tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post5882915766895930322..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Mega School Or BustLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-5870939082959004002016-01-25T09:10:49.911-05:002016-01-25T09:10:49.911-05:00Meanwhile, Larry for Mayor!Meanwhile, Larry for Mayor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-4671839211003908462016-01-25T09:10:14.209-05:002016-01-25T09:10:14.209-05:00Can't wait until the Dems are out of office. ...Can't wait until the Dems are out of office. Trump Landslide 2016. Predictions show even NY going Trump. That is er..."yuge..." Other sources show a 46- state win for him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-22688632041571758652016-01-24T21:54:29.927-05:002016-01-24T21:54:29.927-05:00Speaking of which...TRUMP 2016 !Speaking of which...TRUMP 2016 !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-84588873512508990902016-01-23T11:06:14.499-05:002016-01-23T11:06:14.499-05:00What I found most interesting about the meeting th...What I found most interesting about the meeting the other night is that "justice" people were there, but they were arguing for a model and approach to school configuration that comes out of conservative think-tanks. If the administration supported Che Guevera, they would support Trump.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-64818504652572090822016-01-22T10:30:32.843-05:002016-01-22T10:30:32.843-05:00If OML was indeed violated in the manner in which ...If OML was indeed violated in the manner in which Appy posted only on the ARPS website and not on the town website~which I believe it was, then SC nomination paper signatures was also violated in the case of Phoebe Hazzard. But the town clerk allowed her vote to go forward--and Appy threatened that all votes in prior meetings were invalid if what Vira claimed is true. Appy threatened her colleagues into not believing Vira's claim. Rick was heading toward the belief and almost hesitated--it sounded like he spoke his decision not to vote that night--but was overruled by Appy--What a show of complete and utter dominance. Appy and Geryk are best friends--and Morris--well--the puppet strings may not be visible at every meeting--but we all know they are there (hidden well under the table.) I see no equity in this decision--matter of fact if they cannot handle the social, racial and economic inequities that exist and are practiced on a day to day basis in the schools as they exist now (small) then how on earth can anyone expect them to be addressed and handled on a mega scale? ex: A child asks for a bottle of water (prepared to pay) and was denied because s/he had a 'tab' with the cafeteria. smh Since when can a child run a tab? Who can deny anyone a basic human need and to hell with the water fountains--you drink fluoridated, chlorine, and other toxicities, every day of your young life and live to tell about it. ex: A child is over and over again scolded and written up by the same teacher again and again-Meetings are requested by the parent/guardian to no avail. The child becomes sick with headaches/stomach aches and misses school (all symptoms of being bullied.) The result? The student is put on a behavioral intervention plan--Not the teacher mind you, but the child. ex: A child is accosted, physically and verbally by a school staff--the principal is notified--the child is the focus of the situation--the adult remains in the building not only to continue his/her employment--but to later accost another student!! Both children of color mind you--victimized by the same adult. And I can list many more situations of inequities suffered by children without the realization of the lasting harm this has left on them, by the adults inflicting the pain and the administration who allow this. Implicit or explicit ~ we need to keep the conversation going--we have as many different lifestyles as there are families in town--but the one thing that holds true today as well as yesterday--some adults (whether or not they know it) treat some children differently--(I see it--I know this to be true) based on their skin-color and economic status of their family. This mega-school, okay Ms. T., this 375 student two schools which will be co-located in the same building--is only going to further push the issues of inequity right off the stove! If we ever thought for a moment they were on the back burner--we can forget about that. :( Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-79841049231127035552016-01-22T07:36:33.575-05:002016-01-22T07:36:33.575-05:00Dr Ed: "Hate to burst anyone's bubble but...Dr Ed: "Hate to burst anyone's bubble but the national research indicates little lasting benefit from Pre-K - that children benefit more from interacting with mothers."<br />Old study?<br />These days, the family smart phone gets a lot more attention than the children!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-79192051945486611912016-01-22T03:08:26.123-05:002016-01-22T03:08:26.123-05:00See http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2015/...See http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2015/08/the-head-start-cares-demonstration-another-failed-federal-early-childhood-education-program<br /><br /><br />http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/11/20-evidence-raises-doubts-about-obamas-preschool-for-all-whitehurst<br />Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-3705594231302850162016-01-21T22:18:04.382-05:002016-01-21T22:18:04.382-05:00Anon, 1/20, 2:42 pm
you wrote: ". Just look a...Anon, 1/20, 2:42 pm<br />you wrote: ". Just look at the number of Amherst kids who choice into Belchertown (one big school) vs. Shutesbury/Leverett/Pelham (one tiny school each)". <br />ummm..... Shutesbury does not accept school choice students, never has, & I suspect it never will. <br /><br />of the 21 students who live in Amherst this year & choice out of the district (just over 1% of the elementary school Amherst school enrollment), yes, 16 decide to go to Pelham or Leverett. <br /><br />At the same time though, there are Pelham & Leverett families who school choice to Amherst and are attracted by larger schools and a more diverse student population. Pelham & Leverett have just one class per grade, so the same kids are with each other year after year.... for better or, as is sometimes the case, for worse. Is that what you are proposing for Amherst? That does not sound good to me & it doesn't work for all kids. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-78803297615726166062016-01-21T22:13:18.507-05:002016-01-21T22:13:18.507-05:00You don't understand correctly 2:36 PM. Besid...You don't understand correctly 2:36 PM. Besides , you're probably from Springfield.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-71296725332776430752016-01-21T22:02:33.362-05:002016-01-21T22:02:33.362-05:00I agree with Rich Morse's points. Well said! ...I agree with Rich Morse's points. Well said! I would love to see Vira do more in her School Committee (SC) role... more positively & proactively about what the district & community should have and what the district should do, not just what they shouldn't. <br /><br />Vira's timing on bringing up the Open Meeting Law (OML) issues was unfortunate and came across as a gotcha to the administration and a ploy to disrupt the vote. <br /><br />At the same time though, Vira did, in fact, raise some good, important points, including the fact that the SC agendas can be very vague and give the public little information about items to be discussed and voted on. I remember last spring (April 14th) one of the items on the regional SC meeting agenda was listed as "memo for discussion" and the memo was not released to the public in advance of the meeting. The memo in question was discussing the possible merger of the MS and HS into one building (which is a big, big deal!) but how would the public know that in advance of the meeting. I wouldn't think that such a vague agenda item would comply with the OML. and it is not the first time that the posted agendas have included vague listings. <br /><br />Plus as I was listening to Katherine Appy say that as per past practice, the agenda for the SC meeting two days ago was posted on the arps.org web site, and that was sufficient, I kept thinking to myself that the agenda still needs to be properly posted with the town as well not just on the ARPS web site.... exactly as you stated (only the regional SC adopted the change to allow official postings of their meetings on the ARPS web site, instead of at town halls). I wish one of Katherine's fellow school committee members had called her on this point. <br /><br />and it does make sense, a lot of sense, for the posted agenda items on the amherstma.gov web site to note whether an agenda item involves a vote, discussion, presentation, etc. <br /><br />I hope that the SC and the administration will make some changes to how agendas items are listed and what the agenda postings on the amherstma.gov web site include, based on the very valid points on this raised by Vira at the meeting. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-87265263562510919332016-01-21T14:36:32.515-05:002016-01-21T14:36:32.515-05:00Re. the comment that students who "can't ...Re. the comment that students who "can't walk period because their legs don't function" will be OK with the plan: If I understand correctly, I think this argument is that because some students have disabilities that prevent them from walking, it's OK that most students in town will have to take a bus to school. I can't say I buy that logic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-38962498885253728832016-01-21T12:13:22.229-05:002016-01-21T12:13:22.229-05:00Hate to burst anyone's bubble but the national...Hate to burst anyone's bubble but the national research indicates little lasting benefit from Pre-K - that children benefit more from interacting with mothers.<br /><br />Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-90475017951238460522016-01-21T11:49:18.266-05:002016-01-21T11:49:18.266-05:00can I remind folks of some "leadership" ...can I remind folks of some "leadership" of Ms Geryk and her team. For the last five years or so, changes/adoption in the common core and forthcoming (some day in the future) associated assessments have been used as rationale for all kinds of curricular changes. Guess what? Not gonna happen, there will be no grand common core assessment test. So instead of waiting until the assessment was released for guidance, our leadership took it upon themselves to alter our curriculum anticipating changes that will not happen (or at least used it as an excuse...)... Remember all the yearly goal plans based on it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-22802473496236154532016-01-21T11:48:43.252-05:002016-01-21T11:48:43.252-05:00Anon 9:09 you clearly have no understanding of the...Anon 9:09 you clearly have no understanding of the code of ethics the administrators committed themselves to years and years ago. Perhaps your definition of what education includes and becoming an educator entails is limited.<br /><br />Top of the page, Code of Ethics for Educators:<br /><br /><b>OVERVIEW<br />The professional educator strives to create a learning environment that nurtures to fulfillment the potential of all students.<br /><br />The professional educator acts with conscientious effort to exemplify the highest ethical standards.</b><br /><br />Next section:<br /><br /><b>PRINCIPLE I: Ethical Conduct toward Students<br /><br />The professional educator accepts personal responsibility for teaching students character qualities that will help them evaluate the consequences of and accept the responsibility for their actions and choices. ...we believe all educators are obligated to help foster civic virtues such as integrity, diligence, responsibility, cooperation, loyalty, fidelity, and respect-for the law, for human life, for others, and for self.</b><br /><br />So in response to your question about who will be attracted by an early education center, I imagine it will attract young families who recognize the amazing possibility and high energy teachers there will have to fulfill their responsibilities. What an amazing way to start an educational journey. Next paragraph...<br /><br /><b>The professional educator, in accepting his or her position of public trust, measures success not only by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her personal potential, but also as a citizen of the greater community of the republic.</b><br /><br /><br /><br />A lot goes into a kid's full education, and into becoming a complete educator, beyond "talking about education" (which goes on plenty as well if I understand what you're talking about.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-49060787425630013842016-01-21T09:39:30.684-05:002016-01-21T09:39:30.684-05:002 schools: Wildwoodee & Wildwoodum?2 schools: Wildwoodee & Wildwoodum?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-52335646084645755922016-01-21T09:09:18.142-05:002016-01-21T09:09:18.142-05:00anon@820: yes, I also imagine a large heavily reso...anon@820: yes, I also imagine a large heavily resourced (ie. extremely expensive) preSchool-1st, that spends a huge amount of resources on a small population of kids. Who will this attract? Like you said- those that require those services (increased low-income families and SPED families). The whole "equity" card means that no ONE is willing to say no and that's exactly how/why Ms Geryk framed the issue. Saying NO implies you are a racist and against special ed accommodations. No one wants to be painted with that brush. The problem comes to resources and Ms Geryk thinks that Amherst can (and wants to) pay an unlimited amount of $$ to support it. That is the big gamble on her part. I, for one, have reached the 'no' point- the cost is too high, and I think those costs, if accepted, will accelerate the trend we already are seeing- higher income and middle income folks are leaving or not moving here. Instead they move to neighboring communities where taxes are lower and everything isn't about "EQUITY", they actually talk about "EDUCATION", something hardly discussed in Amherst. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-77724570542663364532016-01-21T08:24:18.256-05:002016-01-21T08:24:18.256-05:00"Ms Gerky won't be SI."
Probably re..."Ms Gerky won't be SI."<br /><br />Probably retired by then, this her 30th year in public education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-34389246043102425042016-01-21T08:20:00.276-05:002016-01-21T08:20:00.276-05:00No one is going to say "I want to move to Amh...<i> No one is going to say "I want to move to Amherst because their elementary school has 750 students and nearly all of them take the bus to get there."</i><br /><br />I imagine a large, heavily resourced, dedicated pre-school through 1st grade center, focused on preparing every kid in the community to learn, which might level the playing field, will attract a few. And of course the parents of the kids who can't walk to school because they live in a complex or in Amherst Woods, or who can't walk period because their legs don't function, might be OK with the configuration, and be attracted to our progressive and caring community.<br /><br />And it's two schools each of which are smaller in population than the present elementary schools they will replace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-74314156866180417502016-01-21T08:12:40.560-05:002016-01-21T08:12:40.560-05:00List the actions on equity and the concrete result...List the actions on equity and the concrete results.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-62208036761504750362016-01-21T08:11:08.774-05:002016-01-21T08:11:08.774-05:00And Geryk will get to say she tried but they were ...And Geryk will get to say she tried but they were too scared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-5981824778348762412016-01-21T07:12:16.963-05:002016-01-21T07:12:16.963-05:00at least after the Town rejects the proposal we...at least after the Town rejects the proposal we'll get another chance in a few years when FR rises to the top of the State list. Next time though, Ms Gerky won't be the SI. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-24424051496133899392016-01-21T06:11:11.281-05:002016-01-21T06:11:11.281-05:00It is said that those who fail to learn from histo...It is said that those who fail to learn from history get to relive the mistakes of the past.<br /><br />The UMass Southwest Towers were not going to be 550 students supervised by just one person. No, they were three separate 6-story dorms that were "stacked on top of each other."<br /><br />Prediction: If the 750 student school is built, within a decade, it will be one school with one principal. To think otherwise is asinine.<br /><br />Likewise, the concept of "open classrooms" thrived for a few years in the early 1970's -- it was a national mistake that folks have lived with for 40 years. I think Maria G is making a mistake here, if she's allowed to make it, folks will be living with it for the next 40 years...<br /><br />And what happens when enrollment continues to decline?Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-53566030705387818232016-01-20T22:02:03.694-05:002016-01-20T22:02:03.694-05:00Really 6:48 PM? Because I remember Geryk stating ...Really 6:48 PM? Because I remember Geryk stating goals related to equity during her interview for the job of superintendent, some of which have been either partially or fully implemented. And I could point to clear, decisive actions she has taken each year of her tenure so far, toward initially stated and regularly updated goals related to equity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-64478170200006147822016-01-20T18:48:11.329-05:002016-01-20T18:48:11.329-05:00But the preschool seats could be gotten without cl...But the preschool seats could be gotten without closing down a school and completely changing the Crocker Farm and Wildwood school communities. Geryk is now all about equity because it's a winning argument to get what she wants. It's all for the poor kids now, even if their parents and teachers don't agree. She knows this because... she's never been able to close the achievement gap? The all schools shuffle from K-12 on covers the facts that many launched initiatives aren't working and the "structural" deficit is parents pulling their kids out of the district for charter and Smith Voke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-41854530143996272432016-01-20T18:17:36.276-05:002016-01-20T18:17:36.276-05:00Glad you liked it.
At least I got the part about ...Glad you liked it.<br /><br />At least I got the part about twin schools under one roof right.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.com