The PowerPoint from Dr. Lisamarie Spindler's "Update on School Climate and Safety," presented at last night's school board meeting, can be viewed here.
This is an interesting presentation on many levels. First, I note that neither the district's mission or vision statements include the word "education." Is it just me or does this seem like the district has missed the forest for the trees? And am I correct -- there are only 86 students in the senior class this year? Less than 900 students in both the JHS and HS? Over $50m to NOT educate less than 1000 students? The mind reels.
However, the word "learning" appears twice in the vision statement, as well as the word "achievement," so it isn't devoid of language we would use to describe our goals for our schools.
I was being a bit facetious: mission statements, vision statements — all that bloviation makes the adults feel better I’m sure. But it ain’t doing much for the kids. Here’s the proper mission statement: “ we will teach the children to read, write, do basic maths and think critically.” Here’s a proper vision statement: “we will teach the children to read, write, do basic maths and think critically.” Everything else is extraneous to what the schools are there for. Ask any employer anywhere and we all need the same thing in our employees: the ability to think and communicate. These are the “three Rs” if you will of the present day.
Good, I was hoping you weren't putting much stock in mission statements. Students certainly need to learn to think critically, solve problems and communicate, and not many of them will do that by way of a mission statement unless there are strategies and staff to help that take place.
On slides 9 and 10 the presentation clearly points out that the main issues are at the JHS. What is the SHS doing that the JHS isn't? The presentation also shows that for both the 6th and 7th grades the majority of instances of hitting are taking place IN THE CLASSROOM. Further analysis needs to be done: Is there a particular classroom where this behavior is being allowed? Are teachers not aware of what to do in these situations? Our children are being entrusted to these people to not only educate them but to keep them safe as well. It seems discipline needs to be enforced not only on the offending students but on the faculty that is allowing this activity to occur.
There are consistently certain classrooms where students behave and follow instruction as well classrooms that are a giant shi*t show. The kids all know what classes are a free for all and which ones are taught by a person who truly cares about them.
I see the district is hiring a public relations service that will charge $175 per hour per person. That's over 7 times more than a security offer makes. Shouldn't the Superintendent be able to "communicate" in a responsible manner without putting this additional burden on taxpayers?
This is an interesting presentation on many levels. First, I note that neither the district's mission or vision statements include the word "education." Is it just me or does this seem like the district has missed the forest for the trees? And am I correct -- there are only 86 students in the senior class this year? Less than 900 students in both the JHS and HS? Over $50m to NOT educate less than 1000 students? The mind reels.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the word "learning" appears twice in the vision statement, as well as the word "achievement," so it isn't devoid of language we would use to describe our goals for our schools.
ReplyDeleteI was being a bit facetious: mission statements, vision statements — all that bloviation makes the adults feel better I’m sure. But it ain’t doing much for the kids. Here’s the proper mission statement: “ we will teach the children to read, write, do basic maths and think critically.” Here’s a proper vision statement: “we will teach the children to read, write, do basic maths and think critically.” Everything else is extraneous to what the schools are there for. Ask any employer anywhere and we all need the same thing in our employees: the ability to think and communicate. These are the “three Rs” if you will of the present day.
DeleteGood, I was hoping you weren't putting much stock in mission statements. Students certainly need to learn to think critically, solve problems and communicate, and not many of them will do that by way of a mission statement unless there are strategies and staff to help that take place.
DeleteOn slides 9 and 10 the presentation clearly points out that the main issues are at the JHS. What is the SHS doing that the JHS isn't? The presentation also shows that for both the 6th and 7th grades the majority of instances of hitting are taking place IN THE CLASSROOM. Further analysis needs to be done: Is there a particular classroom where this behavior is being allowed? Are teachers not aware of what to do in these situations? Our children are being entrusted to these people to not only educate them but to keep them safe as well. It seems discipline needs to be enforced not only on the offending students but on the faculty that is allowing this activity to occur.
ReplyDeleteThere are consistently certain classrooms where students behave and follow instruction as well classrooms that are a giant shi*t show. The kids all know what classes are a free for all and which ones are taught by a person who truly cares about them.
ReplyDeleteI see the district is hiring a public relations service that will charge $175 per hour per person. That's over 7 times more than a security offer makes. Shouldn't the Superintendent be able to "communicate" in a responsible manner without putting this additional burden on taxpayers?
ReplyDelete