On another post Anonymous posted minutes from a Minadeo parent/school meeting, a candid look at the process of addressing some challenging issues. It is at least clear that these are not just EFA meetings.
Anonymous wrote:
"Minedeo Part one.
At the beginning of the meeting, the panel consisted of Mrs. Wagner and Ms.
Hollis. The discussion opened with a comment from a parent whose children
are in the 5th and the violence in the school seems to be escalating. Mrs. Wagner responded
that she and Ms. Hollis are looking at the data from the referral process. They
are looking at which grade levels are involved, what area of the school does
the behavior occur in, what are the major behaviors, which days of the week
do behaviors occur most, which students have an increased number of
referrals, and what the triggers are for problem behaviors particularly for the
students that are most often receiving office referrals. Fights are often
occurring during transition times. Mrs. Wagner said they are working to make
the transitions a more tightly controlled process. There have been fewer fights
during lunch. Most fights are occurring towards the end of the day during the
Response To Intervention (RTI) transitions. There are groups of students who
are moving to other classrooms for RTI that are largely unsupervised. Mrs.
Wagner stated that they are using a variety of things such as in-school
suspension, the time out room and out-of-school suspension to address
behaviors. They are using the School Assistance Process (SAP) to evaluate
behaviors and get families involved. Ms. Hollis said that one of her goals is to
increase community outreach programs and to get more parents involved.
She stated that working with parents is key. They need to be involved with
discipline.
A parent shared a personal story and stated that parents have to be involved
in the process. The teachers and the school cannot easily undo what is being
taught in the home.
A parent asked what is being done to engage families of children who have
behavior issues. Mrs. Wagner stated that it is not mandatory for parents to
work with the school, to seek therapy or medication for their children and that
the school continues to reach out when parents are not initially engaged.
It was noted that the approach to kids is important. Yelling and screaming is
not as effective. Concern was expressed for how adults in the building treat
the students.
Ms. Hollis noted that it is important to look at the root cause of the behavior
and to teach children to know what is socially acceptable.
"
66 comments:
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"part 2
It was noted by a parent that there appears to be a lack of proactive parental engagement. Most of the engagement occurs as a reaction to bad behavior.
The parent stated that it is really important to reach out and make connections so that parents feel comfortable being engaged in the process. The parent asked what plans the administrators have for reaching out. Mrs. Wagner asked the parent group for suggestions. She admitted that she may need
some help with this. She noted that the conference day held at the Center of
Life in Hazelwood was well received and it was noted that the PTO/PSCC meetings have been held in Hazelwood. It was suggested that we hold an event to draw in school families in the neighborhood. One parent suggested
that families pair up in small groups to help build true relationships. A parent asked what is being done to support the good kids. It was noted that the children with behavioral issues do need support but so do the children that are behaving in school. Their learning is being disrupted and they also need
support. Mrs. Wagner stated that there are some students that just need more support. A parent responded that a rising tide raises all boats and that all students need to be supported in order to have improved behaviors.
A parent noted that parents of children who are struggling may also have struggled themselves in school and can be intimidated by being in a school situation again. She wondered how we can move past this to develop a healthy relationship with these parents.
Another parent suggested that we
have community workshops for parents on such topics as anger management, how to talk to your children about school or other topics. It was suggested that Mrs. Wagner send out an automated phone message the evening before a PTO/PSCC meeting to increase attendance. This was successful on a previous occasion.
A parent asked how we can increase safety and make the children feel safe at school. It was noted that sometimes after behavior issues occur, students come back to class really quickly and they may not have had enough time to calm down. The other students that witnessed the behavior may also have not
had enough time to calm down. The parent asked what the consequences
were for dangerous behaviors. Ms. Hollis said that she will follow up with th child who had poor behavior and she tries to explain to any possible victims without invading the privacy of the other student. If she finds out that the
issue is not resolved, she will follow up again with the student.
A parent asked what we can do to teach students appropriate behavioral norms so that those that witness violent behaviors know that this is notnormal behavior. She asked if the teachers can reinforce this in Community Time. Mrs. Wagner stated that through the PBIS system, the students are being re-taught how to behave in Community Time and at lunch. Students and teachers were asked to rate transition times. This is an area that continues to
need improvement."
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"part 3
joined the panel discussion and the moderator asked those
present to focus questions away from school specific culture to make the best use of Mrs. Kennedy’s time.
The first question for Mrs. Kennedy was related to school budgets. In order for a school to automatically be assigned an assistant principal, the number of
enrolled students needs to be 500. She was asked if there is anything that she can do to help ensure that there is an assistant principal for schools that are
projected to have an enrollment in the mid- 480’s or higher. Mrs. Kennedy stated the budget numbers are set at the central office but there is some flexibility in the site based budget. Mrs. Wagner stated that as of right now, Minadeo is projected to have 493 students in the preliminary budget. This means that the assistant principal position will be cut next year. She stated
that she will appeal the budget. It was noted that with some creativity, it may be possible to keep an assistant principal. One thought is to keep two 5th
classrooms next year instead of having three classrooms and using the money to pay for an assistant principal."
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"part 4
A parent asked about the number of students that would be needed in a
classroom to get another teacher assigned to Minadeo. It was noted that when a classroom reaches 34 students, a teacher may be allocated to help reduce the class size. Mrs. Kennedy stated that paraprofessionals are paid
from the site budget. Some Title I funds can be used to help pay for
paraprofessionals. She suggested that all parents apply for free or reduced lunches which can help increase Title I funds. It was also suggested that parents can write letters to the board, speak to board members and speak at school board meetings to make concerns heard.
A parent noted that she was aware of two teachers that have been assaulted and hurt recently by students. She asked about the possibility of having a security guard placed at the school. Mrs. Kennedy stated that security is normally present at the high school level and in some middle schools. The school can call to request additional support and it is possible that some assistance would be given for a period of time. It is unlikely that a permanent security person would be assigned. Mrs. Wagner clarified that a person under 10 cannot be held criminally responsible for assault. If a child under 10 is involved, it cannot be called assault. Mrs. Wagner said that if a child hits a
teacher, the school needs to work with children and families to deal with this.
Ms. Hollis said that the Child and Adolescent Crisis Intervention Team (CACTIS)program (a program run by Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC)) and re:solve crisis center may also be engaged to help parents get needed support for their children.
Dr. Watson who is the school psychologist was present at the meeting. She is able to evaluate students and provide therapy during school hours. She stated that there are times that kids act out because they do not know how to show emotions. She said sad can come out as mad and a student can behave badly.
Mrs. Wagner stated that the teachers have been educated by WPIC staff about mental illnesses that are more common in children such as ADHD, ODD, depression and anxiety. There have been conversations to figure out how to involve more WPIC staff so that the next steps for improvement can occur. It
was noted that the school needs to work with WPIC long term to build
proactive relationships. A parent asked how students who may need
behavioral health services can be identified early such as in pre-K. Ms. Hollis stated that pre-K has behavioral specialists that can identify issues early.
A parent asked about the possibility of taking the kids with good behavior out on the playground for a period to get more exercise or if the gym could be utilized."
SERIOUSLY? No assistant principal in a school that clearly needs help because 493 students are projected rather than 500? Or could the reason be that so many students are expected to attend the new Propel charter instead? (If so, why not admit that?)
Speaking of the charter, will it also be the case that "it is not mandatory for parents to
work with the school" or will the charter be able to dismiss those families- leading to an even greater concentration of the most challenging students at the traditional public school while the charter posts better "results"?
Per the PPS website Ms. Wagner is the principal and Ms. Hollis is the assistant principal.
Are both PELA's? What previous experience do they have in an urban school?
The educational environment in the vast majority of PPS took a nose dive with the institution of the PELA admin program. I'm a veteran teacher who has been consistently rated as successful who has decided to retire at the completion of my 35th year even though I know I have so much more to offer the children. As the years of late have passed on it has become quite clear to me that my principals of years gone by simply knew what to do. As I read the minutes of this post it is clear that the principal and assistant are all over the place searching for answers. Sure there are always have been a few challenging students and families but this phenomenon has become the norm. The fact is that the PELA program brought too many inexperienced teachers to positions of leadership.
I'm sure this plan was intended to create a group of principals who ate, drank and slept the PELA Kool-Aid as we call it. What we practitioners in the classroom see are school leaders who are incapable of managing a school. This new era of principals see the classroom/school environment as the sole responsibility of teachers. They single handed allowed failed to take responsibility for setting a tone for appropriate school behavior. In the past, if a principal observed any student with inappropriate behavior, they intervened. Now, the principal looks on to see what the teacher will do and logs the evidence in their IPad. That's where this principal and so many others have gone wrong. Students no matter how young see that and automatically know the only person in charge is the teacher.
Perhaps Mayor Peduto should concentrate his efforts at Minedeo. Make it the beginning of a grassroots effort and morph into other schools from there. I don't care where Wagner and Hollis got their training in admin, it took some courage on their part to be open to discussing some of what was covered. Around 2008, when I still had kids in school it seemed like there might have been PD given to principals training them on how to shut down conversations like the one that occurred at the meeting.
I would like to comment on specifics in the post and comments, but I am overwhelmed and almost feel like I need to recover from reading the info. Can't imagine how the parents of kids feel.
That's true it is good that the principals were open to the discussion. There may also be a gap in pela training though.
And this is considered one of "the good schools".
Prior to 2006 and Roosevelt-- schools like Minadeo ALWAYS had lively PSCC meetings-- questions were asked-- principals presented their budgets etc to the PSCC--Questioning was considered appropriate. There WAS NO Kool-Aid--
No matter what disagrements parents had with teachers and admin-- everyone KNEW that they were trying their best. There would have been NO question about an assault on a teacher-- action would be taken so that every other child knew that you dont act like that in school and that it was a safe environment. When a PELA can say that all people are safe in a building -that is when PPS will be will be back to a normal district.
I've seen the good students literally shaking when a person with mental problems acts out. No one should have to live like that.
To questioner at 8:47
It's safe to say the teachers would gladly sacrifice the VP to keep three fifth grade classrooms instead of cramming all those kids into two for another. The current 4th grade has classes wit over 30 kids in each. The effects of this have become totally unmanageable for everyone in the building. It's unthinkable to continue it next year.
Here's what I want to hear from Minadeo's administrators:
This is unacceptable. Students have a right to a safe learnng environment. Things are going to change, and I mean immediately!
Here's what I'm actually hearing:
Well, we'll look into all of this. And we'll probably do a follow-up. And committees, yes, we'll probably form a few committees. And maybe an outreach.
Sorry to have to say this. I love Pittsburgh. But this is just another example why the Pittsburgh Public Schools are doomed.
Ask yourself this,would you send your child here to be beat, bullied and herded like cattle? My heart breaks for these children. While PPS and America wrings their hands and taxes to the max over the state of urban education, I for one would not subject my child to some crazy ideal of learning. When a kid is just walking in the hall and gets punched in the head and cry's when it's time for school, I've had enough.
With this, we are doomed! That's it, count my family out. I will not sacrifice my children for PPS. A pox on all your houses!
Just a reminder-- if you suspect? your child is witnessing acts of violence in school- against teachers, others or themselves- your children are being emotionally affected by this. They do deserve better. You have a right as a parent to sit in on these classes and see.. is ____ really as out-of-control as you are hearing? Are the halls as wild as you are hearing? "looking into it is not enough" even if you take turns, find a way to get adults into these rooms and schools. Principals of old would have been totally disheartened to see their school written up as this- out-of-control. This chaos would have brought a herd of admin into buildings-- and NOT to check what teachers have posted on walls. Parents at the very least, you can witness what is happening.
Absolutely! Parents, please come in to see the conditions of this school. Admins blame it on the teachers every chance they get.
I had to stop reading the minutes when the vice principal said kids shouldn't be yelled at. When left with students to control she yells with the best of them. Both of them do.
This should be required reading for every parent before enrolling their child in PPS. My son went to this school just as it was on a rapid decline. We enrolled him in a private school in 6th grade. We depleted his college fund on middle school but felt that was a safer investment.
He hated Minedeo , he would come home shaken up at least 2 days a week. I hate that I subjected him to it.
Linda Lane is either blind or is just biding her time because she has perpetuated and allowed the type of chaos that takes place everyday in PPS. Maybe PPS needs to consider bringing back some principals who retired but ran a tight ship. Just a thought.
It's apparent to this poster that PPS is in need of some common sense. Teachers can't teach if many children are behaving poorly. Don't believe the reformers. More than 25 children in a class is a terrible idea. If class size doesn't matter, why do the children of Bill and Melinda Gates attend a private school with an average class size of 16? Yes,16! Yet he advocates that class size does not matter when a "rock star" teacher is at the helm. The next question should be, Doesn't all of our schools deserve "rock star" administrators? And what about a "rock star" superintendent with a "rock star" Central and Support Staff?
Parents like the poster above are pulling out their children year after year. If the Board Members aren't reading this blog, they NEED too. Enough said!
The "Rock Star Board" isn't above this either. Urban schools all over the country have the exact same problems. This is more of a societal problem then a Linda Lane problem. I'm at the point that the chips will fall where they may. I just hope that I don't go broke as my taxes will be used to try to shovel this sinking ship. The rock star board is making thing worse. Mr Brentley has caused distrust and division and always caused the board to take their eyes off the ball with pettiness.
10:02, I've got to disagree with you regarding Mr. Brentley. Certainly he can be a bit abrasive. And sometimes he's a bit too concerned about his own district, at the expense of the city as a whole.
But he has always asked the tough questions! And he won't take vague non-answers for actual answers.
If there had been more Brentley types on the board, Superintendent Roosevelt wouldn't have been able to do as much damage.
And the district would be much better off today.
Mark Brentley would have met the old board more than halfway but they were too determined to go along with administration.
Prior to the Roosevelt owned board-2006 board members would have been called and pestered every night that a principal allowed chaos to reign, teachers and students to be injured, and criminals hugged when they return from suspension for crminal acts. After observing in schools, parents would have camped at Bellefield, until central office came out and saw this nonsense for themselves. Good principals walked the halls, stood in strategic locations and their prescence brought instant order,if kids were rowdy after lobg bus rides, after lunch..or accodring to these minutes going to RTI. Good principals could manage large groups of students and often did lunch duty/ playground duty themselves-- just to know what was going on. Principals were the leaders--the example that teachers followed. Now PELA trains them to blame teachers, hug kids who commit crimes, -- anything but letting go of the ipad and taking responsibility for their buildings.
Even parents who complained about how tough sone principals were, said yeah but my kid was safe.
All the time and energy teachers must put in to documenting and "showing evidence" could be put into assuring parents and students that safety is the major concern. Prvious posting was right...doesnt take an alphabet soup of programs to know what an orderly school looks like. Common sense says--students thrive on order and routine, and getting rid of experienced principals and teachers happened at the same time that order tanked in most schools...and that the good schools fell hard and fast.
The rules havent changed-- principals in the past dealt with cildren too,young to be prosecuted, parents who wouldn't pursue help, etc. but somehow their message was: sit down and learn, or lose the priviledge of being with other students -- in house or your house, something had to be done. Did it help the student with aberrent behavior-- maybe not. But it is time to look at the learning of the 20 other kds whose time is wasted everyday while a teacher struggles with problems that cannot be dealt with in a classroom.
Good schools ran because good admin let teachers teach....and directed students who couldnt learn in a calm orderly environment to mental health professionals, developmental advisors, or parents who really didnt want to see that kid at home. Sure suspensions are a vacation when you are 14---but we are talking elementary students-- whose parents have to deal with them legally if they are at home. So yes, enough suspensions and parents will respond when help is offered. And yes 20 other kids will get a vacation fron the stress that is constant in their lives.
Roosevelt said that Clayton would be the answer for disruptive students and the majority of board members did not hold him to that promise.
But the school in question is elementary-- and no one , no group, has found a working model to deal with disruptive students at this level. As professionals we know thse kds have serious problems--abuse, mental illness, etc. Sure, they need help and yes we should be helping them. But while they are getting sone form of help, the rest of our children must be educated. We know these disturbed individuals need more help, and that their families may be reluctant to accept the help offered. But allowing them to terrorize whole schools this point where families are leaving, children are witnessing acts that they do not see in their homes, children are steased-- this scenerio is helping no one except delusional admin who think they are running a school.
I hope that board members are reading this. I also hope Theresa Colaizzi is reading this and has a hard time sleeping after seeing how her turning a blind eye turned out.
What is it that people still don't understand- principals are not responsible for children's behavior. Parents and children cannot be held responsible either. It must be something you've done or not done as a teacher that has caused the problem. That is the only conclusion that the administration put forth since the beginning of the Roosevelt-Lane administration.
Well! Minadeo minutes is getting a lot of page views.
I hasn't been all that long since this post first appeared on the 4th of April, however, it would be good to hear the situation is getting lots of attention. can any Minedeo insider, particularly a parent, tell us something is different now?
Leadership comes from the top. It is clear the leaders lack skills, and experience, to maintain a positive learning environment with strict discipline and meaningful consequences. Teachers are NOT fully responsible for classroom behavior. PBIS is a school WIDE initiative that involves ALL parties in the school from the principal to the paras. If the principal doesn't support the teachers, the students know they can get away with just about anything.
The root cause is Melissa Wagner. She isn't a disciplinarian.
This raises the question of how large should an elementary school be. Is 450-500 too many? Would a principal be more successful with fewer kids? What they learn about behavior carries to all grades post-elementary. It needs to be demonstrated to kids that there are adults who are willing and able to read the signs and react to their needs outside the classroom.
4-10-14 @ 7:44PM
Let's take it one step farther, the root cause in many PPS schools are ineffective PELA principals PERIOD!
I'm sick of hearing about Roosevelt!!!!!! He has been gone for four years!
He is gone but the mess he made is not.
Right you are, Questioner at 9:56. Roosevelt is gone. But the Roosevelt way of doing things hasn't gone away at all.
Linda Lane is just Mark Roosevelt, Part 2. So, yes, Mark Roosevelt is still a major factor in today's PPS.
Roosevelt was.an Eli Broad candidate, Linda Lane is too.
Figure it out.
I dont think school size is the issue. Prior to the PELAs and the attitude of NOT leading a school, students and parents felt safe and secure in our schools. Also, students were generally HAPPY-- alot of families have good memories of large schools like Minadeo. These city schools were the melting pot our ancestors knew. Our schools were centers of community life-- long before we needed to study what a community school was. Parents really did welcome new groups of families-- because they knew that those numbers meant retaining services and staffing for all their kids.
But instead of judging principals by how few suspensions they had, or how many teachers they put on a plan, common sense ruled. You can walk in and see a well run building. Visit at lunch, dismissal-- look for that principal in a key location, able to settle students as they transition between activities. Sometimes just "being a presence" matters. Sometimes removing a student from a situation so 27 others can continue, sends a message to all students.
An attitude that no one stops the learning here says alot to everyone.
To end the roosevelt nonsense, as a district commit to safe orderly schools. Tell principals to dig in and run those schools. Parents-- get in volunteer and SEE are the halls safe, are students learning in an orderly way.
Have teachers think about how to organize learning so students, especially. The more challenged can progress, instead of "gathering their evidence".
Sure we are still heaeing about Roosevelt-- cause there is no one screaming Stop the madness! It is madness that we are reading about an elementary school out of control because we expect teachers to deal with a disturbed student. At that point, everyone's attention-- students and teacher are on that student. We want students time to be " on task " and learning. How about teacher time on the task of teaching? How long does it take for the rest of the students to settle into their work after these incidents? It is stated in the minutes that "sometimes studebts are returned to the classroom before they are totally settled" what does that say to students who have settled back into their work. And then, we blame teachers for low scores! Madness!
it is hard to NOT talk about the mistakes of the last decade. with PULSE, and PELA and RISE it seems like the purpose might have been empire building or at least resume building for the initiators. true that RISE was coming in some form, but did PPS really need to be out front on it?
Current Minadeo PTO/PSCC officer here, we respectfully request that you remove our recording secretary's name from this post. These minutes were posted on PURE Reform without her knowledge or permission. Minadeo PTO and PSCC did not intend for our meeting minutes to be shared in this forum, and did not give permission for them to be posted here.
Ok but please allow a little time.
To make the requested changed part 5 of the original post has deleted, the secretary's name removed to avoid possible confusion over who posted the information, and the remainder of part 5 posted below:
On another post Anonymous wrote:
"part 5 of 5
A parent noted that there is a district wide struggle with getting kids engaged in learning and addressing behavioral health issues. It was stated that a lot of issues seem to be driven by the curriculum. Mrs. Kennedy stated that there are community meetings being held. The next one is 3/17 at 6pm at the EECM
Community House. She encouraged parents to go to discuss these issues at a district level.
Mrs. Kennedy suggested that we have a curriculum night to help parents understand what common core is and it was suggested that prospective Kindergarten parents be invited. Mrs. Kennedy also suggested that the parents contact their state representative, state senator and the governor to encourage them to increase the amount of money invested in the school districts. The state budget will be finalized in June.
A parent stated that if things do not improve, it is a possibility that the state will take over the Pittsburgh Public School District. She asked what the School Board is planning to do to maintain control. Mrs. Kennedy stated that the
Board needs to look at all options to save money including closing schools if necessary and negotiating with the teachers’ union. Mrs. Kennedy has been
named to the mayor’s taskforce. She is asking a lot of questions. She stated that there are several empty school buildings that are for sell. The empty schools cost approximately $600,000 to maintain.
A parent asked why the new board members voted to keep Woolslayer open.
Mrs. Kennedy stated that she did not want to close a school without having a larger plan. She prefers not to close schools piecemeal so that children do not have to be moved multiple times. It is projected that 5-10 schools will be closed within the next few years.
Information about possible changes to the school calendar due to the weather was shared.
Mrs. Kennedy provided her email address: TKennedy1@pghboe.net. She also provided the Board phone number as an additional means of contacting her [PHONE NUMBER DELETED AS THE BOARD MEMBER MAY HAVE INTENDED MORE LIMITED PUBLICATION].
The committees that met in the second hour of the meeting included 5th
The next meeting will be April 22nd
"
I'm a bit disappointed by the 7:11 request.
If the meeting was open to the public, and if the everything posted here was really true, then there should be no objections.
I posted it. I think EVERYONE needs to know what is going on. The parents & staff at Minedao should want this public,
I won't do it again, but I hope the attention brings attention to how bad this is and how quickly something has to get done. It is insane.
I was not trying to step on anyone's privacy or home values.
11:02 - and others - please, please do not stop posting! Your post concerned an open meeting, and was factual. There is no reason not to post such vital public information.
If the secretary is so worried about her privacy, then I would suggest that she should not be a secretary in the first place.
The public has a right to know.
The conversation this post has generated says that indeed people need to know and should know. We do have sunshine laws-- and helping bad administrators cover up safety issues-- let alone learning issues is wrong-- an immoral. I admire the person who posted-- and all who care enough to comment. These people are caring about keeping public schools safe and functioning well. We should be praising them. We all notice no one screamed LIAR did they??? Only by speaking out can these problems be worked on!
Public schools are PUBLIC, which means they are funded by taxpayers who have every right to know how their monies are being spent. Is it being put to good use or not? So I agree with publishing information about the school, they publish academic achievements, well there is more than just that to a school environment. The happenings at schools should be noted, both academic and discipline. A minutes bulletin from the PTO/PSCC should go home to every parent in that school, so they are knowledgable about what is happening. Some parents cannot attend those meetings because of schedule conflicts...so they should receive a minutes bulletin to keep them informed.
As a parent, I would want to know what is happening on a daily basis regarding my child's learning environment, and from what I am reading, I am concerned with Minadeo's current learning environment.
I would have never copy/pasted this if I didn't think it was really important. There are so many holes in stories and so much hearsay. I thought this was an excellent unfiltered example of how effed up schools are.
This was forwarded to me, Minadeo can't prevent public information from a public school to be censored.
Sadly, I think it will now. It is about image, not about the kids.
THANK YOU for posting!
It has been image more than reality for a long time now but somehow, someway, someday the bubble will burst.
Minadeo is suffering, that is very sad, but if there is a ilver lining, then maybe the situation at Minadeo will help to shed light on the ATROCITIES that occur regularly in PPS elementary schools and K-8's.
Minadeo is in a unique position for two reasons. First, because of the changes in feeder patterns they are finally experiencing and seeing firsthand what has been occurring in other K-5 and K-8 schools since the Roosevelt/ Lane administration. What is unique is Minadeo's subset population of caring, involved, engaged parents who will speak out against these atrocities.
The disruptive, violent, borderline feral and barbaric behavior seen in children as young as kindergarten is the norm in most elementary settings as well as a complete and utter lack of parental involvement or support. Or even worse, highly inappropriate parental involvement including parents fighting with each other in schools, swearing at office staff, and teachers, and even threatening other people's children.
Now it is happening in a building where it has not been the norm and parent are rightfully outraged and disgusted. I hope they refuse to be quiet about this injustices imposed on our youngest children.
I have taught in 4 elementary or k-8 schools since the Roosevelt/Lane debacle. The things I have witnessed have traumatized ME, an adult in her 30's!!! I can only imagine what it does to the psyche of small children! There is no control, no discipline, no order.
I tried in vain to get parents in my schools worked up, angry, and upset about what was happening in the schools. I would tell them to call the board, parent voices are stronger than teachers. Parents have the most power! No matter what I told them happened in the school or to their actual child, nothing seemed to matter to them. I am talking about seriously physically violent, verbal and even sexual assaults! Rampant drug use in schools by children as young as 1st & 2nd grade. Teachers & security seriously injured by students. My parents feared for my safety in these schools and would beg me to quit, but my student's parents had no problem leaving 6 year old girls in buildings where 8th grade boys would call them "sexy" and say graphically sexual things to them.
Teachers in all elementary schools see so much covered up and know what happens when we speak up. It is a line you walk, speak up and fight and possibly lose your job, or keep quiet and be there to protect your students the best you can.
Please Minadeo parents, don't back down, make as much noise as you can!!! Speak out for all of the teachers & children. You truly are our only hope.
I am sad that children are suffering at Minadeo, but maybe this will bring awareness and help for all PPS elementary children!!!
If I had kids at Minedao I would want this to be on the front page of the Newspaper instead of a blog.
I agree 3:52 and if it were happening at Mount Lebanon, South Fayette, Pine Richland (insert any suburban school) it would be front page new!!!
Suburban teachers never bought into the "its your fault"" you lose your power if you ask that a student be removed who is tearing up the place etc. They know that schools are run for the good of all-- and that if anyone's behavior is not acceptable on the street- it isn't acceptable in a classroom or hallway. Teachers expect to teach, and if they are dealing with an individual problem-- it is a learning problem, which they are willing to work on and solve with a student. But,students who are in a rage need a different kinda of help. Why should all other students bear witness to the disruptive student's struggle? Do adults witness other adults having a melt-down in the workplace on a daily basis? Yes suburban parents would be the ones making a scene- with lawyer if their student's learning was consistently disrupted. Pittsburgh families have been lied to about the blame the teacher mentality. Suburban families have respect for teachers and the service they provide.
You dont need a schedule to know when school starts-- neighborhoods get strangely silent in the evenings. Minadeo was very much like these schools-even with some difficult students who need more support. But the point of "right-sizing" was to cluster more students into building and put fewer staff - not more. Combine that with training admin to blame teachers and take no responsibility for their schools, and telling parents that "the script" is the way to increase their childrens' learning- sand you have a recipe for disaster!
I believe the situation at Minedeo, while unfortunate, will ultimately benefit all elementary students and teachers. For a long time schools were segregated by neighborhoods, so you had these pockets of schools were the behavior reflected good parenting and the teachers could teach. Then you had schools where the majority of students displayed disruptive behaviors and there was clearly no home structure or support. If you "taught" in one of these schools, you spent most of your time managing behaviors and very litte time teaching. Parents didn't complain about the disruption to learning, because quite frankly, parents of children who continually disrupt the learning environment don't care what happens at school. If they did, their children would not behave that way.
Now at Minadeo, there is a mix of children who were raised properly and come to school to learn, mixing with a type of child, they or their parents have not encountered. The child with no home training or upbringing. The parents who care are rightfully upset that the teacher's time is now monopolized by seriously disturbed children or children not raised in any type of structured environment. Sadly PPS teachers are very familiar with these types of children, as many of us have spent our whole career in buildings where this child is the norm and any reasonably behaved child looks like the perfect child by comparison.
We have been saying this for years, we can't teach in this environment, only to be shut down or blamed for everything the child does. Children who need glasses, medicine, a bed, a meal, etc., are not the fault of the teacher. Many children disrupt because their most basic needs are not met.
Children whose parents actually care about them and for them are not going to sit by and watch their child miss instructional time because their teacher is busy writing referrals, breaking up fights, etc.
The district will lose more good students and families.
I am glad Minadeo parents are fighting for their children and school. I hope this will benefit all elementary schools. We need help!
I heard a first grader at Minadeo tell a teacher "I'm scared" when her class was out of control. No child should EVER have to feel afraid for his/her safety at school. You can see the stress on teacher's faces when you walk through the school. I can imagine that it would be virtually impossible for them to try and teach in a place where so many students do not show respect for themselves, other students or staff members. All the children coming to school to learn are being deeply impacted by the disrespectful culture of the school. I hope things can be turned around there.
what gets dicussed at EFA and PSCC meetings? a decade ago much of what is covered in the minutes posted here would have been discussed in a larger forum. parents learned some strategies to deal with control from what other parents did at other schools. recess practices even. does that happen among staff and admin?
"discussion" as it was once known is no longer permitted. Meetings are controlled-, Principals dispense information, and then control any discussion. You will be called in and talked to if you bring up ideas like the C word (in this case consequences)
There have been multiple meetings lately at Minadeo between the Assistant Superintendent and some very fed up parents. There's been no word as to what's been talked about, but the meetings have taken place. Unless they're talking about adding teachers to the staff I doubt anything of any substance will come out of them. Can anyone comment on these meetings?
A brave parent will need to step up and post.
Nothing will change until the parents go public and never shut up. Colfax is doing ok k-5 because the board knows they will have hell to pay and have bent over backwards for that community.
If Minadeo parents want to keep this in house and under wraps they are doomed.
They need to be loud.
It's not just about Minedeo, the parents at Concord are also making noise. After two years of with a PELA in charge, schooling at Concord has taken a nose dive. Parents need to stand up and take their schools back. They need to flood their Board Member with complaints. We have a new Board, maybe they will begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together realizing what went wrong was the placing of folks with no or limited educational / school administrative experience at the helm. It's all about failed leadership initiatives from the top. Parents make some NOISE!
How many Minedeos are there? Not much will change if parents just complain to each other.
Wait, so Concord is being run in to the ground by a PELA also? Is that why there are so many openings to transfer there?
I guess we should start asking how long does it take for leadership to actually emerge?
it is possible that PELA principals are victims of PELA training and if they had come up through the ranks of a building and attained the needed certification through conventional methods, (NOT PELA training), they might have been successful principals.
it used to be that the strength of the district was its elementary schools. thinking was "wait until this group of kids become high schoolers, they will be amazing" and even now when investment and expansion of early childhood education is discussed there must be some doubt. major adjustments have to be made.
Sadly, like teachers, administrators who don't follow their script, and go "off book" go on an improvement plan. And then, they are gone. The board needs a " courageous conversation" in really running this district- including the transparency of huge classes, teacher cuts-- and blaming lack of enrollment/ deciding that disruptive students will not rule the classrooms and all of the real issues happening everyday.
Last nite's public hearing had complaints against C. Otuwa. This has happened frequently at public hearings. Is sheof the evening meetings for many, many months, including Education, Agenda Review, Legislative, probably back to 2013. Where is C. Otuwa?
11:13 should say that C. Otuwa has NOT attended the evening four monthly PPS/Board meetings since 2013. Does she still work for PPS? Does she still visit schools? Which schools is she responsible for? How are the children doing in those schools? What is going on? Does anyone know the real deal?
Pittsburgh Concord has been one of the best schools in PPS. In the past 2 years the teachers and parents are victims of a PELA Principal. She cut everything that was important to the students ex. Halloween parade, Fun Day, fifth grade field trip that students looked forward to for six years. This is all in the name of academics. There are excellent teachers at Concord and many of the best wish to leave. They even want to leave the district. Do we want our best teachers leaving?? Ms. Cindy Falls , board member, needs to become even more involved in the "Downfall of Concord."
Post a Comment