In an earlier post just over a year ago, I had vowed never to again give this person any sort of space on this blog. I have no choice but to do the fast politician flip-flop and present this, as it appeared today in the BCCT.
The first reason is the deluge of emails I have received to tell me about this. The second reason is the comments that were left on the BCCT website. I have posted some of them below.
Commenters: Anything you want to add? I've been eating too many sour grapes lately.
Pennsbury preaches, but fails to practice
By GLORIA DEL VECCHIO
Bucks County Courier Times
Recently, a Courier Times editorial seemed to side with the sour-grapes minority in Morrisville who were turned down overwhelmingly in their bid for building a new high school.
Is the editorial board aware of how many more families would be losing their homes and businesses in Morrisville if those school taxes had been astronomically increased - if that school had been approved now that the country is in a deep recession? That we are now also burdened with a large rise in municipal taxes would push the town into some type of failed state.
This newspaper has reported that our school board is reaching out with a creative idea of paying to send our 250 high school students to neighboring Pennsbury - and to other school districts south of Route 1.
Our family, before the Delaware River flooded, lived in Yardley and my four children went through the Pennsbury schools. It was, even then, known universally by the school kids, themselves and their parents, that there is a social-economic split within the Pennsbury system itself in which Route 1 is the dividing point.
Every time Morrisville approaches Pennsbury to take some of our students, the latter has some new excuse.
Pennsbury officials claim publicly their concern for social justice, teaching students the necessity and value of compassion, concern for others and community service, etc. We are always reading stories in the Courier about classes collecting money for some family in trouble or for service-people in Iraq; yet, hypocritically and shamefully, Pennsbury will not take in Morrisville students because of cruel snobbery and selfish pretentiousness.
They certainly aren't teaching by example!
However, at this point, let us return to the Courier's editorial, which criticized the school board for failing to follow though on building a K-12 school and abandoning the borough's high school-age children. Sure, I can see the value of having children nurtured near home; but, high school students do not need to be so sheltered and limited. Their possibilities, interests and horizons should be opened up just as at puberty their minds blossom out to a greater world.
Last year, I was invited to a band concert at one of the Pennsbury intermediate schools, where I was blown away by how great those kids were - the quality of the music and the near-professionalism of the players. After that concert, in the lobby of that school, there was such joy and happiness in the crowd of kids, parents, grandparents and teachers. Everyone was so proud!
Sometime afterward, I watched the Morrisville High School graduation ceremony on TV. Our high school band performed and I felt so sorry for those kids and for our town. The band was playing a simple, traditional melody and it was very much out of tune and disconnected. In fact, it sounded like a second- or third-grade music ensemble!
All parents want the best future for their children and should realize they need the better secondary education (and at a lower price) that a larger school district can offer. The Morrisville School District is just too small and the community's financial resources too limited to prepare our high school students for the 21st century.
February 23, 2009 02:10 AM
Comments
MHS student, 02-23-09, 11:46 am | Rate: Flag -2 Flag | Flag Report
Students at Pennsbury play music. They are told "play this, this and that." Morrisville students can READ music, and know what, when and how to play. Students at Morrisville are proud of their ability to play music. Last year one student qualified for the District Band and performed. Even just a few weeks ago, the Marching Band was asked by the Trenton Devils to play the National Anthem. Yeah you're right, those kids must really be a disgrace to their town. Gloria, nice try. As to Pennsbury accepting the Morrisville kids, why are you calling us a charity case? The only reason why Morrisville is not the best, is because we have no business revenue to be put into the schools. Otherwise, Morrisville would contest with "the top" as it once did. It is a shame because by now the new school would be built, and there would be no maintenance issues at the schools. Morrisville kids don't want to go to Pennsbury, we want to stay here; that is where we belong. Period.
jmcdelaware94, 02-23-09, 8:40 am | Rate: Flag -3 Flag | Flag Report
yes, you see that southies. you are just as bad as us north of route 1 people.
Michelle12, 02-23-09, 8:45 am | Rate: Flag -3 Flag | Flag Report
The voters of Morrisville by majority elected a School Board that has destroyed the educational system in your district. They only had only one concern in mind and that was stopping the construction of the new building before examining and evaluating the where they want to be in the future or even caring about the children. They created it through their lack of being responsible to the parents of children who deserve a good educational environment. Their one-sided balancing act will have economic implications for every resident. Morrisville property values will decrease along side with the fact that families with children will not want to move into your neighbors.
As to your comment in your editorial about Pennsbury will not take in Morrisville students because of “cruel snobbery and selfish pretentiousness .” The fact is that Lower Makefield residents contribute approximately 60% of our property taxes towards the Pennsbury School District budget. If Morrisville taxpayers feel that they can ride the” gravy train free” or have LMT taxpayers increase their share of taxes, you are wrong!
Go elect officials who know how to be financially responsible and balance the education of your future children with the current tax base. You asked for this when you elected them – and you deserve what you have.
Rebecca100, 02-23-09, 8:45 am | Rate: Flag -3 Flag | Flag Report
Whose side are you on Gloria? What "cruel snobbery" to publicly and so viciously criticize the children in the Morrisville band. What purpose is served to broadcast your opinion if Pennsbury is truly just being snobby. Why would they want this caliber of musical student in their midst?
I would like to see both districts look into options and financials of a cooperative arrangement but preferably if there is a merger to build new schools as so many in the Pennsbury District are aging too with no plans to my knowledge anytime soon to replace them. Other districts have combined resources and everyone has benefited.
omega1, 02-23-09, 9:29 am | Rate: Flag 0 Flag | Flag Report
Golria, I feel your shame.
Such self loathing.
Indicitive of your generation, you've never seen a cause that you couldn't embrace to loath.
xxxx, 02-23-09, 10:04 am | Rate: Flag -2 Flag | Flag Report
First, the Pennsbury band is more than twice the size of Morrisville. Second, you are comparing a graduation ceremony (THAT YOU WATCHED ON TV!,nice) to an actual concert. Why don't you try to attend a Morrisville concert. The kids and parents also have a great time at Morrisville concerts. Every kid gets an opportunity to play and the pride they feel of actually accomplishing something can be felt by everyone in the audience. But I guess you wouldn't get the same feeling from watching TV. You have to care about the kids and actually show up and support the student. Not just sit by and watch(TV) then ask for another district to support your kids. Try being there then maybe your comment won't make you look like such an ignorant snob. Don't trash the few good things that students feel proud of, that is a sign of a true bully. This district could be a real gem if people but the time into building up the school instead of trying to destroy it.
Gabriel, 02-23-09, 12:39 pm | Rate: Flag -2 Flag | Flag Report
Michelle12 hit the nail on the head. Morrisville was at a crossroad with what kind of school district they wanted to be. They are in a tough financial position as we all are, and they had a choice to either reinvest in their education or just cut every expense. They chose the latter. Now they expect Pennsbury to take the students they won't support? Sounds just like when someone proposes building a new prison. It's a nice idea but not in my back yard.
DaveH, 02-23-09, 12:45 pm | Rate: Flag -2 Flag | Flag Report
Gloria: You did it again. You opened your mouth and every time you do that you make a fool of yourself. Don't you ever get tired of being foolish?
MHS Student: Most Pennsbury students who continue through the music program CAN read music. The ones that can't are getting a chance at playing music and an exposure to it for appreciation and interest. Go to a Pennsbury High School Jazz band concert and you will see some of the finest musicians from Pennsbury perform at a professional level difficult to achieve by even larger schools (or some professionals). That's because Pennsbury has a long standing music program and tradition that has been honed over many years. Those students rehearse almost every day and do whatever it takes to keep the tradition and excellence alive. That attitude has filtered down from the high school to the middle schools and it gives Pennsbury a nationally recognized music program.
jmcdelaware94, 02-23-09, 1:19 pm | Rate: Flag 0 Flag | Flag Report
and a nationally recognized jazz quartet known simply as the 'butterscotch krumpets'. although they did screw up the national anthem at one basketball game.
TylerDurden, 02-23-09, 2:17 pm | Rate: Flag 0 Flag | Flag Report
Here we go again.
Instead of the measuring contest on who has the better band let us instead look at the fact that these problems have been facing Morrisville for years and they have done nothing over time. Now when they are faced with having to do something there answer is to attempt to bride another district into taking their students so they can once again do nothing.
This has nothing to do with cultural or social issues it has to do with the simple fact that Pennsbury is already overcrowded and should not take on out of district students. Add in the fact that the students in Morrisville do not want to be pawned off then what you have a situation that requires some thought and ideas, which apparently the current and previous boards in Morrisville woefully lack.
Monday, February 23, 2009
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11 comments:
Lady: I'm still not sure I want these shoes. What would you recommend to go with them?
Al Bundy: A bubbling cauldron?
Of all the possible targets in Morrisville to choose, it's the Morrisville music program that's chosen to be insulted? This is the eighth and final year of our association with Dr Scott and the music program and so I've attended my fair share of concerts, football games, and parades and might have a reasonable perspective.
The once strong Morrisville band program was killed off years ago and it was only in the last few years that the band has come back into its own, struggling out of the t-shirts that were the uniform of the day, and moving into real uniforms. A program like this is not built in a short time.
I was a member of my high school band and fondly remember those four years. I was also only a fair musician. I had no desire to continue my music past high school. We were about 120 out of a high school of 1500 so I was covered by the many classmates who wanted to, and did, continue their music education.
That's the key word. Education. You do not start your education "being" a musician or accountant. You go to school to learn music and math, make your mistakes and improve. I credit the time I spent in the band as having developed my personal musical interests as well as some of the collaborative teamwork skills that are so highly prized in today's business world.
You sat in the auditorium to hear the Pennsbury band and then listened to an imperfect outdoor recording of the Morrisville band broadcast on television. Why would anyone have expected them to be equal performances? I'll agree that the Pennsbury band is better than the Morrisville band in some ways, especially when it comes to the support of the community, as you so well demonstrated.
I would not trade that time in my band for anything, and I doubt anyone in either of these bands would either. You do both a disservice by making this comparison.
I should have read Jon's comment first. His is much better.
Del Vecchio's comments comparing Morrisville and Pennsbury students may, or may not, be on target. What cannot be disputed though is the high level of support that the Pennsbury district gives to it's student programs. If their musicians can play the national anthem better than Morrisvilles, it is because the district pours hundreds of thousands of dollars into music programs, staff and extra-curriculars, while the Morrisville boards habitually and perennially cut funding to programs for students.
Go to a Pennsbury music concert, as suggested by some commenters. Sit in the comfortable seats, inside a well equipt auditorium, and count the number of staff present. Now visit a Morrisville band concert, sit in the unsturdy, hard seats, squit at the inadequate lighting, adjust to the unfriendly accoustics, notice the lack of staff and board members.
The music, at its basics, may sound the same, but you will definately feel the lack of support for the hardworking and talented Morriville students.
Ms. Del Vecchio dances around a point -- after taking a few digressions -- that Morrisville is too small to sustain itself. I think most will agree with this statement, we just disagree on how to fix the issue.
The issue I have with this editorial is that she did not have to insult our kids to make her point.
did she blame the flood on the band? I'm so confused
Forrest: Stupid is as stupid does, my momma always said.
Please, allow me to clear up the confusion. The flood was caused by the Vietnam War, the Iraq Wars I & II, clueless, greedy, and evil developers, corporations, politicians, and real estate agents, and other assorted factors, including, but not limited to, the Courier Times and Sandy Gibson. The Morrisville band was only about 1% to blame, tops.
If the Government does nothing else (and it shouldn't by the way), it should generously fork over taxpayer dollars to anyone who bought a home in a known flood zone who was subsequently flooded out. As for the pain and suffering inflicted upon those in the town such individuals move to in the postdiluvian era, you're on your own.
Q: Which school board member was instrumental (pun possibly intended) in helping the Morrisville band get new uniforms?
A: The late Ed Frankenfield.
We miss you Ed.
"it should generously fork over taxpayer dollars to anyone who bought a home in a known flood zone who was subsequently flooded out."
Just as they should silence train whistles because the people who bought houses next to the tracks don't like the noise?
Hey now! I have never complained about the whistle....just the house shaking from time to time.
AND the whistle drowns out the kids walking on the blacktop and not the sidewalk (little side humor from last nights meeting)
Remember when Del Vecchio labeled anybody in favor of the new K-12 school "Alien Yuppie Vegetation"?
That was hilarious.....and also a consensus pick as a great name for a punk rock band.
Thanks, Gloria! And thanks for your wholehearted endorsement of the Hellmann-Mihok-Radosti-Worob-Buckman-Farrell School Board majority. I'm sure they all appreciate a strong endorsement from Gloria Del Vecchio.
When's the photo op?
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