News-Record.com

Boo hoo, wah, wah,

I'm so sad. Next we'll get to see the Grier grovel where he's on his knees in front of the commissioners begging for them to throw more money his way.

Until I see a show of real concern, like he writes the first check from his personal account, then halts the million dollar busing system in High Point, I won't be shedding a single tear.

I thought I remembered them saying last year that since the grant money didn't come through for the HP Choice plan and since the board members "were such good stewards of the money from the 2000 bond" that they would be able to use some of that money to implement the HP plan.

Is that what happened to the extra money from the 2000 bond? Is all of that money accounted for?

All of the 2000 bond leftovers are accounted for, JMO. Most of it went to 1. building the replacement Oak Ridge Elementary school and 2. buying land for several new schools (Northern High, Northwest Elementary, etc.) Some leftover bond money also went to projects at Southwest High and Sedalia Elementary.

In July, the school board voted on a contingency plan that would free up $30 million in case the bids came in higher than expected. This would mean three bond projects - replacement schools for Guilford and Jamestown middle schools, plus renovations at Ragsdale High - won't happen this go-round. Those three projects would be on a third bond referendum, which probably will go before voters either next year or in 2007.

Now, it's not guaranteed that the Guilford Middle, Jamestown Middle and Ragsdale projects will be lost for now. But that is the board's plan if they can't come up with additional construction money to cover these cost overruns.

The BOE makes it hard on themselves. The BOE should have prioritized the projects as soon as the bond issue was passed or even before. No, they would not do that. Now, some people must learn that their project cannot be done. If we do another bond, we should prioritize immediately. This is not rocket science.

And so, Jamestown ends up on the wrong end of the stick - again.

Part of Jamestown lives the HP plan fiasco and now the other half won't get their much needed new middle school and high school renovation.

Why is it that this part of the county is always last?

Joe - you're absolutely right - the bond projects should have been in priority order AT THE TIME PEOPLE VOTED. To take projects off the list now is unethical.

I voted for the bond because of the projects listed. I fear the next bond will be defeated.

Joe,

This is an excellent idea but it makes too much common sense. If a variety of projects are thrown out their initially on the "wish list", the bait is there to get more voters to vote if they think their area might get some relief from overcrowding.

Look what is happening with the recent proposal that related to NWH. It does not do enough to relieve the overcrowding at NWH nor does it consider the future growth in that area. (i.e., growing bigger all the time as folks leave SW and move to the NW district.)

Bruce, in reference to JMO's question, can you tell us where the money did come from for the "IT" plan? (i.e., for the programs that came, not for the "world class programs" that did not materialize)

If each part of the county received some relief from overcrowding, citizens wouldn't mind helping all the schools. The way it is now, High Point is never treated equally. It is not treated the same as the other schools in the county. Now the Jamestown/Ragsdale area is coming in last too from the recent bond funds. Why would anyone vote for a future bond referendum if they don't even feel like part of this county.

General Slak, I am leading part of the militia up to D.C. first thing in the morning. We shall be armed only with our new "Grier-ended" car magnets.

Not only will we be discussing Guilford County "education" with several elected officials, but we shall be touring the area as well. Please clarify for me exactly where I am to place this magnet at the Lincoln Memorial.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have assured me that proper modifications have been made not only to the Humvee but also to the Abrams tank to insure that these magnets will not fall off.

Buckmtn,

As you head off into the depths of another mission, We must add one more task.

While on your way to D.C., I need for you to go by way of Charlottesville, Va.

I need your troops to do a sweep through the town in preparation for our visit in mid October.

Remember, If you are faced with any danger ,The SOS phrase will be, " Ninth Grade Year, Make It Or Break It."

Good Luck Comrade.

General,

As you know, the university at Charlottesville is often referred to as Mr. Jeferson's University. He was instrumental in the establishment of that fine center of education.

When the troops enter Charlottesville to confront our beloved superintendent, just remember the words of Mr. Jefferson:

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."

We need to be mindful of this great man's quote when considering the tyranny that we fight here in Guilford County. Make no mistake, the war over children's minds and education is being waged here, and that tyranny will not win, unless the citizens of this county let them and remain silent.

And, being a soldier such as yourself, Mr. Jefferson would be proud, as he also said "Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state." So fight on General, our cause is worthy and noble.

While this does not have to do with the construction and redistricting issues on this strand, I thought I would go ahead and bring up some interesting issues currently being talked about among teachers.

My fellow teachers and I were recently told that starting in the spring semester that we would no longer be allowed to give zeros. The lowest grade that we would be allowed to give would be a 60. Some schools are already doing this. Therefore, a student can do nothing and still earn a 60.

Also, Grier is now enforcing a policy for schools that 85% of a teacher's class must be making a 85 or higher. If a student does not have an 85 average, the teacher must come up with a remediation plan for that student. Most teachers already bend over backward to help students by offering tutoring after school, during their planning, during their lunch time, as well as offering extra credit assignments. As a result, teachers are now expected to offer set times for after school tutoring, to set aside certain days to assist with school-wide tutoring, and have students stay after school to make up time when they have been absent. Of course, there is no pay or compensation for this extra time. We are told that it is expected of us because of our positions. How are teachers suppose to pick up their kids from daycare? When can teachers spend time with their families and enjoy a meal at home?

I will do whatever I can to help a child succeed; however, it is not fair to my family when I give my time and energy to school each day (weekends too) and have nothing left for them. And if teachers are already tired and worn down at the beginning of the year, how will that affect classroom instruction as the year goes on?

Andi,

Just follow the exodus to Davidson County where a tyrant is not in control.

Also, for any schoolboard members that read the chalkboard, read this:

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER again support a school bond package.

Have a great day!

Stormy,

Just for you - another quote from the brilliant Thomas Jefferson:

"Freedom is the right to choose, the right to create for oneself the alternatives of choice. Without the possibility of choice and the exercise of choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing."

Too bad the school board aren't followers of Thomas Jefferson.

Andi,

Get another job!!! I know a few teachers who left Guilford County and went to other counties and are much happier!

By giving students no less than a 60, is an example of how they are dumbing everything down.
In the long run this will hurt everyone! Bright kids will be bored and poor performing ones will be padded on the head and told they are working up to their potential.

Andi,

The bright side should be it's easier to bring a 60 up to an 85 than it is to bring 0 up to an 85.

I'm sure the higher powers had that in mind when they set this policy.

But if you can't read and write/add and subtract then it's still not going to help anyone on the eog, eoc, abc or ayp.

Who will central office blame then?

The teachers being forced to pass students that can't read "See Spot Run" or count change from their lunch money!

Until GCS takes responsibility and stops implementing programs that do nothing to enhance the fundamentals of education we're screwed.

When I was growing up if you wanted to take dance, vocal training, guitar lessons etc. Your parents paid money for you to take private lessons if you didn't have the money you were s.o.l.

Andi,

Does the "85% of students must have a grade of 85" also pertain to AP classes? I know Grier wants everyone to take these high level classes and if you can't get anything below a 60...that's gotta make the district look good.

Wait..., it's not about the "district". I meant to say it's gotta make Grier's resume look good.

WAIT! It's not about Grier's resume...

What was it about, again?

andi,
the issue of giving students a grade of 60 instead of 0, for doing 0 amount of work was on the agenda at a board meeting last year. i thought the board did NOT support this "new" revised grading scale. don't have the meeting minutes in front of me however, so i could be wrong.
but, as a parent, how would you like it if your child had a great report card, you thought he/she was doing excellent work & learning. but, then at year end, your child performed lousy on SAT's and failed EOG's - and you didn't have a clue it was coming. what a terrible surprise. too late to remedy at that point - another wasted year. gcs: its all about smoke and mirrors...facing reality is much too frightening.
maybe gcs board and staff execs could be a headliner at vegas - grier and new statistician would make even more money than they do now!

A zero is still "0". If not work is done it should be a zero or it is just cheating everyone concerned. I too had heard that some schools had been doing this. Perhaps this is what they mean by making all schools "EQUAL", equally dummying down. This must be the "long range" goal to make all schools in the county "the same". The truth will still come out in the end of year testings.

Andi, I know of a new middle school teacher fresh out of college where pressure was put on her to do this. The student was doing absolutely no homework, was not trying and was disruptive in class. She held out, kept excellent records and challenged the principal if he was trying to make her "cheat". She prevailed.

I would say CYO. "Cover your a_ _" and keep good records or do as Norma Ray says get out of the system.

"This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow TRUTH wherever it may lead, not tolerate error as long as reason is left free to combat it." Thomas Jefferson

"All authority belongs to the people." Thomas Jefferson

"How much have cost us the evils that never happened!" Thomas Jefferson

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
Thomas Jefferson

and finally.......

"NEVER SPEND YOUR MONEY BEFORE YOUR HAVE IT"
Thomas Jefferson

This is really very sad. Do we always have to stay dissatisfied with the budget!!!

"You can't alway get what you want"

The Rolling Stones

"but if you try so you get what you need"

But I think you already knew that "Orlando"

Tony,

that is what I thought. what is Orlando's point?
does he want more money yet?

Andi--
Thank you for your comments. Please know that I have not discussed the “grading” proposals you outline in your email with anyone and I am not aware of the district implementing these standards. Frankly, I would question the academic relationship between a student and teacher that would allow a situation to evolve to the point where a student refused to do their work; leading to an assigned grade of zero. As you know, once a student is given a zero, two consecutive 100s would still produce an average score of 67--a failing grade. We do ask, and often pay, teachers to stay after school to tutor students. As you have pointed out, many teachers freely volunteer their time without pay. This year, we are asking high school principals to monitor ninth grade students' interim grades. In turn, they are asking their teachers to work with failing students to develop strategies to help the students (if possible) to acquire the skills needed to earn a passing grade prior to the end of the grading period. This past year, approximately 800 students dropped out of our schools. Most were 17 to 19 years of age and still needed 20 to 28 units of credit to graduate. Children who drop out of our schools have very little hope of a successful future. We must ask ourselves what we could have done differently to help these children. Thank you for your hard work. Andi--

andi & randy,
i believe terry grier just accused you guys of not telling the truth (lying).
that would pretty much piss me off.
for what it's worth, i'm siding with you guys........

I never noticed Grier's stuttering problem. I never noticed Grier's stuttering problem.

Why did the post by TG post five times? Bruce, computer cliche?

On a kind of similar subject, please be sure to read the right hand column of the opinion page yesterday in the N & R about ACTUAL drop out rates.

I sure hope this is not the reason we are paying $122K for a new statistician.

I will try to find the article on line and cut & paste.

Dearest Terry,

Since the BOE has allowed you to speak (you claim that you ONLY do what they tell you to do) I would like to advocate that you spend LESS time worrying about the dropouts and MORE time worrying about your top performers that are sitting in class, BORED to death.

What are you doing to KEEP them?

Also, I'd like YOUR opinion, NOT what the BOE tells you to say...YOUR honest opinion of spending millions to bus kids PAST schools to get to schools that were chosen FOR them in a lottery. Can you honestly say that it is worth the money when we are scratching our heads wondering how we will build schools that have already been promised?

One last beef with you, what exactly is your role in this system if it's to ONLY do what the BOE directs you to do? Since MY tax dollars are funding your livelyhood, I expect and DEMAND that you offer some advice to your school board that their High Point train wreck needs to be halted! Please stand up for our children or get outta here!

HONK!

General,

I was able to secure 20 rooms at the Omni in Charlottesville for Sunday 10/16 and 8 rooms for Monday 10/17.

I know that most wanted to arrive Sunday, perform operation "Midnight Rider Blitz" and leave early Monday morning, while others wanted to stay in town for the "show". Show times: Monday 15:00-16:15 (that's 3:00-4:15 for the newbies) and Tuesday 10:15-11:30

We can finalize all plans for this mission at our next meeting.

Andi, Randy, Cheryl, and Terry,

After reading all these posts and thinking about this a little further, could there be so much pressure put our principals and teachers to perform; testing after testing (which don't get me wrong, test will always be here - we have to measure any gains/losses); assessments after assessments - starting at kindergarten; trying this new teaching method then that new teaching method; teachers having "consultants" watch them; teachers wanting ABC bonuses; principals worrying about losing great teachers if the school gets a bad rep, that our schools have become like some of our students, they feel they have to "cheat" to make the grade? (Remember last year at Andrews-sorry to bring this up again - and the fiasco with the counselors, teachers and "teaching the test") Have the demands to keep up become so great that many just feel it is easier to "cheat" than to teach our kids?

This should not be and "social" passing should not be tolerated. And if at the retreat moving toward a unified county meant that all schools shall use the same grading system and strategies this would be a positive goal. (along with true choice for all schools, of course) A UNIFIED grading system and one that is communicated well to ALL schools needs to be strictly enforced.

And on a similar note, I read yesterday where they are trying to push for lower teaching requirments to attract teachers to North Carolina from out of state. This also should not be. We need to maintain high standards; be competitive in our teaching salaries (including paying subs realistically too); and make the "process" easier to get out of state teachers, but DO NOT lower the requirements.

And another thing, the idea of having teacher teams go into students' homes sounds great in theory. But in reality, in today's world, would some parents consider this an invasion of privacy and/or trespassing? If a teacher feels like they are being put in harm's way, does the school system carry liability insurance for this? If a teacher is in a car accident on the way to a student's home, is this covered by workmen's comp? Will these teachers who do travel time to homes be reimbursed for gas mileage? Is this part of their job description and communicated to them when they are hired? These are just practical issues that must be considered. Our county is very spread out and very, very different from city, to suburb to rural; from apartments to condos to houses to trailers. I for one would not want to venture to someone's home unless I was invited.

Regarding zeros. Yes there really are kids out there and those who teach in the classroom know this....That no matter what you do, say or try, they do not hand in their homework; the parents do not return notes; the parents do not return phone calls and the parents do not come in for conferences.

This is a fact. So how can you make certain parents cooperate. And maybe kids should have a chance for make-up work because sometimes home situations are out of their control, but if that fails, what do you do? If they spend class time to do homework, they miss out on the current lesson (similar to kids who leave in elementary school for EOC or special needs kids. If they refuse to stay for tutoring or parents won't let them, what do you do?

Middle colleges are great for many students and we certainly need more vo-tech type programs to give kids some hope to find a job if they aren't going to college. But at the same time, what about the other needs of the average students who really, really, really try hard and want to learn. How are we meeting their needs?

Somewhere along the line the student must take responsbility. We cannot put the blaim on our teachers not wanting to work with children. It is just like life; there are consequences for actions.

Also some teachers may only have a few struggling; while others are just plain overwhelmed. With the resources we have, it is an impossible task to save every student.

Do you teach to the top? middle? the bottom few strugglers?

How does a teacher divide himself in three?

bRUCE,

CAN YOU POST THE ARTICLE ON OPINION PAGE 9/28/05 FAR RIGHT SIDE about the actual drop out rates in this country. It is very sad indeed.

I couldn't pull up the article.

Thank you.

Since Dr. Grier seems to be in attendance, would like to ask if football stars who suddenly desire to play for Central High need to be lottery certified? Obviously his "socio-economic status" would make him instantly elgible to attend Central and "inelgible" to attend SW even he he had an unquenchable desire to persue ballet dancing after graduation. Would like clarification of this please?

One more thing on "zeros".... As we know when looking at our high school report cards and interims, different tasks are rated by different percentages: quizzes, projects, tests, homework assignments; class participation. A zero for not handing in homework assignments does not count the same as a zero on a 25% test grade or a 25% project. All of this must be factored in.

A couple of notes:

1. I'd be glad to post that editorial, Barbara Ann. No problem.

2. I think the problems with the Terry Grier post were a computer glitch. I've fixed it.

3. I'm pretty sure this poster is the real Terry Grier. If so, welcome to The Chalkboard, Terry, and we hope you'll come back. And I appreciate you guys keeping it civil.

Mr. Grier,

You state that in the past year that 800 17-19 year old students dropped out of school in GCS. I assume that you are only counting students dropping out that entered their senior year.

In a column that appeared yesterday in the News-Record, written by a member of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, it was stated that high school dropout rates being reported by the public education cartel (I assume that includes you) is misleading the public. It stated that dropout rates are only being reported based upon students who dropout in their senior year, which appears to be what you just did. So, if GCS had 800 students dropout their senior year and the author's premise is correct, then there must have been another 1,600 students that dropped out in their 3 years leading up to what would have been their senior year in GCS. That's 2,400 students, not 800 students that you have failed.

I think that you do, indeed, need to ask yourself what you should have done differently to help those 2,400 students that left school without graduating. Obviously, you are failing these students as well as all of the others with your policies and programs. Inflating grades and inflated graduation rates don't really solve the problem; they just wallpaper over them. If these 2,400 students had graduated with artificially inflated grades, what do you think that the paper that says they graduated is worth post-graduation? When they can't read, do simple life tasks, or get a job other than flipping burgers, the answer is that piece of paper is not worth very much.

I know that your answer will be as usual is to give your more money, but as usual, more money doesn't solve the problem, because you haven't proven that you can accomplish the mission with what you have already gotten. In my opinion, GCS under the direction and management of Terry Grier is just a money pit.

P.S. You need to further develop your computer skills so that you don't make the same post five times in a row.

the way i read terry grier's post is that he apparently blames the teachers for students who choose to do little/no work - somehow students and parents have no responsibility for their poor performance. he questions their "academic relationship" - it's someone else's fault - not the student's nor the parent's.
that rings a bell, let me think.......

oh yea! that's right - there is a pattern of behavior here! this type of convoluted thinking falls in line with gcs blaming everyone else(including counselors) for their abysmally poor performances on SAT, ABC, AYP, etc, etc, etc.

aren't responsibility and accountability character ed words that gcs preaches so much? lousy role models - do as i say, not as i do.

Bruce, if you really want to make Grier look computer literate, you have to take "Andi--" off the bottom of the post. That is where Grier was starting it over.

Okay, here is that guest editorial on high school dropouts from Wednesday's News & Record:

Dropout numbers masked

By Paul E. Peterson

Among the "talented tenth," those in the top 10 percent of test takers, reading scores have dropped four points since 1971 and math scores have not budged since first measured in 1978. So say the latest (2004) results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the nation’s report card.

At the other end of the scale, dropout rates have actually increased since 1990, rising to 30 percent of all 17-year-olds. Among blacks the dropout rate is running somewhere between 50 and 60 percent, a sad fact that remains one of the best-kept secrets in American education.

Because few people know the facts, in a recently issued book Michael Dyson scolds Bill Cosby for (accurately) lamenting the fact that only about half of blacks graduate from high school. Dyson "corrected" him, saying the dropout rate is only 17 percent, an inaccuracy that earned Dyson warm praise from a New York Times book reviewer.

The reviewer’s error only shows how successful the public education cartel has been in misleading the public. To hide actual dropout rates, most school districts report as dropouts only those who entered the year as seniors but did not remain in school until the end of that year. All other dropouts over the preceding three years - and all the summers in between, when most dropping out actually occurs — are statistically ignored.

The U.S. Department of Education has long been complicit in fostering that misperception. To his credit, Russ Whitehurst, head of the department's Institute of Education Sciences, is now actively working to remedy the situation, as are the nation's governors, who are now embarked on a Herculean effort to develop a multistate common definition and gauge of high school completion.

Getting the facts right will be a start. But we then need to do something about it.

We currently base our high school policies on two contradictory assumptions: (1) that adolescents are responsible enough that they can choose their own curriculum from the shopping mall of choices available; (2) that adolescents should not be held responsible for their performances. Testing expectations should be minimal, and graduation requirements should be easily achievable.

No wonder the United States is desperately searching for ways to import talent from abroad. If we are to regain our educational strength in a world where other nations are passing us by, we need to hold students responsible for more than just selecting the courses they want to take.

To graduate from high school, students should be expected to pass, at as high a level as they can, a challenging, substantive examination in a variety of subjects that allow them to demonstrate - to colleges and employers - just how accomplished they are. The Advanced Placement Test is a good beginning, but until more than 9 percent of all public school students take that test, it will not have a broad impact.

Paul Peterson is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and a member of the Koret Task Force on K-12 Education. Peterson is also the editor of Education Nex/ and director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University. Readers may write to the author at Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. 94305-6010; Web site: www.hoover.org.

Stormy,

The numbers in the yesterday's editorial are the national drop out rates. We would need to get the actual GCS figures of drop out students prior to the 12th grade from our new statistician.

Do we know now what the actual numbers are in GCS including all high school grades to see how they compare to the US stats?

We also need to know at what point in time kids are actually considered "dropped out" or are they just just "missing in action", i.e. working at Wendy's and principals go back and get them back in school?

At what actual point in time are they registered as not being in school and having dropped out?

Could this have been one reason why at some schools they did not have enough kids show up to take the ABC exams? Had they actually dropped out and not been counted yet?

We need better and actual statistics; real numbers so we have a starting point and a comparison. I hope the new guy can tell us the real numbers and not just that kids don't do homework and watch too much TV which we all intuitively know.

I would hope that each teacher would assist in getting children to succeed; however some children don't have the drive, desire or whatever to do so. And truthfully some teachers don't care enough to do the extra!

Waiting until high school is too late. These children must be identified in elementary/middle school and assisted then. Giving a child a 60 when then skip something or do not turn it in is like saying non-compliance is fine! Dot Kearns said at the meeting discussing this, that it sends the wrong message, and I agree.

If a child is trying and having difficulty that is one problem, a child that does not try, could care less and is not attempting to learn is a different story. While I would like to see us help these children so that they can become meaningful members of society I am not sure our school system alone can do this. The families,communities, churches etc must take an active part in teaching our children respect for authority, love of learning, education is the key to success and finally life isn't fair!

You have to put effort into making your life better yourself, the teachers can't do it all! I was taught at home that education was the key to a better life and I hope my child has a better education and more chance than I did!

We must be careful in grading so that the parents (95% of whom don't stay involved so they take grades as proof of quality of ed.) aren't falsely convinced that their children are succeeding. I fear, if in fact that any part of the 85% passing or getting tutoring is true; that teachers will be tempted to give artifically high scores to the lower scores just to relieve themselves of the tutoring responsiblity. Hopefully this would not be true, but if my child worked hard and strived for excellence and earned a B, and child X got a B just to keep the class average correct I would be one ticked off mom! What would that teach either child? One that life isn't fair, and one that I can slack off and still get a B? I hope not?

I want each child to succeed, but false hope of success is a slap in the face! There will be alot of dissappointment at EOC/EOG time if the grades are not a true reflection of reality.

Barbara Ann,

As coincidence would have it, I'm working on a big dropout story for mid-October.

Bruce,

What exactly was the computer glitch that allowed Terry Grier's post to appear five times? I've not noticed anyone else having that problem. Could it have been the nut behind the screw wasn't tight?

I'm not exactly sure, Stormy. But a couple of weeks ago, I tried to post something and it showed up twice. That's a little different that what happened here, where the same paragraph was repeated in the same post, but who knows?

Sometimes, I'll get this message saying I haven't typed in the security code, when I have. I'll have to try it two or three times. Does this happen to anyone else?

Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head.
Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head.
Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head. Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head.Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head. Bruce,

From now on when I post, please correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. I never make any, but something about this system, things get "clitched" up now and then. Sometimes I write a really nice post, and it comes across really mean and ugly and lends a tone of sarcasm that I would never intended. Also, once in a while a bad word gets inserted in my posts too!Hell--just like that! Now I did NOT type that! The N&R really should iron out those clitches before another lawsuit smacks you upside the head.

Well, if we edited out all of your sarcasm, "Marcy", what would we have left?

And I mean that in a joking way - that last post of yours was pretty funny.

Bruce,

I've had the (frustrating) problem of 'numerical code' not being recognized on several occasions also. Before you post, copy all of your message to the clipboard so you can easily repost.

I suspect that a network problem (dropped packets) could cause a post to be repeated.

Let's see if 0 + 100 + 100 ÷ 3 = 67 failing

then 60 + 100 + 100 ÷ 3 = 87 passing

Bruce,

You are right up there with your current events. This should be an interesting read.

I had lunch with a friend today and we were discussing the drop-out rate and if we have really actually made any advances in this regard in the last 20 years. Our schools are integrated unlike the 60's (contrary to today's editorial in the N & R) but are kids actually being educated, or do they just give up and quit trying? Are we driving out children from the public school system, the average kids who before could make it okay years ago, but now with all the focus on the low end or pushing kids toward college who have not desire, are we losing these kids too? Are we just plain out and out failing our public school kids, and I just don't mean Guilford County.

Bruce and jwg, when you type a post that is long it will say "missing security code". If that happens hit "preview" button. Reread your post and put in the new numerical code. That should work for you.

Bruce,

That was a funny post to "Marcie". I guess she is back in the Peanut Gallery, oops - Peanut Gang.

Yes without the characters on the CB, life could get kind of dull around here.

smartdonkey, general, stormy, mountain boy, candy man,Joe, Debora, Barbara Ann, Andi, Cheryl, quest, have you started doing your Halloween costume shopping yet for the October school board meeting?

There are some super sales specials out there.

There may be something to this "grier glitch" that is assaulting our computers.

Last night as one of the little privates was doing his homework on the computer, I looked on the screen only to see the Biggest, Nicest set of BOOBS I had ever seen.

After studying the evidence, I began to interrogate the grunt when he jumped up and admitted the Truth...."GEN.,,Sir", he said...

"I was on the Chalkboard, studying the school issues, when a "COMPUTER GLITCH" obviously happened and WAH LAH, there were these huge T*TS staring me in the face."

Folks, The 10-Star Gen. Slak must side with mr.grier on this one....Those Computers can sure play tricks with you!!!!!!!

Marcy? Who's Marcy? Another computer clitch? And was that really Dr. Grier who posted earlier? Now that is scary, Scary. I think Halloween is coming early this year.

General Slak,

I thought of you today while in downtown Jamestown. I passed the "General Store". Is that where you shop?

I'm sorry your little private caught a glimpse of the female anatomy while doing homework. Somehow that has to be the fault of the GCS system. Just give me a minute and I can make a correlation.

Oh, yea...you see, had he been on the bus where he should be, that wouldn't have hapened! Enroll that child in the High Point Lottery so he won't have so much free time!

We talk about 0 and 60 and two O scores and to 100 scores averaging out to 67 (TG) as being important issues. They are important for motivation of a child that can be motivated, but most children in this catagory require special handling. They need to be identified and helped early and we are failing to do this. I had to remove my oldest from Southwest after 5 years of IEP work and supposed assistance. Now at the Piedmont acadamy he is getting help he needs so that maybe he can rejoin his friends at Southwest as Freshman. My digression in this is that we have no way of helping even a very moderate problem such as my son who has been diagnosed as ADD (not ADHD) has Mom hounding school and works with son all the time. If we cannot address needs of such as him, there is no hope for those that need more help. Worse yet is average students in Guilford are not achieving average with State or remainder of country. Is there something wrong with the water? Southwest is prime example of average school here in Guilford (above average in High Point) yet our kids are not average in US. It is not needs of minority or majority or GAPS or special needs that are not being met, it is an accross the board failure (no pun, yea pun intended) of our district in educating all students needs. Buildings, buses, pools and football do not teach. It is our teachers, our coaches our TA's that teach. We have lost sight of this important lesson. Chasing programs and buildings and integration does not get quality teachers where they need to be and does not identify students that need help. It is the tail wagging the dog when we had high priced consultants and administrative personnel and chase buildings and buses and social engineering at the cost of teachers and students.
Garth

Kris,

Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback. Many of the things you mentioned are the same things that teachers are currently discussing. . .while we "volunteer" to help all of those students that we have "poor academic relationships" with at this time.

I was especially surprised that Terry Grier took the time to post. I would think that a policy that apparently does not exist in the county would not be worth posting about. I will be sure though to share his comments with my administrators at our next faculty meeting and make them aware that the grading policy they are asking us to enforce does not exist. Furthermore, I will be certain to ask myself each night as I drive home from school what I could have "done differently" to make my students successful after teaching all day, tutoring, and meeting with parents.

Despite the difficulties and the polices, I will work to the best of my ability to see that all of my kids are successful(success being defined as reaching one's full potential and not as a number on someone's data sheet). To those of you that care about our children's education, do not give up hope. We must keep fighting for what is right.

To the General,

I'd love to catch a ride on the Love Train, but I'll be volunteering without pay at school this weekend. Have fun though! I can't wait to hear about your adventures.

Andi,

Your post was well said. Our children need more teachers like you; ones that really care about kids and helping them to get ahead; and not just treating them like some "number" for the right data to come out in the end.

You have MANY supporters in the fight to make our schools BE THE BEST; not to just LOOK okay on paper; to make our schools safe and to work to educate all children.

If you need those minutes on the policy, I bet Cheryl could e-mail them to you if you requested them from her. Someone else may also have a tape of the discussion.

I agree with you the way you view the issue. I remember Jack London once said everything positive has a negative side; everything negative has positive side. It is also interesting to see different viewpoints & learn useful things in the discussion.I agree with you the way you view the issue. I remember Jack London once said everything positive has a negative side; everything negative has

amateur ehefrau arschfick @ abstreifen damen saugen @ emotion jungfrau bumsen @ astraffic cory gals @ asstrafic cory gals @ astrafic cory gals @ ballhoneys rook orgasm @ ballhony rook orgasm @ ballyhoeys rook orgasm @ sexo en la habitacion oscura bobina @ erotico en la habitacion oscura bobina @ jodase en la habitacion oscura bobina @ erotico en la escalera elevada alta retrato @ jodase en la escalera elevada alta retrato @ sexo en la casa elevada alta retrato @ jodase en la cama masturbndose fotografa @ sexo en la cocina masturbndose fotografa @ erotico en la cocina masturbndose fotografa @ erotico en la cama asiticas pelcula @ jodase en la cama asiticas pelcula @ sexo en la cocina asiticas pelcula @

Interesting comments.. :D