tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post6547372585172939692..comments2023-09-29T06:32:16.005-04:00Comments on My School Committee Blog: My Decision: Part 2Catherine A. Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-59730119865845006842011-02-14T13:56:54.196-05:002011-02-14T13:56:54.196-05:00i'm praying the above comment is meant to be r...i'm praying the above comment is meant to be read as sarcastic. either way it's amusing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-86997846950674420602011-02-13T22:18:32.597-05:002011-02-13T22:18:32.597-05:00Yes Catherine, thank you. You will forever go dow...Yes Catherine, thank you. You will forever go down in Amherst history as the one who took the high road and who fought for positive change. Thank you Catherine! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-7575806294750432672011-02-12T11:45:43.047-05:002011-02-12T11:45:43.047-05:00Thank you for again taking the high road. And aga...Thank you for again taking the high road. And again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-11899519462486354862011-02-12T10:05:06.954-05:002011-02-12T10:05:06.954-05:00I just want to say that I don't believe Amy Wa...I just want to say that I don't believe Amy Wasserman's comments should reflect on the entire town of Pelham. She made them, and they are hers alone.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-40891643313120690032011-02-12T07:45:00.245-05:002011-02-12T07:45:00.245-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-28865850617537011302011-02-12T07:41:25.549-05:002011-02-12T07:41:25.549-05:00You're right about Amy just not wanting her na...You're right about Amy just not wanting her name attached to the post. How hollow is that???? Isn't she from Pelham?? Way to go hilltowns. And don't you love how Pelham realized the backlash and then wanted to distance themselves from Amy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-6661159916097646812011-02-11T23:28:20.147-05:002011-02-11T23:28:20.147-05:00she is not sorry about what she said, only that he...she is not sorry about what she said, only that her name was on it. Read Larry's blog...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-64846953809481694192011-02-11T20:11:33.225-05:002011-02-11T20:11:33.225-05:00Amy Wasserman has made several posts slamming Cath...Amy Wasserman has made several posts slamming Catherine, on this blog. Her apology seems hollow in that she realizes the backlash she created, and is sorry more for the backlash than what she said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-64612916240377646882011-02-11T14:40:16.651-05:002011-02-11T14:40:16.651-05:00Isn't it all always Catherine's fault? If...Isn't it all always Catherine's fault? If she wasn't alive, no one would have be forced to make angry, regrettable posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-87732729972708949982011-02-11T09:45:11.391-05:002011-02-11T09:45:11.391-05:00Just how did Catherine drag Amy's name through...Just how did Catherine drag Amy's name through the mud? She posted that comment here herself. And in looking at Larry's blog he removed his posting of it in return for an apology to Catherine. Not a very heartfelt one now, is it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-9264973545898354932011-02-10T21:53:06.409-05:002011-02-10T21:53:06.409-05:00I applaud Amy Wasserman for apologizing for her ac...I applaud Amy Wasserman for apologizing for her actions. We all do things in the heat of the moment that we regret later. Not all of us have the courage to admit our mistakes publicly. I hope Catherine Sanderson, Larry Kelley (see his blog for reference) and all others who have dragged Amy Wasserman's name through the mud can now move on to more productive activities and that we can all keep in mind that we have a common goal: working together as a community to provide the best education for our children.Citizen Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-10806271131291056192011-02-10T20:33:47.190-05:002011-02-10T20:33:47.190-05:00Serving in a public post is always a challenge par...Serving in a public post is always a challenge particularly when you want to work toward change. Thanks for your courage, tenacity, and wisdom in trying to effect your vision of better schools fpr Amherst. You can be proud of your service and your legacy.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15337068132432574784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-87271632812253960502011-02-10T19:05:33.314-05:002011-02-10T19:05:33.314-05:00"Amherst is an open-minded community acceptin..."Amherst is an open-minded community accepting of diverse ideas"????<br /><br />Well, now, there's an evening's discussion over several grain-based adult beverages. <br /><br />Certainly that's what we'd like to believe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-17294729589365853242011-02-10T18:48:27.383-05:002011-02-10T18:48:27.383-05:00As someone who has also apologized in the blogosph...As someone who has also apologized in the blogosphere for something I posted and thought better of, I salute you, Amy Wasserman.<br /><br />Let he or she who has never uttered a word in anger on a matter of public policy cast the first stone.<br /><br />These are things that matter and, therefore, people bring their passions rightly or wrongly to them. I don't fault either Ms. Wasserman or Professor Sanderson for that. I'm still waiting for Mr. Hajir to admit that he's taken this just a little too far.<br /><br />Eventually, folks may come to accept that those of us who were supportive of Catherine were sincerely concerned about our schools, people who felt that the mistakes of tone that occurred were mistakes of enthusiasm and passion, and not reflective of deep character flaws. (I've yet to see either side cornering the market on civility.) But I'm not holding my breath for that.<br /><br />What I think has been sacrificed for a long time to come is a coalition of people who, however they felt about our schools, were willing to band together to expand our tax base. That's now in the dumper, thanks to the infighting among parents and others over this School Committee. I think that THAT political price was one not worth paying. <br /><br />Richard MorseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-26202126407819717322011-02-10T16:35:50.166-05:002011-02-10T16:35:50.166-05:00i wanted to issue an apology for name calling feb ...i wanted to issue an apology for name calling feb 7th on this blog. i was really angry, but in hindsight, it didn't solve anything. i realize now that name calling is not a good role model for our children. my anger was the result of the situation in the school committee and as a concerned parent with a child in the school. i know there are always better ways to channel my anger. i hope people can accept this apology. thank you.amy wassermannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-46791137479609830242011-02-10T16:27:29.660-05:002011-02-10T16:27:29.660-05:00Bottom line Catherine: It is not your message peop...Bottom line Catherine: It is not your message people object to, it is your attitude. <br />Amherst is an open minded community accepting of diverse ideas. All school systems have room for improvement but change takes time. <br />You can make it sound pretty and reasonable on your blog but the disrespectful way you approach people smacks of elitism by the self proclaimed owner of the only right path. <br />Good luck finding better public schools for your children!Bert Fernandeznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-6692890769696318592011-02-10T13:27:09.723-05:002011-02-10T13:27:09.723-05:00All I have to say is ... enough drama! Let's g...All I have to say is ... enough drama! Let's get back to the business of helping our kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-53835680161315316592011-02-10T09:03:32.388-05:002011-02-10T09:03:32.388-05:00Wish I had the option to put my children in privat...Wish I had the option to put my children in private schools. The teachers who do bully and sadly there are more of them out there than not, make it tough for the ones who don't. It's pretty sad that when you get down to nitty gritty this is how the system is run!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-37496036000760615792011-02-10T08:59:32.174-05:002011-02-10T08:59:32.174-05:00I appreciate that Catherine Sanderson took unpopul...I appreciate that Catherine Sanderson took unpopular positions at at a time she was also seeking re-election. That's guts.<br /><br />I was a strong supporter until last year, when she used this blog to comment negatively about my daughter's 8th grade English teacher. She lost us then.<br /><br />I'm really sorry that she felt the need to throw stink bombs on her way out by suggesting that she might pull your kids from ARPS. That's her personal decision, and I don't need to know it.<br /><br />For an example of a gracious exit strategy, please read Al Gore's concession speech.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-89870807270720721922011-02-09T19:42:54.632-05:002011-02-09T19:42:54.632-05:00"The teachers....are bullies".
Anothe..."The teachers....are bullies". <br /><br />Another generalization that implicates ALL.<br />Another helpful comment on this blog that<br />furthers the divide!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-5629639298533817262011-02-09T19:30:57.895-05:002011-02-09T19:30:57.895-05:00Soooo glad I moved my kids out of the public schoo...Soooo glad I moved my kids out of the public schools several years ago. There will be no change. The teachers and administration are bullies. Best thing I ever did, get my kids out of these schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-77128892971777170782011-02-09T11:07:52.023-05:002011-02-09T11:07:52.023-05:00Anonymous 9:56 - Mike Hayes (and the superintenden...Anonymous 9:56 - Mike Hayes (and the superintendent) are aware of all the incidents. I do not know what actions are/have been taken (those are confidential personnel decisions), although my son's guidance counselor was changed (so that he is no longer with a staff member who had written an email personally attacking his mother).<br /><br />Anonymous 10:30 - thanks for the kind words. I am planning on keeping my blog up for the duration of my time on the SC (6 weeks to go!), but then will no longer keep it up. Since the purpose was to provide a way for me, as an elected official, to share my thoughts and hear questions/comments from the public, obviously it wouldn't serve that same purpose once I'm not on the SC.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-52885534387879357102011-02-09T10:30:10.858-05:002011-02-09T10:30:10.858-05:00Catherine
First I want to say how sad I am that yo...Catherine<br />First I want to say how sad I am that you will no longer be on the school committee. I believe that you are the first person who really asked the hard questions and pushed for change. I have never seen your behavior as bullying in any way and continue to be baffled by this accusation. <br /><br />Will you continue to keep this blog up? I hope so as I have found this to be a great source of information, and though people are snarky at times, a great way to communicate.<br /><br />Thank you for all you've done for our schools!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-71232416679217085652011-02-09T09:56:27.858-05:002011-02-09T09:56:27.858-05:00Catherine, if the three MS teachers behaved as you...Catherine, if the three MS teachers behaved as you said they did, that is inexcusable. Have you spoken to Mike Hayes? If so, what was the response?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-82921427842824332902011-02-09T08:06:02.149-05:002011-02-09T08:06:02.149-05:00Note: I'm posting this comment, which I edite...Note: I'm posting this comment, which I edited to eliminate a couple of slams at district personnel:<br /><br />Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My Decision: Part 2":<br /><br />As a parent with kids in the district, I have to say that every time I hear about Catherine's tone or her failure to build consensus, I want to scream.<br /><br />(And, I have to post anonymously, because if the teachers and staff can drive away an SC member and make going to school difficult for her kids, what will they do to mine?)<br /><br />Too many teachers and administrators have zero interest in consensus or compromise. They want to do what they want to do. If you question them, you're a bully. If you say anything publicly that challenges the status quo, you have bad tone.<br /><br />Teachers can threaten Catherine's kids and go after other SC members, but asking about the fact that the HS doesn't actually seem to be in compliance with state law over the study halls makes you a big fat bully. Hell, "some staff member" is famous for yelling at parents. But, if you complain about "that staff member" yelling at you, you're the bully.<br /><br />At this point, I could give a crap about the teachers' morale. They have good paying, comfortable jobs and if they immediately attack anyone asking them for even the most basic accountability, it's clear that they know that they're not really doing a very good job.<br /><br />Is that teacher basing? Sure. I'm tired of the way the teachers and administrators bash parents all the time.<br /><br />Why are Amherst teachers the only people in the world immune from criticism? And, please, don't give me the "you get more with honey" bs. Nothing, nothing, nothing the parents wanted ever happened under previous SCs when parents were polite and deferential. We got absolutely nothing with honey. So, parents helped elect Catherine and many teachers smeared her, whined about their morale and even made it difficult for her to keep her children in the schools.<br /><br />Oh, but Catherine is the problem.Catherine A. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.com