Mayor's Medical Scare!

I am deeply concerned that our Honorable Mayor Kennedy is not hearing what she is saying. Madame Mayor is a smart lady, much smarter than me and thats what makes these recent intellectual stumblings all the more troubling. Even if her political sense were "correct" and there were candidates favored she needs to LISTEN to watch she is saying and the corner she is painting herself in a political corner.

Coppola: Kennedy's remark 'offensive'

If the mayor does not side with Coppola, Starbard, and Carrasco she will possibly be looked at being in favor of lowering our standards at a time when we have 5 potential Level 4 schools (2 actual Level 4 and 8 Level 3 - word on the street is Breed,Marshall, and LVTI will "come aboard" this year).  She will in effect be saying, "Credentials don't matter, qualifications don't matter. What does matter is who you know and who your friends are.".

Capano, :GQ" Spirito, and Ford are arguing a position that would allow the hiring of someone who was not only responsible letting two of our schools, Harrington and Connery (GQ's old school), slip into Level 4 status but devised a Turnaround Pan for Connery that was REJECTED.

I know how smart the mayor is, she has even driven me home when she was a RIDE driver and she had an unbelievable command of Nickelodeon's television lineup. How could someone with complete knowledge of "I, Carly's" plot and story line be so naive when it comes to other serious business.

Maybe we should hold a telethon to raise funds for purchase of a hearing AIDE, someone to help her keep her foot out of her mouth.

Fashionably Late But Out Of Fashion

Maybe it was just her style, but maybe that's the problem. If it's just a matter of fashion then our most honourable mayor should consult Vinnie "GQ" Spirito for the most current trends.

Maybe it was more about timing. The mayor called ahead to say she had been detained and to go on without her, According to the agenda, the controversial vote on the Deputy Superintendent. should have been held early in the meeting. The fact is that our Honorable mayor should have been able to have the vote taken before she had to take a position.

But the mayor did not count on the vice chair, Patti Capano, allowing he meeting to start five minutes late and then stretching a one minute break after a presentation into several. To this poet it appeared that Ms. Capano was counting on the mayor's support to break a potential deadlock.

Provisions were added to the already approved six-figure position that would have prevented people without experience as a principal or a doctorate level education for being considered for the job. I have heard rumours that a certain person who shall remain "nameless" was being tapped for that job who couldn't live up to those requirements.

Too bad. Our schools are in a shambles and we need highly qualified people to lead us out of failure. The present crop of administrative couldn't even get a Turnaround Plan for Connery approved so they planned to promote someone who helped devise that failing plan?

Again in this humble poet's opinion, when the mayor was forced into taking a stand, she abstained thereby avoiding taking a stand leaving the vote a tie. Back to the drawing board.

You know they say, a tie is like kissing your sister. Even in WV we don't do that UNLESS it's PROM NIGHT!

What Makes A Leader?

Help me out here. I don't understand why some people on the LSC had such trouble with the stipulation that a new Deputy Superintendent should have experience as a Principal, You would think leadership is a vital quality.

What's even more surprising is where the opposition came from. I mean you think Vinnie "GQ"  Spirito, a former principal, would be an ardent supporter of the requirement. But Noooooo! A closer look at his record reminds us that he was shuffled between  three schools, starting at Hood, then Connery, and finally taking the Lynn Woods cruise.

Back when I went to school, mu principal was an ex-Marine with a statue of a Bulldog on his desk and he didn't dress in pastels.

Ford Underwater Behind The Scene

My funny bone needs a break,. My head hurts and I think I pulled a belly muscle. I had a jolly old time at the LSC last night. I need a break from all the frivolity.

So when I heard about this story, I had to jump on it. Today a private limo complete with a chauffeur pulled up to Ford School to pickup 14 fifth graders and 1 third grader, all part of the Astronomy Group, and escort them on an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the New England Aquarium.

This was all done in conjunction with the Harvard, Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics Telescopes, (http://www.cfa.harvard.edu). The timing of this field trip could not have been timed any better with Science MCAS coming up in a couple of weeks.  Topics discussed were marine habitat, volumes of fish tanks, invertebrates, crustaceans, and even electricity.

Electricity, you ask? Electricity and water make a dangerous mix. Witnessing the the ELECTRIC EEL gave them a first hand demonstration. The students even got to listen in on an audio monitor recording the eel's activity. How cool is that?

I have just one question. Why couldn't they take their favorite volunteer librarian?

Behind Closed Doors

At the end of the meeting last night everybody that had the good seats at the educational buffet table went into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss matters that the rest of us can't be privy to. The crowd dispersed leaving only me and my BFF in the audience. We had lots of chairs left to choose from.

After a few minutes Kevin McHugh emerged. Since PERSONNEL matters is one of those priveledged areas, Kevin confirmed our suspicions that they were talking about him. He told us that most of the people are on three year contracts.

I don't know any details of any decisions but the important thing is he confirmed: HE READS MY BLOG.

I Am So Disappointed I Think I Will Eat Worms!

You probably have noticed, I put ads back up on my blog. Since I am not getting the  PARENT LIAISON job not even an interview for the position, I gotta do something to raise some Cash to buy maybe some old suits so I can be as dapper as my fashion idol.

We learned last night in the superintendent's report that a person has been hired to temporarily fill the position until the former position holder's medical dilemma has been resolved. I will attempt to tell you who they hired but I warn you I type in a language all my own. Her name is Francis Martinez from the "La Vida" program.

She was touted as bilingual. I am too, if you count sarcasm as a language. We also share in our minority status, hers as being a Latino, mine being disabled. It was good to see that the superintendent didn't discriminate in her hiring practice.

The job posting must have been in multiple languages. Wait! Was there a job posting? How many interviews were held? How many other candidates like me, DIDN'T EVEN GET ACKNOWLEDGED?

Sour grapes or a cause for a complaint? A violation of my civil rights or an honest selection?

Did Anyone Hear What I Heard?

There was trouble with the sound system last night. A lot of static and difficulty hearing answers to the tough questions. Probably because they were trying to interface a laugh track for me.

A video was screened by Officer Ferrari documenting all the technology protecting LPS. LSC member Vinnie "GQ" Spirito robustly applauded the film and even asked that it be put on cable to diffuse all the naysayers and BLOGGERS out there.

Hey Vinnie, if you want my autograph, just ask.

The Tradegy Of The Comedy!

What  a meeting last night! I have got some great material provided to me courtesy of the committee. There was even talk of putting this stuff on cable.

I came home so late my wife was ready to make me sleep oserin the couch but the entertainment value of the meeting was worth it. Stay tuned!  Serious business taken deliriously.

Deputies, Rats, and Parent Liason

Tonight's LSC meeting will probably touch on these controversial topics. Get there early because the fireworks should begin in the sub-committee before the  full LSC. Festivities start at 6. See you at he show.

Home Court Advantage

I first broke this story months ago, but the Item has done an excellent fleshing out one of my earlier scoops. We here at the "Watch" have establish a flawless reputation for being impartial and totally objective. So it is with the merest of coincidences that I may have a distant relationship with one of the people mentioned in the story. In the interest of honesty in journalism I feel a professional obligation to point out this small piece of information that otherwise might have slid by under the radar.

Students find a voice in college leadership discussions

Talking Tech Time

I would like to thank Rick Starbard for sharing this editorial with me. We have a jewel at LVTI and instead of whining because enrollment is down we need to think of ways to increase it. As pointed out in this editorial there are places where there is a surplus in enrollment. We need to be one of those places. Until we value a Vo-tech education, we can't expect our students to value it. Everybody learns different, not necessarily better just different.

Voc-tech: Good for what ails education | SouthCoastToday.com


Credit is due Dr. Wary for her efforts in putting together Camp Explorer. It's a good start. http://www.lynnschools.org/Camp%20Explore%202011.htm

Nobody's Perfect

Once again some funny things seem to be happening with the posting of the LSC agenda for the upcoming meeting. A couple of months ago, I spoke during the "open-mike" session before the meeting showing the two contradicting postings about whether or not there was even going to be a meeting. I pulled the two opposing postings off the Internet and brought them for all to see.


This time this on this posting, the wrong date is paired with the wrong day of the week. Okay, an honest mistake. But  how do you feel about the administrators responsible for overseeing your child's education engaging in a pattern of miscues?

http://www.lynnschools.org/School%20Committee%20Agenda%202_4_2010.htm

A Little Dickens In The House

WARNING! Since we don't have librarians in most of the schools, I should inform you that I am talking about CHARLES DICKENS the author.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times - for our principals that is. Patti Capano seem to fill my ears with stories of fluff and support for the environment surrounding our principals. Some parents and other people with invitations recounted stories of inaction or fear of retaliation from the administration.

I added that I might be wrong in in this but I thought until this year I thought principals used to get a discretionary amount of the Title 1 funds to spend how they saw fit for their individual schools and that now there was central control in the administration. No one disagreed with me and there were many people there smarter than me. So does that mean I was right?

In my opinion, this over controlling centralized command stifles creativity and innovation. But what do I know, I'm just a poor, disabled poet?

Tale Of A Party Crasher

Oops! I am not only bad at math, I can't follow directions. I thought my BFF was taking me to a meeting of disabled poets last night. We, poets, like to share our craft.

I WAS WRONG! I sit down and I recognized some people and it wasn't for their lyrical talent. Rick Starbard and Patti Capano were there. Gardy was there from the mayor's office (I'm sure he would quickly remind everyone that he was not the mayor - doesn't the mayor usually wear a dress anyway). Jack Dolan, Area Director of the Dept. of Children and Families along with some other Dept. official was there. Oh yeah, that Delores lady who's running for school committee was there. Id say her last name but it hurts my tongue. Alliteration can be dangerous.

They had printed agendas probably on their letterhead but I never picked one up. No matter, they never followed it anyway. My BFF said she couldn't find it posted anywhere like it's supposed to be for an open meeting according to the "Open Meeting law".

Since my BFF thought it was an open meeting, she was going to tape it for "Lynnhappens"(darn competitor, sorta). However, there was quite a hub bub about being on camera. Questions about quorum and since invitations were sent out then arguments were made that this was a private meeting. The old barbecue analogy was trotted out as to why this wasn't a "real" open meeting.

True that! Don't tell anyone but I didn't have an invitation and I introduced myself to everyone. Nobody said Nothing.  I was wondering with all those important people there how could it NOT be an open meeting and why didn't they want it taped. I guess us, poets are shy people.

On The Menu

I ain't no lawyer or have I ever even worked in a fast food joint, but I got a recipe or some alphabet soup that may not have been tried yet. Through personal experiance as a father and wthrough close association with my new found PAC buddies in our ongoing battle with SPED, I have gotten a shallow baptism in the waters of the IEP. Along comes TAG with gifted ingredients to our educational alphabet soup.

Someone please explain to me why the gifted can't be served at the educatiional buffet. Are the cooks not telling us about this dish because they don't like the final price tab? They don't seem to mind insuring their six figure tips regardless of the service. I may be causing chaos in the kitchen by bringing this up but maybe our servers should go on a fiscal diet if they have a problem with delivery. Time to order take-out.

Lynn Tech To Lead The Way?

During the LSC meeting on April 12, committee member Rick Starbard posed an interesting question. He wanted to know if LVTI could take students from outside cities, say Nahant. He was quickly shot down because LVTI is not a regional votech facility.

Okay, but why? I don't know all the laws, rules, and policies preventing this from happening. It just seems to me that we have this GREAT facility that is being underutilized. I think we need to change the focus of our line o questioning from "Why we can't" to "How we can".

Fill out the paperwork and call some people. The time is ripe for innovation in education.

Waiting By The Phone

Well it's been a long Spring break, chocked full of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. Maybe all that sugar has interfered with their thinking so they probably just FORGOT to call me to schedule an interview for that PARENT LIAISON position. I am sure it was just an oversight.

They can call me any time. I know they have my number because Dr. Wary's office called me just last week to schedule a meeting with her and Dr. Latham the same day a parent and I dropped off a letter. You would think that if they considered our concerns so important that a same day meeting was warranted that they would consider me a serious candidate for this position Do you think I have made my interest clear?.

Who Gets What And How Much Can I Get?

It has been brought to my attention that Lynn does not have a "gifted program". Those darn "special needs" kids get everything There always seems to be money available for them and their programs. Get on an IEP and you are on "easy street". All our education budget is spent on a few students so that when it comes time for programs for the kids who are going to discover the next miracle drug or the new microprocessor that computes at warp speed there is no money left for them.

Those few "special needs" kids represent around twenty percent of our student body, Those cash cows they call IEP's are not called "Special Education Plans" but instead "INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS". That begs the question "Why isn't everyone on them?". Are we saying, "If you are not on one, you are not an individual"? In effect we are segregating the "Special Needs" population by paying lip service to their rights to be included with the "Normal" kids.

Only when we shift our focus from trying to micromanage particular aspects of every minute detail of every day will see the global aspects of our educational needs. Learning is on a continuum. We need everybody and everybody matters.

This is why I harp over and over again about the need for fully functioning libraries. It's like the old adage about teaching a man to fish, libraries become our "ponds of knowledge". Until we have a respect for learning the process of education can't move forward.

At the recent LSC meeting where a "Student Government Day" was held beforehand one of the students playing the role of an LSC committee person lamented about the nonexistence of a "science fair" and how no students from Lynn were represented in the nearest one (in Lowell I think). How can we expect our students to take their education seriously when our own administration doesn't, preferring the creation of a six-figure Deputy Superintendent's position instead of restoring someone to head up the science curriculum?

By ignoring the more basic needs of our students educational objectives, the short sighted, self interested leadership of a few  helps polarize and isolate distinct parts of our student population. Us against them,"Special Needs" against "gifted". Remember, learning is on a continuum and we should have a common goal.

Open For Business!

We, parents face an uphill battle fighting the education system. All of the laws,rules, and policies surrounding and pertaining to a student's education can be any parent's nightmare. This is especially true when your child has special needs. Like Alice Cooper used to sing years ago, "Welcome To My Nightmare".

So what is a person to do to help them sleep? What works for me is to help others navigate the currents of the help available. Fresh off of helping to get a parent the help she was entitled to, my BFF (she actually helped the parent write the letter we circulated, all full of legal mumbo jumbo) was reveling in our success, fantasizing about getting some kind of imaginary grant whereby we could actually get paid for helping other parents. Maybe some day dreams can come true.

Until that day, I intend to use the power of poverty to accomplish those goals. So, I encourage ANYONE with school problems to get in touch with me or I dare say my BFF to help them advocate for their educational needs. And remember, everyone's needs are special.

Keeping The Peace

Part of the discussion at the last LSC meeting over concerns about the garden (Farm) was about who is living up to the stipulations of last fall's agreement and just how they are doing it. A hot topic was the "buffer" zone between the garden and adjoining land owners. Just what is a "buffer zone"? It brigs up visions of the DMZ between North and South Korea with brigades of rats and their counterpart homeowners each standing guard on their precious real estate.

Now I heard that The Food Project planned to fill the zone with what covert operatives disguised as harmless flowers. One committee member suspiciously pointed out that they thought a "buffer zone" was devoid of vegetation. After all, those Food Project people would probably dress themselves up in robes and sandals and go down to central square and sell wildflowers to the bus passengers.