Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Locked Topic
Livonia Observer; December 15
Topic Started: Dec 15 2005, 11:21 AM (2,413 Views)
grantmom
Principal
I will be replying to the Observer regarding this misquote of information by someone trying to distract from the truth.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
Everyone should be outraged by this obvious attempt to overshadow the real issues here. Nice try!!!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Rose
Principal
How dare she make this a racial issue. Maybe she is the one with the racial issue and should not be working with our kids. Sorry, but when I see people, I just see them as people. What an idiotic remark!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
You're right, Rose. She referred to the children she teaches as Hispanic, Arabic,
African-American, etc. She's the one with the problem. They are just kids. She's the only one in the community talking about the diverse student population at
Cooper. In fact, before she made her announcement, I never knew that Cooper
had a diverse student population. I don't see that as a negative, but a positive.
What's her point?
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
grantmom
Principal
fyi
Dec 22 2005, 10:24 AM
You're right, Rose. She referred to the children she teaches as Hispanic, Arabic,
African-American, etc. She's the one with the problem. They are just kids. She's the only one in the community talking about the diverse student population at
Cooper. In fact, before she made her announcement, I never knew that Cooper
had a diverse student population. I don't see that as a negative, but a positive.
What's her point?

fyi you're right, my husband said the same thing about it being diverse "that it's a good thing". He nor I grew up in a school district that was diverse, but having our children grow up in one we feel is a positive, just not at that site (Cooper).
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
parentsw/power
Member Avatar
Principal
fyi
Dec 22 2005, 09:34 AM
Teachers not muzzled
I am briefly writing in response to your cover story on the potential school board recall drive (Observer, Dec. 15).

I am a teacher, a coach, a parent and a lifelong member of the Livonia community. I have become rather frustrated with the insinuations and rumor-based commentary coming from several of the members from Citizens for Livonia's Future.

Patrice Mang alleged that teachers were told not to attend meetings and silence our opinions about the recall. That simply isn't true. Throughout this entire process, neither Dr. (Supt. Randy) Liepa nor anyone on the committee has ever, once, suggested or even tried to curb the opinions of LPS staff. I have tuned in and/or attended every meeting, and I am member of our teacher's union.

In all these situations we were never given scripted language as to how we should address the Legacy Initiative. In fact, our opinions and positions have been encouraged.

As teachers we are well aware of the impact the Initiative may have on our buildings as we make the transition next fall, and we are preparing to make those transitions positive and productive. Our goal is to work together and do what is best for the district and the families we work with directly.

What brings me concern is the fact that comments like Mang's will only bring unwarranted tension between teachers and parents. There will be plenty of obstacles to overcome as we all move into the 2006-07 school year. Why create more challenges?

I understand the committee has a goal and a purpose, and I do not mean to challenge its intentions. However, to direct more negative attention in the form of rumors or hearsay toward the very people educating their children is not a very progressive approach in addressing the concerns of Citizens for Livonia's Future.

Russ Keberly

Livonia

Obviously they haven't spoke to the teachers at Taylor. I know several for a fact that stated that they were advised not to speak out for fear of recieving less desirable teaching positions. They also stated that their union not once asked how they felt about this LI. I guess they all felt that since Oquist was on the committee and is for this, they ASSUMED her staff was for it. WRONG! They are not!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
one_observer
Principal
Yes LPS has been good to his family, I do believe his mother is secretary at Frost, unless she retired. His wife is a teacher, also at Frost. His child is 3 years old.

.
Quote:
 
Our goal is to work together and do what is best for the district and the families we work with directly.
Families do indeed work together!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Rose
Principal
You know, the more we communicate, the more we become informed. Now isn't that one interesting!
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
Whatcha gonna do for da family?
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
Sounds like he doesn't want to bite off the hand that is feeding him. Makes one wonder why LPS is doing the same thing.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Anna Krome
Principal
Here is my letter to Stephanie C. at O/E after the article re: Cooper's teacher's comments about playing the race card:

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for your article about Cooper. I have concerns about your article, here is why:

1. In the article, I did not notice any comment from parents in response to the teacher's comments. I spoke to the teacher personally, about what she said, later at the meeting. No one at the meeting questioned the quality of teachers at Cooper.

By not running a response to her, it is implied that her statements could be a general feeling among the parent group. Which is not true.

2. As for a rainbow of different children--that is true for almost all of Livonia's schools. Adams has several races and religions. Did you know that Roosevelt has a preschool for Japanese children? All of Livonia is very diverse, and I know of no trouble at any of the schools regarding race.

This teacher has her opinion, but have you encountered a parent/other who has stated to you or written that they have a problem w/diversity in Livonia schools? If so, please inform us.

3. Parents are genuinely concerned about old Cooper, which is just a few yards away from new Cooper. New research indicates that particulate matter from sites, such as the old Cooper, is very dangerous to our health, causing people to "die younger" and suffer increased risk to heart disease, from clogged arteries. I can provide more information, if you wish.

Here is a disclosure: Our family's favorite teacher is from Cooper, Mrs. Hall. My girl attended Cooper for 2 years--K-1. We left for several reasons. If you'd ever like to talk to me about Cooper, I 'd be happy to.

3. I have been intimidated by 2 persons in public for my opinion about the LI--not just boos at a meeting. Men in my face, very angry. If you'd like to know about my experiences, please let me know.

Even though I have been intimidated, I have not backed down. Running someone's feelings about not speaking up is okay, but has anyone actually been intimidated? Not clapping at a meeting is someone's personal choice. You were there, no one was intimidating anyone.

Running someone's fears, without anything concrete backing it up, does not seem like news to me.

I have been at almost every meeting. I have never seen any altercation. Have you?

I appreciate your skill and your writing very much. Please contact me anytime.

Sincerely,

Anna Krome
734.522.6968


Another Irony:

Yes, Livonia has a host of different nationalities and religions. That is a good thing.

The odd thing was: That at the end of this BOE meeting, some of the BOE went on to
speak in purely Christian tones, blessing one another. That is their right. But does it send the right message to Livonia's citizens? That the BOE is practicing a religion, when government and religion are NOT supposed to mix?

Religion is very personal. I do not feel the BOE should be suggesting one religion over another. Religion does no belonig in government.

Let the debate begin.

Anna Krome
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
Just goes to show you how things can be misrepresented by the paper.
A couple of weeks ago, a parent named Carrie Roe, wrote an editorial concerning
the LI. Her opinion of the plan was clear---she doesn't like it. A couple of weeks
later she is shown (color picture smiling with her kid), along with an article about
Roosevelt and Adams caroling together and talking about how great the LI is.
The article is very positive about the LI and gives the reader the impression that
everyone that attended the "caroling adventure" just loves the LI. I hope people
are paying attention.

Read back on this thread and you will find her editorial.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Elisa
Member Avatar
Principal

Nfarquharson,
I was thinking the same thing. Combining schools from diverse areas would "balance" the enrollment. Seeming to make the school less likely to miss making AYP and suffering sanctions that would cost the district $. But take a look below, from a report on Title I funding. Are we looking for more Title I funding? The theories are growing....




"Feeder Pattern: Secondary schools often have trouble convincing students to apply for subsidized school meals, which can make it hard for them to qualify for Title I funding. LEAs have the option of using alternative means, such as surveys, to count eligible students in such schools. They may also use a "feeder pattern" technique, in which a secondary school qualifies for Title I funding based on the percentages of low-income children in the elementary schools that "feed" into it."

Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NFarquharson
Member Avatar
Principal
It looks like Cooper, McKinley and Garfield, along with Emerson Middle School, are all Title I schools. Since Cooper will mix with Cleveland, McKinley will go to Grant, some of the area that did go to Grant (grid 3) will move to Garfield, amd Emerson will now draw additional students from the Roosevelt and Adams areas, there is a good chance that there will no longer be any Title I schools once the Legacy plan is reality. Could this be the real reason for this plan? Elisa--what do you know about Title I schools? Would there be an advantage to the district NOT to have any?
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NFarquharson
Member Avatar
Principal
Perhaps any extra funding is not "worth it" when faced with the possibility of sanctions if those schools don't make AYP???
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Livonia Neighbors Archive · Next Topic »
Locked Topic