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.