At Washington Gifted School’s Fine Arts Night on Thursday, Principal Joan Wojcikewych told the audience what she’s planning to do after she retires at the end of this year: run for the District 150 school board. Wojcikewych lives in the second voting district within District 150. The terms of current second district board members Linda Butler and Lynn Costic (who is filling Rachael Parker’s term since Parker was elected to the Peoria County Board) expire in 2012. Икони
OK thanks. So cards have to be filled out by 6:30. What time are cards made available for submission?
When the doors open at 6 p.m.
“Jon, grasping for something is certainly better than burying one’s head in the sand.”
If burying one’s head in the sand includes not stating an opinion, then sometimes the latter is preferential. All of our comments can tell us volumes about ourselves.
Since it’s clear, Sharon, that you’re going to express your opinions on all things D150, then I hope to hear more. The more you comment, the more Elaine writes, the more certain I am that D150 will benefit.
Jon- Sharon and Elaine’s comments and/or opinions are interesting and engaging..when you comment the audience probably looks like an oil painting.
Jon, your “The more you comment, the more Elaine writes, the more certain I am that D150 will benefit” sounds like a compliment to me. Thank you!
I’m glad you took it as a compliment, Sharon. It’s the same way with Sarah Palin, for example. I’d like to hear more of her comments. When she broke on to the national scene, she had some nice soundbytes that got people’s attention. Then those Katie Couric interviews really gave us a chance to explore her opinions on a wider variety of issues. I do wish Palin would continue sharing her thoughts.
Can you or Elaine give us any more regarding “something more sinister – a plan to create chaos to destabilize community opposition to school closings, privatization, charter schools, and subvert the traditional checks and balances system on finances?”
Jon, can I suggest that you look at the Rockford School District and the current mess they are in. Their Superintendent who just resigned was a graduate of the Broad Foundation…
And the new CEO of Chicago Public Schools that Rahm Emanuel just hired was a graduate of the Broad Foundation…
First off, I believe that shuffling principals will contribute to some of the chaos. Children really do like consistency and atability. For instance, a second grade Whittier student (not my “pretend” grandchild) suggested kidnapping Mrs. Andrews so that she couldn’t go to Trewyn. I asked my second grader if his teacher had told them Mrs. Andrews was leaving. He said, “No, she probably knew we would cry.” The problem is too many changes too fast–with little preparation time. As for the Trewyn gifted program, do you really believe that the summer is time enough for all the planning, training and selection of students?
Of course, my “thank you” was tongue-in-cheek. I knew you weren’t complimenting us. However, just stating your disagreement with our opinions doesn’t add anything to the discussion–tell us why you disagree. That is the part you always seem to skip; we don’t know your opinions about why the latest changes are good, in our opinion.
I guess the Rockford and Chicago info proves that Elaine’s fears about the Broad Foundation are well-founded.
Jon-You are interesting to a point–the point of departure.
The IB Middle Years Programme being implemented at Trewyn is NOT a gifted program. For someone to be so critical of it, it would help if they actually understood what they were talking about.
http://ibanswers.ibo.org/app/home
Consistency is great…if you’re consistently getting good results. Some of these decisions won’t work, some will. I don’t have a problem with the movement of principals.
Jon- Exactly why is it Sharon’s fault for not understanding the Trewyn program? Why doesn’t 150 ever discuss or explain any upcoming changes to taxpayers?? Why must everyone hunt down info for themselves?
Jon, Washington Gifted and the IB program are not truly practiced as gifted programs either. I agree the term is thrown around (and I just threw it out, too)–I doubt that 150 has ever had what would be considered a truly gifted program. Enriched or advanced curriculum would probably be the better terms for all the programs. Labels don’t make much difference–it’s the reality that counts.
Jon- it’s just like you probably consider yourself to be a very cultured person just because you bore all of us on a variety of subjects..(All of these labels and terms really mean nothing after awhile)
Here’s a link to the District 150 Website explaining the IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes.
http://www.psd150.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=2999&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=2142&PageID=204
Here’s a link to District 150’s weekly newsletter “Remarkable Times”, which has many updates to the various changes going on within the District.
http://www.psd150.org/Page/159
Mortified– Is your real identity Don Rickles or the ghost of Henny Youngman?
“You have a nice personality, but not for a human being.”
SMILING from heaven!
Jon – I am usually on your team on matters relating to the District and I am on board with most all the plans laid out by Dr. Lathan, HOWEVER, I think the MYP is not the appropriate program for a school like Trewyn, that is, a school that is not meeting standards according to the State of Illinois.
The MYP and IB programs are not “gifted” programs per se, but a student entering such a program should be working at grade level at the MINIMUM. The MYP has an extensive writing component and analytical component. It focuses very little on memorization and more on deep learning and understanding and so both the daily work and testing are difficult for students of this age, even those with strong academic skills.
My children attended Washington Gifted before transferring to an MYP school and so they were better prepared than some, because some of the work at Washington is what I would term “stretch” work . . . but still, they have to work very hard to earn grades under the MYP based learning and grading system.
It just so happens, that others from the Peoria area have attended my children’s school from places such as Metamora, Washington, and Dunlap and their “A” students turned into “B” or “C” students upon encountering the MYP. Some made the effort and were able to raise their performance, some continued to struggle.
An MYP magnet school should be developed within the District as it is great preparation for the IB program . . . but the current plan set forth by the District is too broad and a poor fit for some of its student population — and the cost and training involved, well that is discussion for another post.
Frustrated, thanks for that report. I am very curious as to how the students for this program will be selected. To believe that there are a significant number of students at Trewyn that can handle such a program is just not realistic. I fear this will be an “in name only” effort that will not do anything to help the students. It’s a pipedream to believe that offering an advanced program will bring the students up to high academic standards–that just isn’t the purpose of the program. Students should already be at a higher level of learning for such a program to be of value. I do not understand how board members can go along with such an expensive plan that is not a solution for Trewyn.
Sharon – all you have to do is call me or any other board member and I’m sure they will explain their rationale and votes. I’ve been @ Trewyn and Blaine for many years and understand the true challenges. Good things are begining to happen, despite some’s penchant for rancor. – Look @ todays editorial by the sheriff. It’s going to take us all and pressure on the lawmakers to begin incentivizing what Judge McDade says “makes us all Americans”.
Sure Jim…..I’m sure your phone is ringing off the hook to hear the earfull of BS you spew at them. Find somebody new to screw. The taxpayers of Peoria have spoken……you’re fired1
Jim, I never want information just for myself. If that were the case, I wouldn’t blog and I wouldn’t FOIA. As a teacher, I was kept in the dark about how District 150 operated with regard to consistency, etc. My object is to make the district more transparent (either by choice or through FOIAs). All taxpayers should be privy to all information–hence, private phone calls to board members would not serve any real purpose other than to satisfy my desire to know. Tell us all what good things are happening at Trewyn. Most of all, please respond to Frustrated’s concerns (aboved).
By the way, Jim, you are one of the few board members who did make your views known on important issues. However, you had to “pull” agenda items in order to get that opportunity. There should be some discussion on every item–and cost should be mentioned for each item.
Liar – had I choosen to run for school board again – I would have been unopposed. Trying to advocate for a broader constituency while spending $2.60 to garner only 2500+ votes wasn’t the best strategy. Fired? That must be your domain – it’s not mine. Sharon – “all taxpayers should be privy to all information’ For real?!? What kind of burden do you want to impose? There is an elected board and a structure. None of your ilk work within the structure. Grandstanding without solving the problem is not what you are capable of providing. As my former teacher, I guess I thought more of you than what you are now delivering. Again, positives are in process. Adhering to a union mentality for the sake of solidarity isn’t what taxpayers want.
I misspoke on Trewyn’s IB program. They (and Charter Oak) will start with the Primary Years Program, while Mark Bills and Sterling will have the Middle Years Program.
With Trewyn becoming a K-8 school, I believe the majority of the primary students in attendance will come from Garfield, in which over half of the students meet/exceed state standards, with some from Whittier, in which nearly 3/4 of the students meet/exceed. If I recall correctly, the Middle Years Program at Trewyn would be developed later.
The PYP is a building block of the IB curriculum, beginning with the first years of school. It would be tragic to count them out before they even start.
Jim, I do believe that others did not think about running for school board far enough in advance because they expected you to run again. Hence, only the last-minute write-ins. My “all” taxpayers was a bit broad–however, all taxpayers should be privy to the reasons board members vote “yes” or “no” on an issue–and they shouldn’t all have to try to reach a board member (or 7 of them) by phone to get the info.
I really love your “ilk” comment–what kind of bigotry are you expressing? I know that you believe I am grandstanding (meaning to “perform in an attempt to impress onlookers”); but, by expressing that opinion, you are assuming you can know the motives of another person. You can criticize the actions of others, but you cannot know and, therefore, judge motive. Also, you keep bringing up my union mentality. I should have been more active in the union as a teacher, but I wasn’t. However, I am pro-teacher (and sometimes that may mean pro-union) primarily because there are no other groups looking out for the interests and wellbeing of teachers. I feel comfortable that I can be pro-teacher and pro-student at the same time because what is truly good for one is good for the other. Actually,when I was a teacher, I tended to be more pro-student because they were my only charges. Today, I don’t have any I can call “my students,” so I have shifted my emphasis to the teachers who are looking out for their students. How you feel about me (then or now) can’t be the deciding factor in what I say and do today. I supported you as a student–you are no longer my charge–we are equals now.
From what was said by Lathan at one of those parent meetings, the PYP and MYP IB programs being introduced will not be selective or choiced. The programs will cover all the kids in attendance at the schools they are deployed at. Further, it is not Lathan’s intention that these earlier IB components be feeders for the IB baccalaureate at Richwood’s. There will be no MYP components for Freshman or Sophomores. When challenged on why she would want earlier IB components but not see them as a feeder for the baccalaureate, she replied that she saw it as additional training opportunities for the teachers. Sort of adding new breadth, ideas, and skills to the overall teacher base of District 150 teachers.
She is not envisioning a K-12 IB program. When I asked about expanding or preserving the IB baccalaureate at Richwoods for those admitted to the program, I got no substantiative answer but instead was told that I might want to re-evaluate whether my kid really should enter the IB program. We have re-evaluated and our son will be attending Notre Dame.
Mahkno – “I might want to re-evaluate whether my kid really should enter the IB program.” Do you understand what the meaning of that comment was?
The MYP stands for Middle Years Programme – Grades 6th through 10th. I can’t understand why the District would not want to implement the program as it is designed?? In fact, is it able too? A school must be accredited by the IB organization in order to offer the program and to achieve and maintain the accreditation is a rigorous process.
We all need to be thankful Stowell is off the board and that he didn’t make it to City Council. Too bad a lot of people didn’t get out and vote to remove the other idiots off the board. There are two companies that offer graduation items. One is Herff Jones and the other is Jostens. Wolmeyer works for Jostens. Several high schools use to have Herff Jones now all use Jostens. Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?
Frustrated, yes I understand what she meant. I gave an abridged version of the dialogue and our thoughts; the core questions asked and the core answer received.
We have spent a year or longer asking questions, researching, listening… trying to decide where to send our kid to high school (Richwoods, Central, Notre Dame, other?). I recognize that most folks don’t have that choice. I didn’t want to trouble readers with a long drawn out essay/post. We prefer IB to the APs teach to the test. We prefer public education to parochial. But if IB isn’t going to offer what we need, to have the certainty of continuance and breadth, then we have to compare AP programs along with a long list of other stuff. For the moment, Notre Dame is superior. We have to go on certainty not speculation of what may or may not be. I hope Lathan can make District 150 better but it is going to take 3 or 4 years or more, well, we don’t have that time.
re: MYP… As Lathan doesn’t see the MYP as being a feeder to the baccalaureate, there would not be a priority for implementing the 9th and 10th grades. They have to have some accreditation to get the training but beyond that, I don’t think they care. I sense it is more about getting varied training for the teachers than about really developing a broad IB program. Which can be fine… I guess… disappointing tho.
Mahkno, it is disappointing, it is frustrating, it is, as I presume you would agree, understandable given the acute budgetary constraints. I think it is also a step in the right direction, but something that won’t happen overnight. It is difficult to see people who want to be in D150 choosing (for varied but nonetheless valid reasons) another path. As you said, not everyone has that option. For those who don’t, I think these incremental steps have a quicker payoff.
Jon, I have taught in District 150 for well over 20 years and I am STILL waiting for promises, promises….no alternative school for disruptive students, no tech ed. program, no consistency with programs and staff, the list continues. The BoE has no one on it that has a REMOTE idea of what teaching OR educating children is about. God help us all!
Thanks to Jim Stowell for his years of public service. I appreciate it.
Mahkno, you just gave a disturbint example of why the change coming to District 150 isn’t as great as one would think. I doubt that you will find must comfort in Jon’s defense of all things District 150–I certainly find no comfort in Jon’s response to what you have told us. I find this comment of Lathan’s (When challenged on why she would want earlier IB components but not see them as a feeder for the baccalaureate, she replied that she saw it as additional training opportunities for the teachers. Sort of adding new breadth, ideas, and skills to the overall teacher base of District 150 teachers) very disturbing and condescending toward teachers.
What a stupid reason for offering programs that actually have a purpose for the students who fit the criteria for the program. I certainly would hope that those who sell the program aren’t just interested in money–but might care about the integrity of the program.
Just read in the PJ Star that one of my former students was arrested for robbing Steak N Shake using a weapon. Found him a few blocks down with a bag of money and the weapon…..BTW, this student continually struggled with behaviors all through school and NOTHING was ever done to address it by administration, he was continually passed on although he stuggled academically. Year after year I saw his behavior deteriorate and NO interventions took place. He will now go to prison for probably 30 years……another outstanding product of D150. My heart is broken for if he had been shown “tough love” by the district when he was a 1st grader, I don’t believe he would be robbing businesses, but be a productive member of his community.
I have in front of me the record of suspensions for weapons in District 150 from September through March 21. I believe that 150 policies send wrong messages or no message at all. There were 16 suspensions (10 days at middle and high school and 2 to 5 days at Primary Schools)for possession or use of a knife or other sharp object. There were two high school expulsions and one at the Knoxville Center for the same kind of offense (same discipline code).
My first question is when is a knife or sharp object not a knife or a sharp object. What I mean is why do 16 students receive suspensions and only 3 others receive expulsions for what seems to be the same offense. My second observation is that kids certainly should get confusing messages when they realize they can get a suspension for the same number of days for lesser (not illegal) offenses since as inappropriate use of cell phones.
There were 34 suspensions for weapons in three different categories (Firearm other than handgun, other weapon or look alike, and weapon–gun look alike). There were no suspensions for a fourth category–firearm (which, of course, is the most serious). There was only 1 expulsion for swinging a lock on a belt as a weapon.
My question is when is a weapon not a weapon. Since all 34 suspensions (and only 5 were for 10 days) were for some category of weapon, why is the punishment generally only from 1 to 5 days–even at the middle and high school level? I guess they weren’t really weapons–so what were they?
Sharon, I am glad to see that there were NO suspensions for using a “flip flop” as a weapon. LOL
Honestworker, we don’t know that–I believe one category allows for anything that is used as a weapon–that could include flip flops. LOL
Jon has no clue. If it was up to him he would probably have
Willie York running the district.
I saw Jim Stowell the other night and I thought it was Mortimer Snerd.
What?.
and his parents were wheeeeerrrrreeeeee?
Mortimer Snerd is sexy. Just sayin.
Mahkno – thank you for your insight? I am struggling with the same decision right now. My children are currently in an MYP/IB program and I think it is outstanding curriculum that really stretches a student and I much prefer it over AP. Many of the IB graduates at our current school report what a breeze it is their first 2 years of college because they already understand how to manage a tough course load and think analytically. However, I have one in the early stages of HS and so . . . I feel uncertain about the future of the IB as it currently stands, so I too might be ND bound???
Mortimer Snerd!!! CLASSIC!!!!!
Can anyone tell me the final names chosen for MHS? I started to read it somewhere..and must have gotten sidetracked.
Manual Academy
Wow!!! I was expecting something a little more snazzy like, “The Martha Ross School of Advanced Learning”.
I believe the new name should be The Mary Davis Academy of Criminal Behavior OR The Martha Ross Academy of Regressed Learning…they both have that SPECIAL RING TO THEM…
I think I’m happy with the name–certainly better than the old one for the 7th and 8th grade–Manual Success Academy. I remember Sammy saying, “Let us decide.” Seriously, I just didn’t want to lose the word “Manual” even though it’s meaning lost its significance when “Training” was removed. I just wanted to keep something that was “Manual,” even if it’s just the name.