Even When Schools Out, Learning Is Still In

I was asked to promote this on my blog. I am only too happy to comply. Lynn should be proud of its heritage.

Subject: Invite from Mass Humanities 

Dear Community Partners 

  

I am proud to invite your Organization to participate in joining us for a Communal reading and Celebration by the people of Lynn, of Frederick Douglass' fiery 1852 Fourth of July address, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro" (abridged, Douglass took 3 hours) 

  

The Event will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at 6:30 in Lynn.  We are working on confirming the location, but we promise it will be spectacular! 

  

The event, and more information about it is pasted below, is free and open to all – and all are invited to participate. It is sponsored by a growing list of local civic and educational organizations, including the City of Lynn, Mass Humanities, Salem Stage College, The Lynn Museum, The Highlands Coalition, and more.  

  

As you probably know, the famous abolitionist orator lived in Lynn during the years 1841-1845, when he first lectured around New England. 

  

This is a first for Lynn, but there have been several of these events around the state in previous years with great success, and I think you will enjoy participating in the public reading of Douglass' magnificent oratory.   

Just think; everyone with a paragraph of the speech to read; A child from your Program reading next to a City Official, next to a Clergy member, next to a Neighbor.  There will be paragraphs translated into Spanish, Russian, Khmer, Haitian and more. 

  

I hope that your Participation or Sponsorship of the event will encourage you and members of your Organization and the Community it serves to not only attend, but take on reading a paragraph themselves. 

  

It is easy to participate as an organization – 

to collaborate in this event, your group would agree to: 

1)  Have it's name listed as a Sponsor on the Flyer 

2)  Send out the Publicity and have at least one person attend the reading 

  

Attached please find a "save the date" flyer. 

  

  

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. 

  

  

Sincerely, Wendy Joseph, Leslie Greenberg, Bob Connolly 

Coordinators  "Fredrick Douglass in Lynn" 

  

More about Reading Frederick Douglass events: 

  

Reading Frederick Douglass is an initiative of Mass Humanities, Community Change, and the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. 

  

In the 1852 Fourth of July address, Douglass famously asked, 

  

"Fellow citizens, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? 

What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? 

Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?" 

  

“Reading Frederick Douglass" is a multi-year statewide initiative to mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War during the presidency of Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States. 

  

Our experience is that, in order to happen and be a success, this event needs participation from a range of public and civic organizations. Once a variety of people gather in one place, very little else in the end is needed to make it happen and to make it a civic success. 

  

We do this at the Statehouse in Boston, and we have been organizing these events in various places around the state for a couple of years to great local acclaim. 

Here is a link to a radio report about our Springfield reading in 2010  

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1669719  

If you would like to know  more about this event, please explore the "Reading Frederick Douglass" project Web pages on the Mass Humanities Website. 

  

http://www.masshumanities.org/ 

http://masshumanities.org/?p=douglass_events 

http://masshumanities.org/files/programs/douglass/speech_short.pdff 

Sincerely, 

Wendy Joseph 

Leslie Greenberg 

Bob Connolly 

wendy_joseph@mac.com 

781-842-1480 

617-680-1707 

Lynn Youth To Be Plugged Into Science at MIT

Powered by a generous grant from GE, 25 girls who will be entering the 7th grade this fall at one of the three middle schools in the city will be exploring science and engineering at the university in a week long day program. Because my daughter Asiah was selected to attend I got to sit in on the orientation meeting last night. The meeting was hosted by DR LATHAM which was nice to see such a high level of attention paid to this program. I have to admit though it did seem a bit ironic since her administration doesn't have a science coordinator or department head or whatever title that justifies a six figure salary.

Anyway this will be a wonderful opportunity and I am glad Asiah gets to be a part of it.

LSC Meeting Agenda For 06-09-2011

Here's the agenda for Thursday night's meeting - Bon Apetit.

LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS    Administrative Offices

90 Commercial Street          Lynn, MA  01905

 

Eleventh Regular Meeting of the School Committee

Thursday, June 9, 2011

7:00 P.M.

ORDER OF BUSINESS 

 

I.          Salute to the Flag

 

II.         Moment of Silence

 

III.       Necrology

           

IV.       Minutes

                         

V.        New Business

            A.        Fallon School – 100 Robinson Street – Reopen school for SY2011-12

            B.         Summer Employment Opportunities – Mrs. Coppola

            C.         Field Trip Requests

                        1.         Lynn Woods School – to Canobie Lake Park, Salem NH – June 8, 2011

                        2.         Marshall Middle School – to Canobie Lake Park, Salem NH – June 16 2011

                        3.         Classical High School – to Water Country, Portsmouth, NH – June 22, 2011

            D.        Student Discipline Code (Student Dress Code Policy) Student appearance – for review

            E.         FY12 Budget

           

VI.       Communications

            A.        Lynn School Administrator’s Association – awarding $500 scholarships to graduating   seniors from each high school, this year they are including Fecteau-Leary Senior High

            B.         Lynn Teachers Union – awarding $500 scholarships to senior high school students based  on the AFL-CIO Labor History Exam given in February 2011.

           

VII.      Information

            A.        Superintendent’s Report

            B.         Enrollment Report – June 1, 2011

            C.         Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP – Municipal Client Advisory – May 2011

                        Enforcement Letters From Attorney General’s Office Highlight Need For Specificity Under Open Meeting law

           

PAC Threw A Bash And Nobody Came

Well not really, people were at the meeting last night except there was no meeting.. That was because in order you do business you have to have a quorum of board members present (in this case four and there was only three). I don't know why chairperson Dave Ellis has to be such a stickler for rules. Our most honorable Mayor never bothered with trivial things like rules and laws at the last LSC meeting when she dismissed the crowd promising that no business would be conducted after going into executive session. So what happens after executive session? Business was conducted before an almost empty crowd. But she's a lawyer and I don't know,does that mean they are allowed to break the law? Dave Ellis just doesn't know how to get things done.

There were other people there, important people. Dr. Cheryl Menino, the head of Special Ed. just back from a medical leave, Lydia Muggeo, and Frances Martinez, the new PARENT LIAISON (okay she did speak with a couple of Spanish parents that I wouldn't have been able to). This was supposed to be the last meeting of the  year but you can't have elections if you don't have a meeting. Obviously there will be another one, I will let you know when I know.

I Guess I Will PAC For The STARs Tonight!

So much going on. I want to be everywhere. Not only does my son have a ball game, but my daughter has an event at English about her going to a program at MIT this summer. On top of all that there is a STAR party at High Rock Tower from Ford School tonight and a PAC meeting at 10 Church St. at 7 pm.

I will try to make what I can. A lot depends on the availability of my BFF/ chauffeur.

PAC is having an important meeting tonight - NOMINATIONS!

Are You Ready?

The battle begins. The budget for next year is on the agenda for Thurs. night's LSC meeting!

Our Future Looks Bright, Shades Anyone?

Both groups of student, middle school and high school, culminated a years work at the North Shore Community College Leadership Program with a significant accomplisment worthy of great civic pride.

The high school students met with the Parks and Recreation Department and presented an idea that would allow the youth to have more ongoing involvement in the activities going forward by assisting in the promotion of those activities through the use of social media.

The middle school group met with councilmen Crighton, Collucci, Crowley, and Capano to advocate for the establishment of a Youth Council throughout the city. Last night Diana Kerry from NSCC announced  that she heard that day that Councilman Phelan pledged his support for the establishment of the Youth Council. Things look positive going forward.

THIS JUST SHOWS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OUR YOUTH CAN DO GREAT THINGS!

It was GREAT to see

It was GREAT to see Dr Cowdell from Marshall at tonight's event at North Shore? It is so important to support our young kids!

Agenda for tonight's Student Leadership Program at NSCC

Student Leadership Program at North Shore Commnity College

To Test vs. To Kinda Test

Last week while the Personnel Subcommittee was trying to hammer out an employee drug testing  policy, there was much debate on when the appropriate timing was to use the more restictive hair follicle test verus a urine test. Both tests screened for the same 5 drugs. The hair follicle test would go back for about six months and the urine test would only cover the last week.

Attorney Mihos told the committee that if the committee chose to us the more restrictive hair follicle test on substitutes it might limit the pool of potential candidates too much. Really. Maybe it's because I am not a lawyer like attorney Mihos but I was under the impression it was always wrong to commit a crime just not when it was inconvenient. I got to get more schooling.

So following that line of reasoning it's okay to leave our children under the care and upervision of a possible drug addict because it is only temporary.

All of the back and forth debate resulted in the new drug testing policy being tabled and nothing was enacted, SO IT REMAINS THAT LPS HAS NO DRUG TESTING FOR ANY EMPLOYEE.

Is Everyone Treated The Same?

Whatever happened to the classroom aide who was arrested for drugs  during a lunch break? What about the Marshall student who was  found to have drugs in his locker? How does their respective punishments compare? Just trying to get my "ducks in a rowe" before I elaborate on last Thurs. night's discussion on the establishment of a schoolwide drug policy. You know me, I like to have all my facts straight.

From The "Highlands Watch", Part Of The WATCH Family

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Possible Donation Of Computers To School

I was returning home from my volunteer stint in Ford School's library yesterday and I saw David Gass, Director of the Highlands Coalition, working in thee International Garden. I suggested to him that I thought it would be a "good idea" for HICO to donate a couple of the computers that had been donated to HICO by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, to the library during the upcoming Scholastic book fair.

He seemed to think it was a good idea and mentioned he would pass it along. Stay tuned.

Maybe Some People Are Listening?

As my faithful readers know (yeah, that's you Mom), the WATCH has been calling for Lynn City Council to get involved in our kids education. So the fact that Councilman Phelan is getting some students involved in the workings of city government, even in a small way (the pledge) is worthy of a little recognition. I also see from this article that "GQ" is not all flash. His yearning that teachers be allowed to TEACH and not be forced to jump through hoops mandated by hyper-vigilant testing, is RIGHT on target. He still dresses nice.

The Daily Item: Lynn minorities become majority

The WATCH on the Watch

I am going to post this heart wrenching letter I got from a WATCH reader begging for our assistance in this all to rare problem:

"I saw children playing, laughing and eating ice cream in a schoolyard this weekend...What are we going to do about this!"

 I believe Principal Mihos handled this problem effectively. I recommend you refer to a recent letter to the ITEM editor for TIPS on what to do!

Teachers To Exercise Rights!

Decision time today! I hear there is a teacher's union vote today @ 4 pm to decide whether or not the teacher's union will buy into the state insurance pool. There is supposed to be a cost savings but there are also rumors of ineptness. The WATCH doesn't have a dog in this fight but we just encourage everyone that can to vote. More details to come.

Lynn 'Dogs Got Swagger!

How come no parade? Where are their keys to the city? Lynn English High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC are 2011 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in the Unarmed Dual division. Michelle Angel and Josselyn Hernand were t.he recipients of this distinctions.

There were many categories and the Sgt. Major brought five huge trophies to last Thur.'s LSC meeting to show off the team's accomplishments in the nationals. The most important accomplishment was, of course, that they bested a rival NEW YORK squad.

The mayor did remark that if there ever was a fiscal emergency in the city, we could melt down the Lynn English trophy case and there would be enough precious metal to stabilize the crisis.

Phelan Fights For What?

I "asked" for Councilman Phelan's help into looking into the ethics of Scrooge's 5% pay raise. It seemed only natural to try and en list him. I mean the school department is 50% of the city budget, he recently called for an ethics probe of the city comptroller, and hey he asked TERRY YOUNG, the council's executive to write me a letter expressing his gratitude for the work the WATCH has done.

Funny, the things you find out when you ask questions. Remember this whole thing started with a question about ethics. Then I hear this story about a fire in Phelan's office building and then the securing a historical building to turn it into a new office building and a convenience store. So much for the historical INTEGRITY of our economic. development plans. You can never have too many convenience stores, I mean that's why they call them convenient.

I first saw this posting in that great blog "Heart of Lynn" and "borrowed" it for one of my other blogs, "The Highlands Watch" then I thought to myself, "Hey, it was Fredrick Douglass I repeatedly referenced in the beginning of my struggles with the school department to insure the civil rights of my son.

I first saw this posting in that great blog "Heart of Lynn" and "borrowed" it for one of my other blogs, "The Highlands Watch" then I thought to myself, "Hey, it was Fredrick Douglass I repeatedly referenced in the beginning of my struggles with the school department to insure the civil rights of my son.

Lynn should be proud of our history and heritage and celebrate the lessons learned long ago. Therefore I thought it was appropriate to mention it here.

 

Event: Mass Humanities, celebrating abolition history

Save the date, for a reading (possibly at spectacular High Rock)

Kids should be using this building or at least somebody paying taxes.

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Why is this building empty? This used to be a library in front of Dreiwcz.

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What a waste!

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What a waste!

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Marshall Student To Be Opening Act

Highlands Coaltion Member's Daughter, Asiah Wotring To Sing At .....

World Folk Festival

Saturday, June 11 12:00p to 8:00p

at Heritage State Park, Lynn, MA

Lynn’s Third World Folk Festival will be on Saturday, June 11th from 12 to 8pm at Lynn Heritage State Park on the Lynnway. Includes ethnic food.
Berklee College students - music from Greece, Turkey, India and the Middle East. Ayumi Ueda’s Women of the World. Roberto Rios flamenco.
Crystal Panjammers Steel Band, Coco Torres Cuban son, Julio Bare, Khmer Cultural dancers, Ralph Mancini songs of Italy, Henri Orel & friends songs from Haiti and music from the Civil Rights movement.

Secrets Revealed?

Have I said before I am not a lawyer? After the decision was made and Madame Mayor broke the news of what "business" was discussed in the private "executive session" at Thurs. night's LSC.

Someone told me that notes were supposed to be taken and that we are entitled to see them. This way we can see the thinking that went into granting SCROOGE a 5% pay RAISE. Hopefully some people other than me will be interested enough to make some calls. A little birdie told me that some people are getting a little annoyed with me.

Things Just Get Stranger

Sureley it's just a coincidence. The President of The Teacher's Union gets a one year leave of absence on  the same day the school department's business manager getsa 5% pay raise to a $121,000 a year for three years. I don't think they actually mention whether or not it was paid or unpaid.

They did say there was a long history of doing this, so I would guess it is paid. Then that raises the question, "Who pays, the union or the school department". Hmm seems to me, if the union members are then they are not getting their money's worth since they haven't had a raise in three or so years. If it is the school department, bravo to them, their investment is paying off, "Scrooge" got a nice increase.

Something else happened at the last meeting that kind of raised my suspicions. During a little break I was chasing down the prize winning poets or the nationally recognized marching Dogs, looking for a story and the teacher's union asked if I was going to put a positive story in now. Whoa! I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PRO STUDENT AND PRO TEACHER, WHY WOULD HE MAKE A COMMENT LIKE THAT?

Well he did just get a one year's "leave of absence".

New Deputy, Pay Raise For Business Manager But No Librarians And Teachers With No Contract For Three Years

I went t o a LSC meeting last night but before the last gavel came everybody went into one of those Top secret" executive sessions  and the mayor, GQ, "GG"Capano, and John Ford came out of what must have been a sewing circle because somebody's pocket's got lined.

Kevin "Scrooge" McHugh got a 5% raise at a time when we have NO LIBRARIANS, overcrowded classrooms, not enough reading teachers, and I think our teachers have been without a contract for three years. We have 2 Level 4 schools, 3 more supposedly will join them and all but three of our 26 schools failed to make AYP. Please tell me how this raise was justified?

Oh I know, he saved us all that money from cutting out the librarians and not increasing teacher's salaries. Plus he must have helped Dr. Latham find extra money in the budget so we can have another $140,000 employee that PARENTS have to make an appointment to see. Lynn, Lynn, City Of Friends!

Councilman Phelan, I saved a seat for you last night but yo never showed up. I was expecting you. I figured you would be outraged at this display of fiscal irresponsibility. You called for an Ethics investigation for an amount half of Scrooge's PAY RAISE. I've told you CITY COUNCIL needs to watch where the money's going.

Pickering Poetry Prima Donnas!

As promised I am posting the two Cole brothers poems which were winners in the "Most Humorous" in the Science category in a Boston College Program. The boys are 6th grade poets from Pickering.

FLAX POND BUDDIES

Here I am on Flax Pond, my favorite place to be.
My name is Olly the Ice Molecule and I'm feeling crazy.

The hockey players are here today skating so close by.
The guys are rough and tough. They shoot, they block they fly.

Winter is ending now. The temperature has increased.
My particles are sliding apart. I will soon be deceased.

Olly iis not ice anymore. What will he be now?
The happy little molecule is pond water-wow.

All of my ice buddies have joined me in the pond.
Our particles are totally loosened and they won't bond.

SPLASH! Some kids just jumped into the "drink".
Swimmers and boaters are here. We won't let them sink.

It's such a hot summer. We might all evaporate.
Weee, I'm being lifted up. This feels so great.

My particles are expanding, as I fly into the air.
Where am I going now? Will my Flax Pond Buddies be there?

                                                                   Matthew Cole


I RULE - I'M AN ICE MOLECULE


Of all the places in the world, how did Iend up here?
A tiny ice molecule, frozen with fear.

I'm stuck on the snowboard of a crazy, daring boy.
Here he goes again trying a double twist with joy!

Ahhh, help me, I'm falling - thud! Oh no.
My particles feel tightly packed as I land in the snow.

The sun s beating down on me. The snowbank's shrinking fast.
I'm feling warmer and warmer. How long will I last?

My molecules are loosening and I'm in a liquid state.
Oh my gosh I'm part of a puddle. What will be my fate?

Wow, I'm feeling so light headed, floating in the atmosphere.
Evaporated into water vapor, what will happen here?

My tiny mind wonders. But I don't know.
They say that the weatherman has predicted snow!


                                                    Christopher Cole

Phelan calls for Ethics probe

Phelan calls for Ethics probe n city comptroler. Why doesn't he do the same fo the LSC members who voted for Kevin's pay raise?

Twin Towers Of Power Provide Perfect Poetry Presentation

There is SO much JUICY stuff to talk about from last night's meeting I am salivating all over my keyboard. "Calm down Stan, you can't spend all day typing". But I want to start with a story that is VERY DEAR to my heart, POETRY.

Two twin brothers, CHRIS AND MATT COLE, from PICKERING won a poetry contest in the"humorous" category held at Boston College.My son alo goes to Pickering and is in the same grade, sixth as these boys, SIXTH.


They wowed the crowd with their polished recitations of their prize-winning entries. I have copies and will get them up later today as promised but iN the interest of time I can't do it now cause I got to go DO LIBRARY STUFF but they will be up later today!

Teachers, Did You Get A Raise?

This is going to be a quick note, I have to get to bed but this can't wait. A lot of stuff went down at tonight's meeting but this is too big to wait.

AFTER dismissing the audience because they were going into executive session over a contrqct and that NOTHING would be missed by the (public) crowd. THEN they went into executive ession ad cme back with NEWS.

THE NEWS - business manager Kevin McHugh was given a NEW 3 year contract with a RAISE to $121,000  year. A vote was taken when they came back into open session, Voting yes to the contract and the RAISE was the mayor, GQ, John Ford, and "Gotta Go" Capano. Voting NO was Donna Coppola, Maria Carrasco, and Rick Starbard.

LSC in executive session 5/26/11 @5:09 pm before the posted meeting, unannounced.

Sent from my iPhone

Now You See It, Now You Don't!

You know me, I have some questions, always. How come no personnel moves posted for the LSC meeting tonight. Of all the meetings I have been I don't ever remember "NO PERSONNEL MOVES". Somebody is always sick or having a child or something. A lot of times people get fired, leave because they moved or got a better job. They even post new hires.

Hey they just hired a new PARENT LIAISON ( and it wasn't me). Why aren't they posting that (not that it wasn't me, it was that La Vida lady)? Are they trying to hide something? Stay tuned.

Oprah's Gone, How About Looking To The Watch?

With Oprah leaving the airwaves there is going to be a void. One idea is that LYNN SCHOOL WATCH could fill the void, kinda.

I may not be pretty to look at but I do have a little accent left if you can distinguish it from my slurred speech and there is MAKEUP. Maybe I don't have a big production studio or a large staff. But there is LYNNCAM.
I don't know detail but someone out there does.

I am a creative person,. I'm not much into details

Tackling The Hill

It just really seems ironic that Dan Cahill who pent two terms on the LSC would schedule a fundraiser on the same night as a school committee meeting. Come to think of it I've been going to all but one meeting since last spring and I don't ever remember seeing him at one. That doesn't mean he didn't come, I don't see so well (remember I had cataract surgery in September) and I got lots of other problems. Half the city budget goes to the schools. Where do you think he should be,tomorrow night?

This was taken from his campaign website:

As a two-term member of the Lynn School Committee, I am proud of the many accomplishments our school system has achieved within the past four years. As a Councilor-At-Large, I continued my commitment to academic excellence by advocating for the allocation of more city resources to help support our most vital service.

Does that sound a little hypocritical?

What about this, taken again from his website?

As your Councilor At-Large, I will continue to work hard to ensure our schools continue receiving necessary additional funding as we tackle tough issues facing our district. We must continue to provide a safe and sound facility at Classical High School. We must continue to build new secondary and elementary schools to replace inadequate buildings that date back well over 100 years. We must provide sufficient funding to retain our hard working faculty, staff, and administrators who tirelessly provide the highest quality of education in the area

Again, where should he be tomorrow night?

FW: typo!

Clay asked that I increase the size of the text of his email for easier reading on my post of his response. I said that I didn't know how so he asked if he could retype the e mail for me and then I could repost it I said I would do that but I warned him I would let my readers know what I'm doing.

---

From: walshclay@hotmail.com
To: stanleywotring@msn.com
Subject: typo!
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 14:26:51 -0400

Sorry to bother you, just noticed a typo.  I just changed "friends or all ages" to "friends of all ages"
 

Walsh defends 2008 arrest allegations

by Clay Walsh on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 11:42am

Dear Lynn residents,
It has come to my attention that a blogger in the city has reposted the Sun Chronicle police release regarding my arrest in 2008.  While I am not sure of the bloggers intentions, the people of Lynn deserve a response from me.
I was arrested for a crime I did not commit.  The arrest in 2008 is a part of my past and I have always spoken openly about it, including during an interview done with the Lynn Item in 2010 when I ran for State Rep.  However, I don't make it a point to bring up to everyone I meet, as I was innocent.  The fact is that I was not convicted of this crime and I have never been convicted of any crime. 
In 2008 I was arrested for a horrible crime called child enticement.  It did not reflect my actions or intentions and was thrown out of court in February of 2010.  The online article fails to mention that the individual in the case had a MySpace page which stated she was 18 years of age along with photos of her drinking tequila.  While a couple of instant message conversations did take place, it was nothing more to me than sexual banter. 
I did not know this online individual, and I never agreed to meet in person.  After my arrest, police seized every computer in my home and a judge confined me to house arrest as a bail condition.  While it was alleged that I "lured" the individual from their home the chats presented as evidence showed that I never arranged a meeting.  It was also brought to the court's attention that I never left my house or attempted to meet the online individual. 
The fact that I was put on house arrest does not mean that I was convicted or guilty.  While I do not agree with it, judges have the option to place individuals on home confinement as a condition of bail.  Ironically, the judge never ordered a dangerousness hearing, which is usually the place those decisions are made.
In regards to other rumors, I do have a facebook account and I have friends of all ages there.  I use my facebook to build my campaign and communicate with friends.  As I am single, I believe that I have the right to date or chat with females who are adults.  Any speculation otherwise is plain witch hunting.
At the end of the day, this online article from the Sun Chronicle is nothing more than allegations.  Its use to smear my name without having my side of the story is disappointing.  I appreciate anyone who shares this story so that my name is cleared.  Those close to me who witnessed my fight through the court process consider me a stronger and individual, who is very capable of fighting for Lynn's future.
Robert Clay Walsh

Student's Smear Old Music

I was putting away library books this morning, end of the year you know. I got interrupted from my mundane routine by music and giggles coming down the hall. Now, some people may call me an inquisitive person so naturally I went down the hall to investigate.

Standing in front of the class were three high school students from GOVERNORS ACADEMY talking about the various genres of music and their origins. After a guest lecture by these students, they led the students in a little musical number where the third graders accompanied the GOVERNOR"S students with a bevy of percussion instruments.

It was "Not Cool" that these kids made fun of music I grew up with. I can't wait until their kids laugh at their music.

FW: Walsh Press Release

I received the following e mail. I thank Clay for responding and as promised I am posting it.

Stan

---

From: walshclay@hotmail.com
To: stanleywotring@msn.com
Subject: Walsh Press Release
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:25:09 -0400

Dear Lynn School Watch readers,

I was arrested for a crime I did not commit.  The arrest in 2008 is a part of my past and I have always spoken openly about it, including during an interview done with the Lynn Item in 2010 when I ran for State Rep.  However, I don't make it a point to bring up to everyone I meet, as I was innocent.  The fact is that I was not convicted of this crime and I have never been convicted of any crime. 

In 2008 I was arrested for a horrible crime called child enticement.  It did not reflect my actions or intentions and was thrown out of court in February of 2010.  The online article fails to mention that the individual in the case had a MySpace page which stated she was 18 years of age along with photos of her drinking tequila.  While a couple of instant message conversations did take place, it was nothing more to me than sexual banter. 

I did not know this online individual, and I never agreed to meet in person.  After my arrest, police seized every computer in my home and a judge confined me to house arrest as a bail condition.  While it was alleged that I "lured" the individual from their home the chats presented as evidence showed that I never arranged a meeting.  It was also brought to the court's attention that I never left my house or attempted to meet the online individual. 

The fact that I was put on house arrest does not mean that I was convicted or guilty.  While I do not agree with it, judges have the option to place individuals on home confinement as a condition of bail.  Ironically, the judge never ordered a dangerousness hearing, which is usually the place those decisions are made.

In regards to other rumors, I do have a facebook account and I have friends or all ages there.  I use my facebook to build my campaign and communicate with friends.  As I am single, I believe that I have the right to date or chat with females who are adults.  Any speculation otherwise is plain witch hunting.

At the end of the day, this online article from the Sun Chronicle is nothing more than allegations.  Its use to smear my name without having my side of the story is disappointing.  I appreciate anyone who shares this story so that my name is cleared.  Those close to me who witnessed my fight through the court process consider me a stronger and individual, who is very capable of fighting for Lynn's future.

Robert Clay Walsh

Strange Departure

Looking over the agenda for Thurs. night's upcoming meeting I discovered something interesting. You all know I don' have an advanced degree or much of that other fancy book learning so I am counting on you teachers and maybe some of you administrators to explain something to me.

How after less than a year in the position can the President of your union take a year off? Maybe there are legitimate reasons, but is he going to remain president? How can he adequately represent you if he is not on the job? Where will he be? Is this tantamount to union busting? Help me please

Google Digs The Dirt

The WATCH may have been too easily swayed by a FREE meal. Perhaps I misjudged the consistency of the dirt. Thanks  to Google my perception has been re-muddied. I should have went with my first impression when he forgot my name.

Police: Man sought teen for sex

BY DAVID LINTON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Saturday, August 2, 2008 1:11 AM EDT

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Robert C. Walsh III of Lynn during his arraignment in Attleboro District Court Friday. (Staff photo by Mike George)

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Top Headlines

Police: Man sought teen for sex

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Photo Reprints

 

NO- Police say a bartender from Lynn tried to meet a 13-year-old local girl for sex after writing explicit messages to her over the Internet for several weeks.

Robert C. Walsh III, 31, a bartender at Maddie's Sail Loft in Marblehead, allegedly tried to lure the girl out of her home to engage in sex with her before the girl told her mother, who then went to police, authorities said Friday.

After sending the girl an instant message on June 2, "there were several inappropriate conversations that took place over the next three or four days," Detective Todd Bramwell said during a bail hearing in Attleboro District Court.

Walsh asked the girl for sex and "tried to lure her from her home and tried to meet her in different locations," Bramwell said.

After the mother reported the incidents to police, investigators took over the Internet communication from the girl's computer before obtaining an arrest warrant for Walsh and a search warrant for his home.

Robert C Walsh III of Lynn, is arraigned in Attleboro District Court Friday for child enticement. Walsh, right, faces the judge. Left is his attorney Paul Whelan. (Staff photo by Mike George)

Walsh, who has a criminal record but without sex crimes, pleaded innocent to enticement of a child under 16, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

He was ordered held in jail until Monday, when he was expected to be released on $10,000 cash bail on home confinement with a series of conditions and monitoring with an electronic bracelet.

Judge Robert E. Baylor agreed to release on bail but not before court officials in Lynn can hook up Walsh with the electronic device.

Upon his release, Walsh will be prohibited from using a computer or the Internet. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or children younger than 17. He cannot drink alcoholic beverages and must undergo random alcohol tests and random visits from probation officials.

Bramwell, who was the lead investigator on the case, said that when police went to Walsh's home in Lynn, his parents told police he was not home.

Police seized the computers in the home, then found a wire leading from a first-floor window to a garage. Following the wire, they found Walsh in one of two offices in the rear of the garage. But the defendant's mother, Carolyn Walsh, who was in court with other family members, said that was untrue.

"I never told them he was not home. I told them where he worked. I didn't know if he was home or not. They are lying," she said.

Carolyn Walsh said the arraignment was the first she heard of the allegations against her son.

"He's my son. I love him and I don't know anything more, other than what I heard and you heard," she told a Sun Chronicle reporter.

Bramwell alleged that Walsh sent the girl an e-mail photo of himself, and that the girl spoke on the telephone with a man who said he was "Clay." Walsh's middle name is Clay.

The girl did not agree to meet with Walsh, and she did the right thing by telling her mother, Bramwell said.

"Parents should know there are dangers out there and they should be aware of what their children are doing on the Internet," Bramwell said.

The computers seized by police will be examined by experts with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council computer crimes unit.

Assisting Bramwell in the investigation were detectives Sgt. Thomas Peterson and Stephen Desfosses. They were assisted by members of the Metropolitan Enforcement Council computer crimes unit and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

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Mark Your Calenders!

In order to maintain some semblance of journalism, I am reporting of a relevant event occurring, The Committee to Re-elect Maria Carrasco is holding a fundraiser:

	Wednesday, May 25 · 5:30pm - 7:30pm
	103 Federal St. (Hibernian Hall) Lynn

What Are We Supposed To Do About Our Trespasses?

The letter from a parent published in the ITEM calling for more openness in our schools raises a couple of very good points. On one level, it's a no brainier. The land, even the building occupies that space in the universe twenty four hours a day. Why shouldn't we have access to it more than just the hours of the school day. Let's get our money's worth out of our tax dollars.

The actions of the principal as they were recounted reflect a rigid interpretation of the rules, policy, or laws that pertain to the legal definition of "trespassing" without regard to who was the violator. "If you shoot first, you won't have to be bothered with asking questions later."

I am sure it was just a coincidence that this principal just happens to be married to the LPS's attorney. We just ALL need to remember who we are here for.

FW: Heart of Lynn

Thank You HEART OF LYNN! I even have to thank the ITEM for printing this letter.  Although a special measure of thanks goes to the parent who brought up these concerns. We here at the WATCH are with

Heart of Lynn

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Concept: Let kids play in schoolyard Posted: 21 May 2011 10:19 AM PDT In a letter to the Editor to the Daily Item, dated May 20, 2011, a concerned parent writes 'Let kids play in the schoolyard'. Why are some school yards not open-space, open to the public after hours?  Why do most schools have no grass fields, trees and benches?

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It's Your Party But These Are Our Schools

I got another invite. It is to attend a fundraiser to Re-elect Dan Cahill, Councilor-At-Large. This time the invitation came in the form of an e-blast from Facebook, not the letter with accompanying comp tickets I got from Councilor-At-Large Candidate CLAY WALSH.

I don't think I will be going though and it's not just because my fragile ego was bruised. Okay, maybe a little. The real reason is that Dan Cahill should be joining me in the audience at Thursday night's long awaited  LSC meeting. Perhaps he could even ask for details on how the school department plans to spend money for next year's budget during open-mike. As a city councilman he should be concerned since half Lynn's city budget goes to the schools.

What's more important, an evening of appetizers and long-winded conversation or learning what "GQ" is wearing as he champions the fight for more administrators? Priorities people!

Coming To A School Near You

I talked with a parent today who was expressing her frustration that because of where she lives that her child was going to have to go to Marshall next year. She was really infuriated that she was probably going to have to pay to have her child go to St. Pius and at the same time continue to pay the taxes that supported Marshall. What she doesn't realize is that we have gotten so good at being bad is that shortly Marshall is supposed to be hopping the "Level 4" money train and things will be all different soon that is until the money runs out. We need to make systemic changes that are sustainable over the long term. Marshall is in the pipeline for a new school in the future from MSBA. All aboard!

It's All In How You Look At It

My son got two hits and scored two runs last night in his Little League game. I'm sure you're thinking, "That's nice, but what does that have to do with schools? I think you're just trying to plug  your son."

You are partially right and completely wrong. I am proud of my son's accomplishments like most parents but more and more the burden for our children's development has fallen upon our schools. The better coordination we have between what may be considered non-school related extracurricular activities and our schools only makes for a better well rounded child. I would venture a guess that the better rounded a student is the better their test scores. I am getting precariously close to sounding like a "math" person. Someone, please rescue me from the dark side.

Another interesting thing was how one of the coaches was lamenting the fact that it was the first night game in Lynn (I expect for the season) and that there was no media coverage (he didn't know who I was and what I do). What this coach is pointing out is that we are living in a society that concentrates too much on our opportunities for failure and does not place enough value on what we have accomplished. Of course, then we can debate the definition of just what an "accomplishment" is, but that's another slippery slope.

Take My Job, Please!

It's budget time. Looks like we are finally going to have a LSC meeting this Thursday. It's about time because it is time. We need to be tossing out ideas and setting priorities. You know I am going to call for the restoration of the REAL librarians.

The kids have been great but I am a writer and a reader, I don't do well with shelves. I look forward to the day we put reading back in learning and pay due reverence to our libraries establishing them as our shrines to education.

Besides if I wasn't spending time volunteering, I would have more time to understand how adding another $140,000 a year deputy would help in reducing class sizes or in adding some reading teachers. I would also have more time to perhaps better understand why I didn't even get ACKNOWLEDGED in my one man campaign to get the PARENT LIAISON job.

OOPS! Another Scoop?

Last night students from all over the city met last night with Councilmen Creighton, Collucci, and Crowley to discuss their role in their vision for the future at North Shore Community College's STUDENT LEADERSHIP AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. The program is sponsored through Diana Kerry and the Public Policy Institute. I am sure when the ITEM covers the story they will give you ample details. I only know that four students got to address the councilmen and one of them was my daughter, Asiah.

FEED ME! I am HUNGRY

FEED ME! I am HUNGRY for stories! I've got business cards and a T shirt due any day. The WATCH is SERIOUS.

Civic's Lessons Writ Large

I learned about the importance of voting and my civic responsibilities in SCHOOL back in WV. Restoring voting back at the Ford School is the right thing for a number of reasons.Today along with some other citizens from the Highlands neighborhood filed complaints with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. I will leave it to the ITEM to flesh out the details and the city's attorneys to respond to our complaint but I GOT THE SCOOP.