From the BCCT.
Supervisors approve modular classrooms
But one supervisor accused the Pennsbury School District of “crazy spending” and said they were unnecessary.
By CHRISTIAN MENNO
The Pennsbury School District hopes to have two modular classrooms for art and music classes up and running at Fallsington Elementary by mid-October.
The Falls supervisors last week approved, by a 3-2 vote, a land development waiver to install the structures, which will be transported from Oxford Valley Elementary.
Supervisors Robert Harvie, James Prokopiak and Jonathan Snipes voted in favor. Dorothy Vislosky and Phillip Szupka voted no.
The school district’s director of physical plant and facilities, Tom Gillette, said the installation would cost about $507,000. He called the modular classrooms a more cost-effective measure than a permanent addition to the school’s main building, which, he said, would cost upward of $1.5 million.
A covered walkway will connect the main building to the modular classrooms to protect students from the elements, Gillette added.
Though the modulars were used by Oxford Valley for 19 years, Gillette said their solid wood construction makes them as sturdy and durable as a house.
“I’d expect them to last a long, long time,” he said at the Aug. 19 Falls meeting.
Vislosky disputed the necessity of the modulars and chided the school board for what she called its “crazy spending.”
“I think the $500,000 price tag is insanity,” Vislosky said Monday. “The school administration and the school board better learn the difference between need and want. This is taxpayers’ money.”
On Monday, Gillette described the modulars’ cost as “barebones,” and said the extra space will allow for a “muchneeded” computer lab to be built in the school’s main building.
School board member Linda Palsky defended the project.
“We have people running classes in small cubby holes and sometimes doubling up,” she said Monday. “These classrooms will allow Fallsington to service its students in the proper way. This is not something we just came up with. This was part of a long-range plan to utilize our assets. I understand the concerns, but these modulars are absolutely necessary.”
Palsky, a member of the facilities committee, said the price was well within the normal range for such a job.
Prokopiak said he understands some taxpayers might oppose such additions, but the school district was well within its rights to develop its own land.
“As long as the project adheres to our ordinances and does not interfere with the health, safety and wellness of our residents, then it should be approved,” he said Monday. “If there were issues with, say, storm water management, then that would be different.
“The school district is telling us they need the space due to overcrowding and that this is the most cost-effective way to go about it. As long as they’ve met all the criteria, I felt I had to approve it.”
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Scavenger Hunt!
From the BCCT.
Towns to host giant scavenger hunt
The event will showcase the “tremendous historic and cultural assets” of the boroughs.
By DANNY ADLER
A local revitalization effort will hold its first big event next month featuring the four Landmark Towns of Bucks County — Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope.
The Landmark Towns, a project of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, is preparing for a “ravenchase” — somewhat of a scavenger hunt using riddles, anagrams, puzzles, planted actors, gadgets and ciphers leading to a secret end location. The Great Delaware Canal Chase, a joint effort by Landmark Towns and Ravenchase Adventures, leads participants throughout the four towns by car to solve the codes and learn a bit about American history. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.
“We’re really hoping to attract visitors to the downtowns in the four communities through a really fun activity. Participants will most likely stop along the way and visit a retail store or restaurant that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to do,” said Donna Boone, Landmark Towns’ regional main street coordinator.
The event begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. Tickets are $50 per player or $150 per car (up to six people). For more information or to register for the event, visit www.ravenchase.com.
Landmark Towns is not using the event to raise funds, but to raise friends, Boone said. Any proceeds, which she said will be negligible after expenses, go directly to the event organizer at Ravenchase.
“We determined that it is more important at this time to raise awareness about the tremendous historic and cultural assets these communities have to offer,” Boone said.
The Landmark Towns of Bucks County initiative started several years ago trying to convince the waterfront boroughs of Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope to sign on and commit to the project.
The hopes were to preserve each borough’s historic resources, enhance their local economies and brand the riverfront towns as destinations.
In more than two years, all four boroughs have committed to the project, and the state has chipped in money for transporta tion efforts to link the towns and to hire a regional coordinator.
Towns to host giant scavenger hunt
The event will showcase the “tremendous historic and cultural assets” of the boroughs.
By DANNY ADLER
A local revitalization effort will hold its first big event next month featuring the four Landmark Towns of Bucks County — Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope.
The Landmark Towns, a project of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, is preparing for a “ravenchase” — somewhat of a scavenger hunt using riddles, anagrams, puzzles, planted actors, gadgets and ciphers leading to a secret end location. The Great Delaware Canal Chase, a joint effort by Landmark Towns and Ravenchase Adventures, leads participants throughout the four towns by car to solve the codes and learn a bit about American history. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.
“We’re really hoping to attract visitors to the downtowns in the four communities through a really fun activity. Participants will most likely stop along the way and visit a retail store or restaurant that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to do,” said Donna Boone, Landmark Towns’ regional main street coordinator.
The event begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. Tickets are $50 per player or $150 per car (up to six people). For more information or to register for the event, visit www.ravenchase.com.
Landmark Towns is not using the event to raise funds, but to raise friends, Boone said. Any proceeds, which she said will be negligible after expenses, go directly to the event organizer at Ravenchase.
“We determined that it is more important at this time to raise awareness about the tremendous historic and cultural assets these communities have to offer,” Boone said.
The Landmark Towns of Bucks County initiative started several years ago trying to convince the waterfront boroughs of Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope to sign on and commit to the project.
The hopes were to preserve each borough’s historic resources, enhance their local economies and brand the riverfront towns as destinations.
In more than two years, all four boroughs have committed to the project, and the state has chipped in money for transporta tion efforts to link the towns and to hire a regional coordinator.
BCTHS Budget Discussion Set
From the BCCT
Tech school to host funding discussion
Posted in News on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm by Joan Hellyer
Area school district officials will meet with Bucks County Technical High School staff in September to examine how much it costs to educate each of the school’s students, BCTHS officials said tonight.
During the student-related cost review, officials will try to determine if changes need to be made to the funding formula used to operate the comprehensive technical high school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township.
Business managers, superintendents and joint school board members of the six sending districts are invited to attend the Sept. 17 discussion, said Administrative Director Scott Parks at the tech school’s joint board committee meeting tonight.
The business managers previously suggested the districts stop sharing special education costs, as they do now. Districts would pay for the often times costly special needs expenses based on actual student usage, the managers suggested.
But joint board committee members decided to look at all student-related costs before they make any changes to the funding formula.
The cost review originally was supposed to take place during the summer break, but could not be arranged because of scheduling conflicts, BCTHS officials said.
The Sept. 17 discussion begins at noon in the boardroom of the tech school that serves approximately 1,500 students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
Tech school to host funding discussion
Posted in News on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm by Joan Hellyer
Area school district officials will meet with Bucks County Technical High School staff in September to examine how much it costs to educate each of the school’s students, BCTHS officials said tonight.
During the student-related cost review, officials will try to determine if changes need to be made to the funding formula used to operate the comprehensive technical high school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township.
Business managers, superintendents and joint school board members of the six sending districts are invited to attend the Sept. 17 discussion, said Administrative Director Scott Parks at the tech school’s joint board committee meeting tonight.
The business managers previously suggested the districts stop sharing special education costs, as they do now. Districts would pay for the often times costly special needs expenses based on actual student usage, the managers suggested.
But joint board committee members decided to look at all student-related costs before they make any changes to the funding formula.
The cost review originally was supposed to take place during the summer break, but could not be arranged because of scheduling conflicts, BCTHS officials said.
The Sept. 17 discussion begins at noon in the boardroom of the tech school that serves approximately 1,500 students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Meeting Reminder
Don't forget that back-to-school starts Wednesday, as the cast of the hit TV show "Hellmann's Heroes" returns in their season premier.
The warm ups start at 6:30 as the Policy Committee will discuss um, ...policies.
The 2008-2009 season home opener starts at 7:30. There's been a few changes. Replacing the injured Kate Taylor in the elementary principal slot will be Karen Huggins. Replacing the departed Melanie Gehrens in the secondary principal role will be Willian Ferrara. A replacement for the departed Kim Myers at special ed has not been named. This will probably be the last chance to see the retiring Reba Dunford playing at home in the business administrator position.
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the School District of Borough of Morrisville, Morrisville, PA, will hold a Policy Committee meeting in the G-Hall conference room of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Various policies will be discussed.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
1t August 24, 2008
The warm ups start at 6:30 as the Policy Committee will discuss um, ...policies.
The 2008-2009 season home opener starts at 7:30. There's been a few changes. Replacing the injured Kate Taylor in the elementary principal slot will be Karen Huggins. Replacing the departed Melanie Gehrens in the secondary principal role will be Willian Ferrara. A replacement for the departed Kim Myers at special ed has not been named. This will probably be the last chance to see the retiring Reba Dunford playing at home in the business administrator position.
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the School District of Borough of Morrisville, Morrisville, PA, will hold a Policy Committee meeting in the G-Hall conference room of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Various policies will be discussed.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
1t August 24, 2008
More Student Testing
From the BCCT this morning.
I'm not necessarily against this idea, yet where does it end? Are the teachers, staff and administrators tested as well? Perhaps the school board should be as well. How about the parents? Should they all set an example?
“This is all about getting help. If we can save one or two kids ... what price do you want to put on a kid’s life?” Ask the Emperor and the Board of Selected Accomplices. They apparently have numbers on this topic.
The privacy issue looms large here as well. Who gets this information and how is it used?
The endpoint? Magic 8-ball says "ask again": “The success question is difficult to get a handle on.” If the question is that difficult to frame, the answer must be pretty impossible.
Do you trust the people in charge?
District considers drug testing
Central Bucks administrators plan to have more meetings with parents and students this fall to discuss a random testing program. Here’s a look at other schools in Pennsylvania that have similar programs.
By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC
Central Bucks School District administrators are planning to meet with parents and students this fall to discuss a random student-drug testing program.
If district administrators decide to implement a drug-testing program, they won’t be the first in the state.
And they probably won’t be the last.
No state agency keeps track of how many of the state’s 501 school districts have student drug-testing programs, but the newspaper identified 12 school districts across the state, although none in Bucks or eastern Montgomery counties, that have programs in place. Some are new; some are several years old. Officials from only five districts responded to inquiries about their testing programs.
Officials at school districts with established programs said they have successfully reduced student drug use, even though they didn’t have much data to support the claim.
Others said they didn’t know if student drug use had dropped. But they thought the programs have effectively helped students who use drugs to get the counseling they need from school nurses and drug counselors and given students who don’t use drugs another way to say “no” to someone who offers drugs to them.
“There is a problem with drug use,” said Barbara Zimmerman, a member of the Hempfield school board in Lancaster County.
“Anybody in a school district that says they don’t have a drug problem is lying or they aren’t connected with reality. There’s drugs in schools. No matter what way you look at it. It might be on school grounds. It might be on the weekends.”
And Zimmerman, a registered nurse and nursing instructor at Millersville University, believes schools have the responsibility to help kids by testing them. She advocated for the program at Hempfield.
“What’s the difference from when the school nurse is screening your hearing, vision, height, weight? The same thing happens as if you fail your hearing test. What happens? You send a letter home and you’ve got to get a hearing test,” she said. “This is all about getting help. If we can save one or two kids ... what price do you want to put on a kid’s life?”
Asked if the program had reduced drug use at Hempfield in the three years that the district has had it, Zimmerman answered, “The success question is difficult to get a handle on.”
She acknowledged that much of the data school districts have is self-reported — student responses to statewide surveys about drug and alcohol use.
Fewer students at Hempfield have reported using drugs and alcohol, she said.
Zimmerman said she gives the high school students a written survey at the end of every school year, asking if they think there’s a drug problem at Hempfield, if they think the drug-testing program helps them say “no” to the peers and if they chose not to participate in extracurricular activities because of the drug-testing program.
The survey has a portion where students can write their own thoughts, and Zimmerman said most of the students have said they think the drug-testing program has helped curtail drug use at Hempfield.
“Are they saying it because they think they have to say it? Or are they saying it because it’s true?” she asked.
Gettysburg Area School District Superintendent William Hall said earlier this year that he didn’t know much about the success of the district’s drug-testing program because he’s still new to the district. The district has tested all student-athletes for three or four years, he said.
“We’re not seeing any alarming increases,” Hall said. “But I can’t say that we’re seeing any significant decreases, either.”
Solanco School District in southern Lancaster County has had a random student drug-testing program in place for several years. It received federal funding three years ago to pay for its program and has continued to fund the program out of its own budget for the last two years.
More than 60 percent of the middle and high school students were in the testing pool last year, and a “vast majority” of their tests came back negative for drug use, said district spokesman Keith Kaufman. Asked if the program has successfully reduced drug use at Solanco, Kaufman couldn’t really say.
“What the drug testing program does is that it gives our students another opportunity to say ‘no’ to drug use,” he said.
“If they’re getting any kind of peer pressure, they can say, ‘Listen, I want to be in the band. I want to be on the chess team. I want to be on the football team. I can’t risk it. I don’t want to lose my parking privileges.’ That’s a big one. Once students start driving, they don’t like the idea of going back to a school bus.”
And, when students test positive for drug use, they can get help from counselors.
Candis Finan, superintendent of Delaware Valley School District in Pike County, was able to provide a little more data about the success of her district’s drug-testing program.
Delaware Valley School District has had a student drug-testing program since 1998, shortly after a student was caught in the high school parking lot with heroin.
The school district has one of the most comprehensive student drug-testing programs of the school districts surveyed. Students in seventh through 12th grades who participate in extracurricular activities and students who drive to school must submit to drug testing.
All of the students who drive or participate in yearlong activities are tested at the beginning of the school year. Students who participate in seasonal activities are tested at the beginning of the season. And all of the students in the testing pool are tested randomly throughout the year.
Finan said the district tested 1,600 students in 2007-08 school year, and nine tested positive for drug use. The district tested 1,400 students in the 2006-07 school year, and four tested positive.
In all the years the district has had the drug-testing program, Finan said, only one student has ever tested positive a second time.
Finan said the students who participate in extracurricular activities and drive to school are the leaders of the school; and by their refusal to use drugs, they become role models for the others.
“I believe it works. I believe it is clearly a deterrent to student drug use,” Finan said.
“Is [drug use] going down? I wouldn’t have figures to support that. The students who wish to participate in activities clearly are not using drugs, I can tell you that.”
I'm not necessarily against this idea, yet where does it end? Are the teachers, staff and administrators tested as well? Perhaps the school board should be as well. How about the parents? Should they all set an example?
“This is all about getting help. If we can save one or two kids ... what price do you want to put on a kid’s life?” Ask the Emperor and the Board of Selected Accomplices. They apparently have numbers on this topic.
The privacy issue looms large here as well. Who gets this information and how is it used?
The endpoint? Magic 8-ball says "ask again": “The success question is difficult to get a handle on.” If the question is that difficult to frame, the answer must be pretty impossible.
Do you trust the people in charge?
District considers drug testing
Central Bucks administrators plan to have more meetings with parents and students this fall to discuss a random testing program. Here’s a look at other schools in Pennsylvania that have similar programs.
By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC
Central Bucks School District administrators are planning to meet with parents and students this fall to discuss a random student-drug testing program.
If district administrators decide to implement a drug-testing program, they won’t be the first in the state.
And they probably won’t be the last.
No state agency keeps track of how many of the state’s 501 school districts have student drug-testing programs, but the newspaper identified 12 school districts across the state, although none in Bucks or eastern Montgomery counties, that have programs in place. Some are new; some are several years old. Officials from only five districts responded to inquiries about their testing programs.
Officials at school districts with established programs said they have successfully reduced student drug use, even though they didn’t have much data to support the claim.
Others said they didn’t know if student drug use had dropped. But they thought the programs have effectively helped students who use drugs to get the counseling they need from school nurses and drug counselors and given students who don’t use drugs another way to say “no” to someone who offers drugs to them.
“There is a problem with drug use,” said Barbara Zimmerman, a member of the Hempfield school board in Lancaster County.
“Anybody in a school district that says they don’t have a drug problem is lying or they aren’t connected with reality. There’s drugs in schools. No matter what way you look at it. It might be on school grounds. It might be on the weekends.”
And Zimmerman, a registered nurse and nursing instructor at Millersville University, believes schools have the responsibility to help kids by testing them. She advocated for the program at Hempfield.
“What’s the difference from when the school nurse is screening your hearing, vision, height, weight? The same thing happens as if you fail your hearing test. What happens? You send a letter home and you’ve got to get a hearing test,” she said. “This is all about getting help. If we can save one or two kids ... what price do you want to put on a kid’s life?”
Asked if the program had reduced drug use at Hempfield in the three years that the district has had it, Zimmerman answered, “The success question is difficult to get a handle on.”
She acknowledged that much of the data school districts have is self-reported — student responses to statewide surveys about drug and alcohol use.
Fewer students at Hempfield have reported using drugs and alcohol, she said.
Zimmerman said she gives the high school students a written survey at the end of every school year, asking if they think there’s a drug problem at Hempfield, if they think the drug-testing program helps them say “no” to the peers and if they chose not to participate in extracurricular activities because of the drug-testing program.
The survey has a portion where students can write their own thoughts, and Zimmerman said most of the students have said they think the drug-testing program has helped curtail drug use at Hempfield.
“Are they saying it because they think they have to say it? Or are they saying it because it’s true?” she asked.
Gettysburg Area School District Superintendent William Hall said earlier this year that he didn’t know much about the success of the district’s drug-testing program because he’s still new to the district. The district has tested all student-athletes for three or four years, he said.
“We’re not seeing any alarming increases,” Hall said. “But I can’t say that we’re seeing any significant decreases, either.”
Solanco School District in southern Lancaster County has had a random student drug-testing program in place for several years. It received federal funding three years ago to pay for its program and has continued to fund the program out of its own budget for the last two years.
More than 60 percent of the middle and high school students were in the testing pool last year, and a “vast majority” of their tests came back negative for drug use, said district spokesman Keith Kaufman. Asked if the program has successfully reduced drug use at Solanco, Kaufman couldn’t really say.
“What the drug testing program does is that it gives our students another opportunity to say ‘no’ to drug use,” he said.
“If they’re getting any kind of peer pressure, they can say, ‘Listen, I want to be in the band. I want to be on the chess team. I want to be on the football team. I can’t risk it. I don’t want to lose my parking privileges.’ That’s a big one. Once students start driving, they don’t like the idea of going back to a school bus.”
And, when students test positive for drug use, they can get help from counselors.
Candis Finan, superintendent of Delaware Valley School District in Pike County, was able to provide a little more data about the success of her district’s drug-testing program.
Delaware Valley School District has had a student drug-testing program since 1998, shortly after a student was caught in the high school parking lot with heroin.
The school district has one of the most comprehensive student drug-testing programs of the school districts surveyed. Students in seventh through 12th grades who participate in extracurricular activities and students who drive to school must submit to drug testing.
All of the students who drive or participate in yearlong activities are tested at the beginning of the school year. Students who participate in seasonal activities are tested at the beginning of the season. And all of the students in the testing pool are tested randomly throughout the year.
Finan said the district tested 1,600 students in 2007-08 school year, and nine tested positive for drug use. The district tested 1,400 students in the 2006-07 school year, and four tested positive.
In all the years the district has had the drug-testing program, Finan said, only one student has ever tested positive a second time.
Finan said the students who participate in extracurricular activities and drive to school are the leaders of the school; and by their refusal to use drugs, they become role models for the others.
“I believe it works. I believe it is clearly a deterrent to student drug use,” Finan said.
“Is [drug use] going down? I wouldn’t have figures to support that. The students who wish to participate in activities clearly are not using drugs, I can tell you that.”
Test Fatigue
From the BCCT this morning.
Schools blast state for PSSA changes
Testing will be done from April 15 to May 15, a time when juniors will be preparing for final exams and Advanced Placement tests.
By HILARY BENTMAN
On the eve of the new school year, some local administrators are positively reeling.
The source of their beef is a late announcement about a change to the testing dates for this year’s PSSA, which administrators said will wreak havoc with their already-established calendars and monopolize an entire month of instructional time at one of the most critical periods of the school year.
“It would be a lot of days lost in the fourth marking period,” said Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein.
Each year, students are required to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, which tests students in math, reading, writing and science. The math and reading tests are for students in third through eighth, and 11th grade. The science test is given to students in fourth, eighth and 11th grades. All are required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The goal is to have all children proficient by 2014.
The state also requires a writing test but that is not required by No Child Left Behind.
In previous years, these exams, which can last two to three hours a day, were spread out over several months, with test windows lasting several days at a time.
But the Pennsylvania Department of Education informed districts on Wednesday that the PSSAs will be given during a four-week window from April 15 to May 15, which the department said is being implemented upon the recommendation of educators surveyed around the state who thought this was less disruptive to learning.
“Educators wanted to see more time with kids in the classroom,” said PDE spokeswoman Sheila Ballen.
But shortly after the new schedule was released, the department began receiving calls from school administrators around the state upset with the move.
Council Rock administrators sent emails to the state education department and was prepared to join other Bucks County districts in sending a letter of protest to the PDE, Klein said.
On Friday, the schedule was removed from the department’s Web site and replaced with a note saying “COMING SOON: Stay Tuned for More Information on the 08-09 Testing Schedule.”
Ballen said the department would consider the administrators’ comments and “try to find a solution.”
“We truly hope they do so,” said Klein. “Otherwise it’s seven to 10 days of one marking period.”
A condensed four-week testing schedule fails to hit the mark for several reasons, said local school principals and superintendents.
For some students, particularly juniors who are tested in all four subject areas, it means they will be sitting for exams two or three days a week. Administrators are concerned they will lose what amounts to a month of productive instructional time during a period when they should be preparing for final exams and Advanced Placement tests.
Eleventh grade “is one of most crucial years for a high school student. They’re building up a transcript and getting their best foot out” for colleges, said Mario Galante, director of special services for the Quakertown School District. “It’s almost like an oxymoron. We have to get kids up to standards and they’re taking more instructional time away from kids.”
The Advanced Placement tests begin on May 5 and will overlap with the PSSA. Administered by the College Board, AP exams, which can award students college credit, must be given on specific days. The PSSAs are flexible and will have to be moved around to accommodate students.
Juniors will be pulled out of classes, interrupting not only their instructional time, but that of the sophomores, juniors and seniors who are in some of their classes, officials said.
Administrators worry about test exhaustion and question how effective students will perform on the PSSAs under this new set-up.
“It’s gone from bad to unconscionable,” said Souderton High School Principal Sam Varano. “Our 11th graders are going to think that testing is all that school is about.”
The state, he added, “has thrown high schools across the state off for a solid month. They couldn’t pick a four-week time period that was more crucial.”
Adding to their woes is the timing of the announcement.
Many school districts had already printed their calendars and were preparing to distribute them to parents.
The new testing dates means having to rework the schedules for everything from special school programs, to teacher inservice days, to community events. Families will also be unable to take trips during this time because students must be in school for the exams.
“We build everything around the PSSAs. Now I’m blown out of the water,” said Upper Moreland Superintendent Robert Milrod, who called the state irresponsible and said his initial reaction was to band together with other Montgomery County schools and draft a letter protesting the move.
Although the department of education said schools are always told that PSSA dates are tentative, “we were admittedly late in telling them (of the changes). We understand the schools’ concerns,” said Ballen, who said the PDE is hearing from
Education department officials had been waiting for the completion of contract negotiations with the test provider, DRC.
The Minnesota firm provides the state with its PSSA exams and was coming off a five-year contract. Ballen said the state could not announce the testing dates until the new contract was officially signed.
Varano acknowledged that the department indicated the schedule was tentative, but said “you don’t do anything this important on the eve of the school year.”
Schools blast state for PSSA changes
Testing will be done from April 15 to May 15, a time when juniors will be preparing for final exams and Advanced Placement tests.
By HILARY BENTMAN
On the eve of the new school year, some local administrators are positively reeling.
The source of their beef is a late announcement about a change to the testing dates for this year’s PSSA, which administrators said will wreak havoc with their already-established calendars and monopolize an entire month of instructional time at one of the most critical periods of the school year.
“It would be a lot of days lost in the fourth marking period,” said Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein.
Each year, students are required to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, which tests students in math, reading, writing and science. The math and reading tests are for students in third through eighth, and 11th grade. The science test is given to students in fourth, eighth and 11th grades. All are required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The goal is to have all children proficient by 2014.
The state also requires a writing test but that is not required by No Child Left Behind.
In previous years, these exams, which can last two to three hours a day, were spread out over several months, with test windows lasting several days at a time.
But the Pennsylvania Department of Education informed districts on Wednesday that the PSSAs will be given during a four-week window from April 15 to May 15, which the department said is being implemented upon the recommendation of educators surveyed around the state who thought this was less disruptive to learning.
“Educators wanted to see more time with kids in the classroom,” said PDE spokeswoman Sheila Ballen.
But shortly after the new schedule was released, the department began receiving calls from school administrators around the state upset with the move.
Council Rock administrators sent emails to the state education department and was prepared to join other Bucks County districts in sending a letter of protest to the PDE, Klein said.
On Friday, the schedule was removed from the department’s Web site and replaced with a note saying “COMING SOON: Stay Tuned for More Information on the 08-09 Testing Schedule.”
Ballen said the department would consider the administrators’ comments and “try to find a solution.”
“We truly hope they do so,” said Klein. “Otherwise it’s seven to 10 days of one marking period.”
A condensed four-week testing schedule fails to hit the mark for several reasons, said local school principals and superintendents.
For some students, particularly juniors who are tested in all four subject areas, it means they will be sitting for exams two or three days a week. Administrators are concerned they will lose what amounts to a month of productive instructional time during a period when they should be preparing for final exams and Advanced Placement tests.
Eleventh grade “is one of most crucial years for a high school student. They’re building up a transcript and getting their best foot out” for colleges, said Mario Galante, director of special services for the Quakertown School District. “It’s almost like an oxymoron. We have to get kids up to standards and they’re taking more instructional time away from kids.”
The Advanced Placement tests begin on May 5 and will overlap with the PSSA. Administered by the College Board, AP exams, which can award students college credit, must be given on specific days. The PSSAs are flexible and will have to be moved around to accommodate students.
Juniors will be pulled out of classes, interrupting not only their instructional time, but that of the sophomores, juniors and seniors who are in some of their classes, officials said.
Administrators worry about test exhaustion and question how effective students will perform on the PSSAs under this new set-up.
“It’s gone from bad to unconscionable,” said Souderton High School Principal Sam Varano. “Our 11th graders are going to think that testing is all that school is about.”
The state, he added, “has thrown high schools across the state off for a solid month. They couldn’t pick a four-week time period that was more crucial.”
Adding to their woes is the timing of the announcement.
Many school districts had already printed their calendars and were preparing to distribute them to parents.
The new testing dates means having to rework the schedules for everything from special school programs, to teacher inservice days, to community events. Families will also be unable to take trips during this time because students must be in school for the exams.
“We build everything around the PSSAs. Now I’m blown out of the water,” said Upper Moreland Superintendent Robert Milrod, who called the state irresponsible and said his initial reaction was to band together with other Montgomery County schools and draft a letter protesting the move.
Although the department of education said schools are always told that PSSA dates are tentative, “we were admittedly late in telling them (of the changes). We understand the schools’ concerns,” said Ballen, who said the PDE is hearing from
Education department officials had been waiting for the completion of contract negotiations with the test provider, DRC.
The Minnesota firm provides the state with its PSSA exams and was coming off a five-year contract. Ballen said the state could not announce the testing dates until the new contract was officially signed.
Varano acknowledged that the department indicated the schedule was tentative, but said “you don’t do anything this important on the eve of the school year.”
Education Policy: Obama and McCain
Barack Obama and John McCain will be opening up the 2008 installment of the quadrennial presidential follies shortly, and we will be treated to the spectacle of media frenzy over substance-less discussion, but education policy will be on the mind of the 44th President of the United States.
The Council for Exceptional Children has created a voter guide (pdf) that lists the education platforms of the presidential candidates.
EdWeek.org has a Campaign K-12 blog available to keep up to date.
The Council for Exceptional Children has created a voter guide (pdf) that lists the education platforms of the presidential candidates.
EdWeek.org has a Campaign K-12 blog available to keep up to date.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
New Pennsylvania Chapter 14 special education regulations
This link leads eventually to a law firm, so the usual caveats apply and this link is provided for information only. Take a look at the disclaimer on the SNAG page and assume that I am invoking the same limitations here.
No matter what the caveats, the new provisions they list did go into effect.
The new Pennsylvania Chapter 14 special education regulations became effective July 1, 2008, and we have summarized for parents the most relevant changes affecting children with disabilities.
No matter what the caveats, the new provisions they list did go into effect.
The new Pennsylvania Chapter 14 special education regulations became effective July 1, 2008, and we have summarized for parents the most relevant changes affecting children with disabilities.
Why Privacy is Important
Before we bog down in the "good people should be good custodians of private information" discussion of Morrisville's re-registration, let's consider why private information should remain private.
Take a look at the New York Times article below, citing the lame-duck Bush Administration's push to codify some of their excesses before being evicted in January 2009.
Imagine for just a minute that one of these nice people, who thought they were just being a good citizen, saw "something" that seemed to be not right. Before you could say, "Mrs Kravitz! What are you doing?", there's an FBI file folder with your name on it.
A good person, with good intentions, simply asked a question of the proper authorities, and the proverbial hell-bound road paving permanently tars and feathers an innocent person.
The accompanying editorial makes the case: "Opening the door to sweeping investigations of this kind would be an invitation to the government to spy on people based on their race, religion or political activities. Before Mr. Mukasey goes any further, Congress should insist that the guidelines be fully vetted, and it should make certain that they do not pose a further threat to Americans’ civil liberties."
There's some more discussion on this at slashdot.com. It's a brave new world, citizen, and resistance is futile.
Maybe we can spy on the special education families to "really" be sure that the kids need the help they receive at school. Maybe we can have school board members follow families around town to be sure that they "really" live in town. (Oops. My bad. That's already been done.)
Why shouldn't we want to know that the custodians of our information are definitively barred from unauthorized disclosure, with the appropriate penalties to apply if they fail in this? Imagine if the pharmacist at CVS mentioned openly to your neighbors that you're taking drug X for condition Y. There's laws governing that situation, and the Emperor and the Board of Selected Accomplices should similarly be held responsible for the responsible use of school data.
Are there any ACLU lawyers out there who would like some courtroom experience?
New Guidelines Would Give F.B.I. Broader Powers
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: August 20, 2008
WASHINGTON — A Justice Department plan would loosen restrictions on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to allow agents to open a national security or criminal investigation against someone without any clear basis for suspicion, Democratic lawmakers briefed on the details said Wednesday.
The plan, which could be made public next month, has already generated intense interest and speculation. Little is known about its precise language, but civil liberties advocates say they fear it could give the government even broader license to open terrorism investigations.
Congressional staff members got a glimpse of some of the details in closed briefings this month, and four Democratic senators told Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey in a letter on Wednesday that they were troubled by what they heard.
The senators said the new guidelines would allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps “without any basis for suspicion.” The plan “might permit an innocent American to be subjected to such intrusive surveillance based in part on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or on protected First Amendment activities,” the letter said. It was signed by Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
As the end of the Bush administration nears, the White House has been seeking to formalize in law and regulation some of the aggressive counterterrorism steps it has already taken in practice since the Sept. 11 attacks.
Congress overhauled the federal wiretapping law in July, for instance, and President Bush issued an executive order this month ratifying new roles for intelligence agencies. Other pending changes would also authorize greater sharing of intelligence information with the local police, a major push in the last seven years.
The Justice Department is already expecting criticism over the F.B.I. guidelines. In an effort to pre-empt critics, Mr. Mukasey gave a speech last week in Portland, Ore., describing the unfinished plan as an effort to “integrate more completely and harmonize the standards that apply to the F.B.I.’s activities.” Differing standards, he said, have caused confusion for field agents.
Mr. Mukasey emphasized that the F.B.I. would still need a “valid purpose” for an investigation, and that it could not be “simply based on somebody’s race, religion, or exercise of First Amendment rights.”
Rather than expanding government power, he said, “this document clarifies the rules by which the F.B.I. conducts its intelligence mission.”
In 2002, John Ashcroft, then the attorney general, allowed F.B.I. agents to visit public sites like mosques or monitor Web sites in the course of national security investigations. The next year, Mr. Bush issued guidelines allowing officials to use ethnicity or race in “narrow” circumstances to detect a terrorist threat.
The Democratic senators said the draft plan appeared to allow the F.B.I. to go even further in collecting information on Americans connected to “foreign intelligence” without any factual predicate. They also said there appeared to be few constraints on how the information would be shared with other agencies.
Michael German, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union and a former F.B.I. agent, said the plan appeared to open the door still further to the use of data-mining profiles in tracking terrorism.
“This seems to be based on the idea that the government can take a bunch of data and create a profile that can be used to identify future bad guys,” he said. “But that has not been demonstrated to be true anywhere else.”
The Justice Department said Wednesday that in light of requests from members of Congress for more information, Mr. Mukasey would agree not to sign the new guidelines before a Sept. 17 Congressional hearing.
---------------------------------
Editorial
A New Rush to Spy
Published: August 22, 2008
There is apparently no limit to the Bush administration’s desire to invade Americans’ privacy in the name of national security. According to members of Congress, Attorney General Michael Mukasey is preparing to give the F.B.I. broad new authority to investigate Americans — without any clear basis for suspicion that they are committing a crime.
Opening the door to sweeping investigations of this kind would be an invitation to the government to spy on people based on their race, religion or political activities. Before Mr. Mukasey goes any further, Congress should insist that the guidelines be fully vetted, and it should make certain that they do not pose a further threat to Americans’ civil liberties.
Mr. Mukasey has not revealed the new guidelines. But according to senators whose staff have been given limited briefings, the rules may also authorize the F.B.I. to use an array of problematic investigative techniques. Among these are pretext interviews, in which agents do not honestly represent themselves while questioning a subject’s neighbors and work colleagues.
Four Democratic Senators — Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts — have written to Mr. Mukasey and urged him not to sign the guidelines until they are publicly announced and national security and civil liberties experts have had a chance to analyze them.
We concur, and we would add that there should be full Congressional hearings so Americans can learn what new powers the government intends to take on.
The F.B.I. has a long history of abusing its authority to spy on domestic groups, including civil rights and anti-war activists, and there is a real danger that the new rules would revive those dark days.
Clearly, the Bush administration cannot be trusted to get the balance between law enforcement and civil liberties right. It has repeatedly engaged in improper and illegal domestic spying — notably in the National Security Agency’s warrantless eavesdropping program.
The F.B.I. and the White House no doubt want to push the changes through before a new president is elected. There is no reason to rush to adopt rules that have such important civil liberties implications.
Take a look at the New York Times article below, citing the lame-duck Bush Administration's push to codify some of their excesses before being evicted in January 2009.
Imagine for just a minute that one of these nice people, who thought they were just being a good citizen, saw "something" that seemed to be not right. Before you could say, "Mrs Kravitz! What are you doing?", there's an FBI file folder with your name on it.
A good person, with good intentions, simply asked a question of the proper authorities, and the proverbial hell-bound road paving permanently tars and feathers an innocent person.
The accompanying editorial makes the case: "Opening the door to sweeping investigations of this kind would be an invitation to the government to spy on people based on their race, religion or political activities. Before Mr. Mukasey goes any further, Congress should insist that the guidelines be fully vetted, and it should make certain that they do not pose a further threat to Americans’ civil liberties."
There's some more discussion on this at slashdot.com. It's a brave new world, citizen, and resistance is futile.
Maybe we can spy on the special education families to "really" be sure that the kids need the help they receive at school. Maybe we can have school board members follow families around town to be sure that they "really" live in town. (Oops. My bad. That's already been done.)
Why shouldn't we want to know that the custodians of our information are definitively barred from unauthorized disclosure, with the appropriate penalties to apply if they fail in this? Imagine if the pharmacist at CVS mentioned openly to your neighbors that you're taking drug X for condition Y. There's laws governing that situation, and the Emperor and the Board of Selected Accomplices should similarly be held responsible for the responsible use of school data.
Are there any ACLU lawyers out there who would like some courtroom experience?
New Guidelines Would Give F.B.I. Broader Powers
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: August 20, 2008
WASHINGTON — A Justice Department plan would loosen restrictions on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to allow agents to open a national security or criminal investigation against someone without any clear basis for suspicion, Democratic lawmakers briefed on the details said Wednesday.
The plan, which could be made public next month, has already generated intense interest and speculation. Little is known about its precise language, but civil liberties advocates say they fear it could give the government even broader license to open terrorism investigations.
Congressional staff members got a glimpse of some of the details in closed briefings this month, and four Democratic senators told Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey in a letter on Wednesday that they were troubled by what they heard.
The senators said the new guidelines would allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps “without any basis for suspicion.” The plan “might permit an innocent American to be subjected to such intrusive surveillance based in part on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or on protected First Amendment activities,” the letter said. It was signed by Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
As the end of the Bush administration nears, the White House has been seeking to formalize in law and regulation some of the aggressive counterterrorism steps it has already taken in practice since the Sept. 11 attacks.
Congress overhauled the federal wiretapping law in July, for instance, and President Bush issued an executive order this month ratifying new roles for intelligence agencies. Other pending changes would also authorize greater sharing of intelligence information with the local police, a major push in the last seven years.
The Justice Department is already expecting criticism over the F.B.I. guidelines. In an effort to pre-empt critics, Mr. Mukasey gave a speech last week in Portland, Ore., describing the unfinished plan as an effort to “integrate more completely and harmonize the standards that apply to the F.B.I.’s activities.” Differing standards, he said, have caused confusion for field agents.
Mr. Mukasey emphasized that the F.B.I. would still need a “valid purpose” for an investigation, and that it could not be “simply based on somebody’s race, religion, or exercise of First Amendment rights.”
Rather than expanding government power, he said, “this document clarifies the rules by which the F.B.I. conducts its intelligence mission.”
In 2002, John Ashcroft, then the attorney general, allowed F.B.I. agents to visit public sites like mosques or monitor Web sites in the course of national security investigations. The next year, Mr. Bush issued guidelines allowing officials to use ethnicity or race in “narrow” circumstances to detect a terrorist threat.
The Democratic senators said the draft plan appeared to allow the F.B.I. to go even further in collecting information on Americans connected to “foreign intelligence” without any factual predicate. They also said there appeared to be few constraints on how the information would be shared with other agencies.
Michael German, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union and a former F.B.I. agent, said the plan appeared to open the door still further to the use of data-mining profiles in tracking terrorism.
“This seems to be based on the idea that the government can take a bunch of data and create a profile that can be used to identify future bad guys,” he said. “But that has not been demonstrated to be true anywhere else.”
The Justice Department said Wednesday that in light of requests from members of Congress for more information, Mr. Mukasey would agree not to sign the new guidelines before a Sept. 17 Congressional hearing.
---------------------------------
Editorial
A New Rush to Spy
Published: August 22, 2008
There is apparently no limit to the Bush administration’s desire to invade Americans’ privacy in the name of national security. According to members of Congress, Attorney General Michael Mukasey is preparing to give the F.B.I. broad new authority to investigate Americans — without any clear basis for suspicion that they are committing a crime.
Opening the door to sweeping investigations of this kind would be an invitation to the government to spy on people based on their race, religion or political activities. Before Mr. Mukasey goes any further, Congress should insist that the guidelines be fully vetted, and it should make certain that they do not pose a further threat to Americans’ civil liberties.
Mr. Mukasey has not revealed the new guidelines. But according to senators whose staff have been given limited briefings, the rules may also authorize the F.B.I. to use an array of problematic investigative techniques. Among these are pretext interviews, in which agents do not honestly represent themselves while questioning a subject’s neighbors and work colleagues.
Four Democratic Senators — Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts — have written to Mr. Mukasey and urged him not to sign the guidelines until they are publicly announced and national security and civil liberties experts have had a chance to analyze them.
We concur, and we would add that there should be full Congressional hearings so Americans can learn what new powers the government intends to take on.
The F.B.I. has a long history of abusing its authority to spy on domestic groups, including civil rights and anti-war activists, and there is a real danger that the new rules would revive those dark days.
Clearly, the Bush administration cannot be trusted to get the balance between law enforcement and civil liberties right. It has repeatedly engaged in improper and illegal domestic spying — notably in the National Security Agency’s warrantless eavesdropping program.
The F.B.I. and the White House no doubt want to push the changes through before a new president is elected. There is no reason to rush to adopt rules that have such important civil liberties implications.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Let's Visit Sag Harbor
From the Sag Harbor (NY) Express. Ignore the specific references to people and places and concentrate on the meaning behind the words. There's apparently plenty of village idiots in charge. This plea could be equally applied to the Morrisville School District.
"The mission of our school has nothing to do with factions or special interests. It is the moral obligation of our community and our school district to provide our children with the best possible education and to do so in a sustainable fashion that takes into account the finite nature of our community’s resources. To find that sustainability will require a board of education that embraces community participation, and acts transparently and honestly. It also will require renewed commitment from the community."
"It is much easier for them to legitimize their beliefs to the community and rationalize them to themselves if our district, particularly Pierson Middle/High School, is perceived as mediocre and teachers and administrators are perceived as scoundrels."
Check out the part about the illegal monitoring of the special education costs too.
"Once again, according to the Express, Elena Loreto wondered if anyone was monitoring the number of special education students in the district which she said was high. As a former teacher, Ms. Loreto should know better. The classification of students is part of a comprehensive, deliberative process mandated by the state that includes health care, educational, and behavioral specialists, teachers, parents, the head of Pupil Personal Services and principals. Every recommendation of services for a student is review by the school board. There is absolutely nothing casual about this process. Would Ms. Loreto like to cap special education classification at a certain level and take away services from some of our most needy kids in an effort to save herself some money? If so, it reflects an attitude which is antithetical to the whole purpose of public education and the democratic principles at its foundation. It is the principle articulated by Dewey. We as a community have a responsibility to educate each and every student who walks through the door of our school irrespective of the baggage or disability that they carry with them."
Classic.
A democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a form of associative living -- John Dewey, 1916
John Dewey was “the most important advocate of participatory democracy; that is, of the belief that democracy as an ethical ideal calls upon men and women to build communities in which the necessary opportunities and resources are available for every individual to realize fully his or her particular capacities and powers through participation in political, social, and cultural life.” -- Robert Westbrook, 1991
America’s great philosopher and educator John Dewey believed that the essential element, the key to American democracy is education. He also believed that the stewardship of that education resided in “communities” which have the obligation to provide “the necessary opportunity and resources” to provide for that education. His philosophy was mirrored one hundred years ago in the words of Olivia Sage who spoke of our community’s obligation “as guardians of children to provide for the education of our children.”
Anyone in our community who believes in this collective commitment to our children and their education should be greatly concerned by the series of articles about our school that appeared in last week’s Express. Most troubling is the article titled “School Super Grilled” which described last week’s meeting of the Noyac Civic Council. Comments made by members of the Civic Council during their meeting are consistent with their concerted efforts to discredit the educational performance of children and our school district over a period of time. It has become obvious over time that their activity is not driven by a concern for our children or their education but instead by the immediate self-interest of reducing their own tax burden by cutting our school’s budget, increasing class size, cutting education programs, services and staff. It is much easier for them to legitimize their beliefs to the community and rationalize them to themselves if our district, particularly Pierson Middle/High School, is perceived as mediocre and teachers and administrators are perceived as scoundrels. The truth is, that Pierson by any meaningful, comprehensive assessment (which would include student performance on standardized tests) is the best secondary school on the East End. Moreover, Pierson has shown remarkable improvement over the last ten years.
In this context the Express’s article is illuminating.
According to the Express, one member of the Civic Council stated “I’ve been paying taxes here for 47 years. You don’t send your kids to Harvard or Brown…You’re a joke.” This statement is completely false. We send our students to the best schools in the country including Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bard. In the discipline which I teach, the fine arts, we have an extraordinary record of placing our students at the finest professional schools in the country including the Chicago Art Institue, Rhode Island School of Design, Cooper Union, Cal Arts, The Boston Museum School, and Pratt Institute among others.
Patrick Witty asked if Advanced Placement courses were mandated by New York State. The answer of course is no. Was this a rhetorical question? Was Mr. Witty suggesting that we reduce our kids’ education opportunities to the minimum required by the state?
Once again, according to the Express, Elena Loreto wondered if anyone was monitoring the number of special education students in the district which she said was high. As a former teacher, Ms. Loreto should know better. The classification of students is part of a comprehensive, deliberative process mandated by the state that includes health care, educational, and behavioral specialists, teachers, parents, the head of Pupil Personal Services and principals. Every recommendation of services for a student is review by the school board. There is absolutely nothing casual about this process. Would Ms. Loreto like to cap special education classification at a certain level and take away services from some of our most needy kids in an effort to save herself some money? If so, it reflects an attitude which is antithetical to the whole purpose of public education and the democratic principles at its foundation. It is the principle articulated by Dewey. We as a community have a responsibility to educate each and every student who walks through the door of our school irrespective of the baggage or disability that they carry with them.
Finally, in the comments made by Ed Grohan at the Civic Council meeting there is a disconnect between perception, reality and the fundamental mission of our school. Mr. Grohan talks about district goals favoring teachers and administrators specifically that maintaining the current education program and talks about this leading to “stagnation.” Mr. Grohan as a teacher, a resident of Noyac with one child in our school and one that just graduated and is attending The School of Visual Arts in September, I assure you I have no interest in our school stagnating.
Ten years ago our community made a commitment to maintain a community based school, which would provide our children with a comprehensive, rich and textured education. This was the commitment at the foundation of the renovation and enlargement of Pierson High School. Over the years our faculty has been transformed by new, energetic and talented teachers. The curriculum has been in a constant state of development, improvement and change. The positions of assistant principals at the middle school and high school have allowed for hands on direct and daily contact for both students, parents and teachers with our administrators. They have improved the function of our school and provided invaluable service.
Ten years ago, many in our school and community felt that Pierson was second rate, incapable of competing with East Hampton or Southampton let alone the Ross School. Today Pierson has Intel science national semifinalists, students that save lives with lessons well learned in Sue Denis’s CPR classes, students passionate about math, history, literature, students who have exhibited remarkable and tangible achievement in music and art. We have former students attending the best universities and colleges in the country and serving with bravery in Iraq. Our staff includes a Harvard graduate, graduates from Columbia’s prestigious Teachers College, award winning coaches along with two Suffolk County Teachers of the Year.
This having been said, our school is far from perfect and it must be improved both in terms of its education program and fiscal accountability.
The mission of our school has nothing to do with factions or special interests. It is the moral obligation of our community and our school district to provide our children with the best possible education and to do so in a sustainable fashion that takes into account the finite nature of our community’s resources. To find that sustainability will require a board of education that embraces community participation, and acts transparently and honestly. It also will require renewed commitment form the community.
Sadly, the Noyac Civic Council, by their statements that act to obscure instead of illuminate, who continually and purposefully misrepresent the truth about our school and the performance of our children, who put their own petty self-interest before that of our community and our children, has done little to further the necessary discussion about our school.
"The mission of our school has nothing to do with factions or special interests. It is the moral obligation of our community and our school district to provide our children with the best possible education and to do so in a sustainable fashion that takes into account the finite nature of our community’s resources. To find that sustainability will require a board of education that embraces community participation, and acts transparently and honestly. It also will require renewed commitment from the community."
"It is much easier for them to legitimize their beliefs to the community and rationalize them to themselves if our district, particularly Pierson Middle/High School, is perceived as mediocre and teachers and administrators are perceived as scoundrels."
Check out the part about the illegal monitoring of the special education costs too.
"Once again, according to the Express, Elena Loreto wondered if anyone was monitoring the number of special education students in the district which she said was high. As a former teacher, Ms. Loreto should know better. The classification of students is part of a comprehensive, deliberative process mandated by the state that includes health care, educational, and behavioral specialists, teachers, parents, the head of Pupil Personal Services and principals. Every recommendation of services for a student is review by the school board. There is absolutely nothing casual about this process. Would Ms. Loreto like to cap special education classification at a certain level and take away services from some of our most needy kids in an effort to save herself some money? If so, it reflects an attitude which is antithetical to the whole purpose of public education and the democratic principles at its foundation. It is the principle articulated by Dewey. We as a community have a responsibility to educate each and every student who walks through the door of our school irrespective of the baggage or disability that they carry with them."
Classic.
A democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a form of associative living -- John Dewey, 1916
John Dewey was “the most important advocate of participatory democracy; that is, of the belief that democracy as an ethical ideal calls upon men and women to build communities in which the necessary opportunities and resources are available for every individual to realize fully his or her particular capacities and powers through participation in political, social, and cultural life.” -- Robert Westbrook, 1991
America’s great philosopher and educator John Dewey believed that the essential element, the key to American democracy is education. He also believed that the stewardship of that education resided in “communities” which have the obligation to provide “the necessary opportunity and resources” to provide for that education. His philosophy was mirrored one hundred years ago in the words of Olivia Sage who spoke of our community’s obligation “as guardians of children to provide for the education of our children.”
Anyone in our community who believes in this collective commitment to our children and their education should be greatly concerned by the series of articles about our school that appeared in last week’s Express. Most troubling is the article titled “School Super Grilled” which described last week’s meeting of the Noyac Civic Council. Comments made by members of the Civic Council during their meeting are consistent with their concerted efforts to discredit the educational performance of children and our school district over a period of time. It has become obvious over time that their activity is not driven by a concern for our children or their education but instead by the immediate self-interest of reducing their own tax burden by cutting our school’s budget, increasing class size, cutting education programs, services and staff. It is much easier for them to legitimize their beliefs to the community and rationalize them to themselves if our district, particularly Pierson Middle/High School, is perceived as mediocre and teachers and administrators are perceived as scoundrels. The truth is, that Pierson by any meaningful, comprehensive assessment (which would include student performance on standardized tests) is the best secondary school on the East End. Moreover, Pierson has shown remarkable improvement over the last ten years.
In this context the Express’s article is illuminating.
According to the Express, one member of the Civic Council stated “I’ve been paying taxes here for 47 years. You don’t send your kids to Harvard or Brown…You’re a joke.” This statement is completely false. We send our students to the best schools in the country including Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bard. In the discipline which I teach, the fine arts, we have an extraordinary record of placing our students at the finest professional schools in the country including the Chicago Art Institue, Rhode Island School of Design, Cooper Union, Cal Arts, The Boston Museum School, and Pratt Institute among others.
Patrick Witty asked if Advanced Placement courses were mandated by New York State. The answer of course is no. Was this a rhetorical question? Was Mr. Witty suggesting that we reduce our kids’ education opportunities to the minimum required by the state?
Once again, according to the Express, Elena Loreto wondered if anyone was monitoring the number of special education students in the district which she said was high. As a former teacher, Ms. Loreto should know better. The classification of students is part of a comprehensive, deliberative process mandated by the state that includes health care, educational, and behavioral specialists, teachers, parents, the head of Pupil Personal Services and principals. Every recommendation of services for a student is review by the school board. There is absolutely nothing casual about this process. Would Ms. Loreto like to cap special education classification at a certain level and take away services from some of our most needy kids in an effort to save herself some money? If so, it reflects an attitude which is antithetical to the whole purpose of public education and the democratic principles at its foundation. It is the principle articulated by Dewey. We as a community have a responsibility to educate each and every student who walks through the door of our school irrespective of the baggage or disability that they carry with them.
Finally, in the comments made by Ed Grohan at the Civic Council meeting there is a disconnect between perception, reality and the fundamental mission of our school. Mr. Grohan talks about district goals favoring teachers and administrators specifically that maintaining the current education program and talks about this leading to “stagnation.” Mr. Grohan as a teacher, a resident of Noyac with one child in our school and one that just graduated and is attending The School of Visual Arts in September, I assure you I have no interest in our school stagnating.
Ten years ago our community made a commitment to maintain a community based school, which would provide our children with a comprehensive, rich and textured education. This was the commitment at the foundation of the renovation and enlargement of Pierson High School. Over the years our faculty has been transformed by new, energetic and talented teachers. The curriculum has been in a constant state of development, improvement and change. The positions of assistant principals at the middle school and high school have allowed for hands on direct and daily contact for both students, parents and teachers with our administrators. They have improved the function of our school and provided invaluable service.
Ten years ago, many in our school and community felt that Pierson was second rate, incapable of competing with East Hampton or Southampton let alone the Ross School. Today Pierson has Intel science national semifinalists, students that save lives with lessons well learned in Sue Denis’s CPR classes, students passionate about math, history, literature, students who have exhibited remarkable and tangible achievement in music and art. We have former students attending the best universities and colleges in the country and serving with bravery in Iraq. Our staff includes a Harvard graduate, graduates from Columbia’s prestigious Teachers College, award winning coaches along with two Suffolk County Teachers of the Year.
This having been said, our school is far from perfect and it must be improved both in terms of its education program and fiscal accountability.
The mission of our school has nothing to do with factions or special interests. It is the moral obligation of our community and our school district to provide our children with the best possible education and to do so in a sustainable fashion that takes into account the finite nature of our community’s resources. To find that sustainability will require a board of education that embraces community participation, and acts transparently and honestly. It also will require renewed commitment form the community.
Sadly, the Noyac Civic Council, by their statements that act to obscure instead of illuminate, who continually and purposefully misrepresent the truth about our school and the performance of our children, who put their own petty self-interest before that of our community and our children, has done little to further the necessary discussion about our school.
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
Schools on a shoestring: Specialized programs cut to the core
Orlando Sentinel
Students across Central Florida will learn a brutal lesson in economics when the new school year starts next week. For years, school leaders juggled their budgets to prevent the state's chronic money woes from creeping into the classroom. But they're out of options now and scaling back popular programs for gifted students and troubled kids.
Opinion: We can learn from special schools
The Age
JULIA Gillard has called for a "raging debate" about how our education system compares to the best in the world, how to ensure that every school is a great school, and how to ensure every child gets an excellent education.
ACT scores show 3 in 4 need some remedial help for college
USA Today
Average scores on the ACT college entrance exam dipped slightly for the high school class of 2008 as the number of students taking the exam jumped by 9% compared to last year. This year's results, released Wednesday, reveal that more than three in four test-takers will likely need remedial help in at least one subject to succeed in college.
Even the SPED kids outperformed black students.
S.F.'s black students lag far behind whites
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco schools earned bragging rights on state standardized tests again this year - performing better than the state as a whole across every grade in both math and English - but any celebration was clouded by the subpar proficiency of the district's African American students, who continued to fall further behind their peers.
Could bumpy economy lead to slumping education?
USA Today
By Libby Quaid, Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Harder times and higher fuel prices are following kids back to school this fall. Children will walk farther to the bus stop, pay more for lunch, study from old textbooks, even wear last year's clothes. Field trips? Forget about it.
Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, Ms.
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.
It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.
Orlando Sentinel
Students across Central Florida will learn a brutal lesson in economics when the new school year starts next week. For years, school leaders juggled their budgets to prevent the state's chronic money woes from creeping into the classroom. But they're out of options now and scaling back popular programs for gifted students and troubled kids.
Opinion: We can learn from special schools
The Age
JULIA Gillard has called for a "raging debate" about how our education system compares to the best in the world, how to ensure that every school is a great school, and how to ensure every child gets an excellent education.
ACT scores show 3 in 4 need some remedial help for college
USA Today
Average scores on the ACT college entrance exam dipped slightly for the high school class of 2008 as the number of students taking the exam jumped by 9% compared to last year. This year's results, released Wednesday, reveal that more than three in four test-takers will likely need remedial help in at least one subject to succeed in college.
Even the SPED kids outperformed black students.
S.F.'s black students lag far behind whites
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco schools earned bragging rights on state standardized tests again this year - performing better than the state as a whole across every grade in both math and English - but any celebration was clouded by the subpar proficiency of the district's African American students, who continued to fall further behind their peers.
Could bumpy economy lead to slumping education?
USA Today
By Libby Quaid, Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Harder times and higher fuel prices are following kids back to school this fall. Children will walk farther to the bus stop, pay more for lunch, study from old textbooks, even wear last year's clothes. Field trips? Forget about it.
Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, Ms.
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.
It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.
Morrisville celebrates '1776'
From the Trenton Times. Don't forget the show tonight at the Williamson Park pavilion at 8 P.M..
History at home: Morrisville celebrates '1776' By ANITA DONOVAN
Friday, August 22, 2008
July 1776 was hot and humid in the Delaware Valley. In Philadelphia, the Continental Congress, approximately 40 representatives of the 13 rebellious colonies, sat debating submission or revolution, while war already raged from Boston and New York to South Carolina. The supporters of independence -- the argumentative Boston attorney John Adams, Virginia's shy but articulate Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia's resident genius Benjamin Franklin -- urged the adoption of a "declaration" of separation from Great Britain, while John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and southern slave holders Joseph Hewes and Edward Rutledge demurred. The rest of the delegates hung suspended in perplexity, while Gen. George Washington conducted what already looked like a losing battle.
We know the outcome of the Congress, but the Declaration did not make independence happen overnight. Six months later, in an already venerable settlement on the Delaware River, Robert Morris, a financier of the revolution, lent his rural mansion Summerseat to Washington to serve as the jumping off place for the December 1776 sneak attack against the British at Trenton.
This weekend, Morrisville Borough, named for Morris in 1804, honors its singular role in America's birth with two free performances of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's musical reenactment of that fateful July, "1776." Presented by Morrisville's resident theater company, Actors' NET of Bucks County, the show will take place at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the riverfront's Williamson Park.
"You could say that '1776' is our signature show," says NET managing director Joe Doyle, who plays John Adams in the production.
"This is the sixth time we have staged '1776.' We've done three productions indoors at the Heritage Center, our first one outdoors in Williamson Park in summer 2004 -- in conjunction with 'The Man Who Bought a Country,' my own historical musical about Robert Morris," says Doyle. "Then we staged a production at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2005. We took a break from history last year, doing 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' in the park. But now we're back to '1776' at Williamson."
As in the past, the Morrisville Borough Council is sponsoring this production. Doyle admits it isn't easy taking the show outside and breaking it down after each performance. In the past, the Actors' NET crew hauled light and sound equipment from their theater opposite the Park. This year, they were able to borrow sound gear from the borough and lights from area producer Joe Martin.
"The vast majority of our cast this year are repeaters from past runs of the show," says director Cheryl Doyle, "making it quite easy to reassemble."
Mary Liz Ivins portrays Abigail Adams, singing the beautiful love song "Till Then" with husband John. Jim Petro plays Jefferson and Kyla Marie Mostello, as Martha Jefferson, is thrilled when her husband "plays the violin."
The performers are just as enthusiastic about the sixth performance of their roles as they were for the first several.
"There are a few roles that I don't mind doing endlessly," says Steve Lobis, playing the obdurate Pennsylvania delegate Dickinson, "and this is one of them." To him, "1776" is a wonderful combination of fact and entertainment.
"Peter Stone's book may take some artistic license with historic detail, but I find the accuracy of facts and quotes is quite impressive," he notes. "It's a great treat for those of us who love both musical theater and history."
Marco Newton, who has portrayed the crusty custodian An drew McNair in all six productions, also loves doing the show. His character is primarily comical, but he represents the common man amongst the high profile delegates making the big decisions.
"The words and delivery are branded on my consciousness. For me, it seems like the history lesson a kid would prefer over a boring lecture. The way '1776' is presented makes kids interested in the past in a way they never would ordinarily be.
"From the play, we realize our founding fathers had personalities, issues, libidos, egos -- they weren't just men in funny wigs, as they are usually portrayed."
For Doyle, the role of Adams brings together the historic and the personal.'Honestly, from the first time I read the script. Mr. Adams spoke to me. I strongly identify with his personality -- flaws and all," says Doyle, who also has served for several years as an interpreter of the Adams persona for Philadelphia's American Historical Theatre. "I understand what it is to be pushy, headstrong and passionate over something I fervently believe in, so when people react adversely, like Adams, I feel misunderstood."
Although the script jokes that Adams is "obnoxious and disliked," history shows he was highly respected by his peers.
Apparently, Doyle's perception of Adams comes across to the audience. While speaking as Adams at an AHT forum, Doyle was approached by newly naturalized citizens who thanked him -- as if he really was Adams -- for what the Founding Fathers did to create and secure our nation.
"You can't help being moved when something like that happens. All you can do is tell them -- as Adams might have -- that it was an honor to perform these duties."
Probably Doyle's favorite compliment came from a youngster who saw "1776" and solemnly announced that he planned to grow up to be "like John Adams."
"The most memorable of all our shows was July 4, 2004," recalls Doyle. At one point, Adams sings jubilantly about the future of America. "Just as I sang the line, 'I see fireworks, I see the pageantry, the pomp and parade,' from across the river in Trenton the sky was suddenly illuminated by fireworks -- as if on cue. An amazing moment. Or, as John Adams would say,'Incredible!"'
The show is appropriate for all ages. Playgoers may bring blankets or chairs or sit on bleachers. Free parking is on site and along the riverfront.
History at home: Morrisville celebrates '1776' By ANITA DONOVAN
Friday, August 22, 2008
July 1776 was hot and humid in the Delaware Valley. In Philadelphia, the Continental Congress, approximately 40 representatives of the 13 rebellious colonies, sat debating submission or revolution, while war already raged from Boston and New York to South Carolina. The supporters of independence -- the argumentative Boston attorney John Adams, Virginia's shy but articulate Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia's resident genius Benjamin Franklin -- urged the adoption of a "declaration" of separation from Great Britain, while John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and southern slave holders Joseph Hewes and Edward Rutledge demurred. The rest of the delegates hung suspended in perplexity, while Gen. George Washington conducted what already looked like a losing battle.
We know the outcome of the Congress, but the Declaration did not make independence happen overnight. Six months later, in an already venerable settlement on the Delaware River, Robert Morris, a financier of the revolution, lent his rural mansion Summerseat to Washington to serve as the jumping off place for the December 1776 sneak attack against the British at Trenton.
This weekend, Morrisville Borough, named for Morris in 1804, honors its singular role in America's birth with two free performances of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's musical reenactment of that fateful July, "1776." Presented by Morrisville's resident theater company, Actors' NET of Bucks County, the show will take place at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the riverfront's Williamson Park.
"You could say that '1776' is our signature show," says NET managing director Joe Doyle, who plays John Adams in the production.
"This is the sixth time we have staged '1776.' We've done three productions indoors at the Heritage Center, our first one outdoors in Williamson Park in summer 2004 -- in conjunction with 'The Man Who Bought a Country,' my own historical musical about Robert Morris," says Doyle. "Then we staged a production at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2005. We took a break from history last year, doing 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' in the park. But now we're back to '1776' at Williamson."
As in the past, the Morrisville Borough Council is sponsoring this production. Doyle admits it isn't easy taking the show outside and breaking it down after each performance. In the past, the Actors' NET crew hauled light and sound equipment from their theater opposite the Park. This year, they were able to borrow sound gear from the borough and lights from area producer Joe Martin.
"The vast majority of our cast this year are repeaters from past runs of the show," says director Cheryl Doyle, "making it quite easy to reassemble."
Mary Liz Ivins portrays Abigail Adams, singing the beautiful love song "Till Then" with husband John. Jim Petro plays Jefferson and Kyla Marie Mostello, as Martha Jefferson, is thrilled when her husband "plays the violin."
The performers are just as enthusiastic about the sixth performance of their roles as they were for the first several.
"There are a few roles that I don't mind doing endlessly," says Steve Lobis, playing the obdurate Pennsylvania delegate Dickinson, "and this is one of them." To him, "1776" is a wonderful combination of fact and entertainment.
"Peter Stone's book may take some artistic license with historic detail, but I find the accuracy of facts and quotes is quite impressive," he notes. "It's a great treat for those of us who love both musical theater and history."
Marco Newton, who has portrayed the crusty custodian An drew McNair in all six productions, also loves doing the show. His character is primarily comical, but he represents the common man amongst the high profile delegates making the big decisions.
"The words and delivery are branded on my consciousness. For me, it seems like the history lesson a kid would prefer over a boring lecture. The way '1776' is presented makes kids interested in the past in a way they never would ordinarily be.
"From the play, we realize our founding fathers had personalities, issues, libidos, egos -- they weren't just men in funny wigs, as they are usually portrayed."
For Doyle, the role of Adams brings together the historic and the personal.'Honestly, from the first time I read the script. Mr. Adams spoke to me. I strongly identify with his personality -- flaws and all," says Doyle, who also has served for several years as an interpreter of the Adams persona for Philadelphia's American Historical Theatre. "I understand what it is to be pushy, headstrong and passionate over something I fervently believe in, so when people react adversely, like Adams, I feel misunderstood."
Although the script jokes that Adams is "obnoxious and disliked," history shows he was highly respected by his peers.
Apparently, Doyle's perception of Adams comes across to the audience. While speaking as Adams at an AHT forum, Doyle was approached by newly naturalized citizens who thanked him -- as if he really was Adams -- for what the Founding Fathers did to create and secure our nation.
"You can't help being moved when something like that happens. All you can do is tell them -- as Adams might have -- that it was an honor to perform these duties."
Probably Doyle's favorite compliment came from a youngster who saw "1776" and solemnly announced that he planned to grow up to be "like John Adams."
"The most memorable of all our shows was July 4, 2004," recalls Doyle. At one point, Adams sings jubilantly about the future of America. "Just as I sang the line, 'I see fireworks, I see the pageantry, the pomp and parade,' from across the river in Trenton the sky was suddenly illuminated by fireworks -- as if on cue. An amazing moment. Or, as John Adams would say,'Incredible!"'
The show is appropriate for all ages. Playgoers may bring blankets or chairs or sit on bleachers. Free parking is on site and along the riverfront.
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Pennsylvania School Report Card
The conservative Commonwealth Foundation assesses the PSSA and Pennsylvania student performance.
I see a lot of the Stop the School thinking in this report. That doesn't make it bad. It's nice to know where the mindset comes from.
It's also not meant to be another opportunity to cry wolf about the failures of the Morrisville school district. Feel free to address the tax inequities and failures of state testing where they belong: Harrisburg. Don't penalize Morrisville and its students and residents.
A Pennsylvania School Report Card: How the Commonwealth’s Public Schools Stack Up to the Rest of the Nation
Author: David V. Anderson
Executive Summary
Politicians and school officials frequently point to student performance on state tests as a primary measure of the quality of public education. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) “is a standards based criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student’s attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards.”
Unfortunately, exams such as the PSSA fail to adequately inform parents, teachers, and the taxpaying public about the quality of their schools. Indeed, a comparison between Pennsylvania’s achievement test results with those reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that the PSSA significantly inflates the numbers of public school pupils who are deemed to be performing at or above grade level.
With few exceptions, schools are engaged in massive social promotion of children who are not academically proficient. Even the very best schools promote upwards of 10% of their children to levels for which they are not prepared. In the worst schools, more than 95% are improperly promoted, based on the NAEP standard of proficiency.
The PSSA reports, on average, 1.82 times the percentage of students “proficient” in reading and math as does the NAEP. With an 82% test inflation, Pennsylvania falls just below the median of the 50 states test standards. Pennsylvania’s reported proficiencies seem to foster a complacent attitude among stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Were more accurate comparisons available, parents, school officials, politicians, and taxpayers might be more alarmed and seek stronger remedies. In cases where the proficiencies reported by the PSSA are in the 80% to 90% range, they are seen as a matter of pride, yet the equivalent NAEP scale proficiencies—a range of 50% to 60% proficient—are troubling.
This policy brief used a mapping procedure to convert PSSA test results into ones consistent with the NAEP. This provides stakeholders with more realistic performance results. They are, however, also more alarming.
I see a lot of the Stop the School thinking in this report. That doesn't make it bad. It's nice to know where the mindset comes from.
It's also not meant to be another opportunity to cry wolf about the failures of the Morrisville school district. Feel free to address the tax inequities and failures of state testing where they belong: Harrisburg. Don't penalize Morrisville and its students and residents.
A Pennsylvania School Report Card: How the Commonwealth’s Public Schools Stack Up to the Rest of the Nation
Author: David V. Anderson
Executive Summary
Politicians and school officials frequently point to student performance on state tests as a primary measure of the quality of public education. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) “is a standards based criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student’s attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards.”
Unfortunately, exams such as the PSSA fail to adequately inform parents, teachers, and the taxpaying public about the quality of their schools. Indeed, a comparison between Pennsylvania’s achievement test results with those reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that the PSSA significantly inflates the numbers of public school pupils who are deemed to be performing at or above grade level.
With few exceptions, schools are engaged in massive social promotion of children who are not academically proficient. Even the very best schools promote upwards of 10% of their children to levels for which they are not prepared. In the worst schools, more than 95% are improperly promoted, based on the NAEP standard of proficiency.
The PSSA reports, on average, 1.82 times the percentage of students “proficient” in reading and math as does the NAEP. With an 82% test inflation, Pennsylvania falls just below the median of the 50 states test standards. Pennsylvania’s reported proficiencies seem to foster a complacent attitude among stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Were more accurate comparisons available, parents, school officials, politicians, and taxpayers might be more alarmed and seek stronger remedies. In cases where the proficiencies reported by the PSSA are in the 80% to 90% range, they are seen as a matter of pride, yet the equivalent NAEP scale proficiencies—a range of 50% to 60% proficient—are troubling.
This policy brief used a mapping procedure to convert PSSA test results into ones consistent with the NAEP. This provides stakeholders with more realistic performance results. They are, however, also more alarming.
Borough Arts and Events Calendar
Next up in Morrisville's summer-long celebration:
Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd
The "Heritage Theater" presents "1776"
Raindate is August 24th
Williamson Park Stage Pavilion
Info call Joe or Cheryl Doyle @ 215-295-8181
No charge for this event
More info: visit www.actorsnetbucks.org
On deck:
Saturday, August 30th
Come tap your feet to the tunes of the "Tri-County Band"
Williamson Park Stage 6-8pm
Bring a blanket or chair
No charge for this event
Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd
The "Heritage Theater" presents "1776"
Raindate is August 24th
Williamson Park Stage Pavilion
Info call Joe or Cheryl Doyle @ 215-295-8181
No charge for this event
More info: visit www.actorsnetbucks.org
On deck:
Saturday, August 30th
Come tap your feet to the tunes of the "Tri-County Band"
Williamson Park Stage 6-8pm
Bring a blanket or chair
No charge for this event
Archdiocese seeks aid for special ed
From the Intelligencer.
Archdiocese seeks aid for special ed
By DOM COSENTINO, The Intelligencer
Funding for special education programs are a problem for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, an administrator of the archdiocese said Wednesday at a state House Republican committee hearing in Upper Moreland.
Ellen Wedermeyer, the archdiocese's assistant superintendent for special education, said the archdiocese's tuition rate only covers 20 percent of what it actually costs to educate a special needs child at any one of its five schools of special education and eight additional programs for students with learning disabilities.
Wedermeyer also said enrollment in the archdiocese's learning disability program at the elementary level has increased 20 percent in the last year, with several locations full and a wait list for the upcoming school year.
“If we are unable to locate a new funding stream to aid in paying our operating expenses,” she said, “the futures of the five schools of special education are in jeopardy.”
Wedermeyer and others addressed the House Republican Policy Committee at a hearing co-chaired by state Rep. Thomas P. Murt, an Eastern Montgomery County Republican, at St. David Parish, which is home to Our Lady of Confidence Day School, an archdiocesean school that serves students with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
The state has already established an Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which effectively allows businesses to pay part of their state business taxes through state-certified, nonprofit scholarship organizations such as the archdiocese's Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools.
BLOCS can benefit special education students, but there is no special tax credit program specifically set aside for those students, according to testimony offered by Andrew T. Lefebvre, the executive director of the school-choice coalition REACH.
Murt, an Archbishop Wood graduate, said it was too soon to tell how the testimony would be utilized as part of any legislation. The General Assembly is on recess until Sept. 15, and a pair of bills — one in the House and one in the Senate — that would address special education services for non-public schools have been pending since last summer.
“We could decide,” Murt said, “if we want to use (Wednesday's testimony) to support the legislation that's pending now, or if other changes need to be made.”
Archdiocese seeks aid for special ed
By DOM COSENTINO, The Intelligencer
Funding for special education programs are a problem for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, an administrator of the archdiocese said Wednesday at a state House Republican committee hearing in Upper Moreland.
Ellen Wedermeyer, the archdiocese's assistant superintendent for special education, said the archdiocese's tuition rate only covers 20 percent of what it actually costs to educate a special needs child at any one of its five schools of special education and eight additional programs for students with learning disabilities.
Wedermeyer also said enrollment in the archdiocese's learning disability program at the elementary level has increased 20 percent in the last year, with several locations full and a wait list for the upcoming school year.
“If we are unable to locate a new funding stream to aid in paying our operating expenses,” she said, “the futures of the five schools of special education are in jeopardy.”
Wedermeyer and others addressed the House Republican Policy Committee at a hearing co-chaired by state Rep. Thomas P. Murt, an Eastern Montgomery County Republican, at St. David Parish, which is home to Our Lady of Confidence Day School, an archdiocesean school that serves students with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
The state has already established an Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which effectively allows businesses to pay part of their state business taxes through state-certified, nonprofit scholarship organizations such as the archdiocese's Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools.
BLOCS can benefit special education students, but there is no special tax credit program specifically set aside for those students, according to testimony offered by Andrew T. Lefebvre, the executive director of the school-choice coalition REACH.
Murt, an Archbishop Wood graduate, said it was too soon to tell how the testimony would be utilized as part of any legislation. The General Assembly is on recess until Sept. 15, and a pair of bills — one in the House and one in the Senate — that would address special education services for non-public schools have been pending since last summer.
“We could decide,” Murt said, “if we want to use (Wednesday's testimony) to support the legislation that's pending now, or if other changes need to be made.”
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Renovations on time, on budget
Neshaminy's Back to School profile.
Renovations on time, on budget
This year, administrators said they’re working on implementing a writing program for all grade levels.
By RACHEL CANELLI
A brand new two-story classroom wing will be opening at Neshaminy High School to begin the school year. The building includes new desks and flat screen televisions. Crews will continue to work on another new two-story wing for science, which should be equipped with new labs and updated tools by the spring, officials said.
The Middletown school is more than halfway through a major construction and renovation project, which is adding more than 250,000 square feet to accommodate 2,800 students, including ninth- graders who will move there from the middle schools next year, administrators said.
The whole $82 million project, which remains on time and on budget, is expected to be finished in September 2009. The district borrowed $77 million to fund it, officials said.
Elsewhere in the district, officials said they’re implementing a literacy framework for kindergartners through first-graders this year, and including a writing program in all grades, according to spokeswoman Sandra Costanzo.
Meanwhile, Neshaminy Middle School, which recently closed, received the Bronze Level National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for its health initiatives. The Middletown building was one of 43 schools in the country and the only school in the state to receive the recognition. Former President Bill Clinton and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation presented the honor to the school’s former principal, Karen Wychock, administrators said.
The Neshaminy School District serves more than 9,000 students in 13 schools throughout Middletown, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Penndel, Hulmeville and Lower Southampton. The district employs more than 1,500 people and has adopted a $190 million annual budget, officials said. For information, visit www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us.
WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS
Superintendent:
Paul J. Kadri, 215-809-6500
Assistant Superintendent:
Louis T. Muenker, 215-809-6606
Director of elementary education:
Jacqueline Rattigan, 215-809-6510
Director of secondary education:
Geeta A. Heble, 215-809-6510
Principals:
Tawanka Learning Center: Joann Holland, 215-809-6240
Neshaminy High: Alex Menio, 215-809-6100
Maple Point Middle: Mark Collins, 215-809-6230
Poquessing Middle: Ronald Sayre, 215-809-6210
Carl Sandburg Middle: Dawn Kelly, 215-809-6220
Pearl Buck Elementary: Paul Mahoney, 215-809-6300
Samuel Everitt Elementary: Andre Modica, 215-809-6320
Joseph Ferderbar Elementary: Judy Brown, 215-809-6370
Oliver Heckman Elementary: Brian Kern, 215-809-6330
Herbert Hoover Elementary: Karen Wychock, 215-809-6340
Lower Southampton Elementary: Matthew Walsh, 215-809-6350
Walter Miller Elementary: Joan Chak, 215-809-6360
Albert Schweitzer Elementary: Stephanie Miguelez, 215-809-6380
School board:
Joseph Blasch, Kim Koutsouradis, Irene Boyle, Susan Cummings, Richard Eccles, Frank Koziol, William Spitz, Ritchie Webb and William O’Connor. The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., except in July and August. The board does not normally meet in July. It meets on the fourth Tuesday in August. Work sessions are held in the administrative boardroom of the Maple Point Middle School in Middletown. To reach the school board, visit www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us and follow the links.
2008-09 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sept. 3, first day for students Sept. 30, Rosh Hashana, no school Oct. 1, Rosh Hashana, no school Oct. 9, Yom Kippur, no school Nov. 4, Election Day, no school Nov. 11, Veterans Day, district closed Nov. 26-28, Thanksgiving holiday Dec. 24-31 Christmas recess Jan 1-2, Christmas recess Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 16, Presidents Day Feb. 25, no school Apr. 6-10 Spring recess May 19, Election Day, no school May 25, Memorial Day June 11, graduation June 19, last day for students
FAST FACTS ABOUT NESHAMINY
2007 Average SAT Scores: Verbal — 499
Math — 511
Writing — 490
Average teacher salary: $81,480
AP courses: 12
Student/teacher ratio: high school, 14 to 1; middle, 12 to 1; elementary, 14 to 1
Cost per student: $15,680
2008 Adequate Yearly Progress status: did not meet AYP goal
Partnerships with businesses:
more than 500 community partners
Information provided by the Neshaminy School District
Renovations on time, on budget
This year, administrators said they’re working on implementing a writing program for all grade levels.
By RACHEL CANELLI
A brand new two-story classroom wing will be opening at Neshaminy High School to begin the school year. The building includes new desks and flat screen televisions. Crews will continue to work on another new two-story wing for science, which should be equipped with new labs and updated tools by the spring, officials said.
The Middletown school is more than halfway through a major construction and renovation project, which is adding more than 250,000 square feet to accommodate 2,800 students, including ninth- graders who will move there from the middle schools next year, administrators said.
The whole $82 million project, which remains on time and on budget, is expected to be finished in September 2009. The district borrowed $77 million to fund it, officials said.
Elsewhere in the district, officials said they’re implementing a literacy framework for kindergartners through first-graders this year, and including a writing program in all grades, according to spokeswoman Sandra Costanzo.
Meanwhile, Neshaminy Middle School, which recently closed, received the Bronze Level National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for its health initiatives. The Middletown building was one of 43 schools in the country and the only school in the state to receive the recognition. Former President Bill Clinton and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation presented the honor to the school’s former principal, Karen Wychock, administrators said.
The Neshaminy School District serves more than 9,000 students in 13 schools throughout Middletown, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Penndel, Hulmeville and Lower Southampton. The district employs more than 1,500 people and has adopted a $190 million annual budget, officials said. For information, visit www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us.
WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS
Superintendent:
Paul J. Kadri, 215-809-6500
Assistant Superintendent:
Louis T. Muenker, 215-809-6606
Director of elementary education:
Jacqueline Rattigan, 215-809-6510
Director of secondary education:
Geeta A. Heble, 215-809-6510
Principals:
Tawanka Learning Center: Joann Holland, 215-809-6240
Neshaminy High: Alex Menio, 215-809-6100
Maple Point Middle: Mark Collins, 215-809-6230
Poquessing Middle: Ronald Sayre, 215-809-6210
Carl Sandburg Middle: Dawn Kelly, 215-809-6220
Pearl Buck Elementary: Paul Mahoney, 215-809-6300
Samuel Everitt Elementary: Andre Modica, 215-809-6320
Joseph Ferderbar Elementary: Judy Brown, 215-809-6370
Oliver Heckman Elementary: Brian Kern, 215-809-6330
Herbert Hoover Elementary: Karen Wychock, 215-809-6340
Lower Southampton Elementary: Matthew Walsh, 215-809-6350
Walter Miller Elementary: Joan Chak, 215-809-6360
Albert Schweitzer Elementary: Stephanie Miguelez, 215-809-6380
School board:
Joseph Blasch, Kim Koutsouradis, Irene Boyle, Susan Cummings, Richard Eccles, Frank Koziol, William Spitz, Ritchie Webb and William O’Connor. The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., except in July and August. The board does not normally meet in July. It meets on the fourth Tuesday in August. Work sessions are held in the administrative boardroom of the Maple Point Middle School in Middletown. To reach the school board, visit www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us and follow the links.
2008-09 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sept. 3, first day for students Sept. 30, Rosh Hashana, no school Oct. 1, Rosh Hashana, no school Oct. 9, Yom Kippur, no school Nov. 4, Election Day, no school Nov. 11, Veterans Day, district closed Nov. 26-28, Thanksgiving holiday Dec. 24-31 Christmas recess Jan 1-2, Christmas recess Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 16, Presidents Day Feb. 25, no school Apr. 6-10 Spring recess May 19, Election Day, no school May 25, Memorial Day June 11, graduation June 19, last day for students
FAST FACTS ABOUT NESHAMINY
2007 Average SAT Scores: Verbal — 499
Math — 511
Writing — 490
Average teacher salary: $81,480
AP courses: 12
Student/teacher ratio: high school, 14 to 1; middle, 12 to 1; elementary, 14 to 1
Cost per student: $15,680
2008 Adequate Yearly Progress status: did not meet AYP goal
Partnerships with businesses:
more than 500 community partners
Information provided by the Neshaminy School District
Dunford: The Next Day
Here's an interesting item from today's BCCT. It's just a continuation of the Emperor's "Iknowaguy" style of bringing in cronies. His track record so far in "Iknowaguy" transactions is not impressive. Kudos to Gloria Heater for her suggestion, but the vote is 5-4 with Hellmann, Radosti, Mihok, Worob, and Buckman approving the Bristol guy.
Let's move this meeting along.
Business manager resigns
The embattled business manager of the Morrisville School District tendered her resignation Tuesday, effective Oct. 18.
Reba Dunford has been with the district for four years.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said it was with regret that she accepted the resignation. “Reba Dunford is an excellent business administrator. She restructured the business office and made it more efficient. She is an important member of my team and I will miss her.”
Dunford, of Montgomery County, said Wednesday she has found a new position closer to home.
“I am really sad to leave all of the great staff at Morrisville. I have enjoyed working with the administration and other employees.”
Dunford and Yonson have been the subject of heated and often public criticism from the new school board majority. Softspoken Dunford sparred openly at times with school board President Bill Hellmann in recent budget work sessions in which Hellmann presented his own budget drafts.
In June, the board reduced the length of Yonson’s contract from five years to three despite her protest.
Yonson indicated she would advertise to fill Dunford’s position, but school board member Gloria Heater has suggested to Hellmann that the position be filled temporarily through the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. In an e-mail to the board, Heater surprised minority members by indicating Hellmann had discussed with her a specific permanent candidate, referencing “[Hellmann’s] guy in Bristol.”
Whoever that might be has not been disclosed.
Let's move this meeting along.
Business manager resigns
The embattled business manager of the Morrisville School District tendered her resignation Tuesday, effective Oct. 18.
Reba Dunford has been with the district for four years.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said it was with regret that she accepted the resignation. “Reba Dunford is an excellent business administrator. She restructured the business office and made it more efficient. She is an important member of my team and I will miss her.”
Dunford, of Montgomery County, said Wednesday she has found a new position closer to home.
“I am really sad to leave all of the great staff at Morrisville. I have enjoyed working with the administration and other employees.”
Dunford and Yonson have been the subject of heated and often public criticism from the new school board majority. Softspoken Dunford sparred openly at times with school board President Bill Hellmann in recent budget work sessions in which Hellmann presented his own budget drafts.
In June, the board reduced the length of Yonson’s contract from five years to three despite her protest.
Yonson indicated she would advertise to fill Dunford’s position, but school board member Gloria Heater has suggested to Hellmann that the position be filled temporarily through the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. In an e-mail to the board, Heater surprised minority members by indicating Hellmann had discussed with her a specific permanent candidate, referencing “[Hellmann’s] guy in Bristol.”
Whoever that might be has not been disclosed.
Don't whine, get involved in kids' education
From CNN. There's a lot of good, sound information here. When the kids bring home that mountain of "parent homework" next month, take some time to read it completely. Fill out the PTO application too. Get involved.
By Roland S. Martin, CNN Contributor
Editor's Note: Join Roland S. Martin for his weekly sound-off segment on CNN.com Live at 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday. If you're passionate about politics, he wants to hear from you. Martin, a nationally syndicated columnist and Chicago-based radio host, is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith" and "Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America." Please visit his Web site.
Don't whine, get involved in kids' education
(CNN) -- Today was my first day in elementary school.
My wife and I have been married seven-and-a-half years and we don't have any children. But two weeks ago, we persuaded one of my three sisters to send her four girls -- ages 9, 7 and twin 4-year-olds -- to Chicago, Illinois, so we could take care of them and get them caught up academically.
I take seriously my role as a godfather and uncle. For a lot of folks, being a godfather is all about a ceremony and giving gifts on birthdays and Christmas.
But if you remember the admonition of the priest or pastor, the purpose of a godfather is to stand in the gap for the parents when they are unable to do so. That has surely been the case in my family. The consequence of drama in a marriage has left the two older nieces behind academically.
So we decided that it's time for them to be in a stable environment , immersed in academics. That's what took me to the nearby Chicago public school.
As I filled out the paperwork and looked through the folder provided by the school, I came across a variety of forms: for a school fundraiser at a restaurant, a raffle, and an application to join the school's Parent-Teacher Association.
For me, there is nothing more important than that PTA application.
In a world where the two presidential candidates spar over education funding, merit pay for teachers and whether vouchers are a good idea, a lot of folks spend their time complaining. They talk about failing schools and what administrators should be doing, and how teachers don't care like they did back in the day.
I'm sure you've heard the complaints before.
Trust me, I get it when folks say schools need more funding. But I also remember a conversation a few years ago on the syndicated television show America's Black Forum. Education advocate Jonathan Kozol was arguing that the issue is money, and Ohio's Wilberforce University president, the Rev. Floyd Flake, said that is just one of the critical elements.
Flake, a former congressman who runs his own school in New York, asked why schools in Washington, D.C. can spend more than $10,000 per child and kids fail, yet his New York school was spending $5,400 at the time and more than 75 percent were passing.
Kozol argued that one reason was Flake's charisma as a leader, but Flake contended -- and I agree -- that success is related to a nurturing environment where parents are mandated to take an active role in their child's education.
I thought of this in May during a conversation on my Chicago radio show with Rufus Williams, president of the Chicago Board of Education. A lot of parents called in, angry with the Chicago school system because they didn't find out until graduation that their child would not graduate because of failing scores.
The phone lines lit up and they bombarded Williams with all kinds of insults.
He promised to get them answers. The next day, he had them.
Apparently, parents were sent reminders during every report-card period when their child was at risk of failing.
But the parents couldn't say the dog ate the sheet before it came through the door. The parents had come to the school themselves to pick up the cards, and the warning was attached.
So the real deal was that these parents were informed of their child's poor classroom performance, but chose to overlook it.
Guess what? The phones were silent. Oh how the truth hurt.
The reality is that whether it's the 390,000 kids in Chicago public schools, or millions across the country, no school can educate the next generation alone. It requires committed teachers, but also informed and active parents who are willing to make sacrifices.
It would have been easy for my wife and me to live in our empty nest, take get-away trips on the weekend, or save a ton of dough and retire early. But there was no way I could sit back as those four girls were denied even a fighting chance at a great education so they could live their lives to the fullest.
One of my first questions was related to the dates of the parent-teacher conferences. I wanted to plug them into my Blackberry immediately. Those sessions are a priority. I can guarantee you the teachers will know me by name, and not just because I'm on CNN or WVON Radio.
See, I had good role models: my parents. They didn't go to college and have six-figure jobs. They simply cared about the education of their five children.
So, the nation's children are preparing for another school year. The parents must do the same thing.
My nieces begin September 2. We guardians and parents need to get our minds right, and make the decision now whether we are going to be those who work for solutions or those who just whine about the deficiencies.
Show up on the first day and do not make it your last. There is no greater gift you can provide your children, nieces, nephews or grandchildren than your full attention to their educations. As the United Negro College Fund has said for years: A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
By Roland S. Martin, CNN Contributor
Editor's Note: Join Roland S. Martin for his weekly sound-off segment on CNN.com Live at 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday. If you're passionate about politics, he wants to hear from you. Martin, a nationally syndicated columnist and Chicago-based radio host, is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith" and "Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America." Please visit his Web site.
Don't whine, get involved in kids' education
(CNN) -- Today was my first day in elementary school.
My wife and I have been married seven-and-a-half years and we don't have any children. But two weeks ago, we persuaded one of my three sisters to send her four girls -- ages 9, 7 and twin 4-year-olds -- to Chicago, Illinois, so we could take care of them and get them caught up academically.
I take seriously my role as a godfather and uncle. For a lot of folks, being a godfather is all about a ceremony and giving gifts on birthdays and Christmas.
But if you remember the admonition of the priest or pastor, the purpose of a godfather is to stand in the gap for the parents when they are unable to do so. That has surely been the case in my family. The consequence of drama in a marriage has left the two older nieces behind academically.
So we decided that it's time for them to be in a stable environment , immersed in academics. That's what took me to the nearby Chicago public school.
As I filled out the paperwork and looked through the folder provided by the school, I came across a variety of forms: for a school fundraiser at a restaurant, a raffle, and an application to join the school's Parent-Teacher Association.
For me, there is nothing more important than that PTA application.
In a world where the two presidential candidates spar over education funding, merit pay for teachers and whether vouchers are a good idea, a lot of folks spend their time complaining. They talk about failing schools and what administrators should be doing, and how teachers don't care like they did back in the day.
I'm sure you've heard the complaints before.
Trust me, I get it when folks say schools need more funding. But I also remember a conversation a few years ago on the syndicated television show America's Black Forum. Education advocate Jonathan Kozol was arguing that the issue is money, and Ohio's Wilberforce University president, the Rev. Floyd Flake, said that is just one of the critical elements.
Flake, a former congressman who runs his own school in New York, asked why schools in Washington, D.C. can spend more than $10,000 per child and kids fail, yet his New York school was spending $5,400 at the time and more than 75 percent were passing.
Kozol argued that one reason was Flake's charisma as a leader, but Flake contended -- and I agree -- that success is related to a nurturing environment where parents are mandated to take an active role in their child's education.
I thought of this in May during a conversation on my Chicago radio show with Rufus Williams, president of the Chicago Board of Education. A lot of parents called in, angry with the Chicago school system because they didn't find out until graduation that their child would not graduate because of failing scores.
The phone lines lit up and they bombarded Williams with all kinds of insults.
He promised to get them answers. The next day, he had them.
Apparently, parents were sent reminders during every report-card period when their child was at risk of failing.
But the parents couldn't say the dog ate the sheet before it came through the door. The parents had come to the school themselves to pick up the cards, and the warning was attached.
So the real deal was that these parents were informed of their child's poor classroom performance, but chose to overlook it.
Guess what? The phones were silent. Oh how the truth hurt.
The reality is that whether it's the 390,000 kids in Chicago public schools, or millions across the country, no school can educate the next generation alone. It requires committed teachers, but also informed and active parents who are willing to make sacrifices.
It would have been easy for my wife and me to live in our empty nest, take get-away trips on the weekend, or save a ton of dough and retire early. But there was no way I could sit back as those four girls were denied even a fighting chance at a great education so they could live their lives to the fullest.
One of my first questions was related to the dates of the parent-teacher conferences. I wanted to plug them into my Blackberry immediately. Those sessions are a priority. I can guarantee you the teachers will know me by name, and not just because I'm on CNN or WVON Radio.
See, I had good role models: my parents. They didn't go to college and have six-figure jobs. They simply cared about the education of their five children.
So, the nation's children are preparing for another school year. The parents must do the same thing.
My nieces begin September 2. We guardians and parents need to get our minds right, and make the decision now whether we are going to be those who work for solutions or those who just whine about the deficiencies.
Show up on the first day and do not make it your last. There is no greater gift you can provide your children, nieces, nephews or grandchildren than your full attention to their educations. As the United Negro College Fund has said for years: A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Breaking News: Reba Dunford resigns
The Emperor's reign of terror has claimed another victim: award winning business manager Reba Dunford.
Reba Dunford was often the last voice of reason pleading with the Emperor before he went and did something wild and wacky. He did it anyway, but it's on record that she tried. Wait until the Emperor finds out she was right in what she recommended to the board.
The Imperial bullying of the business manager was pretty obvious and blatant. Even lawyers have a veneer of mutual professional respect. Apparently William Hellmann, CPA, missed that ethics class discussion.
Superintendent Yonson seems to fill her busy days accepting resignations. How many more lifeboats are going over the side before we wake up and impeach this Emperor and this board?
Morrisville schools business manager resigns
Posted in News on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm by Columnist Kate Fratti
Morrisville School District’s Business Manager Reba Dunford tendered her resignation Tuesday effective Oct. 18.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said it was with regret that she accepted the resignation. Dunford has been with the district 4 years.
“Reba Dunford is an excellent business administrator. She restructured the business office and made it more efficient. She is an important member of my team and I will miss her,” Yonson said Wednesday.
Dunford and Yonson have been the subject of heated and often public criticism from the new school board majority. Soft-spoken Dunford sparred openly at times with School Board President Bill Hellmann in recent budget work sessions in which Hellmann presented his own budget drafts.
The board, despite Yonson’s protest, reduced her contract from the five years approved by the previous board to three.
Reba Dunford was often the last voice of reason pleading with the Emperor before he went and did something wild and wacky. He did it anyway, but it's on record that she tried. Wait until the Emperor finds out she was right in what she recommended to the board.
The Imperial bullying of the business manager was pretty obvious and blatant. Even lawyers have a veneer of mutual professional respect. Apparently William Hellmann, CPA, missed that ethics class discussion.
Superintendent Yonson seems to fill her busy days accepting resignations. How many more lifeboats are going over the side before we wake up and impeach this Emperor and this board?
Morrisville schools business manager resigns
Posted in News on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm by Columnist Kate Fratti
Morrisville School District’s Business Manager Reba Dunford tendered her resignation Tuesday effective Oct. 18.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said it was with regret that she accepted the resignation. Dunford has been with the district 4 years.
“Reba Dunford is an excellent business administrator. She restructured the business office and made it more efficient. She is an important member of my team and I will miss her,” Yonson said Wednesday.
Dunford and Yonson have been the subject of heated and often public criticism from the new school board majority. Soft-spoken Dunford sparred openly at times with School Board President Bill Hellmann in recent budget work sessions in which Hellmann presented his own budget drafts.
The board, despite Yonson’s protest, reduced her contract from the five years approved by the previous board to three.
Steve, pick up the needle, man
A follow up to this post.
Folks, this is what passes for a "high public official" in Morrisville.
Comments To This Article:
* kim - Pennsbury needs to re-register also!!!
(08/15/2008 )
I don't think the kids from Trenton are being dropped off to attend Morrisville, I see kids waiting at bus stops for Pennsbury buses in cars with NJ plates.
* Steve - FrATTY More twists and more misinformation!!
(08/16/2008 )
Here Kate goes again!! Just like the misspelling in the title above twisting the truth to hurt her political opposites whom volunteer their time and save the taxpayers money. Small example, why does she exclusively state that the re-registration is to purge the children from Trenton? Because she hopes to plant the seeds of perceived prejudice against the new school board. The misinformation in Fratti's article is more voluminous than what I have time to refute however Kate, given the dubious history of mis-managment and corruption in the school district, why should we trust school employees with sensitive information more than long term highly respected residents? Maybe you'd feel better if we brought back Frank or the good doctor to oversee things!! This type of re-registration has worked well in the past but Kate fails to mention that. She is a fine example of why her rag newspaper is going down the drain. Feel that pink slip getting closer Kate??????????
* Ann - In Steve We Trust...
(08/16/2008 )
Small example, why does she exclusively state that the re-registration is to purge the children from Trenton?
It's probably from stuff like this, which is a quote from a commenter at the March 26, 2008 Morrisville school board meeting:
I feel that board should consider a registration process for all students entering school in September of ’08. Parents of students should have to submit tax bills for proof of residency and renters would have to submit copies of the lease along with any necessary legal documentation in the event that the students is under their guardianship, but in actually is not their child/children. Perhaps this process should be carried out each year to eliminate students that should no be enrolled in MHS. This could definitely be a savings. I personally have heard the parents who stated that their children are enrolled in the Morrisville School System. “Quote…”the one mother said, just take them across the bridge it is easy to do”. She did it. She was telling the other Mothers “I know you don’t want your kids in Trenton High…why put up with that when you can put them in Morrisville.
* kate - what worries me . . .
(08/16/2008 )
I don't feel the pink slip, Steve, but when I read this kind of careless, angry rant from an elected official I do feel my lunch come up ... especially since this terrific little town is so in need of reputable, thoughtful, ethical leadership to move it forward.
* kate - Doh!
(08/16/2008 )
Given the fat jokes I've endured from this particular official, I realize I just opened myself up to further critique of my diet what with a reference to lunch and all ...
* Ann - Bonehead Appetit
(08/16/2008 )
April 20, 1997 New York Times:
''When school lets out and you see a lot of cars with out-of-state license plates picking children up, that's a problem,'' said Stephen Worob, treasurer of the Morrisville board and a leading supporter of the new policy. ''Another board member and I followed some over the border, on a kind of fact-finding mission. We're convinced that there are a substantial number of out-of-district kids in our schools illegally.''
* Steve - Golly Ann !!!
(08/17/2008 )
You're almost as good a truth twister as Kate. How do you equate that a 1997 quote about "out of state license plates," means that a re-registration is to purge Trenton kids. Dah!!! Won't it purge all illegal students equally? How dare you use an anecdotal comment from an unnamed source to support the racial undertones of Kate's hateful article. She is so blinded by her hate for the new school board that she can't help herself. Maybe it is time for Dale or Pat to talk to her. I personally do not subscribe to the Courier Times anymore. Kate is a part of the reason. By the way Kate, do you even live in Morrisville?
* Ann - Gee Whiz
(08/17/2008 )
I wasn't trying to equate anything, other than the mental image of you and some other board member following cars with out-of-state license plates over the border 11 years ago on a fact-finding mission. How far did you follow them, by the way? And who was that other board member?
* kate - Oh, now I see ...
(08/17/2008 )
Steve, are we to believe that you followed students to the Princenton border? I haven't heard a soul argue that re-registration aimed at insuring all enrolled students actually reside in the boro is a bad idea. It's necessary, I suppose. Morrisville can not pick up the tab for Trenton's failures. That said, using volunteers to conduct re-registration is unnecessary and an afront to parents worried about exposing their private information to strangers instead of paid, trained staff. As for the veiled threat that somehow my superiors would be chagrinned by my comments, it isn't so. I'm charged with commenting on the goings on around me as they might interest readers. My reader response indicates I've struck a nerve in Morrisville. The goings on here, bear watching to inform the average citizen. I do not live in Morrisville, Mr. Worob. You needn't to live there to observe the challenges it faces.
* kate - Not enough information for hate
(08/17/2008 )
Mr. Worob, I can honestly say I don't know any of the Morrisville School Board members except for the most casual acquaintance in the last 6 months. The only thing I "hate" is disregard for taxpaying residents. Some of them are parents who depend on these schools for the education of their children. It is an education that generations of Morrisville residents before them took for granted. I do not live in Morrisville. You don't have to live there to see some elected officials are acting badly.
* kate - sorry
(08/17/2008 )
Forgive me, in my impatience to be approved by the "blog master" (who is he anyway?) I posted twice.
* steve - Ok Kate, but are you fair.
(08/19/2008 )
Believe it or not, I have a certain amount of respect for a tenacious person who stands up and fights. Even if they are short sighted and biased. I realize Kate that you are not a typical reporter with an obligation to convey both sides. You are a feel good story teller or a rip their throat out reporter who thrives on emotions rather than unbiased, fair reporting. That being said, before a little weasel can fill up your ears, you should at least afford a little courtesy to the other side. On one hand you state you "do not mean to demean volunteers," "they may be very nice people." Then, on the other hand you allude they may be "thieves and gossips." You really don't know these people and never bothered to speak to them but I'll tell you this, at least one of them you hurt very badly. Why? because you are closed minded and set in your ways but I now offer you a chance to change this. Let's face it, you consider yourself a voice and champion of the good people who need your help. Am I right? OK. I think I'm a good person(believe it or not) and I can use your help. Please tell me, what do you think about a Bucks County judge who presides over an unfair trial and then tells the person who was fighting for the people that,"if you appeal my decision, I will do everything in my power to stop you." Yes it's true Kate, there is a judge with high aspirations who believes he has more power than we have rights. Then some poor court reporter felt obligated to omit his threat from the transcript and lie about it. I kid you not, there are many witnesses to this. If you are a fair person for the people then call me for the story or your life.
* steve - Typo!!!
(08/19/2008 )
Sorry Kate it's late. That was supposed to end,"the story OF your life. My bad.
* - Score
(08/19/2008 )
KATE; 1 STEVE; 0
* Ann - Victim or Aggressor?
(08/19/2008 )
Among the problems I have with what you’re saying, Steve, is that the trial of which you speak was not “the people vs. former Morrisville School District Superintendent Dr. John Gould”, it was “Dr. John Gould vs. Steve Worob, the guy who brazenly and recklessly shot his mouth off so much about Dr. Gould’s alleged corruption, which he was unable to prove, that Dr. Gould got tired of it and sued him for ‘slander per se’ for damaging his reputation and hurting his prospects for future employment”. And Dr. Gould won, to the tune of over $100,000.
You see, you may have a point, even a good point, but you can’t maliciously tear someone down just because you think you’re right. Even if there was something there, you couldn’t back it up. I’m not defending corruption or Dr. Gould (who seems to have done an adequate job of defending himself). But I am defending the principle of innocent until proven guilty, a presumption I’m sure you would want if you were facing charges.
His words may have been harsh, but I think the Judge was trying to do you a favor. I think he was trying to say “Let it go. End this destructive vendetta, for everyone’s sake, including yours.” Kind of like on June 9, 1954, when Joseph Welch said to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy (R – Wisconsin), “Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”. Does that mean there were absolutely zero commies in the entire U.S. Government? No. But do the ends always justify the means? No. The world’s not perfect, but overall I think justice was served in your case.
* steve - Ann
(08/19/2008 )
Ann, I really didn't like you before but now I'm beginning to feel sorry for you. You're pathetic and you don't even realize it.
* steve - How about it Kate.
(08/19/2008 )
A great story about an unscrupulous judge who is a member of the good old Republicans club that controls the courthouse and politics in Bucks County. I'm a life long Republican but when something stinks in my party I am not afraid to expose it. You see, the debacle that unfolded in Morrisville was just the tip of the iceberg of pervasive corruption that is rooted in large bond issues to school districts from major federal lending institutions. All of this buried by a Republican controlled justice system. Get in the way and the boys in black robes will crush you. It makes me wonder how many people are unjustly sitting in jail. But Ann would say "justice was served" I guess.
* kate - Did we change the subject ?
(08/20/2008 )
Steve, pick up the needle, man. You've been playing the same old song for so long. Publish the book you promise. Who could tell your version of the story better than you?
As for the volunteers, they may be very nice people, but they've been organized by people who aren't always so nice ... I still wonder if they share the school board majority's view that privacy laws are a nuisance. It's a fair question in the case of a re-registration that requires personanal information be released to them.
* kate - And about that intimidation thing you do ...
(08/20/2008 )
Freud says there are no accidents....the story or my life? sheesh.
Folks, this is what passes for a "high public official" in Morrisville.
Comments To This Article:
* kim - Pennsbury needs to re-register also!!!
(08/15/2008 )
I don't think the kids from Trenton are being dropped off to attend Morrisville, I see kids waiting at bus stops for Pennsbury buses in cars with NJ plates.
* Steve - FrATTY More twists and more misinformation!!
(08/16/2008 )
Here Kate goes again!! Just like the misspelling in the title above twisting the truth to hurt her political opposites whom volunteer their time and save the taxpayers money. Small example, why does she exclusively state that the re-registration is to purge the children from Trenton? Because she hopes to plant the seeds of perceived prejudice against the new school board. The misinformation in Fratti's article is more voluminous than what I have time to refute however Kate, given the dubious history of mis-managment and corruption in the school district, why should we trust school employees with sensitive information more than long term highly respected residents? Maybe you'd feel better if we brought back Frank or the good doctor to oversee things!! This type of re-registration has worked well in the past but Kate fails to mention that. She is a fine example of why her rag newspaper is going down the drain. Feel that pink slip getting closer Kate??????????
* Ann - In Steve We Trust...
(08/16/2008 )
Small example, why does she exclusively state that the re-registration is to purge the children from Trenton?
It's probably from stuff like this, which is a quote from a commenter at the March 26, 2008 Morrisville school board meeting:
I feel that board should consider a registration process for all students entering school in September of ’08. Parents of students should have to submit tax bills for proof of residency and renters would have to submit copies of the lease along with any necessary legal documentation in the event that the students is under their guardianship, but in actually is not their child/children. Perhaps this process should be carried out each year to eliminate students that should no be enrolled in MHS. This could definitely be a savings. I personally have heard the parents who stated that their children are enrolled in the Morrisville School System. “Quote…”the one mother said, just take them across the bridge it is easy to do”. She did it. She was telling the other Mothers “I know you don’t want your kids in Trenton High…why put up with that when you can put them in Morrisville.
* kate - what worries me . . .
(08/16/2008 )
I don't feel the pink slip, Steve, but when I read this kind of careless, angry rant from an elected official I do feel my lunch come up ... especially since this terrific little town is so in need of reputable, thoughtful, ethical leadership to move it forward.
* kate - Doh!
(08/16/2008 )
Given the fat jokes I've endured from this particular official, I realize I just opened myself up to further critique of my diet what with a reference to lunch and all ...
* Ann - Bonehead Appetit
(08/16/2008 )
April 20, 1997 New York Times:
''When school lets out and you see a lot of cars with out-of-state license plates picking children up, that's a problem,'' said Stephen Worob, treasurer of the Morrisville board and a leading supporter of the new policy. ''Another board member and I followed some over the border, on a kind of fact-finding mission. We're convinced that there are a substantial number of out-of-district kids in our schools illegally.''
* Steve - Golly Ann !!!
(08/17/2008 )
You're almost as good a truth twister as Kate. How do you equate that a 1997 quote about "out of state license plates," means that a re-registration is to purge Trenton kids. Dah!!! Won't it purge all illegal students equally? How dare you use an anecdotal comment from an unnamed source to support the racial undertones of Kate's hateful article. She is so blinded by her hate for the new school board that she can't help herself. Maybe it is time for Dale or Pat to talk to her. I personally do not subscribe to the Courier Times anymore. Kate is a part of the reason. By the way Kate, do you even live in Morrisville?
* Ann - Gee Whiz
(08/17/2008 )
I wasn't trying to equate anything, other than the mental image of you and some other board member following cars with out-of-state license plates over the border 11 years ago on a fact-finding mission. How far did you follow them, by the way? And who was that other board member?
* kate - Oh, now I see ...
(08/17/2008 )
Steve, are we to believe that you followed students to the Princenton border? I haven't heard a soul argue that re-registration aimed at insuring all enrolled students actually reside in the boro is a bad idea. It's necessary, I suppose. Morrisville can not pick up the tab for Trenton's failures. That said, using volunteers to conduct re-registration is unnecessary and an afront to parents worried about exposing their private information to strangers instead of paid, trained staff. As for the veiled threat that somehow my superiors would be chagrinned by my comments, it isn't so. I'm charged with commenting on the goings on around me as they might interest readers. My reader response indicates I've struck a nerve in Morrisville. The goings on here, bear watching to inform the average citizen. I do not live in Morrisville, Mr. Worob. You needn't to live there to observe the challenges it faces.
* kate - Not enough information for hate
(08/17/2008 )
Mr. Worob, I can honestly say I don't know any of the Morrisville School Board members except for the most casual acquaintance in the last 6 months. The only thing I "hate" is disregard for taxpaying residents. Some of them are parents who depend on these schools for the education of their children. It is an education that generations of Morrisville residents before them took for granted. I do not live in Morrisville. You don't have to live there to see some elected officials are acting badly.
* kate - sorry
(08/17/2008 )
Forgive me, in my impatience to be approved by the "blog master" (who is he anyway?) I posted twice.
* steve - Ok Kate, but are you fair.
(08/19/2008 )
Believe it or not, I have a certain amount of respect for a tenacious person who stands up and fights. Even if they are short sighted and biased. I realize Kate that you are not a typical reporter with an obligation to convey both sides. You are a feel good story teller or a rip their throat out reporter who thrives on emotions rather than unbiased, fair reporting. That being said, before a little weasel can fill up your ears, you should at least afford a little courtesy to the other side. On one hand you state you "do not mean to demean volunteers," "they may be very nice people." Then, on the other hand you allude they may be "thieves and gossips." You really don't know these people and never bothered to speak to them but I'll tell you this, at least one of them you hurt very badly. Why? because you are closed minded and set in your ways but I now offer you a chance to change this. Let's face it, you consider yourself a voice and champion of the good people who need your help. Am I right? OK. I think I'm a good person(believe it or not) and I can use your help. Please tell me, what do you think about a Bucks County judge who presides over an unfair trial and then tells the person who was fighting for the people that,"if you appeal my decision, I will do everything in my power to stop you." Yes it's true Kate, there is a judge with high aspirations who believes he has more power than we have rights. Then some poor court reporter felt obligated to omit his threat from the transcript and lie about it. I kid you not, there are many witnesses to this. If you are a fair person for the people then call me for the story or your life.
* steve - Typo!!!
(08/19/2008 )
Sorry Kate it's late. That was supposed to end,"the story OF your life. My bad.
* - Score
(08/19/2008 )
KATE; 1 STEVE; 0
* Ann - Victim or Aggressor?
(08/19/2008 )
Among the problems I have with what you’re saying, Steve, is that the trial of which you speak was not “the people vs. former Morrisville School District Superintendent Dr. John Gould”, it was “Dr. John Gould vs. Steve Worob, the guy who brazenly and recklessly shot his mouth off so much about Dr. Gould’s alleged corruption, which he was unable to prove, that Dr. Gould got tired of it and sued him for ‘slander per se’ for damaging his reputation and hurting his prospects for future employment”. And Dr. Gould won, to the tune of over $100,000.
You see, you may have a point, even a good point, but you can’t maliciously tear someone down just because you think you’re right. Even if there was something there, you couldn’t back it up. I’m not defending corruption or Dr. Gould (who seems to have done an adequate job of defending himself). But I am defending the principle of innocent until proven guilty, a presumption I’m sure you would want if you were facing charges.
His words may have been harsh, but I think the Judge was trying to do you a favor. I think he was trying to say “Let it go. End this destructive vendetta, for everyone’s sake, including yours.” Kind of like on June 9, 1954, when Joseph Welch said to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy (R – Wisconsin), “Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”. Does that mean there were absolutely zero commies in the entire U.S. Government? No. But do the ends always justify the means? No. The world’s not perfect, but overall I think justice was served in your case.
* steve - Ann
(08/19/2008 )
Ann, I really didn't like you before but now I'm beginning to feel sorry for you. You're pathetic and you don't even realize it.
* steve - How about it Kate.
(08/19/2008 )
A great story about an unscrupulous judge who is a member of the good old Republicans club that controls the courthouse and politics in Bucks County. I'm a life long Republican but when something stinks in my party I am not afraid to expose it. You see, the debacle that unfolded in Morrisville was just the tip of the iceberg of pervasive corruption that is rooted in large bond issues to school districts from major federal lending institutions. All of this buried by a Republican controlled justice system. Get in the way and the boys in black robes will crush you. It makes me wonder how many people are unjustly sitting in jail. But Ann would say "justice was served" I guess.
* kate - Did we change the subject ?
(08/20/2008 )
Steve, pick up the needle, man. You've been playing the same old song for so long. Publish the book you promise. Who could tell your version of the story better than you?
As for the volunteers, they may be very nice people, but they've been organized by people who aren't always so nice ... I still wonder if they share the school board majority's view that privacy laws are a nuisance. It's a fair question in the case of a re-registration that requires personanal information be released to them.
* kate - And about that intimidation thing you do ...
(08/20/2008 )
Freud says there are no accidents....the story or my life? sheesh.
Pennsbury Back to School Profile
From the BCCT
Going high tech, going green
By MANASEE WAGH
Pennsbury is using its $1.17 million Classrooms for the Future state grant to enhance education at the high school. Students and teachers already have started using integrated technology such as microscope analysis systems hooked up to an interactive whiteboard at the front of the classroom.
The district’s Makefield Elementary School will go green. Both the school and the environment will benefit from sustainable practices like a green roof covered with plants that help insulate the building and reduce storm water runoff, rooftop solar panels that gather energy and a variety of energy conservation designs.
Abby Brazina, a social studies teacher at William Penn Middle School, was selected from a national pool of more than 1,700 applicants to be an honored guest of the Japanese government as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program.
As part of a group of 160 American educators, she will travel to Japan for three weeks in October to promote greater intercultural understanding. Brazina hopes to learn how the Japanese incorporate cultural values and customs into schools to promote character education and civic responsibility.
Pennsbury serves more than 12,500 students in Falls, Tullytown, Lower Makefield and Yardley.
It employs more than 1,531, including 809 teachers, with a $167.5 million budget. For information, visit www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS?
Chief Executive Officer:
Paul Long, 215-428-4100, ext. 10001
Assistant superintendents:
Kevin McHugh, (interim director of curriculum and instruction, K-12), 215-428-4100, ext. 10014
Donald Harm (administration), 215-428-4100, ext. 10012
Principals:
Pennsbury High East: W. David Bowman, 215-949-6700 Pennsbury High West: Lisa Becker, 215-949-6780 Charles Boehm Middle: Theresa Ricci, 215-428-4220 William Penn Middle: Larry Ricci, 215-428-4280 Pennwood Middle: Patricia Steckroat (acting principal), 215-428-4237 Afton Elementary: Norman Gross, 215-321-8540 Walt Disney Elementary: Fay Manicke, 215-949-6868 Edgewood Elementary: Michele Spack, 215-321-2410 Fallsington Elementary: David Hughes, 215-428-4170 Makefield Elementary: Donna McCormick-Miller, 215-321-2420 Manor Elementary: Richard Houseknecht, 215-949-6770 Oxford Valley Elementary: Fran Nitkin, 215-949-6808 Penn Valley Elementary: Peggy Schiavone, 215-949-6800 Quarry Hill Elementary: Karen Laarkamp, 215-321-2400 Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary: Robert Wurst, 215-428-4256 Village Park Elementary: Joe Masgai, 215-949-6740
SCHOOL BOARD
Members: President Gregory Lucidi Jr., Gene Dolnick, Michielle Deis, Howard Goldberg, Arlene Gordon, Adele Governatore, Richard Johnson, Linda Palsky and Gabriele Smyth. The board meets at 8 p.m. on the second and third Thursdays of the month, except in July and August, in the auditorium of the Fallsington Elementary School on Yardley Avenue. The first meeting of the 2007-2008 school year will be on Aug. 23. To contact the board, visit www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sept 2, First day of school Sept 30-Oct 1, Rosh Hashana – no school Oct 9, Yom Kippur – no school Nov 11, Veterans Day – no school Nov 12-14, Parent-teacher conferences, half-day grades 1-5 Nov 27, 28, Thanksgiving holiday – no school Dec 24-Jan 2, Christmas holidays – no school Jan 19, Martin Luther King Day no school Feb 16, Presidents Day – no school April 9, 10, Passover/Easter/spring recess – no school
April 15-17, Parent-teacher conferences, half-day grades 1-5 May 25, Memorial Day, no school June 17, Last day of school
FAST FACTS ABOUT PENNSBURY
Average SAT scores
(Unofficial scores for 2007-2008):
Critical reading: 530 Math: 545 Writing: 516
Total number of AP courses: 20
Student – teacher average ratios: Elementary: 23 – 1 Middle: 25 – 1 High School: 25 – 1
Average Teacher’s Salary: $77,524.41
Percentage of 2008 class that planned to go on to higher education: 93.34
Median household income in Pennsbury: $72,029.52
Cost per student: Elementary: $9,647.27 Secondary: $12,010.64
Partnerships with businesses: More than 1,000 through the Pennsbury Partners Program, including Yardley Jewelers, Yardley Flower Company, VFW Post 6393, Exelon Generation, International Culinary Schools of the Arts Institute, Transcend Sports Training Systems and Newtown Chamber Orchestra. AYP Status: All but two individual Pennsbury schools are meeting AYP. Penn Valley and Fallsington Elementary Schools each have one subgroup that did not achieve the required benchmark in reading.
Going high tech, going green
By MANASEE WAGH
Pennsbury is using its $1.17 million Classrooms for the Future state grant to enhance education at the high school. Students and teachers already have started using integrated technology such as microscope analysis systems hooked up to an interactive whiteboard at the front of the classroom.
The district’s Makefield Elementary School will go green. Both the school and the environment will benefit from sustainable practices like a green roof covered with plants that help insulate the building and reduce storm water runoff, rooftop solar panels that gather energy and a variety of energy conservation designs.
Abby Brazina, a social studies teacher at William Penn Middle School, was selected from a national pool of more than 1,700 applicants to be an honored guest of the Japanese government as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program.As part of a group of 160 American educators, she will travel to Japan for three weeks in October to promote greater intercultural understanding. Brazina hopes to learn how the Japanese incorporate cultural values and customs into schools to promote character education and civic responsibility.
Pennsbury serves more than 12,500 students in Falls, Tullytown, Lower Makefield and Yardley.
It employs more than 1,531, including 809 teachers, with a $167.5 million budget. For information, visit www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS?
Chief Executive Officer:
Paul Long, 215-428-4100, ext. 10001
Assistant superintendents:
Kevin McHugh, (interim director of curriculum and instruction, K-12), 215-428-4100, ext. 10014
Donald Harm (administration), 215-428-4100, ext. 10012
Principals:
Pennsbury High East: W. David Bowman, 215-949-6700 Pennsbury High West: Lisa Becker, 215-949-6780 Charles Boehm Middle: Theresa Ricci, 215-428-4220 William Penn Middle: Larry Ricci, 215-428-4280 Pennwood Middle: Patricia Steckroat (acting principal), 215-428-4237 Afton Elementary: Norman Gross, 215-321-8540 Walt Disney Elementary: Fay Manicke, 215-949-6868 Edgewood Elementary: Michele Spack, 215-321-2410 Fallsington Elementary: David Hughes, 215-428-4170 Makefield Elementary: Donna McCormick-Miller, 215-321-2420 Manor Elementary: Richard Houseknecht, 215-949-6770 Oxford Valley Elementary: Fran Nitkin, 215-949-6808 Penn Valley Elementary: Peggy Schiavone, 215-949-6800 Quarry Hill Elementary: Karen Laarkamp, 215-321-2400 Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary: Robert Wurst, 215-428-4256 Village Park Elementary: Joe Masgai, 215-949-6740
SCHOOL BOARD
Members: President Gregory Lucidi Jr., Gene Dolnick, Michielle Deis, Howard Goldberg, Arlene Gordon, Adele Governatore, Richard Johnson, Linda Palsky and Gabriele Smyth. The board meets at 8 p.m. on the second and third Thursdays of the month, except in July and August, in the auditorium of the Fallsington Elementary School on Yardley Avenue. The first meeting of the 2007-2008 school year will be on Aug. 23. To contact the board, visit www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sept 2, First day of school Sept 30-Oct 1, Rosh Hashana – no school Oct 9, Yom Kippur – no school Nov 11, Veterans Day – no school Nov 12-14, Parent-teacher conferences, half-day grades 1-5 Nov 27, 28, Thanksgiving holiday – no school Dec 24-Jan 2, Christmas holidays – no school Jan 19, Martin Luther King Day no school Feb 16, Presidents Day – no school April 9, 10, Passover/Easter/spring recess – no school
April 15-17, Parent-teacher conferences, half-day grades 1-5 May 25, Memorial Day, no school June 17, Last day of school
FAST FACTS ABOUT PENNSBURY
Average SAT scores
(Unofficial scores for 2007-2008):
Critical reading: 530 Math: 545 Writing: 516
Total number of AP courses: 20
Student – teacher average ratios: Elementary: 23 – 1 Middle: 25 – 1 High School: 25 – 1
Average Teacher’s Salary: $77,524.41
Percentage of 2008 class that planned to go on to higher education: 93.34
Median household income in Pennsbury: $72,029.52
Cost per student: Elementary: $9,647.27 Secondary: $12,010.64
Partnerships with businesses: More than 1,000 through the Pennsbury Partners Program, including Yardley Jewelers, Yardley Flower Company, VFW Post 6393, Exelon Generation, International Culinary Schools of the Arts Institute, Transcend Sports Training Systems and Newtown Chamber Orchestra. AYP Status: All but two individual Pennsbury schools are meeting AYP. Penn Valley and Fallsington Elementary Schools each have one subgroup that did not achieve the required benchmark in reading.
Morrisville Back to School Profile
Next in the BCCT PSSA/Back to School queue: Morrisville
Computers enhance lessons
Students earn college credit for language classes in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Japanese at the high school.
By MANASEE WAGH
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School recently received a Classrooms for the Future grant, enabling students to use more computers and integrated technology to enhance classroom lessons.
The technology already has boosted learning in science and social studies classes in the past year and will soon be used in math and English classes. Teachers used interactive whiteboards and laptops to develop lessons.
Students can research online, develop photo and storybooks, do assessments online, make instructional review games and develop projects, said former high school Principal Melanie Gehrens.
Morrisville received a dual enrollment grant last year, which allows students to take college classes while still in high school. Students were able to take Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Japanese via distance-learning college programs.
Students said that the dual enrollment courses helped prepare them and get ahead, according to Gehrens.
Thirty of last year’s graduating seniors accumulated a total of 197 college credits through the dual enrollment program. Currently, 41 students are enrolled to take dual enrollment college courses next year.
All schools made AYP in 2008-09, with significant gains in 11th-grade math scores. Proficiency scores increased 28 percent.
The school district serves more than 980 students in three schools. It employs 140 people and runs on a $19.8 million annual budget. For information, visit www.mv.org
WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS:
Superintendent: Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson, 215-736-5930
Principals:
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School: TBA (Melanie Gehrens just left district), 215-736-5260
Grandview Elementary School: Kate Taylor, 215-736-52380
M.R. Reiter Elementary School, Karen Huggins, 215-736-5270
School board: William Hellmann (president), Alfred Radosti (vice president), Marlys Mihok (secretary), Brenda Worob (treasurer), William Farrell, John “Jack” Buckman, Joseph Kemp, Robin Reithmeyer, Gloria Heater. The board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except in July, in the Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School on West Palmer Street. For information, visit www.mv.org.
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Sept 3, First day of school Sept 30, Rosh Hashana – no school Oct 9, Yom Kippur – no school Nov 10, Clerical day – early dismissal Nov 25, Teacher conferences – early dismissal Nov 27, 28, Thanksgiving holiday – no school Dec 24-Jan 2, Christmas holidays – no school Jan 19, Martin Luther King Day – no school Feb 13, no school Feb 16, Presidents Day – no school April 8, Clerical day – early dismissal April 9-13, Spring Break, no school May 25, Memorial Day, no school June 16, Last day of school
FAST FACTS
Average SAT scores 2006 -2007: Verbal: 458 Math: 442
2006-2007 average teacher salary: $69,000 Number of AP courses: 15 Student/teacher ratio:
Elementary: 20:1 Grades 7-8: 20:1 Secondary: 22:1
District’s cost per student for elementary and for secondary:
Elementary $13,023.41 Secondary $14,214.71
Median income in the district: $53,316
Partnerships with businesses: UPS, Air Products, Waste Management, Silver Lake, Bucks County Workforce Investment Board Inc., School Works, Morrisville Collaborative, YMCA AYP Status: All schools made AYP
Computers enhance lessons
Students earn college credit for language classes in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Japanese at the high school.
By MANASEE WAGH
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School recently received a Classrooms for the Future grant, enabling students to use more computers and integrated technology to enhance classroom lessons.
The technology already has boosted learning in science and social studies classes in the past year and will soon be used in math and English classes. Teachers used interactive whiteboards and laptops to develop lessons.
Students can research online, develop photo and storybooks, do assessments online, make instructional review games and develop projects, said former high school Principal Melanie Gehrens.
Morrisville received a dual enrollment grant last year, which allows students to take college classes while still in high school. Students were able to take Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Japanese via distance-learning college programs.
Students said that the dual enrollment courses helped prepare them and get ahead, according to Gehrens.Thirty of last year’s graduating seniors accumulated a total of 197 college credits through the dual enrollment program. Currently, 41 students are enrolled to take dual enrollment college courses next year.
All schools made AYP in 2008-09, with significant gains in 11th-grade math scores. Proficiency scores increased 28 percent.
The school district serves more than 980 students in three schools. It employs 140 people and runs on a $19.8 million annual budget. For information, visit www.mv.org
WHO’S WHO IN THE SCHOOLS:
Superintendent: Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson, 215-736-5930
Principals:
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School: TBA (Melanie Gehrens just left district), 215-736-5260
Grandview Elementary School: Kate Taylor, 215-736-52380
M.R. Reiter Elementary School, Karen Huggins, 215-736-5270
School board: William Hellmann (president), Alfred Radosti (vice president), Marlys Mihok (secretary), Brenda Worob (treasurer), William Farrell, John “Jack” Buckman, Joseph Kemp, Robin Reithmeyer, Gloria Heater. The board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except in July, in the Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School on West Palmer Street. For information, visit www.mv.org.
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Sept 3, First day of school Sept 30, Rosh Hashana – no school Oct 9, Yom Kippur – no school Nov 10, Clerical day – early dismissal Nov 25, Teacher conferences – early dismissal Nov 27, 28, Thanksgiving holiday – no school Dec 24-Jan 2, Christmas holidays – no school Jan 19, Martin Luther King Day – no school Feb 13, no school Feb 16, Presidents Day – no school April 8, Clerical day – early dismissal April 9-13, Spring Break, no school May 25, Memorial Day, no school June 16, Last day of school
FAST FACTS
Average SAT scores 2006 -2007: Verbal: 458 Math: 442
2006-2007 average teacher salary: $69,000 Number of AP courses: 15 Student/teacher ratio:
Elementary: 20:1 Grades 7-8: 20:1 Secondary: 22:1
District’s cost per student for elementary and for secondary:
Elementary $13,023.41 Secondary $14,214.71
Median income in the district: $53,316
Partnerships with businesses: UPS, Air Products, Waste Management, Silver Lake, Bucks County Workforce Investment Board Inc., School Works, Morrisville Collaborative, YMCA AYP Status: All schools made AYP
Morrisville Borough Council recap
From the BCCT.
PUBLIC MEETING WRAP
Morrisville council
215-295-8181
When: Monday, Aug. 18.
Issue: Accept April 21 meeting minutes.
Vote: Approved 8-0 by nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, George Bolos, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, David Rivella and Stephen Worob.
Issue: Pay bills; pay $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Morrisville Rotary’s request to use Williamson Park for a carnival from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Three projects to possibly be funded by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s compact authorization investment program; direct the borough manager and engineer to send a list of the projects and an application to the bridge commission.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Impact: The borough wants to install new curbs and sidewalks on the north side of West Bridge Street from Harding to Cox avenues at an estimated cost of $100,000, the north side of Philadelphia Avenue between South Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Street at an estimated cost of $70,000 and both sides of Washington Street between Philadelphia Avenue and Green Street at an estimated cost of $75,000. The borough was given approximately $1.5 million from the bridge commission for improvements to West Bridge Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. Because bids for those projects came in low, the borough has a surplus of about $345,000. If these projects are approved by the bridge commission, that would leave the borough with an approximate $100,000 surplus.
Issue: Resolution for sewer extension for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; 2008 Labor Day Run following the previously established route; amend the resolution reducing membership of the UCC Board of Appeals from five members to three members
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Paul Kavanagh to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Karen Kane to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved 4-0 by Burger, Dreisbach, Ledger and Rivella. Other council members voted for two other applicants.
PUBLIC MEETING WRAP
Morrisville council
215-295-8181
When: Monday, Aug. 18.
Issue: Accept April 21 meeting minutes.
Vote: Approved 8-0 by nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, George Bolos, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, David Rivella and Stephen Worob.
Issue: Pay bills; pay $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Morrisville Rotary’s request to use Williamson Park for a carnival from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Three projects to possibly be funded by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s compact authorization investment program; direct the borough manager and engineer to send a list of the projects and an application to the bridge commission.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Impact: The borough wants to install new curbs and sidewalks on the north side of West Bridge Street from Harding to Cox avenues at an estimated cost of $100,000, the north side of Philadelphia Avenue between South Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Street at an estimated cost of $70,000 and both sides of Washington Street between Philadelphia Avenue and Green Street at an estimated cost of $75,000. The borough was given approximately $1.5 million from the bridge commission for improvements to West Bridge Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. Because bids for those projects came in low, the borough has a surplus of about $345,000. If these projects are approved by the bridge commission, that would leave the borough with an approximate $100,000 surplus.
Issue: Resolution for sewer extension for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; 2008 Labor Day Run following the previously established route; amend the resolution reducing membership of the UCC Board of Appeals from five members to three members
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Paul Kavanagh to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Karen Kane to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved 4-0 by Burger, Dreisbach, Ledger and Rivella. Other council members voted for two other applicants.
Federal Lawsuit over Strip Club
From the BCCT
Developer sues borough in federal court over strip club
Posted in News on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 12:48 pm by Courier Times staff writer Danny Adler
MORRISVILLE — Strip clubs aren’t illegal. And a New Jersey developer is saying Morrisville’s “framework of zoning and regulatory ordinances, which … impose restrictions and prohibitions on First Amendment protected expression” to bring a gentlemen’s club to the borough is unconstitutional, according to a federal lawsuit against Morrisville and the borough’s zoning hearing board.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, says the borough’s restrictions “chill” and make it impossible to operate an adult entertainment facility.
The strip club and bar Sugar & Spice is located about one-third of a mile south of Stockham Interests proposed go-go joint.
Stockham Interests LLC also seeks damages in excess of $75,000.
The suit also challenges the zoning hearing board’s denial of a 1,000-square-foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1 - which was proposed after great opposition of the strip club. The suit says the denial prevents protected commercial speech.
The Morrisville zoning hearing board’s May decision denying Stockham Interests variances to allow adult entertainment in the Stockham Building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations was based on “no evidence” and was an “abuse of discretion,” the suit alleges.
The request for the variances was unanimously denied by the zoning hearing board in May.
The developer was planning for a “burlesque-style” strip club for the second floor of the four-story Stockham Building. Plans also called for a first-floor restaurant and bakery, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
Calls to Stockham Interests attorney, Joseph Beller, and borough Solicitor James Downey III were not immediately returned Tuesday.
Developer sues borough in federal court over strip club
Posted in News on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 12:48 pm by Courier Times staff writer Danny Adler
MORRISVILLE — Strip clubs aren’t illegal. And a New Jersey developer is saying Morrisville’s “framework of zoning and regulatory ordinances, which … impose restrictions and prohibitions on First Amendment protected expression” to bring a gentlemen’s club to the borough is unconstitutional, according to a federal lawsuit against Morrisville and the borough’s zoning hearing board.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, says the borough’s restrictions “chill” and make it impossible to operate an adult entertainment facility.
The strip club and bar Sugar & Spice is located about one-third of a mile south of Stockham Interests proposed go-go joint.
Stockham Interests LLC also seeks damages in excess of $75,000.
The suit also challenges the zoning hearing board’s denial of a 1,000-square-foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1 - which was proposed after great opposition of the strip club. The suit says the denial prevents protected commercial speech.
The Morrisville zoning hearing board’s May decision denying Stockham Interests variances to allow adult entertainment in the Stockham Building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations was based on “no evidence” and was an “abuse of discretion,” the suit alleges.
The request for the variances was unanimously denied by the zoning hearing board in May.
The developer was planning for a “burlesque-style” strip club for the second floor of the four-story Stockham Building. Plans also called for a first-floor restaurant and bakery, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
Calls to Stockham Interests attorney, Joseph Beller, and borough Solicitor James Downey III were not immediately returned Tuesday.
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