tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post7260101962362447738..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Again, I ask, "Choice for whom?"Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53426472849469151702010-08-23T18:41:04.536-04:002010-08-23T18:41:04.536-04:00The meeting at CCHS tomorrow with Moseley has been...The meeting at CCHS tomorrow with Moseley has been canceled. We wonder why? Stay tuned!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45233688361803914232010-08-23T12:42:19.703-04:002010-08-23T12:42:19.703-04:00I just received this from a parent at Chamblee Cha...I just received this from a parent at Chamblee Charter High School.<br /> <br />There will be a Community Meeting at Chamblee Charter High School TOMORROW night, Tuesday, August 24, at 6:00 pm to discuss the situation regarding student transfers.<br /> <br />We have been told that Bob Moseley, the Deputy Chief Superintendant, and other DCSS officials will be there.<br /> <br />Apparently CCHS was just notified of this meeting this morning and are relying on parents to get the word out.<br /> <br />Please come and show your support for Chamblee Charter High School!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30449222132053520612010-08-21T12:54:35.882-04:002010-08-21T12:54:35.882-04:00Georgia Pre-K (funded by the lottery) is under Bri...Georgia Pre-K (funded by the lottery) is under Bright From the Start. The location doesn't matter. <br /><br />The Pre-K content standards provided by Bright From the Start are clear and if taught correctly, students will be ready for Kindergarten.M Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055591929413425231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75990831648326828752010-08-21T12:40:14.488-04:002010-08-21T12:40:14.488-04:00Pre-K in Gwinnett is not provided in the schools, ...Pre-K in Gwinnett is not provided in the schools, but through private daycare.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43412723415148856042010-08-21T12:32:34.059-04:002010-08-21T12:32:34.059-04:00Pre-K is not under the state BOE or Department of ...Pre-K is not under the state BOE or Department of Education. Pre-K oversight is done by a separate state agency Bright From the Start. <br /><br />The Pre-K policy is being done due to Zepora Roberts complaints about the curriculum policies that were passed at the August meeting.<br /><br />Pre-K doesn't need a new curriculum. The Pre-K content standards are found here: http://www.decal.ga.gov/documents/attachments/Content_Standards_Full.pdf Pre-K needs what ALL DeKalb teachers need - the ability to hold students accountable to high expectations.<br /><br /><br />I teach Kindergarten and had a very interesting conversation with a parent this week. She shared that her son started Pre-K in Gwinnett and they later moved to DeKalb. She said the expectations were night and day. In Gwinnett, her child was expected to LEARN in pre-K, she described Pre-K in DeKalb as a lot of play.<br /><br />Since I've been asked at least once a day by one of my students when they will get to "play with toys", I have to trust that this parent's perception is the reality of Pre-K in DeKalb.M Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055591929413425231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73641450958549835792010-08-21T12:25:54.977-04:002010-08-21T12:25:54.977-04:00Then I ask why Dr. B is on the agenda to talk abou...Then I ask why Dr. B is on the agenda to talk about the PreK program. Do not trust anything this man says. He is a snake oil salesman and should not be trusted with our children's education. Moseley and Beasley are up to something no good!<br /><br />Watch them closely since our BOE refuses to. Ms. Tyson I think you are being played by your Asst. Supers. Do OUR system a favor and fire them, if not you will never have control of our out of control system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30158139336000309132010-08-21T12:15:10.310-04:002010-08-21T12:15:10.310-04:00The Pre-K program is not part of DCSS - it is run ...The Pre-K program is not part of DCSS - it is run and operated under the auspices of the state BOE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76203722963259551372010-08-21T00:27:37.519-04:002010-08-21T00:27:37.519-04:00This week on the Young and the Restless of DCSS, b...This week on the Young and the Restless of DCSS, better known as the BOE meeting.<br /><br /> Mr. Rev. Dr. Measley Beasley is changing the PreK policies? Parents you better be watching the meeting to find out exactly what your 4 year olds are going to be learning under the wonderful, interim (thank God!), Asst. Super of learning Mr. Rev. Dr. Measley Beasley! Plus, Dr. B is presenting the Professional (Amateur) Learning Policy. I can't wait!<br /><br />But wait there's more!<br />We get to hear from Mr. Turk? I wonder how many dollars he lost this week?<br /><br />If all that is not enough we have lawyers presenting the new whistleblower policy. I'm looking forward to that one.<br /><br />It will be LIVE on PDS24 Produced by Philandrea Guilroy, daughter of our former BOE member Francis Edwards the Palace. We won't have to drive to the Palace, which is closer to more Gwinnett residents then DeKalb residents.<br /><br />Color me a skeptic, this bunch doesn't get it. When can we rid ourselves of these amateurs running our school system. I bet Robert Moseley's ego is bummed he is not on the agenda. Hey Bob, let's check those capacity numbers in your little black book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85818186830487587082010-08-20T19:32:06.324-04:002010-08-20T19:32:06.324-04:00Remember this @ Anonymous 4:13p.m - Oh please with...Remember this @ Anonymous 4:13p.m - Oh please with regards to all of those measurements. Does anyone not remember when in 1996 Stephenson High School, a brand new school located on the south end of DeKalb opened up. The halls were so crowded that no child could not get to his locker before the tardy bell rang. Do you not remember that those students had to share lockers. Do you not remember that there were not enough desk and chairs in the classroom. Those kids had to stand up the entire period. Please tell me how quick do we tend to forget when overcrowding happens on the south end of the school district. They hired all new Adminstrators for a brand new school. They allowed people do bring in all of those false affidavits stating they leaved in the district. Therefore, you had students coming from everywhere attending Stephenson. OMG! No one measured any hallways or bathrooms per pupil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1878948759132900122010-08-20T19:26:05.919-04:002010-08-20T19:26:05.919-04:00A slight correction regarding the textbook situati...A slight correction regarding the textbook situation at CCHS. The school has sufficient textbooks for the students to use in the classroom. But several courses do not have sufficent textbooks to assign one to each student therefore none of the students are allowed to take them home. Some of these are Advanced Placement courses that move at a terrific rate of speed. The students need textbooks in these courses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73698440225643796992010-08-20T19:23:53.669-04:002010-08-20T19:23:53.669-04:00Actually, the students were sent to Redan, because...Actually, the students were sent to Redan, because there were to few of them.<br /><br />For years, DCSS operated an "annex" at the now gone N. DeKalb school of technology. I think that they actually graduated a few students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60208522797866507802010-08-20T19:16:11.424-04:002010-08-20T19:16:11.424-04:00Listen up parents of the South DeKalb NCLB with Gr...Listen up parents of the South DeKalb NCLB with Grade 9 students who are attending Chamblee High School. Do you really know where DCSS is sending your child to the new Annex location? It will be at "Open Campus," under the new name of Elizabeth Andrews High School. Do you realize that your 14 year old baby girl will be attending school with grown men ages 20-27 years old, with arrest records. Men who are smoking, and have tatoos all over their necks, arms, etc. Open Campus is an alternative school where students chose to fail numerous times at their home school. Now they are at their last chance, and still not serious. A lot of the girls are pregnant. Open your eyes, DCSS does not want the NCLB to succeed. They are merely complying with the law of House Bill 581(?) Are you not familiar with what happened last school year? DCSS put the Redan 9th Grade Academy at the old Drivers Education building. Within 2 weeks, those kids were sent back to their home schools for lack of students to justify the pay for extra teachers. Dr. Carmichael, OB/GYN do not let your babygirl go to the Annex. Demand a decent, drama-free location for your intelligent children to learn. Your child will get caught up with wanting to be like those students because it looks cool.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91271466823665104902010-08-20T19:14:12.701-04:002010-08-20T19:14:12.701-04:00Don't exactly know where to post this, but DCS...Don't exactly know where to post this, but DCSS has just amended the agenda for Monday's Instruction and Curriculum meeting to include a new Pre_K policy. Anyone know what that is about?<br /><br />A. CALL TO ORDER<br /> By: Dr. Pamela Speaks, Committee Chair<br /><br />B. DISCUSSION ITEMS<br /> 1. Purchasing Policy, Descriptor Code DJE<br /> Presented by: Mr. Marcus Turk, Chief Financial Officer<br /><br />2. PreK Policy (new policy)<br />Presented by: Dr. Morcease Beasely, Deputy Superintendent, Teaching & Learning<br /><br />3. Professional Learning Policy, Descriptor GAD<br />Presented by: Dr. Morcease Beasely, Deputy Superintendent, Teaching & Learning<br /><br /> 4. Proposed New Policies<br /> Presented by: Alexander & Associates<br /> a. Ethics Policy for Employees<br /> b. Whistleblower Policy<br /> c. Conflict of Interest<br /><br />5. SACS Response Timeline<br /><br />6. Next StepsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37727404812471995992010-08-20T19:12:42.263-04:002010-08-20T19:12:42.263-04:00It was not a former DeKalb employee, back then th...It was not a former DeKalb employee, back then there weren't that many. It was the department that oversees facilities, if I recall correctly. At the time, we had something like 16 to few bathrooms for the number of students, based on the current standards for new construction.<br /><br /><br />SQUARE FOOTAGE REQUIREMENTS<br />FOR USE IN DEVELOPING<br />THE LOCAL FACILITIES PLANS<br />AND STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY APPLICATIONS<br />FOR FUNDING<br /><br />This is the document that outlines what is required to receive state monies for construction. As I suspected,this is relevant to new construction, and at that only projects seeking state funds.<br /><br />It is a fabulous guide to use when and if schools are going to be renovated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-74443375074410649552010-08-20T16:40:22.944-04:002010-08-20T16:40:22.944-04:00@ Anonymous 4:13 pm
" Yes, we went to DOE...@ Anonymous 4:13 pm<br /><br />" Yes, we went to DOE. As I understood it back then, your school had to meet the standards for when it was built! It was a few years ago, but basically we discovered that we couldn't use state requirements to leverage more restrooms.<br /><br /> When our school was built, there were 40 plus kids in a classroom, almost all whom walked to school and many who went home for lunch. "<br /><br />I've read the document, and I didn't read anything about school space standards reverting to the era in which the school was built. Perhaps you talked to a DOE person who did not understand the document and/or didn't want to get involved. That's entirely possible. Maybe you've noticed in the recent trials and tribulations in DeKalb County Schools that administrative expediency and lack of understanding and experience on their part can produce misinformation. I'm not trying to be snide here - but the GA DOE has a disproportionate amount of retired DCSS administrators in high level positions.<br /><br />Did you continue to escalate this until it reached the State Superintendent (Brad Bryant should be interested) or contact State BOE members, your state legislators, and the governor? <br /><br />In these days of MRSA and antibiotic resistant tuberculosis, etc., overcrowding of students is more of an issue than in the past. <br /><br />However, parents can't pursue this avenue unless they know that DCSS is out of compliance on any of these standards:<br />1. Number of restroom facilities per student FTE enrollment<br />2. Distance restroom facilities are for every student at any point in time<br />3. Measurement of a classroom that you think may not meet state space standards<br /><br />http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/schools/facilities/squareft.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47366593903179764742010-08-20T16:15:00.285-04:002010-08-20T16:15:00.285-04:00Serious overcrowding? No textbooks?
What in the ...Serious overcrowding? No textbooks?<br /><br />What in the blankety blank do all of <br />those Central Office administrators, instructional coaches, managers and staff do over the summer?????<br /><br />The BOE should be furious, but they will again enable this Central Office to remain mediocre and delusionally self-satisfied.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85259520369984703642010-08-20T16:13:09.018-04:002010-08-20T16:13:09.018-04:00Yes, we went to DOE. As I understood it back then,...Yes, we went to DOE. As I understood it back then, your school had to meet the standards for when it was built! It was a few years ago, but basically we discovered that we couldn't use state requirements to leverage more restrooms. <br /><br />When our school was built, there were 40 plus kids in a classroom, almost all whom walked to school and many who went home for lunch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63625643525351250582010-08-20T15:48:02.025-04:002010-08-20T15:48:02.025-04:00Furious? FURIOUS?! FURIOUS!!!
Here's who sh...Furious? FURIOUS?! FURIOUS!!!<br /><br />Here's who should be really furious: the parents and students who followed the rules, decided in time that they really wanted to go to Chamblee Charter High School, applied appropriately and, because of demand, ended up on a waiting list. As I understand it, the AYP 9th grade transfers are now permanent CCHS students and they have leap-frogged over all those who played by the rules. So, they will take up all of the empty seats that will be available next year. Without ever being in the lottery or being on a waiting list.<br /><br />We haven't given up yet. <br /><br />Meanwhile, if I was a parent of a waiting list student who was thrown under the bus by DCSS, I believe I would be heading to the Palace with torches and pitchforks in hand -- hot tar and feathers standing by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70940041279709573922010-08-20T15:39:00.953-04:002010-08-20T15:39:00.953-04:00@ Anonymous 2:52
"Existing schools aren't...@ Anonymous 2:52<br />"Existing schools aren't required to meet the current standards. "<br /><br />Yes. I'm aware of that fact, however the DOE document does have existing school guidelines as well as new building construction guidelines. There are standards for existing schools. See quote from Georgia standards below:<br />"CLASSROOM<br />1. Existing instructional units (including labs, but excluding medias) are approvable<br />up to a ten percent reduction in the square footage required."<br /><br />For example, do all of CCHS and Lakeside HS science labs have the following measurements (square footage) in their labs (minus 10% variance since the are existing and not new structures)?<br />"SCIENCE<br />1. High School<br />Laboratory 900<br />Laboratory & Classroom Combination 1,000-1,200"<br /><br />Reading the posts on this blog leads to the conclusion that CCHS and Lakeside have never been this overcrowded. It might be a good idea to take a look at school building codes for existing schools and compare that to the current situation. <br /><br />Did you just go to DCSS or did you also go to the DOE, your state representatives, the governor?? <br /><br />http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/schools/facilities/squareft.pdf<br /><br />The name of this document is:<br />"SQUARE FOOTAGE REQUIREMENTS<br />FOR USE IN DEVELOPING<br />THE LOCAL FACILITIES PLANS<br />AND STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY APPLICATIONS<br />FOR FUNDING"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51936346166458622062010-08-20T14:53:36.231-04:002010-08-20T14:53:36.231-04:00While I don't doubt the research on overcrowd...While I don't doubt the research on overcrowding and student achievement, metro Atlanta is full of examples that contradict this, including many high performing schools in E. Cobb and N. Fulton.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25329765316427805272010-08-20T14:52:28.596-04:002010-08-20T14:52:28.596-04:00Our DeKalb school used an attorney to work with th...Our DeKalb school used an attorney to work with the state and discovered that existing schools aren't held to the same standards as new construction for schools. Believe me we tried.<br /><br />Constant tweaking of attendance zones is part of the solution, but that isn't something that is easy to do in even school systems were all schools are equally strong. Given the huge dicrepency in our schools in DeKalb it is a real challenge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21988064899735309082010-08-20T14:34:30.466-04:002010-08-20T14:34:30.466-04:00@ Cerebration 9:40
Thanks. Parents have a right t...@ Cerebration 9:40<br />Thanks. Parents have a right to know the number of toilets and measurement of classrooms in the schools that serve their children. If any DCSS school should be out of compliance, the proper avenue is to go to the principal, the Regional Superintendent and finally Mrs. Tyson. If the county does not rectify this, then they can start with the DOE, and failing that their elected representatives and the governor. <br /><br />As examples, articles on overcrowding of schools and negative student achievement are found at these links:<br />http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/5sw56439?display=all#page-6<br /><br />http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OESE/archives/inits/construction/impact2.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-50009050643453827032010-08-20T13:54:32.194-04:002010-08-20T13:54:32.194-04:00Bait and Switch! Moseley is famous for this. Geez...Bait and Switch! Moseley is famous for this. Geez, when will this end? I hear that Tyson had a plan but Moseley and Dr. Measley Beasley, went against the plan and offered the first choice of all transfers creating this problem. Seems to me no one wins in this plan! Way to go DCSS! What's next?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89268976914942143762010-08-20T13:28:24.571-04:002010-08-20T13:28:24.571-04:00Just as I was furious, as a parent of a Chamblee s...Just as I was furious, as a parent of a Chamblee student, when I learned that over-capacity school had to accept more than 200 additional students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33524805542437582622010-08-20T13:27:07.779-04:002010-08-20T13:27:07.779-04:00Did you all catch Anon 8/19, 7:22 p.m.'s comme...Did you all catch Anon 8/19, 7:22 p.m.'s comment? Apparently the administration is opening a Chamblee "nnex at Eliz. Andrews (the alternative high school near the Mtn. Industrial Palace) to accept the NCLB transfer students. The annex students will be Chamblee students (in name only, for all practical purposes), with Ms. Lowerey as principal, and whose scores will be included in Chamblees.<br /><br /><br />If I were the parent of a student accepted for transfer to Chamnblee, I'd be FURIOUS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com