tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post5100296422217416574..comments2023-09-29T06:32:16.005-04:00Comments on My School Committee Blog: Catherine A. Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-71090623822682749422010-04-29T15:34:10.801-04:002010-04-29T15:34:10.801-04:00As more people discover Rick's blog I think th...As more people discover Rick's blog I think the participation will pick up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-88163394786629913552010-04-29T11:58:25.410-04:002010-04-29T11:58:25.410-04:00...and hardly any people participating on his blog......and hardly any people participating on his blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-147543685583653022010-04-29T10:46:15.455-04:002010-04-29T10:46:15.455-04:00I like Rick's blog because it does not have an...I like Rick's blog because it does not have an agenda. It really is a place where issues can be discussed in an atmosphere of impartiality, where no one has an agenda they are advocating.<br /><br />It's the CNN of Amherst blogs - No Bias, No Bull.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-52216129050875800912010-04-28T18:48:47.184-04:002010-04-28T18:48:47.184-04:00For those of you who are trying to follow the scho...For those of you who are trying to follow the schools closely, I just came across Rick Hood's blog at:<br />http://www.amherstschooltalk.org/home<br /><br />I am not sure why I had not ventured there before but it is definitely worthwhile and I will put it on my list of sites to check when I want to learn more about our schools. I love Catherine's blog and I love checking the PGO's website. Now I will also check Rick's blog too. In case any of you out there want yet another perspective on things in our schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-24085777614213659422010-04-28T09:13:06.016-04:002010-04-28T09:13:06.016-04:00I wish we could afford private school!! Care to s...I wish we could afford private school!! Care to share the specifics of why you are leaving? Are your kids in the elementary schools or regional schools?<br /><br />Good luck to you and your family!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-61444595559846524492010-04-28T08:46:26.366-04:002010-04-28T08:46:26.366-04:00If our school system was the best around, how come...If our school system was the best around, how come Mark Benke, the soon-to-be-former principal of Wildwood, doesn't move his young family into town to take advantage of it rather than leaving his post as principal to spend more time with his family in Westfield?!<br /><br />Best wishes to you, Mark. It is our loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-26134096049942214162010-04-28T06:59:28.178-04:002010-04-28T06:59:28.178-04:00We moved here for the schools (shame on us for not...We moved here for the schools (shame on us for not doing better research) and will be putting our kids into private school next year. We are disgusted by things we have seen this year. I am looking forward to the exit survey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-37294653082077144672010-04-27T19:51:49.399-04:002010-04-27T19:51:49.399-04:00Ed can you please elaborate on and/or post the let...Ed can you please elaborate on and/or post the letter Mark Jackson sent you? <br /><br /><br />Catherine, was it ever explicitly stated by the SC or others that the desire to hire Dr R was because he was Hispanic? If not, what were the ostensible reasons for hiring him--surely it was not his experience or any credential. An Amherst teacher told me that Dr R was hired "because he was a Hispanic, they thought that would look good, but he turned out to not be the right kind of Hispanic". The teacher is female and a minority. So for whatever that is worth, that is the view from at least some of those on the inside.<br /><br />Mark jackson: You are a coward and a bully and you should resign.<br /><br />Finally, property values are going to suffer when word gets around about the sorry state of Amherst schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-15619938331563372482010-04-27T13:43:32.955-04:002010-04-27T13:43:32.955-04:00Good luck to those who are talking about moving to...Good luck to those who are talking about moving to where the grass appears greener.<br /><br />Amherst is a political hotbed, no doubt. I have worked in two other schools within 30 minutes of Amherst. They are not in the same league, not even close.<br /><br />While you may not have the headaches you currently endure, you will certainly have new sources of headaches.<br /><br />Schools are not perfect. But, of course, neither are human beings.<br /><br />Like I said, good luck.<br /><br />Please don't think that Amherst's problems are all social justice centered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-47807925226669234302010-04-27T11:29:47.867-04:002010-04-27T11:29:47.867-04:00I am glad to let you know what I am unhappy about....I am glad to let you know what I am unhappy about. There is a lot of good in the Amherst schools and my kids have had some fabulous teachers, but overall, the focus of the district is not serving the needs of my kids (who are white, middle-income, and not special needs) very well. The education they have received in math is dismal, the elementary school has no full walls so is very noisy, the early release Wednesday is a hardship, and the mandatory study halls in the high school shows me that the emphasis of the entire district is not on academics. I am all for social justice but I do not think that should be the overall focus of any public school district.<br /><br />In our case, the high taxes in Amherst are also a factor. We cannot afford Kumon for the kids and still live in Amherst. If we move and find similar issues in our new school district, at least we would be paying less for the problems and could then afford Kumon or a tutor.<br /><br />Anyone else considering moving? If so, are you willing to tell us where and how old your kids are?Tired Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-23931158866012832942010-04-27T08:58:01.981-04:002010-04-27T08:58:01.981-04:00To Annonymous April 26, 2010 9:29 PM: It sounds l...To Annonymous April 26, 2010 9:29 PM: It sounds like you are happy with the schools here, and that's great. For a lot of people, the schools here don't work. Many of us just want the schools to teach the academics, we don't want the other stuff. We don't want the social engineering, the not offering AP classes. We're not interested in the schools exposing the students to the school's perception of diversity. We take care of social responsibility at home and feel it is not the school districts charter. So, no, we're not happy, and moving or putting our kids in private school is what we want to do. It's our choice and we can voice that on this blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-33060869358384411182010-04-26T21:29:47.150-04:002010-04-26T21:29:47.150-04:00The big differences between Amherst and Granby or ...The big differences between Amherst and Granby or Frontier are racial/ethnic and size of schools. The free lunch % and SPED % are not markedly different. Frontier's SPED % is higher than Amherst's. <br /><br />Just what is so terrible about Amherst in general? I agree that individual children may do better in one school or district than another, but overall, I cannot fathom what is so dreadful about the Amherst schools that it is necessary to pack up a whole family and move.<br /><br />If you're going to make sweeping statements like "We gotta get outta this place," please, please, explain why. Otherwise it's just drama and hyperbole with no information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-45236718185970981042010-04-26T10:41:18.814-04:002010-04-26T10:41:18.814-04:0012:04 p.m. I agree with you that the schools do no...12:04 p.m. I agree with you that the schools do not meet high expectations.<br /><br />I hope the district does indeed send out the exit surveys to the families who are leaving the schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-50908101952335057562010-04-26T10:07:21.113-04:002010-04-26T10:07:21.113-04:00To Annonymous April 25, 2010 12:04 PM: Very well ...To Annonymous April 25, 2010 12:04 PM: Very well said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-61838248084165804222010-04-26T09:56:20.096-04:002010-04-26T09:56:20.096-04:00Anon 12:04PM, if you are willing to share, what ot...Anon 12:04PM, if you are willing to share, what other districts are you looking to move to? Our family is also considering moving, possibly to the Frontier Regional district. We also hear good things about Granby.Tired Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-54766246929340556782010-04-25T12:04:21.104-04:002010-04-25T12:04:21.104-04:00I am happy for Dr. Rodriguez....good for him, not ...I am happy for Dr. Rodriguez....good for him, not only was he able to get out of Amherst with his health intact, but able to quickly be hired. The only way a new superintendent will be able to succeed in Amherst at this point in time, will be to bow down to the school administrators who are supposed to be working for him/her ....and follow ALL that this current school committee desires. It is a sad state of affairs for what WAS a deservedly well-respected school system. And for those who think the "road not taken" would have been the answer - he most likely would be gone by now as well, though for different reasons. I will be taking my high expectations and my children to another community to live. School politics here have become too toxic, and that eventually spills over into the learning environment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-19906637860997177102010-04-19T20:14:36.558-04:002010-04-19T20:14:36.558-04:00Northampton High has long block scheduling -- stud...Northampton High has long block scheduling -- study halls are typically part of the four daily class blocks. <br /><br />Long block has some problems -- for example, students may experience as much as a year lapse between classes that are better taught consecutively (math, languages) -- but wasted study hall time is not one of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-89157596296565864452010-04-19T13:38:29.329-04:002010-04-19T13:38:29.329-04:00Yes, forced study halls are ideal. That's why...Yes, forced study halls are ideal. That's why Deerfield is exploring forcing kids into 2-3 of them.<br /><br />I understand that Newton and Brookline are considering firing their superintendents because of the obvious "Study Hall Gap." They're wondering why their don't have ANY forced study halls while ARHS has two per year for four years.<br /><br />It's going to take a lot of work for all the best high schools in America to catch up to ARHS. We've cornered the market on forced study halls. Indeed, I wouldn't have voted for the override if I weren't guaranteed even more forced study halls in the future.<br /><br />IAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-1225400110092784172010-04-19T09:06:24.313-04:002010-04-19T09:06:24.313-04:00to 6:20 am--
I can tell you that if your child we...to 6:20 am--<br /><br />I can tell you that if your child were in my study hall and had that perception, I would want to know about it. I hope that you have contacted the teacher to express your concerns.Nina Kochhttp://www.arps.org/users/hs/kochn/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-50803603166322671702010-04-19T06:20:35.348-04:002010-04-19T06:20:35.348-04:00ARHS Student, as a parent I was told that I could ...ARHS Student, as a parent I was told that I could not switch my child out of a study hall into an underenrolled elective. My child also reports a lot of illicit activity going on during study halls. I think different study halls are run differently and not all students have the same experience either in study halls or in access to extra things like being able to request an extra elective rather than a study hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-58159222692779889882010-04-18T08:02:59.044-04:002010-04-18T08:02:59.044-04:00i am an ARHS student and a majority of kids use st...i am an ARHS student and a majority of kids use study halls to do their homework or go visit the teacher of a class they are struggling in. there is also a significant minority of students who put their ipod on and go to sleep. the other thing you all should know is that when an elective has room for extra people, students with a study hall that period can switch into that elective instead of taking their study hallAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-23084888108151751952010-04-17T20:14:21.051-04:002010-04-17T20:14:21.051-04:00My responses:
Anonymous 6:18 - I can't commen...My responses:<br /><br />Anonymous 6:18 - I can't comment on Dr. Rodriguez's performance, given that his evaluation wasn't made public. I will say that I think his time in the district was more difficult because he had not been a superintendent previously, and had no experience in Amherst. Nonetheless, that information was well known to all involved (including the principals, and the other members of SC at the time), and others didn't not believe it would be a problem. But my point is that many people do still have concerns about the nature and timing of his departure, and I think that is the unfortunate reality of how things played out. <br /><br />Nina - it is great that some students use study hall time well. I've also heard from parents, students, and teachers that this time can also be very problematic. Given that we could always offer the option for kids to take 1 or 2 or 3 study halls, I still can't see why we are requiring any study halls at this point -- because many kids would in fact rather NOT have this time free to do the various things you describe. Let's remember -- this is again something that seems to be uniquely Amherst -- I can't find any other Western MA districts that have solved budget crises (which all are having) by requiring kids to take HS study halls. Other districts are making a different choice, and I think that fact should be acknowledged and discussed.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-36085361250122265262010-04-17T19:22:11.832-04:002010-04-17T19:22:11.832-04:00to 5:15 pm
Thanks for making those points about p...to 5:15 pm<br /><br />Thanks for making those points about possible uses of study hall. I teach an elective and would love to see kids be able to sign up for a lot of electives, but I also believe that study hall time can be put to good use. I think we could do even more with it. One option you might not know about are the groups like Cross Cultural Conversations or African Studies, where students go to an organized scholarly activity one day of the week during their study period. I would also like to see some kind of arrangement where kids use study time to work in small teams of four or five on some kind of long-term project. I'm envisioning projects that might be a combination of an academic and an extra-curricular interest, something that kids might not necessarily get a chance to work on in the context of a typical class.<br /><br />One small correction: study hall students <i>do</i> have access to the library, provided they have a pass from an academic teacher indicating that they have research to do for that class. Staffing in the library has been cut back over the past few years, which makes supervision more of a challenge.Nina Kochhttp://www.arps.org/users/hs/kochn/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-81060301476775291442010-04-17T18:43:39.996-04:002010-04-17T18:43:39.996-04:00First, one of the most humane things that an organ...First, one of the most humane things that an organization can do - and it is best done first before emotions run wild - is to set time for adjournment. <br /><br />Second, if A-Rod was a Republican, I missed that. I am not a Republican anymore, not after what the mASSgop did on campus last spring, but I am probably one of the most conservative people in this town.<br /><br />A non-RINO Republican would not have taken all the sick/vacation time -he/she/it would have been there running the district. My guess is that he is from a place where everyone registers "R" the way that everyone in Amherst is "D."<br /><br />Third, Mark Jackson's insubordinate and unprofessional rant - along with the letter he sent me (that I really want to take a red pen to) makes me question his professionalism. When I put something on letterhead, it is written in a professional manner. How much is he paid?<br /><br />Fourth, what are they trying to hide? Yes, I am the person who once taped all the UM salaries to the front of the student union - my attitude is that if you have nothing to hide, you put it out in public for all to see.<br /><br />Jackson doesn't want to explain why he apparently had issues with his former supt. He doesn't want to discuss issues raised by the <i>Collegian</i> story either.<br /><br />And I still would like to see some of the CVs....Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-26881466088054656922010-04-17T18:20:56.329-04:002010-04-17T18:20:56.329-04:00Many high schoolers use the study hall to 1) study...<i>Many high schoolers use the study hall to 1) study,</i><br /><br />That is a very expensive waste of scarce public resources. <br /><br /><i> 2) do homework so that after school can be spent participating in either a sport, extra curricular or community service activity, </i><br /><br />If the students are stretched that thin, they are doing too many things. And I have a real issue of community service at the expense of learning -- learning time needs to take precedence <b>as</b> as community service.<br /><br /><i>3) involved with an independent learning activity or enhanced research,</i><br /><br />Which shouldn't be done during school time - or if the student so gifted, the student exempted from specific classes with credit from the independent stuff in leu of the class.<br /><br /><i> 4) volunteer as peer mentors in the school, or 5) volunteer in other ways in the school.</i><br /><br />This is a 13th Amendment issue. Students (excepting older ones) are required by law to be in school. And in such cases, this "volunteer" work really isn't voluntary because the individual doesn't have the choice of simply leaving the building.<br /><br />This is the same issue as the civil commitment of sex offenders -- you can <b>only</b> require those children to be in that building <b>if</b> you are teaching them. Not the rest of the stuff....<br /><br />And I am waiting for some bright 15-year-old to raise this issue...Ednoreply@blogger.com