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Board of Education Meeting; Monday, November 20, 2006
Topic Started: Nov 12 2006, 05:45 PM (3,580 Views)
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
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Principal
cmic
Nov 21 2006, 08:46 PM
iliveon...
you were great at the meeting last night. I was hoping that they would listen and change their stance, but I can wish in one hand and **** in the otherhand and the only thing I have for sure is...

:lol: :lol:

Thanks Cmic! I wish the board would change their stance as well.
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livoniafootballmom
Principal
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
Nov 21 2006, 08:37 PM
livoniafootballmom
Nov 21 2006, 08:17 PM
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
Nov 21 2006, 08:11 PM
cmic
Nov 21 2006, 04:55 PM
They need to reverse the initiative and at the same time continue to bring in money in this kind of a way.

I agee with you CMIC. They need to reverse the decision and work hard to bring new families back and into the district. I would love the district to focus more on the elementary level here.

Focus on just the elementaries? For how long? Until your kids hit middle school? We have new state mandated graduation requirements that require an overhaul to the overall curriculum and it needs to be done now since it takes effect for this years current 8th graders. That should be the current priority.

NO....I said just focus MORE on the elementaries. I didnt say ignore everyone else. The high schools here are great! They have great programs. Why not offer great programs at the elementary level to attract younger clients here? That is all
I was saying. Chill.

I don't think I was overheated or in need of having to "chill" no yelling was happening in my post. It is very difficult to know what you mean by focus on elementaries. What would you like to see improved at the elementary level? Would you like it to be totally revamped from a curriculum standpoint? If not a total revamping what specifically would you like to have changed or addressed? It might benefit you and others to make a list of the things you would like to see changed from a curriculum standpoint and then take them to the administration. I don't want to fight with you or anyone else here, it is very difficult to post and then have everything you say misunderstood. Since I am not a "true" stakeholder. The majority of people on this site don't feel that I have valid concerns or that my opinion even matters. The high schools are great I agree, but they have to have some pretty bright, talented kids attending them in order for them to be great. The teachers are only a part of the equation, you can have excellent teachers but if the kids aren't engaged learners then the teacher is not effective. So where are these kids coming from? My guess is they come from our middle schools which are fed by our elementaries.
My question to you is what programs would you suggest we offer at the elementaries?
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mikefromholland
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Principal
cmic
Nov 21 2006, 08:46 PM
iliveon...
you were great at the meeting last night.  I was hoping that they would listen and change their stance, but I can wish in one hand and **** in the otherhand and the only thing I have for sure is...

I almost wish I could watch your district's meetings. The Holland meetings are almost boring now that everything is done upfront and community input is sought and the board members and administrators smile at me and thank me. Where's the challenge these days?

Well ... on the other hand ... I really wish your community could find a way to hold some boring meetings too ... as I'm sure many of you wish ...
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livoniafootballmom
Principal
mikefromholland
Nov 21 2006, 08:52 PM
cmic
Nov 21 2006, 08:46 PM
iliveon...
you were great at the meeting last night.  I was hoping that they would listen and change their stance, but I can wish in one hand and **** in the otherhand and the only thing I have for sure is...

I almost wish I could watch your district's meetings. The Holland meetings are almost boring now that everything is done upfront and community input is sought and the board members and administrators smile at me and thank me. Where's the challenge these days?

Well ... on the other hand ... I really wish your community could find a way to hold some boring meetings too ... as I'm sure many of you wish ...

No Kidding!!
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Administrator
Administrator
Unfortunately there is no end in site, and no one is going to give up.
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Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
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Principal
Well, not all the kids that are currently enrolled in Middle or High school came from the elementaries here. But Im sure alot of them do.

I was just saying it seems to me that (compared to what I have experienced) the elementary schools kids do not get great programs that the secondary schools do. I have heard on this forum that some elementary schools kids are sharing books....libraries are still not unpacked...kids are going to library when the teacher gets the chance....kids are learning on xerox copies?.....music OR art...not both. Those are just a few examples.

I did have two daughters in elementary school last year. One moved up to Middle school and the other we pulled. This was our first year here last year...we moved for the High school specifically. Some of our neighboring districts have more programs at the elementary level. Such as foriegn language (even Japanese), accelerated reader, sports teams for boys and girls, clubs, band, chior, all day kindergarten, camp....just to name a few. Our elementary school (here) did not have alot of these things.

At middle school orientation there was a whole schpeel on how music education is sooo important and how kids learn more and do better on tests when they play an instrument at an early age.....so why not offer it at the elementary level? Im not saying we would have to do everything....but maybe some inovative programs would help attract younger families here.
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Momforone
Principal
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
Nov 21 2006, 09:08 PM
Well, not all the kids that are currently enrolled in Middle or High school came from the elementaries here. But Im sure alot of them do.

I was just saying it seems to me that (compared to what I have experienced) the elementary schools kids do not get great programs that the secondary schools do. I have heard on this forum that some elementary schools kids are sharing books....libraries are still not unpacked...kids are going to library when the teacher gets the chance....kids are learning on xerox copies?.....music OR art...not both. Those are just a few examples.

I did have two daughters in elementary school last year. One moved up to Middle school and the other we pulled. This was our first year here last year...we moved for the High school specifically. Some of our neighboring districts have more programs at the elementary level. Such as foriegn language (even Japanese), accelerated reader, sports teams for boys and girls, clubs, band, chior, all day kindergarten, camp....just to name a few. Our elementary school (here) did not have alot of these things.

At middle school orientation there was a whole schpeel on how music education is sooo important and how kids learn more and do better on tests when they play an instrument at an early age.....so why not offer it at the elementary level? Im not saying we would have to do everything....but maybe some inovative programs would help attract younger families here.

I am so glad to see someone bring up this issue. LPS should wonder why elementary kids aren't coming into our district. Our elementary teachers do not have the right tools to teach our children. It's shameful that the people in Central Office just don't get it.
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49chevy
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Answers questioned
livoniafootballmom
Nov 21 2006, 08:17 PM
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
Nov 21 2006, 08:11 PM
cmic
Nov 21 2006, 04:55 PM
They need to reverse the initiative and at the same time continue to bring in money in this kind of a way.

I agee with you CMIC. They need to reverse the decision and work hard to bring new families back and into the district. I would love the district to focus more on the elementary level here.

Focus on just the elementaries? For how long? Until your kids hit middle school? We have new state mandated graduation requirements that require an overhaul to the overall curriculum and it needs to be done now since it takes effect for this years current 8th graders. That should be the current priority.

I think the priority should be the BOE's plan which is currently sinking this district. If it keeps on going, there wont be much of a district left.
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Mrs.M
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Principal
Maybe that's how Freeman's prediction will come to fruition - he said, if the LI doesn't go through, we may not have a high school in 5 years.

Since the LI went through...uh oh, now I'm really confused

:wacko:
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my_kids_mom
Principal
Mrs.M
Nov 21 2006, 11:53 PM
Maybe that's how Freeman's prediction will come to fruition -  he said, if the LI doesn't go through, we may not have a high school in 5 years.

Since the LI went through...uh oh, now I'm really confused

:wacko:

The whole Legacy Initiative was a self fulfilling prophecy!
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c3hull
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Principal
Mrs.M
Nov 21 2006, 11:53 PM
Maybe that's how Freeman's prediction will come to fruition - he said, if the LI doesn't go through, we may not have a high school in 5 years.

Since the LI went through...uh oh, now I'm really confused

:wacko:

It's funny how Freeman also believes that the LIe is going to actually save the district $11 million over the next 5 years! :blink:

He appears to be lost in LIes! We just LOST around $4 million this year. LPS didn't save a penny. Why is that such a difficult concept for Freeman to grasp? He is either so arrogant that he can't admit the failure of the LIe, or he is losing his mind! :blink:
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NFarquharson
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Principal
c3hull
Nov 22 2006, 08:20 AM
Mrs.M
Nov 21 2006, 11:53 PM
Maybe that's how Freeman's prediction will come to fruition -  he said, if the LI doesn't go through, we may not have a high school in 5 years.

Since the LI went through...uh oh, now I'm really confused

:wacko:

It's funny how Freeman also believes that the LIe is going to actually save the district $11 million over the next 5 years! :blink:

He appears to be lost in LIes! We just LOST around $4 million this year. LPS didn't save a penny. Why is that such a difficult concept for Freeman to grasp? He is either so arrogant that he can't admit the failure of the LIe, or he is losing his mind! :blink:

What is even more interesting is that none of the other trustees raised their hands to indicate that they believe we will save $11 million in 5 years as promised. Perhaps they are having doubts...
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bmom
Principal
NFarquharson
Nov 22 2006, 08:25 AM
c3hull
Nov 22 2006, 08:20 AM
Mrs.M
Nov 21 2006, 11:53 PM
Maybe that's how Freeman's prediction will come to fruition -  he said, if the LI doesn't go through, we may not have a high school in 5 years.

Since the LI went through...uh oh, now I'm really confused

:wacko:

It's funny how Freeman also believes that the LIe is going to actually save the district $11 million over the next 5 years! :blink:

He appears to be lost in LIes! We just LOST around $4 million this year. LPS didn't save a penny. Why is that such a difficult concept for Freeman to grasp? He is either so arrogant that he can't admit the failure of the LIe, or he is losing his mind! :blink:

What is even more interesting is that none of the other trustees raised their hands to indicate that they believe we will save $11 million in 5 years as promised. Perhaps they are having doubts...

I was wondering the same thing---or maybe it is "illegal" and considered responding to audience communications. Freeman might have broken the law yet again. ;)
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c3hull
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Principal
Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver
Nov 21 2006, 09:08 PM
Well, not all the kids that are currently enrolled in Middle or High school came from the elementaries here. But Im sure alot of them do.

I was just saying it seems to me that (compared to what I have experienced) the elementary schools kids do not get great programs that the secondary schools do. I have heard on this forum that some elementary schools kids are sharing books....libraries are still not unpacked...kids are going to library when the teacher gets the chance....kids are learning on xerox copies?.....music OR art...not both. Those are just a few examples.

I did have two daughters in elementary school last year. One moved up to Middle school and the other we pulled. This was our first year here last year...we moved for the High school specifically. Some of our neighboring districts have more programs at the elementary level. Such as foriegn language (even Japanese), accelerated reader, sports teams for boys and girls, clubs, band, chior, all day kindergarten, camp....just to name a few. Our elementary school (here) did not have alot of these things.

At middle school orientation there was a whole schpeel on how music education is sooo important and how kids learn more and do better on tests when they play an instrument at an early age.....so why not offer it at the elementary level? Im not saying we would have to do everything....but maybe some inovative programs would help attract younger families here.

My friend has a kindergartner and a 4th grader in another school district. In kindergarten, they have Spanish. Well, it's nice to know "some" districts can comprehend the huge difference this will have vs LPS trying to teach it at 5th or 6th grade, once/wk, one semester and cover 4 different languages. :blink:

I also started seeing a huge difference in the math the kids were learning near the end of first grade. (our daughters are both in 4th grade now) My daughter usually gets A's in math but is clearly way behind her friend who gets mostly B's in math.

LPS is no longer a "Lighthouse District" it used to be. I think they need some big changes and they should start at the top...FIRE LIEpa!
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TigerMom
Principal
Did anyone else notice what looked like an odd exchange between Mr. King and Mr. Whitehead just prior to audience communication? Mr. King talking and what looked like Mr. Whitehead ignoring. It seemed more odd when added to the fact that Mr. Whitehead didn't talk at the end of the meeting. He would have followed Mr. King.
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