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City by the Lake.org, The Voice of Michigan City, Indiana _ City Talk _ MCAS redistricting meeting
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 23 2009, 11:58 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=21902&TM=51035.89
QUOTE
MCAS schedules redistricting meetings
MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Area Schools' Redistricting Advisory Committee has scheduled community forums at 10 school buildings over the next two weeks to present its proposals for changing elementary and middle school enrollment boundaries.
The meetings will be at all elementary schools and the Eastport Early Learning Center to give parents of elementary and middle school students and the general public several opportunities to view and comment on the plans.
All forums will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
• Wednesday, March 25 - Coolspring Elementary School and Marsh Elementary School.
• Thursday, March 26 - Edgewood Elementary School and Joy Elementary School.
• Monday, March 30 - Knapp Elementary School and Niemann Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 31 - Eastport Early Learning Center and Springfield Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 1 - Lake Hills Elementary School and Pine Elementary School.
Proposed plans will be available for viewing on the Michigan City Area Schools Web site (www.mcas.k12.in.us) on Tuesday, March 24.
In addition, the MCAS Board of Trustees will conduct work sessions on redistricting at 6 p.m. on Mondays March 23 and April 13.
The board will receive a final proposal from the Redistricting Advisory Committee for first reading at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 14 and is expected to act on the proposal April 28. Families will then be notified of any changes that impact their children.
Redistricting will take effect for the 2009-2010 school year. MCAS is adjusting enrollment boundaries following completion of a three-phase building project. This project included renovations of three middle schools and Marsh Elementary, and the construction of two new elementary buildings, Lake Hills and Pine. Lake Hills opened Jan. 22 and the new Pine will open for the 2009-2010 school year.
For additional information about redistricting, visit www.mcas.k12.in.us. For those without Internet access, information can be obtained at the MCAS Administration Building, 408 S. Carroll Ave., Michigan City.
MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Area Schools' Redistricting Advisory Committee has scheduled community forums at 10 school buildings over the next two weeks to present its proposals for changing elementary and middle school enrollment boundaries.
The meetings will be at all elementary schools and the Eastport Early Learning Center to give parents of elementary and middle school students and the general public several opportunities to view and comment on the plans.
All forums will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
• Wednesday, March 25 - Coolspring Elementary School and Marsh Elementary School.
• Thursday, March 26 - Edgewood Elementary School and Joy Elementary School.
• Monday, March 30 - Knapp Elementary School and Niemann Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 31 - Eastport Early Learning Center and Springfield Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 1 - Lake Hills Elementary School and Pine Elementary School.
Proposed plans will be available for viewing on the Michigan City Area Schools Web site (www.mcas.k12.in.us) on Tuesday, March 24.
In addition, the MCAS Board of Trustees will conduct work sessions on redistricting at 6 p.m. on Mondays March 23 and April 13.
The board will receive a final proposal from the Redistricting Advisory Committee for first reading at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 14 and is expected to act on the proposal April 28. Families will then be notified of any changes that impact their children.
Redistricting will take effect for the 2009-2010 school year. MCAS is adjusting enrollment boundaries following completion of a three-phase building project. This project included renovations of three middle schools and Marsh Elementary, and the construction of two new elementary buildings, Lake Hills and Pine. Lake Hills opened Jan. 22 and the new Pine will open for the 2009-2010 school year.
For additional information about redistricting, visit www.mcas.k12.in.us. For those without Internet access, information can be obtained at the MCAS Administration Building, 408 S. Carroll Ave., Michigan City.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 24 2009, 01:33 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=21936
QUOTE
School redistricting debate heats up
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Anyone who wants to inject a bit of fire and emotion into a School Board meeting need only whisper one word: redistricting.
About 20 people concerned about the issue attended Monday night's Michigan City Area Schools board work session.
The only ones who voiced concern about the proposals were from Coolspring Elementary School.
One woman, Katie Herrbach, said she would move her children to La Porte schools if it was determined they would be moved from Coolspring.
"We would have to take them all the way to town, to Joy School," she said.
Another woman seemed concerned about other students moving into Coolspring. She said she favored neighborhood schools.
"Only the children living in the Coolspring community should attend Coolspring School," she said.
The maps to reveal potential redistricting were put together by a committee headed by Kevin McGuire, MCAS director of instructional technology, and Kevin Neafie, director of transportation. McGuire presented three maps to represent three possibilities.
He also repeated some of the guidelines the committee used when making its decisions: move as few students as possible; each school should reflect the community (in terms of racial and socio-economic status); students should spend as little time as possible on buses.
In addition, the committee thought about the school buildings and tried to balance enrollment with capacity, to see that each school had music and art rooms and at least two computer labs.
"Why do you need to know the free and reduced lunch status of students?" board member Beryle Burgwald asked.
One of the guidelines is to make the schools look more like the community the school corporation serves, he said.
Burgwald wondered whether that guideline would pass muster with the Supreme Court.
Bringing a few more students who are entitled to a free and reduced lunch to a school brings more federal dollars as well, such as money for a breakfast program, he added.
Within the MCAS, about 50 percent of the students are entitled to free and reduced lunches, he added.
"I am appalled the schools would be redistricted according to which students get free and reduced lunches," one mother said.
She favored neighborhood schools.
"Only the children living in the Coolspring community should attend Coolspring School," she said.
Former City Council member Virginia Martin, a driver trainer for the MCAS, said she was tired of seeing city neighborhood schools being closed. She named Park School and Eastport, when it was an elementary school, as well as the old Central School.
"We're tired of bussing our children all the way to Coolspring and Springfield," she said. "Maybe you could send your children into the city," she told the Coolspring group.
MCAS board views redistricting options
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - No decision has been made, but Michigan City Area Schools board members now have color maps and black-and-white charts to help them in their redistricting tasks.
Kevin McGuire, MCAS director of instructional technology, coaxed all the statistics from the computers and put them into easy-to-understand charts which he distributed to the board and others at the board's Monday work session.
The numbers say, for example, that just 48 percent of Coolspring students are entitled to free or reduced lunches, while 88 percent at Marsh and 87 percent at Lake Hills (formerly Mullen) get free or reduced lunches. In terms of ethnic breakdown, at Coolspring, 31 percent of the students are non-white, while at Lake Hills the number is 79 percent and at Springfield it is 19 percent.
McGuire presented three proposed redistricting plans, labeled Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.
According to current numbers, the average elementary student lives 2.13 miles from school. Plans A and B would put the average student 1.72 miles from home and Plan C 1.99 miles from home.
On the other hand, Plan C moves the highest number of students - 1,187 - while Plan A would move 615 and Plan B would move 688.
As for the middle schools, Barker now has an enrollment of 398; according to Plan A, it would be 394; according to B, 384; according to C, 412.
Elston's enrollment now is 642; according to A, it would be 630; according to B, 655; according to C, 650.
Krueger now has 396 students enrolled; according to Plan A, it would be 412; according to B, 398; according to C, 375.
q
A series of meetings on redistricting will begin Wednesday at Coolspring and Marsh elementary schools. All meetings are from 6 to 7 p.m.
Other meetings are:
• Thursday, March 26 - Edgewood Elementary School and Joy Elementary School.
• Monday, March 30 - Knapp Elementary School and Niemann Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 31 - Eastport Early Learning Center and Springfield Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 1 - Lake Hills Elementary School and Pine Elementary School.
Other redistricting information, including the maps, are available at the MCAS Web site, www.mcas.k12.in.us. On the home page, scroll down to the Redistricting banner and click on it.
A regular board meeting is at 6 tonight at the administration building.
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Anyone who wants to inject a bit of fire and emotion into a School Board meeting need only whisper one word: redistricting.
About 20 people concerned about the issue attended Monday night's Michigan City Area Schools board work session.
The only ones who voiced concern about the proposals were from Coolspring Elementary School.
One woman, Katie Herrbach, said she would move her children to La Porte schools if it was determined they would be moved from Coolspring.
"We would have to take them all the way to town, to Joy School," she said.
Another woman seemed concerned about other students moving into Coolspring. She said she favored neighborhood schools.
"Only the children living in the Coolspring community should attend Coolspring School," she said.
The maps to reveal potential redistricting were put together by a committee headed by Kevin McGuire, MCAS director of instructional technology, and Kevin Neafie, director of transportation. McGuire presented three maps to represent three possibilities.
He also repeated some of the guidelines the committee used when making its decisions: move as few students as possible; each school should reflect the community (in terms of racial and socio-economic status); students should spend as little time as possible on buses.
In addition, the committee thought about the school buildings and tried to balance enrollment with capacity, to see that each school had music and art rooms and at least two computer labs.
"Why do you need to know the free and reduced lunch status of students?" board member Beryle Burgwald asked.
One of the guidelines is to make the schools look more like the community the school corporation serves, he said.
Burgwald wondered whether that guideline would pass muster with the Supreme Court.
Bringing a few more students who are entitled to a free and reduced lunch to a school brings more federal dollars as well, such as money for a breakfast program, he added.
Within the MCAS, about 50 percent of the students are entitled to free and reduced lunches, he added.
"I am appalled the schools would be redistricted according to which students get free and reduced lunches," one mother said.
She favored neighborhood schools.
"Only the children living in the Coolspring community should attend Coolspring School," she said.
Former City Council member Virginia Martin, a driver trainer for the MCAS, said she was tired of seeing city neighborhood schools being closed. She named Park School and Eastport, when it was an elementary school, as well as the old Central School.
"We're tired of bussing our children all the way to Coolspring and Springfield," she said. "Maybe you could send your children into the city," she told the Coolspring group.
MCAS board views redistricting options
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY - No decision has been made, but Michigan City Area Schools board members now have color maps and black-and-white charts to help them in their redistricting tasks.
Kevin McGuire, MCAS director of instructional technology, coaxed all the statistics from the computers and put them into easy-to-understand charts which he distributed to the board and others at the board's Monday work session.
The numbers say, for example, that just 48 percent of Coolspring students are entitled to free or reduced lunches, while 88 percent at Marsh and 87 percent at Lake Hills (formerly Mullen) get free or reduced lunches. In terms of ethnic breakdown, at Coolspring, 31 percent of the students are non-white, while at Lake Hills the number is 79 percent and at Springfield it is 19 percent.
McGuire presented three proposed redistricting plans, labeled Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.
According to current numbers, the average elementary student lives 2.13 miles from school. Plans A and B would put the average student 1.72 miles from home and Plan C 1.99 miles from home.
On the other hand, Plan C moves the highest number of students - 1,187 - while Plan A would move 615 and Plan B would move 688.
As for the middle schools, Barker now has an enrollment of 398; according to Plan A, it would be 394; according to B, 384; according to C, 412.
Elston's enrollment now is 642; according to A, it would be 630; according to B, 655; according to C, 650.
Krueger now has 396 students enrolled; according to Plan A, it would be 412; according to B, 398; according to C, 375.
q
A series of meetings on redistricting will begin Wednesday at Coolspring and Marsh elementary schools. All meetings are from 6 to 7 p.m.
Other meetings are:
• Thursday, March 26 - Edgewood Elementary School and Joy Elementary School.
• Monday, March 30 - Knapp Elementary School and Niemann Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 31 - Eastport Early Learning Center and Springfield Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 1 - Lake Hills Elementary School and Pine Elementary School.
Other redistricting information, including the maps, are available at the MCAS Web site, www.mcas.k12.in.us. On the home page, scroll down to the Redistricting banner and click on it.
A regular board meeting is at 6 tonight at the administration building.
Posted by: Ang Mar 25 2009, 10:33 AM
The problem: Parent's feel that their children should be entitled to go to a certain school and that other children should not be allowed to attend because of socio-economic status--or some such other crap which really boils down to, "I am better than you so your kids shouldn't be allowed to go to school with my kids"
The Opinion: (my own, of course) People need to worry about the quality of education their children are receiving, not what kids go to the same school. I realize that Coolspring is an excellent school, and Carolyn Manual is the bomb as far as Principals go, but come on people.....
The Solution: OPEN DISTRICTING!!! I know I've told you about here and how the schools work. It is really a simple program. Sure, some of the "better" schools have waiting lists, but they do take priority for people who live near the schools or have had older siblings attend that school. It works really really well, and there are no problems at all. The best part is that if you don't like the school your children attend--YOU CAN MOVE THEM TO ANOTHER ONE!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 25 2009, 11:37 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=21966
QUOTE
Is it really about race?
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - No one who spoke against redistricting in the Michigan City Area Schools has talked about the color of any child's skin, but several black community leaders have seen racial issues at the heart of the discussions.
The plan to redistrict came five years ago when the facilities committee determined that after adding a wing to Michigan City High School, remodeling the three middle schools and building new Pine and a new Lake Hills (formerly Mullen School), it would be necessary to redistrict.
At a Monday meeting when Coolspring parents voiced their concerns over moving their children to different schools, several talked about community schools and said they thought of Coolspring as a community school.
Virginia Martin, a driver trainer for the Michigan City Area Schools and a former member of the Michigan City Common Council, said she too supports the concept of community schools. She said she is tired of seeing city neighborhood schools close. Park School, Eastport School and the old Central School were community schools until they closed.
Wes Scully, president of the NAACP, made a similar comment at the Tuesday school board meeting. "When the inner city schools were shut down, there was no big crowd," he said.
Of the three proposed maps, Scully said, "I know a lot of people reject plan C." Plan C moves the most children, 1,187, but Plan C, Scully said, "is the one that gives equal education to all children." It's also the plan that puts children nearest their homes.
Hazel Thomas, a member of the Michigan City Public Library Board, a commissioner of the Michigan City Housing Authority and a member of the redistricting committee, also has been sad to see the city schools closed. She can't help but wonder why some parents so strongly object to bussing their children into the city.
"Of course, there's racism," in some of the talk about redistricting, she believes.
For years, Thomas and Martin said, residents of the city have seen their children bussed to Coolspring, Springfield or Pine schools.
"They were bussed away from everything they knew," Martin noted.
At Tuesday's regular meeting of the Michigan City Area Schools Board, Michael Mack, a member of the redistricting committee, said he has been pleased with the education his children are getting at Knapp School. As a member of the committee, he said he saw how hard committee members worked. Responding to a charge from Dennis Metheny, who said the committee was not open enough about its work, Mack said, he saw no secret agendas, but he did see a lot of people who were concerned about children.
Martin said children who live in what she calls "the triangle" near the Lakeland neighborhood, live in an area that has been caught in redistricting moves several times. The triangle includes Martin Luther King Drive, U.S. 12 and Karwick Road and "all the little roads" in that area. Now, those children go to Springfield School. They pass Niemann School to get there.
Both Martin and Thomas said children who move to new schools will need support systems there. They need counselors and perhaps social workers and people to help them get adjusted, they said.
"Inner city kids don't have community schools. They don't have inner city schools," she noted.
"But it's really all about the kids and giving them all the support we can give.
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - No one who spoke against redistricting in the Michigan City Area Schools has talked about the color of any child's skin, but several black community leaders have seen racial issues at the heart of the discussions.
The plan to redistrict came five years ago when the facilities committee determined that after adding a wing to Michigan City High School, remodeling the three middle schools and building new Pine and a new Lake Hills (formerly Mullen School), it would be necessary to redistrict.
At a Monday meeting when Coolspring parents voiced their concerns over moving their children to different schools, several talked about community schools and said they thought of Coolspring as a community school.
Virginia Martin, a driver trainer for the Michigan City Area Schools and a former member of the Michigan City Common Council, said she too supports the concept of community schools. She said she is tired of seeing city neighborhood schools close. Park School, Eastport School and the old Central School were community schools until they closed.
Wes Scully, president of the NAACP, made a similar comment at the Tuesday school board meeting. "When the inner city schools were shut down, there was no big crowd," he said.
Of the three proposed maps, Scully said, "I know a lot of people reject plan C." Plan C moves the most children, 1,187, but Plan C, Scully said, "is the one that gives equal education to all children." It's also the plan that puts children nearest their homes.
Hazel Thomas, a member of the Michigan City Public Library Board, a commissioner of the Michigan City Housing Authority and a member of the redistricting committee, also has been sad to see the city schools closed. She can't help but wonder why some parents so strongly object to bussing their children into the city.
"Of course, there's racism," in some of the talk about redistricting, she believes.
For years, Thomas and Martin said, residents of the city have seen their children bussed to Coolspring, Springfield or Pine schools.
"They were bussed away from everything they knew," Martin noted.
At Tuesday's regular meeting of the Michigan City Area Schools Board, Michael Mack, a member of the redistricting committee, said he has been pleased with the education his children are getting at Knapp School. As a member of the committee, he said he saw how hard committee members worked. Responding to a charge from Dennis Metheny, who said the committee was not open enough about its work, Mack said, he saw no secret agendas, but he did see a lot of people who were concerned about children.
Martin said children who live in what she calls "the triangle" near the Lakeland neighborhood, live in an area that has been caught in redistricting moves several times. The triangle includes Martin Luther King Drive, U.S. 12 and Karwick Road and "all the little roads" in that area. Now, those children go to Springfield School. They pass Niemann School to get there.
Both Martin and Thomas said children who move to new schools will need support systems there. They need counselors and perhaps social workers and people to help them get adjusted, they said.
"Inner city kids don't have community schools. They don't have inner city schools," she noted.
"But it's really all about the kids and giving them all the support we can give.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 26 2009, 12:36 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=21973
QUOTE
New school boundaries disruptive to kids
My 7-year-old daughter goes to Edgewood School two miles from our house. Under all three redistricting plans she would have to go to Coolspring, which is five miles away.
With this proposed change, I will lose my sitter who takes her to school and has watched her since she was 1 year old. I would need to find after-school care because I would never be able to get to Coolspring, after leaving work, in time to pick her up after school.
According to the Michigan City Area Schools Web site Knapp, Edgewood, Joy, Mullen and Springfield schools are the only schools that offer the before- and after-school Safe Harbor program.
And I don't want her to ride a school bus. I don't want her subjected to a lot of problems with the other children's language and behaviors.
A new school can be anxiety-provoking as there are no familiar faces, routines are different, and the school layout is different. The psychological effects of being forced to change schools on a child in this age group are very similar to what they go through when their parents divorce or they lose a close family member.
Her father and I have watched her grow to be more independent in her surroundings. She has made friends and has ties to the staff at Edgewood. This is going to affect the emotional stability, psyches and academics for her and a lot of other kids if the redistricting is enforced. This proposed redistricting is not in the best interest of most families.
It sounds as if they are putting government funding for the schools before what is in the best interest of our children.
Do "we the people" even have a voice? In the past it seems School Board members have had their minds made up on major decisions before they bring it to the public's attention.
I am requesting a clause to "grandfather" our children into their current schools. Set up guidelines to make it possible.
I urge the School Board to take seriously our concerns about transportation times, sensible boundaries and making this the least disruptive to my child and me. The proposed redistricting gives the 10 or so children in my subdivision only one option and that is to go to Coolspring School.
Helen Bailey
Michigan City
My 7-year-old daughter goes to Edgewood School two miles from our house. Under all three redistricting plans she would have to go to Coolspring, which is five miles away.
With this proposed change, I will lose my sitter who takes her to school and has watched her since she was 1 year old. I would need to find after-school care because I would never be able to get to Coolspring, after leaving work, in time to pick her up after school.
According to the Michigan City Area Schools Web site Knapp, Edgewood, Joy, Mullen and Springfield schools are the only schools that offer the before- and after-school Safe Harbor program.
And I don't want her to ride a school bus. I don't want her subjected to a lot of problems with the other children's language and behaviors.
A new school can be anxiety-provoking as there are no familiar faces, routines are different, and the school layout is different. The psychological effects of being forced to change schools on a child in this age group are very similar to what they go through when their parents divorce or they lose a close family member.
Her father and I have watched her grow to be more independent in her surroundings. She has made friends and has ties to the staff at Edgewood. This is going to affect the emotional stability, psyches and academics for her and a lot of other kids if the redistricting is enforced. This proposed redistricting is not in the best interest of most families.
It sounds as if they are putting government funding for the schools before what is in the best interest of our children.
Do "we the people" even have a voice? In the past it seems School Board members have had their minds made up on major decisions before they bring it to the public's attention.
I am requesting a clause to "grandfather" our children into their current schools. Set up guidelines to make it possible.
I urge the School Board to take seriously our concerns about transportation times, sensible boundaries and making this the least disruptive to my child and me. The proposed redistricting gives the 10 or so children in my subdivision only one option and that is to go to Coolspring School.
Helen Bailey
Michigan City
Posted by: Ang Mar 26 2009, 02:08 PM
Uh....
Baby sitter transfer?
People who whine without first looking at other options really tick me off!
Sorry. Just had to throw that out there.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 27 2009, 09:47 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=21997&TM=42843.49
QUOTE
Forget boundaries, have school choice
If were going to think outside of the box with our school system, let's go all out and have a school of choice. Forget the boundaries. Let's really open it up. Let's do some exciting challenges. School of choice would make us look where the problems are and help this community fix them. The problems are for all of us, and we all need to address them.
School of choice would open your eyes and ask why are some more popular or some just plain better. It's not a poor/rich thing. It will put responsibility and accountability back in our community.
Roger Willoughby
Michigan City
If were going to think outside of the box with our school system, let's go all out and have a school of choice. Forget the boundaries. Let's really open it up. Let's do some exciting challenges. School of choice would make us look where the problems are and help this community fix them. The problems are for all of us, and we all need to address them.
School of choice would open your eyes and ask why are some more popular or some just plain better. It's not a poor/rich thing. It will put responsibility and accountability back in our community.
Roger Willoughby
Michigan City
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 27 2009, 09:48 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=21996
QUOTE
Schools created redistricting problem
I too am a parent of two Coolspring children. We have gone to all the field days, bought all the T-shirts and all the yearbooks. We are proud of our school and put education first and pay our way through school with our pay checks. My children have only known Coolspring as their school and after coming home from last night's meeting and having to tell my children that their new school may be Joy School next year, well it was not a pretty scene.
I put a positive spin on things, about how we have passed that school many times and you have always wanted to stop and play on the playground. My 8-year-old daughter looked me in the eyes and said why? Why do we have to leave just to let other kids move from their school to our school? These kids won't want to do it either."
This is from an 8-year-old. It would appear that my 8-year-old has put more thought into this plan than the school board and the committee that played with crayons to draw these A, B, C plans up.
Last night's meeting was an eye-opener for me and many parents, and I urge all parents to pack these meetings full and ask the hard questions. We were asked to not make statements personal but after hearing what one of the committee members had to say, you made this personal! You stood up there on your soap box, proud to have colored these maps and told your leader to go back and make a plan to make "these people" happy.
These people are proud parents of children who are about to have their lives uprooted over funding from free lunches and reduced book rental and so forth, and let's not forget I-Step scores. So I ask this person from the committee, how are your children affected by the colored maps you made? Oh that's right, they're not!
These are not good plans and it is not our fault the school system screwed up and built new schools in locations where there were not children enough to fill them. You made the problem in the inner city, so you can fill it with your inner city ideas and leave our children alone here in the country.
Lastly, I have to be play the bad guy to my children and tell them that we don't have a say in where you go to school anymore, townships mean nothing anymore. No, I won't do it! You "the committee and leaders" can answer the questions of those who are most affected by this. The children! When is that meeting going to be?
Carolyn Kibby
Coolspring Township
I too am a parent of two Coolspring children. We have gone to all the field days, bought all the T-shirts and all the yearbooks. We are proud of our school and put education first and pay our way through school with our pay checks. My children have only known Coolspring as their school and after coming home from last night's meeting and having to tell my children that their new school may be Joy School next year, well it was not a pretty scene.
I put a positive spin on things, about how we have passed that school many times and you have always wanted to stop and play on the playground. My 8-year-old daughter looked me in the eyes and said why? Why do we have to leave just to let other kids move from their school to our school? These kids won't want to do it either."
This is from an 8-year-old. It would appear that my 8-year-old has put more thought into this plan than the school board and the committee that played with crayons to draw these A, B, C plans up.
Last night's meeting was an eye-opener for me and many parents, and I urge all parents to pack these meetings full and ask the hard questions. We were asked to not make statements personal but after hearing what one of the committee members had to say, you made this personal! You stood up there on your soap box, proud to have colored these maps and told your leader to go back and make a plan to make "these people" happy.
These people are proud parents of children who are about to have their lives uprooted over funding from free lunches and reduced book rental and so forth, and let's not forget I-Step scores. So I ask this person from the committee, how are your children affected by the colored maps you made? Oh that's right, they're not!
These are not good plans and it is not our fault the school system screwed up and built new schools in locations where there were not children enough to fill them. You made the problem in the inner city, so you can fill it with your inner city ideas and leave our children alone here in the country.
Lastly, I have to be play the bad guy to my children and tell them that we don't have a say in where you go to school anymore, townships mean nothing anymore. No, I won't do it! You "the committee and leaders" can answer the questions of those who are most affected by this. The children! When is that meeting going to be?
Carolyn Kibby
Coolspring Township
Posted by: Ang Mar 27 2009, 01:18 PM
Hmmm....
Is Roger Willoughby a member here?
I ask because it seems a lot of stuff we post here ends up in Roger's letters to the N-D.
Posted by: davew Mar 29 2009, 11:33 PM
I have said it one, and I sure that I will say it a 1000 times. Our schools suck. I have said in on WIMS and other stations. They will continue to suck until parents quit being lazy and take an interest in the kids. My daughter, who is just going into kindergarten, can read, do math and write. Is she smarter that other kids, yeah she is, but it is because my wife and I (mostly the wife) works with her to help her. She is not some brainless kid in front of the tv or the computer.
Parents who rent out halls for kids to dance like whores, but never talk to a teacher are part of the problem. ON WIMS, I commented that we have options. We do. We can afford to send her to a private school, and at this point we are sure she will be going to Edgewood that is just blocks from our home, but if she is going to be bussed to wherever. I doubt that she will be going to a public school.
I am here to tell you now. I will be the biggest PITA to the teacher, but the biggest cheerleader as well. I want my kid to learn and I want her to respect the teacher and school. I was taught respect with a paddle at Landmark. I wish we could have corporal punishment back in school. Life seemed so simple then. You did wrong you got whacked. Now, if you do that you get sued.
Until the parents step up and take an interest in education; we will have lackluster schools.
But, really, it is just my problem for another year or so.
Hey, that is my opinion. I could just be wrong, but I doubt it.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 30 2009, 08:25 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22035&TM=37646.09
QUOTE
Provide quality education, then redistrict
The meeting at Coolspring Elementary Wednesday made me realize how little I know and fully understand about the rules, regulations and educational definitions of our state/federal educational system. It also made me realize we are not providing our community with a solid and quality education.
Before the meeting I utilized the tools provided by my own Michigan City Area School Web site www.mcas.k12.in.us. I found the redistricting information icon, and after viewing the strategic plan and participating in my local meeting I found the following:
Some of our children will be relocated.
I found my Adequate Yearly Progress report on my relocation school, Joy, under District Data/DOE Test Scores and Reports. My redistricting option report was not good. When I saw my redistricting location had a failed AYP for the past four years I was devastated.
I urge you to check your child's future and pray it is better than their current situation.
I then pulled all the AYP data on MCAS and found many of our shools have failed AYP. The elementary schools that passed are Pine, Coolspring and Lake Hills. Let us share their passing teachers' secrets with other MCAS teachers!
Parents and teachers of all MCAS do not stand for failure! (Especially Joy parents!)
I believe our School Board has failed MCAS and that our first goal should not be redistricting. Our first goal is to provide a quality education at each facility. Communities should demand that all facilities PASS AYP! Then you can talk to our community about redistricting.
Strangely enough after sitting through our presentation plan on redistricting , I noticed that the plan
had no closing statement or benefits page at the end. Any good strategic plan comes with an outline of ideas, statistics and list of the benefits to our community and a timeline once the plan is implemented for the benefits to start working.
Unfortunately the redistricting team forgot this major point.
I am still not sold on this plan. I do not believe that putting our children on a bus will make our school system smarter!
I know there are so many other issues. Quality education is what stood out for me.
Proud mother of a straight A student of Coolspring,
Jamie Miller
Coolspring Township
The meeting at Coolspring Elementary Wednesday made me realize how little I know and fully understand about the rules, regulations and educational definitions of our state/federal educational system. It also made me realize we are not providing our community with a solid and quality education.
Before the meeting I utilized the tools provided by my own Michigan City Area School Web site www.mcas.k12.in.us. I found the redistricting information icon, and after viewing the strategic plan and participating in my local meeting I found the following:
Some of our children will be relocated.
I found my Adequate Yearly Progress report on my relocation school, Joy, under District Data/DOE Test Scores and Reports. My redistricting option report was not good. When I saw my redistricting location had a failed AYP for the past four years I was devastated.
I urge you to check your child's future and pray it is better than their current situation.
I then pulled all the AYP data on MCAS and found many of our shools have failed AYP. The elementary schools that passed are Pine, Coolspring and Lake Hills. Let us share their passing teachers' secrets with other MCAS teachers!
Parents and teachers of all MCAS do not stand for failure! (Especially Joy parents!)
I believe our School Board has failed MCAS and that our first goal should not be redistricting. Our first goal is to provide a quality education at each facility. Communities should demand that all facilities PASS AYP! Then you can talk to our community about redistricting.
Strangely enough after sitting through our presentation plan on redistricting , I noticed that the plan
had no closing statement or benefits page at the end. Any good strategic plan comes with an outline of ideas, statistics and list of the benefits to our community and a timeline once the plan is implemented for the benefits to start working.
Unfortunately the redistricting team forgot this major point.
I am still not sold on this plan. I do not believe that putting our children on a bus will make our school system smarter!
I know there are so many other issues. Quality education is what stood out for me.
Proud mother of a straight A student of Coolspring,
Jamie Miller
Coolspring Township
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 30 2009, 08:27 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22030&TM=37646.09
QUOTE
Redistricting confusing
I am writing to the newspaper because I am so confused with the new redistricting plans for our schools. At least 100 parents and teachers attended the community forum at Coolspring School. Kevin McGuire stood alone in the front of the parents and teachers and explained the new maps. Members of the redistricting team were present, however they sat in the back. I noticed two school board members as well. Notes were taken by a Michigan City Area Schools member sitting in front. However, she closed her notepad after a couple of parents spoke. It seems as if we were there to talk to each other, not the committee.
This meeting became emotional for some and fact-finding for others. Although all maps were questioned, the last map, that the MCAS redistricting blog says was put together fast, is the most confusing. This takes neighborhood children to a different school only because the committee is trying to make all schools equal with free and reduced lunch programs. What?
We have read the Indiana Department of Education files to learn actual facts. We see where the children are passing ISTEP and we see the schools that have shown much improvement in ISTEP and those that are not. The committee is not looking at these facts.
We have read information on how important community schools are to the health and well being of our children, however the committee is not looking at this.
Our Coolspring school is far from perfect. We have had mold, water and crowding issues. We are not unhappy that the new Pine School is a wonderful "state of the art" school. Change is always going to happen and some families will be part of this move.
We are unhappy that families within the Coolspring School rural area will have their children driven miles away, past our school to another just because we need to balance free and reduced lunch.
Children in the Coolspring area will now take a bus to Pine, Joy or Springfield. Edgewood childen will take a bus out to Coolspring. It sounds like the kids will all wave to each other as the buses pass.
The board needs to read the MCAS blogs, look at the maps, ask for Map C to be labeled with street addresses, pass the maps out to the schools since so many parents don't realize that their children will be moved, ask how many people on the redistricting committee have a child that will be moved as the maps show, and last, remember that this is supposed to be about the kids, not how much more funding we can get with the free and reduced lunch program.
Kathy Callan
Parent of Children at Coolspring and Barker
I am writing to the newspaper because I am so confused with the new redistricting plans for our schools. At least 100 parents and teachers attended the community forum at Coolspring School. Kevin McGuire stood alone in the front of the parents and teachers and explained the new maps. Members of the redistricting team were present, however they sat in the back. I noticed two school board members as well. Notes were taken by a Michigan City Area Schools member sitting in front. However, she closed her notepad after a couple of parents spoke. It seems as if we were there to talk to each other, not the committee.
This meeting became emotional for some and fact-finding for others. Although all maps were questioned, the last map, that the MCAS redistricting blog says was put together fast, is the most confusing. This takes neighborhood children to a different school only because the committee is trying to make all schools equal with free and reduced lunch programs. What?
We have read the Indiana Department of Education files to learn actual facts. We see where the children are passing ISTEP and we see the schools that have shown much improvement in ISTEP and those that are not. The committee is not looking at these facts.
We have read information on how important community schools are to the health and well being of our children, however the committee is not looking at this.
Our Coolspring school is far from perfect. We have had mold, water and crowding issues. We are not unhappy that the new Pine School is a wonderful "state of the art" school. Change is always going to happen and some families will be part of this move.
We are unhappy that families within the Coolspring School rural area will have their children driven miles away, past our school to another just because we need to balance free and reduced lunch.
Children in the Coolspring area will now take a bus to Pine, Joy or Springfield. Edgewood childen will take a bus out to Coolspring. It sounds like the kids will all wave to each other as the buses pass.
The board needs to read the MCAS blogs, look at the maps, ask for Map C to be labeled with street addresses, pass the maps out to the schools since so many parents don't realize that their children will be moved, ask how many people on the redistricting committee have a child that will be moved as the maps show, and last, remember that this is supposed to be about the kids, not how much more funding we can get with the free and reduced lunch program.
Kathy Callan
Parent of Children at Coolspring and Barker
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 30 2009, 08:29 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22029&TM=37646.09
QUOTE
Redistricting tearing kids from their school
My husband and I are truly upset over the redistricting of our Coolspring Township. Based upon on the maps located on the Michigan City Area Schools Web site, both of our children are affected. My younger daughter attends Coolspring School and my older daughter attends Barker Middle School. Both are excellent students. We live in Coolspring Township and chose this area to attend Coolspring School/Barker Middle School. Coolspring is our neighborhood school, less than five miles from our home.
We may now be asked to bus our children to Krueger, which is clear on the other side of town for us, and to either Joy School or Springfield School. Why are my children being removed from the school they love, while children are then being bused from the city to the county? This makes absolutely no sense to us.
It appears from all the data that the reason for this redistricting is to pull children who score well and place them into schools that are in jeopardy of being taken over by the state. It also seems that Coolspring has not enough minority in our school or enough free and reduced lunch. The reason we have a majority of whites in our school is because we live in the county and it is majority white.
After attending several meetings and researching the data on the MCAS Web site, it is now known that the main reason for this redistricting is to allow schools to become Title 1 [underperforming], which allows for more government funding.
Coolspring School parents are fighting for our children to remain in the school in their neighborhood ... not to be bused farther away just to help other schools with their test scores.
The board should be made aware that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling has set precedence that it is illegal to bus students based on ethnicity and poverty level to benefit the school corporation financially. We understand that redistricting needs to take place but not by disrupting the neighborhood communities and over 1,100 children.
Any decision to redistrict is arbitrary and capricious and without substantial evidence in the record to support it! How can families have faith in our city and school system when the school system continues to keep redistricting the boundary lines!
We chose Coolspring Township for a reason ... a wonderful school with great teachers ... and now my children are in jeopardy of losing the schools they have grown to love and thrive in. How does this justify the busing of these children farther from their homes? The extra expense in gas and wear and tear on the roads and buses ... the time these children would spend on the bus and not in their homes with their families ... getting up earlier for school and returning later in the evening?
Please contact your board members in opposition to the three plans proposed ... attend the next board meeting. Even if this does not affect your family directly, it will affect a fellow friend or family in your area.
Jeff and Amy Koza
La Porte
My husband and I are truly upset over the redistricting of our Coolspring Township. Based upon on the maps located on the Michigan City Area Schools Web site, both of our children are affected. My younger daughter attends Coolspring School and my older daughter attends Barker Middle School. Both are excellent students. We live in Coolspring Township and chose this area to attend Coolspring School/Barker Middle School. Coolspring is our neighborhood school, less than five miles from our home.
We may now be asked to bus our children to Krueger, which is clear on the other side of town for us, and to either Joy School or Springfield School. Why are my children being removed from the school they love, while children are then being bused from the city to the county? This makes absolutely no sense to us.
It appears from all the data that the reason for this redistricting is to pull children who score well and place them into schools that are in jeopardy of being taken over by the state. It also seems that Coolspring has not enough minority in our school or enough free and reduced lunch. The reason we have a majority of whites in our school is because we live in the county and it is majority white.
After attending several meetings and researching the data on the MCAS Web site, it is now known that the main reason for this redistricting is to allow schools to become Title 1 [underperforming], which allows for more government funding.
Coolspring School parents are fighting for our children to remain in the school in their neighborhood ... not to be bused farther away just to help other schools with their test scores.
The board should be made aware that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling has set precedence that it is illegal to bus students based on ethnicity and poverty level to benefit the school corporation financially. We understand that redistricting needs to take place but not by disrupting the neighborhood communities and over 1,100 children.
Any decision to redistrict is arbitrary and capricious and without substantial evidence in the record to support it! How can families have faith in our city and school system when the school system continues to keep redistricting the boundary lines!
We chose Coolspring Township for a reason ... a wonderful school with great teachers ... and now my children are in jeopardy of losing the schools they have grown to love and thrive in. How does this justify the busing of these children farther from their homes? The extra expense in gas and wear and tear on the roads and buses ... the time these children would spend on the bus and not in their homes with their families ... getting up earlier for school and returning later in the evening?
Please contact your board members in opposition to the three plans proposed ... attend the next board meeting. Even if this does not affect your family directly, it will affect a fellow friend or family in your area.
Jeff and Amy Koza
La Porte
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 30 2009, 08:30 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22036
QUOTE
Coolspring penalized for its success
My husband and I moved from Ohio Street to County Road 450 North in Coolspring Township three years ago when our son was 3 so that he would attend a decent school within the Michigan City school district. We did not want our son going to a below average school, and Coolspring Elementary offered him a great start to his education.
We attended the redistricting meeting at Coolspring on Wednesday night and I am very upset and, quite frankly, mad as hell! After seeing the plans A, B and C and listening to Kevin McGuire's and the committee's "plans," I was quite upset to see that Plans B or C would move my son to Joy school, but Plan A would keep him at Coolspring. However, according to Kevin McGuire and the committee members, Plan C seems to be the best plan, because it will create a more equal socioeconomic status at Coolspring and Springfield.
The main objective for these plans was to move as few children as possible, however, Plan C moves the most children, over 1,400 between the elementary and middle school, when it is said and done. So how is this better?
I have been following the news articles about the redistricting and they are right, it is about race! Since my son is white and we live in Coolspring Township and pay for his lunches out of our own pocket, he is no longer entitled to go to the school in the township where we pay property taxes! But children who live in the government-assisted homes, who do not pay property taxes in Coolspring Township (or anywhere else for that matter), who receive free/reduced lunches, get to go to Coolspring and boot my son to Joy.
The Michigan City Area School District, as a whole, has failed to pass AYP according to the Indiana Department of Education, however, Coolspring is not one of those schools that caused them to fail. According to the Indiana Department of Education, Coolspring's status was "exemplary," but other schools in the district are in on a "watch" status such as Joy or on "probation."
My husband and I work hard for our money. We purchased our home in Coolspring Township because we like the community of Michigan City, and we both work in Michigan City. Now our options are to sell our home and move to another school district (maybe we can move to La Porte and send our son to Crichfield with Kevin McGuire's kids) or put our son into a private school or a charter school. It is very sad to tell my 5-year-old that there is a possibility he will not be at Coolspring next year. Carolyn Kibby is right, why isn't anyone asking the children ["Schools created redistricting problem," Friday]?
By the way, the committee member that got up Wednesday night and said she was "all for Plan C," how did you even end up on the committee when your kids are in high school? The high school isn't being affected by this, only the elementary and middle school children, so why are you even involved in this?
Kim Antisdel
Coolspring Township
My husband and I moved from Ohio Street to County Road 450 North in Coolspring Township three years ago when our son was 3 so that he would attend a decent school within the Michigan City school district. We did not want our son going to a below average school, and Coolspring Elementary offered him a great start to his education.
We attended the redistricting meeting at Coolspring on Wednesday night and I am very upset and, quite frankly, mad as hell! After seeing the plans A, B and C and listening to Kevin McGuire's and the committee's "plans," I was quite upset to see that Plans B or C would move my son to Joy school, but Plan A would keep him at Coolspring. However, according to Kevin McGuire and the committee members, Plan C seems to be the best plan, because it will create a more equal socioeconomic status at Coolspring and Springfield.
The main objective for these plans was to move as few children as possible, however, Plan C moves the most children, over 1,400 between the elementary and middle school, when it is said and done. So how is this better?
I have been following the news articles about the redistricting and they are right, it is about race! Since my son is white and we live in Coolspring Township and pay for his lunches out of our own pocket, he is no longer entitled to go to the school in the township where we pay property taxes! But children who live in the government-assisted homes, who do not pay property taxes in Coolspring Township (or anywhere else for that matter), who receive free/reduced lunches, get to go to Coolspring and boot my son to Joy.
The Michigan City Area School District, as a whole, has failed to pass AYP according to the Indiana Department of Education, however, Coolspring is not one of those schools that caused them to fail. According to the Indiana Department of Education, Coolspring's status was "exemplary," but other schools in the district are in on a "watch" status such as Joy or on "probation."
My husband and I work hard for our money. We purchased our home in Coolspring Township because we like the community of Michigan City, and we both work in Michigan City. Now our options are to sell our home and move to another school district (maybe we can move to La Porte and send our son to Crichfield with Kevin McGuire's kids) or put our son into a private school or a charter school. It is very sad to tell my 5-year-old that there is a possibility he will not be at Coolspring next year. Carolyn Kibby is right, why isn't anyone asking the children ["Schools created redistricting problem," Friday]?
By the way, the committee member that got up Wednesday night and said she was "all for Plan C," how did you even end up on the committee when your kids are in high school? The high school isn't being affected by this, only the elementary and middle school children, so why are you even involved in this?
Kim Antisdel
Coolspring Township
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 31 2009, 10:50 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22095
QUOTE
Test score numbers misleading
As a teacher at Joy School, I feel I must respond to the letter by Jamie Miller Saturday ["Provide quality education, then redistrict"]. The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data cited in Mrs. Miller's letter, while accurate, is misleading. For schools to make AYP under No Child Left Behind they must meet one of two criteria:
• Meet all performance, participation and attendance/graduation targets for the overall student population and individual student groups (often called "subgroups") with 30 or more students. OR
• Meet attendance/graduation rate targets and reduce the number of students not meeting performance targets by 10 percent (Safe Harbor Provision).
Individual subgroups for schools are white students, Asian students, Hispanic students, Native-American students, African-American students, Free/Reduced Lunch Students, Limited English Proficiency students and Special Education Students. If a school has fewer than 30 students in any of these subgroups, those students' scores are not counted in the overall AYP. If a school has any of these individual subgroups not making AYP, the school is flagged. This is exactly what happened at Joy School and what Mrs. Miller is referring to when she stated that Joy has not made AYP for the last four years.
Joy School is the only elementary school in Michigan City that has a high enough population of special education students to report them as a subgroup. No other elementary school has a special education subgroup large enough to report. Almost all the elementary special education classes are at Joy School. Mrs. Miller is correct when she states that Joy School has not made AYP for the last four years, but these same four years were the years Joy's special education subgroup grew big enough to report in our overall school AYP. Before 2004, Joy School made AYP.
Perhaps it would be better to look at the overall percentage of students at a school passing ISTEP in both language arts and math, but please know that this overall percentage is based on all students, even special education students, taking the test. According to the School Data/DOE Test Scores and Reports the percentages for each Michigan City elementary school are as follows:
Springfield, 72.7 percent.
Coolspring, 72.0 percent.
Joy, 66.0 percent.
Edgewood, ,62.7 percent.
Marsh, 61.9 percent.
Lake Hills 61.7 percent.
Pine, 57.7 percent.
Knapp, 54.2 percent.
Niemann, 51.6 percent.
As a Michigan City public school teacher, I work hard to educate every student in my class, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Mrs. Miller's statement that Coolspring, Pine, and Lake Hills should "share their passing teachers' secrets with other MCAS teachers" is unfair. Michigan City Area Schools teachers regularly collaborate within and among schools for the betterment of all the students in Michigan City.
Pam Jones
Fifth Grade Teacher
Joy Elementary
Michigan City
As a teacher at Joy School, I feel I must respond to the letter by Jamie Miller Saturday ["Provide quality education, then redistrict"]. The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data cited in Mrs. Miller's letter, while accurate, is misleading. For schools to make AYP under No Child Left Behind they must meet one of two criteria:
• Meet all performance, participation and attendance/graduation targets for the overall student population and individual student groups (often called "subgroups") with 30 or more students. OR
• Meet attendance/graduation rate targets and reduce the number of students not meeting performance targets by 10 percent (Safe Harbor Provision).
Individual subgroups for schools are white students, Asian students, Hispanic students, Native-American students, African-American students, Free/Reduced Lunch Students, Limited English Proficiency students and Special Education Students. If a school has fewer than 30 students in any of these subgroups, those students' scores are not counted in the overall AYP. If a school has any of these individual subgroups not making AYP, the school is flagged. This is exactly what happened at Joy School and what Mrs. Miller is referring to when she stated that Joy has not made AYP for the last four years.
Joy School is the only elementary school in Michigan City that has a high enough population of special education students to report them as a subgroup. No other elementary school has a special education subgroup large enough to report. Almost all the elementary special education classes are at Joy School. Mrs. Miller is correct when she states that Joy School has not made AYP for the last four years, but these same four years were the years Joy's special education subgroup grew big enough to report in our overall school AYP. Before 2004, Joy School made AYP.
Perhaps it would be better to look at the overall percentage of students at a school passing ISTEP in both language arts and math, but please know that this overall percentage is based on all students, even special education students, taking the test. According to the School Data/DOE Test Scores and Reports the percentages for each Michigan City elementary school are as follows:
Springfield, 72.7 percent.
Coolspring, 72.0 percent.
Joy, 66.0 percent.
Edgewood, ,62.7 percent.
Marsh, 61.9 percent.
Lake Hills 61.7 percent.
Pine, 57.7 percent.
Knapp, 54.2 percent.
Niemann, 51.6 percent.
As a Michigan City public school teacher, I work hard to educate every student in my class, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Mrs. Miller's statement that Coolspring, Pine, and Lake Hills should "share their passing teachers' secrets with other MCAS teachers" is unfair. Michigan City Area Schools teachers regularly collaborate within and among schools for the betterment of all the students in Michigan City.
Pam Jones
Fifth Grade Teacher
Joy Elementary
Michigan City
Posted by: Ang Mar 31 2009, 11:43 AM
Did I read that wrong or did Ms. Jones state that Joy school has not met AYP because they now count the Special Ed students? Is she saying that Special Ed is what's causing them to fail?
I'm really confused. Can someone clear that up for me? JHeath, What say you?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Mar 31 2009, 12:07 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Mar 31 2009, 12:43 PM) 
Did I read that wrong or did Ms. Jones state that Joy school has not met AYP because they now count the Special Ed students? Is she saying that Special Ed is what's causing them to fail?
I'm really confused. Can someone clear that up for me? JHeath, What say you?
I am not Jenn, but I can speak to this.
Essentially this is true. With No Child Left Behind, they literally mean NO child left behind. Every single student in the school system is tested and is expected to be testing at their respective grade level, no matter what their handicaps or disabilities. Michigan City as a school district has a much higher concentration of these types of students than most school systems. Most of this is due to socio-economic levels of the community as a whole. It's also no secret that there are more of these students in the "city" schools as opposed to the "country" schools, also because of socio-economic considerations. Looking at the school scores, it sure looks to me like the schools with higher concentrations of poor students are also performing at the lowest levels by test scores.
Posted by: Heather Collins Mar 31 2009, 08:03 PM
I am here to reach out to the community of Michigan City. Please help to keep Eastport open. Here is an awesome program that will only help our educational system. Eastport takes our communities children, all of them, no matter the neighborhood, the race, the religion, the financial background, and teaches them. Eastport makes our children want to learn. We talk about the scores from all of the different schools, well Eastport is the first step to changing those scores. Our children, our future, our community deserves to keep this solid foundation in tack. Three and four year olds are most influenced at this age. This is the age where we need all of the little brains to thrive. You see the children of Eastport, go to school and enjoy it, because they enjoy it they want to learn. They are not intimidated by older students who might not share that same attitude. The children will take the education they receive and the thriving attitudes with them to the next level when it is time. The elementary schools will slowly become populated with graduating Eastport students, the junior highs will get a turn in time, our high school will once again unite these children as one community again, and that is what will make a difference. My son deserves this, as do his peers.
Posted by: Ang Mar 31 2009, 09:02 PM
Welcome to the board, Heather!
Posted by: Heather Collins Mar 31 2009, 09:19 PM
Mr. James L. Kintzele, Sr.
(President)
jkintzele@mcas.k12.in.us
Mr. Donald J. Dulaney
(Vice President)
ddulaney@mcas.k12.in.us
Mr. William A. Greene
(Secretary)
wgreene@mcas.k12.in.us
Mr. Beryle Burgwald
(Member)
bburgwald@mcas.k12.in.us
Dr. Jeffery Jones
(Member)
jjones@mcas.k12.in.us
Dr. Vidya S. Kora
(Member)
vkora@mcas.k12.in.us
[b]Mrs. Kathryn S. Lee
(Member)
klee@mcas.k12.in.us
Posted by: lovethiscity Apr 1 2009, 05:33 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Mar 27 2009, 02:18 PM)
Hmmm....
Is Roger Willoughby a member here?
I ask because it seems a lot of stuff we post here ends up in Roger's letters to the N-D.
Roger W. is posted here for the entertainment value. He is the guy that wrote in an anvil chorus letter nt once, but twice. That Obama flew in air force one to a bulls game. The bulls game hosted by the washington wizzards.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 05:55 AM
Wait a sec, are they already talking about closing the Early Learning Center? I hadn't heard that yet. What is the full story there?
Posted by: Yokas Apr 1 2009, 07:20 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Mar 31 2009, 01:07 PM)
I am not Jenn, but I can speak to this.
Essentially this is true. With No Child Left Behind, they literally mean NO child left behind. Every single student in the school system is tested and is expected to be testing at their respective grade level, no matter what their handicaps or disabilities. Michigan City as a school district has a much higher concentration of these types of students than most school systems. Most of this is due to socio-economic levels of the community as a whole. It's also no secret that there are more of these students in the "city" schools as opposed to the "country" schools, also because of socio-economic considerations. Looking at the school scores, it sure looks to me like the schools with higher concentrations of poor students are also performing at the lowest levels by test scores.
SSer is right. With NCLB, all kids are included in the testing. The majority of special ed kids CANNOT pass I-STEP/GQE; but their scores are included. At the high school, the largest department is English; the second largest is special ed. Our spec ed population (at the high school) is 27%. That percentage makes it impossible to meet AYP. Same thing holds true for the elementary schools.
Posted by: Yokas Apr 1 2009, 07:22 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 1 2009, 06:55 AM)
Wait a sec, are they already talking about closing the Early Learning Center? I hadn't heard that yet. What is the full story there?
It is my understanding that preschool will be placed in all the elementary schools.
Posted by: lbl Apr 1 2009, 08:22 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Mar 26 2009, 03:08 PM)
Uh....
Baby sitter transfer?
People who whine without first looking at other options really tick me off!
Sorry. Just had to throw that out there.
I was at the first meeting...baby sitter transfers are not being offered right now, and "might" be on a very limited basis "eventually"...even so, obviously, your babysitter would have to live wherever you want the kids go to school...there are three plans for the elementaries and it seems the committee is strongly recommending (more like, has decided upon) Plan C...
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 08:35 AM
And they're not letting parents have baby-sitter transfers, huh? That's a load of crap IMHO. If you can't get a baby sitter transfer that means you have to find a baby sitter in your school district. Which means you'll have to switch child care providers because MCAS says so.
This is completely out of control. I am SO GLAD I moved. MCAS is making an excellent arguement for home schooling. Sorry teachers who read and post here, you guys truly are wonderful and I give you all the credit in the world, but public education is going to hell really really fast. Not just in MC, but everywhere.
I do believe that my daughter will be home schooled next year.
Posted by: lbl Apr 1 2009, 08:36 AM
QUOTE(Yokas @ Apr 1 2009, 08:22 AM)
It is my understanding that preschool will be placed in all the elementary schools.
That is correct. The main rationale for the redistricting is to offer all "specials" at all buildings...and to make each school "better reflect the community"...the greater Michigan City community, that is, NOT the community each school is in...
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 08:48 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Apr 1 2009, 05:33 AM)
Roger W. is posted here for the entertainment value. He is the guy that wrote in an anvil chorus letter nt once, but twice. That Obama flew in air force one to a bulls game. The bulls game hosted by the washington wizzards.
I know that, but what I'm asking is if he reads our board because there have been many times we've had a discussion and a specific thing was mentioned, then a couple days later, RW has a letter in the paper regarding the same thing we discussed here.
Example: while talking about this redistricting thing, I mentioned open districts where you can put your kid in any school you want as long as there is space available and two days later RW has a letter in the paper about the same thing.
Posted by: Proud of my kids! Apr 1 2009, 08:50 AM
Eastport Early Learning Center has been illegally funded by Title 1 money. They have to close it and get the pre-school classes set up in each elementary school, which is part of the reason for redistricting. Also, as already stated, they need to fill the new Pine and Lake Hills schools. This statement was also correct: After attending several meetings and researching the data on the MCAS Web site, it is now known that the main reason for this redistricting is to allow schools to become Title 1 [underperforming], which allows for more government funding.
What everyone needs to know is that Plan C was NOT designed and agreed upon by the entire redistricting committee. It was largely created by a committee member who has a personal vendetta against Coolspring School. She has been quoted as saying (in front of several witnesses), "This is our chance to destroy Coolspring. If we don't do it now, you might as well dig a river around Coolspring because we'll never have a chance to touch them again." And then Plan C was born. I'd like to point out that this person's children will not be affected by any of the plans proposed. Is it fair that hundreds (more than 1,400 in Plan C) of children will be displaced by this committee member's vindictiveness? Our community needs to know the motives behind the people who are deciding our children's educational futures.
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 09:07 AM
A lot of things at MCAS are done with personal agenda's in mind. It's been that way for many many years now and it's not likely to change any time soon.
I agree that it sucks. I agree that it's not fair to the parents and children. But take a look back through the years. Think of the many scandals that MCAS has been through. Think of what started it and the end result and you will begin to see the pattern.
Here are some names to throw at you for thought: Tim Bietry, Jeff Kutch, Jeff Freitag, Robert Holmes, Gary Collins, and John Schiemann.
Posted by: Brian Apr 1 2009, 09:53 AM
I am also a Coolspring parent and I think this is an absolutely ridiculous set of parameters conceived by the School Board and their Committee's. MCAS continues to show their lack of leadership at the executive levels by bringing forth another redistricting just few years after the failed current plan. Mr. Harding seems to be completely aloof about the current proposals regarding Plan "C"; which would displace the most amount of students approximately (1400). The proposal for Plans A and B represent a more collective interpretation by several members meant to equally balance students in districts. Plan "C" appears to be a Rogue attempt by someone on the committee to erode the value set of families living in Coolspring Township.
I have been to two of the redistricting meetings at Coolspring School and Joy School. I must say there is no shortage of hatred for anyone living in the County, the attacks were plentiful by parents that live adjacent to alley ways. I don't want to get on a tangent here but it is clear to me that the School Board and MCAS have far more issues that are of greater concern than equalization of socioeconomic status.
BTW......This is a nice message board for the community of Michigan City. I found this by mistake.
Brian
Posted by: gymmom2009 Apr 1 2009, 09:54 AM
QUOTE(Proud of my kids! @ Apr 1 2009, 09:50 AM)
Eastport Early Learning Center has been illegally funded by Title 1 money. They have to close it and get the pre-school classes set up in each elementary school, which is part of the reason for redistricting. Also, as already stated, they need to fill the new Pine and Lake Hills schools. This statement was also correct: After attending several meetings and researching the data on the MCAS Web site, it is now known that the main reason for this redistricting is to allow schools to become Title 1 [underperforming], which allows for more government funding.
What everyone needs to know is that Plan C was NOT designed and agreed upon by the entire redistricting committee. It was largely created by a committee member who has a personal vendetta against Coolspring School. She has been quoted as saying (in front of several witnesses), "This is our chance to destroy Coolspring. If we don't do it now, you might as well dig a river around Coolspring because we'll never have a chance to touch them again." And then Plan C was born. I'd like to point out that this person's children will not be affected by any of the plans proposed. Is it fair that hundreds (more than 1,400 in Plan C) of children will be displaced by this committee member's vindictiveness? Our community needs to know the motives behind the people who are deciding our children's educational futures.
Posted by: gymmom2009 Apr 1 2009, 10:04 AM
Thank you so much for posting this about this redistricting committee member!!! I have heard the same information from a very reliable source..this woman is VERY RUDE and OPINIONATED and has made it her mission to make the Coolspring Parents look like snobs and that we think we are better than everyone...this could not be farther from the truth..we care about our children just like all good parents do and we are fighting to keep our children in the school they lovein their community.....this redistricting is so tainted in so many ways....the public has no idea what is happening here...my husband and I have researched and attended many forums and board meetings....both of our children will be affected by the plans..to be asked to leave the schools they love and are thriving in to be placed farther from our home...taked from the friends they have made..the clubs they enjoy..it is about the children..whether you are at Coolspring, Springfield, Pine, Joy, Marsh..so many children are affected by this....from what I have heard this "Coolspring Traitor" has been hailed a "CHIEF" by the main redistricting committee members...they love her for being so voiceful against the Coolspring Parents..yet she has benefited from this school for many many years!!! She disgusts us!
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 10:35 AM
Welcome to all new members! Brian, thank you for the compliment about our board. We are very proud of our little place here and strive to make it as pleasant as possible.
Having said that, I would like to take a minute to thank you Coolspring parents for not naming the person of whom you are speaking. I know it's frustrating and you really want to slam that person, but your maturity in not doing so speaks volumes. Thank you.
Admin Ang
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 10:59 AM
I'd also like to welcome everyone who is new to the board.
Starting off on the topic, I will say up front that I have NOT seen the plans. But reading the opinions put forth on the board, I have some questions for you all...
I fully understand not wanting to disrupt the lives of your children by not sending them to other schools. What I do not understand is the opposition to having kids from outside going to the better schools. As people who are paying the exact same taxes as the rest of us, why should their kids be doomed to bad schools, the same kids you don't want your kids at, because of their address? I also don't understand the comment about other kids eroding the family values at Coolspring. That sounds to me like saying that the kids in Michigan City proper are somehow worth less than the kids in Coolspring Township.
Now I have no doubt that there is a personal aspect in the plans. We have seen many times before that there are personal grudges that factor into the school board and the administrations plans. I won't bother making a laundry list, because I am sure everyone has their own incidents that have made the same impression on them, but you get my point.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 11:24 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=22146
QUOTE
Parents seek answers at forum
Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - If attendance at Tuesday's Eastport Early Learning Center community forum on proposed MCAS redistricting plans is any indication, the MCAS School Board meeting room will be packed on April 13 and 14, when board members consider the three proposed plans.
At the Eastport meeting, Mario Rosa, the community liaison for MCAS, and Kevin Neafie, director of transportation, showed maps with new school boundaries and presented data about enrollment changes. The intention is to close the Eastport Center and send the approximately 400 children ages 3 and 4 to schools throughout the district.
"Eastport was never intended to be a permanent home for pre-schoolers," Rosa said. He said the redistricting committee was "looking for spatial equality, and some schools were very crowded."
During public comments, concerned family members posed questions to Rosa. He was unable to give specific answers and said the questions would be forwarded to the administration.
"I want to make clear that none of it (proposal) is concrete," Rosa said. "Ultimately the decision is made by the board."
School board member Beryle Burgwald attended the Eastport meeting, as well as a previous meeting at Joy Elementary School. He said his sense at this point is, "All of the plans are generally opposed by the public."
"All three of the plans are unconstitutional under two Supreme Court decisions (made) in 2007," Burgwald said. "You can't draw school districts on the basis of race, and they're clearly doing that."
Eastport teachers and Principal Kent Davis received frequent positive comments from members of the public, who expressed concern about whether they would have jobs. They also brought up issues about the safety of young children put on buses with older children, the absence of nurses at the other schools and whether the facilities would be the appropriate size for pre-schoolers.
Elizabeth Buskirk called herself a proud Eastport parent of a 4-year-old son and said the idea of closing Eastport is distressing.
"I have only been involved for two years, but I already feel like I'm losing a family," she said. "You make this decision and I know you're going to lose at least one student."
Heather Collins, mother of 3-year-old Quinton "Deuce" Collins, said the quality of life in Michigan City is enhanced by relationships formed in early childhood.
"This is where your community starts," she said, referring to Eastport. "When my child goes to elementary school, he will remember faces and names of kids he knows here."
Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - If attendance at Tuesday's Eastport Early Learning Center community forum on proposed MCAS redistricting plans is any indication, the MCAS School Board meeting room will be packed on April 13 and 14, when board members consider the three proposed plans.
At the Eastport meeting, Mario Rosa, the community liaison for MCAS, and Kevin Neafie, director of transportation, showed maps with new school boundaries and presented data about enrollment changes. The intention is to close the Eastport Center and send the approximately 400 children ages 3 and 4 to schools throughout the district.
"Eastport was never intended to be a permanent home for pre-schoolers," Rosa said. He said the redistricting committee was "looking for spatial equality, and some schools were very crowded."
During public comments, concerned family members posed questions to Rosa. He was unable to give specific answers and said the questions would be forwarded to the administration.
"I want to make clear that none of it (proposal) is concrete," Rosa said. "Ultimately the decision is made by the board."
School board member Beryle Burgwald attended the Eastport meeting, as well as a previous meeting at Joy Elementary School. He said his sense at this point is, "All of the plans are generally opposed by the public."
"All three of the plans are unconstitutional under two Supreme Court decisions (made) in 2007," Burgwald said. "You can't draw school districts on the basis of race, and they're clearly doing that."
Eastport teachers and Principal Kent Davis received frequent positive comments from members of the public, who expressed concern about whether they would have jobs. They also brought up issues about the safety of young children put on buses with older children, the absence of nurses at the other schools and whether the facilities would be the appropriate size for pre-schoolers.
Elizabeth Buskirk called herself a proud Eastport parent of a 4-year-old son and said the idea of closing Eastport is distressing.
"I have only been involved for two years, but I already feel like I'm losing a family," she said. "You make this decision and I know you're going to lose at least one student."
Heather Collins, mother of 3-year-old Quinton "Deuce" Collins, said the quality of life in Michigan City is enhanced by relationships formed in early childhood.
"This is where your community starts," she said, referring to Eastport. "When my child goes to elementary school, he will remember faces and names of kids he knows here."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 11:27 AM
Here is the official version of the Eastport story. Looking over it, it is another great example of what a mess our administration is. They HAD to have this early learning center, and they had to have NOW. Instead of actually taking some time to study the matter, they rushed into it, and now they want to change things, without any thought of the 3-4 year old's worlds they are screwing up. Did anyone stop to think that kids might be better off in their home schools to start with, instead of putting them back into a building that had been closed early because it was considered not safe? This is so frustrating.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=22145
QUOTE
School in jeopardy
Redistricting could close Eastport.
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Perhaps it's a penalty of success, but parents whose children have been associated with Eastport Early Learning Center do not want the school to be closed.
They don't want it to be closed even if it brings their preschoolers to a school closer to their homes.
Kevin McGuire, co-chairman of the Michigan City Area Schools redistricting committee, said nothing is written in stone until the school board approves a plan. "But the direction (of the committee) is to bring (preschoolers) into their home schools," he said.
Angela Taylor, whose daughter and niece attend Eastport, said she has been talking with other parents of Eastport school children and she hasn't met anyone who is in love with that idea.
"Eastport is a real, little community," she said. "Parents always feel welcome there." Also the mother of three older children, Taylor said her experiences in other schools have not always been so pleasant.
Eastport Principal Kent Davis has built a child-and family-centered program at Eastport, she said, and she's not convinced other preschools will be able to accomplish a similar experience for children and their families.
"When Eastport was opened, it was never meant to be a permanent solution," McGuire said.
Both Coolspring and Springfield schools have their own preschools, and with the new Lake Hills and Pine schools, plus recent additions to Marsh and the redistricting plan, the elementary schools will have room for preschool classes, he noted.
"We hope we will gain some preschool students because some parents didn't want their children to ride a bus for a long time to get to Eastport."
Coolspring and Springfield preschools now function as satellites of Eastport, he explained.
Another benefit for 3- and 4-year-olds is to help them get comfortable with their home schools, McGuire said.
Taylor doesn't know how children could feel more comfortable than they feel at Eastport.
"(Eastport) has been a wonderful experience for my children and for me too," Taylor said. "All the Eastport parents are close. There are 400 children learning there and they're happy and secure."
She said she can see why Coolspring and Springfield schools would have their own preschools because they are so far from Eastport. She offered a plea to "just leave Eastport for the rest of us."
Although her own child will leave Eastport this year, Taylor said, "I want to save Eastport for other families. "It's a whole community of children."
Redistricting could close Eastport.
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Perhaps it's a penalty of success, but parents whose children have been associated with Eastport Early Learning Center do not want the school to be closed.
They don't want it to be closed even if it brings their preschoolers to a school closer to their homes.
Kevin McGuire, co-chairman of the Michigan City Area Schools redistricting committee, said nothing is written in stone until the school board approves a plan. "But the direction (of the committee) is to bring (preschoolers) into their home schools," he said.
Angela Taylor, whose daughter and niece attend Eastport, said she has been talking with other parents of Eastport school children and she hasn't met anyone who is in love with that idea.
"Eastport is a real, little community," she said. "Parents always feel welcome there." Also the mother of three older children, Taylor said her experiences in other schools have not always been so pleasant.
Eastport Principal Kent Davis has built a child-and family-centered program at Eastport, she said, and she's not convinced other preschools will be able to accomplish a similar experience for children and their families.
"When Eastport was opened, it was never meant to be a permanent solution," McGuire said.
Both Coolspring and Springfield schools have their own preschools, and with the new Lake Hills and Pine schools, plus recent additions to Marsh and the redistricting plan, the elementary schools will have room for preschool classes, he noted.
"We hope we will gain some preschool students because some parents didn't want their children to ride a bus for a long time to get to Eastport."
Coolspring and Springfield preschools now function as satellites of Eastport, he explained.
Another benefit for 3- and 4-year-olds is to help them get comfortable with their home schools, McGuire said.
Taylor doesn't know how children could feel more comfortable than they feel at Eastport.
"(Eastport) has been a wonderful experience for my children and for me too," Taylor said. "All the Eastport parents are close. There are 400 children learning there and they're happy and secure."
She said she can see why Coolspring and Springfield schools would have their own preschools because they are so far from Eastport. She offered a plea to "just leave Eastport for the rest of us."
Although her own child will leave Eastport this year, Taylor said, "I want to save Eastport for other families. "It's a whole community of children."
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 11:31 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22126&TM=49033.01
QUOTE
Student uprooted after 5 years
My daughter has gone to Coolspring for five years, counting this year. I went to Coolspring as well. It would not be fair to her or any of next year's fifth graders to pull them out their last year at the school. My daughter is very upset about being separated from her friend who might go to Pine.
Is going to another school going to make test scores higher when the kids are upset and sad about moving schools? The elementary school is the school these kids will go to the longest. If my kid is moved to another school I may just home school her.
C. Justice
Coolspring Township
My daughter has gone to Coolspring for five years, counting this year. I went to Coolspring as well. It would not be fair to her or any of next year's fifth graders to pull them out their last year at the school. My daughter is very upset about being separated from her friend who might go to Pine.
Is going to another school going to make test scores higher when the kids are upset and sad about moving schools? The elementary school is the school these kids will go to the longest. If my kid is moved to another school I may just home school her.
C. Justice
Coolspring Township
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22125&TM=49033.01
QUOTE
Joy School unfairly depicted
As a parent of Joy Elementary School, I truly resent the efforts of some Coolspring parents who now obviously consider themselves experts on what is going on at our school. I noted the information that was quoted in the past two or three days in the newspaper, supposedly from the Department of Education Web site, and found it to be inaccurate and outdated. The truth is, our population at Joy and the other Michigan City Area Schools elementary schools that mirrors Coolspring's population was equal to or exceeded their success on the ISTEP+ tests.
The writers used data from the No Child Left Behind summary report to further debase Joy School. To correct Saturday's Anvil Chorus writer, the only MCAS elementary schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress this fall were Coolspring and Springfield. This would make the average reader think that only these two elementary schools were doing a good job in educating Michigan City students. What the writer failed to understand or chose to omit is that there is a possibility to score in 36 cells or groups in NCLB, including special education. To count a cell, the school must have at least 10 students in each grade level in that cell. For the school to make AYP, schools must be successful in all of the cells that represent their student population.
Coolspring and Springfield schools, with their limited diversity, were scored on only 13 and 15 cells respectively. Joy had the highest number of cells of any Michigan City elementary school, being successful in 20 out of 21. We have six special needs classrooms, compared to only one each at Coolspring and Springfield.
Please do not assume that your child's experience is superior to our students' when our kids' scores are averaged in with our many special needs students, some with 65 and 70 IQs, taking the same test as your honor student. The year Coolspring had special needs children (2005) it too failed to make AYP.
Additionally, you claim to want all children who reside in Coolspring Township to attend Coolspring School. We currently enroll within Joy School boundaries two low-income housing complexes and a trailer park that fall within Coolspring Township. Pine School also has Coolspring Township children that reside in a low-income housing development. Why were these kids not at Coolspring School? Am I to believe that you are fighting for these children to now be Coolspring students?
I ask that you cease making degrading remarks directed at our school in your efforts to derail the district's goal to reorganize boundaries. We invite you and your families to visit us at Joy anytime. Perhaps you can bring your honor students in May to observe our honor students as they are inducted into the National Elementary Schools Honor Society. By the way, Joy Elementary School is the only elementary school in Michigan City that is a member of this prestigious, nationally recognized organization.
Shantae Wofford
Proud Parent
Joy Elementary School
As a parent of Joy Elementary School, I truly resent the efforts of some Coolspring parents who now obviously consider themselves experts on what is going on at our school. I noted the information that was quoted in the past two or three days in the newspaper, supposedly from the Department of Education Web site, and found it to be inaccurate and outdated. The truth is, our population at Joy and the other Michigan City Area Schools elementary schools that mirrors Coolspring's population was equal to or exceeded their success on the ISTEP+ tests.
The writers used data from the No Child Left Behind summary report to further debase Joy School. To correct Saturday's Anvil Chorus writer, the only MCAS elementary schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress this fall were Coolspring and Springfield. This would make the average reader think that only these two elementary schools were doing a good job in educating Michigan City students. What the writer failed to understand or chose to omit is that there is a possibility to score in 36 cells or groups in NCLB, including special education. To count a cell, the school must have at least 10 students in each grade level in that cell. For the school to make AYP, schools must be successful in all of the cells that represent their student population.
Coolspring and Springfield schools, with their limited diversity, were scored on only 13 and 15 cells respectively. Joy had the highest number of cells of any Michigan City elementary school, being successful in 20 out of 21. We have six special needs classrooms, compared to only one each at Coolspring and Springfield.
Please do not assume that your child's experience is superior to our students' when our kids' scores are averaged in with our many special needs students, some with 65 and 70 IQs, taking the same test as your honor student. The year Coolspring had special needs children (2005) it too failed to make AYP.
Additionally, you claim to want all children who reside in Coolspring Township to attend Coolspring School. We currently enroll within Joy School boundaries two low-income housing complexes and a trailer park that fall within Coolspring Township. Pine School also has Coolspring Township children that reside in a low-income housing development. Why were these kids not at Coolspring School? Am I to believe that you are fighting for these children to now be Coolspring students?
I ask that you cease making degrading remarks directed at our school in your efforts to derail the district's goal to reorganize boundaries. We invite you and your families to visit us at Joy anytime. Perhaps you can bring your honor students in May to observe our honor students as they are inducted into the National Elementary Schools Honor Society. By the way, Joy Elementary School is the only elementary school in Michigan City that is a member of this prestigious, nationally recognized organization.
Shantae Wofford
Proud Parent
Joy Elementary School
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 11:33 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22124
QUOTE
Coolspring kids will enjoy Joy School
I formerly was a student at Joy School Elementary, and I think Coolspring parents have no reason to complain about their stuck-up kids going there. The teachers there were and still are amazing. I loved all my teachers from first grade until fifth grade. If it wasn't for those teachers pushing me I probably wouldn't be in my higher level classes now as a seventh grader at Krueger Middle School.
In Mrs. Jones letter "Test score numbers misleading" [Tuesday], she stated that Joy School is the only elementary school that has enough students to make a Special Education subgroup, which is something that Coolspring doesn't have. That also means that Joy has more equality among the students there. Including the Special Needs students, Joy School scored only 6 percent lower than Coolspring and third out of all the public elementary schools in the city.
In Mrs. Antisdel's letter Monday, she basically sounded disgusted that her son might be going to Joy. That is incredibly offensive to the parents, teachers and students at Joy. She implied that people that go to Joy live in projects and are poor. No, when I went to Joy my family paid for everything like they were supposed to and so did plenty of other people there. Mrs. Antisdel, are you trying to say that underprivileged people don't deserve a good education at all or are you saying that you and your family are too stuck up to send your son to a school just because you think people there are dirt poor? Both are incredibility stupid and in no way ethical.
Joy Elementary School is a very awesome school and I'm proud to say that I attended it.
Alison Gill
Michigan City
I formerly was a student at Joy School Elementary, and I think Coolspring parents have no reason to complain about their stuck-up kids going there. The teachers there were and still are amazing. I loved all my teachers from first grade until fifth grade. If it wasn't for those teachers pushing me I probably wouldn't be in my higher level classes now as a seventh grader at Krueger Middle School.
In Mrs. Jones letter "Test score numbers misleading" [Tuesday], she stated that Joy School is the only elementary school that has enough students to make a Special Education subgroup, which is something that Coolspring doesn't have. That also means that Joy has more equality among the students there. Including the Special Needs students, Joy School scored only 6 percent lower than Coolspring and third out of all the public elementary schools in the city.
In Mrs. Antisdel's letter Monday, she basically sounded disgusted that her son might be going to Joy. That is incredibly offensive to the parents, teachers and students at Joy. She implied that people that go to Joy live in projects and are poor. No, when I went to Joy my family paid for everything like they were supposed to and so did plenty of other people there. Mrs. Antisdel, are you trying to say that underprivileged people don't deserve a good education at all or are you saying that you and your family are too stuck up to send your son to a school just because you think people there are dirt poor? Both are incredibility stupid and in no way ethical.
Joy Elementary School is a very awesome school and I'm proud to say that I attended it.
Alison Gill
Michigan City
Posted by: m4liberty Apr 1 2009, 11:50 AM
I also would like to welcome all the new members and know there will be more to come shortly. Out of due respect this is not just a Coolspring issue. I attended the meeting at Nieman with concerned parents there as well. I respect all of your comments and can only ASK that they be kept in a courteous manner. Thank You!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 1 2009, 12:03 PM
QUOTE(m4liberty @ Apr 1 2009, 12:50 PM)
I also would like to welcome all the new members and know there will be more to come shortly. Out of due respect this is not just a Coolspring issue. I attended the meeting at Nieman with concerned parents there as well. I respect all of your comments and can only ASK that they be kept in a courteous manner. Thank You!
Thanks for the post Mark.
For those that do not know, I am the owner/head admin of Citybythelake, Michael Gresham. My main goal is to provide as free of discussion as possible. The one big thing I ask of everyone here is to be respectful of the other people posting here. Short of not breaking any libel/slander laws, I encourage everyone to share their opinions and feelings on this matter, and anything else you all want to talk about. There are plenty of other discussions always going on here, from serious matters, such as this one, to food, to the just plain silly.
If any of you ever have comments, suggestions, ideas, etc, and don't want to post them publicly, just send them to me, or any of the other staff members here.
Thanks again for reading and posting!
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 01:05 PM
What I am starting to see here is the beginning of a HUGE rivalry. From my experience, I can honestly say that the "country" schools have more comeraderie and school spirit. I don't know if that's because they are so far out and they only have each other, or if it's because of the Principals. Honestly, I'm leaning toward the principals. I know all of "country principals" personally and they are wonderful principals--each and every one of them.
However, in regard to Coolspring and its principal, Ms. Manual was the principal at Park before she was sent to Coolspring. Talk about night and day! Park was the most "inner-city" school MC had and had that same school spirit and comeraderie found in the country schools. Ms. Manual was welcomed with open arms at Coolspring and has made dramatic changes/improvements since she's been there. So, I'm not buying the stuck-up, holier-than-thou attitudes Coolspring folks are accused of. If anything, I saw that school grow closer together under her tenure, and I believe it's because of her. (Can you tell I think this woman is special?).
Just my two cents regarding the mud-slinging that's starting.
Posted by: lbl Apr 1 2009, 01:51 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 1 2009, 12:33 PM)
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22124
Lets relax about the letter in the Anvil Chorus from Miss Gill. Middle school kids are emotional. This one might have been slightly coached. Look at the syntax and the non-words she uses. It is, once again, irresponsible of the N-D to print it.
Posted by: Ang Apr 1 2009, 03:40 PM
QUOTE(lbl @ Apr 1 2009, 01:51 PM)
Lets relax about the letter in the Anvil Chorus from Miss Gill. Middle school kids are emotional. This one might have been slightly coached. Look at the syntax and the non-words she uses. It is, once again, irresponsible of the N-D to print it.
I have no doubt that girl was coached. But I also have no doubt that this is only the beginning and it's just going to get uglier from here on out.
Posted by: Brian Apr 1 2009, 04:23 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 1 2009, 11:59 AM)
I'd also like to welcome everyone who is new to the board.
I fully understand not wanting to disrupt the lives of your children by not sending them to other schools. What I do not understand is the opposition to having kids from outside going to the better schools. As people who are paying the exact same taxes as the rest of us, why should their kids be doomed to bad schools, the same kids you don't want your kids at, because of their address? I also don't understand the comment about other kids eroding the family values at Coolspring. That sounds to me like saying that the kids in Michigan City proper are somehow worth less than the kids in Coolspring Township.
I can recognize the fact that parents want their kids in better schools but where should the line be drawn? How many times have the districts been reorganized? There are obvious pros and cons to the redistricting that took place a couple of years ago that brought kids to schools outside of their original district.
Now we are going to make it worse and reduce the above average schools to average or below by rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. The educational system in this city is developing the portrayal of a sinking ship.
A portion of their plan C will have future raminfications on property values. Why would a family buy a home on the West side of Wozniak and have their kids go to Pine, when they can buy in Arndt Apple Acres and have their kids attend Coolspring which is a mile away.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 1 2009, 08:37 PM
QUOTE(Heather Collins @ Mar 31 2009, 09:03 PM)
I am here to reach out to the community of Michigan City. Please help to keep Eastport open. Here is an awesome program that will only help our educational system. Eastport takes our communities children, all of them, no matter the neighborhood, the race, the religion, the financial background, and teaches them. Eastport makes our children want to learn. We talk about the scores from all of the different schools, well Eastport is the first step to changing those scores. Our children, our future, our community deserves to keep this solid foundation in tack. Three and four year olds are most influenced at this age. This is the age where we need all of the little brains to thrive. You see the children of Eastport, go to school and enjoy it, because they enjoy it they want to learn. They are not intimidated by older students who might not share that same attitude. The children will take the education they receive and the thriving attitudes with them to the next level when it is time. The elementary schools will slowly become populated with graduating Eastport students, the junior highs will get a turn in time, our high school will once again unite these children as one community again, and that is what will make a difference. My son deserves this, as do his peers.
i am with heather. this is a letter that i have sent to the members
Concerning Eastport. 4/1/09 I did not realize until last night at the Eastport meeting that yourplan IS to close Eastport. I talked a little bit with another women thatknows some things about what is going on, and feel that I do haveconformation that the plan all along was to close Eastport anddistribute the Eastport children throughout the elementary schools andattend preschool there. I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS. If you knew in the beginning when you started Eastport that it was notgoing to be permanent then why did you start it??? Why didn’t you justlet what every other parent has to do from a different town, find apreschool for their child to attend two days a week, or just be indaycare all day. Obviously at one point you cared. You cared about ourlittle people and saw that they deserved a chance at learning. Now youwant to take that away?? You say your not taking it away but moving itto different locations, but that’s not what your doing, your taking itaway. The comfort of the 3 and 4 year old child will be frazzled, to beable to walk down the hall happy everyday, to enjoy their school, theyall feel so special to be a part of Eastport and your just going to ripthat away from them. Eastport is about them, it’s a safe haven for them. Eastport hasEVERYTHING that a single parent needs!!!!!!!! Us parents are so luckyand feel very blessed to have this opportunity, yet you have no problemstomping all over it. The meeting last night was for what??? The man there was not able toanswer ANY questions. The truth of the matter is, is that you all haveALREADY decided what your going to do. I have yet to understand justexactly why your willing to even pretend to listen to what we have tosay. Are you prepared to accommodate in EVERY WAY that Eastport does?????? Idon’t think that you are taking everything into consideration. Eastport is a 3 and 4 year old school only. Is there a separate hall for3 and 4 year olds at these elementary schools, or will they be walkingthe halls with the big kids, 5th graders? Accident waiting to happennumber 1. Eastport has a nurse full time, there everyday for these little people.are the elementary schools going to have a nurse full time? I hear theyonly have one three days a week. Accident waiting to happen number 2. Eastport is able to work with children that are in the potty trainingprocess. We as parents feel comfortable to send our child in a pull upand know that if a situation should arise the Eastport teachers will beable to handle it, and well as the nurse. Are these elementary schoolswilling to do that, or are you going to place restrictions on that now,meaning that until my child is fully potty trained they will not be ableto start preschool???? You will have a lot of angry parents, not that you don’t already, andeven if you still allow kids to go to school in pull ups who going tohandle the accidents, the messes??? I smell accidents waiting to happen number 3. Eastport offers breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Our little peoplecome to a lunch room their size with other little people their age. Arethese elementary schools going to accommodate that??? Probably not,instead our little people will have to push their way through a crowdedlunch room, to a table that will be just to much work for them to climbup to even be able to sit at, and try to eat their food, that’s if theyhaven’t had it knocked outta their hand by then, and if they can evenopen it. Yep I believe that’s accident number 4 waiting to happen. The BUS!!!!!!! O THE BUS!!!!!!!! What a MAJOR issue that NONE OF YOUCONSIDERED!!!!!!!!! Along You EXPECT us parents to be okay with our little people riding the buswith 5th graders??? We all know that that is a bratty age, and they canhave no respect for anyone or anything. I DO NOT want my 3 and 4 yearold on a bus with BIG KIDS. My baby doesn’t need to learn nasty words,or about sex, ect. They are innocent little souls and should remaininnocent as long as possible. Obviously you think its okay to corruptour little people before they even have a chance, no wonder the world isthe way it is. You put these little people on a bus with big kids, andone little person gets hurt, YOU WILL BE SUED!!!!!! Its your idea, areyou prepared????? ACCIDENT NUMBER 5 WILL HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!! Other questions that I know ill never get an answer to are as follows Will preschool start the same time as elementary school and end at thesame time it does now, which is noon?? So that’s putting 3 and 4 yearolds in school for what about 4 hours???? Really?? You think theseteacher will be able to handle the child when they become fussy do toover stimulation???? I don’t think they will be. Eastport teachers want to be here, they want to teach the 3 and 4 yearolds. Do you know if these new preschool teachers are prepared???? Idon’t think you realize the changes, the many accidents that willoccur, the stress you will be putting on these little people, all forwhat?? To save a buck???? How unfair!!!! These children as well asparents have created memories here at Eastport. I am so proud to be apart of the community that cares about our little people. I telleveryone I know, you should move to Michigan city, they offer apreschool like no other!!!!!! You have already made your decisions, you can tell everyone that thingsare still up in the air all you want. The truth is, is that you nolonger want to have to pay the Eastport teachers or share money with theEastport school. Gas prices getting to be to much for you all too? Howselfish. Last year when that man, whom should be mature about thesituation went and slashed tires and our little people were not able toenjoy their last day at school, they were so heartbroken, my boy cried,and I know that others did too, I was there. You think that one area of people looks, well just to poor, so becauseof the whole free lunch your going to make that another convenientreason to redistrict. I would be so ashamed to be apart of your committee. We pick our homes where we would like our child to attend school, whileyes its true the redistricting will not affect where my kids will begoing, that doesn’t mean that it wont affect others. If you knew that there was an over crowding problem, why wasn’t it takencare of sooner, last night Mr. Mario said that they may put a cap on it.Why wasn’t there already a cap on it? I know why, because you can notdeny any child education for any reason. Sounds to me that you were notdoing a good job at your job to begin with. Common sense tells you thatcity is going to become over populated before country, why????? Becausethe city has apartments for those that have restrictions on theirexpenses, ect. The country have homeowners, and are generally morespread out. City, builds on top of buildings, some homes have no backyards or off street parking just to accommodate the next door neighbor.Where was your common sense 10 years ago???? Instead of building a newschool for pine and lake view, why wasn’t room made and one built forcool spring, infact im sure there is room there to add on. Yes thosethings cost money, but remember, you just got done building 2 BRAND NEWSCHOOLS, and now you want to pack them full. Do what you need to do with redistricting, but LEAVE EASTPORTALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is absolutely no reason to bulldoze a wonderful asset to our city.Stop thinking about the money that you could be saving, and startthinking about the children and families and SINGLE parents that youwill be affecting. The parents of Eastport will fight toI trust no one with my kids, Eastport has shown me that they care. Ihave no reservations with Eastport any longer. I am so excited to knowthat my two younger children WILL BE ATTENDING EASTPORT!!!!!! If you were not prepared for the outcome, then you should never havestarted this wonderful establishment for our little people. You are going to have so many SMART children entering kindergarten,these WONDERFUL Eastport teachers have already done the kindergartenteachers job. Don’t mess with a perfect thing. There are so few in thisworld. Are you prepared to shell out millions of dollars for us parents to sendour little people to a more secure location to attend preschool??? Iknow for myself that sending a 3 and 4 year old to an elementary schoolis a big mistake. As many have already said, if its not broke, don’t fix it. Do yourself a favor and keep Eastport open!!!!! ~ A Concerned Mother
i was at pines meeting tonight and one woman said that eastport was given money they should not have been given, they it was taken away from the kids that were at risk and given to kids that didnt need it. so... because the board or whoever messed up in the beginning our 3 and 4 year olds deserve to miss out on an awesome oppurtunity for them? after hearing this woman talk i felt like my childern since they are not at risk do not deserve to start learning as early as others. children at 3 years even need somethng to do, staying home with mom all day gets boring. my son will be attending eastport this fall and he really needs it, he needs to be able to get out and socialize with other children his age.
my oldest will be attending pine in the fall. he has grown SO much just from being at eastport. however way eastport got where they are, who cares. its a great place for 3 and 4 year olds.
and to the other comment that was made tonight. when i was looking for a preschool for my son to attend i called pine. they did not offer that program at the school and told me to call eastport. head start was full. unless i want to pay money to take him somewhere else like daycare that offers preschool eastport was my only choice. i was unsure and went and took a tour. they took my son, they took him while he was in the potty training process. i am so happy that i made the choice to let him go there. its worth the money that was spent on that place, regardless how they got it, and where the money came from, its well worth it and it would be a shame to shut eastports doors.
Posted by: Dave Apr 1 2009, 08:49 PM
Can I come up with a Plan D?
Now I'm not very well versed on school issues, seeing as we don't have children, but I'm known for thinking outside the box, so here goes....
From the MCAS website, I see there is the early learning center, nine elementary schools which appear to service grades K through 5, three middle schools serving grades 6 through 8, MCHS, and the career center.
My proposal:
Early learning center stays as it is, presumable serving the the entire MCAS district.
Career Center, ditto.
MCAS, ditto.
Six of the elementary schools are converted to single grade schools, each serving one grade, i.e., all the kindergartners go to one school, all the first graders go to another. etc.
The three middle schools can be adapted the same way, one for 6th graders, one for 7th, the other for 8th.
Which leaves us with 3 of the grade schools. One could be used for children with disciplinary problems from all grade levels (wasn't there an alternative school before?), one could be for special needs students (though I don't know if this is how schools operate these days, possibly special needs students could be mainstreamed part of the day and use this facility part of the day), and the last could be closed (pick the school which is in the worst shape, close it or rehab it and work it back into the rotation and then close the next worse and rehab it) or used as a "magnet" school.
They actually did something like this in my home town -- all single grade schools.
One of the upsides is that it reduces bullying of younger kids by older kids. Another upside is that school-wide programs would be easier to coordinate if all the students at the school are the same grade. Downside is that it means a lot of time on buses, and lots of gas burned. And it is equally inconvenient for everyone, which could either be upside or downside, depending on one's individual position -- but it does put everyone in the same boat. And issues about free lunches, etc., would be made irrelevant.
I'm not advocating this plan so much as throwing it out as an alternative. I'm relatively new to MC, only being here about five years now, so perhaps something like this has been considered and rejected already.
Feel free to poke holes in this idea, or just ignore me and stay on topic.
Posted by: Heather Collins Apr 1 2009, 09:15 PM
Dave your idea sounds, in many words and thoughts, like it could be done. What would be wrong with that? Your "Plan D" should be added to the mix with more involved thought. Reading what you wrote, well I've never heard of something like that, but that actually (in my opinion) makes more sense than waht a board of many could come up with. I just want this city of mine, of ours to once again shine with pride. I graduated from Elston High School back in 1994. The whole city was involved. Yes we had two different high schools back then, but we were involved with eachother. I feel like there is a spark missing. Is there anyone who remembers these days?
Posted by: Heather Collins Apr 1 2009, 09:27 PM
I would like everyone to konw that I did email each and every board member. I was answered by two of them, the vice president first. Then, almost a day later, I was answered by the president.
Re: Eastport
From: Donald Dulaney (ddulaney@mcas.k12.in.us)
Sent: Wed 4/01/09 12:40 PM
To: spoiled_u_bet@hotmail.com
Good Afternoon, Thank you for your well reasoned comments. I attended the Eastportsession yesterday, along with Mr. Burgwald. I also attended theCoolspring, Knapp and Edgewood sessions, hearing comments andsuggestions from many aggrieved community members. At this time, the Board of Trustees has not endorsed any of theAdministration's plans and may look for different alternatives. Pleaseattend the Board Meeting Tuesday to voice your concerns and suggestions. Thanks again,Don DuLaney
Re: Eastport
From: James Kintzele (jkintzele@mcas.k12.in.us)
Sent: Wed 4/01/09 6:44 PM
To: spoiled_u_bet@hotmail.com
Dear Ms. Collins, Thank yo for sharing your concerns with me. I assure you that I havenot made up my mind on any of the plans and will only do so aftercareful consideration of all concerns and the effects of each proposal. Sincerely,Jim Kintzele
Does it sound like my concerns were blown off! I mean if I wait until the board meeting on tuesday the 14th won't it be to late for my concerns to matter? The reason I am asking this, is because at the Eastport Forum Mario made it known that a decision would be reached at a meeting on the 13th and then presented to us on the 14th. Doesn't that mean that the decision would have already been made?????HELP ME OUT HERE!!!
Posted by: Michelle Apr 1 2009, 09:32 PM
I'm wholly unqualified to comment on this issue, since I didn't go to school here in MC. But that's not going to stop me. 
I can see how there might be good reasons to redistrict the schools. But at the same time, I can remember wayyyy back to being an elementary school student, and I can guess how upsetting it would be to be forced to transfer schools, especially away from established friendships and routines. Isn't there any way this could be phased in with the new students, to minimize the impact on the students already enrolled in their schools? Ang, I also like your suggestion about open enrollment...and I have also noticed that suggestions here seem to end up in the Anvil Chorus.
edit: Dave, I somehow skipped over your message earlier, but that sounds like an interesting suggestion as well.
Posted by: Brian Apr 1 2009, 10:10 PM
I went to Long Beach, so I was pretty surprised when they decided to close it as a public school.
Do not underestimate the amount of stupidity within MCAS; if it makes little or no sense, it will be approved.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 06:53 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 1 2009, 05:23 PM)
I can recognize the fact that parents want their kids in better schools but where should the line be drawn? How many times have the districts been reorganized? There are obvious pros and cons to the redistricting that took place a couple of years ago that brought kids to schools outside of their original district.
Now we are going to make it worse and reduce the above average schools to average or below by rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. The educational system in this city is developing the portrayal of a sinking ship.
A portion of their plan C will have future raminfications on property values. Why would a family buy a home on the West side of Wozniak and have their kids go to Pine, when they can buy in Arndt Apple Acres and have their kids attend Coolspring which is a mile away.
I still don't understand how people paying the same taxes as anyone else are supposed to have their kids doomed to an inferior education. How do kids break the cycle of poverty if from day one everything they get is inferior to what someone with money gets?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 06:56 AM
QUOTE(Dave @ Apr 1 2009, 09:49 PM)
Can I come up with a Plan D?
Now I'm not very well versed on school issues, seeing as we don't have children, but I'm known for thinking outside the box, so here goes....
From the MCAS website, I see there is the early learning center, nine elementary schools which appear to service grades K through 5, three middle schools serving grades 6 through 8, MCHS, and the career center.
My proposal:
Early learning center stays as it is, presumable serving the the entire MCAS district.
Career Center, ditto.
MCAS, ditto.
Six of the elementary schools are converted to single grade schools, each serving one grade, i.e., all the kindergartners go to one school, all the first graders go to another. etc.
The three middle schools can be adapted the same way, one for 6th graders, one for 7th, the other for 8th.
Which leaves us with 3 of the grade schools. One could be used for children with disciplinary problems from all grade levels (wasn't there an alternative school before?), one could be for special needs students (though I don't know if this is how schools operate these days, possibly special needs students could be mainstreamed part of the day and use this facility part of the day), and the last could be closed (pick the school which is in the worst shape, close it or rehab it and work it back into the rotation and then close the next worse and rehab it) or used as a "magnet" school.
They actually did something like this in my home town -- all single grade schools.
One of the upsides is that it reduces bullying of younger kids by older kids. Another upside is that school-wide programs would be easier to coordinate if all the students at the school are the same grade. Downside is that it means a lot of time on buses, and lots of gas burned. And it is equally inconvenient for everyone, which could either be upside or downside, depending on one's individual position -- but it does put everyone in the same boat. And issues about free lunches, etc., would be made irrelevant.
I'm not advocating this plan so much as throwing it out as an alternative. I'm relatively new to MC, only being here about five years now, so perhaps something like this has been considered and rejected already.
Feel free to poke holes in this idea, or just ignore me and stay on topic.
Plan E
Redistrict, but don't move any existing children around. Kids that are in a specific school would stay there until they graduate from the highest level taught in that building. Once they moved buildings, then the kids would go to the school in their new alignments. It solves the kids moving around problem, and it goes towards fixing the disparities in our system.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 2 2009, 07:21 AM
QUOTE(Heather Collins @ Apr 1 2009, 10:27 PM)
I would like everyone to konw that I did email each and every board member. I was answered by two of them, the vice president first. Then, almost a day later, I was answered by the president.
Re: Eastport
From: Donald Dulaney (ddulaney@mcas.k12.in.us)
Sent: Wed 4/01/09 12:40 PM
To: spoiled_u_bet@hotmail.com
Good Afternoon, Thank you for your well reasoned comments. I attended the Eastportsession yesterday, along with Mr. Burgwald. I also attended theCoolspring, Knapp and Edgewood sessions, hearing comments andsuggestions from many aggrieved community members. At this time, the Board of Trustees has not endorsed any of theAdministration's plans and may look for different alternatives. Pleaseattend the Board Meeting Tuesday to voice your concerns and suggestions. Thanks again,Don DuLaney
Re: Eastport
From: James Kintzele (jkintzele@mcas.k12.in.us)
Sent: Wed 4/01/09 6:44 PM
To: spoiled_u_bet@hotmail.com
Dear Ms. Collins, Thank yo for sharing your concerns with me. I assure you that I havenot made up my mind on any of the plans and will only do so aftercareful consideration of all concerns and the effects of each proposal. Sincerely,Jim Kintzele
Does it sound like my concerns were blown off! I mean if I wait until the board meeting on tuesday the 14th won't it be to late for my concerns to matter? The reason I am asking this, is because at the Eastport Forum Mario made it known that a decision would be reached at a meeting on the 13th and then presented to us on the 14th. Doesn't that mean that the decision would have already been made?????HELP ME OUT HERE!!!
i feel that they have already made there decisions. by what ive heard at the meeting i attended, they want plan c. no matter what plan a, b, or c, eastport will become a thing of the past. its a shame. i also know that few board members were aware of these plans and did not know till the public did, which was what a week or so ago. i dont think they are giving anything much time at all. they want the change to occur the year, and kids shipped whereever this fall.
some more news for all of you. lasts nights meeting it was made clear that they will be moving 1100-1200 kids. this is going to cause the need for more busses, which they admitted. kevin said that they already bought 3. what i dont understand is if they are will to purchase more busses and LENGTHEN the bus ride, which was also mentioned last night, your child could be on a bus anywhere from 45 mins to an hour!!!!! maybe even more honestly. like i was saying, this makes no sense. if they leave the eastport students alone, then that will take a big chunk of the 1100-1200 kids out of the move. there are over 400 kids at eastport!! theres no reason to close that school. another thing that i learned last night was that with plan c, which is what they are leaning towards, ALOT of families that live RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEW PINE WILL BE SHIPPED TO KNAPP!!!!!!! that does not in away way make any sense at all.
heres an idea.... right now you have 426 students at knapp. 385 at coolspring, 353 at edgewood.
why not take half of the knapp students, on the side that closest to the pine school boarder and make them pine. then open up knapp school for coolspring students that are closest to knapp, and the few handful that are closest to pine, make them pine. im not familiar with edgewood, but i do understand there is an overcrowding issue there. with plan c if you look at lake view they are cutting off the district.... WHY? thats a brand new school, why wouldnt you open it up a little bit more, take a few of each that are closest to lake view.
bottom line is, if they leave eastport alone, and the redistrict the elem schools they will have PLENTY of room for more student to come in to each school, which will happen. people move, have babies, ect. the way the plan c is now, they go through with this plan be ready cuz in 5 year we will be redistricted again! they have 2 brand new schools that take 600 students and they are wanting to get as close to that number as possible, and pine isnt even up and running yet. my quetions is if they had all preschools in the elem schools before, what happened??? why were they taken out?? and if your gonna move eastport students to elem schools, then ill be seeing special needs in every school correct??? why should they be limited to one school, and have lower test scores. if the board is so concerned with how it looks with free lunches across the board, why is special needs different? but on the other hand, if the school they are in is equipped to handle and the teachers are doing awesome jobs, and the students are flourishing then there is no reason to move them. but dont forget, that works the same way with eastport.
DONT STOP WITH THE BOARD TAKE THIS TO EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 2 2009, 07:43 AM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 2 2009, 08:21 AM)
i feel that they have already made there decisions. by what ive heard at the meeting i attended, they want plan c. no matter what plan a, b, or c, eastport will become a thing of the past. its a shame. i also know that few board members were aware of these plans and did not know till the public did, which was what a week or so ago. i dont think they are giving anything much time at all. they want the change to occur the year, and kids shipped whereever this fall.
some more news for all of you. lasts nights meeting it was made clear that they will be moving 1100-1200 kids. this is going to cause the need for more busses, which they admitted. kevin said that they already bought 3. what i dont understand is if they are will to purchase more busses and LENGTHEN the bus ride, which was also mentioned last night, your child could be on a bus anywhere from 45 mins to an hour!!!!! maybe even more honestly. like i was saying, this makes no sense. if they leave the eastport students alone, then that will take a big chunk of the 1100-1200 kids out of the move. there are over 400 kids at eastport!! theres no reason to close that school. another thing that i learned last night was that with plan c, which is what they are leaning towards, ALOT of families that live RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEW PINE WILL BE SHIPPED TO KNAPP!!!!!!! that does not in away way make any sense at all.
heres an idea.... right now you have 426 students at knapp. 385 at coolspring, 353 at edgewood.
why not take half of the knapp students, on the side that closest to the pine school boarder and make them pine. then open up knapp school for coolspring students that are closest to knapp, and the few handful that are closest to pine, make them pine. im not familiar with edgewood, but i do understand there is an overcrowding issue there. with plan c if you look at lake view they are cutting off the district.... WHY? thats a brand new school, why wouldnt you open it up a little bit more, take a few of each that are closest to lake view.
bottom line is, if they leave eastport alone, and the redistrict the elem schools they will have PLENTY of room for more student to come in to each school, which will happen. people move, have babies, ect. the way the plan c is now, they go through with this plan be ready cuz in 5 year we will be redistricted again! they have 2 brand new schools that take 600 students and they are wanting to get as close to that number as possible, and pine isnt even up and running yet. my quetions is if they had all preschools in the elem schools before, what happened??? why were they taken out?? and if your gonna move eastport students to elem schools, then ill be seeing special needs in every school correct??? why should they be limited to one school, and have lower test scores. if the board is so concerned with how it looks with free lunches across the board, why is special needs different? but on the other hand, if the school they are in is equipped to handle and the teachers are doing awesome jobs, and the students are flourishing then there is no reason to move them. but dont forget, that works the same way with eastport.
DONT STOP WITH THE BOARD TAKE THIS TO EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF!!!!!!!!!!
id like to add something.
i just chatted with my buss driver. the ride rght now for my son to go to eastport is about half an hour.
so this fall you want to take my 3 year old and send him to pine for prescchool and EXPECT him to sit on a bus for an hour????????????? my 3 year old wont do it. half hour i feel is decent, theres gonna be travel time. but an hour on a bus, no thats not gonna work. and the sick thing is, we can walk across 20 and be at pine. home schooling??? hmmmm, ill have to check into that. i wonder if i can get state aide to send my child to another preschool????? hmmm, ill have to check into that. an hour ride, are these people using their brains!??? he is so excited to be starting school this fall, keeps talking about, wants to go now. i want him to have the same experience my oldest son has...... JUST KEEP EASTPORT OPEN!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ang Apr 2 2009, 08:56 AM
For the newbies: I am a 1984 Elston Graduate. I lived most of my life in City, born and raised. About 4 years ago I moved to Wyoming and currently live in Casper. I was an MCAS employee, some of you may know me from the MCHS Athletic Department. I moved away for a number of reasons, one of them being the state of education in Michigan City.
In Casper, we have open enrollment. I can put my daughter in any school in this town so long as there is space available. If not, there is a waiting list. Our school system is a county entity, not a city entity, it is called the Natrona County School District. They put their numbers together as a district and get their funding that way. They can do that because of open enrollment.
Now, here's how it works:
In the middle of the school year, they send letters to all the parents reminding them to sign up for school assignments next year. It is done on the internet. Each parent is assigned a user code and password for each one of their students. After a certain date, you log on and pick three schools, in order of preference, that you want your kid to go to. The site is open for a month or so, then they cut off and you can't sign up. If you miss it, you have to call central administration and you are at the bottom of the list.
They review and assign schools on a first come, first serve basis. Students who live within walking distance and kids who attended last year get priority. Next priority are for employees of that school who might have a child attend it. After that they go down the list.
Transportation is simple, too. Each school is a bus stop. You get your kid to the school closest to your house and they can ride a bus to the school they attend. Out in the county they pick students up from their homes, but they take them to another school to catch the bus for the school they attend.
So, I live on the east side of town and my daughter attends school on the west side of town. She walks across the street to pick up the bus at the school near my house, rides 15 minutes and gets dropped off at the school she attends. After school, she gets on the bus and rides 15 minutes to get dropped off at the school across the street. If riding the bus doesn't work for her, or if I decide I don't like the school she's attending, I can transfer her to the school across the street. If they don't have a space, I can go on the list, but since I live across the street I start out at the top of the list.
Posted by: Brian Apr 2 2009, 09:16 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 2 2009, 07:53 AM)
I still don't understand how people paying the same taxes as anyone else are supposed to have their kids doomed to an inferior education. How do kids break the cycle of poverty if from day one everything they get is inferior to what someone with money gets?
Paying the same taxes? I think that is the reason parents in Coolspring Township are upset. So we should all applaud consecutive redistrictings until the hierarchy of socioeconomics is no longer irregular? I don't think so!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 09:40 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 2 2009, 10:16 AM)
Paying the same taxes? I think that is the reason parents in Coolspring Township are upset. So we should all applaud consecutive redistrictings until the hierarchy of socioeconomics is no longer irregular? I don't think so!
Again this is my question
How do kids break the cycle of poverty if from day one everything they get is inferior to what someone with money gets?
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 2 2009, 10:24 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 2 2009, 10:40 AM)
Again this is my question
How do kids break the cycle of poverty if from day one everything they get is inferior to what someone with money gets?
im confused so i take it that if your child is redistricted to another school, you will keep paying taxes for the school she was pulled from? you mean the redistricting will not change taxes as well? so if your at coolspring and get sent to pine youll still pay for coolsprin?? shouldnt you be paying for pine??? that is gay. im sorry but that is gay. if you get redistricted then the taxes should follow.
breaking the cycle of poverty??? i honestly dont think they will be able to. its up to us parents to give our child the tools to survive in this world. what we as parents need to be doing is show our children when you can do it and are able to do it freely then you need to share. there are many people out there that just cant make ends meet, and for those that have no issues at all i think that teaching your children to help others is where the cycle can be broken. we cant wait for the board to change that for us. we need to unite together and show our children that everyone is different, everyone has things about their life that they can not change. if those that can make it through without help have a secret to their success they NEED to share that. you shouldnt knock someone down and just take what you want, its sad thats how the world is. we can change that. i have noticed in my time as a mother that moms like me are doing things differently with their kids than our parents did. building confidence in a child is very important, because ANYONE CAN DO ANYTHING, and we dont need the president to prove that.
some might say thats charity, well i dont consider help from my friends charity. i dont mean to offend anyone in any way. i know my hopes for my children, i want them to be a great assest to whichever community they choose to live in.
Posted by: Ang Apr 2 2009, 10:37 AM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 2 2009, 10:24 AM)
im confused so i take it that if your child is redistricted to another school, you will keep paying taxes for the school she was pulled from? you mean the redistricting will not change taxes as well? so if your at coolspring and get sent to pine youll still pay for coolsprin?? shouldnt you be paying for pine??? that is gay. im sorry but that is gay. if you get redistricted then the taxes should follow.
breaking the cycle of poverty??? i honestly dont think they will be able to. its up to us parents to give our child the tools to survive in this world. what we as parents need to be doing is show our children when you can do it and are able to do it freely then you need to share. there are many people out there that just cant make ends meet, and for those that have no issues at all i think that teaching your children to help others is where the cycle can be broken. we cant wait for the board to change that for us. we need to unite together and show our children that everyone is different, everyone has things about their life that they can not change. if those that can make it through without help have a secret to their success they NEED to share that. you shouldnt knock someone down and just take what you want, its sad thats how the world is. we can change that. i have noticed in my time as a mother that moms like me are doing things differently with their kids than our parents did. building confidence in a child is very important, because ANYONE CAN DO ANYTHING, and we dont need the president to prove that.
some might say thats charity, well i dont consider help from my friends charity. i dont mean to offend anyone in any way. i know my hopes for my children, i want them to be a great assest to whichever community they choose to live in.
AMEN SISTER!!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 10:42 AM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 2 2009, 11:24 AM)
im confused so i take it that if your child is redistricted to another school, you will keep paying taxes for the school she was pulled from? you mean the redistricting will not change taxes as well? so if your at coolspring and get sent to pine youll still pay for coolsprin?? shouldnt you be paying for pine??? that is gay. im sorry but that is gay. if you get redistricted then the taxes should follow.
breaking the cycle of poverty??? i honestly dont think they will be able to. its up to us parents to give our child the tools to survive in this world. what we as parents need to be doing is show our children when you can do it and are able to do it freely then you need to share. there are many people out there that just cant make ends meet, and for those that have no issues at all i think that teaching your children to help others is where the cycle can be broken. we cant wait for the board to change that for us. we need to unite together and show our children that everyone is different, everyone has things about their life that they can not change. if those that can make it through without help have a secret to their success they NEED to share that. you shouldnt knock someone down and just take what you want, its sad thats how the world is. we can change that. i have noticed in my time as a mother that moms like me are doing things differently with their kids than our parents did. building confidence in a child is very important, because ANYONE CAN DO ANYTHING, and we dont need the president to prove that.
some might say thats charity, well i dont consider help from my friends charity. i dont mean to offend anyone in any way. i know my hopes for my children, i want them to be a great assest to whichever community they choose to live in.
That's where we are missing each other. You don't pay your taxes to an individual school in this system. They go the Michigan City Area Schools. Right now the poor people in the MCAS are effectively subsidizing some kids superior education, which I have a problem with. A student in the MCAS should have the same opportunities as any other kid.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 2 2009, 11:00 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 2 2009, 11:42 AM)
That's where we are missing each other. You don't pay your taxes to an individual school in this system. They go the Michigan City Area Schools. Right now the poor people in the MCAS are effectively subsidizing some kids superior education, which I have a problem with. A student in the MCAS should have the same opportunities as any other kid.
O!!ok thats what i thought, but then i kept hearing others complain about thier taxes and that they are paying for this particuliar school, which made no sense at all to me.
i feel the same way though, wether the child is rich or poor, handicap or not, black or white, or any color in between, EVERY child deserves good education.
i know that its illegal to spread kids to other schools because theres to many of one particular color there and well that corner of town is just to poor so they need to balance out. i really think thats rude, some people just cant do anymore than what they can do, and i dont think it fair that they are branded with a color label or money label and shipped to a different school. its wrong.
one thing i just dont get is what were they thinking when coolspring became crowded to begin with. its in town, of course its gonna get crowded before the out of towner schools. honestly instead of building pine and lake hills, although i do agree pine needs a new building, i was in there, they could really use a new building. but why werent they talking about and doing a new school for coolspring, or at lest adding on??? nope they just let it go.
and whats the deal with closets??? students arent using closets are they??? they make it sound like theres no room so there shoving who ever they can into a closet, does anyone know what that is about?
Posted by: Brian Apr 2 2009, 11:08 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 2 2009, 11:42 AM)
Right now the poor people in the MCAS are effectively subsidizing some kids superior education, which I have a problem with.
Vice Versa as well!
I see your point but that is not necessarily true. I used to live on Belden St. which is in the Marsh School district and my taxes were much much lower than they are now.
I am sure we can agree to disagree that some wealthy families are subsidizing some poor kids free lunch, education etc.....
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 11:12 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 2 2009, 12:08 PM)
Vice Versa as well!
I see your point but that is not necessarily true. I used to live on Belden St. which is in the Marsh School district and my taxes were much much lower than they are now.
I am sure we can agree to disagree that some wealthy families are subsidizing some poor kids free lunch, education etc.....
Most of those are actually federal programs. The whole country subsidizes free lunches and the like.
Posted by: Ang Apr 2 2009, 11:34 AM
The amount of property tax one pays cannot be attributed to the school zone they live. Property taxes are (supposed) to be based on the home, property, and nearby properties (Unless your Assessor is Carol McDaniel, then she does it however she sees fit), they are not based on the school near your home. In theory, anyway.
Subsidized lunches and book rentals are a federally funded program and have nothing to do with taxes.
I think what SSder is driving at is this:
They are redistricting the schools to get more federal funds. By shifting the kids around, they are also shifting the numbers around so schools can get more funding. By shifting the kids around, they are-for lack of a better phrase-stereotyping the kids into certain groups to change the numbers to meet their needs.
Can you say, "UNETHICAL"?
This hurts the kids. By doing this, they are forcing lower income children to attend a school with a higher rate of lower income to inflate the numbers for that school and get more money.
I could be waaaayyyyy off on this, but I think I'm travelling the same track as SSder.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 2 2009, 12:58 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22154&TM=53860.65
QUOTE
Reject the redistricting plan
I went to the redistricting meeting Thursday. It was more confusing than ever but then again that's what they want. Putting kids in different schools will not bring up the ISTEP scores. I believe the system has failed our kids again.
The teachers can do only so much. It's up to the parents to teach the kids, to read with the kids at night, and help with homework instead of letting them hang out on the streets or watching TV or playing PlayStation 2. If you have a rocky home life it will show up on tests. Maybe some parents just don't care and they are putting it in the hands of the teachers.
I also talked to a school board member and he told me what they are doing with the redistricting is illegal and most of the board members know this but don't want to say anything. So I urge the School Board to reject all three redistricting plans, send it back to the redistricting committee and start over. Please DO NOT be pressured by another board member or Mr. Harding into something that will divide the community.
Randy Poff
Trail Creek
I went to the redistricting meeting Thursday. It was more confusing than ever but then again that's what they want. Putting kids in different schools will not bring up the ISTEP scores. I believe the system has failed our kids again.
The teachers can do only so much. It's up to the parents to teach the kids, to read with the kids at night, and help with homework instead of letting them hang out on the streets or watching TV or playing PlayStation 2. If you have a rocky home life it will show up on tests. Maybe some parents just don't care and they are putting it in the hands of the teachers.
I also talked to a school board member and he told me what they are doing with the redistricting is illegal and most of the board members know this but don't want to say anything. So I urge the School Board to reject all three redistricting plans, send it back to the redistricting committee and start over. Please DO NOT be pressured by another board member or Mr. Harding into something that will divide the community.
Randy Poff
Trail Creek
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22153
QUOTE
Quality education at Joy School
After reading Jamie Miller's letter Saturday ["Provide quality education, then redistrict,"], I felt the need to respond. I am a resident of Coolspring Township and the proud parent of children who attend Joy School. We have this opportunity to send our children there because my wife is also a teacher at Joy. My children scored in the ISTEP Plus areas and achieve straight A's, which I feel is because of the quality learning experiences they received from Joy School.
While Joy School has not achieved Adequate Yearly Progress, achievement is improving there and a quality education is being provided. Maybe if Jamie Miller visited any of the classrooms at Joy, she might see how hard the teachers and assistants work to help students improve their learning skills.
If Jamie Miller would take the time to look beyond numbers on a paper, she would see that these numbers do not define who a child or who a school is. A good number of students that came from Joy and attend Krueger are on the honor roll and receive academic honors. Before you attack a school and the community that works and learns there, maybe you should get to know them first.
Many of us will have children who are affected by the school redistricting plans. I, too, understand your frustrations with the administration and school board's unwillingness to listen to the community and respect opinions. However, your anger should be addressed toward the administration and not at individual schools and their staffs.
Also as a Joy School Association parent member who is involved with his child's education, I know as well as you do that as long as you are involved with your child's school and education, you will help your child succeed, no matter what school he/she attends.
Andrew Knouse
Coolspring Township
After reading Jamie Miller's letter Saturday ["Provide quality education, then redistrict,"], I felt the need to respond. I am a resident of Coolspring Township and the proud parent of children who attend Joy School. We have this opportunity to send our children there because my wife is also a teacher at Joy. My children scored in the ISTEP Plus areas and achieve straight A's, which I feel is because of the quality learning experiences they received from Joy School.
While Joy School has not achieved Adequate Yearly Progress, achievement is improving there and a quality education is being provided. Maybe if Jamie Miller visited any of the classrooms at Joy, she might see how hard the teachers and assistants work to help students improve their learning skills.
If Jamie Miller would take the time to look beyond numbers on a paper, she would see that these numbers do not define who a child or who a school is. A good number of students that came from Joy and attend Krueger are on the honor roll and receive academic honors. Before you attack a school and the community that works and learns there, maybe you should get to know them first.
Many of us will have children who are affected by the school redistricting plans. I, too, understand your frustrations with the administration and school board's unwillingness to listen to the community and respect opinions. However, your anger should be addressed toward the administration and not at individual schools and their staffs.
Also as a Joy School Association parent member who is involved with his child's education, I know as well as you do that as long as you are involved with your child's school and education, you will help your child succeed, no matter what school he/she attends.
Andrew Knouse
Coolspring Township
Posted by: Brian Apr 2 2009, 02:50 PM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 2 2009, 12:00 PM)
one thing i just dont get is what were they thinking when coolspring became crowded to begin with.
The problem with the overcrowding originated during the last redistricting which essentially brought kids from North of Keiffer Rd and West of Franklin St to Coolspring.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 2 2009, 02:54 PM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 2 2009, 03:50 PM)
The problem with the overcrowding originated during the last redistricting which essentially brought kids from North of Keiffer Rd and West of Franklin St to Coolspring.
well that wasnt very smart of them now was it.
Posted by: Ang Apr 2 2009, 03:27 PM
Logic & Common Sense Do Not Apply
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 3 2009, 07:42 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 2 2009, 04:27 PM)
Logic & Common Sense Do Not Apply
I think that is one thing we can all agree to. Even with a long term plan supposedly in place, this group operates like they have no plan. If the intent of having kids as Eastport was temporary, why weren't we told that it would be as such from Day one? That is so frustrating.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 3 2009, 07:56 AM
ok well after radfords email to me i gave it some thought, and this is what i sent her along with all the other board members.
~~
i have a few more concerns.
right now the pine bus for kids in my nieghborhool comes past my house at 800a. so if my son was on that bus right now, his ride would only be about half an hour. with the redistricting, that could put it up to an hour. my son is in his last year at eastport, his bus ride from our home to eastport is about half an hour. same as it would be if he was a pine student now instead of this fall.
so, back to the preschoolers, you expect a 3 year old to sit on a bus for an hour??????
i also talked with springfield and coolspring. the preschoolers go to breakfast at 830 and then on the bus to head home at 1130. so they are only in class for 2 hours?? whats the point?? right now at eastport, my sons class starts at 9 give or take, and ends at noon give or take. his bus gets him around 830 and has him home by 1230. that makes more sense.
why should the class time change just because they are moving to another buiding?????
right now, eastport will except children in the potty training process. your preschools that are in these other elem schools do not. they must be fully potty trained before they can start preschool. at 3, not ALLLLLLLLL children are potty trained at 3, because well SOME just arent ready and arent getting it!!!!!!!!!!
if you all were thinking about this earlier last year, there would have been a good possibility that my son would no longer be able to continue his preschooling because of that rule at the elem schools. is that fair???
my son is excited about school this year, but with the way it sounds if his potty training isnt a success, he wont be able to go.
are you gonna tell him that????
i want my other children to have the same experience as my oldest one is getting with eastport. your telling me that will happen. by a few things that i just mentioned, im telling you it wont.
~~
i couldnt be more frustrated. if they were thinking of anyone three years ago, they would have went a different route. not build a school only to rip it away.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 3 2009, 11:52 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=22188&TM=50197.55
QUOTE
Don't tell kids Joy School awful
The redistricting of the schools will not affect my family because my children will still be at Joy and Krueger. I can understand why those being affected are upset because if my children had to switch schools they would be unhappy. But I would help make the transition as easy as possible for my children.
What I do not understand is why the Coolspring parents are bad mouthing the teachers at Joy. They are wonderfully dedicated and fun teachers. My oldest was a 4.0 student who received pass plus on ISTEP and got high scores on NWEA, and she went to Joy School. Now in middle school she still gets pass plus on her ISTEP and a 3.7 on her report card.
Joy has a wonderfully diverse student body. Joy school is not just diverse economically, but also has students with disabilities; my youngest is one of those students, so she does not take ISTEP. If you, as a parent, taught your children what is expected of them and instilled the value of education in them they should do fine with any school they attend. The parents of the children being affected by the redistricting need to help transition their children to a new school, not tell them how awful it will be.
Maybe you should tour your child's new school and meet the teachers. The school board will do what it wants to about the redistricting. If you are lucky enough to have your children at Joy you will be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful and dedicated teachers. Also, the teachers at Krueger are dedicated in helping students do their best.
Vickie Gill
Joy School Parent
Michigan City
The redistricting of the schools will not affect my family because my children will still be at Joy and Krueger. I can understand why those being affected are upset because if my children had to switch schools they would be unhappy. But I would help make the transition as easy as possible for my children.
What I do not understand is why the Coolspring parents are bad mouthing the teachers at Joy. They are wonderfully dedicated and fun teachers. My oldest was a 4.0 student who received pass plus on ISTEP and got high scores on NWEA, and she went to Joy School. Now in middle school she still gets pass plus on her ISTEP and a 3.7 on her report card.
Joy has a wonderfully diverse student body. Joy school is not just diverse economically, but also has students with disabilities; my youngest is one of those students, so she does not take ISTEP. If you, as a parent, taught your children what is expected of them and instilled the value of education in them they should do fine with any school they attend. The parents of the children being affected by the redistricting need to help transition their children to a new school, not tell them how awful it will be.
Maybe you should tour your child's new school and meet the teachers. The school board will do what it wants to about the redistricting. If you are lucky enough to have your children at Joy you will be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful and dedicated teachers. Also, the teachers at Krueger are dedicated in helping students do their best.
Vickie Gill
Joy School Parent
Michigan City
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22189&TM=50244.23
QUOTE
Don't close Eastport and disturb kids
My son attended Eastport the year it opened at the age of 3. He is now in kindergarten and excels at many levels. It is my opinion that Eastport and the wonderful staff there are the reason for this. It amazes me what he is capable of. I don't think we have given Eastport enough time to show if it has made a difference.
As for the elementary schools, I stretch myself thin to keep up on house payments to stay where I am because of the schools. My kids are comfortable there. They know the kids and staff there better than they know some family members.
Why are we uprooting these kids and disturbing their learning? You want to move them where they have no friends and won't be at ease. Let's work on improving what we already have rather then disturbing what has already been established. I implore all parents to go to the meetings at your school and to show up at the school board meetings. You have the freedom of speech. Use it!
Kelly Ormsby
Michigan City
My son attended Eastport the year it opened at the age of 3. He is now in kindergarten and excels at many levels. It is my opinion that Eastport and the wonderful staff there are the reason for this. It amazes me what he is capable of. I don't think we have given Eastport enough time to show if it has made a difference.
As for the elementary schools, I stretch myself thin to keep up on house payments to stay where I am because of the schools. My kids are comfortable there. They know the kids and staff there better than they know some family members.
Why are we uprooting these kids and disturbing their learning? You want to move them where they have no friends and won't be at ease. Let's work on improving what we already have rather then disturbing what has already been established. I implore all parents to go to the meetings at your school and to show up at the school board meetings. You have the freedom of speech. Use it!
Kelly Ormsby
Michigan City
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 3 2009, 11:54 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22187&TM=50244.23
QUOTE
Some parents, students demeaned
I'm writing in regard to all the out-of-order comments and articles about the Michigan City Area Schools redistricting process. I've been waiting for a principal, teacher, counselor, school board member or other parents to speak up. I guess they're all playing it safe. There should be no playing it safe when it comes to education, only what's right. Because education is that important.
There are some condemning the disadvantaged. There have been statements against hard-working, decent parents, and struggling students have been demeaned. I know for a fact there are parents who work two and three jobs to support their children. So if they don't buy a school T-shirt or attend every school function, that doesn't mean they love their children any less.
I know students who struggle academically, but they continue to go to school and make progress. That doesn't mean they won't become a productive member of society. The only intelligent and respectable argument here is keeping neighborhood schools open, and our kids should go to school in the township they live in. That is the argument people need to stick to.
Think about this. Our school system pushed for more parent involvement, but they close a school many disadvantaged parents could actually walk to. Where was everyone when Park School, the Alternative High School and many other schools were closed? Now people realize it should have been their business.
MCAS is not supposed to be a separate system. What goes on in one school building will have an effect on the other schools. That's why people need to speak up about what's happening in all the schools.
Since this redistricting process began, there have been unfair judgments against some parents, students and even teachers. With regard to teachers, some get soft clay and some get hard clay. I'd rather have a teacher who can soften hard clay. That tells me they know what they are doing, and they can truly do their job.
Agnes Meer
Michigan City
I'm writing in regard to all the out-of-order comments and articles about the Michigan City Area Schools redistricting process. I've been waiting for a principal, teacher, counselor, school board member or other parents to speak up. I guess they're all playing it safe. There should be no playing it safe when it comes to education, only what's right. Because education is that important.
There are some condemning the disadvantaged. There have been statements against hard-working, decent parents, and struggling students have been demeaned. I know for a fact there are parents who work two and three jobs to support their children. So if they don't buy a school T-shirt or attend every school function, that doesn't mean they love their children any less.
I know students who struggle academically, but they continue to go to school and make progress. That doesn't mean they won't become a productive member of society. The only intelligent and respectable argument here is keeping neighborhood schools open, and our kids should go to school in the township they live in. That is the argument people need to stick to.
Think about this. Our school system pushed for more parent involvement, but they close a school many disadvantaged parents could actually walk to. Where was everyone when Park School, the Alternative High School and many other schools were closed? Now people realize it should have been their business.
MCAS is not supposed to be a separate system. What goes on in one school building will have an effect on the other schools. That's why people need to speak up about what's happening in all the schools.
Since this redistricting process began, there have been unfair judgments against some parents, students and even teachers. With regard to teachers, some get soft clay and some get hard clay. I'd rather have a teacher who can soften hard clay. That tells me they know what they are doing, and they can truly do their job.
Agnes Meer
Michigan City
Posted by: Carolyn Apr 5 2009, 01:10 PM
Hello to all of you, here at City by the Lake. What a great idea this is and I am happy that I could share my views with others.
I have been running around to meeting to meeting and have been asking the questions and demanding that I get an answer. The answers, if you can call them that, are paper thin. I have my views on the MCAS Redistricting Plans much like all of the other parents and children have that are affected by Plan A,B or C. I have been writing letters to the Anvil Chorus everyday and last week I started calling into Sound Off on the LaPorte radio station at 12:30 and 5:30 all week long. And plan to continue this. Actually some one put my first letter to the Anvil Chorus on this web site. I now have another letter in Sundays Paper that I will share a few lines of here at this site. Within my letter I wrote that I asked the committee leader what he had learned from all of the public forums and he said,"I wish we could have took more time." Now this person could not answer important questions such as how much fuel will be needed to redo the bus routes. He could not answer this question, He said he did not have those kinds of numbers yet. Why not? This would be part of the plan I would think.
Michigan City parents, You are being kept in the dark about a lot of things with these plans. There are a lot of people saying one thing and then it turns into something different. Many people are righting into the Anvil Chorus calling Coolspring people names and making false satements about Coolspring thinking they are better then everyone else. This kind of talk is so far from the truth. Coolspring Township cares about things going on in ther town and thats why we come out to the meetings and voice our thoughts. This makes us bad parents because we want our children to have a good education? I think not.
Next thing, for those parents that are happy about the fact their child is not going to have to move and they are not affected, YOU ARE. Your children may not move but their are over 1400 children moving with these plans and where do you think they are moving to? Surprise, some will come into your school. Now , picture this: children moving into a school that they do not want to attend and have to learn the rules, make friends, new teachers and the list continues. How many of these children are going to not want to learn and cause problems with the class and teachers? This is a concern of many teachers and Not just Coolspring teachers. So in the end this affects all of us in Michigan City... I hope that if you have a concern or a question that you come to the School Board Meeting on April 14, 09 at 6:00 pm. If anyone has questions about this meeting or what is going on or can help bring awareness to other MCAS parents there is a group of parents that are working hard to get information out to the public and could use any help that would be offered. If this sounds like you then email me. Until then I will be doing all I can with the information I get, posting here and the Anvil Chorus.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 6 2009, 08:22 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22226&TM=37369.8
QUOTE
Little foresight in redistricting plan
Tuesday night I attended the redistricting meeting at Eastport Early Learning Center.
I was appalled at the lack of information that was presented by Kevin McGuire.
Eastport will be closing its doors to our 3- and 4-year-old children. This was supposed to be an opportunity for parents to have their questions answered, but instead it left all our questions unanswered and raised new ones.
Not one single question was addressed. It left parents wondering if Kevin McGuire was just a poorly informed whipping boy for Michael Harding.
It was obvious that this "redistricting proposal" was a rush deal thrown together without any foresight or analysis into the ramifications this proposal will have on our schools or our children, and without any true input from the local community about it.
Angela Taylor
Michigan City
Tuesday night I attended the redistricting meeting at Eastport Early Learning Center.
I was appalled at the lack of information that was presented by Kevin McGuire.
Eastport will be closing its doors to our 3- and 4-year-old children. This was supposed to be an opportunity for parents to have their questions answered, but instead it left all our questions unanswered and raised new ones.
Not one single question was addressed. It left parents wondering if Kevin McGuire was just a poorly informed whipping boy for Michael Harding.
It was obvious that this "redistricting proposal" was a rush deal thrown together without any foresight or analysis into the ramifications this proposal will have on our schools or our children, and without any true input from the local community about it.
Angela Taylor
Michigan City
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22219&TM=37369.8
QUOTE
Demand halt to redistricting
Michigan City Area Schools has done a good job of tearing apart a city over the redistricting plans. You want a school district that reflects our city, is this what you had in mind?
I think that over the past couple of weeks we are all getting a bit off track. Like all other parents, I feel strong ties to my children's school as do the children, but the fighting over whose school is better than the other's needs to stop. We as a city need to stand up as one and go to the school board and DEMAND new plans. These meetings at the schools are to get insight from parents, but there is no way that Kevin McGuire can remember all of this information to take back to the board.
I went to the Springfield meeting as a Coolspring parent and I asked questions and demanded answers. I looked Kevin McGuire in the eyes and asked him: What have you learned from all of the meetings you have had with the parents on redistricting? His answer, and I quote, was, "I would have started the planning much sooner. We could have used more time."
Why? Because of all the concerns of the parents and the questions that cannot be answered yet. Example being we have the miles away from school worked out but cannot tell you how many extra miles the buses will have to run or the amounts of fuel it will take. This was a question that went unanswered Tuesday night. What is this telling you about the leader of this committee?
I sat in front of four of the committee members Tuesday night. When a concerned parent asked a question about why redistricting was happening to her children, these four committee women "hush hush" chatted among themselves and I called them out. I said to them, I believe you wanted to answer this woman's question or had something to add? I was stared down by them but no voice spoke up from them.
Use your voice against the school board, administration, Kevin and the committee if you don't like what's going on! We as a city can make a stand together and show the Michigan City Area Schools this by keeping our children home from school on April 13 and 14 when these plans go to the board. And don't forget, pack the school board's meeting those nights. They will have to answer to the city as a whole.
Carolyn Kibby
Coolspring Township
Michigan City Area Schools has done a good job of tearing apart a city over the redistricting plans. You want a school district that reflects our city, is this what you had in mind?
I think that over the past couple of weeks we are all getting a bit off track. Like all other parents, I feel strong ties to my children's school as do the children, but the fighting over whose school is better than the other's needs to stop. We as a city need to stand up as one and go to the school board and DEMAND new plans. These meetings at the schools are to get insight from parents, but there is no way that Kevin McGuire can remember all of this information to take back to the board.
I went to the Springfield meeting as a Coolspring parent and I asked questions and demanded answers. I looked Kevin McGuire in the eyes and asked him: What have you learned from all of the meetings you have had with the parents on redistricting? His answer, and I quote, was, "I would have started the planning much sooner. We could have used more time."
Why? Because of all the concerns of the parents and the questions that cannot be answered yet. Example being we have the miles away from school worked out but cannot tell you how many extra miles the buses will have to run or the amounts of fuel it will take. This was a question that went unanswered Tuesday night. What is this telling you about the leader of this committee?
I sat in front of four of the committee members Tuesday night. When a concerned parent asked a question about why redistricting was happening to her children, these four committee women "hush hush" chatted among themselves and I called them out. I said to them, I believe you wanted to answer this woman's question or had something to add? I was stared down by them but no voice spoke up from them.
Use your voice against the school board, administration, Kevin and the committee if you don't like what's going on! We as a city can make a stand together and show the Michigan City Area Schools this by keeping our children home from school on April 13 and 14 when these plans go to the board. And don't forget, pack the school board's meeting those nights. They will have to answer to the city as a whole.
Carolyn Kibby
Coolspring Township
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 6 2009, 08:24 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22218&TM=37369.8
QUOTE
Kids who change schools will do fine
I can understand a lot of Michigan City residents are upset with the redistricting of the schools, but I think some are just taking it a little too far. I understand that if when buying your home, you selected that particular home because of the school district, but is that the only reason you bought that house?
I went to 12 different schools in my life, in a big city in Michigan. I think all the school changes have made me a more outgoing person and I learned much earlier in life how to adapt to my surroundings. My kids have been to Mullen, Knapp, Edgewood and now Elston. The reason for the school changes was not because we moved (because we didn't) but because of either day-care reasons or when the scores were low at Knapp and we had a choice of where to send them.
I don't believe that my children are going to suffer any permanent damage from these school changes. They still make good grades and they are doing fine. I don't understand why everyone is acting like the world is going to come to an end because your child has to change schools or might have to go to school with kids from another district.
Some of you sound so rude, like your kids are too good to attend school with some of the other kids in other districts. What is wrong with you people? Guess what? When they hit high school, ALL THE KIDS GO TO THE SAME SCHOOL!
We all know that the school system in Michigan City has been very unstable for at least the last 10 years. With all the other issues the schools here have, this is the least of my worries. All the elementary schools in Michigan City should have the same learning curve, programs and priorities, so they essentially should all be like the same school. If this was the case, there would be no issue of redistricting because the schools would all be uniform anyway.
So if you want to complain about something maybe that should be the issue at hand. Not WHERE your child attends school, or WHO they are going to school with, but WHY his/her education would not be the same if he/she had to change schools.
Jennifer Ginther
Michigan City
I can understand a lot of Michigan City residents are upset with the redistricting of the schools, but I think some are just taking it a little too far. I understand that if when buying your home, you selected that particular home because of the school district, but is that the only reason you bought that house?
I went to 12 different schools in my life, in a big city in Michigan. I think all the school changes have made me a more outgoing person and I learned much earlier in life how to adapt to my surroundings. My kids have been to Mullen, Knapp, Edgewood and now Elston. The reason for the school changes was not because we moved (because we didn't) but because of either day-care reasons or when the scores were low at Knapp and we had a choice of where to send them.
I don't believe that my children are going to suffer any permanent damage from these school changes. They still make good grades and they are doing fine. I don't understand why everyone is acting like the world is going to come to an end because your child has to change schools or might have to go to school with kids from another district.
Some of you sound so rude, like your kids are too good to attend school with some of the other kids in other districts. What is wrong with you people? Guess what? When they hit high school, ALL THE KIDS GO TO THE SAME SCHOOL!
We all know that the school system in Michigan City has been very unstable for at least the last 10 years. With all the other issues the schools here have, this is the least of my worries. All the elementary schools in Michigan City should have the same learning curve, programs and priorities, so they essentially should all be like the same school. If this was the case, there would be no issue of redistricting because the schools would all be uniform anyway.
So if you want to complain about something maybe that should be the issue at hand. Not WHERE your child attends school, or WHO they are going to school with, but WHY his/her education would not be the same if he/she had to change schools.
Jennifer Ginther
Michigan City
Posted by: Ang Apr 6 2009, 08:48 AM
All valid points in the last couple AC letters. When I was a student in MC, I attended the following schools:
Beverly Shores, Pine, Park, Mullen, Niemann, Riley, Knapp, Jefferson, Krueger, Elston Jr. High and Elston Sr. High, plus I spent two years in Griffith and went to Griffith High School. That's 12 schools in 12 years. That's a lot of schools.
I survived it. I am a very outgoing person because of it. I learned to make friends easily and feel comfortable around strangers. My education was a good one, and I graduated in the top 10% of my class. I did not suffer for all the moves I had to make. However, I did not want my children to move around schools a lot. I wanted them to have a stable learning environment where they have the same school chums, they know and are comfortable with the teachers and staff, and there is consistency every day.
So, I can see and understand both sides of this argument. What is upsetting is the way MCAS is dancing around the answers to parents' questions, like it's some big secret they can't let the public in on. The MCAS makes me think of a Mafia Family. They say, "We're going to do this because we can and we don't have to tell you why. Get in our way and you'll be on your way. We'll punish you for asking questions, or standing up for yourself. We are in charge around here and you'll just have to deal with it."
Can I get an "Amen"?
Cityzens, please remember YOU elected the school board. They work for YOU. They answer to YOU, they must abide by YOUR wishes for the good of the community. Granted, not everyone agrees on what's best, but in order for your opinions to be considered, they MUST be heard.
GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND REMIND THE BOARD OF THIS. REMIND THEM WHO VOTED FOR THEM AND WHO THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE.
They are not there to do what the MCAS wants. They are there to police the MCAS and make sure it's doing what the public wants.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 6 2009, 09:31 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 6 2009, 09:48 AM)
All valid points in the last couple AC letters. When I was a student in MC, I attended the following schools:
Beverly Shores, Pine, Park, Mullen, Niemann, Riley, Knapp, Jefferson, Krueger, Elston Jr. High and Elston Sr. High, plus I spent two years in Griffith and went to Griffith High School. That's 12 schools in 12 years. That's a lot of schools.
I survived it. I am a very outgoing person because of it. I learned to make friends easily and feel comfortable around strangers. My education was a good one, and I graduated in the top 10% of my class. I did not suffer for all the moves I had to make. However, I did not want my children to move around schools a lot. I wanted them to have a stable learning environment where they have the same school chums, they know and are comfortable with the teachers and staff, and there is consistency every day.
So, I can see and understand both sides of this argument. What is upsetting is the way MCAS is dancing around the answers to parents' questions, like it's some big secret they can't let the public in on. The MCAS makes me think of a Mafia Family. They say, "We're going to do this because we can and we don't have to tell you why. Get in our way and you'll be on your way. We'll punish you for asking questions, or standing up for yourself. We are in charge around here and you'll just have to deal with it."
Can I get an "Amen"?
Cityzens, please remember YOU elected the school board. They work for YOU. They answer to YOU, they must abide by YOUR wishes for the good of the community. Granted, not everyone agrees on what's best, but in order for your opinions to be considered, they MUST be heard.
GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND REMIND THE BOARD OF THIS. REMIND THEM WHO VOTED FOR THEM AND WHO THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE.
They are not there to do what the MCAS wants. They are there to police the MCAS and make sure it's doing what the public wants.
AMEN!!!
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 6 2009, 09:34 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 6 2009, 09:24 AM)
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22218&TM=37369.8
i too spent my time from one school to another until i ended up in church school. i unlike some of you, did not do well. i did not graduate, i hated my school career, i struggled in some classes and did not get the help that i needed. i was lost in the system, just another face in the crowd. THIS IS WHAT I DO NOT WANT HAPPENING TO MY CHILDREN, as well as others. i do not care about the numbers, or cost, i think its completely wrong to want to redistrict based on color and money. my son has alot of friends at eastport and they are not all white. my kids know no different and see everyone has a person, not a color. i think it unfair that they want to grab a huge handful of kids and slap them into another school without consideration to that childs feelings. i think it unfair that they are gonna rip eastport from our hands all because they can.
people pick their homes based on numerous things, the main reasons being schools and jobs. i also wanted a nice quiet area for my kids, i didnt want to be on a busy road or close to a train track. if they decided to move the tracks through my back yard i would move, why? because thats not what i wanted. thats why i picked the house that i did.
there is one family in particular that had children at knapp school, they recently moved, their child is now at pine and doing much better, with plan c, their child will be back at knapp, is that fair? that is what people are complaining about. moms and dads are mad and feel let down.
i do agree with helping the children through this transition just as you would going from preschool to kindergarten. BUT! we are people, not puppets. we have a right to our opinion, we have a right to be heard and considered. the adminstration didnt waste anytime throwing this in everyones face at the spur of the moment. much more thought needs to be put into this, as well as time. i do not think that it is fair at all for us to just agree with a decision that has been made over night. i will not. these are my children and their future. our children can become outgoing and dont need to be shipped around to teach them that. what about stability? where is that want for our children?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 6 2009, 09:36 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 6 2009, 09:48 AM)
All valid points in the last couple AC letters. When I was a student in MC, I attended the following schools:
Beverly Shores, Pine, Park, Mullen, Niemann, Riley, Knapp, Jefferson, Krueger, Elston Jr. High and Elston Sr. High, plus I spent two years in Griffith and went to Griffith High School. That's 12 schools in 12 years. That's a lot of schools.
I survived it. I am a very outgoing person because of it. I learned to make friends easily and feel comfortable around strangers. My education was a good one, and I graduated in the top 10% of my class. I did not suffer for all the moves I had to make. However, I did not want my children to move around schools a lot. I wanted them to have a stable learning environment where they have the same school chums, they know and are comfortable with the teachers and staff, and there is consistency every day.
So, I can see and understand both sides of this argument. What is upsetting is the way MCAS is dancing around the answers to parents' questions, like it's some big secret they can't let the public in on. The MCAS makes me think of a Mafia Family. They say, "We're going to do this because we can and we don't have to tell you why. Get in our way and you'll be on your way. We'll punish you for asking questions, or standing up for yourself. We are in charge around here and you'll just have to deal with it."
Can I get an "Amen"?
Cityzens, please remember YOU elected the school board. They work for YOU. They answer to YOU, they must abide by YOUR wishes for the good of the community. Granted, not everyone agrees on what's best, but in order for your opinions to be considered, they MUST be heard.
GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND REMIND THE BOARD OF THIS. REMIND THEM WHO VOTED FOR THEM AND WHO THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE.
They are not there to do what the MCAS wants. They are there to police the MCAS and make sure it's doing what the public wants.
Good post.
Really it comes down to the first question we should ask every single person running for office.
"Do you believe it is the duty of an elected representative to vote for the will of his constituents, or what you believe is best for your district?"
Their answer will tell you everything you want to know about the person running for office from a philosophical standpoint. Many elected people feel they need to vote however their district wants them to vote. Others really believe that they need to do what is "right" no matter what their will of the district is.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 6 2009, 11:55 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22230
QUOTE
Why let "in town" kids attend Coolspring?
In response to Miss Allison Gill ["Coolspring kids will enjoy Joy School," Wednesday], I never said that only "dirt poor" kids go to Joy school. You obviously are misinterpreting what I wrote ["Coolspring penalized for its success," Monday]. I am upset that the people who live IN TOWN on Ohio Street, in government housing, will be able to continue to send their kids to Coolspring Elementary, according to Plans A, B and C, while my son will not have that entitlement, and we live in Coolspring Township!
I believe that all children are entitled to a good education, so why are some of the other schools in town not providing that for these children? If all of the schools in the district were providing that and the test scores reflected that, then I would not have a problem with my son going to another school within the district, but that is not the case.
If wanting to send my son to Coolspring Elementary, where we live, is being stuck up, then I guess I am stuck up.
By the way, you obviously haven't seen the ISTEP scores for 2008/2009 for Joy Elementary. If you had you would understand where I am coming from. If I wanted my son to go to Joy Elementary, I would have purchased a house in that area. When we were looking for a home, the real estate agent strongly encouraged us to buy a home in Coolspring or Springfield, because in her opinion those were two of the better schools within the Michigan City district.
Maybe you had a wonderful learning experience at Joy, and I am happy for you, but my son is having a wonderful learning experience at Coolspring. Hopefully, he will be able to continue to do so next year and the following years!
Kim Antisdel
Coolspring Township
In response to Miss Allison Gill ["Coolspring kids will enjoy Joy School," Wednesday], I never said that only "dirt poor" kids go to Joy school. You obviously are misinterpreting what I wrote ["Coolspring penalized for its success," Monday]. I am upset that the people who live IN TOWN on Ohio Street, in government housing, will be able to continue to send their kids to Coolspring Elementary, according to Plans A, B and C, while my son will not have that entitlement, and we live in Coolspring Township!
I believe that all children are entitled to a good education, so why are some of the other schools in town not providing that for these children? If all of the schools in the district were providing that and the test scores reflected that, then I would not have a problem with my son going to another school within the district, but that is not the case.
If wanting to send my son to Coolspring Elementary, where we live, is being stuck up, then I guess I am stuck up.
By the way, you obviously haven't seen the ISTEP scores for 2008/2009 for Joy Elementary. If you had you would understand where I am coming from. If I wanted my son to go to Joy Elementary, I would have purchased a house in that area. When we were looking for a home, the real estate agent strongly encouraged us to buy a home in Coolspring or Springfield, because in her opinion those were two of the better schools within the Michigan City district.
Maybe you had a wonderful learning experience at Joy, and I am happy for you, but my son is having a wonderful learning experience at Coolspring. Hopefully, he will be able to continue to do so next year and the following years!
Kim Antisdel
Coolspring Township
Posted by: JHeath Apr 6 2009, 01:46 PM
Wow, this is quite the hot topic! Since I've been out of town, it's my turn to weigh in here.
I like the idea behind Dave's plan, but it violates federal law regarding education for kids with special needs. The law says that they have to be educated in the "least restricitive environment", meaning that they need to be included with their typically developing peers as much as possible and appropriate, thus mainstreaming them into society (hopefully making them int productive, working society members) as they grow into adults. MCAS does not always do the best job of this now. IMHO, if we take the special ed kids out of the schools they're in (mostly Joy at the elementary level, and Barker at the middle school level), we're doing them a disservice by secluding them again.
Ah...the discussion of AYP and ISTEP. In my own daughter's particular case (she's 11, and was born with Down Syndrome...although she's fairly high-functioning), there's no way she could understand ISTEP, so I've conceded to her taking ISTAR (I'm not really too clear on the difference, but I know that the teachers cannot provide ANY assistance with ISTEP, and that she pretty much just drew on the pages because she didn't understand what else to do). By doing this, she will not ever receive a high school diploma. Instead, she'll receive a "certificate of completion". Stinks, but that's the state regulation.
As for the AYP numbers at Joy, you really do need to look at the subgroups instead of the overall statistics.
Wow, for someone who has such strong feelings about others having a sense of entitlement, Ms. Antisdel sure puts her own feeling of such right out there. I guess I don't see the issue in exposing kids to cultural )diversity. I grew up near Edgewood School (in the 80's). I can remember many kids who were in my classoom who lived in subsidized housing, and they had absolutely no detrimental effect on any of the kids who lived in other areas of our district. Maybe I look at it differently, but if she truly believes what she says..."I believe that all children are entitled to a good education"...then put your money where your mouth is. Allow for them to be provided the same opportunity.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 6 2009, 01:58 PM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 6 2009, 02:46 PM)
Wow, for someone who has such strong feelings about others having a sense of entitlement, Ms. Antisdel sure puts her own feeling of such right out there. I guess I don't see the issue in exposing kids to cultural )diversity. I grew up near Edgewood School (in the 80's). I can remember many kids who were in my classoom who lived in subsidized housing, and they had absolutely no detrimental effect on any of the kids who lived in other areas of our district. Maybe I look at it differently, but if she truly believes what she says..."I believe that all children are entitled to a good education"...then put your money where your mouth is. Allow for them to be provided the same opportunity.
I am glad I was not the only one who was scratching their head during the reading of that letter. How do you consider yourself not a snob, yet point out a whole group of people who should not be attending "your" school?
At the end of the day, all of these schools are Michigan City Area Schools. They are all paid for by the entire school district, and not just one neighborhood or township. I don't understand the hatred being directed at kids and families who want to put their kids into the best educational opportunities possible. What does living in subsidized housing have to do with anything in the argument of where a kid should attend school? I don't understand that point of emphasis at all.
Could someone please explain that to me???
Posted by: Dave Apr 6 2009, 02:05 PM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 6 2009, 02:46 PM)
I like the idea behind Dave's plan, but it violates federal law regarding education for kids with special needs. The law says that they have to be educated in the "least restricitive environment", meaning that they need to be included with their typically developing peers as much as possible and appropriate, thus mainstreaming them into society (hopefully making them int productive, working society members) as they grow into adults. MCAS does not always do the best job of this now. IMHO, if we take the special ed kids out of the schools they're in (mostly Joy at the elementary level, and Barker at the middle school level), we're doing them a disservice by secluding them again.
I actually wasn't clear on how that all works, which is why there's a certain amount of waffling in in the original Plan D.
The new and improved (!!!) Plan D sends the special needs kids through the schools grade by grade with everyone else.
Posted by: Ang Apr 6 2009, 02:14 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 6 2009, 01:58 PM)
I am glad I was not the only one who was scratching their head during the reading of that letter. How do you consider yourself not a snob, yet point out a whole group of people who should not be attending "your" school?
At the end of the day, all of these schools are Michigan City Area Schools. They are all paid for by the entire school district, and not just one neighborhood or township. I don't understand the hatred being directed at kids and families who want to put their kids into the best educational opportunities possible. What does living in subsidized housing have to do with anything in the argument of where a kid should attend school? I don't understand that point of emphasis at all.
Could someone please explain that to me???
This is what I "heard" when I read that letter: Po' folks living in the projects have no choice where to put their kids because they can only afford to live in the projects. Rich folks who live in houses and townships have the money to decide where their kids go to school by choosing to buy a home in that district. So, is it fair that her decision be voided when the po' folks-who have no choice-get to stay put?
That's what I got out of it.
Posted by: JHeath Apr 6 2009, 02:44 PM
QUOTE(Dave @ Apr 6 2009, 03:05 PM)
I actually wasn't clear on how that all works, which is why there's a certain amount of waffling in in the original Plan D.
The new and improved (!!!) Plan D sends the special needs kids through the schools grade by grade with everyone else.
Aw, thanks, Dave!
See...this is they kind of representation we need! Someone who listens. A novel idea, eh?
Posted by: lovethiscity Apr 7 2009, 06:03 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 6 2009, 02:58 PM)
I am glad I was not the only one who was scratching their head during the reading of that letter. How do you consider yourself not a snob, yet point out a whole group of people who should not be attending "your" school?
At the end of the day, all of these schools are Michigan City Area Schools. They are all paid for by the entire school district, and not just one neighborhood or township. I don't understand the hatred being directed at kids and families who want to put their kids into the best educational opportunities possible. What does living in subsidized housing have to do with anything in the argument of where a kid should attend school? I don't understand that point of emphasis at all.
Could someone please explain that to me???
I am sorry Ssider, I have been biting my tongue. The process of re-districting, while it may have flaws is very much needed. Why? Jefferson, Reilly, Garfield, Central, Eastport, Long beach and Park. These are the schools in the MCAS system that have been closed. The closing process placed kids where they would fit not where it kept them close to home. The closing of Eastport and Long beach set the system upside down. The kids could not fit in the remaining elementary schools. So they restructured grade levels, from K-6 to K-5. To accomplish this the middle schools had to change. The result of the middle school change required combining the high schools. The structure changed Barker and Krueger to grades 6-7, Elston 8-9 and the high school 10, 11 & 12. This sent my son to five schools, we never moved.
Kids in my neighborhood now go to Lake Hills, Nieman and Springfield. Kids on the Westside go to Lake Hills, Knapp and Joy. Some of these kids average more than 3 hours a day on a buss. As for sending kids from here to coolspring, I would rather home school them. It is hard enough to bounce a kid from school to school, it compounds it to send them to a place they are not wanted. A place with the potential to become a hostile environment.
What I have not heard in the whole process that we should get answers to:
1. What will the class sizes be from school to school?
2. Will the staff of the two super elementary schools reflect the numbers? (lake hills & Pine 500 plus kids)
3. Will the teachers get a contract?
4. Will the added work load at Pine & Lake Hills be reflected in the pay of the staff.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 7 2009, 07:05 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Apr 7 2009, 07:03 AM)
I am sorry Ssider, I have been biting my tongue. The process of re-districting, while it may have flaws is very much needed. Why? Jefferson, Reilly, Garfield, Central, Eastport, Long beach and Park. These are the schools in the MCAS system that have been closed. The closing process placed kids where they would fit not where it kept them close to home. The closing of Eastport and Long beach set the system upside down. The kids could not fit in the remaining elementary schools. So they restructured grade levels, from K-6 to K-5. To accomplish this the middle schools had to change. The result of the middle school change required combining the high schools. The structure changed Barker and Krueger to grades 6-7, Elston 8-9 and the high school 10, 11 & 12. This sent my son to five schools, we never moved.
Kids in my neighborhood now go to Lake Hills, Nieman and Springfield. Kids on the Westside go to Lake Hills, Knapp and Joy. Some of these kids average more than 3 hours a day on a buss. As for sending kids from here to coolspring, I would rather home school them. It is hard enough to bounce a kid from school to school, it compounds it to send them to a place they are not wanted. A place with the potential to become a hostile environment.
What I have not heard in the whole process that we should get answers to:
1. What will the class sizes be from school to school?
2. Will the staff of the two super elementary schools reflect the numbers? (lake hills & Pine 500 plus kids)
3. Will the teachers get a contract?
4. Will the added work load at Pine & Lake Hills be reflected in the pay of the staff.
these amongst many other questions have been asked by many. they have yet to be answered.
you were saying that some children are up to 3 hours in a day on the bus, with this redistricting it can be more. they admitted to buying three new busses for this redistricting, they do not know about more staff or gas... they will not and/or can not answer questions. these plans were last minute ideas that were thrown together. back to the bus thing. right now, my son is on his bus for up to a half an hour from home to his school. this i feel is decent do to the need of picking up another child and travel time. we live by the new pine and he now goes to eastport. with the redistricting and him switching over to kindergarten, his bus time will be added to, and remember we only live 5 minutes away from the new pine. pine bus now passes my house at 8 in the morning picking up the kids in my neighborhood, this means there ride is about half an hour as well. if they go with plan c which is what they want, my neighborhood kids as well as my son, will be on a bus for an hour or more. and we are all 5 minutes away from the new pine.
so... the redistricting isnt actually going to be helping anything. there are way more cons than pros
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 7 2009, 07:38 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Apr 7 2009, 07:03 AM)
I am sorry Ssider, I have been biting my tongue. The process of re-districting, while it may have flaws is very much needed. Why? Jefferson, Reilly, Garfield, Central, Eastport, Long beach and Park. These are the schools in the MCAS system that have been closed. The closing process placed kids where they would fit not where it kept them close to home. The closing of Eastport and Long beach set the system upside down. The kids could not fit in the remaining elementary schools. So they restructured grade levels, from K-6 to K-5. To accomplish this the middle schools had to change. The result of the middle school change required combining the high schools. The structure changed Barker and Krueger to grades 6-7, Elston 8-9 and the high school 10, 11 & 12. This sent my son to five schools, we never moved.
Kids in my neighborhood now go to Lake Hills, Nieman and Springfield. Kids on the Westside go to Lake Hills, Knapp and Joy. Some of these kids average more than 3 hours a day on a buss. As for sending kids from here to coolspring, I would rather home school them. It is hard enough to bounce a kid from school to school, it compounds it to send them to a place they are not wanted. A place with the potential to become a hostile environment.
What I have not heard in the whole process that we should get answers to:
1. What will the class sizes be from school to school?
2. Will the staff of the two super elementary schools reflect the numbers? (lake hills & Pine 500 plus kids)
3. Will the teachers get a contract?
4. Will the added work load at Pine & Lake Hills be reflected in the pay of the staff.
I don't know the particulars of each school, so I won't pretend that redistricting isn't needed. Knowing the MCAS and how many school changes have happened recently, hearing the horror stories from teachers inside specific schools, and knowing how well the MCAS adjusts, I would bet that it needs to be done pretty seriously.
Like I said, for my money, I want as few kids changed around as possible, which is why I would like to see this done in a phased manner, by not moving kids when they are established in a building, but after they finish as at a building and would be moving anyway. Kids going into the system would be put where the new lines are drawn, and as kids leave elementary school, they would then go to the proper Jr High/middle school, or whatever they are going to call them in after the planning is done. If a kid moves, then they do get put into the proper school.
As for the questions, we all know the answers to #3 and #4. It amazes me that no movement can be made on the contract front, for years now, and yet they don't hesitate to get into redistricting, new buildings etc, that should be part of the collective bargaining process. In reality, the MCAS is going to make it harder to get a cheap contract, because they keep adding more ammo for the teachers to fight with, in that they are adding more and more work to their agendas.
Posted by: Ang Apr 7 2009, 08:02 AM
I forgot about Central school. I went there, too for 2nd grade. Golly. That makes 13 schools in 12 years. Wow!
Posted by: JHeath Apr 7 2009, 09:45 AM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 7 2009, 08:05 AM)
these amongst many other questions have been asked by many. they have yet to be answered.
you were saying that some children are up to 3 hours in a day on the bus, with this redistricting it can be more. they admitted to buying three new busses for this redistricting, they do not know about more staff or gas... they will not and/or can not answer questions. these plans were last minute ideas that were thrown together. back to the bus thing. right now, my son is on his bus for up to a half an hour from home to his school. this i feel is decent do to the need of picking up another child and travel time. we live by the new pine and he now goes to eastport. with the redistricting and him switching over to kindergarten, his bus time will be added to, and remember we only live 5 minutes away from the new pine. pine bus now passes my house at 8 in the morning picking up the kids in my neighborhood, this means there ride is about half an hour as well. if they go with plan c which is what they want, my neighborhood kids as well as my son, will be on a bus for an hour or more. and we are all 5 minutes away from the new pine.
so... the redistricting isnt actually going to be helping anything. there are way more cons than pros
If you're only 5 minutes from pine, you're most likely within the 2 mile radius of the school and won't be offered transportation services for your child, unless he or she is a part of the special ed program.
(edited for spelling...jh)
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 7 2009, 12:52 PM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 7 2009, 10:45 AM)
If you're only 5 minutes from pine, you're most likely within the 2 mile radius of the school and won't be offered transportation services for your child, unless he or she is a part of the special ed program.
(edited for spelling...jh)
do to the fact that i have to cross hwy 20, im pretty sure my area will still be on the bus route.
Posted by: JHeath Apr 7 2009, 02:34 PM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 7 2009, 01:52 PM)
do to the fact that i have to cross hwy 20, im pretty sure my area will still be on the bus route.
Don't count on it.
I also live 5 minutes from our kids "home" school of Joy...but it's close enough that they consider us within walking distance. I'd be crazy to have my kids (my "typically developing" kids are ages 8 and 5) walk to school down Roeske, Carroll, Woodland, Greenwood, and/or Coolspring just to get to school. My only other option is to drive them there and pick them up myself...which is what I do. I know it's not a highway, but I'm just warning you--don't count on having the bus service if you're that close.
Posted by: Ang Apr 7 2009, 02:45 PM
I think the bus is for anyone outside of a two mile radius, no matter where the school is located.
I could be wrong, but that's what comes to mind.
Posted by: lovethiscity Apr 7 2009, 05:03 PM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 7 2009, 08:05 AM)
these amongst many other questions have been asked by many. they have yet to be answered.
you were saying that some children are up to 3 hours in a day on the bus, with this redistricting it can be more. they admitted to buying three new busses for this redistricting, they do not know about more staff or gas... they will not and/or can not answer questions. these plans were last minute ideas that were thrown together. back to the bus thing. right now, my son is on his bus for up to a half an hour from home to his school. this i feel is decent do to the need of picking up another child and travel time. we live by the new pine and he now goes to eastport. with the redistricting and him switching over to kindergarten, his bus time will be added to, and remember we only live 5 minutes away from the new pine. pine bus now passes my house at 8 in the morning picking up the kids in my neighborhood, this means there ride is about half an hour as well. if they go with plan c which is what they want, my neighborhood kids as well as my son, will be on a bus for an hour or more. and we are all 5 minutes away from the new pine.
so... the redistricting isnt actually going to be helping anything. there are way more cons than pros
If more kids get put on busses and it brings down the riding time it would be okay. More kids shorter ride good, more kids same ride bad!
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 7 2009, 06:35 PM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Apr 7 2009, 06:03 PM)
If more kids get put on busses and it brings down the riding time it would be okay. More kids shorter ride good, more kids same ride bad!
true, more kids shorter time good, more kids same ride bad. but i doubt very highly that the bus ride will be shortened with more kids.
at the pine meeting however they admitted that rides will be put at 45 min to an hour. now is that adding to their ride already or prolonging their rides. the way they made it sound was that it could prolong their rides. this is why us parents are so upset about many things. they dont know what they are talking about, yet they want to make a decision in the next week or so. they need to go back to the drawing board for many reasons.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 8 2009, 07:14 AM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 7 2009, 07:35 PM)
true, more kids shorter time good, more kids same ride bad. but i doubt very highly that the bus ride will be shortened with more kids.
at the pine meeting however they admitted that rides will be put at 45 min to an hour. now is that adding to their ride already or prolonging their rides. the way they made it sound was that it could prolong their rides. this is why us parents are so upset about many things. they dont know what they are talking about, yet they want to make a decision in the next week or so. they need to go back to the drawing board for many reasons.
SOS
Same old School Board...
We have turned over a good chunk of the problems on the board, and its obvious who needs to be targeted for defeat in 2010. Remember these issues and remember how each of these persons voted on them. Then support different candidates next time around.
Posted by: Ang Apr 8 2009, 09:00 AM
You gonna run?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 8 2009, 09:03 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 8 2009, 10:00 AM)
You gonna run?
This time around I am not saying "no" right away. I am going to wait and see how the kids are doing next year at this time to see if it is possible.
In my eyes at least, a lack of good candidates hasn't been a problem, which has made me feel a little better about needing to sit on the sidelines. Not to mention over the last two elections, the incumbents that needed to go, have been trounced by the electorate. I have a feeling that trend will continue in 2010 whether I run or not.
Posted by: Carolyn Apr 8 2009, 10:25 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 2 2009, 01:58 PM)
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22154&TM=53860.65
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22153
I have some of the same ideas and thoughts about children and their education. Most children that come from stable homes, that have parents who care about their education will do better in schools. Now I use to live within the inner city and after my first child, my husband and I decided that this was not the home life we wanted to raise a family in. Now I know people are going to get upset about the next few sentences but sometimes the truth hurts. Inner city and country people are just not on the same page. In my family I know where my children are at all times and they are not allowed to walk the streets without an adult. I have drove down the streets of Michigan City and have seen small children of 5 or 6 years old walking around town with no adult. I'm sorry , but thats just wrong! So it really boils down to this, home life is where it starts! If the parents don't keep tabs on the children, then they are free to do what they want and this carries over into the schools they attend.
Posted by: Ang Apr 8 2009, 10:43 AM
QUOTE(Carolyn @ Apr 8 2009, 10:25 AM)
So it really boils down to this, home life is where it starts! If the parents don't keep tabs on the children, then they are free to do what they want and this carries over into the schools they attend.
AMEN!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 8 2009, 11:05 AM
QUOTE(Carolyn @ Apr 8 2009, 11:25 AM)
I have some of the same ideas and thoughts about children and their education. Most children that come from stable homes, that have parents who care about their education will do better in schools. Now I use to live within the inner city and after my first child, my husband and I decided that this was not the home life we wanted to raise a family in. Now I know people are going to get upset about the next few sentences but sometimes the truth hurts. Inner city and country people are just not on the same page. In my family I know where my children are at all times and they are not allowed to walk the streets without an adult. I have drove down the streets of Michigan City and have seen small children of 5 or 6 years old walking around town with no adult. I'm sorry , but thats just wrong! So it really boils down to this, home life is where it starts! If the parents don't keep tabs on the children, then they are free to do what they want and this carries over into the schools they attend.
It's much easier to sit back and say that about other parents when you have the money to be able to have your kids looked after 24/7. Many of those kids are walking around without supervision because their parents are working 16 hours in two minimum wages jobs to try to feed them. To ignore the enormous poverty rate in Michigan City is to not understand what is going on in most kids households, and it makes them impossible to educate. We as a school system have an obligation to give a good education to all of our children, not just the ones that are deemed better than the others because their families have money.
Yes I take this stereotypes like this personally because I was one of those "inner city" kids who was left alone for extensive amounts of time because my mom had to work long hours to feed my brother and I. Not to mention that there are plenty of bad parents in the "county" people. It's not just an "inner city" thing.
Finally these type of stereotypes do nothing to solve the actual problems in the MCAS. We should be asking what we can do to help our children, and not teaching them that it is all right to look down on entire groups of people. Odds are these same kids are all going to end up in school together in one of the middle schools or the high school, anyway. They should learn that just because someone is different, that it doesn't mean they deserve less of an opportunity than you do, yet that is exactly what is happening in this debate.
To everyone out there, please quit using the inner city kids as some sort of target to justify not moving your child to another school. I understand and support parents who want their kids to stay close to home for their schooling. I also understand and support parents who want their kids to have the best education possible. I can't support the idea that certain people are better than others based simply on geography and income. I thought that kind of thinking was dead with desegregation. Let's put that passion and anger towards the school board and administrators for giving so many of our children bad educational opportunities, when that is their only chance at breaking the cycle of poverty in Michigan City. If we don't educate these disadvantaged children today, we end up supporting them in the future through welfare, unemployment, etc.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 8 2009, 11:14 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22315
QUOTE
Eastport helped preemies develop
I write as an appeal to the Michigan City Area Schools board members. I appeal to each of you as a whole to not close Eastport Early Learning and Development.
The program offered to our many children and grandchildren is amazing, to say the least. As I share my personal story perhaps it will remind you all of why you are there and why you ran for the school board seat - the children.
My twin grandsons Alan and Alec are former students of Eastport, now attending Knapp School as kindergarten students. Alan and Alec were preemies and did not have an easy start to life, Alec was not breathing and Alan stopped breathing shortly after birth, and both required being placed on respirators at Porter Memorial. Anyone who has had preemies knows that the odds are not always favorable for complete development, and parents are often told to expect some lag in their development, which was the case with Alan and Alec. Both boys attended Eastport and thrived academically. Alec now reads and Alan is developing his skills.
I am not saying that Eastport in itself saved these boys from being a "child left behind," as there have been many others in their lives that have been a large part of their development. However, had Eastport not been available I do believe Alec would not be as developed as he is with his reading skills, nor would Alan with his independence.
I implore each of you to take the time and reach out to other parents/grandparents and hear the stories of how our children, who may some day be a doctor, lawyer, nurse or teacher, got their step up from the Eastport Early Learning and Development Center. Knowing that you saved this program is something you can be proud of when you sit through a graduation ceremony at the high school one day and see my grandsons walk across that stage and receive their diplomas.
Kathy Brown
La Porte
I write as an appeal to the Michigan City Area Schools board members. I appeal to each of you as a whole to not close Eastport Early Learning and Development.
The program offered to our many children and grandchildren is amazing, to say the least. As I share my personal story perhaps it will remind you all of why you are there and why you ran for the school board seat - the children.
My twin grandsons Alan and Alec are former students of Eastport, now attending Knapp School as kindergarten students. Alan and Alec were preemies and did not have an easy start to life, Alec was not breathing and Alan stopped breathing shortly after birth, and both required being placed on respirators at Porter Memorial. Anyone who has had preemies knows that the odds are not always favorable for complete development, and parents are often told to expect some lag in their development, which was the case with Alan and Alec. Both boys attended Eastport and thrived academically. Alec now reads and Alan is developing his skills.
I am not saying that Eastport in itself saved these boys from being a "child left behind," as there have been many others in their lives that have been a large part of their development. However, had Eastport not been available I do believe Alec would not be as developed as he is with his reading skills, nor would Alan with his independence.
I implore each of you to take the time and reach out to other parents/grandparents and hear the stories of how our children, who may some day be a doctor, lawyer, nurse or teacher, got their step up from the Eastport Early Learning and Development Center. Knowing that you saved this program is something you can be proud of when you sit through a graduation ceremony at the high school one day and see my grandsons walk across that stage and receive their diplomas.
Kathy Brown
La Porte
Posted by: Ang Apr 8 2009, 11:57 AM
Growing up, I too had absent parents. They were gone many hours a day and it was my responsibility to get myself and my little sister up for school and there on time.
But, in the evenings, my parents checked that our homework was done. They spent time with us if we needed help, and if they didn't understand something themselves, they called a friend or someone else who could help us.
Being poor is not an excuse for not paying attention to your kids. Working a lot is not an excuse to not ensure your kids are doing their schoolwork.
I am a single mom and have often worked two or more jobs to help support my kids. But, I always make sure the homework is done and the chores are done. I know where my children are ALL THE TIME, even when I worked two jobs. My children have been taught politeness and respect for adults. They behave in school and are/were good students (my boys are done now and i only have one left still in school).
Why? Because despite working two or three jobs, I still made time for my kids and still gave them the time and attention they needed.
Posted by: Michelle Apr 9 2009, 08:35 AM
This "inner city" vs. "country" division just seems laughable. This is a pretty small place. There are 30,000 people here. We all live within five miles of each other. To me, that makes us all basically neighbors. Nothing in the city looks like "inner city" to me, and nothing looks like country. It takes a lot of audacity for someone to say they don't want their kids to go to school with kids that live a couple miles away.
As far as kids being unsupervised, there was a thread a while ago looking back sentimentally on the days when people used to walk around the town. There were some recollections of kids trotting off to Dairy Queen and elsewhere around town. Now, some of the kids who live here walk around to the drugstore, to the library, to the park. I don't see the difference. Why was this considered idyllic before and problematic now? It's rash to assume that the parents of these kids don't know where they are. A lot of times, they do know.
I'm sure there are people who live here who have family problems or other problems, and sometimes this might be detrimental to their kids' education. ("makes them impossible to educate"? I can't agree with that.) I doubt they fall into any of the neat categories being thrown around in the Anvil Chorus. There's been a lot of ugliness on display there recently.
To circle back around, we are all neighbors. I hope we can find a way to support each other and live together in a way that reflects that fact.
Posted by: Brian Apr 9 2009, 09:37 AM
QUOTE(Michelle @ Apr 9 2009, 09:35 AM)
This "inner city" vs. "country" division just seems laughable. This is a pretty small place. There are 30,000 people here. We all live within five miles of each other. To me, that makes us all basically neighbors. Nothing in the city looks like "inner city" to me, and nothing looks like country. It takes a lot of audacity for someone to say they don't want their kids to go to school with kids that live a couple miles away.
As far as kids being unsupervised, there was a thread a while ago looking back sentimentally on the days when people used to walk around the town. There were some recollections of kids trotting off to Dairy Queen and elsewhere around town. Now, some of the kids who live here walk around to the drugstore, to the library, to the park. I don't see the difference. Why was this considered idyllic before and problematic now? It's rash to assume that the parents of these kids don't know where they are. A lot of times, they do know.
I'm sure there are people who live here who have family problems or other problems, and sometimes this might be detrimental to their kids' education. ("makes them impossible to educate"? I can't agree with that.) I doubt they fall into any of the neat categories being thrown around in the Anvil Chorus. There's been a lot of ugliness on display there recently.
To circle back around, we are all neighbors. I hope we can find a way to support each other and live together in a way that reflects that fact.
Ummmm.....I don't want to appear conceited here but the reason I moved to Coolspring Township is because I nolonger wanted to be neighbors with someone 5 feet away. There are many reasons people choose to move out of the city. We saw the writing on the wall and felt it time to move to a better area to raise kids. I have no interest in sending my kids to Pine School when Coolspring is less than a mile or so away.
You have completely missed the point.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 9 2009, 09:48 AM
QUOTE(Michelle @ Apr 9 2009, 09:35 AM)
This "inner city" vs. "country" division just seems laughable. This is a pretty small place. There are 30,000 people here. We all live within five miles of each other. To me, that makes us all basically neighbors. Nothing in the city looks like "inner city" to me, and nothing looks like country. It takes a lot of audacity for someone to say they don't want their kids to go to school with kids that live a couple miles away.
As far as kids being unsupervised, there was a thread a while ago looking back sentimentally on the days when people used to walk around the town. There were some recollections of kids trotting off to Dairy Queen and elsewhere around town. Now, some of the kids who live here walk around to the drugstore, to the library, to the park. I don't see the difference. Why was this considered idyllic before and problematic now? It's rash to assume that the parents of these kids don't know where they are. A lot of times, they do know.
I'm sure there are people who live here who have family problems or other problems, and sometimes this might be detrimental to their kids' education. ("makes them impossible to educate"? I can't agree with that.) I doubt they fall into any of the neat categories being thrown around in the Anvil Chorus. There's been a lot of ugliness on display there recently.
To circle back around, we are all neighbors. I hope we can find a way to support each other and live together in a way that reflects that fact.
As far as kids being unsupervised, there was a thread a while ago looking back sentimentally on the days when people used to walk around the town. There were some recollections of kids trotting off to Dairy Queen and elsewhere around town. Now, some of the kids who live here walk around to the drugstore, to the library, to the park. I don't see the difference. Why was this considered idyllic before and problematic now? It's rash to assume that the parents of these kids don't know where they are. A lot of times, they do know.
I'm sure there are people who live here who have family problems or other problems, and sometimes this might be detrimental to their kids' education. ("makes them impossible to educate"? I can't agree with that.) I doubt they fall into any of the neat categories being thrown around in the Anvil Chorus. There's been a lot of ugliness on display there recently.
To circle back around, we are all neighbors. I hope we can find a way to support each other and live together in a way that reflects that fact.
I agree with Michelle. You are thinking "Of course you do - you raised her". However you might be surprised how often we don't agree
.We previously lived in Indy and the last township we lived in had twice the population of the entire boundaries of Michigan City. We truly lived in the country the last twenty years (although Michelle lived in a couple of inner cities in her early adult life - inner sections of very large cities, as did her Father and I at one time or another). Therefore it is hard for me to comprehend how a true country/inner city division exists in such a small population. A country/inner city attitude may exist here. IMHO, there is not a doubt that, at least, a "class"ist attitude is prevalent here, as based on letters to the Anvil Chorus and remarks by some residents.
Where is the inner city in Michigan City? Is it central or east side, west side, north side or south side? Or is it truly just a euphemism for poor families or families of another race or persons thought not to be like those who use that phrase (for whatever reason) ?
I have not addressed the school redistricting issue before as my own children are grown and after 5th grade they attended parochial (Lutheran) schools in Indianapolis and later in college at Valparaiso. Therefore since I believe that those most affected should be the ones to make decisions, I have not spoken out until now.
Based on the letters I have read and words I have heard spoken on this issue, there is never going to be a redistricting that is satisfactory to almost anyone in MC. I usually feel that children should be able to attend school in the school building closest to their home. However that only works if the entire system offers an equal quality of education in all of the schools, which by the comments, most residents here do not believe exist. The best solution would be to raise the quality of education at all of the schools to equal the best Michigan City can offer. Of course this would probably mean more tax dollars from everyone or a redistribution of the current taxes to raise the quality of education at schools with current greater needs. That probably will not be satisfactory to most either as too often people's ideals go out the window when their pocket book is affected. That is the real shame about this issue. Despite not having children in school, I believe that education is so important, I would be willing to pay an education tax here if it would truly equalize the educational opportunity at all of the schools.
I know the library has backup educational opportunities and tutoring available and that is good. The entire city should work together (realizing that no matter where you live, the tax dollars go to the whole school system). I am wondering if larger amounts of tax dollars have been spent on some schools and less on others. Since the quality of education is perceived to be so inequitable, perhaps that is truly where the problems started.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 9 2009, 10:00 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 9 2009, 10:37 AM)
Ummmm.....I don't want to appear conceited here but the reason I moved to Coolspring Township is because I nolonger wanted to be neighbors with someone 5 feet away. There are many reasons people choose to move out of the city. We saw the writing on the wall and felt it time to move to a better area to raise kids. I have no interest in sending my kids to Pine School when Coolspring is less than a mile or so away.
You have completely missed the point.
From Merriam-Webster dictionary:
con·ceit·ed Pronunciation: con-sē-təd. Function:adjective Etymology: 1conceit Date:1526
1 : ingeniously contrived : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fanciful
2 : having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself — con·ceit·ed·ly adverb — con·ceit·ed·ness noun
I rest my case about "attitude". What is the city you moved out of? Since when is Coolspring township not in Michigan City? We also live in Coolspring township, which according to the map of Michigan City is definitely in Michigan City. Never mind, I get the point "moving out of the city " is yet another euphemism.
Posted by: Michelle Apr 9 2009, 10:06 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 9 2009, 10:37 AM)
Ummmm.....I don't want to appear conceited here but the reason I moved to Coolspring Township is because I nolonger wanted to be neighbors with someone 5 feet away. There are many reasons people choose to move out of the city. We saw the writing on the wall and felt it time to move to a better area to raise kids. I have no interest in sending my kids to Pine School when Coolspring is less than a mile or so away.
You have completely missed the point.
Well, Coolspring Township is clearly in Michigan City, so you're not accomplishing your goals very well. If you don't care to associate with your fellow townspeople, perhaps you should have moved to a different town or area.
Maybe I missed the point, or maybe you're providing an example of my point. Could be either, I guess.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 9 2009, 12:59 PM
QUOTE(Michelle @ Apr 9 2009, 11:06 AM)
Well, Coolspring Township is clearly in Michigan City, so you're not accomplishing your goals very well. If you don't care to associate with your fellow townspeople, perhaps you should have moved to a different town or area.
Maybe I missed the point, or maybe you're providing an example of my point. Could be either, I guess.
correct me if im wrong but i think the whole issue here is when you are looking for a house to buy or apt to rent, you begin to take many things into consideration. the area, distance from work, schools, is it a packed area? is it gonna be loud? ect. when we bought our house we did the same. i wanted a quieter place, off away from the busyness of everyday life, but yet still close to places like walmart and aldis, esp a gas station. i hate the country, im not a country person, id much rather be living in a crowded neighborhood which i would consider that being city. but, then i had kids. i want space for them in the back yard. i want an area all my own for them, and i dont want to be kept up all night while kids are out on the street screaming and being loud. i lived in town in laporte and every summer night, i layed there while kids screamed and horns honked and the train chugged by tooting that horrible whistle sound. i dont hear that stuff here. now while this area that we are in isnt "country" i do consider it to be the out skirts of town, just outta the city. to me the city is more than by walmart and what not, but the areas around there, where all the houses are crowded together, and coolspring is in that area. now, down by franklin square and the library, i consider that town. go figure, dont ask why i do, but from living in the middle of town and out in the counrty and in the middle of a city at some point in my life, it seems to me that mc really has all three packed into a little place here. regardless where you live, town, city, or country, we all have our reasons why we think which is which and why we want our children to be where we want them to be. i chose here because i dont want my kids at a crowded school in the city. now ive only been here for three years, i didnt know if it was crowded or not, and only know by things im told. im not pointing fingers and making rude remarks to anyone. the simple fact is, you pick your home for your reasons, i pick mine for my reasons. we all got nice and comfy in our homes, aqnd dont want to be disturbed. well guess what, with this redistricting thats whats happening, we are getting disturbed, our lives are being disrupted and we are annoyed. we as humans then lash out and say whatever leaves our mouth first.
one of my concerns is you take a bunch of students from one school and put them into a different one tht they dont want to be at, are they gonna take their anger out on the students of that new school, as well as the teachers and property? kids are unpredictable at times. and for no reason they can do destuctive damage to anyone or anything. now give them a reason and see just how much better they can do at showing you they are mad. all because some just cant figure out how to handle their anger and aggersion.
now you cant tell me kids dont do this stuff. we have recently had our window broken out, due to kids in the area thinking it would be funny to throw a brick through our window. im against many things with this redistricting, but i am aslo gonna be there for my children if they do go through with any of these plans. and i will be an active parent. we need to stop pointing fingers and calling this person concieted, and that person hateful ect. we are all mad, and upset. disgusted and discrouraged. so, we all need to help eachother out, and get them to hault these plans. lets turn our anger and resentment towards the ones to blame here and pack these meetings. lets get out there and put a stop to this crazy idea of plan a, b, and c, and send them back to the drawing board, keeping US and OUR feelings in consideration next time.
Posted by: Ang Apr 9 2009, 01:38 PM
Well said Eastport Momma
Posted by: Brian Apr 9 2009, 01:43 PM
QUOTE(Michelle @ Apr 9 2009, 11:06 AM)
Well, Coolspring Township is clearly in Michigan City, so you're not accomplishing your goals very well. If you don't care to associate with your fellow townspeople, perhaps you should have moved to a different town or area.
Maybe I missed the point, or maybe you're providing an example of my point. Could be either, I guess.
I moved out here to get away from something I didn't like in Michigan City. There is/was a predominant element within city limits that made me feel uncomfortable raising kids in that environment. Coolspring School may very well be within the MCAS school system but it is one of the reasons people choose to live in the Township. I moved out here so that I don't have to assocoate with the "townspeople"!
The point you tried to make is why people in Coolspring Township are aggravated.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 9 2009, 02:21 PM
I do understand the position of wanting one's children to attend the school closest to their home. It would be my personal position also (partially to keep transportation time to a minimum and to allow me more time with my child). To me, that is a separate issue from not wanting other children to attend the school my children attend based on specific differences (academic achievement, learning disability vs learning ability, income, race, creed, etc). It is also a separate issue from not wanting my children to attend another school because of those specific differences. The latter two issues I can only regard as intolerance of others.
Parents, you are all taxpayers paying into the joint budget for all of the schools within the MCAS district. Stand up and ask why ALL the schools do not provide the same quality of education. Where is the money being spent and where is it needed most to equalize the education throughout Michigan City? What else is needed to bring all of the schools in MC to an equal footing? How do we attain that? IMO, these are the questions the school board should be asking. The issue is not the children themselves and this is not resolved by forced relocation of children from one school to another every few years.
This also should not be about equalizing test scores. That is only one statistic and is not the most important one. It is not a good indicator of the quality of education provided nor is it even a good indicator of the ability of a child to learn. It is only a statistic that can be used to measure how much knowledge of specific academic areas that individual students retained (short term - long enough to take the test in some cases). It is not an indicator of whether they will retain this knowledge forever. I, for example, aced tests of all kinds in my youth, but I now rely on a calculator and have to re-learn many things to get by in my later years. 
This should be about providing the same quality level of education and opportunities at all of the MCAS schools so that each and every child in MC has the same opportunities as every other child. If that were achieved, then parents could state reasonably that every child should be attending the school closest to their home.
If the quality of education provided were equal at all schools, it is then up to the individual students and their families how they use those opportunities to their own best advantages. But they could do so at the school closest to their own home.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 9 2009, 04:21 PM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 9 2009, 02:43 PM)
I moved out here to get away from something I didn't like in Michigan City. There is/was a predominant element within city limits that made me feel uncomfortable raising kids in that environment. Coolspring School may very well be within the MCAS school system but it is one of the reasons people choose to live in the Township. I moved out here so that I don't have to assocoate with the "townspeople"!
The point you tried to make is why people in Coolspring Township are aggravated.
Brian, Your post above and others leads to a question I have....what are the current city limits of Michigan City? I was reasonably sure I did live in Michigan City (Coolspring Township in Michigan City).
When I went to the city website, I found this link ....
http://www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/planning/pdf/citymap.pdf
From this map, I do live in Michigan City and I am a resident of Coolspring Township. I am not sure what everyone's distinctions are (old city limits versus new city limits? These distinctions between townspeople and coolspring residents are confusing to me).
You expressed your views above in such a way that could lead others to think all Coolspring Township residents share your view. As a fellow resident of Coolspring Township, I do not wish to disassociate myself from "townspeople" or anyone and I did not move here for the reasons you have expressed. Therefore I am editing one of your statements......"The point you tried to make is why" SOME "people in Coolspring Township are aggravated."
You have the right to live where ever you choose for what ever reasons you made that choice, and so do we all. As a fellow resident of Coolspring Township and Michigan City, I am only disassociating myself from the viewpoints you have expressed here, not from you as a person.
Posted by: Michelle Apr 9 2009, 08:11 PM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 9 2009, 02:43 PM)
I moved out here to get away from something I didn't like in Michigan City. There is/was a predominant element within city limits that made me feel uncomfortable raising kids in that environment. Coolspring School may very well be within the MCAS school system but it is one of the reasons people choose to live in the Township. I moved out here so that I don't have to assocoate with the "townspeople"!
The point you tried to make is why people in Coolspring Township are aggravated.
My point to you (which is different than the point in my first post) is that if it's a priority that your children don't attend school with kids of the "predominant element...that made [you] feel uncomfortable", then why stay in a school system that guarantees that they will? Why not cut ties completely? That seems more reasonable than expecting that the school system will establish school enrollment based on your opinions of your fellow taxpayers and their children.
I get your opinion, but I don't share it at all. And from a practical standpoint, it's not tenable (or a particularly worthy goal) to establish separate public services so that no one has to associate with anyone they dislike or they're uncomfortable with.
Posted by: Carolyn Apr 9 2009, 08:17 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 8 2009, 12:05 PM)
It's much easier to sit back and say that about other parents when you have the money to be able to have your kids looked after 24/7. Many of those kids are walking around without supervision because their parents are working 16 hours in two minimum wages jobs to try to feed them. To ignore the enormous poverty rate in Michigan City is to not understand what is going on in most kids households, and it makes them impossible to educate. We as a school system have an obligation to give a good education to all of our children, not just the ones that are deemed better than the others because their families have money.
Yes I take this stereotypes like this personally because I was one of those "inner city" kids who was left alone for extensive amounts of time because my mom had to work long hours to feed my brother and I. Not to mention that there are plenty of bad parents in the "county" people. It's not just an "inner city" thing.
Finally these type of stereotypes do nothing to solve the actual problems in the MCAS. We should be asking what we can do to help our children, and not teaching them that it is all right to look down on entire groups of people. Odds are these same kids are all going to end up in school together in one of the middle schools or the high school, anyway. They should learn that just because someone is different, that it doesn't mean they deserve less of an opportunity than you do, yet that is exactly what is happening in this debate.
To everyone out there, please quit using the inner city kids as some sort of target to justify not moving your child to another school. I understand and support parents who want their kids to stay close to home for their schooling. I also understand and support parents who want their kids to have the best education possible. I can't support the idea that certain people are better than others based simply on geography and income. I thought that kind of thinking was dead with desegregation. Let's put that passion and anger towards the school board and administrators for giving so many of our children bad educational opportunities, when that is their only chance at breaking the cycle of poverty in Michigan City. If we don't educate these disadvantaged children today, we end up supporting them in the future through welfare, unemployment, etc.
First let me just say I knew that this would cause this kind of reaction. Second you dont know me so you cannot sit there and type such words as "have money so that my children can be looked after 24/7" . You see that is where you are So Freakin Wrong! My husband works 2 jods and a 3rd job on the side so that I can be here to "Raise My Children!" You see my husband and I made these babies and we are the ones PAYING for these babies! I have no sitters or handouts helping this family. So no it isnt easy for me to sit back and say those inner city kids on any sentences because thats where we came from and we wanted better out of life, some place quiet and peaceful, with room to move around without stepping on someone elses yard. So, You see you have done what you have preached not to do. Judge someone! I'm all for helping those in need, but its the people that abuse the system that causes the tax dollars to be spent that get me upset.
Posted by: lovethiscity Apr 9 2009, 09:53 PM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 9 2009, 02:43 PM)
I moved out here to get away from something I didn't like in Michigan City. There is/was a predominant element within city limits that made me feel uncomfortable raising kids in that environment. Coolspring School may very well be within the MCAS school system but it is one of the reasons people choose to live in the Township. I moved out here so that I don't have to assocoate with the "townspeople"!
The point you tried to make is why people in Coolspring Township are aggravated.
Could you help me understand where you are coming from by explaining just what? "predominant element within city limits that made you feel uncomfortable"
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 10 2009, 07:52 AM
QUOTE(lovethiscity @ Apr 9 2009, 10:53 PM)
Could you help me understand where you are coming from by explaining just what? "predominant element within city limits that made you feel uncomfortable"
pre⋅dom⋅i⋅nant /prɪˈdɒmənənt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pri-dom-uh-nuhnt] Show IPA
–adjective 1. having ascendancy, power, authority, or influence over others; preeminent.
2. preponderant; prominent: a predominant trait; the predominant color of a painting.
maybe they have religious beliefs that some people just really wouldnt understand, and they didnt want their children around certain things. why does everyone always assume it has to do with racism, and judging?
they dont have to justify to anyone why they moved where they moved. if they felt it in their heart to do so, thats good enough. you would do the same.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 10 2009, 09:46 AM
QUOTE(Carolyn @ Apr 9 2009, 09:17 PM)
First let me just say I knew that this would cause this kind of reaction. Second you dont know me so you cannot sit there and type such words as "have money so that my children can be looked after 24/7" . You see that is where you are So Freakin Wrong! My husband works 2 jods and a 3rd job on the side so that I can be here to "Raise My Children!" You see my husband and I made these babies and we are the ones PAYING for these babies! I have no sitters or handouts helping this family. So no it isnt easy for me to sit back and say those inner city kids on any sentences because thats where we came from and we wanted better out of life, some place quiet and peaceful, with room to move around without stepping on someone elses yard. So, You see you have done what you have preached not to do. Judge someone! I'm all for helping those in need, but its the people that abuse the system that causes the tax dollars to be spent that get me upset.
In reality, I can only read what you all are saying. If you all stop speaking in code, and just state clearly what exactly is so awful about Michigan City's "inner city" kids, and what "undesirable" elements that Brian was referring to, it would be much easier to have a discussion. Instead I keep seeing people beat around the bushes instead of just flat out saying what I believe they are trying to say. Who exactly do you not want your kids around, and what is so wrong with them? Clearly tell me. No more code, no more innuendo.
Personally I don't see wanting to send your kids to the best possible school in your own district as "abuse" of the system. They are paying taxes in the MCAS just like you are. Why does it make someone owed more if they are in a different part of the exact same district?
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 10 2009, 09:56 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 10 2009, 10:46 AM)
In reality, I can only read what you all are saying. If you all stop speaking in code, and just state clearly what exactly is so awful about Michigan City's "inner city" kids, and what "undesirable" elements that Brian was referring to, it would be much easier to have a discussion. Instead I keep seeing people beat around the bushes instead of just flat out saying what I believe they are trying to say. Who exactly do you not want your kids around, and what is so wrong with them? Clearly tell me. No more code, no more innuendo.
Personally I don't see wanting to send your kids to the best possible school in your own district as "abuse" of the system. They are paying taxes in the MCAS just like you are. Why does it make someone owed more if they are in a different part of the exact same district?
Amen
Posted by: Ang Apr 10 2009, 10:18 AM
Just remember that we are here to have nice calm discussions. I see lots of feathers getting ruffled here, and I see people taking things personally. We're here to share our opinions and views on the the situation of redistricting. No one is right at this board and no one is wrong. Please remember that and try not to take something one person said personally.
Posted by: Brian Apr 10 2009, 10:20 AM
QUOTE(IndyTransplant @ Apr 10 2009, 10:56 AM)
Amen
When I started posting in this particular forum I was trying to be respectful and polite about the redistricting issues that seem to be causing such a stir. There are some posters that seem to "beat around the bush" about what is really on their minds and I am not one of those people. I believe when I started my previous post I began with (IMO) which is my opinion! I am not interested whether or not you share my views or wish me banished from this forum because my interpretation of the real issues is not the same as yours.
I do not think it is right to bus kids that live North, East, or West of Keiffer Rd. to Coolspring School. I think it is ridiculous that the board would even consider Plans A, B and C due to their extreme movement of students outside the boundries of the nearest school. The last redistricting has caused nothing but problems at Coolspring and Barker and any parent who has children at either school knows exactly what I am talking about.
Posted by: Ang Apr 10 2009, 10:30 AM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 10 2009, 10:20 AM)
When I started posting in this particular forum I was trying to be respectful and polite about the redistricting issues that seem to be causing such a stir. There are some posters that seem to "beat around the bush" about what is really on their minds and I am not one of those people. I believe when I started my previous post I began with (IMO) which is my opinion! I am not interested whether or not you share my views or wish me banished from this forum because my interpretation of the real issues is not the same as yours.
I do not think it is right to bus kids that live North, East, or West of Keiffer Rd. to Coolspring School. I think it is ridiculous that the board would even consider Plans A, B and C due to their extreme movement of students outside the boundries of the nearest school. The last redistricting has caused nothing but problems at Coolspring and Barker and any parent who has children at either school knows exactly what I am talking about.
No one is going to banish you because you have a different opinion. That is the beauty of this message board.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 10 2009, 11:36 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 10 2009, 11:30 AM)
No one is going to banish you because you have a different opinion. That is the beauty of this message board.
Ang is correct, as usual
.What makes this a good forum is the variety of opinions and the opportunity to air them. However it would not be a forum without discussions back and forth - if everyone just posted their own opinion and no one responded to them or asked questions of them for clarification or stated their own opinion in response. Asking questions in response to a posting, debating pros and cons and stating other opinions is what has been occurring on this board in all of the forum threads from day one, including this thread.
IMO, everyone here tries to be as respectful and non-combatant as possible, while still expressing our own views (in agreement or disagreement of others). Obviously we do not always succeed as well as we might like and because some "hot" topics are discussed, tempers may flare a little or feelings may be hurt (although IMO, no one wishes to hurt someone's feelings intentionally).
If someone asks questions about our posts, I would try to see that as a good thing. Someone actually read our opinion or posting and considered it worthy of the time spent to make a response. Even it is seems obvious to us that someone is not agreement with us, and they post a different opinion, that is still a good thing. It is Freedom of Speech and it is practiced on this board daily.
We are all not going to agree on every subject. What a boring world this would be, if we did. However if you read through other threads, you will discover that people who disagree (often vehemently) with each other on one subject, are in complete agreement with each other on another subject.
So we can share some opinions in common and others in disagreement. In the end, it often comes down to "agreeing to disagree" on certain subjects; but at least all had an opportunity to air their opinions and ask questions. This can provide us all a very valuable opportunity to see what other people think, learn different facts and may even give us a chance to rethink our own positions at times.
As far as I can tell, this board stands for the very essence of "Free Speech". All opinions are welcomed and are often debated intensely. I second Ang's sentiment - this is the beauty of this message board.
I
CBTL
Posted by: Brian Apr 10 2009, 12:03 PM
QUOTE(IndyTransplant @ Apr 10 2009, 12:36 PM)
Ang is correct, as usual
.What makes this a good forum is the variety of opinions and the opportunity to air them. However it would not be a forum without discussions back and forth - if everyone just posted their own opinion and no one responded to them or asked questions of them for clarification or stated their own opinion in response. Asking questions in response to a posting, debating pros and cons and stating other opinions is what has been occurring on this board in all of the forum threads from day one, including this thread.
IMO, everyone here tries to be as respectful and non-combatant as possible, while still expressing our own views (in agreement or disagreement of others). Obviously we do not always succeed as well as we might like and because some "hot" topics are discussed, tempers may flare a little or feelings may be hurt (although IMO, no one wishes to hurt someone's feelings intentionally).
If someone asks questions about our posts, I would try to see that as a good thing. Someone actually read our opinion or posting and considered it worthy of the time spent to make a response. Even it is seems obvious to us that someone is not agreement with us, and they post a different opinion, that is still a good thing. It is Freedom of Speech and it is practiced on this board daily.
We are all not going to agree on every subject. What a boring world this would be, if we did. However if you read through other threads, you will discover that people who disagree (often vehemently) with each other on one subject, are in complete agreement with each other on another subject.
So we can share some opinions in common and others in disagreement. In the end, it often comes down to "agreeing to disagree" on certain subjects; but at least all had an opportunity to air their opinions and ask questions. This can provide us all a very valuable opportunity to see what other people think, learn different facts and may even give us a chance to rethink our own positions at times.
As far as I can tell, this board stands for the very essence of "Free Speech". All opinions are welcomed and are often debated intensely. I second Ang's sentiment - this is the beauty of this message board.
CBTLI would like to apologize to anyone on this forum that I have offended by my remarks. In the future I will try to make a better attempt at explaining myself and my views so that nobody is insulted.
Brian
Posted by: Ang Apr 10 2009, 02:17 PM
QUOTE(Brian @ Apr 10 2009, 12:03 PM)
I would like to apologize to anyone on this forum that I have offended by my remarks. In the future I will try to make a better attempt at explaining myself and my views so that nobody is insulted.
Brian
I don't think it's so much being unsulted as it is confused by what you actually mean. When you read words on a page you don't get the author's emotion. So sometimes intentions are misunderstood. Also, sometimes when one is passionate about what they're writing, they tend to "overstate" (for lack of a better term) their point, which in turn leaves the reader thinking something entirely different.
Most of us here understand that and I'm not sure anyone is truly "offended" as they are wondering just what EXACTLY do you mean?
Posted by: Yokas Apr 10 2009, 03:34 PM
Most people here know that I retired from over 35 years of teaching in the MCAS. I've also had the privilege of walking through every single school in this system many times during the course of the school day/year. I would like to share some of my observations:
1. All schools, whether elementary or middle school, have the same programs.
2. For the past 10 years (approximately), teachers. system-wide, have been addressing the standards that they are required to teach, and aligning those standards to their curriculum. A lot of work has also been done to make sure that what is being taught at Coolspring is also being taught, at the same time, at Pine (there is a lot of mobility within our schools).
3. Our teachers are GREAT system-wide. Over 95% are dedicated, hard-working, and care very much about the success of their students.
IMHO, to plan redistricting in 4 months is absolutely ridiculous!! It makes me wonder, what are the REAL issues? With the current administration that we have, I can only wonder!?!
Posted by: JHeath Apr 11 2009, 10:01 AM
QUOTE(Yokas @ Apr 10 2009, 04:34 PM)
Most people here know that I retired from over 35 years of teaching in the MCAS. I've also had the privilege of walking through every single school in this system many times during the course of the school day/year. I would like to share some of my observations:
1. All schools, whether elementary or middle school, have the same programs.
2. For the past 10 years (approximately), teachers. system-wide, have been addressing the standards that they are required to teach, and aligning those standards to their curriculum. A lot of work has also been done to make sure that what is being taught at Coolspring is also being taught, at the same time, at Pine (there is a lot of mobility within our schools).
3. Our teachers are GREAT system-wide. Over 95% are dedicated, hard-working, and care very much about the success of their students.
IMHO, to plan redistricting in 4 months is absolutely ridiculous!! It makes me wonder, what are the REAL issues? With the current administration that we have, I can only wonder!?!
Yokas, in #1, you say that all schools have the same programs. For general ed, this is true. But doesn't Joy have the largest population for special ed at Elementary? Also, I think that Barker has most of the special ed kids at the jr high level. Please correct me if I'm wrong there.
The reason I point this out about Joy is because of the AYP fuss. People aren't taking the special ed sub-group into consideration when discussing this, which, IMHO, seems unfair to both sides.
Posted by: Ang Apr 11 2009, 10:56 AM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 11 2009, 10:01 AM)
Yokas, in #1, you say that all schools have the same programs. For general ed, this is true. But doesn't Joy have the largest population for special ed at Elementary? Also, I think that Barker has most of the special ed kids at the jr high level. Please correct me if I'm wrong there.
The reason I point this out about Joy is because of the AYP fuss. People aren't taking the special ed sub-group into consideration when discussing this, which, IMHO, seems unfair to both sides.
Concerning this issue, I think it's good to mainstream the special ed kids. I have an Aunt who is developmentally disabled and when she was a child it was common practice to "hide them away." As an adult, she has a difficult time in "normal" society.
However, I don't believe that the special ed kids should be considered for AYP, or maybe they should create an AYP category just for special ed. Then they can track the progress of those programs to see what works and what doesn't.
Do they even have a "testing" system to follow the progress?
Posted by: Yokas Apr 11 2009, 02:54 PM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 11 2009, 11:01 AM)
Yokas, in #1, you say that all schools have the same programs. For general ed, this is true. But doesn't Joy have the largest population for special ed at Elementary? Also, I think that Barker has most of the special ed kids at the jr high level. Please correct me if I'm wrong there.
The reason I point this out about Joy is because of the AYP fuss. People aren't taking the special ed sub-group into consideration when discussing this, which, IMHO, seems unfair to both sides.
At one time, they definitely were the school with the largest speced population. But, I believe that I can safely say that every elementary school has a speced program in it. Knapp, Niemann, Pine, and Marsh have large speced numbers also. If MCAS didn't have to include their special ed students in the scores, we would easily pass AYP at every school EASILY!!
I'm glad you clarified my #1 point b/c I wasn't thinking about speced at the time. Give me a day to look at the numbers at each school and then get back to you.
Posted by: Yokas Apr 11 2009, 03:03 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 11 2009, 11:56 AM)
Concerning this issue, I think it's good to mainstream the special ed kids. I have an Aunt who is developmentally disabled and when she was a child it was common practice to "hide them away." As an adult, she has a difficult time in "normal" society.
However, I don't believe that the special ed kids should be considered for AYP, or maybe they should create an AYP category just for special ed. Then they can track the progress of those programs to see what works and what doesn't.
Do they even have a "testing" system to follow the progress?
Mainstreaming has been the current trend for at least 20 years; and the amount of mainstreaming increases constantly. Depending on the special ed student's disability; some are mainstreamed in all classes. For most, it tends to be electives and some core subjects.
Counting the scores of the special ed kids is HORRIBLE!! Not just for the school system, but for the special ed students as well. They know they can't pass; so imagine how high their self-esteem is. The pattern (at the high school/middle school) is that they deliberately answer incorrectly, or misbehave so they are removed from the testing site, or are absent for the testing days. Currently, this is a lose-lose situation. It makes me so angry that all educational institutions are FORCED to treat a segment of their population with such disrespect!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 13 2009, 07:50 AM
QUOTE(Yokas @ Apr 10 2009, 04:34 PM)
Most people here know that I retired from over 35 years of teaching in the MCAS. I've also had the privilege of walking through every single school in this system many times during the course of the school day/year. I would like to share some of my observations:
1. All schools, whether elementary or middle school, have the same programs.
2. For the past 10 years (approximately), teachers. system-wide, have been addressing the standards that they are required to teach, and aligning those standards to their curriculum. A lot of work has also been done to make sure that what is being taught at Coolspring is also being taught, at the same time, at Pine (there is a lot of mobility within our schools).
3. Our teachers are GREAT system-wide. Over 95% are dedicated, hard-working, and care very much about the success of their students.
IMHO, to plan redistricting in 4 months is absolutely ridiculous!! It makes me wonder, what are the REAL issues? With the current administration that we have, I can only wonder!?!
It's just like any obsession this administration gets. They have to do something and they have to do it NOW, or its the end of the world. They rushed to get the Early Learning Center (which BTW, I really LOVE the idea of), and now they are already trying to change it around. Why not take a little longer to plan, especially if the idea was to have these students in the building which they would be going to elementary school in anyway. How much time and money did we waste on the Eastport building because of short term thinking? Maybe if Michael Harding actually paid taxes in the MCAS, he might give a crap about how our tax dollars are spent.
QUOTE(Yokas @ Apr 11 2009, 04:03 PM)
Mainstreaming has been the current trend for at least 20 years; and the amount of mainstreaming increases constantly. Depending on the special ed student's disability; some are mainstreamed in all classes. For most, it tends to be electives and some core subjects.
Counting the scores of the special ed kids is HORRIBLE!! Not just for the school system, but for the special ed students as well. They know they can't pass; so imagine how high their self-esteem is. The pattern (at the high school/middle school) is that they deliberately answer incorrectly, or misbehave so they are removed from the testing site, or are absent for the testing days. Currently, this is a lose-lose situation. It makes me so angry that all educational institutions are FORCED to treat a segment of their population with such disrespect!
Do you get feeling that No Child Left Behind will change a lot under the Obama adminstraion, and what kind of changes should we expect?
Posted by: Proud of my kids! Apr 13 2009, 08:41 AM
I'm told that MCAS has a plan up their sleeve for the 2010-2011 school year that will be revealed next year, after the city has time to cool off following this year's redistricting. They're going to move the 5th graders out of the elementary schools. 5th and 6th grade will be at Barker and Krueger and 7th and 8th grade will be at Elston. Why not just get it over with now? Parents of current 4th graders who will be changing schools next year might be doubly upset when they realize that their child will go to 4 different schools for 4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th grades.
Posted by: Yokas Apr 13 2009, 03:51 PM
QUOTE(Yokas @ Apr 11 2009, 03:54 PM)
At one time, they definitely were the school with the largest speced population. But, I believe that I can safely say that every elementary school has a speced program in it. Knapp, Niemann, Pine, and Marsh have large speced numbers also. If MCAS didn't have to include their special ed students in the scores, we would easily pass AYP at every school EASILY!!
I'm glad you clarified my #1 point b/c I wasn't thinking about speced at the time. Give me a day to look at the numbers at each school and then get back to you.
Ang, I have a more difinitive answer on the special ed students. Yes, Joy has the largest amount; and they have most of the MO (moderately handicapped); Knapp has most of the EH (Emotionally Handicapped); and all the other schools have spec ed programs but their students are LD (learning disabled) and MI (mildly handicapped)
Posted by: Yokas Apr 13 2009, 03:56 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 13 2009, 08:50 AM)
It's just like any obsession this administration gets. They have to do something and they have to do it NOW, or its the end of the world. They rushed to get the Early Learning Center (which BTW, I really LOVE the idea of), and now they are already trying to change it around. Why not take a little longer to plan, especially if the idea was to have these students in the building which they would be going to elementary school in anyway. How much time and money did we waste on the Eastport building because of short term thinking? Maybe if Michael Harding actually paid taxes in the MCAS, he might give a crap about how our tax dollars are spent.
Do you get feeling that No Child Left Behind will change a lot under the Obama adminstraion, and what kind of changes should we expect?
Absolutely! Did you know that NCLB is Jeb Bush's baby which he started in Florida?
As to the ELC, again, I ask, what is the REAL reason for closing Eastport and putting ELC at each elementary school?
Posted by: Ang Apr 13 2009, 05:10 PM
My opinion?
The person in charge of ELC made someone at central admin mad, so they are pulling the plug on the whole thing to get back.
Don't have any details. Don't know nothing definitive. Haven't heard any rumors. Just going by my gut feeling and the fact that I've seen it happen before.
Posted by: davew Apr 14 2009, 12:16 AM
I just thank God, we have options for our daughter. Call me what you will, but if we don't get the school that we feel that she deserves. Then she will not go to school with some of these idiots that I see in the local parks. Private school here we come.
Posted by: IndyTransplant Apr 14 2009, 06:37 AM
QUOTE(davew @ Apr 14 2009, 01:16 AM)
I just thank God, we have options for our daughter. Call me what you will, but if we don't get the school that we feel that she deserves. Then she will not go to school with some of these idiots that I see in the local parks. Private school here we come.
What make you think "some of these idiots" that you see in the local parks aren't in private school?
I am a big believer in school choice and our children attended both public and parochial schools. However we were in the enviable position of having both an excellent public school choice and several good parochial school choices. Our decision to send our children to parochial HS was based on the fact that they had more opportunities to participate in more activities there and the smaller school setting fit their learning styles better.
There were really no outstanding differences in the students at the public school and the students at the parochial school. Both schools had students coming from a cross section of the community and beyond. The parochial schools had scholarships and sponsorships for those unable to pay the tuition, which contributed to their ability to provide a similar cross section of students as the public school .
Overall it was not a decision we regretted. Attending parochial school opened up more college scholarship opportunities; however they did not have the opportunity to pre-take college level classes as they would have had at the local public high school.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 14 2009, 07:39 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 13 2009, 06:10 PM)
My opinion?
The person in charge of ELC made someone at central admin mad, so they are pulling the plug on the whole thing to get back.
Don't have any details. Don't know nothing definitive. Haven't heard any rumors. Just going by my gut feeling and the fact that I've seen it happen before.
so was anyone at the meeting last night??? my kids r EXTREMELY sick and i was not able to make it, and wont be able to make tonights either. i am hoping that they are better for the meeting on the 24th or 28th which ever it is. but if anyone was there, can they fill me in?? thanks!!!!
Posted by: Yokas Apr 14 2009, 10:41 AM
This is just rumor, but I heard that the Board plans to cancel the redistricting for this year.
Posted by: Ang Apr 14 2009, 11:01 AM
As well they should. And if they do, I believe that it will be the first time (in my recollection) the school board has actually done what seems best for the students and not bent over for Admin.
However, I don't think they should table the idea. I think they should keep that committee and work on the plans over the next year. They need to make a list of all the parental concerns and incorporate them into this year-long project.
And they need to keep kids in the schools they live near and not worry about demographics.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 12:05 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 14 2009, 12:01 PM)
As well they should. And if they do, I believe that it will be the first time (in my recollection) the school board has actually done what seems best for the students and not bent over for Admin.
However, I don't think they should table the idea. I think they should keep that committee and work on the plans over the next year. They need to make a list of all the parental concerns and incorporate them into this year-long project.
And they need to keep kids in the schools they live near and not worry about demographics.
I think that the six incumbants that have been voted out over the last two elections might have something to do with the board running away from this issue.
I hope the rumor is true and they actually take the time to study what is best for the kids in the long run, and not the parents, administrators, board members, or anyone else.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:12 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=22483
QUOTE
MCAS: What other options exist?
Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - A day before the controversial redistricting plan appears before the Michigan City Area Schools board, members were pondering what other options they could take.
School Board member Dr. Vidya Kora asked if redistricting is the way to solve the problem and asked for a creative solution.
"Is redistricting the only option we have?" Kora said at Monday's workshop with the redistricting committee.
He suggested changing the programming at schools, such as adding a gifted-and-talented program, and, in reference to ISTEP test scores, focus on areas with a "significant achievement gap," such as young black males.
Board member Beryle Burgwald said he will bring in an alternate proposal to tonight's meeting. He outlined a few parts of it Monday:
• Race and the number of free or reduced lunch students would not be used in consideration.
• The district would be contiguous and school choice would be in consideration. These would be outlines to a rule for the redistricting committee, which would use it to come up with a plan.
The first reading of a plan is scheduled for a vote at tonight's school board meeting. The second reading would be up for a vote two weeks later.
Parents expressed displeasure with the three proposed redistricting plans and asked to keep Eastport Early Learning Center open.
Carla Shepherd, who works at Coolspring Elementary School, said educators need to work with kids at the young age, such as kindergarten through second grade, so they are more prepared when they reach third grade. She said she can't support a redistricting plan without an accompanying academic plan.
"I'm disgusted," she said. "All these kids deserve better."
Michael Mack, a parent and redistricting committee member, said the numbers on test scores and reduced or free lunches always are broken down into black/white and rich/poor issues.
"Stevie Wonder could see through that one," he said.
He later told the group all the kids are eventually funneled into one school: the high school.
Superintendent Michael Harding, responding near the workshop's end, said when the Department of Local Government Finance approved the building of two new schools a few years ago, the money was contingent on the schools realigning or redistricting.
Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - A day before the controversial redistricting plan appears before the Michigan City Area Schools board, members were pondering what other options they could take.
School Board member Dr. Vidya Kora asked if redistricting is the way to solve the problem and asked for a creative solution.
"Is redistricting the only option we have?" Kora said at Monday's workshop with the redistricting committee.
He suggested changing the programming at schools, such as adding a gifted-and-talented program, and, in reference to ISTEP test scores, focus on areas with a "significant achievement gap," such as young black males.
Board member Beryle Burgwald said he will bring in an alternate proposal to tonight's meeting. He outlined a few parts of it Monday:
• Race and the number of free or reduced lunch students would not be used in consideration.
• The district would be contiguous and school choice would be in consideration. These would be outlines to a rule for the redistricting committee, which would use it to come up with a plan.
The first reading of a plan is scheduled for a vote at tonight's school board meeting. The second reading would be up for a vote two weeks later.
Parents expressed displeasure with the three proposed redistricting plans and asked to keep Eastport Early Learning Center open.
Carla Shepherd, who works at Coolspring Elementary School, said educators need to work with kids at the young age, such as kindergarten through second grade, so they are more prepared when they reach third grade. She said she can't support a redistricting plan without an accompanying academic plan.
"I'm disgusted," she said. "All these kids deserve better."
Michael Mack, a parent and redistricting committee member, said the numbers on test scores and reduced or free lunches always are broken down into black/white and rich/poor issues.
"Stevie Wonder could see through that one," he said.
He later told the group all the kids are eventually funneled into one school: the high school.
Superintendent Michael Harding, responding near the workshop's end, said when the Department of Local Government Finance approved the building of two new schools a few years ago, the money was contingent on the schools realigning or redistricting.
Posted by: Ang Apr 14 2009, 01:19 PM
QUOTE
Superintendent Michael Harding, responding near the workshop's end, said when the Department of Local Government Finance approved the building of two new schools a few years ago, the money was contingent on the schools realigning or redistricting.
That's fine, but let's be smart about it and not just throw something together for the sake of doing it.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:33 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 14 2009, 02:19 PM)
That's fine, but let's be smart about it and not just throw something together for the sake of doing it.
So does that mean the bond issue gets canceled? What happens if they don't redistrict?
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:38 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22371&TM=56422.29
QUOTE
It's necessary so make redistricting positive
I want to know how many of the people complaining about the school redistricting plan looked at how crazy the current configuration is. My favorite proposal for elementary schools is Plan B. This plan will keep the children closest to the school they are assigned to. I know this sounds crazy to those people living off of Bleck Road, but traveling the roads to both Joy and Coolspring it works out to be closer for those children to go to Joy.
As it stands now, we have children living near Eighth and Lafayette being bused all the way to Edgewood. Then we have children living on the West Side being bused to Joy. With the proposal of Plan B, these children will have the opportunity to go to a school that is much closer to their home. I understand students will be moving to a new school but eventually they will move on to a middle school and then to the high school. Children are resilient and they will adapt.
Why can't we try as a community to make this a positive experience rather than a negative? Granted, the school system hasn't always been forthright and honest in putting out information to the public, but the redistricting needs to happen. We will have two new schools with a much larger student capacity, not to mention equipped with the latest technology. The children who will be at Lake Hills and the new Pine School will have the very best opportunity for learning and, any child being moved to these schools should be ecstatic!
My only fear with this redistricting plan is that the Michigan City Area Schools administrators will push for Plan C, the most ludicrous proposal of the three. Plans A and B at least keep the children close, but Plan C will have children bused all over the countryside. If the public wants to rally against anything, it should be to halt elementary Plan C.
Second, I would like to comment on the moving of the Pre-K students from Eastport into their potential home elementary schools. The Eastport Early Education School is the best thing the school system has come up with in many years. I cannot see where moving the Pre-K children into the elementary schools will hurt them in any way. If anything, it will make the transition into all-day kindergarten much easier for them.
This alone could free up thousands of dollars a year that they will not be paying in utilities to keep the Eastport building open. Does it really matter if the children are at Eastport or at any of the elementary schools? The only thing that matters is that they are in the Pre-k program somewhere.
Lastly, I would like to comment on the middle school plans. Plans A and B seem to be very similar and make sense. Plan C again seems to be the most outlandish. In both A and B I'm not sure what the exact boundary is on 800 North/Tryon Road and Interstate 94. If all of 800 North is Krueger then there should be no problem. But if one side is Elston and the other Krueger then this will have the buses making horrible turnarounds at 500 West and 800 North. Again, if the public is going to rally against any middle school plan it should be Plan C.
Redistricting is not popular but necessary. Let's move forward and put our efforts into making sure that the Michigan City Area Schools administration and board of trustees choose the best plan for our children and not the plan that will make them the most money or by disrupting the most children for social and racial balance.
David Hack
MCAS Bus Driver Since 1992
I want to know how many of the people complaining about the school redistricting plan looked at how crazy the current configuration is. My favorite proposal for elementary schools is Plan B. This plan will keep the children closest to the school they are assigned to. I know this sounds crazy to those people living off of Bleck Road, but traveling the roads to both Joy and Coolspring it works out to be closer for those children to go to Joy.
As it stands now, we have children living near Eighth and Lafayette being bused all the way to Edgewood. Then we have children living on the West Side being bused to Joy. With the proposal of Plan B, these children will have the opportunity to go to a school that is much closer to their home. I understand students will be moving to a new school but eventually they will move on to a middle school and then to the high school. Children are resilient and they will adapt.
Why can't we try as a community to make this a positive experience rather than a negative? Granted, the school system hasn't always been forthright and honest in putting out information to the public, but the redistricting needs to happen. We will have two new schools with a much larger student capacity, not to mention equipped with the latest technology. The children who will be at Lake Hills and the new Pine School will have the very best opportunity for learning and, any child being moved to these schools should be ecstatic!
My only fear with this redistricting plan is that the Michigan City Area Schools administrators will push for Plan C, the most ludicrous proposal of the three. Plans A and B at least keep the children close, but Plan C will have children bused all over the countryside. If the public wants to rally against anything, it should be to halt elementary Plan C.
Second, I would like to comment on the moving of the Pre-K students from Eastport into their potential home elementary schools. The Eastport Early Education School is the best thing the school system has come up with in many years. I cannot see where moving the Pre-K children into the elementary schools will hurt them in any way. If anything, it will make the transition into all-day kindergarten much easier for them.
This alone could free up thousands of dollars a year that they will not be paying in utilities to keep the Eastport building open. Does it really matter if the children are at Eastport or at any of the elementary schools? The only thing that matters is that they are in the Pre-k program somewhere.
Lastly, I would like to comment on the middle school plans. Plans A and B seem to be very similar and make sense. Plan C again seems to be the most outlandish. In both A and B I'm not sure what the exact boundary is on 800 North/Tryon Road and Interstate 94. If all of 800 North is Krueger then there should be no problem. But if one side is Elston and the other Krueger then this will have the buses making horrible turnarounds at 500 West and 800 North. Again, if the public is going to rally against any middle school plan it should be Plan C.
Redistricting is not popular but necessary. Let's move forward and put our efforts into making sure that the Michigan City Area Schools administration and board of trustees choose the best plan for our children and not the plan that will make them the most money or by disrupting the most children for social and racial balance.
David Hack
MCAS Bus Driver Since 1992
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:40 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22404&TM=56422.29
QUOTE
Better education needed for all
Children do not live in a perfect world, no matter the efforts of the greatest parents. As many parents strive to make their child's environment safe, healthy and nurturing, there are many more who are unwilling or unable to do the same.
No matter how wealthy a parent may be, we all exist on one planet, or shall I say in one nation, and these environments cross. To ensure an individual child's safety, we grade communities, cities and states, but it has been documented today, trouble creeps into them all. Even redistricting can't cure this. To raise the quality of our environment we must reach beyond our own front doors. We must not sleep while unhealthy parenting grows. One approach is better education for all. A better educated community, a better educated city, a better educated state, a better educated nation enlarge the selection of qualified future leaders.
Help shape the pre-schoolers, and VOTE FOR the career center.
Carol Isbell
Michigan City
Children do not live in a perfect world, no matter the efforts of the greatest parents. As many parents strive to make their child's environment safe, healthy and nurturing, there are many more who are unwilling or unable to do the same.
No matter how wealthy a parent may be, we all exist on one planet, or shall I say in one nation, and these environments cross. To ensure an individual child's safety, we grade communities, cities and states, but it has been documented today, trouble creeps into them all. Even redistricting can't cure this. To raise the quality of our environment we must reach beyond our own front doors. We must not sleep while unhealthy parenting grows. One approach is better education for all. A better educated community, a better educated city, a better educated state, a better educated nation enlarge the selection of qualified future leaders.
Help shape the pre-schoolers, and VOTE FOR the career center.
Carol Isbell
Michigan City
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:41 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22403&TM=56422.29
QUOTE
School problems solution overdue
My wife and I moved to Michigan City four years ago. At that time we were surprised with the trouble that the school district was having. You would think that a good school administration and school board would be able to make some changes and correct the problems that it has in four years.
As we see it, the school district has done very little to make the necessary changes needed to improve its image. As long as the school board and administration fail to back and respect the teachers, this school district will never succeed.
To change the direction that this administation has decided to pursue, changes need to be made. The first thing would be to get a superintendent that the teaching staff can respect. The second most important item would be to get some discipline in the schools. You cannot teach children when you spend most of your time correcting children. If the principals are unable to maintain discipline in their school, they need to be replaced. If the teacher is unable to do the job replace the teacher. Changes still need to be made at the board level, also.
A letter the other day told about a child being slapped by three other children. This should not happen. It is the responsibility of the school to protect these kids at all times. The parents need to get involved and demand the protection and safety of their children.
I taught for 13 years and worked another 20 years building and remodeling schools so I have some experience in obvserving how schools should operate. This school district is in deep trouble. All that it will take to get them on the right path is a lot of dedicated teachers and some dedicated administrators.
The problems that the school face need to be worked out with the parents, teachers, administrators and the city of Michigan City. With a failing school, people with children will think twice about locating here. Especially, parents need to get involved.
Gene Plath
Michigan City
My wife and I moved to Michigan City four years ago. At that time we were surprised with the trouble that the school district was having. You would think that a good school administration and school board would be able to make some changes and correct the problems that it has in four years.
As we see it, the school district has done very little to make the necessary changes needed to improve its image. As long as the school board and administration fail to back and respect the teachers, this school district will never succeed.
To change the direction that this administation has decided to pursue, changes need to be made. The first thing would be to get a superintendent that the teaching staff can respect. The second most important item would be to get some discipline in the schools. You cannot teach children when you spend most of your time correcting children. If the principals are unable to maintain discipline in their school, they need to be replaced. If the teacher is unable to do the job replace the teacher. Changes still need to be made at the board level, also.
A letter the other day told about a child being slapped by three other children. This should not happen. It is the responsibility of the school to protect these kids at all times. The parents need to get involved and demand the protection and safety of their children.
I taught for 13 years and worked another 20 years building and remodeling schools so I have some experience in obvserving how schools should operate. This school district is in deep trouble. All that it will take to get them on the right path is a lot of dedicated teachers and some dedicated administrators.
The problems that the school face need to be worked out with the parents, teachers, administrators and the city of Michigan City. With a failing school, people with children will think twice about locating here. Especially, parents need to get involved.
Gene Plath
Michigan City
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 14 2009, 01:44 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22402&TM=56422.29
QUOTE
Improve education, then redistrict
I am writing in response to many of the letters written in the Anvil Chorus over the past few weeks. Obviously the community is dividing rather than coming together. It appears that the real issue is the education of all children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Moving children around throughout the school district will not improve the education children receive. I believe these plans simply manipulate the variable, "Our Children," which will make it appear that the MCAS has made progress.
If all the schools/parents/teachers/students are doing their jobs, there should not be an issue of unequal education in the district. I urge the community to challenge the school district regarding "why aren't all the schools within the district providing the same quality education?" What are the obstacles preventing/hindering them from providing quality education?
Obviously the answers are complex, stemming from multi-factorial roots embedded in social sciences. Ask the MCAS to address these complex issues that may positively impact the education all children receive. Fix those areas that are broken. Demand better education for all students. Education must come first before any redistricting.
In regard to the redistricting, I strongly urge all parents to become involved. The MCAS have told us that redistricting has to occur based on overcrowding, etc. The proposed plans have obviously torn the community and have created racial and socioeconomically divided issues among members in the district.
I ask the community to bring your ideas to the meetings on April 13 and 14. Let's come together as a community on this very important matter where our future leaders are affected. I urge the community to appeal to the board to improve education first!
Each and every one of us sending our children to these schools has our children's best interests first despite how very personal and emotional all of this has become.
We know that as members of the community we do not have to accept these redistricting proposals or any new proposals that develop. There are other options such as removing our children from the public school system. Several parochial schools in the district are meeting/exceeding state standards. I strongly urge the community and the board to put education first. Give us a plan that addresses education, rather than dividing our community and disrupting our community schools!
Kari Parnell
MCAS Parent
I am writing in response to many of the letters written in the Anvil Chorus over the past few weeks. Obviously the community is dividing rather than coming together. It appears that the real issue is the education of all children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Moving children around throughout the school district will not improve the education children receive. I believe these plans simply manipulate the variable, "Our Children," which will make it appear that the MCAS has made progress.
If all the schools/parents/teachers/students are doing their jobs, there should not be an issue of unequal education in the district. I urge the community to challenge the school district regarding "why aren't all the schools within the district providing the same quality education?" What are the obstacles preventing/hindering them from providing quality education?
Obviously the answers are complex, stemming from multi-factorial roots embedded in social sciences. Ask the MCAS to address these complex issues that may positively impact the education all children receive. Fix those areas that are broken. Demand better education for all students. Education must come first before any redistricting.
In regard to the redistricting, I strongly urge all parents to become involved. The MCAS have told us that redistricting has to occur based on overcrowding, etc. The proposed plans have obviously torn the community and have created racial and socioeconomically divided issues among members in the district.
I ask the community to bring your ideas to the meetings on April 13 and 14. Let's come together as a community on this very important matter where our future leaders are affected. I urge the community to appeal to the board to improve education first!
Each and every one of us sending our children to these schools has our children's best interests first despite how very personal and emotional all of this has become.
We know that as members of the community we do not have to accept these redistricting proposals or any new proposals that develop. There are other options such as removing our children from the public school system. Several parochial schools in the district are meeting/exceeding state standards. I strongly urge the community and the board to put education first. Give us a plan that addresses education, rather than dividing our community and disrupting our community schools!
Kari Parnell
MCAS Parent
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22467
QUOTE
MCAS has too many fires burning
The time for questioning the Michigan City Area Schools about its thought process has come and gone. The community has suffered long enough with a school system, administration and school board that has lost touch and focus with those it is in charge of serving.
The latest debacles only serve to reiterate that lack of leadership and attention to its community. The issues of redistricting and building a career center have marked a new low for MCAS. At a time when the community needs something positive to grasp onto we get this? The issue of redistricting has pitted community member against community member, and school against school.Instead of a community focused on regaining control of our schools, we now have a battle over those who feel slighted by one another over an issue put forth by MCAS. The proposed career center may have merit, but at a time when many are out of work and struggling to feed their families, facing foreclosure, and many other serious economic issues, you would think the MCAS administration would know now is not the time to straddle taxpayers with more debt.
But yet MCAS pushes on with a blind eye, or heart, to its community, and it seems we have been down this road before with MCAS. And it seems the MCAS will never learn that as long as the core of our schools (real education) suffers, everything else is nothing more than a distraction. If the MCAS could for once tackle that main issue maybe the community could support other issues, but they choose to simply add to the amount of fires burning within MCAS that they cannot control.
Hint to the MCAS administration: quit throwing useless money at items that don't solve our community's real problems. For once actually develop a plan to fix our failing educational system - reading, writing and arithmetic so our kids can pass the ISTEP tests, and actually claim Adequate Yearly Progress. Settle the contract with the teachers, and quit giving raises to the administration while our teachers are ignored and chastised by a bloated MCAS administration.
If you fix the core problems, all the other fires will be easier to put out. But something tells this MCAS administration will choose to once again ignore our community and its values and for.
Roger A. Butler
Michigan City
The time for questioning the Michigan City Area Schools about its thought process has come and gone. The community has suffered long enough with a school system, administration and school board that has lost touch and focus with those it is in charge of serving.
The latest debacles only serve to reiterate that lack of leadership and attention to its community. The issues of redistricting and building a career center have marked a new low for MCAS. At a time when the community needs something positive to grasp onto we get this? The issue of redistricting has pitted community member against community member, and school against school.Instead of a community focused on regaining control of our schools, we now have a battle over those who feel slighted by one another over an issue put forth by MCAS. The proposed career center may have merit, but at a time when many are out of work and struggling to feed their families, facing foreclosure, and many other serious economic issues, you would think the MCAS administration would know now is not the time to straddle taxpayers with more debt.
But yet MCAS pushes on with a blind eye, or heart, to its community, and it seems we have been down this road before with MCAS. And it seems the MCAS will never learn that as long as the core of our schools (real education) suffers, everything else is nothing more than a distraction. If the MCAS could for once tackle that main issue maybe the community could support other issues, but they choose to simply add to the amount of fires burning within MCAS that they cannot control.
Hint to the MCAS administration: quit throwing useless money at items that don't solve our community's real problems. For once actually develop a plan to fix our failing educational system - reading, writing and arithmetic so our kids can pass the ISTEP tests, and actually claim Adequate Yearly Progress. Settle the contract with the teachers, and quit giving raises to the administration while our teachers are ignored and chastised by a bloated MCAS administration.
If you fix the core problems, all the other fires will be easier to put out. But something tells this MCAS administration will choose to once again ignore our community and its values and for.
Roger A. Butler
Michigan City
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 14 2009, 07:54 PM
Way to go mr burgwald!!!!!!!!!
and thank you!!! 
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 14 2009, 09:32 PM
For everyone's reading pleasure. Enjoy!!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 15 2009, 06:30 AM
Thanks for posting that. It is excellent work. Its why I believe Beryle is one of the few people in that group who really know what they are doing. I am still reserving judgment on the three newest members.
Posted by: Ang Apr 15 2009, 09:24 AM
This smells like a victory.
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 15 2009, 10:06 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 15 2009, 10:24 AM)
This smells like a victory.
And it smells oh so sweet!!!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 15 2009, 11:19 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22490&TM=48450.37
QUOTE
In-town' code for African-American
Kim Antisdel ["Why let 'in-town' kids attend Coolspring School?" April 6] used "in-town" kids, which is a code word for African-American children, low-income kids, or anyone who does not fit the "quote" Coolspring child.
Segregation within the schools was demolished through the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954. To take us back to that era is to say that we have not grown as a people.
In-town children make up our beloved football, basketball, baseball and track teams. In-town children go on and succeed. Many are principals, assistant principals and teachers.
In-town kids with government assistance work harder, they understand that this is not where they want to be for the rest of their life, it's just their beginning. It is a step into a brighter future. Nurses, police, doctors, lawyers all under the category of in-town kids help build the community. Many of them did not attend Coolspring.
Not passing the ISTEP does not limit or prohibit you from having a bright future. Special ed students who receive extra help in school go on to do remarkable things. I recommend the Coolspring mom and others read the book "We Beat the Street," a story about three doctors who were "in-twn" kids. I thank you for motivating us to reach our highest levels of potential through the educational system.
Bianca' Spencer
Coolspring Township
Kim Antisdel ["Why let 'in-town' kids attend Coolspring School?" April 6] used "in-town" kids, which is a code word for African-American children, low-income kids, or anyone who does not fit the "quote" Coolspring child.
Segregation within the schools was demolished through the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954. To take us back to that era is to say that we have not grown as a people.
In-town children make up our beloved football, basketball, baseball and track teams. In-town children go on and succeed. Many are principals, assistant principals and teachers.
In-town kids with government assistance work harder, they understand that this is not where they want to be for the rest of their life, it's just their beginning. It is a step into a brighter future. Nurses, police, doctors, lawyers all under the category of in-town kids help build the community. Many of them did not attend Coolspring.
Not passing the ISTEP does not limit or prohibit you from having a bright future. Special ed students who receive extra help in school go on to do remarkable things. I recommend the Coolspring mom and others read the book "We Beat the Street," a story about three doctors who were "in-twn" kids. I thank you for motivating us to reach our highest levels of potential through the educational system.
Bianca' Spencer
Coolspring Township
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 15 2009, 11:31 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22489
QUOTE
Redistricting schools threatens community
Redistricting may threaten parent participation in schools due to a sense of lost community. Children learn better and develop better in their emotional adjustment when parents and teachers are working together. This is not going to happen unless they are comfortable with one another. One important factor in this is a feeling of a shared sense of community. Any time we redistrict, or close a school, or even reassign teachers we threaten this sense of community.
Few parents and children are natural joiners and adjust immediately when there is any change. Most parents and students and even teachers, I believe, are anxious about change and as a result do not join the new community assigned to them by others. They are like most first generation immigrants in that they live in a community but don't feel a part of it. They have no sense of empowerment. They feel their words will not be heard so they do not speak up. When this happens the educational process is less likely to be effective.
All the recent angry dialog about redistricting is not part of racism or elitism. It is an expression of concern by parents who fear the loss of community. My children are now grown and no longer live in this area so these proposed changes do not affect me personally. I think, however, that the school board and the school administration should be pleased that these involved parents feel empowered enough to speak up. You are hearing something that really means something when it comes to educating our children and helping them to develop a sense of personal responsibility.
R. Craig Weigel
La Porte
Redistricting may threaten parent participation in schools due to a sense of lost community. Children learn better and develop better in their emotional adjustment when parents and teachers are working together. This is not going to happen unless they are comfortable with one another. One important factor in this is a feeling of a shared sense of community. Any time we redistrict, or close a school, or even reassign teachers we threaten this sense of community.
Few parents and children are natural joiners and adjust immediately when there is any change. Most parents and students and even teachers, I believe, are anxious about change and as a result do not join the new community assigned to them by others. They are like most first generation immigrants in that they live in a community but don't feel a part of it. They have no sense of empowerment. They feel their words will not be heard so they do not speak up. When this happens the educational process is less likely to be effective.
All the recent angry dialog about redistricting is not part of racism or elitism. It is an expression of concern by parents who fear the loss of community. My children are now grown and no longer live in this area so these proposed changes do not affect me personally. I think, however, that the school board and the school administration should be pleased that these involved parents feel empowered enough to speak up. You are hearing something that really means something when it comes to educating our children and helping them to develop a sense of personal responsibility.
R. Craig Weigel
La Porte
Posted by: Isabella Apr 15 2009, 01:26 PM
When I first read this article, I thought the writer was suggesting that all Coolspring mothers needed to read that book. I was appauld. But then I went back to the letter and saw the word "Mom" and others, not moms. I was relieved! I truely hope that the letter writer, "why let in-town kids go to Coolspring" was merely anger and has been misinterpreted, rather than true beliefs of this writer. I believe she may have let her anger get the best of her. That she was voicing her anger that her child, whom lives closest to Coolspring, would be bussed further away with the opposite being true for other children. It is unfortunate that she let her word choices imply to the reader a different meaning. At least I hope that is truely what she meant. Anyone can look at the Indiana I-Step results and see I-Step scores. Many people look at these scores to determine the quality of education being delivered in schools. I believe the system has to be looked into. It appears we have some board members that are listening and trying to improve.
Someone I know very well came from an underpriveledged family, generation after generation. This person broke that cycle. I have learned so much from this person and genuinely respect and admire. I know from this person first hand that it can be done despite sociological statistics I learned in college. Low socioeconomic status effects all races in Michigan City. It is very disturbing that even in year 2009, some people still attempt to make issues black and white. What is more disturbing is that the administration divided the community by non-white and free and reduced lunches for plan C. The focus for redistricting should be redirected to the goal, "education." This is the time to try something new because the present has not worked for many years. As a district, the MCAS are failing, and children of all races and from different levels of socioeconomic status are affected. And yes, some races and different classes of socioeconomic status more than others. This is what has to change. All of the children should be "educated." I know the answers are not easy and that Evidenced-based research should be reviewed before any rush to redistrict.
We still need to focus on the board members and administration. As someone else mentioned, this is not over yet!
Posted by: Magnolia Apr 15 2009, 10:55 PM
I like Mr. Burgwald's motion (letter), and it is the guidelines that should have been proposed to begin with. However, I do disagree with Mr. Burgwald in keeping Eastport open.
I sat on one of the committees for the strategic plan, and even participated in the pre-strategic plan committee. The conversation was at the time to open a preschool program, because there was a need to address the most at risk students that were not being serviced by Head Start. The preschool program was intended for the cohort of students who were between Head Start eligibility and those who could not afford to be sent to a preschool program. Many groups supported the opening of the preschool, and it was hastily put together to open the school in time for the beginning of the school year. I also know that Harding was a big advocate for preschool education, and it was certainly his pet project.
Don't get me wrong, I do support preschool education especially for children who need to be socialized and assimilated into a school environment to aid them in the transition into kindergarten. However, it is neither essential nor as important as kindergarten.
Eastport was meant to be a temporary solution, and at the time it was understood that Eastport would be closed and the children would possibly move into the old Mullen building which is far more suited for a preschool than Eastport. It was not mentioned at the time that the preschools would be placed back into the respective school buildings. Many of the schools cannot accommodate a preschool classroom. Some of the schools are utilizing a kindergarten room for such purpose.
We took many Title I dollars from our most at risk students in the elementary schools to fund potential students who were not even a part of the school system. We robbed Peter to pay Paul. We used Title I monies to pay for preschool for children who were not Title I. I have a problem with that. What purpose is it to use monies to aid a preschooler in learning to love school when a third grader who cannot pass his/her ISTEP is endanger of failing the third grade, because he/she cannot read? Imagine being that parent and knowing that monies were allocated to that student, but it was diverted to students who can barely write their name or haven’t even learned to read yet.
With the advent of the surprise visit from the state Title I administrators, the school system was slapped on the hand for funding the preschool with monies designated for other schools and students. They have seriously mismanaged our Title I monies with no verifiable accountability. The school board did not even know about this reprimand. Had they have known about this reprimand in January when the school corporation received this notice, I am most certain the superintendent would not be employed by our school system today.
What gets me is the obvious motives and deception running rampant in the school system. We have a superintendent who knowingly used Title I monies to inappropriately fund a preschool, and knew that oversight was lacking until the state got wind of it. Furthermore, the intentional deception by the administration regarding the redistricting guidelines is inexplicable and unacceptable. The administration knew that they needed to dismantle the preschool program, and they know that they are on the cusp of restructuring of schools that have consistently not made AYP. By redistricting on a grand scale, they buy themselves more time to meet AYP and no longer face the possibility of losing their Title I funds. They also widely redistribute the free and reduced students to make more programs applicable to all schools (ie preschool).
We should be moving the preschool into schools with the most at risk students. We also need to focus our Title I monies on those students who have been verified as at risk. This is the only way we can bring our test scores up. Lake Hills is proof that when monies are used effectively the test scores will rival anyone of the other elementary schools.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 16 2009, 07:00 AM
QUOTE(Isabella @ Apr 15 2009, 02:26 PM)
When I first read this article, I thought the writer was suggesting that all Coolspring mothers needed to read that book. I was appauld. But then I went back to the letter and saw the word "Mom" and others, not moms. I was relieved! I truely hope that the letter writer, "why let in-town kids go to Coolspring" was merely anger and has been misinterpreted, rather than true beliefs of this writer. I believe she may have let her anger get the best of her. That she was voicing her anger that her child, whom lives closest to Coolspring, would be bussed further away with the opposite being true for other children. It is unfortunate that she let her word choices imply to the reader a different meaning. At least I hope that is truely what she meant. Anyone can look at the Indiana I-Step results and see I-Step scores. Many people look at these scores to determine the quality of education being delivered in schools. I believe the system has to be looked into. It appears we have some board members that are listening and trying to improve.
Someone I know very well came from an underpriveledged family, generation after generation. This person broke that cycle. I have learned so much from this person and genuinely respect and admire. I know from this person first hand that it can be done despite sociological statistics I learned in college. Low socioeconomic status effects all races in Michigan City. It is very disturbing that even in year 2009, some people still attempt to make issues black and white. What is more disturbing is that the administration divided the community by non-white and free and reduced lunches for plan C. The focus for redistricting should be redirected to the goal, "education." This is the time to try something new because the present has not worked for many years. As a district, the MCAS are failing, and children of all races and from different levels of socioeconomic status are affected. And yes, some races and different classes of socioeconomic status more than others. This is what has to change. All of the children should be "educated." I know the answers are not easy and that Evidenced-based research should be reviewed before any rush to redistrict.
We still need to focus on the board members and administration. As someone else mentioned, this is not over yet!
First off welcome to the board! Secondly, I like the fact that you have looked at the socio-economic angle of things. I take it that means you understand that economic status, not race is the most true indicating factor of whether a child will succeed in school. Kids on the lower rungs are historically less prepared for school, because their parents don't, or aren't able to prepare them for the experience. In many occasions it was because they themselves weren't ready for education and dropped out. In other occasions it is because one or both parents are absent and not able to teach their kids the skills they need before schooling starts. The evidence is pretty clear in these cases. We need to get these kids from day one in a situation where they can succeed. It really doesn't help convince them that they can succeed when an entire sector of the school district is telling them that they are worth less than other kids in the district, and they don't want their kids associated with them. It only reinforces the stereotype that they can't/won't succeed.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 16 2009, 07:16 AM
QUOTE(Magnolia @ Apr 15 2009, 11:55 PM)
I like Mr. Burgwald's motion (letter), and it is the guidelines that should have been proposed to begin with. However, I do disagree with Mr. Burgwald in keeping Eastport open.
I sat on one of the committees for the strategic plan, and even participated in the pre-strategic plan committee. The conversation was at the time to open a preschool program, because there was a need to address the most at risk students that were not being serviced by Head Start. The preschool program was intended for the cohort of students who were between Head Start eligibility and those who could not afford to be sent to a preschool program. Many groups supported the opening of the preschool, and it was hastily put together to open the school in time for the beginning of the school year. I also know that Harding was a big advocate for preschool education, and it was certainly his pet project.
Don't get me wrong, I do support preschool education especially for children who need to be socialized and assimilated into a school environment to aid them in the transition into kindergarten. However, it is neither essential nor as important as kindergarten.
I disagree here totally. One HUGE problem in our school system is that kids are getting into our system who are not ready for Kindergarten. When my wife was taking our kids to Baby Talk, the leader of the particular spot the they went to said that about 1 in 4 kids gets into our school system without know how a book works. Stop and think about that for a second... They don't understand which was is up and down, or that you read from left to right, or how the pages flip. I am not even talking about being able to read your basic A-B-C's yet, I am talking about the very basic of how to properly utilize a book. This is what our school system is charged with molding.
QUOTE
Eastport was meant to be a temporary solution, and at the time it was understood that Eastport would be closed and the children would possibly move into the old Mullen building which is far more suited for a preschool than Eastport. It was not mentioned at the time that the preschools would be placed back into the respective school buildings. Many of the schools cannot accommodate a preschool classroom. Some of the schools are utilizing a kindergarten room for such purpose.
So in other words, we were looking at what was most likely another temporary or otherwise ill-fitting solution that wasn't going to work. Why am I not surprised?
QUOTE
We took many Title I dollars from our most at risk students in the elementary schools to fund potential students who were not even a part of the school system. We robbed Peter to pay Paul. We used Title I monies to pay for preschool for children who were not Title I. I have a problem with that. What purpose is it to use monies to aid a preschooler in learning to love school when a third grader who cannot pass his/her ISTEP is endanger of failing the third grade, because he/she cannot read? Imagine being that parent and knowing that monies were allocated to that student, but it was diverted to students who can barely write their name or haven’t even learned to read yet.
I hated the way we funded this. It didn't make any sense to take from other kids in the system. I am not sure what other options we had
QUOTE
With the advent of the surprise visit from the state Title I administrators, the school system was slapped on the hand for funding the preschool with monies designated for other schools and students. They have seriously mismanaged our Title I monies with no verifiable accountability. The school board did not even know about this reprimand. Had they have known about this reprimand in January when the school corporation received this notice, I am most certain the superintendent would not be employed by our school system today.
Don't kid yourself. There is the Harding Sock Puppet faction of the board that has pretty much marched lockstep behind anything and everything he has done and wanted done. If they wouldn't even give the incoming board the common respect to vote on his extension, despite overwhelming opinion against Harding, I don't know why anything else would have changed their minds. Luckily in about a year and a half we have a shot at knocking many of that faction off of the board, just like we have six other incumbents in the last two elections. The voters in the MCAS are mad as hell, and I have no doubt that many people are going to be targeted this time around.
QUOTE
What gets me is the obvious motives and deception running rampant in the school system. We have a superintendent who knowingly used Title I monies to inappropriately fund a preschool, and knew that oversight was lacking until the state got wind of it. Furthermore, the intentional deception by the administration regarding the redistricting guidelines is inexplicable and unacceptable. The administration knew that they needed to dismantle the preschool program, and they know that they are on the cusp of restructuring of schools that have consistently not made AYP. By redistricting on a grand scale, they buy themselves more time to meet AYP and no longer face the possibility of losing their Title I funds. They also widely redistribute the free and reduced students to make more programs applicable to all schools (ie preschool).
We should be moving the preschool into schools with the most at risk students. We also need to focus our Title I monies on those students who have been verified as at risk. This is the only way we can bring our test scores up. Lake Hills is proof that when monies are used effectively the test scores will rival anyone of the other elementary schools.
We should be moving the preschool into schools with the most at risk students. We also need to focus our Title I monies on those students who have been verified as at risk. This is the only way we can bring our test scores up. Lake Hills is proof that when monies are used effectively the test scores will rival anyone of the other elementary schools.
Its been like that through out the entire Harding administration. There is no such thing as "good faith". Everything is dirty and behind closed doors. I have no doubt that this would get crammed down our throats with the same gusto that things like the Early Learning Center and Career Center have been, if there hadn't have been such a large uproar. I think after two nasty elections for those not listening to the community might have gotten board members attention. Hopefully things are starting to change at the top, and Michael Harding will be the next thing to end here.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 16 2009, 09:51 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=22510
QUOTE
Our Opinion:
The Issue:
School board adopts strict rules on redistricting.
Our Opinion:
Elementary children should attend nearby school, but diversity is crucial, too.
Redistricting
Board rejects all alternatives
Editorial
Michigan City Area Schools stirred up a hornet's nest with its proposed school redistricting, and the school board scrapped the three alternate proposals Tuesday night.
On a motion that passed 4-3, the board sent the redistricting issue back to a committee with specific guidelines. While the vote was close, the three who voted against it said they weren't happy with the three alternatives the committee presented, either.
Some changes are necessary because present building capacities and enrollments don't jibe. Also, the school administration would like to move students to provide for a more balanced enrollment based on race and economic status (free and reduced lunch).
However, board member Beryle Burgwald's motion, which was adopted by the board, would prohibit redistricting based on race or free and reduce lunches, and require districts to be compact. While Burgwald said court rulings have found school districts can't be drawn by race, the landmark ruling, Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, prohibited segregated schools.
Michigan City Area Schools has drawn its districts so that Coolspring School, located in a largely white neighborhood, has 31 percent non-white students now, and Springfield, also in a white area, has 19 percent non-white. Meanwhile Lake Hills, in a largely black neighborhood, is 79 percent non-white, but even the three alternatives proposed would have left it barely changed (77, 75 and 76 percent non-white). None of those match the district-wide racial breakdown, but that would be impossible without transporting huge numbers of students, and that's not acceptable.
The best redistricting is the one that switches the fewest number of children from their neighborhood schools, while at the same time trying to keep schools diversified, which is a tough balancing act that isn't going to be any easier with the strict terms of the motion the board adopted.
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 16 2009, 10:10 AM
QUOTE(Magnolia @ Apr 15 2009, 11:55 PM)
I like Mr. Burgwald's motion (letter), and it is the guidelines that should have been proposed to begin with. However, I do disagree with Mr. Burgwald in keeping Eastport open.
I sat on one of the committees for the strategic plan, and even participated in the pre-strategic plan committee. The conversation was at the time to open a preschool program, because there was a need to address the most at risk students that were not being serviced by Head Start. The preschool program was intended for the cohort of students who were between Head Start eligibility and those who could not afford to be sent to a preschool program. Many groups supported the opening of the preschool, and it was hastily put together to open the school in time for the beginning of the school year. I also know that Harding was a big advocate for preschool education, and it was certainly his pet project.
Don't get me wrong, I do support preschool education especially for children who need to be socialized and assimilated into a school environment to aid them in the transition into kindergarten. However, it is neither essential nor as important as kindergarten.
Eastport was meant to be a temporary solution, and at the time it was understood that Eastport would be closed and the children would possibly move into the old Mullen building which is far more suited for a preschool than Eastport. It was not mentioned at the time that the preschools would be placed back into the respective school buildings. Many of the schools cannot accommodate a preschool classroom. Some of the schools are utilizing a kindergarten room for such purpose.
We took many Title I dollars from our most at risk students in the elementary schools to fund potential students who were not even a part of the school system. We robbed Peter to pay Paul. We used Title I monies to pay for preschool for children who were not Title I. I have a problem with that. What purpose is it to use monies to aid a preschooler in learning to love school when a third grader who cannot pass his/her ISTEP is endanger of failing the third grade, because he/she cannot read? Imagine being that parent and knowing that monies were allocated to that student, but it was diverted to students who can barely write their name or haven’t even learned to read yet.
With the advent of the surprise visit from the state Title I administrators, the school system was slapped on the hand for funding the preschool with monies designated for other schools and students. They have seriously mismanaged our Title I monies with no verifiable accountability. The school board did not even know about this reprimand. Had they have known about this reprimand in January when the school corporation received this notice, I am most certain the superintendent would not be employed by our school system today.
What gets me is the obvious motives and deception running rampant in the school system. We have a superintendent who knowingly used Title I monies to inappropriately fund a preschool, and knew that oversight was lacking until the state got wind of it. Furthermore, the intentional deception by the administration regarding the redistricting guidelines is inexplicable and unacceptable. The administration knew that they needed to dismantle the preschool program, and they know that they are on the cusp of restructuring of schools that have consistently not made AYP. By redistricting on a grand scale, they buy themselves more time to meet AYP and no longer face the possibility of losing their Title I funds. They also widely redistribute the free and reduced students to make more programs applicable to all schools (ie preschool).
We should be moving the preschool into schools with the most at risk students. We also need to focus our Title I monies on those students who have been verified as at risk. This is the only way we can bring our test scores up. Lake Hills is proof that when monies are used effectively the test scores will rival anyone of the other elementary schools.
ok first off what r u considering at risk? are you saying that an average 3 year old would be better of sitting at home with mommy, there is no real reason for him to learn?
these other preschools that are in the elementary schools are not title 1. why are they okay to keep going?
im guessing you dont have a child in the eastport center and until you do you wont understand. eastport has made an awesome difference in my sons life, and i cant wait for my other child to get the same, closing eastport this wont happen. if we are all so concerned with our children getting the best education why is the fact of how eastport came to be an issue. your saying that if one student has more money they will have a better learning experience. thats not true. its up to us as parents and the teachers and their commitment to the students. when i was in grade school and having a hard time in math, i got no special treatment, is that because my parents were on the lower side of the income scale??? no, i really dont think it was, it was because the teacher i got stuck with had better things to do with her time. all the money goes to the school district, of course theres a few schools that get a bit more due to free/reduced meals. but come on, its not our fault nor our childrens fault that micheal harding spends money the way he does. these kids dont need to be punished for his immature act. fire him. leave eastport alone, its a great preschool, and i want my kids to be apart of it, i will fight to keep it open.
Posted by: JHeath Apr 16 2009, 01:33 PM
Let's all get a clearer understanding of Title I funding before we go any further.
Since I was unclear on what Title I was to be utilized for, I called the State Dept of Education and asked.
I was told that Title I is federal funding that is distributed (by the State Dept of Education ) to districts with high poverty/low-achieving students. This money is to be used to supplement rather than supplant (or serve as a subsititute) to provide items that the school district might need.
That being said, the person at the State Dept of Education office who works with our area is on vacation this week, and I was not able to ask any specific or direct questions. However, her name is Brenda Martz, and the number to their offices is 1-877-418-7240.
Now, to address your points:
QUOTE
ok first off what r u considering at risk? are you saying that an average 3 year old would be better of sitting at home with mommy, there is no real reason for him to learn?
No one is saying that a 3 year old would be better off without this experience. What she's saying is that funding was cut from other programs...programs that were helping older kids who were already in school and deemed "at-risk", meaning that they could not read or write at age-appropriate levels, much less pass the grade levels they were in.
Please...go toe-to-toe with me and tell me that my daughter (who is in the special ed programs) or others like her aren't just as deserving of an education as your child, just because she can't read or write like other 5th graders. Because of these funding cuts, other kids, my daughter included, have had to deal with getting less help in the classrooms, translating into more work for the teachers and paraprofessionals who remain, as well as less learning for the kids.
QUOTE
these other preschools that are in the elementary schools are not title 1. why are they okay to keep going?
The other preschools you're referring to...are they at Joy and Springfield? If so, those may be special education classrooms which utilize yet another funding source.
Posted by: Dave Apr 16 2009, 01:57 PM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 16 2009, 11:10 AM)
...are you saying that an average 3 year old would be better of sitting at home with mommy, there is no real reason for him to learn?
I may be all wet here, but I have to think that if mommy is sitting at home anyway, the typical three year old probably would be better off at home with mommy than in a classroom where one instructor has to divide his/her attention among anywhere from 10 to 25 or more kids.
At least if the mommy is going to interact with the three year old more than -- hmmm, 8 hour school day divided by say 24 kids per classroom, that's 20 minutes per kid -- if mommy interacts more than 20 minutes per day with the three year old, the child gets more attention at home.
3 year olds learn wherever they are, they don't need a classroom to do it. And if mommy is at home and can't spend an hour or two daily reading with her child and such activities, mommy really should have a cat instead.
Posted by: Isabella Apr 16 2009, 03:47 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 16 2009, 08:00 AM)
First off welcome to the board! Secondly, I like the fact that you have looked at the socio-economic angle of things. I take it that means you understand that economic status, not race is the most true indicating factor of whether a child will succeed in school. Kids on the lower rungs are historically less prepared for school, because their parents don't, or aren't able to prepare them for the experience. In many occasions it was because they themselves weren't ready for education and dropped out. In other occasions it is because one or both parents are absent and not able to teach their kids the skills they need before schooling starts. The evidence is pretty clear in these cases. We need to get these kids from day one in a situation where they can succeed. It really doesn't help convince them that they can succeed when an entire sector of the school district is telling them that they are worth less than other kids in the district, and they don't want their kids associated with them. It only reinforces the stereotype that they can't/won't succeed.
Posted by: Isabella Apr 16 2009, 04:33 PM
I absolutely believe that socioeconomic factors are more indicative to educational attainment. I cannot speak for other Coolspring parents, but I will tell you this: As you know people look at I-Step scores as I said previously. They see that Coolspring is doing well in that area. People are afraid that this would change given redistricting. As the data indicated in the redistricting proposal, there are less free / reduced lunch students attending Coolspring. The Indiana website also reveals that of the free / reduced lunch students, I-Step scores are lower. This alone supports that socioeconomic status can impact education. I believe that Lake Hills shows absolute proof that with dollars spent where they are needed, targeted at high-risk students, education can be improved. It's unfortunate that our administration spent monies from title 1 funding in schools that are not title 1 for pre-school such as at Coolspring. They will be held accoutable for this. As you can see the administration has not handled title 1 funding appropriately and so making all schools title 1 is not the answer. The school administration does have to do some restructuring because as a district, they have failed AYP for the 5th year for improvement as a title 1 corporation. I believe this as well as the title 1 funding to pay for preschools was the real push for plan C and probably even the reason for redistricting also. Yes they do have 2 overpopulated and 2 schools with vacancies, however, if they leave the preschool at Eastport and leave the other preschools only in title 1 funded schools, perhaps the 2 overcrowded schools would not be overcrowded. I would like to see some new opportunities open up such as Magnet programs. These programs could have the potential to redistribute students from all ethnicities served in the district and also improve education. People of all socioeconomic classes could have a great opportunity. I know that as the paper article read today, we do have some schools that's diversity truely reflect the neighborhoods. From a transportation aspect, this might be difficult to increase the diversity. I can tell you that at Coolspring, I see children of all races playing together. These kids growing up today don't see race and if some do, it is ignorance they have been taught. Thanks for welcoming me aboard!
Posted by: Magnolia Apr 16 2009, 11:25 PM
QUOTE(proudeastportmomma @ Apr 16 2009, 11:10 AM)
ok first off what r u considering at risk? are you saying that an average 3 year old would be better of sitting at home with mommy, there is no real reason for him to learn?
these other preschools that are in the elementary schools are not title 1. why are they okay to keep going?
im guessing you dont have a child in the eastport center and until you do you wont understand. eastport has made an awesome difference in my sons life, and i cant wait for my other child to get the same, closing eastport this wont happen. if we are all so concerned with our children getting the best education why is the fact of how eastport came to be an issue. your saying that if one student has more money they will have a better learning experience. thats not true. its up to us as parents and the teachers and their commitment to the students. when i was in grade school and having a hard time in math, i got no special treatment, is that because my parents were on the lower side of the income scale??? no, i really dont think it was, it was because the teacher i got stuck with had better things to do with her time. all the money goes to the school district, of course theres a few schools that get a bit more due to free/reduced meals. but come on, its not our fault nor our childrens fault that micheal harding spends money the way he does. these kids dont need to be punished for his immature act. fire him. leave eastport alone, its a great preschool, and i want my kids to be apart of it, i will fight to keep it open.
Yes, in my opinion, an average three year old is better off at home with his/her mother. Three year old children learn by playing and by spending time with the nurturing parent whether it's a mother or a father in the dynamics of a family environment. Play is very important in their development. Are you saying that you are not providing a nurturing environment from which your three year old cannot play appropriately? Three year old children are very self centered and are not developmentally ready for structured play with other peers. This level of play happens during the fourth and fifth year. I know this, because I am educated on the subject and have four children of which one of them is four. Furthermore children do not need top of the line toys to play or learn from. How many times have we bought a toy for a child only to find that the child found more interest in the box than the toy itself.
Children who are three are learning all the time. They learn by doing, and they have a reason to learn. However, their learning experiences are not directed around whether they learn their alphabet to a tee or whether they can do simple addition. Have we forgot what childhood is about? Our children spend most of their young lives in school where daily tasks are structured and with little time for free play and discovery. Preschool is not important as kindergarten and I will reiterate that. Kindergarten was designed to ready children for primary school. This is evident in our own state law that says children are not required to attend school until age seven; kinergarten is not mandatory.
Yes, either of these are beneficial...and I support these initatives for those who are at risk; those students who may fall within certain socioeconomic parameters or who are special needs. That is where I draw the line. We should not be using Title I monies for preschool children who do not fit into these parameters.
Schools such as Springfiled and Coolspring have preschools, because those students live a considerable distance from Eastport. I feel the need to mention that had I wanted my child to go to preschool, he would have been bussed to Eastport even though I live five minutes from Coolspring. He would have been on a bus for an hour each way.
We have over forty years of research and information regarding Head Start that says that even the most highly effective preschool program has little benefit to children if they lack the same effective education in elementary school. If the lack of quality education and support for these students is not available in elementary school , then the benefits gained by a preschool education is lost by third grade. Does this matter? Absolutely, because we begin I-STEP in third grade. If children are not effective readers by third grade, then they spend most of their educational experience playing catch-up and not to mention the costs increase in educating the student as well.
We have diverted approximately 800,000 dollars to preschool students that could be used to help a second grader learn to read or a special needs student learn to write---all parameters for AYP. No Child Left Behind doesn't care if a student is average, mild mentally retarded or handicap; they are all expected to pass by the same parameters. 800,000 dollars would pay for a heck of a lot of instructional assistants and paraprofessionals.
Finally, I do not have a student at Eastport and he does not attend preschool. I do have a niece who attends Eastport though. I understand more than you think. I only hope your children excel in school, because if they inevitably need additional remediation, the monies won't be there to help them, because we are too busy teaching our three year olds which way a book is supposed to be read.
Posted by: Magnolia Apr 16 2009, 11:38 PM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 16 2009, 02:33 PM)
Let's all get a clearer understanding of Title I funding before we go any further.
Since I was unclear on what Title I was to be utilized for, I called the State Dept of Education and asked.
I was told that Title I is federal funding that is distributed (by the State Dept of Education ) to districts with high poverty/low-achieving students. This money is to be used to supplement rather than supplant (or serve as a subsititute) to provide items that the school district might need.
That being said, the person at the State Dept of Education office who works with our area is on vacation this week, and I was not able to ask any specific or direct questions. However, her name is Brenda Martz, and the number to their offices is 1-877-418-7240.
Now, to address your points:
No one is saying that a 3 year old would be better off without this experience. What she's saying is that funding was cut from other programs...programs that were helping older kids who were already in school and deemed "at-risk", meaning that they could not read or write at age-appropriate levels, much less pass the grade levels they were in.
Please...go toe-to-toe with me and tell me that my daughter (who is in the special ed programs) or others like her aren't just as deserving of an education as your child, just because she can't read or write like other 5th graders. Because of these funding cuts, other kids, my daughter included, have had to deal with getting less help in the classrooms, translating into more work for the teachers and paraprofessionals who remain, as well as less learning for the kids.
The other preschools you're referring to...are they at Joy and Springfield? If so, those may be special education classrooms which utilize yet another funding source.
Thank you JHeath! You have thoroughly reiterated my position. We should not be providing free preschool to all when so many of our students need every resource possible to become productive citizens!
Posted by: Magnolia Apr 16 2009, 11:53 PM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 16 2009, 08:16 AM)
I disagree here totally. One HUGE problem in our school system is that kids are getting into our system who are not ready for Kindergarten. When my wife was taking our kids to Baby Talk, the leader of the particular spot the they went to said that about 1 in 4 kids gets into our school system without know how a book works. Stop and think about that for a second... They don't understand which was is up and down, or that you read from left to right, or how the pages flip. I am not even talking about being able to read your basic A-B-C's yet, I am talking about the very basic of how to properly utilize a book. This is what our school system is charged with molding.
So in other words, we were looking at what was most likely another temporary or otherwise ill-fitting solution that wasn't going to work. Why am I not surprised?
I hated the way we funded this. It didn't make any sense to take from other kids in the system. I am not sure what other options we had
Don't kid yourself. There is the Harding Sock Puppet faction of the board that has pretty much marched lockstep behind anything and everything he has done and wanted done. If they wouldn't even give the incoming board the common respect to vote on his extension, despite overwhelming opinion against Harding, I don't know why anything else would have changed their minds. Luckily in about a year and a half we have a shot at knocking many of that faction off of the board, just like we have six other incumbents in the last two elections. The voters in the MCAS are mad as hell, and I have no doubt that many people are going to be targeted this time around.
Its been like that through out the entire Harding administration. There is no such thing as "good faith". Everything is dirty and behind closed doors. I have no doubt that this would get crammed down our throats with the same gusto that things like the Early Learning Center and Career Center have been, if there hadn't have been such a large uproar. I think after two nasty elections for those not listening to the community might have gotten board members attention. Hopefully things are starting to change at the top, and Michael Harding will be the next thing to end here.
The only thing I would like to add to this is that I spoke to a school board member of whom I see on a regular basis. This board member did not know until quite recently that the school system had received a reprimand from the state. While I am sure there are members in the know, there clearly are members who are not in the know. I read all 40 plus pages of that state letter. I am absolutely appalled at the allegations by the state regarding the administration and Harding. I am certain that many of these members did not receive this information during the time when they were considering his contract. The state's reprimand is clearly grounds for termination. Furthermore, I would also be issuing pink slips to those administrators in charge of Title I funds .
It is certainly time for a thorough house cleaning in the administration. We need to downsize and bring in some fresh faces who can keep our school system moving forward!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 05:58 AM
QUOTE(Magnolia @ Apr 17 2009, 12:53 AM)
The only thing I would like to add to this is that I spoke to a school board member of whom I see on a regular basis. This board member did not know until quite recently that the school system had received a reprimand from the state. While I am sure there are members in the know, there clearly are members who are not in the know. I read all 40 plus pages of that state letter. I am absolutely appalled at the allegations by the state regarding the administration and Harding. I am certain that many of these members did not receive this information during the time when they were considering his contract. The state's reprimand is clearly grounds for termination. Furthermore, I would also be issuing pink slips to those administrators in charge of Title I funds .
It is certainly time for a thorough house cleaning in the administration. We need to downsize and bring in some fresh faces who can keep our school system moving forward!
Any chance that letter is a public document that we can make a FOIA request for? That needs to be very public!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 06:10 AM
QUOTE(Magnolia @ Apr 17 2009, 12:38 AM)
Thank you JHeath! You have thoroughly reiterated my position. We should not be providing free preschool to all when so many of our students need every resource possible to become productive citizens!
My big point is that they have gotten to 5th grade and still can't read, it is probably too late for that to happen. In a system where so many of the kids get to school without the very basic skills you are talking about, intervening even earlier is important. It is literally the choice between having a chance at being middle class or repeating the cycle of poverty for many of these kids. Having talked to a lot of teachers, at all grade levels, the theme is always the same... The kids are not ready for their grade level when the teacher gets them. Reality tells us that it is impossible to teach a kid to read if they don't know that you read from right to left and their letters. These are the realities of the MCAS.
Posted by: Ang Apr 17 2009, 08:34 AM
Don't forget that in 6th grade they start "social promotion" so, even if they don't have the basics by then, they'll just get pushed through the system anyway.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 08:51 AM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 17 2009, 09:34 AM)
Don't forget that in 6th grade they start "social promotion" so, even if they don't have the basics by then, they'll just get pushed through the system anyway.
I have been on record as saying this very clearly. I hate social promotion. Besides finding a solution for a teachers contract, the first thing I would do if I got onto the school board would be to do away with social promotion in all but extreme individual cases. That system helps no one. It hurts the kids, it hurts the next teacher, and it hurts the rest of the class who has to wait while the teacher tries to help the kid at the expense of everyone else. Its a horrible idea that only benefits administration by artificially keeping their pass/fail rates higher, though only on a temporary basis..
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 17 2009, 09:06 AM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 16 2009, 02:33 PM)
Let's all get a clearer understanding of Title I funding before we go any further.
Since I was unclear on what Title I was to be utilized for, I called the State Dept of Education and asked.
I was told that Title I is federal funding that is distributed (by the State Dept of Education ) to districts with high poverty/low-achieving students. This money is to be used to supplement rather than supplant (or serve as a subsititute) to provide items that the school district might need.
That being said, the person at the State Dept of Education office who works with our area is on vacation this week, and I was not able to ask any specific or direct questions. However, her name is Brenda Martz, and the number to their offices is 1-877-418-7240.
Now, to address your points:
No one is saying that a 3 year old would be better off without this experience. What she's saying is that funding was cut from other programs...programs that were helping older kids who were already in school and deemed "at-risk", meaning that they could not read or write at age-appropriate levels, much less pass the grade levels they were in.
Please...go toe-to-toe with me and tell me that my daughter (who is in the special ed programs) or others like her aren't just as deserving of an education as your child, just because she can't read or write like other 5th graders. Because of these funding cuts, other kids, my daughter included, have had to deal with getting less help in the classrooms, translating into more work for the teachers and paraprofessionals who remain, as well as less learning for the kids.
The other preschools you're referring to...are they at Joy and Springfield? If so, those may be special education classrooms which utilize yet another funding source.
thank you for explaining that a little bit better. im new to ALL of this. and of course hes on vacation, they always are.
now, in my opinon when it comes to the special needs students. i NEVER said these children were not deserving. every child DESERVES a chance at education. i would want the same for my child no matter what. where are the volunteers?? you know its not completely up to the schools to educate your child, just like its not completely up to them to educate mine. i would love to volunteer and be able to help students in need learn how to read, ect. if the teachers have to much already maybe they need to thin out the classrooms alittle bit, id be concered with the level of education too, you think tht because my child isnt special needs tht i think your child is less deserving?? you have seriously miss judged me.
as well as coolspring, but yet no one seems to have issues with those.
Posted by: Michelle Apr 17 2009, 09:11 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 17 2009, 07:10 AM)
My big point is that they have gotten to 5th grade and still can't read, it is probably too late for that to happen.
Are you saying fifth grade is too late for a kid to learn how to read? I'm not sure I understand your sentence, so I apologize if I'm getting it wrong.
But of course kids can learn to read at age 10 and beyond. Many adults have learned how to read. The library has an entire program devoted to this purpose, for kids and adults (http://www.mclib.org/literacy.htm /spam
). It just requires extra effort and time spent with those kids to get them caught up to where they need to be. If funding that was intended for this purpose was diverted to a different program, that should be rectified.Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 17 2009, 09:13 AM
QUOTE(Dave @ Apr 16 2009, 02:57 PM)
I may be all wet here, but I have to think that if mommy is sitting at home anyway, the typical three year old probably would be better off at home with mommy than in a classroom where one instructor has to divide his/her attention among anywhere from 10 to 25 or more kids.
At least if the mommy is going to interact with the three year old more than -- hmmm, 8 hour school day divided by say 24 kids per classroom, that's 20 minutes per kid -- if mommy interacts more than 20 minutes per day with the three year old, the child gets more attention at home.
3 year olds learn wherever they are, they don't need a classroom to do it. And if mommy is at home and can't spend an hour or two daily reading with her child and such activities, mommy really should have a cat instead.
well when you have a husband that doesnt help you out because well he just works to hard, and three kids all under the age of 5, then you can tell me that my child needs to continue to stay home and not get any outside stimulation.
Posted by: Ang Apr 17 2009, 09:21 AM
OK guys, we're getting very sensitive here.
I understand everyone's viewpoints, and no one is wrong and no one is right. Please lets not get offended here.
Since this is a redistricting thread, I am going to start a new thread about the Easport Early Learning Center. But again, let's leave our "hurt feelings" outside the door on this one. No one is saying anyone else is bad, we're all just expressing our OPINIONS.
Thanks.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 09:25 AM
QUOTE(Michelle @ Apr 17 2009, 10:11 AM)
Are you saying fifth grade is too late for a kid to learn how to read? I'm not sure I understand your sentence, so I apologize if I'm getting it wrong.
But of course kids can learn to read at age 10 and beyond. Many adults have learned how to read. The library has an entire program devoted to this purpose, for kids and adults (http://www.mclib.org/literacy.htm /spam
). It just requires extra effort and time spent with those kids to get them caught up to where they need to be. If funding that was intended for this purpose was diverted to a different program, that should be rectified.I'm not saying it can't happen, but the odds have to be near zero for it happening. I could be wrong, but I know the odds are much better if we catch kids at 3-4-5 years old versus 10.
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 17 2009, 09:32 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 17 2009, 06:58 AM)
Any chance that letter is a public document that we can make a FOIA request for? That needs to be very public!
http://www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/08-monitoring-reports/michigan_city.pdf
Enjoy!
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 09:38 AM
QUOTE(eric.hanke @ Apr 17 2009, 10:32 AM)
http://www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/08-monitoring-reports/michigan_city.pdf
Enjoy!
Excellent. You are awesome!
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 17 2009, 09:43 AM
QUOTE(Magnolia @ Apr 17 2009, 12:25 AM)
Yes, in my opinion, an average three year old is better off at home with his/her mother. Three year old children learn by playing and by spending time with the nurturing parent whether it's a mother or a father in the dynamics of a family environment. Play is very important in their development. Are you saying that you are not providing a nurturing environment from which your three year old cannot play appropriately? Three year old children are very self centered and are not developmentally ready for structured play with other peers. This level of play happens during the fourth and fifth year. I know this, because I am educated on the subject and have four children of which one of them is four. Furthermore children do not need top of the line toys to play or learn from. How many times have we bought a toy for a child only to find that the child found more interest in the box than the toy itself.
Children who are three are learning all the time. They learn by doing, and they have a reason to learn. However, their learning experiences are not directed around whether they learn their alphabet to a tee or whether they can do simple addition. Have we forgot what childhood is about? Our children spend most of their young lives in school where daily tasks are structured and with little time for free play and discovery. Preschool is not important as kindergarten and I will reiterate that. Kindergarten was designed to ready children for primary school. This is evident in our own state law that says children are not required to attend school until age seven; kinergarten is not mandatory.
Yes, either of these are beneficial...and I support these initatives for those who are at risk; those students who may fall within certain socioeconomic parameters or who are special needs. That is where I draw the line. We should not be using Title I monies for preschool children who do not fit into these parameters.
Schools such as Springfiled and Coolspring have preschools, because those students live a considerable distance from Eastport. I feel the need to mention that had I wanted my child to go to preschool, he would have been bussed to Eastport even though I live five minutes from Coolspring. He would have been on a bus for an hour each way.
We have over forty years of research and information regarding Head Start that says that even the most highly effective preschool program has little benefit to children if they lack the same effective education in elementary school. If the lack of quality education and support for these students is not available in elementary school , then the benefits gained by a preschool education is lost by third grade. Does this matter? Absolutely, because we begin I-STEP in third grade. If children are not effective readers by third grade, then they spend most of their educational experience playing catch-up and not to mention the costs increase in educating the student as well.
We have diverted approximately 800,000 dollars to preschool students that could be used to help a second grader learn to read or a special needs student learn to write---all parameters for AYP. No Child Left Behind doesn't care if a student is average, mild mentally retarded or handicap; they are all expected to pass by the same parameters. 800,000 dollars would pay for a heck of a lot of instructional assistants and paraprofessionals.
Finally, I do not have a student at Eastport and he does not attend preschool. I do have a niece who attends Eastport though. I understand more than you think. I only hope your children excel in school, because if they inevitably need additional remediation, the monies won't be there to help them, because we are too busy teaching our three year olds which way a book is supposed to be read.
ok well since there just seem to be a few here that have issues that my child that isnt at risk attend preschool.. i put my oldest in preschool because he was getting bored. we know literally no one around here, weve only been in mc for 3 years. im not from the area. all of my kids friends and cousins live in 20 mins or more away. so to give him alittle more stimulation through the day, and to give him a chance to get to know other kids, i found eastport. i thankyou very much taught my child his abcs as well as numbers. at 18 mos he knew more than an average 3 year old. i spent much time with him. he was getting bored. do not tell me that my child doesnt deserve an outlet from homelife as well as a chance to learn. i havent forgotten what childhood is about. thats why i push playtime, and dont let them hear certain issues that are non of their concern. my now 5 year old acts much like a 5 year old, compared to some of these 5 year olds out there that sound like they are 18. i think thats sick. my oldest son has benifited SO much from what he has learned at eastport, he isnt as shy, he isnt afraid to try new things, he can count WAY over 100 now, has been able to for awhile. knows how to spell some, and can even use his brain and think on his own in certain situations. eastport took over when i was running out of ideas, and he was getting tired of me saying that same thing over and over. now my youngest son who is three is a wild man, and he needs to be able to get out and let off some steam. of course during winter months this is harder to do. thats where i think preschool is a good thing and a help. im not at all pushing education down my childrens throats, if at anytime it appeared that my child was not able to handle eastport i would have pulled them immediatley. the education he is getting at eastport is an added plus, i want my children to be able to get up and speak so they are heard, to be sure of themselves, and eastport is helpign me with this. when you have a man at home that isnt a help and your at your wits end, then we can talk more. my oldest son is sadly having issues for lack of father involvement, i can ONLY DUE SO MUCH! im looking into the big brother big sister program, am i gonna have anyone tell me that he doesnt qualify for that because hes not "troubled"?????? i am not on here to judge anyone. i am on here to voice my opinion and concerns. i heard eastport was title 1, looks like ill just have to call myself and get the truth. everyone is throwing such a fit that eastport isnt title 1, well neither are the other 3 preschools. and would they be if they were put into all the elementary schools??? i never finished school because i didnt have a good and fun experience during my school career, i dont want that to happen to my child, if i can get them into preschool and show them that learning is fun, and get them excited about it, then i feel that it will pay off in the end. if i am wrong, please let me find that out. ill see it soon enough. we all know like ang said that once you hit 6th grade your just pushed through the system. now thats not the money doing the pushing, is it. i started getting pushed through the system in third grade and it stayed that way, why??? because my teachers were tired, they didnt care anymore. i was hurting, but not enough for some type of extra math help. i havent suffered, no. i can do any job and i can do it great. but with the bad experience i had as a child, and what i did as a result, (dropping out). i dont want this happening to my kids. i am for all children learning, and i really dont see how free/reduced lunch means that you learn less. that goes back to the parents. my children will qualify for that, only because of the income level, they have nothing wrong with them, and i am an ACTIVE role + in their lives. will i still take advantage of the lunch program, yes i probably will. so with that does that mean i just screwed up my childs future?? no. alot of it has to do with parent involvement.
Posted by: JHeath Apr 17 2009, 09:55 AM
From page 26 of the DOE report:
QUOTE
Supplement, not Supplant: Title I funds were used along with State and local funds to
provide preschool and kindergarten services for all students. The supplement, not
supplant provision requires that federal funds be used to augment the regular
educational program, and not to substitute for funds or services that would otherwise be
provided. The statute requires that the LEA use federal funds received under Title I
only to supplement the amount of funds available from the nonfederal sources for the
education of students participating in Title I. The LEA cannot use these federal funds to
supplant funds that would, in the absence of Title I funds, have been spent on Title I
students. Additional programmatic services must be provided to identified Title I
students. If Michigan City Area School Corporation uses State and local funds for
preschool and kindergarten, the funds must be “Title I like” in nature. In other words,
the program meets the intent and purposes of Title I (i.e., students meet the Title I
eligibility criteria.)
Required Action: If Michigan City Area Schools uses Title I funds for preschool
and kindergarten in 2009-2010 and thereafter, the LEA must provide
supplemental services (e.g. preschool, FDK) to only Title I eligible students.
For additional guidance on supplement, not supplant, please refer to the following
website:
http://www.doe.state.in.us/TitleI/pdf/full-dayK_supplement_not_supplant.pdf
provide preschool and kindergarten services for all students. The supplement, not
supplant provision requires that federal funds be used to augment the regular
educational program, and not to substitute for funds or services that would otherwise be
provided. The statute requires that the LEA use federal funds received under Title I
only to supplement the amount of funds available from the nonfederal sources for the
education of students participating in Title I. The LEA cannot use these federal funds to
supplant funds that would, in the absence of Title I funds, have been spent on Title I
students. Additional programmatic services must be provided to identified Title I
students. If Michigan City Area School Corporation uses State and local funds for
preschool and kindergarten, the funds must be “Title I like” in nature. In other words,
the program meets the intent and purposes of Title I (i.e., students meet the Title I
eligibility criteria.)
Required Action: If Michigan City Area Schools uses Title I funds for preschool
and kindergarten in 2009-2010 and thereafter, the LEA must provide
supplemental services (e.g. preschool, FDK) to only Title I eligible students.
For additional guidance on supplement, not supplant, please refer to the following
website:
http://www.doe.state.in.us/TitleI/pdf/full-dayK_supplement_not_supplant.pdf
Posted by: proudeastportmomma Apr 17 2009, 10:04 AM
QUOTE(JHeath @ Apr 17 2009, 10:55 AM)
From page 26 of the DOE report:
so wouldnt that mean that these other preschools should be shut down too then? if they arent title 1 and if eastport isnt title 1, then why would eastport close and the other 3 remain???
sounds like lack of parental involement to me too, as well as some other issues with neimann and marsh.
and that 35000 some dollars, does anyone know what school that went to?? joy? springfield, coolspring? or are we all assuming it was eastport, cause last i knew eastport doesnt supply diapers, the parents bring them if needed.
Posted by: Michelle Apr 17 2009, 10:20 AM
QUOTE(southsider2k9 @ Apr 17 2009, 10:25 AM)
I'm not saying it can't happen, but the odds have to be near zero for it happening. I could be wrong, but I know the odds are much better if we catch kids at 3-4-5 years old versus 10.
The odds could be near zero if no one tries to teach them, I suppose. It's not the sort of thing that we can put odds on, but there's nothing that precludes the average 10 year old non-reader from learning how to read, provided they don't have very severe learning disabilities (and some children with severe LDs do learn how to read, but it takes longer and requires different methods--that's out of my area of expertise though).
I'm not looking at this as an either/or. I have no opinion on Eastport. What I meant by my comment on funding is that federal funds should be spent in the manner they were intended. If Eastport doesn't fall in those parameters, and if we decide as a community that Eastport or something like it is a priority, then it would be incumbent on us to find an alternate source of funding.
I'm just questioning the assertion that children in fifth grade and beyond can't learn the basics if they haven't learned them already. I think they can, as evidenced by the many older children and adults who have learned to read.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 17 2009, 11:23 AM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=22538
QUOTE
Parents drove the debate over redistricting.
OUR OPINION:
They are to be commended for speaking out.
Parents speak
School board listens
Editorial
The proposed redistricting of Michigan City Area Schools generated considerable parental opposition, and on Tuesday this week the school board scrapped the three alternate plans and directed its redistricting committee to come up with a new proposal.
It was a testament to how effective public involvement can be in setting school policy. The parents who spoke out should be commended for becoming involved. Most of them made carefully reasoned arguments in support of neighborhood schools and of keeping their elementary age children in the closest school building. In the end every member of the school board found reason to be against the three options presented.
While some of the comments were a little over the top, largely it was a constructive public debate, much of it carried on in letters that appeared in Anvil Chorus on this page.
The debate also included the opinion of one writer that a parent who didn't want her Coolspring Township children in the same school with "in-town" kids had an anti-black bias. It demonstrates that in this racially diverse community, diversity isn't appreciated by everyone, even as people must confront their fears.
Combining children of all races and backgrounds in the schools is part of what the education process in MCAS provides, and what life is in fact about in this and most communities.
We hope several productive outcomes emerge from this wide ranging debate.
First, everyone needs to find ways to understand people of other backgrounds and not prejudge them.
Second, a healthy, open and informed debate is needed on all aspects of Michigan City Area Schools.
Third, intense parental involvement over redistricting is good, and while those parents who spoke out probably are already deeply involved in their children's education, we hope to see all parents have this high level of interest in the education of their children.
Posted by: Yokas Apr 19 2009, 10:07 AM
I'm not sure if someone put thie address for the Title I report on this thread. Here it is:
www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/08-monitoring-reports/michigan city.pdf
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 19 2009, 10:48 AM
QUOTE(eric.hanke @ Apr 17 2009, 10:32 AM)
http://www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/08-monitoring-reports/michigan_city.pdf
Enjoy!
Yep. I did back on the 17th.
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 22 2009, 01:26 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22653&TM=55610.2
QUOTE
home : opinion : anvil chorus letters
4/21/2009 11:00:00 AM Email this article • Print this article
'In-town' comment doesn't mean she's biased
I resent the comment that using the word "in-town" made me "anti-black biased." This is highly untrue, yet this is what The News Dispatch has made me out to be.
The term "in-town" is NOT a code word for African-American. We used to live "in-town" right on Ohio Street.
And we lived right across the street from where a guy decided he was going to kill his neighbor, stab his girlfriend, kill himself and set the house on fire. The police department hid behind my husband's truck to avoid be shot at by our neighbor.
It was at that point, we decided we needed to move from "in-town" to an area that didn't have as much violence!
I never said "in-town" kids do not deserve to go to Coolspring School. I said that I am against redistricting to the respect that my son gets moved from Coolspring to attend a school in town, while students in town are being bused to his school, so that there are more minorities at his school and kids that receive free/reduced lunches.
I am by far racist or "anti-black biased." I could care less what color the children are that attend Coolspring school - white, black, red, purple or green, it doesn't matter to me.
Like I had said before, "we purchased our home in this area so that our son could attend that school" - period!
I am thankful that the school board threw out the plans and now the committee has to go back to the drawing board.
Also, Brown vs. Board of Education was about segregation, and African-Americans having separate schools than with white children.
The Michigan Area Schools are not segregated, African-Americans, Hispanics and children of all race are entitled to attend the Michigan Area Schools in the area in which they live.
Kim Antisdel
Coolspring Township
Posted by: southsider2k9 Apr 22 2009, 01:27 PM
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=22576&TM=55610.2
QUOTE
Redistricting vote not contrary to desegregation ruling
I write in response to your editorial Thursday, which seems to imply that the action of the Michigan City Area Schools board in prohibiting the use of race as a basis for redistricting our elementary and middle schools was somehow contrary to the historic Supreme Court ruling on school segregation in Brown vs. Board of Education.
In truth, however, the one has nothing to do with the other. What Brown actually did was to strike down all state laws mandating the separation of races in public schools. That is still the law of the land today.
I suppose that if it could be proven that school district boundary lines were drawn with the intent to segregate, then that would be contrary to Brown, but this was not the purpose of our own school board's action here. Board members were following their oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution and, in the process, save school city taxpayers the cost of a federal court challenge. Just two years ago in cases involving Jefferson County, Ky., (Louisville) and the city of Seattle, the Supreme Court found that school corporations using race to redistrict violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Many years earlier Justice Powell had stated, "The guarantee of equal protection cannot mean one thing when applied to one individual and something else when applied to a person of another color. If both are not accorded the same protection, then it is not equal."
Even in the forced busing cases of the 19970s, the court allowed that there is no constitutional requirement that every school in a community must reflect the racial composition of that whole school system. The court recognized that an all-black school might come to exist due to racial changes in a a neighborhood, and, hence, could lead to de facto school segregation, although that would NOT be unconstitutional in and of itself.
Further, with respect to our local board also prohibiting the use of "free and reduced lunch" as another factor in redistricting: while it is the role of every governmental entity (school cities included) to promote civil equality, no unit of government has it within its power to enforce socio-economic equality. Certainly we can all work toward a color blind society as envisioned by the 14th Amendment, but the realization of that goal is put off to some further day when, for example, school boards are asked to approved redistricting plans like the administration's A, B or C with race and other difference accentuated.
A passing word on so-called "diversity" from Sharon Brown, a public interest attorney, who points out that though the school boards in Seattle and Jefferson County "tried to dress up their skin color assignments of students with talk of 'diversity,' ... the reality of what they were doing was not lost on the justices."
Finally, the motion passed 4-to-3 by our local school board required, among other things, that districts "be as compact as possible so as "to reduce travel," as well as taking into consideration such things as building capacities and the "neighborhood school concept ... where practicable." Its terms are no more "strict" that the race-based requirements of the MCAS administration; moreover, it will keep us out of federal court in a lawsuit we couldn't win.
Beryle Burgwald
School Board Member
I write in response to your editorial Thursday, which seems to imply that the action of the Michigan City Area Schools board in prohibiting the use of race as a basis for redistricting our elementary and middle schools was somehow contrary to the historic Supreme Court ruling on school segregation in Brown vs. Board of Education.
In truth, however, the one has nothing to do with the other. What Brown actually did was to strike down all state laws mandating the separation of races in public schools. That is still the law of the land today.
I suppose that if it could be proven that school district boundary lines were drawn with the intent to segregate, then that would be contrary to Brown, but this was not the purpose of our own school board's action here. Board members were following their oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution and, in the process, save school city taxpayers the cost of a federal court challenge. Just two years ago in cases involving Jefferson County, Ky., (Louisville) and the city of Seattle, the Supreme Court found that school corporations using race to redistrict violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Many years earlier Justice Powell had stated, "The guarantee of equal protection cannot mean one thing when applied to one individual and something else when applied to a person of another color. If both are not accorded the same protection, then it is not equal."
Even in the forced busing cases of the 19970s, the court allowed that there is no constitutional requirement that every school in a community must reflect the racial composition of that whole school system. The court recognized that an all-black school might come to exist due to racial changes in a a neighborhood, and, hence, could lead to de facto school segregation, although that would NOT be unconstitutional in and of itself.
Further, with respect to our local board also prohibiting the use of "free and reduced lunch" as another factor in redistricting: while it is the role of every governmental entity (school cities included) to promote civil equality, no unit of government has it within its power to enforce socio-economic equality. Certainly we can all work toward a color blind society as envisioned by the 14th Amendment, but the realization of that goal is put off to some further day when, for example, school boards are asked to approved redistricting plans like the administration's A, B or C with race and other difference accentuated.
A passing word on so-called "diversity" from Sharon Brown, a public interest attorney, who points out that though the school boards in Seattle and Jefferson County "tried to dress up their skin color assignments of students with talk of 'diversity,' ... the reality of what they were doing was not lost on the justices."
Finally, the motion passed 4-to-3 by our local school board required, among other things, that districts "be as compact as possible so as "to reduce travel," as well as taking into consideration such things as building capacities and the "neighborhood school concept ... where practicable." Its terms are no more "strict" that the race-based requirements of the MCAS administration; moreover, it will keep us out of federal court in a lawsuit we couldn't win.
Beryle Burgwald
School Board Member
Posted by: Ang Apr 22 2009, 01:36 PM
He is the ONLY person within MCAS, in my recollection, to speak candidly to the public.
This is a guy who understands his role as a school board member is to serve the PUBLIC and not the administration.
Applause!
(Now, if we could only find six more people like him!)
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 22 2009, 01:58 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 22 2009, 02:36 PM)
He is the ONLY person within MCAS, in my recollection, to speak candidly to the public.
This is a guy who understands his role as a school board member is to serve the PUBLIC and not the administration.
Applause!
(Now, if we could only find six more people like him!)
This is a guy who understands his role as a school board member is to serve the PUBLIC and not the administration.
Applause!
(Now, if we could only find six more people like him!)
/Raises Hand
Posted by: Ang Apr 22 2009, 02:43 PM
And I truly believe that Eric would work for the people, too.
Maybe I'll get to vote for you in the next election?
(wink wink)
I also think Michele Nauyokas would be one to work for the people as well.
Posted by: eric.hanke Apr 22 2009, 02:44 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 22 2009, 03:43 PM)
And I truly believe that Eric would work for the people, too.
Maybe I'll get to vote for you in the next election?
(wink wink)
I also think Michele Nauyokas would be one to work for the people as well.
Maybe I'll get to vote for you in the next election?
(wink wink)
I also think Michele Nauyokas would be one to work for the people as well.
Thanks for the "vote" of confidence. You heading back to Michigan City?
Posted by: Ang Apr 22 2009, 03:09 PM
I've got some things in the works, but it looks like a yes. I'm not positive about living in City, I'd rather my daughter went to Duneland schools, but we'll see how it all pans out.
Posted by: Yokas Apr 22 2009, 03:37 PM
QUOTE(Ang @ Apr 22 2009, 04:09 PM)
I've got some things in the works, but it looks like a yes. I'm not positive about living in City, I'd rather my daughter went to Duneland schools, but we'll see how it all pans out.
Thanks for the vote of confidence for me, too. You may be coming back??? Wonderful! It's so apparent how much you like your hometown--and still understand its pros and cons.
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