Comments on: Don Richardson, Working For Us http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/ Blog-Fu for Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park politics. Thu, 24 May 2012 05:49:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: sceptical http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-81069 sceptical Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:15:06 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-81069 The unacceptable rants by Lattin and Richardson are on youtube as well with the parent address to them that sparked it. These 2 are not fit for the office of restroom attendant let alone, as elected officials. The unacceptable rants by Lattin and Richardson are on youtube as well with the parent address to them that sparked it.
These 2 are not fit for the office of restroom attendant let alone, as elected officials.

]]> By: AWCheney http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80954 AWCheney Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:44:32 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80954 As I said earlier Anon2009, I encountered that problem (integrating special ed kids in advanced classes) with my daughter one year. Fortunately, the school had administrators (and we had School Board members that backed them up) who saw the inadvisability of that and the problem was solved. Of course from the sound of it, as in any bureaucracy, incompetence floats to the top. Maybe, when that Guidance Director was not renewed, he was "promoted out" into a position which allowed him to screw up the rest of the schools. As I said earlier Anon2009, I encountered that problem (integrating special ed kids in advanced classes) with my daughter one year. Fortunately, the school had administrators (and we had School Board members that backed them up) who saw the inadvisability of that and the problem was solved. Of course from the sound of it, as in any bureaucracy, incompetence floats to the top. Maybe, when that Guidance Director was not renewed, he was “promoted out” into a position which allowed him to screw up the rest of the schools.

]]> By: Anon2009 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80944 Anon2009 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:25:27 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80944 Signet kids will be in extended math/algebra and extended language arts/foreign language during middle school. Unfortunately, for science and history, it has been my experience that they have mainstreamed special ed kids with the Signet classes. My child was extremely frustrated as the class has to be slowed down for these kids. It is a way to save money as the Special Ed kids won't require a classroom or teacher just for them. Thank goodness, we have move on to high school. You have to pass "tests" to attend Signet classes but I have heard that if parents make a big enough stink, their kid would be included. Signet kids will be in extended math/algebra and extended language arts/foreign language during middle school. Unfortunately, for science and history, it has been my experience that they have mainstreamed special ed kids with the Signet classes. My child was extremely frustrated as the class has to be slowed down for these kids. It is a way to save money as the Special Ed kids won’t require a classroom or teacher just for them. Thank goodness, we have move on to high school.

You have to pass “tests” to attend Signet classes but I have heard that if parents make a big enough stink, their kid would be included.

]]> By: sceptical http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80942 sceptical Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:41:20 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80942 Start is the lower grade version of Signet. Wasn't aware they streamed in middle school; that's something to look forward to. Yes, Signet is kids who think "differently" but they do screen them with various tests. Start is the lower grade version of Signet. Wasn’t aware they streamed in middle school; that’s something to look forward to.
Yes, Signet is kids who think “differently” but they do screen them with various tests.

]]> By: Bridget http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80922 Bridget Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:49:06 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80922 All your children are belong to us. http://www.eagleforum.org/psr/2009/jan09/psrjan09.html http://www.stephenkruiser.com/?p=640 All your children are belong to us.

http://www.eagleforum.org/psr/2009/jan09/psrjan09.html

http://www.stephenkruiser.com/?p=640

]]> By: AWCheney http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80917 AWCheney Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:01:44 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80917 "They need the same sort of screening and separating by ability that those programs provide for english, math and science." While my kids were in school here, they were separated by academic ability in High School and Middle School...hopefully, that hasn't changed. Of course, there was one year when my daughter (honors student) was very upset about school because she felt that they were getting behind the other classes. When pressed, I ascertained that they had integrated special ed students into her class (which was supposed to be the advanced class), and the teacher was "dumbing down" the class to help the special ed kids keep up. I dealt with it. To make a long story short, it turned out that the head of the Guidance Department had taken it upon himself to integrate all the special needs students into ALL of the classes in an experiment in extreme mainstreaming. The school administrators were not even aware of what he had done. It was corrected, and the gentleman at fault was not renewed for the following year. By the way sceptical, unless they've changed the program, SIGNET does not "separate" by ability...it is an enhancement program in addition to the regular classes. I'm not familiar with the "start" program. “They need the same sort of screening and separating by ability that those programs provide for english, math and science.”

While my kids were in school here, they were separated by academic ability in High School and Middle School…hopefully, that hasn’t changed. Of course, there was one year when my daughter (honors student) was very upset about school because she felt that they were getting behind the other classes. When pressed, I ascertained that they had integrated special ed students into her class (which was supposed to be the advanced class), and the teacher was “dumbing down” the class to help the special ed kids keep up. I dealt with it. To make a long story short, it turned out that the head of the Guidance Department had taken it upon himself to integrate all the special needs students into ALL of the classes in an experiment in extreme mainstreaming. The school administrators were not even aware of what he had done. It was corrected, and the gentleman at fault was not renewed for the following year.

By the way sceptical, unless they’ve changed the program, SIGNET does not “separate” by ability…it is an enhancement program in addition to the regular classes. I’m not familiar with the “start” program.

]]> By: educate our kids http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80912 educate our kids Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:52:41 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80912 Some of our own supervisors and school board members send their kids either to private schools, home school or send them to Fairfax Co. schools what does that tell us? Some of our own supervisors and school board members send their kids either to private schools, home school or send them to Fairfax Co. schools what does that tell us?

]]> By: sceptical http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80907 sceptical Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:38:38 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80907 Sad, but true. And because we have to make all kids feel good about themselves, you can't separate the classes by ability so the kids get the help they need. Except that they already do that with signet and start. They need the same sort of screening and separating by ability that those programs provide for english, math and science. Then kids are more likely to reach their full potential. Sad, but true. And because we have to make all kids feel good about themselves, you can’t separate the classes by ability so the kids get the help they need. Except that they already do that with signet and start.
They need the same sort of screening and separating by ability that those programs provide for english, math and science.
Then kids are more likely to reach their full potential.

]]> By: Groveton http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80906 Groveton Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:33:36 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80906 The American public education system is great! In fact, it is so good that the President sends his kids to public school in DC. Oh wait, no he doesn't. But he would send his kids to public schools if he weren't president and there weren't so many security concerns. Oh wait, he didn't send them to public school when he was a Senator living in Chicago either, did he? Is it possible that the champion of a larger, more powerful government wants to insulate his kids from institutions run by large, powerful government agencies? Where did Bush's kids go to high school? Where did the candidates for governor go to high school? Where do their kids go to school? The American public education system is great! In fact, it is so good that the President sends his kids to public school in DC. Oh wait, no he doesn’t. But he would send his kids to public schools if he weren’t president and there weren’t so many security concerns. Oh wait, he didn’t send them to public school when he was a Senator living in Chicago either, did he? Is it possible that the champion of a larger, more powerful government wants to insulate his kids from institutions run by large, powerful government agencies?

Where did Bush’s kids go to high school?

Where did the candidates for governor go to high school? Where do their kids go to school?

]]> By: educate our kids http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80902 educate our kids Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:43:49 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80902 If test scores are really declining maybe the we need to look at improving the education degrees the teachers are getting to include more CONTENT in the areas of math and science etc. I see many teachers that clearly don't understand much of the subject matter they are teaching, mush less how to teach it. Maybe the problem wasn't the books they were using but the lack of focus on content and content training for the teachers...If the school district spent half as much time focusing on giving the teachers the knowledge and tools they need to be more effective instead of trying to brainwash them against the parents and reinventing basic math education the kids might just learn more. As for the SOL tests, those are a poor measure of the education our kids are receiving and are one of the main driving forces that got us here. All the focus is on making AYP and even schools that are above 95% focus most of their extra resources on the bottom 5% of the students instead of the kids who are average to above average. The schools and teachers are forced to teach to the tests and that is all the kids come away with and all the school district is concerned with. If test scores are really declining maybe the we need to look at improving the education degrees the teachers are getting to include more CONTENT in the areas of math and science etc. I see many teachers that clearly don’t understand much of the subject matter they are teaching, mush less how to teach it. Maybe the problem wasn’t the books they were using but the lack of focus on content and content training for the teachers…If the school district spent half as much time focusing on giving the teachers the knowledge and tools they need to be more effective instead of trying to brainwash them against the parents and reinventing basic math education the kids might just learn more.
As for the SOL tests, those are a poor measure of the education our kids are receiving and are one of the main driving forces that got us here. All the focus is on making AYP and even schools that are above 95% focus most of their extra resources on the bottom 5% of the students instead of the kids who are average to above average. The schools and teachers are forced to teach to the tests and that is all the kids come away with and all the school district is concerned with.

]]> By: sally can't add http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80900 sally can't add Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:33 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80900 With our teachers telling us that they don't have basic books or supplies that they need for their classrooms how can any principal justify spending money on video games and similar nonsense, whether the money is coming from the PTA or the school's funds. Absolutely nothing is purchased by the PTA without the principals approval so this is mismanagement and warped priorities that come straight down from the top of the administration. At all schools principals direct and ust approve what the PTA money is spent on and there does seem to be a huge disconnect in many schools between what teachers say they need for their classrooms (reading books, science equipment and supplies, copy paper, rugs, etc) and the items that the principals asks the PTA to purchase (Wii, smartboards, video equipment, etc). Where is the common sense and why aren't the teacher's requests being put forward instead? With our teachers telling us that they don’t have basic books or supplies that they need for their classrooms how can any principal justify spending money on video games and similar nonsense, whether the money is coming from the PTA or the school’s funds. Absolutely nothing is purchased by the PTA without the principals approval so this is mismanagement and warped priorities that come straight down from the top of the administration. At all schools principals direct and ust approve what the PTA money is spent on and there does seem to be a huge disconnect in many schools between what teachers say they need for their classrooms (reading books, science equipment and supplies, copy paper, rugs, etc) and the items that the principals asks the PTA to purchase (Wii, smartboards, video equipment, etc). Where is the common sense and why aren’t the teacher’s requests being put forward instead?

]]> By: sahdman http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80892 sahdman Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:34:31 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80892 In order for teachers to get the test scores up they have to dumb the curriculum down so the dumbest kid in the class gets an A. The liberals in charge of the teachers unions have no interest in challenging the kids they are just pawns for the Democratic party. Creating more and more victims and therefore more and more welfare recipients and more and more voters. They have done a very good job at dumbing down the population. (look who our President is) If these teachers or board members really cared for the children they wouldn't be talking like they do, at least not in public. They are creating a wedge between the students and parents. (these people crave power) Why don't they just give all the parents a lobotomy and then they can brainwash the kids with this new math all they want. We can just sit and drool and spectate. I don't have a kid in PWCS. But this is the "new math" being pushed nationwide. I wish you all well in getting this issue resolved. In order for teachers to get the test scores up they have to dumb the curriculum down so the dumbest kid in the class gets an A. The liberals in charge of the teachers unions have no interest in challenging the kids they are just pawns for the Democratic party. Creating more and more victims and therefore more and more welfare recipients and more and more voters. They have done a very good job at dumbing down the population. (look who our President is) If these teachers or board members really cared for the children they wouldn’t be talking like they do, at least not in public.
They are creating a wedge between the students and parents. (these people crave power) Why don’t they just give all the parents a lobotomy and then they can brainwash the kids with this new math all they want. We can just sit and drool and spectate. I don’t have a kid in PWCS. But this is the “new math” being pushed nationwide. I wish you all well in getting this issue resolved.

]]> By: Dan Dempsey http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80887 Dan Dempsey Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:20:50 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80887 To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data... Why is this so hard for school board members and school administrators to understand? ... because "Club Ed" drives decision making NOT thinking. ---------------------------- These folks need a thought stimulus package. Consider USA worse English Speaking country on PISA testing of 15 year olds in Math. People like these put us there. To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data…

Why is this so hard for school board members and school administrators to understand?

… because “Club Ed” drives decision making NOT thinking.
—————————-
These folks need a thought stimulus package.

Consider USA worse English Speaking country on PISA testing of 15 year olds in Math. People like these put us there.

]]> By: anon http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80883 anon Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:57:55 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80883 The School Board did not buy Wii fit for any school. The school budgets are managed by the Principals, which means if they have white boards, Wii fit or anything like that, the Principal made the decision, not the school board. Each schools gets so much per child and the principal decides what is the best use of that money. 90-95% of the money is spent on teacher salaries which leaves 5% for everything else. A Wii fit could have also been purchased by a PTA. The School Board did not buy Wii fit for any school. The school budgets are managed by the Principals, which means if they have white boards, Wii fit or anything like that, the Principal made the decision, not the school board. Each schools gets so much per child and the principal decides what is the best use of that money. 90-95% of the money is spent on teacher salaries which leaves 5% for everything else. A Wii fit could have also been purchased by a PTA.

]]> By: Belle Hertanez http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80879 Belle Hertanez Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:57:20 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80879 Greece, New York is talking: http://greeceschool2006.blogspot.com/2009/01/pwcs-parents-vs-board-of-education.html Greece, New York is talking:

http://greeceschool2006.blogspot.com/2009/01/pwcs-parents-vs-board-of-education.html

]]> By: sceptical http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80874 sceptical Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:31:54 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80874 And the unidentified staff member from Porter is actually the school secretary. I doubt that she is a qualified teacher.. And the unidentified staff member from Porter is actually the school secretary. I doubt that she is a qualified teacher..

]]> By: please educate our kids http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80873 please educate our kids Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:27:14 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80873 Shocking video. Interesting are the comments from the porter staff that said "Spectators should just spectate" as she was referring to parents. The amazing thing is that woman speaking is the SECRETARY at Porter! She is Michele Tluchowski and works as a Secretary in the front office at Porter! See her picture here: http://pwcs.porter.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=76025&sessionid=e63506bba00804773b8fc50dd0201df9 Shocking video. Interesting are the comments from the porter staff that said “Spectators should just spectate” as she was referring to parents. The amazing thing is that woman speaking is the SECRETARY at Porter!

She is Michele Tluchowski and works as a Secretary in the front office at Porter!

See her picture here: http://pwcs.porter.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=76025&sessionid=e63506bba00804773b8fc50dd0201df9

]]> By: sahdman http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80872 sahdman Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:15:39 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80872 Anon said First anon here. What you posted is interesting. Unfortunately, it had absolutely nothing to do with your 1st post and my response to it. Sorry I shouldn't have said problem I should have said answer. Write a story (sentence, I exaggerate sometimes) to explain the answer to the problem. The samples on the TERC website show the kids writing an answer to a math problem when they can hardly write a sentence. I don't have a problem with word problems. Its the confusing answers they want the kids to write I have a problem with. Although always a horrible math student. I have always liked the fact that math is truly the only universal language understood by every culture and society. Scientists of any language can understand math. It is for that reason that it should be taught as an exact science not and "investigation". English or any other language wouldn't be taught as an investigation. Who ever heard of English investigation. there is other hooey in this MI but this is something I picked up on right away. I don't hate math investigations. If it is used in conjunction with traditional math. I just think it should be something that parents should be able to try at home if there children are having problems with math in school. But as far as the classroom goes I think real math should be used. As boring and uncool as it is. As far as responding to the video these teachers and board members are way out of line and it seems to me are on an ego trip. Kids shouldn't be used as guinea pigs especially by the government. Anon said
First anon here. What you posted is interesting. Unfortunately, it had absolutely nothing to do with your 1st post and my response to it.

Sorry I shouldn’t have said problem I should have said answer. Write a story (sentence, I exaggerate sometimes) to explain the answer to the problem. The samples on the TERC website show the kids writing an answer to a math problem when they can hardly write a sentence. I don’t have a problem with word problems. Its the confusing answers they want the kids to write I have a problem with.

Although always a horrible math student. I have always liked the fact that math is truly the only universal language understood by every culture and society. Scientists of any language can understand math.
It is for that reason that it should be taught as an exact science not and “investigation”. English or any other language wouldn’t be taught as an investigation. Who ever heard of English investigation.

there is other hooey in this MI but this is something I picked up on right away.

I don’t hate math investigations. If it is used in conjunction with traditional math. I just think it should be something that parents should be able to try at home if there children are having problems with math in school. But as far as the classroom goes I think real math should be used. As boring and uncool as it is.

As far as responding to the video these teachers and board members are way out of line and it seems to me are on an ego trip. Kids shouldn’t be used as guinea pigs especially by the government.

]]> By: sceptical http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80852 sceptical Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:30:59 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80852 According to a lot of research, story problems are introduced too early in MI. They need some basic counting skills first. The words just add to the confusion. The text I use at home has better thought out word problems that go deeper with 2 level problems; solve the 1st part before you can do the 2nd. According to a lot of research, story problems are introduced too early in MI. They need some basic counting skills first. The words just add to the confusion.
The text I use at home has better thought out word problems that go deeper with 2 level problems; solve the 1st part before you can do the 2nd.

]]> By: Mark http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80851 Mark Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:23:39 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2009/01/27/don-richardson-working-for-us/#comment-80851 You know...someone said something correct about the budget perhaps influencing the decision to use this Math MI. Perhaps we need to get more involved with the budget process and show the arrogant school board memebrs and teachers who pays their checks. You know, we can grow up and elevate our game here. :-) Seriously, I have kids in schools here, but I have absoutely no problem with telling my distric representative to deny as much as possible the county school's pile of money. It's called tough love. It should be practiced more often. Am I wrong though? Can the Board of County Supervisors do anything about this or are they just a funnel through which money goes to the school? You know…someone said something correct about the budget perhaps influencing the decision to use this Math MI. Perhaps we need to get more involved with the budget process and show the arrogant school board memebrs and teachers who pays their checks. You know, we can grow up and elevate our game here. :-)

Seriously, I have kids in schools here, but I have absoutely no problem with telling my distric representative to deny as much as possible the county school’s pile of money. It’s called tough love. It should be practiced more often.

Am I wrong though? Can the Board of County Supervisors do anything about this or are they just a funnel through which money goes to the school?

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