tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post4192283876205939547..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The Audacity is Astounding!Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67390562852225288582009-12-06T16:50:33.084-05:002009-12-06T16:50:33.084-05:00Arrived today:
Dear Lakeside Families,
Our Part...Arrived today:<br /><br /><i>Dear Lakeside Families,<br /> <br />Our Partner in Education, North Atlanta Urgent Care (NAUC), has received a large shipment of H1N1 immunizations. They will be at Lakeside this Friday afternoon, December 11th, from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. to immunize Lakeside families and members of the community. Due to traffic and parking concerns at dismissal, we recommend that community members arrive after 3:45 p.m. to get their shots. <br /> <br />NAUC can give the immunization to anyone over 6 months of age. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign the consent form.<br /> <br />The cost is $20/shot. You can pay for the immunizations at Lakeside by cash or check. <br />North Atlanta Urgent Care currently has a limited number of seasonal flu vaccines available as well. If they have any left Friday, they will bring them to Lakeside. The cost is $25. <br />NAUC will also have H1N1 and seasonal flu immunizations available at their office at 2700 Clairmont Road any time this weekend or during the week. They invite the Lakeside community to come by their office before Friday to get flu shots-especially if you are interested in the seasonal flu shot, since those quantities are limited.<br /><br />Their hours are: Monday - Thursday: 9AM - 8PM, Friday: 9AM - 7PM; and Saturday & Sunday 10AM - 6PM. Their phone number is 404-327-8744 if you have additional questions or want to find out if they still have seasonal flu shots. <br /><br />Remember: Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign the consent form.<br /><br />Our thanks to North Atlanta Urgent Care, a great Partner in Education, for letting us know the H1N1 shipment has arrived!<br /> <br /> <br />Lakeside High School PTSA<br />Lakeside High School</i><br /><br />Note that this is a Partner in Ed, not DCSS.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67051918724641630262009-12-06T07:56:03.253-05:002009-12-06T07:56:03.253-05:00Huntley Hills offered flu shots for $25 dollars at...Huntley Hills offered flu shots for $25 dollars at an after-school event, but the flier didn't specify whether it was seasonal flu or H1N1.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91924257056925062642009-12-05T22:42:01.182-05:002009-12-05T22:42:01.182-05:00That's interesting, Anon 10:32 PM. Why just a...That's interesting, Anon 10:32 PM. Why just a couple of schools? Tell us which ones if you don't mind. <br /><br />Check out this September 09 article on the subject - <br /><br />http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/09/25/free-h1n1-flu-vaccines-for-everyone-in-the-country/<br /><br /><i>The U.S. government is a ramping up a drive to make sure that everyone in the U.S. who wants the H1N1 influenza virus vaccine can get either a shot or nasal spray for free or for a small charge. <br /><br />At least 6 million vaccine doses will be distributed during the first week of October, with tens of millions to follow each week. In all, 250 million doses have been purchased by the federal government.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45337936634322328592009-12-05T22:34:10.524-05:002009-12-05T22:34:10.524-05:00I can tell you that there is a school in DCSS that...I can tell you that there is a school in DCSS that turned in a work order for 67 leaks in their building.<br /><br />You should go in and see all the brown tiles in the building because the county ran out of money for new ones to replace when it rains. For a fact mold is growing out of control at that school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57604742599125069102009-12-05T22:32:13.061-05:002009-12-05T22:32:13.061-05:00@ Cere 1:42pm -- I know of at least two DCSS schoo...@ Cere 1:42pm -- I know of at least two DCSS schools that about a month ago gave the option of getting some kind of flu shot, not sure whether plain or H1N1, for $25 per person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77602442556194885622009-12-05T19:04:49.719-05:002009-12-05T19:04:49.719-05:00Parents, tell your high school students to take ph...Parents, tell your high school students to take photo's of leaking ceilings and have them posted on this blog.<br /><br />Teachers, take photo's too and send them here if you feel comfortable doing so.<br /><br />If we get 20, 30, 40 photo's of leaking DCSS classroom ceilings up here, the AJC and ocal TV will pick up the story and the BOE will be forced to take action.<br /><br />For once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35214162305972965852009-12-05T19:02:30.608-05:002009-12-05T19:02:30.608-05:00We spend millions and millions on maintenance and ...We spend millions and millions on maintenance and Sam Moss administrators, and they can't even maintain roofs without leaks and HVAC systems without mold.<br /><br />Parents and taxpayers, demand change now. Leaky roofs will go down as one of the legacies of the Crawford Lewis administration, along with out of control incompetence at the Sam Moss Center.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50043238189235598202009-12-05T18:58:09.051-05:002009-12-05T18:58:09.051-05:00My student at DHHS told me that the roof leaks are...My student at DHHS told me that the roof leaks are everywhere, requiring trash cans to handle them. On more than one floor, which takes some fancy water flow... I said that I thought the roof was supposed to be fixed as part of the reno, and I remembered it as having been done this past summer.<br /><br />My student said that when they asked, they were told that yes, the repairs had been done this summer, and no more repairs would be done. They told the kids that DCSS had done an infrared picture of the roof, and had repaired the areas indicated by the picture (which, DCSS said, were not very many).<br /><br />I sighed - <i>infrared pictures reveal HEAT loss, but reveal NOTHING about places where water gets in...</i>Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7706939919500186022009-12-05T16:14:58.020-05:002009-12-05T16:14:58.020-05:00A list of schools who do not have leaking roofs wo...A list of schools who do not have leaking roofs would be shorter than making a list of schools with leaking roofs. <br /><br />Leaking roofs in DCSS are the norm from what I have seen as a teacher. Very sad. <br /><br />The district is purchasing new textbooks, but doing little about the leaking roofs all over the county. Schools in this condition is one reason we have a shrinking enrollment. People don't want to send their kids to school when their schools are falling apart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76223227654109488452009-12-05T15:58:36.097-05:002009-12-05T15:58:36.097-05:00Ok. I was talking today with several teachers fro...Ok. I was talking today with several teachers from DESA. Didn't they get a building reno before the school moved from Hooper Alexander to Terry Mill or was I just dreaming that?<br /><br />I was told that last week the cafeteria had to be shut down because the roof was leaking, the classrooms have mold growning from the air ducts, and a host of other things.<br /><br />To top it all off... Three teacher's cars were broken into in the last month.<br /><br />Come on BOE, get off your duff and do something.<br /><br />PS - I am not a fan of DESA better use of tax dollars but teachers and students should not have to work in such conditions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82239853638425709802009-12-05T13:42:01.105-05:002009-12-05T13:42:01.105-05:00I'm not sure why this is getting done in other...I'm not sure why this is getting done in other counties -- but here's a note from the Forsyth Co schools -<br /><br /><i>Forsyth County Public Health is providing FREE H1N1 VACCINES to ForsythCounty children (ages 3-18)<br /><br />Wednesday, December 9 from 4-7 p.m. @ NorthForsythHigh School Cafeteria<br />Tuesday, December 15 from 4-7 p.m. @ ForsythCentralHigh School WEST Campus<br /><br />For pre-vaccination information, directions and required paperwork, visit www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/flu For questions, contact the Forsyth County Health Department at 770-781-6900</i><br /><br />I also know of at least two private schools who have given students an H1N1 flu shot. <br /><br />Has anyone heard of a plan for DCSS to address the issue of flu shots? Are we still "working closely with the DeKalb Board of Health and the CDC" but not actually getting the shots for our students? Why is our "Health and Wellness" leadership so blase about this?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82950606910338723422009-12-05T12:44:12.212-05:002009-12-05T12:44:12.212-05:00I certainly don't begrudge teachers a place to...I certainly don't begrudge teachers a place to work out. It's a good idea really. However, it should never be implemented unless and until ALL of our students are without similar needs.<br /><br />Our awareness of the needs of Cross Keys as well as letters like the one below state the case -- <br /><br /><i>A Message from the Avondale Blue Devils Touchdown Club<br />CONDITIONS OF AVONDALE HIGH SCHOOL<br /><br />There will be a Community Meeting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 8th at Avondale High School in the Cafeteria. Barbara Colman, Interim CIP Operations Officer of DeKalb County School System is going to explain to everyone why the school has not been updated to other school standards and to hear comments and suggestions.<br /><br />Currently at the school, there is no weight room, wrestling room, band room, showers, lockers, and no storage.<br /><br />The school needs help from DeKalb County and a good turn out from the Avondale Community and surrounding areas.<br /><br />If you have questions, please contact Bobby Burgess at bburgess@ppg. com<br /><br />Bobby Burgess Jr. <br />Class of 70</i><br /><br />I hope some of you bloggers will plan to attend to show support for our DCSS students. We must stand together.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50188966658639314262009-12-05T10:48:44.735-05:002009-12-05T10:48:44.735-05:00Does anyone really believe this will all be discon...Does anyone really believe this will all be discontinued when the grant money runs out?<br /><br />I'd sure like to know how this gets paid for when all that's available is tax dollars that are supposed to be for the classroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73880326766489037462009-12-04T23:11:16.738-05:002009-12-04T23:11:16.738-05:00** Don’t forget your employee ID, water bottle and...** Don’t forget your employee ID, water bottle and towel.<br /><br />Really Crawford, if the taxpayers are footing the bill for this boondoggle the least you could do is supply complimentary water bottles and towel service!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-27330682423577109842009-12-04T18:44:24.986-05:002009-12-04T18:44:24.986-05:00The Plot Thickens:
From: Postmaster F...The Plot Thickens:<br /><br />From: Postmaster Friday, December 04, 2009 10:52:37 AM<br />Subject: Wellness Center - Classes and Hours<br />To: News Flash<br /><br />====================<br />INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM<br />====================<br /><br />To: All DeKalb Employees<br /><br />From: Shannon Williams Assistant Director of Health and Wellness<br /><br />Through: Mrs. Gloria Talley, Deputy Superintendent, Teaching and Learning<br /><br />Dr. Vonzia Phillips, Director, Middle School Teaching and Learning<br /><br />Subject: Wellness Center - Classes and Hours<br /><br />Date: 4 December 2009<br /><br /><br />Hours of Operation and Services offered by the<br />DCSS Wellness Center<br /><br /> <br />Monday-Thursday 3:30pm-8:00pm<br /><br />Fridays: 3:30pm-7:00pm<br /><br />(The center is only open when schools are open, the center will not be<br />open during the winter break)<br /><br />Group exercise classes will be offered based on the following schedule:<br /><br /><br />Monday:<br /><br />5:30-6:20pm - YOGA This class will improve your strength, flexibility and<br />concentration. Please bring your own yoga mat or towel<br /><br />6:30-7:20pm - STEP AEROBICS This is an energetic, upbeat aerobics class<br />that is sure to get your body moving. A great workout for all levels of<br />fitness enthusiasts, this class combines cardiovascular training and<br />toning exercises, for a total body workout.<br /><br /> <br />Tuesday:<br /><br />5:30-6:20pm - INDOOR BOOT CAMP This is a fifty minute moderate to high<br />intensity workout with energetic music and advanced training equipment.<br /><br />6:30pm-7:20pm - CORE/STRETCH This class focusing on strengthening and<br />lengthening the abdominal, hip, back, and buttock muscles. This mat based<br />class includes many exercises inspired by Joseph Pilates. Core exercises<br />will help develop better balance and strength.<br /><br /> <br />Wednesday:<br /><br />OPEN GYM Basketballs, exercise balls, medicine balls, resistance bands,<br />and dumbbells will be provided for individuals to use.<br /><br /> <br />Thursday:<br /><br />5:30pm-6:20pm - CORE/STRETCH This class focusing on strengthening and<br />lengthening the abdominal, hip, back, and buttock muscles. This mat based<br />class includes many exercises inspired by Joseph Pilates. Core exercises<br />will help develop better balance and strength.<br /><br />6:30-7:20pm - INDOOR BOOT CAMP This is a fifty minute moderate to high<br />intensity workout with energetic music and advanced training equipment.<br /><br /> <br />Friday:<br /><br />OPEN GYM Basketballs, exercise balls, medicine balls, resistance bands,<br />and dumbbells will be provided for individuals to use.<br /><br /><br />Other Reminders:<br /><br /> <br /><br />** Personalized fitness assessments are offered daily and take<br />approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please inquire when you visit the<br />center if you are interested in the assessment.<br /><br /> <br />** Please drive to the back of the building and enter through the Wellness<br />Center door (beyond GLRS).<br /><br /><br />** Don’t forget your employee ID, water bottle and towel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43101260977993402492009-12-02T20:20:13.874-05:002009-12-02T20:20:13.874-05:00Cross Keys School Board Representative does not ev...Cross Keys School Board Representative does not even recommend that donations be made to Cross Keys. He indicates that Cross Keys will be possible be closing as a high school to community members in the near future.<br /><br />Is this why Cross Keys is getting the short end of the stick?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4205965249810123762009-12-02T18:28:15.873-05:002009-12-02T18:28:15.873-05:00To anyone who says that if you need something you ...To anyone who says that if you need something you should learn to ask the right people and find a grant writer - I say - you can't be serious. We pay millions in taxes to maintain this school system. I expect equity from our board - and Cross Keys does not have it. We also voted to tax ourselves a penny on the dollar in sales taxes in order to bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the system for construction. Again - I expect equity - again, Cross Keys has yet to have it.<br /><br />So far it's all been smoke and mirrors. Pitiful.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68136416792741864622009-12-02T17:36:56.459-05:002009-12-02T17:36:56.459-05:00@Anon 12/1 9:07: "Some schools like Knollwood...@Anon 12/1 9:07: "Some schools like Knollwood have volunteers help facilitate grant requests."<br /><br />There has been a shortage of folks standing up for CKHS - that is the primary reason I believe it has been neglected for so long ... they could be.<br /><br />"How can we facilitate that? Let's get together and do what we can."<br /><br />In our case, you can now direct folks to <a href="http://www.CrossKeysFoundation.org" rel="nofollow">Cross Keys Foundation</a><br /><br />"There are a steady stream of small grant opportunities for health, nutrition, and physical fitness that other schools apply for."<br /><br />These are precisely some of the initiatives the Foundation will undertake among others.<br /><br />I think it is fair to be tough with our leadership in DCSS while simultaneously working on positive initiatives such as you mention.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60098973808898479122009-12-02T16:14:39.861-05:002009-12-02T16:14:39.861-05:00Yes, TO DATE this has all been grant-funded, appar...Yes, TO DATE this has all been grant-funded, apparently. <br />However:<br />--staff have been hired. How are they to be paid when the grant runs out?<br />--just because it is a grant, not tax dollars, does not mean it should not be subject to the same scrutiny of fair use providing the maximum benefit to the maximum number of students first, faculty second, admin staff third that we expect for tax dollars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9375398602359708952009-12-02T14:50:23.673-05:002009-12-02T14:50:23.673-05:00My understanding is that this has all been funded ...My understanding is that this has all been funded by grants. The person running the wellness center is being paid from grants and not taxpayer dollarsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7047809116965705922009-12-02T14:17:57.881-05:002009-12-02T14:17:57.881-05:00Wow. Sorta wierd, huh?Wow. Sorta wierd, huh?Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14344070263472919802009-12-02T08:16:05.086-05:002009-12-02T08:16:05.086-05:00I was in the area so I drove to the facility yeste...I was in the area so I drove to the facility yesterday. You go around the building to the back, past the Jim Cherry Center to the sign that very clearly says, "Teachers Wellness Center" - and "You've Arrived". <br /><br />The place appears to be locked up. Students do not use it, I'm told. They have a gym on the other side of the building. I'm not sure if that's the same 1/2 court gym described in the email or another one.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9232300737062482132009-12-01T20:48:12.342-05:002009-12-01T20:48:12.342-05:00Examples of schools with too many open seats
Ceda...Examples of schools with too many open seats<br /><br />Cedar Grove ES - 233 open seats (Cap 888)<br />Allgood ES - 246 open seats (Cap 753)<br />Atherton ES - 231 open seats (Cap 631)<br />Clifton ES - 244 open seats (Cap 647)<br />Snapfinger ES - 337 open seats (Cap 814)<br />Wadsworth magnet - 360 open seats (Cap 525)<br />McNair HS - 692 open seats (Cap 1663)<br />Stephenson HS - 476 open seats (Cap 2237)<br />Towers HS - 259 open seats (Cap 1342)<br />Elix Andrews (Open Campus) 545 avail seats (Cap 1177)<br /><br />There's a bunch - but you get the idea - <br /><br />All the interesting links on the topic can be found at this article -<br /><br />http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2009/10/enrollment-numbers-game-lets-play.htmlCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32718463507350646472009-12-01T17:28:55.272-05:002009-12-01T17:28:55.272-05:00The issue with declining enrollments is declining ...The issue with declining enrollments is declining FTE budget that comes with the decline in students. We are allotted a certain amount of money from the state and federal governments per pupil (FTE - Full time equivalent). This accounts for probably 75% of the budget - with the rest made up in property taxes, etc. So when enrollment declines, so should the budget and if we have to consolidate schools (which the state also punishes us for have low-enrolled schools) then that's what we should do. It's not rocket science.<br /><br />Personally, the easiest place to chop is the bloat at the top. Eliminate unnecessary positions (health and nutrition guru, expensive "secretaries" and "facilities managers" who were former principals, and at least half of Gloria's "curriculum specialists).<br /><br />Teachers should not be affected. They should be the LAST to suffer cuts. We can do without a couple of APs and graduation coaches and curriculum coaches - but we can't go without teachers - or the repercussions of low morale.<br /><br />Lean and mean -- do they know how to do that?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48903341876013556892009-12-01T16:52:59.585-05:002009-12-01T16:52:59.585-05:00And step raises are for teachers, not administrato...And step raises are for teachers, not administrators. Don't support the massive and growing bureaucracy of Crawford Lewis non-teaching personnel.<br /><br />Wrong, everone including janitors are on a slary schedule that includes step raises for length of service.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com