ARE WE THERE YET? OK THEN, HOW CLOSE ARE WE?

We are entering or are close to entering our second year in the much ballyhooed RACE TO THE TOP. What have we got for all that money we got. I don't know, I'm not in the loop and they won't even accept, let alone return my e mails. All I know is we got someone in charge of administering the grant making around six figures. Go figure.

TO RENT OR NOT TO RENT?

With all the space problems we are having, what options are out there? There are places out there we could rent some classrooms out to ease the overcrowding. LPS has a long history of doing so.

Then there is the Fallon School that is supposed to be re-opened soon. That won't be until early in 2012 I hear. Rumours of problems with payback of some MSBA money that was spent on that school on the premise that it be kept open echo through the halls of 90 Commercial St.

What about those halls?  I wonder how many halls of other school administration buildings are lined with student lockers? On the positive side, it does give our school administrators a place to hang their wet coats. With our crazy New England weather that is a good thing.

Then there is the Bennet Street (aka "The Ford Annex") property but everybody says it is really designed or offices not classes. Well we already have offices in a building designed for classes.

I don't know what the answer is, remember they don't pay me a cent to come up with answers let alone the $184,000 they pay some people. NOT MENTIONING ANY NAMES. What I do know is that if you try to cram too many people in too small an area, you are asking for trouble.  If someone doesn't come up with a legitimate, realistic plan, it's yours for the asking.

MY PAL, CAL - CALVIN ANDERSON, CANDIDATE FOR COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

Here  is a chance for everyone to LEARN how a true progressive candidate can help change the face of Lynn. It's time for a new image!



Cal Anderson - Brunch time Reception


Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 9:30am

Tatiana's Restaurant & Lounge, Lynn, MA..

RING THE BELL FOR MIGUEL

"ONE UNITED CITY", that is MIGUEL FUNEZ'S campaign slogan for his campaign for COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE. Catchy phrase (you know I like words) but what does it mean and how does it apply to LPS?

I'm not real sure, problems with my vision is just one of my many disabilities, but I think MIGUEL is from one of the many minorities in LYNN. Our differences are what make us unique and special, similarities are what makes us strong.

The wide variety of nationalities that make up the student population of LPS present an opportunity for it to become an educational powerhouse. What we need are leaders with vision to see past the small pieces to see the big picture while still knowing what it's like to be one of those parts.

HOW YOU GONNA KEEP THEM DOWN AT COMMERCIAL STREET ONCE THEY'VE SEEN ...

The WATCH wants to be among the first to congratulate DENNIS THOMPSON on his new position as VICE-PRINCIPAL at CLASSICAL. It seems my source about the CLASSICAL CALAMITY was indeed dubious. I should have known better than to trust the LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE posted agenda.

Does this mean that BULLYING will take a back seat? I hear that SUE "KEEPING MY DUCKS IN A" ROWE will be temporarily overseeing the bullying prevention program. She is a very busy lady overseeing the curriculum for a FAILING district.

Well BULLYING is not in the spotlight it was. Maybe nobody will notice. BESIDES ME THAT IS.

OPENING SOON! CAFE ASBESTOS

With school starting up on Sept. 7, the parents of the students of Drewicz should be comforted by the fact that in light of all the sewage and water problems at that school recently, it looks like ASBESTOS SOUP will be on the menu.

Not wanting to be accused of discrimination, all students will be served the same meal whether they get FREE LUNCH or not. None of the student body or faculty will be treated to the SAME delicious delicacy.

I WANNA HANG WITH HONG

Even though my man is still CEF ROSA, COUNCILOR FOR WARD 4, I realize there is more than one position up for grabs. HONG NET, CANDIDATE FOR COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE, has professed his proclivity for public education. That makes me happy.

But more than that he has LIVED it. His story of immigration is both inspirational and instructional about what can be achieved with hard work and a commitment to something other than one's self.

His grasp of the priority of the issues is right on point. Public safety, cultural harmony, and economic development, all start with a good foundation in education.

FOR WHOM THE CLASS RINGS (sorry hemingway)

I overheard something troubling at the LYSOA cookout. There was talk from some student or parent of said student complaining about how there was trouble getting a class ring from JOSTEN"S because they don't consider Facteau-Leary a high school.

IS THIS TRUE? If it is I am outraged. I seem to remember a GRADUATION ceremony last spring. Sounds like a case of discrimination to me. Walks like a duck, .......

Treating Facteau-Leary any differently than the other high schools in Lynn is saying that it serves as a dumping ground for throwaway kids. If the JOSTEN thing rings true, what message is LPS sending by doing ANY business with them?

AND THE ANSWER IS......

Maybe if I speak her language, MATH, she will understand,(DR LATHAM I MEAN). For me a POET, maybe a MSL (MATH as a second language). According to information I learned from attending last Wed's presentation by the DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION that the good doctor failed to attend, was that  for every dollar you invest in EARLY EDUCATION you get back FOUR in return.

I wonder how elementary school LIBRARIES factor into that? Raising the interest level in reading multiplies the dividends in the logarithms on the learning curve. The derivation of indifference is decline.

IS THE KOOL-AID BEGINNIG TO CURDLE?

One of my many sources shared an interesting scenario with the WATCH. It seems that one of the lottery winners for KIPP has to move in with an uncle before the start of the school year to attend. WAIT a minute, how could this student enter into the lottery if he or she was not a resident of Lynn?

I thought to enter into LPS you had to provide a copy of a utility bill to prove residency. KIPP must have some kind of SWAMPSCOTT PASS. It seems like everyone's equal chance may not be so equal. It's all in how you look at it or where you live.

ANOTHER SCOOP - YOUTH NOT AN ITEM FOR THE "ITEM"

RICK "Sponge Bob ain't got nothin on me "STARBARD, LSC member, was manning the grill, hot dogs and hamburgers were flying off the grill. RICK had the wrist action of an accomplished tailgater. GARDY JEAN-FRANSCOIS (MAYOR KENNEDY'S AIDE) got a temporary tattoo that gave him immediate street creds. That dragon was scary.

The big cookout/family fun day/fundraiser was put on by RICK STARBARD at the Lynn Museum for LYSOA.Inc. ran by ANTONIO GUTIERREZ and TERESA VONGSA. My son gave a glowing review of the tastiness of the entrees. Everyone was served a nightcap of ice cream that melted in your mouth (Isn't that's what ice cream supposed to do?).

MAYOR KENNEDY showed up showing her support for all the youth of Lynn (Hey she got her name mentioned twice - power of incumbency). LSC member MARIA CARRASCO showed up just in time to educate my son on he art of a good handshake. Looking fine and smelling good, DELORES "THE CANDIDATE" FOR LSC, dropped in just before heading out to her own fundraiser to offer her support for the important work that ANTONIO and TERESA do.

My man, CEF "CEF FOR SURE" ROSA - CANDIDATE FOR COUNCILMAN WARD 4, came right after I left which made me both GLAD that he showed up demonstrating his deep concern for the youth of our fine city and SAD that I forgot to stick around after I stressed the importance of him attending.

I understand that the ITEM was extended an invitation but failed to show. No matter, the WATCH was there. I mean the only advantage the ITEM has over the WATCH is that when you are done reading the ITEM you can line your bird cage with it.

EATING FOR EDUCATION

Last night before the Dean of Harvard School of Education came to speak at English at the joint request of the "PAY IT FORWARD GIVING CIRCLE" and the HIGHLANDS COALTION, she stopped by FORD SCHOOL. Both my son TRIPPY and I were there because I had inside information there was going to be FOOD there provided by the PAY IT FORWARD GIVING CIRCLE. Now it was my duty as an ex-volunteer librarian to CHECK-OUT the food and make sure it wasn't OVERDUE. I wasn't going to let some "A" rating from the HEALTH DEPARTMENT stop me fom doing my civic duty.

While I'm getting ready to shove food into my mouth, my son opens his to offer to escort the DEAN on a tour of FORD SCHOOL. It was rewarding for me to winess his realiztion that REAL nourishment omes from learning and not catered food.

WE DON'T NEED TO LEARN NOTHING. WE'RE FAILING JUST FINE ON OUR OWN

I just got home from a lecture at English by the Dean of Harvard School of Education. It was a great talk and I will elaborate more on it in the morning but I've just got to say a few things while the ire is fresh in my mall, little poet's mind.

First there was all the drama and misinformation around the venue change. As a result there was a much smaller turnout than was deserved. I know this is a busy time around schools but REALLY that place should have been packed by not only teacher but by community leaders and parents like it probably would have been if it would have been left at FORD.

Then there were the technical malfunctions, A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION was turned into a POWER FLOP PRESENTATION. How embarrassing. Someone asked, "Is there a teenager in the audience to run the computer?".

RICK STARBARD and DONNA COPPOLA were there. The PRESIDENT OF  THE TEACHER'S UNION was there. Even CALVIN ANDERSON, CANDIDATE FOR COUNSELOR AT LARGE was there. Missing was DR LATHAM, DR WARRY, and I didn't see anyone from our "NEEDS INTERVENTION" SPED DEPARTMENT.

Again how embarrassing. What does it say when the administration of a failing district when given the unique an rare opportunity to maybe learn something from one of the most distinguished educators in the WORLD, says "NO THANKS, WE ARE FAILING JUST FINE ON OUR OWN"

EAT IN TO CARRY OUT

Today is going to be a very BUSY day. Just had a home grown salad from the INTERNATIONAL GARDEN at FORD SCHOOL. Tasty.

We had no bread to break but we had watermelon to share. My son and I were joined around the table by Dr. Crane, Principal at Ford, David Gass, Director of The Highlands Coalition, Leslie Greenburg, co-chair of The Highlands Coalition, Steve Greenberg, Treasurer of The Highlands Coalition, AND .....PATRICIA MAGUIRE MESERVEY, PRESIDENT of SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY.

PRESIDENT MESERVEY got to listen to David Gass give his spiel about the importance of urban farming in the great scheme of community development. She listen intently and pledged to look for ways that everyone could work together.

Dropping by before just in time to enjoy some salad was my man, CEFARINO ROSA, Candidate For Ward 4 City Councilman and also a fellow HICO member.

CLASSICAL CALAMITY

Hopefully by now, some of these positions are filled by now BUT it is kind of scary to think we are this close to the start of school and the staff at one of our high schools is in such disarray. Key positions  remain unfilled as of the last LSC meeting, a Vice Principal, ELL  Department Head, Department Head/Special Education(remember the State DOE is none too happy with us), and Department Head/Science.

PARTY GOING ON AROUND HERE!

Finally a cause for celebration for LPS!

ELECT DOLORES DIFILLIPO TO LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE/PRIMARY RESULTS