I received an e-mail yesterday that said: “The attached is a press release from concerned parents of PHS students. This is a response to negative and comments that have been publicly made. We send this in hopes that it will posted on your information websites.” It was signed by “Concerned Parents of PHS Students,” but only one member of that group was named — Rev. Raymond E. Watson, Jr., who is listed as the “contact person.” Here’s the letter:
Once again the parents of Peoria High School students feel the need to stand up and speak out against false accusations by the District 150 Administration, School Board and certain individuals/groups in the public that have made it their personal agenda to attack Peoria High School and thus, our children.
We have repeatedly asked for Board Members to come meet with us to discuss our issues and no response. We have contacted Dr. Lathan as far back as May, and had no response. If The Chamber of Commerce or any other organization deemed important by the B.O.E. or Superintendent requested their presence, they would attend. We, as parents, are tired of groups/members of the public that have no children at PHS spreading false rumors and accusations against our children and school staff. We felt the closure of a high school was a mistake but we have to make the best out of the situation. Those in the public that are spreading rumors, we ask you to stop because it does nothing but harm all the students of PHS. There is much truth to the adage if you can’t say something positive, say nothing at all. You are there to represent all the students of District #150 and set an example. How do you think our students feel after hearing these unwarranted accusations? Remember, the Board voted to close Woodruff and now it is a Peoria High problem? It might behoove you in the future to have solutions before decisions are made.
We have asked for a reason behind the PHS staff being the only high school that has its administration on a year-to-year contract. There have been numerous administrators that have received multi-year contracts before they proved themselves capable. Some have not even lived in the District and yet they are given multi-year contracts. This is a double standard and we feel there are ulterior motives behind the lack of continuity from the Board and Administration on Wisconsin Ave. We have been told that the Superintendent wanted to evaluate things before making a decision. So, what is the reason for individual administrators unfamiliar with our District and yet having been relocated to District #150; how do they justify receiving contracts without proven results?
If you want results, here are some results.The facts are as follows:
PHS ACHIEVED SAFE HARBOR
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE IS 93%
ACT SCORES ARE UP AND NOT JUST FOR ONE YEAR
2008 2009 2010 Average 16.28 17.08 17.7 The fact that discipline in school is being handled by our undermanned staff (add 500 students and only 2 additional campus police officers for a total of four) is a testament to the PHS Administrators who have made the best out of a difficult situation thrust upon them by a School Board and community leadership that failed to plan. Where are all the civic leaders that endorsed closing a school? Where are the business leaders that profess wanting the best for all the children of District 150? Talk is cheap!!!
The students are in a safe environment and learning in spite of the district’s failure to provide children with schoolbooks. It was not until e-mails were sent out that books were finally delivered 2 weeks into the school year and PHS staff requested the books August 1st.
Another issue is the transportation system that is the fault of District Administrators who were unprepared due to a failure to plan. This is unacceptable and continues as buses fail to show for extra-curricular activities, or do not have heat or are mechanically unsound putting our children in danger.
In addition, why has it taken 5 months to get work orders regarding plumbing issues addressed? Why is it that basic maintenance issues that should have been addressed years prior as part of routine upkeep of the building were presented to the public as ‘major updates’?
It is not the responsibility of school staff to follow students home. The responsibility to ensure your child gets to school and home safely is the responsibility of the parent, student, District #150 Board and District #150Administrators. It is unrealistic to think that school staff can follow every child home. There are numerous after-school activities and teachers are available for students that need extra help with their studies. The responsibility lies mostly with the District #150 Board and Administrators, not PHS staff. We realize that buses are provided for students who live a certain distance from their respective school and for students who have to cross hazard-deemed streets. However, again, this all comes back to a failure to plan, to obtain correct information; and it certainly points to the fact that the knowledge was not present when the Board or District Administration decided to close a high school. The due diligence was not done to plan for such possible events since the District has encountered similar issues with the other high schools. The onus is on the Board and Administration who failed to work cooperatively with the proper entities with whom they should have a good-working relationship to see how potential issues could or would be addressed. It is always best to plan for unforeseen happenings
We also are offended by the fact that nothing was done by the Administrative staff to prevent these stories from exacerbating on Channel 25 and in the Peoria Journal Star. Stories like this could likely be ran about every school in America, but the Board and Administration reacted to the stories by recommending staggering dismissal times, etc., in essence, blaming PHS. Again, more assumptions about our Peoria High students. We understand that there will happenings, but it is not exclusive to Peoria High. These incidents occur across every school, across every city, across the nation.
In summary, we feel we are receiving disparate treatment as issues are ongoing at the other schools, yet they do not receive the unwarranted attention that has been thrust upon the Peoria High School community. The Board of Education and the Superintendent have failed to address and plan regarding the issues mentioned above. We do not appreciate the inaccurate perception that is being portrayed to the general public about our school and we are extremely disappointed and frustrated with the lack of information and support that we have received. Randy Simmons and his staff are the best of the best and we expect to be treated as such, which provides for a domino effect to the education and fulfillment for the PHS students. Our children deserve no less.
We have asked for School Board involvement and been ignored. We have asked for District150 Administration involvement and been ignored. We will no longer be silent about the injustice being perpetrated against PHS and our children. Let all who read this know if you want your child to be taught by the best and cared for by the best then PHS is the right place for your child!
I am a PHS parent and I support PHS. I know that the everything in this this letter is factual and stand alongside other PHS parents who feel our school is being singled out.
I, too, am a PHS parent and very proud of our students, staff, and faculty. It is too easy for people in the community to complain rather coming to have a firsthand visit. This is your challenge–Visit us before you throw stones.
I think this press release is an accurate statement of how many PHS parents feel about the media coverage and administrative support of the school. They are getting fed up with the negative perceptions and lack of support they perceive.
Full disclosure: I am a parent of 5 PHS graduates and currently work at the school. I would like to strongly state two things: 1) PHS is a basically a safe school and 2) the PHS faculty and staff are doing a very good job under sometimes difficult circumstances. We’re not perfect at our jobs. Are you?
Peoria High also is not perfect, but the intense media scrutiny feels unfair. There are a lot of eyes on PHS because of the merger. The speed with which it (the merger) was done has made things worse than they had to be (bus/after-school issues being one example.) Things overall have gone much more smoothly than I personally had anticipated.
There are legitimate concerns resulting from adding 500+ students in one year, adding 40+ staff, not having adequate materials and equipment when school started (we are still short of computers and other hardware) and the bus issues. BTW, high school students cannot be forced to get on their school buses. And once they leave school property…??
Are there more kids hanging around the area after school than last year? Yes. We have 500+ more students, and many of them choose to stay off their buses and hang with friends. Have there been fights between PHS students off-campus after school? Yes. Have there been fights after school at the other high schools? Yes. Speaking for PHS, as in previous years, the overwhelming majority of altercations are about issues NOT related to school at all, although there have been a few incidents resulting from the WHS-PHS merger. And even those are more about neighborhood/boundary/family/gang issues rather than the schools themselves.
Is the school less safe this year than last? NO! If your student is not trying to make trouble or bring out-of-school business into school, the odds of them being jumped are minute. They are safe at PHS, and the staff and administration will continue to work hard to keep it that way.
Academically, students and staff have worked diligently to make Safe Harbor, continue to raise test scores for our 9-12 grade students and enhance the learning experience for all learners. Technology, including additional computers, Smartboards and other devices, as well as school-wide goals, are being used to bring PHS up to where it needs to be.
I would say to those who want to speak negatively, give PHS a chance to absorb the merger without commenting on every imperfection. Trust me, the other 2 high schools wouldn’t look too good if they had the kind of scrutiny Peoria High has endured.
The “CAPtions” Cable TV show is one media outlet that likes to stress the positive sides of issues more than negative. That’s not to say we sweep negative images totally under the rug.
I would be interested in having any commenters here concerned about PHS (good or bad) to appear on our show. We have a taping time available next Wednesday 2 pm. I will also call Randy Simmons and invite him.
Reply here on how I can contact you, or call me at 999-2826.
ACT score average is approximately 20 and 20.7 for Illinois (2008). for 2010 a score of 17 is in the 27th percentile. While I’m glad that the scores are rising there is a significant way to go with these students. Whether or not the school, teachers, parents or students themselves are the issue, I quite frankly haven’t studied it to see the results, many will point the finger at the other groups. I do know that I see this, youth out walking the streets when they should be home, after curfew and yes even before. I do see youth cursing out teachers and then the parents coming in, if they can be reached, cursing out administration. I do see teachers that should be doing something else and school policies that make no sense. So a fair assessment is there is plenty of blame to go around. Quite frankly, the only way out of poverty is education. Education is free to the students. Why students don’t take advantage of it or parents have their children take advantage of it amazes me. Disruptive students steal educational opportunity from other students.
I drove by Manual the other day. While chaotic, I was glad to see students actually using the sidewalks, a rare event in my area even with adults. It was one time and therefore not a good representative sample.
I will say this, whether or not you have children at PHS, if you live in the neighborhood or along a path to and from school, you have a vested interest. There is no reason for people, adults or children to be hanging out in someone’s yard and it is simply not safe to walking down the middle of the street. It simply takes one distracted driver, one angry driver, one intoxicated driver and the score is automobile 1 child 0.
So how does the Journal Star respond? They put a fluff piece hardly even worthy of page B6 about no parking, dropping off or picking up in front of PHS as their lead story.
There are many people who are still upset over the Woodruff closing and can’t wait to find something wrong at Central. They think this will justify their opposition to the closing. Central has execeelent administration and an excellent staff.
Heck, there are some that make a sport of picking apart everything wrong with Dist 150.
District 150–the point, of course, is that there would have been no new problems to solve if Woodruff hadn’t closed. Closing schools, not just Woodruff but especially Woodruff–created transportation problems that aren’t going to be solved without more money to hire qualified drivers. District 150 told us all that transportation wouldn’t be a problem financially; then just as Woodruff was closing the state reduced the money for transportation. Dumping 600 new students into the PHS neighborhood, of course, has created new problems at dismissal time. Transporting students home from after-school activities–another new problem. I believe the cafeteria might be overcrowded with the additional 600 students–another new problem.
I do hear that Woodruff is being used for various 150 meetings–so how often are custodians needed, etc., to open up the building for these events. As yet no one has been able to tell us how much money has been saved by closing Woodruff.
http://tellpeoria.com/peoriapundit/2010/10/15/district-150-superintendent-grenita-lathan-has-responded-to-critical-letter/
Shameless plug much Billy?
http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2010/10/watch-groups-help-or-hinderance.html
When it comes to blogs, nothing’s ever wrong with a shameless plug…I’m guilty of it too.
Getting slightly off-topic here…I have a reliable source that Dr. Lathan is meeting soon with the African-American Leadership Alliance for a Meet & Greet reception…can’t say when or where…but perhaps some of these topics of PHS, WHS, tardies, and more might come up.
This should be proof to some negative folks (not on Chronicle) that African-Americans in Peoria DO want to do their part to assist Dist. 150 in improving education.
Sharon–I don’t know why you are being questioned (on another blog) about reporting rumors about fights. You certainly aren’t the only person repeating rumors you say you heard about fights. Also, I do have a question for Jon (some of the comments aren’t going through, others are being deleted on the main page but not on the side bar, etc…). Were you able to follow the chain or channel regarding your concerns with the admission process at Washington, or did you have to go directly to a board member? Just curious.
“Shameless plug much Billy?”
As often as he can…
Kudos, thanks! Jon wasn’t questioning me about rumors about fights (unless it’s a new post–could be)–he is referring to my questioning the board as to rumors that the tardy policy wasn’t being followed. I’m not sure how that question cast aspersions on anyone’s character–but that was Jon’s assumption. Good question about the chain of command–I just really didn’t know that the public had a chain of command to follow. In fairness to Emerge, I don’t believe she erases anything from the sidebar–I’ve discovered it just takes a while to go to the side bar. In an e-mail, I did ask Emerge to get rid of some duplicates there because I must have pushed a button twice. I haven’t checked; she may have inadvertently deleted an original.
I also forgot to add that it is up to Lisa Madigan and her staff to decide when or if a citizen’s FOIAs are burdonsome. Not important, but it doesn’t appear that many commenters use their real name (consistently) on all blogs, including the PJStar. You truly do put yourself out there.
Kudos – if you’ve read the 50+ comments on Emerge’s blog – along with her most recent post – and still don’t understand why there is a question, I doubt you ever will (as much as Sharon and I like to go back and forth, I think we beat that one to death). Sharon was kind enough to respond to the questions and, also to her credit, makes herself available to receive the questions/criticisms.
As for the Washington Gifted process, I first found out from the school what the policy was (at the time, not allowing 5th graders in to Washington if they did not attend a D150 school in the 4th grade, even though they live in D150 boundaries). I then did a little homework, and reviewed the Illinois School Code on gifted programs. I found what I thought was a statute (enacted in around 2006) that conflicted with Washington’s policy. I didn’t need to go to Laura with my question – She created a blog and invited questions and I asked. In that sense, I followed the chain/process that was offered at that time. I also asked if I should take my concern directly to central administration, so that Laura did not need to be the go-between, but she told me that administration was already aware and working on it, and that the question raised other issues. (This is all on her blog)
(I could be wrong, but it seems like Laura’s 150 blog doesn’t invite as many questions as it did at that time – maybe she does go to the District Watch Group meetings and fields questions that arise from there. On another topic on Emerge’s blog, Laura did express frustration with third party allegations that she is unable to corroborate, despite her efforts – but that is an aside).
What I didn’t do was speak on the topic without having knowledge of the situation – without having done my homework. I didn’t make assumptions or draw conclusions that portray the district in a poor light. I followed a process that was afforded me at the time. I asked to have a policy clarified and explained why, based on the statute, I thought the policy should be revisited. I am appreciative that the policy was changed.
Jon, now that you are online I will take the opportunity to ask if you have had a chance to re-assess the aspersions you cast my way on the integration issue on Emerge’s blog. 🙂 My memory served me even better than I had thought. Laura doesn’t go to DW meetings any more (hasn’t for a long time); my guess is that she is too busy with a job, a baby, and board business. However, to her credit, she does check out the blogs and responds when she deems it necessary. Also, she often visits with us before and after board meetings. She is accessible–and she helped explain the chain of command to me–not as rigid as one might think. I believe I can correctly state that she never objects to being informed about any topic and is willing to answer questions when she can. Rightly so, however, she expects people to know that she is not always the person who can solve any major problems until the issues come officially to the board. As she has stated, she can’t do anything at all about vague accusations.
Sharon, I like where you are going with this (or where I think you might be going – I can’t tell from the 🙂 )
If you think I cast aspersions your way, you probably think I attacked your character/reputation – and, in effect, caused or could have caused (with intent, or inadvertently) some damage. Of course, I could simply say no damage was caused, or say I would have to have attacked your intent to attack your character, or claim I only asked a question and deny I made any insinuations, or only focus on the benefits of the knowledge that was gained from the discussion.
Or maybe we could agree, that regardless of who may be the “target”, there is a better way to discuss the issue – one that limits any damage (real or perceived) – is mutually respectful, yet still achieves the same goals?
I’ll post a reply on Emerge’s blog shortly.
Jon, no damage was caused–I think my reputation is intact–good to some, not so good to others, but what you said made little difference. When people (particularly public officials) publicly state their views, my reiterating those views doesn’t do any harm and is not disrespectful.
Yes, Sharon, because your comments on John Parkhurst were informed, factual, without insinuation or spreading negative rumor. We should all aspire to such discussion in all of our comments, especially public ones. Thank you.
Jon, thank you!
Just hunting for the most recent District 150 post to invite everyone to: District Watch will meet as usual at Monical’s on Lake and Knoxville at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 7.
The board is going to vote on the staggered graduation schedule for June 4 but there is no mention of where the graduations will be held.
Sharon–can D150 kids attend the Academy at ICC if they are expelled? Who exactly is that open to and funded by? Also, are there kids whose probation requires them to stay in school?
TR64, I just Googled “Illinois Central College Academy” to get the answer to your questions. I rather doubt that expelled students would be selected–not sure though and the website doesn’t say. I believe–but not positive–that there are students whose probation requires that they attend school. I know that has been the case in the past–I think it’s a bad idea myself (especially, depending on the reason for the probation). Those are some of the cases for which we need an alternative school. It really is time for District 150 to protect its schools and the students who do not pose a threat to the well-being and the learning of other students.
Thanks for the input, Sharon. I looked it up also and believe ICC said they can take up to 100 students but currently only have 44. Not sure if that’s accurate.
TR64– I am a teacher at ICC Academy. We only take students at the beginning of each semester. We do accept them if they’ve expelled, but they have to have a recommendation from their counselor first. We are currently set up to hold 70 students–that is due to the amount of money the state gave us to remain open this year. Originally we could take 100 students. We are totally reliant on state funding. We currently have 73 students.
Sharon–
We have many students who are attending our school who are on probation, and it is part of their probation agreement. I don’t understand why you think they should not have a school to attend. Every child deserves to have an education. The students who are at my school are very nontraditional. They have rules they have to abide by and if they don’t the are removed from the program. We aren’t a housing system for derelicts. We ARE a school for the troubled students. We teach the same curriculums that the other high schools teach, just in a VERY different manner. We are allowed the luxury of teaching to instill the love of learning rather than teaching to a test.
Do NOT make judgments about our school before you visit and have firsthand knowledge. You already know that I teach there and yet you are making wrong statements. Get your facts straight.
Thanks for weighing in. I was hoping you would see the post and share first-hand knowledge. It sounds like a great program. Too bad there isn’t more funding so more students can benefit. Your teaching method, along with the change in scenery, is changing lives.
I can’t say what another person thinks, but maybe Sharon meant that students on probation should not be in the traditional school model.
“Every child deserves to have an education.”
I am not sure that deserves is the right word…
How about NEEDS? And one step further on that trail, SOCIETY needs for every child to be educated.
There is also a regional safe school in Creve Coeur (like Greeley). We even have some of the students that we there last year.
I’m not going to say we don’t have problems. We have teenagers, for heaven’s sake, and they are likely to make some really stupid choices. We focus on helping them to overcome them and come out stronger for it.
I LOVE my students and can’t imagine teaching anywhere else. I have always dreamed of teaching students that others have given up on, even themselves. And, yes, many of them have heard what adults say about them and feel as if if the adults don’t have any faith in them to be productive members of society then should they. They come to us feeling like everyone has given up on them. Unfortunately, some of Sharon’s remarks reinforce that.
Charlie–
I think in this instance deserves and needs MIGHT be interchangeable. I recognize that every child needs an education, but when we are talking to politicians (which we have to do to get our funding) we find it better to use the word deserves. Remember, our society is all about “me,” so when we talk about getting funding for education we find that deserves gets more service than needs. I don’t want to make this about politics, though.
Education should be for everyone, not just the elite, non-trouble-makers, or the gifted/talented. ICC Academy is working hard to find our niche so that when funding becomes an issue again ( and it will, based on our new governor) we have that to stand on. Unfortunately, ICC would like to not house us anymore, so even if we get the funding we may not have a place to go. That is even worse. Knowing that we have a lot to offer students and no one wants to help us provide that.
TR64–that is what I meant; I think these young people should be offered a viable alternative setting. Mama, I am not sure where you got the idea that I didn’t want them to be allowed to continue their education–I was just commenting on the ICC Academy as the choice. Now that you have clarified that expelled students with recommendations are allowed, that (the recommendation) changes my opinion.
Mama, you have no idea how many “problem” students I have loved and fought for. I am happy that you have compassion for these students, but please don’t assume that you are the only teacher to have such compassion. The problem is the extent to which these troubled students prevent other students from learning. That is my reason for believing there should be an alternative school.
I am now volunteering at Proctor Center one night a week to help students prepare for the GED test. Most of these people are those students who didn’t fare so well in the traditional school. Sometimes these kids require more “growing up” time and a reason for valuing education. I am thoroughly enjoying the chance to work with one or two people at a time–without the whole authority thing (necessary in classrooms of 25 plus students)getting in the way. Now that they have grown up, they truly understand the value of learning.
I would like to see the alternative school stay at or associated with ICC. Kids would see that there are very real options for them after high school. I don’t know what’s behind the “elite” remark. Sounds judgmental.
If I hear Dr. Lathan use the word ‘remarkable’ again I will probably vomit! It’s like Mr. Hinton referring to 150 as ‘world class’…pleeeaaasssee!
Yes, I have an aversion to all these little catch phrases–I assume they have been told it’s good PR, but I can’t imagine how anyone mistakes words for actions. The one I dislike the most is “It’s all about the children.” I’m willing to go with “It’s all about the children’s education.”
Sharon: I agree. It’s all about the children was a phrase used by the now indicted past principal of Lindbergh and fired associate supt. If she said it once, she said it ten times a day. Funny thing though, that was a smoke screen…..it was all about HER…
Tr64–In order for the program to stay at ICC ICC needs a reason. Right now they are footing the bill until the state delivers on its promised funding I can’t blame them. The state has sent the funding a year in arrears the last several years. They finally received the monies for Spring 2009 only a month or so ago.
I was also at Dr. Lathan’s event at City Hall (finally had the pleasure of meeting Sharon face-to-face), shot video of her address. Here is a link to the 1st 15 minutes of it. This and the rest will be broadcast on CAPtions, Sunday, Nov. 14th 5 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 17th 7 pm & later at Midnight on Comcast Cable 22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw9ENwIycyw
Frustrated–I am rather amazed to hear you say that or is there someone posing as Frustrated? I don’t know who originated that saying, but Hinton was the main person that I heard using it. I thought it was his slogan. I used to believe these little slogans were harmless, but I’ve come to believe they might carry a deeper, more significant meaning. I agree that people might use that very disingenuously when, as you say, they really have their own self-interest at heart. On another level, I think that by not adding “education,” the focus of schools becomes something less (or more) than educating children as the primary goal of schools. I am sure I am quibbling about words a bit too much–but that slogan doesn’t appeal to me.
Dennis is yet another blogger whom I can now recognize in a crowd. I find the blogging world to be a great place to meet people–especially, those who share common views about our world and have similar ideas about how to improve our world.
Sharon – your correct, someone else is using my moniker. Now I am really “frustrated,” right.
That can happen when someone chooses an adjective instead of a name. Aren’t we all frustrated in one way or another?
On the other hand, the blogger calling herself Frustrated writes often, always using that name. I’ve come to know her views on many subjects and I think I can easily spot when someone else is writing in her name–I believe she could spot an imposter writing in my name, also. I rather like it when anonymous bloggers stick to one moniker–they become just as familiar to me as someone writing in his/her own name.
Exactly Sharon. In part that is why I visit this blog so frequently. Great writing and analysis by C.J. and familiar bloggers like yourself in which to have a lively exchange.
Frustrated, I feel the same way. The give and take of ideas keeps me from becoming totally entrenched in my own opinions. I am amazed at how many new acquaintances I have made through this blogging world. We do get to know each other through our exchange of ideas, etc. Names aren’t that important–should we ever meet in person, we already know each other.