tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post5515411987057462345..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The August 1, 2011 Board MeetingCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35017229698246914092011-08-20T08:57:17.735-04:002011-08-20T08:57:17.735-04:00I'm not sure what happened between the Monday ...I'm not sure what happened between the Monday this board meeting was held, where Moseley reported <br /><br /><i>NCLB - AYP Open Enrollment for Public School Choice concludes Thursday. 22 sending schools -- 10 receiving schools. Requests: 18 ES, 268 MS and 403 HS students. </i><br /><br />And Thursday of that week which ended the transfer requests - but today's AJC tells us that DeKalb leads the way by FAR in NCLB transfers -- 1,300 vs Bob Moseley's reported 689.<br /><br /><i>More than half the transferring students in metro Atlanta’s core counties are in DeKalb County, where about 1,300 have asked to change schools this year.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/no-child-left-behind-1123639.html" rel="nofollow">No Child Left Behind forces transfer decisions on school systems, parents</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23176868819948586952011-08-05T21:30:22.805-04:002011-08-05T21:30:22.805-04:00In fact, Kim, there is an oddity in the plans for ...In fact, Kim, there is an oddity in the plans for an auditorium for Cross Keys. The SPLOST 3 Powerpoint focusing on how to spend the "leftover" funds lists and auditorium for Cross Keys - IF the revenue comes in at 105%. If not, no. Then when you look at the list for SPLOST 4 - there's no mention of an auditorium for Cross Keys. So apparently, if they don't get funding via this limited window of opportunity, they are bumped from the list. Isn't that odd? I mean, what happened to a list of priorities? If you need it, you need it. You don't just build it if there's extra money in one fund, but then no allocation anywhere else. <br /><br />This is why I won't vote for SPLOST 4. I just don't see an "educationally driven" vision. The building plan is just willy-nilly. There is no statement of a future vision - what types of programs do we want to offer and where, for example. PLUS - the current board and leadership is not to be entrusted with a half-billion more tax dollars. A vote for SPLOST 4 would require faith in our leadership. I don't have that. We can revisit SPLOST the next year - if they prove themselves worthy - and we have a new superintendent who is showing leadership ability and integrity.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73855987925261640632011-08-05T09:02:26.111-04:002011-08-05T09:02:26.111-04:00My impression is that the plan for CK is like that...My impression is that the plan for CK is like that absentee landlord we all hate to have in our neighborhood who maintains or improves the property ONLY when forced to by neighors or law. They are speculating on the land value at CK and rennovated the building to the minimum extent only to be defensible and avoid legal problems. THAT is not how I expect my public school system to manage.<br /><br />There is no plan for CK.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11599713243186694545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82910906781370047062011-08-05T08:53:28.637-04:002011-08-05T08:53:28.637-04:00Regarding the future of Cross Keys, the leadership...Regarding the future of Cross Keys, the leadership with recent redistricting and capital decisions has ensured there will be no material changes to the facilities or near- to mid-term uses and ammenities at CK. In ten years, will it still be ok that this school does not have an auditorium?Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11599713243186694545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56966106300779625902011-08-05T08:12:40.100-04:002011-08-05T08:12:40.100-04:00regarding the enrollment levels of lakeside vs cha...regarding the enrollment levels of lakeside vs chamblee vs cross keys ...these levels are artificially disparate by the systems' own actions ... Using enrolment numbers as a rationale is circular logic … this fact has not stopped the system and others from employing this faulty logic ... The child are bearing the consequnces of our mental and political gymnatics.<br /><br />My question remains: Why shouldn't the kids at Cross Keys and Cedar Grove have.an auditorium?Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11599713243186694545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30131381899274950672011-08-03T16:42:47.528-04:002011-08-03T16:42:47.528-04:00teacher - thanks for the info. about the Publix to...teacher - thanks for the info. about the Publix tower. Your observation is very good - these towers are, in fact, not "needed" for anything related to our current service. The cell providers are in a rush to get to the next "G" of service so they can stream hi-def video and full length movies to our phones and charge us more money, of course. T-mobile is on a mission to get as many towers as possible before the merge with AT&T because after the merge, they will not be allowed to build any more. AT&T is already at their max capacity legally. They only way they can get more is to acquire T-mobile. Once that happens, they will lay off thousands of people, and likely double our rates and provide us with worse customer service. They do not NEED the towers for simple cell phone conversations or texting. Most of these schools are in metro areas with coverage that is perfectly fine. Schools are just cheaper than commercial sites and once AT&T gets a tower right inside a residential area, they can start leasing out all the spaces on their towers to any other smaller company that actually does need that tower to survive. Also, the existing tower comanies that AT&T is leasing from can be put out of business because AT&T will have prime real estate and will own the tower leasing business, infrastructure and be in the best position to rollout whatever bells and whistles they think you will pay more for. They don't expect you to be mad at them for the way they snunk into these neighborhoods ... they blame it on T-mobile who no longer exists or has any employees remaining to explain what they did or why they did it. Doesn't that sound like a great match for our school system? As if we haven't been through enough. And, guess who started this whole idea - Crawford Lewis. You rememeber him right? The one extorting money away from our children and running a criminal organization inside the school system.Tucker Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53128905255922467352011-08-03T16:00:33.847-04:002011-08-03T16:00:33.847-04:00You have at least two board members who have perso...You have at least two board members who have personal connections to the old Briarcliff HS (the Druid Hills property currently closed). They may be hoping to build a comprehensive HS there and then make Cross Keys into some kind of tech high. If it's done well, it could be very exciting. I have great fear that the current leaders won't do a tech high well. But some kind of high school where real-world learning takes place that prepares students for real life in the working world or college or tech college if they prefer, is a direction we really need to offer. I think such a choice would show a decrease in the dropout rate. So many students need flexibility and different methods of engagement.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80102726099395931922011-08-03T15:20:48.540-04:002011-08-03T15:20:48.540-04:00@anon 10:12
The point is that the question needs t...@anon 10:12<br />The point is that the question needs to be asked. That doesn't mean the answer is to close the school. I think 285 (Dunwoody is crowded anyway) and 85 make good boundaries, which can create a neighborhood feeling which contributes to the success of the school. The boundaries of Cross Keys/Chamblee are a mess, but politically that's unlikely to change significantly.<br /><br />But you shouldn't spend a bunch of money on a facility until you understand where it fits in the long range plan.bu2https://www.blogger.com/profile/02282186891802527583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25569044651184126512011-08-03T10:19:56.585-04:002011-08-03T10:19:56.585-04:00When scientists announced that cell phones might b...When scientists announced that cell phones might be hazardous they put it on a list of threats that included eating dill pickles. In other words, cell phone radiation is about as dangerous as eating a pickle. I guess eating a big Big Mac and talking on a cell phone is a double whammy.Bhutrasgollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01496405286972437777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51689333758984598182011-08-03T08:39:14.718-04:002011-08-03T08:39:14.718-04:00Saw a cell tower go up behind the Publix in Tucker...Saw a cell tower go up behind the Publix in Tucker, so not sure why one is needed at Smoke Rise, which is right up the road.<br /><br />The entire cell tower on schools stinks. Anything that potentially could harm children should never be considered on school grounds.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90285099188093002702011-08-03T08:20:11.377-04:002011-08-03T08:20:11.377-04:00Get The Cell Out -- very clever!
FWIW -
There w...Get The Cell Out -- very clever!<br /><br />FWIW - <br /><br />There were 12 schools proposed to allow cell towers - Briarlake Elementary School, Flat Rock Elementary School, Brockett Elementary School, Jolly Elementary School, Lakeside High School, Margaret Harris Center, Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Meadowview Elementary School, Medlock Elementary School, Narvie J. Harris Elementary School, Princeton Elementary School, and Smoke Rise Elementary School. <br /><br />After much discussion, the board removed 3 - Brockett, Medlock and Meadowview.<br /><br />And here are my notes from the last meeting where the plan was debated and finally passed:<br /><br /><i>McChesney proposes to remove Meadowview, Brockett and Medlock from the cell tower proposal for 12 schools. Question by Elder to McChesney. Why? McC - we've heard from these communities and they've been clear, so I'm supporting their opinion. Speaks: is there a grace period so that other communities can speak up but haven't had the opportunity [audience claps and Womack admonishes them]. Is there a mechanism for other communities to let the district know that they have an issue? Tyson - no option other than to pull the item. Womack: isn't there a 6 month window? Donahue: T-Mobile has 6 months for [due diligence]. Jester: concerned about many things. I don't like the timing - we didn't get this till Friday. Didn't get financials. Term is too long. I favor an opt in rather than opt out for communities. There may be others we haven't heard from so I am reticent to support. Edler: Happy to speak on this matter - I've had concerns. Communities have cited health reasons. I rep district 7, but also entire county so I'm not one to pick and choose for health of a particular community. So if we take out 3, I suggest we take out all 12. [Applause and Womack again admonishes.] Lots more discussion. Roberts rules out the window. [Sorry - got distracted - missed some.] I think Edler took out all the others but Lakeside, Briarlake and Meadowview(?). [Personally, there really is a big dead zone at Lakeside - they really need a tower.] I think Walker insisted on Roberts Rules. So Womack puts out original motion and takes off Brockett, Medlock and Meadowview. Vote. Passed 7-1. Whew!<br /><br />Edler: Amendment to the motion. Remove the remaining schools we identified before: Jolly, Margaret Harris, MLK, Narvie, Princeton and Smokerise ES. Cunningham: we don't have towers at all in South DeKalb - we're losing signals left and right. We want towers. SCW: I agree. Meadowview is smack dab in the middle of a community. Cunningham can have towers since they have a lot of land, but Meadowview is in a community so yes, it needs removed from the list. Edler: It's not the school system's business to provide cell and internet service to the county.<br /><br />Vote: on Edler's amendment - eliminates all towers. Motion fails.<br />Main motion with original amendment: Passes 6:2 (Edler & Jester)<br /></i><br /><br />So - Donna tried to block them all. Nancy and Donna voted no to these cell towers. Everyone else said yes. <br /><br />Another thing, I don't understand why both Lakeside AND Briarlake were on the list. They are within walking distance of each other and tucked in neighborhoods. Would T-Mobile (soon to be AT&T) put two towers that close together?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85013122873776148472011-08-03T05:39:59.696-04:002011-08-03T05:39:59.696-04:00It is worth thinking about why Cross Keys does so ...It is worth thinking about why Cross Keys does so well compared to its counterparts south of Memorial. And why its classes are so much better behaved than the general level classes at Lakeside, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Tucker. These cultural differences go to the heart of the crisis that the current DCSS leadership does not want to address. They could start by putting some people in charge of Cross Keys who understand and are able to interact with the international population.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30345058712074174112011-08-03T02:17:49.241-04:002011-08-03T02:17:49.241-04:00Anyone interested in stopping the cell tower slate...Anyone interested in stopping the cell tower slated for their school or neighborhood, please look us up on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATL or email us at sayno2celltowers at yahoo.com.<br /><br />We have lots of information that we are trying to take forward in an effort to "save" the 9 schools still on the list. I will not publish it here because we do not want to tip off T-mobile prior to the county zoning meetings, but just be aware that there are major safety issues regarding these towers that involve more than "just" the 24/7 radiation they emit. <br /><br />But, our group is small and we need people who can help us with keeping up on when these zoning hearings may appear on the county agenda. And, we need people willing to speak out at these meetings. Since they are similar to school board meetings, you only get 3 minutes per person. We have the materials that need to be presented in order to stop these towers, but we cannot do it alone especially if residents of those actual communities or parents of students at those schools are not present to speak out on their own behalf.sayno2celltowers@yahoo.comhttp://www.facebook.com/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3283540366400741492011-08-03T02:07:31.729-04:002011-08-03T02:07:31.729-04:00When I considered a PTA fundraising position for a...When I considered a PTA fundraising position for a DeKalb County School, I asked "what does the school need that is not currently being provided by available funds?" to the PTA President. She said that fundraising is difficult and we shouldn't try to do more than what was done the year before. <br /><br />I was not happy with that answer because I looked at what was provided and it was not much. Plus, I could look around the school and see all kinds of things that needed to be replaced, repaired or upgraded. <br /><br />So, I tried asking, "If the sky was the limit, and the PTA could make any purchase it wanted next year, what do you think the parents would say they would want to provide for their children?" Still nothing. "Okay, what would the teachers say?" I was told the teachers are not really involved in the PTA. Some submit wish lists for small things they need beyond standard supplies. I noted in the budget that we didn't hit the low fundraising targets in the past so I wondered why we would continue to try the same old things. <br /><br />So, I met with the principal and asked same thing, "What do we need?" She mentioned new cafeteria tables and chairs would be nice, but are not necessary. I asked if I could do any fundraising outside of the PTA. She said no. I said that the PTA didn't want me to do anything other than what we always did. She said they had rejected her ideas, too. I gave up. <br /><br />Oh yes, one more thing, I mentioned that maybe we could ask for improvement suggestions at a PTA meeting and I was told the sound system isn't good enough to allow people to ask questions. We have only one mic and it does not work well. <br /><br />I was waiting for "ding ding ding" of recognition that we just came up with an idea for something the PTA could strive to provide. But, of course, I got nothing.Is this the Twlight Zone?http://www.facebook.com/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77725677806418225002011-08-02T22:12:51.884-04:002011-08-02T22:12:51.884-04:00@anonymous 2:10:
Why shouldn't Cross Keys con...@anonymous 2:10:<br /><br />Why shouldn't Cross Keys continue as a traditional high school? Will Chamblee High, overcrowded now, be able to absorb the 900+ students from Cross Keys?<br /><br />The rumors about closing Cross Keys have been floating around longer than I've been teaching there (over 10 years). I seriously doubt they'll make it just a tech school. <br /><br />Cross Keys may be small but it's something special. The faculty is amazing, in my not-so-humble opinion, the students are special (the valedictorian, Vy Tran is going to Stanford on full scholarship; the salutatorian, Javier Garcia is going to Pamona on an almost full scholarship; and another student, Mpaza Kapembwa is going to Williams on a full scholarship. Mpaza is also a Gates-Millenium scholar.), and our guardian angel/cheerleader, Kim Gokce rocks!<br /><br />It's not reverse snobbery.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-9244485608632196662011-08-02T19:45:52.872-04:002011-08-02T19:45:52.872-04:00@AMG - the proper term (according to Ms. Audria Be...@AMG - the proper term (according to Ms. Audria Berry) is "Sit Up Here Staff".Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-2121132824041318032011-08-02T15:15:01.183-04:002011-08-02T15:15:01.183-04:00It is not quite as black and white as it seems in ...It is not quite as black and white as it seems in terms of school equity. As of now Lakeside does not have an auditorium. They do not even have a cafetorium as the stage is being used as a classroom (the musical last year was performed on a platform). As everyone who has been in the building knows - Lakeside was a dump.<br /><br />Thankfully the school is being renovated and an audotorium is part of the plan. I do see the logic for building one at a school with 1800 students over a school with 900 students. I would hope that the next stage of expansions would include auditoriums at the remaining schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63377901163160824902011-08-02T15:14:24.764-04:002011-08-02T15:14:24.764-04:00Speaking of that, what exactly IS their 10 year vi...Speaking of that, what exactly IS their 10 year vision for the school system? What DO they want it to look like? Do they want to have 2 or 3 vocational-tech programs? Do they want more magnets? Do they want to raze certain buildings? Do they want to consolidate others? They have not said, yet they expect us all to vote to allow them to spend another half-billion dollars on construction projects that have in NO WAY been clearly defined as of yet. Except to say they plan to put new turf in the stadiums and do work to a list that consists of every school (voter) in the county. <br /><br />Vague. Very vague.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60658486919289081602011-08-02T14:10:01.394-04:002011-08-02T14:10:01.394-04:00Kim, I would answer your question to anonymous wit...Kim, I would answer your question to anonymous with one of my own: What does the school system have in store for Cross Keys? The student population of Cross Keys, approximately 900 last school year, is such that, quite frankly, how much longer can it be sustained as a traditional high school? It is an older facility and as the school system looks at its 10-year vision, can the school system continue with the upkeep on Cross Keys, especially with a much larger Chamblee Charter High School opening in 2 years? Will Cross Keys become a regional Career Tech school? I think the school system has some decisions to make about the school. Thought that is not say they will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30406313775315505582011-08-02T13:49:36.018-04:002011-08-02T13:49:36.018-04:00I was instrumental in getting breakfast served at ...I was instrumental in getting breakfast served at Chamblee High School when my children went there. Why? Well, not because my children needed breakfast at school. They got a good breakfast each morning at home. I did it because I realized that students were coming as 8th graders to Chamblee High School from elementary schools that <i>did</i> serve breakfast. At a minimum, that meant that students who were receiving free-or-reduced-price meals in grades K-7 were getting two meals a day. Then, suddenly, as growing adolescents, they were getting only lunch. And these children coming to school without breakfast were sitting next to my children in the classroom. Not the best educational environment. <br /><br />It took two years to make that happen. <br /><br />Year One. I collected documentation about the need for breakfast in schools and I went to Hal Davis, then principal of Chamblee High School. I presented my case. He looked at me, said nothing (literally), picked up the phone and called the cafeteria manager to see if she wanted to serve breakfast every day. She said she did not. He looked at me again and said, "No." <br /><br />Year Two. Martha Reichrath was principal at CHS. I went to her with the same request. She considered the documentation and she instituted breakfast at Chamblee High School.<br /><br />There are 4 points to this story:<br />1. Having a quality principal is critical to having a quality school that meets students' needs.<br />2. Everyone has something to contribute that can make their child's school more effective. For example, I used my skills to obtain breakfast for all Chamblee students. However, I have no skills when it comes to things like grounds beautification -- but other parents do. Think outside the box about the skills you can contribute!<br />3. Most intact middle class American families are two-income families. Being a single-parent parent family is tougher. It does not absolve parental responsibility.<br />4. Children take time and effort. Some children require more than others. It takes a while for parenting to pay off. Not willing to put in the time and effort? Planned Parenthood can help.SHSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-29653874448493642692011-08-02T10:38:56.468-04:002011-08-02T10:38:56.468-04:00Anon, here's a simple question to keep us out ...Anon, here's a simple question to keep us out of the ditch:<br /><br />Should Cedar Grove had an auditorium? Should Cross Keys? Why or why not?Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18535994424780103462011-08-02T10:25:25.232-04:002011-08-02T10:25:25.232-04:00Anon: "I am so tired of the politically corre...Anon: "I am so tired of the politically correct bad-mouthing those schools and parents that are self-motivated to make their children's school environment a good all-around experience."<br /><br />No one here is bad-mouthing parents who are involved with their schools. I have said elsewhere on this blog that the system should be held accountable for providing equitable facilities and programs to every child in DeKalb regardless of the social status of parents and the level of involvement of parent groups in school house operations.<br /><br />I do not consider this controversial but I am only one man.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25142146152059361782011-08-02T10:21:11.115-04:002011-08-02T10:21:11.115-04:00Anon 6:52: "@Kim, I sense a little snobbery i...Anon 6:52: "@Kim, I sense a little snobbery in reverse with your post."<br /><br />Anon, I sense a little insecurity in your post. My perspective was and remains about the political status of these communities - not the quality of the individual parents.<br /><br />I think my post was very clearly a defense and support of the parents at Cross Keys and Cedar Grove. If you interpret it as a criticism of you and your peers, you are mistaken.<br /><br />As you have taken offense, I apologize. Continued success in your efforts.Kim Gokcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855554437157990110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46102396054654218182011-08-02T10:14:16.318-04:002011-08-02T10:14:16.318-04:00All those SPLOST funds for stadiums and fields is ...All those SPLOST funds for stadiums and fields is the district's attempt to get the south DeKalb vote. The kids have demonstrated they lack the knowledge and skills to be successful in school, yet they will be thrilled to play football on a new turf field.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79968627131300809532011-08-02T09:46:00.220-04:002011-08-02T09:46:00.220-04:00Respectfully, Cross Keys and Cedar Grove do not ha...Respectfully, Cross Keys and Cedar Grove do not have many moms or dads who probable are stay at home moms or that just have one job.<br /><br />Due to this there is not the leadership in the community that some schools may have. They care deeply about their children's education but their parents do not have the available time that may be needed to participate in fundraising.<br /><br /><br />Things are not always as they seem.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.com