BOND BONANZA BAFFLES BUT HEY!

The WATCH is thinking of changing its (my) mind. I've been saying we ought to build the NEW MARSHALL on the site of the old MARSHALL.

SILLY ME....

I was thinking of trying to SAVE the city money, but it seems like somebody spiked the drinking water at city hall and COMMERCIAL STREET because of all of this BOND TALK, I think they think even the toilets flush with cash.

SO......,

now I want to switch my preference to KEANY PARK. Take whatever land you need on the other side of the street of VOLUNTEER FIELD. Sorry COMPARE and churches, but this educational recreational complex would be.....SWEET.

PICKERING PRANCES

PICKERING MIDDLE SCHOOL is going to salvage their dance savaged by the storm, SANDY. The beat goes on                

                            Thursday NOV 1
                             From 5:30-800 pm

Got to get FOOTLOOSE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS......?

The Daily Item: Developer changes Lynn plan from housing to ..

I need a little help following the logic here. You see, I'm not as smart as some of these people with their FANCY degrees.

First we have this statement:

In an interview with the Daily Item prior to Tuesday's council meeting, Lynch said high-speed drivers on Brookline might pose a threat to children living in Cricket's proposed apartment building.

THEN....

the apartment idea is quashed, SO......

the entire LSC voted 7-0 to build the new MARSHALL at the same site putting up to 1100 kids in danger daily at multiple times.

COUNCILMAN CYR who was a champion of the neighbor's concerns AGAINST the development proposal ....

SUDDENLY becomes a leading PROPONENT of the site for the school.

What's that I smell?

UP ON THE ROOF

Because of space limitations at the BROOKLINE ST. site for the new MARSHALL, I heard talk about exploring adding GREEN SPACE to the rooftop. You know I don't like the location.....

BUT....,

going GREEN with the roof is a GREAT idea no matter where the rest of the building is or how many floors there are to it.....

SO.....

get a hold of my friends at the HIGHLANDS COALITION cause they got research!

FORD SCHOOL'S EXAMPLE GROWS RESULTS

 Breed teacher plants seeds for hands-on learning class

 Where have I read this story before? I don't know, maybe ............. FORD SCHOOL and their INTERNATIONAL GARDEN. My friends at the HIGHLANDS COALITION will take great satisfaction that their (by that I mean our) ideas are taking root across the city.

KUDOS TO CLASSICAL

 Classical attempts to close communications gap with parents
GREAT JOB, CLASSICAL PRINCIPAL CONSTANTINO! Teaching, that's what schools are supposed to do and teach that's what you are doing. Parents can't accept responsibility if they don't know what it is.

I have been getting HUGE numbers lately on a post on the school's responsibility to tell parents how to get involved!

OUT AHEAD ON SANDY

Congratulations to DR. LATHAM for being decisive and a leader on storm readiness. LPS was the FIRST school system that I saw cancel school. I got a voice recording call from my son's principal, MR. RITERHAUS from PICKERING on SATURDAY.

Being first of first is better than being first of last.

TEAM SPIRIT

On NOVEMBER 1 LSC member RICK STARBARD threw himself on the proverbial grenade and volunteered to maybe attend the Annual Business meeting of the MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATIONS of SCHOOL COMMITTEES. The entire rest of the LSC was only too happy to let him fall on the #2 pencil,

NURSING NEWS

We, by that I mean THEY since my paychecks don’t come from CATHE’S CREW, have a new school nurse at LPS. Joining their team will be TERRY ARSENAULT, RN. Now mind you, TERRY’S degree is of the four year variety, a BSN.

FAMILY TIES

FAMILY TIES

I can’t keep up with the comedy put forth by LPS. How’s this for IRONY? On the same day that the LSC executes the $90 thousand contract complete with a small pay raise for LSC SECRETARY TOM IAARIBINO we have a presentation by brother RICHARD on LPS’S VISITOR POLICY.

I mean really, why we would want to have strangers getting our money.

FAMILY FIRST.

THE FUDGE FACTOR

There was some confusion at THURSDAY night's LSC MEETING over the need for LYNN WOODS PTO to come before the LSC to ask for permission.

IT WAS PLAIN TO ME (as opposed to with nuts).

They wanted the FREE advertising on LYNNCAM. Those meetings are played over and over again (THANK GOODNESS).

PLUS....,

I might mention it in the WATCH and I do have a little audience.

WALKING TO WASHINGTON

Let me get this straight - WE ARE ASKING FIRST GRADERS TO CROSS THE LYNNWAY?

I guess we should not worry TOO much. Those short legs make them SMALL targets for oncoming traffic.

CLASS ACTION

Congratulations to ELLEN MORIARTY, new SCIENCE DEPARTMENT at CLASSICAL. This an exciting time to be involved in SCIENCE with all of this emphasis on STEM.....

UNLESS.....,

you teach at FORD SCHOOL....

where they UNHOOK your COMPUTERS.

LYNN WINS!

Well it's not exactly school related

UNLESS.....,

you take into consideration they practice at LYNN ENGLISH......

AND.....

we're talking about my DAUGHTER is on the

WINNING TEAM.

You see the girls from EAST LYNN POP WARNER B ADVANCED SQUAD won first place in the NORTHEAST CHEERLEADING COMPETITION. Seems I'm not the only WOTRING with a big mouth!

THERE'S PROBABLY NO KRYPTONITE AROUND ANYWAY

I seem to recall a vote at a recent LPS meeting to authorize paying some money to have an INDEPENDENT chemist look over the test results from the INGALLS GARDEN to verify that the LEAD LEVEL in the garden was at an acceptable level.

Everybody agreed, SAFETY FIRST.

BUT THEN,

interest just seemed to die. Former princiPAL KIM POWERS moved up and on, our kids were left hanging.

Maybe I missed the meeting where the results were read and since they don't put COMMUNICATIONS on-line, too bad for me.

LOCAL REALITY SHOW BORN?

Featured on the new DANCING WITH THE STARS-LPS EDITION will be a new dance, THE SWING SPACE SHUFFLE.

It has been said that all of the administrative offices in COMMERCIAL STREET were going to be moved to BENNETT STREET where they would be combined with the SPED DEPARTMENT from their BROADWAY OFFICES in the old NEW MEDICO building. The MAYOR even stated some of that FREE CASH, about $16 million, she squeezed out of last years budget would be used to pay for the move. I mean everybody thought there would still be plenty of money left after cleaning up the DPW DEBACLE from the ACCOUNTING IRREGULARITIES.

These moves would leave both COMMERCIAL STREET and BROADWAY empty. Wasn't one of the compelling reasons for choosing the BROOKLINE spot for the new MARSHALL so we wouldn't have to pay/find SWING SPACE?

Looks like we already had it. HMMM,

UNLESS,

there is a SUPER SECRET plan to open up GAMBLING CASINOS at these locations. IT is legal in MA now and we already have a little experience in CRAPS. Look a the sewage problems at CLASSICAL.

Now don't jump to any conclusions, I wouldn't want to start any RUMORS.

MUSIC MOVES PICKERING

Yesterday PICKERING students were treated to a positive performance from musicians and were treated with a free CD. If I remember correctly, this was BRENDAN CREIGHTON'S baby.

WATCH STRAIGHTENED UP

The WATCH was wrong again, sorta. It was one of those not in kind but in degree things or vice versa. It seems that the MCHUGH as a new UNCERTIFIED teacher listed at LTVI was NOT the son of the LPS BUSINESS MANAGER. It was his BROTHER. No nepotism going on here. Move right along.

DON’T YOU FEEL BETTER?

DONNA'S DOING DUE DILIGENCE

Lynn board unanimous: Brookline Street new Marshall site

I am glad to see the site will be TESTED. It is so unlike me to start trouble but when it come to the SAFETY of our kids I might make an exception. I am a little concerned when you put the cart before the horse because you sometimes step in HORSE*#@$.

The MAYOR'S insistence that this site will be containment-free because of the fact that these tracks are used for commercial traffic rather than freight provides little comfort to me. It's not the CARGO that concerns me it's the years of exhaust settling in the soil.

No worries though, I'm not SMART like the powers that be that put this deal together. No one cares about my support for any bond that may be needed.

WRITING THE RIGHT CHECK

I wonder if this PR firm was hired to convince us we are NOT OVERCROWDED.

Money well spent and this is coming from a writer.

No one knows better than me (metaphorically speaking, we all know DR. LATHAM is smarter than me) the power of the WRITTEN WORD.

I AM ANXIOUS TO READ THE PR POETRY!

WORKING FOR A SOLUTION

Lynn student leads local immigration movement

Just complaining about problems like the UNACCOMPANIED MINORS influx of 50+ kids does nothing. These kids will remain here so how do you want them to turn out? Positive programs like this one should be encouraged and touted. I see this as promoting responsibility for yourself.

The cards may be stacked against you but with a little help, you can "cut the deck".

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JUDY?

I am truly concerned. Our lovely little MAYOR has been missing from this computer caper. As chairman of the LSC, she ought have weighed in, offered a position, or anything. Unless her BOSS wants her to keep quiet on this.

Try calling her office. If she is there, I bet she will PERSONALLY answer the phone.

DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER? DON'T WORRY.

Lynn City Hall and Memorial Auditorium 3 City Hall Square Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 (781)-598-4000

I GOT YOU!

PIMP MY RIDE - CONGRATULATIONS TO LSC MEMBER DONNA COPPOLA FOR COMMUNITY AWARD

LOGIC LESSONS FROM LATHAM

An Education: English Language Learners in Urban Districts Struggle on ELA MCAS exam

uneducacion.blogspot.com

Help me out with the logic here. We are 5th in the race to the top of the bottom, so we are throwing away a program with proven gains in this AREA at the FORD SCHOOL. Have I got this right?

OH I FORGOT, IT'S THOSE PEOPLE.

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

 Ford library plan disappoints some

LOOK MA, IT'S NOT ONLY ME!

Parent's are organizing, you better watch out.
They are gathering together and beginning to shout

Resources, you continue to waste.
ANGER, plenty are beginning to taste.

You want us to BOND a new school,
While you play us for a fool.

Our position, we will make clear.
Staying in your job, you should fear.

SUPER SECRET SABOTAGE

A scenario whereby a certain school’s MCAS scores go in the tank, leveling off at LEVEL 4 after computers are captured, kept in the basement and isolated from IMAGINATION LEARNING, resulting in the cessation of education.

Once heading forward is reversed to going backward, there will be predictable justification for unprecedented apprehension of a certain population in a certain location, most certainly.

The only way to defend against an unwarranted and unwelcomed invasion is a strategic disclosure of the exposure of the attacker’s battle plans. By belittling the bully, banal becomes benign and benefits blossom behind a garden of verses.

POETRY LESSONS

Rumors of my impending arrest

purchase of a bullet proof vest

shoes made of concrete

Billy clubs used to beat

bribes I might take

rules I might break

a price to name

for my growing fame

words have their power

my influence begins to tower

a lesson to discern

so those that teach may learn

MARY ELLEN MEASURES COMPUTER CHAOS AT FORD SCHOOL

• The room with 40 computers has been disassembled and removed from the room. The computer based program called Imagine Learning has been shut down until the new lab is online. This program serves forty ELL/SPED students who are struggling with English. They will move the computer lab to a small room. A new smaller lab (only can fit 20 computers) will force the school to have four Imagine Learning sessions per day rather than two.
• Permanent loss of a computer lab that could serve a complete class (all classes are approx. 30 students – none just 20 students!) Smaller lab will not allow a class size of 30 to access it together.
• There are 3 first grade classes - 2 have over 30 and one in the smaller room fits 23 students - the computer room will be for the smaller class and distribute the 3 classes evenly. Otherwise they will need to hire teacher aides for classes over 30 students and Dr. Latham is against the hiring. Problem: Disrupting student’s education in November by taking students from existing first grades to add to the "new" class. Students will have to start anew with an unfamiliar teacher and as most of the students in the smaller class of 21 have ELL or learning issues they need consistency and he small class size.
• $1,100.00 worth of computer-based microscopes recently purchased to be used in conjunction with the new science program Know Atom, science and the Ford Garden will not be able to be used for one class as planned when they had ordered the 40 microscopes.

MAYBE THE CONTRACT COMES WITH COUPONS

Here's a money saving idea for the MAYOR.

MAYBE.....,

she could  hire the same PR firm LPS has hired for her RE-ELECTION campaign.

GIVE HER A CALL!

Lynn City Hall and Memorial Auditorium 3 City Hall Square Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 (781)-598-4000

IN THE SHADOWS

CATHE must be KING
cause the MAYOR'S phone she did not hear ring.

It's not insubordination
if you rule your own nation.

LATHAM'S LINE IN THE SAND

I went to last night's city council meeting. Did you see me on LYNNCAM?

I wanted to hear LUCKY'S LITANY on MARSHALL'S FUNDING.

I was HAPPY to hear that she is now saying we won't have to come up with a 100% upfront, forecasting the need for a smaller bond than the MAYOR said at the last LSC meeting.

EXCEPT.....

if you listen closely to what she said in the end we could be stuck with a much LARGER bill than previously thought. We learned that the LUCRATIVE match we have actually has a LIMITED CAP. Anything that goes over, the city is stuck with. Thankfully, there are rarely cost overruns in construction.

PLUS.....,

we are left with 100% of the cost of any property acquisitions. WE OWN THAT.

That is one reason I am for building on site. That will keep costs down.

PLUS.....,

I think I heard that the MSBA will not cover the cost of ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP. Here we go again.

CLASSICAL MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT ON QUICKSAND BUT MARSHALL WILL BE BUILT ON SHIFTING SANDS.

AM I THE ONLY ONE WITH BRAIN DAMAGE HERE?

$1M needed to fix Classical sinking

You would think they would have learned the importance of SITE SELECTION and POTENTIAL  RISKS. I guess BROOKLINE and the NEW MARSHALL says otherwise.

THE BIGGEST LOSS

Lynn superintendent, Ford principal butt heads on overcrowding problem

The overcrowding is not the worst infraction here, it's not even the GESTAPO style raid that LUCKY LATHAM carried out, it is the PREVENTING of our students from the proven successful computer-assisted  learning programs.

Instead to solve our problems we revert back to last century's teaching methods for our most vulnerable kids and HIRE A PR FIRM to justify fiscal policies that the MAYOR has already went on record questioning.

OH YEAH, WHERE IS THE MAYOR ON THIS?

Maybe she was kidnapped, I mean I think she was captured when she went to COMMERCIAL STREET to she why her calls went unreturned.

CAN YOU RELATE TO THIS?

Is anyone else curious like me why LPS has found it necessary to hire a PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM? I mean with all the overcrowding we have and well, since we are a FAILING DISTRICT that the money might be better spent on our kids in the classroom or even giving our TEACHERS a raise a little closer to the 15%+ that ADMINISTRATORS got?

CALL ME CRAZY

OR

MAYBE I’M JUST AN UNEDUCATED WEST VIRGINIAN THAT DOESN’T KNOW ANY BETTER.

You know, I think I’m gonna ask them at THURSDAY NIGHT’S LSC MEETING.

BUT SHH!

I want to keep my curiosity secret. They’ll never see what hit them.

SACRIFICIAL POETRY

A lot of people are talking

about to me what could be happening.

Looks like they’re be no WOTRING WING,

my body in a WOTRING WALL we could be seeing.

Maybe I could end up in some concrete thing

if there is some educational real estate ring.

To save my skin there praises I should sing,

but think of the changes my sacrifice would bring.

MAYBE THE MAYOR NEEDS TO RETHINK

Mayor: Neighbors must OK new Marshall
Looks like we are already going to have to spend a lot of money developing the waterfront, by that I mean CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

Do we really want to deal with TOXIC CONTAMINATION problems?

SHOW ME THE REPORT SAYING THAT THE SITE IS CLEAN AND SAFE!

COMING UP ON THE DISCOVER-ED CHANNEL

Starring members from both LPS and ISD, a new reality show is set to be filmed in LYNN. The working title is "SWAMP PEOPLE, THE CLASSICAL EDITION".

Who do you think should audition for the parts?

REMEMBER THE BEST CHARACTERS COME FROM THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE TO ACT THE PART!

NEW SCHOOL, OLD FOOLS

After the city was asked to purchase beachfront property for the new CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL (does quicksand count as a beach?), we are looking into a property we could mine for valuable carcinogens from contaminated land from the new MARSHALL.

TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!

CATHE COMES CALLING

An Education: Lynn School Business to be Discussed at this Week's City Council Meeting: 10/23/12

She's got $*&%$.Can you believe it? Don't answer that, of course you can.

We are supposed to write a check with YOUR tax dollars for someone who has such a proven record of excessive and wasteful spending

The MAYOR is already on record about not being happy with her fiscal decisions yet we are supposed to open the cookie jar?

I'M GLAD I AM POOR!.

THE NEW SPANISH INQUISITION

Let's look at a few things

THEN.....

you decide what is happening.

1). DR. LATHAM cries about the horde of Hispanic INVADERS. What 53 GUATEMALANS?

2) COUNCILMAN CYR, the same one who created the SPANISH CAB CONTROVERSY proposes that we put the NEW MARSHALL which has a majority LATINO population on possibly CONTAMINATED land.

3).A computer lab is closed down at FORD SCHOOL that benefits ELL students, many of whom will be asked to go to contaminated land. The NEW MARSHALL will be a CAMP to help them with their CONCENTRATION.

ACH-TUNG!

LUCKY LATHAM LEVELS LEARNING

CATHE'S CLOSURE, even temporarily, of the computer assited learning at the FORD SCHOOL targets the MOST VULNERABLE populations and severely hampers their ability to perform well on the MCAS.

THEN......,

she can point to these same populations and BLAME them for her decisions.

CATHE'S CRUSADE

In a lightning fast raid yesterday, workers under the direction of DR. LATHAM dismantled some 30 computers at FORD SCHOOL placing them in the basement in storage thereby DENYING a specific and possibly TARGETED populations.

SPED and ELL populations had a wildly SUCCESSFUL program, IMAGINE LEARNING, shut down for an undetermined amount of time just to possibly satisfy vindictive or OCD urges about having classrooms with even numbers.

This closure amounts to the throwing away of 40 licenses already paid for and the LOSS of the ability to earn five more by getting credit for being logged on to the program.

This came from the same people who EXPECT us to blindly pass a bond, raising property taxes, just so they have MORE MONEY to waste.

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR INVITATION?

Surely, you have. Everybody that's anybody will be there. I'm talking about the MAYOR'S pity party. It seems like she doesn't even return JUDY'S calls.

Me, I had a meeting with her and three of her top advisers less than an hour and a half after dropping off a letter.

Who does it look like has more influence? And I didn't even VOTE to keep CATHE'S job.

Anyway back to the celebration, RSVP the MAYOR and let her know you'll be there.

Lynn City Hall and Memorial Auditorium 3 City Hall Square Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 (781)-598-4000

READING BETWEEN THE LINES

Trouble by the tracks,

it’s plain to me.

The lines are different

on that I will agree.

Their location is NO

guarantee when it comes to safety.

It’s who gets paid cause

this land ain’t free.

PARENTS ON THE MARCH

The LYNN PARENT’S ORGANIZING FOR A BETTER EDUCATION is organizing two open houses, one tonight at 6 pm-8 pm at CONNERY SCHOOL and one tomorrow night at the same time at 112 EXCHANGE STREET.

Lynn Chapter Office

112 Exchange Street

Lynn, MA 01901

See map: Google Maps

Phone: 

 (781) 598-6866

Fax: 

 (781) 598-6864

Email: 

 northshore@n2nma.org

CYR SAYS "HABLO DINERO?"

It is my HUMBLE (some would question my use of that adjective) that the BROOKLINE SITE is on the WRONG side of the tracks. Actually too near the tracks, I mean.

MAYBE.....,

JUDY could explain to me how it's not SAFE FOR BIKES but FOR KIDS, NO PROBLEM.

I forgot, these are different lines, I was told. Problem is I can read between the lines.

Anyway, maybe we should call and ask?

Lynn City Hall and Memorial Auditorium 3 City Hall Square Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 (781)-598-4000

OR

drop her a line,

jkennedy@ci.lynn.ma.us

MARSHALL MAELSTROM ON THE AGENDA

An Education: Lynn School Committee Meeting: 10/25/12

That CLEO, I am glad she keeps on top of this agenda thing. I am too slow. Can you picture me surfing? Where would I put my cane?  

I hope there will be a DISCUSSION. It says there will be. I am afraid CYR and his STORM TROOPERS will BULLY LSC members into believing that a POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC site is the one best suited for the students.

Is this the same CYR who showed his sensitivity over Spanish cab companies? I guess he is a real LATIN LOVER!

IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT IT

An Education: The Level 4 List: Harrington and Connery Elementary Schools (Lynn)

We have been cited for how good we are doing. Things sure are different at these school, but how diffent are they? We have thrown a lot of money at these schools thanks to the state.

BUT....,

being victims of that success, once we IMPROVE our way out of  LEVEL 4 status, the money dries up and then what's going to happen?

Maybe we should ask HARRINGTON, they've been down this road before.

LET'S KEEP THE LIBRARIES!

HOLY $#*$! SEEPING SEWAGE?

People have been trying to get me to look at last week's CITY COUNCIL MEETING,

City Council 10-16-12

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 ,

and frankly I've been too busy living my crazy life. Well I caught MIKE DONOVAN'S testimony before council on one of  LYNNCAM'S rebroadcast and it all started to make sense.

I WAS A SCARED!

SETTLING SUMP PUMPS! The best case scenario will cost millions for preventative repairs so that SEW*AGGEDON doesn't occur. That would happen if the lines burst CONTAMINATING the school and make it uninhabitable (Does anyone else see a pattern here?). If that happens then the MSBA comes calling and wants their money back.

So the taxpayers of LYNN could be potentially on the hook for 100% of TWO schools. I am guessing we are talking $100 million dollars in LIABILITY.

PENANCE FOR PROGRESS?

It was pointed out at the MARSHALL MEETING that since if all goes well that it won't be ready until 2016 so parents of 2nd and 3rd graders ought to be ENGAGED.

I just wonder though are we going to SACRIFICE the older students?

What's the plan?

LET BY-GONES TRULY BE GONE

Now that PAC seems like it has gone kaput what does the PARENT LIAISON do with NO meetings to go to?

OH, I FORGOT.....

she really didn't go to meetings. Do we still have to PAY her?

We wouldn't want PARENTS to get involved would we. If that assertion rings true, would that make her  a ringer?

IF ONLY....

Palms to greas,
zones to ease
we'll never know
which way the cash will flow.

Who is on the take,
money in they'll rake.
The price is cancer
but still no answer.

I hope I'm wrong,
to prove it would not take long.
LPS has a record with LEAD
empty promises instead.

WHY IS THE WATCH NOT SEEN?

Looks more and more like the WATCH will hit TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND hits by years end. Will I get a GOLD RECORD? No, they don't give out those things. Too bad, I mean that is a lot of activity.

STILL.....,

it is a little disconcerting that I can't recall a mention in the ITEM. Oh I have been there, even had my picture on the FRONT page a couple of times. Once on my 50th birthday! How cool is that?

BUT....,

the WATCH has gone unrecognized. What ya gonna do?

ONE MORE THING

Let me say this, I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE THE BROOKLINE AVE. SITE IS CONTAMINATED

BUT....,

here is where I am coming from:

1). I am concerned as much by the proximity of the RAILROAD TRACKS as the LYNN PLASTICS site where I believe COMPOUNDING went on. I believe you all have heard about the dangers of compounding.

2). Although by no means an expert, I have had enough chemistry to see red flags. Of course I need to get some CATARACTS taken care of on my left eye.

3). I get a little nervous by the DONE DEALNESS of it all. There is a lot of money at stake. I don't like being taken for a sucker even if there is a CYR involved. Just doesn't suit me.

AS I WAS SAYING

I have been pretty vocal about my concerns but I haven't said my choice. That's just B#*&@ing like I've said. Well, here goes:

From what I've seen, the scenario I have seen, I think the best idea is to build the classroom structure somewhere on site but keep the kids where they're at. When the classrooms are finished move the kids over then tear down the  present structure and build the non-classroom parts.

This in my view be least disruptive to the students while negating the need for SWING SPACE (no renting) or BUSING.

RESULTS PLEASE

We deserve an answer

so school doesn't cause cancer.

To prove it’s not contaminated,

a test will make it validated.

Chances we make

when risks we take.

TRICKS FOR YOU, TREATS FOR WHO?

The power of IMMINENT DOMAIN
will make it difficult to retain
property in the way
of our plans this day.

Opposition to exterminate
school we contaminate.
Money to be made,
memories will fade.

No swamp this time
but a new kind of slime.
Have no fear,
the poet is here.

LET'S FACT CHECK, SWEETHEART

The site's last inspection took place 2,589 days ago.

How many years ago is that? Makes you wonder, huh?

CHECK OUT MY SOURCE
http://epa-sites.findthedata.org/l/261049/Lynn-Plastics-Co-Llc

START HERE

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

OUT ON BOND

I feel a LITTLE better about a BOND after WED. night's meeting at MARSHALL. I mean, it's pay as you go which means we will get partial reimbursement as we go. That means I can keep a close eye on expenditures and our risk is reduced axiomatically as we go along.

IF...,

I can keep out of debtor's prison. I have a court date.

BUT....,

that might be the safest place for me. I probably have more danger out in the general population,. I could get SHANKED by someone's #2 pencil. Accountants and Real Estate agents can be vicious.

SITE RIGHTS

Why do I whine

about that place

they call BROOKLINE?

Cancer I fear

from trains and

plastic so near.

A decision so rash

quite often involves

the procurement of cash.

A new school we need,

held virtually hostage by

the ransom of greed.

REMEMBER THIS?

Mayor refuses to sign MBTA contract

I even wrote a poem about it.

TAKING US FOR A RIDE

I wonder what changed?

IS COUNCIL CHAMBERS ANYTHING LIKE A CHAMBER POT?

Everybody knows I'm none too SMART. So maybe if anybody has any questions why a POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS seemed to be such an overwhelming choice for the politicians?

I look up to how smart he is so I would suggest you ask  the councilman with the most to _________(Fill in the blank).

Ward Three

Darren P. Cyr

(781) 598-3601

50 Morton Hill Avenue Lynn, MA 01902

THE SMELL OF MONEY

The Daily Item: Developer scraps Lynn condo plan

Here is a QUESTION?

Why do they think a NEW SCHOOL with all its traffic problems be a BETTER fit for this land? Did anyone survey the residents?

Did you see that info in there about former site of LYNN PLASTICS? You know I used to have a former CHEMISTRY professor from CORNELL who spread out newspapers on the ground to grade our lab reports because he was so afraid of CARCINOGENS?

Now we are being asked to EXPOSE our kids to a site where they manufactured scary stuff long before we knew how dangerous it could be. Is that fish I smell?

YOU DO SAY?

It was awkward. It was cumbersome, but it was an attempt. A sign of respect, a recognition of today's reality, I am talking about LPS having some means for SPANISH TRANSLATION at last night's PUBLIC MEETING.

It was the first time I have seen such an attempt made. Maybe it was because of the growing influence of LPOBE (Lynn Parents Organizing for a Better Education), maybe it was because RICH COWDELL is a STAND-UP guy who realizes where his students come from, I don't care it was a step in the right direction.

BABY STEPS!

GOOD TO GO HAS BECAME GOING GOOD

Lynn Tech enrichment program a big success

This is a VERY positive development for LPS, a MAXIMUM UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES.

I am the first to admit I MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG. I was very suspicious of the turns OCCUPY LVTI was taking in the final stages of the opening process but we shall see. It is very early for anyone to acclaim....

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED...

but each journey begins with a small step. The WATCH will be watching.

EPA IS THE WAY

Brookline Street option for new Marshall school

Being of unsound mind and crippled body, I hereby bequeath all my worldly goods (Wait, I'm poor there ain't much) to a foundation to be created for the preservation of poetry.

I just wanted to get all my things in order in case I have an accident. It seems there are a lot of POWERFUL political forces surrounding this site. My campaign to have a portion of the NEW MARSHALL named the WOTRING WING may be taken over by some overzealous developers and make my body PART of the new construction.

I GOT QUESTIONS!

1). As I asked at the meeting last night, "How come our MAYOR was against the project that all the surrounding communities signed on to with the MBTA to convert old railroad tracks into a bike trail because she didn't want to expose the city to lawsuits when the riders would be passing over POTENTIALLY passing over hazardous sites....

BUT.....,

has NO PROBLEM putting 1100 kids at RISK for HOURS everyday? MARY FOUNTAIN from the MAYOR'S office was in the audience and tried to reassure me, "Oh, that was the SAUGUS LINE and this one is commercial. REALLY? I feel better.........NOT.

I only have three letters for ALL of them.

E*P*A!

2). Why did a recent developer back out of a PROJECT there? I saw some pretty ambitious plans put on the table to be ABANDONED.

3). IF that parcel is contaminated the the value of that land would be almost worthless. Just ask JIM COWDELL, (MARSHALL principal's brother). Didn't the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE pay for a similar study about about the HAWTHORNE and WHITE'S LAUNDRY?

and FINALLY....

4), WHY wasn't my comment included in the ITEM story? It was the only one that generated a back and forth discussion?

I know I said FINALLY but I have a feeling it won't really be FINAL unless I have some sort of accident.

UNLESS....,

I am BOUGHT OFF. Really, my price is not that high. I am poor so a little looks BIG to me. A simple job might be all it would take. A PAPER ROUTE perhaps, c'mon "DON'T YOU TRUST ME?".

BEWARE THE POWER OF THE PARENT

For whatever reason a recent post about LPS'S responsibility to have a policy for the engagement of the parent in TITLE 1 expenditures blew past the previous all time leader of hits on the CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY who was questionably let go.

INTERESTING cause it wasn't even a very clever one

ACCIDENTS, VICTIMS AND VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS

PICKERING has an important OPEN HOUSE tonight. I am sure it was an accident that it was scheduled on the same night as the PUBLIC MEETING for the construction of the NEW MARSHALL.

LPS has TWO words for the parents of PICKERING - "TRUST US".  The only thing they need from you PICKERING PARENTS is YOUR MONEY

BESIDES.....,

you got bigger problems, like the spread of violence in YOUR SCHOOL.

LAST WEEK....

a visitor to your school was beat to DEATH at your school.. The blunt force trauma was inflicted on a ROACH.

CHECK YOUR BACKPACKS!

DIDN'T I SAY THIS BEFORE?

» Ford gardeners get Topsfield Fair honors
WATCH watchers knew this way back when it was NEWS but THANKS again to the ITEM for fleshing it out for me. You see my STAFF is overworked and under paid (What pay? Is somebody getting paid here?).

LYNN'S SECRET AGENT

We got an AGENT FOR CHANGE in the city. Her name is BOND....., JUDY BOND. I learned last night at the HIGHLANDS COALITION meeting of a proposal on the table for yet another bond. Don't worry, it's just a little $4 million one.

I liked it, it was very itemized with what money goes where and they are ALL good places. There is money for each park in all the WARDS to get all the COUNCILMAN on board.

BUT.....,

I just was wondering what happened to that $17 million that the MAYOR saved from last years budget? I know some of it MELTED AWAY covering the DPW debacle but did they give out REBATE checks when I was away last summer?

Don't forget they are going to come for another $70 million BOND this summer. Another worthy project but let's keep all the cards on the table. We don't need another IN-ACTION HERO.

RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN

LPS is REQUIRED to have a representative from each school's SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL attend a meeting at the CENTRAL OFFICE. Can anyone fill me in on WHEN they got to go?

MARSHALL'S DESTINATION LOCATION FOR CONTAMINATION

I am too busy being poor to check deeds or whatever PUBLIC RECORDS but I am a little curious about who OWNS the BROOKLINE AVE. location for one of the proposed sites for a new MARSHALL?

AND...

I was wondering why the LAST developer for a PROJECT there backed out? I've heard rumors of INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINATION but you know how unreliable rumors are. I know in LYNN that could describe most locations.

Maybe whoever is pushing the school there can af-FORD it. I better watch out, someone could SLICE MY THROAT for speaking out.

SOMETIMES THE TAIL WAGS THE DOG

Lynn officials seek Brown’s aid over unaccompanied minors

MAYOR KENNEDY and the SUPERINTENDENT were whining about this problem LAST year. There were headlines in this same paper. Doomsday predictions were made, populations were targeted and SQUAT got done. Why did it take a year to see SEN. BROWN?

WAIT?

They didn't even see SEN. BROWN, they saw an office worker who's office isn't even in WASHINGTON. This is election time, a time for the poetry of promises.

BUT.....,

they didn't even get any, not really.

The idea that LYNN has a BIG target on it is RIDICULOUS. FIRST of all, this wealth of services we have available is an illusion. We have WAITING LISTS. I know, being poor I'm on a few.

SECOND, the services that are available are NOT exclusive to LYNN only. These are FEDERAL or STATE programs. Mostly other people are PAYING for them.

Do you think it's kind of funny, a coincidence if you like, that once a parent group was formed and became vocal, primarily Spanish speaking that we now have a problem with Spanish speaking kids?

Don't think I don't think there are problems I do but like I've said before" Complaining without doing something is just Bitching". We were a FAILING school system BEFORE a handful of GUATEMALANS crossed the border.

A LITTLE TREASURE BEFORE THE MAP

A little poetry break!

Find
Out the
Real
Deal

Know
If we
Can
Know
Before
Asking
Citizens for their
Knowledge.

CASH EXPORTS

Help me out here for a minute. You know when you buy a new car from one of those big automakers, say like from the FORD MOTOR COMPANY, what is it they give you as an incentive to buy? Is that called a KICK-BACK or a REBATE?

I always get those two mixed up.

Okay back to school business or should I say MONKEY BUSINESS? Does anyone else out there think it’s a little bit disconcerting that JOHN FORD would come out with a favorite location before the PUBLIC, you know the TAXPAYERS, the VOTERS that are going to have to PAY 100% of the cost of his new school (that’s until and IF the MSBA gives us the 80% reimbursement).

Is it me or does anyone else WONDER how ETHICAL it is for someone who sits on the BUILDING COMMITTEE for the LSC to try and shape the PUBLIC’S opinion before they get to meet with the PROJECT MANAGER? I also WONDER how REPRESENTATIVE WALSH feels about this potential breach of ETHICS. Perhaps someone should look into campaign contributions.

Don’t look at me, I GOT POETRY TO WRITE.          

LEMONADE, ANYONE?

 Kennedy turns to feds for student support
A good magician gets his audience to concentrate elsewhere while they perform their slight of hand tricks. Now like a line from an old movie we are supposed to believe that these UNACCOMPANIED MINORS have picked LYNN out of all the cities in the USA to settle down into a FAILING school district.

The FEDS don't care, they would make ANY school district PAY. Whining about it obviously doesn't help. The whimpers started a year ago and we are worse off than when it started.

I say EMBRACE your problems and turn what had been perceived as a weakness into a strength. If we excelled in EDUCATING this population, monies would probably start flowing in from federal and private sources. GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM.

I know something about turning disabilities into strengths.

I USED TO HATE POETRY.

PUT OUT THE PARENT'S INPUT

There is so much STUFF going on. Back at the GOALS MEETING, DR. LATHAM said that LPS already works with PARENTS on the SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCILS. It is a TITLE 1 requirement.

THIS IS TRUE....

but it is also a requirement that someone from each of those councils attend a meeting at the CENTRAL OFFICE during the year.

I BET THERE IS A LIST DOWN THERE WITH THE NAMES OF THE 26 parents who signed in where they attended those meetings. It would be NICE to see they complied.

WHAT'S THAT STRANGE ODOR?

How do you spell TAX INCREASE?  -   B*O*N*D (It used to be TRASH TICKET but times have changed)

Don't get me wrong, we need a new school. WE NEED SEVERAL NEW SCHOOLS and there is NO such thing as a FREE LUNCH and we are learning even an 80% reduced lunch has some of those form-altering mirrors like the ones they have at the CIRCUS to make you feel better about your body type).

I just have these uneasy feelings about what we are being asked to do.

JOHN FORD of the LSC BUILDING committee is saying that he FAVORS acquiring this BROOKLINE PARCEL.

Ford said the Brookline Street parcel would be his pick because it makes the most sense for two reasons. If they chose to build on the current site they would have to find space to house the students elsewhere during construction which would involve busing and also likely rent since the School Department wouldn’t have suitable space.

Now what would cost more temporary busing and what about using buildings LPS already owns like the offices on COMMERCIAL STREET? Supposedly they are already relocating to the BENNETT STREET property around the time this feasibility study would be completed.

LYNN MAY HAVE BEEN THE SHOE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD BUT SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, WHAT WE NEED TO FIND OUT!

Meeting on tap this week over Marshall

FINANCING!

This article, while it may not be intentional, leaves one with the impression the MSBA is going to PAY for 80% of the cost of the construction. This is true.....

EXCEPT.....,

that first we, the taxpayers (and by that I mean YOU) have to pay for 100% of the cost first. Can you spell : R-E-I-M-B-U-R-S=E-M-E-N-T?

WHY.....

does JOHN FORD favor the most EXPENSIVE location? Who is going to PAY for ACQUIRING this PRIVATE property? Will the MSBA give us 80% reimbursement on this too? Maybe JOHN FORD is going to VOLUNTARILY give back the portion of his retirement he put the CITY on the hook for last summer? He is on the BUILDING COMMITTEE. What's that all about?

NAME YOUR COST, MY NAME MY PRICE

How are we going to know
if they don't want to show.

What cost of the new school
instead play me for a fool.

Now that our MAYOR has made a gaff,
we'll see who gets the last laugh.

We all know of the WOTRING WING I'm fond
but I didn't realize we'd have to pass a bond.

If the finances they want to hide,
have no fear I'm on your side.

Unless, they want to pay my PRICE.
Just name it after me, that would be NICE.

YOUR PRESENCE REQUESTED, NO NEEDED

If we don't follow every step of the way in the building process of the NEW MARSHALL whether it has a WOTRING WING or not we will be held HOSTAGE when it comes time to vote for the BOND.

There is no doubt we need new, modern facilities. We got a few schools passing the CENTURY mark. What we can't do is wait to find out our only choice after a year-long feasibility study is one that is politically beneficial or convenient at the taxpayers and our students expense.

To find out more:
DOWNLOAD THE Marshall Middle School Public Forum #1 Flyer

THURGOOD MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT

We need your input as we examine options 

that will result in an efficient middle school 

design that provides a positive, 21st century 

learning environment for our students.

Please join 

the Lynn School Building Committee and 

the Thurgood Marshall Middle School Working Group

PUBLIC FORUM #1

The middle school  project benefits the entire 

Lynn community by improving community 

amenities, increasing property values, and 

enhancing the community’s reputation.

Agenda: 

 Educational Programming

 Site Alternatives

 Project Schedule

 MSBA Process

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 

7:00 PM

h urgood Marshall MS Cafeteria

VOTING FOR VOICE

Many people have said LSC member CHARLIE GALLO sounds TOO MUCH like a politician and maybe I agree with them but I have to stand up a little for him here.

Even at the GOAL SETTING MEETING last THURSDAY members of the LYNN YOUTH COUNCIL were in attendance. GOOD 'OL CHARLIE pointed out their presence and consistently advocated for the importance of giving the young their voice. Maybe it's a political move but it's the right move.

WATCH TO SEE

Poor with a purpose,

here to expose

all our educational woes.

Showing how it all goes

is my only task

for my little blog

in order to lift the fog,

hidden agendas to unmask.

No longer business as old

watch my number go up,

attention overflowing my cup

now the truth be told.

CALL AND ASK ABOUT THE BOND

Lynn City Hall and Memorial Auditorium 3 City Hall Square Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 (781)-598-4000

If you would rather e mail her here ya go - jkennedy@ci.lynn.ma.us

VETO NO SHOW

Last night's GOAL SETTING meeting last night was a FARCE!

What came out of it was the SUPERINTENDENT got a few suggestions for TWEAKS to the list she had already written. She is supposed to draft a new document with some minor revisions to a list that has given us such good guidance that our DISTRICT has become a LEVEL 4 DISTRICT.

Well, maybe the rewrite will be better. Usually in writing a second draft is better than the first. Don't get your hopes up.

WHY?

Because KEVIN MCHUGH was not there, just an empty chair. Why, you ask is that so important?

Simply because he has VETO power over whatever LOFTY goal the LSC might says. All he has to do is say, WE CAN'T AFFORD IT.

DECEPTION AT INCEPTION - WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE?

I know it costs money to build a new schools and I also think education is a worthy investment.

BUT,

why are we learning about the fact we got to pay for ALL the cost of building a NEW MARSHALL only now? Yeah maybe we, I guess I mean I should have known but I keep telling you I'm not too smart. I've been allowed to wallow in my ignorance.

If I (now maybe I should say WE) I have been mislead about this what other surprises are LURKING IN THE SHADOWS or in the case of our last building project CLASSICAL - the SWAMPS.

As we learned in that debacle we only get that 80% reimbursement IF we accept the building, FLAWS and all.

Then it becomes OUR problem to go after the contractors. Because of liability caps and all we got left paying for their mistakes. I hope you like paying higher taxes.

I PICKED A GOOD TIME TO BE POOR!

MAYOR USES FOUR LETTER WORD AT LSC MEETING

NEVER in all of my time going to LSC meetings have I heard anyone use such colorful language. I can't believe the MAYOR that prides herself as a penny pincher would use such an expletive. At an open meeting to the public and recorded live by LYNNCAM she uttered the word:

BOND!

In the past, myself and others have been led to believe our portion of the NEW MARSHALL have been led to believe our cost for the construction was about $17 million. I have reported it, I even think the ITEM talked about that number. We've been told that the city has the ability to put that amount on their credit card, they just have to have a vote by the citizens giving them the authority to use it.

NOT SO FAST, LAWYERS TALKING.

The MAYOR said last night she was going to ask the TAXPAYERS of LYNN for $70 million in BOND money for the new building!


When I heard that last night I almost fell out of my chair. HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SO STUPID? That MAYOR sure is smart. Her and JOHN FORD along with the GOOD DOCTOR (another smart lady) have been so busy bragging about our 80% reimbursement from the MSBA I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

WE ARE ON THE HOOK FOR ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE COST BEFORE CONSTRUCTION CAN BEGIN!

We get ZERO dollars to start. It is a R*E*I*M*B*U*R*S*E*M*E*N*T. That means we have to have the money up front.

BEFORE YOU STAY THE COURSE, YOU NEED TO SET A COURSE

My nephew, a sophomore in a TN high school is an Olympic caliber marksman. Making the National team is a long and tedious tasks for him. There is this complicated scoring system where you get points for placing in certain matches. He is well on his way finishing 2nd in some category last year at the NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC TRIALS, a SILVER medal. He is shooting for shooting in an upcoming Olympics.

I've found the most important thing in shooting is to have a target to shoot at. Marksmanship is not the only venue where a target is important. It;s importance transcends sports and even enters education but here we call it GOALS.

Tonight, at 5:30 at LVTI, the LSC will have a meeting/training with an official from BOSTON to help them out with this LONG overdue process, better late than never.

The audience will probably empty but I'll be in my chair. Believe me, it is purely an accident that my face gets on LYNNCAM a lot. If  they are going to talk about where we want to go, I want to know if that's the direction we are heading.

NOT SO SAFE FOR HOME

My WATCH Watchers are so SMART. LAURA pointed out to me something LORI said. LPS should not have discussed PRIVATE kid stuff like student records at a PUBLIC meeting like at the HOME SCHOOL HERESY committed back on the SEPT 14 LSC meeting.

You know that could have been a VIOLENT VIOLATION, somebody should pay.

Oh the kids do.

LOCAL STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH MARINES IN EPIC BATTLE

Breed students get hands-on lessons at Nahant marine center

Sorry, I meant they traveled to MARINE CENTER. My bad.

Let me say what a GREAT thing this is. I remember various field trips I took in school. I got to see a scanning electron microscope, a gas spectroscopher, an nmr (forerunner of of MRI's), and a woman dressed up in an Appalachian pioneer costume making homemade wax candles and look where it got me.

Well, wait a minute, strike that.

Believe me it's a good thing to expose kids to things outside the classroom. We need to take full advantage of all the great resources we have near.

BREAKING NEWS – NEW MARSHALL TO BE BUILT IN YOUR BACKYARD!

MAYBE NOT.

Actually not in your back yard per say but if you don’t show up at the PUBLIC MEETING for the site selection for the new construction it could be. So it is important to come voice your choice.

SECRETS THAT AREN'T THAT SECRET

JOE PICANO, FINE ARTS DIRECTOR for LPS received $235 and an autographed book from a well known artist and former ENGLISH student. It was all very secret. We weren't told who and the LSC members weren't even told.

If they want to find out the secret benefactor is.....

CHECK THE AUTOGRAPH.

A MEETING OF THE MINDS COMES TO MEET MY MIND

The LSC is having a MEETING OF THE WHOLE on Thursday Oct. 11 at 5:30 at LVTI. It is gonna be about GOAL SETTING.

I hear one of the GOALS they will be discussing is the GOAL to name part of the new MARSHALL, the WOTRING WING.

Oh, that's my goal.

WE HAVE EARS BUT DO NOT HEAR

The LYNN YOUTH COUNCIL reported at the last LSC meeting. Everybody celebrates giving our youth a voice. (I know I have some mouthy kids, I don't know where they get it from because everybody knows how shy I am).

OKAY.

We let them speak, so it's time now to listen.

THEY WANT SKILLS, job hunting skills.  Because you know what? The majority aren't going on to college and even if they do chances are GREAT that they will need to get a job to help pay for it.

ON TOP OF THAT!

Thirty percent aren't even graduating high school so it would seem to me teaching them to write a resume would be a good thing. Maybe they would learn dropping out doesn't look so good on paper.

WOTRING WING TO BE WAY OUT?

One of the things Joc.,Les. & Ass. (JLA) talked about at the last LSC meeting was the ability in some design plan is the ability to "lock off" classroom sections to leave the cafeteria, auditorium, or other areas more available to the community. Does this mean the WOTRING WING could be quarantined?

HELP! HELP!, HELP!

I know she must have been KIPPNAPPED! My BFF is missing. Everyone is counting on her to lead the PAC this year and there has been no trace of her.

I would  organize it but I am pretty busy being poor, besides I am writing a CLASSIC AUTOBIOGRAPHY,http://myautoblographylifestories.wordpress.com/ , over here.

I knew I should have scheduled an intervention when she first fell into that CULT. Your KIPPSTERS will NEVER get you elected to LSC.

CRUCIFIED BUT NOT VERIFIED

Do you all remember LAURA that HOME SCHOOLING HOT SHOT that I wrote about that was made a PUBLIC SACRIFICE at the altar of QUEEN CATHE?

Even after jumping through hoops that I have NEVER seen any other home schooling candidates go through, she has still NOT received any approval letter.

Hopefully not, I mean surely there can't be any discrimination going on because like me, you are DISABLED. Do you write poetry?

BLACKMAIL IS SUCH A DIRTY WORD

Yeah, we are wanna build a new MARSHALL, yes it’s true

But it comes down to your vote to make it true.

So all of your plans we want to hear.

NO FUNNY BUSINESS, let’s make that clear.

Count on the WATCH for impartial analysis.

One wrong move and your plans will face paralysis.

Dirty deeds I will expose,

Unless you extend me a rose.

By naming a small part the WOTRING WING,

will make sure I don’t see a thing.

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION – PICKERING PARENTS PUT OUT

On October 17 PICKERING PARENTS have an OPEN HOUSE which includes their FEDERALLY mandated annual TITLE 1 meeting. Should be informative, probably a GREAT night. It is sure to be a real opportunity to GET INVOLVED!

BUT…. WAIT A MINUTE.

Isn’t that the night they are having that meeting about building the NEW MARSHALL? That’s gonna cost the citizens almost 20 MILLION DOLLARS. That is ALL the residents of LYNN, not just the parents of the kids who go to MARSHALL; you know that new school with the WOTRING WING.

So some parents are going to be asked to CHOOSE between their parental obligations and their pocket books. The good thing is that this UNPLANNED (excuse me while I cough) coincidence will allow the administration to run roughshod since parental input will be caput.

Not only will PICKERING PARENTS pay presumably a pretty portion for the NEW WOTRING WING of MARSHALL (I figure if I keep repeating about the WW they might accidently slip the name in) they will also be unavailable to PREVIEW what could one day present itself as a possibility if the administration can keep PICKERING in the PIPELINE for renovation or construction so that they don’t TIME-OUT again this time.

MARSHALL ROCK

Yo, yo, Now listen up.

I got a song I'm about to sing
I'm talking about the building of the WOTRING WING.

In my mind it began to fester,
now it's in the hands of Jocelyn and LESTER.

To build a new MARSHALL that's the plan,
we  meet on OCT. 17th to name it after STAN.

Before construction starts we must bring it to a vote,
without my blessing, the chance of passage gonna be remote.

Chu ka chu Chu ka chu

WORD TO THE POET!

CURRICULUM IN CHAOS

Sources, I got sources. Some of them are not of my own creation. What I hear from teachers is a growing dissatisfaction with the complications and confusion around the new DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION'S leadership.

Supposedly some grievances were filed and deadlines were passed that prevented action. I don't know anything for sure. If that is true, I feel sure that the family relationship of the DIRECTOR and the EX-UNION president had anything to do with it.

I am counting on you WATCH watchers to set me straight.

PARTY FOR PLANS WORTHY OF WOTRING WING

On October 17^th there will be a KICK-OFF CELEBRATION for the construction of a pristine and prestigious education institution dedicated to parents and poets everywhere with the knowledge to acknowledge the intent to dedicate a dedication of good intentions. The WOTRING WING plans will be put out.

SURPRISE!

I was only joking, well maybe hoping.

Really, it is ONLY a meeting to discuss the building of a new MARSHALL. The last time we built anything new was CLASSICAL and well you know how well that went. Don’t worry there can’t be that many swampy dumps left in LYNN. Building sites will be discussed.

Join me as we listen to JOSLIN, LESSER & ASSOCIATES, INC. (OWNERS PROJECT MANAGER) proceed with a presentation of potential plans.  They will be having an analysis of options and of course I will have an analysis of the analysis.

Promises have been made to have a second and third public meeting as the process goes along. This is important because we need to be kept in the know so we can make an informed decision on whether we vote to allow the city to use their credit card…

UNLESS….,

they go forward with certain NOMENCLATURE thereby guaranteeing my SUPPORT for this new construction. I keep telling them I can be bought.

WU WOWS BUT AT WHAT COST?

 Initiative aims to make playtime safer for students
In my best ELMER FUDD voice I say, "WEALLY". You know us poets like alliteration. We are paying the good doctor, a HARVARD HEAVY, around $90,000 and we get a program where our kids jump rope together.

I am sure teachers all over the city monitor recess and I think it is insulting to them to imply that they didn't know how to do their job.

Let's look closer at the following statement:

They needed to be organized, said Deb Sugerman, a trainer with Playworks, a nonprofit California-based company that was brought in to train teachers on how to lead organized play.

That means that in addition to WU's salary, we are paying someone to come in and teach the teacher's HOPSCOTCH. 

Call me crazy but I think the money would be better spent on getting things to play with instead of salaries for someone to sit in an office.

WHO WILL CARRY THE BATON IN OUR RACE TO THE TOP

With all the DRAMA around the SKEWING of our MCAS DATA, CPI, PPI, AYP, and IOU and DUI. Okay, the last two got nothing to do with education I just got carried away.

I am getting a little nervous about the fact that the PROGRAM SPECIALIST that LPS hired to oversee all that RACE TO THE TOP MONEY is retiring and I haven't heard about any plans to replace her. I am sure someone will, we will get someone who will be ACTING.

With millions of dollars at stake, don't our kids deserve someone who is ACTING but knows the part. MS. IEARDI'S (remember I can;t spell) proves that she KNEW the part even though I sometimes question if it was the right part.

With all of these cancelled meetings upcoming and the length of the grant, WILL BE GETTING OUT OF THE RACE? Probably not, our students weren't the winners anyway, people who get paid are.

MISLEAD OR MISINFORMED?

NEWS about the LSC Meeting of the Whole

FIRST GOAL: Better communication.

LITTLE LORI was led down the wrong path. PATTI pointed people to places were not prepared to present any presentations that would have been a gathering were goals could have been generally generated. I am sure the intentions were not intentional. There is no need to be suspicious about the confusion. It is a little curious, though.

TIME TO TALK ABOUT TALKING

Local students react to the debate.

It's good to see students interested in their future since they have the most time that will be affected by the present.

LITTLE LORI LED ASTRAY?

Now according to LORI, she got an e mail from PATTI CAPANO, LSC member that we were going to have a goal setting meeting tomorrow.

BUT...,

CRAFTY CLEO CAN'T find any posted agenda for the PUBLIC MEETING, a requirement for the OPEN MEETING law.

HMM.....,

I have talked to other members of the LSC who were CONFUSED. Perhaps a good goal would be better COMMUNICATION!

STAY TUNED!

SETTING THE BAR

Let’s think about things for a moment. We are having a LSC meeting THURSDAY night at 5:30 pm that is not exactly a meeting. Oh sure, it’s a important gathering Our esteemed members of the LSC are going to learn how to set goals.

Everybody knows the importance of setting goals. Our teachers teach it. Ask any salesman on commission, they have whole campaigns around it. Funny though, when was the last time you saw a list of goals for our schools. Must have been a while since we need to bring in an outside person to teach people who have been there as long as FOURTEEN YEARS to show us ho, don’t you think?.

Now let’s look at something else here.

We PREACH to our kids the importance of attendance, we even get reimbursement from the feds or the state for how well our schools do. As we learned at the last LSC meeting, our attendance is even factored into our PPI and helps determine our level. In case anyone has forgotten, we are a LEVEL 4 district.

So here we have an opportunity to have some extra remediation to learn something we should already know, should already have in place. What do we do? Instead of making an extra meeting to work on our deficits, we try and substitute it for a regularly scheduled meeting, so we are still getting together the same number of times right?

WELL…..,

NOT EXACTLY.

See this will not be a REAL MEETING. They call it a MEETING OF THE WHOLE, no votes taken, no business done. Add this to the fact we have holidays coming up. Based on past experience, they’ll probably CANCEL one meeting in NOVEMBER and DECEMBER each. Remember a couple a years ago when we had all that snow and had to cancel all those meetings?

So we have this 115 MILLION DOLLAR bus and we are voluntarily giving up our back seat to tell the driver where to go.

GOALS OF GOAL SETTING?

To make it convenient for the trainer, they've scheduled a SPECIAL - MEETING OF THE WHOLE to teach our esteemed members how to set goals.

REALLY?

All one has to do is look at our LEVEL 4 status and it doesn't take a member of MENSA to know we gotta do better.

It is a good thing we have LYNNCAM but I wonder if the sound ACCIDENTALLY won't work?

I hope this training will help us find where we are going because there sure are a lot of different stories about where we have been.

I don't understand why we are CANCELLING a regular meeting so we can have this special meeting that last time was in front of an empty crowd. (I couldn't go).

I think I'll be able to make it this time, come join me on THURS. OCT. 4 at 5:30.

STILL TRUST IN THE DATA, JUST MISTRUST

In today's ITEM there is an opinion piece that either I can't link to or don't know how. It was written by DAN K. THOMASSON and I can give you his e mail address, thomassondan@aol.com.

It says basically SAT's are flawed cause if you got money and coaches, you can do better.

ARE WE SURPRISED HERE?

DATA YOU CAN COUNT ON

Now you have heard me say “NUMBERS NEVER LIE BECAUSE-THEY DON’T TALK”. Some smart guy from HARVARD wrote a book, THE HALF-LIFE OF FACTS, saying just that. I haven’t read the book. I’d like too because I bet it’s about how do we know what we know.

My curiosity about the subject started back in FRESHMAN CHEMISTRY at West Virginia WESLEYAN COLLEGE. We studied at the time the HIESENBERG UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE if I remember right (If I don’t-tough I am not going to go back and look it up) which stated that positive particles attracted negative ones just until they got minutely close and then they actually repelled each other. To me. this principle was an admission that we don’t really know what we are talking about.

Fast forward twenty-some years and I was sitting in the audience at a lecture at the MUSEUM OF SCIENCE in BOSTON and listening to a discussion about NANOMOLECULES which are SUBATOMIC particles. What I hear is that there is this mystical mystery about how things behave at this level and the first step in understanding has been to admit we don’t understand and open ourselves up to learning.

DATA can be a good thing. I mean without it we couldn’t have BATTING AVERAGES but over reliance on it can lead you to a self-fulfilling distortion. It can give you answers where there are no answers, like who is the better HOME RUN HITTER – BARRY BONDS or BABE RUTH?

 JESSE LEFKOWITZ FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Big data: Mind the gaps