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Where are the Supporters?; The Silence is Deafening...
Topic Started: Sep 27 2006, 05:31 PM (10,510 Views)
sunshine
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Principal
I would like to add that my experience at Riley has far surpassed my expectations. Of course the start-up with unpacking, organiziing, meeting staff was a huge task as we were becoming used to our new surroundings. In my opinion, the teaching staff is outstanding! The Principals...well, please be sure to thank them next time you see them for the tremendous amount of time, sweat, and most of all, professionalism that they have shown during the last few months. And lastly, but certainly not least, my compliments to the parents of our students at Riley. Sure, there has been the usual disciplinary incidents to be dealt with, but the majority of students are friendly, respectful, and eager to learn. They are orderly, well-mannered and truly a joy to see each day. You would all be very proud of their behavior during our first two practice fire drills. In a building as large as ours, and the number of students, it is imperative that practiced responses to emergency situations be taken very seriously, as they should in all buildings. They were wonderful! Thank you for sending us your very best....and that is just what they are, indeed!
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Administrator
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The people that post on this board are a very small part of our community. Many more people read than post.

So far our experiences at Kennedy have been very positive, as we were sure they would be. The kids have many, if not most of the teachers from Hull who came along. The one negative has been the loss of community. Many, many of us would see the inside of the school every day while picking up the kids. Speak to other parents and get the general "vibe". That is the biggest problem for many Hull parents, and the biggest adjustment. Hopefully people can use this forum to help make up for that loss, and I hope they do.
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pkm
Principal
My sentiments exactly Jimid. I am very pleased with my daughter's teacher at Riley and she is enjoying playing the violin. I've already spent many days volunteering there. However, that feeling of family and community is absent. I feel like we've gone from working at a small family owned company to a large corporation. I keep hoping that the next time I'm there, my feelings will change. I really DO want to like it there. I feel that if the school was 1/2 the size, things would feel differently.
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NFarquharson
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I also agree. There is no more "neighborhood" in the schools. Both of my kids have started at brand new schools where they didn't know anyone at all. They are doing well and making new friends. Unfortunately, since both Riley and Coolidge are so very large and draw from such large geographical areas, their new friends are not from our new neighborhood at all. I am getting to know people and everyone is very nice, but it's just not the same and I will never know even half of the kids or parents no matter what.
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Livonia Voter
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NFarquharson
Sep 28 2006, 07:35 PM
I also agree. There is no more "neighborhood" in the schools. Both of my kids have started at brand new schools where they didn't know anyone at all. They are doing well and making new friends. Unfortunately, since both Riley and Coolidge are so very large and draw from such large geographical areas, their new friends are not from our new neighborhood at all. I am getting to know people and everyone is very nice, but it's just not the same and I will never know even half of the kids or parents no matter what.


It feels like the BOE wants a "one size fits all" education factory, not schools that work to meet neighborhood needs.

Sigh....

Is it May yet?


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rooseveltmom
Principal
whyus
Sep 28 2006, 11:38 AM
I have a 6th grader at Riley and my home school closed and my so has continued to come every day and tell me how much he likes Riley. And no he was not in a class with his best friends. Sure lunch lines can be slow, however I have heard this complaint since my kids were in 1st grade. Frankly, the bus ride is a tiny bit longer for my son in Riley , but a bit shorter one for son at Holmes. You can kid yourself and say supporters are not happy, but just as with the recall, many supporters don't have to say things. We all know that happy people are quieter than unhappy people. I also don't think anyone wants to sound like they are gloating. By the way, I do think most parents are happy ar Riley and/or are comfortable that their kids are getting a good education and making new friends. BTW - last count of PTA members at Riley is approximately 425.

RILEY,,, I like Riley myself. My kids can walk there. But alas it is not an option any more. Less than a mile is still too far. Mostly bussed children now. Sorry for the resentment. But this is one of the main reasons I moved here.

Cooper for us...Long bus rides and a bit of toxicity as a bonus. <_<

I don't know what the enrolment numbers are this year,,,Next year will be even more transparent and far from a "Beacon of Light" ,,

We need to demand more. To make this all make sense,,,we need to own our communities and be spokespersons for a positive change in our childrens success. Lest not, we continue to allow our property values drop and the negativity take over.
Does anyone see a a light at the end of this long dark tunnel?

How do we achieve outstanding schools and a "Beacon of Light" District that Liepa missed so very much? Force is no way to implement this plan. It only undermines the people it represents and employ.

With a communitie like ours, great things can happen.

Perhaps a post demographics commitee is in order.
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plmask
Principal
"Perhaps a post demographics commitee is in order"

Good idea!
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Grant1
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We have just begun to fight!
rooseveltmom
Sep 28 2006, 10:39 PM
whyus
Sep 28 2006, 11:38 AM
I have a 6th grader at Riley and my home school closed and my so has continued to come every day and tell me how much he likes Riley.  And no he was not in a class with his best friends.  Sure lunch lines can be slow, however I have heard this complaint since my kids were in 1st grade.  Frankly, the bus ride is a tiny bit longer for my son in Riley , but a bit shorter one for son at Holmes.  You can kid yourself and say supporters are not happy, but just as with the recall, many supporters don't have to say things.  We all know that happy people are quieter than unhappy people.  I also don't think anyone wants to sound like they are gloating.  By the way, I do think most parents are happy ar Riley and/or are comfortable that their kids are getting a good education and making new friends.  BTW - last count of PTA members at Riley is approximately 425.

RILEY,,, I like Riley myself. My kids can walk there. But alas it is not an option any more. Less than a mile is still too far. Mostly bussed children now. Sorry for the resentment. But this is one of the main reasons I moved here.

Cooper for us...Long bus rides and a bit of toxicity as a bonus. <_<

I don't know what the enrolment numbers are this year,,,Next year will be even more transparent and far from a "Beacon of Light" ,,

We need to demand more. To make this all make sense,,,we need to own our communities and be spokespersons for a positive change in our childrens success. Lest not, we continue to allow our property values drop and the negativity take over.
Does anyone see a a light at the end of this long dark tunnel?

How do we achieve outstanding schools and a "Beacon of Light" District that Liepa missed so very much? Force is no way to implement this plan. It only undermines the people it represents and employ.

With a communitie like ours, great things can happen.

Perhaps a post demographics commitee is in order.

Come to the Citizens for Livonia's Future meeting on Wednesday, Oct 4th at 7:00PM at St. Mary's church on Merriman just north of 6 mile and become a part of the positive effort for change and continuous improvement in our schools and community!

Advocate, Communicate, Facilitate...and make a difference!

See you there!
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CKlockner
Principal
As an opposser of legacy I have tryed to take a wait and see approach. Some things at Riley are ok. My daughter loves her teacher and those stupid lockers. What I think needs changing is the two house set up There are kids who never see their friends or siblings because they are in the other house. I have heard complaints from many parents about this. Also the playground equipment needs to be modified to fit the kids who are using them. Did anyone measure before installing? There are many little things that need to be addressed but I am willing to give it some time. Of course with a 6th grader I will only be dealing with this for one year.
Oh and NOT being able to dress up for Halloween is really not going over well with the kids? Silly them they thought they were still in elementary school.
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loyaltolivonia
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Principal
You know, I'm kind of offended that people (supporters) still think that because we are still opposed to the LI, it means that we are not supporting the kid's or the schools they are at.

Our family has been to the Johnson walk-thru in May (?), we have been to curriculum night at both Johnson and Randolph, Open House at both Johnson and Randolph, I have purchased Market Day from Johnson (fund raiser), I have an order for the Randolph fund raiser already, we bought 4 "Smencils" (smelly pencils) last night at Randolph (fund raiser), and I've already driven my own vehicle on a field trip to Greenfield Village. Oh, and bought books from the Book Fair at Randolph.

I guess I don't understand what else we have to do to show that we support our kids and their schools even though we are still not happy with the plan :blink:

BTW, I also stated before that my 6th grader is quite happy in his new school Johnson. Loves lockers, school, playground, trumpet, bus ride and now the Sports Club with Mr. Mack.
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plmask
Principal
loyaltolivonia
Sep 29 2006, 08:53 AM
You know, I'm kind of offended that people (supporters) still think that because we are still opposed to the LI, it means that we are not supporting the kid's or the schools they are at.

Our family has been to the Johnson walk-thru in May (?), we have been to curriculum night at both Johnson and Randolph, Open House at both Johnson and Randolph, I have purchased Market Day from Johnson (fund raiser), I have an order for the Randolph fund raiser already, we bought 4 "Smencils" (smelly pencils) last night at Randolph (fund raiser), and I've already driven my own vehicle on a field trip to Greenfield Village. Oh, and bought books from the Book Fair at Randolph.

I guess I don't understand what else we have to do to show that we support our kids and their schools even though we are still not happy with the plan :blink:

BTW, I also stated before that my 6th grader is quite happy in his new school Johnson. Loves lockers, school, playground, trumpet, bus ride and now the Sports Club with Mr. Mack.

Gotta love Mr. Mack, teaching for more years than I can count and still puts the kids first. He is one dedicated teacher.
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loyaltolivonia
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I really like him a lot! He is in it for the kid's. Always has been , even when I had him in 5th grade at Hoover :o He truly does it "For Kid's Sake".

I am so glad at least one of my boys has the same opportunity to learn science and do Sports Club with him. My other is in 3rd grade and I don't think he will have a chance to have him in 6th. Rumor has it this is Mr. Mack's last year teaching :(
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Administrator
Administrator
I love great teachers! Since you bring it up....I have got to say that Mrs. Nowak who teaches 3rd grade at Kennedy(came over from Hull) is one of the best, most dedicated teachers I have ever seen. I just can't say enough, and I am so very glad my daughter had her last year!!
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Administrator
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Maybe I just better start a new thread on this subject :lol:
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SJC
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For most of the supporters the job was done the night of recall vote. I'm sure they're getting their coordinated T-shirts together for their next big push "Prop 5: For Kids Sake 2". They're writing outlandish phone scripts for their telemarketers. Freeman is probably cleaning Target and Wal-Mart out of Lifesavers again. If he cared about our kids as much as he cared about our breath he'd be a heck of public official.

I can almost guarantee that the three houses in my neighborhood that were displaying blue signs will have Prop 5 signs up. None of those three houses have any children in LPS by the way.
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