tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post7989411550019524090..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Aerials of our high schools - SPLOST in progressCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46572786059059950502010-11-26T00:02:28.138-05:002010-11-26T00:02:28.138-05:00@ Anonymous 8:57 PM
Oh, puh-leeze! Get over your...@ Anonymous 8:57 PM<br /><br />Oh, puh-leeze! Get over yourself. Vanderlyn belongs to the taxpayers of DeKalb County. It is time that DCSS understands that they work for us, not the other way around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15166592738074566032010-11-25T22:39:05.839-05:002010-11-25T22:39:05.839-05:00Back in the day, the parents at Oak Grove ended up...Back in the day, the parents at Oak Grove ended up painting the entire school after giving up on the county. I think they secretly rely on schools with active parents to do their work for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88504179681219898822010-11-25T22:00:45.400-05:002010-11-25T22:00:45.400-05:00Get over it. They put this network in a number of ...Get over it. They put this network in a number of years ago. Permission above MIS was granted. MIS does report to the Central Office. No one was or is "in trouble". On the contrary, Vanderlyn has been singled out as an outstanding school by every superintendent. The point here is that PTAs in DeKalb County have stepped up and provided their children what DCSS should be providing all children. Waiting for MIS is like waiting for superman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87099251391984720142010-11-25T20:57:54.494-05:002010-11-25T20:57:54.494-05:00Nonetheless, the building and everything in it bel...Nonetheless, the building and everything in it belongs to DCSS. If there was work done in Vanderlyn without the knowledge and permission of DCSS, the princpal could be in big, big trouble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82753616607483940682010-11-25T20:54:49.847-05:002010-11-25T20:54:49.847-05:00sorry - Oak Grove
Also look at the non-support DC...sorry - Oak Grove <br />Also look at the non-support DCSS MIS gave Stone Mtn . High and Henderson Middle and Hawthorne when they wanted to install Macs with non-MIS funds. Consider the objections to the Montgomery open source Linux system that gave every classroom access to a minimum of 5 computers. If parents wait for student technology access from MIS they will be waiting a very, very long time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3539570465794866942010-11-25T20:47:26.640-05:002010-11-25T20:47:26.640-05:00No legal issues. They didn' t use DCSS equipme...No legal issues. They didn' t use DCSS equipment or network. It's hard to argue with a school that is as successful as Kittredge and not a magnet. This is a typicAl attitude of placing DCSS "who's got the power" over what's good for students. Believe it or not, successful school systems are not adversaries with parents. If DCSS provided students with a topnotch education, parents would not be donating time and money to ensure this. Surely you can't believe DCSS offers students adequate access to a 21sr century classroom. They have done nothing for students in the way of technology for years. Concerned parents got tired of this. Austin and Hawthorne and Oak Ggroce and Fernbank PTAs have paid for technology access for their kids. Maybe DCSS should be looking at these schools as a model of success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12941263991951066742010-11-25T19:19:08.902-05:002010-11-25T19:19:08.902-05:00@ Anonymous 5:48 PM
Then maybe Vanderlyn needs to...@ Anonymous 5:48 PM<br /><br />Then maybe Vanderlyn needs to become a conversion charter school. Clearly they have the parent commitment and a principal with the guts to be a charter school principal and a leader.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-27728123724533743942010-11-25T17:48:12.978-05:002010-11-25T17:48:12.978-05:00If Vanderlyn parents made changes to a DCSS school...If Vanderlyn parents made changes to a DCSS school without MIS permission or knowledge, there could be some legal issues here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66829645304856976272010-11-25T11:53:13.587-05:002010-11-25T11:53:13.587-05:00@ Cerebration
Yes. Vanderlyn parents are organiz...@ Cerebration<br /><br />Yes. Vanderlyn parents are organized and hard working. The private Vanderlyn network they put in serves the Vanderlyn purchased computers in the classroom because MIS would not let them connect to the DCSS network. They said no problem, we'll put in and pay for our own network. The technology program at Vanderlyn has truly been "sweat equity". It's a great place to visit to see how teachers and students are using technology in their studies. This is an amazing school, and the parents along with dedicated teachers have really made it terrific for the students. It's not a wonder they have high scores and low teacher turnover. Peek into any of the classrooms and you'll understand how dynamic the learning situation is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34436387209251372412010-11-25T11:42:50.853-05:002010-11-25T11:42:50.853-05:00Wow. That is enlightening, Anon.Wow. That is enlightening, Anon.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70981986938025923352010-11-25T11:38:28.133-05:002010-11-25T11:38:28.133-05:00@ Anonymous 9:46
"Should we take away Vander...@ Anonymous 9:46<br /><br />"Should we take away Vanderlyn's computer program because other schools don't have one?"<br /><br />That's not going to happen because Vanderlyn's PTA paid for and installed most of the computers and Activboards at Vanderlyn - over the protests of MIS. The Vanderlyn PTA's commitment to buy and install an Activboard for every teacher who wants to use one (they have to write an application to the PTA saying how they are going to use it with their students)and placing abundant working computers in the classrooms of teachers who want to integrate technology has been terrific for the students. <br /><br />When MIS would not let the Vanderlyn parents use the DCSS network, Vanderlyn PTA parents raised the money, wired the classrooms and installed their own network with Internet connections, bypassing the DCSS network. Ironically, this network has proved faster and more stable than the DCSS fiber optic network. <br /><br />The PTA put in a computer lab with an overhead projector and has funded instructional software purchases for the students. <br /><br />The students at Vanderlyn have topnotch computer integration because the parents were a hardworking and determined group. You can see why redistricting will be tough. They fought the good fight against the county to bring their school into the 21st Century for their kids and have invested countless hours and much money into providing instructional technology access. The Vanderlyn teachers have been amazing as they utilize technology with their students. Why would anyone want to leave this school that provides so much for their students?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1146695712287491242010-11-25T10:39:03.530-05:002010-11-25T10:39:03.530-05:00Here is a Q&A for you all:
Q. What happens w...Here is a Q&A for you all:<br /><br />Q. What happens when you put students with high-test scores in one school?<br /><br />A. You get a school with high test scores!! Genius!!!<br /><br />Now, would not it be better to put our money into schools so that all our schools can have high-test scores and not have to manufacture schools in order to say we have high test scores?<br /><br />To assume there is something<br />special going on in this HA magnet programs is ludicrous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15124951416272475842010-11-25T10:17:24.343-05:002010-11-25T10:17:24.343-05:00Haven't you heard? The Board of Education and...Haven't you heard? The Board of Education and the current Board of Education candidates have sworn to protect the magnets AT ALL COSTS. <br /><br />It matters not that the magnets only serve a small amount of students percentage-wise. It matters not that we have schools without music and art and PE.<br /><br />The squeaky wheels are the only ones heard in this school system. The magnet parents may be small in numbers, but they are LOUD in voices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7308933621407456672010-11-25T09:50:19.766-05:002010-11-25T09:50:19.766-05:00Didn't someone make a comment about consolidat...Didn't someone make a comment about consolidating magnets to a central facility? That would seem to make sense as you would save both on building and administrative costs. Those savings could be used to help with instruction for the non magnet schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33314808478229766882010-11-24T23:48:42.488-05:002010-11-24T23:48:42.488-05:00add more students to the magnets. Kittredge and D...add more students to the magnets. Kittredge and DSA have far more students that qualify and apply than are allowed in. Not sure what the issue is with Wadsworth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83160481868202421332010-11-24T22:18:44.961-05:002010-11-24T22:18:44.961-05:00Kittredge only has 400 kids. Wadsworth only has 18...Kittredge only has 400 kids. Wadsworth only has 185 and DSA has about 300. The consolidation argument for others isn't the best choice to make your point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57469780277986807192010-11-24T21:46:10.317-05:002010-11-24T21:46:10.317-05:00I am also weary of the magnet whinning. My kids w...I am also weary of the magnet whinning. My kids went to Fernbank and had art and music. My friend's child went to Briarlake and had the same. Should we take away Vanderlyn's computer program because other schools don't have one?<br /><br />In many schools the principal decides how to use the "points" and we can't blame those decisions on the three stand alone magnet schools: Kittredge, Wadsworth and DSA.<br /><br />The more important issue is to educate the parents at the very small schools so that they understand that by consolidating schools they get more money and points and the schools will have more resources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83493524249189517942010-11-24T19:24:57.758-05:002010-11-24T19:24:57.758-05:00I just wanted to point out that Kittredge is grade...I just wanted to point out that Kittredge is grades 4-6, and so offers instrumental music to a larger proportion of the student body than a K-5 school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3627150502319626462010-11-24T15:17:19.045-05:002010-11-24T15:17:19.045-05:00I have never seen band offered at any school befor...I have never seen band offered at any school before 4th grade. What I have seen in other districts and what I had myself is that children are taught how to read music and play using a song flute or recorder and then band is offered. All children are then exposed to reading music and reading music, not just those that are able to afford band. <br /><br />Do theme schools have more points for music and art the way that Magnet schools do? How about the converted charter schools?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85620300377819633212010-11-24T14:58:51.278-05:002010-11-24T14:58:51.278-05:00I have seen music in the first grade in the school...<i>I have seen music in the first grade in the schools that I worked at in DCSS</i><br /><br />You're right - some schools do have a music teacher for the younger group...My mind was geared toward the band offerings for ESPaula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48967967317187791212010-11-24T13:59:25.739-05:002010-11-24T13:59:25.739-05:00Anon, 12:33 PM - please tell me you didn't mea...Anon, 12:33 PM - please tell me you didn't mean that it's ok for a magnet to have 3 art/music teachers while a regular school of similar size has none.<br /><br />That is just wrong. In my opinion, ALL schools should have art, music and PE. How does one get through life without having sung the Star Spangled Banner or the theme from Oklahoma in their school chorus? These are important civic lessons, not to mention the fact that research has proven that music and art improve brain function and that ever-elusive "critical thinking" ability.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57860573065847509792010-11-24T13:56:59.997-05:002010-11-24T13:56:59.997-05:00I have seen music in the first grade in the school...I have seen music in the first grade in the schools that I worked at in DCSS, but believe that it should begin in kindergarten. Good music and art instruction is important for our students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49377002312249462482010-11-24T13:34:09.648-05:002010-11-24T13:34:09.648-05:00As you've said, studies show that music educat...As you've said, studies show that music education greatly increases math skills. However, those same studies indicate that music education needs to start in 1st grade. Currently, I believe, for those schools that offer music, it begins in 4th grade? I know when I was in ES, we alternated our days between music, art and PE. I'd like to see DCSS to go back to this type of offering.Paula Caldarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05515215184962897541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24418183169681898852010-11-24T13:31:28.704-05:002010-11-24T13:31:28.704-05:00Actually foreign language is offered in every elem...Actually foreign language is offered in every elementary school in Fulton. Additionally there are no stand alone magnets in Fulton so the magnet extras benefit an entire school. <br /><br />How would you decide which school is worty of extras and which isn't?<br /><br />Last year there were 10 elementary schools that didn't have music.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75066083589512647782010-11-24T13:15:08.244-05:002010-11-24T13:15:08.244-05:0012:33 While I agree that offering different progra...12:33 While I agree that offering different programs at different schools isn't a "problem." Not offering music and art in elementary school is a huge problem, and one that needs to be addressed. Not every school should have full time art and music teachers, but every child in elementary school should be offered art and music, as research has shown that learning about art and music enhances one's brain development and thinking processes in the area of Math and Science. <br /><br />I also believe that what art and music teachers do in elementary school should be better regulated and that children should be learning about art and music theory and the various genres of art and music. In my old school, I found the art program a complete waste. When I was in art, I learned about impressionistic painting, did a 2 and 3 point perspective drawing in 5th grade, learned about pottery, color and such. I did not see that type of learning about art in my old school. Instead I saw simple arts and crafts like projects that could have been done at home. When I had art, I felt like I was decent, even though I can't draw a straight line with a rule and don't know magenta from red. I am able to go into an art museum and appreciate the works of art there, without an art history class in college and nothing but a pottery class in high school.<br /><br />Offering music and art should be programs that are automatic offerings in elementary school. I have never been in a school where these two classes where not offered, and I have been in many schools all over the country-most of them in very poor areas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com