tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post5670755332723177294..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: A+ schools questions plans for reconfigurationQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-14480166175812150392010-07-30T03:09:55.364-04:002010-07-30T03:09:55.364-04:00Does it feel good to bully, Old-Timer style, on me...Does it feel good to bully, Old-Timer style, on messenger rather than message, posting under Anonymous, repeatedly? <br /><br />FYI, I get around plenty. <br /><br />Schools that tend to scare people around the district ... say what, Anonymous? Sorry if fear defines you. <br /><br />BTW, history knows that Perry Traditional Academy and SOUTH Vo Tech were early city-wide high school magnets. CAPA has been around for quite some time too. A while ago, Perry was THE "popular school." <br /><br />Old Timer, tell us the start dates. <br /><br />PS:<br /><br />Here is a ROOSEVELT mind quote for ya -- to ponder for the weekend. <br /><br />“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.” -Eleanor Roosevelt<br /><br />July 23, 2010 11:38 PM<br /><br />-----------<br /><br />Oh my someone went there. I did not have the privilege of meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, but to even refer to her the same breath regarding Mark Roosevelt is beyond the Quayle. She has so many quotes one can toss around, but many of them are about celebrating individuality.<br /><br />I like this one: <br />Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one. <br />-Eleanor Roosevelt <br /><br />I don't want to get in a quote off, I was just trying to put the Eleanor v Mark in perspective.<br /><br />I'll do the polite thing and end with a quote from Mark Roosevelt's great grandfather.<br /><br /><br />"A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." <br />-Theodore RooseveltAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-88353027948564804932010-07-23T23:38:07.734-04:002010-07-23T23:38:07.734-04:00Does it feel good to bully, Old-Timer style, on me...Does it feel good to bully, Old-Timer style, on messenger rather than message, posting under Anonymous, repeatedly? <br /><br />FYI, I get around plenty. <br /><br />Schools that tend to scare people around the district ... say what, Anonymous? Sorry if fear defines you. <br /><br />BTW, history knows that Perry Traditional Academy and SOUTH Vo Tech were early city-wide high school magnets. CAPA has been around for quite some time too. A while ago, Perry was THE "popular school." <br /><br />Old Timer, tell us the start dates. <br /><br />PS:<br /><br />Here is a ROOSEVELT mind quote for ya -- to ponder for the weekend. <br /><br /><i>“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.” </i> -<b>Eleanor Roosevelt</b>Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-29574665128290940722010-07-23T21:42:21.765-04:002010-07-23T21:42:21.765-04:00I tend to think Mr.Rauterkus is a legend in his ow...I tend to think Mr.Rauterkus is a legend in his own mind. It's been put to him by more than a few people here that he needs to get out of his little Obama world and spend a great deal of time in schools that tend to scare people around the district before he makes comments. (I especially liked his comment about Perry in this regard. Clearly, the man has never been there.) Until then, his comments are just about as on point with the realities of the district as other ivory tower types. He fits in perfectly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-82256778923907178372010-07-23T18:51:52.046-04:002010-07-23T18:51:52.046-04:00I work for a provider this summer, not really a PP...I work for a provider this summer, not really a PPS employee. <br /><br />In 2009-2010 I filled in as a coach as a volunteer in 1 sport and got a single pay check in another sport as I filled in for another coach had a baby. <br /><br />You might be seeing something as I didn't give rave reviews to Summer Dreams. Reread. <br /><br />I posted in the other thread, <b>"I am not going to slam the Summer Dreams camp. But, it is nice to see some discussion unfold about it." </b><br /><br />Please, Anonymous, don't put words into my mouth. I say enough myself. =;0Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-23305092621644371922010-07-23T18:44:25.756-04:002010-07-23T18:44:25.756-04:00CAPA thrives, ... "BECAUSE THEY THROW OUT TH...CAPA thrives, ... <i> "BECAUSE THEY THROW OUT THE DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS!<br /><br />Now, if the board has the guts to somehow expand that, every school will do just fine.<br /><br />But if they don't, all the fancy and expensive programs will come to nothing.</i><br /><br />Global nods from me.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-62399018770302946452010-07-23T18:44:11.486-04:002010-07-23T18:44:11.486-04:00Mark Rauterkus you work for our PPS school distric...Mark Rauterkus you work for our PPS school district? Now working in the Summer Dreamers Academy??<br /><br />Sure, you are going to give rave reviews.<br /><br />It is only human. <br /><br />You must keep your job. <br /><br />Are you doing this as charitable time-I hope they are paying you. <br /><br />Now, I can understand your positivism and your understanding of Roosevelt’s vision in varied blog situational discussions located here at this blog site.-<br /><br />let's say you have to or must do it or you can lose your future PPS job opportunities.<br /><br />Please do not take this as slam against you-I would never give even rosy opinions about this Broadie group at the Board or be their PATSY-as the old timers said in 1910.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-25696906974194387362010-07-23T18:39:50.949-04:002010-07-23T18:39:50.949-04:00As to 200 at Pgh Obama, I floated that # in one of...As to 200 at Pgh Obama, I floated that # in one of my postings. It isn't "confirmed" -- but we're talking about expansion, etc. I had heard it in one meeting perhaps with non PPS folks -- but it is not a valid nor new policy. <br /><br />This months PPS Board handouts has this:<br /><br />Pittsburgh Obama<br />In 2009-2010 = grades 6-10, 621 students <br /><br />In 2010-2011 = grades 6-11, 774 students <br /><br />reposted: http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/PPS_2010-11_Configurations<br /><br />How accurate is unclear. ??<br /><br />So, it seems to be around the 150 limit as a top end per grade at Pgh Obama.<br /><br />It would be great to chart PPS attrition at each grade in each school in a detailed and accountable way with open data.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-89256061541533508272010-07-23T16:59:27.952-04:002010-07-23T16:59:27.952-04:00Here's a link about the Broad superintendent &...Here's a link about the Broad superintendent "academy."<br /><br />www.broadacademy.org/about/overview.html<br /><br />As they describe it, "successful" business people (which they do interpret pretty broadly) attend a "10 month program" to learn to be superintendents. <br /><br />Read the tiniest bit more carefully and you'll learn that it's one weekend a month and they continue in their current jobs. <br /><br />So, it's basically a ten weekend indoctrination program that leaves you thinking you know how to run a large urban district and provide a quality education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-47363025493225524722010-07-23T16:46:43.197-04:002010-07-23T16:46:43.197-04:00I posted this comment on another topic on this blo...I posted this comment on another topic on this blog.<br /><br />A Broadie is an individual that goes through the same training as Roosevelt. Non-educational background from the private sector. They usually lack diversity-and come from well-bred backgrounds.<br /><br />Depending on your generation-preppie-yuppie or whatever.<br /><br /><br />THIS BROADIE CATE REED IS CHARGE OF THE MAGNET PROGRAMS-SO ALL MAGNET COMPLAINTS CALL HER AND START THR BLAME GAME THERE IF SHE IS MAKING 95 Grand.<br /><br />She Reed in charge of the magnets.<br /><br />My kids are at Camp Peabody-another camp with issues-the term boring is a very polite word for what my kids call it-yucky-they are gifted and found the morning time so mundane and yucky.<br /><br />This Eddie Wilson is a jerk to our parent PTA group because he created the Dreamers chant. At a televised meeting -where many parents watched regarding the potential school reconfiguration for Peabody the guy got on TV via Agenda Review Meeting from a Board member asking him to do the chant. Well this Eddie person done the chant-he belongs in some other time of agenda-like 1910. It should have been a clue to me-another Broadie.<br /><br />Like go back where you came from-very outdated and lacks the urban experience-this site has good activities in the afternoon-but not worth the money when we are closing schools and cutting staff. <br /><br />Without the good afternoon activities as they advertise, as free-taxes are still being spent-nothing is free.<br /><br />Roosevelt could have used the money to really work on a better transition for middle school-aged students.<br /><br />The good or bright kids are quitting camp-if their parents have other alternatives for them.<br /><br />And we all know that this Dreamers Program will get rave reviews. They will conjure this up-the Broadies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-50868748356779415282010-07-23T14:55:02.232-04:002010-07-23T14:55:02.232-04:00I don't think there's any serious thought ...I don't think there's any serious thought that you can keep all the kids all the way -- that doesn't happen in any school. But, the difference in an ordinary school is that kids can come in at any time, any level. That's less true for a program like IB (or IB if it means anything). <br /><br />Maybe it's accept up to 200 in 6th grade (clearly they have spots if they're offering them, who knows how many they have for 6th grade, if it's even close to 150), knowing you'll lose some from year to year and then up to 50 robotics kids per year in HS...that would work out to 200 a year, but the robotics kids wouldn't be using any of the other facilities in the building besides what's already there for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-42207983858319507212010-07-23T14:39:46.690-04:002010-07-23T14:39:46.690-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-50892093294738276522010-07-23T14:39:42.100-04:002010-07-23T14:39:42.100-04:00If there is a serious thought of keeping 200 kids ...If there is a serious thought of keeping 200 kids per year that would be 1400 kids; and at the time of the move out of Schenley the district said the capacity of Peabody was 1100. Maybe there are some offices they can move out- now they seem to be saying the capacity is a little greater- but then, keeping middle school separate from HS requires more space. And so far it looks like robotics is staying at Peabody (there are reports that kids not enrolled in Obama will be required to go to home schools in the morning).Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-36191954579313109432010-07-23T14:31:13.124-04:002010-07-23T14:31:13.124-04:00Where did the 200 number for Obama come from? Did...Where did the 200 number for Obama come from? Did someone realize that they've set it up so that students only leave the school in later years not enter it? They'll have to accept more students in the earlier grades to end up with 150 graduating. May happen at sci-tech too, depending on how seriously they take their own format. <br /><br />Don't know the exact numbers, but don't think the highest grade at Obama has even 120 kids in it and there are still two more years to go -- the hard IB years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-76129014096790694392010-07-23T14:04:54.330-04:002010-07-23T14:04:54.330-04:00For the application, students just have to do an e...For the application, students just have to do an essay and as long as it is done selection is just by lottery. So the thoughtfulness and quality of the essay doesn't help them to be admitted and may just make them more frustrated when they realize how much they would like to go to the school but cannot. And a problem with just going to Obama is that they lose their place on the waiting list for the science school.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-65667729658025264942010-07-23T12:14:20.554-04:002010-07-23T12:14:20.554-04:00It is frustrating, my son scored in the exceeds or...It is frustrating, my son scored in the exceeds or whatever the category is called in science. I think this was in 4th grade, and it might have been foresight or PSSA, I don't recall. He wrote a long thoughtful essay to get into Sci-Tech, is in the gifted program and he didn't win the lottery, for next yr.(6th grade.) I called the district for ideas and was told send him to Obama. WHY? They seem to be missing The point of what a magnet school is. They are not interchangeable. foreign language and science are not quite the same thing.<br /><br />Sad thing is nobody read the essays.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-23829454089264097222010-07-23T11:09:22.791-04:002010-07-23T11:09:22.791-04:00Mark R,
You said "EXPAND what works!", ...Mark R,<br /><br />You said "EXPAND what works!", then you added "CAPA is popular and it is working".<br /><br />You're right, of course and CAPA is working out just fine.<br /><br />But just why is CAPA working?<br /><br />Is it because they are implimenting the latest "research-based" curriculum or anything like that? No.<br /><br />IT'S BECAUSE THEY THROW OUT THE DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS!<br /><br />Now, if the board has the guts to somehow expand that, every school will do just fine.<br /><br />But if they don't, all the fancy and expensive programs will come to nothing.<br /><br />It would be like building a palace on quicksand.<br /><br />Please comment on this if you will, Mark.Exhaustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-69995231696809775472010-07-23T10:46:06.381-04:002010-07-23T10:46:06.381-04:00First off, I believe it is 150 per class at IB.
Se...First off, I believe it is 150 per class at IB.<br />Second, God help us if the board puts any credence at all in what Mr.Rauterkus conveys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-56308723366736613532010-07-23T10:13:19.072-04:002010-07-23T10:13:19.072-04:00Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10204/10...Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10204/1074678-53.stm#ixzz0uVmmbOMp<br /><br />One sectional Quote from article∷ Research shows much of the academic achievement gap between low- and high-income youth is tied to summer learning options, and kids without summer activities can lose up to two months of academic progress before the school year starts. To address that, the city district started an all-day, free camp for middle schoolers this year called the Summer Dreamers Academy, which boosted summer program registration from 800 to 2,300 students.<br /><br />The camp, which is budgeted to, is scheduled to shut down after next summer when the stimulus funding ends, said Cate Reed, the district's project coordinator for strategic initiatives.<br /><br />Well, my son is at Camp King, they already had three good physical fights at this site-the Camp Site Director, and his crew cannot manage this site. The money is wasted at the site that could have been put to better use. Site Directors; make $8500 and teachers $6000. <br /><br />The money for afternoon activities should receive funding-this site is a serious joke-because of the people in charge-they are afraid of the Black students. $4 million to $5 million annually just another waste of money and they never use the current research-just like-Where is the research for the past 5 years on our ALAS. King has been always a disaster for 30 years. And they are furloughing teachers. They take research and good old RAND and what happens 5 years of waste-I wish President Obama could see the waste.<br /><br /> But, they should have had a diversified Site crew to deal with this Section of our city-my son goes to a magnet-the only selection for some North Siders. The kids call the site Director Dork and the Dorkers- and some of the Camp Coordinators just plain nasty the students and the teachers. Only the male Camp Coordinators are braking of the fights. Not the teachers. <br />However, as a parent even when I pick up my son-you should see the disorganization of the kids and the buses. <br /><br />Why waste this cost $4 million to $5 million annually so 2011 another cost of $4 million to $5 million.<br /><br />Mr. Rauterkus you are right-but look what happened this summer with their territorial setup of the Camps. They wasted majority of the 5 million.<br /><br />Why do you think I send my son to a magnet school-oh my and what about high school? This does not happen at Allegheny Traditional and listen it is a waste-when I will hear wait till next year to work out the quirks!!! When they sre closing schools and cuttin student programs and class size.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-20392588542785826752010-07-23T10:03:43.479-04:002010-07-23T10:03:43.479-04:00200 per class at IB? What happened to "small ...200 per class at IB? What happened to "small schools"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-78077076094089669052010-07-23T09:47:18.449-04:002010-07-23T09:47:18.449-04:00Wonderful Q from above:
Where do the struggling ...Wonderful Q from above: <br /><br />Where do the struggling students go when all the competive schools are filled up? Prison high, or we don't care anymore high? <br /><br />Humm. We care. <br /><br />We need to work hard to make sure that the 'competitive schools' are able to expand. Then they won't fill up.<br /><br />Building capacity (bricks/mortar) isn't the real issue. PPS has buildings and plenty of room.<br /><br />(Past rant) Expansion of 'competitive schools' was one reason I wanted CAPA to expand into the other floors of its downtown building -- but to NOT fill with grades 6, 7 and 8. A bigger CAPA as a downtown HS with expansion made more sense.<br /><br />Then PPS would have needed to make TWO middle school replacements for RODGERS, such as at Knoxville (south) and another East school if not a fix-up of Rodgers. <br /><br />EXPAND what works! <br /><br />We should be talking about a CAPA-styled program moving into Westinghouse, given that CAPA is popular and it is working. How about a CAPA with sports, and even a CAPA where the kids get to switch their major if they want or a CAPA where the kids get a MINOR. Then CAPA Downtown can be specialized and CAPA east (at Westinghouse) can be more well rounded. <br /><br />But, again, there should be no feeder patterns. <br /><br />The IB School needs to be able to expand too, and with the move to Peabody, that might be better able to occur. But really, an expansion onto Reizenstein building with a second gym, auditorium and cafeteria would have been more ideal than uprooting and fitting into Peabody without windows, etc. The Reizenstein physical space is expandable. New classrooms could be added there are there is plenty of land. <br /><br />I hear that the sizes per grade at the IB school (Pgh Obama) might have been pushed to 200 as a goal rather than 150 as a limit. ??<br /><br />There are spaces at IB now -- but students need to want to work hard and have a background of languages before admission. <br /><br />PPS must allow for expansion without dropping in quality.<br /><br />A serious issue is "struggling students." Some are smart but don't conform in a specific school setting. They struggle with others. Some do struggle with learning and doing their work so as to advance. <br /><br />One tactic is a willing transfer while still on good academic / behavior standing. Too often we shift expelled and suspended students from building to building -- AFTER they've blown up / melted down. If PPS didn't force them into a school setting with the feeder pattern enslavery, then they might opt elsewhere once they figure out that 'this place isn't right for me.' <br /><br />Restarts to different schools while on good terms (and prior visits of consideration) should be encouraged as a way to prevent drop-outs and ejections.<br /><br />As for PRISON High, we've already got one of those. Is it at capacity? I don't know. <br /><br />Closed in the past PPS Connelley and closed PPS South Vo Tech were warm, family-like schools that gave support and kept kids in school and became places where kids gravitated too. Those options were places for some who might be called 'pluggers' to flourish. Gone from our landscape, sadly. That 'Gateway School' might be part of the answer too. ??Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-15551342657427469202010-07-23T08:29:56.024-04:002010-07-23T08:29:56.024-04:00Rumors are stating the superintendent will start h...Rumors are stating the superintendent will start his goodwill tour on AYP and his agenda around July 29th. He is the mystery man. <br /><br />In addition, yes the crappy schools will close. His core rationale will be the low scores for Westinghouse. He will build his agenda around that core element. Close the crappy schools throw the schools as cards in the air and let us take it.<br /><br /><br />I am sure Tarka will be beside him. Only the media and select invited few will be invited. A set propaganda event. Sorry, about the terms and descriptive. But, what is-is his world. He is like a rare breed. He reminds me as a Czar in historical terms. I feel he can go back to the grassroots and work this out with the communities. Maybe, he will invite one or two people that disagree to be in the audencice-I believe invitation only set in a school or event setting. Doom and gloom as his rationale-CTE is mandatory by state and federal laws-respectively. <br /><br /><br />Someday look at the Purdons-sorry about the spellings on the Pa web site of Education. I wonder if Ms. Werner of Fine will be invited and will the school Board and select Principals be there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-25139629675757376052010-07-23T08:11:05.103-04:002010-07-23T08:11:05.103-04:00One has to be curious when the superintendent does...One has to be curious when the superintendent does not step up and say he'll meet with concerned citizens. In previous rounds of reform he was all over the place in our communities. A casual passer-by might conclude he has less faith in the plan that he should.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-85999866952235765692010-07-23T05:28:54.311-04:002010-07-23T05:28:54.311-04:00Yes we pay extra taxes to live in the city, the qu...Yes we pay extra taxes to live in the city, the question is why? I do not take public transportation because I do not need it, However I do go to the parks a lot. <br /><br />The public schools are less than stellar, and I fear are going to decline with some exceptions. Allderdice will survive if you look at Mark Raukwhatever's ideas, or my silly misinterpretations of them. Only the best will survive, cream rises to the top, schools should be competitive. Crappy schools are ok under this plan because they will close. <br /><br />Where do the struggling students go when all the competive schools are filled up? Prison high, or we don't care anymore high? <br /><br />By the time kids are in high school it is too late, the community has to help, people need to care and the superintendent needs to get off his faux throne and meet with the community. He never does, he sends out his minions. (yes, that is a tongue and cheek Despicable Me reference.) <br /><br />I was so excited about this city 2 years ago, and now I feel it was all hype built on a house of cards. It is like when that really cute guy/girl you dated was too good to be true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-45081725867050936132010-07-22T23:04:18.408-04:002010-07-22T23:04:18.408-04:00To Anonymous July 22, 2010 9:57 PM.
I only drink ...To Anonymous July 22, 2010 9:57 PM.<br /><br />I only drink water with slices of lemon and lime. Remember drinking in Pittsburgh has the SIN tax attached. Moreover, I just do not drink.<br /><br />I hope I am not ranting in your opinion or being uptight to you because the antonym for kudos is criticism, censure, disapproval, reproach, disparagement, condemnation, denigration, blame, denunciation. <br /><br />Listen it is hard for a family with three children to pay the taxes as residents of the city of Pittsburgh and the employee tax-plus this high school configuration mess. <br /><br />Some of our friends have found the suburbs as a possible answer for high school because they sre thinking of sending their children to private schools- if they stay in the city-under all this reconfiguration. They as parents are not interested in CAPA or IB. If they move to the suburbs in the northern region of our county-they will save private tuition and save the employee tax they pay as city residents. They see it as a big savings with having three children and with having jobs to commute. <br /><br />This reconfiguration is an issue for a lot residents that have children that are ready to go into middle school a 6-12 configuration with in two years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-33429430025314314032010-07-22T22:00:56.174-04:002010-07-22T22:00:56.174-04:00Mark, I want to be sure nobody gets confused by yo...Mark, I want to be sure nobody gets confused by your last post, South Hills kids can definitely still avail themselves of a CTE education in disciplines that will be eliminated at Brashear. They just have to agree to be full-time students at Oliver to do so. <br /><br />I don't know how many previous models Gates money supported in terms of education reform, I am familiar with the small schools initiative and what we are attempting with trying to "stepford" teachers, perhaps the next idea will be the winner. <br />If I had to suggest a career choice for a kid starting college I would follow the thought provided by Anonymous 3:28 and push a kid toward social work and guidance counseling.winkynoreply@blogger.com