QUOTES FROM CLEO ON COMMITTEE'S CONCERNS

According to the MA state law- Chapter 71, Sections 37 & 59, the school committee

• Shall select and to terminate the superintendent and fix his/her compensation
• Shall establish and appoint positions of assistant or associate superintendents (upon recommendation of the superintendent) and shall fix their compensation
• Shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district and
• Shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education

BALLOTS AND BULLETS

Armed with a vote, that's our only weapon and we are in a war. A battle for the future. The future for our children and even our children's children. The choices we make for SCHOOL COMMITTEE will set the direction our education takes.

Now I was trying to rank the six best out of the eight candidates. That's what a responsle journalist would do. Finally after continual bashings by my BFF and a few others I have finally seen the light. Since when did I consider myself a journalist and I don't want to even pretend that I am responsible. So I am officially saying I will vote for only four candidates: DONNA COPPOLA, MARIA CARRASCO, RICK STARBARD, and DOLORES DIFILLIPO. Sorry Charlie!

BECKETT BANDWAGON BITES BACK

Machine shop program returning to Tech
 I would have gotten sick at last night;s LSC meeting if I could have stopped laughing. A few months ago when Mr. Beckett, President of the LVTI Alumni Ass., first approached the LSC most of his audience did not take his wild claims seriously. Many on the committee were both entertained by his long-winded desperate pleas.

The MACHINE SHOP which had been closed down a couple of years ago and they were ready to disperse the remnants to other programs like an educational diaspora. To appease him and maybe book him for another comedy routine, they promised to look at his proposals before dismantling the MACHINE SHOP to free up much needed space for the more glitzy and glamorous, dare I say sexy technology-based programs.

To Dr. LATHAM'S and the MAYOR'S credit they listened to this quaint, crazy old man who they found out knew what he was talking about. A field trip was scheduled to a couple of the larger regional VoTech centers and suddenly everybody downloaded a new tune for their I-pods.

Now they were all excited last night about re-opening the MACHINE SHOP in 2012 with this NEW concept of REVERSE ENGINEERING. Much credit goes to RICK STARBARD wore working tirelessly in the background for brokering opportunities for Mr. Beckett to be heard. It is just for reasons like this his heavy VoTech background makes him an important component of the LSC.

EXCELLENT USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

2011 Youth Drop In Center Fall Session

October 1st - December 17th

(Saturday Nights Only)

Lynn Vocational Tech Field House • 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sports • Games • Music

Teens Ages 13-19 (Lynn Residents Only)

CATHE AND THE CITY COUNCIL CAPERS

Sounds like the name of a retro cartoon show but that's looks like the politics we're playing. What's it been, one LSC meeting since Facebook Fiend Phelan's wife plucked a plumb position as a program specialist despite having questionable credentials? Now we look the other way on a certification of a SPED teacher who is listed on LSC's own document as being unqualified for the position,
Are there no other candidates out there that we have to settle for these or is it that it's all a name game? I guess nepotism and politics go together like peanut butter and jelly. How hungry are you?

FRIENDLY (RICK) FORD FAVORS

I hate getting old. Things just don't work like they used to. First it was my hips, gold arthritis. Then it was my back. Cataracts had to be removed from my right eye. I fell last Labor Day, discovered I had spinal stenosis and my neck has never been the same.

Now I think my hearing is going. I swore I heard Dr. Latham say last LSC meeting that all our new hires will be certified. Then on tonight's LSC Agenda I noticed that 9 out of 62 new teachers are not certified for their position. I'll type out the list in a later post when I have the time. If you can't wait go to http://lps.org and you'll find it posted there.

What I am going to make time for is to direct your attention to one name on that list, JOESPH FORD, a SPED Science teacher at MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL. He is listed as not certified for the position. MARSHALL is not his first rodeo. I understand he taught at PICKERING last year. It also turns out he is the son of CITY COUNCILMAN RICK FORD.Maybe JOESPH FORD is a smart man, smarter than all those book worms with all their fancy degrees. If you're sick and need an emergency operation who do you want wielding the scalpel, a relative of some politician who can finish the New York Times crossword puzzle every day or someone who actually went to medical school?

I KNOW WHO'S GOT MY VOTE!

NOW I'M SCOOPING CBS NEWS, THE WATCH HAS HIT THE BIG TIME

Camera man                             

CURT ELLIS, Food Corp

 

 

CBS News at the FORD GARDEN now!

KIPP IS NOT LPS'S ONLY KOMPETITOR

ST. PIUS V SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 FROM 12:30 TO 2:30

MORE WINNERS!

Joining CLEO HEREFORD as a winner of a WATCH AWARD are MARY ELLEN PALERMO and LISA CONNOLLY, both readily share helpful information from various sources with the on-line community to promote a better understand our education. MARY ELLEN in particular does a lot of promotion of school related events as well.

Hopefully I will get certificates printed up and present them at the upcoming debate. I haven't asked yet if I can, if not they'll be getting them in the mail.

I'LL BE THERE

The LSC has a meeting tonight at the "Tiger's Den" at LVTI at 7 pm. At the same place they have lunch specials, this evening they will be offering up fare that is difficult to digest. Don't forget to come early for the sub-committee specials!

PROMOTING MY PRODIGAL SON'S SUPER SCHOOL SUPPER

FUNDRAISER NOTICE!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 

PICKERING MIDDLE SCHOOL

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011   TIME 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Lazy Dog- 328 Broadway, Lynn, MA

Please join us for some friendly chatter, good food and raffles at The Lazy Dog- 328 Broadway, Lynn, MA

MAILING IT IN

The Highlands Watch: BEING THERE WITHOUT BEING THERE thehighlandswatch.blogspot.com

 

REGISTER TO VOTE! SPEAK UP.

Originally this information was in today's ITEM, then I copied it and put it in THE HIGHLANDS WATCH, and now here. Get involved. Do more than complain.

The Highlands Watch: REGISTER YOUR VOICES!!!!

thehighlandswatch.blogspot.com 

KIPP TO FACE DOE AUDIT

Located on page A7 of the Sept. 27, 2011 issue of the LYNN ITEM is an announcement that KIPP Academy of Lynn will be undergoing 3 separate reviews. The way I read it, this is part of a standard six-year review. The review will occur during the week of Oct. 17th. A final report will be on the DOE website. I urge you to consult the ITEM for more details. Guess what KIPP, it's report card time!

AND THE WINNER IS....

I have decided to give out certificates of recognition, WATCH AWARDS to those who bring attention to the issues surrounding the education of our children. The first one goes to CLEO HEREFORD for her Q & A series of the LSC candidates on her blog, An Education http://uneducation.blogspot.com

I hope to present these awards at the LSC debate at FORD SCHOOL on October 17. Now I just have to design the certificate, we poets aren't necessarily all at that artsy.

CLEO HAS THE CREDENTIALS

Continuing her award-winning series of LSC candidate exposes (winner of the 2011 WATCH award) Cleo gives a lawyer turned teacher who morphed into a politician an interrogatory that demanded answers that we deserve. Did we get those answers, you decide.

An Education: LSC 2011 Q & A: Charlie Gallo

By the way here is another scoop for my news hungry readers, the HIGHLANDS COALITION will be sponsoring a debate for the LSC on Mon.,October 17 th. Moderating the debate will be HICO's own, Cleo Hereford. I could be jealous but she does spell better than me and some people might say I have a problem with objectivity. I don't know where they get that crazy idea.

Lynn Tech Restaurant

“TIGER’S DEN”

GRAND RE-OPENING

SEPTEMBER 27

th

Open Tues.-Fri. 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

• Hot Soups

• Fresh Salads

• Extensive

Sandwich Menu

• Daily Entrées

“The Best Service

East of the

Mississippi!”

“Come down and

support the kids!”

90 Commercial Street

Lynn, MA

MY BFF HAS THEIR NUMBER BUT NOT THEIR EXTENSION

What a troublemaker she is. You know I'm talking about my BFF. Even though her addiction to KoolAid makes her subject to delusions, she is quite capable of bringing up a good point or two or three.

On the administration contact list for LPS listed on lps.org everybody's extension number or direct line is listed EXCEPT the SPECIAL EDUCATION people. Why is that? When you consider the fact that all of the SPED offices are across town from the rest of the LPS offices, it doesn't paint a user-friendly picture.

I have to hand it to her on this one.

FACE THE FACTS PHELAN, BEWARE OF BULLYING ON FACEBOOK

I was just wondering..... With all of the attention brought by PHELAN'S FACEBOOK FLOP, I don't remember hearing anything about CYBERBULLYING, that is the real danger. Instead people were more concerned about compromising pictures being posted or INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS.

Was that because LPS"s BULLYING BULWARK, DENNIS THOMPSON has moved on to bigger and better things in his new job as assistant principal at CLASSICAL? Why didn't SUE ROWE, the interim BULLYING person weigh in. I would be interested in hearing her weigh in. Too busy working on the seating arrangement for her ducks I guess.

GO AHEAD, FRIEND ME THEN TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

For those of you who accuse me of a negative slant, I'm going to throw you a bone! LPS received The NAMM Foundations 12th Annual Best Communities for Music Education Award. Of course neighboring communities are jealous of our recognition. But we have a right to TOOT OUR OWN HORN (it is for music after all).

This award was not bestowed to solely on the basis of a superior curriculum but community support as well. Fine Arts Director Joe Picano presented certificates to Mayor Kennedy, Dr. Latham, and Dr. Wary.

MOVING AHEAD ON LEAVING BEHIND

LPS, you better jump on this!

Obama Administration Sets Rules for NCLB Waivers - Politics K-12 - Education Week

THERE'S HOPE FOR LPS

An article in today's ITEM has the president leading the chorus on NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND's swan song. The article,

Obama lets states opt out of federal school rules

READ.PLEASE!

LPS BAND - OUT TO THE TIDES

Thank you to today's ITEM

------------------------------------------

Lynn band to

hold fundraiser

LYNN

There will be a fundraiser

for the City of Lynn

Marching Band on Monday

from 6 to 9 p.m. at

Tides Restaurant in Nahant.

The event is aimed at

helping to pay the cost of

sending the band to The

Fourth of July Parade in

Washington, D.C.

Tides will donate 10

percent of its proceeds

for Monday’s event to

help defray the band’s

expenses.

In addition, there will

baskets of goods that will

NEWS TO ME

The ITEM has a nice big picture of an official from BANK OF AMERICA donating supplies to a MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL. There wasn't any back story, just a few lines in the caption.

This was a BIG deal and deserved much more of a spotlight. With resources tight, LPS ought to be promoting partnerships with corporate sponsors. Those same corporations are more likely to give if they got lots of favorable press.

Do we blame the ITEM for not devoting more space to this promotion? Hardly they are are a business just like those corporations LPS should be seeking funding from. NO, LPS should be pumping out press releases, letters of appreciation, and even other forms of social media (Sorry Tim, it's the way of the future). They should hire a full-time person to do this. Any suggestions come to mind?

TECH GETS TASTY

Honestly, I don't know any details but I like the idea of supporting the kids. I would welcome any details.

Lynn Tech Restaurant

“TIGER’S DEN”

GRAND RE-OPENING

SEPTEMBER 27

th

Open Tues.-Fri. 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

• Hot Soups

• Fresh Salads
• Extensive
Sandwich Menu
• Daily Entrées“The Best Service

East of the

Mississippi!”

“Come down and

support the kids!”

90 Commercial Street

Lynn, MA

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Now I'm not one to cause trouble. My faithful readers know I steer away from controversy. When you stir *#$& it stinks. LPS smells fine on its own.

After reading this seemingly fine expose of investigative reporting on a story that is already months old, my little poet's mind began to wonder: "Why was this story broke on Sat.? I mean school is closed for the weekend and readership has to be lower.".

I've put my time in at the WATCH and I have my own network of secret sources. There are some leaks you don't call a plumber for. Anyway I knew this story was coming days ago. I could have scooped the ITEM again but it's getting boring. But anyway, it wasn't just a beat reporter reporting the story. It was the EDITOR-IN-CHARGE OF SOMETHING (I don't have to worry which editor it was at the WATCH).

I just wonder how favors and responsibilities balance out. I'm not accusing nobody of nothing, you decide that on your own. Now if you want to ask me about poetry, disability or what it's like to be poor, then we can talk.
Lynn school employee claims administration singled her job out for elimination

HOW TO HANDLE HOLLY

This has been a LONG running story.When I first broke it prior to the Civil Service ruling, it became my most viewed posting by around twice as much, having 663 views, "Public Confidential". A lot has happened since then but not much has changed.

The Department of Civil Service has issued a ruling but no one really wants to enforce it, because justice costs too much. We have two different legal systems, one criminal, one civil. "Criminal" is simple if LPS had used a gun and fired at Holly taking away her job like in a robbery, the police could go down to 90 Commercial Street with a basketful of handcuffs and throw the lot of them in the poky. BREAD AND WATER.

But this is a "Civil" matter. When you hear the word Civil it conjures up images of a "gentleman's agreement" where everybody does the right thing because it's the right thing to do. Unfortunately I know from personal (not personnel) experience if someone disagrees with the ruling they can often just not abide by it. There is nobody close to actually enforce it. By the time failure to follow the civil ruling becomes criminal enough to get someone to enforce it, most people have already given up. So the losers become winners by just dragging their feet.

That is what is happening here. Holly has been humiliated in hopes that she would submit to will of the master at our expense. It's not about money only. Mostly it is the politics of power.

The Daily Item: Lynn school employee claims administration singled her job out for elimination

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

You know, when our right you're right. And I have to give it to her. At the recent debate Patti Capano said EXPERIENCE MATTERS AND I HAVE IT and she does, serving I think 7 terms for LSC. But exactly what is her "experience",  a proven track record of failure. To me, failure is a sign of somebody not knowing what they are doing.

Then we have VINNIE, I mean he topped the ticket. Got to give him credit for that. He does have the EXPERIENCE of being principal at three different schools. Over a career that tells me he's either one of two things: he is either a trouble-shooter or he's trouble. Look at the list of LEVEL 4 schools and you be the judge.

RAISING AWARENESS

Good coverage, even if it was about two days after I first told you about it. Still there ARE more quotes and that's a good thing.

The Daily Item: Harley tribute raises money for Ford garden

PHELAN NOT FOUND ON FACEBOOK

The last time I missed a LSC meeting, I was having my cataracts removed. It helped me see better. This time my right knee was swollen twice the size of my left so I couldn't even hobble away from the angry crowd.

Sounds like I didn't miss much. The fact is that teachers are hired to teach and they should be teaching responsible ways to communicate. It's a new world and in order to survive we can't have our head in the sand.

Funny and in a good way. Phelan was no where to be found in this coverage. The coverage was up front and was not a trumped-up opportunity for a failed folly, sensationalizing social media safety and security. Seriously.

The Daily Item: Lynn School Committee goes from textbooks to Facebook

SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT AND I CAN'T GO

I wonder who will miss me? I did bump into Atty Mihos in Probate Court today with some client. I didn't know he handled divorces. Maybe there is hope for LPS.
That's for another posting. My knee is SEVERELY limiting my ability to ambulate (I like that word). It is another body part LPS is planning on throwing the BOOK at though. It's time for Social Media to FACE the music (I just hope there is no piracy involved or it will be some body's swan song. I guess we will see then if Mihos handles copyright infringement law too.).

Maybe I'll watch it on TV. It really doesn't matter, some of you out there thing I make some of these crazy things up anyway!

ALMOST TWINS

You know I was in one of my moments of deep contemplation. I asked myself, "Self, why do you like RICK STARBARD so much?". I was really perplexed and then it came to me.

I just had to break it down, STAR - BARD. After all a "bard" is a poet and well. STAR is kind of like "premier" and everybody wants to be the best. So I guess my support is just a natural fit. Well almost. I mean it would be a better fit if RICK limped or something!

CAHILL CAME TO ME, CAUSE HE CARES?

I went to the HARRISON HARLEY HOOP HOUSE fundraiser at FORD SCHOOL and COUNCILLOR CAHILL waited patiently while I was talking to somebody else. Suddenly everybody wants to know what this disabled poet is doing. I almost watched the whole event unfold from my porch balcony because I was more hobbled than usual due to my right knee. But my wife gave me a Tylenol and kicked me out the door to go pay my respects to Harry's memory.

Anyway back to CAHILL. Coming to me is a clear sign that he is interested in the issues around education. Even though I don't sit at the altar of education, my blog does have the numbers and well that does give me some quasi-credentials. So I was happy to see to see him. (Insert Mae West joke).

Besides my man, COUNCILMAN FOR WARD 4 CANDIDATE, CEF ROSA speaks highly of him and I've been pretty clear on what I think about CEF.

CLEO TAKES CHARGE

Somebody else is asking questions. I guess it's contagious.

An Education: A Q & A with KIPP Lynn Principal Anna Breen

PLANTING OF A PLAQUE

FROM "THE HIGHLANDS WATCH"

Tonight was the Harrison Harley Memorial Celebration/Fundraiser (Harry was all about raising money). All of the money raised has been committed to be directed to the completion of the construction of the HARRISON HARLY HOOP HOUSE (I can not take credit for that eloquent example of alliteration ecstasy, I wish I could).

Politicians were more prolific than weeds in the garden tonight. From the LYNN CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES TIM PHELAN, DAN CAHILL, RICH COLUCCI (all incumbents) accompanied by HONG NET, CLAY WALSH, and (my man) CEF ROSA. The LSC CANDIDATES present were RICK STARBARD,MARIA CARRASCO (both LS members) and seeking election for the first-time were CHARLIE GALLO and DELORES DIFILLIPO (Hey I think I spelled it right).

Harry would have been thrilled at the level of attention this event garnered and was smiling down at the fact NICK and ANDY jumped at the opportunity to make this a "teaching moment" with an explanation of aquaponics and the use of fish poop to produce green food. Does anyone want a slice of watermelon?

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

Once again the FORD SCHOOL leads the way. This time it was in child safety and making sure that the children return home safely at the end of the school day. Working in conjunction with the RMV and DAVE HEGAN in transportation for LPS a surprise inspection was held on all the vechicles contracted to provide service this afternoon.

Thankfully, all the vehicles passed without any major violations preventing any kids from having a safe ride home. It seems that FORD is the only school to have this level of commitment to safety. It is my understanding that the RMV would welcome other schools to afford them the opportunity to work with them. Let's all work together to keep our kids safe!

HONG SLIPS THROUGH HOLE IN LYNN JOURNAL'S NET?

I heard this about a dear friend of the WATCH and I just can't or don't want to believe it. One of my secret sources told me tonight that the LYNN JOURNAL has failed to give any coverage to HONG NET. Is there some clandestine conspiracy about Cambodian city council candidates? It's hard to believe a journalistic beacon like the LJ would engage in any questionable practices. Without a doubt some one will dig up some recent post that will exonerate that prestigious publication. After all, isn't it the same publication that anointed Dr. Latham - Woman of the Year?

Primary Results!

I "stole" this off Facebook! Sue me!

 

Loretta O'Donnell

Different post for school comm.than on Lynn Happens.Spiirto-1993 Copolla1972,Capano1897 Defillippo1852 Ford1815 Carasco1792 Starbard 1738 Gallo 1713


I guess it shows the importance of  "dressing for success"!

YOU CAN KISS MY MCAS

I forwarded the same e mail to my friend Cleo to try and see if she could re-size it so I could post the raw data on blogger because I am too busy writing poetry and stuff to bother with it (Okay, I didn't know how to do it. Are you happy?).

It looks prettier. There are colors. Not everybody is happy with any take. That's because everybody can and does put their own spin on the numbers. I'm just not sure how much you can quantify learning. Knowledge is not something that is dispensed out of a lesson plan, it is taken from books and shared by teachers who are happy to expose our children to the wealth of their experience. Education is a process, not a dispensation.

An Education: Lynn & the MCAS 2011: Part I

RICK'S GOT THE RIGHT STUFF

If there is any doubt or misunderstanding about my feelings about RICK STARBARD as a candidate for LSC due to my satire and less than serious takes on a very serious matter. RICK"S background gives a real-world passion on what can a theoretical nightmare. I may not always agree with his positions but I never doubt his sincerity. It's all about being willing to learn.

Kwick, A Kool-Aid Kontraversey

From what I hear my BFF stirred up a little stink with her take on the AYP numbers, you have to forgive her, KoolAid intoxication. Maybe I'd better analyze the numbers myself. I've been BUSY plaing lawyer/parent. I don't have a degree in either.

HUGE SPREADSHEET FROM MY BFF (YOU CAN SEE KOOL-AID MAKES A GOOD FERTILIZER)

Elementary

Accountability & Assistance Level

NCLB School Choice Required

SES Required (Tutoring)

ELA (Goal 90.2)

Improvement

Math (Goal 84.3)

Improvement

Attendance

Met ELA AYP

Met Math AYP

Performance Rating

Aborn

Level 1 Level 1

No

No

84.5

0.3

84.9

2

96.10%

No

Yes

High

Brickett

Level 2

Yes

Yes

86

0.1

80

5.7

95.60%

Yes

No

High

Callahan

Level 2

Yes

Yes

79.5

2.8

81.3

8.4

94.50%

Yes

Yes

Moderate/High

Cobbet

Level 3

Yes

Yes

71.5

10

63.9

8.9

95.60%

Yes

Yes

Moderate/Low

Connery

Level 4

Yes

Yes

61.1

5.2

59.6

-3.3

95.60%

No

No

Low/Very Low

Drewicz

Level 3

Yes

Yes

73

2.3

76.1

10.7

95%

Yes

Yes

Moderate

Ford

Level 3

Yes

Yes

74.6

1.4

69.9

-1

96%

No

No

Moderate/Low

Harrington

Level 4

Yes

Yes

61

5.4

56.8

8.1

95.90%

No

Yes

Low/Very Low

Hood

Level 3

Yes

Yes

74.2

7.7

69.3

9.3

95.10%

Yes

Yes

Moderate/Low

Ingalls

Level 2

Yes

Yes

67.4

-0.8

68

-1.9

95.40%

No

No

Low

Lincoln-Thomson

Level 2

Yes

Yes

83

-2

88.7

4.1

95.40%

No

Yes

High/High

Lynn Woods

Level 1

Yes

Yes

80.2

-9.7

74.4

-10.7

95.80%

No

No

High/Moderate

Sewell-Anderson

Level 1

Yes

Yes

80.9

0.2

78.7

-1.3

95.60%

No

No

High/Moderate

Shoemaker

Level 1

Yes

No

86.8

0.8

85.7

-1.3

95.60%

Yes

Yes

High

Sisson

Level 1

Yes

No

91.8

2.2

86.6

0.3

95.20%

Yes

Yes

Very High/High

Tracy

Level 1

No

No

79.6

1.2

86.9

7.3

95.90%

No

Yes

Moderate/High

Washington

Level 1

Yes

No

37.5

4.7

49

12.2

88.60%

No

No

Critically Low/Very Low

Middle

Breed

Level 3

Yes

Yes

76.8

-2.3

61.8

1.9

93.70%

No

No

Moderate/Low

KIPP

Charter School

Yes

No

86.2

-2.6

82.1

-6.3

97.30%

No

No

High

Marshall

Level 3

Yes

Yes

75

2.7

54.9

3.2

93.60%

No

No

Moderate/Very Low

Pickering

Level 2

Yes

Yes

86.4

0.9

72.6

2

93.60%

Yes

No

High/Moderate

High

Classical

Level 3

No

No

86.4

0.8

83.8

3.5

77.60%

Yes

Yes

High

English

Level 1

No

No

89.7

0

86.2

-2

80.60%

Yes

Yes

High

Fecteau-Leary

Level 1

Yes

No

63.5

1.9

47.8

5.8

25%

No

No

Low/Very Low

LVTI

Level 3

Yes

Yes

78.5

2.3

69.1

2.5

62.20%

No

No

Moderate/Low