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Post by 1plainedge on May 11, 2007 13:35:05 GMT -5
so we have a united community trying to re-instate sports and an athletic director who could care less with a take it our leave it mentality.
And now he has a lifetime appointment. Amazing
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Post by pedgegirl on May 11, 2007 15:00:02 GMT -5
pedgeneeds,
If the Board knew very well that the community was that unhappy...yes, they should have listened. They wold have had the option of holding off a year to see if he continued to attend games (as, apparently, he has recently begun to), etc.
I only know about this situation from what I have read here. My impression from postings is that, prior to the middle of this year, there had not been many complaints.
If that is true, it is sad, and there is a lesson to be learned. Parents do not realize the impact of their input. If they voice their concerns early on, one of at least two things can happen.
1. A new teacher can have the opportunity to address issues, grow, learn and, in many cases, become a great teacher. For any job, there is a learning curve, and that is fine. I think we can all deal with it if we feel that our concern is taken seriously, addressed, learned from and the situation rectified. But, the problem lies in the fact that parents do NOT voice concerns. when they do not, they are doing their children AND that teacher a disservice. They are not creating a situation in which there is a chance for improvement for their child (also sad - to not advocate for your child), and they are not giving the staff member a fair chance to rectify a situation. They cannot read your minds.
2. The other thing that can happen is that administration really gets a message that many parents feel a certain way (so many think they are "alone" in how they feel), address the situation, try to rectify it, see how it goes. Maybe the staffing situation really does turn out to not be a good fit.
You cannot hold administration responsible for problems if they have not been made aware of certain problems. Parents and kids are more aware of classroom happenings on a daily basis. Administration is not there every moment of every day.
Most often, people say that they do not voice a concern for fear of retribution. I have not found retribution to ever be an issue. If you handle an issue like an adult, in a respectful manner, it will be addressed. And, the school is aware that, should there EVER be any type of "retribution", you are a parent who is aware and on top of things - you will not let it go.
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Post by pedgeneeds on May 11, 2007 16:29:25 GMT -5
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Post by pedgegirl on May 11, 2007 16:54:21 GMT -5
I wasn't "putting it on the parents". Peolpe here have been discussing how unhappy parents have been with him. I was just making the point that parents are a part of the equation, one that should not be ignored.
Yes, it is the absolutely the duty of admin and the Board to MAKE SURE there is a good fit. If we so want them to make sure of that, I think we should make our opinions known, when we could possibly make a difference. If they DO NOT HEAR from us, they would have no reason to think that we are unhappy. From what they see, the person could look OK. But, as I said, they simply cannot be aware of everything. That is where we come in. Not to do their job. But, if it is important to us, and it is, we CAN have a say. Like I said, we are am important part of the equation.
And, if parents are so concerned about giving someone lifetime security (and not crazy about that idea), all the more, they should SPEAK UP, and not at the 11th hour. If they wait too long before they even try to make a difference, they have no one to blame but themselves for not even trying harder on behalf of their child.
As we keep an eye of so many issues in this district, isn't it also our our job to MAKE SURE that they MAKE SURE of a good fit? If it is so important to someone, I would think they would at least try to do that.
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Post by pedgeneeds on May 11, 2007 18:12:43 GMT -5
Girl,
There were numerous BOE meeting where the community asked why Labelle was not present to discuss his "developmental sports" idea. The admin and the BOE knew very well from those meeting that the community was not happy with him.
They shielded him and hid him. Do you think if he believed in what he was proposing that he should have embraced the community and explained? No he left it up to the super and BOE president to explain. He did the same during all the fund raising, never able to provide answers to questions about a program HE was the EXPERT ON!!!! This BOE sold us out.
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Post by pedgegirl on May 11, 2007 18:20:49 GMT -5
If all of that is accurate, then they absolutely sold us out. Like I said before, this LaBelle issue was one that I basically knew nothing about, until I read about it here. So, as far as this issue, it sounds like they likely had more than enough info to at the very least hold off, and they should have. That is their job.
That would have been an interesting question to ask of them at the Meet the Candidates Night (if it was asked, I missed it) - what would they do if a tenure issue came up with someone (of course worded a lot better, what would they do to ensure that they utilize the system correctly). We have so many teachers who are absolutely terrific and deserve tenure. If someone doesn't it makes the system bad for all.
As far as all the rest of what I wrote, it is to be taken as general "food for thought" for future issues any parent might have to deal with. People do not realize that they CAN help to effect positive change.
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Post by formerworker on May 13, 2007 20:06:42 GMT -5
well, all i can say is nice going Plainedge community. You sports jocks pass the budget and then let this guy run your sports program. You were so worked up about passing the budget, you let this guy slip in! Watch those sports programs year after year with this guy. just remember I told you alot about this guy and you all didn't listen. Want good coaches, this guy doesn't know a good one from a bad one - cause he never sees them. Really nice job!
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Post by supportstudents on May 13, 2007 22:31:09 GMT -5
Worker,
Sports jocks, that is a real creative name. Why don't we try a group of concerned parents that have busted there rearends for the last 3 months to insure that that all of OUR CHILDREN of this community receive the full educational experience that they deserve. If you are going to bash, have some guts to attach your name. Vote YES on Tuesday.
John Danielo
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Post by plainedgeammo on May 14, 2007 6:12:19 GMT -5
Formerworker, Sports Jocks.....please. If you think we have that much control over the BOE that we could just BLOCK someone because we SAY so then your even stupider than you sound. Did you send any letters to the BOE? Did you stand up in a BOE Meeting and voice your concerns? If not, get off your high horse your starting to sound like our former Superintendent.
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Post by pedgegirl on May 14, 2007 7:26:59 GMT -5
Former,
I don't even know many of these people personally, but shame on you for calling names and perpetuating stereotypes.
What I do know is that not only do their children play our sports, MANY of them are scholar athletes and they are taking our Honors and AP classes at the HS. Having been in the schools a lot of years, you get to know people's names, even if youdo not know who they are. And, having volunteered in the schools, I have helped out at many events where their children received a variety of awards - sports, music, art, and academics. They have participated in our drama production. They have received academic scholarships to universities, as well as sports scholarships. This is precisely why we need ALL our programs.....athletics, arts and, of course first and foremost, academics including Honors and AP classes...so that all of our kids have a chance to not only excel at what they do best, but to discover different aspects of their personalities, grow, learn about themselves andothers and make new friends.
They no more deserve to be called "sports jocks" than others deserve to be called "nerds." The very vast majority of our kids are multi-faceted. As adults, let's not perpetuate stereotypes and behave worse than the HS kids. Maybe some adults can learn from them.
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Post by patriot2415 on May 14, 2007 8:19:28 GMT -5
Why Former you're back?
After you had someone else reply a few days ago ( either your wife or a younger child, because the post was written well) I thought you disappeared. Actually, I'm so happy you started the name calling... it enables me to revisit my youth.
You're an idiot....
remember to vote YES. It will be spelled the same way in the booth!
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Post by pgsa1stdad on May 14, 2007 10:57:34 GMT -5
Excuse me formerw,
but I believe that ALL OF THE PROGRAMS, athletic AND academic, were reinstated and included in the current proposed budget.
As for Mr. Labelle getting tenure, many people have stated their issues, (and someone must have leaked to him one way or another because he's actually attending some games now) but the BOE is the one that granted it - not all the so-called "sports-jocks". He should have been given another year of evaluation under the new superintendant/administration.
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Post by mythreekids on May 14, 2007 23:30:04 GMT -5
Here is food for thought- ALL of us have had a tremendous learning experience over the last three years...and we are still learning and making TREMENDOUS progress along the way! We should all be proud of ourselves! Our Board is listening to us in many many ways! Sure there probably was not enough words from the community on his tenure. OK- so what is done is done but let's not worry with what has been done with Mr. Labelle but rather what are we going to do about it in the future? My suggestion- if you are a sports parent, have children in the MS and HS sports program, if you are a coach or League President, keep a careful eye out for him and document what you see always. Continuously tell the BOE what you see. Speak to your other league presidents and coaches as to what you see. I have had a similar experience before and I can tell you with certainty that PARENTS DO MOVE MOUNTAINS in this district. If there is something that Mr. Labelle is doing that you do not like, separately write your letters/e-mails to the Board but within the same time frame. Even a tenured individual can be reprimanded and the final control lies within the board. Many a tenured teacher/admin has been fired before- yes it is more difficult and I am not saying he should be fired by any means. I do not know the man but I have heard from friends what has been going on. Maybe this chat room has been a wake up call for him?? Let us hope so because that is what you want. More support from the man hired to run the show. Whatever you see or don't see - let the Board know. Let's get this vote "yes" done tomorrow!!!!
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