http://www.facebook.com/PlainviewPatch?sk=wall&filter=2¬if_t=wall
There is a discussion on the Patch and Facebook going on about the inequality between the east and west side of the school district which I find really interesting. Olga Portnoy is suggesting those on the west side should speak up. Perhaps she is right. I have spoken at board meetings about the inequality between the elementary schools, and I was told that each building is run independently. I suggested that If a chain of stores had one building with higher sales than the others, the various managers would be called in and told, "this store and manager have it right, so this is how you are all going to do it.". I was told that in spite of my idea to implement best business practices into our school buildings they weren't interested. As a result test scores vary from 60% doing a "1" at one school and 40% doing a "1" at another. Educationally, expectations and abilities in both the east and west sides are probably about the same so it is the schools and the administrators job to explain why there is such a broad spectrum of results on tests.
Aside from the end of the year party, There are several other trips that differ greatly. I have heard about the 6th grade trips; Matlin students going on a rather expensive trip in Coach buses to Medieval Times and POB students going to the Hall of Science. I applaud POB for sticking to the board's decree that all school trips should be educational, (Matlin Admin and the Board, -Phaleeze don't try sell me on the idea that Medieval Times is an "educational" trip). Project Adventure is an 8th grade trip that all Matlin students go on, but only a select group of students from POB have the opportunity to attend. Why? Why do I read about the Matlin Pride program and POB has the Respect program. Why are the schools on such a different page? The student will all be in the same school in 9th grade. Shouldn't they have the same vocabulary for how to have respect for one another?
Basically, I think that everyone should be sticking to the same plan on large decisions. These should include, sporting teams, trips, curriculum plans etc.and it is up to the Board and the Superintendents to make sure that there is equality between all of the schools. All of the students should have the opportunity to have the same school experiences.
Homeowners - (as these decisions effect property values) and students on the west side of Plainview should not have to feel like second class citizens.
As for Ms Portnoys advice, POB parents, it's time for all of you to speak up.
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I haven't had that experience.
ReplyDeleteTo the commentor above, I am happy that you have not had this experience, but clearly based on trips as well as scores, it has effected many students, perhaps you have not been aware of what other schools are doing. I wonder what schools you have been to.
ReplyDelete-Editor
Personally, having had children attend both so-called 'sides' of town I can say from my own personal experience most of this is bull. Parents need to be active and in all schools their participation is seriously lacking. The grass is always greener on the other side, then you get there and see the bull is the same color.
ReplyDeleteDifference in trips, class parties? These are the focus of the parents in this district? That is the problem. Not the 'best' side of town.
As a parent of a POB 6th grader I am currently having this experience. I would have preferred to see the kids in the entire grade on both sides of town do trips that were more equitable financially and similar in experience.
ReplyDeleteThe Hall of Science is a great place but its a differemt kind of day than Medieval Times.
Even if Hall of Science is more politically and educationally correct, what difference does it make when other kids in the same grade and district are eating with their hands and watching a show with guys foghting on horses? Most 12 year olds are picking Medieval Times as the more memorable day.
From the Medieval Times website...
There's a reason Medieval Times is the No. 1 dinner attraction in North America: Our unique combination of a medieval banquet and thrilling competition between Knights captures the imagination of all ages.
I don't believe anything was done maliciously but when you compare things, it does seem to be that Mattlin one-upped POB on this trip since their trip is more expensive and a place camps go to.
Medieval Times website says
ReplyDeleteSurrender to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed during our ALL-NEW SHOW. From ringside seats, discover a feast of the eyes and appetite with more action, more fun & more excitement than ever before.
As you thrill to a rousing live jousting tournament, marvel at awe-inspiring horsemanship and falconry, Medieval Times serves a four-course meal fit for royalty.
Hang on to your helmet. The show is about to begin.
The POB kids are brown-bagging it in a cafeteria and seeing a 3D movie on either Wild Oceans or Legends of Flight (no popcorn).
Weather permitting, there is a Science Playground
Through dozens of playground elements like slides, seesaws, sand pits, and fog machines, visitors of all ages and abilities can explore the scientific principles of motion, balance, sound, sight and simple machines, as well as sun, wind
and water.
School events are being compared because they are so different and some kids were very disappointed. Parent concerns are justified since kids in both schools are friends and are questioning their different experiences.
ReplyDeleteWe should think about the messages we sending kids with elaborate parties and school trips. Even if there is money that doesn't mean it should be spent this way. Do kids need a live DJ to sign yearbooks? A class trip to an attraction that is also in Orlando speaks for itself but things don't have to be austerity-level either. There is middle ground between over the top and barebones and similar events at both middle schools would not create controversy.
This is how wickedly privileged we are here in POB. Debating the Hall of Science v Medieval Times as class trips. Aren't there better, bigger, more important battles than pitting school against school? What example are we setting for our children?
ReplyDeleteTo the poster 6/18 @9:03AM,
ReplyDeleteWell said!
The kids see the differences between the trips since they have friends in both middle schools and they talk about their experiences. Parents don't have any answers for them. An interstate trip by Coach bus for an expensive lunch and show is outrageous and not at all the same as a day at a relatively local science museum (which many kids have already gone to).
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call this a division between "haves and have nots" as there are plenty of "haves" on the west side of town. Rather, it's a difference between what the staff of each middle school decideds to do with its students. The idea of creating uniformity between the two buildings on the matter of field trips is an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteAs far as test scores go, uniformity of instruction has been brought up time and again on this blog. It simply does not exist between buildings and within them. That's the fault of an ineffective administration with the individual in charge of instruction up in district office doing nothing to fix the problem. So long as she remains in the position she's in, standards will never be raised.
inequity?? yes there most certainly is. POBMS has zero period so that the children can go to clubs and music without giving up a sport. WHY does one school have it and the other doesn't? You want to post here and point out petty differences about class trips. The trips are on the principals! I commend the POBMS principal for stressing that his teachers come up with EDUCATIONAL trips as opposed to the Mattlin Principal.
ReplyDeleteI think the point of the original post is; why are things so different between the two schools? This is one district. Shouldn't students from the two different schools enter the same high school having had the same experiences?
ReplyDeleteSuzala, I made the point and you missed it. Your words "WHY are things so different between the two schools?" Exactly! why do the children at Mattlin have to decide between clubs, music and sports, when the children at POBMS have the luxury of zero period to attend clubs and music.
ReplyDelete