Comments on: Mayoral control critics make plans to celebrate its death http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael M. http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144075 Michael M. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:18:36 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144075 Re the REST of the quote by EATT, truncated by KS: "...to the extent that they don’t even realize when the chancellor has decided to close their children’s school." Irony alert: Those parents have no choice BUT to vote with their feet, given that closed schools are often closed so as to open a charter -- and without consultation with the local CEC as required by (ignored) law. Which makes my wonder why Bloomberg's going to miss it, when Klein ignored it at his pleasure. Sheesh. Re the REST of the quote by EATT, truncated by KS:
“…to the extent that they don’t even realize when the chancellor has decided to close their children’s school.”

Irony alert: Those parents have no choice BUT to vote with their feet, given that closed schools are often closed so as to open a charter — and without consultation with the local CEC as required by (ignored) law. Which makes my wonder why Bloomberg’s going to miss it, when Klein ignored it at his pleasure. Sheesh.

]]> By: Michael M. http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144068 Michael M. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:13:18 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144068 Oop. "atheist." If only my folks had hoofed me to a charter. ;-) Oop. “atheist.”
If only my folks had hoofed me to a charter. ;-)

]]> By: Michael M. http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144064 Michael M. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:09:55 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144064 KS (c/o GS), Since I do not consider myself a "vitriolic poster"... I dare say that voting with one's feet is no one's idea of parental input. And NO ONE is pushing for a return to pre-2002. Sunset on the way to a sunrise ain't the same. Aside: I'm a proud aetheist, but mocking others' religions is hardly taking the high road. Neither is tying Espada and Monserrate to the position of those who chose to seek help from on high in an effort to modify Mayoral Control. Let's not sink so low, eh? KS (c/o GS),
Since I do not consider myself a “vitriolic poster”…
I dare say that voting with one’s feet is no one’s idea of parental input. And NO ONE is pushing for a return to pre-2002. Sunset on the way to a sunrise ain’t the same.

Aside: I’m a proud aetheist, but mocking others’ religions is hardly taking the high road. Neither is tying Espada and Monserrate to the position of those who chose to seek help from on high in an effort to modify Mayoral Control.

Let’s not sink so low, eh?

]]> By: KitchenSink http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144048 KitchenSink Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:30 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144048 Allow me to weigh in (GS, that is, not other vitriolic posters!) Re: "It is exactly these impoverished children and their families that have NO say in what goes on in schools." Uhh, what about the parent choice that is part of the charter law? Charter school parents vote with their feet, every day. I remember the bad old days, and I don't want to go back there. Yeah, ask a principal and ask a teacher. If they are both respectful of the other's role, they won't be far apart. In the past, under accountable-less board of ed, teachers were allowed to be mediocre and stay that way. Heavens to Betsy, I have to use data to help understand my students and plan for where I want them to be academically? Not in the contract! As for the prayers, do you really think the higher power(s) in our universe would want to answer anyone's prayers by bringing us Espada and Monserrate? Sounds like a supernatural creature of a different sort to bless us with these two and the chaos they have actually, already, created. Allow me to weigh in (GS, that is, not other vitriolic posters!)

Re: “It is exactly these impoverished children and their families that have NO say in what goes on in schools.” Uhh, what about the parent choice that is part of the charter law? Charter school parents vote with their feet, every day.

I remember the bad old days, and I don’t want to go back there. Yeah, ask a principal and ask a teacher. If they are both respectful of the other’s role, they won’t be far apart. In the past, under accountable-less board of ed, teachers were allowed to be mediocre and stay that way. Heavens to Betsy, I have to use data to help understand my students and plan for where I want them to be academically? Not in the contract!

As for the prayers, do you really think the higher power(s) in our universe would want to answer anyone’s prayers by bringing us Espada and Monserrate?
Sounds like a supernatural creature of a different sort to bless us with these two and the chaos they have actually, already, created.

]]> By: Mr. A. Talk http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144025 Mr. A. Talk Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:15:12 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144025 Hey Amazed. Maybe DeMarco doesn't have a problem with authority, but a problem with incompetent, ruthless, power mongeriing idiots who think they know how to teach better than the teachers in the classroom. As a principal, that wouldn't describe you, would it? Hey Amazed. Maybe DeMarco doesn’t have a problem with authority, but a problem with incompetent, ruthless, power mongeriing idiots who think they know how to teach better than the teachers in the classroom.

As a principal, that wouldn’t describe you, would it?

]]> By: experienced and talented teacher http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144017 experienced and talented teacher Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:45:04 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144017 in response to Amazed comments: I see that you are a principal. Unless I'm mistaken and you actually spend most of your day with children, rather than in your office/in meetings/on the phone/with other administrators, how would you know what life is like in a test-crazed classroom environment for our children???? It is exactly these impoverished children and their families that have NO say in what goes on in schools...to the extent that they don't even realize when the chancellor has decided to close their children's school. Finally, it is exactly Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein's long-range plan to replace all experienced and well-paid teachers with cheap teaching fellows who have zero experience. Please explain to me how this helps our "impoverished children." And just one more thing, your description of Nicola DeMarco is extremely unprofessional. I hope you don't speak to any parents or teachers who have different viewpoints from you in this classless manner. in response to Amazed comments: I see that you are a principal. Unless I’m mistaken and you actually spend most of your day with children, rather than in your office/in meetings/on the phone/with other administrators, how would you know what life is like in a test-crazed classroom environment for our children???? It is exactly these impoverished children and their families that have NO say in what goes on in schools…to the extent that they don’t even realize when the chancellor has decided to close their children’s school. Finally, it is exactly Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein’s long-range plan to replace all experienced and well-paid teachers with cheap teaching fellows who have zero experience. Please explain to me how this helps our “impoverished children.” And just one more thing, your description of Nicola DeMarco is extremely unprofessional. I hope you don’t speak to any parents or teachers who have different viewpoints from you in this classless manner.

]]> By: Pogue http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-144009 Pogue Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:12:35 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-144009 Bloomberg is wonderful. Klein is the best. Charter schools rule. Mess with this and all hell will break loose, riots will ensue, and the sky will fall. Sincerely, Educators Who Scare Bloomberg is wonderful. Klein is the best. Charter schools rule. Mess with this and all hell will break loose, riots will ensue, and the sky will fall.

Sincerely,

Educators Who Scare

]]> By: Jordan http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-143981 Jordan Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:03:11 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-143981 Finally, back to a system where nobody's in charge of our school system! Hey, lack of leadership has worked great so far for the Senate, why not give it a shot with our schools?! Because it'll be a repeat disaster. Ms. DeMarco, you must have the memory of a goldfish. Finally, back to a system where nobody’s in charge of our school system! Hey, lack of leadership has worked great so far for the Senate, why not give it a shot with our schools?!

Because it’ll be a repeat disaster. Ms. DeMarco, you must have the memory of a goldfish.

]]> By: Michael M. http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-143979 Michael M. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:51:08 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-143979 It seems this website's comments section may yet need... a moderator, or at least an enforceable comment policy. I am so not AMAZED that someone would hide behind the veil of anonymity to hurl ad hominem vitriol. Typical Kleinberger? I sure hope not. It seems this website’s comments section may yet need… a moderator, or at least an enforceable comment policy.

I am so not AMAZED that someone would hide behind the veil of anonymity to hurl ad hominem vitriol. Typical Kleinberger? I sure hope not.

]]> By: Ambassador Mom http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-143966 Ambassador Mom Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:33:36 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-143966 Exactly a month ago on May 30, the "Ambassador Moms" conducted the first of two Fast & Prayer vigils for SUNSET. Our appreciation to Gotham Schools for posting the flier and for doing a write up. With little other fanfare, the word spread! Thousands of us who believe and are of many differing faiths met in small groups across this great city to call upon a higher power, the only "Controller" and to ask for a legal end to this school governance insanity. The second Prayer and Fast vigil was held on June 11th and a small group of us prayed in front of Speaker Sheldon Silver's district office-- in the rain-- for 2 hours. There were many naysaying parent and education activists who thought this was a total waste of time and would have no effect on whatsoever. Some even snickered when they saw us dressed in white, forgetting the importance of respecting the solidarity of the cause, even when we don't all think alike or work on the same strategy. But we prevailed and look what work ADDED to the POWER of prayer has made happen! Look what happens when people put aside differences and bring faith to one collective and positive energy force! We are victorious-- and grateful to a higher power called by whatever name comfortable-- for hearing us, showing the true colors of those elected to power so they can be voted out of office or honestly supported to represent us, and most of all-- for allowing the 2002 law to sunset, no matter how short, on mayoral control. AMEN to that! Exactly a month ago on May 30, the “Ambassador Moms” conducted the first of two Fast & Prayer vigils for SUNSET. Our appreciation to Gotham Schools for posting the flier and for doing a write up. With little other fanfare, the word spread! Thousands of us who believe and are of many differing faiths met in small groups across this great city to call upon a higher power, the only “Controller” and to ask for a legal end to this school governance insanity.

The second Prayer and Fast vigil was held on June 11th and a small group of us prayed in front of Speaker Sheldon Silver’s district office– in the rain– for 2 hours.

There were many naysaying parent and education activists who thought this was a total waste of time and would have no effect on whatsoever. Some even snickered when they saw us dressed in white, forgetting the importance of respecting the solidarity of the cause, even when we don’t all think alike or work on the same strategy.

But we prevailed and look what work ADDED to the POWER of prayer has made happen! Look what happens when people put aside differences and bring faith to one collective and positive energy force!

We are victorious– and grateful to a higher power called by whatever name comfortable– for hearing us, showing the true colors of those elected to power so they can be voted out of office or honestly supported to represent us, and most of all– for allowing the 2002 law to sunset, no matter how short, on mayoral control.

AMEN to that!

]]> By: Amazed http://gothamschools.org/2009/06/30/mayoral-control-critics-make-plans-to-celebrate-its-death/comment-page-1/#comment-143940 Amazed Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:57:55 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=17598#comment-143940 Nicola DeMarco, While you are getting your rally together, make sure you find some kids from impoverished neighborhoods who actually have a fighting chance in life thanks to MB/JK and have them join you. Make sure that your pathological problem with authority and uncontrollable resistance to all types of meaningful progress get displayed loud and clear in your moronic fliers, posters and banners. You are the worst kind of hat in the ring: unoriginal, classless and completely stupid. Sincerely, Educators who care. Nicola DeMarco,

While you are getting your rally together, make sure you find some kids from impoverished neighborhoods who actually have a fighting chance in life thanks to MB/JK and have them join you. Make sure that your pathological problem with authority and uncontrollable resistance to all types of meaningful progress get displayed loud and clear in your moronic fliers, posters and banners. You are the worst kind of hat in the ring: unoriginal, classless and completely stupid.

Sincerely,
Educators who care.

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