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Ask the Mayor

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Volume 24 Feb. 23, 2010

The kids are back in school - woo hoo!! Hope everyone had a good February break, and that you’re as happy as I am that school has started again.

It’s been two months now since Mayor Duffy told Superintendent Brizard and the School Board that he wanted to take control of the city schools.  Parents and the rest of the city are still waiting for any details about his plan. Public forums have been cancelled, and the mayor’s few appearances in public on the subject have essentially been secret. Will we get a chance to hear the plan and have input before it goes to a vote in Albany? Is this a taste of how the district would be run under mayoral control?! I hope not!

Since the mayor is not talking - Flower City Parents would like to put together a list of your comments and questions to send to him.  Please come add your thoughts.

Flower City Parents is on Twitter: @cityparents

From our latest posts at http://flowercityparents.org/forum:

On Wilson Foundation (from Supt. Brizard):

“In March, the district will present to the Board of Education a plan that will offer students more, high-quality school options.

As part of the plan, a resolution will be presented to the Board that would change the configuration of Wilson Foundation and Commencement Academies.

Wilson Foundation would become a K through 8 school, and Wilson Commencement would become a 9-12 school. If approved by the Board, this change would take place gradually over the next few years.”

On schools applying for autonomy (from the D&C):

A handful of schools have asked the Rochester School District for more control over their spending, their schedules and their teaching staffs through a program set to begin next school year.

The plan to give schools more freedom resembles similar ideas already in place around the country. But it is new to Rochester, and administrators and union officials say the lessons learned at the so-called Autonomous Contract Schools could guide how the district is run for years to come.

“These schools will be models for other schools,” said Mary Doyle, the district’s senior director of school innovation.

Seven schools applied, though only five appear to be eligible.

Schools had to win 80 percent support in a vote of the building’s teaching staff.

The five applicants that met that criterion are School 15, School 19, School 58, the School of Applied Technology at Edison and Dr. Freddie Thomas High School.

On MAP:

Apparently, at a recent district wide meeting re: the MAP program, the consensus by RCSD was that the program has been languishing over the last decade. There was no talk of additional funds, no talk of concrete plans, criteria for admittance, effect of neighborhood schools,etc. The RCSD rep was asking parents and other assorted attendees of the meeting if ‘they had any ideas.?’ Who has insight into the future of the MAP program in RCSD?

On mayoral control:

I think that the immediate stakeholders (both parents and teachers) have an obligation to be specific and constructive.

We all tend to point to problems, but not tangible measures that we would accept as solutions.

When we say we want more communication from the teachers and the schools, what do we mean?  (This is hypothetical — my daughter’s teacher does a wonderful job of communicating with parents.)

Do we mean we want a school newsletter?  E-mail blasts from the principal?  SBPT minutes sent out regularly?  Do we mean we want a note from the teacher every month?  It doesn’t do any good to say we aren’t getting enough if we don’t know what “enough” would look like.

I think the same principle holds true when it comes to cultural awareness.  …  What would cultural awareness be, in concrete terms?  If teachers were doing x in the classroom or when they interacted with parents, we would say we had succeeded in producing cultural awareness — but what is x?

On whether it matters what parents think about mayoral control:

Yes, of course it matters. What should that parent input look like? Well, it should come from a variety of sources — the information sessions that the Mayor is planning on rescheduling (as long as there is time for good feedback from parents), as I believe the School Board does, the Mayor should allow RCSD parents to speak first at these forums, then staff, then other interested parties. Also, a way to solicit parent input for those who do not attend the sessions, maybe a survey. I would like the Mayor to demonstrate that he took parental input into account when he develops his plan. And then have time for parents to respond to the draft plan. I would also like to see a objective (if there can be) summary of the pluses and minuses of mayoral control as experienced in other cities–and then have the Mayor use this to inform his plan.

Plus … the poll of Rochester parents, the Family-School Partnership, math workshops for teachers, … and much more!

Question of the Week: What would you like to ask Mayor Duffy?

Since Mayor Duffy isn’t holding public forums yet on his proposal to take over the city schools, let’s gather a list of questions to send him. What would you like to ask — or tell — the mayor?

(Next week: What would you like to ask or tell Adam Urbanski?)

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Tuesday, February 23 (tonight)

Presentation on Superintendent’s Strategic Plan

5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School No. 9

Thursday, Feb. 25

Board of Education Meeting

follows 5 p.m. observance of Black History Month

“Making College A Reality” Workshop

Help finding and applying for financial aid for parents of high school juniors.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.

690 St. Paul St.

Friday, February 26

Presentation on Superintendent’s Strategic Plan

9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Monroe Community Hospital, Auditorium C

Saturday, February 27th

“Making College A Reality” Workshop

Help finding and applying for financial aid for parents of high school juniors.

12 to 2 p.m.

690 St. Paul St.

Monday, March 1

Presentation on Superintendent’s Strategic Plan

6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

School of the Arts, Ensemble Theatre

Saturday, March 6

Eastman Pathways Open House

1-3:30 p.m.

Eastman School of Music

Final Thoughts

It was wonderful to see those of you who came out to our first Flower City Parents Night Out earlier this month.  I’m ready for the next one! (As yet unscheduled.)  One of the unexpected pleasures of having children in city schools has been the community of parents that comes along with it. We’re looking forward to meeting many more of you.

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

The Flower City Parents Network

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Happy Birthday, Flower City Parents!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Volume 23 Feb.8, 2010

Flower City Parents Network is celebrating its first birthday! A year ago next week, we put out our shingle, turned on the lights and crossed our fingers that someone would show up.  And you did! One year, 200 members and more than 3,000 posts later, we are thriving and growing.  But we can’t do it without you. You posting, you reading, you spreading the word to other parents. So please, don’t stop. Forward this newsletter to a friend today. AND, come join us at our first Flower City Parents Night Out this Friday (Feb. 12). You only have to talk about schools if you want to! Details on the forum.

Remember - Flower City Parents is on Twitter: @cityparents

From our latest posts:

On a reconfiguration at Wilson Foundation?

I just heard tonight that the Foundation Academy is going to be a K-8 school. Anyone know anything about THAT? When is that going to happen???

This is from the Wilson Feb. 2 SBPT minutes:

Wilson Foundation configuration decision made

Will be a K to 8 school; Wilson (Foundation) will be a 9 to 12

Under this model, Foundation will take 100 per grade level

We can still keep our promise to accept Foundation students who wish to go on to Wilson.

On neighborhood schools under mayoral control:

From Richard Hannon in the Mayor’s office:

Under the Mayor’s proposal, those who want to attend their neighborhood school would be guaranteed seats in that school for their children.  No one would be required to attend a neighborhood school.

On kindergarten choice and neighborhood schools:

Given the opportunity, I’ll put another plug in for neighborhood schools!  It really DOES make a difference and it really DOES build community to have your child(ren) in a neighborhood school with other neighborhood children! …..events at school are more easily and more often attended, friends are close by, parents can talk to other parents on a daily basis if you walk to school together…..

I think one of the downsides to “school choice” is that we are driven to believe that one school is “the” school that our child needs to attend.  In reality there are many good schools that a child could attend and do wonderfully.  I tend to believe under many circumstances it’s harder for parents to “attend” a particular school than it might be for their children!   That said, I suggest you tour and ask yourself - will this work (or maybe, why won’t this work…)?  If the answer is yes,  look no further!!  Then join the parent group and stay involved.  I think the research out there says that successful education a child is more determined by positive parental participation than the school that is attended.

On mayoral control - why you probably can’t vote (from the D&C):

Whether voters could - or should - have a direct say up front on a Rochester switch to mayoral control of schools is doubtful, say constitutional experts and those advocating reform.

The idea of a local referendum before any change is made has been floated for weeks. School board President Malik Evans is in favor. But would it be binding? Could it even be placed on a ballot? And on whose authority?

…Schools are governed by state law, therefore any change in governance must come from the state. … Whether New York’s Legislature could legally craft a two-step process - with legislation contingent on a local referendum - is unclear.

But it is clearly not desired. Ask Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, dean of the local delegation to Albany, and he will tell you there is no reason for a referendum. There wasn’t one when the current school board system was put in place, he said.

“That’s a stalling tactic,” Gantt said of calls for a referendum this time.

… For a true measure of public sentiment, a scientific poll is better than a referendum, said Kent Gardner, president of the Center for Governmental Research Inc. in Rochester.

To meet Duffy’s timetable of wanting to take control by fall, a referendum would be off-cycle and likely would have limited polling places and hours. The result could be low turnout that is more easily biased by lobbying, Kent Gardner said.

Plus … Are school libraries in danger?, iPods in the classroom, School 23 principal named to head new Early College H.S., (lots) more on mayoral control, new parent involvement coordinator named, cold weather activities … and much more!

Question of the Week: What should be done with children who routinely disrupt classroom instruction? Are you happy with the way that’s handled at your child’s school?

Join the conversation -and  feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Thursday, Feb. 11

Talent Show at Monroe H.S.

2:15 pm in the Auditorium

School Board Commissioner Van White performs karaoke!

Friday, Feb. 12

Flower City Parents Network Night Out!

Feb. 15-19

School Break

Thursday, Feb. 25

Board of Education Meeting (follows 5 p.m. observance of Black History Month)

Help fill out the calendar! Please help us by posting events at your child’s school, or other area events of interest.  Attending public events is a great way for parents to see a school in action.

Final Thoughts

Kindergarten (and pre-K) registration is going on from now until March 31. Parents of children who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2010 can register for kindergarten at the RCSD Parent Center, 690 St. Paul Street.  Phone: 262-8241.

The center is open Mondays - 8:30 a.m. to 6 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month - 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. More information, including profiles of all schools, explanations of the zone school choice system, and how to register your child, visit www.rcsdk12.org.

Last year, Flower City Parents Network helped many prospective parents looking for more information about city schools and the kindergarten selection process.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record (how much longer will that expression last?), please help us get the word out. Can you take flyers to your child’s school? A school event? Post a flyer at your preschool? Let us know!

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

The Flower City Parents Network


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Flower City Parents In the News!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Volume 22 Jan. 19, 2010

Flower City Parents Network was in the news last week — with guest appearances by four parents on WXXI’s 1370 Connection and a mention in Denise-Marie Santiago’s column in the Democrat & Chronicle. Mayoral control of the schools is the hot topic, and one of the big questions is how that change might affect parents. If you have thoughts on the subject, make sure you weigh in to your legislators – and please come share your thoughts on the forum, where you can read thought-provoking comments by others as well.

Remember - Flower City Parents is on Twitter: @cityparents

From our latest posts at http://flowercityparents.org/forum:

On generalizations about children and parents:

First of all, I completely agree with the points about the negative stereotypes that teachers/administrators put out there about… I call them the “these families” or “these kids” statements!  Like your kindergarten teacher at Montessori, I have no tolerance for comments like “what do you expect” or “of course she’s low” or “how could he make, look at….”  Sure “studies show” and “reports indicate”… however, I do believe it is our duty to MAKE THAT CHANGE… where to start?  with attitude and belief.  I have worked with some of the most incredible and loving and dedicated families in the 11 years I’ve been in the city.  You want to see work ethic?  Check out the single mom going to college, working as a nurse, with a high schooler, middle schooler, and kindergartner, all of whom keep up with their homework, return reading logs, and attend school events… and that’s just the beginning!  Some of my “neediest” families, don’t even recognize their “need”… they have faith, love, and each other.  Sure, there are families that need extra guidance in navigating the system, and understanding how the school system works, and what their role is in the whole thing, but again, it our job and duty to EDUCATE!  Not only the child, but the family, and THEN, the “research and statics” might start to change!  I wouldn’t want my children going to school where they were immediately grouped into a preconceived stereotype.  Where people talk about my child as if they are going to do their best to help but….  No thanks.

On autonomous schools:

Any schools considering applying to be one of the 5 pilot autonomous schools next year?  I went to the meeting this evening.  The application requires 80% buy in by the teachers and agreement of the SBPT.  Within some constraints schools could have autonomy over the school schedule, teaching and learning, budget, and staffing.  Details of the agreement with RTA should be out on Tuesday.  The key thing they seems to be asking for is what would you do with that autonomy.  What would removing those barriers enable?

I really like the idea of autonomous schools.  The closer the decision making is to the classroom the better.  I”m not sure if we’ll be able to figure out that vision and get the staff buy-in by the mid February deadline.  It’s a huge undertaking.

I’m curious about the other schools and what others think about autonomous schools.

On mayoral control

1. The mayor is understandably frustrated with the 50% (and apparently falling again) graduation rate, but is fully supportive of the current superintendent. I’m curious how he can be happy with someone under whom graduation rates have not improved substantially? Which suggests:

2. The mayor thinks the problems lie elsewhere (unions? board?) and believes that mayoral control will mean those problems/individuals are lessened? What does he plan to do himself, or how does he intend to give power to Brizard to do what can’t be done now?

3. I do believe the mayor sincerely wants to put the children first . . . . but is equally frustrated that more than 70% of the city’s budget goes straight to a failing district in which he has no control over how the money is spent. The problem, though, is that like the city and the county, the vast majority of the district’s budget is controlled by mandates that leave very little discretionary spending for whoever controls the budget. That’s not going to change if the mayor is in charge, and he seemed unwilling to put any figure on the savings that would result from the absorption of the district into the city.

4. I think his idea of opening up schools in the evenings and during breaks/summers to the community is good, but as has been pointed out, that’s already happening in several schools. It doesn’t need mayoral control to expand that. It needs more staff, and therefore more money!

More on mayoral control (from Bill Cala in City Newspaper):

Mayoral control has been a hands-down failure in this country. The mayor has stated, “Documented improvements… are a proven fact in such cities as New York City, Boston, and Washington, DC.” The only improvements documented are created by the spin machines of each of the mayors of these cities and the others that I have previously mentioned. Parents and citizens in cities controlled by mayors are up in arms because they have lost their voices and lost their schools, and there is no better performance in schools created by mayors as measured by any valid scrutiny …

But much more important than whether or not mayoral control is measured as an academic or financial success is the disenfranchisement of the urban poor. Taking away the right to vote is not an option in a democracy. Taking away the minority voices of the urban poor is an egregious assault on civil rights. The mayor, the governor, and the legislators who are lining up behind this ill-thought-out plan should re-think their positions and seek to tackle the root causes of poor performance in the city. If they expect city kids to graduate, it is imperative that poverty and its trappings are vigorously addressed. Paving the way legislatively for mayoral control of the Rochester City Schools would be one more flagrant act of hubris by the New York State legislature.

There are more viable paths available to achieve better results for urban kids than mayoral control. All take commitment and substantial political will and capital. And yes, they all will bring substantial and necessary “incremental” improvement. Remember that the only truly successful paths to graduation are built in pre-school programs that incrementally build to the pride and joy of graduation. The mayor and the superintendent have stated that we do not have time for incremental improvement. I would argue that we do not have time “not” to improve incrementally. We cannot afford the failed policies that emulate Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC. The public debate of this issue must take place immediately. Before any bill is drafted, all sectors of the public should weigh in.

It is not just our city’s future that is at stake. Democracy is at stake.


Plus …  truancy officers, paying for college, school web sites… and more!

Question of the Week: Name one special thing about your child’s school!

What’s one special thing about your child’s school? Or one thing many people might not know?

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!


From our calendar:

Tuesday, Jan. 19

School Board Policy Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21

School Board Finance Committee Meeting

5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

Highland Park Neighborhood Association and School #12 PTA co-host a meeting about school choice.

School 12 Cafeteria

6:30 - 9pm

Friday, Jan. 29

Deadline for high school applications for current 6th graders.

Friday, Feb. 12

Flower City Parents Network Night Out! Mark your calendar - and stay tuned for more information!!!

Final Thoughts

Do you have a child in pre-school or day care? With kindergarten registration going on now, can you help us spread the word to other parents who might be considering city schools and want to find out more about them? Please let us know if you can post a flyer or put an item in your school (or community group) newsletter … or if you would be willing to distribute flyers at your preschool or elsewhere.  Our best publicity is your word-of-mouth!

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

The Flower City Parents Network


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Mayoral Control and More

Monday, January 4, 2010

Volume 21 Jan. 4, 2010

Happy 2010! I hope everyone had a warm and safe vacation, and that your new year and new school year have gotten off to a smooth start. If you haven’t stopped by the forum and posted lately, now’s a good time! Share your thoughts about mayoral control, questions for applicants for the Coordinator of Parent Engagement job, or anything else that’s on your mind.

Kindergarten and high school registration booklets should have gone out by now — if you’re a parent of a 4-year-old, 6th grader or 9th grader and didn’t get one, call the Parent Information Center at 262-8241.  Kindergarten applications are due by March 31, and high school applications are due by Jan. 29 for 6th graders and Feb. 28 for 9th graders.

We’re told placement results will be released this year IN APRIL – which will be a significant improvement over past years. We can’t wait!

Do you Twitter?

Flower City Parents is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon (we’re hip! we’re cool!) — you can now stay in touch with what’s going on at the forum on Twitter: @cityparents

Spread the word to all your Twittery friends! :)

From our latest posts:

On mayoral control:

I’m not really sure I’m 100% behind Mayoral control, but I’m close to it. I need to hear Duffy’s plan before I’m sold.

I think I’m more for Mayoral control because our school board hasn’t been very effective for years. It’s seems like only recently we have made some gains w/ graduation rates but telling prospective parents that your child has a 50% chance of graduating isn’t good enough.

If the Mayor is able to make some cuts to under-performing teachers, the number of Administrator @ each school and Central office- and creating an environment  that values PARENTS then he has my vote! I’m skeptical but I’m open to listening.

I think to say that one cares more for or will do more for children is silly. I think EVERYONE puts the benefit to children first when they wake up in the morning. In that respect it’s a wash….they both come out one top!

More on mayoral control:

I’ve said this before but I can’t make a decision on this until I have more details about what mayoral control would involve.  And I do think that there needs to be some public dialogue. I’m a little uncomfortable with legislators in Albany, whose track record recently has not been good, making this decision about the schools in my city. And I … need more than sound bites from the mayor.

The one thing I think the school board provides is people I can go to directly with my concerns about the schools. And, in the main, they’re good about replying. I don’t know that I’ve ever changed any minds, but I’ve had quick answers to my questions about the district, and I wonder who’s going to fulfill that function if the mayor takes control. Both the mayor and council have a bunch of other stuff on their plates.

So that all may sound negative about mayoral control, but it’s not meant to be. It’s just that I have questions, and haven’t heard answers yet.

And still more:

Mayor Duffy thinks he can whoosh in like Superman and suddenly fix everything. But he has no idea how much Kryptonite hidden everywhere that will handicap him, if not stop him outright.

I don’t know what he thinks he can change so drastically and immediately that will make any significant change in this June’s graduation rate - unless he orders every City employee to mentor a student, every single senior first, starting Monday Jan 4th.  (I believe a significant percentage of city employees live outside of the city, so it’s not like that would detract from RCSD parents supporting their own children.)

Tho I continue to disagree with some of Mr. Brizard’s actions, he HAS moved forward in developing more Community Relations with local service organizations and colleges. We already have a lot of them - you can see them listed in the budget resolutions every month. But having support from a non-profit usually means paying it, either from the budget or finding a grant. Center for Youth can’t just show up. They may be a non-profit, but they do have operating expenses.  If the Mayor wants to support the youth of the city with more after-school programs and help them find jobs, or recreate the Children’s Zone, he can do that right now, without control of the District.

On being a kindergarten teacher:

I love all of those magical moments when those babies (many of whom have never been in school)… like, when they FIRST zip their zipper… the pride, excitement, and confidence that comes from that moment and other moments…. first time down a slide alone, writing their first sentence…. reading a word in a book, counting to 100…. those moments are SOOOOOOO critical to building intrinsic motivation in our children.  Because once they have a tiny little taste of success, they LOVE it, and they are willing to work hard to get it again, and again… and, I love walking parents through this crazy education system (as best I can), it’s not  just about getting the children set up for a great 12 years, but the parents and families as well.

Plus … more on school openings and closings, Department of Education requirements for low-performing schools, a new charter school for boys … and more!

Question of the Week:

How do YOU feel about mayoral control of the schools?

What’s your take on the mayor’s bid to take control of the city schools? A good thing? Bad thing? Not sure? Need more information? Share your thoughts!

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too.

*Also, if you’d be willing to go on WXXI next week to talk about parents’ perspectives on mayoral control, please let us know.

From our calendar:

Saturday, January 9

RCSD Academic Showcase

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 14

Open House - School Without Walls Foundation Academy

111 N. Clinton Avenue

6:00-7:00 p.m.

School Board Excellence in Student Achievement Committee Meeting

5:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan 15

Community Arts Academy Open House

5:30 p.m.

Incarnate Word Church, corner of East and Goodman

Tuesday, Jan. 19

School Board Policy Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

Jan. 21

School Board Finance Committee Meeting

5:30 p.m.

Please spread the word about Flower City Parents to your friends and colleagues — stay warm — and thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

The Flower City Parents Network


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High School and Kindergarten Registration Coming

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Volume 20 December 22, 2009

www.flowercityparents.org

Just a quickie - I know everyone’s busy with the holidays and children on break, but there’s so much going on! Just a few examples: two new high schools, expected school closings, and the district’s new five-year strategic plan. How do you feel about those?

Some important dates are coming up:  high school and kindergarten registration kick off with the District’s January 9 Academic Showcase at the Riverside Convention Center.  EVERY school will be represented there, and you can register for kindergarten on the spot. We hope and pray that school closings and openings don’t interfere with the District’s commitment to get placement results to families EARLY this year.

Also coming up:  annual reviews for children with IEPs and 504 plans.  Lisa Bayer of the Learning Disabilities Association lists helpful tips for preparing for your child’s annual review and points out that the school is obligated to hold the meeting at a time when you can be there. Check out her advice at http://bit.ly/AnnualReview– and if you know someone whose child has an IEP or 504 plan, please share this newsletter with them.  (Lisa would also like to know more about how you feel about services and support for children with disabilities in the District — please come give us your thoughts at http://bit.ly/Input.)

From our latest posts on the forum …

On the District’s new approach to special education:

Response to Intervention is a federally mandated change in the way districts approach identification and enrollment in special education.  By July, 2012 all school districts in New York state must have an Rti program up and running.

At its core, Rti is designed to identify general education students who are struggling and at risk of failure and, instead of referral and enrollment in special education, provide targeted, individualized, research based interventions to help the student strengthen their skills and perform at grade level.  Many parent advocates refer to it as “really terrific instruction.”  A big outcome measure is a decrease in the number of special education students, with a particular focus on decreasing the learning disability classification.

It’s important to note that Rti does not trump many of the rights of parents under IDEA and other education laws.  This includes the right to request a comprehensive evaluation - even if the Rti process has started.

… It’s really important to remember that Rti isn’t a process that is just going to be “done to” students with disabilities, but every student who may be struggling, for any number of reasons, will be impacted by the implementation of Rti. Parents of all children need to understand how Rti will be implemented in their districts and their school.

We’re working to set up an Rti workshop for parents, hopefully in mid January!  I’ll keep you updated.

On District’s plans to give five schools more autonomy:

Does anyone know if their school is interested in being an autonomous school?  Have your School based planning teams discussed it? I’m curious how this will roll out and if it can really be pulled of by next year - which is the plan I think.

On mayoral control of schools (D&C editorial):

In talking about ways to reduce youth violence in Rochester, Mayor Robert Duffy can’t help but bring up the fact that too many teens are dropping out of school.

He’s been studying how New York City schools have improved since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took over, and he’d like a chance to do the same.

Duffy should put together a plan and give parents, school officials, teachers and parents an opportunity to debate it.

The mayor told the Editorial Board last week that he’d like the state Legislature to grant him a four-year test period. He made a compelling argument for “consolidation” as he called it, avoiding the term “mayoral control” until asked directly about it.

… Mayor Bloomberg has been in charge of New York City schools since 2002, and test scores and graduation rates have improved. The Legislature this summer extended mayoral control until 2015. Even the teachers’ union supported the move.

There’s no arguing against Duffy’s belief that the future of the city and the schools are linked. Duffy deserves a chance to have his ideas debated.

On seat belts on buses:

So I learned something very disturbing this morning. My daughter’s regular bus driver (who we love love love) always waits for her (and the other little kids on the bus) to buckle their seatbelts before driving off. This morning there was a substitute driver who drove off before she’d barely sat down, much less buckled her seatbelt.

He’d also been impatient when she dropped her backpack and had to brush off the snow before getting on the bus. I found his impatience both unpleasant and — especially on a snowy day — potentially dangerous, so I called the transportation office to complain.

That’s when I learned that, while New York state mandates that buses *have* seatbelts, it does not mandate that kids actually *wear* them. That decision is up to each school district. That seems crazy to me. Especially for the little ones. And especially for little ones who sit in the aisle seats closest to the driver, where a skid or sharp stop could send them down the stairs or into the control panel/windshield.

I did some more research and learned that, except for kids under age 4, that is correct. But I also learned that the drivers themselves *are* required to wear seatbelts, which makes me even angrier.

Does anyone know whether this has ever come up with the school board? Does anyone else think this is crazy?

Plus … the new high schools, more on school choice, applying to SOTA, whether district and school meetings are convenient for parents, Books and Blankets … and lots more!

Question of the Week:

What should the District get in its stocking this Christmas?

Tell us what YOU think!

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too.

From our calendar:

Saturday, January 9

RCSD Academic Showcase

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 14

Open House - School Without Walls Foundation Academy

111 N. Clinton Avenue

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Final Thoughts

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and Happy happy New Year to all. I hope you have warm, safe holidays and come back refreshed and ready to post. :)  Remember, there is no forum without YOU.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

The Flower City Parents Network


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School Choice and more

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Volume 19 November 30, 2009

We’ve been busy, you’ve been busy — it’s a busy time of year. (Though I’m starting to realize, they all are! Lots going on in the District as well: changes in busing policy (Does that affect you? Please come tell us about it!), plans for new “autonomous” schools and a new high school, and gearing up for kindergarten and high school registration.

Do you know families with children entering kindergarten (or pre-kindergarten) or high school next year? Make sure they know about the Flower City Parents Network! And if you can help us with ideas for spreading the word — maybe post a flyer somewhere, or put a note in your school or neighborhood newsletter — that would be much appreciated.

From our latest posts on the forum …

On whether school choice is working:

I think it is not a good thing for a neighborhood when most of the kids on a block go to different schools and come and go at different times.  That minimizes the chances for shared child care, shared information about the school, shared advocacy, etc.  That is the cost of school choice.  At the same time, if I was being told my kid had to go to a failing school I would fight it or I would move.  I think magnet schools make sense.  If you or your child have a special interest in arts, or Spanish, or a certain learning style — apply for that special school.  If you don’t get in, go to your neighborhood school.  If your neighborhood school is a failing school, maybe you should get priority for the magnet school programs or choose an alternate neighborhood school.

The thing that drives me nuts about the district and school choice is how often I am told that parents are choosing a school so that their child will have a bus.  Busing should not be our solution to quality before and after school care.  What if that neighborhood school had an extended day option and kids could arrive at 7:30 and go home by 5:30?  How much busing would have to be eliminated to fund a program like that?  Unfortunately transportation money is reimbursed by the state, so you wouldn’t be able to use the savings anyway. Talk about poor incentives! Grrrrr.

and:

The issue of school choice really comes down to one thing…the concentration of poverty. Parents who are too poor to move to a better neighborhood, but understand the importance of good schools choose schools in a “better” neighborhood. Even though the school may not have a curriculum any better than their neighborhood school, it’s not in their neighborhood so it’s perceived as “better” and more desirable.

Everyone on this forum is making a conscious effort to stay in the city and get the best education for our children. After having a son go through the Urban Suburban program, I choose to stay in the city and educate my younger children here because I realize that it’s the only way the RCSD will improve. If all families that can move out of the city do, where will that leave us? I don’t know if school choice is working with regard to costs, busing, etc.. but if it didn’t exist there would be many more families leaving the district.

On District’s plan to create autonomous schools (City Paper story):

Taking a step closer to charter schools, the City School District is planning to give five schools the ability to operate more independently from central office. Principals in those schools will exercise more control over budgets and staffing than have been permitted in the past.

“We’re trying to empower the principals and school administrative teams with more decision-making,” says Mary Doyle, the district’s senior director of school innovation. “With increased decision-making, we believe we’ll see better schools with better outcomes. We think that people in the building will be more invested in their school.”

Principals will get to test some of their own ideas for improving their schools - longer school days, for example - with support from the district, Doyle says.

The district’s more autonomous schools, she says, will be similar to the Boston Public Schools Pilot School Network. The schools in the network were among the first in the country to test whether semi-independent schools with unions that negotiate pay, benefits, and working conditions can achieve some of the same successes as non-union charter schools.

The goal is to have the schools open under the new operating style for the 2010-2011 school year. But the five schools, Doyle says, have not yet been identified.

“The principals and the schools that are interested have to apply for this,” she says. “And they have to show us their plans, how they want to operate, and why they think their approach will work better.”

On new contract for teachers and administrators (D&C story):

Rochester school board members approved new contracts for two City School District labor unions Thursday night, signing off on pay raises and a provision that will pay some administrators $2,000 for becoming year-round employees.

Despite working more days, the roughly 120 administrators - mostly assistant principals - moving from 11-month to 12-month work schedules will not see an increase in pay beyond the 3.5 percent raise that all union administrators will get in the contract’s first of five years.

Instead, they will get one-time payments of $2,000 that will cost the district less than pro-rating their salaries to a 12-month schedule.

The district will also save money by eliminating an employee tuition reimbursement provision for administrators.

“It’s a huge concession on the union’s part,” union president Vicki Gouveia said of the agreement, made in light of the economy. The administrators union, ASAR, represents about 380 district employees in all.

The raise for district administrators is roughly the same as what 3,700 members of the Rochester Teachers Association will receive under the terms of a one-year contract extension. Both contracts were approved on 6-1 votes; Cynthia Elliott voted no.

…

The RTA raise was calculated using an average of several county districts who settled contracts with their unions this year. Under the previous contract, teachers’ annual raises had been based on top area districts.

Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard said the raises were reasonable and will keep district salaries competitive.

“We don’t want to become a farm team for the suburbs,” Brizard said.

And a parent reaction:

Governor Patterson was on WHAM 1180 yesterday morning saying that the state will run out of money next month without mid-year cuts to the budget, why is a 3.5% raise still on the table?

Don’t get me wrong, I think teachers deserve millions for what they do….but right now we ALL have to tighten our belts.

Plus … changes in busing policy, a conversation with Superintendent Brizard, after-school program at Cobbs Hill, charter school requirements, the school board election tally  … and more!

Question of the Week:

How do schools handle the holidays?

How do your children’s schools, or the schools you work at (or went to) handle the winter holidays? Are they celebrated or mentioned at all? All Christmas all the time? We’ve had experiences on both ends of the spectrum … what are other people’s experiences? And how do you feel about the whole thing?

Tell us what YOU think!

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Tuesday, December 1

Open House - International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Wilson

501 Genesee Street

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 2

Open House - Charlotte High School

4115 Lake Avenue

5:00-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 9

RCSD Academic Showcase

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 14

Open House - School Without Walls Foundation Academy

111 N. Clinton Avenue

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Final Thoughts

On Thanksgiving, I thought of so many things for which I am thankful.  And one, dear readers, is all of you. I am particularly thankful for all of you who take the time and effort to post on the forum.  While we are thrilled and grateful to have so many readers, without people posting, there would be nothing for anyone to read!  If you’re one of the people who read the board regularly but don’t post, please let us know if there’s anything we can do (besides making more time in the day:) to make it easier for you to post. You may not think you have anything to say, but even information that seems trivial to you — events coming up at your school, PTA contact information (yes please!), or answers to the Question of the Week — are useful and interesting to the rest of us.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Bakari, Lori Bryce

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Applying to Middle/High School

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Volume 18 November 2, 2009

If you’re like me, it’s hard enough to keep your family organized for the next week, or even the next day, let alone think further ahead.  But if you’re the parent of a 6th grader — or a plan-ahead kind of parent of a 4th or 5th grader — or the parent of an 8th grader interested in going to a different school next year — it’s almost time to start thinking about … *gasp* … high school.

The District will kick off the high school (and kindergarten) registration process in January, with an Academic Showcase at the Riverside Convention Center on January 9.  An application packet with information about all the schools, including those with special application processes (School of the Arts, School Without Walls, World of Inquiry and the language program at Monroe) will be sent out before then, and applications will be due sometime around the end of January.  Applicants rank their choices of the “regular” process schools 1 through 5, and those schools are assigned by lottery. In addition, students can apply to as many of the “special process” schools as they want - but those applications involve either an audition (School of the Arts), an interview (School Without Walls and World of Inquiry) or an exam (Monroe language program.) If all goes well (does it ever?) students could hear about their placements as early as April.

That’s the big picture.  But some things are happening now.  SOTA is holding an Open House for prospective students this Wednesday (see calendar below).  Other schools haven’t scheduled similar events yet (don’t go by the District calendar - Franklin and Jefferson, for example, are NOT holding Recruitment Nights this month) but you might want to start thinking about scheduling visits, or at least looking into the different schools.  Be prepared to be patient - and persistent! You might have to make multiple phone calls. (Remember, School Board Commissioner Willa Powell told us parents should call her if a school told them they can’t visit!)

And please, as you go through the process, share your experiences  with other parents at http://flowercityparents.org/forum.  If you’ve already got a child in high school, please share your words of wisdom and advice!  Together we know so much more than we do separately.

From our latest posts …

On the district revising its field trip forms (from the D&C):

Rochester School District officials are in the process of rewriting parental permission slips, new this year, that parents say create too much paperwork and have led to canceled field trips.The new forms, which must be completed by parents before every field trip, include one page of student and guardian personal information, another page of medical and health insurance information, and a separate release form.

“We’re hearing concerns that it’s a lot of paperwork to do every time,” said district spokesman Tom Petronio. “We’re going to look at streamlining it.”

On whether the District is responsive to phone calls or other contact:

I once complained to someone from the Office of Parental Involvement that the real problem with the district is this: Brizard is the most responsive person working for the district.

… This, obviously, is a problem, though –  the district’s structure is so Byzantine that sometimes the only person who seems to be undeniably responsible for solving a problem is the Superintendent.

I sometimes have the sense that other people in the district don’t return calls, not because they are unwilling to be helpful; rather, I sometimes wonder whether they simply aren’t in a position to address your problem — worse yet, they may not know who is.

On best fundraisers:

We worked with Barnes and Noble to do a book fair….it was a TON of work but great exposure for the larger community to see a city school in a different light. Basically, B&N and WOIS picked a date, they provide signs that said ” World of Inquiry Day” that was displayed in the host store. The PTO distributed a bar code like ticket and our school relieved 10% of all the profits on purchases made that day at any B&N store around the country. We emailed the code to friends and family EVERYWHERE! We made (I think) $600.00 in one day. We were able to have the community room dedicated to our school with work displayed and a slid show of Expeditionary Learning…we had a table with our summer reading list…we pretty much took over the store! They were and are looking forward to working with more city schools.

On School Board elections (from City Paper):

Just days away from the election, a newly formed organization called Rochester’s Future is supporting City School Board member Tom Brennan’s effort to save his seat through a write-in ballot. The move puts him in direct confrontation with fellow Board member Cynthia Elliott, who has the Democratic Party’s endorsement.

Though write-in campaigns are notoriously iffy, Elliott’s bawdy behavior, which was caught on video, seems to have created the last-minute opportunity for Brennan, who lost a bid this year for a seat on City Council. The controversy around Elliott’s language has raised questions about her leadership skills, and the Democratic Party’s wheeling and dealing.

“We need to show Cynthia that a primary win is not a license to misbehave,” says School Board member Willa Powell. “And if she wants to continue along the path she’s on, we’ll file a complaint with the state education commissioner. If voters only knew how she behaves, they would never have elected her in the first place.”

Plus … hearings on the Code of Conduct and student arrests, RCSD on PBS, the parent involvement office … and more!

Question of the Week:

This week we have not one but TWO questions of the week. (High school parents - we need your input!)

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too.

How do you pick a high school?

What factors should you consider when choosing your child’s middle/high school? How do you go about looking? How much weight do you give to your child’s preferences? What could the District do to make the process easier? Would it be easier not to have to choose at all?!

Share your thoughts!

Have you or child given any thought to college?

What are things you would like to see done to better support students on this road at schools or by the RCSD? How young is too young to bring your child on a college tour?

Is your child thinking of their high school resume for college and what activities top the list of must-haves?

What can elementary schools do to keep younger students interested in a post-secondary education? What does your school do?

Tell us what YOU think!

From our calendar:

Tuesday, Nov. 3 - Election Day - No School (Superintendent’s Day)

Wednesday, Nov. 4 - SOTA Open House for 6th and 8th graders and their parents and guardians

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Board Policy Committee meeting to discuss student arrests

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Veteran’s Day - No School

Thursday, Nov. 12 - Naming Ceremony and Student Showcase at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy (School #10), RCSD’s new Expeditionary Learning school.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday is Election Day.  I know, I know, you thought you were done with elections after the primary, and we may have even said you were.  But events at the School Board have taken an eventful turn (come to the forum for blow-by-blow accounts) and there may actually be a hint of a race.  Commissioner Tom Brennan, who didn’t run for re-election in the primary, is now running as a write-in candidate, supported by commissioners Van White and Willa Powell. (You can find out how to cast a write-in vote on the forum - or ask one of the helpful poll people.) Howard Eagle and Chris Edes are also on the ballot on third-party lines.  But none of that matters unless you GO VOTE!!! This election is likely to have a low turnout — races can be decided by just a few votes, ie. YOU.  (As an email from a city council candidate this morning reminded me — four years ago, a city council seat was one by just SEVEN VOTES.)

So vote! Thanks  for your support - and please pass this newsletter along to a friend who might not know about the Flower City Parents Network.

Sincerely,

Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Bakari, Lori Bryce


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Busing, budget cuts and more

Monday, October 19, 2009

Volume 17 October 19, 2009

Things have been busy on the forum lately. You’ve had lots to say about whether or not the district should bus every child, and Sunday’s  D&C article about unequal spending on different city schools  started discussion as well.  Now there’s news of more cuts to the state education budget, which can only make those conversations more difficult.  Want more bus service? Where’s the money coming from? Does creating equity have to mean taking away from some city schools to give to others? Is there even anything left to cut?

The one thing missing from the conversation is YOU!  We appreciate all the visitors to our site so much - and we’d really love to hear from more of you.  If you’re timid about getting into a political discussion, then share what you make your kids for lunch, or your ideas for fundraising, at the Question of the Week.  Your voice is what makes the forum valuable!

From our latest posts …

On different city schools receiving different levels of funding from the district:

(Response to an article Sunday in the Democrat & Chronicle)

I just want to point out that at various points in the article it is implied that experienced teachers = good teachers.  I don’t think is a fair statement AT ALL!  There are a couple of teachers at our school that immediately come to mind, first and second year teachers, that are equally good if not better at educating our students than some of the veterans.  One new staff member has also become a leader in our PTA and is helping connect our parents to our staff.  Sometimes you don’t get what you pay for.  In these cases we get MORE than what we’ve paid for - and the opposite may also be true at times.

Second, when will the teachers union and central office staff realize that the goal for each should be to educate our children?!  There are requests to be “invited to the table” for discussions and being asked for input.  How about we all just assume there is ONE table that doesn’t require either an invitation or an RSVP!

On new paperwork for field trips:

Just found out my child’s field trip is cancelled tomorrow because of a paperwork issue.  The teacher just found out yesterday that she needed to complete yet more paperwork for the school nurse, at least 1 week prior to the field trip.  Since she just found out yesterday, the trip is now cancelled.  Unfair to the kids, the teachers and an inconvenience for the parents who were planning on taking the day off to go to the field trip with their kids.

On how schools use federal  parent involvement (Title 1) funds:

The money has been used for a bunch of things: it helps with the costs of our end-of-year picnic and 6th grade & K moving up ceremonies, we’ve had a family yoga night, brought in a speaker to talk about dealing with tweens, books for kids in Saturday school, it pays for the communication folders every student has for homework . . . I’m sure there’s more.

The only problem is that getting the money is a nightmare. It’s an incredibly tortuous process (multiple forms to be filled in, often the same form more than once) that takes months.  A couple of times the PTA has had to foot the bill for something because vendors are fed up of waiting so long to be paid and then the PTA has to try and get reimbursed. Also, there seems to be no way to get the money early in the school year, which is the best time to really try and do something about parent involvement, which is after all what the money is supposed to be spent on!

On the district’s graduation rate (from City paper):

City Schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard has repeatedly said that his goal is to increase Rochester’s graduation rate to 75 percent by 2012. And he has made headway. The district’s graduation rate has inched over 50 percent, up from 39 percent two years ago.

But it’s possible, Brizard says, that the graduation rate will dip again. The potential drop has to do with changes imposed by the NYS Education Department.

Albany is phasing out local high-school diplomas, which allow students to graduate with a passing grade of 55 on final exams. New York will soon grant Regents diplomas only. Regents exams are given as final exams in five subjects: math, science, comprehensive English, global studies, and US history and government. A grade of 65 or better is required to pass those exams.

…The tougher requirements may mean that more students will need more than four years to pass all five Regents exams. And that could drag down graduation rates for the big five urban school districts, Brizard says, which includes Rochester.

Plus … favorite fall activities, state budget cuts, why our improved math scores might not mean much, more debate on  bus service, ideas for bag lunches … and more!

Question of the Week:

What’s Your Favorite Fund Raiser?

What are the best fund raisers — at your school, your church, or other community organizations? What are the most popular fund raisers … which ones are the most successful?

Share your ideas at http://flowercityparents.org/forum/index.php?board=24.0

Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Thursday, October 22 - School Board meeting

Saturday, October 24 - Open House & Community Read-In at all city branch libraries, Family Science Day at Sully Library

Tuesday, November 3 - No School (Superintendent’s Day)

Final Thoughts - Where’s the Parent Council?

If you had a child in the District last year, you may remember hearing about a district-wide Parent Council. There were calls for nominees.  There were mailings with information about the nominees.  There were robo-calls urging us to vote. There was voting.  And then … silence.

So where’s the Parent Council? Do we have a Parent Council? A recent editorial in the Democrat & Chronicle said Superintendent Brizard “isn’t pleased with the initial effort” and “is right to try again.” Do the parents elected last year know that? (Who were the parents elected last year?) Let’s hope they’re not investing time in a  cause the District has already written off.

When representatives of Flower City Parents Network met with the superintendent last spring, we suggested taking advantage of the elected parent representatives each school already has (or should have): school-based planning team representatives and PTA/PTO/PTSA leaders. That hasn’t happened - but we still think it’s a good idea. :) Instead of trying to re-invent the wheel every few years (this is at least the third Parent Council effort in recent memory) what about supporting the parents who are already involved, and helping expand their numbers?

We care about our children’s education and the health of the District.  We want to help - but in ways that can really make a difference. There’s too much that needs to be done in our schools to waste time (and money) on elections and councils that go nowhere.  If there’s a reason the Parent Council isn’t happening - let us know! And let’s move on.

Thanks  for your support -

Sincerely,

Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Bakari, Lori Bryce


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Join your school’s parent group!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Volume 16 September 28, 2009

With the first days of school under our belts, it’s time to start thinking about the rest of the year. Have you joined your school’s parent organization?  Often I meet parents who talk about PTA and PTOs as if those are “other” people. But particularly in the city schools, there are no “other” people — there is only us!  Don’t be intimidated because it might seem like parent leaders at your school have all been there and already know each other.  I am willing to bet that they are dying for more help and involvement.  It is only because of parents that many programs survive at our schools.  Please consider being a part of the parent group at your school.  You don’t have to have huge amounts of time to give.  Anything you can do will make a difference for our kids.

If you are involved with your parent group, please come to the forum and share what you’re up to so other schools and groups can benefit! Let’s take advantage of this network to share ideas and experiences.

From our latest posts …

On the new 7th grade at World of Inquiry:

“I have a 7th grader at WOIS. Things are going great. He went on his first field study just three days into the school year and in the second week he went to Mt. Hope Cemetery to study “weathering”. They were trying to discover why some of the tombstones had eroded and others hadn’t. At least that is how he explained it to me. I think this is fantastic. It’s not just sitting at a desk, reading from a text book and listening to lectures.

My child is very excited about attending this school. This is the best example of how well this school is run. The teachers are motivating and interesting.The administrators and truly welcoming and helpful , the student seem happy to be at school and the parents that I have met are super friendly.

My child is taking Spanish(so cool because all of my other children have only been able to take Latin) and he is in Band. He has gotten used wearing his uniform and he has been awake every morning on time, dressed and happy about going to school. For me, that  is the best part.“

On RCSD services for students with disabilities:

“Hello!  I work at the Learning Disabilities Association and have worked with the RCSD and city youth and parents for many years.  I’m interested in your thoughts about services and supports for students with disabilities in the RCSD.

What has been your experience?

What is the district doing well?

Where do they struggle?

How responsive is the district to your thoughts/feedback/input into your child’s educational program?  Are they a good, respectful partner?

For parents of teens:  how well is the district meeting it’s resonsibility to provide transition planning and services for your child?

How much do you know about education law and your rights as a parent?

What can providers such as LDA do to help you be a stronger advocate?

What can providers such as LDA do to help the district get better outcomes for youth with disabilities?

Lots of questions!  I’m interested in your thoughts and experiences!”

On bus orientation for kindergartners:

I am planning on tackling this one for next fall.  I hope to get with the right people in the district and set up a bus orientation for kindergartners next summer.  After my experience this year, I don’t want anyone to go through what my son did because of bus anxiety. Any one interested or have suggestions?

On RIT offering a full tuition scholarships to city school students:

Rochester Institute of Technology announced today it is offering a full-ride to Rochester City School graduates admitted as full-time freshman beginning in fall 2010. This scholarship program is for those graduates who meet eligibility requirements.

RIT President Bill Destler said, “This is an opportunity for city students to have aspirations of attending a world-class university. It also is an initiative for RIT to attract the best and brightest from the area’s largest school district.”

“This is fantastic opportunity for our students and a phenomenal show of support by RIT for the college-going culture we are developing among our students,” said Rochester Superintendent of Schools Jean-Claude Brizard. “This scholarship program reinforces our message that college is an attainable goal for each of our students. We’re saying that we, as a community, believe in them. It’s now up to them to do the work that will put this generous opportunity within their reach.”

Tuition for full-time undergraduates at RIT is currently $28,866.

Plus …  more on busing, new school food, Rochester Surround Care, how to decide if your kids are sick, … and more!

Question of the Week:

How is the new school start schedule working out?

How is the split (early and late) elementary school start schedule working out for you and your family?Have you adjusted to early — or late — mornings? Is the bus coming on time? What do you think in general?

Come join the conversation.  Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Tuesday, Sept. 29 - RCSD “Reach-Out” – Families needing assistance with school services such as registering their children for pre-K, completing a college application, and everything in between can get it from the experts from the Rochester City School District during a special evening event.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at East High School, 1801 East Main Street, in the commons area.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Free RPO Concert at School of the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 - “Pre-K @ College” at Nazareth College for four-year-olds (and parents) from any UPK program, either in the district or run by a community-based organization.

How to use the forum: Did you know you can edit your own posts? Once you are logged in, there will be a “Modify” link in orange at the top right of your post that you can use to edit your posts. You can find that and other useful information (like how to post in the first place!) in the FAQ.

Final Thoughts

It’s raining and it’s cold, so it must truly be fall.  I hope everyone is working out the bugs with buses and lunches and everything else parents have to deal with. Stay well, enjoy the dry days, and spread the word about Flower City Parents! (Have I mentioned our snazzy new logo? Please let us know if you’d be willing to take flyers to a school or community event.)

Thanks  for your support!

Sincerely,

Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Bakari, Lori Bryce

If you want to be sure to get future newsletters, please come register at the forum - it only takes a second -  or send us an email.

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Election Day

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Volume 15 September 14, 2009

Most of us are getting back in the swing of school by now (unless, like me, your kids are home sick already!) How’s it going so far? How are your new high schoolers and kindergartners adjusting? How are you doing with the new bus schedule? Come join the conversation!

The Democratic primary election is tomorrow (Tuesday), so if you’re a registered Democrat, please don’t miss this opportunity to have a say in our children’s education.  Flower City Parents Network sent your questions to each of the candidates for Rochester City School Board (except for Michael Mason, who did not return phone calls asking for an address!) and received responses from Nancy Shelton, Van White, and Christopher Edes.  Their answers are excerpted below, and you can read the full answers on the School Board section of the forum:

There you can also find candidate Q&As with the Democrat and Chronicle, and endorsements from City Paper, the Smugtown Beacon, Mayor Duffy, and the Rochester Teachers Association.

The Republican Party isn’t running candidates for School Board (or City Council) in November, so for all intents and purposes this IS the election. (Some of the primary candidates will remain on the ballot on third-party lines even if they don’t win tomorrow.) Off-year primaries like this one don’t generally attract many voters, so a few people — like YOU — can make a difference.  So go vote! Polls open at 12 noon.

Candidates respond to FCPN …

Nancy Sung Shelton :

Is school choice accomplishing what it is supposed to accomplish?  Or is it just providing increased job opportunities for bus drivers?

I believe in the concept of community schools.  When speaking to the challenges around parental involvement, the major access barriers described to me by parents/guardians are transportation, multiple children within household attending different schools, language, apparent lack of district consideration for student cultural values and belief system, information coming out of district not getting to parents (e.g. difficult to understand, not sent out in a timely fashion, delivery method is not good for parent).  Many of these challenges could be addressed if the schools were better connected to the community that surrounds them.

Our schools are institutes of learning where students go to become educated about the world, well, I think that the schools should do better to become educated about the immediate world around it - the community.  Children would be more inspired to learn, parents would feel more encouraged to visit the schools and the community would feel more empowered to support the schools.

Did you attend Rochester City Schools or do you have (or have you had) any children that attend(ed) city schools?  If so, which schools have you experienced?

I briefly attended Franklin High School as an 11th grader.  As many of you may know that I was a high school drop-out.  HOWEVER, I went on to receive my G.E.D. and three post-secondary degrees: A.A.S. in Criminal Justice, B.A. in Behavioral Sciences, and a M.A. in Management.

All three of my sons have been educated in the RCSD.  Two are current students (although my youngest son is spending this school year with his Dad – he will return to his school as a 5th grader for the 2010-11 school year).  My son, Garrison, is a 10th grader at Dr. Freddie Thomas High School and my youngest son, Caiza, is a 4th grader and has attended #39.

I have also had personal experiences with Charlotte High School, School Without Walls, and Elementary Schools #:30, 34, & 45 (my oldest, Louis, attended these schools several years ago). My sister, Maysha Shelton, used to work as a paraprofessional/student teacher in School #30.

Van White:

What working relationship between the City of Rochester and the RCSD do you think would be ideal and how will you strive to achieve this?  Should there be city council members on the board and vice versa?

I think that like any effective relationship there must be communication. All too often, over the years, the leaders at City Hall and Central Office only communicated during budget season.  Unfortunately, those discussions are superficial and do not foster long term working relationships. Accordingly, I have proposed that the District and City Hall become members of each other’s committee structure.  More specifically, I have proposed the City Council establish an Education Committee (and invite a member of School Board to be a member of that Committee) and that the School Board invite City Council to join its Audit and Finance Committees. By establishing year-round opportunities for communications we can improve City/District relationships.

Although the latest district budget was billed as “transparent,”parents who took the time to read through it were unable to learn about any specific cuts that would affect their children, in particular cuts to arts teachers, librarians, social workers, etc.  To date, the district has not made any of that information public. How does that qualify as a “transparent” budget? Do you believe the process should be made more public,and if so, how?

Having observed two other budgets (prior to 09-10) I can tell you this budget was much more user friendly.  My opinion was it was written in a way that was easier to understand and review.  In this respect, I thought this was a major step towards transperancy. I also think our parent rep on the Board’s Finance (committee) is underutilized.  I bet many parents don’t know that they have such a a representative on the Finance Committee.  Finally, the Board convenes many public sessions on the budget every year.  Unfortunately, these are never well attended.  Finally, from a personal point of view, I made every effort to let the public in on our budget deliberations right up until the very end.  You may recall that Commissioner Powell, Brennan, and myself (well after the budget was voted on) continued to ask very public questions on the budget including why a decision was made to cut social workers, psychologist, and music instructors.  These questions and ensuing debate took place in a very public way.  Ultimately, as a result of this transparent dialogue 42 positions were restored to the budget.

Christopher Edes:

What working relationship between the City of Rochester and the RCSD do you think would be ideal and how will you strive to achieve this?  Should there be city council members on the board and vice versa?

I believe directly electing school board members is the best way to hold our district accountable to the people.  Education is an issue of tremendous importance to our City, and must be overseen by elected officials dedicated to that purpose.  City Council and other City officials deal with a great many issues, in which education may become lost or fall beneath other, competing priorities.

How can the district better solicit, compile, and use parental feedback?  Student feedback?  Data that measures outcomes and cost-benefit relationships?

First, the district can stop actively discouraging feedback, by (1) announcing every public meeting as soon as it is scheduled; (2) making agendas available as soon as they are finalized, rather than after the meeting is already over; and (3) holding meetings in different locations throughout the city, as well as on a rotating schedule which includes weekends.

Second, we can tie parent and student satisfaction metrics to district administrator salaries, which will encourage greater responsiveness to community concerns.

Finally, we should use job and college placement success as a relative determinant to measure the success of one program or strategy against another.  While it’s difficult to isolate individual programs’ effects over the course of a student’s education, it is possible if large enough statistical samples are used.  From this, we can construct a cost-benefit model to identify the best investment of our resources.

And from our latest posts …

On a longer school year:

Brizard wants 200 days of school a year and we’re at 185 right now — so that’s 3 weeks added to what we have already. It doesn’t sound like much–but it probably means starting in the middle of August and extending the school year into July (maybe finishing right before July 4th?). One teacher I asked about a longer year said there’s no point in doing that unless what we’re doing already is successful. If the kids aren’t succeeding, then keeping them in school longer isn’t going to change anything. More of the same is pointless if “the same” isn’t working. I think she’s right. I think probably “how” children are taught has far more to do with their success than “how long” they’re taught for.

If the superintendent really wants a 200 day school year, then he is going to have to address the issue of burnout both for teachers and students. I notice my children have had enough of school by the end of May/early June and I’m sure the teachers have too. There would need to be more and longer breaks than we have already to deal with burnout … Also, I think the standardized tests are all being moved to April/May–that’s going to make those months very tiring/stressful for all concerned and trying to make potentially 8 more weeks after that productive will be challenging.

So, I understand the problems with a long summer break, I too am frustrated with much of September and some of October being spent on review, but I’m not sure that just tacking a few weeks onto the beginning and end of the year is going to solve the problem.

Plus … kids walking to school, school food, parent organizations  … and more!

Question of the Week:

Describe your first full week of school in three words!

Come to the forum to join the conversation.  Feel free to answer previous questions of the week, too!

From our calendar:

Tuesday, Sept. 15 - School Board primaries

Thursday, Sept. 24 - School Board Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 29 - RCSD “Reach-Out” – Families needing assistance with school services such as registering their children for pre-K, completing a college application, and everything in between can get it from the experts from the Rochester City School District during a special evening event.6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at East High School, 1801 East Main Street, in the commons area.

Final Thoughts

The district has asked us to remind you of their policy on the H1N1 virus. There is lots of information about it on the district web site (www.rcsdk12.org), including links to a brochure in English and Spanish, which your child should have brought home from school.  The main thing they are stressing is that students and staff should STAY HOME IF THEY’RE SICK!!! Children with a fever of 101 plus another flu symptom, like cough or runny nose, will be sent home from school.  Children should stay home until they are free of all symptoms, including fever, for 24 hours without help of medicine.

As the brochure notes, the single most effective way to prevent the virus is to wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze or before eating.

Thanks  for your support!

Sincerely,

Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Bakari, Lori Bryce

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