Where 'O' Where is Our Attendance Officer?

"Parent Liaisons" Are NOT ATTENDANCE OFFICERS and we are not BERGEN ACADEMY...This perpetual denial is harming our children that you have sworn to protect.

I arrived in Englewood August 22, 1967. My Grandma lived in the attic of the house on the corner of Jay and Humphrey across the street from the Blue Moon. When I entered school that year one of the first things I learned was to stay off the street if you were not going to school. I never worried about it much, because I loved school, that is, until I moved to Englewood. I grew up in a farm community. The entire country depended on the produce that came out of Warren County, North Carolina. For that reason, we were never penalized for non attendance for the months of September and October. My report card had a giant X drawn through those 2 months. I couldn't wait to go to school. It was our only entertainment.

Dwight Morrow was an enigma to me. My 7th grade teacher had been very involved in the "Civil Rights Movement" and taught us a lot about the ways of folks up North. I thought I was prepared. Nothing could have prepared me to be the new girl at DMHS. I needed an attorney before I could even be registered. My Grandma was basically a functional illiterate and did not have a clue. Reverand Goodman of First Baptist Church was her advisor. He sent us to a lawyer named Sidney Dinsin. (last name spelling may be incorrect) His office was directly across the street from Woolworth's (now Victoria's Secret) My Grandma gave me a slip of paper with his address and the rest was up to me. Mr. Dinsin counseled me and drew up the papers that were sent South for my Mother to sign. He told me about the attendance policy and about the man who worked that job at the time. He said he was a friend of his and warned me that I should not cut school. I don't know how true that was, but I had never met a lawyer before so I took him seriously.

Our attendance officer was no joke. How did I know that? Everyone, and I do mean everyone took their cutting seriously. There were no children hanging out on the streets during school hours. At that time I did not know all that Mr. Wright did, but I do remember the respect that he was accorded.

The attendance officer in Teaneck reminds me of him. Al is a retired policeman that everyone takes seriously. Even though he is the enforcer, he is still well liked. There are stories of him watching kids get on buses under the Margaret street bridge and following them to New York where he meets  them at the bus. He has been known to return them to school and visit their homes. Teachers have been known to speak to him about missing students who show up in a shamefaced way later. Englewood needs that type of Attendance Officer now. No has to tell me that the "Credit Recovery Program" is filled with children who do not go to class or who are constantly truant. I live on a street that connects to a popular through way for kids leaving school. It is generally quite busy, especially when the weather warms in spring. There are no final exams to worry about. Students are basically cruising until released for the summer. Every little bit helps. State law requires that every school have an Attendance officer. It might also help to have formal final exams.

18A:32-32. District and county vocational school attendance officers

		For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this article, the board of education of each school district and the board of education of each county vocational school shall appoint a suitable number of qualified persons to be designated as attendance officers, and shall fix their compensation; except that if a county attendance officer or officers are appointed for any county, any district board of education of such county may be exempt from the appointment of a local attendance officer if such exemption is approved by the county superintendent. Each board shall make rules not inconsistent with the provisions of this article and subject to the approval of the commissioner, for the government of the attendance officers. Not only is there no attendance officer, I do not see any indication that our board of education is even aware of the fact that children may NOT legally drop out of school at age 16 anymore. The new age is 18. It has been detemined that this might help students become more prepared for the workforce once no longer in school. Follow the link below to the new law. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A1000/869_I1.HTM  It seems that this bill is still not Law. One can only hope. Why is the Board of Education NOT following the letter of the law in this matter? Perhaps an old time Attendance Officer would be a valuable addition to the school district. I do realize that we have what we have named "Parent Liasions". I must ask, how is that working out? Not well, it seems. Is that title a state approved one for someone who serves as the Attendance Officer? How are the children?

Where 'O' Where is the Guidance Department?

Does anyone else find it unusual or strange that the Englewood Board of Education just hired a counseling service (Jonni Sayres and Associates - College Counseling Services) when we have trained guidance personnel? Why, oh why are we spending $400 a day to provide college counseling services to Dwight Morrow High School and Academies@Englewood seniors in order to reach the district’s goal of 100% of graduating seniors completing and submitting college applications. And why, oh why did we wait until they were seniors to begin preparing these students. And why, oh why is that even a goal? Are 100% of our seniors even interested in going to college? What about the students' goals? Do they know that they have a choice? Have they been introduced to the varying career opportunities available to students who are not college bound? By the time a student is a senior, his/her guidance counselor should have a pretty good idea what that student wants to do. A conversation should have even taken place with the student, guidance counselor and  parent by this time. Oh, and 2 more questions. Who pays for the application process? What schools are being targeted? Okay, 3 more questions. Who selects the colleges?

This summer, there was a freshmen enrichment program that was supposedly created to prepare 9th graders for the high school. Of course the application had a box at the bottom where parents were expected to circle whether the 9th grader was a DMHS student or an Academy Program Student. Why the distinction?

Why is it that we do not have full year freshmen seminar classes for all 9th graders? Jonni Sayres' services would be better utilized and we would probably get our money's worth  if we started to prepare our students earlier in their high school career, like other high schools. Perhaps if the school guidance counselor was doing more than warming a seat behind a desk while we outsource their services fewer students would need a credit recovery program. Full year freshman seminar should be a requirement for all students. Bring in Jonni Sayre's College Counseling Services when they are freshmen. You just might find out something about what our students want and what they are good at. It is time to begin focusing on what our students do well instead of focusing on their weaknesses. The district is literally breeding students with poor self esteem. By the way, that was the first reason on a list of reasons why a student would be sent to the punitive Alternative School that is being proposed. (A little Title I reading and math might help a lot. It might just keep them out of remedial reading and math once they enter college, if they decide that is what they wish to do. It might also keep them out of that orange jumpsuit.)

I recently sat through a board meeting where Dr. Carlisle and Ms. Y. Sheard spoke of something called a credit recovery program. This program seemed to be originating in the Athletic Department. What are we doing here? Is a coach more qualified to counsel and guide students than the school guidance counselor? I think not. What is at work here? What do guidance counselors in the Englewood School District do if they are not involved in helping students get the credits needed to graduate from high school? Most students don't even know what is required to graduate without the guidance counselor. Why is there a college career center at the high school if guidance and counseling  services are being outsourced? What is the job description of a guidance counselor in Englewood? Why is guidance being devalued in a town where it is most needed? 

In schools where guidance actually functions a student has the same counselor from 9th grade to 12th grade. The counselor is held responsible for making sure that his/her students have the required credits for graduation. Any help they get from the coaches is extra and usually only comes if the student is heavily involved in sports. So what is the job of the guidance counselor in Englewood? Health and Physical Education credentials do not qualify a person to function as a guidance counselor in any other district.

A lot of lip service is given to preparing students, but I see a severe lack of student involvement. I see students being used to achieve what adults think they should want. I do not see any sign that student A might decide that he/she wants to try an honors course and that student A would actually be allowed to try it. If high expectations really existed, students would be encouraged to take honors classes. We all know that they are not. They are constantly being reminded that they are not good enough. They are constantly reminded that another group of students deserves all of the services.

6A:9-13.8 School counselor (New Jersey Administrative Code)

The school counselor endorsement authorizes the holder to perform schoolcounseling services such as study and assessment of individual pupils with respect to their status, abilities, interest and needs; counseling with administrators, teachers, students, and parents regarding personal, social, educational, and vocational plans and programs; and developing cooperative  

relationships with community agencies in assisting children and families. The certificate holder is authorized to perform these duties in grades preschool through 12.

Comprehensive Health & Physical Education (pages 118 - 119)

i. Health education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to

teach health education in all public schools;

ii. Health and physical education: This endorsement authorizes the

holder to teach health and physical education in all public

schools;

iii. Physical education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to

teach physical education in all public schools; and

iv. Swimming and water safety instructor: This endorsement

authorizes the holder to teach swimming, diving and water safety

in all public schools.

One should note that by "law" these 2 certifications or endorsements do not overlap in any manner. One cannot become a school guidance counselor with Health & Physical Education, Math, or any other certification than the one listed above.  If a board of education allows this, they are in violation of the School Ethics Code that they swore to uphold. The very first one, as noted below.

(Copied word for word from the School Ethics Act)

I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.

Where 'O' where is Guidance in Englewood?   Oh, and how are the children?

Who Will Take the Heat for The Failure of The Englewood School System?

When attending school board meetings in Englewood, New Jersey, one must learn to read between the lines.  The Superintendent’s Report is usually a dramatic monologue that accomplishes very little except alienation of the public. The strategy is to waste as much time as possible, then tolerate comments from the public that you address for a few seconds at the next board meeting. For instance, at the July 21, 2011 meeting a very important issue was ignored. Why was Yvonne Sheard speaking as Athletic Director in charge of the Health and Physical Education Department? Does this department even exist?  She is not recognized as an Athletic Director by the state of NJ?  Sheard has a CE principal’s credential. This Credential simply lets one seek employment. Once one is employed the district must apply for and issue a Provisional Certificate that allows one to work while acquiring the standard certificate. It only takes 12 credits to become Supervisor, so what is the hold up? If higher standards are being set for students, expectations must also be set higher for teachers and administrators.  Certifications are minimum basic requirements.

Another thing, if one really cares about the academic achievement of athletes, one will not coerce already academically challenged individuals into playing a sport every season. An athlete should not feel pressured to compete in any other than the sport he/she has a passion. Did not a young man injure himself playing football and had to endure surgery with the fear that he would not be able to compete during track season? He was nearly shut out of the sport that he loves? How much better would he have done academically and in his chosen sports activity had he sat out football season. We will never know if he would have run faster and jumped higher had he focused more on academics and training for his sport of choice?

After the drama is over we get to the parade. A bevy of usually Barbie type females are paraded before the board of education and the public. Most are novice teachers without the permanent standard certifications that are required by state law.

To anyone who normally attends school board meetings, take out a couple of your old agendas and turn to the tabs where new hires are presented to the board of education. Anywhere you see the abbreviations of CE, CEAS or the words Provisional Certificate, you shall understand that that person is NOT fully certificated by the laws of the State of New Jersey.  Student teaching is an invaluable experience that should not be skipped on the way to becoming permanently certificated.  Even former students are beginning to notice the inequity of education in districts that need highly qualified teachers the most.

As parents and taxpayers, the New Jersey Administrative Code should become your friend. It is the vehicle that allows No Child Left Behind to function for the benefit of ALL the students. http://nj.gov/education/code/   Make sure you examine both current rules and proposed rules, because things are changing.

The district must also provide mentoring for all novice teachers. In most townships, this internship has a component that is called the Alternate Route. Some Districts even have an Alternate Route Coordinator. If one checks the BOE agendas, one will find the abbreviations of CE, and CEAS listed beside candidates for employment in the school system. The district has the responsibility to make sure that each teacher or administrator fulfills state requirements for certification.

Equity - It should be noted that on the July 21, 2011 agenda, a candidate for the job of principal of Janis E. Dismus middle school is listed as having a CE principal credential. The salary listed is more than veteran, certificated, highly qualified principals with nearly 20 years in the district are making. The school this person lead had less than 100 students.  This type of hiring serves to undermine veteran administrators already in the district.  No Child Left Behind gives parents the right to question and demand action in cases where teachers or administrators do not have the required certificates. These certifications cannot be arbitrarily handed over by local school board members or by Superintendents who also hold CE credentials.  

Authority - It is not within the power of the Board of Education to bestow permanent certifications upon personnel as if knighting a nobleman in the feudal times of History. Our Athletic Director may not legally observe and evaluate any instructional staff without the required certifications. This means that the person we are calling an AD cannot by law run the Department of Health and Physical Education. The board president is NOT empowered to give her this power. At the moment she is a glorified scheduler of athletic events and activities. She does not have a staff and does not warrant an assistant. Children of the AD’s cheering squad will benefit more from a fully certificated, highly qualified Athletic Director.  Help your children. Advise your friends to become fully certificated. Do you think it is okay for your child to be shortchanged in the classroom as long as it is done by a friend of yours?

A person with a Bachelor’s in Business cannot just begin to teach the Culinary Arts without proper certification in that area. The same goes for dance, drama, music, visual arts, social studies, Math, etc. Teachers must be certified within the subjects they teach. Parents and community members must become more aware of whom they entrust the education of the Village children.

Accountability - To make matters worse, a Director of Curriculum and Instruction has been appointed and is being called 3^rd in command of the school district. We must point out here that we do not have a 2^nd or 1^st in command as of yet, since Dr. Carlisle’s contract has not been approved by the state. The person in charge of all Title I, Title II, Title III, and No Child Left Behind grant implementation does not have the proper certification and has been in the district nearly 10 years. Do we now know why there are no Title I Reading or Math classes? Do we know why there is no curriculum in the Englewood school district? Is there instruction? How many children do you think are being left behind? Look beneath the smoke people. Non-compliance with state codes and certification requirements short changes all of the children.

Motives of this writer – It was recently suggested that I had persons in mind to take the jobs that I insist should not be filled entirely with Barbie type white women. It should be made clear at this moment that I do not have any personal relationships with any staff members. I do not have any friends waiting to apply for positions in the Englewood School District. My professional acquaintances avoid Englewood like the plague. Englewood is famous for not having a curriculum, which means that there is no already established map of curriculum. My concerns are with the students. They deserve the best quality certificated teachers and administrators available. New teachers click here for specific instructions on how to enter the Alternate Route Program.

CE:  Certificate of Eligibility - (CE) means a credential with lifetime validity issued to persons who have completed degree, academic study and applicable test requirements for certification. The CE permits the applicant to seek and accept employment in positions requiring certification.

CEAS: Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - means a credential with lifetime validity issued to persons who have completed degree, academic study, applicable test requirements and traditional professional preparation programs for certification. The CEAS permits the applicant to seek and accept employment in positions requiring certification.

Provisional Certificate - means a two-year certificate issued to candidates who have met the requirements for initial employment but who have not yet met the requirements for standard certification. Provisional certificates are issued to newly-employed instructional, administrator, and educational services staff who are employed as part of a State-approved district training program or residency leading to standard certification. Provisional certificates are also issued to initially-employed educational  services staff who have at least one year, but less than three years, of successful full time experience or the equivalent in another state under that state’s standard certificates.

Up To $55 million in School Improvement Grant Funds To Help Improve Nine Low Performing Schools

Trenton, NJ – Acting Education Commissioner Christopher D. Cerf announced today the selection of nine low-performing schools that will be eligible for up to $55 million in federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) dollars. These funds are in addition to more than $850 million that Governor Christie added to district budgets across the state this year. These nine schools will each implement a federally-approved school improvement model. Final award amounts will be negotiated and announced in August

http://www.state.nj.us/education/news/2011/0727sig.htm

Information is Key

At the risk of sounding redundant. The New Jersey Department of Education's official Web site is the gateway to NJ information and services for parents, educators, students, teachers, superintendents, businesses and other taxpaying public. ...

It has the information we ALL need to battle bullying, poor teachers, poor administrators, poor board members, and poor government involvement in education in a righteous effort to uphold the constitution of the state of NJ and of the United States of America..

Please visit often and spend more time there. And yes, I'm so glad to be an American.

Are Our Schools In Crisis?: Putting It On the Line

"While there has been a litigation movement aimed at integrating the schools, there never has been a Civil Rights Movement around the issue of public education in this nation. We have struggled and died for equal toilets and lunch counters, the right to sit where we want on public conveyances and the right to vote, but never have we put it all on the line for the right of our children to be humanely and decently educated." 

Rose Sanders

http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/care.html