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Saturday, January 31, 2015

BARNS, HORSES, AND COMING OUT

Lynn dropout rate falls again


Some rates fall while others may rise
But what it means may come as a surprise.

In the end our findings may fail
However with statistics we've learned to sail.

Fixing the problem with programs at the end
When we have the solutions where we begin.

Libraries in ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS is what we need
For our students to truly succeed!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Fundraiser for Building Bridges Through Music

In the first week in January the offices of Building Bridges Through Music were broken into and thieves stole musical instruments and office equipment. We are getting together to raise funds to replace equipment for BBTM so they can continue their work of bringing music to the children in Lynn.

The event will feature musical performances by local group Not Sure Community College, Brian Maes and Julie Dougherty.

Tickets are available from Dave Simmons and from Kato Mele. Suggested donation is $20.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

TECH*NICALLY SEEKING

Another PRINCIPAL wanted.

LYNNSCHOOLS.ORG

LET'S LEARN ABOUT CHUCK'S CONCERN

Now CHUCK's somewhat sincere concern about the taxpayers getting SHORTchanged and not getting their money's worth from DONNA COPPOLA's civil service surely will be OUTRAGED when he finds out that the LSC will have one less meeting than we thought he and the other FIVE members (not to mention the MAYOR) signed up for when they solicited our votes.

I am sure he will champion a crusade to return a prorated portion of that taxpayer funded STIPEND. When you multiply that amount by the other member's shares in addition to retro-reiibursements for canellations due to the holidays, CHUMP CHANGE becomes a CHUNK OF CHANGE.

When school gets cancelled the kids have to make it up on the other end. They signed up for 180 days of school a year, that's the law. Why do our our POLITICIANS to shirk their responsibilities? 

Thank you CHUCK for pointing out we should DEMAND nothing less than TOTAL commitment from our elected servants.

You can make out your check to the taxpayers of LYNN or you could push to reschedule the missed meeting!

VACATION EXTENDED

Lynn public schools closed Thursday

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Posted: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 5:44 pm, Wed Jun 5, 2013.
Lynn Public schools will be closed Thursday because of the snowstorm expected to hit later tonight, according to Superintendent Catherine Latham.
The city of Lynn has declared a snow emergency starting at 9 p.m. tonight, meaning no one can park on city streets during the length of the emergency, according to Department of Public Works officials.
Officials have not decided how long to keep the snow emergency in effect.
The town of Swampscott has also declared a snow emergency that will be in effect from 8 p.m. today until 4 p.m. Thursday.
Vehicles parked on the street are subject to being towed at the owner's expense.
Visit www.itemlive.com for more updates on snow emergencies and school closings in the region and buy Thursday's edition of The Daily Item for complete coverage.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

CHARTER SCHOOLS MINUS CORPORATIONS EQUAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

OVER FORTY NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PRINCIPLES IN ESEA

Washington, D.C. - January 26, 2015

The Coalition for Community Schools is grateful for the support of forty-four national organizations that have signed on to our recommendations for a reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). These organizations span education, health, youth development, and civil rights and include the AFT, AASA, National League of Cities, Opportunity Action, First Focus Campaign for Children, and National PTA, reflecting the large scope of organizations in support of community school principles.
“This broad range of over 40 national signatories demonstrates strong national cross-sector support for community school principles,” says Coalition Public Policy Manager Mary Kingston Roche. “This occurs at the same time we are seeing rapid growth of community schools across the country and increasing political support at the state and local levels. We as a coalition are eager to work with Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and other committee members to embed these principles throughout a reauthorized ESEA.”
At a time when over half of our nation’s students are low-income and we face persistent opportunity and achievement gaps, leaders across the country from Tulsa to Boston are embracing community schools as a vehicle for educational equity and comprehensive school improvement.
Coalition recommendations include the following:
  • Incentivize school-community partnerships at the school, district and state levels that coordinate resources between schools and community partners (public and private) to address the comprehensive needs of students and provide enriching learning and development opportunities during and outside of school hours.
  • Authorize the bipartisan Full-Service Community Schools Act, and reference full-service community schools as an allowable school turnaround model in Title I and an allowable strategy for Safe and Healthy students in Title IV.
  • Require SEAs and LEAs receiving Title I funds to identify and report results beyond academic achievement to include indicators for health and wellness, discipline, attendance, and family engagement.
The complete set of recommendations can be found in theletter.
Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee is setting an aggressive timeline to reauthorize ESEA, calling for a bill out of committee by mid-February. We are appreciative of the strong support of our national partners who are critical to the growth and quality of community schools across the country, and together we will work to ensure these principles are embedded in a reauthorized ESEA that recognizes, supports, and incentivizes strong school-community partnerships for young people’s success. 
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 About the Coalition for Community Schools
The Coalition for Community Schools, housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), is an alliance of national, state and local organizations in education K–16, youth development, community planning and development, higher education, family support, health and human services, government, and philanthropy as well as national, state, and local community school networks. The Coalition advocates for community schools as a strategy to leverage local resources and programs, changing the look and feel of the traditional school structure to best meet the needs of children and families in the 21st century.
About the Institute for Educational Leadership
For a half-century, the Institute for Educational Leadershiphas championed the need for leaders at all levels to shake off their institutional constraints and work across boundaries to address the needs of young people and their families. The work of IEL focuses on three pillars required for young people and their communities to succeed: Involving the broader community with public education to support the learning and development of young people; building more effective pathways into the workforce for all young people and supporting the transition to adulthood; and preparing generations of leaders with the know-how to drive collaborative efforts at all levels.

Monday, January 26, 2015

MID-WEEK VACATION THANKS TO SNOWICANE!

School has been cancelled for Tuesday(1/27) and Wednesday(1/28)http://www.lynnschools.org/
Superintendent Latham welcomes you to the official Lynn Public School Department website.
LYNNSCHOOLS.ORG

Saturday, January 24, 2015

SINS OF A SERPANT

Donna's dereliction of duty
Is a charge strongly made
By one who is snooty
Cause support she did evade!

The election he did lose
Cause your vote he did not had
So apparently he did choose
Your life to make very bad.

Not only the seat he did not win
But his veils are mighty thin
Just like the thickness of his skin.

CHUCK'S COMEDY CONUNDRUM

It's a little funny how CHUCK has a problem with DONNA'S "conflict of interest" when it comes to bargaining for teacher's contracts (SINCE HER DAUGHTER IS A TEACHER) yet has none when the ITEM (who's parent company is employed by or has financial ties to LPS) enlist in his CRUSH COPPOLA CRUSADE.



THAT'LL TEACH HER WHICH CANDIDATE TO SUPPORT!

Friday, January 23, 2015

HENHOUSING SHORTAGE

Here we go again
With the fox watching the hen.

How must the TRUTH sacrifice
In order to play nice.

In order to remain OBJECTIVE
One can not report with a PERSPECTIVE.

TRUST can't be LOST any faster
Than when two servants have ONE master.

DANCE PARTY PLANNED FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE SHAKE

A current LSC member apparently is looking for another job and instead of a GOING-AWAY party is having a GOING-TO one.

Rick Starbard for Lynn Councilor at Large Campaign Kickoff
Monday, March 2 at 6:00pm
Old Tyme Italian Cuisine in Lynn, Massachusetts

Thursday, January 22, 2015

LPS'S OWN "INFLATE-GATE"

At the last LSC meeting it was pointed out by DR. LATHAM I believe that the ITEM had been having some POSITIVE coverage lately and I reminded everybody that the new ownership of the paper used to have LPS as client's.

I STAND CORRECTED!

                              STILL HAVE LPS AS CLIENTS.

Hot off the press: The Winter 2015 edition of the Lynn Educator is now available on the Lynn Public Schools website, and it also will be included as a special insert in tomorrow's Daily Item newspaper.
Here is the direct link to the electronic publication that has been posted on our district website:

HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO "TRUST" THEM TO GIVE US THE "STRAIGHT"STORY?

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

DID SOMEONE NEED A NURSE?

LPS welcomes TWO new nurses to their staff. VERONICA COOKE, RN and MEGAN PAUL, RN. Both are BSNs.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

RIGGING THE GAME

It was kind of funny to hear DR. LATHAM gush about the recent press coverage the ITEM has given them. Citing in particular the stories about the two two principals at FORD and MARSHALL. Then there is their growing FACEBOOK campaign which is definitely getting the positive WORD out.

Now I would like to TAKE CREDIT for this upswing. I mean I did push FACEBOOK and I have tried to educate the educators on what it means to be media saavy but even I am not that vain. No I got to wonder if they in a sense paid for the press since the owners of the ITEM used to have or maybe still do have LPS as a client.

IT'S LIKE GOING TO A CASINO WHERE THE BLACKJACK DEALER USED TO WORK FOR YOU. YEAH, THE "HOUSE" ALWAYS WINS BUT JUST WHOSE HOUSE?

Friday, January 16, 2015

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL...

The second grade class along with their teachers and staff would like to invite you to attend our assembly celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tuesday, January 20th at 9:00 am. We hope you can join us, the students have been working very hard.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Last night LPS accepted the donation of generous packages of meat products from OLD NEIGHBORHOOD to every student and staff member of FORD,  HARRINGTON, CONNERY, and KIPP schools. A thank-you letter was ordered to be written as it should be. It is important to  be grateful, if not timely. The last donation was given right before THANKSGIVING I believe.

The reason the WORD "last" becomes significant is that they have done this for a number of years and I don't remember similar expressions of gratitude. I know about four years ago I wanted to publicize this GENEROSITY in the pages of the WATCH. I even communicated with the PUBLIC RELATIONS person at OLD NEIGHBORHOOD via e-mail. What I was told was that the president of OLD NEIGHBORHOOD preferred to remain anonymous because he felt that to do otherwise detracted from the sincerity of the act.

Believe it or not, I kept quiet out of respect for his wishes. Now that begs the question why this sudden change of behavior. The GENEROSITY of the act is unquestionable and  deserving of attention. My only questions concern timing and LPS's intent.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

COULD THIS BE AN OLD PICKERING PHOTO?


SOME TESTS CONFIRM DISEASE

Lynn, Saugus schools pass state test


So now we are supposed to CELEBRATE we are bad
When really it's the taxpayers to be had.

For a NEW school we can not afford
Politicians to trick voters to get on board.

The MSBA does necessarily confess
For a new PICKERING they'll pay even LESS.

So BE HAPPY, MARSHALL you got your bond
Paying for even that you won't be fond.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

YES, ANOTHER NEW SCHOOL IS POSSIBLE

Lynn, Saugus schools await final grade


 IF.....

SANTA CLAUS chooses to come down the pipeline instead of the chimney but I think it's pretty safe to say we stand a good chance of finding COAL in our stocking (Being from WV, I KNOW coal). Are you ready to BOND another 90 MILLION?

Oh I do think there will be another school built soon but I believe it will be another CHARTER school. Not only can the CITY not afford to build a NEW school but niether can the STATE. Where is the MONEY going to come from?

The more frightening question is where it's going to go?

Monday, January 12, 2015

POETRY OF PREDICTIONS

The RACE is over and the TOP
Is going to have a different look.

Since I believe CHARTER SCHOOLS,
Have suddenly found  a favorable nook.

Cause I believe on education our new governor
Is writing a new book.

All the excess money set aside for inflated salaries
Soon will be took.

PITCH PERFECT OR PERFECT PITCH


Lynn parents will drive Ford improvements

Definitely, the right words were used.  Remember though actions speak louder than words and there is not as much of a translation problem.. An important factor is just how much freedom is allowed to implement the encouraging rhetoric. I'll have my PUDDING served with a side order of PROOF.



Sunday, January 11, 2015

Pickering fundraiser Monday night (1/12) from 6-9 athttps://www.facebook.com/TidesNahantBeach. Portion of proceeds go to Pickering.
Tides Nahant Beach
Restaurant/Cafe

Saturday, January 10, 2015

SEGREGATION CONCENTRATION

Someone said.....

great story but Ford School under Dr. Crane did this years ago with transitional classrooms...keeping kids in their neighborhood schools...
Having emotionally impaired children under one roof has meant greater success in getting them back into the mainstream.
ITEMLIVE.COM
Unlike ·  · 
  • You and Tia Cole like this.
  • Leslie Greenberg One of the many programs that she put into Ford. Too bad so many have been removed since she retired.
  • Stanley Wotring The TRUTH is that there was much resistance to it when it was at FORD. The Administratiion claimed that the unions wouldn't allow the class sizes to be that different. I was beside one of those classes with COACH K in the library. Some people would argue that lumping all those kids together is akin to segregation. That being said, there is a lot to be said for lowering the level of stimulation.

ENGLISH HIGH TELLING Y


The Lynn Y is offering free lifeguard training. The Massachusetts DCR expects to have many lifeguard openings. Students can get free training for these jobs.

Friday, January 9, 2015

EDUCATION EXPANSION EMINENT?

FACT SHEET: White House Unveils America’s College Promise Proposal: Tuition-Free Community College for Responsible Students

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2015
FACT SHEET: White House Unveils America’s College Promise Proposal: Tuition-Free Community College for Responsible Students

Nearly a century ago, a movement that made high school widely available helped lead to rapid growth in the education and skills training of Americans, driving decades of economic growth and prosperity. America thrived in the 20th century in large part because we had the most educated workforce in the world. But other nations have matched or exceeded the secret to our success. Today, more than ever, Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy without having to take on decades of debt before they even embark on their career.

Today the President is unveiling the America’s College Promise proposal to make two years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree and earn skills needed in the workforce at no cost. This proposal will require everyone to do their part: community colleges must strengthen their programs and increase the number of students who graduate, states must invest more in higher education and training, and students must take responsibility for their education, earn good grades, and stay on track to graduate. The program would be undertaken in partnership with states and is inspired by new programs in Tennessee and Chicago. If all states participate, an estimated 9 million students could benefit. A full-time community college student could save an average of $3,800 in tuition per year.

In addition, today the President will propose a new American Technical Training Fund to expand innovative, high-quality technical training programs similar to Tennessee Tech Centers that meet employer needs and help prepare more Americans for better paying jobs. These proposals build on a number of historic investments the President has made in college affordability and quality since taking office, including a $1,000 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award to help working and middle class families, the creation of the $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, reforming student loans to eliminate subsidies to banks to invest in making college more affordable and keeping student debt manageable, and making available over $2 billion in grants to connect community colleges with employers to develop programs that are designed to get hard-working students good jobs.

The President’s Plan: Make Two Years of College as Free and Universal as High School

By 2020, an estimated 35 percent of job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree. Forty percent of college students are enrolled at one of America’s more than 1,100 community colleges, which offer students affordable tuition, open admission policies, and convenient locations. They are particularly important for students who are older, working, need remedial classes, or can only take classes part-time. For many students, they offer academic programs and an affordable route to a four-year college degree. They are also uniquely positioned to partner with employers to create tailored training programs to meet economic needs within their communities such as nursing, health information technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The America’s College Promise proposal would create a new partnership with states to help them waive tuition in high-quality programs for responsible students, while promoting key reforms to help more students complete at least two years of college. Restructuring the community college experience, coupled with free tuition, can lead to gains in student enrollment, persistence, and completion transfer, and employment. Specifically, here is what the initiative will mean:

Enhancing Student Responsibility and Cutting the Cost of College for All Americans: Students who attend at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college, and make steady progress toward completing their program will have their tuition eliminated. These students will be able to earn half of the academic credit they need for a four-year degree or earn a certificate or two-year degree to prepare them for a good job.

Building High-Quality Community Colleges: Community colleges will be expected to offer programs that either (1) are academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities, giving students a chance to earn half of the credit they need for a four-year degree, or (2) are occupational training programs with high graduation rates and that lead to degrees and certificates that are in demand among employers. Other types of programs will not be eligible for free tuition. Colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes, such as the effective Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) programs at the City University of New York which waive tuition, help students pay for books and transit costs, and provide academic advising and supportive scheduling programs to better meet the needs of participating students, resulting in greater gains in college persistence and degree completion.

Ensuring Shared Responsibility with States: Federal funding will cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college. States that choose to participate will be expected to contribute the remaining funds necessary to eliminate community college tuition for eligible students. States that already invest more and charge students less can make smaller contributions, though all participating states will be required to put up some matching funds. States must also commit to continue existing investments in higher education; coordinate high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions to reduce the need for remediation and repeated courses; and allocate a significant portion of funding based on performance, not enrollment alone. States will have flexibility to use some resources to expand quality community college offerings, improve affordability at four-year public universities, and improve college readiness, through outreach and early intervention.

Expanding Technical Training for Middle Class Jobs. Additionally, in order to spread the availability of high-quality and innovative programs like those in Tennessee and Texas, which achieve better than average completion and employment outcomes, the President is also proposing the American Technical Training Fund. This fund will award programs that have strong employer partnerships and include work-based learning opportunities, provide accelerated training, and are scheduled to accommodate part-time work. Programs could be created within current community colleges or other training institutions. The focus of the discretionary budget proposal would be to help high-potential, low-wage workers gain the skills to work into growing fields with significant numbers of middle-class jobs that local employers are trying to fill such as energy, IT, and advanced manufacturing. This program will fund the start-up of 100 centers and scale those efforts in succeeding years. Smaller grants would help to bring together partners and start a pilot program. Larger grants would be used for expanding programs based on evidence of effectiveness, which could include past performance on graduation rates, job placement rates and placement wages. Building on the President’s community college initiative, known as the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants and for which 2014 was the final year of funding, these funds will help community colleges become more job-driven.

Building on State and Local Programs. In the past year, Tennessee and the City of Chicago initiated free community college programs. In the first year of the Tennessee program, 57,000 students representing almost 90 percent of the state’s high school graduating class applied for the program. The scholarship is coupled with college counseling, mentorship, and community service that early evidence suggests supports greater enrollment, persistence and college completion. This is coupled with efforts to spur innovation and improvement by funding colleges using performance outcomes based on student success and an innovative approach to career and technical education through the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. These Tennessee Tech Centers have a graduation rate of 80 percent and a job placement rate of 85 percent.

Building on a Record of Progress. Since taking office, President Obama has taken steps to expand federal support to help more students afford college, while calling for a shared responsibility in tackling rising college costs. Key achievements include:

• Doubling the Investment in Pell Grants: The President has raised the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,730 for the 2014-15 award year — a nearly $1,000 increase since 2008. The number of Pell Grant recipients has expanded by 50 percent over that same time.

• Expanding Education Tax Credits: President Obama established the American Opportunity Tax Credit in 2009 to assist families with the costs of college, providing up to $10,000 for four years of college tuition.

• Pay-As-You-Earn Loans: All new borrowers can now cap loan payments at 10 percent of their incomes. The Department of Education has begun the process to amend its regulations and will make the new plan available on all direct loans by December 2015. We expect it to benefit up to 5 million borrowers.

• First in the World Grants: In September, the Department of Education awarded $75 million to 24 colleges and universities under the new First in the World grant program to expand college access and improve student learning while reducing costs.

• College Ratings Program: The Department of Education continues to develop a college ratings system by the 2015-2015 school year that will recognize institutions that excel at enrolling students from all backgrounds; focus on maintaining affordability; and succeed at helping all students graduate with a degree or certificate of value.

• Job-Driven Training Grants: Through the Trade Adjustment Community College and Career Training program more than 1,000 institutions have received $2 billion in federal funding to design education and training programs, working closely with employers and industry that prepare workers for jobs in-demand in their regional economies, such as health care, information technology and energy. These programs have shown early success — through the end of FY2013, among the nearly 164,000 individuals who had enrolled in these programs 88 percent either completed a program or continued the program into a second year.

• White House Summit on Community Colleges: In October 2010, the President convened community college leaders, faculty and students; business leaders; philanthropic organizations; and other workforce development experts for the first White House summit dedicated to the role that community colleges play in our efforts to increase the number of college graduates and prepare those graduates to lead the 21st century workforce.

• Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness: Last August, the Department of Education launched a new $10 million Institute for Education Sciences-funded Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness (CAPR) that is working to strengthen the research, evaluation, and support of college readiness efforts across the nation. CAPR is documenting current practices in developmental English and math education to identify innovative instructional practices that improve student success.

• Call to Action on College Opportunity: Last December, the President, Vice President, and First Lady joined college presidents and leaders of non-profits, foundations, and other organizations to announce over 600 new commitments to produce more college graduates. Community colleges made commitments individually, and in partnership with neighboring school districts and four-year institutions, to build seamless transitions among institutions, develop clear educational and career pathways, implement strategies to increase student completion of STEM programs, and establish more accurate measures of student progress and success.
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