REMINDER: TOWN HALL TONIGHT ABOUT THE SORRY STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS

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That was J. Wright, the one who spoke about the residency issue.

There was a woman who has lived in the district many years and has been involved in an organization, maybe the HSA, I am not sure - if anyone can correct me do so - but she talked about teachers being verbally abused by students and being frightened of them.

I thought it was a very good meeting. The Acting Super was dodgy about answering difficult questions, but Wright was really amazing. A straight talker with a real insider's perspective.

The last person at the mic asked to hear from the police on the panel (Chief's of both towns, I think) and they reported the latest on the cases. No one knows why the student brought the gun to school it seems, and they also seemed to say (without saying it directly) that they could not question the student directly without parental cooperation and permission. At least one adult in the home (parent?) has been formally charged with weapons related charges, so I imagine they weren't interested in helping their child give evidence against themselves! There were also some sort of weapons-related charges against the student with the air-soft gun, but it was related to the knife.

Very interesting perspectives on where the district is letting down students who don't have support at home, and Ms. Wright more than once mentioned important support programs that have been discontinued in recent years (DARE grants for "peace officers, etc) as really being a loss.

Bravo to the two new principals at MMS and CHS. They really inherited a ton of problems but based on their answers to questions tonight, I'm more confident positive change is possible.

Is there any evidence that the kids causing the problems are out of district kids? I don't see the connection, though I spoke to a woman out front who seemed convinced that the problem was these out of district kids who went home to the ghetto and brought it with them to school every day.

Also the issue of the harassment of the girls at Maplewood Middle was brought up at the end of the evening by a man that said he heard that teachers were encouraged not to report it. Addams said that none of the teachers have complained that they are encouraged not to report.

I don't even know what that last sentence means. So because they're not complaining it means they weren't encouraged to do so? If they were complaining only then they'd look into it? They're basing a response on teacher complaints about how to implement policy? That makes ZERO sense to me.

Overall it felt more like a pep rally than a collaborative discussion, or a forum to respond to parents' concerns. Many questions remain unanswered - several people feel like their (and their childrens') experiences are not being addressed or even validated. There were some especially strong and important statements about disparity in the treatment of black children in the school - one by an impressive female senior CHS student. I really hope that this is the beginning of a discussion because it felt VERY incomplete to me

I'm not sure how anyone can think that Wright was amazing tonight. She is full of questions but no answers and enjoys throwing her colleagues under the bus while tossing out clichés and sound bites.

How about providing some constructive input? She's not on the BOE to ask other BOE members what they are going to do. She was elected to act and be part of the solution.

NizhoniGrrrl said:
I thought it was a very good meeting. The Acting Super was dodgy about answering difficult questions, but Wright was really amazing. A straight talker with a real insider's perspective.

yahooyahoo said:
She's not on the BOE to ask other BOE members what they are going to do. She was elected to act and be part of the solution.

Exactly. She behaves on many occasions as if she is still running for a BOE seat. Now that she is elected, however, she needs to come up with solutions and not challenge the board of which she is a member.

Coffeegretchen said:
Is there any evidence that the kids causing the problems are out of district kids? I don't see the connection, though I spoke to a woman out front who seemed convinced that the problem was these out of district kids who went home to the ghetto and brought it with them to school every day.

No. There is absolutely no evidence that these kids are out if district. They're not. Please stop spreading rumors.

+1

Principal Addams said that it was a small number of children who were repeatedly suspended and that the school had no choice but to accept them back. These children have to be from the district, otherwise it would be insane.

http://somatv.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=646633a42c395c14aa7b1ceba05b823a

I was disappointed in Memoli. He has not been that visible since taking over for Osborne, so this was the first time many people saw him speak. The MMS and CHS Principals were much more effective than he was. Principal Aaron could make a good Superintendent someday.

I really appreciate her strong ability to take and assert responsibility for the discipline decisions that are made - even though I think that we need to see some improvements in that area. We know that she (and her team) have been dealing with these dramatic issues (fights, weapons) effectively. But the apparently pervasive problem of disruption and disrespect is not so clear cut and seems to need more than it is getting

yahooyahoo said:
I was disappointed in Memoli. He has not been that visible since taking over for Osborne, so this was the first time many people saw him speak. The MMS and CHS Principals were much more effective than he was. Principal Aaron could make a good Superintendent someday.

I've always sort of suspected that Memoli didn't relish the opportunity to step into the Acting Superintendent position.

yahooyahoo said:
I was disappointed in Memoli. He has not been that visible since taking over for Osborne, so this was the first time many people saw him speak. The MMS and CHS Principals were much more effective than he was. Principal Aaron could make a good Superintendent someday.

I believe Memoli is retiring in a month... it's probably better that he doesn't make promises that his successor(s) don't keep.

I thought I'd heard he wanted to retire, but didn't want to say it without confirmation. If I remember correctly, he wanted to retire a year ago but was drafted to stay when Osborne left.

sprout said:

yahooyahoo said:
I was disappointed in Memoli. He has not been that visible since taking over for Osborne, so this was the first time many people saw him speak. The MMS and CHS Principals were much more effective than he was. Principal Aaron could make a good Superintendent someday.

I believe he is retiring in a month... it's probably better that he doesn't make promises that his successor(s) don't keep.

November, he is staying through the transition.

Jim is retiring in August, the district threw a retirement party for him a few weeks ago. Oops, I stand corected, did not realize he was staying on through the transition.

Coffeegretchen said:
Someone asked if the student who brought the gun to MMS will be entering CHS at any point in the future and the answer to that was rather too long in coming. Ms Aaron, to her credit stepped up when no one wanted to answer and said that as the principal that decision would be hers to make.

This account is at odds with Mary Mann's thorough report:

http://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/town-hall-school-safety-sees-heightened-emotions-respectful-discourse/

In addition, while district staff confirmed that the MMS student would never return to the district, Memoli ultimately explained that the CHS student taken into custody for possession of an airsoft gun and kitchen-style knife was not barred permanently and could be reinstated after a year.

“What assurances do we have after a year that he is a changed individual?” asked a parent.

Aaron quieted the room by responding that as building principal she ultimately would make the decision of whether or not to reinstate the student. “I certainly would make the entrance of any student contingent on if they can be safe in our building and on their impact on the safety and wellness of others,” said Aaron.

I've every confidence that she won't take the decision lightly, will take all available information about the student's status into consideration, and am personally not worried about it.

I felt the initial question and discussion were entirely about the kid that was suspended from MMS, not the one from CHS. There seemed to be some confusion amongst the panel about the question and that was reflected in the confusing answers (or lack of answers).

I don't see how the district can legally say at this point the MMS kid will never return to CHS. I'm not saying he should come back, but I think the legal process needs to play out first.

Adam_West said:

Coffeegretchen said:
Someone asked if the student who brought the gun to MMS will be entering CHS at any point in the future and the answer to that was rather too long in coming. Ms Aaron, to her credit stepped up when no one wanted to answer and said that as the principal that decision would be hers to make.

This account is at odds with Mary Mann's thorough report:
http://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/town-hall-school-safety-sees-heightened-emotions-respectful-discourse/
In addition, while district staff confirmed that the MMS student would never return to the district, Memoli ultimately explained that the CHS student taken into custody for possession of an airsoft gun and kitchen-style knife was not barred permanently and could be reinstated after a year.
“What assurances do we have after a year that he is a changed individual?” asked a parent.
Aaron quieted the room by responding that as building principal she ultimately would make the decision of whether or not to reinstate the student. “I certainly would make the entrance of any student contingent on if they can be safe in our building and on their impact on the safety and wellness of others,” said Aaron.

Adam_West said:

Coffeegretchen said:
Someone asked if the student who brought the gun to MMS will be entering CHS at any point in the future and the answer to that was rather too long in coming. Ms Aaron, to her credit stepped up when no one wanted to answer and said that as the principal that decision would be hers to make.

This account is at odds with Mary Mann's thorough report:
http://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/town-hall-school-safety-sees-heightened-emotions-respectful-discourse/
In addition, while district staff confirmed that the MMS student would never return to the district, Memoli ultimately explained that the CHS student taken into custody for possession of an airsoft gun and kitchen-style knife was not barred permanently and could be reinstated after a year.
“What assurances do we have after a year that he is a changed individual?” asked a parent.
Aaron quieted the room by responding that as building principal she ultimately would make the decision of whether or not to reinstate the student. “I certainly would make the entrance of any student contingent on if they can be safe in our building and on their impact on the safety and wellness of others,” said Aaron.

I think Coffeegretchen is confusing 2 different students/episodes. The student who brought a real gun to MMS will not ever be returning to the district. The student who brought and air gun and a knife to CHS is not barred permanently and the decision whether or not to reinstate this student rests with Ms. Aaron.

Glad I went yesterday. As someone new to SOMASD it was good to see the administrators in action and hear the good (and the bad). I came away feeling our children are in good hands and there are challenges ahead. The more you put in the more you benefit. That means staying involved.

There were a couple of speakers who had personal gripes concerning their children. No lady, it is not ok for elementary school age children to use the word “retard” in class.

Respect to Fox News guy who bravely made a comment about the administration allowing a student to wear a NWA T-Shirt (complete with cop in a crosswire) in school and the Micheal Brown moment of silence.

Principle Adam’s is a real hero.

What’s with the whooping for Principle Aaron? Yes she is cute with that Tina Fey thing going on but please, leave it for when you are in the front row of a Katy Perry show.

Ed1977 said:
Glad I went yesterday. As someone new to SOMASD it was good to see the administrators in action and hear the good (and the bad). I came away feeling our children are in good hands and there are challenges ahead. The more you put in the more you benefit. That means staying involved.
There were a couple of speakers who had personal gripes concerning their children. No lady, it is not ok for elementary school age children to use the word “retard” in class.
Respect to Fox News guy who bravely made a comment about the administration allowing a student to wear a NWA T-Shirt (complete with cop in a crosswire) in school and the Micheal Brown moment of silence.
Principle Adam’s is a real hero.
What’s with the whooping for Principle Aaron? Yes she is cute with that Tina Fey thing going on but please, leave it for when you are in the front row of a Katy Perry show.

Point of order- NWA has no shirt like that or logo associated prominently with them as described. However, Public Enemy has a logo very much associated with them showing a gangster in a fedora in silhouette with crosshairs as described, which makes sense since the original public enemies were Capone, Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd.

In context it is saying the opposite of what "that guy" was saying- D! public enemy number one- 5-0 said "freeze!" And I got numb. Can I tell them that I never really had a gun? But it's the wax that the Terminator X spun.

The groping was brought up by the last public speaker. A father relayed an instance where a teacher was present during one such incident, but said that they apparently feared reprisal of some sort if they reported it to the administration. Mr. Adams firmly stated that no teacher was or had been in any trouble for reporting any student misconduct.

It’s unfortunate that only that aspect of the groping situation was covered, but it was getting late and more than half the audience had left by then. I do believe Mr. Adams when he said that teachers wouldn’t get in trouble for reporting misbehavior, but I think people generally choose the path of least aggravation.

Student discipline is almost entirely conducted with the child who is accused of the misconduct, his/her family, and perhaps their legal representatives. The victim and family have little to no role and intimidated bystanders have none. With all the inherent demands of educating middle-school age children, it’s a major commitment for a teacher to intervene. There may be physical danger in addition to time lost for the disciplinary process, and exposing oneself to parents angry at the punishment their child receives, and possible litigation.

Facing all this, I think it’s understandable that a teacher will refrain from getting involved when there’s any ambiguity involved. No one enjoys getting a child in trouble, and the process focuses almost entirely on the impact to the accused. Perhaps an improvement we can take from this scary situation is to make it a bigger pain for teachers and staff to ignore misbehavior like groping than to report it.

One structural change occurring next year is that all grades will switch classes at the same time. This should provide more visual coverage from teachers between periods (though there will be more students to watch, as well).

chalmers: I don't understand your above comment. Why would teachers get in trouble for, or be concerned about, reporting misbehavior? Besides teaching, isn't that part of their job? They must be disciplinarians in some circumstances or else they will not be able to teach. I would hope a teacher or administrator, upon witnessing the illegal and immoral touching or groping of a girl, would immediately haul the kid to the principal's office so he can be punished. If the teachers are concerned about physical danger and being exposed to parents who are angry that their groper of a child has been punished and possible litigation, then discipline at the school is indeed lost. That is what will perpetuate the problem. This problem (groping) has been ongoing for some time and if people (teachers and administrators) are approaching it as you say, it will only get worse and not be stopped. You say "No one enjoys getting a child in trouble.." It's not a matter of enjoyment or wanting to get a kid in trouble, it is stopping illegal and harassing behavior being visited upon students by other students.

What the principal should have said last night was we know there is a problem and it is not going to be tolerated. Any students groping or touching others inappropriately will be punished, and then describe what measures he has put in place and what the punishments will be.