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Sunday, September 30, 2012

PATTI POINTS OUT POSITIVE PROCESSES TO PROCEED

LSC member MARIA CARRASCO brought before the whole committee at the last meeting complaints of a parent about the total lack of handicap parking in front of a particular elementary school. It seems though that this is a citywide problem. I was actually SURPRISED that this is such a BIG problem at most of our elementary schools. At least there is a common lack of HANDICAP PARKING on the street. Now I have parked on the street at SHOEMAKER and FORD has a couple of spaces inside their lot. (They said at the meeting they NEED to be on the street, go figure0

Now ATTORNEY MIHOS weighed in with his suggestion like lawyers are want or in this case paid to do. He suggested going before the ORDINANCE COMMITTEE of the LYNN CITY COUNCIL. Here's where CAPANO chirped in with the unsolicited advice that you have to go before the TRAFFIC COMMISSION.

Thanks to my year long tenure as CHAIRMAN of the LYNN DISABILITY COMMISSION which I recently vacated I know she is ABSOLUTELY right.

WHAT DO LAWYERS KNOW ANYWAY?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATIONS

 It may not be because I complained about the PERSONNEL MOVES not being on the public copies of the agendas available at the LSC meetings that they were on this week copy.  The reason is not important but the results are.

Of the 9 new hires/assignments 6 definitely have certifications for their field, 2 DO NOT, and 1 ESL Specialist that doesn't list hers one way or the other. That’s a little suspect, don’t you think.

That’s 3 out of 9 uncertified, 33%. There’s that funny irony thing again, you know about 30% of LPS students don’t graduate.  Oh, the examples we set.


Saturday, September 29, 2012

"NEWCOMERS" GO OLD SCHOOL

Some interesting things were ALMOST discussed at Thursday night's LSC meeting. It seems those NEWCOMERS (aka UNACCOMPANIED MINORS) were going to moved from CLASSICAL to FACTEAU-LEARY a decidedly more out of the way location.

Now last meeting  there was a lot of DRAMA raised about having 21 students at CLASSICAL. Those score plus 1 students were going to ruin our MCAS. Now with our QUESTIONABLE scores public and the less than desirable, unaccompanied students isolated or sequestered in another location, there was not so much attention. This despite the fact that the number had more than DOUBLED in two weeks, from 21 to 43.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

CONGRATULATIONS DUE IN ANY LANGUAGE

English students score scholarships

Getting money is always a good thing.

IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME


At the last LSC meeting a group of parents representing the LYNN PARENTS ORGANIZING FOR A BETTER EDUCATION (LPOBE) were in attendance. They spoke at the OPEN MIKE about the perceived injustices of denying an ATHLETIC WAIVER for a boy transferring from CLASSICAL to ENGLISH. Both parents testified to the fact that given their proximity to ENGLISH (walking distance) that going to CLASSICAL (transportation necessary) was presenting an undue economic burden.

Supposedly this boy started in at CLASSICAL because that’s where most of his friends from middle school (BREED) went. Fine, from what I understand his mother paid the necessary transportation costs his freshman year. He played football and I am not sure he made VARSITY or not but he clearly was GOOD, so clear that they labeled him an IMPACT player.

His mom says that she convinced him to transfer to save her money; the coach at ENGLISH even let him practice. The coach at CLASSICAL got wind of this and apparently felt there was some recruiting violations happening and the waiver was DENIED.

Now mind you a small crowd approached the OPEN MIKE and they had their own SPANISH translator. Yeah, it was some of THOSE people, except when the boy is carrying a football he is one of US.

Anyway it appeared that they were not favorably received at OPEN MIKE. The group had a prepared statement that they were not allowed to finish reading because of time constraints. It was a procedural thing. Even though it was a group of eight or so, procedurally they only counted as one and they were only supposed to have three minutes. Other people were waiting to speak, including me.

After the reading of their written statement was cut short, the mother of the boy testified about the economic hardship that his going to CLASSICAL placed on the family and urged that her son be allowed to play football since it was so important to him and that he even hoped one day to get a college scholarship based on his ability. There had been some CONFUSION about the APPEALS hearing and for whatever reason they had not been present or had their reasons considered.

A WAIVER (Form 200) can be denied if the TRANSFER is ATHLETIC based. From what I could gather, the boy’s principal residence did not change but according to testimony from the mother, she feels financially unable to continue to support her son’s attendance at CLASSICAL.

All of this played out at OPEN MIKE and ALL sides had a right to present their view. The session is not designed to start a debate or discussion, only a presentation of opinions. No votes could be taken; no results could be immediately forthcoming.

What did result was that it was put on the agenda for an athletic subcommittee next time to review the athletic transfer policy and that’s what happened on 9-27-12. This time though it was before a subcommittee with NO open mike so no one could speak unless they were spoken to. Guess who was spoken to? It wasn’t parents. I didn’t recognize everybody but I believe it was athletic directors, administration officials, ENGLISH principal STRANGIE and CLASSICAL principal CONSTANTINO. Most of the talking came from CONSTANTINO (I didn’t actually time it, it just seemed like it to me) and the reasons for a DENIAL were gone over and I mean who could argue with a man with such history, such stature (I remember my High School principal, MR.  CURRY, an ex-marine with a statue of a bull dog on his desk), besides he was surrounded by his posse

We listened to a presentation about how settled things were now with the current transfer policy in place and not being ensnared in the horrors of the old days. Because of a meeting in front of the MIAA officials where DR. LATHAM took a bullet and promises were made that no further transgressions would be made. Anyway doubts and dispersions were cast about how disingenuous THOSE parents were. No specifics were given so there wasn’t a need to label anyone a liar. Neither were addresses discussed which would have proven transportation costs, establishing or eliminating financial reasons for the transfer.

This posse admitted that there were NO written guidelines for the appeals process and yeah there should be. We will get right on that. Oh yeah, we probably should put it in other language cause THOSE people like to play sports too. Not to worry though, in THIS specific case they had to have been told by the PARENT INFORMATION CENTER. Everybody knows they’re good about that stuff.

Long story short though, we learned that when push comes to shove:

DR. LATHAM HAS FINAL SAY ABOUT THE WAIVER.

Take the credit or take the blame.





                                                                                                                           

Friday, September 28, 2012

PUTTING OUT ALL POINTS BULLETIN!

Where is PAC? LPS just gave the PARENT LIAISON a raise last night. I guess, I mean they said everybody. There is money in ACTING.

We can't complain if we don't meet!

PICKERING PLUCKED FROM THE PIPELINE

I don't know why this happened. Maybe it wasn't our fault. I doubt it but MAYBE.

For as long as I've been going to LSC meetings, I have hear that MARSHALL was further along but that PICKERING was in the pipeline too.

Then I listened to RICK STARBARD urge everybody to get on the ball with this building process because our current condition of our schools were atrocious. He wondered how other school district's seemed to get schools built faster. Nothing was said straight out but I was wondering if he was talking about the SMOOZE factor.

Well we have 3 schools in dire need of replacement: PICKERING, TRACY, and COBBETT. We were told we were told by the MSBA that we could submit SOI's (statements of interest) for all 3 at once but we would have to prioririze them because they would only build one at a time. Fine, PICKERING would be on top.

WAIT A MINUTE.......,

we've been told that PICKERING was already in the pipeline. It seems according to what RICK said last night from the MSBA that PICKERING'S former SOI had "timed out". Now I don't know about you but I get upset when somebody tries to jump in front of me at the checkout line. Honestly though, you can't say much when you leave the line and try to come back. Why did we give up our place in line?

OUT TO RAISE YOUR AWARENESS

There was an EXECUTIVE SESSION last night. They closed the door so I couldn't hear. That's normal business. I am worried though that BROADCASTING these meetings without sound is becoming normal too. Why is that.

Well behind closed doors they talked about MONEY and RAISES. Everybody wants more money unless you are the CAPITAL ONE baby? GREAT COMMERCIAL.

 I only know what the MAYOR announced after they came out from behind closed doors. It seems that everybody got a 2.5% for one year then another 2.5% a year later. They said it was in line with the raises granted the TEACHER'S UNION.

Nothing exciting.....,

EXCEPT...

KEVIN MCHUGH was granted a 2.5% increase for FY13 only. NICE. I don't know how they figured all of this, math is not my strong suit. Looks like they are in fashion for somebody.

ANYWAY, THE RAISE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Two bites at the apple. Go figure!

Oh that's what they did.

THE NUMBERS GAME

I think I've told this story before but it looks like it may be appropriate to repeat it. My Dad has always said, "Figures lie and liars figure."

Now it took years for me to beat him at the game of chess and I considered myself a pretty hotshot in Junior High. None of the other kids could beat me. Not that I remember anyway.

His education left him with initials after his name too, just like those people with MD's, PhD's, and EdD's. They were GED.

Last night at the LSC meeting, I listened to DR. LATHAM go over the NEW accountability data. She had an impressive POWERPOINT presentation with one of those fancy SMART BOARDS. We were told the new way of configuring the data blatantly underrepresented our progress. Long story, short, these figures LIE.

We were treated to some calculations that showed we were the victims of statistical manipulation. LYNN, LYNN, WE CAN'T WIN. They stacked the cards against us.

What was CPI is now PPI though it seems to be a broader measure, we don't measure up so well. Not to worry, we were treated not to a lesson in revisionist history but we were urged to discount history. Why? Because we look better if we do.

I didn't think I heard anything last night about how the NEW way was a wrong way to figure, just wrong for us.

Let's look at who was doing the figuring. It was the same person who asked us to believe a school was an INNOVATION school because she, not the state said it was. It was the same person who says that homeschooling wasn't told that if they didn't show up at the last LSC meeting that they wouldn't be able to home school. Of course, the parents who happened to be disabled insisted that they were. HISTORY MATTERS.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

CLASSICAL KID COMES UP WITH A CLASSIC

An example of wisdom far beyond her years. Everybody associated with this project deserves heaps of praise!




BUT CAN HE HIT A CURVE? WE SEEMED TO GET TOSSED A LOT OF THEM

As you will notice on the agenda, 14th Regular Meeting Agenda, a request for EXECUTIVE SESSION. Contracts will be discussed. No doubt raises will be awarded. Who would volunteer to take a PAY CUT? Oh I might, IF I GOT PAID.

Maybe KEVIN MCHUGH is, I mean he signed a THREE-YEAR DEAL last year I thought. Maybe LPS should think about following the RED SOX philosophy and dump your star players to free up some salary cap room. Oh, I forgot we seem to have NO salary cap unless it applies to those union foot-soldiers (teachers and paras) in the classrooms.

FORD SCHOOL GROWING POSITIVE PUBLICITY


Education happens wherever learning can occur. Sometimes the best classrooms have no walls and successful lessons end with dirt under your fingernails. Raising excitement guarantees a fruitful harvest.
We need more programs like the ones at FORD and INGALLS SCHOOLS.

SHARKS SIGHTED AT LIBRARY



This is a GREAT example of how innovative (that's NOT always a dirty word) and creative ideas of where parents can involve themselves un the education process. POWER TO THE PTO!

HOPEFULLY AT TONIGHT'S LSC MEETING THIS GREAT EXAMPLE WILL BE NOTICED!

Let you know.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

Although I try to touch on all areas, just usually not in that order. But we all KNOW that numbers don't lie. Then again they can't TALK either. That's where POETRY comes in.

CLEO shows us some RAW numbers that look somewhat encouraging. For the moment I'll put them out there at FACE VALUE.


uneducacion.blogspot.com


MAYBE there is nothing to unmask. I hope so, but for now enjoy these perhaps I'll analyze them later.

SNEAK PEAK AT THE WOTRING WING

Thank goodness the ITEM is on top of the news. Just WAIT around for THREE WEEKS and you can find out how your money is going to be spent.

 Future of Marshall to be discussed at Oct. 17 meeting

OR,

you can come to THURSDAY NIGHT'S LSC meeting and listen to the MONTHLY report that is state mandated to be given. You can count on CLEO, she shows us it's on the AGENDA.



Monday, September 24, 2012

IF MONEY IS FOR NOTHING, WILL THEY BE SERVING FREE DRINKS?

There is a request for an EXECUTIVE SESSION on the agenda for Thursday's upcoming meeting.


uneducacion.blogspot.com

Why? Because money talks and they probably don't want you to hear. Don't worry, numbers don't lie. The trick is getting them to speak.

CLEO LET'S US KNOW


CLEO SHOWS WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA


KIPP AND LPS DANCE THE TWIST TOGETHER

The Secretary's echo from his challenge he issued at KIPP'S ribbon cutting ceremony for LPS and KIPP to work together that this unholy alliance has born fruit. Actually some tandem seeds had already been planted. Their creation, the not so new dance, the DATA TWIST had been quietly gaining popularity for years.

The KIPP version of the dance comes from narrowing the pool you select so you can pick randomly from only the best so you are pretty much guarantee yourself good numbers because EVERYBODY knows that students score better if their parents are involved in their education. That serves two purposes, it gives you students who are primed to score well plus it keeps their good scores from helping LPS'S numbers. On top of that, you can claim you pick randomly and that everybody has an equal chance when they don't, if they and their parents are,'t willing to commit, LPS has to take them anyway.

Taking from lessons learned, LPS wants you to compare them with other URBAN districts. MISERY LOVES COMPANY. We are asked believe somehow that out there in the real world our student's high school diploma comes with a built in handicap like some country club golfer. That way if our test scores aren't up to par, don't worry we have a fudge factor built right in to make us feel better than we are.

YOU GOT TO LOVE THAT KIPP "KAN-DO" ATTITUDE!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

KEEPING (EVEN) STEVEN

You got to say our MCAS scores are BALANCED at least in 8th grade SCIENCE. Our score in the ADVANCE or PROFICIENT (who's kidding who we got no advanced) our 17 was less than half the STATE score of 43 WHILE we had 44 in FAILING which was more than double the STATE avg. of 20.

IT MAKES YOU WONDER

Why a princiPAL of a school that had such abysmal MCAS scores was put in charge of the DISTRICT'S curriculum? These are numbers for those who scored PROFICIENT or HIGHER.

INGALLS scores            While the rest of the STATE
gr. 3 READING    40        gr.3 READING      61
gr. 3 MATH          33        gr.3 MATH            61
gr. 4 ENG/LANG  36        gr. 4 ENG/LANG  57
gr. 4 MATH          34        gr. 4 MATH           51
gr. 5 ENG/LANG   42      gr.5 ENG/LANG    61
gr. 5 MATH          36        gr.5 MATH            57
gr. 5 SCI & TECH 24       gr.5 SCI & TECH   52

Now I ask you are those numbers of a leader? Sure I've heard how different URBAN SCHOOLS are. I get that.

BUT.....,

last I looked we are an URBAN SCHOOL and call me crazy, I think we would have picked someone who has a proven track record to bring our curriculum forward. The way I read these numbers maybe we need to start liking where we are at.

I reckon it pays well to speak well of your boss. I wouldn't know, I don't have one (Please don't tell my wife).

SUPER'S MCAS-TIC SALES JOB

Now that we have SUCCESSFULLY DEBUNKED LPS'S claim that the WASINGTON SCHOOL was an INNOVATION SCHOOL. It was not. Because of pressure generated on them, they caved and pull down their BOGUS CLAIMS off their website.

At the last LSC meeting, DR. LATHAM angrily stuck by those INNOVATION PROCLAMATION.

JUST BECAUSE WE NEVER GOT THE GRANT AND THE STATE DOESN'T SAY SO, IT'S STILL AN INNOVATION SCHOOL TO US.

I have just one word: HOW?

Okay, whatever.

Now they are trying to pitch it as a STEM SCHOOL. That's nice. Science and Math sure are important subjects. STEM is one of those BUZZ words in EDUCATION.

But are we getting stung by the BUZZ? It is starting as a 1-3 school and will add a grade each year until it reaches grade 5. Funny thing though, our kids don't start taking any portion of the MCAS until Grade 3 and don't take the SCIENCE portion until Grade 5 so it looks like our STEM SCHOOL should really be a tem school.

Now I'm all for a new school and I am sure they will do a great job. Still, I wonder though about the direction we are being led. I would like to see SCIENCE FAIRS and even MATH competitions throughout the district. For the medicine to be most effective, the timing of application has to be JUST right.

CLEO COVERS UP ANY ATTEMPT TO COVER-UP

That CLEO sure can ignite a charge with her computer. Look at the link she has found. 

See  parents I 've been telling you about becoming involved.

UNWRAPPING THE MCAS, MARSHALL MALAISE


We are on the verge of being asked to commitment of a lot of money to build a NEW MARSHALL, WOTRING WING and all. There’ll be a vote and you will have to give the city permission to put it on their card. Will your taxes go up? Don’t ask me, I’m too poor to care.

Whether they will or not, you make sure you probably want to make sure your money is being well spent. You are going to be told that a new building that pretty much everyone agrees is going to be too small, will bring up those MCAS scores. I am sure it will help, but I don’t know if it will be enough because just because you got NEW shoes doesn’t mean you can run fast.

NO,

you have to be in good condition. WELL TRAINED.

According to the DOE statistics for 2011, MARSHALL had a score of 0 in the ADVANCED category for SCIENCE/ ENG. TECH part. That’s right, NO ONE. The average score for the STATE  was 17. Okay, only the EIGHTH GRADE took that part of the test but still. That category is the current HOT topic. MASS. leads the nation in this kind of stuff and it looks like MARSHALL is leading NO ONE.

Even in the other two categories of the MCAS which everyone takes, no higher than 4 was scored and that was only twice (thank goodness for the sixth grade). Do I think that not that many smart kids go there? No, I mean my daughter goes there.

Let’s look at the other end of the spectrum in that SCIENCE category, WARNING/FAILING. MARSHALL had a score of 59. Now that’s more than 4 times the STATE average of 13. Now I’m not good with raw data, formulas, statistics and such but I would not hesitate to guess that’s not good.

What I do know from personal experience is that you can only learn what’s taught. Who’s in charge of CURRICULUM? There may be some SIX YEAR master plan out there but believe me, you will be asked to pay in a little more than ONE.

Now some people will argue that you get what you pay for and that’s mostly right,

UNLESS…..

you are stuck with what you got, and then you need to remember how you got it.

































Friday, September 21, 2012

PRIORITIES PEOPLE

I missed last night's OPEN HOUSE at LVTI where STIPEND SUPER-STAR was set to make our OCCUPATION a reality. PAIN has became a priority for me.

I fully expected to read about it in the ITEM. I mean I have made little doubt about my views on what this project has become. Even with the spiral, I genuinely HOPE for it's SUCCESS. My predictions have been wrong before (3 ex-wives).

Now this occupation was an innovation. So let's see the story where the ITEM heralds the hoopla? Well, I didn't see it. What I did see was this:

Runners come to Central Square for 5K road race

Now this was for a worthy cause but you think such an important event could have warranted a little coverage.

The ITEM must have known about it, I mean I saw TOM IARIBINO place papers at that GOD OF JOURNALISM'S altar. I don't get any documents and I have a little following.

MCAS MAKEOVER

Have I said lately how SMART DR. LATHAM is? Cause she is.

My Dad would be proud of me because I am going to quote FOX NEWS'S BILL O'REILLY.

"THE SPIN STOPS HERE!"

Let's look at some REAL MCAS numbers!

These numbers I am about to quote come from the DOE website (I'll post the actual link tomorrow if what I've got doesn't load right)..

Now let's start with overall scores for LYNN for those students who score proficient or higher;

Scores for ALL grades. Eng. Lang. Arts    50
                                    Mathematics          40
                                     Sci and Tech/Eng  34
(Don't you find it IRONIC that for all the crying about HOW WE ARE SADDLED WITH ALL OF THESE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING IMMIGRANTS THAT OUR BEST SCORE BY FAR IS IN ENGLISH? That's why I love POETRY - for the JUSTICE of it all.)

Now here are those same scores for the state.

                                     Eng. Lang. Arts    69    
                                    Mathematics          59
                                     Sci and Tech/Eng  54

Now that's about a twenty point spread. We can make ourselves feel better by manipulating the data and change who we are comparing ourselves against but at the end of the day we are compared with everybody who plays the same game. WOULD YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE RED SOX IF THEY PLAYED AGAINST MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS?

WHATEVER,

we got a problem. So what is LPS'S solution?

Well we start by kicking off the year by giving LUCKY LATHAM, a THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR raise. That should boost something.

Also we promote KIM POWERS to CURRICULUM DIRECTER. Aside from the fact she testified TWICE at LSC meetings in ole LUCKY'S behalf, let's look at how she did. She does have this SIX YEAR PLAN that she has been using at her old school, INGALLS.

HERE GOES!
                                     INGALLS                                                   STATE

                                     Eng. Lang. Arts      39                                  Eng. Lang. Arts    69
                                    Mathematics           34                                 Mathematics          59
                                     Sci and Tech/Eng   24                                  Sci and Tec/Eng    54

Now HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars have been spent to implement this NEW PLAN. I started out this post quoting O'REILLY now I think I should quote PAUL SIMON:

TIME TO GET A NEW PLAN, STAN

We got problems, no doubt but who do you think has solutions?
                                   
                                 

KIPP KARRIES ON

KIPP leaves Lynn church a 'holy mess'They tell their students there are no shortcuts in life but they don't practice that," he said. "They took a year and a half to build a school but in two months they couldn't remove the modulars?" Mercurio said. "They can teach kids words but if you don't show them in action, it's empty."

BY THEIR FRUITS THEY WILL BE KNOWN

Isn't this the same school alone in WV? Being from there, I could say their is no better place to be abandoned. The student probably could have lived off the land. I am sure KIPP taught him to live off the tax payers.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

TIP OF THE PROBLEM, NO PROBLEM

Lest I live up to my reputation as a BITTER, CRIPPLED POET let me talk POSITIVE for a moment.

From most reports, at least ALL that I've heard, the SUMMER PROGRAMS orchestrated by DR. JAYE WARRY were a resounding success this year.

CAMP BULLDOG, CAMP RAM, and CAMP TIGER were pretty well attended and there curriculum, highlighting ARTS and SPORTS were well received.

DR. WARRY'S vision  became a reality with the TIP(Tutorials-In-Place) program where LPS partnered with daycare facilities across the city to bring teachers to the students in order to save those PRECIOUS SLOTS. The end result SUMMER SLIDE was avoided and everybody was a winner.

THANK YOU DR. WARRY, GOOD JOB!

DON'T GET YOUR IRISH UP

Here's another assignment for you WATCH WATCHERS to connect the dots.

FACT ONE:

The lovely STACY PHELAN  was given a PROGRAM SPECIALIST job last year. I have been personally assured by her husband, COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIM PHELAN of her abilities and qualifications. I have no reason to doubt him, I mean he's a lawyer for goodness sakes.

FACT TWO:

COUNCIL PRESIDENT PHELAN signed off on a letter of support for DR. LATHAM and not posting the SUPERINTENDENTS position.

FACT THREE:

Hired to teach Pre-K at CALLAHAN SCHOOL is CRYSTAL PHELANfrom SAUGUS. Now I am NOT alleging ANY family connection, face it there was that PHELAN who caught DOUG FLUTIE'S famous HAIL MARY pass in that BOWL game against MIAMI. Besides she IS certified and even if she is related that does not preclude her from being the BEST.

Anyway, how does your mouth taste now?

AT THE RISK OF THE WOTRING WING

I CONFESS. Some of you probably thought so anyway. I AM CROOKED.

You see I've got SCOLIOSIS and that combined with my ARTHRITIS makes life very painful for me. I've got a flareup right now that I probably should be in the hospital for. I have a VERY LIMITED range of motion that I must stay in to avoid knifing pains. My life is crazy, like I tell my son "READ MY  BOOK"

myautoblographylifestories 

 Still I feel a responsibility.

So here goes I got to point out some PAINFUL FACTS.

FACT ONE:

Here comes the painful part cause I like the guy. He has always treated me with respect and some of you don't feel I deserve it. But anyway, facts are facts.

DR. COWDELL, principal at MARSHALL testified on behalf on not posting the SUPERINTENDENT'S position.

FACT TWO:

DR. COWDELL turned down a job offer to become the NEW principal at a WAKEFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL. This was after an exhaustive interview process where he was picked from a list of candidates.

FACT THREE:

IRENE COWDELL was chosen to be a NEW principal at INGALLS. Now I have friends and WATCH WATCHERS that will vouch for her CREDIBILITY. I will also say just because something smells fishy doesn't mean that it is. I say this because I remember back to my CHEMISTRY days, certain chemicals, KETONES for example smell like familiar things. so the senses can be deceived.

EQUALS:

I am in too much pain to connect the dots. GO FIGURE.

IT RUNS DEEP



You know what I found out? KIMBERLEE POWERS, LPS’S new head of CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION is the niece of FORMER TEACHER’S UNION president ALICE GUNNING. I think they even share or shared a duplex.

ALICE nowadays spends her time, two or three days a week at the WASHINTON SCHOOL (you know the one they said was an INNOVATION SCHOOL that wasn’t unless we want to call it one, as one of those per diem CONSULTANTS, like the ones they talked about at that SPECIAL MEETING a while back. Remember there was that DYNAMIC DUO who got PAID $800 a day?

How well represented do you teachers feel now?

Remember LATIN is a DEAD language so there could not be any QUID PRO QUO.


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A CLASSICAL MOVE

Now, I've been told of a CERTIFIED foreign language teacher from HARVARD who interviewed at BREED. He didn't get the job.

WHILE.....,

we hired CORRADO RUSSO for FOREIGN LANGUAGE at CLASSICAL (there's that RAM pattern again) and SANDRA NOACK for FOREIGN LANGUAGE at CLASSICAL (a troubling trend, perhaps?)

I guess the phone lines between BREED and CLASSICAL were down.

DOTS AND TREES

Once again, I need your help. I've not been feeling good lately. It is very painful for me to even turn my head, The stress of dealing with organizational incompetence combined with my arthritis has caught up with me.

So I am going to point out a few facts for you and you connect the dots for me.

FACT ONE:

KIMBERLEE POWERS, former principal at INGALLS testified TWICE on behalf of DR. LATHAM whenever there was discussion of posting the SUPERINTENDENT'S position.

PLUS

FACT TWO:

KIMBERLEE POWERS was PROMOTED to DIRECTOR of CURRICULUM and INSTRUCTION

PLUS

Two new POWERS, PAUL and KATHLEEN were hired. Now KATHLEEN is certified but PAUL is not and he teaches SPECIAL ED at CLASSICAL (Does anyone see a PATTERN). Now I don't know if anyone is related, given my condition I'm not in any condition to do any tree climbing, even if it's only a FAMILY TREE.

MORE COMIC HIRES

Here we go again! We keep hearing about the FLOOD of immigrants that's gonna devastate our public school system.

So what does LPS do to help alleviate the statistical Armageddon forthcoming?

WE HIRE AN UNCERTIFIED TEACHER AT CLASSICAL TO TEACH THEM, BERTA TAVARES!

You can't beat the irony of REALITY!

ARE THE GOOD DOC AND THE ITEM AN ITEM

This article is a good story. I'll refrain from making WISECRACKS;
Pleasant surprise arrives at Washington School


BUT.....,

did I miss the article on last night's SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE meeting?



Special School Committee workshop tonight that will be conducted as an open meeting @ 5:30. Looking forward to listening to the Mass. Association of School Committee's presentation on goal setting and new evaluation process. Should be televised and hopef


I didn't get to go but DR. Latham said at last Thursday's LSC they would be talking test scores too. Who knows? Not me.

WHERE IS THE ITEM ON THIS?

Surely THOR can handle these DATA STORM TROOPERS.

FAMILY MATTERS MATTER?



Let me state right up front, I ain’t making NO allegations. Just going to point out a couple of UNDISPUTED facts. You can draw your own conclusions.

FACT ONE:

PRINCIPAL CONSTANTINO of CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL testified in favor of not posting the SUPERINTENDENTS contract thereby insuring that DR.LATHAM’S contract would be extended.

PLUS

FACT TWO:

CARA CONSTANTINO, from MARBLEHEAD was hired as an UNCERTIFIED SPED teacher at BREED this year. (Now I’m not saying they are related, CONSTANTINO is a pretty common name or so I’m told.)

EQUALS

Well I’ll let you decide.

TARGETED DISCRIMINATION



Yea, those darn immigrants are messing up our MCAS scores, I say throw them ALL OUT.

EXCEPT….,

well maybe, we’ll keep that one that’s going to HARVARD and that one who got what was it, a scholarship from the GATES FOUNDATION. Oh yeah, there are a few in the MATH CLUB and some of those other academic sounding names.

Seriously though, those funny sounding names GOT TO GO.

WAIT A MINUTE…,

I don’t mean mine. It’s not that difficult, just pretend the “O” is an “A”.

Our MARVELOUS MAYOR has no trouble pronouncing it correctly when I go to OPEN MIKE. Then again, she is in MENSA, the closest I ever got to that esteemed society was tracking client’s menstrual cycles where I used to work.

Monday, September 17, 2012

MORE COMEDY BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE REALITY OF LPS

Maybe the didn't publish the list of new hires is because about the same number (13 each) of uncertified people were hired as certified.

HMM....

Didn't our SPED department dodge a LEVEL 4 bullet thanks to some fancy statistical footwork by LUCKY LATHAM on  appeal.

SHE IS A SMART LADY!

THANKS TO THOR

?Unaccompanied minors’ present challenge for Lynn

With help from the journalism gods, THOR fleshed out a story WATCH WATCHERS already read about!

PIC YOUR POISON




There has been a lot of talk about the slowness and lack of responsiveness out of the PARENT INFORMATION CENTER and well yes I’ve participated in some of the chatter.

DAVE HEGAN of the PIC presented a persuasive POWERPOINT THAT a pretty good job at making us naysayers looks like fools. I FEEL SO ASHAMED. The pretty little graphs made him look real BUSY.

Even critics like parent’s rights proxy, LSC member DONNA COPPOLA was lauding a difficult job well-done and even offering suggestions on ways to make things go smoother like requiring the gathering of all the necessary documents before an appointment is given.

OKAY……,

but how does he do this job and handle the TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT as well? Have you noticed the price of fuel lately? Look at all the buses we run. This department has a budget with S*E*V*E*N F*I*G*U*R*E*S. Surely it needs to be run by someone who could give it his or her full attention.

The same can be said about the PIC. I mean, it is an IMPORTANT job. To do it well demands someone’s FULL attention.

No one can BULLY me into believing a little politics aren’t in play here. I don’t know how, I don’t know who, I don’t know why but I know. I’m good like that.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

I CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP



I am not that funny really. I don’t have to be when we have the irony of reality. Do you know that roughly the same percentage of LPS kids who graduate is equal to the percentage of LPS new hires that are certified? That would be 70%.

How can we expect our kids to value the completion of their education when LPS clearly doesn’t.

In all fairness though our schools are providing them with a VALUABLE life lesson:

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

RAM TOUGH or NOT GOING TO THE ‘DOGS



You have to ask yourself if you’re LPS. “Why are we here?” I always thought their main mission was to see that our kids get a good education but ….

EXCUSE ME, I GUESS I WAS WRONG.

It seems we learned about a boy who was an IMPACT PLAYER (translation-good) last year on the NINTH GRADE team at CLASSICAL was denied an ATHLETIC WAIVER this year when he decided to honor his mother’s request to WALK the five minutes to ENGLISH versus taking the MBTA or taxicab to CLASSICAL.

You can understand CLASSICAL’S position, I mean why would we want to teach him to HONOR HIS FATHER AND MOTHER.

Hey, I’ve got an idea for a RESOLUTION TO THIS RECRUITMENT RUCKUS.

COACH PHELPS from CLASSICAL can pay for the bus and taxi fare necessary. Maybe PRINCIPAL CONSTATINO can chip in or maybe COACH PHELPS would rather be on the hook for the future cost of the kid’s college education. After all, I bet an IMPACT player would be a good candidate for a scholarship somewhere.

GOT TO BE BRENDAN’S BABY



It’s MAGICAL, It’s a MYSTERY. It’s the MUSIC MOTIVATES ME TOUR.

Free CD’s provide a reminder of the positive message that music can provide. The importance of setting goals and the power of education provides the beats for bringing out the best in our kids.

After a wildly successful trial last year at LVTI and MARSHALL, they plan to stop at not only LPS schools but hope to strike GOLD in other schools around the NORTH SHORE with a little help from their friends.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

THE NAME GAME

I don't know nothing about no relations. I'm from WV, it don't matter much to us. Included in the NEW HIRES were a MCHUGH, a CONSTANTINO,a PHELAN, and a couple  of POWERS.

Does make you wonder why they kept the new hire list from the public, though. HEY MAURY!

NOT ENTITLED TO TITLE I?

Now I am not as smart as DR.s LATHAM and WARRY, everybody knows that. I am just a poor, disabled poet.

Still I just don't understand something. I'm hoping someone will help me out here.

Now all throughout everything I read about TITLE I is the mantra "SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT".

Seems we got this other grant for pre-K called the ELM grant that is funding some WONDERFUL iniatives. Now it ends SEPT 30 and LSC member DONNA COPPOLA was curious if now that the grant was ending if those teachers would be going back to the classroom like originally promised or were we going to get stuck paying them out of the general appropriation.

OH NO, she was told.

We'll pay for three teachers out of TITLE I and one out of TITLE II.

Now replacing funding of one grant with another sounds more like SUPPLANTING to me than SUPPLEMENTING.

I don't know, I am just a poor, disabled poet.

MULTIPLE VICTIMS AT COMMERCIAL STREET TO GET SOME SERIOUS INJURIES

We learned at THURSDAY NIGHT'S LSC MEETING that soon the SKY WILL BE FALLING. Taking a page from CHICKEN LITTLE'S IEP, we were warned about the TSUNAMI of immigrants FLOODING LPS and how our MCAS scores will suffer drastic drops due to this influx of illiterate immigrants into our multi-colored student population.

WE ARE DOOMED!

BUT WAIT A MINUTE.

AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY LSC MEMBER DONNA COPPOLA TO NAIL DOWN AN ACTUAL NUMBER OF THE HORDE OF STUDENTS WE HAVE IN OUR NEWCOMER CLASSES NOW, TESTIMONY WAS GIVEN PUTTING THE NUMBER AT:

21

YES, that's 21.

Now everybody knows I am not a math but I don't think 21 out of 14,000 is what they call STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

I think she was trying to throw us a BELL SHAPED CURVE.

LISTEN TO THIS,

The GOOD DOCTOR was warning us about some troubling NUMBERS that were coming out and there was some protest about the NEW method of calculation.

COULD SHE BE TALKING MCAS SCORES?

There also was a lot of chatter about LEVEL 3 schools and well we have a FEW.

Anyway, she said she was going to find out MONDAY. Give her a call and find out. Here you go:

Dr. Latham
Lynn Public Schools
Administrative Offices
90 Commercial Street
Lynn, Massachusetts 01905
(781) 593-1680

Our Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:45 AM - 3:45 PM

THE PRICE OF POLITICS or WHO'S REPRESENTING YOU?

Word has it that the former president of the LYNN TEACHER'S UNION is working at the WASHINGTON SCHOOL a couple, three days a week doing some kind of work, not as a teacher or teacher's aide.

Remember that TAG TEAM OF CONSULTANTS last year that got PAID $800 per day? They supposedly resigned when EXPOSED but no less than DR. J said if we didn't provide the MENTORING service they consulted about we would have to send back lots of RACE TO THE TOP money.

WHAT HAPPENED?

 DID WE?

DID WE HIRE NEW ONES AND WHO WERE THEY?

If they consistently listed NEW HIRES, I guess I would know!

THE POWER OF THE INTERNET or DON'T CRY FOR ME CATHE!

Check out this wonderful blog for yet another perspective of LYNN  SCHOOLS.

LORI and CLEO meet LAURA!

http://laurasecret8.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 14, 2012

HALLOWEEN COMES EARLY AT LSC MEETING

Last night there was a good old fashioned WITCH HUNT. Hey, is it CANNIBALISM if you hunt  your own kind?

I have NEVER seen any HOME SCHOOLING parents come before the LSC to justify their teaching. I have even posted about it before.

Last night was different.

LAURA LECLAIR home schools her 5 children. She has done it for 15 years in PA. She has a 20 yr old son in college. She said she was told if she didn't attend last night's meeting, she wouldn't be allowed to home school. Mind you this has NEVER happened and there were three other families who weren't there last night and still got approved.

DR. LATHAM FLATLY DENIES THEY WERE REQUIRED TO ATTEND.

STILL.....

they were there and DR. LATHAM ASKED if thet would VOLUNTARILY provide a mid-year PORTFOLIO that to the best of my knowledge NO ONE ELSE has to provide.

COULD THIS BE BECAUSE BOTH PARENTS WERE DISABLED?

Now I didn't sat the D word but QUACK,QUACK!

MEETING SILENCED!

Toward the end of the meeting last night our MARVELOUS MAYOR announced the AUDIO was not working on the telecast! Too bad.

HOWEVER.....,

a sound recording WAS MADE. I saw the CD with my own little eyes and heard the SOUND GUY blame LYNNCAM.

HMMM!

PLANNED PARENT PUT OUT?


BOILS DOWN TO BLOODLINES

At OPEN MIKE last night I pointed out the fact that all of the PERSONNEL MOVES, you know, NEW HIRES, used to be published on the AGENDAS handed out at LSC meetings but haven't been the last few. This gives the appearance that they have something to hide even if they DON"T.

WELL, MAYBE THEY DO.

I have seen the list and to my surprise an interesting name was there, a NEW HIRE in Electronics at LVTI. His name is MICHAEL MCHUGH from DRACUT and he is NOT CERTIFIED for the position.

Where is MAURY POVICH when you need him?

"YOU ARE THE FATHER!"

LITTLE LORI, do you feel like writing?

LUCKY LATHAM LASHES OUT AT LITTLE LORI

The WASHINGTON SCHOOL is an INNOVATION SCHOOL cause, cause we say it is. That is a paraphrase of the words of the good doctor. They were uttered after LITTLE LORI asked at OPEN MIKE that in the future requested that LPS be more truthful with the parents.

After LORI said her piece somebody's head started spinning around and flames started coming out of that head's eyes.

LORI correctly reminded that person that these sessions were not designed to engage in a back and forth discussion,but then she said since the good doctor wanted to start a conversation, LORI was about to respond. Before she could elaborate our MENSA MAYOR slammed the gavel down to start the meeting. SHE IS SO SMART!

LITTLE LORI would not be left out. The following letter was sent:

Mayor Kennedy:

I am contacting you regarding the incident that took place tonight at the school committee meeting after I spoke at open mic.  Before every open mic session, you inform everyone in the room of the rules and procedures that must be followed for the open mic portion of the meeting.  You specifically tell everyone that there will not be any back and forth communication or debating and that we speakers will have 3 minutes to speak and that there will not be any response from the committee.  However, tonight after I spoke, Dr. Latham immediately began debating on the issue I spoke about and you allowed her to do so.  However, you did not and would not extend me the same courtesy.  In fact, you rudely interrupted me as soon as I started to respond to her.  It was absolutely unacceptable for you, the Mayor of our city and the Chairperson of our school committee, to allow Dr. Latham to break the the very rules and procedures you had spoke about just minutes before.  If you are going to have rules and procedures in place, those rules and procedures must apply to all, not just some.  I thought Dr. Latham's behavior and yours was extremely unprofessional and I will be addressing this issue at the next school committee meeting.  

For the record, the fact that Dr. Latham considers the Washington School an innovation school, does not make it one.  The Executive Office of Education has confirmed this fact on more than one occasion.  If she continues to provide the public with this false information, I will contact them again.

Thank you

Lori D'Amico      

NEXT TIME LUCKY, PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

LOOKING FOR THE BEST

A requirement for TITLE I funds is to "create strategies to attract highly qualified teachers"

I wonder just how we go about doing this. I mean it is simple to just put out a mass advertisement or a mass e mail blast (I can vouch for that).

Still it would seem smarter to me to do a little targeted solicitation.
(Sounds like we're looking for a streetwalker)

Maybe we can't,

Don't you just hate when the law gets in the way of doing what's right??

HOPE TO INVENT "NEW" WHEEL!

What Lynn students eat — and don’t — is focus of October school food study

The intention of this study is worthy, it really is.

BUT.....

we already know what it's going to find out. Nobody likes BRUSSEL SPROUTS!

The question we should be asking is why the wildly successful changes made at CLASSICAL haven't made it to the other schools yet?

I mean, I sat at an LSC meeting LAST YEAR and listened to glowing testimony and witnessed the promises of spreading it to the other schools.

HAS THIS HAPPENED? WHY?

We did hear about the virtues and vices of PINK SLIME and more promises.

HOW YA DOIN?

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

TITLE (I) FIGHT

Someone out there help this poor crippled parent please:

One of the parents on the respective SCHOOL COUNCILS should be identified to serve as liaison to the CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION, and may participate in 2-3 meetings at the central office during the year to address parental involvement requirements pf the TITLE I program.

Okay, just who was and when? I really want to CREDIT LPS for doing their federally required job. Remember we have 26 schools and what were those parent's names again?

SMOKE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

I was wondering how FRANCES MARTINEZ contract can warrant an negotiations in an executive session. Was the position ever posted? I expressed interest in the position way back when (nobody got back with me to turn me down)but I pour over so many websites and stuff, I forget.

Then there was that rumor about the SPED culture.

How can we expect the LSC to negotiate a contract for a position that never came before them?

I SURE WISH I WAS SMARTER.

MY HICO FRIENDS ARE MAKING SURE I AM RIGHT AND FED

David Gass our DIRECTOR passed a long this series of e mails showing how much he cares that my tummy is not hungry.


Good morning,

Yes, the opening  is this Thursday at 8am.  Stanley you're welcome to join
us.  We sent out invitations to David, Leslie and other members of HICO.
Like I said last night, we're working on a  Meet your Neighbors event in
the near future so we can have all neighbors come out and join us.:)  And
we will make sure it's schedule at a more convenient time and day.  Perhaps
a Saturday early afternoon.

I'm glad I went to the meeting last night. thank you all.

Best regards,

Hugo

On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 10:45 AM, David Gass  wrote:

Hugo,

Isn't the 'Opening' this Thursday, the 13th at 8AM?
Don't want Stanley to miss breakfast (see below).
DG

 Stanley Wotring posted in Lynn friends
LYNN SCHOOL WATCH: KIPP KOMES TO HICO
http://www.facebook.com/l/**XAQGGJ6hOAQEWJconH72f5mb0FV5R9**
WfK84WtB7esc3BGIQ/**lynnschoolwatch.blogspot.com/**
2012/09/kipp-komes-to-hico.**html?spref=fb

THANK YOU DAVID.

My BFF was saying it was by invite only. My stomach says you might become my new BFF.

IF ONLY LPS OFFICIALS READ MY BLOG



I am so confused. I mean it is PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE that I am none too smart. It must be from all of those double first cousins in WV.

What I hear around the well when I go to get buckets of water for the house is a lot of chatter about how TITLE I money can’t be used to pay for GED instruction.

FUNNY…..

the way I understand the TITLE I regs:

FUNDS ARE TO BE USEDTO BUILD PARENT CAPACITY IN IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

HMM….,

you would think that a more learned parent, one who had worked for a GED, would be one that would have more CAPACITY to be able HELP (aka IMPROVE) their kids school work.

MAYBE….,

with the TITLE I money not being spent on GED classes can be thrown into a WISHING WELL and that’s how we can better use the TITLE I monies.

THOSE LPS ADMINISTRATORS ARE SO SMART!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

HOW CAN PARENTS BECOME INVOLVED WITH TITLE I SPENDING?

I'm not going to tell you.

LPS HAS TO TELL YOU!

They are REQUIRED to Develop/review/ distribute

DISTRICT AND SCHOOL PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICIES

DEMAND A DATE FROM CATHE

Do you know that LPS is REQUIRED by law to have an annual to present information on TITLE 1 FUNDS?

The AGENDA is to include:

1. Distribution and Discussion og "Title I Program Description"

2. Distribution and Discussion of School Parent Involvement Policy and District Parent Involvement Policy

3. Discussion of the School Improvement Plan

4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENT TRAINING

For more info:

Lynn Public Schools
Administrative Offices
90 Commercial Street
Lynn, Massachusetts 01905
(781) 593-1680

KIPP KOMES TO HICO

We had the monthly meeting for the HIGHLANDS COALITION last night at the FORD SCHOOL. LSC members RICK STARBARD and MARIA CARRASCO were there representing LPS.

KIPP was represented by a young guy, I don't remember his name. FORGIVE ME, I'm old. What I do remember is that they are having some sort of OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, Sept. 20. All I know for sure is it starts at 8AM and breakfast is involved. FEED ME, I can be bought.

Anyway give them a call to find out more,

School phone: 781-581-8491 
School email: adeangelo@kippma.org
Website: http://www.kipplynn.org

WOTRING WING AWAY?

I stopped by MARSHALL yesterday under the disguise of a concerned parent. DR. COWDELL immediately met with me and promised to keep me in the loop about my daughter's progress, grades and meetings and such. I have repeatedly told you my life is CRAZY. I have NOTHING but praise to heap on him for his responsiveness on this matter.

BUT.....,

the real reason I was there was to undertake a covert operation on the current construction status of the MUCH ANTICIPATED (by me anyway) WOTRING WING in the new MARSHALL construction plans. To my surprise on the posted agenda for Thursday night's LSC meeting there is a communication, a Monthly Progress Report for THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL.

FUNNY THOUGH.....,

no one ever SEES the ACTUAL COMMUNICATION. Doesn't seem like a good way to communicate. I've suggested many time before they should put it on line for everyone to see.

BUT HEY......,

why shouldn't we believe what we are told?

LORI GIVES LIP ABOUT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ON THE AGENDA

.Let's all remember that Kevin McHugh just got a raise and makes about $121,000 per year and Tom Iarrobino, who is the SECRETARY for the school committee, makes over $91,000 per year. Yes,as a SECRETARY!! How many of you parents have already received the lists of required supplies from your children's teachers that you MUST purchase because LPS refuses to?? I bet they won't have a problem finding the money to give out during these contract negotiations, just like they have never had a problem before finding money for all other administrative raises. Meanwhile, our kids are suffering in over-crowded, chaotic classrooms that lack necessary resources and supplies in deteriorating and hazardous buildings!! Is anyone still confused on why Lynn has so many failing and under-performing schools and is a failing school district??

Also.....these raises that we all know will be voted and approved to be given out in these negotiations WERE NOT in the proposed budget. What does this mean? It means they will steal money away from our schools and kids and put it in the pockets of yet more administrators!!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

WATCH “WRONG” AGAIN?



I would have liked to get this info out earlier but I got the text after I left my office and well since you know I am Internet impaired it had to wait until now.

I sent text to RICK STARBARD, LSC member inquiring about the truth of the NEW PARENT LIASON rumor. He said he would check into it text me back.

A man of his word, he put a call into DR. LATHAM and he informed me of the results. His message indicated that DR. LATHAM had denied the rumor and insisted that FRANCES MARTINEZ was still in the position PARENT LIASON to the PAC. End of story, rumor squashed right?

I called my SECRET SOURCE (I feel like I’m making a Big Mac, maybe it has something to do with the location of my office) and he or she was perplexed. I was given the source of the source and I shared her perplexion.

For me to be right that would mean somebody was less than truthful. In the past there have been INNOVATIVE stories from the administration. For questions about reliability of truthfulness I refer you to the argument presented here, http://lynnschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2012/09/these-ducks-are-walking.html

It just seems a little strange to me that there has been no other denial of the truthfulness of my source. That wouldn’t mean anything if only my Mom read my BLOG. if you hadn’t noticed, I got some BIG numbers.

Oh, I keep forgetting, THE ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T READ MY BLOG!

Too Bad! Because it would be nice to have my official wrongness put out there. I’m good at being wrong, remember 4 wives. Admit your mistake and move on, that’s what I always say.

Friday, September 7, 2012

UNFORTUNATE COINCIDENCE

Arts After Hours - Clock to the Rock 5K Post Race Party - ALL ARE WELCOME!

Good party, free food, and tunes.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN


Open House
For more information about LCEP, attend our
upcoming Open House:
When: Thursday, September 20
th
, 6-9PM
Where: LVTI Annex, 90 Commercial St

WHERE WILL YOU GO?

BRICKS BLOCK ENTRANCE TO PICKERING MIDDLE SCHOOL

You would think they could have seen this coming. There were a TON of signals. It seems that MR. RITTERHOUSE (remember I like him) has to do DOUBLE DUTY as BOTH principal and vice principal for at least a little bit.

Looking at the LPS website, http://www.lynnschools.org/departments_employment.shtml#gpm1_ , he may not be alone.

My understanding of a VP's job is that he or she is like the COP of the school handling DISCIPLINE problems. With the size of our middle schools, can we afford to let the students run amuck in the halls?

I have one word that could have avoided the potential of the possibility:

INTERIM.

THESE DUCKS ARE WALKING

Now I'm not one to start trouble or say anything bad about anybody, but if you will indulge me for a moment to point out a couple of things then you can come up with your own conclusion.

FACT ONE: SOURCE  FACEBOOK - DR. LATHAM said she was going to pull down the newly posted stipend position for LYNN COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM LIAISON, so that the creation of the position could be discussed in public before the WHOLE school committee and the PUBLIC.

IT WAS NOT.

FACT TWO: SOURCE LYNNHAPPENS http://lynnhappens.com/Not only was the questionably posted position not pulled down but as you can plainly see someone was hired

 LCEP Coordinator: Kevin McDormand
mcdormandk@lynnschools.org

Now I would never presume to label DR. LATHAM a liar. TOM IARIBINO already took me to the proverbial, metaphorical woodshed in my first meeting with LATHAM and her two heavies, UNCLE T and DR. J. So you can understand I am a little afraid and I don't want to start NO trouble.

So I am asking you, does this sound like someone being truthful.

QUACK, QUACK

Thursday, September 6, 2012

LET'S TALK INFORMATION

I will refrain from making any MIS-INFORMATION jokes. I want to state that right up-front. I'll save that for another post. What I want to know is how in all that is holy (I'm talking WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY here) can we have someone in charge of both this and driving all our school buses at the same time. Okay so he doesn't ACTUALLY get behind the wheel of every single school bus but overseeing them all is still a monumental task.

That probably helps to EXPLAIN the pleasant, welcoming personality that the PARENT INFORMATION CENTER is best known for. I know they are busy. We got a lot of kids. Guess what? We knew this ahead of time. Why weren't we better prepared?

Hopefully when things all get settled, we'll won't have any classes the size of the ones I hear about now via FACEBOOK like all the 1st grade classes at 33 at FORD and 31 at TRACY.

Some of these kids are going to get settled in at their new school then have to relive the TRAUMA a week later when they have to move to a new school.

LOOKS LIKE WE REALLY MISSED THE BUS ON THIS ONE!

FALSE OCCUPATION

Opening up LVTI this way
will cause the people who need help to stay
home where the benefits are sent
instead of learning to find a job to pay the rent.

We need more taxpayers,
not BS in pretty layers.

SOMETIMES I CAN SEE THE FUTURE

Been looking over the LYNN COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM and I noticed something missing - a class on FIREFIGHTING, because this thing is going to go down in FLAMES.

Most people who need those classes can't AFFORD those classes. Those of you who hope to open this up as a community space, I have some prime beachfront property for the location of the new MARSHALL (don't forget that WOTRING WING)

PREDICTION

This project will fail due to lack of interest - i.e. money - and it will close before it begins. You will never get the chance for real community involvement because well, the doors will be closed. SORRY, well we tried.

I hope I'm wrong. I do have blurry vision. Still though, that's better than no vision.

LET THE OCCUPATION BEGIN

Looks like it's all set. I just wonder about that liaison guy. Remember?

I DON'T THINK THEY LIKE ME

SPED to get help from captain of a sinking ship. Rumor has it that possible  potential parent liaison has good friends who care about him if not about kids. I wonder what his qualifications are for this job. They must be PRETTY GOOD if I didn't even get the chance to COMPETE.

UH....,

well I didn't get a chance last time either. They didn't even acknowledge that I had expressed interest. GEEZ!

FROM STONE COLD TO RED HOT

FOR MY PAC PEOPLE

Sources suggest that a new parent liaison has been named. He is STEPHEN GODFREY from the CMCC. Let's go people, give me some juice.

I never knew they were looking for someone, I might have wanted to APPLY. I mean, I know people.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING


New beginnings, time for a new start. Let's look at where we are at. We now have a former INNOVATION SCHOOL that wasn't really an INNOVATION SCHOOL. After a little pressure from this exposure, the INNOVATION part of the new school was dropped and the STEM focus has began to be touted.

Now I do like SCIENCE and it can be fun. Yes, I am a closet TREKKIE.

BUT.....

"beam me up CATHE!" What is going on?

Suddenly MONIES became available to make KNOW-ATOM to 3rd,4th, and 5th graders throughout the city (seriously good move). Did anyone else notice that 1st and 2nd graders weren't included? Okay I know there are more important things like the rudiments of READING. I mean who cares what a TRICORDER does, if you can't read what it says?

HMM...,

why then would we BRAG about having a NEW school that is STEM based that is limited this year to the first two grades when we have already PUBLICLY acknowledged that we don't think that the time is right to spend extra money on.

MAYBE....

that's because the students can't read the word - STEM - yet.

BUT....

who can read it are POTENTIAL VOTERS who can be deceived about innovative educational illusions than results from our kids.

ANYWAY....

let's just sit back and wait for those improved MCAS scores!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

PARENTS POWER PUSHED

On the first day of school
crowded classrooms
that will be the rule
"We're looking good" says the fool.

Not enough text to go around,
only a few books
can be found.
Old schools given new looks

but we see more of the same.
In parents we must now hope
if education we are to tame
or with more failure, we must cope.

GALLO IS TOO "MODEST"

Charlie Gallo for Lynn School Committee

Missing from his list of credible accomplishment was his primary (how do you like a little voter vocab?) participation in programs that practiced practices promulgated illusions that alluded to deceptions for your reception.

Don't forget his part in the BOGUS BUDGET BALLYHOO. We all learned that a lawyer can indeed fish because MR. GALLO showed us he knew how to BAIT AND SWITCH.   -  SORRY CHARLIE!

AND THEN.....

there his delving into realm of MAGIC! He helped push the alluding of the illusion of an INNOVATION SCHOOL that was not one and not even particularly innovative. Look to the LPS Website and WASHINGTON INNOVATION SCHOOL. Now (really then) you see it, now (now, really) you don't.

Tis election time and time to crawl from under....(where?)