice" that one has given to the District, therefore they will be rewarded simply based on this criteria?
Does the District promote "The Peter Principle"?
Are people promoted to positions of responsibilities based on their qualifications to meet the job requirement?
Does a person who was first a teacher and then a principal gain the required knowledge to "Direct" or "Supervise" any area in the District?
Has anyone looked at the job history of the current Director of Exceptional Special Education? Is there anyone out there that knows what qualified her for this position?
The same question could be as asked for all of the ESE positions.
"Posted by ( Peas ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cannot in any way say that what happened is acceptable. However please consider, Hillsborough County Schools has 193K kids and 40K employees in one county almost the size of Rhode Island. It is inconceivable that any business process being recreated from the top down would not cause construction inconveniences/mishaps. I do not in any way mean to down play the problems. But it was NO ONE PERSONS GOAL to ever cause this intentionally to the parents or students of this county. Employees of Hillsborough County Schools are expected do more and more with less and less. Ask anyone who works there in any capacity and you will develop an understanding. Although he made a good salary, he was one individual. His job description shows his responsibility. In every aspect of industry the county school system pays its employees FAR LESS than that of private sector employees for the work performed. Maintenance staff, custodians, BUS DRIVERS, food service workers, clerical staff...etc...etc... receive nickels and dimes comparatively and are expected to produce superior results. This administrator did not start off making this salary. He worked in the school system and contributed to the greater good for decades before making the money he made. ANYONE would expect that kind of compensation after that personal investment of time and dedication vs. responsibility."
As always, read the public comments.
My previous post asked the question "would the person be hired by how long they have worked for the District?"
Please read "Peas" post - the last two sentences (copied below).
Am I the only one that thinks that promotions to administrative positions are based on the "life time of sacrifice" that one has given to the District, therefore they will be rewarded simply based on this criteria?
Does the District promote "The Peter Principle"?
Are people promoted to positions of responsibilities based on their qualifications to meet the job requirement?
Does a person who was first a teacher and then a principal gain the required knowledge to "Direct" or "Supervise" any area in the District?
Has anyone looked at the job history of the current Director of Exceptional Special Education? Is there anyone out there that knows what qualified her for this position?
The same question could be as asked for all of the ESE positions.
"Posted by ( Peas ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cannot in any way say that what happened is acceptable. However please consider, Hillsborough County Schools has 193K kids and 40K employees in one county almost the size of Rhode Island. It is inconceivable that any business process being recreated from the top down would not cause construction inconveniences/mishaps. I do not in any way mean to down play the problems. But it was NO ONE PERSONS GOAL to ever cause this intentionally to the parents or students of this county. Employees of Hillsborough County Schools are expected do more and more with less and less. Ask anyone who works there in any capacity and you will develop an understanding. Although he made a good salary, he was one individual. His job description shows his responsibility. In every aspect of industry the county school system pays its employees FAR LESS than that of private sector employees for the work performed. Maintenance staff, custodians, BUS DRIVERS, food service workers, clerical staff...etc...etc... receive nickels and dimes comparatively and are expected to produce superior results. This administrator did not start off making this salary. He worked in the school system and contributed to the greater good for decades before making the money he made. ANYONE would expect that kind of compensation after that personal investment of time and dedication vs. responsibility."
Who Will "They" Hire- Part One
Embattled Bus Administrator Retiring
I first met Mr. Davis in the early years of the 90's. Colson Elementary was opening. Since I do not have time to elaborate, I will just say that I encountered both pros and cons with Mr. Davis. Maybe I could write more on that later.
The question we should all be asking today is what will be the hiring process to replace Mr. Davis. Will the new person be picked simply because how long they have worked in the District?
I first met Mr. Davis in the early years of the 90's. Colson Elementary was opening. Since I do not have time to elaborate, I will just say that I encountered both pros and cons with Mr. Davis. Maybe I could write more on that later.
The question we should all be asking today is what will be the hiring process to replace Mr. Davis. Will the new person be picked simply because how long they have worked in the District?
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