To view the rest of the May 20, 2009 board meeting, click the link below.
http://pleasantdale.powweb.com/20090520190812.wmv
Please note: It may take a few minutes to upload. If you are having problems, leave us a comment or send us and email.
Happy Viewing!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Technical Difficulties
We are in the process of changing our blog to another server which can provide us with greater capabilities.
Because of this, many of our readers have experienced technical difficulties. Please access our blog at the following address until we can complete our upgrades: www.pleasantdaleschool.blogspot.com
Thanks for your patience. We hope things will be up and running smoothly again very soon.
Because of this, many of our readers have experienced technical difficulties. Please access our blog at the following address until we can complete our upgrades: www.pleasantdaleschool.blogspot.com
Thanks for your patience. We hope things will be up and running smoothly again very soon.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Bullying
We'd like to address the bullying issue in our school.
We don’t mean the bullying going on in both the middle and elementary schools. No, we mean the bullying going on by our administration.
Just last month Dr. Fredisdorf called a woman in from the IASB to instruct newly elected board member Karen O’Halloran on what her role on the board of education was. Two years ago, when three new board members were seated, did our superintendent have someone from IASB come out and tell them what their role was? No. Was it done in July of 2006 when Rosaria Becker took a seat on the board? No. We believe this woman was brought in from the IASB by our administration to put Karen O’Halloran in her place and to bully those in attendance.
This woman talked about how the board should not want the public to attend their board meetings. Why wouldn’t our board and administration want the public there? Our board members have a choice in whether or not to respond to public comment and they chose not to as instructed by our superintendent.
Rather than opening the lines of communication in this community, to become partners in the education of our children, we are bullied by their silence.
Another example of bullying was shutting the community out at last month’s meeting by holding the board self evaluation in closed session. If this board and superintendent are doing the wonderful job they would like the community members to believe they are doing, why evaluate themselves behind closed doors? It contributes to the secret society illusion that perpetuates in this district. We would like to know when the last time the board self evaluation was conducted in closed session prior to this year because it has not been done in the last three years according to the meeting minutes that are online.
According to your board policy, the School Board supports the formation and vitality of parent organizations recognizing that they are an invaluable resource to the District’s schools. Did the board welcome the Pleasantdale Education Network, an organization created by parents for the betterment of our children? No. Why did the board go against its own policy by refusing to work with and acknowledge the PEN organization? Again, it's a form of bullying by our administration.
Last evening, parent Anna Campos came to the board to provide numerous examples of how her 5 year old daughter has been bullied all year by her kindergarten teacher and how Mrs. Campos herself has been bullied by the staff, principal and superintendent. They demanded that her young Hispanic daughter be tested for the Swine Flu and could not return to school until then, even though the child displayed no symptoms. This five year old girl was put through the ringer until her parents finally pulled her out of Pleasantdale.
Three children have been pulled out of school this year due to bullying. Two of them Kindergartners, from the same classroom!
The teacher surveys from last spring talked about how the teachers are bullied by the administration. Remember these comments when asked what the roadblocks in district 107 were?
"Administrators rule with fear and intimidation."
"Being bullied."
"There is a climate of fear" at the middle school.
"Fear influences how teachers react to requests...if I don't do something they ask me to do, what will they do to me? If I question something that occurs, will I suffer repercussions?"
"Tone of voice used by principal (Meg Pokorny) when talking to staff members that disagree with her point of view is threatening."
"When I see teachers treated inhumanly or unfairly it makes me feel that anyone could be next."
How about last winter when our superintendent told the non-tenured teachers that if our slate of "rogues" won the election we would fire several teachers, trying to scare them into action. If that isn't bullying, what is?
When will the bullying in our district end and why does our school board allow it to continue?
We are beginning to realize that the bullying in our schools won’t ever end because it is a problem that begins at the top of our school district and propagates down.
We're hoping the board members on the social/emotional committee, Rick Rigley and Beth Tegtmeier, will look into the bullying going on by our administration and work to put an end to it - but we won't hold our breath.
We don’t mean the bullying going on in both the middle and elementary schools. No, we mean the bullying going on by our administration.
Just last month Dr. Fredisdorf called a woman in from the IASB to instruct newly elected board member Karen O’Halloran on what her role on the board of education was. Two years ago, when three new board members were seated, did our superintendent have someone from IASB come out and tell them what their role was? No. Was it done in July of 2006 when Rosaria Becker took a seat on the board? No. We believe this woman was brought in from the IASB by our administration to put Karen O’Halloran in her place and to bully those in attendance.
This woman talked about how the board should not want the public to attend their board meetings. Why wouldn’t our board and administration want the public there? Our board members have a choice in whether or not to respond to public comment and they chose not to as instructed by our superintendent.
Rather than opening the lines of communication in this community, to become partners in the education of our children, we are bullied by their silence.
Another example of bullying was shutting the community out at last month’s meeting by holding the board self evaluation in closed session. If this board and superintendent are doing the wonderful job they would like the community members to believe they are doing, why evaluate themselves behind closed doors? It contributes to the secret society illusion that perpetuates in this district. We would like to know when the last time the board self evaluation was conducted in closed session prior to this year because it has not been done in the last three years according to the meeting minutes that are online.
According to your board policy, the School Board supports the formation and vitality of parent organizations recognizing that they are an invaluable resource to the District’s schools. Did the board welcome the Pleasantdale Education Network, an organization created by parents for the betterment of our children? No. Why did the board go against its own policy by refusing to work with and acknowledge the PEN organization? Again, it's a form of bullying by our administration.
Last evening, parent Anna Campos came to the board to provide numerous examples of how her 5 year old daughter has been bullied all year by her kindergarten teacher and how Mrs. Campos herself has been bullied by the staff, principal and superintendent. They demanded that her young Hispanic daughter be tested for the Swine Flu and could not return to school until then, even though the child displayed no symptoms. This five year old girl was put through the ringer until her parents finally pulled her out of Pleasantdale.
Three children have been pulled out of school this year due to bullying. Two of them Kindergartners, from the same classroom!
The teacher surveys from last spring talked about how the teachers are bullied by the administration. Remember these comments when asked what the roadblocks in district 107 were?
"Administrators rule with fear and intimidation."
"Being bullied."
"There is a climate of fear" at the middle school.
"Fear influences how teachers react to requests...if I don't do something they ask me to do, what will they do to me? If I question something that occurs, will I suffer repercussions?"
"Tone of voice used by principal (Meg Pokorny) when talking to staff members that disagree with her point of view is threatening."
"When I see teachers treated inhumanly or unfairly it makes me feel that anyone could be next."
How about last winter when our superintendent told the non-tenured teachers that if our slate of "rogues" won the election we would fire several teachers, trying to scare them into action. If that isn't bullying, what is?
When will the bullying in our district end and why does our school board allow it to continue?
We are beginning to realize that the bullying in our schools won’t ever end because it is a problem that begins at the top of our school district and propagates down.
We're hoping the board members on the social/emotional committee, Rick Rigley and Beth Tegtmeier, will look into the bullying going on by our administration and work to put an end to it - but we won't hold our breath.
Score one for the visting team!
In a March conversation with Pleasantdale technology specialist Judith Stevens, she was asked how many interactive white boards our district had. She stated the district did not have any. She was also asked if the district had plans to purchase any and she stated no. She went on to say the district was in the first year of a three year technology plan and at the present time there weren't any plans for things like interactive whiteboards, senteo clickers or document cameras but they were in the process replacing the tvs with monitors.
At the candidates forum we pointed out that our district was grossly behind many other districts including poverty stricken districts such as Markham and Joliet in the area of technology. While other districts were forging ahead we had no plans to do so. We also spoke of a study done by Robert Marzano who found that school districts who use interactive whiteboards have seen a rise in test scores. The current board members at the forum spoke of the wonderful mod tech program Pleasantdale had and that this program was sufficient in the area of technology.
This was our position:
"The technology program in our school district is seriously lacking. Our middle school computer lab is staffed with a teacher that has no expertise in the subject of modular technology. It was a poor decision of the administration to make this staff change that put our students at a disadvantage. While surrounding school districts are forging ahead in the area of technology using things like Smart Technology and Mimio Interactive Boards, our district has remained stagnant. The future lies in technology and it is time for our school to get on board and keep pace with the advances in technology that will in turn benefit our students.""
At the candidates forum we pointed out that our district was grossly behind many other districts including poverty stricken districts such as Markham and Joliet in the area of technology. While other districts were forging ahead we had no plans to do so. We also spoke of a study done by Robert Marzano who found that school districts who use interactive whiteboards have seen a rise in test scores. The current board members at the forum spoke of the wonderful mod tech program Pleasantdale had and that this program was sufficient in the area of technology.
This was our position:
"The technology program in our school district is seriously lacking. Our middle school computer lab is staffed with a teacher that has no expertise in the subject of modular technology. It was a poor decision of the administration to make this staff change that put our students at a disadvantage. While surrounding school districts are forging ahead in the area of technology using things like Smart Technology and Mimio Interactive Boards, our district has remained stagnant. The future lies in technology and it is time for our school to get on board and keep pace with the advances in technology that will in turn benefit our students.""
Now, just two months later, Pleasantdale has decided to seek out funds to purchase interactive whiteboards. At last night's board meeting, the school board approved an IDEA stimulus expenditure proposal in which funds will be used to purchase 48 Promethean Active Boards and document cameras.
This NEVER would have happened if we hadn't pointed out the serious inadequacies of our technology program during our campaign and at the candidate's forum in March.
Oh, and during a recent audit of our district, the ISBE found that the middle school mod tech instructor has no training in the area of technology and should not be teaching it. Therefore changes to the program must be made. Stay tuned to see what happens.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Violating Board Policy?
Is our board going against their own policy?
According to the May agenda, in item VII, a few reports and discussions will take place for the first time. These items include the IDEA stimulus expenditure proposal, the grade one job share proposal and the multi-age preschool.
In item VIII the board will be asked to vote on these policies after a discussion that is taking place for the first time just minutes beforehand.
If you read the board policy 2:240 below, doesn't it say that these items cannot be voted on the first time they are brought up in discussion?
Policy Adoption and Dissemination
Policies or policy revisions will not be adopted at the Board meeting at which they are first introduced, except when: (1) appropriate for a consent agenda because no Board discussion is required, or (2) necessary or prudent in order to meet emergency or special conditions or to be legally compliant. Further Board consideration will be given at a subsequent meeting(s) and after opportunity for community input. The adoption of a policy will serve to supersede all previously adopted policies on the same topic.
The Board policies are available for public inspection in the District’s main office during regular office hours. Copy requests should be made pursuant to Board policy 2:250, Access to District’s Public Records.
Hmmm, it's shaping up to be an interesting meeting tomorrow evening.
According to the May agenda, in item VII, a few reports and discussions will take place for the first time. These items include the IDEA stimulus expenditure proposal, the grade one job share proposal and the multi-age preschool.
In item VIII the board will be asked to vote on these policies after a discussion that is taking place for the first time just minutes beforehand.
If you read the board policy 2:240 below, doesn't it say that these items cannot be voted on the first time they are brought up in discussion?
Policy Adoption and Dissemination
Policies or policy revisions will not be adopted at the Board meeting at which they are first introduced, except when: (1) appropriate for a consent agenda because no Board discussion is required, or (2) necessary or prudent in order to meet emergency or special conditions or to be legally compliant. Further Board consideration will be given at a subsequent meeting(s) and after opportunity for community input. The adoption of a policy will serve to supersede all previously adopted policies on the same topic.
The Board policies are available for public inspection in the District’s main office during regular office hours. Copy requests should be made pursuant to Board policy 2:250, Access to District’s Public Records.
Hmmm, it's shaping up to be an interesting meeting tomorrow evening.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Excellent Summer School Offerings in Hinsdale!
These summer school offerings are for both residents and non-residents of Hinsdale school district 181. School district 181 is ranked in the TOP 10 in suburban Chicagoland! Classes meet 16 times between June 10 and July 1 and the cost is $175 whether you are a resident or not. Some of their offerings include reading, writing, math, grammar, robotics, mysterys, garage band, floor hockey, guitar, movie making, art and much, much more. Click on the link below for more information on Hinsdale's summer offerings.
http://www.d181.org/pdf/D181SummerSchoolBrochure09.pdf
http://www.d181.org/pdf/D181SummerSchoolBrochure09.pdf
Some Illinois Districts Freeze Top Administrators' Pay
The Chicago Tribune (5/8, Malone) reports, "In yet another sign of school belt-tightening, several Illinois districts are freezing the pay of top administrators as they try to squeeze money from tight budgets." For instance, "in Quincy School District 172, school board member Jeff Mays pushed to freeze pay for 22 of 28 administrators who were not locked into retirement contracts, shaving an estimated $62,000 from next year's budget." And "in Lake Zurich School District 95, officials expect to save $119,000 by freezing the pay of 226 administrators." The Chicago Tribune notes that "freezing the top salaries will not single-handedly solve school budget woes," because on average, only about 2.5 percent of an Illinois district's budget goes toward administrators' salaries, "according to the state education agency. Still, cuts at the top help, and can signal that economic suffering is shared."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
District 102 parents commend full-day kindergarten
Suburban Life, May 5, 2009
La Grange, IL -
Molly Teegen is excited about attending kindergarten this coming fall. So is her mother.
Last fall marked the first year Elementary School District 102 parents had an option between half- or full-day kindergarten. On June 4, the School Board will hear a summary report on the full-day program held at Forest Road School in La Grange Park.
Superintendent Mark Van Clay said there are indicators the program has been a success.The voluntary, full-time option required six sections last fall, and the district is anticipating a 50 percent increase in participation this fall.
“It seems like it’s something the community is embracing,” Van Clay said. “Every other indication we have gotten is that it is doing well.”
Kelli Teegen of La Grange has been a supporter of the full-day program since discussions on the concept began late last year. Now her daughter, Molly, will be attending the full-day program.
“My daughter has been going to preschool five days a week,” Kelli Teegen said. “She was ready for a challenge. My older daughter didn’t get that challenge. I was excited they were offering a full-time kindergarten program.”
Kelli Teegen said she used to supplement her older daughter’s education at a private preschool two days a week when she was attending kindergarten. The full-time program brings with it other benefits as well.
“There are savings and I can go back to work part time without having to pay for a sitter,” Kelli Teegen said.
Linda Hyerdall has also been a full-time kindergarten advocate and served on a parents advisory board two years ago as Forest Road School was coping with overcrowding issues. Despite the fact Hyerdall lives next door to Congress School in Brookfield, where her sixth-grader Zach attends, and which continues to have a half-day kindergarten program, her daughter, Kylie, will attend the full-time program at Forest Road in the fall.
“For me, I’m sending my kids to two different schools so that tells you something,” she said. For her and her husband, Brad Hyerdall, who both work full time, it is an all around better situation, Linda Hyerdall said.
“I’m very excited about it. This just works out more with our lifestyle,” she said.
There are savings as well. Linda Hyerdall roughly estimated she spent more than $1,000 in the past for two days of preschool during the summer months. But more importantly, she said the real advantage is the additional time in the classroom.
“This will prepare (children) for the next grade up,” Linda Hyerdall said. “If they absorb like doctors say they absorb, the more the better. It’s not just about education; it’s socialization.”
A full-day kindergarten program is also offered in La Grange School District 105.
According to the State of Illinois Board of Education, there were 83,420 children attending full-day kindergarten programs in the state out of a total of 147,440 children enrolled in kindergarten programs during the 2006-07 school year.
La Grange, IL -
Molly Teegen is excited about attending kindergarten this coming fall. So is her mother.
Last fall marked the first year Elementary School District 102 parents had an option between half- or full-day kindergarten. On June 4, the School Board will hear a summary report on the full-day program held at Forest Road School in La Grange Park.
Superintendent Mark Van Clay said there are indicators the program has been a success.The voluntary, full-time option required six sections last fall, and the district is anticipating a 50 percent increase in participation this fall.
“It seems like it’s something the community is embracing,” Van Clay said. “Every other indication we have gotten is that it is doing well.”
Kelli Teegen of La Grange has been a supporter of the full-day program since discussions on the concept began late last year. Now her daughter, Molly, will be attending the full-day program.
“My daughter has been going to preschool five days a week,” Kelli Teegen said. “She was ready for a challenge. My older daughter didn’t get that challenge. I was excited they were offering a full-time kindergarten program.”
Kelli Teegen said she used to supplement her older daughter’s education at a private preschool two days a week when she was attending kindergarten. The full-time program brings with it other benefits as well.
“There are savings and I can go back to work part time without having to pay for a sitter,” Kelli Teegen said.
Linda Hyerdall has also been a full-time kindergarten advocate and served on a parents advisory board two years ago as Forest Road School was coping with overcrowding issues. Despite the fact Hyerdall lives next door to Congress School in Brookfield, where her sixth-grader Zach attends, and which continues to have a half-day kindergarten program, her daughter, Kylie, will attend the full-time program at Forest Road in the fall.
“For me, I’m sending my kids to two different schools so that tells you something,” she said. For her and her husband, Brad Hyerdall, who both work full time, it is an all around better situation, Linda Hyerdall said.
“I’m very excited about it. This just works out more with our lifestyle,” she said.
There are savings as well. Linda Hyerdall roughly estimated she spent more than $1,000 in the past for two days of preschool during the summer months. But more importantly, she said the real advantage is the additional time in the classroom.
“This will prepare (children) for the next grade up,” Linda Hyerdall said. “If they absorb like doctors say they absorb, the more the better. It’s not just about education; it’s socialization.”
A full-day kindergarten program is also offered in La Grange School District 105.
According to the State of Illinois Board of Education, there were 83,420 children attending full-day kindergarten programs in the state out of a total of 147,440 children enrolled in kindergarten programs during the 2006-07 school year.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
PTA President's Dinner - May 15
The annual PTA President's Dinner will be held on Friday, May 15 at Bonnie's Billiards in Willow Springs. Tickets are $28 and include dinner (cash bar) and billiards. Everyone is welcome!
The PTA will be welcoming the incoming PTA board members and bidding farewell to those that are leaving.
The 2008-2009 school year PTA officers are:
· President: Tammy White
· Vice-President: Kelly Hansen
· Vice-President: Karen O’Halloran
· Secretary: Alli Gulliver
· Treasurer: Christine Franco
The PTA officers for the 2009-2010 school year will be:
· President: Kelly Hansen
· Vice-President: Christine Franco
· Vice-President: Kelly Hahn
· Secretary: Kathleen Shah
· Treasurer: Alli Gulliver
The PTA will be welcoming the incoming PTA board members and bidding farewell to those that are leaving.
The 2008-2009 school year PTA officers are:
· President: Tammy White
· Vice-President: Kelly Hansen
· Vice-President: Karen O’Halloran
· Secretary: Alli Gulliver
· Treasurer: Christine Franco
The PTA officers for the 2009-2010 school year will be:
· President: Kelly Hansen
· Vice-President: Christine Franco
· Vice-President: Kelly Hahn
· Secretary: Kathleen Shah
· Treasurer: Alli Gulliver
Friday, May 1, 2009
Ten Parent Initiative - May
Our ten parent initiative is well under way. Please consider helping out in this endeavor.
Topics at the May 20th school board meeting will include staff recognition, first grade job share proposal, communication action team action plans, curriculum council status report, milk and paper bids, hot lunch and cleaning contract renewal, action math program status update and possibly a few other items.
Remember, every community has a school, but not every school has school community. Please join us in making our school district the best it can be!
Email us at pleasantdaleschoolblog@gmail.com for more information or to sign up!
Topics at the May 20th school board meeting will include staff recognition, first grade job share proposal, communication action team action plans, curriculum council status report, milk and paper bids, hot lunch and cleaning contract renewal, action math program status update and possibly a few other items.
Remember, every community has a school, but not every school has school community. Please join us in making our school district the best it can be!
Email us at pleasantdaleschoolblog@gmail.com for more information or to sign up!
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