"The point is, doing the right thing!"
Start at 40 Minutes 20 seconds into the video
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Andy Warhol/ Alums offer options to PPS
Info from the Andy Warhol School/ Alum group:
Options offered by the group to PPS:
1. AWSVPA will line up financing for PPS for the remodeling and reopening of
Schenley with the AWSVPA curriculum
or
2. AWSVPA will buy the building outright for $5.3 Million and reopen
Schenley as a private school with up to 500 full tuition scholarships for local
kids.
Money spent on closed schools; Westinghouse victorious
On another post Anonymous wrote:
New posting:
Article in today's P-G about money spent on now-closed buildings
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pittsburgh-school-district-spent-23-million-on-now-closed-buildings-676715/
School Board President Shealey is quoted as saying the amount spent is, "regretful, but hindsight is 20/20. I have no intention of pointing fingers at the board at that time. They were basing their decisions off the information they had at the time."
We know the board doesn't really make any decisions. This was Roosevelt and co. pulling the strings and getting into bed with Gates and Broad. This started the major decline of PPS.
The next article we read should be, "The investigation of the PPS system," like we are now reading about the city police being investigated.
On a side note - congratulations to the Westinghouse boys' and girls' basketball teams for winning the city basketball championships yesterday. Too bad the picture in the P-G shows Crenshaw the principal, and Dr. Lane holding up the trophy. It would have been more appropriate to have the team and coach with the trophy. I don't think Crenshaw or Lane played yesterday...
New posting:
Article in today's P-G about money spent on now-closed buildings
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pittsburgh-school-district-spent-23-million-on-now-closed-buildings-676715/
School Board President Shealey is quoted as saying the amount spent is, "regretful, but hindsight is 20/20. I have no intention of pointing fingers at the board at that time. They were basing their decisions off the information they had at the time."
We know the board doesn't really make any decisions. This was Roosevelt and co. pulling the strings and getting into bed with Gates and Broad. This started the major decline of PPS.
The next article we read should be, "The investigation of the PPS system," like we are now reading about the city police being investigated.
On a side note - congratulations to the Westinghouse boys' and girls' basketball teams for winning the city basketball championships yesterday. Too bad the picture in the P-G shows Crenshaw the principal, and Dr. Lane holding up the trophy. It would have been more appropriate to have the team and coach with the trophy. I don't think Crenshaw or Lane played yesterday...
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Privatization of public schools
On another post Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Consultant meeting":
This is a very interesting and concise article that sgould be presented as a blog entry-the short reading illustrates a very valid point. Do certain PPS people have their IRA accounts as blind trusts in consultant companies?
I do feel the big money people like Gates need to be looked at thru the other end. This monsy scheming at the best for lining insider pockets at the expense of our children and taxpaying dollars.
Privatizers Now Targeting Pittsburgh Public Schools « Diane ...
The Pittsburgh Public Schools have given a $2.4 million contract to two consulting companies to deal with the district's equity and financial issues ...
http://dianeravitch.net/2013/02/21/privatizers-now-targeting-pittsburgh-public-schools/
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Consultant meeting":
This is a very interesting and concise article that sgould be presented as a blog entry-the short reading illustrates a very valid point. Do certain PPS people have their IRA accounts as blind trusts in consultant companies?
I do feel the big money people like Gates need to be looked at thru the other end. This monsy scheming at the best for lining insider pockets at the expense of our children and taxpaying dollars.
Privatizers Now Targeting Pittsburgh Public Schools « Diane ...
The Pittsburgh Public Schools have given a $2.4 million contract to two consulting companies to deal with the district's equity and financial issues ...
http://dianeravitch.net/2013/02/21/privatizers-now-targeting-pittsburgh-public-schools/
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Consultant meeting
NEW POST:
From today's Post Gazette, we learn that a by-invitation-only-meeting will be held by PPS tonightto hear the the new consulting group connected to the Gates Foundation. From the article:
"It's the $2.4 million question: Can an out-of-town consulting firm -- along with its out-of-town partner -- help Pittsburgh Public Schools address its financial and academic challenges?"
"Tonight, community members invited to serve on an advisory group will have their first chance to meet the consultants and give their input at school board headquarters in Oakland."
Were any of the Pure Reform advocates invited to attend this "Envisioning" meeting?
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/out-of-town-consultants-to-scrutinize-pittsburgh-public-schools-issues-675925/#ixzz2LLYywbPT
From today's Post Gazette, we learn that a by-invitation-only-meeting will be held by PPS tonightto hear the the new consulting group connected to the Gates Foundation. From the article:
"It's the $2.4 million question: Can an out-of-town consulting firm -- along with its out-of-town partner -- help Pittsburgh Public Schools address its financial and academic challenges?"
"Tonight, community members invited to serve on an advisory group will have their first chance to meet the consultants and give their input at school board headquarters in Oakland."
Were any of the Pure Reform advocates invited to attend this "Envisioning" meeting?
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/out-of-town-consultants-to-scrutinize-pittsburgh-public-schools-issues-675925/#ixzz2LLYywbPT
Monday, February 18, 2013
PG article on superintendent
On another post Anonymous wrote:
New post from today's post-gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-public-schools-superintendent-linda-lane-sees-room-for-growth-675830/
New post from today's post-gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-public-schools-superintendent-linda-lane-sees-room-for-growth-675830/
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Schenley/ still trying to get the facts
On another post Anonymous wrote:
Pittsburgh Public Schools Releases New Estimates for Schenley ...
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Superintendent Linda Lane released new estimates today for the repair of Schenley High School, gathered at the request of the ...
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2013/02/15/pittsburgh-public-schools-releases-new-estimates-for-schenley-repairs
Pittsburgh Public Schools Releases New Estimates for Schenley ...
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Superintendent Linda Lane released new estimates today for the repair of Schenley High School, gathered at the request of the ...
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2013/02/15/pittsburgh-public-schools-releases-new-estimates-for-schenley-repairs
Thursday, February 14, 2013
School board seats opening
On another post Anonymous wrote:
tHIS HAS TO BE A NEW pOST-SUPRISED THIS HAS NOT HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE IT TO THE tOP-BUT WE CAN MAKE THE CHANGE-fINALLY!
Personnel board changing at Pittsburgh Public Schools | TribLIVE
At least three Pittsburgh Public Schools board members will not seek reelection this year creating the greatest turnover on the board since 1999 as the ...
triblive.com/news/allegheny/3452809-74/board-mccrea-chief
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/3452809-74/board-mccrea-chief#axzz2KtC8gT1x
ALL GOOD CANDIDATES APPLY-THE SOUTH, WEST AND EAST ARE OPEN FOR ALL TO CONSIDER! A CHANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE.!!
This is the end of decades and decades of the same historical ‘red rick.”
Fink is going- going be gone. We still have THREE TO FOUR generations of her family working in the district.
McCrea kept his promise to the former Mrs. Annis-(God rest in peace) on her death bed to take her place in politics-this case Brd of Ed. Annis' daughter has moved outside of the City and her political strength is gone within the city ranks.
Moreover, even the PR Lady-has moved onto health care.
The winds of war are gone.
To make a complete change Lane could leave in January 2014 or earlier.
One and all let us have some good candidates-
tHIS HAS TO BE A NEW pOST-SUPRISED THIS HAS NOT HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE IT TO THE tOP-BUT WE CAN MAKE THE CHANGE-fINALLY!
Personnel board changing at Pittsburgh Public Schools | TribLIVE
At least three Pittsburgh Public Schools board members will not seek reelection this year creating the greatest turnover on the board since 1999 as the ...
triblive.com/news/allegheny/3452809-74/board-mccrea-chief
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/3452809-74/board-mccrea-chief#axzz2KtC8gT1x
ALL GOOD CANDIDATES APPLY-THE SOUTH, WEST AND EAST ARE OPEN FOR ALL TO CONSIDER! A CHANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE.!!
This is the end of decades and decades of the same historical ‘red rick.”
Fink is going- going be gone. We still have THREE TO FOUR generations of her family working in the district.
McCrea kept his promise to the former Mrs. Annis-(God rest in peace) on her death bed to take her place in politics-this case Brd of Ed. Annis' daughter has moved outside of the City and her political strength is gone within the city ranks.
Moreover, even the PR Lady-has moved onto health care.
The winds of war are gone.
To make a complete change Lane could leave in January 2014 or earlier.
One and all let us have some good candidates-
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"Not always the right choice to close a failing school"
On another post Anonymous wrote:
Here's another success story!
Read all of this excerpted article if you are among those who believe that our schools cannot be successful in this Broad/Gates/Charters. The will, the belief, the hard work of committed educators can change the worst of situations !
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/02/11/not-always-right-choice-close-failing-school-civil-rights-issue
Op-Ed: It’s Not Always the Right Choice to Close a Failing School
Author Michael Brick speaks out on what is being called ‘the civil rights battle of our time.’
. . . .
“It wasn’t easy. Here was a Latina woman from a border town stepping in to lead the withering yet beloved centerpiece of a traditionally black neighborhood. Over time, she managed to win over parents, teachers, preachers and civic leaders by embracing the proud history of Reagan High."
“There’s a heartbeat in the school,” Anabel once told me. “There’s a heartbeat, and it’s not too late to save.”
"Recognizing that a myopic focus on test scores would only produce an annually recurring scramble, Anabel nurtured the spirit that makes families want to embrace their neighborhood school."
"On her watch, the Raiders basketball team, coached by a big-hearted alum named Derrick Davis, made an inspiring playoff run behind a gifted four-sport athlete named JaQuarius Daniels. The band won competitions with funky show-stoppers. Drama and arts clubs came back to life. Devoted young teachers reached deep into their imaginations and pocketbooks to inspire their students."
"Pretty soon, the school became a place kids wanted to go."
And, oh yeah, they made the numbers.”
. . . . .
Let’s get some real educational leaders in Pittsburgh. They will get it done!
Publish
Here's another success story!
Read all of this excerpted article if you are among those who believe that our schools cannot be successful in this Broad/Gates/Charters. The will, the belief, the hard work of committed educators can change the worst of situations !
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/02/11/not-always-right-choice-close-failing-school-civil-rights-issue
Op-Ed: It’s Not Always the Right Choice to Close a Failing School
Author Michael Brick speaks out on what is being called ‘the civil rights battle of our time.’
. . . .
“It wasn’t easy. Here was a Latina woman from a border town stepping in to lead the withering yet beloved centerpiece of a traditionally black neighborhood. Over time, she managed to win over parents, teachers, preachers and civic leaders by embracing the proud history of Reagan High."
“There’s a heartbeat in the school,” Anabel once told me. “There’s a heartbeat, and it’s not too late to save.”
"Recognizing that a myopic focus on test scores would only produce an annually recurring scramble, Anabel nurtured the spirit that makes families want to embrace their neighborhood school."
"On her watch, the Raiders basketball team, coached by a big-hearted alum named Derrick Davis, made an inspiring playoff run behind a gifted four-sport athlete named JaQuarius Daniels. The band won competitions with funky show-stoppers. Drama and arts clubs came back to life. Devoted young teachers reached deep into their imaginations and pocketbooks to inspire their students."
"Pretty soon, the school became a place kids wanted to go."
And, oh yeah, they made the numbers.”
. . . . .
Let’s get some real educational leaders in Pittsburgh. They will get it done!
Publish
Sunday, February 10, 2013
On another post Anonymous wrote:
New topic please:
The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/opinion/sunday/the-secret-to-fixing-bad-schools.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
If you dont have time right now for the entire article,soon to be a book, one paragraph stands out:
:What makes Union City remarkable is,,paradoxically, the abscence of pizazz. It hasnt followed the herd by closing "underperforming"schools
or giving the boot to hordes of teachers. No Teach for America recruits toil in its classrooms, and there are no charter schools."
Well, that makes smart people go hmmmm!
New topic please:
The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/opinion/sunday/the-secret-to-fixing-bad-schools.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
If you dont have time right now for the entire article,soon to be a book, one paragraph stands out:
:What makes Union City remarkable is,,paradoxically, the abscence of pizazz. It hasnt followed the herd by closing "underperforming"schools
or giving the boot to hordes of teachers. No Teach for America recruits toil in its classrooms, and there are no charter schools."
Well, that makes smart people go hmmmm!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Schenley/ recommendation from sales agent panel
From the PG:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/panel-backs-plan-for-schenley-apartments-673744/
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/panel-backs-plan-for-schenley-apartments-673744/
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Various spending items
On another post Anonymous wrote:
. http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/target-11-investigates-school-district-spending/nWHN7/
Another great blog posting . . . .
Target 11 Investigates: PPS School district spending
As a city of Pittsburgh School District taxpayer, do you want to see the school district laying out money for these types of expenditures?” said Eric Montarti, of the Allegheny Institute, a conservative government watchdog.
This is an excellent presentation of wasteful spending- very ambiguous responses from Brentley and the stunned and disturbed comments from Lane.
As usual the Board always wants certain things that parents should pay for after school-and that includes the great dancing.
Altogether, I wonder how much this all amounted to as tax dollars.
Especially, when majority of districts are charging fees for sports.
At Carrick High School, a $25,000 contract has been granted to teach bagpipe lessons to students. – A Jean Fink School
Etiquette for students at Peabody? A $3,700 contact was approved to hire a consultant to teach etiquette to students at Peabody High School The school is closed.
MAYBE THE 3700 HUNDRED SHOULD GO TO TEACHING SPORTSMANSHIP TO BASKETBALL TEAMS FROM FRIDAY FEB 1ST “BRIEF BRAWL
. http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/target-11-investigates-school-district-spending/nWHN7/
Another great blog posting . . . .
Target 11 Investigates: PPS School district spending
As a city of Pittsburgh School District taxpayer, do you want to see the school district laying out money for these types of expenditures?” said Eric Montarti, of the Allegheny Institute, a conservative government watchdog.
This is an excellent presentation of wasteful spending- very ambiguous responses from Brentley and the stunned and disturbed comments from Lane.
As usual the Board always wants certain things that parents should pay for after school-and that includes the great dancing.
Altogether, I wonder how much this all amounted to as tax dollars.
Especially, when majority of districts are charging fees for sports.
At Carrick High School, a $25,000 contract has been granted to teach bagpipe lessons to students. – A Jean Fink School
Etiquette for students at Peabody? A $3,700 contact was approved to hire a consultant to teach etiquette to students at Peabody High School The school is closed.
MAYBE THE 3700 HUNDRED SHOULD GO TO TEACHING SPORTSMANSHIP TO BASKETBALL TEAMS FROM FRIDAY FEB 1ST “BRIEF BRAWL
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
"A brief brawl followed"
On another post Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous said...From The Eagle "a brief brawl followed the game." Did anyone from the schools talk to students about the brawl?
Written by Michaela Hammer for The Eagle
Obama Eagles vs. Allderdice Dragons Basketball Teams went head to head on Friday, February 1st, and it was very close. The Eagles finally broke the game open at the end, winning 68-56 to run their record to 13-2. DJ Porter scored 18 for the Eagles.
A brief brawl followed the game, but no one was hurt.
Anonymous said...From The Eagle "a brief brawl followed the game." Did anyone from the schools talk to students about the brawl?
Written by Michaela Hammer for The Eagle
Obama Eagles vs. Allderdice Dragons Basketball Teams went head to head on Friday, February 1st, and it was very close. The Eagles finally broke the game open at the end, winning 68-56 to run their record to 13-2. DJ Porter scored 18 for the Eagles.
A brief brawl followed the game, but no one was hurt.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Report on school absences
From the PG:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/report-warns-of-absenteeism-at-pittsburgh-public-schools-673322/
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/report-warns-of-absenteeism-at-pittsburgh-public-schools-673322/
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Logic of automatic 50%
On another post Anonymous wrote:
My child asked me what I thought of this in the Sunday Parade magazine.
"Ask Marilyn: I teach at a public high school. Our administrator has been pressuring us to "pad the grades." For example he says students should be given "50" no matter how low they score on an assignment. His argument is that on the five-point GPA scale A = 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0, so the same ratio should apply to percentage grades. Many teachers at my school would be indebted to you if you could help prove him wrong." Name withheld, Baltimore.
Nice try, Mr. Administrator! First, you can't justify modifying the grading scale at your school unless other schools follow suit. (And if they do, you won't improve your school's standing.) That said, let's look at the proposal's logic.
My child asked me what I thought of this in the Sunday Parade magazine.
"Ask Marilyn: I teach at a public high school. Our administrator has been pressuring us to "pad the grades." For example he says students should be given "50" no matter how low they score on an assignment. His argument is that on the five-point GPA scale A = 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0, so the same ratio should apply to percentage grades. Many teachers at my school would be indebted to you if you could help prove him wrong." Name withheld, Baltimore.
Nice try, Mr. Administrator! First, you can't justify modifying the grading scale at your school unless other schools follow suit. (And if they do, you won't improve your school's standing.) That said, let's look at the proposal's logic.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Pittsburgh Courier article on Schenley
http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/featured-news/metro/10010-schenley-bids-accepted-then-school-board-votes-for-a-study
Some Pittsburgh schools included among lowest rated
On another post Anonymous wrote:
New Post:
Pa. Dept. of Education lists lowest rated public schools
February 2, 2013 12:10 am
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pa-dept-of-education-lists-lowest-rated-public-schools-673060/#ixzz2JkRvjmOV
PITTSBURGH LOWEST-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS:
ACADEMY AT WESTINGHOUSE
ALLEGHENY TRAD MS ACAD
ARLINGTON EL SCH
ARSENAL EL SCHOOL
ARSENAL MS
BRASHEAR HS
CARRICK HS
CONCORD EL SCH
GRANDVIEW EL SCH
KING M L EL SCH
LINCOLN EL TECH ACADEMY
MANCHESTER EL SCH
MORROW EL SCH
PERRY TRADITIONAL ACAD HS PITTSBURGH FAISON K-5
PITTSBURGH MILLER PRE K-5
PITTSBURGH MILLIONES 6-12
SCHILLER CLASSICAL
SPRING HILL EL SCH
WEIL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
WOOLSLAIR ELEM SCH00L
Brashear and King are Pittsburgh's two TEACHING ACADEMIES !?!
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pa-dept-of-education-lists-lowest-rated-public-schools-673060/
New Post:
Pa. Dept. of Education lists lowest rated public schools
February 2, 2013 12:10 am
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pa-dept-of-education-lists-lowest-rated-public-schools-673060/#ixzz2JkRvjmOV
PITTSBURGH LOWEST-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS:
ACADEMY AT WESTINGHOUSE
ALLEGHENY TRAD MS ACAD
ARLINGTON EL SCH
ARSENAL EL SCHOOL
ARSENAL MS
BRASHEAR HS
CARRICK HS
CONCORD EL SCH
GRANDVIEW EL SCH
KING M L EL SCH
LINCOLN EL TECH ACADEMY
MANCHESTER EL SCH
MORROW EL SCH
PERRY TRADITIONAL ACAD HS PITTSBURGH FAISON K-5
PITTSBURGH MILLER PRE K-5
PITTSBURGH MILLIONES 6-12
SCHILLER CLASSICAL
SPRING HILL EL SCH
WEIL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
WOOLSLAIR ELEM SCH00L
Brashear and King are Pittsburgh's two TEACHING ACADEMIES !?!
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pa-dept-of-education-lists-lowest-rated-public-schools-673060/
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