Once again we have had to set up a new SAUSD corruption thread as the last one started to run slow with all the comments on it.
Our schools are in crisis today – not just here in Santa Ana but all over the state. The only thing we know for sure is that we are going to take more budget hits.
I am amazed that the SAUSD hired back all their laid off administrators. How crazy is that? Class sizes are growing, good teachers are laid off, and the union, as usual, is asleep at the wheel.
We will continue to reason through all this here at the Orange Juice blog! We can but hope for the best…
Ok, so do something about it. That just isn’t right.
Believe me, you have no idea all of the people I have contacted, emailed, consulted and still I have, at best, been given vague assurances this will stop.
When I saw the religious message on the whiteboard today I had a difficult time dealing with my outrage.
So, I start the process yet again.
Willard Intermediate School led by Pastor Dennis Cole
According to the whiteboard message, it certainly appears as if their is some teaching going on over there!
As of today, at the beginning of first lunch, the biblical quote was still on the whiteboard.
annon. c- Good for you, keep it up. I hope someone starts listening.
I’m also wondering if you called the union and if so, what type of response did you receive.
I am in contact with the union but have not received the specific information I want to have.
Who at the district is making decisions on these matters?
What, exactly, was said and agreed upon?
What is the district’s position on religious discussions with students?
Since Jesus for Jaguars is a so called club does this teacher earn money or credit towards the 20 hours of required duty over and above the extra hours now required by the wavier Willard approved before school started (staff voted and only 4 persons on staff voted against it)?
I want names and amounts of money given to teachers.
Who (the name of the person or persons and their positions within the district) decides what does and doesn’t qualify to get the extra monies and/or what does and doesn’t qualify as part of the extra time teachers are required to serve?
Are these decisions being made by “the district” being applied only to Willard or is this district policy which applies to all SAUSD schools?
And, what exactly is SAUSD policy regarding religious teachings involving students and school personnel?
What exactly is SAUSD’s policy regarding religious fund raising for SAUSD schools and religious sponsership of school activities like supplying the food for mandatory staff meetings and the raising of funds for a musical program?
And where is all of this in writing?
I am also in contact with a nonreligious legal group who will be sending Russo a letter. I will be getting a copy of the letter sent but as of today I have not received any such letter.
I have not gone directly to Mr. Cole because I do not believe it is a local issue. All of these issues are constitutional issues and legal issues that must be handled through SAUSD not through one individual.
I have not gone directly to individuals at Willard who are involved because these issues are much bigger issues that should have nothing to do with personalities.
I am totally amazed that in the year 2010 these things are even being discussed much less tolerated. These are all things that happened in the 50’s and the 60’s to me as a child. I didn’t understand them then and I don’t understand them now.
Wait! Did I read correctly? The teachers at your school are REQUIRED to DONATE an additional 40 hours of their time? as in NO extra pay? Please tell me this isn’t so. That’s like paying your boss a “kick back” in order to have the privilege of keeping your job.
According to SAUSD and the union, as long as the teacher led student prayer club is held during lunch there is no legal problem because a teacher’s lunch time is considered “free time” for the teacher.
SAUSD had been mistaken before on other major issues.
Strange. I’m only getting today’s blog entries. Do you think someone is cutting off the discussion?
What is the url for previous postings?
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/11/what-do-school-administrators-really-do/
Two thank-you(s):
Thank you for keeping up the OJ blog. It’s a wonderful way for people to not feel isolated in the classroom.
Thank you for allowing access to older blogs.
A note on that: re-read older blogs and suggest everyone do so, especially the ones from last Spring. It is quite interesting to reflect on the comments then and compare them to the ones currently posted. Especially interesting are the comments regarding the three ways to “correct” failing schools. What hit me was that perhaps it was the “District’s” choice to go under the radar and make Willard a “Charter” school w/o the tag. Perhaps they intended to make it the Pastor Cole’s Charter R.E. Middle School (R.E. for “religious education”).
And finally, a suggestion (with no sarcasm): that you copy the blog entries for last spring and the corresponding ones for this fall, and send them to 1. the SASD, 2. the SAEA, and 3. the State Department of Education.
Thank you again.
Art, please post the url for previous postings? I did try to find the link to previous postings but was unable to find them.
If you scroll down our home page, look for the SAUSD logo. All the links are posted there.
To make this even easier I just moved them to our right sidebar.
Thanks!
Cannot get to any previous postings and I did follow your suggestions.
That is very odd. I will look into this right away.
Perhaps Pastor Cole should look for a position in the private school sector.
Amen.
(pun intended)
He has one. The school is called Saint Willard.
“Before school or during lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other
teachers for prayer or Bible study to the same extent that they may engage in
other conversation or nonreligious activities.”
The statement above clearly allows teachers to meet with other teachers for
prayer during lunch but does not say it is ok for teachers to meet with students
during lunch for prayer or Bible study.
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
When acting in their official capacities as representatives of the state,
teachers, school administrators, and other school employees are prohibited by
the Establishment Clause from encouraging or discouraging prayer, and from
actively participating in such activity with students. Teachers may, however,
take part in religious activities where the overall context makes clear that
they are not participating in their official capacities. Before school or during
lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other teachers for prayer or Bible
study to the same extent that they may engage in other conversation or
nonreligious activities. Similarly, teachers may participate in their personal
capacities in privately sponsored baccalaureate ceremonies.
These whiteboard postings: do students who are NOT in the “prayer group” have to sit in these classrooms during other parts of the day? What about their rights and their religious freedom? They didn’t sign up for P&P (pizza and prayer) but they still have to have an “in your face” approach to something that may not be their religious choice.
I don’t know if PE has been using that room this week.
When I went in this morning the quote had been erased.
However, the district’s stance on teacher led student prayer clubs anywhere in the district (not just at Willard) is still unclear at best. I don’t know if Jaguars for Jesus is still being led by a teacher. If anyone does know please keep all of us informed.
I have fixed all the previous SAUSD threads. Not sure what happened but they are all working now.
It’s come to my attention that the new district policy is that there are no “problem” students: just teachers who can’t get along with them. So the teachers must adjust. Wow!! How unfair to the majority of the students who are upstanding kids! But they must be subjected to this classroom disruption anyway? And believe me, it is total classroom disruption because there is no support in a room of 40, and no support behind the scenes. I’m embarrassed by SAUSD!
http://www.sateach.org/cba/cbaxii.html
Go down to section 12.4
Hope this is helpful.
This is not “new”. This goes hand in hand w/ the old chestnut, “Let’s do it for the kids”. If the “administration” (a loosely used word) can say there are no behavior problems, only teachers w/o the necessary classroom management skills, then there are no “violent behaviors” to report to the State or the police, and they can use this to get rid of teachers they want to “ax”.
Disgusted,
There is also a lack of respect for staff. Is Cole falsely assuming that everyone on his staff is a Christian or is he under the false assumption that as a Christian it is his duty to spread the word at Willard? Many are offended. We are not all Christians; we have atheists, agnostics, Jews, etc. on our staff. It is very disrespectful to them to have to read his staff emails that begin with a paragraph about his latest church activities. We have also been forced to sit through an assembly of gospel music, attend a mandatory staff end-of-the-year breakfast sponsored by an outside faith-based group, etc. And he is now having religious groups raise funds to pay for some of our electives. This all seems to be occurring with the blessing of the district and school board. How can that be?
So it is not just students that have been disrespected. He has disrespected his own staff.
Separation of church and state is not just a Willard issue. There are other schools in SAUSD with similar situations.
Directives from the district need to address these issues for all SAUSD schools.
However, at this point any directive regarding these issues coming directly from SAUSD would be a start.
Somehow Russo must be under the impression that no direct communication with district employees regarding such a big Constitutional issue may, given time, just go away.
If you’re listening, Jane, no it won’t.
The way SAUSD has handled this situation is symptomatic of how SAUSD employees, in general, are treated.
Better communication and a great deal more transparency regarding these issues should be common place.
SAUSD’s district policy on recently discussed issues such as prayer in school, disruptive students, how funding decisions are made, who, exactly, is making these decisions should all be information in writing and available online to all district employees.
I wholeheartedly agree. This has always been a “problem” in one way or another: segregation, the treatment of female employees, the use of Native symbols. The WASP still “rule”, and most of them are male, but not all. Across the employment board, over and above “just” the school district here.
I am in contact with at least one SAEA board member and I have been told that this is an issue that this board member is unaware of as of yesterday. Who are you speaking to at SAEA? I’d be willing to help but someone (or more than one) needs to speak personally with Susan Mercer about this.
Susan Mercer and Norma Ortiz.
Perhaps, when board members say they are totally unaware of these issues their statements come under the heading of “plausible deniability” (A condition in which a subject can safely and believeably deny knowledge of any particular truth that may exist because the subject is deliberately made unaware of said truth so as to benefit or shield the subject from any responsibility associated through the knowledge of such truth.)
Either that or there needs to be better communication and a great deal more transparency regarding these issues between the board members and Ms. Russo.
Funny, Mr. Cole keeps his staff frequently updated on his religious comings and goings during his weekends and his after school activities. However, there has been no direct communication between Mr. Cole and his staff regarding any directives he has gotten from the school district (Jane Russo) regarding Jaguars for Jesus.
Oh, I know, this is an issue that this principal is unaware of as of yesterday.
Let’s “celebrate” this entire situation, Mr. Cole.
On a cynical/sarcastic note: P.C. could mean “politically correct” and/or “Pastor Cole”.
Does anyone know what “resolved” means? According to SAEA (Mercer and Ortiz), the matter is “resolved”. All employees need to know what the district policy is. In the past, the district has sent memos to each of us explaining District policy regarding support of political candidates. Would it be too much to ask for a memo to each employee regarding district policy pertaining to inclusion of religious activities on a public school campus.
Submitted at 12:11 PM – lunch time
Good idea! Oh, but maybe they are acting under the assumption that we cannot handle this type of information w/o assistance from “superiors”
SAEA is not contesting (at this point) the district’s view that a teacher’s lunch time is their “free time” since it is non-instructional and non-required duty time. Therefore, according to SAUSD, it is legal to have teacher led student prayer groups or clubs.
Also, principals may not solicit teachers to lead teacher led student prayer groups (oops, too late for that one at Willard).
That is what SAEA is calling a resolved situation.
“Jaguars for Jesus” is alive and well and ongoing at Willard. There is a group during first lunch. The teacher holds their meetings in the teacher’s bungalow. There is also one during second lunch which is also led by a teacher.
What is unresolved are the legal issues, among other things.
What, exactly, was said and agreed upon? To whom was it said?
What is the district’s position on religious discussions involving teachers and students that is not directly tied to curriculum since the law and the courts clearly state:
“Before school or during lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other
teachers for prayer or Bible study to the same extent that they may engage in
other conversation or nonreligious activities.”
“When acting in their official capacities as representatives of the state,
teachers, school administrators, and other school employees are prohibited by
the Establishment Clause from encouraging or discouraging prayer, and from
actively participating in such activity with students. Teachers may, however,
take part in religious activities where the overall context makes clear that
they are not participating in their official capacities. Before school or during
lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other teachers for prayer or Bible
study to the same extent that they may engage in other conversation or
nonreligious activities. Similarly, teachers may participate in their personal
capacities in privately sponsored baccalaureate ceremonies.”
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
Since Jesus for Jaguars is a so called club do the teachers earn money or credit towards the 20 hours of required duty over and above the extra hours now required by the wavier Willard approved before school started (staff voted and only 4 persons on staff voted against it)?
If so, who receives money and/or credit towards required unpaid overtime (which is what extra duty time boils down to).
Who (the name of the person or persons and their positions within the district) decides what does and doesn’t qualify to get the extra monies and/or what does and doesn’t qualify as part of the extra time teachers are required to serve?
Are these decisions being made by “the district” being applied only to Willard or is this district policy which applies to all SAUSD schools?
And, what, in writing, is SAUSD policy regarding religious teachings involving students and school personnel?
What can a classified employee do when they are being wrongfully terminated by SAUSD? Can anyone recommend an attorney that is willing to go against the district?
Have the checked with CSEA?
I’m going to see what I can find out regarding SAEA and the whole situation.
Let me make a wild guess here, SAEA will say the situation has already been resolved.
Unless SAEA is willing to take on SAUSD’s unconstitutional stance regarding teacher led student prayer, outside religious institutions participating in what used to be elective classes and outside religious institutions providing food at required staff meetings the entire situation is resolved in their minds.
Both SAUSD and SAEA think this issue will now just go away. Both are very much mistaken.
At some point (worse case scenario) SAUSD could possible lose federal funding.
The law and subsequent court cases are extremely clear. SAUSD simply has the attitude that if the issue isn’t disputed it isn’t an issue.
Letter sent to the Orange County Register:
According to the Santa Ana Unified School District it is ok to have a teacher
led student prayer club (named “Jaguars for Jesus”) held during lunch. The
teacher’s union (SAEA) reports that SAUSD told them that as long as the teacher
led prayer club is held during the teacher’s lunch time there is no conflict
because a teacher’s lunch time is considered “duty free” time for the teacher.
After it was found that the principal at Willard Intermediate, Mr. Cole,
solicited staff members to find teachers to lead the teacher led student prayer
groups, SAUSD told Mr. Cole he was not allowed to solicit staff members to lead
these groups. This was after Mr. Cole had already solicited staff members and
the teacher led student prayer groups had already been established and are
ongoing.
Written on a whiteboard in one of the rooms used for P.E. students to work out
in from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, 2010 was the following;
John 3:16
“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that
whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life”
In addition, Mr. Cole keeps his staff frequently updated on his religious
comings and goings during his weekends and his after school activities through
his daily morning emails to staff. However, there has been no direct
communication between Mr. Cole and his staff regarding any directives he has
gotten from the school district (Jane Russo) regarding Jaguars for Jesus.
The law and the courts clearly state religious discussions involving teachers
and students that are not directly tied to curriculum since are not legal.
“Before school or during lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other
teachers for prayer or Bible study to the same extent that they may engage in
other conversation or nonreligious activities.”
“When acting in their official capacities as representatives of the state,
teachers, school administrators, and other school employees are prohibited by
the Establishment Clause from encouraging or discouraging prayer, and from
actively participating in such activity with students. Teachers may, however,
take part in religious activities where the overall context makes clear that
they are not participating in their official capacities. Before school or during
lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other teachers for prayer or Bible
study to the same extent that they may engage in other conversation or
nonreligious activities. Similarly, teachers may participate in their personal
capacities in privately sponsored baccalaureate ceremonies.”
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
In addition, since Jesus for Jaguars is a so called club it is not clear to many staff members if the teachers involved in the prayer clubs earn extra money or credit towards the extra hours of required duty over and above the extra hours now required by a contract wavier Willard teachers approved before school started (staff voted and
only 4 persons on staff voted against the extra duty time).
Many staff members are offended. Many staff members are not
Christians. Willard staff members include atheists, agnostics, Jews, etc. It is very
disrespectful to them to have to read Mr. Cole’s staff emails that begin with a
paragraph about his latest church activities.
Willard staff members have also been forced to sit through mandatory staff end-of-the-year and beginning of the year breakfasts sponsored by an outside faith-based group.
Mr. Cole is now having religious groups raise funds to pay for and participate
in some of our school electives.
Other schools within SAUSD also have teacher led student prayer groups. Santa
Ana High School, for one, has had an ongoing group for years.
Unless someone is willing to address SAUSD’s unconstitutional stance regarding
teacher led student prayer, outside religious institutions participating in what
used to be elective classes and outside religious institutions providing food at
required staff meetings the entire situation is considered resolved in the minds
of both SAUSD and SAEA. Both SAUSD and the teachers’ union think this issue will
just go away. Both are very much mistaken.
At some point (worse case scenario) SAUSD could possible lose federal funding.
The law and subsequent court cases are extremely clear. SAUSD simply has the
attitude that if the issue isn’t disputed it isn’t an issue.
SAUSD has a long history of not responding until there is negative press or litigation. We all remember how they ignored the falsified class roster situation in CSR until it blew up in the press. And then, claiming they were unaware of the situation, started scrambling to remedy the situation.
Who is minding the store? Jane, pull you head out of the sand, become a leader, earn your salary and deal with this situation (the whole situation, not just a tiny piece).
annon C.- I truly am rooting for your on this one and I hope you don’t feel alone in this battle. I just can’t even imagine the same type of thing happening at my site, our history teachers would be all over it in no time. Does anyone over there actually pay attention to the Constitution while they are teaching it to their 8th graders? We have had a few individual teachers try a few questionable things in the past and their attempts lasted about 2 minutes.
I’ve sent emails to SAEA, a legal group representing cases involving separation of church and state issues, the OC Register, and 2 CA state representatives.
Now I am wondering how many school districts ignore the Constitution regarding this issue. How many school districts are trying to supplant their lack of funding via support by religious groups?
Why not help supplant our lack of adequate funding through Coca Cola, Niki, toy manufacturers, movies, or other non-Christian groups? I’m sure the list is virtually endless.
Genius! Willard could have teacher led student Coca Cola clubs during lunch!! What about it, Mr. Cole? Money, money, money and name brand indoctrination of students via teacher led clubs? The sky is the limit! I see a bright, funded, indoctrinated future ahead of us.
What an inspired idea! Hey, sports teams and arenas do it. Movie makers have “endorsement placements” in their films. Wow!
(That’s sarcasm for those who are not literature/journalism majors)
I don’t know if it is sarcasm at all. Especially with the sports team connection. You may have gotten Mr. Cole’s heart aracein!
Mr. Cole, please communicate with your staff regarding Jaguars for Jesus and any communications regarding the situation you have received from the school district.
Are you even listening, Mr. Cole?
Even for a Christian, Willard’s daily emails are difficult to tolerate. Way too much personal Cole information.
WOW!, you know it’s bad when even the Christians are complaining about the references to Christianity (try an opening paragraph related to his ongoing activities at his church) in Cole’s staff bulletin. Imagine how it is for those of us who do not share his beliefs.
What happened to separation of church and state?
Has anyone at Willard kept the emails from Cole talking about his family and Christian references? If you have why not post them?
I found one in my deleted items folder.
June 18, 2010
“Remember, on Monday we have a non-student day to close everything down and prep for next year. Well start with breakfast in the commons at 7:45 provided by our kind friends at New Hope Church (who brought us the Elevation Orchestra). They wanted to show their appreciation for our staff and all we do for the community. Then, we’ll meet from about 8:30-10:00 to preview next year.”
http://newsantaana.com/2010/11/08/poncho-sanchez-headlines-concert-to-benefit-sausd-schools-on-nov-14/
Poncho Sanchez Headlines Rhapsody of Love Concert on Sunday, November 14th
Event Benefits Music in Santa Ana Schools
Event:
New Hope Presbyterian Church in Orange announces its second annual Rhapsody of Love concert to benefit music in the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), with particular emphasis on Willard Intermediate School. Proceeds will fund new music enrichment programs, which have been eliminated by budget cuts to education due to the State’s fiscal crisis. The concert will feature the musical genres of classical, Motown, spirituals and jazz performed by various Hollywood musical talents.
Featuring:
• Legendary percussionist Poncho Sanchez
• Santa Ana High School Jazz Band
• New Hope Presbyterian Church Youth and Adult Choir (with Willard Intermediate students)
Hollywood Talents:
• Violinist Lesa Terry
• Vocalist Judith Hill
• Jazz singer Jame Tormé
• Actor Jay Jackson
• Ryan Cross, a world renowned cellist, bassist and television and film score composer, will conduct The Elevation Orchestra — a group of 17 string players and a rhythm section (piano, bass, and drums).
When:
Sunday, November 14, 2010, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where:
Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Tickets:
Prices – Balcony $20, General $40, VIP $65 with preconcert reception
Tickets can be purchased by calling 714-288-9986, or emailing:ChristledNCD@yahoo.com. For more info visit http://www.newhopencd.org.
Wendy Day Brown, 949-294-5630
Let’s start posting his opening paragraph from staff bulletins. I really don’t believe the district knows how pervasive this Christian propaganda is.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/church-state/decisions.html
SAUSD gets around all of the sited court decision because they are representing a teacher’s lunch time as “free time” because it is non-duty and non-instructional time for the teacher.
This, however, is their flawed logic because a teacher’s lunch time is still part of their contractual day. Thus, the teacher is, in fact, still being paid as a teacher.
What does amaze me, and correct me if I am wrong, I am not reading anything in this blog from anyone who is pro teacher led student prayer clubs.
There must be someone at Willard who is pro teacher led student prayer clubs.
Are they being told not to engage in this discussion? I have absolutely no evidence of anyone silencing anyone who is pro teacher led student prayer clubs.
However, that would make this the only (or one of the very few) discussions on this blog without any opposing views being expressed.
Has Cole given any of his disciples doctrine regarding “thou shalt not discuss teacher led student prayer on the OJ blog?
(Doctrine (Latin: doctrina) doctrine is simply defined as “that which is taught”, in other words the basis for institutional teaching of its personnel internal ways of doing business.)
If these teacher-led prayer groups results in some kind of pay or service credit, then why would they get involved in this discussion? Besides, they have Cole (Jesus) on their side.
True.
I find this discussion fascinating. One of the methods always employed by Districts/administrators, and bosses in general is to use the Mushroom Approach: keep ’em in the dark and feed them….
By openly discussing this, and thank you again to Art, you are breaking their stronghold, allowing adults crammed away into their little compartments the knowledge that they are not alone, and letting some well needed light into some very dark corners. Talk up the blog. The more who read and feel not so alone, the better.
Most SAUSD staff members would probably agree that all of our schools are underfunded and under staffed.
In these difficult economic times it would seem well advised for principals to be at school when students are present to assist in the daily running of the school to the greatest extent possible.
It would seem advisable for meetings that take a principal away from school be kept to a minimum.
It seems as if a few principals either a) take part in far too many district meetings during school hours or b) work from home during school hours or c) must have a second job during school hours.
“Most SAUSD staff members would probably agree that all of our schools are underfunded and under staffed.”
MQ says:
That is what a union hack would say!
The truth is your district with around 52,000 students with all its ridiculous “No child left behind sham grants” is WAY OVER FUNDED!
How many of your schools get the stupid QEIA grants which pump more money into schools that continue to fail for two reasons only: Parents who do not participate in their children’s education and teachers and admin’s who need to be replaced!
The truth is like most Public Schools; bad public employee’s and a corrupt teachers union!
The truth is that like most public institutions: Public employee’s are a disaster and do a less than stellar job!
The point of this particular post is we would like to see our principals present, as much as possible, when the students are at school.
It is sad that the teachers on this blog are griping so much about a completely voluntary and non-compulsory prayer group led by teachers kind enough to give up their lunch. You are the very kind of people who are giving teachers a bad name. Why such an outcry? If you don’t like the club, don’t lead it and don’t join it. But get real. With the lure of the streets and so many other temptations for Santa Ana students, you could do a lot more good for your students than to endlessly blog about a club they may choose to join or not join. To me, Willard sounds like a positive place for staff and students to be. I am glad Mr. Cole wants to make a positive difference in the life of his students, and I applaud him.
It’s a little thing called the Constitution.
I went to school during the time when there was daily, Christian prayer in the public schools. Schools thought prayer helped make it a positive place for students and they applauded themselves. The schools were also segregated. Schools thought segregation helped make it a positive place for students and they applauded themselves.
Issues over school prayer have been long fought in the courts, as was segregation. Don’t think the two issues are not related. They are in many ways.
If you totally disagree then fight the issue in the courts.
Our schools should be places that are neutral regarding religion especially in today’s world.
Students may pray with students during non-instructional time. Adults may pray with adults during non-instructional time. However, public schools should not promote or favor one religion over another. This is why the courts have made the decisions they have made regarding prayer in public schools.
The issue currently being discussed here, teacher led student prayer groups held during the school day, has less to do with one principal, one school or even one school district and everything to do with the separation of church and state.
You certainly missed the mark on several points. Shall we, as citizens, look in the other direction when the law of the land is broken? Shall teachers hid and try to keep under the radar because they are afraid of rocking the boat and thereby feeling the wrath of their administrators, or even worse, losing their jobs? Should all employed citizens be so grateful that they are employed that they never blow the whistle on corruption? One final thought: do we “applaud” persons who use their power to intimidate others in order to follow in the footsteps of “missionaries” who walk over traditions and customs and beliefs of others because they believe there is “only one true belief”?
I don’t really know what you have against QEIA, believe me, I’d love to have 20 students in my classes. Yes, the parents aren’t as involved as they should be and they are a huge missing link at the QEIA schools but I know many teachers at those schools who work really hard under very difficult circumstances. Love you, Michelle, but when in doubt, just don’t use apostrophes, it’s better that they are missing than to put them all over the place where they don’t belong.
In the spirit of advice giving, when in doubt, Tmare, please put a period. You have run-on sentences in almost every one oe of your posts.
Hi Tmare:)
I used the apostrophes to exaggerate the point! I hope you have seen some improvement in my writing skills????
Having a whole summer off and a reliable income is not “difficult circumstances”
It is a “difficult circumstance” to be educated in Santa Ana!
In Europe my niece goes to one of the best grammar schools in the city. In her class there are over 40 students and all are A level students!
It is not the quantity but the quality of the education!
We have had this discussion before; one good teachers does not cause such a bad district; a lot of bad educators do and the lack of parent involvement!
The kids are a product of their environment!
Forty students of “A level” is quite different from teaching in Santa Ana. Try having forty students who are functioning anywhere from a 2nd-8th grade level in the same classroom. It is very tough to meet all of their needs in a 45 minute class period. While I appreciate the fact that I have a job while many do not, it doesn’t make the job I have any easier. I agree that administrators should be on site doing their job but when they are called to the district office for meetings by their superiors, they don’t have much choice. There are a lot of problems with education in Santa Ana and I am only here to try to figure out what we can do about it as a community. Students, parents and staff have an equal responsibility. What are your suggestions, Michelle?
Have you read “Man Up” by Steven Perry??? We need a Mr. Perry in Santa Ana!
I haven’t read it but I believe I understand the basic message. I completely agree that the community in Santa Ana needs to “man up” and deal with the issues facing them. We all need to deal with our society which is currently based on blaming “anyone but me”. It would be nice to have a strong leader from the community who can say the hard things that need to be said to parents. It usually doesn’t mean much when it comes from a teacher or administrator at a parent conference.
You are right. It must come from another parent.
Assemblyman Solorio grew up in the fields. He ought to do more of this. His wife is also a teacher at Valley. And he can speak in Spanish…
It appears as though he’s trying but from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t have one of those strong “in your face” personalities.
So, that’s where that obnoxious expression comes from. Do you, Michelle, “man up”? If the expression means “take responsibility for one’s own actions”, I think you need to re-read these postings. That’s exactly what these citizen teachers are trying to do. Unfortunately, it seems that the administrator in question has no desire to do so.
Anonymous,
Maybe you should check for spelling errors also.
Yes, in your universe, I guess an obvious typo equates to a long history of run-on sentences. Get real.
Anonymous,
Are you familiar with the separation of church and state in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution? It is strictly a constitutional issue, nothing more. There are many ways for staff to volunteer their time to help students through clubs, etc. but establishing a faith-based club is not the way to do it on a public school campus.
Mr. Cole’s daily email to the staff.
11/23/2010
Tuesday
Happy early Thanksgiving!
I am grateful for much here at Willard. I am grateful for so many students who love this school and do their best.
I am grateful each of you who strive to better yourselves and the world around you each day, who never settle for just ok.
I am grateful for those of you who help me to grow and to become a better leader.
I am grateful for so much in my life as well – for my wife and children, for my church and the blessings God has given me.
May your Thanksgiving celebration be filled with gratefulness for all you have. Enjoy a relaxing, enjoyable holiday.
Important info for today:
Pinnacle grades – The gradebook was fixed last night. We extended the deadline for grades, so you have until tonight at 6:00 to enter grades.
Assemblyman visit – Today Assemblyman Solorio will visit Willard. We will talk about our growth and plans and i will give him a tour.
Awards and Christmas Assembly – We are planning an assembly for the last day before Christmas break, December 17th. See Google Calendar for details.
Daily Procedures highlight – Remember when you use the parent call center, it is intended to connect with with parents to dialogue. It is not a message center. They will arrange a meeting time for you and parents or for a phone conference, at which time they can translate for you if needed.
Thanksgiving Break – Reminder that we have Wed-Fri off this week for Thanksgiving. Gobble, Gobble.
Learning Objectives – Yesterday, we asked 23 students their learning obectives and 19 knew them, which is 83%. Well done!
Dress Code Focus: There are no facial piercings allowed. Students may have one piercing in each ear. Earrings may be no larger than a dime.
Dennis Cole
Principal
Willard Intermediate School
Santa Ana USD
714-480-4812 (x54812)
This guy should be at a private school.
I sort of appreciate his community minded tone, now if he could just get rid of the God and church references. On a side note, I wasn’t aware that ear piercings were allowed at all in the intermediate schools for the boys, I guess it would be discrimination if the boys couldn’t have them though.
anon.,
Is your principal new to public education? I’m not being facetious. I’m just wondering because his infusion of Christianity into the instructional day is at odds with the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.
Additionally, having spent many years in the public sector, I am amazed that a site administrator in a public school would reference an assembly and the two week break as “Christmas”. School district policy for many years has been to eliminate the reference to anything “Christmas” and to instead use the term “Winter”.
Good luck in your endeavors to re-establish a religion-free environment at Willard.
“Awards and Christmas Assembly – We are planning an assembly for the last day before Christmas break, December 17th. See Google Calendar for details.”
Really? Christmas Assembly? Christmas break?
Russo, are you hearing this?
SAEA, are you hearing this?
I am beginning to understand.
This guy is not just a case of the camel’s nose in the tent. This camel is running the tent!
To Concerned taxpayer,
Mr. Cole is not new to public education.
Jane Russo is not new to public education.
SAUSD is not new to public education.
SAEA is not new to public education.
OCDE is not new to public education.
These folks are definitely not new to the theory of “it must be o.k. because we are getting away with it.”