If you have been reading Nancy C.'s blog, you will see selected quotes from e-mails regarding Core Knowledge. I stated 'selected' e-mails, because I suspect only those e-mails that support the push for Core Knowledge were released. What about the rest of the e-mails, Sue? Why weren't they all released to Nancy Chapman? What about the teacher ranking system? Is that being pushed aside?
What is transpiring in this Core Knowledge fight begs the question, what are Sue Haynie's credentials? Google her, dear readers. Get on your computers and google her to find out what her credentials are for making educational decisions. YOU let us know if you think she is qualified.
Second on the list of top two questions is about the appointment of a new superintendent. WHY WILL THERE BE NO SITE VISIT? Rumor has it that the superintendent had already been picked before the search began. Are we getting another loser? What is Mike Lyons hiding? Trust me. Something fishy is going on. Ask questions. Don't sit back and accept the total lack of transparency. This is a Board chosen superintendent with zero transparency. Is the public really willing to go that route?
Please tell me why the "reporter" who got the emails didn't ask the obvious question. WHY DID SUE HAYNIE COPY LISA THOMPSON ON AN EMAIL TO SUPT. DADDONA THAT GAVE HER COPIES OF ALL THE EMAILS BETWEEN THEM?
ReplyDeleteAnybody else think it odd that Mike Lyons was prepared with lots of responses and links for Nancy Chapman to respond to the "leak"? Do these Apples think we are all fools?
A healthy debate about how curriculum should be evaluated is critical for Norwalk. But, what detracts from that debate is the personal attacks directed at single Board members. Now, I don't expect my detractors to stop their endless jihad against me, but I'm hoping that those of us truly committed to discussing the role of the Norwalk Board of Education can focus more on the central issues and less on the personalities of some with whom we might disagree.
ReplyDeleteSteve, while I usually agree with you, in this case I do not. What one member of the BoE is doing is disgraceful. The lack of transparency from the BoE regarding the choice of a superintendent is disgraceful. No site visit? Disgraceful. This is more than a discussion about the evaluation of curriculum, and it should be. Get to the bottom of who has created a totally dysfunctional BoE and then proceed. Whoever accepts the position of superintendent would have to be a loser. Who would want to work with this Board? ONLY A LOSER!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Elementary ELA program/s:
ReplyDelete1. As a parent, I've been fighting for a more comprehensive approach to reading and writing in elementary school since my kids were there. They're now in high school.
2. I've sat on the District Data Management Team for the past 5 years and have had many, many discussions and email conversations with Tony and Sue about LA. Both Tony and Jean, and members of the DDDMT will attest to my years of concern about how we teach LA skills at the elementary level.
3. I attended most of the Curriculum Committee meetings and publicly stated that I was pleased Jean was able to select an ELA secondary program (although,even NPS teaching staff did not entirely agree with the choice.)
4. As discussed all year, both at Curriculum and DDDMT meetings, a new Elementary ELA program was never planned to be deployed until 2014-15.
Again, I have no dog in this fight, and don't care which program(s) is/are chosen, but the children in NPS need a comprehensive approach to LA at the elementary level, particularly if we are to close the gap on our 47% free and reduced lunch and ELL student population. By middle and high school it's almost too late! Students deserve a plan from NPS that outlines how technology purchases, textbooks and teacher PD come together for the student. We don't want to spend $500K during these tough budget times on a NEW program without examining all of these components. Who knows-we might even get money from outside funders? Imagine that!
What "reform" agenda allows one Board of Ed member to violate all confidentiality and provide you emails about possible contracts?
DeleteHaving conversations with Sue [Haynie] is hardly a mark of understanding teaching methodology. She doesn't have a college degree, does she? Or did you mean that you had conversations with Susan Marks? But then we'd have to ask you what her claim to fame was-- I don't know if you recall but Susan Marks was never a classroom teacher and was basically an HR director who got lucky.
As for not having a dog in the fight, we know that that's not true. You are campaigning for Sue Haynie- Sue is staking her campaign on forcing Core Knowledge down the school system's throat. So you do have a dog in the fight.
Lisa, I am wondering what your level of expertise is in determining that the Norwalk curriculum is lacking in a comprehensive approach to its elementary LA curriculum? What is your (current) background in literacy and how to approach the skills and strategies necessary for grades K-5 learning? Specifically, what research practices do you espouse?
ReplyDeleteExperience? She said she's been to a few meetings. Isn't that enough?
DeleteIt's not like she doesn't stand head and shoulders above her fellow "reformers" on the BOE. They have the "curriculum expert" who's never graduated from college. They have the chairman who telecommutes from his apartment in another state for meetings. Then they have Angry Jack and the Rowayton Reprobate. Come on- that's the clique that's taking over the BoE and the cool kids' table in the lunch room.
I am confident Sue Haynie did not send me the emails. Mike Lyons seemed surprised. I don't think he had anything to do with it, either.
ReplyDeleteNancy, there are missing e-mails that tell more of the story. You only received selected copies of e-mails. Also, Sue may not have actually sent you the copies you received, but she has been known to work behind the scenes as the instigator.
ReplyDelete@Nancy Chapman, if the documents were sent anonymously, how do you know who did NOT send them?
ReplyDeleteOver the course of several weeks, a number of teachers had written to some Board of Education members expressing their concerns that the work of the independent, professional curriculum review panel was being subject to influence from Board of Education members. The concerns raised in these emails were that (i) there were requests that exceptions be made to the review panel's procedures to give the curriculum proposed by the Core Knowledge Foundation additional time to make their presentation and (ii) that these requests were subverting the review work of the panel.
ReplyDeleteThere followed several email exchanges among BoE members, Supt. Daddona, teachers and professional central office staff. Of course, depending upon the parties to whom we responded, and depending upon whether we responded in direct reply to a particular email or sent a general email to the Board, all of the relevant communications might not be reflected in any particular email chain.
The email chain which was released to Nancy Chapman was one of these exchanges-- I compared it to what I had received and it does not skip any emails which were exchanged in that chain. Of course, this one particular email chain does not capture the entirety of the discussion, but there were no missing emails in that particular chain. It was the chain which one BOE member shared with Lisa Thompson of the RedApples.
For me, I was concerned that one member of one group was included in the final email (which included confidential communications), and that that one person (who is neither a school department employee or elected official) was provided information that should have been kept confidential. Certainly, members of other community organizations and members of PTO's would want to know about the debate involving curriculum and should have had the same access.
Steve,
DeleteYou really are barking up the wrong tree by trying to drag me into your personal campaign issues with Sue or your attempt to paint some 'concern' over breach in confidentiality regarding the elementary curriculum.
As an original member of the District Data Management Team, chaired by Tony for the past 5 years (18 months before you or Sue were ever elected to the BoE AND prior to my co-founding of REd APPLES) I have had VERY detailed involvement in operations and curriculum in the district. In many instances, more than members of the BoE. I have and have had direct conversations and email exchanges with members of NPS that extend far beyond the BoE, you or Sue.
As a parent and activist, my network of communications in education extends far beyond the Parents Not Politicians slate that you and Sue ran on 3 1/2 years ago AND that I supported.
So you and Sue don't agree. So what! I also get that this blog was anti Marks, is anti Sue and anti me. It's ironic that you speak of confidentiality, since the majority of posts on this blog look for rumor or confidentiality breaches, provide no data, and launch coordinated anonymous attacks by obvious members of NPS staff or union leadership. It's incredibly unprofessional.
I don't agree with many of your positions Steve, but I give you credit for putting your name on your posts, as I do mine. We do agree on one thing, the PTOs do need to be made more aware of what's going on in this district. However, open communication has never been a strong suit of NPS or the City of Norwalk. Hence, the Red Apples website, which posts a considerable amount of data accessed ~30,000 times since 6/1/12 with ~ 129,000 pages viewed. To me, that speaks volumes!
Lisa, all of your data is received from Sue Haymie who requests this information from central office personnel. At no time did Core Knowledge come up at a data team meeting. Keep up your lies. We all see through them. You are a negative influence for NPS. Your editorial proved that. We also know your role re minorities.
DeleteThe email chain which appeared on the Nancy on Norwalk website was a chain that had originated among BoE members and Supt. Daddona. The final email was sent by BoE member Sue Haynie to Supt. Daddona. Lisa Thompson was copied on it, which had the affect of sharing a chain of once-thought confidential emails to a third-party.
DeleteI didn't invent those facts- nor are those facts influenced by my presumed affection, or lack of affection, with any of my colleagues. The facts are quite simply facts. And the silence from some who claim to want to create "change" on these types of lapses is deafening.
Now, in my humble opinion, it would seem that political manhandling of staff members and sharing confidential information with friends is the exact type of old-fashioned status quo behavior that many of us are trying to change. Creating a system of respect and trust is the real change that's needed.
Steve, you are my hero! Thanks for your honesty and your willingness to bring to light those who are the real spinners! Bravo!
DeleteLisa Thomson, this blog has been accessed over 95,000 times as opposed to your 30,000 times. I believe the staff and parents look for information and transparency on NorwalkSpeaks.
DeleteYes, there are other e-mails, not in this sequence of e-mails, but other e-mails that tell the full story. Yes, the question as to why Lisa Thomson was copied on these e-mails needs to be answered by Sue Haynie. Yes, why is Haynie pushing so hard for Core Knowledge? But where is the response to why no site visit for the candidate for the superintendent's job? Lots of smelly fish in the BoE. By the Way, hope this new superintendent likes Core Knowledge! Oh, maybe that's why he was chosen!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I should have said s/he for the candidate since I don't know if the top candidate is a he or she.
Delete*correction to above post*
It is being said that Sue Haynie, Mike Lyons and Mike B. met with the candidate who will be nominated for the superintendent's position. You will want to know when they met!? Rumor says they met privately with this person. Overheard is that this candidate will be nominated with a 5-4 vote. Sue are you leaking more info to Lisa? AND THERE IS NO SITE VISIT for this candidate.
ReplyDelete@Lisa T. - Lisa, if the statements here are rumor with no truth, then deny the rumors. If not you, then Sue, but then she speaks through you, so same thing.
ReplyDelete(1) is it true that there will be no site visit for the candidate who will be appointed?
(2) is it true that there was a private meeting with this candidate with the three Board members listed above? (Or even some combination of those listed)
(3) is it true that Core Knowledge never came up at the data meetings?
(4) is it true that it has been told to others that there will be a 5-4 vote for this candidate?
If all of these are rumors based on air, deny them. Let's have some of that transparency that Steve is providing, but not you. All we have had from you is...well.....accusations. Oh, and while you are at it, just what is your expertise on literacy? Attendance at meetings? Please do tell all. I double dare you! Lack of transparency from you and lack of denial of these questions only says these are not rumors.
Well then, we know the truth! The only transparency is on this blog. It is blatantly obvious that Sue Haynie will not answer to the public. Lisa Thompson protects Haynie, and the two of them are still protecting Susan Marks. The Board needs to be questioned about these so-called rumors as well. Why hasn't anyone responded about the so-called choice for the superintendent's position? Is the public not important enough to know what is going on? We are taxpayers for all this secrecy? Where's the promised transparency? Only on this blog?
ReplyDeleteIt's been the same for years. Sorry but Republicans got us some improvements but not enough.
DeleteThe Norwalk Hour is stating that the new superintendent will be named next week.
ReplyDeleteVoted on next week. Most likely named at the June 25th meeting. The school year will be finished. Timing is everything!
ReplyDeleteWhere is the public? Taxpayers need to demand answers! Or do you want the RedApples to run the school system lower than it has ever been. You can bet Haynie and the other two have met secretly with the candidate and are forcing their agenda with him. Enjoying the calm Daddona year? Just wait until the Apple candidate comes in! Another Susan Marks, or connection to her, I'll wager. Don't sit back and accept this! You have no right to complain later!!
ReplyDeleteIf the Board is voting for the new superintendent this coming week, and this person will start July 15th, we are looking at a retiree or someone who has been terminated or this was all prearranged, as people suspected. Everyone knows what the five Board members are doing!
ReplyDeleteI betcha its prearranged. We need fresh, new faces. Our school system has gone down the tubes. The morale is so low as are testing scores. New blood is needed now!!!
DeleteYou'll get new blood, but be careful what you wish for! Do you really think Haynie and her pals would have met privately with Daddona if he was the one chosen? No way! Daddona will be shown the door and this new person will be all about Core Knowledge. Why do you think it's all been a big secret? The new superintendent will be working for Haynie. Susan Marks all over again!
ReplyDeleteWell 6:41pm, if you really believe the Super will be working for Hayne, then we should not expect anything different from you; continue your bashing, complain about the apples, blahhhh, blahhh, blahhh. So before you start with your whinning....wait, util the new Sup is announced....I for one, can't wait to see your post - so cry me a river.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I won't be the only one crying! Teachers, administrators and finally parents will flood the city with tears! I guess poison apples float......By the way, you just showed your hand, Apple! . You win! The Apples will choose curriculum and run the district into the ground because taxpayers are too lazy to do anything about it. Well, the taxpayers and teachers get what they deserve if they don't have the courage to speak up!
ReplyDeleteThe taxpayers finally are speaking up to the mismanagement and bullying that has been part of the NPS culture for far to long!
DeleteCore Knowledge is the worst program I have seen in education. It pressures students into rote learning of bits and parts not giving any time to understand the whole of reading, writing, science and social studies. Ask friends who live in Shelton the Hell their children are dealing with when it comes to being taught in the Core Knowledge program. It is sad that the decisions being made are not by educators.
DeleteYou wish! You and the Apples keep bashing the teachers and administrators and you expect better test scores? Are you freaking nuts? You are stuffing Core Knowledge down teachers' throats and want better teaching? You insult the educational professionals by ignoring what they chose and think it's showing respect? YOU PEOPLE ARE THE BULLIES!
ReplyDelete