tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post6732685567442371488..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Questions regarding the redistricting plansCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13261222279426960162011-01-27T12:01:16.053-05:002011-01-27T12:01:16.053-05:00Honestly, will all of this really matter? I am cur...Honestly, will all of this really matter? I am curious whether all of the questions and concerns will be taken into consideration. At this point I do not have any faith in the board. Clearly there are important questions being posed by concerned parents. Will they be addressed? Or will the board simply look at the recommendations and agree with them due to the huges amounts of tax payers dollars used to pay for the consultants? What is the true meaning behind all of this? Is this what we voted for? How about looking into giving ALL of Georgia's student the same high level of (quality) education across the school districts. Parents should not have to move to a certain area for a quality education. We should all have the same level of excellence in all of the schools. Quality teachers and committed parents and students. Sounds like a plan to me. Lets look into that. Quality education for ALL of our students no matter what neighborhood, income level, etc. <br /><br />The students deserve it and our nation needs it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10002263906358502332011-01-16T21:20:27.639-05:002011-01-16T21:20:27.639-05:00As a parent of a DCSS student, a teacher with DCSS...As a parent of a DCSS student, a teacher with DCSS, and a Dekalb Co. resident who sends her child to school in their designated district, I feel that the redistricting is a great idea. I taught at Shamrock before redistricting in 2004 and then after for several years. Before, Shamrock was recially balanced, with a culturally rich and diverse student body. The students were happy and so were the staff. After, the school became racially unbalanced. They did the exact opposite! I support this change so that Shamrock can go back to the way it was and even better. I love the idea of changing the name to Druid Hills Middle as well. This school needs a fresh start and I hope the proposed rennovation happens. It has been in dire need for quite some time with a rediculously inferior structure when compared to other schools. My son is very excited about the proposed redistricting and I am too. He currently attends Henderson MS but will be attending Shamrock if the redistricting plan goes through. Henderson is said to the best MS in Dekalb. This school is built on a garbage dump! I just pray the rotted garbage that's been buried there for over 50 years isn't getting into the water supply. If Henderson is best middle school in Dekalb, then God help us. I am so thankful someone wants to rennovate and restore Shamrock. The children in our neighborhood deserve it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40444184877835205262011-01-10T10:59:44.446-05:002011-01-10T10:59:44.446-05:00"The only improvement I've seen at DCSS i..."The only improvement I've seen at DCSS is the improvement of pay stubs of the palace guard."<br /><br /><br />Great quote, and oh so true!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91965155427989285052011-01-10T09:56:23.343-05:002011-01-10T09:56:23.343-05:00I'll tell what will cause the least amount of ...I'll tell what will cause the least amount of damage, is to have the entire Clew leadership that is still in place to resign! The folks at the palace continue to do things that are dishonest, corrupt and not transparent. They hide data that would expose the nasty DCSS secret, that palace personnel is entirely overpaid and inept at what they do. They fudge numbers to make sure their kids get into the schools that will prepare them for the future and they let the bad schools get worse and worse.<br /><br />This DCSS bunch does not punish the bad, it punishes success!<br /><br />Time for the lack of leadership at the palace to be exposed and it's time we say so long to the office of "improvement". The only improvement I've seen at DCSS is the improvement of pay stubs of the palace guard. These folks are robbing our school system blind and we the taxpayers should not have to put up with this madness.<br /><br />Cut the staff at the palace by 30% is the solution that will be least damaging to our kids in the DCSS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67304715326490810232011-01-10T00:06:34.207-05:002011-01-10T00:06:34.207-05:00For a perspective beyond Lakeside and Druid Hills ...For a perspective beyond Lakeside and Druid Hills - this is a comment posted at the AJC blog from a South DeKalb parent - something to think about:<br /><br /><i>Tired in DeKalb<br />January 9th, 2011<br />9:22 pm<br /><br />I am tired of DeKalb shifting high performing students to schools where they need more students and higher test scores. This is the third time since my children have been in the program that they have shifted. My last child will be transferred to her 4th school with this change. Please make up your mind.<br /><br />By the way for Dr. No. South DeKalb is not a drain on the system. The majority of us that live in this area are hard working parents of high achieving children. We are involved in our children’s education, we attend PTA meetings, and our children achieve just as much or more as the children in the North side of the county. We own homes and pay taxes just like people in Lakeside or any where else and want the best for our children. So before you go down that path get your facts straight.<br /><br />Unfortunately, all of our children in this school system will suffer in some way. We as parents have to decide what solution will cause the least amount of damage.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8224414405581852952011-01-10T00:03:47.829-05:002011-01-10T00:03:47.829-05:00And North DeKalb and South DeKalb didn't think...And North DeKalb and South DeKalb didn't think Central DeKalb is really a distinct location. <br /><br />South DeKalb - you think we are secretly part of North DeKalb. <br /><br />North DeKalb thinks we are NOT part of Dunwoody and so they don't really think of us too much at all. <br /><br />But now everyone can see the little kingdoms that have been carved out by the schools that inhabit Central DeKalb. Do you guys in the north and south see the quiet power centers that reside in Central Dekalb?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33948791676859262642011-01-10T00:03:38.896-05:002011-01-10T00:03:38.896-05:00They hope to get something done. The new plan does...They hope to get something done. The new plan does end the split feed. But it sends <i>all</i> of Sagamore school and all Leafmore residents to DHMS/DHHS. So the plan got rid of the split at Sagamore but created them at OG and B'Lake. Imagine living west of Briarcliff with youe kids at Sagamore and they want to send your kids to DHHS when you live less than a mile from LHS. Crazy!! The clear boundry is NDH and Clairmont.<br /><br />The goal should be <b>no split feeders.</b>Leftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14935830866445373378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15898232015982227522011-01-09T23:55:57.763-05:002011-01-09T23:55:57.763-05:00Lefty,
What is the consensus amongst the Sagamore ...Lefty,<br />What is the consensus amongst the Sagamore parents about ending the split feeder?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30248483205935933752011-01-09T23:37:55.694-05:002011-01-09T23:37:55.694-05:00Anon 11:08 - you are absolutely right. I can think...Anon 11:08 - you are absolutely right. I can think of several surgical friends here around LaVista off the top of my head. And OG parents react to Sagamore as horribly as Ferbank parents Briar Vista. "My child is at a school that's a 9 and they want to send her to a school that's a 5." They fail to look at GreatSchool.org parent reviews. Parents continue to say great things about Sagamore giving it the same 4 star average as Oak Grove.Leftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14935830866445373378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32611229598154701102011-01-09T23:28:18.665-05:002011-01-09T23:28:18.665-05:00what does that have to do with the price of eggs?what does that have to do with the price of eggs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14655564120920488042011-01-09T23:08:07.996-05:002011-01-09T23:08:07.996-05:00"In defense of Oak Grove, Briarlake, etc. I h..."In defense of Oak Grove, Briarlake, etc. I have lived in that community for over 16 years and don't personally know a soul who had plastic surgery." LMAO! That's because they can afford good plastic surgery and they're not admitting it to you!<br /><br />As for all the supposed "liberals" and "government employees" in Oak Grove...don't kid yourself. Perhaps some CDC docs who can afford McMansions on Oak Grove Rd, yes, but otherwise plenty of private sector, fiscal conservatives in the area. And even among the many so-called liberals in the Briarlake/Oak Grove area, their liberalism seems to end when it comes to having their precious little ones exposed to ethnic diversity in the schools. lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76115912308207632522011-01-09T21:07:47.756-05:002011-01-09T21:07:47.756-05:00Anon. 8:45, you give me hope after reading your po...Anon. 8:45, you give me hope after reading your post. I just wish more felt the way you do. Over 60% of our property taxes goes to DCSS. Folks as long as the former regime is in place, nothing will change. These folks must be shown the door, NOW! Ms. Tyson, you got your raise, now let the money you're making talk! Start preparing the foundation for the new Super, ask the Clew leadership to go and after the new Super arrives, you need to resign as well. It's time for change at DCSS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35621496098132530992011-01-09T21:07:07.472-05:002011-01-09T21:07:07.472-05:00@ anonymous 8:40
"Briar Vista parents, stude...@ anonymous 8:40<br /><br />"Briar Vista parents, students, and faculty WEREN'T bombarded by Fernbank parents."<br /><br /><br />No. The Fernbank parents have just organized via emails calling for petitions to recall board members, legal redress, and public meetings. Look at this link:<br />http://clairmontheights.org/node/1446<br /><br />And this meeting:<br />"Also, we encourage everyone to attend Fernbank's next PTA meeting, October 19, 6pm in the school cafeteria. We are hosting a candidates' forum for the two individuals running for the DeKalb County Board of Education's District 9 seat, which is one of two "superdistricts" and includes Fernbank's attendance zone. Those candidates are Eugene Walker, the incumbent, and Ella Smith. Each candidate will give his or her remarks, to be followed by Q&A. " <br /><br />Someone who attended that meeting - please tell us - Did Walker tell the Fernbank parents they would be exempt from rezoning?<br />http://clairmontheights.org/node/1481<br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, all this blog has done is post a few numbers showing whatever this protest is about - it's not about achievement which is the ONLY promise of a public school system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55369741132784217392011-01-09T20:56:59.774-05:002011-01-09T20:56:59.774-05:00Liberal or not, it is a fact that school success i...Liberal or not, it is a fact that school success is predicated by socio-economics. Higher the socio-economics, higher the likelihood of success.<br /><br />I understand why otherwise liberal people who understand these facts may not one their child to be negatively impacted by the behaviors of a much lower socio-economics group of students.<br /><br />All other variables being constant, a group of Briarlake or Oak Grove kids would learn less at Clarkston than at Druids Hill or Lakeside. The behavior dynamics would be different requiring a more disciplinarian approach instead of the more academic approach found at DHS or LHS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60769845382133920382011-01-09T20:50:02.230-05:002011-01-09T20:50:02.230-05:00Re Fernbank:
"They're NOT advocating anyt...Re Fernbank:<br />"They're NOT advocating anything "against" another school. They're advocating against being pulled from the IB curriculum. "<br /><br /><br />I guess the "public" school system guaranteed them the IB curriculum. Funny. I thought DCSS guaranteed them a decent education and good achievement for their children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1688583009479397432011-01-09T20:45:30.105-05:002011-01-09T20:45:30.105-05:00"...most of the folks in this area are huge l..."...most of the folks in this area are huge liberals, just check out the signs during election time. Most folks in this area were for Barnes. They are Emory/CDC Government employees. "<br /><br />Yes. And my neighbors had no problem with the Lewis regime and have no problems with his residue. Lewis' administration is still totally intact. Name JUST ONE top level administrator who has lost his/her job since Lewis was indicted. Do we really believe Lewis decided on all these promotions of non-teaching positions by himself? Do we really believe not one of those administrators knew who was the female employee he took on personal trips with school system dollars and promoted to the high level position she occupies even today? <br /><br />These "liberals" are happy as long as their children are in the advanced and AP and IB classes separated from the masses.<br /><br />I'm proud to say I'm a liberal in the Briarlake community who worked hard for and believe in Obama and Barnes and Hank Johnson, and believe that this school system needs reform and redistricting. I know also there are lot of liberals in this community who "talk the talk", but they don't "walk the walk".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39325869050602831202011-01-09T20:40:27.935-05:002011-01-09T20:40:27.935-05:00"How do you think the Briar Vista parents, st..."How do you think the Briar Vista parents, students, and faculty feel about their school being bombarded by Fernbank parents who say in an email: etc .. ."<br /><br />Briar Vista parents, students, and faculty WEREN'T bombarded by Fernbank parents. They were bombarded by people posting a community email on THIS blog. But don't let the facts get in the way of your animosity toward Fernbank.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12183454899289402152011-01-09T20:23:16.330-05:002011-01-09T20:23:16.330-05:00Neo-Con Lexus dads? Please! most of the folks in...Neo-Con Lexus dads? Please! most of the folks in this area are huge liberals, just check out the signs during election time. Most folks in this area were for Barnes. They are Emory/CDC Government employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-62232825862781800442011-01-09T19:42:23.861-05:002011-01-09T19:42:23.861-05:00"working our community's connections with..."working our community's connections with anyone and any entity that may influence the Board's decisionmaking" -- <br /><br />Give me a break, do you think this is unique to Fernbank? The same thing is going on all over the Lakeside district as well. <br /><br />"I'm actually embarrassed for the Fernbank group that would advocate such strategies against a school . . ."<br /><br />They're NOT advocating anything "against" another school. They're advocating against being pulled from the IB curriculum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68652308101845559642011-01-09T19:06:38.875-05:002011-01-09T19:06:38.875-05:00"working our community's connections with..."working our community's connections with anyone and any entity that may influence the Board's decisionmaking" -- <br /><br />Action like this would bring a SACS inquiry.<br /><br />In defense of Oak Grove, Briarlake, etc. I have lived in that community for over 16 years and don't personally know a soul who had plastic surgery. Please dispense with the name-calling. <br /><br />Second, what is up with Gene Walker? Is he all about equity for poor and minorities or is he all about appeasing his most powerful and vocal voters in order to stay in office? I'm thinking, sadly, these days it's "B"...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68673374025486615752011-01-09T17:53:41.305-05:002011-01-09T17:53:41.305-05:00@ anonymous 5:27
"Two words capture it: Elit...@ anonymous 5:27<br /><br />"Two words capture it: Elitism and racism. I'm sure the Dekalb School Board realizes this." <br /><br />Well put. Now let's see if Eugene Walker, BOE member who captured so many Fernbank votes, will "save" the Fernbank students from little old Briar Vista? <br /><br />I live in the Briarlake/Shamrock/Lakeside area. This discussion is ridiculous when so many schools in South Dekalb are going to be closed. How silly we are to argue over equally good public school options. <br /><br />How do you think the Briar Vista parents, students, and faculty feel about their school being bombarded by Fernbank parents who say in an email:<br /><br />"legal...redress"...working our community's connections with anyone and any entity that may influence the Board's decisionmaking"..developing and coordinating both external contact with media outlets... opposing the current proposal.....research.... campaign finance and other records relating to members of the Board of Education....signature-gathering -- we will be drafting a petition for recall of certain Board members....if any of you have additional ideas or suggestions for methods of influencing the outcome of this process in our favor, please pass those along to any of us.."<br /><br />I'm actually embarrassed for the Fernbank group that would advocate such strategies against a school that provides virtually the same in achievement level as their children receive presently. And that's what public schools promise - Achievement. <br /><br />Fernbank's chess club, yoga classes, IB, etc. may be great, but is that really what public schools are about? Somehow I thought good academic achievement so students can grow up and get good paying jobs is what they are about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41359449645137052302011-01-09T17:27:42.304-05:002011-01-09T17:27:42.304-05:00I've been following the arguments being vocall...I've been following the arguments being vocally put forth by parents opposed to redistricting plans that would affect the current Briarlake-Henderson-Lakeside zone. Many of the arguments against the proposals are laughable, such as kids who go to the same neighborhood swimming pool need to attend the same elementary school. Other arguments involve vague notions of how changing the feeder pattern will harm "community continuity." Give us a break. Let's be honest for a moment. The bottom line is that the yuppie plastic surgery queen moms and neo-Con Lexus dads in the Briarlake-Oakgrove areas are upset that their home values might take a further hit if they are zoned for Shamrock and Druid Hills or even "lesser" schools, instead of Henderson and Lakeside. This is almost all about money and maintaining economic segregation. Two words capture it: <b>Elitism and racism.</b> I'm sure the Dekalb School Board realizes this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-44640474517525820552011-01-07T20:59:52.885-05:002011-01-07T20:59:52.885-05:00Of course the Austin and Vanderlyn contingency is ...Of course the Austin and Vanderlyn contingency is quiet on the boards; they got exactly what they wanted... exclusive (in the true sense of the word) rather than inclusive elementary schools. Let the the other 3 Dunwoody elementary schools absorb the apartment dwellers, ESL, racially diverse and economically disadvantaged populations. They don't care if it's fair (which it's not), as long as it's someone else's problem and not theirs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70653247832478736232011-01-07T16:00:55.311-05:002011-01-07T16:00:55.311-05:00I have a solution to the gifted student problem th...I have a solution to the gifted student problem that is causing so much angst. Many of you probably have heard Garrison Keillor on NPR. He comes from Lake Woebegone "where all children are above average".<br /><br />So, with the power invested in me, emanating from the taxes extorted from me by DCSS, "I hereby declare all children currently attending DCSS schools to be gifted". <br /><br />@10:17 I loved your description of Mr Womack. As to Mr. Bowen, the reputed financial genius, would you trust him to do your income tax return?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24378665117831630612011-01-07T15:51:14.846-05:002011-01-07T15:51:14.846-05:00Cere, Spot on! They should do this in 3 phases. ...Cere, Spot on! They should do this in 3 phases. Consolidation, Redrawing lines then Forensic Audit of Magnets.<br /><br />There are a huge amount of decisions being made here and if money is an issue, deal with that first! While consolidating, also ask for austerity cuts at the Palace. Ms. Berry your plan is not working it's time to shutter the Improvement Dept and leave that to the professionals in the school house. I'd rather give a salary bump to the folks actually teaching our kids and see the incredible layer of mis-managed "six figure" coaches transfer to a class room or say so long!<br /><br />There can be several stages to the redrawing issues as well. We must balance our attendance zones and a part of that can be the magnet, once we know the return on that investment and if it should be changed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com