The Right to Read: Is it Being Trapped within the Achievement GAP?

"Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A, B, C. After I had learned this, she assisted me in learning to spell words of three or four letters. Just at this point of my progress, Mr. Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. To use his own words, further, he said, "If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master -- to do as he is told to do. Learning would SPOIL the best nigger in the world. Now," said he, "if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master. As to himself, it could do him no good, but a great deal of harm. It would make him discontented and unhappy." These words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new train of thought. It was a new and special revelation, explaining dark and mysterious things, with which my youthful understanding had struggled, but struggled in vain. I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty -- to wit, the white man's power to enslave the black man. It was a grand achievement, and I prized it highly. From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom. It was just what I wanted, and I got it at a time when I the least expected it. Whilst I was saddened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind mistress, I was gladdened by the invaluable instruction which, by the merest accident, I had gained from my master. Though conscious of the difficulty of learning without a teacher, I set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read."

-Frederick Douglass, Narrative of Frederick Frederick Douglas

 http://www.pbs.org/ktca/litandlife/chapters/chapter1.html

Images of Douglass are public domain and downloaded from: http://www.wpclipart.com/American_History/African_A_Rights/Frederick_Douglass.png.html

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?

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

February 26, 2012 4pm

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:

City Councilwoman of Englewood, New Jersey: Lynn Algrant

NAACP Bergen County: President: Anthony Cureton

Jabari Society Organization of Firefighters: Kevin Wilson

Bergen County Relief Center Director: Derek Boone

English Realty: Ronald & Joanne English Rollieson

IBPOE of The World Elks Chief Antler of the Northern District: Chris Allen

Women's Rights Center: Susan Grey Burr

Mr. Jet & Founder of Heroes & Cool Kids: Bruce Harper

President & CEO of the Wilson Life Skills Institute: Josephine P. Wilson

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.

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

Why Is the NJ State Department of Education Allowing EPSD to Slide?

The following was submitted in the Englewood Report to the NJ State Board of Education dated August 31, 2007. These were identified as benchmarks to be followed in the development of a strong literacy program in the Englewood Public School District.

EPSD must:
Strengthen the use of reading and writing for learning across the curriculum to advance reading achievement and to advance achievement in all core academic areas. Implement the following literacy practices.

• Over the next three years, move incrementally toward requiring students from grades 6 through 12 to read the equivalent of 25 books a year across the curriculum.
• Have students in every course, in grades 6 through 12, complete an independent research paper each year. 
• Appoint a team of teachers to develop appropriate scoring guides to be used at different grade levels.

I find it very interesting and encouraging that the state feels our students should read a lot more than they are required to in EPSD. I find it discouraging that there is no evidence that the benchmarks above have received any attention. They have definitely NOT been met. My granddaughter has been required to read only 2 books in her 9th grade American Literature class.  Correction. 1 required book. She had already read one of them as part of the Summer Enrichment Program. How many books has your child read this year? Are the students in grades 6 - 12 completing an independent research paper each year? Again, how many books has your child read this year? How many books has your child read, period?

                                     How are the children?

Tell the Englewood Board of Education That They Must Keep Our Children Safe!

I will post this until we all believe it. Taxpayers have power. It is called the vote. Sometimes we forget between elections. We have the power to remove this board of education RIGHT NOW! If enough of us agree that we do not have confidence that they put the safety of our children first. It is as simple as that. It is called a "Vote of No Confidence" and is utilized in situations like this all the time. Isn't that easier than packing up your child and moving to another district where you will have a whole new set of problems to face alone? Do you really trust these people to put the achievement of your child first when they put the children's safety in the back seat?

What will it take for people to stand up for their children? We are the ones who can make the change. 

Our board of education announced by resolution last meeting that they will sue the state because they do not want to keep our children safe. This is in effect what is being said when they refuse to enforce the bullying and harassment law, because they say it is an unfunded mandate. Why did we need the state to tell school districts to protect the children? Will we abandon the effort because we were not given money? What about the children?

Read the Agenda On page 5 of 21 they compare us to Allamuchy School District. Allamuchy is fighting the mandate. Allamuchy is a town of 4,323 residents. This means they probably have at the most maybe 400 students. We have almost as many children in school as they have residents.  In the census  of 2000, the racial makeup of the township was 95.49% White, 0.93%African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% of the population.

What do you think? Is that a good example?

This is the actual Allamuchy complaint. Did anyone at EPSD 

read it?    Complaint.............................Resolution

Allamuchy talks about challenging the state on the Anti- bullying Law. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/njsba/2012/02/08/state-mandate-state-pay-yes-when-it-is-anti-bullying

                   How are the children?

Background Check Confusion: Are You Confused About Running A School District?

January 19, 2012. Englewood School Board Meeting. Anyone expecting excitement or fireworks after earlier events concerning the Board of Education President and 1 other board member was disappointed. It did not happen. After the Board returned from their usual long closed session meeting, it was business as usual. George Garrison III apologized for any embarrassment caused by his name being listed along with others who were removed from NJ school boards for failure to comply with the background check registration law. Point of reference, this is not a new law, it is just new to board members.

The first time I Googled George Garrison III, the search led me to a site called E3 (Excellent Education For Everyone). The CEO of this site is now Christy Davis Jackson, the wife of the Reverend Reginald Jackson.  Reverend Jackson and his entire Charter School Board (10 members) were removed for not registering for the criminal background check. This was a surprise too me since I had just read an article in New Jersey Monthly magazine that refers to Reverend Jackson as the most influential African-American in New Jersey. I must  lead a sheltered life, because I had never heard of the man before. I was just following the crumbs left by supporters of "The Urban Hope Act". The search of the CEO of E3 left me cold, because of problems associated with a scandal at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. {December of 2005, Mrs. Jackson, a lawyer, lobbyist, and UMDNJ's vice president for government affairs, resigned from her $156,000 job. While records related to her office also have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, she said that had nothing to do with her decision to leave.} I'm not mad at you Mrs. Jackson. I would not want a younger, slimmer more determined US Attorney Chris Christie on my tail either.


After reading the proposed bill for "The Urban Hope Act", I wanted to know who supported it and why. It is now Law for Jersey City and Camden. Newark has declined this honor. They have objected to being included in the districts covered under this bill. With the help of the Education Law Center they are charting a different course by asking the N.J. legislators to investigate delays in repair work in urban schools.  Way to go Newark, and good luck.


After the list of board members who were not in compliance with the new law was released it became problematic to those of us who accept the importance of such "small" things. How are we supposed to trust the very future of our children to people who cannot or will not obey the Law? The prevailing excuse was that the process was too confusing. If that process was confusing, how will you run an entire school district? How will you educate the children of parents who have fled the public schools in hopes of something better? How do you earn our trust now that it is betrayed? We no  longer have confidence in your ability to make important decisions. Yikes!!!

Published: Friday, January 13, 2012, 7:20 PM     Updated: Saturday, January 14, 2012, 3:03 PM   Nj.com             

The deadline extension is also good news for the Arete Academy Charter School of Orange, whose entire 10-member board was ruled ineligible for failure to complete their fingerprinting by Dec. 31. Founded by the Rev. Reginald Jackson, the influential head of the Black Ministers Council, the new charter school for kindergarten and first graders is scheduled to open this fall. "This is a new law and we are a new school," Jackson said. "I don’t blame anybody, but there has been some confusion, especially because our school is not open yet."

Nice Try Rev, but no cigar. People are putting the entire future of their most precious creations in your hands. You are duty bound to wade through the confusion. Every single board member that failed to register in a timely manner should have gotten exactly what they got and more. EMBARRASSMENT! 

George Garrison III, Mark DeMontagnac, do not take lightly the lives and education of our children. Don't FRONT. You have children in the district. If you were out here instead of seated around that long table wielding the power, you would feel the same as we do. For years, teachers and all other school personnel have submitted to fingerprinting & background checks.  It is your turn now. You are lucky that you had the willing ear of enough politicians who do not see the forest for the trees to back you up. Stop whimpering and minimizing the importance of the process. Clean up your Acts. You have just proven that is exactly what you are doing. ACTING!

                                           How are the children?

We Do Not Celebrate the Birthday of Martin Luther King!

We celebrate the birthday of his son, Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Public Domain: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both of my school age grandchildren have demonstrated that they did not know the difference between the two men. I explained the difference to the 5 year old as we completed a homework assignment that required she connect the dots which made Martin Luther King, Jr.'s face. We added the Jr. to his name, on her assignment, as I explained that Martin Luther King was his father and that the King we celebrate is the son. As I write this, I have before me that assignment and 2 other notices from the school district announcing programs celebrating King Jr.'s birthday.  All are technically announcing the event in the wrong man's name. 

Both men deserve the right to be considered separately. Many name Ghandi as the person who most influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. I would disagree. I believe that he was most influenced by the powerful man who gave him birth and nurtured him like few fathers do these days. It is ironic that teachers do not make the distinction between the two men, since King Sr. fought tirelessly for the rights of Teachers, making sure there was equity in the salaries of white and black educators. I would suggest that educators teach both men so that students will learn that African American men also raise their sons to do great things. We all know that in some districts King Jr. is honored simply because they get a day off. In others, he is honored because of his great works in the "Civil Rights Movement". Some districts ignore the day altogether and it is business as usual. Whatever the reason, students should be taught history as it was and the Jr. should always be added to the end of this great man's name in order to distinguish him from another great man. 

Wikipedia photo: Rev. Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King, Sr., born Michael King (December 19, 1899  – November 11, 1984) was a Baptist missionary, an advocate for equal justice and an early civil rights leader. He was also the father of Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, Sr. led the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia and became a leader of the civil rights movement, as the head of the NAACP chapter in Atlanta and of the Civic and Political League. He encouraged his son to become active in the movement.

King was a member of the Baptist Church and decided to become a preacher after being inspired by ministers who were prepared to stand up for racial equality. He left Stockbridge for Atlanta, where his sister Woodie was boarding with Reverend A.D. Williams, then pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. He attended Dillard University for a two year degree. After King started courting Williams' daughter, Alberta, her family encouraged him to finish his education and to become a preacher. King completed his high school education at Bryant Preparatory School, and began to preach in several black churches in Atlanta.

In 1926, King started his ministerial degree at the Morehouse School of Religion. On Thanksgiving Day in 1926, after eight years of courtship, he married Alberta in the Ebenezer Church. The couple had three children in four years: a daughter, Willie Christine King (born 1927), Martin Luther, Jr. (1929–1968), and a second son, Alfred Daniel Williams King (1930–1969).

King Sr. became leader of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in March 1931 after the death of Williams. With the country in the midst of the Great Depression, church finances were struggling, but King organized membership and fundraising drives that restored these to health. By 1934, King had become a widely respected leader of the local church. That year, he also changed his name (and that of his young son) from Michael King to Martin Luther King after becoming inspired during a trip to Germany^[1] by the life of Martin Luther (1483–1546), the German theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation.

King was the pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church for four decades, wielding great influence in the black community and earning some degree of respect from the white community. He also broadcast on WAEC, a religious radio station in Atlanta.

In his 1950 essay An Autobiography of Religious Development, King Jr. wrote that his father was a major influence on his entering the ministry.' "I guess the influence of my father also had a great deal to do with my going in the ministry. This is not to say that he ever spoke to me in terms of being a minister, but that my admiration for him was the great moving factor; He set forth a noble example that I didn't mind following."

King Jr. often recounted that his father frequently sent him to work in the fields. He said that in this way he would gain a healthier respect for his forefathers. This was a driving factor in his civil rights movements across the United States.

In his autobiography, King Jr. remembered his father leaving a shoe shop because he and his son were asked to change seats. "This was the first time I had seen Dad so furious. That experience revealed to me at a very early age that my father had not adjusted to the system, and he played a great part in shaping my conscience. I still remember walking down the street beside him as he muttered, 'I don't care how long I have to live with this system, I will never accept it.'^[2]

Another story related by Martin Luther King, Jr. was that once the car his father was driving was stopped by a police officer, and the officer addressed the senior King as "boy". King pointed to his son, saying "This is a boy, I'm a man; until you call me one, I will not listen to you."

Martin Luther King Jr. became an associate pastor at Ebenezer in 1948, and his father wrote a letter of recommendation for him to Crozier College. Despite theological differences, father and son would later serve together as joint pastors at the church.

King Sr. was a major figure in the civil rights movement in Georgia, where he rose to become the head of the NAACP in Atlanta and the Civic and Political League. He led the fight for equal teachers' salaries in Atlanta. He also played an instrumental role in ending Jim Crow laws in the state. King Sr. had refused to ride on Atlanta's bus system since the 1920s after a vicious attack on black passengers with no action against those responsible. King Sr. stressed the need for an educated, politically active black ministry.

Copied from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Sr.

Englewood School Board President On the List of Board Members Who Must Vacate their Seats

George Garrison III and Mark DeMontagnac failed to register for the state required "criminal background checks" as required by New Jersey State Law.

Criminal history report checks have been in effect for school employees for some time. This new law requires that school board members also submit to the same background checks. This writer totally agrees with the new law. It may help to alleviate some of the problems plaguing our troubled Public Schools.

George Garrison is the current School Board President.

Mark DeMontagnac was elected April, 2011

Get to know your School Board.  Elections are not far off. Review the campaign promises of each sitting board member. Have they delivered on the promises? Have they made student achievement the highest priority in the district?

                             How are the children?

QSAC: Governance - I8 - Prior Notice

I8. COMMUNICATIONS: The school board provides public notice prior to renegotiating , extending, amending, or otherwise altering the terms of  contracts for all superintendents, deputy superintendents, assistant superintendents and school business administrators to the Executive County Superintendent for review and takes no formal action to approve or implement such contracts prior to such review. (N.J.S.A. 18A:7-8, N.J.S.A. 6A:23A-3.1)

Back to the Future?

How many millions of dollars have been spent since December 31, 2010? There is no longer a 

surplus of funds for which we have bragging rights. How far have we actually progressed towards providing that thorough and efficient education for all children? Honestly.

QSAC Requires
o Approval letters from Executive County Superintendent
o Board minutes

                                          How are the children?

I Fought the Law, but the Law Won!

QSAC: Governance F4, F6 & F7

QSAC = The New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum. District Performance Review (DPR) 

The QSAC is an instrument created by the state to enforce the New Jersey State  Constitution and the Administrative Code, Educational Statutes and Regulations. You might say that it is the standardized test that the Board of Education, Business Administrator, Superintendent and other Administrators must take. The major purpose of the test is to make sure that the achievement of the students is given the highest priority.

Taxpayers: Parents, Community Members, Business Owners: The following is what the law promises and what our board of education has sworn an oath to supply. Is this what you see?

The school board conveys clearly and concretely, through the policies it adopts and the information that it seeks, that student achievement is the highest priority.

F. ANNUAL EVALUATIVE PROCESS - The school board engages in an annual and ongoing evaluative process.


F2. The school board annually reviews and revises, as necessary, an evaluative instrument used in the evaluation of the CSA, based on the goals and objectives of the district. (N.J.A.C. 18A:17-20.3)


F3. The school board annually evaluates the CSA and complies with all requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:17-20.3 (a).

F4. The school board's annual evaluation of the Chief School Administrator is based on the adoption of goals and performance measurement that reflect that highest priority is given to student achievement and attention to subgroup achievement.

F6. The school board or advisory board annually undertakes a self-evaluation process which reflects that highest priority is given to student achievement.

F7. The school board or advisory board self-evaluation process includes a professional development improvement plan directed towards increasing knowledge and skills in policy making and governance for members of the board.


There are districts that understand that the QSAC is the state's assessment tool designed to evaluate the level of achievement  in the district.  Some  districts publish the document on line for all to see. 


What are the goals and objectives of the Englewood Public School District?


It brings to mind a song lyric that my Daddy sang on the back porch on occasion. I fought the Law and the Law won!
This is compliance. This is transparency. This is not Englewood, NJ.

                          How are the children?

New Jersey State Board of Education/Attorney General Please Stand UP!

Newark, Camden and Jersey City school districts are run by the state. Now the push is towards privatizing the educational leadership in these districts. Has the state given up hope for these children and their parents? The "Urban Hope Act" or Bill S3173/A4426 enables these three school districts to allow private entities to manage the public schools. These privately-managed public schools are called “renaissance schools". It is said that it will stop here with these 3 needy districts. What exactly does this takeover mean? What will be different? Someone really needs to spell it out.

It is time for the voters of New Jersey to tell our elected political leaders, and the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey to enforce the Educational Laws and Statutes of the State. Stop ignoring the Constitution. It is no coincidence that at the same time this is happening there is a CAP on Superintendent Salaries and mandates for Board of Education Members to submit to criminal background checks. There is corruption. CORRUPTION. Stop circumventing the laws. Enforce them. Stop back peddling on mandates. Do what the law requires. Where is all that ZERO tolerance and TRANSPARENCY that folks have been talking about for years?

What will change when the people in charge of these same failing/minority districts are private entities? What will happen when the big land developers and Billionaire Corporations, for instance have free reign? Oh, and is Communist China going to get a piece of the pie also? Are we selling off the responsibility to educate the poor and disenfranchised youth of America? Exactly what Miracle are they expecting? The method in which the money is being misused might become more elaborately cloaked. What will that do for the children? Someone really needs to deal with that question. The welfare and the education of the children must come first. Make it so. Stop with the abject Cowardice and exchange it for integrity and gain some respect from the stakeholders who put you in office.

There is very little difference between Englewood and the districts named above. Regardless of how steeped in fantasy many of us have become, we have some of the same problems. In some ways we are in bigger trouble. At least the residents of those districts know that they are in deep sh*t.

Proposed Bill: The Urban Hope Act
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S3500/3173_I1.PDF
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/


Some of us are actually capable of putting 2 and 2 together without the aid of a calculator.

Taxpayers Beware: What you Don't Know Can And Will Cost YOU and your children for years to come!

                              

            How are the children?