SPED SHUFFLE SHENANIGANS

SPED Director

Stanley Wotring <lynn.school.watch@gmail.com>	9:42 AM (0 minutes ago)
to donnacoppola, Rick, Charlie, john.e.ford, Maria, patti7761, jcerulli, lathamc, tom

Dear Rick and Donna,

I would like to personally thank you both for standing up for the importance of having someone 

at the head of the Special Agent Department. However I must tell you that I am troubled by the 

response you received.

As Donna correctly pointed out this person is responsible for approximately twenty percent of the 

LPS student population. Since to properly serve this segment of the student body requires a vast 

and intricate knowledge of a very specialized law. The importance of having someone in that 

position guaranteeing a sense of stability can not be overstated.

While the superintendent agreed with the importance and gave vague assurances of the intent 

to fill it, still no specific timetable or even an explanation as to what she is "LOOKING AT". 

Hopefully Donna will stay on top of this since Rick's term is about up, I challenge the next group 

of LSC members to also take up this fight to insure the SPED population is adequately served.

Thank you and I look forward to the eventual completion of the total SPED team.

Sincerely,

Stan

THE PURPOSE OF MY POETRY

I am just a poor, disabled poet.
The truth, I try to show it.

Exposed in rhyme,
Justice in time.

Continueing to fight
For the rhythm of right.

Always can show
Cause no one I owe!

YOU ARE PERFECTLY POLITICALLY POSITIONED TO GET AT THE TRUTH! - [JibJab]

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THE LYNNCAM RAM?

A POLITICAL SMACKDOWN

Public Access TV

Stanley Wotring <lynn.school.watch@gmail.com>	10:02 AM (0 minutes ago)
to jcerulli, john.e.ford, Charlie, donnacoppola, Maria, patti7761, Rick, lathamc, tom

I am troubled by the recent trouble surrounding "public access TV" and it's relationship.

 For one thing the broadcast of the LSC meetings has changed providers and I don't

 remember anything coming before the committee to discuss it. Given the scrutiny

 given the contract involving the re-broadcast of sports events, I believe a more public

 examinations of these seemingly unilateral secret dealings deserve to be disclosed.

Other important issues need to be discussed. How will this affect the placement of 

LTVI students in their co-op? Given one of the person's involved in the ongoing lawsuit 

and criminal investigation is a high-ranking LPS employee with access to confidential 

and sensitive material, how will this information be protected?

These are important questions and the matters too important for LPS to be victimized 

by petty political squabbles! I look forward to a response. Notice I did not say I expect 

one The citizens of Lynn deserve one though.

Sincerely,

Stan

THE LAUDING OF LPS

I went to the VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY at CITY HALL like I have been doing the past few years but this year I witnessed something very powerful.

Both the LPS BAND and LYNN ENGLISH JROTC were made to turn around and face the audience were they were singled out and thanked for thier support and contiued participation in all the different veteran's programs.

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED

A BIG thank you to LSC member RICK STARBARD for purchasing a hat from TRIPPY to support the LTVI football team. These stylish winter hats will be available for a limited time so if you are interested in supporting the TIGERS and getting your fashion sense on, you can inbox me or see me or TRIPPY.

LAPIERRE'S PARTY TO PAY

https://www.facebook.com/events/639257462843568/

THE TROUBLE WITH OFFICES IN CITY HALL -SEPARATION OF POWERS?

SOON TO BE A MIA

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LYNNCAM SHAM

The whole mess with LynnCAM mess stinks. Of course there are dueling accusations and probably both are a little bit true and to some degree false. Believe me I have had experience with the power of LIES with a kernel of truth. Very powerful because you can't say it's an outright lie even though it's mostly false. Usually people don't take time to digest the whole body of evidence. We are a society of parts.

I have heard the stories that both sides are spewing and it troubles me on many levels. I mean face it, one of the people involved has a high position in the LPS administration and has access to confidential, sensitive material. Then there is the relationship between LynnCAM and LPS as far as interns from the TV MEDIA program. I assume LCTV is going to take that over. Not to mention the broadcast of LSC meetings. Of course that has already been taken over.

Tell me this, how come none of this has come up before the LSC yet? I know the whole fiasco is currently playing out in court but things are already happening where contracts should have been brought before the LSC and contracts signed. Yet evidently the MAYOR took it upon herself to act unilaterally.

CHANGING FACES

Classical gets a living lesson in government

I am glad to see the MAYOR engaging with the students. This is actually perfect timing as far as doing so without the hint of political opportunism. I am not sure how much it will do to change her reputation of not being interested in being involved in the schools. No matter, this is a positive.

GO FEED THE SHARKS!

IS AN INDEPENDENT SPED DEAD?

The agendas out for the upcoming meeting on THURS., the only full meeting this month and one of only two left for 2015,  November 12 | 6:30 PM.

I look down to Item VII C, "Reorganization Proposal" and I see opportunity. Okay I only see what you see, a vast vagueness that doesn't even hint at the suggestion of the topic. Of course I can't see well anyway with the multitude of visual problems I have. However I still do have some nasal senses left and I smell shenanigans.  

If forced, I might even volunteer to hazard a guess. What do you want to bet that the REORGANIZATION to occur happens in the SPED department? We have been operating with only an acting DIRECTOR since AUGUST.


The PROPOSED reorganization is probably be away around any DOCTORAL requirement for the position. The current ACTING DIRECTOR does not have that level of education. Now I like JESSICA, a long-time SPED ADMINISTRATOR. The PAC seems to be continuing to blossom under her temporary leadership. I might even go so far as to say it might be okay to do some to allow her to stay in that position.

But therein lies the problem. Now I have heard a couple things. I need to read the POLICY book sometime. I've heard that the DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ED is one of the FEW positions that the LSC actually has hiring authority over. If that is untrue my argument would go in a totally different direction. Any ceding of that ability to the SUPERINTENDENT, including through "Reorganization" would be troubling, giving more power to an already powerful and largely independent  position. Loss of oversight guarantees blindness to possible and potential corruption.

TIGERS GROUND GAME GRINDS OUT VICTORY

Other than a couple of key turnovers LVTI dominated BOSTON ENGLISH 32-18. The victory assures a game next week and I believe their march through the VOCS.

THERE'S NO CRYING IN POLITICS -[JibJab]

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COMING TO LIMITS WITH TERMS

I have not talked to our newest COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE about this but I see a CONFRONTATION brewing with the CORNER OFFICE. Oh I am sure that the spirit of cooperation is in the air but the foul stench of reality will soon creep in.

Not long after taking office the limits of BRIAN'S new position will creep in. Since COUNCILORS can not add money to the budget he will quickly realize (which I am sure he already knew) that his actions will be restrained and constrained. The power of the purse is contained pretty much in the discretion of the MAYOR.

BRIAN can and will form alliances to get some things done. He will uses skills learned and perfected in his job as a TEACHER'S UNION ORGANIZER but at the end of the day the MAYOR will hold fast to her principled opposition to many of the agendas BRIAN wants to push. Although I do admire her stubborn adherence to her core principles, it's just a shame they are the wrong ones.

It's going to be a matter of who blinks first. The MAYOR has to be cognizant of the powerful message BRIAN'S mandate sent and then there is the fact I don't think she will be able to bully BRIAN like she did PHELAN. The last MAYORAL campaign was a NASTY one and the MAYOR was smart enough to have her surrogates do the dirty work.

This should be an interesting time and I look forward to writing about it.

IT ALMOST MAKES UP FOR LOSING CHUCK!

THANKSGIVING A BITTERSWEET HOLIDAY! - [JibJab]

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FANTASY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FAR FETCHED

RUNNING RECOGNITION

Lynn Classical Cross Country Runner Thomas Mackin Preparing for the Eastern Massachusetts Meet -...

LYNN – (Video Interview) The Lynn Classical High School Cross Country team is 7-1 this season led by senior Thomas Mackin and his head coach Cori Russo.…

MSONEWSPORTS.COM

COOKING WITH KHARMA - [JibJab]

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PAPER PUT DOWN - [JibJab]

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SHAWS FOR SEWELL

Thanks go to SHAWS SUPERMARKET for donating $400 to SEWELL-ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

DONATION DELUGE

LTVI raked in the donations last month. Aside from all the politicians who gave the FOOTBALL BOOSTERS a boost, the ALUMNI ASSOCIATION gave almost $10,000 of workout workout equipment.

Also the SCARBOROUGH family gave a MARK V SHOPSMITH MODEL 510  with attachments. A very generous act proving it's not all about sports.

CAP OFF A GREAT SEASON

LVTI Football Boosters

13 hrs · Edited · 

Hats are in
$15 Stop by the game Friday to pick yours up.
Kick off is 4:15pm
or contact any booster member or football player

BENEFITS FOR BOOSTERS

Got a late report today of some more BOOSTER BACKERS. Stopping by the LAZY DOG for the LVTI FOOTBALL BOOSTERS fundraiser giving support were JARED N, DAN C, and BRENDEN C. DREW RUSSO from the LYNN MUSEM also helped feed the TIGERS!

BOMBS AWAY

The JV TIGERS lost a close game to AUSTIN PREP 16-14. We probably should have won but isn't that the way it always is?

We were lucky to not have our players injured from all the F-bombs being dropped by the AP coach before the game.Fortunately for us, the the massive assault occured before our players got there.

A GRATEFUL GOBBLER - [JibJab]

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TRYING TO STAY RELEVANT

JUST A QUICK NOTE/OBSERVATION - The ITEM ran their INTERVIEWS after my AMBUSH ones. I am not saying they copied off me but can you remember them ever doing that before?

DONNA LEAVES ONLY DUST - [JibJab]

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DON'T BE DOWN, GET DOWN - [JibJab]

 

Watch It Again

Or copy and paste this URL in your browser:
http://www.jibjab.com/view/qv1CB01DQBanXYXSQwdkEA 

STAYING INVOLVED!

MICHAEL'S JOURNEY - [JibJab]

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LOOKING FORWARD TO GREAT THINGS OR PREPARE TO FEEL THE WRATH OF MY PEN

Check out 'Celebration Congrats - Male' on JibJab.com

Congratulate a friend by casting him in this prom-themed extravaganza featuring Kool & the Gang’s funk classic!

JIBJAB.COM|BY JIBJAB MEDIA, INC.

VICTORY SONG! - [JibJab]

Check out 'Happy' on JibJab.com

Why settle for clapping along? Cast yourself in Pharrell Williams's megahit song & video and spread the "Happy!"

JIBJAB.COM|BY JIBJAB MEDIA, INC.

BRIAN BELTS ONE OUT! - [JibJab]

Check out 'I Feel Good - You Rock' on JibJab.com

Tell a high-achiever "You Rock" the James Brown way, by casting them in the feel-good dance video of the century!

JIBJAB.COM|BY JIBJAB MEDIA, INC.

COUNCILOR-AT-LARGER

HARD TO BE EASY

BRIAN thanks supporters for an easy win after a hard fought campaign!

DONNA DELIVERS BOOST

The LVTI FOOTBALL BOOSTERS would like to thank LSC candidate DONNA COPPOLLA for her GENEROUS contribution!

PAC AT WARP SPEED

Had a as great PAC  meeting last night with around 40 people,  one of whom was NATASHA M & M, LSC candidate. We all learned about how LPS is using technology in the Special Education Department.

LORI LAMENTS LANGUAGE AGAIN OR THE LACK OF IT

Some of the school committee candidates mentioned language being a barrier to parental involvement. Unfortunately, many of us know this has been an ongoing issue for years at LPS. If you recall, three complaints, including one from me, were filed against LPS with the Office for Civil Rights back in 2013. I have had numerous conversations with the OCR attorney assigned to the case. Remember, Dr. Latham signed a resolution agreement with the OCR in April 2013 agreeing to take specific short-term and long-term actions to resolve the communication issues. Among these was the development and implementation of a procedure for access to translation and interpretation services. This procedure was required to include the following: 1) How LEP parents will be identified and notified, upon enrollment and at the beginning of every school year thereafter, about their right to free language sevices. 2) How district staff, teachers, and administrators will be able to find out which parents are LEP and need free language assistance services. 3) How the district will provide oral interpretation and written translation and if the procedure is different for different languages, the procedure must describe the differences. 4) How the district will ensure that interpreters and translators are qualified and trained on the role of an interpreter and translator, the ethics of interpreting and translating, and the need to maintain confidentiality. 5) How the district will periodically train all district administrators, teachers, and school staff who have contact with parents on the district's policies and procedures for providing free language assistance services. 6) How the district will track the use of interpreters and translators. 7) How the district will periodically evaluate its system for providing free language assistance and determine whether changes should be made. Once completed, the district was required to post it to the district website and parent information center. Again, this was over 2 years ago and to my knowledge, no such procedure exists and is not posted anywhere. Have you heard of any or seen it anywhere? According to this agreement signed by Dr. Latham, "the district understands and acknowledges that the OCR may initiate administrative enforcement or judicial proceedings to enforce the specific terms and obligations of this agreement". To my knowledge, the school committee has not mentioned this issue or this resolution agreement during any meeting that has taken place since Dr. Latham signed it. It appears they have not ensured the district followed and upheld the agreement. It also appears that the OCR has not upheld their end of the agreement either. It has been over 2 years, yet I have not heard of any administrative or judicial proceedings taken against LPS, have you? Perhaps a phone call and email to the OCR checking on the status of this issue is in order?

THANK YOU TWO, TOO

The LVTI FOOTBALL BOOSTERS would like to thank both June Natola and Natasha M & M, candidates for LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE,  made generous donations.

JOURNALISM VANQUISHED

Just an observation. . .

     The ITEM SORT OF ENDORSED JARED NICHOLSON and NATASHA M & M.

     Candidates spoke; now it’s your turn

     Funny though those are two of the three candidates the LYNN TEACHERS UNION didn't endorse. It's pretty clear about the slant of the newspaper - BUSINESS over EDUCATION. After all TEACHERS don't usually buy AD space.

HOPING DOLORES DELIVERS

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WHO'S LISTENING

Candidates spoke; now it’s your turn

Unfortunately this article is not consistent with the facts of reality. Probably the biggest task facing the LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOL system is the emergence of CHARTER SCHOOLS. Now DR. LATHAM has made abundantly clear her opposition to them. I actually agree with her on the principle of this issue. 

On this key point of contention, NATASHA M & M completely disagrees with the good DOCTOR and any votes on this very important issue will garner more opposition than support. CHARLIE BAKER has had a GREAT tailor who has been very adept at dressing up the wolf of public education in wool suits. Now I believe our own MAYOR signed off on the letter opposing more CHARTER SCHOOLS in LYNN while at the same time being on the BAKER BANDWAGON.

With constraints on the CAP on CHARTERS facing alteration or elimination on both the legislative and judicial fronts, the PUBLIC SCHOOL system is on the verge of disarray. There will be NO new PICKERING. Because LPS will collapse with a growing number of students leaving the system and the fiscal implausibility of coming up with ANOTHER at least $100 million anytime soon.

THE REAL TASK THIS NEXT LSC WILL FACE IS PICKING THE NEXT SUPERINTENDEMT AFTER DR. LATHAM RETIRES.

EDUCATION IS KIND OF IMPORTANT!

DOLORES SPEAKS

 

Dolores DeFillipo - Conversations with Candidates

by itemlive

• 3 days ago
• 35 views

Daily Item Director of New Media Gabriel Martinez has a conversation with Lynn School Committee candidate Dolores DeFillipo. 

PAC ON TRACK

Join us tomorrow for an informative meeting on TECHNOLOGY at the monthly PAC meeting at the LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING at 100 BENNETT STREET at 6 pm.

BRINGING IT TO THE LVTI FOOTBALL BOOSTERS

NOTHING BETTER THAN THE LAZY DOG

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THE TIME IS RIGHT

Stopping by the LVTI FOOTBALL BOOSTER'S FUNDRAISER at the LAZY DOG was BRIAN LAPIERRE, COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE CANDIDATE. BRIAN purchased some raffle tickets. I would guess they weren't for TUESDAY nights BRUINS tickets generously donated by another COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE CANDIDATE, RICK STARBARD.

Elections are a PRIME TIME to get donations!