David Kralstein has left a new comment on your post "Last Night and Why I'm Going To Vote for Them....":
To the person who asked us to look at what has become of SEPTA over the past few years...
You state "many of us stopped going to meetings. No one shows up."
How would you know if you don’t go?
New people are welcomed with opened arms and encouraged to participate. While it’s true that attendance is less than it used to be, its not for lack good speakers and informative meetings.
SEPTA is open to change and new blood because new members are what will keep SEPTA moving forward.
SEPTA during Emily Schulman, Chris D'Alessandro, Linda Jakobs, Robert Savitzky, and my tenure as presidents we have always strived to get more NEW people active. It is this great leadership that has brought some really informative speakers like Marilee Shannon, Pam Tucker, Carol Sullivan, Rick Lavoie, Lou Wasserman, and Dr Brad Tepper to our meetings.
As far as advocating for children other than their own, ALL of the current and past presidents have and will spend more time advocating for children they don’t know more than their own.
So YES, I believe that Emily who has been active in SEPTA and other PTAs for many years should get the vote of every parent in our district because she cares about the quality of educations and the needs of ALL students in this district.
If you would like to discuss your perception of the shortfalls of SEPTA and feel that you can improve it please give me a call. My phone number is 681-8489.
David L Kralstein
Past President SEPTA
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Get real. SEPTA has chased away more good people than they have involved!!! Why is the board the same people for 10 years and new BLOOD leave after one year? SEPTA meetings are not a place to get help - how can you get help with PPS sitting there?!? SEPTA is there to keep everyone happy especially PPS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie deserves the vote of every parent also. She got rid of Investigations, she got school books for kids, worked on PTA and made things better for every child in this district.
ReplyDeleteStephanie did not get rid of Investigations, at least not single handedly. That was a nightmare math program that followed Dr. Brooks from his previos district. There were over 1,000 people who signed a petition to get rid of it--I am sure she was ONE of them but as I remember, there were MANY people who hated it and fought to get rid of it (this happened in many other districts as well)
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteIt just shows how little you really know about SEPTA. First off the executive has certainly changed over the past ten years, but one, you wouldn't know that because you were too busy bad mouthing SEPTA. Two, your ignorance is really showing because these meeting are a perfect venue(that's place in case you didn't know that either) for a chance to discuss things rationally with PPS. At these meetings it's OK to disagree. So wy don't you see for yourself and come to the next SEPTA meeting this Tues and see for yourself, if you dare.
I must comment with regards to the Math/Investigations fiasco. I was at the first meeting with the 10 or so core people that started the math war which resulted in a change in our curriculum. While not the sole instigator, Stefanie was definitely a driving force in that meeting and those that followed. She was one of the most outspoken members at board meetings as well as soccer fields, and she continued until the math and our superintendent was changed. If that is the kind of direction, vision and change she can bring to the BOE and our district, she has my vote.
ReplyDeleteSEPTA isn't really supported with lots of parents going to their meetings. They bring in good speakers but they don't really make any changes in the district. I agree with the other post that you can't talk openly with PPS sitting there.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that SEPTA is around is to educate parents on there rights and the available services that the administration tries to hide from some parents if they are not politically connected in the school district. To knock SEPTA is just shows lack of understanding as well as plenty of ignorance
ReplyDeleteMr. Kralstein,
ReplyDeleteThe only way Septa can be improved is with new blood. If Septa is so open, then where are the new K, 1st and 2nd grade parents? And by the way, I DO go to meetings--that is how I observed that there has been a great decline in attendance. Furthermore, Septa CAN be rejuvenated if the Board is willing to hold meetings (without PPS) where parents can just ask questions to other parents. People initially show up to a Septa meeting to find answers and get support. Septa needs to market itself as an organization that is there to educate and help--and actually do it! Everyone knows that no one wants to share because if they expose their secret, he may jeopardize the services he got for their kid. I still speak to parents who wish they had more guidance from someone before going into their CSE meeting. Wouldn't that be a function of Septa? Maybe someone's unique service could be shared with a parent whose kid would benefit from the same service. Many great parents have abandoned Septa and joined other groups in our community (JCC-Y). The message is clear. Septa needs a new direction before it faces its demise.
You know David, I am not a member of SEPTA but after reading your posting, I would like to join. How do I do this at this point in the year? May I call you about this?
ReplyDeleteWhy should a parent have to be "politically connected" to get services for his child? That is the exact problem.
ReplyDeleteA parent should not have to be politically connected, that is my point as to why SEPTA educates you on your rights as a parent of a child with speccial needs
ReplyDeleteOne last word from me…
ReplyDeleteI want to address all the comments posted after “A Word from SEPTA”
First I speak on behalf of myself, not SEPTA. The opinions and comments are mine and mine alone. I am posting to this blog in order to help some of the parents who haven’t been involved in SEPTA to get involved and to help any parent of a child with a disability find the help they made need. I will comment on the posts above in the order in which they were posted.
May 14, 2010 10:30am
I am real; I even post my name and phone number. SEPTA has not chased away more good people than they have helped. A lot of the people on the SEPTA board are the same because as in most volunteer organizations only a few volunteer to serve the many. You can get help at any SEPTA meeting by arriving early or staying late and asking for help. SEPTA in POB does not exist to keep anyone happy. A SEPTA meeting is not a place to complain, but to quote the NYS PTA Mission Statement - PTA is - A powerful voice for all children - A relevant resource for families and communities and - A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.
May 14, 2010 11:05am
I wish the candidates good luck on Election Day.
May 14, 2010 5:31pm, 5:50pm, 8:19pm
No comment needed
May 14, 2010 10:53pm
I’m sorry you feel that way. SEPTA has many accomplishments, too many to list. If you are uncomfortable talking in front of PPS and you need help or want to discuss a particular issue all you need do is ask one the people who HAS been there a long time. Most of them are very willing to help.
May 14, 2010 11:44pm
I feel administration doesn’t try to hide your rights or available services. Once again all you have to do is ask, if not administration then please come to a meeting or call the SEPTA presidents or some else who is active in SEPTA and may be able to point you in the right direction. Political connections hmmm. You have rights and are given them prior to CSE meetings. If you were paying attention and attended meetings you may have noticed SEPTA has an attorney, paralegal, or some type of advocate speak almost every year.
NOTE: Legal rights are more powerful than political connections!
May 15, 2010 12:27am (You were up late)
Dear Anonymous,
I’m sorry you feel that you must hide who you are out of fear. As stated earlier new blood is always welcome. I sit on CSE meetings with K-4 parents and most of them are having a tough enough time working and caring for their family and find it difficult to come to meeting a regular basis. BTW SEPTA has over 500 members. As far as holding meetings and excluding any group of people (ie PPS) I don’t think that will happen as these are open meetings. Once again parents who need help or have questions they don’t wish to share in front of PPS can, arrive early, stay late, or call the SEPTA presidents, their phone numbers are listed on the POBSD website. SEPTA DOES HELP! It helped me years ago when I first got involved and I continue to help others like those who helped me. I hope you can overcome your fear of reprisal and become part of the solution.
As far as parents who wish they had more guidance prior to a CSE meeting, all they have to do was read the SEPTA handbook or their due process rights that is in the packet sent to parents at the time of the initial request. They have advocacy groups listed as well as parent members and the SEPTA presidents’ phone numbers. Over the years I personally have received many calls asking for help.
May 15, 2010 11:25am
Yes you may call me my phone number is 681-8489.
May 15, 2010 11:25am
To reiterate - Legal rights are more powerful than political connections!
To the editor - Thank you for having a place where people can openly discuss their issues.
To the bloggers – If you want to make changes stop complaining and step up to start making a positive difference in our district
Please go out and vote on Tuesday!
This is my last post if any one wants more of my time please feel free to call me.
Regards,
David K