What is on your mind? Time for another open topic.
In the interest of keeping everything as 'up front' as possible, the only comments that will be deleted are advertisements that promote a group. Who knew someone would use this site to do that? :)
Using this blog to promote a group?
ReplyDeleteThat's almost as bad as using norwalknet.com to promote this blog.
Cheap shot. Moina's blog wasn't operating anymore. At least there is a place to continue the conversation about transparency and all the other topics brought up. Whoever is taking cheap shots at educated yesterday needs to get a life. Deal with what is, because it sure is!
ReplyDeleteWhether you call it a cheap shot or whether you call it simply pointing out a double standard, the first comment is rather tame. Particularly when you compare it with the gratuitously insulting treatment that EY and others have doled out to the people who are out of favor on this blog.
DeleteLet's talk about real issues. I, for one, don't understand why full time kindergarten classes aren't under consideration for the chopping block. I think everything that isn't mandatory should be out there. Why is kindergarten so special that it isn't even being considered?
ReplyDeletePutting aside why I'm reading any blog after midnight on a Sunday/Monday night, the question raised by 7:36 PM is important to answer regardless of the hour.
ReplyDeleteI cannot speak for any administration proposals for reductions (in large part because none have been shared with me), nor can I speak for any other member of the Board of Education's Finance Committee that I chair. However, as a member, I can offer my own insight into kindergarten.
The most critical age for educating children is before 2nd grade. We know that full-day preschool has a significant impact on helping children to learn to read and to closing the achievement gap (there was a great Rand study from 2007 that looked at results of pre-school education in California to prove that point). We also know that, whether we agree with them or not, there are significant state milestones that must be met in kindergarten as well as important social growth that is necessary, particularly to insure that our students are ready to learn as they progress.
Also, it is critical in examining any change to an educational program to consider the social impact of that change. Half-day kindergarten would be disruptive socially for our families.
For these reasons, full-day kindergarten is critical and is not a viable alternative for budget savings.
I will respond only once, and not engage in an argument with the Apple who continues to advertise for her group. I have deleted only one Apple who has abused the rights to post here. I will admit that I have had my fill of the Apples and what I (and many others) have concluded to be their power plays with the education of our students. I will state quite clearly that IN MY OPINION, some of these people are taking over the school system because of the lack of leadership, and most probably even with the consent of the superintendent. They are now demanding civility- translation, don't criticize us. Do as we say, but don't criticize us? 'We' know what's best for this school system? This is not a blog to promote their cause. This is a blog which tries to expose hidden agendas, 'secrets' that harm the education of our children, lack of good decision making, etc.
ReplyDeleteWill there be some posts that reveal the behind the scenes deals? Yes! Will there be people who are angry because their power plays and deals have been exposed? Are there people who are getting unquestionable support from the person at the top because of friendship and who are fuming because they have been exposed? Absolutely! You have all heard through the multiple posts here the names of people who are the so-called 'groupies' and/ or 'friends with privileges.' Hidden agendas have been exposed. People are running scared because they have been outed. In the country and in Norwalk the Internet has changed the world. Perhaps it is truly a time for transparency. I hope so. For all those wondering about me, I hope I have revealed not who I am, but what I am all about. It's not important who I am. I am, surprisingly, a nobody.
And I am not a piece of fruit. I am somebody who has lived in Norwalk 40+ years, mother of two children who attended Norwalk Schools K-12, taught at Norwalk High School when it opened, served as president of the PTA Council, Chairman of the BET, and an elected member of the Common Council.
DeleteAre you not the same Susan Wallerstein who advertised on the Red Apple blog on 3/18/12 for the upcoming Red Apple Event? The posting, issued in your name (or someone with the same name) stated the advertisement was 'for immediate (press) release'.
DeleteIf it walks like a fruit and talks like a fruit.......
(Audible sigh) Yes, and the same release listing all the sponsors was posted or distributed by the Norwalk Library, NEF, Norwalk 2.0 and on FB. I try never to become discouraged or feel hopeless when others have difficulty understanding new and different perspectives, especially when their current mindsets have been fueled by a steady dose of vitriol, bordering on compulsive. Yours respectfully, A book-loving, community activist, public school supporter, Facebook-using fruit
DeleteWe can't all be as perfect as you are.
DeleteIf I might make a suggestion (and hopefully, coming from someone who has been the subject of some anonymous tweaks here, maybe it will have some impact on the nature of the debate on this "Open Thread").
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear from the people who feel that the public should engage in an on-going discussion about what constitutes "civility" in public discourse.
Whether it is an "APPLES" topic or not is less relevant to me than the fact that there is a certain number of our citizens who feel the sense that such a discussion is needed. For me, it is all about "reflection" and the ability of all of us (whether we post anonymously or by our names) to have a meaningful discussion about how we might engage in the vigorous debate which is needed without the vitriol (or knee-jerk responses) that sometime accompany responses on both sides of this growing divide. Certainly there must be something to be learned from each side, and there is always the hope that what truly divides is less motivated by policy differences and more indicative of visceral reactions to the perceived identities of posters or the assumed motivations of named contributors.
But, I'm not just an occasionally grumpy trial attorney who is sometimes less diplomatic than I should be.
Steve, I don't believe an open, public debate will work. Many who are unhappy with the current state of affairs will not comment, except in corridors or behind closed doors. The morale among teachers is low, the morale among central office staff is low, and the public with whom I've spoken is appalled at 'the current state of affairs.' I believe that if the climate is to change, we need to see the BoE take charge of what is perceived to be a very dysfunctional system. The staff and the parents desperately need to see that there is hope for the future of Norwalk. If you provide people with a respected and respectful leadership, civility will return.
ReplyDeleteLots of us probably believed the worst we heard about the Board. I thought alot of the "civility" balderdash was directed at Steve. It should have been directed at Sue Haynie. She's attacked her fellow Board members and just sent around a harsh email slamming two senior people in the Central Office. Does anyone think a "civility" discussion will help her?
ReplyDelete12:49, I heard that as well. I also heard that the superintendent allowed the two senior central office people to be slammed by Sue Haynie and gave them (the CO people) no support whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteSue Haynie needs to be controlled. It's the superintendent's job to stop her in her tracks. A Board member should never ever have been given the authority to slam staff in the central office. Dr. Mark's needs to step up to the plate or admit to having no control. If she has no control, Board of Ed needs to act and act NOW! Do we need placards to be made and people to show up at Board meetings carrying them to get your attention, Board members?
ReplyDeleteYou knew it was going to be a bad trip during last June's budget meeting. That's when Haynie interrupted constantly to say how Supt. Marks had recommended cuts that just had passed. Too bad that wasn't true.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the Board to have to vote publicly on Marks' evaluation this year-- that'll be a good sign if any of them have really been watching.
With apologies to Bette Davis . . . "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be MANY bumpy nights". LOL.
ReplyDeleteObviously she knew about the problems with one dysfunctional person on Norwalk's Board of Education.
I have a suggestion for an Open Thread topic----- does anyone think scare tactics work? Can anyone explain why top level administrators would float a crazy idea like "half-day" kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteWhile we're threading about kindergarten, does anyone think Supt. Marks' is right in wanting to eliminate the staggered entry for kindergarten students in the fall?????????
Half day Kindergarten is not on the table so stop stirring the pot
DeleteI've heard that a Board member has a personal reason for not wanting to cut full day kindergarten. And no, the spouse is not a kindergarten teacher.
ReplyDeleteI apologize if this sounds harsh, but this comment doesn't bring anything constructive to this or any other thread.
ReplyDeleteEven the "Dr. Marks is not a leader" people, the "Dr. Marks has a Pet" people and the "Sue Haynie is mean" people are at least attempting to make a case that Dr. Marks is not a leader, that she has a Pet, or that Sue Haynie is mean.
This comment identifies neither which Board member "has a personal reason for not wanting to cut full day kindergarten" nor what that "personal reason" is.
All we are left with is some vague notion that there is a shadowy Board member taking a position for mysterious and nefarious reasons. It implies that we should not trust the motives of Board members, without giving us an actual reason why we shouldn't.
Even the harshest critics of the superintendent or the Board would agree, I hope, that a comment like this one is as undermining as it is uninformative.
Having publicly explained why I believe full-day kindergarten is essential, I wonder if the anonymous poster means me?
ReplyDeleteYou see, I didn't have the advantage of kindergarten in my hometown (or Revere, Massachusetts) because it wasn't offered.
When we moved to Norwalk and my first born child started kindergarten, I was amazed at the expectations for the children academically, and I was fascinated at the skill of my daughters' teacher in making learning fun and seamlessly integrating teachable moments into all parts of the children's day. I saw the advantages of a full-day kindergarten, particularly when I was given the opportunity to volunteer in their classrooms.
Having served as pro bono counsel to preschool programs in the past, I have come to appreciate the critical importance of early childhood education for all of our children. Being married to an amazing preschool teacher, I can now personally offer some testimony as to the pedagogical attentiveness which early childhood education requires. The social and academic skills which are nurtured in children, in my personal opinion, mandates full-day kindergarten.
Steve, is your wife, as a preschool teacher, affected in any way if kindergarten teachers lose their jobs (if we move to half day kindergarten?) I would think not, but I think it is important to set the record straight, since it was brought up.
DeleteHow crass...you're worried about Steve's wife's job? What about my wife's job? She is under fire as a librarian for kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth and fifth graders! Are you concerned that she is going to be cut too? Or are we not as important?! What a joke. How about the kindergarten teachers? Aren't their livelihoods affected? Does one have to be a figurehead in local government to protect their spouse? Again, what a joke! The big shots make decisions and the little people pay and pay and pay.
ReplyDeleteLittle people?
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KSiyaqnZYs
There is someone who is posting many videos and references to The Wizard of Oz. If this is disturbing to you, I can delete these posts. if you wish to keep them here and you can ignore them, that's fine too. just let me know. (the posts occur on more than one thread here, in case you are wondering) There will always be clowns with nothing better to do.
ReplyDeleteClowns. :)
Deletehttp://oz.wikia.com/wiki/Valley_of_Clowns
(Note the reference to Merryland.)
I have to agree with 3:34 AM-- everyone's job is important. As I explained repeatedly during the past two years of budget debates, having been unemployed in the past, I know how devastating it can be financially and emotionally to lose one's job. As Chairperson of the Board's Finance Committee, I always ask that we first look at open positions when looking for cuts.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I do find it a bit odd that an anonymous poster is attempting to create a stir that there could be some measure of self-interest on my part in opposing an inane, educationally-unsound anonymous proposal that would have detrimental long-term consequences for our most vulnerable students.
But to allay any fears on the part of 3:16, it appears highly unlikely that any reduction of kindergarten teachers (many of whom have certification to teach more than just the lower elementary grades) would have any impact on my wife's position (which requires a special preschool certification). Of course, it would have a negative impact on Norwalk's children and families. That's why, in the event that this proposal is ever formally presented, I will make sure my colleagues appreciate how bad an idea it is.
Just so I get it- an elected official takes the time to talk to the public, explains what he's thinking and a few knuckleheads insult him.
ReplyDeleteOr is just that the haters (a/k/a the cheerleaders) want to take him down to make their superintendent look good?
He's never hidden the fact that his wife is a teacher. From what he posted he is very proud of her. [TAKE NOTICE HUSBANDS!]
I may be naive, but I didn't see this as an attack on Steve. I saw it as an attempt to simply get all the facts out in the open. There are always rumors going around, and people don't necessarily want to approach a Board member and ask questions, so they try to get the facts here. That's not a bad thing.
ReplyDelete