News-Record.com

Bruce,

I admit up front that this is off the subject - please forgive me, but I have a favor to ask.

Could you please run a human interest/community service type of article requesting donations of copier paper for the Guilford County Schools?

Schools have already run out of their allocation for the quarter and will not be getting more until November. We still have 2 full weeks of educational time left before then.

Perhaps there are some businesses that could contribute.

Thanks!

Dear Quest,
I think if you check that the paper is not allocated from GCS, but purchased by each school. It sounds like your school has decided to purchase per quarter. I know that each school's leadership team had to make cuts of $35 per student and for alot of schools that meant instructional supplies and education for teachers. Some lost teachers! Each school makes that decision. I think it is horrible that we have to scrounge for basic supplies. One waste that I see at many schools is that they copy on only one side! Why not both sides, that would save paper. We all most learn new techniques to stretch those dollars.

They can milk the schools' budgets for new activity buses when they knew at budget time these would be needed. (See school board meeting 10/11/05) but they can't give our kids some paper?

Some schools get lap tops that mysteriously disappear, but they can't give our kids some paper?

We can hire these top salary "experts" but we can't buy our kids some paper?

How much paper did 210 graphs that were handed out to each school board member and super and others on Tuesday night cost? Did the secretaries copy on both sides? Do they need 210 graphs to say there is no gap now?

Joe, you are a budget guy, any comments?

Barbara Ann,

Good point about the 210 page presentation at the board meeting Tuesday. The presenter should have emailed an electronic copy to each board member and they could each read along on their computer - 0 pages of paper needed.

debora,

According to today's Rhino, each school had to make an additional cut above and beyond the $35 per student already made. It seems that some new school buses are needed, and the administration didn't want to take it out of their money pile, so they reduce each school's budget by $.25 per mile for activities. Darlene Garrett stated that could be as much as $800 per month at one school (probably one of yours). Where do you think that schools are going to go to get that much money in their budgets? Yep, sounds like they will go to the parents as usual. Paper has been being rationed in some schools for weeks, if not months. this is a valid concern. As Darlene Garrett always says, when we need to slash budgets, why is always done to hurt the classroom? We know the answer, don't we?

Forgive me for I have sinned. It's 8:45 on Thursday night and I have not picked up my copy of the Rhino yet.

I've got lot's of fish wrap though if anyone is interested.

Darlene was right, all this should have been discussed during budgets! The classroom is always hurt, but sports are not. I guess each school will have to figure this out. Remember that each HS got 10,000 for athletic fields etc, but I guess that was better than assistants and now they aren't even going to keep that! Jim Moen said if this wasn't done then we could buy some next year, and that no bus was over the recommended miles! It seems as only 4 of the 10 present cared about that, and I was surprised that Anita didn't jump on that fact! Sometimes there is so much info I don't believe the BOE hears half of it before they vote! Remember the uproar about paying to play sports at Page? Well, what will they cut now? No new books for the media center? No fancy new training? etc.....

If we needed $125,000 for some new school buses, why didn't we postpone or cancel the hiring of Terry Grier's new chief of staff, as that's surely $125,000 right there? And, no one seems to know what his role is here, so we could probably have left that position unfilled and left the schools' budgets alone. Couldn't we? But, if we did that, we couldn't have asked the parents to chip a few bucks each to hire Mr. Becoats. Or could they?

I heard about a teacher at Central that only had enough paper to print 40 study guides for her Honors class. She told her three classes that the study guides would be placed on her desk at a certain time and only the first 40 students would get one. That is exactly what happened. Those closest to her class when the bell rang now have study guides while those further away don't.

Thanks Dr. Grier! Are your numbers looking OK? That's all that we care about. We just want to make sure YOU are comfortable.

How smart is our $122,000 per year PLUS benefits (typically 40% of base salary) statistician if he can't figure out that it's cheaper to send the reports via e-mail on the taxpayer supplied laptop that each board member is issued?

The people in this place are so friggin' HYPOCRTICAL it's making me NUTS! LOGIC certainly plays NO ROLE with these idiots!

Paper is not the only item in short supply. I'm hearing (from more than one school) that not all kids have math textbooks (4th & 6th grades)!

Office Depot gives a ream of paper for an ink cartridge if anyone wants to donate paper to a school.

jwg,

That idea for free paper is the kind of common sense problem solving we need. Thank you! I bet Grier didn't know it. He's probably been printing stuff left and right for his consulting jobs and just throwing all the cartridges away.

What district do you live in and have you ever thought of running for school board?

Deb,

I have a tape of the meeting. I thought it was Anita, Darlene, Nancy and Alan who voted against the money for activity buses coming out of school budgets. Anita was against this if I am not mistaken. I will watch the tape again.

Here is another thought everyone.

Now that we don't have a "racial gap". According to the Rhino this is what the stat guy said. I skipped a lot of that part as I could not understand what he was saying nor read the graphs on TV (too small) BUT since we don't have a racial gap we should not need 500K for racial healing. We could buy 500K of copy paper OR better yet we could spend 500K on on "Economical Healing" - buy a bunch of those get rich quick tapes they sell on late night info commercials and everyone could be rich. No more economic gap either! Then everyone would be wealthy and we could all donate copy paper as a tax write-off. OR invest 500K in Krispee/Creme - the stock just went up. Sell it and buy copy paper with the profits. If we are stuck with donuts, these could be used for FRL for dessert and save money there too.

This makes just as much sense as some other things they waste money on.

And for real, some of the schools have companies that have adoped them. You could call them to donate paper. BUT BEWARE OF THIS TOO. If these schools are located where property values are considered high and the parents incomes are high, they will say that "AHAH! You get paper because you live in a better off school area. You have a foster parent for your school. We do not. It is not equal."

See you just can't win. I should say, the children just can't seem to win.

We could always go back to black hand chalk boards or slate and chalk from rocks. We could have the kids write on paper towels from the restrooms (when they are there). This could work too. We could save all our envelopes from junk mail and donate to the schools. It's paper. See the possibilities are endless.

Barbara Ann,
you are correct that Anita, Darlene, Alan and Nancy voted against the bus junk, but now one questioned what the big rush was once Jim said that they could wait until next year. He stated that we had busses from 1977 - 2004 but that no bus was over the 'mileage guidlines' from the state.. so what was the rush?

How about teachers in short supply?

Why is HP Central unable to replace a Spanish teacher? In the meantime 1 teacher is attempting to instruct 65 - 70 kids in the cafeteria? This is what kids were abducted from their neighborhood school for?

I'm about a week behind in asking these questions so maybe this has now been covered up a little better. It no longer impacts our daughter, but I would still like to know how and why my tax dollars are being waster.

sung to the tune of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"

"...did they get you to trade, your paper for votes, teachers assitants for stats, a charlotte Meck guru for math books. Grier's comfort for strange, and were you exchanged, from a walk-on part at your school, to a lead role on a bus. How I wish, how I wish he was gone. There's just seven lost souls swimmin' in a fish bowl, year after year. Running over the same ground, what have they found, same old scam, wish he would scram.

Pretty clever. Pink Floyd references are always welcome at The Chalkboard!

Nice one D. Gilmour! We may have to borrow that one for the next NHP meeting. Somebody bring a guitar --you know who you are!

But Bruce the more meaningful Pink Floyd song when it comes to Guilford County Schools has the line:

"We don't need your education"

Too bad the one of the those Guilford County chrorus' doesn't sing that one now.

Just thought I'd give it a try...

We don't need your education
We dont need your socialist control
No dark sarcasm in the board room
Board members leave them kids alone
Hey! Grier! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't abduct those Southwest kids, you can't have any success. How can you have any success if you don't abduct those Southwest kids?"
"You! Yes, you behind the north High Point rebellion, stand still you racist!"

Okay, you guys officially are on a roll today - you get an A+ on your creative writing from this former English teacher.

Since we're talking Pink Floyd, I'm just surprised you haven't jumped on two classic PF tunes: "Comfortably Numb" and "Run Like Hell"!

These parodies remind me of a CD that I received in the mail last year called "No Child Left Behind? Bring Back the Joy!"

It was a '60's-style folk music album of anti-standardized testing protest songs. Some of the song titles include, "For Whom the Bell Curves,"No Child Left Untested" and "Save Our Schools."

If you want to read some of the lyrics, go here:
http://www.wholechildreform.com/pages/889278/index.htm

Bruce,

Very cute - glad to see your sense of humor!

Now, what about that paper shortage???

The lunatic is on the grass,
the lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and Emerywood in 1965, got to keep the right kind of students on the path.

You lock the door, throw away the key
there's someone in my head, could be Ter--ry.

And if the dam burst open many years too soon,
and if I can't find my way to Eugene Street.
And if my head explodes with dark forebodings too, I'll still bus your kids to the Dark Side of the Moon.

You would think with those taxpayer issued laptops and the fancy overhead presentations that paper reports would be a thing of the past. Aren't the Board Members always stressing to prepare the children for today's technology?
Why aren't they just as prepared. Maybe a good place for them to start would be some technology training over at Andrews. They probably need a map to find the place, or any other school for that matter.

Deb,

I guess it is part of their usual GAME plan.

Add stuff as you go along. As to why no one inquired, I have no idea.

BA

quest,

Bruce started this strand about Washington Elementary, saying "In addition, the school will introduce the prototype for its "memory book." This keepsake will collect photos and stories from Washington's long, rich history. And proceeds from memory book sales will purchase school supplies and pay for student field trips."

So, I suppose this discussion about rationed paper and charging for activites is all appropriate. Even Washington Elementary alumni are having to finance the school's shortages caused by this board. And, the beat goes on.

Bruce, perhaps a line from your favorite movie is applicable in this situation "I got news for you pal, there gonna nail us no matter what we do".

Oh my gosh - you guys are CREATIVE today - been subbing all day - have had the most fun- what a nice, welcome break- love those kids - they have no clue - sometimes "ignorance is bliss" to the ways of the adult world/politics and games - one positive thing to share, I see that they are building temporary overhead roofs between the temporary trailers - kids probably got SOAKED last week going to their specials and to cafeteria and media center. I guess after the copy paper, we could all start donating ponchos for kids.

Bruce - I am looking up those lyrics. I am going out CD shopping this weekend.

D. Gilmour if you are who I think you are - we need that guitar at the next NHP Board meeting when we meet with SW and TB at JB's- you could be the pre-entertainment!

Stormy,

I thought you were on "double secret probation"!

Bruce,

could you post the link again please - it is not coming up.

thanks,

ba

Try this, Barbara Ann:

http://www.wholechildreform.com/pages/889278/

I don't know if school supply shortages are any worse this year than they have been in recent years. I've heard some complaints here on The Chalkboard, but central office folks say there isn't a district-wide paper shortage. If someone wants to e-mail me some details from their school, that would be great.

It certainly is true (unfortunately) that teachers often have to pay for supplies out of their own pockets. I did a story on that a few years ago and it's still true today.

And I certainly believe that some schools are having shortages this year - I've heard it from a number of people. I just don't know if this is an isolated deal at a couple of schools or something bigger.

Thanks Bruce,

We have ten boxes of paper coming in from a friend to take to the elementary school with the shortage, but we could still use an article to this effect if some of you have more details to tell Bruce. I hope to pick up the paper tonight and take on Monday to the school.

Maybe we should hear of the other shortages out there?

Now someone mentioned textbooks somewhere on this blog site. I do know in 1999-2000 my daughter in 5th grade NEVER had a science book, the entire year. She had a pamphlet here and there and it was by lecture. I do know that in subbing a few years ago in 5th grade, we passed social studies books from one room to the other. I have heard this year that there is a shortage of some textbooks in 3rd grade due to a lot more students.

My point is kids should have the BASICS FIRST. I consider textbooks and paper a basic need before lap tops and athletics and top paid salaries for all these "experts".

Bruce,

Would you expect the central office folks to say anything different? They aren't going to admit that they are squeezing schools for budget money. They know that they can do that in certain schools, and that the parents will not let the school fail. It happens all of the time. It happens with reducing teachers asistants and it happens with school supplies, and you know it. Everyone knows it.

Are they treating all of the schools the same in this regard? What about the schools in poorer areas of town? Are those parents, who probably can't afford it, being asked to step-up and provide for the schools so they won't fail?

Bruce, you know that every time this central office makes a budget cut and passes it down to the schools, it is relying upon the good faith of the parents to fill the gap. One of these days, the parents are going to wise-up and refuse to fill the gap. Then, when the schools get in a crisis, what will the central office do? Oh, I know. The schools need more tax dollars to support them. The schools are like George Steinbrenner's Yankees..$500 million doesn't buy as much as it once did.

Sometimes, I think that Paul Elledge has it right on the lunacy of public school systems.

Hey, D. Gilmore, how 'bout a little ditty on the MONEY song I wrote way back when!

Since the SB wastes so much of it, I think it COULD BE THE ULITIMATE SONG!

Your Bandmate!

Regarding the Rhino article about achievement gap, I have some comments. According to the 9/16 Friday Notes, 43% of our student population is white. However, according to the 2000 census, almost 70% of our population is white. Seems to me our achievement gap is closing not because our African American students are performing better but due to the fact that the top performers have left the public schools. At the "successful" schools, we are increasing class sizes and decreasing advanced learner budgets. The school board reasons that if students can read at the fifth grade level on the first day of fifth grade, why should we waste resources on teaching them more? My father-in-law, the statistician, always said, "Figures don't lie but liars can figure." Guess you can put a positive spin on just about anything!

Your father-in-law is a very wise man. Statiscians can use data in whichever way they want. Include some, leave some out, etc. to get the end result they want. 122K buys a lot of data; 210 pages of it and in color!

It is the same with test scores at schools. Take out the low performers - put them in middle college; take out the cream - put them in early college.

The curve magically flattens out in the original school. Voila! Everything is magically "equal".

Not that I don't like these programs. I think the middle college is a lifesaver for some kids. And I think the early college can be an economic boost when it comes to saving money on college. But what about the majority population of our school kids in regular high schools, average learners and high achievers. What kind of education are they getting if funds are diverted to special programs? What about the majority of the population that just wants a traditional high school education, still the number one choice?

Remember there is not "achievement gap" of color. The stats said so and your tax dollars paid a lot for those stats.

And now we have to work on the "Economic Gap". God forbid you work your butt of your entire life, sacrifice to get where you are, do without so your each generation of kids can have it better but now you are told "this is not fair".

Go figure.

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