Anonymous wrote:
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Several City Police units respond to "multiple fights" at UPREP. School on lock-down.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/02/29/Police-respond-to-fight-at-Pittsburgh-Milliones-6-12/stories/201602290156
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86 comments:
Anonymous wrote:
"http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/breaking-police-responding-report-large-fight-univ/nqZnd/
Fight at UPrep today"
"Flagship school" (MR).
But when Michelle Obama visits where do they take her?
I read that at least 30 girls were involved in this fight. With so many females involved in this act of violence against one another, how did no-one at the school sense the tension and act to remediate before this occurred?
How will "restorative practices" work to ease the fear of EVERY OTHER FEMALE STUDENT in the building upon the return of those involved in this brawl?
"Flagship School" - Oh my goodness!
WPXI News Report on the brawl - http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/breaking-police-responding-report-large-fight-univ/nqZnd/
This latest event is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg at that school. The school that was conducive to any type of university preparation was Schenley. It was closed because there were some asbestos issues that could have been abated. The environment at U-Prep is a thousand times more toxic than some friable asbestos!
As it turned out, when they actually did the correct tests for asbestos the only part of the school with an asbestos plaster problem was the auditorium- due to special acoustic tiles that are also found in the auditoriums of other schools, such as Peabody.
MR made sure not to conduct the correct test for asbestos until after the school was closed.
Fights on this scale did not happen at Schenley. It was on neutral ground and most kids liked being there and didn't want to risk being sent away.
I'll ask this question again: What does the Hill District Education Committee do? UPREP
is in a constant state of chaos and yet what do they propose? If the Super was white they would be screaming loud and clear but no you never hear a comment from them about anything.
Whatever they have been doing there for the last ten years isn't working. Please for the sake of the kids do something else, but no, then you would have to admit that you made a lot of wrong choices. That won't happen will it Linda. Isn't that Thomas Sumpter's district. What does he EVER do or say about what goes on there?
Plus again there is the HERD of Asst Superintendents- plus one getting more $$ since Connie Sims is leaving before the end of the year.
SEND IN A TEAM of educational professionals- to the point where they almost outnumber the students! More hands on deck Stop worrying about blaming teachers etc-- and just get in and by sheer numbers - create a calm environment. Get serious about discipline first-- THEN worry about scores! Right now there is nothing more important that stopping the bad PR that this is giving to PPS- so put everyone on it!
Maybe someone from the district can explain the "collective impact model" that PPS Central Office has been working on at UPREP since last June.
It is very reasonable to expect an analysis of whether the collective impact model was expected to prevent this type of event and if so, what went wrong; if not, maybe time and effort should be spent on a different model?
I am sorry but none of you above have a clue what you are talking about!! The school is a very dangerous place!! They need the Pittsburgh Police and when will they realize this? No one is safe in this building! What are the school police going to do without guns? 30 kids charged? The school should not even be open tomorrow. The staff and kids are scared there!
Leaders of the nonprofit Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, whose neighborhoods are included in University Prep enrollment, called on Superintendent Linda Lane, Mayor Bill Peduto and District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. to address the violence.
“Mayor Peduto is aware of the community concerns, has been in contact with district leadership on the matter, and plans to review the situation with police and school officials,” spokesman Tim McNulty said.
Zappala spokesman Mike Manko said his office had not yet seen reports about the morning brawl and declined to comment.
“We are fearful that the current learning environment is hindering children from succeeding in the classroom and will set them back for years to come,” said the letter, signed by corporation Director Rick Swartz, Deputy Director Aggie Brose and Youth Development Director Rick Flanagan.
Bloomfield-Garfield officials suggested increasing the counseling staff, school security and the Pittsburgh police presence, and they asked city and police officials to respond to the letter by noon Tuesday.
“We firmly believe that ongoing school disturbances will spill out into the neighborhoods, especially when young adults have more free time in the summer,” officials wrote.
Bloomfield-Garfield officials asking for help. Will they get it?
It would behoove HDEC to join forces with leaders of the nonprofit Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation to place some much needed pressure on Superintendent Linda Lane.
The timing and urgency is now.
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/10057997-74/pugh-students-fight
You are joking, I hope
Asbestos? Are you that naive, or just weak and stupid? They sold it under that charlatan, Roosevelt.
Sake of the kids? You must be kidding. They are the ones. They and their, for a lack of a better word, parents, and don't forget the triumvirate at the union.
Get ready for next year when Wilkinsburg comes aboard.....
Today's PG headline
When it's a safety crisis the school is refered to as Milliones as opposed to University Prep. What a sad statement of message promulgated by PPS (no doubt).
None of this happens in schools, even inner city urban schools, where students experience the commitment, caring, courage, creativity, cultural relevance and curricula that prioritize their need for learning in real, rigorous, relevant and challenging ways.
Teachers and administrators must believe, know and act on principles and practices proven to "educate" the students in any given building (and the are not all the same). They must believe, know and act on the fact that children can learn anything 'schools' can teach! This includes schools in the Hill, Homewood, and Wilkinsburg. It will not be "consultants" ad nauseum, nor Gates' billions that will get the job done.
and the Margaret Milliones'community tolerate such messaging.
To 6:39
When Peabody's student body was divided after it closed, half of the Garfield neighborhood went to UPrep and the other half to Westinghouse. Throughout the program fiascos and multiple principal changes at Westinghouse, the students from both Homewood and Garfield have never clashed. At the same time, this kind of dangerous rivalry wasn't prevalent at UPrep until now.
I have confidence that the merger of Wilkinsburg and Westinghouse students will be successful because of the growing change in the atmosphere and culture at Westinghouse and the fact that a foundational relationship is being built now instead of being built while "the plane is flying."
PPS never established a viable foundation or attainable mission for UPrep since its inception which started with its first principal Narcisse. The Board needs to own up to this disaster, appoint administrators who know/believe in those students and their communities, who can create discipline approaches that work, who can inspire teachers to commit to the challenge of making a difference in these students' lives! Easier said than done, I know - but worth the effort.
Starting with Roosevelt, the admin line has been that things like sports don't matter, Roosevelt wasn't looking to produce "a bunch of basketball players." But when kids are on sports teams and drama crews together, neighborhood rivalries tend to fade into the background. Of course it is a lot easier to field teams etc in a fairly large comprehensive high school. Like the one Roosevelt was so eager to replace with "three new schools!"
The real, rigorous, relevant challenge is to bring some framework of order to a school so lacking in _________. Fill in the blank. The word choices are abundant.
Sito Narcisse? Did he even stay an entire school year? His departure was a sign to many that the school plan needed a redirect. He arrived with such tremendous fanfare and lost his commitment quickly. They only way to cure bad behavior of high school students is to start in the early education years and maybe in a dozen or so years kids will respect one another enough to keep their hands off another student. Every teacher in that building should get a bonus and a classroom assistant/security officer. Perhaps there is a Gates grant available.
Today's P-G quotes Lane," We will provide additional plans to them (the Board), possibly seeking board action, in the very near future." Through a spokeswoman, she would not elaborate on what that might entail.
Additional plans? UPrep doesn't need more "plans." The school needs immediate ACTION! We don't need possible board action. We need Lane and Co. to get in UPrep and do what action they should have been doing. The community, parents, and teachers have been crying out for help and their cries fell on deaf ears. Shame on Bellefield (and the PFT) for allowing this school to fester like this.
Maybe too much was expected of the Pittsburgh Pronise- the idea that with the promise of a scholarship (or at least some scholarship money) everything would work out.
I don't think the Pittsburgh Promise scholarships were the focus for making UPrep work. The connection with U of Pgh was suppose to be the unique piece and that hand the pot made another mess.
Still there was a big emphasis on the promise and hanging lots of college banners, going on college tours, bring promise ready etc.
All very future oriented, but the present (clubs, teams, bands, etc) is important too.
The Pittsburgh Promise was never for purposes of inspiration or aspiration. The standards are too low. The Promise was a ploy to keep families from fleeing the district.
This school has been "in crisis" for years. The ineffective leadership of Derrick Hardy for years and the unwillingness of the Board to address the issues before now is a disgrace. The children have been abandoned by the very people who are supposed to care! The only reason people are talking now is because this incident is front page news.
8:41 and 9:17 - Many will agree that what is proposed is "easier said then done", but that is a major part of the problem. I CAN be done, HAS been done and WILL be done---as soon as ALL of those involved believe and know without a doubt as they move into ACTION based on that knowledge and belief.
PPS blames everyone and anyone except themselves and their own practices, policies, procedures and professional learning venues which are the source of the problem. We need educator---- like many from past years---- who got the job done without scapegoating everyone else.
All talk and no/ineffective action is what has landed Uprep front and center in the Post Gazette.
Absolutely correct 5:26! Meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting without followup action. Collective Impact has been a total waste because it is nothing more that "talk". PPS talks and never acts on anyone's solution and typically find a way to take any solution OFF the table! Always another agenda that gives money (lots of it) to outside consultants!Until our schools are out from under Central Office and their consultants the problems will only continue and become evan more devastating for STUDENTS!
Interestingly, back in the day, students ( black and white alike ) would bring their disputes to school because on some level they knew it would go only so far. Out on the street guns are an X factor. So for some students, fighting the fight within the confines of school is 'safer'.
The problems with U-Prep are a mirror image of what takes place within the urban environment. Those issues will not be resolved until men assume their roles as fathers, spouses and mentors, when women realize their own self worth, and they accept nothing less than respect from those same men.
The heads of the union should not be fired; that is too gentle. They should be sent to the thing to teach.
Unbelievable responses are posted here! Your words reveal your attitudes and approaches! Shame you 'haters'.
Does it bother anyone else that in today's PG Lane said she cant guarantee a safe learning environment??
Yes, it is very bothersome---but that is why there are so many consultants. PPS simply does not know how to engage students in learning the skills needed to be successful in college, careers or just living and working together in classrooms.
The question is why don't they know how to do this will all students since it is the job description for educators.
In the "old, old days," we didn't even have consultants, multiple "offices", multiple administrators,etc., and our students learned.
The article in Trib describes "demands" by the community that have been ongoing for years. Yes, a group has been meeting for a year about what is needed at Milliones UPrep, but NOTHING comes about except more meetings----as a result of this "Collective Impact" process. What are the roles and responsibilities of the members of this group? Do they have the skills and knowledge to create a working design? If not, why not? As someone said previously its just talk, talk, talk. What happened with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Urban Education? What happened to the Early College Program? Where are the designs submitted by last June's Collective Impact sessions at the Consol Center? Where are the results from Success Schools and Restorative Practices? It's a new principal, so who is helping him at the District level? People and programs come and go! Where is the Equity Office which had its origins in the Hill 25 years ago? What about the Human Relations Commission Report that has been under review for 25 years? Lots of money is being spent! To do what? PPS schools are the responsibility of the PPS District? What are the consequences for those who are "failing" in their jobs as educators in this district?
This suggestion is by no means the solution but because these were female students fighting how about classes to teach the girls how to act like young ladies. In my day, girls were taught to show respect and expect respect. Sort of like a charm school for girls to grow into lovely women. I was brought up knowing certain female roles and it has served me well through my life. I'm not suggesting a subservient role but I found that if you act like a lady you will be treated like a lady. It was a part of the social contract and I wish that these female students would have learned these lessons at home.
What happened to feminine, gracious, and gentile ways?
I know a lot has changed but life could be a lot easier for yourself if you refuse to take on brutish ways.
It's called Big Government 10:28AM and its been growing from those "old,old days" of Laura Ingalls and the little school house on the prairie.
Once a program is added its next to impossible to have it removed. It metastasizes until the sacred bond between teacher and student is all but severed.
I just Google'd University Prep and this story made national and international news.
Like damn!
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/sources-say-university-prep-hs-officials-missed-wa/nqczj/
Lane is going to add a V-P and an office staff member. Big deal. How's that going to help the situation?
Probably will help process suspensions, expulsions, etc; which will only make the situation worse. The school needs educators who care, have creativity, commitment, and experience with urban schools. The situation can be turned around very quickly with the right people in the right place doing the things that engage, inspire, and reward students, internally, for rising to every challenge with their best solutions for making UPrep worthy of their attendance!
New post: Media (PG) challenged to cover positive at University Prep
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2016/03/04/Media-should-cover-positive-events-at-University-Prep/stories/201603020040
Let's join Sean Farr in his quest to elevate the reports coming from this school. The right people in the right place doing the right things will generate better feelings, attitudes and results!
Just last summer 60 students from University Prep were selected to participate in a 4 day camp at Carlow . The goal being to harness the power of students toward a better school climate.
The camp included professional development for teachers guided by the Massachusetts Efficacy Institute.
Fairly certain that the students selected and the teachers participating were considered to be the right individuals, in the right place and doing the right things.
Disappointing results when the harnessing of power needed hand cuffs.
I'll bet that the majority of those 60 students do not have reading skills anywhere close to grade level. For them, high school is beyond frustration and boredom but we keep rubbing their noses in the possibility of the so-called Pittsburgh Promise and success in the highly competitive arena of higher education. It is and will continue to be a dismal failure until the PPS "Educators" with their dime-a-dozen Doctorate degrees go back and revisit Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs (if they ever did in the first place). I have heard some of those folks say that it is just trite and chliche' textbook stuff that really doesn't have much to do with anything. It all begins with safety and security! A student can't reach the top of the triangle without it and everything in between, especially reading and language skills! I wonder how many board members past and present have ever heard of Abraham Maslow?
12:58
Although painful as it may be , it seems that transparency is what is needed here so that the public can exact some measure of urgency and resolve about what is needed to change the climate at University Prep.
Adding a Vice principal and an office extra is hardly a framework for order.
To make an analogy and to your point 5:59 it would be untimely for the media to be focusing on all that is good in Flint Michigan when it's children continue to be at risk.
The media needs to keep the focus on finding the right solutions for this school of ours on the Hill .
https://medium.com/bright/why-community-schools-is-the-key-to-the-future-6dbd894e03a6#.fu4p2vlbi
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/10111067-74/district-model-students
Prepare everyone for college and beyond... PPS will implement this model NEXT year. What's being implemented NOW?
Who is leading the Collective Impact Model?
Are ANY of them educators? Or are they all external providers/consultants who have little knowledge of what will work for Students K-12 in Hill District Schools!
WHO will implement?
In today's PG
'Fences' extras needed.
An open casting call for paid extras for "Fences" will be from 9am to 4pm March 19 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Filming will take place in and around Pittsburgh from April to early June. The Paramount Pictures Film is looking for male and female background players, children, teens, adults and senior citizens of all ages. No experience necessary.
Can UPREP Milliones make a collective impact on this opportunity taking place in it's neighborhood for an educational experience for it's students?
Imagine the possibilities.
Since the community must champion the effort ( Community Impact Model ) who is the leader within the community setting the strategies and determining what it will take to get there?
See PG article below.
The Collective Impact Model at Milliones NOW includes the CCAC dual enrollment program. There is ONLY ONE STUDENT enrolled in that program.
What school leader will change education at Milliones so that it will prepare more than one of the five hundred students for entry into any program beyond PPS? WHO will prepare students for more challenging options? Where are these people currently?
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2016/03/12/State-education-chief-visits-listens/stories/201603110256
One has to assume that the WHO are in the long list of mentions in the following:http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=153&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0
Who will be leading the 'WHO'? and it is interesting that all of this discussion ( mind you that is all it is at this point, endless discussion ) is happening prior to choosing a new superintendent.
What makes you "assume" that10:01? Certainly, that is the purpose, the hope, the 'promise, BUT where is the evidence that these chosen folks know how to do this?
Those in this blog who say they KNOW how to do this because they have Done it have not shown the ability to engage the current leadership in such away that their 'Knowledge'
and 'Ability' have been resourced.
Why is that 11:50?
True 12:52! Good Question! There are more than a few answers, but discussing them has been and continues to be an exercise in futility. Let's just pray together that others will rise for the sake of the students.
Time and time again here, people have suggested bringing back successful administrators who have proven that they can run difficult urban schools. But warm, fuzzy, with pizza for all- maybe not. Outstanding scores- sometimes. But SAFE and orderly always!Most here agree-learning cannot happen in a chaotic environment. No one wants to send their children to a school that has made the news for riot conditions. No promises can make people send their children into a situation they perceive as unsafe. That has to be #1-- and adults cant act like-- this goes without saying-- say it loud and often- your student's safety is our first priority!
Safety at forefront:http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/03/14/Public-safety-at-forefront-in-race-for-House-District-24/stories/201
VOTE
It all starts at home ,no discipline ,no morals and or self respect and I am from the hill born and raised .My mother raised me to be the best person I could be these kids today have no fear of there parents and most only have one so to all of you people trying to blame the school for this mess start with the people around you and those who raised these children to be the way they are.
The chief of safety for the pps did and will not make an appearance at uprep to see all the mess and he is from the hill and still lives there.He will not add anymore security or police once this has blown over.The security are burnt out and the police will not even drive by the school that's how bad this place is it's time for his resignation because they were begging for more safety there and it was ignored so if lane needs a scapegoat (they always do) then there is your man start with him.
adding more security to UPrep means depleting the presence at another school unless funds are budgeted to hire additional staff. i am sure the human resource department has data on police and security absences, both those caused by injury in a school building and other causes and maybe it is time to do comparison studies, year-to-year and building-to-building. add to that a look at pre-restorative practice implementation and post implementation. it is quite a number of years since my kids graduated and it is disconcerting to see that we are still struggling to provide a safe and orderly environment. being unable to deliver on the promise or reach that goal is what drove many families to Catholic schools and to charter schools a dozen years ago.
"Schenley resolved a similar neighborhood battle back in the 1980's":
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/03/15/Here-s-how-to-create-a-win-win-for-Milliones-school/stories
So much progress made over the nearly 100 year history of Schenley, then someone thought it would be a good idea to wipe it away and start over again.
What is significant about the above op-ed is that resolve and change came about because the students themselves made it happen. The students ended up lobbying for solutions and they succeeded.
For the students and by the students.....eventually and not without pain.
Thank you 8:53 for posting the link to that PG article. It points to all the more evidence that advice from retired principals (especially those who were successful in running Hill District schools) assembled in a full day forum specifically for Mr. Horne would provide a source of help for this young man who is obviously struggling for answers to the variety problems at this school. Former principal John Young's expertise, wisdom, and insight would be
invaluable!
Is Mr. Horne from the PELA program?
No...he was a VP with Penn Hills SD
Was his school at Penn Hills successful? PPS may need to focus on recruiting people with a track record of success, regardless of their race, gender, etc.
The dynamics of the schools in Penn Hills and those in PPS are vastly different. No rivalry neighborhoods/ territorial issues. The success of an administrator is relative to his or her district circumstances and how much influence does a VP have? Horne was first a math coach at Uprep before going into administration so he was familiar with that school in its beginning stages.
Maybe Mr. Horne will reach out to Mr.John Young? ( paul.conflictresa@gmail.com )
Effective leaders surround themselves and seek advise from those who are smarter than themselves and have the expertise.
Why did they put a principal in charge that was never a principal? The Chief of Police. What is he doing to make the schools safe? The only thing I have seen him do is bring the city of Pittsburgh's finest Pittsburgh Police into the uprep building or wherever they need help because the school police can not handle the issues. They always call the Pittsburgh Police to clean up a mess they can not handle. It is the Chief and Commander of the PPS job to keep our kids safe and they are failing. Are they college educated? It sure does not seem like it. I took my son out of uprep because that is a place where a child could be hurt severely. I feel sorry even for the staff, It is a unsafe environment and should have city police there all day long.
Snip (edited) from article:
it became obvious that the girls shared a common frustration with the lack of recreational facilities in their neighborhoods... They said the inadequate recreational facilities made it all too easy for students to get into trouble.
In the end, the girls set up a joint team to lobby the city for expanded recreation facilities. They succeeded, and basketball courts and playgrounds opened in both neighborhoods.
Recreation = Re-Creation.
Playing well with others matters.
But, there is much more to do beyond a few basketball courts or even a new 'spray park.'
Then at another level, with sports, the battle isn't intramural. Rather, it is against other schools and other cities. It was GREAT to see the togetherness and support for the team at Allderdice go against Roman Catholic of Philly in a hoop game in Hershey. These kids need to understand that they are on the same team. The better battles to wage are with the city kids against the world, not each other.
We are on the same team. There is plenty to do to help each other succeed.
And, Pittsburgh is a sports town. But, PPS is not with a vision of that at the top levels.
So in 2016 summer, U-Prep will have Summer Dreamers / summer school. But, the swim pool will be closed to all the students. No Swim & Water Polo at U-Prep in 2016. After years of planting seeds and doing big-time efforts to get the aquatics to take root, some administrative decisions can cut those opportunities.
One year we had 100 kids do Swim & Water Polo at U-Prep in summer school and could NOT even use the U-Prep swim pool, the U-Prep locker rooms, the U-Prep ground floor boys and girls room. Nope. All were off limits to the kids in their own school. The swimming had to be done at Citiparks Ammon (also closed in 2015 FWIW) and the YMCA. We had to walk/run nearly a mile each way to go swimming.
Unreal.
That lacking of recreational facilities is HUGE. And, those facilities are OFTEN already built and right in the PPS schools. But, they are not OPEN to the kids and are NOT open to those who can make serious changes to recreational attitudes.
There is a lack of political will by some to make the city opportunities in sports and recreation what they could and should be.
Gangs and the gang-mentality works with kids and teens. I want positive gangs. I want more swim and water polo teams. I want orchestras too. I want a new superintendent to understand that the recreational opportunities and support for teams and sports for the city kids are not what they could and should be. And, that these efforts can make a big difference in the lives of many students and school communities.
The swim pool at Schenley is closed and gone forever. The gym at Schenley vanished too. Meanwhile, the gym at U-Prep is poor for a middle school. And, the swim pool, also poor, is CLOSED to our students in the summers. But, it exists. It can be used. It should be used well. Sadly, I don't think that many of them get it.
I know how to fix part of the problem. And, it has been proven to have great benefits despite some serious road-blocks.
Hire a bunch of security guards or, for about 10% of the cost, get the kids to thrive by opening up the existing swim pools and other facilities with coaches that get the kids to play well with others and focused on beating teams from Erie and beyond.
Sports, athletics, physical education has always given our inner city youth a sense that there is more than the world they know and the courage to move into these larger realms . It is an important link in the " chain of change "for our PPS students and we can only hope that the new Superintendent can feel and listen to the heart beat of our kids.
Huge hope indeed. Thanks for the support in this realm.
Please send us Jennifer Mikula McNamara up here to U Prep. She can and will clean up this mess.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2016/03/30/Retired-teacher-consultant-hire-to-help-with-conflict-resolution-at-Pittsburgh-Milliones/stories/201603300207
He will work mainly with faculty and classroom management. I think UPrep needs more than this. Teachers are there to teach not police. And as far as peer mediation in the school goes, is that really going to effect neighborhood rivalries? Mediation needs to be done in the neighborhoods between neighborhoods. Conflicts need to be addressed before they impact school/classrooms/teaching.
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