Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Our Thoughts and Answers to Reader Comments

1. In response to the posts regarding our censoring comments not as a result of foul language or mean spirited posts but rather posts that differ in opinion from our own. We find it unfortunate that you believe that to be the case as we have not attempted to censor anything other than posts that contain foul language or serve no other purpose than to attack a fellow poster. We have purposefully left up differing opinions and thoughts as we  feel that the concerns and issues of all parents deserve to be heard and  we want to hear what others are thinking. We find such comments and insight valuable in not only allowing us to see others perspectives but also as a way to ensure that we focus our efforts on the 'big' issues of our fellow parents. We apologize if you have posted something that you believe was removed without justification yet we can't recall doing so.

2.The change from 'non issue' to 'like this' wasn't (again) an attempt to censor anyone but found that some posts didn't fit into any of the previous selections. We will attempt to replace 'non issue' out of fairness to all. We also welcome ideas and suggestions for more appropriate tags and/or polling questions. We also feel it is important to point out that we have had over 2600 unique visitor yet  less than 100 have participated in the polling. That being said, we put it there more to provide those who do not wish to comment a chance to give feedback.


3. As for the summary of the meeting and the meeting minutes, we have requested the minutes and hope to post them once they are received. Per the Attorney General the school has 10 days from the date of request to forward them. Per the AG's office, the minutes do not need to be posted but must be provided within 10 days upon request. Should anyone have had success in obtaining either the Open Meeting or Executive Meeting minutes, we would appreciate you forwarding them to us. Once we have them, we will put together a more inclusive summary of the meeting. Our apologies for the delay and for not having taken better notes that would enable us to provide a quicker, more thorough summary.

4. We'd like to clarify our lack of thoroughly presenting the discussion regarding the issue of the students snacks and/or the belief that we are attempting to nit pick on the little issues. We are not looking to do either with this issue or even with the current busing issue. Our focus and intent was, and is,  to draw attention to the manner in which issues are handled by the Board and school Administration.  It seems overly apparent the lack of respect and unwillingness of the Board to address or value concerns of parents. To clarify, our goals focus mainly on the lack of integrity, ethical actions, and questionable qualifications of many of the Board and Administration. We also seek to provide our fellow parents with a forum in which they feel secure and entitled to ask questions and challenge decisions. Does this mean that we want to have parents control the school? Not at all, we simply want to remove the dynamics and intimidation tactics that are currently in place. We truly hope to create a school environment that promotes a positive, open, and trusting community of parents who hold the best interest of all of our students first and foremost.  


5. To our humorous adolescent posters, very funny. Wasn't it from Porky's? How about Phyuck Yiu? Oops, Jo King...Get that one too? Or Harry Sphincter? Are you (an) Auhs Whipe? Or are you Stu Pidassos? Are we done now? Ah, 8th graders, forgot how fun they can be.


6. On the upside, we'd like to mention that at the last staff Professional Development day (Friday), the Administration was very much praising the staff for their performance thus far. While many would except this to be a common occurrence, this isn't always the case for our hard-working and dedicated teachers. It is unfortunate that the Administration does not use this time in a more productive and beneficial manner for the teachers, many of whom are new to the school (and possibly community as we have heard a number of teachers were relocated from Michigan). The staff spent the day at the Moose (who had their ravioli's for the first time in quite some time) identifying the location and significance of art that ties into the Core Knowledge curriculum and has been placed throughout the school. It is unfortunate that the Administration felt that this was the best use of their teachers time considering how many of them are new and are probably feeling extremely overwhelmed by now. While many of us have our own criticisms and issues with our public schools, the one strength many of the have is their use of Professional Development time to foster a positive work environment and working relationships among colleagues. From our conversations with staff members many would welcome the introduction of mentoring among staff, guest speakers and experts presenting on such issues as Special Education (and not Kathy Kinnon reading from a Powerpoint Presentation that she has no intention of following herself), Behavior Management, or the Importance of Positive Communication between parents and teachers. It is incredibly unfortunate that although many of our teachers have exceptional credentials and some have incredible experience, they are not permitted to communicate with parents beyond surface issues. Most questions must first be addressed with an Administrator before teachers can comment or discuss parental concerns.But this is a post for another day, or month!

26 comments:

  1. Can't touch Mike Hawk!September 22, 2010 at 11:16 PM

    Thanks Annie I'll take all of that under advisement! #5 gave you away, it's the same type of retaliating comment you have on Boston.Com and Facebook.....

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  2. Wow Neil A/K/A Mike Hawk! This blog has really gotten under your skin ha? Just how long did you truly believe that your little empire was going to get away with your unethical ways? I am so proud and very thankful to all of the people who created this blog! If I knew who they were I would kiss the ground that they walk on! If only we had blogs years ago! They must be thanking their lucky stars that blogs did not exist then. I could have been spared all of the h_ll that you, your board, and your administration put my family through, and the families of my friends through, knowing that we were not alone! Annie O, I am not. I may not be as vocal as her, but to hear that this same bull is still going on at this school makes me sick to my stomach. Good luck to all of you parents who are fighting back for the rights of your children. I am extremely impressed with what you have done. Do not let these people intimidate you. If you do, they will walk all over you! This is a fight for your children, not you!

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  3. Mike Hawk doesn't know Neil.September 23, 2010 at 7:13 AM

    You're right you're not Annie. Can't stand her but I give her credit for having the balls to take claim over who she is.

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  4. What, and get bullied by the likes of you for revieling ourselves?

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  5. Mike Hawk is not a bully.September 23, 2010 at 11:32 AM

    I'm not a bully, I believe bullies are those that are too weak to come forward to stand up for what they believe.

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  6. Oh trust me, I did come forward - many times. Got no results - which is why I am here and why this Blog was created - to let others know that they are not alone.

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  10. Listen, if the bloggers were not who they seemed to be at the meeting you have a duty to say you were not there. Since there were only about 20 people there it's not to hard to figure out who had an axe to grind. At least the woman with the red streaks in her hair had the guts to confront the board. The rest of you were pretty gutless.

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  12. Love this blog! Nice to know that I'm not alone.

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  13. Anonymous @ 9:17p - If a person posts something on FB, than respectfully, reply back on FB. No Anonimity on FB.

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  14. Just FYI - Neither Joyce nor Annie O have had anything to do with the creation of this blog. Yes, they both have valuable insight and (apparently) less than positive experiences with the school for speaking their minds, yet the creators of this blog do not know either of them personally.

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  15. We apologize to the individual who we mistakenly responded to. It appears as though our lines were in fact crossed and we have deleted any reference to the discussion. It does get difficult with 'anonymous' posts. Again, you have our apologies.

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  16. I'm still waiting for my apology...........and waiting.............and waiting

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  17. Ok Andy, you are correct, you have been waiting for a very long time. So long in fact, that I forget what I owe you one for....But here goes:
    ANDREW25, I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR MISTAKING YOU FOR NEIL KINNON, FOR USING YOUR NAME FOR KNOWING THINGS BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE, AND FOR SAYING THINGS THAT MAKE YOU VERY, VERY ANGRY!

    Ok, now what are you going to rant about? How about raving about how much you like this blog after all?

    Are we good now?

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  18. Fantastic! Now that we're friends again why don't you tell me where you were sitting at the meeting.

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  19. Andy -
    Silly me, never knew first that we were 'friends' or that we ever weren't 'friends'. Oops, guess that explains why you've been so unusually quiet lately.
    I know you have made it your lifes mission to find out who I am but you have to remember, I don't want to be found out. Therefore, I CAN'T tell you where I was sitting last week. Sorry.

    But, anything you want to debate/bicker/pick on each other about? Bring it on...

    And, Welcome back...

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  20. I figured since you have invisible enemies I could be your invisible friend. I would like to hear your view on the meeting.

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  21. Andy -
    Sure, I'd love an invisible friend and not sure I really have any invisible enemies but fun to imagine I do.
    The meeting....not impressed (but hadn't been in the past either). I am completely disappointed in the manner in which the Board treats parents. While I can only imagine how much 'stuff' they have to listen to, it is no different than any other district yet they manage to mask their intolerance and indifference to the parents of their district.
    Speaking of the meeting though, totally disgusted at the games the school plays in trying to prevent the release of the minutes, both open meeting and executive. Its that kind of behavior and actions that defines who they are. Just another law that they don't believe applies to them.

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  22. Hey how come there are no positive responses in your survey. Anyone of you people above who just want to do whats best for the school help insider out if you can come up with an answer. Can't wait to see this logic.

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  23. @MVInsider: You are quite a "joke"; stand up and be seen/heard. Just another putz who can't hack it in the real world so hide behind your screen name and talk smack to everyone else; people like you would never say what you say here to somebody's face you gutless little weenie...LOL...most of you "fulltime" bloggers row the same boat...no guts, just big mouths from the cheap seats...good luck effecting change like this!

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  24. What's up with that out of control Finn guy that was at the last meeting? That psycho needs some anger management counseling! And to bring his poor son to the meeting and act like that, yikes. What a role model indeed Mr. Finn. Also, if you are related to the Mr. Finn who is part of the school administration than all we can say is you should be ashamed of yourself the way you act and the temper you have.

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  25. Tell us more-I couldn't make it but would love to hear the details. What was he up in arms about-that he got caught letting his family back into the school?

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