Are Our Schools In Crisis?: Bigotry

Albert Abraham Michelson
1852 - 1931

I love Westerns. Bonanza was one of my favorites. I just watched an episode that aired in 1962. It was titled, Look To The Stars.

In this espisode a school teacher refuses to recommend a young man to the Naval Academy. He is openly hostile to the young man and basically refers to  him as rowdy. Ben Cartwright is confused why the teacher will not refer the extremely intelligent and gifted young man. He decides to champion the lad even when the young man's father does not want to make waves.

Finally, Ben calls the town together and announces that he is charging the School master with bigotry. The town is outraged. They warn Mr. Cartwright of the seriousness of his charges. Ben continues on his course. He produces a slip of paper from his pocket and hands it to the teacher. He asks him if these are the youngsters that he has expelled from the school. The teacher defends himself. He claims that the boys on the list were very disruptive in school. Ben pushes on. He brings in a young Mexican boy. He asks  him where he has been attending school. The young man confesses that he attends school in his father's stable. The teacher is perplexed. Ben goes on. He asks the boy who teaches him. The boy will  not answer. So Ben answers for him. As Ben speaks the room fills up with a motley crew of young men. They are all from different cultures. None of them are white.



Albert Abraham Michelson was the teacher. He was the young man that was generally endangering everyone with his experiments with light. The children had gotten together and decided that they did not need the adults who were hell bent on separating them because of their differences. Albert Abraham Michaelson gathered all of the Native Americans, Asians, Mexicans and anyone else that the School Master had refused to teach, because they did not look like him, in the stables of the Mexican stable boy's father. He was their teacher. The School Master was very embarassed and started to leave. Ben asked him to stay. The town did not want to keep him, because they were now embarassed. Ben asked them to be understanding, because we all have some prejudices in us.

Albert's father was the first to accept the teacher back. He explained that in his faith folks are allowed their mistakes. Albert Abraham was Jewish and had quite possibly established the very first Charter school in order to fight the injustices in Public Education that he saw in his town. This story is based on a true story. Albert Abraham Michelson did go on to the Naval Academy.  He also won the Nobel Prize in 1907 for his work in the field of Phyics. 

Business is thriving.   "How are the children?"

Photo from Nobel Lectures, Physics 1901-1921, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1967

 "Albert A. Michelson - Biography". Nobelprize.org. 10 Jun 2011 http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1907/michelson-bio.html

This episode of Bonanza was supposed to have aired in 1962. I was a Bonanza addict and do not know how I could have missed it. It is well worth the watch and does a good job of exposing and examining bigotry in the west.

Are Our Schools In Crisis?: Will The Real Avid Stand Up!

June 10, 2011

Dear Dr. Carlisle,

On May 24, 2011 I emailed Ms. Martinez regarding the appearance of a notation on PowerSchool from Elizabeth Cifuentes citing a "Signed Letter of AVID Cancellation" (see attached emails). In my email I stated that I was not contacted regarding a letter of cancellation and inquired what this was about and requesting a meeting with you to discuss. During a meeting two weeks ago with Ms. Seitel, she asked if Elijah was reapplying to AVID. I stated that as far as I knew there was no requirement to reapply to AVID. When Elijah applied for AVID last year, it was explained to me that there was the one-time application and that it was a 2-year program. Ms. Seitel did not offer me an application at that time, but merely responded that she didn't know that.

Ms. Martinez replied to my email (see below) and asked if Ms. Seitel had responded and I stated that she had not. When I stopped into your office on Tuesday with Lucy Walker, I asked Ms. Martinez about the appointment and she scheduled a meeting with you for next week.

Elijah brought home the attached notification from Mr. Murphy stating that Elijah did not take his AVID application for next fall semester and requesting a signature endorsing this. It states that this was discussed at the May AVID Parent Task Force meeting which I did not attend as it was planned on the same night as the EPSD board meeting.
I learned at tonight's school concert that an AVID meeting for parents was held yesterday, Wednesday, June 8, 2011. The parent I spoke with stated that the invitation for this meeting was mailed to the parents of IVY and AVID students. She also stated that the AVID parents expressed dissatisfaction with the AVID program. I believe that my exclusion from the meeting was intentional. This is not the first time that I have been excluded from AVID parent meetings. Mr. Murphy works with Mrs. Robertson on these meetings. Mrs. Robertson is the head of the AVID PTO and also works at Janis E. Dismus in the library. There is a conflict of interest there.

I saw Mr. Murphy at the concert tonight and inquired about my exclusion from the AVID meeting. Mr. Murphy stated that the invitations came from the district and not from the school. I've had the same address in this district for the last 16 years. I also informed Mr. Murphy that Elijah did not receive an AVID application. He stated that the students were told that the applications must be picked up by them, filled out with their teachers and returned to the school. He stated that the teachers fill the applications out with the students. If this was the case, why didn't anyone notice that Elijah did not have one. At what point will the teachers be held responsible for doing their jobs. Absent still from the AVID program is organization, communication with parents, and teacher participation - all of which were promised at the beginning of the school year.
At our last meeting with the teachers and yourself, I voiced my experiences of poor teacher communication. This is a major example of what I was referring to. I never received notification from Mr. Murphy, Ms. Cifuentes, Ms. Seitel or Mr. Alarcon regarding the reapplication requirement. I sent an email cc:ing Ms. Seitel asking what the mention of AVID cancellation letter on PowerSchool meant. No response from Ms. Seitel was received.

Elijah's exclusion from the AVID application process is harassment. Mr. Sumler's and my rights as parents have been denied by excluding us from the AVID meetings. This neglect is direct retaliation against Elijah, an 11 year old, because of my complaints regarding the way the AVID program was implemented this year. The AVID program has not been implemented as outlined by the national AVID program. The teachers do not work as a team. Ms. Cifuentes told me that this was not the fault of the teachers but of the administration because no time had been allocated for the teachers for collaboration with each other. That is not the fault of the students. It was a poorly delivered program this year. That does not mean that I want to withdraw Elijah or that he should be denied admission by not giving him an application. The AVID program should be fixed. If implemented properly, the program has value. This program was made for students exactly like Elijah. Elijah deserves and has a right to a good, fair and equal education.

The Englewood Public School District is notorious for leaving children back unnecessarily, wrongly placing children into Special Education programs and having them categorized as Special Needs. It is no mere coincidence that I have three (3) sons and at some point in each child’s educational career in Englewood, it has been suggested that they either needed to be left back or placed in special education. When placed in the Catholic School or private sector, they excelled, sometimes honors. What is it that the private schools can do that the public school can not. It is not smaller class sizes. Their classes are larger. Many of their teachers are not certified. What is the difference?

My work week starts tomorrow so I am unavailable and will be unable to visit your office until next week. Mr. Sumler, Lucy Walker and possibly Elijah's godmother - Sheila Petty will accompany me.

Thank you.

Donna Sumler

(AVID Parents: I have written a letter to the National AVID center requesting an Assessment of Englewood's version of the program.  Contact AVID yourselves.)

Are Our Schools In Crisis?: Questions, Questions

FYI: A Board Resolution that documents Dr. Donald Carlisle's present relationship with the Englewood School District
WHEREAS, the city of Englewood Board of Education appointed Richard Segall as the superintendent of Schools commencing on October 9, 2009 and ending on June 30, 2015, and
WHEREAS, Dr Segall tendered his resignation in anticipation of retirement effective June 30, 2011, which was accepted by the Board at a public meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Educaiton and Dr. Segall have agreed that it is in the best interests of the parties and the community they serve to appoint a new Superintent as soon as possible and to provide the new Superintendent with a meaningful transition period, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Segall voluntarily accepted his reassignment to the positon of Assistant Superintendent to be effective upon the appointment of a new Superintendent until his retirement on June 30, 2011, and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that effective December 31, 2010, Dr Segall shall revert to the position of Assistant Superintendent and shall be assigned tasks consistent with the duties and responsibilities historically assigned to that position over the preceding six years and with the recognition that Dr. Segall shall exit the District on June 30, 2011.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the terms and conditions set forth in Dr.Segall's employment contract as Superintendent shall remain effective for the duration of his employment as Assistant Superintendent; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its Board Secretary and Attorney to take all actions necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that a successor Superintendent is not appointed on or before December 31, 2011, this resolution shall not take effect until such time as a successor Superintendent is appointed, but in no event shall the effective date of Dr. Segall's resignation/retirement be otherwise altered, amended or modified by virture of this Resolution.
                                                            RESOLUTION #2
BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Englewood Board of Education that Donald Carlisle is hereby appointed as Superintendent of Schools, effective December 31, 2010 through June 30, 2015, according to terms and conditions (including salary) to be set forth in an employment contract to be negotiated between the parties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the employment contract between the parties shall be expressly contingent upon being approved by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools and shall be approved by the Board at a public meeting only after approval by the Executive County Superintendent is secured, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED  that the Board authorizes its Attorney to draft a contract according to the terms that shall be negotiated by the parties and that is compliant with the Accountability Regulations as set forth in N.J.A.C.6A:23A-1, et seq.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that the either: (1) the Board and Mr. Carlisle fail to come to a meeting of the minds with regard to the terms and conditions of employment; or (2) the Executive County Superintendent does not approve the contract between the Board and Mr. Carlisle that contains terms/conditions deemed to be required by Mr. Carlisle and/or the Board, this Resolution shall be void
ab initio and without force or effect.

This post attempts to answer the same question as an earlier one.

Does the Englewood School District have a Chief School Administrator or not?

NOT!!!

An update of Englewood Board of Education's stand on the state's order to reduce Dr. Donald K. Carlisle's salary to CAP and to submit a corrected contract for approval. 

"The board has never submitted a superintendent contract for my review and approval compliant with regulations despite my numerous requests to the board, and has thereby persistently flouted and disregarded the law of New Jersey," Gilmartin wrote in the Nov. 17 letter.

Well, there you go Mr. Gilmartin. The persistently flouting continues. The disregarding the laws of the State of New Jersey also continues. One question. In regard to all of the actions that have been taken since this farce began, will there be some type of do over? The law does state that they may not take any actions...Oh the irony.

Meanwhile Englewood is left without:

• A Superintendent
• An Assistant Superintendent
• A Business Administrator
• A Board Secretary
• An Attendance Officer
• A Board of Education that follows the law and functions to insure that all children are provided with a thorough and efficient education. That Each May Learn.

                       How are the children?

Are Our Schools In Crisis?: What is a TASK FORCE?

The article below was reprinted word for word from the njea Association newspaper for May 2011

Governor creates mandate task force

Governor Chris Christie has signed yet another executive order, this one creating the Education Transformation Task Force. The group has been asked to study education regulaltions with an eye toward giving greater flexibility to administrators.

     The task force is charged with completing a comprehensive and thorough review of all current administrative regulations that affect public education and providing recommendations to the governor that further the goals of:

• increasing quality of instruction and academic acheivement for students
• improving teaching and educator effectiveness within schools
• improving the saftey and well-being of students
• sensibly eliminating or reforming those regulations that are found to be unnecessary, overly burdensome, or not conducive to an efficient and flexible classroom environment

     Although no individuals have been named at press time, the group is supposed to include at least one teacher, a principal, and a superintendent. Among its charges, the Education Transformation Task Force will examine the Quality Single Accountability Continuum regulations known as QSAC. Currently, schools must file reports that deal with more than 300 indicators of a school's performance.

     The task force's initial report, with its recommendations to the governor, is to be completed by August 15. At that time, the group will take comments from the public, the N.J. State Board of Education and education stakeholders. Its final report would be due before the end of the calendar year.

William A. Walker Sr.
He marched with
Adam Clayton Powell,
Rev. Goodman,  Malcolm X
and many others,
less known and some still
alive, in an attempt to
INTEGRATE
the Englewood Schools.
How do you think he
would feel knowing that
his great granddaughter's
high school is
segregated?

I am sitting here wondering what is different about the Education Transformation Task Force. Right now a small group of people are making decisions that affect the larger group. It does not seem from the description that this group would change anything for our children. The tone of it actually suggests that the Chief Administrative Officers will have even more responsibility. We certainly put a lot of confidence in the ability of one man. What makes a good Superintendent? What makes a good principal? Shouldn't the people who have the most power be evaluated by the people they serve, who by the way, also pay their salaries?

That Education Transformation Task Force sounds more than a little

scary to me. Mark your calendars for Aug. 15th.  We don't want to miss our chance to comment.

"HOW ARE THE CHILDREN?"

Our educators are no longer asking, "how are the children?" They are asking, "how is business?"

Are Our Schools In Crisis?: What is Title I?

Title I -  is a federally funded program designed to improve the academic achievement of poor and disadvantaged children in elementary and secondary schools. It originated with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.   Englewood New Jersey gets it's share of Title I funds. We must begin to monitor how the money is being spent. They would not qualify for these funds if low income families did not live here. Why do the low income families NOT benefit from federal monies meant to help their children?

A proud Grandma poses with
the sons of 2 of her sons.

Values Education - Transmission of values, such as respect for others, civility, empathy, and fairness. Also known as character education or ethics education.    You will not find any values education in Englewood. Englewood elite have shown themselves to be of poor character and have generally demonstrated an ignorance of ethics.

Englewood is a Title I school district. This means that it receives a large sum of money that is meant to help the children of low income families get the same educational advantages as everyone else. In other towns, it is well documented that this money is used to maintain remedial Reading and Math programs for economically disadvantaged children.

Where is Englewood School District's Title I Reading Program? Attend the June 16, 2011 School board meeting at 8pm Liberty School. Find out why this program no longer exists in Englewood.

Where is Englewood School District's Title I Math Program?

Where will you find graduates of Dwight Morrow High School concentrated if they attend college?
Check one close to home and you will see that they are concentrated in the Remedial Reading and Math classes. Englewood's education system has failed them. It sent them off without the tools they needed to survive in college or in the world of work. What type of VALUES EDUCATION ARE WE IMPARTING TO OUR CHILDREN? WHY IS ENGLEWOOD SYSTEMATICALLY NOT EDUCATING ALL CHILDREN?

Did you read today's Record? The surrounding towns have Academies and they are integrated into the general population. They had one set of King & Queen of the Prom in each school. They had one set of Valedictorins in each school. Check the papers for yourselves. Englewood looks very bad right about now.

New Jersey State Department of Education, are you listening? Are you reading the newspapers? Englewood Parents & Students need your help.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FAIL!

"How are the children?"