Parents Questions, Concerns, and Misc Information

Posted by Anonymous 9/29/10
"Can we stop the sweets as rewards in the classroom? Teachers are giving slushes, starburst, etc. as rewards ALL THE TIME! Can parents stop bringing sweets to school for their childs' birthday? IT IS NOT THE PLACE! One in every three children in the US are overweight or obese! Let the change begin with you! "

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Please see the link below to improve school lunches across the nation.
One in three children in the US are overweight or obese!  
MomsRising.org - Petition Regarding School Lunches See letter to Legislator below.


Dear Legislator,

As one of over a million MomsRising members and your constituent, I'm writing to urge you to pass a good child nutrition bill, The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, S. 3307, that improves access to healthy food and doesn't significantly cut future food-stamp benefits for families.

Nearly 1 in 4 of U.S. children stand on the brink of hunger in the U.S. right now AND 1 in 3 children are obese or overweight.  Children can't afford for Congress to wait to update the Child Nutrition Act.

The proposed update to the Child Nutrition Act would make historic improvements in school and child nutrition that will help address both childhood hunger and obesity in our nation.

But we also can’t fund this crucial update by cutting future benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-- crazy but true this has been proposed. More than 40 million vulnerable American families depend on SNAP and we can't help kids by hurting kids.

Thanks again, for all the work you do for our children and families,

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From a parent:

My son is on an IEP and was retained this past year. I was looking for some feedback etc on SPED issues. 
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We would suggest getting your son an advocate or attorney as by what we have determined, it wasn't solely an academic issue. Retaining students isn't an ideal nor should it be used as a threat or tactic against students who don't fit into the schools idea of education. That being said, we have found a wealth of information on Wrightslaw.com regarding retention of students and the negative implications it has on their overall well-being. Unfortunately, MVRCS is too quick to retain and often uses it as a way of steering parents out of the school (we do not know if that is the case with your child but that is where an attorney or advocate would be beneficial). Retention should not be viewed as a failure on the child but rather as a failure of the school in their efforts to educate a child. We have heard of students being held back for a number of years. It would appear that these students retention is as a direct result of their neurological or behavioral issues and this is not legal nor acceptable. Also, if a child is receiving high grades but fails to pass the MCAS, retention should not be permissable or acceptable. If the school is providing adequate instruction for your child in their grade level and they are performing well, MCAS or IOWA's should not be the determining factor as to whether your child advances to the next grade. We have heard of classes that are not working at grade level collectively, but again, in our opinion that speaks to the school rather than the students. We are currently researching information regarding FAPE and special education law regarding retention and will add more later. (Wow, our list of topics to be covered is growing hourly!~)








21 comments:

  1. As for the treats or food within the classroom, while many of us agree, many parents would disagree and argue that they should be allowed. We've heard of great ideas for birthday celebrations that did not include food but either a little trinket, having the kids sign a t-shirt or pillowcase, or doing a fun art project. Maybe as a compromise parents could try to bring somewhat healthier snacks that the kids would like. Examples could include fun shaped fruit cut outs, fruit juice Popsicles, or other treats that are not loaded with sugar. As for the teachers giving out candy, that should be a no-no as candy is not permitted in school.

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  2. Does this school actually separate girls and boys for math and science in the middle school grades? Or is this a rumor?

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    1. This is not true. I am in MV high and when I was in 6-8th grade, we were all mixed classes. My math and science class consisted of both boys and girls!

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  3. We did hear that last year the middle school grades allowed the students to choose reading material that they would find more interesting (and motivating to read). It ended up that the selections ended up dividing the students into groups that separated the boys and girls.

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  4. Is it true that the Athletic Director, Connolly, was asked to leave MV? If so, does anyone know why?

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  5. I heard Mr. Connolly had Family Commitments that became a higher priority to him back in Conneticut. He was a good Athletic Director...unfortunate for all...but family priorities should always come first.

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  6. No Heat again at the Annex and no update from the School!

    Kids left in the cold until almost 8am this morning. Not allowed in the building!

    Does anyone reading the blog have an update?

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    1. Today is dec. 17, and I am in the high school at mvrcs. even there, we have old radiators that barely work. My teachers complain that they are freezing and so are the students! And, we students have to walk from the high school to the Emerson building (which is a few blocks away), and even with the snow the school doesn't allow us to wear boots! I freeze when I go to art and tech!

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  7. Thank you very much for the update on the heating issue.

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  8. Two Malden Police Cruisers at the Lower School this morning. Anyone know what was going on?

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  9. I just heard and then read that the maplewood fire station, where MVCS children attend computer classes is full of MOLD!!!! Is the City going to clean this place up and will the school administration keep our kids out of the fire station class room?????? This needs to addressed ASAP!

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  10. Why do you people not like McCleary? He seems to do a good job....

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  11. Why should the city clean the station the School is responsible you clean it

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  12. My son's IEP requires that he receive home services from a BCBA (3 hrs /week) and "Paraprofessional" 2 hrs/week for a total of 5 hrs/week - since May, 2011. Since May, on average he has received 2-2 1/2 hrs/week of BCBA and no paraprofessional support. What can I do to hold the school district acccountable?

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    1. Remove him from this silly school. Its not worth keeping children there that they feel might ruin their reputation. Its very sad how this school claims to be the best school in Malden but it seems to depend on how White you are and how functioning your child is. I hope the Courts shut this place down!

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    2. MV is not a school for students with any kind of differing abilities. It would be in your best interest, and his, to enroll your son in the public school.

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  13. What can I do to protect my child from the administrations interrogation like tactics?

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  14. LOL yall aint got nolives what chu talkin bout mah sun is a great sun he do public skool aint nobody got time for mv

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  15. My sun is a future mcdonalds man yall aint got time yall be flipping fries

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  16. I have a child who is on the Autism spectrum and was considering enrolling him in the Mystic Charter school. I am not sure though how they handle Special Education and if he is better of at the Malden Public schools. Any input please.

    Thanks

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  17. My son is on the Autism spectrum and I am considering enrolling him in the Mystic Charter school. I was just wondering how Special Education is handled there. Any input please.

    Thanks

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