From the Sandwich Enterprise: "In response to the concerns expressed by many parents, Superintendent C. Richard Canfield announced that he has utilized "left-over" FY '12 maintenance funds to purchase 450 Big Plastic Bubbles to protect 7th & 8th graders if they move to the High School next year. As their contribution to the transition effort, the combined PTA's of the Wing, Forestdale, and Oakridge Schools purchased 448 "My Child is Gifted & Talented" bumper stickers to be affixed to the plastic bubbles. It is unknown which 2 of the new bubbles would NOT be receiving a "Gifted & Talented" sticker -- although a spokesperson for the Wing PTA assured reporters that none of the "non-G&T" students attended The Wing."
(OK, that wasn't really in The Emptyprize, but given their typical loose grasp on reality...)
This week's discussion of the proposed STEM program was interesting. I think its a good idea, but I can't imagine how Dr. Canfield will be able to get all the moving pieces in-place for next year. (I also have no doubt that Dr. C will be the driving force. The School Committee seems more decorative than functional lately.). I'm looking forward to seeing a more detailed plan continue to evolve over time.
It was amusing that, despite the fact that this project has been discussed for months, many folks who stood at the microphone this week made it sound like The Supt thought the idea up over lunch at Marshland that afternoon.
I have always supported the idea that Public Forum is an opportunity for folks to make a general statement to the public or the Committee -- it is not a question and answer period where folks can drop in with whatever question (relevant or not) may be on their minds. If somebody is actually looking for information (rather than just putting on a show), it is far more efficient to do so with a phone call or email to the Administration or any/all members of the Committee. Unfortunately, Public Forum frequently provides a soap box for people far more interested in the sound of their own voice than making any actual effort to obtain information.
(Need any more proof I'm done with elective office?)
That being said, I think this week's meeting was different. I respectfully disagree with The Superintendent. I think he should have answered questions -- even if it was only to say he didn't have a specific answer yet. I also think the School Committee needs to start getting involved in the topic -- they looked like in-laws at a family reunion this week. People assumed they knew what was going on, but in reality they appeared to be as in-the-dark as most of the audience.
If nothing else, answering some questions now might cut down on hearing the same question 500 more times. It also might reduce the amount of distortion from other folks making up answers to the questions. You can bet the Soccer Fields are just humming with incorrect assumptions, distortions, and bombastic bullshit this morning!
Maybe Dr. C should get himself a large coffee and wander over to the Wing Soccer field for a few informal Saturday morning visits? While he may never alter the opinion of the "Hell, No, I won't change" crowd -- he would very likely make an impression on the larger group of generally self-disenfranchised folks who just don't pay attention to anything -- either until its too late, or until the "Hell, No!" crowd hands them a steaming cup of misinformation!
4 comments:
Moving kids to the high school for the STEM Academy is all about keeping kids in Sandwich and NOT really about science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM could be done in the current configuration very easily, especially since the Wing School is going to stay open. STEM Academy is nothing more than smoke and mirrors to, once again, hide the real problem as to why students are going elsewhere...the high school administration and teacher moral up there at the castle of Blue Knight Pride. And now, thinking that high school administration is going to oversee the 7th/8th grade "wing" of the high school may cause the exodus to go into the junior high grades. STEM may just tip the scales of departure even further into the "loss" category.
If Dr. Canfield needs to hear any town "gossip" regarding this entire situation he should listen to the students and parents who are very clear about their high school experience. Sure there are pockets of great teaching going on and enthusiastic educators who, despite the unions negativity and the principal's lies, continue to provide a good educational experience for students. Sure there are students that, despite all the hoopla about teacher contracts and Blue Knight Pride, manage to eek out a decent education and rise above it all. Sure there are parents and students who simply don't care or are blissfully unaware that there are any issues. There are even bunches of kids and parents who love the high school and can't understand why people are choosing other placements...but most likely, that group of people who are satisfied or neutral are either a) flying under the radar of the principal and her minions on purpose or b) part of the Blue Knight Pride who need buckets of Chap Stick to keep their lips moist after kissing up to the good doctor and her followers.
What about the parent surveys shedding some light on why people are going elsewhere? What about facing the truth about that before moving 500 students to the very spot where people seem to flee in droves? "Transparency" on this new plan is overshadowing transparency on the truth.
Until you change the Blue Knight Pride's leadership... science, technology, engineering, and math ain't gonna fix things (who needs English and the arts anyhow? Nobody need them things ). The STEM plan won't work unless 7th/8th grade students build some sort of robotic vehicle to cart the "bad apples" of staff up, up and away! Or, considering the need for the pool for robotics, perhaps, down, down, and under?
In the meantime, while all the questions are being rounded up and not answered (Dr. C refuses to answer questions via email...even to his staff who wonder what being "interviewed for the STEM Academy" means for their certifications and careers), I, and many of my friends who chat on the soccer field week after week, will be looking at alternative placements for our children.
Just kinda smirking here because of Dr. Canfield's apparent lack of experience in dealing with this town. It took me a few years to figure out what goes on here (or actually what doesn't go on here).. As we all know by now, it takes a minimum of five years to get anything done. From, putting sidewalks on the roads to changing a light bulb in the parking lot. Five years or more. I admire Dr. C's drive to get things done. I actually wish there were more like him in town. Dragging things out is how we do it here, it's how we've managed to stay the way we are. Cheer up Dr. Canfield, we all admire what you are trying to do here. It's heart-wrenching to watch a person of action tread water until eventually you simply succumb to the drowning-feeling this town will bring to a person like yourself.
On another matter, I don't think the parents who are concerned about their kids safety be so carelessly overlooked. Some points are valid. From the way the high school girls dress (think prostitutes), to the inside jokes and teasing between friends, what these 7th and 8th graders are going to see and hear can't be discounted so readily.
I vote for opening a charter school at the Wing with STEM focus. We all know it's the teachers that are going to ruin everything if it's implemented. Bring in some forward thinking teachers with fresh enthusiasm and respect for their own accountability. There are lots of ideas out there to at least look at before we just go rushing into construction, moving, hiring expenses, on and on, etc. etc. See, nice and slow, don't move too fast now. I have to hook up my horsie to the buggy and get to these meetings.
1:02 above is absolutely correct and the reason my kids didn't go to SHS. Parents want their children to have role models of character;not lessons in how to get what you want by being disengenuous as is the norm. A leader with character trumpet technology toys any day_ just look at the leaders and culturesof the schools families are fleeing to. Teachers will ruse to the occasion (or sink) depending on who is the captain of the ship. It's high time for change.
I know this as nothing to do with the topic at hand however it does somewhat type in with the cost factors.
We want and want more all in the best interest of the students but we need to look at what we have now and what is a priorty.....stem, new public safety building or more MAN POWER for our fire deparment which is completely undermanned! It took 25 minutes to get water onto the fire downtown this weekend as the fire engines and personel had to come in from the Forestdale station because the downtown station was unmaned due to Headquarters personel being out on a call. If this building was in a development or someone trapped in the building the outcome just wouldn't be good. Thank god for mutual aid but you can't always count on it should it be always expected. We need to find a way to get the department more men before we have another accident as we did in a fire sometime ago or before its our own house that they cannot get to in time!!
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