Nurse Needed Now

Effective March 4th LPS's Homeless Liaison Nurse resigned. They gave a reason for the resignation but I forget. What I do remember is there was unanimity in sorrow over her departure. The disappointment was more than just a personal loss.

Jennifer Spina served a lot of children in the LPS. The numbers would surprise and shock you. I'm sure somebody out there will fill me in on the exact number but even one child is too many. No matter what your political view, you have to agree the child is not responsible for their situation. They are just victims. One day they will grow up and create the society that we are all going to have to live in.

How we treat them now is how we can expect to be treated later, Ever heard of the Golden Rule? I hope this position is filled quickly, if it is not already filled. Not having a place to get your junk mail is bad enough.

Show Us Your Papers

Something is happening at every LSC meeting that I find a little troubling. Every meeting a packet full of copies of letters the school department has received between meetings. Granted these are often boring housekeeping communications that not many people would be interested in, thank you letters and such.

But lumped with those frivolous letters are reports from Inspectional Services. This last meeting there were quite a few items from ISD, for example a report on a boiler failure at Abborn, an Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Pickering, an update on that same report, and a copy of an e mail from Covino Environmental Associates regarding the Sisson School portables thrown in for good measure.

I am not implying that anyone has anything to hide, I am just wondering why we can't have access to them. I know there are laws around confidentiality but I don't see how they apply here. Maybe so. I would think they ought to post  redacted copies on line for everybody to see. This is the 21st century and any idiot can post stuff on line. Look at me.

From The City Of Sin To Sin City

Coming up from March 24-27, the Lynn Teachers Union requested and got approval to send four  paraprofessionals to the 2011 Annual AFT Paraprofessional And School-Related Personnel in Las Vegas. I would hope the union is paying for all this.

Professional development is vital but I think maybe they could develop a little closer. That way maybe more than four would have the opportunity. Vegas is nice though, especially after the winter we have had.

Speaking From My "Bully" Pulpit

The vacancy or even potential vacancy of Dennis Thompson's position when combined with the possible loss of someone within the administration to move up to fill the newly created Deputy Superintend position will cause a tsunami of disruption within the LPS system. Who will be the casualties of this devastation? Our kids, that's who.

Who is going to provide our kids with the assurance that bullying won't be tolerated in our schools? Mr. Thompson has done much work to define the concept of bullying in LPS. His absence would be sorely missed.

Hopefully his six figure salary has just allowed him to move up and out to a bigger, nicer house. Continuity in student security is especially of concern to parents of special needs students since who are often victims of bullies.We just need assurance that protection of our children.

As LSC member Rick Starbard pointed out in an earlier post, the timing of the creation of the Deputy position could cause additional disruption if the position is filled in house since that would mean a new vacancy in a crucial position created due to promotion. After all, some one qualified for this new position must have been doing vital work in their present job.

What To Do, What To Do

The new Deputy Superintendent's position has already been approved. Done deal.The votes were taken and only Starbard and Coppola voted against it. Our fate has been sealed, our future certain. Or is it?

We don't have to be held hostage by those that may not have the best interests of our kids first in mind. The position has been approved, it has not been filled yet. Dr. Latham can still be subjected to the pressure of public opinion. Write, call, or e mail her at the school department. Make your voices heard.

There is still another way to yield your influence. Maybe Mayor Kennedy was having second thoughts about her earlier affirmative vote but whatever the reason she insisted the posting be sent back to the Personnel Sub-committee for revising or updating the job description. Dr. Latham was ready to put the process in motion and did not appear to be happy with this delay.

The Personnel Sub-committee consists of Coppola, who is chair, Carrasco, and Capano. I would recommend calling or writing them so at least you can have a little influence on the type of person who eventually gets the position. If you like failing schools or like the way LPS has done business in the past, by all means remain silent, Dr. Latham will be glad you did.

Who's To Blame And What Do We Do?

It is easy to beat up on the teacher's union and blame them for the sorry state of our schools. That is because teachers and even principals are the ones we a parents have access to. When is he last time you had a sit down with Dr. Latham or even Dr. Wary? I'm fortunate enough to see them every LSC meeting and we often exchange pleasantries.

Would it be acceptable to them if they had a teacher who's class had one fifth failing grade? We have 5 failing schools in Lynn out of 26. Do you see the analogy?

Of the two Level IV schools we have, the state already rejected one. Failing is bad but it's what you do to make yourself better that is really important. What's the first thing a sports franchise does when it starts habitually losing? There's a lot of unemployed managers out there to answer that question.

Is LPS Like A Sinking Ship?

Boy, did I hear some interesting stuff. I was all excited thinking I had some juicy gossip that only I was privy to. You know confidential sources like "Deep Throat" in Watergate. Except this time I was both Woodward and Bernstein. I saw a movie in the works, "All The Superintendent's Men".

I checked my blog this morning and a reader wrote in with the exact same information. That busted my bubble. I was already planning on different ways I could spend the money I would make on merchandising "Watch" T-shirts.

Okay enough with the suspense. A "For Sale" sign has been seen in Dennis Thompson's yard. Mr. Thompson wrote the Bullying policy for Lynn School's, is responsible for tracking the 504 plan kids, wrote the grant along with Sue Rowe for the credit recovery plan, and has his fingers in a lot of the pie they are servingg up down at the administration's office.

I haven't heard if he is planning to leave LPS or not. With his six figure salary he could afford the commute, even with rising gas prices. But what if he is leaing LPS? Does he know something we don't? Hopefully somebody out there has some answers.

An Invitation To The Party

You can see by my numbers traffic is exploding on this site. People throughout Lynn have displayed an interest in our kids education and a willingness to enter into a discussion of the issues. That's why it troubles me that more of the LSC members, the candidates who want to members, and top administrators of LPS don't contribute to the discussion. Without answers to question, we are to speculate.

So far only Rick contributes from the LSC and only Delores from the candidates. Looking at this bloq's numbers, those members and candidates do so at their own peril. We need to know your position on the issues important to us and our kids.

Follow The Money To Where?

I thought I heard on channel 5 news last night that the chief justice of the state supreme court makes $154,000 a year while Dr. Latham make $167,000 a year.  Can somebody please explain to me how this is justified. I know Lynn is the fifth largest school district in the state, but we are talking CHIEF JUSTICE

I believe there are 25 school administrators making over $100,000 a year. We will be adding a new deputy superintendent to that is at probably $140,000, I'm just saying, "What's in your wallet?".

I wonder how many more kids we will have to crowd into the classrooms to pay for this new deputy?

Classical Student Recognized Running Rampant

Let us pause for a moment, taking a break from Confidential Secretaries, SPED, and talk of wasteful deputies, to honor Hillary McGuffey, a Classical High student who was recognized at last week's LSC meeting for being MIAA Student-Athlete of the Month.. While participating in Cross country and both indoor and outdoor track, Hillary still finds time to maintain a 3.3 GPA having all Honors classes. The "Watch" is particularly impressed with her career goal, an OPHTHALMOLOGIST. Maybe one day she will help me see things a little more clearly.

See I don't always have to write about violations, misappropriations, and miscommunication. Am I getting soft in my old age? I did turn 49 yesterday        

Stan For School Committee? I Think I'll Run For The Border

I have had a number of people approach me to consider a run for school committee. There are several problems with that. I don't have a long history of community involvement in Lynn, I am poor I don't have the thousands of dollars it would take to run, I have never had one education class, and people often mistake me as as s no somebody's client.

On the other hand I have gotten a large following fast and it's been FREE! No doubt I could get some people to contribute enough for a campaign. I'm a poet so slogans should be no problem (Stan the Man goes with so many rhymes). All things taken into consideration, I think I would have an excellent chance of winning.

BUT WHY WOULD I GIVE UP THIS BLOG FOR ONE LITTLE OLE VOTE? With the "Watch" I can influence everyone who is a member. Someone has to have an independent voice. Besides this is too much fun and I don't have to worry about somebody firing me or shutting me down, unless Verizon does for nonpayment (not completely a joke, March 10 is my one year anniversary since I become too disabled to work). Besides I'd have to start shaving every day and I'd have to start dressing nicer. Vinnie "GQ" Spirito has set the fashion bar pretty high.

Priorities?

Does anybody else find it ironic that yesterday that President Obama was at a high school in Dorchester congratulating that school for focusing on science and having 90% of its students going on to college and Lynn Public Schools doesn't even have anyone in the administration heading up the science curriculum? But we have money in the coffers  to fund a new Deputy Superintendent position.

C'mon Now, Let's Give The Doc Her Due

Recently Lynn Public School's Dr. Latham received  an award or some kind of recognition  from the legislature for promoting in school health centers  in a few of our city's schools. This is a good thing. Getting services  where the problems are. A healthy body needs a healthy mine or is it the other way around.  Starve a cold, feed a fever

Schools are now mandated with the responsibility for a broad range of responsibilities on the overall continuum of care. The award was presented by Lynn's own Rep. Steve Walsh. Doesn't LSC member John Ford work for Rep. Walsh?

Politics makes strange bedfellows. Hey, today is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras and all. Were there any beads inolved?

Are They Following The "Watch"?

Maybe it's just me but I find it kind of funny that all of a sudden a number of education stories appear in the ITEM today. First there is the story about asbestos concerns and the Hadley School in Swampscott. I could tell you I have heard rumours of asbestos problems in some of Lynn's schools but I won't. As an earlier reader comment pointed out people are not interested in reporting they can read in the National Enquirer I have much higher journalistic standards I learned from watching Fox news. Fair and Balanced.

LVTI's $300,000 bio-tech grant got good coverage too Just everybody remember, that money is for materials and equipment. Hands Off. No Deputy money here!

There was another one but I forget it and I am not going to waste my time tracking it down.

Finally there was a little blurb buried deep in the paper about Special Education records before 2003 being destroyed after April 15. I know I am an undereducated hillbilly from WV and not savvy with all these big city ways and all, but do you think they have been watching my numbers explosion and realized people are interested in their kids education? Sometimes with this brain damage I get these delusions.

Is Free Speech Really Free?

You may have noticed I removed all advertising from this blog. I can't even figure out how to get Google to pay me the $20.35 they owe me. Anyway I don't want anybody trying to "BUY" my opinion. However I would be willing to rent it for a significant sum of money payable in bills of small denomination with non sequential serial numbers.

My Sincere Apologies

Last night's PAC meeting was attended by LSC member Rick Starbard and candidate Delores (I'm not typing out her last name because she contributes to this blog ll he ime and I am too lazy). The cynical thing is to remind everybody that it is election time and it is. But let me ask you what other LSC mmbers or candidates wee there? SALTED!

Now some people have accused me of being biased toward certain people. To those people I say, "So what, if you don't like it, get your own blog". I try to be 100% slanted toward the kids and that means favoring those people, programs, and schools that line up with my objectives. SORRY (not really)

Point, Counterpoint Attack Of The PAC Attack

Wow! I am still dizzy from the wealth of information that was presented at last night's PAC meeting. The fact that I was overwhelmed just screams about the need for the filling of the Parent Liaison position that has remained vacant for 18 months. Having someone help in the navigation through the maze known as Special Ed. is vital and crucial.

First p last night the SPED deparmament of LPS descended on the meeting with an army of presenters describing their own little area of expertise wearing down the crowd with stimulation overload and  intimidating the audience with their advanced degrees.

By the time the second PowerPoint program was put on the audience was weary from their journey through LPS. I am not going to type out the organization who presented. Its too early in the AM to go rummaging through my notes Suffice it to say, it was about maximizing the IEP process. Very educational about education. It was ashamed that I ad to leave before it was finished. But even sadder was the fact several left before me. I will dig more into this later. I have a lot to say about last night. STAY TUNED.

"Who's Zooming Who?"

She must have been talking about Lynn Public Schools when, Aretha Franklin, Goddess of Soul uttered those prophetic words. After all with no Parent Liaison, the parents have no voice, no song to sing.

On the other hand that Educational Diva, Doc Latham has no problems getting across her sad melody about how hard life is without adding another Deputy Assistant Superintendent. Same old Song.

We, parents need  RESPECT!

PAC It In ( TONIGHT) Lynn Public Schools

Looks like I am going to the Parent Advisory Council meeting tonight at 7 pm. My new BFF Melissa and her husbad are picking me up after a appointment at Salem Hospital to take me to the meeting at the Lynn Houing Authority building at 10 Church Street. I understand Rick Starbard is going for his initial meeting. All of us should get to meet school administration officials Jessica McGlaughiln and Lydia Muggeo (I'm sure I butchered the spelling of their names, I only hope I can be kinder in my reports on the meeting). Hope to see everybody there.

Silence Is Not Always Golden

How can LPS be responsive to the needs of the students of Lynn if it has chosen a policy of disengagement with the parents? Deb Stone's position of parent liaison has been vacant for eighteen months while she has been out on medical leave. Just cause she's not there doesn't mean her work is not. Who speaks for the parents? This is on top of the loss of the Confidential Secretary to the Special Ed. Dept. Who speaks for the students? WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHY WE"RE HERE AND WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

Drug's, Alcohol, And The State Of Our Schools

Last Thursday when I was at the LSC meeting, my new BFF Melissa, an avid Watch reader and volunteer documentary producer for lynnhappens (she really only recorded the meeting so Seth could post it but everybody likes to be thought of as famous) talked to me during a break and asked if I would look into the Item's coverage of an incident that recently happened at the Washington Community School You can put the link below in your browser and take a look for yourself. That way some of my critics out there (and you are growing) can't accuse me of spreading rumours and fictionalizing. Sensationalizing maybe.

This story has multiple victims and in fact everyone involved loses. You notice I said loses without calling anyone a loser. One's problems shouldn't identify oneself. In the words of Deval Patrick (and later plagiarized by President Obama) "Words matter". Language comes with baggage. That is why that the fact LSC member Vinnie Spirito painted the origins of special needs  students can be found in in a home-life of drug addiction and alcohol, is troubling.

Yeah that's a problem for some but it's not their problem, the child has no control over it. Using such a broad brush is irresponsible and counter-productive to resolving troubles in the classroom. Sure you can come up with all kind of sociological data and demographic trends but you know what? You can't put milk and sugar on statistics and have them for breakfast.

Vinnie has a wealth of experience as principal and several years on the LSC and using such a poor choice of words may be due to editing, words taken out of context, or maybe he just had a bad reaction to prescription drugs (that excuse worked for Charlie Sheen). Anyway, let's not be too harsh on him, after all he's a snappy dresser.


http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2010/12/10/news/news02.txt  (copy and paste)

They're Not Even Irish Twins

Of the two redesign plans for our two Level 4 schools only one was accepted Harrington and they get a grant for 1.1 million dollars while Cobbett's plan was rejected. They get a consolation prize of 367,000 and a free trip back to the drawing board.

At the LC meeting Doc Latham was bewildered ad perplexed that one could be approved and not the other since they were almost identical plans. Duh, they are two DIFFERENT schools.

I've Got To Get My Hearing Checked!

You know as I get older my hearing ain't so good. Now I heard or maybe just thought I heard the Confidential Secretary whose story was responsible for starting the avalanche of hits I've been getting was actually "fired" for some disclosure of some privileged information. I kind of got the impression that it may have been a set up?

Laid off or fired, which is it? The actual fact is I think public information and doesn't tell the whole  truth of the matter. Either could accomplish the same result but could lead to different consequences for the parties involved.
Somebody help me and help us all.

My stormy past with probate court has taught me, "Just cause you say it, don't make it true!".

Too Early?

Spring is in the air but if you look outside most of what you see now is all the trash unmasked by the melting snow. Alright you cynics were right, there was no a sea of GREEN last night at the LSC meeting  washing away the past sins of corruption and entitlement,

However closer examination of the educational calender indicate a warming trend for our children's future. The presence of Melissa, toting a GREEN ribbon I might add, represented herself well during the open mike session before the start of the meeting. She displayed a command of the facts of our current state of education and the applicable laws. Also, she manned the camera for lynnhappens. Yea!

We need an objective record of the events. I would have volunteered to do it but I understand some of you out there think I am biased. Whatever gave you that idea? Besides if I acted like one of those true journalist people, I couldn't put my spin on the facts.

Lots of facts came out and I will be spinning in the coming days. Even though there is snow and mud on the ground if you've noticed there are buds in the trees. We will be GREENING up real soon.

GREEN Revolution

T minus two hours and counting. Hopefully GANG GREEN will emerge as a political force at the LSC. We must be respectful but demanding that our children get the QUALITY EDUCATION they deserve. Maybe I will be the only one with green cause I know it's easier to write than do. But then again, I WILL reach 11,000 Hits TOMORROW. Somebodies are a knocking and we wanna come in.

Green Is The Word

I have to go get my hair cut today. I hear we are going to be on TV. We'll see if lynnhaappens, happens. Seth has offered his camera and Melissa has said she is taking him up on the offer. Cool. Okay everybody, get your GREEN  on.

All Dressed For Battle!

Thanks to my wife, I will have a lot of green ribbon, along with pins, to bring to the meeting tomorrow for all the "Watch" people. I'll be easy to find, not only do I sport gray hair and have a cane which alone could give me a classy almost distinguished look but my wife got me a lime green T shirt to wear. Don't have to worry about me appearing too dashing. Come to me and I pin you a member of the Watch Brigade. (Boy will I look like a fool if I'm the only one).

Come tomorrow night and let's FOLLOW THE MONEY!

Are You Ready To Rumbllllllle!

The last item on tomorrow's LSC agenda is a DRAFT posting of the posting of the newly created position of Deputy Superintendent. I may be mistaken but it probably won't be a volunteer one like my library one. They might actually "pay" this person.

I'll be anxious to find out how they are going to bankroll this payroll. Please show up and find out with me. GO GREEN!

Go Green But Don't Stay At Home!

I just got a comment from Melissa asking that all the "Watch" people wear a colored ribbon for tomorrow night's LSC meeting. What a great idea! I choose the color "green" because the "Watch" wants to "follow the money".

My wife brought it to my attention that also St. Patrick's Day coming up. That works out good because there must be some leprechauns working for LPS since they must have found a "pot of gold" to pay for all  those new administrative positions!

Attention! Attention!

Looking over the agenda for Thursday night's meeting posted on-line, I just want to thank whomever (or whoever, all right grammar people, take your best shot Remember I'm a poet so all of my mistakes fall under the creative license umbrella) makes up these things.

It may be an agenda for your meeting but it is an itinerary for my closer examination. I already see a number of troubling items to inspect. Just waiting to put your words into my action. Hopefully we will have a crowd on hand to witness what I plan to write about. The meeting is Thurs. March 3 at 7 pm. Hope to see you there.

In case anybody doesn't know, elections are coming up and people are already jockeying for position. Wendy Williams say it best, "How you doin?".

Hidden (in the) Agenda

I was plowing through last month's agenda, looking for something to write about then I came upon it. My eyeballs almost popped out of my head and there was a sickness in the pit of my stomach. In the middle of a school year where we have had to deal with overcrowded classrooms, the loss of most librarians, some of our schools falling apart, and our teacher for the past three years being asked to give up a day to help make the budget look better, I find the appoint of five new positions. These are a done deal, o approval necessary. And I thought the Deputy Superintendent vote was the only travesty.

These five new appointments deserve a closed inspection. Of the five only one was a teacher, An Adult Basic Literacy teacher. The other four were a Vice Principal at English, a Program Specialist for Language, a Confidential Secretary, and an Assistant Director Of Curriculum and Instruction for Reading/ELA. So much for Dr. Latham's cry about  the need for a new Deputy because she is overwhelmed because the department is down ten positions.

Only one position is a teacher who has direct contact with the students. The others, you have to make an appointment to go see. Those four probably come with a hefty salary. Oh yeah, the teacher is the only one of all five that's from Lynn. I guess with the other's salaries, they can afford to commute.

A Story With Some Bite!

Finally, a story you can sink your teeth into. Lynn Public Schools, Mass Health, and Forsyth Dental coordinated the paperwork to get needed services to where the problem is. A few days ago before all this silliness, I saw dentla professionals visiting the Ford School working on the kids. Forsyth Dental had really cool, colorful vans. I understand that Ford was not the only school that had this program. Kudos to whomever initiated it. Direct services, that's where our emphasis should be.

Who Spends What For Who?

I was talking to a teacher who brought up an interesting fact that begs for further discussion. Evidently the teacher's union was approached last year to give up one of their personal days in order to prevent lay offs. Unlike the previous two years, the members of the union voted to refuse.

I know 70 notices were sent out but I don't know how many if any were actually laid off. This teacher says no body actually was. I don't know but I have been noticing new jobs being created every time I read the agenda for the school committee meetings. I hear threats of possible teacher layoffs again.

Someone give me an accounting lesson so I can understand how we can afford a new deputy superintendent while our direct line teachers get ultimatums about sacrifice. Must be that new math.

This Could Mean A Career Change If I Had A Career

Boy as my numbers grow I seem to hear more things,, strange crazy things. Maybe that's just the voices in my head talking. After all I have had significant brain damage. That is an indisputable medical fact.Maybe I should quit blogging and spend all of my time writing fictional mystery thrillers.

Some great ideas I've heard revolve around arrests, summons, leaks, cover-ups, and conspiracy theories. This is the stuff of best-sellers. There is definite potential for a movie deal. Any suggestions on who could pay me? Watch your answers, I warn you - My pen is loaded.

Have You Heard This Before?

Like I have been saying, we need to get ahead of the coming storm. First though we need to secure our own house and stop wasting money at the top and start spending it on people and things that DIRECTLY impact our kids. Follow the law and you won't need to spend so much on lawyers, deputies, and secretaries.

Rise in cases of autism a burden, says NSCC’s Burton

New State Ethics Policy

The LSC adopted a policy put forth by the State Ethics Commission. The policy limits the gifts that school department personnel to under $50. That doesn't mean that students can't bring an apple to their teacher, it just means you can't bring the whole bushel.

I want to clearly point out that I am not bound by any such regulations. Any attempts to bribe me or sway my opinions will be weighed in accordance with the size of the bribe. I do however reserve the right to write about t

Confidentials, Deputies, and "Coach K", Oh My!, Confidential, Deputies, and "Coach K", Oh My!

You know I was looking over the agenda for the last LSC meeting, the one they post on line, looking for  something to write about and I noticed a couple of peculiar things. Maybe I'm reading this stuff all wrong, I'm not that educated. Have I told you I'm from WV.

The first interesting thing I saw thing I saw on the second page was the appointment of a Confidential Secretary to the Department Head in the Superintendent's Office. Is that person assigned directly to the superintendent or a department head? If it is to a department head, which department are we talking about? It seems a little funny making this appointment with he current state of the ongoing lawsuit over the SPED Confidential Secretary. On top of that there was also the request for the creation of a new deputy superintendent's position. Someone call Nate Berkus, there must be a whole lo of redecorating going on. We got to dress things up to make our five failing schools presentable.

Then, on page 5 was the announcement of the appointment of Theodore Karonis as a SPED teacher at Ford. That was "Coach K" remember him? The effective date for the appointment was Sept. 7th. Well he has already been fired. No mention of that.  When he was let go, no mention then, either. As he was a "probationary employee", no reason was legally necessary. It seems to me if your goal is simply to have the best education for the students possible you would e falling all over yourself putting that out there.

I don't know. Strange things. Does anybody see a pattern?

Is Lynn Public Schools Suffering From Over Exposure?

My posting on Confidential Secretaries has had almost 4 times as many hits as the next one on my "Hit Parade". What does that say about the way Lynn does the business of education?

It seems to me that we have exposed a culture of secrecy, especially in the Special Ed. department where the CS worked. Funny, because in an area where there are probably the most "strings" attached, there seems an abundance of alleged violations. I guess I answered my own question, because if people knew all the secrets there would be still more allegations. Viscous cycle.

In the past, it seems like either hauling them into court or at least issuing a credible threat was the only way to get action. What a waste of resources.  The cost is more than the $500 or so legal fees. I also takes us off point, off goal. Instead of education, we think about protection.

Participation is the cheapest, most effective deterrent for prevention of abuse. Parent involvement brings things to light and you know what they say about cockroaches  when you turn on the light. It's time for a little solar extermination. With every body's help, "The Watch" shines on.

LYNN'S EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Something big is happening in Lynn's education of our kids. Parents WANT to be involved. As this blog's readership shows, we WANT information. No, we DEMAND it.

The old way of doing business with secret deals and INTIMIDATION is no longer going to work. For years we have heard that parents don't want to be involved, if that was ever truly true, it surely isn't now.

I challenge the so-called leaders of our school department to come to the discussion or risked being silenced by the beat of our marching drum. I am willingly to go to any PTO meeting or gathering of parents to spread the word of the WATCH.

All we want is information so we can make unformed decisions.

Let's Show Up And Be Counted, Whenever It Is

I got a question today, "When is the next LSC meeting?". I had to answer I wasn't sure. I talked this morning with LSC member Donna Coppola and she wasn't even sure. There is always lots of calender shuffling. What was certain was that the law or regs. or whatever states you can't have a committee meeting if there is no school.

What was certain is that the volume of my traffic has been over 200 hits a day for my blog. We need to transform that level of interest into bodies in the seats. A large audience holds them accountable for their actions. Let's not miss this opportunity to show our interest in the welfare of our kids.

There are lots of crucial votes to be taken, plans to be made, and fates to be decided. The law says a meeting has to be posted 48 hours before the actual time of the meeting. With the mix-up with the posting of the last meeting I am not sure of how happy the LSC and the school administration would be to see a crowd of interested parents. There is always lots of talk about lack of public interest but maybe that's what they want.

Show up and call their bluff. I'll let you know as soon as I know. In the meantime, keep helping the Watch to grow.

Say What?

What does this story say, I mean really say?

Callahan kids fashion homemade weapons

The Item did a good job of reporting of the occurrence. But the facts seem to say more, much more.

The fact that Starbard was the only LSC member who was asked about the problem was a little disconcerting because it begs other questions like "Was he the only school official aware of the problem?". The answer to that question was answered when he he indicated that the superintendent's office was unaware. It is true that they can't be expected to know every single incident that happens, but on the same token they can not selectively micromanage schools.


On a good note, it also shows the power of the Internet as an effective learning tool. Let's make lemonade.

Everybody's Talking At Me!

Hey LSC look at my number. People are interested in what's happening with education in Lynn. This blog was started in mid July back when I still had cataracts (the typos in those old postings showed it) and it looks like I'll break the 10,000 hit mark in early march..

We are learning things, we are sharing things, and we are wanting things. We want the best education for our kids and we want to hold those accountable who are charged with and paid for that task. Can you hear us now?

Our Own Spring Training

I am so happy my son is involved in an after school activity at Pickering. Once a week he is involved in a "mock trial" club. This activity should spread throughout the Lynn Public School system. They could start their own developmental league. We would be fostering our own talent for future lawyers. "Home  Grown", yeah we will be getting a family discount.

Surely someone in the administration has the vision to see how this would benefit us long term. I mean with all the lawsuits coming up over the debacle we call special ed. and the creation of new top level positions while crowding more kids into classrooms while reducing the number of teachers with direct contact with our students.

Maybe we can funnel our future savings in legal fees into a retreat to maintain retention in our top level administrators. There is a precedent where some of our city employees spent time in Vegas. You know what they say, "What happens in Vegas, ....." You complete the rest.

The Joke Is On Us

During the last LSC  meeting Dr. Latham presented Certificates of Academic Excellence to two students from each of the three high schools in Lynn. After reading off a litany of accomplishments from each of the well deserving students, Dr. Latham laughingly remarked that these individuals should be doing her job. These accomplishments included very high GPA's, Latin Awards, and Soccer accomplishments. Heck one girl had to hobble up on crutches from a basketball injury to claim her certificate.

Some of the girls listed their babysitting experience as part of their resume. Dr. Latham laughingly tried to drum up business for the girls. I am sure she was sincere and confident about her ability to persuade people to follow her advice, she was fresh off her victory, convincing the Personnel Sub-committee of her need for a new Deputy Superintendent.

You would think after hearing of all that these students were able to accomplish, she would have been too embarrassed to bring her need for help up to the full committee but she was able to get sympathy from 5 members to help reduce her burden overseeing 5 failing schools. Only LSC members Starbard and Coppola refused invitations to the pity party. I'm just saying....

Our Special Ed. Ain't So Special

It has been brought to my attention that the special education department of Lynn Public Schools is in shambles. C'mon tell me something I don't know,

Let's look at the size of it first, well over 2000 kids. If you want the exact number call some bean counters down there. But wait, just where is there? You could call Latham's office but the special ed. dept. is not even in her building.

How can the superintendent manage such a huge satellite office? What results is splinter groups that pursue their own agendas or vendettas, whatever the case may be. This results in costly, unknown lawsuits and astronomically expensive out of district placements. And I hear those placements are not equitably given.

With the numbers for newly diagnosed cases of autism or spectrum disorders exploding, the future looks bleak for the practice of business as usual. We need to make our voices heard and the ballot boxes are listening!

Audit Anyone?

It seems that at least somebody is reading this blog. I, of source was at the LSC meeting where the approval was voted on to post the position. Rick Starbard asked a very poignant question but wasn't given a very clear answer. Part of the argument attempting to justify creating this new position was the increased workload due to the elimination of ten positions from last year's budget. This meant an increased workload. However Starbard pointed out that they had gotten a report on the "Race To The Top" grant by a newly appointed program specialist and wondered just how many other "new" positions had been created. No clear cut answer was given.

Donna Coppola pointed out that this "new position" would almost automatically create still another $50,000 a year position since a new Confidential Secretary would be needed. Lynn Public Schools are already embroiled in a costly lawsuit involving another Confidential Secretary. Who knows how much resolution of that case will cost.

We are spending all of this money and we still have 5 failing schools and I think only 3 schools in the city that made AYP. It is time for an audit of the finances of the Lynn Public Schools so we can know just where we are spending our money and who is spending it.

I personally think anyone who voted for this "new" position should be voted out of office come next election. The only exception I would make is Maria Carrasco who was "bullied" into voting in sub-committee meeting to even allow the full committee to vote. In the past Carrasco stood beside the mayor, myself and a couple others to thwart the superintendents attempt to crush the NASA program at Ford.

Committee member Patricia Capano felt that the new deputy position because of the long hours put in by Dr. Latham. I wonder how many teachers out there put in long hours for a lot less than the $160,000 a year that Dr. Latham makes?

Lynn super under fire for request

Stand For Our Kids, Stand To Be Counted

The city provides at least half the money for the school budget (I'd give you the exact amount but you know how I am with that math stuff). To me, this means our councilmen are somewhat accountable. Sure the superintendent has a great deal of latitude with the funds but you can't tell me that the holders of the purse strings have no influence.

So what can we do, what should we do. They should be made aware of the things going on with our schools They have some degree of responsibility, some accountability.  Call them, write them. Let them now of your opinion on the feasibility of adding a deputy superintendent's position.  Is this the best spending of our tax dollars? What is the value of such an investment when our classes are overcrowded and our elementary libraries closed?

Maybe our kids can't vote but we as parents can.

What You Can Do

Hey if Twitter can be used so that Oprah's audience can surprise her with a new dance why can't we used the growing social media to keep everyone informed on what's going on with our schools? After all our kids are more important than some club dance, even if it was something from the Black Eyed Peas.

Eat your vegetables and re-post. Follow the Watch.

Who's To Blame For The State Of Our Schools?

Everybody has their favorite whipping boy. Those blasted unions, teachers don't have to do anything and you can't fire them. Or maybe it's the administration, after all they get these exorbitant salaries, promote their friends making an unnecessary layer of educators who have no direct contact with our kids. Maybe it's the parents, since they waste all that time working putting food on the table.

Why are we wasting time playing the blame game? We need to all work together to find solutions. Our schools are FAILING, we need to spend our time and energy on helping he victims, our children.

No Deals, No Way!

Please I would ask that the mayor and the school  administration continue their rigid position in regards to any resolution of the lawsuit involving confidential secretaries. I mean I gives me something to write about and my numbers are up. WAY UP.

I'm learning things, hearing things. I've got more stories to write. Think of me. I mean I'm poor, I can't work at my job any more because of my stupid cane. So what dragging your feet is going to cost the taxpayers more money, I mean taxes will still be due.

Only our kids truly suffer and they are young. They will grow out of it.

A Pause From Our Sponsor

Let me take a break from all this craziness to acknowledge a former Ford School graduate and mother who has volunteered her time the past few days and helped me in the library,  Angie Tejero. The library has never looked better. Her invaluable help testifies to what a community school is all about. Are you listening, Dr. Latham?

Who Ya Gonna Call?

When was the last time the Item did a story on Lynn Public Schools? Do you remember what it was about? I can't but admittedly I do have brain damage from an injury almost 30 years ago so I am not the sharpest blade in the drawer.

I won't waste your time asking about the Lynn Journal, The point of the matter is that this is a critical time and our education system needs all of the examination and discussion we can provide. Our children's future depends on it. Let's think of ourselves for a minute. Who's going to take care of us when we are old and dependant? Some of us are closer to that point than others.

Why Does The Postman Always Ring Twice At Lynn Schools?

Because so many of the administrators live so far out of Lynn they can't hear the bell ring.

Is this true? Is it wrong? I can't say absolutely, I don't exchange Christmas cards with any of them. But once again, I hear things. As for being wrong, I'm a poet remember not a lawyer who is familiar with the letter of the residency regulations. The only letters I know about are scarlet ones.

It just seems to me that if these people want to take our money,  they at least ought to pay taxes here. That's just my opinion. Call me crazy.

How To Join The Race

I am sure Dr. Latham and her newly appointed program specialist in charge of the "Race To The Top" monies are overwhelmed keeping track of all our failing schools so I took the liberty of forwarding this article on all of the excitement and new uses of some of the new educational initiatives. Don't thank me, anything to help.


Like an e mail I got suggested, a committee should be formed to maximize the use of these funds.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/16/president-obama-announce-major-expansion-educate-innovate-campaign-impro

Who's Watching Our Money?

Is the proposed new Deputy Superintendent position absolutely necessary in these tight fiscal times? Rick Starbard and Donna Coppola don't think so. They voted in the minority, 5 to 2 aginst the position. I agree with them.

Let's think about the cost creating such a position would cost. I don't know the exact cost but I would guess a little less than $150,000 a year. That would buy a lot of new books. Excuse me for being partial to books, must be from the fumes in the library.

Really the question is: "How much direct contact is this new deputy superintendent going to have with our kids?".

When was the last time your kid got to see Dr. Latham or Dr. Wary? I don't mean to diminish the importance of the work they do. it's just that I don't think right now we can afford the luxury of making their jobs easier.. Is being a parent getting any easier?

"Hands Off! Don't Get Any Funny Ideas"

Last Thursday night's LSC meeting a report was given by the appointed program specialist in charge of the "Race To The Top" grant money. Like I said previously, we were told what we can't spend the money on. Missing from the monologue was what we "could" spend the money on.

Well to be honest that was not completely true, I mean we were told about general expenditures about data. I don't like the "New Math" or any math for that matter. Numbers scare me.

It would have been nice to hear what others districts are doing with the money. Thirteen districts are not even getting any money.

I am sure it is just a coincidence we have all this grant money available and suddenly we can afford to create a new Deputy Superintendent's position even though our classes are overcrowded and our libraries are closed. I guess I should have studied math in school because to me, it just doesn't add up.

Lynn Is Burning!

Wow! I had 269 hits yesterday. I hear things, now more things. It seems that some positions that are about to be filled and there are rumors the interviews to be conducted are just for show because the selections are predetermined.

I would hope that is not the case. We want and even demand our administrators to be fair to be honest. The job goes to the best person. That's the American way. Is it the Lynn way?

One of the things I also heard was the selection for the new Deputy Superintendent job already had a name linked to it. The approval for posting the position was only granted Thur. night. Rumors are not fact but remember the old adage about smoke. Like Smokey Bear says, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires"

Why Have I Been Sending Copies Of The Watch To Council?

Well it's not just because I like seeing my numbers go up. Although I have to admit it's been pretty heady to see my readership skyrocket. Me, an unemployed disabled wanna be poet.

The fact of the matter is that the city of Lynn subsidizes 50% of the school budget. I don't have to throw any more numbers at you to make you realize that is a significant amount. Now the mayor chairs the committee so if there is any financial mismanagement going on, she should know about it. Council on the other hand, has no representative. Checks and balances, you know.

Hopefully they are giving careful and deliberate thought to the things I'm bringing up and not just hitting the delete button. I guess we'll see who is interested come election time.

Sweet Dreams, Lynn Public Schools!

It seems there are a lot of questions surrounding how what little money our school system has is spent. People have made decisions that it is wiser to spend money on litigation rather than education. That doesn't make sense to me. It appears that those same people are placing their egos before their, rather our pocketbook.

This sad because I have learned the hard way through all my dealings with probate court, there are no winners, only losers. When you really get down to it who will pay for our educators lesson? Not them because they get paid either way. Not even our taxpayers because, our taxes are a fixed cost regardless of the quality of our education. Sadly it is our students, our children who will pay the price.

We our mortgaging our future to support our habit for status quo.  I hope everyone can sleep well tonight!

Looking For Answers, Not Love

Boy with all the medical problems surrounding the Lynn Public Schools. it makes me wonder where my investigation should take me. OSHA, EPA, or maybe I should just yell, "What up, Oprah?".

The uncontested facts are the person who was in charge of the SPED dept. had a stroke, the Hood principal had a similar problem, and allegedly a Confidential Secretary was moved for medical reasons. If anybody knows of any others please let me know. I want to be thorough. I mean, how can be fair if I don't know all the facts?

All for now, Scoop over and out.

A Scoop Or Talk Soup? I Think I'll Snoop!

Sorry for the corny title but I'm a poor starving poet at heart. Boy there may be a very interesting story brewing. In the words of a movie mobster, "I hear things!".

Some of the things I hear revolve around the Confidential Secretary position and alleged violations of civil law. The two parties are so far apart, somebody is obviously dishonest. I guess it's up to me to find out the truth. I've got nothing else to do and I am beholden to no one since I DON'T HAVE A JOB' I'M JUST A POOR DISABLED POET WHO VOLUNTEERS IN THE LIBRARY!

People are talking and they say they know where the bodies are buried! All for now, over and out - Scoop.

My Public Service Annoucement

Today has been the busiest day ever in my blog's history and I want to reiterate "No Rats Were Harmed As A Result Of Today's Postings", at least none of the four legged furry kind!

Maybe We Pay Our Bills With Funny Money

Thursday night's LSC meeting was full of rather controversial decisions, issues and stuff. Packed into that boring Personnel sub-committee meeting was a rather dubious decision. It seems that Dr. Latham, last years Lynn Journal "Woman of the Year" claims to be in need of another Deputy Superintendent. The current workload of administering our 26 or so schools (5 of which are failing) is too much.

There is no doubt it is a formidable task but so is being a parent and I don't get to add an extra parent just because I feel overwhelmed sometimes. The LSC members on  the sub-committee are as follows: Donna Coppola - chair, Maria Carrasco, and Patricia Capano.

The proposal seemed to be going down to defeat in the sub-committee, which meant it would not be brought before the whole committee. The battle lined up like this, Donna Coppola was against it and Patricia Capano argued for it. Maria Carrasco appeared to be leaning towards voting no. However after repeatably offering her opinion that the matter should be brought up before the full committee for discussion. At this point, Maria succumbed to the bullying tactics of Capano and voted to bring the matter before the whole committee.

When it did come up before there wasn't much discussion.  The vote to post the position was quickly taken and not surprisingly the measure past with Patricia Capano, Vinnie Spirito, John Ford, and Maria Carrasco voting in favor of the addition, while Donna Coppola and Rick Starbard voting no.

Dr. Latham offered testimony that she thought she could cover at least half of the new position's salary with "grant" money. he failed to be specific about where this grant money would come from. In lieu of some unspecified "grant" monies she was sure she could cover it with the current school budget.

Really? We have overcrowded classrooms, 5 failing schools (Level 3 or 4), and physical plant problems at most if not all our city's schools..How could the superintendent have extra money squirreled away? Must be because she used to be a math teacher. Numbers are probably more favorable to her than most of us that have to pay our bills.

Who's Money Is It Anyway?

The mood of most of the members of the LSC was clearly disappointed after hearing the report from the program specialist in charge of administering  the "Race To The Top" grant monies. This was a newly created position this year.

Some LSC  members asked questions about hiring back teachers, reducing classes sizes, extending the school day but those and other ideas were shot down. According to her interpretation of the grant criteria, "it's all about the data, baby!".

I 've read the brochure and I don't quite interpret it that way but I am not a lawyer maybe she is. Anyway I am sure she is more educated than me.

Public Confidential

Before last night's LSC meeting they had a Personnel sub-committee meeting. There was a lot of talk about the Confidential secretaries who gets them, how many there are, and who gets called back from layoff.

There used to be six or eight and I think it was reduced to 4 this year and when Dr. Latham's CS, Pat Bucko, retired in Dec. a position opened up for a callback. A discussion was held in which it was explained that they weren't in the same bargaining unit as the rest of the school employees.  I was a boring discussion about seniority and union business.

However things got exciting after that meeting during the open forum before the regular LSC meeting when laid-off CS Holly tried to speak, vice-chair Patricia Capano shot her down because she said that specific personnel matters could not be discussed before the committee so Holly was silenced.

Being an inquisitive person I approached Holly during the break offering to tell her story. I gave her a flyer about Lynn School Watch and gave her my e mail address. She was seemingly eager to provide me with more info.  I was excited about the prospects of playing investigative journalist. But in reality Holly told me she had two lawyers and she probably won't be allowed to tell me much. Shucks, I was hoping to get a new nickname. "Scoop Wotring" , yeah that's it.

Oh well, stay tuned.

Tangled Webs?

Rick Starbard directed me to the  school dept. web site which indicates a meeting. I laughingly blamed my mistake on my brain damage. Mary Ellen Palermo wrote me that she talked to Maria Carrasco who told her there was a meeting. I called Donna Coppola who not only confirmed tonight's meeting, she's giving me a ride.

Let's juxtapose that a minute with a few other interesting facts. I had my wife print out for me the Lynn city calender clearly listing the meeting as canceled. She also printed out for me the calender for today at Itemlive.com which while it indicates school committee meetings in Saugus and Swampscott, Lynn is notoriously absent.

Given last week's secret meeting about the garden at Ingalls, this is setting a pattern that does not bode well for Lynn Public Schools.

Money, Money. Show Me The Money. Our Schools Are Failing, Why Aren't We Meeting?

Follow the money, that's how you are supposed to investigate whether or not decisions are made in your best interest. The problem is some one has to leave a trail.LSC member, Rick Starbard commented on my last post that there was a LSC meeting tomorrow night.

Since I have great respect for Rick, I thought maybe I had looked at the calender wrong so I rechecked it on the city's web site and found that it was listed as canceled. Usually they mail out agendas to the schools and they haven't received one at Ford.

Remembering hearing school department attorney Mihos talking about the 48 hour posting requirement, I called city hall. The operator directed me to the city council (coincidence?) who directed me to the school department. They were closed for the day. I will check again tomorrow with more people but the facts are  that either there is no meeting, leading to speculation about why the avoidance or laws may being broken about proper notice. I don't know, I'm just a volunteer librarian and a parent.

Is Something Being Hidden?

I just went on line to check about Thur. meeting of the LSC to double check the agenda and to my surprise it has been canceled. Why? There has not been a meeting in two months and then only one each in November and December. There are so many problems, so many questions. What are we doing, where are we going?

Can anybody say fiduciary responsibility? Can I spell it?

Where Is All The Money Gone?

With all the drama surrounding the chief financial officer in Lynn it begs the question what's going on with the school department's handling of both the "Race To The Top" money and the governor's 4 million dollars of grant money. We were promised an accounting of the proposed expenditures in January back in December Then there was the weather, a real snow job.

I am hoping for a full accounting Thur. night.'s LSC meeting. Stay tuned!

What Are The Hills Alive With?

Some excitement today in the library! No a lost, original manuscript of Harry Potter wasn't found, nor the funding for the restoration of the "real" librarians wasn't found. I got introduced the new music teacher. I apologize for not remembering his name, but I was so excited that the cries for more  more attention to a complete education won't be so off-key.

There's Snow Getting Around It!

Well I'm glad to see the Item finally getting around to doing a story about what all these snow days mean to this year's school calender. Unfortunately the problems caused by this and future snows this winter are not over. We all know what comes with melting. The damage is not over.

http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news04.txt

Let's not forget the other story about the effects of an uncertain schedule. I know I'm from WV but I didn't know this was the first year that it snowed in Massachusetts. These are problems that should have been anticipated. We need to look at how we devise our school calenders going forward. Have I said that before?

http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/02/05/news/news03.txt

I've got plenty of questions, just looking for some answers.

Roofs, Snows, and Repairs

The different news medias are full of stories about collapsing roofs so naturally it does make me wonder about the structural integrity of our schools. Hopefully this bad weather will energize our school officials to redouble their efforts to secure money for school repairs.We have a lot of older schools throughout Lynn in disrepair.Oh yeah, we have a lot snow too.

Let's Take LVTI From Failure To The Front

This article illustrates what I was just saying about Lynn VoTech. Instead of failing, it should be leading our schools into the future. I would hope the superintendent and the school committee come up to bolster this school and allow it to take its place at the forefront of modern education. We are lucky to have this school.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/02/02/20career.h30.html?tkn=OWMFU1bwfubQOCZnehX6AobqxQVe5xc%2BUyQG&cmp=clp-edweek
                                                             (cut and paste)

Did The Superintendent See Her Shadow?

Now that the groundhog has not seen his shadow, what does that mean for Lynn schools? With all of these snow days questions arise about the length of the school calender. How late in June will we go? Will the Winter or Spring break be effected? Of course we could always go on Saturdays in order to insure we get the required 180 days.

Cancelling school all of these days has been necessary. Safety first. We just need to face the fact we live where we live and plan accordingly. The time to plan is before and not after stuff happens. We need to seriously examine our school calender going forward.

I don't know the answers, I just have questions. I know that's the easy part but I'm not as educated as those people in the school department. I'm just gonna get a cup of coffee and read some Robert Frost poetry.

A Diamond In The Rough

It blows my mind that Lynn Tech is one of the five schools in Lynn that are failing. It is not only failing but it's enrollment. I don't have the actual statistics in front of me so if I'm wrong on any of this I hopesomebody will correct me.

In today's employment market, the technology driven trades should be all the rage in this school of practical education. The doors of the institution should be busting at the seams instead of suffering a declining enrollment. With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education poised to lead our economy in the future, questions abound about how our educational administrators both let the school decline to this point and how they expect to rescue the students.

I have not toured the school and have only actually been in a couple of rooms but I did have a step-son graduate from the auto body program a couple of years ago. It just seems to be a fresh, exciting place to learn about real life. If we just started with enough enthusiasm about the wonderful, practical,and real opportunities available there, that that enthusiasm would be contagious. As I have said before, it's all about presentation. We need our leaders to present well.

Let's Get In The Race

Of the state's 250 million dollars in Race To The Top money 13 of the participating school districts got NO money in this first round of disbursement. Lynn recieved about the fifth most at 4.5 million dollars. The objectives are quite clear if not overly specific. We must achieve excellence in our education.

This is our mandate but unlike ones in the past, this is a funded mandate. It is up to us to come up with the plans to achieve those goals. It is time to reveal those plans. As parents we deserve answers.

Attention Lynn School Committee Members, Dr. Latham, and Other Educators!

See my numbers, hear me roar! As I am sure you have noticed I placed a counter on my blog. This is to show that people are interested in what goes on in education in this town. Parents have a voice and it's getting louder. Those who choose to ignore it do so at their own peril.

The Art Of Learning

It is tentatively planned for the Ford School to be  where the intersection of education and inspiration takes place  on Feb.7th. A new after-school art program is set to start where approximately 30 students will have the opportunity to express themselves artistically in a safe and secure environment. This creative activity provides participants with the chance to explore education in the realms beyond the facts and figures.

Kimberly Smith of Students4students, Inc. presented the idea of this program to the Highlands Coalition, Inc. who then joined Ms. Smith in presenting the idea to Dr. Crane of Ford School. Students from Montserrat College in Beverly will be serving as teacher/mentors in the program providing direction as the Ford channel their artistic expressions.

S4S. Inc. has offered to provide all necessary materials while Len Thomas-Vickory of Montserrat College will send some of his students at the college to provide the direct mentoring to fulfill a community service component of their curriculum.

This exciting program is the epitome of a community partnership in education. In an environment of dwindling resources,an infusion of involvement can allow the exploration of the full continuum of learning that new digital driven education model either doesn't or can't provide.

McCulliffe Remembered As Ford Elementary School Talks With NASA

At Ford Elementary School the memory and legacy of teacher turned astronaut, Christa McCullife is kept alive by their affiliation with NASA, annual pilgrimages to the Christa McCullife Museum in Framingham, and their commitment to excellence and innovation.

That commitment was displayed yesterday in a kind of technological vigil was held yesterday in Room 200 where students had the opportunity to interact directly with NASA officials through a DLN broadcast. That treasured experience would not have been possible if Lynn Public Schools through Drs. Latham and Wary had succeeded in closing down Room 200 and changing it into a regular ed. classroom.

Thankfully Mayor Kennedy interceded against closure plans until a more thoughtful resolution could be found. That way Dr. Latham could go back to focus on plans to fix the 5 failing schools in Lynn and Ford can continue to thrive and pay homage to a brave teacher and astronaut.

Keeping Afloat

There is an article in today's Item that illustrates exactly why we should have a policy and procedure to "make-up" missed school committee hearings. No having one is fiscally irresponsible, even if it is politically expedient.

We need to take care of our business, but you have to be there. Where are you Lynn School Committee? Do you have complete faith and confidence in our superintendent to guide our fleet of educational ships? Five of them are sinking and I would hazard to guess others are taking on water. Our lifeguards, the LSC, are staying on the beach where it's warm and dry.


http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2011/01/27/news/news11.txt    (copy and paste)

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

When is the  "Race To The Top" going to start? Lynn got 4.5 million dollars out of MA's 250 million dollar award. We need to have specific plans, deadlines and, dates so we don't squander this windfall.

Oh yeah, since MA only awarded half of their grant, there is the possibility of more money in the future. If we hope to get any of this future money we better get our act together and produce an aggressive, innovate plan. We have to produce results. It's all about the data baby!

Are We Going To Skip School (Committee) Again?

Looking at the weather reports, we are in real danger of having our schools closed Thursday, Jan 27. Oh well, this is New England. Weather happens, safety first.

Still we need to examine a little more closely to discover all that truly means. If there is no school then according to long standing policies there will be no meeting of the Lynn School Committee that night. Unless I am mistaken, there is no "makeup" policy. If I am wrong, somebody please correct me.

That will mean two meetings in the past three months. With five failing schools, we can't afford to be idle.Students have to make up snow days to insure that they go to school the federally mandated 180 school days a year. How does he Lynn School Committee get away with such truancy?

Does anybody remember that we have five failing schools in Lynn? There is the "Race To The Top" money to spend and the year is almost over and then there is the 4 million dollar grant from the state. We need plans if we are to achieve the objectives for these grants. Who is willing to take it on faith that the same people who administered over these failing schools while they were sinking.

They need to meet so we can we know who to hold accountable.

Lynn school monitors get training in restraint, CPR

Lynn school monitors get training in restraint, CPR

This story screams out about the need for at least a minimal level of training for all our educational personnel. How can our students be safe if our teachers are not safe?

Once Again A Ford Student Wins Honors

News Flash - This is a fast breaking story so forgive me if I am sketchy on the details. Late Thursday night it was learned that a Ford School student was a winner in the annual Martin Luther King essay contest. He will be honored with a cash award and a banquet at Salem State College (or is it university now?). We should all be proud of his achievement and wish him a good time at the banquet. (I'm sure he will have an excellent time. My daughter was thrilled when she was a winner last year. I think I have pictures somewhere.)

I had the honor of listening to him practice his speech. Very nice. Also I overheard him making plans on just how to spend the award.

Check This Out!

I strongly recommend everyone check out the latest posting in The Highlands Watch, http://thehighlandswatch,blogspot.com, a new sister publication. It talks about the role a community school can play in the enhancement of the quality of life for the whole community.

The school referenced? Ford, of course. So what if I am prejudiced, it's my publication.

Lynn School Committee, Where Are You? Come out, Come Out Wherever You Are

No one doubts the Lynn Public School system has problems.  I mean, we have 5 schools in various stages of failure. I am not sure if many people actually know how many lawsuits are pending. There are a few related to special ed. and then there is the asbestos fiasco.

The strategy appears to be "lay low and maybe everybody will forget about it". How can we find solutions o our problems if nobody is available to answer questions. Nobody ever has all the right answers but we have to be able to keep asking questions until we find them. Trial an error, that's how learning works.

Without meetings, public meetings then we as parents are forced to believe that the Lynn Public School system has to depend solely on the mystical powers possessed by "Woman of the Year", Dr. Catherine Latham. Last I checked, she didn't have a bag of magic dust. Or at least if she does, she needs some new dust because with 5 failing schools what she has ain't working (Yeah I said ain't).

I've heard the cries about the lack of positive press and the negative perception linked to Lynn schools. Honestly I have to repeat the Item's coverage of LPSs has been more like the reprinting of tightly worded press releases than objective, investigative journalism. Don't get me started on the Lynn Journal's reporting.

Then we have the thoughts and opinions of the "parent on the street". When no one is available to provide us with answers then we often must resort to making them up ourselves or be content with the status quo. I for one, am not content.

"Meet", the LSC must meet and have regular meetings if we are to stop accepting failure. Maybe the answers won't come right away, but at least we can get some ideas.

Something Has To Be Done, Snow Doubt About It

Once again school is canceled due to bad weather. It's a mess out there. Snow, ice and slush are the rule. One rule they don't have to teach in class. "Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink!", that is unless you'd like a slushy.

It's not like it's a surprise this is New England, land of the "Nor'easter". Weather is not the only problem facing us. Blowing in our face like a cold arctic blast from the north are the waves of MCAS scores, our schools' thermometer for educational achievement. Our students need to be in school, learning.  What can we do? They say you can't fight Mother Nature.

I don't think it is in the school budget to move the entire Lynn Public School system to a warmer climate so must we learn to accept a sub-standard educational system?  The weather is certainly a variable in our ability to provide a quality education to our children.

The question then is what kind of  is it: fixed or variable? The answer is both really. It is fixed in that we know we are going to have bad weather sometime during these months, we just don't know exactly when. The way it is now we worship at the feet of meteorological idols and offer snow days as sacrifices to appease the weather gods.

Our schools need a new religion to get a better forecast. The answer lies where our problem begins: in the calender. Well, not exactly. That is because here are two separate calenders, the meteorological one and the school one. These two don't mesh.

Since we can't change the seasons, not accounting for global warming, we must look at changes in the school calender to provide solutions for our wintry dilemma. There must be changes that can be made to it to maximize the amount of instruction time while reducing the inconsistency in instruction due to the unpredictability of the weather.

I would love to trot out my own version of a new school calender so I could take credit for solving all of Lynn's curriculum problems. However I am not smart enough to produce some computer generated model, complete with all kinds of statistical analysis. I'm just a volunteer librarian who checks out kids' book.

Angels In The Library

Siting in the library, this morning I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I had stacks of books to check in that had been returned. That meant not only did I have to manually pull their library card from the file of books that had been checked out but I also had to return them to the shelf.

That was a task this old arthritic boy was not looking forward to. With the impending snowstorm, I looking forward to being housebound tomorrow, Kind of a depressing prognosis. Needless to say my mood was not cheery.

Then when I was about ready to leave this morning, four or five little girls from Room 310 crowded up in front of my desk bubbling with excitement. They had finished lunch and wanted to spend the rest of their lunch period shelving books. They scurried about the library full of enthusiasm returning recently read books back to the shelves where they can be checked out by some other curious student.

To tell you the truth, I can't guarantee they put all the books in the right places. They were old enough they knew the difference between fiction and nonfiction and they seemed to have a rudimentary grasp of the Dewey Decimal system. Everything being in its proper place is not the most important thing here.

What is important here is the enthusiasm these young girls had for learning and knowledge represented by those library books and the childhood reverence with which those girls treated these books. It was heartwarming, a welcome juxtaposition to the piles of snow outside.

Thinking of this experience just further raises my ire over the fact that the administration didn't think that the libraries weren't a priority in our school budget. We have five failing schools in Lynn. Reading is where education begins and no place promotes it like libraries. Those young students who helped me out this morning understood that and they don't have advanced degrees.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

My daughter is so smart. (Sure, I am prejudiced but that's my job) Her latest work with the Student Leadership Ambassador Program at North Shore College is to call for a greater voice in school matters. She feels that no one hears what the students have to say.

Oh we hear alright. Our ears are filled with echoes of disrespect, profanity, and that incessant rap music. We hear but we don't listen. More often than not, oppositional disruptive behavior is a cry for attention or an expression of a desire for proof of existence, Letting our kids have a voice in their educational futures channels the energy that comes with being young into more positive and substantial outlets.

When we place value on what students have to say we infuse with dignity and instill a zest in them for looking at their future. It encourages them to take responsibility for not only their education but also their way in the world. If we are to be successful in providing a quality education we must provide instruction, not absolute control.

Voices are not just background noise. We need to listen to allow the students to have ownership in their education. Only then will we move forward and get though the revolving door of failing schools. If we listen, we might hear some answers. (Did I say that my daughter is smart?)

"Calling Out" Of Our Schools

Our educational system is in dire straits. We have 5 schools in various stages of failure and there does not seem as if enough urgency exists in the administration and others to address the many problems we have.

We put into place School Improvement Plans at Connery and Harrington, shuffled some positions, and three more schools very possibly will achieve the dreaded Level IV status. What are we doing about it? Well we had one LSC meeting each of the past 3 months. Our educational ship is sinking, time to plug some holes. That's kind of hard when nobody is in the boat.

Everybody seems to have legitimate excuses. I mean first it was the holidays and who wants to talk smack about Santa Claus. Don't forget Massachusetts is the land of the Pilgrims so Thanksgiving needed to be given its due reverence.

Then there was this last scheduled LSC meeting, I mean there was a blizzard. Sorry, this is New England and bad weather should not be a surprise. We should have had some contingency plan to have an alternate date as opposed to just waiting two more weeks until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

You would think Dr. Latham would be scrambling to get meetings scheduled so she doesn't have to take all the blame for our school systems failures. Surely being Lynn Journal's "Woman of the Year" hasn't gone to her head and she doesn't realize the crisis we are in.

Maybe some people didn't hear they repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Houston, we have a problem.

Here You Go Again!

Once again the Item is doing an injustice to the education of our students. Today's article on KIPP Academy of Lynn has the appearance of a press release generated by KIPP than a true piece of journalism. Tough questions were not asked of either KIPP or the Lynn Public School system for providing a "supposedly" inferior education.

Tonight's Meeting Postponed

I hate tonight's meeting of the LSC was canceled. What's a little snow? I need some new stuff to blog about,

I wonder when they are going to have the next one?

Getting Some Credit

Even though I don't know the particulars of the the plan, but I applaud the effort. The "plan" I am talking about is the "credit recovery" one put in place through a grant written by Sue Rowe and Dennis Thompson. I believe it was a three year grant with escalating amounts.

It supposedly has been successful and Dr. Latham has ordered the purchase of some additional units. I am guessing it is some sort of computer based learning system. Being just a parent, some of the terminology is like a foreign language to me.

LSC member Donna Coppola testified about a teen mom she knew of that would have not been able to graduate that benefited from this program. I am glad she got her education because there is no future in waiting for an MTV reality show.

When Will Lynn See The Light?

I saw  Mayor Driscoll's posting on Facebook about the new solar panels at Salem High School. Using solar energy to produce electricity ha to save money in the long term. I know the money comes with lots of strings but what about using some of that "Race to the Top" money for developing a solar program. It would not be directly for salaries and it certainly would have a long term impact. Maybe eventually with the money we save on energy costs, we wouldn't have to lay off needed teachers. I'm just saying....

Too Much Practice Doesn't Make Perfect

I believe Ford School started Sat. school this week. It's all about MCAS prep.. We have a test driven educational system. Too bad. People, our children are more than just an expression of numbers. The pressure to perform stifles creativity and innovation.

The really sad thing is that those are the components most needed and most missing in our educational system. Intellectual development takes patience. No one grows flowers using a stopwatch. Like I say to my daughter when she starts giving me a rapid fire litany of reasons supporting one of her arguments, "Breathe! All beautiful music has periods of silence, you know rests".

By trying to cram in too much information, you lose focus.

Homey Don't Play That Game

Saw a great program on Dr. Phil about "cheating". It is amazing that the extent that people go to and the percentage of people who do cheat. The pressure we put on our kids is unreal. We are a "test-driven" society and to our detriment. Like my mom used to say - "Cheaters never win".

Marshall To The Museum

My daughter is going on a field trip today with her class at Marshall. They are going to the Museum of Science. Visiting the museum is a great idea because it's a great place to spark an interest in learning science and science gives us the practical answers that provides solutions for better living. That little spark just might burst into a flame that will light our way to a brighter future.

Besides who wouldn't rather go on a road trip than look at boring textbooks?

Beware Of "-tion" Words!

All through my life I hated school. I always excelled in my classes and could probably be accurately labeled a "teacher's pet". I adamantly resisted the idea of an academic life. I felt it was too sterile of an environment.  Life just wasn't lived that way. I couldn't really understand why I felt that way I just did.

I chose instead to learn from living and I have. Both learned and lived. To appreciate what you have it is good to have experienced the opposite extremes. I have worked at the most manual of jobs and been given up for dead. Still I am here and have benefited from my experiences.

Probably the most important axiom I have learned is to be suspicious of  "-tion" words. That is because they are just verbs who have sold their soul to become nouns. A journey to something they are not. If you can't see who you are how are you going to see anything else.

No where is my fears more appropriate than when it comes to education. I love learning, even being educated but despise the thought of an "education". Why is that? That's because as a noun the verb "to educate" seems to have evolved into a completed process. I am sure there are lost of people out there with fancy initials following their name who will put up an argument about the virtues of academia.

Sorry I won't be convinced. There is something artificial about an education. To instill excitement in our schooling we must ground our endeavors in reality and provide practical answers to today's problems. Our methods need to be retooled to better approximate the life we live.

Forget The Snow, Let's Talk About The Summer

Dr. Wary spoke at  the last LSC meeting about an exciting proposed program for summer school. Well they are going to try and package it as more of a summer camp. This middle school summer program will take place at Lynn Vocational Technical School.

More details will be forthcoming but it looks like it will be a normal half day summer school mixing core academics with access to all of the different shops (5?) at Lynn Tech. The program should be able to take 360 students and transportation will be provided.

Although normally since participation is not mandatory, summer school attendance is spotty at best. However there will be an aggressive advertising campaign complete with a video. In the past, Dr. Wary said that in the past they have had trouble getting all the slots filled but that may not be the case this year. Especially since not only is there a pool but it is AIR CONDITIONED. Sign me up, I'm ready to learn.

Once my slot is secure, I will offer you a little marketing advice: Preparation + Presentation = Persuasion.

What Year Was It?

I feel compelled to respond to the Lynn Journal's selection of Dr. Catherine Latham as Woman  of the Year for 2010. This brings to mind questions of the paper's credibility and perhaps even integrity as a news source.

Since I started my blog, Lynn School Watch, in July I have occasionally been critical of Dr. Latham's performance as school superintendent this year but I have also given her praise in my most recent critique of her performance on a particular issue.

There is no doubt that she has a difficult task. Lynn is the fifth largest school system in the state and in a time of dwindling resources, the degree of difficulty only increases. To tout her level of sincerity as a justification for her selection is ludicrous and irresponsible. Using what many would call a misjudgement or misperception, only raises doubts about your paper's professionalism and quality of journalism.

One reason given for her winning of this award was that she was the first woman to be a superintendent of Lynn schools. What about the fact that Mayor Kennedy was the first woman elected mayor of Lynn? Mayor Kennedy's is a much harder and larger job. And oh yeah, she is Dr. Latham's boss.

I know it's asking a lot but let's stick to the facts. Two of  Lynn's elementary school achieved Level IV status this past year. Maybe she was not responsible for these school's reaching that status but she has been responsible for their Turnaround plans I have attended all of the LSC meetings since spring of 2010 with the exception of the Sept. 28th meeting that I missed due to cataract surgery and there were many questions raised about the quality of these plans, especially about the level of parent involvement.

During a time when our student's MCAS scores are falling,  the libraries of most of our elementary schools are closed. We should be adding libraries not closing them. We need a thorough accounting of the four million dollars or so of federal and state money that has been infused into our school system.. This has been promised and I look forward to analysing the list of expenditures.

Then I have heard from multiple sources that three more schools will achieve Level IV designation this fall. Two of the three middle schools in the city are supposed to be given a failing label. If my sources are correct then Dr. Latham's responsibility can not be denied. I do not have access to all of the confidential reports that would verify my concerns or would vindicate Dr. Latham's performance. When you have no answers, you are only left with questions.

I have been on the opposite end of Dr. Latham's bullying tactics during my recent struggles to get my special needs son the educational services he is entitled to by federal law. I was repeatedly warned about her temper and alternating periods of crying as an attempt to intimidate and effect the outcome of meetings with her. I have been dinner guests along side a senator and a member of the House of Representatives on two different occasions so her superior education and extra initials after her name was not enough to scare me away.

My son has been the beneficiary of my successful encounter with Dr. Latham and has made the honor roll at Pickering due in no small part to the level of services that I fought to have included in his IEP.

At a recent LSC meeting Dr. Latham expressed her outage through tears at the characterization of Lynn's Public Schools  in a Lynn Journal article about KIPP breaking ground. The severity of her reaction makes the paper's designation of her as "Woman of the Year" both surprising and suspect. How did Dr. Latham suddenly become worthy of the paper's adoration.

The inequalities in Lynn's Public School system has inspired me to found my blog, Lynn School Watch, to focus attention on the problems of our children's education. Their future and ours depends onit.