CAPANO PUT ON THE HOT SEAT

Here is a copy of an e mail exchange between a parent and an LSC member:

Ms. Capano:
I wanted to briefly comment on your statement made to the Item, “Students can survive 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in a pair of long pants.” Would you like to sit in a hot classroom (some which still had the heat on) with 30+ other kids for 6 hours when it is 80 degrees outside? If it was 80 degrees outside, you can bet the classrooms were much hotter than that. Do you think this is an acceptable learning environment for the kids of our district? Do you think they were able to concentrate on any lectures or school work or the MCAS for that matter since testing was going on? I know you never respond to emails (or maybe just mine) but I can bring these question up at open mic if you prefer.
Thank you very much for your time

Lori D'Amico

Ms. D'Amico,

Let me respond to a few of the comments made. As we all we are quit aware the Item can take a lengthly conversation , pull one line from it and turn it into a very different view. Though I did say as stated it certainly was not without any other comments. I feel the students were probably quit able to get through the day with dress code as it is. I do think the bigger issue is if our present dress code needs to be revisited.

As far an acceptable learning environment this is exactly why a dress code is in place.I do believe the students were very capable of handling the unusual weather and the MCAS all at the same time.

As far as 'never' emailing you I think that's quit the superlative to use because though not every email as been replied I have certainly replied in the past. If you feel the need to bring these questions to open mic you certainly have that option, that is exactly the intent for this time. We as a committee want to hear from you and listen to your concerns.

Thank you for your inquiry If I can answer any further questions please continue to email.

Sincerely,

Patricia Capano

Ms. Capano:

Thank you very much for your response. Please explain to me how wearing shorts makes the learning environment unacceptable? Afterall, they are able to wear them in September and June (which again does not make sense). Also, while you may feel the students were capable of handling their 80 plus degree classrooms and the MCAS all at the same time, the fact is that many students could not. I know this to be a fact because I have actually spoken to many students who were forced to take the MCAS under such uncomfortable conditions. I do apologize because you are correct, I should not have used the word 'never' when referring to you responding to my emails, because you have responded once or twice before. I think the fact that committee members are being contacted by several parents and students about the issue, the Item has done a story about the issue, and there are talks that parents and students alike are planning on starting petitions, are all evidence that the dresscode most certainly needs to be revisited. You also stated in the Item that last year the principals unanimously asked for the dresscode to remain as it was. This is no longer the case, as there are principals who feel it does need to be revisited. With that said, it is my understanding that it is the school committees responsibility to make such decisions, not the principals. As a parent, I would love to hear even a single valid reason why shorts cannot be worn. As of yet, this has not happened.

Again, thank you very much for responding.

Lori D'Amico

This shows me a few things:1). Patti's preference of pants, 2). Patti's stance on environmental control, 3). Patti's ability to actually avoid issues, and 4). the POWER petitions are getting!