Thank you to the brave teachers who risked their careers by speaking publicly at tonight's SCSD Board meeting. And not just speaking, but speaking honestly and openly about the behavioral issues faced by our district's student and teachers.
Thank you for giving all of us hope that the silence can and will be broken!
Kudos to them all. It took a lot of courage to speak, knowing the retaliatory and vindictive nature of this superintendent. As far as her claims of $5 million spent on "programs" - what exactly are they? and how are they working? I notice she said "contracts" meaning I presume, she is spending district money on outside vendors - no bid contracts - while firing teachers, TA's, social workers, etc, etc, who could have done the job for less.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite correct Corinne. Some of the money she claims to have spent (we should also check to see how much money is from grants too), was taken from the 16+social workers she let go, the many TA's, and having a police presence in the secondary schools daily. Also, many of the therapists brought into buildings are fresh out of school and cannot handle the mental health problems that can be addressed/supplied by a seasoned individual; but that would mean Contreras actually cared about quality.
DeleteNice to see the PS covered the event. Some follow up to the superintendent's comments stating the district has invested more than $2 million implementing a K-6 alternative school program for chronically disruptive students in one of the elementary schools, three alternative middle school programs and an alternative high school program.
ReplyDeleteWhile not a lie, she fails to say that these programs support no more than 50 students district wide.
I ask you, does that sound like a viable plan of support?
The SCSD used to have many alternate programs for students. They were all pretty much cut over the past 10 to 15 years. I used to teach in some of them for a number of years - they are gone. I have a feeling what has replaced them is not on the same scale - too little or not much capacity, in other words. Also, many teaching assistants have been cut over the last few years. These are the people who, in addition to giving classroom support, are the first line of defense in disciplinary issues - they usually live in the local neighborhoods and know the students' families. It has been a huge mistake to cut them.
DeleteThe needs are higher than ever before. Violence and aggression, student to student, student to teacher is exacerbated by the hostile climate of the school. The students are so reactive that they trigger each other. They are on the defense, posturing with each other, threatening, until someone goes to far and it gets physical. It has become toxic. A vicious cycle that must be understood and addressed if we are going to create the necessary change.
DeleteI had a conversation with some of my teacher friends in the SCSD very recently (I am retired from the SCSD) who are at one of the middle schools in the district. They said the behaviors are getting to be out of control and the kids know they can get away with it because there are no consequences. One of the teachers had a student punch the wall next to her face where she was standing and said to her, "I should have connected my hand to your face" or something to that effect. This is a male student basically intimidating a female teacher. I ask, why are we tolerating such abuse? Workers at McDonald's don't get treated as badly. I realize that this issue has to have a comprehensive solution but this type of disrespect should not be tolerated. Teachers have to have a safe and orderly work environment in order to do their jobs well. The BOE should read this blog because these stories are not made up. Constant disruptive behavior is a huge issue in the SCSD and it must be addressed... and no, it is not because the teachers' lessons are not engaging! (that's what they are being told by the administration). Personally, I don't know how the SCSD is going to retain young teachers over the long run. They won't last 5 years under these stressful conditions with no support.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really discouraging is the amount of teachers, guidance counselors. social workers and others that I hear on a daily basis who say I can't do this anymore, I need a new job. I dare say the new teachers will be gone within 5 years.
DeleteAgain I have another unbelievable account to share - today @ Dr. Weeks School a (K) level student was attacked by a 1st grade student in the bathroom at end of the day. It was a serious and vicious attack which resulted in the younger student being bloodied and traumatized. The (K) student was an ESL student who did not even know the attacker and had to be brought around classrooms to find the one who attacked. The 1st grade student was told to time-out in the classroom next door because of acting out behaviors in the classroom, but did not go next door - wandered around, angry and decided to visit the bathroom and attack someone….Unfortunately , ESL parents do not know their rights and will not know to go public. The younger students face and arms were scratched and bloody - administrator did take pictures and called parents - don't know what will happen, not much I'm sure..I'm sure the students will return to face each other again…I think I will attempt to contact Barrie Gewanter of the ACLU…someone has got to help our innocent kids being bullied and attacked on a daily basis…Tell me what you think….
DeleteThat poor kindergartner - what about his/her rights? Can you imagine not even knowing the language and being in this situation? What a first impression of school for this child - it's sad. Every child has the right to attend a safe school in a secure environment and the district is not providing it what from what I see. As for the violent child, s/he he needs to be removed from the regular class and receive some special support. Time out isn't enough for that child - there are real issues that need addressing. Maybe schools just aren't equipped to handle all of these issues - they aren't psychiatric centers.
DeleteDoes anyone know what supposedly happened in a city school today that caused a Catholic school off of Geddes, near Bellevue school, to go into lockdown from approx 215p to 305p ? Principal reportedly feared "copycat".
ReplyDelete