News-Record.com

Where can these maps be viewed?

We're working on that, Ted. We will post them here on our Web site when we can get them. But you can read a description in the story above.

And if anyone reading lives in a neighborhood that would be affected by this redistricting plan, feel free to give me a call at 373-7078 or send me an e-mail at bbuchanan@news-record.com. We'd like to talk with people involved and get their opinions on this.

Bruce,
the entire redistricting is going to be weird. The new Northern was suppose to relieve overcrowding at NW and some of NE. The proposal takes about 464 from NE, 110 from Eastern(this was never mentioned) and 558 from NW. Currently NE as per their website (I know this is less than true) 1083, with money being spent from this bond for upgrades. Northwest has about 2300 (maximum capacity is 1600) and Eastern (per their website) 967. I don't know capacity. It doesn't take a genius to see that NW will get little relief from these lines with current growth at 5-8.% The small group from Eastern are a long way from that school, but only about 2 miles from Page. Not sure why they were ever at Eastern, but Page would be better for them. More children from Montecillo/Brown Summit current enrollment should be pulled, since that area of the county is growing at a fast pace. The new Reedy Fork will help with that immediate area, but not the part of the county towards the Rockingham line. This will make for a fascinating September.

Not sure about the SW-Andrews, but I do know that Dot Kearns shook her head no, when Alan was talking about a "Weaver" type school in HP. Dot seems to think these are great magnet schools. Not sure if her standard of 'great' is the same as mine, as 35% passing is not great in my opinion. What good are magnet schools if we can't teach the basics.

Once again we are telling our kids that they need to be in the "right" school in order to learn.

I recall Amos Quick on "Nightline"--yes, the one with Ted Koppel, several years ago saying that he was against busing--before anyone even knew who Mr. Quick was. And he was saying that kids should go to school in their neighborhood and it's the SCHOOLS that should improve, NOT the make-up of the kids there and blah, blah, blah,

Where is he to speak up for this blatant gerry-mandering? I totally understand why the High Point board members don't speak up--they're just plain stupid, but I thought that Amos would defend his supposed philosophy of good, neighborhood schools. I guess that only applies to the schools in his district. If they were scooping out neighborhoods around Dudley, I bet he run in with the transcripts from his Ted Koppel days.

Look that up Bruce. Very interesting quotes, indeed.

Redistricting, HA! Redistricting draws lines at natural boundaries, these new maps show carefully, crafted "scoops" of the right racial mix to circumvent the failed lottery attempt.

WHEN will this schoolboard realize that it's NOT the color of our kids' skin that should determine where they go to school.

race, race, race, race, race...you'd think Alston and Davis were on the school board!

Debora,

Please find out if Dr. Nancy Routh will be running again for her At-Large seat in 2006. If she is NOT, you have just been nominated.

As far as I know Nancy is running for her seat. I am probably more effective adding fuel to the fire instead of putting out fires! Nice of you to think of me :))) Lets all just try to keep doing the right thing for our children!

How is getting more kids than we are losing addressing overcrowding at SW? Is is legal to force bus kids past other schools to racially balance a school?
What was the directive of the board as far as getting a redistricting plan? All of Greensboro gets new schools and SW needs to be racially balanced? What about Smith, NW, Dudley etc?????

Alan told the staff to present a plan that balances racial diversity by redrawing lines. I think you will see more of this plan on Aug 25. I was the only parent at the meeting last night except for employee of the month supporters and the lady that talked about EOC's. In case you don't know Dr Grier is now saying if your child makes a "C" on the english EOC, they have to retake the class. That is what she said at the meeting and told me personally. Her child has an a average, made a c on the eoc (by one point) and had a 5 average; but still has to take the test over!

BTW, the Northern HS is the first high school in this area since 1963 or 1964, I don't remember the year! Southwest is overcrowded, but not as much as NW, and with the plans now presented, NW will still have about 2000 students in a school for 1600 with no end to the growth. So even with some relief the problem is only being mended not fixed! Also as the plans stand now, the new Northern will be 43% minority and 31% FRL.

Susie Q,

"Overcrowding" is the issue they pretend to be concerned with, "race" is the issue they are "fixing".

Wouldn't it be easier to paint the kids the right color? Then we could get to the real issues of overcrowded conditions and our kids getting an education.

Dr. Grier told the parents of the NW several times that the new Northern schools were being built to relieve our overcrowding. That was how he justified not including Summerfield, NWMS, and NWHS on either bond. He promised that 500 students from Summerfield/Laughlin would go to the new Northern Elementary. Where the current lines are drawn, it will be closer to 300. We currently have the most crowded schools in the county. 300 students will hardly make a dent, especially if you consider the additional homes being built. We will still be ridiculously overcrowded! As Debora has said, it will also do very little to relieve the overcrowding at NWHS. NWMS will not fare much better. Let's fill the new Northern schools with students from the most crowded schools first. That's what we were promised and IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

No one cares that Dot shook her head NO to the Weaver School in High Point. She is only one person on that board. The majority of the board members do not live in High Point and are probably sick of hearing about the High Point Choice Plan and how it continually failing. The real picture of how the school is failing is in the numbers.

A Weaver type school could work for all concerned. The next board meeting will be interesting when this is presented. Hopefully this time the numbers and maps will be ready on time.

I saw one of those Dot Kearns bobble-head dolls on Ebay! What a hoooot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bruce, A solution to what?

Racial diversity?

Bussing to integrate schools?

Education of children? NO!

Wow !!!!!

I just returned from a another road trip, only to find that the GCS Board is at it once again.

South West High School, One of only a few successful schools in the county, is once again being looked upon by the Idiots on the school board to be a Fix for their Failure to be able to put the right people in charge to operate a Failing School.

Their Solution this time:

FORCED BUSING: DETERMINED BY THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN

This is ILLEGAL.

MESSAGE FOR DOT KEARNS :

As you stand above your toilet, looking down at that big dark mass swirling in circles toward its last destiny, DO NOT PANIC.

It is only the remaining portion of the High Point High Schools going down the Crapper.

P.S. Dot, don't forget to Wash your hands, cause you have made one HELLAVU MESS with the schools in your day.

Bruce or Jennifer,

Could you please post the dates and times of the Back to School Open Houses?

I've looked on the GCS website and cannot find it. When you have several kids in different schools this time of year gets crazy.

Thank you very much.

A redistricting plan thet emulates much of the goal of the choice plan trades one bad idea for another. Perhaps a viable solution is to build a new school in the area of overcrowding, and lick our wounds over adding on to an underutilized facility and shutter it. Don't compound one bad decision with another. There is continued growth in the Northern corridor and parents will never accept bussing their children to a school further away, just to fill seats. It's time for the board to make the right decision, not the expedient one.

debora,
i'm curious about 2 things which you may be able to help me with:

1) did alan ask for a plan which balances racial diversity or socio-economic diversity?
2) is this "balanced plan" to be district-wide or limited to one or two areas within in the district?

thanks!

Mike G.

Build a new school in High Point??

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
hahahahhahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahaahhahahahaahahahahhaahahahahahahahaha
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hahahahahHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Bruce,
I wanted to address the above comments about making a C on the EOC and retaking a class. The new rule(as I see it):any student that does not make a Level III or IV on the EOC will have to retake the class, even if their class average would mean they are passing.
For most high school EOC's, a level II top cut off is somewhere around the C- range, it has been higher for some courses (C to C+) Therefore, your child could have a C average in the class, and make a 76 on the exam (D+),keep their "C" average, and have to retake the course.
Is that how you understand it?

Just for the history, SW is the newest high school and it opened in 1979.

Yeah, that's the way I understand it, educator. But that only applies for two End-of-Course tests: English I and algebra I.

If a student fails one of these tests, they will have to retake the course, even if they earned a passing grade.

I'm sure some people will say this is putting too much emphasis on one exam and that may be right.

On the other hand, if a student fails that exam, perhaps that's an indication they really don't understand the subject matter.

One exam on one given day should not override an entire course grade.

"Perhaps" is the right word for a failing EOC indicating that a student doesn't understand the subject matter.

Maybe the child had a headache that day? Or his parents were up the entire night screaming at each other, etc... the possibilities are endless.

What about offering the test a second time in the summer, THEN if a second failed grade is earned, that would give more credence to repeating an entire course.

Who makes this decisions anyway? Did Grier just think of this new policy one evening? Did this get voted on by the board?--or is this something happening state-wide?

It's not a state-wide policy, Ted. It's something GCS is doing for the first time this fall. And these types of are made by the administration; the board typically doesn't oversee curriculum/teaching issues.

The parent said her child made a C and should be a report card (not a I or II) so not sure how a C could be failing. She also said the C was by 1 point. In other words 1 more point would have been a B! How can we say a "C" is failing!

I can not say what Alan asked for specifically-- I believe the word was diversity, but maybe someone taped the 2nd July BOE and could tell you. Bruce, Jennifer? IMO Alan is a smart lawyer and he wouldn't say anything that was legally wrong!

Debora,

You and Cheryl had asked about Alan's comments at that July board meeting. I missed most of what he said because I was filing my story at the time (dratted deadlines!). But when we spoke later what I recall is that he talked about FRL (Free/reduced price lunch) status, which is an indicator of poverty.

But he may have referenced both at the meeting. I honestly can't say for sure. I'm sorry, that probably wasn't much help. But that's all I've got.

You did get me to thinking about what is the board's policy on attendance zones. They changed them in fall 2004.

From the district's Web site (www.gcsnc.com - look under "policies" tab):

III. Attendance Zone Considerations
A. The school attendance plan for Guilford County Schools is designed to foster the mission of public education, to include promotion of higher levels of academic achievement and good citizenship development, by:

recognizing and valuing diversity ;
using clearly defined boundaries, where practical;
working toward common feeder patterns throughout the district;
organizing schools in a K-5, K-8, 6-8, and 9-12 pattern generally;
seeking to avoid changing an attendance zone more often than every four (4) years; and
encouraging participation by all citizens in our schools.
B. The plan should serve the economic interest of taxpayers by:

efficiently utilizing transportation dollars;
anticipating needs for additional schools or additions to existing facilities in areas of high growth and communicating to the public these needs in a timely way;
anticipating and communicating to the public the need to have all facilities meet approved health, safety, environmental, and educational standards applicable to public schools; and
seeking to utilize school facilities fully and efficiently.
LEGAL REFERENCE: G.S. 115C-367-369

NOTE: This Board Policy revises and replaces the previous Administrative Policy JBCC issued by the Superintendent 4-15-02.

The Board defines diversity broadly including race and culture, ethnicity, gender, socio-economics, special needs, geographic areas, native language, and academic achievement

Yes Jennifer, I knew about the policy, but it was a great idea to print it for everyone! I hope you are doing a piece on the proposed new attendance for Northern.

We are, Debora. Right now, the only hold-up is we're trying to get a better quality map from GCS. The maps handed out Tuesday night didn't have any street names or other landmarks and people will want to know exactly where the lines fall.

I agree with the comments that the maps are crappy. And might I add the line placement is also. They propose to take only 558 students from NW (currently 7 hundred over capacity with growth of 508% yearly) and 464 from NE (very little overcrowding and money for renovation/expansion in this bond), also 110 from Eastern. That school isn't even overcrowded! Our area again is shafted with not enough relief for over crowding not to mention no money for Summerfield or NWMS on this bond!

Debora,

Welcome to the "Choice Plan" for your part of town.

Overcrowded conditions are NOT, let me repeat, NOT a concern for the Guilford County administration/school board. DIVERSITY is their baby right now.

The new school that you all are getting is serving this one purpose. It's sole purpose is to serve as a mixing ground so that they can better diversify (that magic word that makes our kids learn) the Northwest area.

We tried to warn the rest of Guilford county that it was coming.

of course I meant 5-8% growth-- not 508% haha

sorry to mention the other local paper but in todays Rhino, Dot Kearns says that the "effects of the High Point plan have only been positive for the schools" quote from the paper (not direct quote from Dot) Not sure how it could be positive, as AYP/ABC/passing rate all down or equal (SW up less than point)-- skipped days up( mid year-don'thave year end totals), teacher turn over high, parents still upset, only 100 of over 1000 kids wanted the high tech 'great education' at Andrews! Andrews is one of the 4 worst schools in NC! Get real! There is nothing positive to say about the overall quality of education at Andrews! 35% passed EOG's--- one in three! That is a true embrassment.

BTW-the only person to even mention the ABC/AYP at the board meeting was Darlene Garrett. Dr Grier said he would be glad to have a daytime meeting about the changes!

That should have been the most important thing to discuss and should be televised!!! Parents have a right to know what the plan is.

If we continue to stay the course and not make AYP-- we will be busing 1000's to different schools. This year's rate of request is 100% great than last years. Is there no end in site?

Northeast High actually is pretty crowded - although not nearly as bad as Northwest. The school's capacity is 775 and enrollment is around 1,100, so it is overcrowded.

However, as you pointed out, Northeast will get an $11.6 million expansion through the bond, so it is getting a great deal of relief. That part of the county is growing rapidly, though, particularly with the Reedy Fork development.

But your point is a good one, Debora: Northwest will remain crowded even after the new school opens. And Summerfield and NWMS are, too.

The kids from Eastern are minorities for the most part and I'm sure diversity issues are a factor in why they are being sent to Northern. But they also have a 12-mile ride to school now - and they are just 4 or 5 miles from Northern High. So if neighborhood schools are what you want, it seems like these kids should be going to Northern rather than Eastern.

Just a few things to think about on a hot Thursday afternoon....

I have been in on this fight with you since the beginning. I (and also the HP people) are NOT opposed to diversity. All we ask for is common sense (try not to fall down laughing), relief from over crowding and neighborhood attendance zones schools. Also using money wisely and educating our children would be a great side benefit.

I think that kids should go to the closest school whenever possible, I believe if you check you will see Page is about 2 miles or so. These kids should never have been sent to Eastern! NE would be second closest in prior redistricting. Northern would now be 2nd closest to them, but GCS is leaving out lots of people closer to the school. Could it be that if you are white you don't deserve to go the closest school?

And remember Bruce you can't use race (I believe bussing for desegregation is still illegal)-- so how do they know these kids are minority, and why should it matter! They are chosing not to send kids 3 miles from the new school east of Church Street to these schools so, again I say what gives with that?

NE is suppose to get 295 seats with this bond, so they won't be overcrowded by much! so that would be about 1050 in seats, but take out 464 kids and that leaves alot of room for growth. IS that utilizing the facilities correctly? And you can't get me with 'future growth' as we have lived with that problem for over 10 years.... and it's current; not future!

You certainly are right about the Northwest schools and current growth - they are bursting at the seams and have been for years. To be honest, you could make a case for another new high school, in addition to Northern, in that part of county.

thank you, jennifer

i actually found time to watch parts of the board meeting (i manage to get most of them recorded) & found the answers to both my questions.
thanks again

i do have one other question....
does the board's handy "broad-based" diversity definition include those with differing sexual orientations?

That really hasn't entered the equation, Cheryl.

The board's definition of diversity, from what I can tell, mirrors the information the state collects - race/ethnicity and free/reduced-price lunch status(i.e. low-income.) The state doesn't collect information on student sexual orientation like they do on race and economic status. So even if the board wanted to include sexual orientation, they couldn't measure it, like they can the number of white students, black students, low-income students, etc.

However, the board did approve an anti-discrimination policy last year that expressly mentions students of differing sexual orientations. That policy was fairly controversial.

"those with differing sexual orientations"????

On the Board???

Who are you talking about? I'd have to guess the one with the lousy haircut.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Ted,

I agree that a second chance for the exam should be offered but I also agree that there needs to be some way to determine if the kid learned what they needed to in the basic courses.

Personal experience is that a kid can do lousy on exams but is ofered enough extra credit options (redoing homework, take the test home & do it over) that they can pass a course with a decent grade and not know very much.

Check the statistics on kids entering GTCC that need remedial math & English just to enter a program.

I would like to know if they change the lines
for Southwest again to this proposal would your child be grandfathered in if he is going to the 11th grade for the year 06/07? And if a sibling will be in the 9th grade that year would they be able to attend since they are suppose to under the choice plan? It would only be fair since we had to go through all this bull.... before!!

Jeff,

Great question. How it had always been up to this past year was 11th and 12th graders only would be grandfathered.

For two years I have called, written and emailed the School Board and Admin so that 9th graders could stay where they are as it is an adjustment year for many kids, just like 6th grade.

This past year they had voted that once you are in 9th grade, you remain at that school even if you are redistricted. So you should be safe.

Sibling preference was given to 9th graders as long as they have a current sibling in that school.

Bruce can confirm this.

However, as you know, "the School Board giveth and the School Board taketh away". "Fair" doesn't always come into play.

With the stroke of 6 votes, things could change. I would like to think they would not go backward on these issues and upset more people. Enough is enough.

I was outside tuesday evening getting my mail when i was approached by a man who asked me about my neighbors house which, is for sale. He asked several questions about the neighborhood and the house, but then, of course, the discussion turned to the schools. He has two small children and wondered about the choice plan, etc. I told him about what I knew, and how our daughter had been deported to Central, but that i thought the choice plan would die of it's own weight. Of course, that we before the board meeting when yet another absurd redistricting plan was presented. It was so absurd, that even the board members were shaking their heads. First, how can anyone think that more bussing is a good thing. Second, taking a scoop here and a scoop there only serves to fragment and anger a community that is already torn, thanks to a "no-choice plan. third, can the administration only offer one choice at a time??? This soulds like the great Craven debate all over again. The administration offers one choice at a time, for the board to review and reject.

every day, I feel more and more thankful that we made the decision to pull our kids out of this disaster of a school system. I also feel more and more saddened for those that don't have this option. They get the shaft more and more with each passing day

See Channel 2 news today. There is ALWAYS a hidden agenda. There is ALWAYS another plan behind closed doors. There must be only one at a time so they can only anger one group at a time.
Stay tuned. "It ain't over yet."

hiddenagenda - can you explain what you are refering to on Channel 2 news? I know I won't be able to watch today.

Also, just a few comments - when my kid's elementary school went a few rounds with the Board in 2003 on a proposed redistricting change, Jill Wilson repeatedly stated that "satellites were illegal...can't cross school districts to get to your assigned school...must be contiguous..can't bus on race..." - how can scooping kids out of a neighborhood so close to Welborn/Andrews (less than 5 mins away)be "legal"?

Lastly, not to take anything away from Triangle Lake's hard work in raising their scores, but in typical Grier fashion, he's moved kids around instead of truly working to educate them. This past school year, any child that moved into the TL district and was going into 2nd grade and up, could not attend TL - they were first shipped to Shadybrook and then to Oakview when SB was full. I think the "reasoning" was they wouldn't fit into the Montessori program - wasn't TL built to be a school for inner city kids? How are these kids ever going to succeed when it is a challenge just for them to get to school - if they miss the bus (which comes very early), many don't have transportation and just miss school.
I really want to congratulate Oakview for making AYPs since they also receive many opt out kids from Montlieu. However, their ABC score dropped almost 10 points and they did not receive any $ this year - where's the compensation for taking on the students from TL and Montlieu (I know - when has GCS ever been fair)?

Hidden agenda,

very interesting story on news 2..it's on the internet wfmynews2.com if anyone's interested. Doesn't really talk about anything new, except for the concept of turning Central into a magnet. Maybe they should make Andrews the magnet and build another school in the area of growth!!!!!

i agree with mikeG, my family is very thankful we had the choice of moving our youngest to private school. open house was last night, the young adults were decently dressed and groomed, respectful and polite - to other students, parents and teachers. there was no foul language or sexual overtones. that is the way we live our private lives, the surroundings we provide, the values and morals we encourage. we are thankful and truly blessed. our dream/goal is that one day, when our very large ship comes in, that we will be able to provide those positive academic surroundings for many other children who do not have that option.
our eldest daughters managed to make it through most of their GCS years before so much of this turmoil and chaos began 4-5 years ago or so.
i will say that elementary (florence) and middle (southwest) were both good & safe educational experiences. for that, i am also thankful.

in my opinion, the bottom line is discipline - or lack thereof. until discipline problems are adequately and consistently dealt with in gcs, the academics will continue to erode. there needs to be a limit, or a cap, on the number of suspensions students are allowed per year before being reassigned to another educational facility. one which is better designed for their academic needs. i would put that limit at 6 suspensions per student per year.
continuing disruptions in the classrooms are distracting for both educators and students and they need to be stopped by the adults in charge - the Guilford County Board of Education.

Let's just make sure everybody feels good as we continue to DUMB DOWN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION. For example here is an example of how people feel over in the Western Guilford district:

The evolution in teaching math in Guilford County since the 1950s:

Teaching Math In 1950

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of productioni s 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)

Teaching Math In 2005

Un hachero vende una carretada de Madera para $100. El costo de la produccisn es $80 ......

ADIOS MUCHACHO

Muy bien Senor Buck! Es la verdad. Yo estoy LOL!!!!

Buck,

If your 1990 version of math had been your final point, I would say that I understand what you're trying to get across about the dumbing down of school curriculum. But then you added the last section in Spanish.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding here. Please tell me I am. Because what I get from your post is that being Hispanic is as dumb as you can get.

Even if I wasn't Hispanic, I'd be insulted.

Personally, I think learning another language will only make students smarter - and a more attractive employee in today's global market.

Jennifer, I read it exactly the same way you did. I sincerely hope we just misunderstood his - and "Chimichanga's" - point.

I have no idea what Buck Mtn meant, but we do know that the Guilford Elem has the most diverse group of students in the county. It must be almost impossible to teach alot of different ethnic groups if they have limited English (it doesn't matter if they are Korean, Spanish, French, etc)-- I applaud those teachers, because even with this unusual challenge they made AYP's. This can't be said for many of our schools with a large diverse population. I think that Guilford Elem did a fabulous job in any language! BTW, I don't know anyone that goes to that school, or teaches there so this is an outsider's viewpoint of their success!!

Amy,

Where have you been the past 2 years on satellite zones? (nothing personal - you have missed out)

In the redistricing in 1999, we were all told that satellite zones where illegal, or at least we thought that is what we were told. In the guiding principles for rezoning it was pointed out that you should not pass one school to get to another.

In 2004, I believe the infamous SB meeting of 2/10/04, better known as "Black Tuesday" in the history of Guilford County Schools, the paid by the hour attorney told everyone that they were not exactly illegal. (I have a tape of the meeting where she said this somewhere.) Before the vote on 2/10/04, a Solutions Proposal that would make many citizens happy and address the true needs of overcrowding and filling empty seats and education, was presented to the SB and the commissions (on several occasions). At that time, one of the writers of the Solutions Proposal went out of her way to not have satellite zones and/or to have areas grandfathered. A lot of research went into this. This was all ignored, as usual.

Fastforward to when they redid the Guiding Principles for redistricting the past year (a hint of fun and games to come). See Jennifer F's previous post a few blogs back. She lists them.

Satellite zones are not mentioned.

So here we are. If we were told the truth at the meeting where they say satellite zones where never illegal, than you can see why they can bypass schools.

Basically, if you study the history of GCS, they kind of make up the rules as they go along.

Yep, 6 votes and they can do that.

We all love you, Cheryl. You are a fine example along with your family of the meaning of the true meaning of "community".

Your countless hours of volunteer work in the schools, in scouting and in charity events are something to be proud of.

The proof is also in the three fine daughters you have raised.

I am so happy that your last gem got into private school last year.

When you start your own private school, many will be in line to volunteer.

THE GANG

“Even if I wasn’t Hispanic, I’d be insulted”

Well Jennifer, let’s talk about this as one Hispanic to another.

If my grandfather was still alive, his last name was REYES by the way, he would have flat out told both you and Bruce to not be so sensitive AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE BE LOOKING FOR ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT. He would have had no sympathy for you and your circumstance in life based on gender, race, religion, level of education, or if you were trying to cope with BEING LEFT-HANDED IN A RIGHT-HANDED WORLD.

In summary, life is hard so get over it and move on.

Hasta manana muchachos.

Buckmtn,

I've taught a good number of students affected by the school system's plan for High Point high school students.

I've met a fair number of their parents and gotten to know some of them.

For all I know, I may have met you as well, or I may have taught your child(ren).

It bothers me, this notion of someone ever telling all these students and their families, "In summary, life is hard so get over it and move on."

That's actually the message you left for Jennifer and Bruce, but if that message is good enough for them, are you also saying that that message should apply to the High Point students and parents affected by the school system's current high school assignment policy?

That seems to rub people's nose in it a little too much for my taste.

If you or anyone is interested, these are a couple of pieces I've written on indirectly related topics: "What Makes Us Add Pain To People's Lives?" and "Is It More Racist To Tell Jokes About Blacks Or Jews? ".

Most of the "Evolution of Math" that you shared was pretty funny.

The description under "Teaching Math In 1990"--well, I copied that down as the first journal topic I plan to use with my students this school year. I certainly thank you for sharing that part. (Don't worry: I'm joking.)

But I tend to agree with Jennifer and Bruce: the inclusion of that very last section doesn't quite sit well with me.

It'd be like setting up a harmless, inoffensive joke that will make many people laugh and then at the end making fun of the situation faced by High Point students and their families.

That bothers me on the same level.

I did have one alternative interpretation: that everything spiraled downward until 2005, when all of a sudden, students were not only challenged to solve a math problem, but to solve that math problem using the foreign language they had learned in another class.

For too many of our students, the math problem by itself is as much as they'd care to be challenged.

But that's a separate issue.

You almost seemed not to care that your post might offend someone. It seemed like it might even be a goal.

I actually hope that what I'm posting now doesn't offend you or anyone else. I'm not setting out to offend anyone at least, even if I clumsily manage to do so anyway.

Ironically, we're posting our thoughts, opinions, and even feelings on a blog, which for all of us can't be regarded too differently than Tony Soprano, a gangster, bearing his soul to his psychiatrist. It serves as an outlet. We're able to get our feelings off our chest.

Yes, I have to say I agree with you:

We should ALL have our heads examined!

Sincerely,

Hardy

Is "What makes us add pain to people's lifes?" your new novel about the GC school board? You will need sequals as the pain never seems to end.

Jennifer and Bruce,

News 2 (www.wfmynews2.com - search for "Controversial School Plan") did a story this week about a proposed plan by the school board with Central High School as the only magnet high school in High Point and the remainder of the students in High Point would be divided between Andrews and Southwest.

As this was not specifically discussed at the last School Board meeting, can you comment on the legitimacy of this report?

Hey Ouch, I would rather read "Is it More Racist to Tell Jokes about Blacks or Jews?"

It's a shame Sammy Davis, Jr. isn't still alive because I don't know how he would have functioned in the politically correct world of today. Nobody could tell a joke about either group better. Or wait a minute, the "Candyman" was an African American man of Hebrew faith.

He would have been put in exile in today's world.

Why the "Hush, Hush" about the News2 report??

shhhh........

refer to 2men and a truck's post on strand under suspensions

this explains it quite well

Hey I was prepared to say a lot more, but I just finished readings the posts about the N&R running the picture of the African American girl eating a slice of watermelon.

What Billy the Blogging Poet had to say about watermelon eating also applies over here:

"People will go the ends of the earth simply to find a reason to be mad at someone else when in fact they’re the ones causing the problems."

Has anyone ever seen the School Board members appear happy?

Thanks for the words of wisdom Billy.

Buck,

You avoided answering my question about what exactly you meant.

And I fail to understand your comment about "asking for special treatment."

I'm not, nor have I ever asked for special treatment because of my ethnicity or gender. My question had nothing to do with "special treatment."

My question still stands: What did you mean by making your last point in Spanish? Since you were talking about the dumbing down of curriculum, did you mean that being Hispanic is as dumb as you can get? Because that is still how I read your post and I still think it is offensive.

I can't speak for the Buckmtn, but I took that Spanish post to mean that the schools are not only making it easier each year to pass tests, but now they are presenting the material in Spanish, so that kids won't even have to learn English.

Just like when I just saw the "School Zone" channel airing programs in Spanish. Spanish is a great language, I took it in High School and often wish that I still knew it because so many times at my job we have to call in interpreters BUT when in American Schools, one would think that kids would have to learn ENGLISH.

Anyone knows that if you want to make someone look "as dumb as they get" they'd compare you NOT to Spanish-speakers, but to Dot Kearns.

How I interpreted Buck's post was this:

The curriculum keeps getting easier so the AYP scores, etc. will be higher.

Math (and some other subjects) are not being taught like they used to be.

We have this "touchy/feely" thing going on where everyone is afraid to have reasonable expectations of students because they might hurt their self-esteem. We cannot discipline kids who misbehave for the similar reasons.

We teach the tests; we tell them the answers. But we don't really teach anymore.

Then it is "how do you feel about that" as there are "no wrong answers" because we don't want to damage your self-esteem.

Now fast forward to 2005, emphasis and resources are put into teaching in Spanish or helping other smaller groups to bring the test scores up. If more resources are given to teaching newcomers English and other special needs, than resources are taken away from other areas of education that the MAJORITY of students need.

In conclusion, if you can't speak English and come to America or have another handicap, it will be harder to learn but you will have to adjust, go learn English and keep up since you chose to come to American, English speaking schools.

I think you might be trying to read too much into the post and we all need to move on.

Taco bell,

My sentiments exactly.

Taco Bell,

I'd love to know which schools are teaching students in Spanish, other than Jones and Kirkman Park, which are Spanish Immersion schools. (Feel free to e-mail me the information at jfernandez@news-record.com if you prefer to remain anonymous.)

Since the state tests are in English, the schools wouldn't be doing themselves any favors by teaching Limited English Proficient students in Spanish or any other foreign language. That won't help them pass AYP or ABCs. Unless the state has changed its rules, LEP students must pass the tests in English, not their first language.

Regarding the Spanish infomercials on school TV program: It takes, what, 5-7 years for someone to become proficient in a foreign language?

Producing infomercials and translating documents into other languages helps parents understand what is expected of their child, including rules on discipline and academic expectations.

Don't we want parents to be involved and knowledgeable?

Yes, it's reasonable to expect people who live here to learn English. But in today's fast-paced society, it seems like we give these folks about 2 days to learn the language before we get fed up with them.

Jennifer, I spoke to the person who provided me with this post on Saturday. She was at a loss for how this could be taken as offensive as well.

I was going to expand on this, but I see a few people have already spoken for me. I went to public school in a different era and over 500 miles away from here. When I was in school you weren't coddled like the students are today.

In summary that was the underlying theme of what I posted.

I did find it interesting that you were willing to share your thoughts on the topic as an Hispanic person (which I am fine with), but unwilling to acknowledge a different view on the same topic by another Hispanic person (me). It really doesn't matter to me because since we both have an ethnic background and this was originally a post on math if I put this into an equation our similar ethnic backgrounds cancel each other out. And I make this analogy with no disrespect to your family, my family or anyone else's family.

I'll sign off not in Spanish this time, but in a very poor attempt at French compliments of the character "Buddy" from the old show Night Court.

If you can't say or'vour (which I can't spell) at least say au'gratin.

as i look at the maps
they are still wanting to move us around in
high point to raise the scores here, and
to lower the scores there,
figures lie and liars figure
and this will not solve the real issues
in high point schools

Buck,

I haven't been "unwilling" to acknowledge a different view (yours) because you hadn't really explained what you meant until now.

If your point was to say that students are coddled, then I think your post was a little confusing. I saw it as you talking about the dumbing down of curriculum, which could very well be a valid point. But it seemed odd to end it in Spanish as if that were as dumb as a person could get.

Knowing now that your argument was that students are coddled, your post makes a little more sense. (However, I still don't see how teaching Hispanic students in Spanish is going to help them pass subject tests written in English. That kind of "coddling" is only going to backfire on any schools that might be doing this.)

That's just my opinion, which, being an opinion, might not match your thoughts on the matter.

Next time, speak plain English and just say "Kids are coddled too much today!" That way there's no opening for misunderstandings. :)

Rox,

You are correct in everything you say.

I spoke at length with a SB member last night.

This is the wave of the future in Guilford County.

The schools will continue to be "mixed" and not just in High Point(see new Northern High School ratios). It has been said that our superintendent believes in this logic (refer to past guest speakers who were paid big bucks to come to Guilford County about mixing kids of different socioeconomic backgrounds). My opinion, refer to the test scores and see how the $122,000 per year new statician can make the numbers look better. Actually, it could be a combination of both.

As NCLB puts more pressure on public schools, public school systems will try to outsmart NCLB rather than improve on education. As public schools find ways to outsmart the federal laws, NCLB will think of more ways to outsmart the public school systems from cheating. It is a unending vicious circle and.....

it is not going away in this county.

p.s. Liked the format of your post. You are a poet.

JEN AND BRUCE WHERE IS THE STORY ON CENTRAL BEING THE NEW MAGNET?

Bruce and Jen,

Did you get my email with the print out of the News 2 report on making Central the magnet school?

What's up with that? Have you been told to keep this quiet? This was not discussed at the last school board meeting.

Why was this not in the N & R, if it was reported on the TV news?

I have not heard anything about Central being "the" magnet school for High Point. I put this in an earlier post on the Chalkboard: all I've heard about so far is that Andrews could possibly be a Weaver-like magnet. Although I believe when Alan Duncan originally asked about it he wanted to see what the viability of such a school would be for any of the High Point schools.

I'm still checking to see what's going on with that. If I get any info I'll let you know.

Thank you Jennifer.

When Alan Duncan first asked about it, you are correct, the viability of such a school in HP.

Then in one of the newspapers, I read he had mentioned Andrews as the Weaver. He asked where the maps were at the last board meeting.

Next News 2 announced Central as the magnet and you have seen a copy of the printed news report which I emailed to you and Bruce which also quotes Alan. The News 2 article states that this was proposed by the school board. Maybe you should call News 2 and get the story and/or sources straight as another reader here suggested.
Maybe Alan was referring only to the proposal of swapping the Andrews/SWH kids and he was misquoted.

Perhaps only CERTAIN school board members called News 2 about a magnet school at Central. Remember when the HP "Choice" Plan was first marketed. It was to only certain business communities and the newspaper folks in HP and by only a few board members.

As of last evening, I believe some of the board members are not aware of a magnet being proposed at Central.

The bottom line is this.....We would just like you and Bruce to do some investigative reporting and see if News 2 is confused or if indeed there is some new type of proposal being tossed around to make Central the magnet and this has not been presented to the public yet.

Thank you for looking into this.

BA

thanks for the double, on the rocks
i like your post of
nothing but the facts

its apparent to me that our board of education prefers redistricting over academics. and it is apparent that our board and gcs has placed responsibility for our continuing poor performance on ABC'S and AYP's on:

testing standards revisions,
school reform,
changes in the way test scores are assessed, and
demographic profile of our fair county

has gcs or its board of education accepted any responsibility? The gcs staff has come up with a "difficulty index" which means that guilford county "includes more students that have not traditionally performed at the same level as other higher performing groups". the higher performing and lower performing groups were not identified, but i would like to know who they are. the word "traditionally" suggests this has been a pattern and should have been no surprise.

my question is this - since gcs has reported they have such a high number of lower performing groups, what are their plans for helping these children learn? to date, i have seen nothing in their board meetings or meeting summaries, but i might have missed it.

after a lot of number crunching, comparisons, shifting responsibility & much discussion at the 5/26 board meeting, gcs seems quite satisfied with their overall AYP/ABC results. i still can't help but wonder about our larger than average population of students who don't perform as well - what about them?

Barbara Ann, et. al,

I posted this on another strand but since the question was also raised here I'll respond again about whether there has been a proposal to make Central a Weaver-like magnet school.

I spoke today with Eric Hoekstra (he studies patterns and trends on student population growth) and asked him about Central since he was given the assignment to explore a potential Weaver in High Point. He said he was only asked to look at the viability of Andrews and that is what he is doing. I don't know where the idea of Central becoming like Weaver came up other than the News 2 report.

I have not been able to reach Alan Duncan but other board members have told either me or Bruce that they also had not heard of a proposal for Central to become like Weaver.

Perhaps it will come up when the board next discusses redistricting. Perhaps it won't ever come up because it was never an idea that any board members had considered. (Or perhaps they've now gotten that idea in their head after reading the Chalkboard, if any of them read this blog.)

We'll have to wait and see. The board meets again on Thursday, and as redistricting progresses, there likely will be even more meetings.

Jennifer,

Thanks for the update.

BA

For all those new pupils now affected by the GCS bored with the proposed redistricting.
Welcome to the fork machine!

Forked , I agree.

Some people I know who were not affected before have already called School board officials.

This is not going to be easy one.

Who the hell dreamed up bussing people from Kivett drive to SW ?

What a load of idiots !