Tuesday, February 7, 2012

We Would Like to See More of You

To the person redesigning the EPSD site. 


All teachers and staff should be encouraged/required to fill in their profiles.  Profiles should include a recent photo. I applaud those who have already done so. You know who you are. This is what is called true transparency. 


For those of you who have NOT done this:
Write your biography with certifications. Be proud of what  you have done with your career. It also gives us more confidence in you, your experience and abilities.


HIGH SCHOOL STAFF ESPECIALLY
We have been told that you opted out of parent conferences. We are told that we communicate on the computer and that is enough. Filling out your profile actually gives us a face to connect with the name. Even when there are no apparent problems, it is best that we have an image of you. We hope that you feel the same. Sometimes we feel as if our children are being taught by strangers. It is scary enough to hear that strangers may be coming to the various offices once select staff has been outsourced.


Staff & Security: It also gives us familiar faces to trust when we drop off our children and grandchildren.


              How are the children?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Celebrate 100 Years at the Ideal Elks Lodge In Englewood, NJ

Black History is being made everyday. In February, it just gets more attention. Teach your children the history of their ancestors every single day of the year. 
Meet and greet "your organizations"
Lite Buffet, Music & Program Presentations
All organizations and concerned citizens are invited and encouraged to bring business cards and brochures.
17 Bennett Road Englewood, NJ
$10 donation
Join us in Celebrating a year long Birthday Party and Centennial Celebration of our Elks Lodge 
.Our Lodge...is a two and a half story building constructed around 1912. We are celebrating our Centennial in 2012, as a local Lodge for the Fraternal Order of the Elks. This information is documented by the Englewood Historical Society and archived by the Englewood Public Library. This very interesting building combines features of several early 20th century styles and is therefore difficult to place stylistically.
From decorative window panes to its large wrap around porch, it is a visually prominent edifice. Home to ‘traditions bearers’,The Elks Lodge has been home to a wide variety of creative and artistic responses to life in Englewood, focusing on being home to first

generation Fourth Warders and their daughters, sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The Lodge became home and the place to go to for help to African Americans who migrated here, to Englewood New Jersey, with strong southern roots.

It should be noted here that this is the second location for the Ideal Elks Lodge that supported African American families who migrated here. The first one was located on Humphrey St. near Lincoln School and across the street from Black & White Taxi Cab.

From The Book of Englewood by Adaline Wheelock Sterling...pages 259-262 "...1910...It is to be noted also that the Englewood Lodge of the Elks, on January 10th, purchased property for a club house on Bennett  Road, with an eye to future anniversaries. The Hospital Fair in October added $4,000 to the treasury of the institution..."
17 Bennett Road, Englewood, New Jersey

The doors open at 4pm. All are welcome. Bring your business
cards and fliers. We are one Community.
This majestic building stands as testament to the endurance of African Americans. It is in need of repair, so is the solidarity within our community. Join with us on February 26, at 4pm to celebrate. the First Community Organization Day.  For more information please click here.
Special Invited Guests:
NAACP Bergen County: President: Anthony Cureton
Bergen County Relief Center Director: Derek Boone
English Realty: Ronald & Joanne English Rollieson
Women's Rights Center: Susan Grey Burr
Encounters in Black Traditions - Digital Media Consultant: Samuel Lee, Jr.
Urban League For Bergen County: President of Bd. of Directors: Renard Wright

September 4, 2011, The Elks, Shiloh Lodge, American Legion and the Jabari Society came together to honor one of their own. He was a member of all the above organizations and worked to help the youth of Englewood. It is hoped that these organizations will carry on the tradition of working together in order to serve as an example to the larger community. The photographs on this page were taken at that event.










On this day, the children were well
Let it be so
Forever more.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Food For Thought: African American History Month #1

John Marrant
...Let us then beware of such a selfishness as pursues pleasure at the expense of our neighbor's happiness, and renders us indifferent to his peace and welfare; and such a self-love is the parent of disorder and the source of all those evils that divide the world and destroy the peace of mankind....

From: " A sermon: Preached on June 24, 1789: Being the Festival of St. John the Baptist, at the request of the Right Worshipful The Grand Master, Prince Hall, & the Rest of the Brethren of the African Lodge #459 of the Honorable Society of Free & Accepted Masons, in Boston." by John Marrant

John Marrant (June 15, 1755 – April 15, 1791) was one of the first African-American preachers and missionaries. He wrote three books about his experiences as a preacher. Wikipedia

What Does the Public Miss When They DO NOT ATTEND EPSD Meetings?

Special Public Board Meeting - Monday, January 30, 2012

This was the lightest agenda that I have seen to date, but the meeting was not any shorter for the paper saved. Time was definitely wasted as usual.
The Chinese are coming.
It started with a panel discussion of how and when to handle the 20 Chinese students who will visit the district in the Spring or Summer. Port Chester was mentioned a lot. It was not clear why. Perhaps it was a way of demonstrating that more time was needed to prepare for the visit. During the course of this panel discussion, it was clear that more planning is needed. Much more planning is needed before bringing in 20 students who must live in the homes of Englewood residents. They will all attend McCloud Elementary School for 8 days. Some time in the future Englewood will send students to China. (Somehow this is not a trip that I would want my child taking.) Many decisions must be made and agreed upon before finalizing the particulars of this visit.
School Board Elections
After some discussion of whether to change school board elections to November, a vote was taken. They voted to keep the elections in April. It seems George Garrison and Henry Pruitt were the only ones in favor of moving the elections to November. (Dr. Carlisle was clearly in favor of the move. It is good that he does not get a vote.) Henry Pruitt waffled, as usual. It is difficult to determine where Mr. Pruitt stands on many issues. He was ambivalent, again. When will Mr. Pruitt realize that sitting cross-legged on the fence does not encourage people who have supported him every single election to vote in his favor again? One must take a stand for something or continue to fall for everything.
The High School Musical
There was an overwhelming NO vote not to bring in an outside choreographer that the Director of the musical simply could not do without. Was this position posted? Probably not. We have a great young choreographer working with Dr. Hollander. She is the one who has put more pep in the step of the color guard and choreographed the steps for the 80th Birthday Celebration at DMHS. She already has a good relationship with the students and has demonstrated the ability to get them to work hard and produce. Now about this musical. Why is there no budget for the musical?  The musical director and the director were the only positons that appeared in an earlier agenda. The Musical should be a draw for the community and all positions should be posted in district first.  In Teaneck, anyone who auditions, gets a part someplace in the production. This practice is good for the students and sells more tickets. The Musical may never support itself, but the loss should not be so great that one does not want to see it listed on the agenda. It will never earn anything significant without a commitment from the district and the community.

High School Musicals generally include the following positions: All of the positions are posted within the district. People from outside are hired for specialties not covered from within.

  • Producer/Director (2 entirely different set of duties, but are combined sometimes)
  • Musical Director (The Orchestra is generally directed and conducted by the Instrumental music teacher)
  • Vocal Music Director (the chorus teacher - if they apply)
  • Choreographer (the dance teacher - if they apply)
  • Set Designer/ (Sometimes combined with Tech director)
  • Technical Director (This person might come from outside. Few districts have this specialty included even within the Theatre Department. May include lighting and sound design)
  • Costume Designer/Wardrobe Mistress - (This person should be able to sew in order to cut down on costume rental costs. Wardrobe Mistress position is sometimes earned by a diligent student proficient in that area. This area is sorely lacking in Englewood. The spectacle that is created at this point is less than impressive.)
  • Rehearsal Pianist - (Sometimes done by musical director, but is more effective time management if conducted by another person.)
  • Production Stage Manager - (Most of the time this is an unpaid position and is given to a student. It is a valid job that pays in the real world)
  • Dance Captain - (Also an unpaid position usually given to a deserving student. It is also a valid position that exists in the real world. Works closely with the choreographer.)
Many of the positions listed above train students for positions/careers in the real world. Students from Teaneck who are working in real world Theatrical/Arts positions today got their first training while participating in the production of the high school musical.


Englewood spends most of the money on the first 2 positions. That is gluttony and selfishness on the part of the two people who claim those positions. It also demonstrates an ignorance of the theatrical production process on the part of the Superintendent and Board of Education. $30 an hour. Wow! The people who negotiated that hourly wage for working on the Musical should negotiate for the EQUITY of instruction at the high school. When working as Costume Designer or Choreographer of the Musical in Teaneck, my hourly wage was probably less than $5 an hour. I did not love the salary, but I enjoyed working with the students and watching the final product in performance. I am not seeing evidence that a Career Cluster exists anywhere on campus for the Fine & Performing Arts. This is tragic and shows a gross oversight on the part of the BOE since the Arts are a proven attraction/Magnet for people of all races, religions and socio-economic groups.
Bullying & Harassment Law
The board voted to write a letter to rescind the support of the Allamuchy Complaint about the Bullying and Harassment Law. This is good. Hopefully they will continue to alleviate any existing problems of bullying among students and staff in the district.
The School Board Meeting Agenda
Some time was spent arguing over a point that never would have been a problem if the agendas were completed in a more detailed manner. Mr. Garrison objected to After-School Tutoring compensation, because the agenda did not make it clear that the tutoring is intended to help prepare Elementary school students who have previously scored poorly on the NJASK. The Business Administrator pointed out that the monies are being taken from a Title I account and does not cost the district. Englewood is a Title I district and a certain amount of money must be used to help Title I students learn to take these standardized tests successfully. This writer is just glad that the preparation for the test is to begin now instead of two weeks prior to the test. (like last year) The point is that this information should have been included on the agenda.  It is my hope that the students have already been identified and the parents are on board and fully aware of when and why this tutoring will take place.   (It should be noted that I agree with Mr. Glenn Garrison that the same teachers who failed to teach the students the information and strategies needed to pass the test should NOT be paid extra to tutor them.)
A@E Testing
Mrs. Shirley Smith objected to A@E Test Proctors being paid the $30 hourly wage. I too, wonder where this is coming from. This type of testing is generally done by guidance. Are these out of town students? Regardless of where the students are now, the testing task should be completed by guidance during the school day. There is no logical reason for this added expense.
Outsourcing of Staff
Now to the really wild stuff. Why was the RFP left off the agenda? Take a wild guess. Of course. You are right. They did not want all of the secretaries, nurses, or paraprofessionals present when they voted to outsource their jobs. This vote was a unanimous YES. Why? These are the lowest paid employees in the district. Leen Mosley spoke up again in a very informed and concerned way about outsourcing these positions. Her concerns were valid, should be taken seriously by the BOE and should be heard by more parents in the entire community.  Very Sneaky, BOE.
Grieco School and Parental Visitations
Lastly.  What the heck is going on at Grieco School? It seems that parents are not welcome. Why do parents have to request permission or ask policy of the board of education regarding visiting their child's classrooms? What is being hidden at Grieco? Parents cannot get straight answers about what is being done about the school's failing status. I also have questions regarding this. What, if anything is being done to bring up the Math/literacy levels of students in Grieco School? 

Will School Choice, Vouchers and Charter Schools Close the Achievement GAP?

Trenton, NJ - The Department of Education today presented results on the
New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) and the High
School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) for the 2010-11 school year. While
overall performance continued to hold steady or improve slightly in
nearly all grades and subjects, a persistent achievement gap remains for
economically disadvantaged, African American, and Hispanic students.
These results demonstrate the need to fully enact Governor Christie's
bold reform agenda to ensure that every student receives a quality
education and the opportunity to succeed regardless of zip code.

"We approach these results today with both confidence and humility.
Overall, New Jersey students continue to perform at extremely high
levels overall, and with few exceptions the statewide numbers continue
to inch upwards," said Acting Commissioner Cerf. "However, we have a
persistent achievement gap that leaves our economically disadvantaged,
African American, and Hispanic students far behind their peers. It is a
disgraceful legacy in New Jersey that leaves tens of thousands of
students behind each year - and has for decades. We must be honest with
ourselves and our communities about this achievement gap, and be
impatient and relentless in doing everything we can to close it once and
for all."

For more information:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/news/2012/0201test.htm