March 2006 means 18 Years Anniversary DPN
Reactions: Town Hall Meeting.
What's wrong with RSD?
Many of us have complained about Rochester School for the Deaf. We need a common place to vent our concerns with each other without revealing ourselves to RSD to protect our jobs and children.
73 Comments:
Dr. Mowl made it very clear he wants to make it work for us... kudos for him.
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How did you know it?
May I respectfully ask what was specifically resolved regarding the Bi-Bi issue?
Chris,
Many d/Deaf speakers who came up to the podium mentioned the importance of both ASL and English in their lives. One speaker believed that RSD is required by state laws and regulations to provide speech therapy, auditory training, etc. Another speaker said that we would need to meet with our state legislators to campaign for an ASL/English bilingual education at RSD.
Bi/Bi Advocate
Even though we don't have access to the notes and the tape, please expect a posting of the meeting minutes sometime today. In the meantime, we can try to briefly summarize what had happened at last night town's meeting.
The meeting was facilitated by Branton Stewart of the Empire State Association of the Deaf. He did a great job!!!! Branton recruited the interpreters for this meeting, so we do not know all of their names. Their invaluable service helped bridge the gap between the hearing and the deaf attendees of this meeting. Their biggest challenge was to work with the pace and speed of each speaker/signer. Along with other RSD Board members, Dr. Mowl (RSD's CEO) and Steve Morse (President of RSD Board) were in attendance. Dedicated and courageous teachers and staff members of RSD were also in attendance. A good number of RSD students also attended. Additionally, some members of the general community were there. It is not known how many people were there, but we can safely say that there was a high turnout. Refreshments were served afterwards. They were donated by RSDAA, RSD's PSA and the RSD Board.
General Discussion Points:
1) Safety: Reports given by students are generally regarded as not credible. Parents' concerns are usually not followed up.
2) Education/Communication: Many who spoke expressed disappointment that there are no ASL specialists at RSD. Some stories with the prevailing theme of positive ASL-English connections were told.
3) Administration: The title of "CEO" has no place in the world of education. It's believed that the school needs to improve its relations with RSD alumni.
There will be a meeting held at 7 pm on March 23rd in the school auditorium at RSD. The purpose of this meeting will be to follow up on concerns raised at last night's town hall meeting. It's not clear as to who will be responding--Dr. Mowl himself or the RSD Board or both. This follow-up meeting is open to the RSD community and the general public.
Be reminded that the meeting minutes will be posted sometime today.
Concerned Citizens
Excellent progress!
Remember, usually after a "feel-good session" people ease off the pressure and go home thinking that the Board and the Administrators will take it from there.
Unfortunately, once the pressure stops, those higher ups will stop paying attention. You need to keep the pressure on so your agenda remains the top priority.
Has anyone addressed the Simultaneous Communication issue? Any ASL/English Bilingual Education will NOT prevail if the staff, faculty, and administrators continue using the SimCom method of communication.
For more information on Simultaneous Communication/Total Communication, refer to the research by Carol Erting, Robert Johnson, and Scott Liddel.
Keep up the good work!
RC
MWKK,
What did you mean by "signing off for good"? There is a great deal of work ahead, so don't "jump ship."
I find it really hard to believe that RSD is bound by state laws and regulations not to provide an ASL/English bilingual education.
We need to do some much more information gathering.
I respectfully disagree with you about Dr. Mowl. Being the top leader of RSD, he is ultimately responsible for the morale of the RSD community. For instance, he knew that many of us valued the services of the last ASL specialist, and yet decided to close that position regardless of the high demand for it. A good leader is a morale builder.
Bi/Bi Advocate
"-have deaf school administrators go to Albany and improve for better requirements for interpreters"
forgot to add that parents need to go to Albany, too.
All in all, it was a positive meeting. There's hope.
bi/bi advocate wrote:
"I find it really hard to believe that RSD is bound by state laws and regulations not to provide an ASL/English bilingual education."
.........................
I agree. Under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, many public schools that failed the school report cards have proposed to change their curriculum in order to improve literacy skills of their students, and have received the approvals from their state department of education.
Friends--
There is an obvious next step to be taken here. The topics need to be formulated into specific goals, spelled out in terms such as: 1)Find what is needed to regain the ASL specialist; investigate why the position was closed; explore what possibilities there are for adding one or more ASL specialists. Time frame: fall 2006. Person to see this through: (name).
Merely listing worthy ideas and hoping some committee will take it further or continue a general discussion isn't going to do it. That's how good ideas get dropped.
We need it spelled out and a designated person to be accountable for developing and reporting on each goal.
--DPG
I’m going to be posting twice in a row to make two very different arguments.
First of all, okay, I’m very happy to see that your first meeting was so positive. Believe me when I say I’ve seen other types of meetings, so you’ve got that going for you at the very least.
Now onto my first argument. Above, MWKK said this: “So the meeting last night hopefully awakened the need for more deaf awareness, and could spread to other deaf schools here in NYS (I think we have at least 5 deaf schools here in the upstate NYS and NYC) and more parents and teachers and directors could go to Albany to voice our needs. Albany won't listen to a FEW parents... the more numbers, the better.”
That’s very true. So the challenge is—where are you going to get those numbers from?
You see this has a lot more—a LOT more—to do with just educational issues. This is politics at the deepest level, how people think, what they believe, how they are set up against and played off against each other, and most importantly, HOW THEY ARE ORGANIZED.
Let’s assume for one second that you could organize every deaf and hearing signer (doubtful, because you are all played off against each other in subtle and overt ways by a propaganda machine that has been in place for over 200 years, but more on that later) in Rochester into one coherent group… with a single purpose in mind… to go to Albany and demand change.
Okay, how many people is that? 5000? 50,000? I have no idea… somebody give me an estimation.
All right… suppose you go to Albany. NOW what? At best, Deaf Ed changes in New York. Will that be enough? No, because you need a national infrastructure to train your teachers and produce your materials, and you don’t have it.
But leave that aside for a second… even that is a level of organization beyond anyone’s wildest dreams at this point in time. Drop down a few levels. Quickly, tell me something. Who will you go to in Albany to demand changes from? Do any of you know? You’ve established that you want to “look into it.” I agree, you’re going to need to do this. But who’s going to look into it? Who is going to get the info you need so you even know what you’re facing? Who’s going to make the contacts necessary to start bringing in what you need to solve your problems? And will a few people be able to do these things, coordinate all of this information, or is that more likely than not the job of committees?
And where’s your central hub? Believe it or not you’ve already got one started on this blog… the second you linked up with ISD and the start up kit for investigations, you introduced hundreds of people to info they never had before, and that is what fueled the ideas that are going into your meetings and comments. Everybody can come here and see the results of work that individuals are doing in isolation. That's a great thing... something we never had for the larger part of the 20th century (at least not at the speeds that the internet makes possible).
I am not saying this to discourage you. I am saying this to inspire you. You can get this done, and even working towards it is going to give you a feeling of fulfillment and purpose that I can’t even describe to you right now, because believe it or not I lack the writing skills.
So what I’m going to do instead is SHOW you.
Now I want you to do something—for me, for yourselves, and for somebody else who needs you right now, even though they probably won’t admit it (neither to themselves nor to you).
You are a few finger clicks away from a region of this country that is roughly (geographically speaking) about six or seven hundred miles away from you. Yes, Flint, Michigan.
Now THIS embattled community is nowhere close to where you are right now. They are setting up a referent group to simply just explore the effectiveness of Bi-Bi. Most of YOU, on the other hand, seem to believe in its value. They too, are wary and weary of what they’re going to have to face in Lansing, which to them is your Albany. It’s a good bet that they’re already exhausted before they’ve even begun.
So I want you to go over there. And I want you—just FIVE of you (if more, great, but five will do)—to show them that there is a community of people ready and waiting with expertise and facts and advice. Who knows, it might be a welcome surprise to them—it certainly will be to the parents, who have been asking for all the info they can get.
Go over there and identify yourself under a name with the word Rochester in it. RSD Teacher, RSD Parent, Rochester Bi-Bi Supporter… I don’t care. Simply type one paragraph and tell them you are with them, that you know how it feels, that you’re standing by with whatever they need. Because a lot of you DO have what they need. Info you’ve tucked away in the back of your minds and decided long ago isn’t important, but it is. Or else just your presence. Or your contacts… the names of people you know (at CAEBER, at Gallaudet, whatever).
Do that and you’re on your way to a much bigger number of potential supporters than you’re ever going to find in just Rochester alone. Of course you might be rejected, but that's the game. If you want to win, you have to try.
And also do it for this:
How many of you have read about Alexander Graham Bell and wondered about the force of history… about how simple men and women, just like ourselves, can stand up intending to do what, in their minds, they honestly believe is the right thing, the good thing…
…yet they end up creating something so… awful.
But Alexander Graham Bell, as pervasive as his ideas are today, is but a spirit. And if five of you go over and post your support for the people in Michigan… I will send you a link. I will introduce you to the spirit of another person, whose ideas are also pervasive…
…and then, if you give me the chance to explain, I’ll show you how we can use his ideas to change everything.
And by the way, after you post your support, give yourself a day and then get back to me and tell me whether or not you felt like you actually ACCOMPLISHED something.
Your move.
Diane Plassey Gutierrez said...
Friends--
There is an obvious next step to be taken here. The topics need to be formulated into specific goals, spelled out in terms such as: 1)Find what is needed to regain the ASL specialist; investigate why the position was closed; explore what possibilities there are for adding one or more ASL specialists. Time frame: fall 2006. Person to see this through: (name).
Merely listing worthy ideas and hoping some committee will take it further or continue a general discussion isn't going to do it. That's how good ideas get dropped.
We need it spelled out and a designated person to be accountable for developing and reporting on each goal.
--DPG
3/10/2006 01:12:54 PM
Yes, Diane. I come here preparing to discuss the same thing you had posted.
From experience, I'm sure all of you know, always be wary of the positive statments as they are often the empty guarantees.
I suggest the community of RSD to set up a few ad-hoc committees (e.g. ASL/English bilingual education committee, etc). Each committee will able to follow through everything on a regular basis and check off each accomplished mission. Be thorough and persistent.
Best Luck!
For your information...this article, "The Role of the Superintendent of Schools as CEO" by Peter M. Porte published last year, may provide a better insight into the role of Dr. Mowl.
http://www.sd79.bc.ca/administration/superintendent/Superintendent_role.pdf
The Role of The Superintendent of Schools As CEO Peter M. Porte April 3, 2005
I have been asked to assist the committee with its deliberations, by submitting a one page “statement of
educational philosophy with respect to the role of the Superintendent of Schools as CEO”. The modifying words, “as CEO” speaks traditionally to corporate responsibilities and statutory obligations. These, in my view, need to be taken very seriously, for if a Superintendent fails to comply with the School Act or doesn’t deliver a balanced budget, or doesn’t exhibit the core competencies as outlined in
the BCSSA’s Dimensions of Practice, then there can be serious trouble. However, I would argue that the superintendent in today’s setting must also deliver “value added” qualities. For without vision, passion,
drive and the ability to create responsive teams, little of lasting importance can be accomplished.
The first sentence in my CV / résumé captures what I take to be the prime responsibility of the
superintendent and that is to work with partners to improve achievement for ALL students. I believe that Trustees, District Staff, Principals, Teachers, Students, Support Staff, Parents, community agencies, the
general public as well as the Superintendent must all demonstrate leadership. The Superintendent, however, is also charged with building this leadership capacity within the district as all partners, not just
students, need to have opportunities to develop and learn. For when partners internalize the overall
intent of the district and embrace the notion that “we are all leaders and learners,” then off-the-chart results can be realized!
The Superintendent, once Trustees have set policy and direction, works with all partners to build trust and commitment, clarify goals, align resources with goals, and generally facilitates, coordinates efforts and monitors and evaluates operations. It is important to hold individuals and teams accountable for results, and when necessary, intervene when performance is low, with the objective of developing
capacity. The Superintendent encourages, motivates and is a cheerleader. She / he is a staunch
supporter who recognizes even the smallest steps towards meeting a goal and then helps celebrate
both minor and major victories.
My educational philosophy is informed by an equal mixture of theory and the practical, and hence, does not remain static. It reflects Michael Fullan’s bias for leaders being “system thinkers” (Leadership & Sustainability, 2005, page 104) where one doesn’t “thrive in armchairs or in trenches” but where best results are produced when you are “on the dance floor and the balcony on the same day”. There are no substitutes for gaining an appreciative perspective and engaging in the intense leadership for deep learning. This aptly describes the “reflective practitioner” at work.
The Superintendent as CEO needs to have a clear vision of the “road” to success and this has three
essential aspects: (1) the destination — district’s goals that are embedded in the vision, mission and value statements which are explicit and compelling; (2) the pathway — how we are going to achieve the results envisioned and what are the structures and strategies used? In the BC context, the specific results that are to be obtained and approach used to achieve success are found in the district’s Accountability Contract as well as in individual School Improvement Plans; and (3) the journey itself — making what we experience along the way rich and rewarding for everyone.
I have noted that from a very practical standpoint, the Superintendent is in a unique position to support and actively promote Public Education. The Superintendent can start conversations with many partners
and these can influence people’s thinking and action depending upon the quality of the conversations
that have been initiated. Ideas need to resonate with individuals — ideas need to appeal to something
that matters to them — you cannot compel the participation that will make the difference for our students in the long term. It must be an invitation. Hence, the superintendent must work on all the relevant factors to get partners to willingly work in a collaborative manner, as a true learning community, so that great
things can happen for our children.
(posted at the Michigan blog, originally from a Texas newspaper)
Since this isolation can stunt their language and psychosocial development, Mirus said, it is becoming more popular for parents to send their children to the Texas School for the Deaf.
Isn't that interesting? In some places, it's becoming more popular for students to go to a school for the deaf rather than mainstreaming. Some schools for the deaf are growing.
I wonder if this has anything to do with Texas's many years of balancing English and Spanish speaking populations.
Chris, I've posted again at the Michigan blog, and I will continue to do so ... hopefully others will follow.
This was published today on MSNBC: I was reminded of the parent who said that music was inappropriate in RSD's IEPs. (It was apparently a State regulation.) There is an agument that music can teach some deaf kids to understand what hearing people "see" in it; but pay attention to the remarks below.
--DPG
"CHICAGO - Most high school students eagerly await the day they pass driver’s education class. But 16-year-old Mayra Ramirez is indifferent about it.
Ramirez is blind, yet she and dozens of other visually impaired sophomores in Chicago schools are required to pass a written rules-of-the-road exam in order to graduate — a rule they say takes time away from subjects they might actually use.
“In other classes, you don’t really feel different because you can do the work other people do,” Ramirez said. “But in driver’s ed, it does give us the feeling we’re different. In a way, it brought me down, because it reminds me of something I can’t do.”
"Hundreds of school districts in Illinois require students to pass driver’s ed, although the state only requires that districts offer the courses. A state education official says districts that require it should exempt disabled students.
“It defies logic to require blind students to take this course,” said Meta Minton, spokeswoman for the state Board of Education.
Move to change policy
About 30 students at two Chicago high schools with programs for the visually impaired recently formed an advocacy group in part to change the policy.
A Chicago Public Schools official said the district would be open to waiving the requirement.
“I can’t explain why up to this point no one has raised the issue and suggested a better way for visually impaired students to opt out of driver’s ed,” said Chicago schools spokesman Michael Vaughn.
Vaughn said parents of disabled students can, by law, request a change in their child’s individual education plan, which could include a driver’s ed exemption. But teachers and students said that is a little-known option, and that they have been told driver’s ed is required to graduate."
© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Re: superintendent as CEO... mwkk, my pleasure.
DG, thank you very much for sharing a piece of valuable information that students and parents could modify the option on their IEPs.
BTW, perhaps this website, Rethinking Schools Online would benefit the RSD community as well as all other teachers and parents of deaf students, it covers the issues of bilingual education, NCLB, etc.
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/
RSD Teacher,
Thank you for posting. That's one down, four to go! Tell your colleagues! Or push for it in here! People aren't used to thinking outside of their own communities even though the greatest benefits come from doing so.
See what you can do!
Greetings all
The meeting was incredibly positive. The moderator ROCKED!
i arrived an hour late (boo) somehow thought it started at 7 pm.
Regardless -
the meeting was inspiring mostly because:
it shows the power of a collective community - more exchanges - "town meetings" of such would be GREAT
re: what to do next - i think its really important that folks decide what they want and push for it with a doable deadline of when they want responses to it.
my understanding of an IEP - is that it is INDIVIDUALIZED!!!! i dont think there is anything that says - deaf kids = must get speech, much get auditory training - mandated by NY state law. if im wrong and YES NY state does not really individualize a Deaf child's educational program than YES run for albany but im very doubtful if this is a LAW or just a habit
my son is hearing but has an IEP and the school present options from a listing of services - learning disability = these services but i can say - hey, what about this, or that or this - and they listen and discuss and hand tailor his program to fit his need. i think that is what an IEP is about
at the meeting:
one father spoke eliquoently about the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of a "one size fits all approach" and the need for balance. giving children with residual hearing and CI clinical services WHILE also providing ASL services for other children.
another dad presented very impassionately about how much he treasured leadership opportunities for his children and how that has severely diminished at RSD as has morale
if rsd is serious about a bi/bi program - would it be beneficial to invite some experts to train the teachers, parents, and admin as they prepare for this transformation
if i recall right - Marie Philips of the learning center (framingham, ma.) said changing their school to a bi-bi school was challenging - teachers were threatened, parents were misinformed, etc. folks have made this shift from TC to Bi/BI - their schools will not be exactly the same as RSDs but their experience may give some wisdom
ISD, Fremont CSD, Learning Center, etc r all good places to tap into
i think overall the energy, attitude and openness at the meeting were amazing to behold
if u look at the summary of the meeting the longest list was under
education - this should be a main FOCUS
the 2nd area was administration which focused on leadership (board % of Deaf, CEO title, student leadership
issue of safety and communication are important but perhaps folks feel they r being readily addressed NOW
kudos to all the parents (deaf hearing hard of hearing etc) who shared their concerns and insight. kudos to the TAs teachers and admin who attended shared and listened. hand waves to the alumni who showed their big hearts for RSD and ya hoo to the few students who were brave enough to stand up and to all the students who attended and discussed and debated. They are our future
peace
patti
Hey Patti!
How are you? Missing your articles, my friend!
To everyone: you know, I wonder if, as individual groups start doing these things (contacting people, setting up committees, etc) we can't "feed" it all into one massive website?
And really I mean EVERYTHING. How to set up committees. How to assign tasks. Who to call. What you need. What problems you faced at different stages. Everything from steps A to Z. You've already got a lot of that here. For example the discussion of how something as relatively simple as signing classes can really hold up progress towards Bilingual environments when they cost too much and are scheduled at difficult times. Nobody's fault, but there it is, you know? And I wonder how many schools out there have whole hordes of parents saying "YEAH! Exactly! That's a problem HERE, too!" And wouldn't it be great if you go about solving that problem and then post it on the website, and then boom, the problem and the solution are both right there. The Road-Map to Peace, in a sense.
The reason I ask is because over the last... hm... about 24 hours both this blog and the Starving for Access blog have been largely silent, and that has given me some time to reflect. And I find myself in the midst of some very strange emotions and sensations.
On the one hand, I found myself feeling a bit bad, you know? Because the SFA blog, if you really read over that thing, in places resembles a knock-down drag-out saloon fight from one of those old western flicks... and I wonder why everything seems to have to be a trade off. To explain that... before Ryan actually went out there and starved himself, people had been trying for months and months and months to set things up the "nice" way... Town Hall meetings, reviews of communication policies, etc. Not much was getting done. Entire sheets of glaciers have crept across North America at a faster pace than things were getting accomplished over there (at least it seemed that way to me).
Then the protest happened, and THEN things kicked into gear, but at what cost? People were angry, there was a lot of mean language flying back and forth... at the end of it all, MAYBE... MAYBE a door was opened over there. But maybe not. We'll see.
But I wonder sometimes if maybe things wouldn't have been easier if someone had mapped this all out... the process of change, so it wouldn't be so overwhelming.
However I said I had conflicting feelings... one was feeling a bit bad about how much negative energy got generated. But the other feeling was one of being totally pumped up, one hundred thousand percent excited and filled up with goodwill, the desire to help in any way I can with whatever I'm needed for. Both for you guys and for the people out in Michigan.
How do you guys feel about the "feed it all into a big website" idea? I've been talking with some people about constructing one anyway... maybe we could get it online and then just keep adding to it as we go? Show people from beginning to end HOW to convert to a Bi-Bi program... (depending, of course, on whether that's what you still want to do)?
What do you think?
“The reason I ask is because over the last... hm... about 24 hours both this blog and the Starving for Access blog have been largely silent, and that has given me some time to reflect. And I find myself in the midst of some very strange emotions and sensations.”
Don’t worry! The site counter showed that many people still come to our “What’s wrong with RSD?” website to read. It looks like they are catching up with the blogs over the weekend. I’m one of them. It was pretty fast anyway. I was so excited. At the same time, I’m pretty disappointed with other half deaf parents. They did complain about many things which were not being discussed in the town hall meeting. I think, either they are pretty scared of Dr. Mowl or they are coward. I’m sorry to use the mean language but we have to face the facts. None of the staff or teachers came to complain last Thursday either. Wow! I think they are depending on us to fight their battles with Dr. Mowl for them. I guess we have more work to do for our children and for them.
Concerned Deaf Parent
I agreed with Theo's dad that music class seems a little weird for a deaf child. MY daugthers comes home and tries to sing songs which ends up being like name that tune. I wish music class was more about signing the songs then singing them since I really have no idea when my daughter is trying to sing. Im not sure what could change but more hands on things. I don't want to say that because my daughter is deaf she can't sing baa baa black sheep but how about signing it? Also, the CSE people especially Brighton which i am in push for mainstreaming. They allowed my daughter to atte4nd RSD because GAtes was already paying but they said , ":think about mainstreaming for next year" bascially meaning say goodbye to RSD. I am moving districts so hpoeuflly they will respect more what I say and what the RSD people say about her progress but sometimes the parents are ignored...especially hearing parents because they assume because we ar hearing our child will do better in a mainstream school.....not true...and its sad how thye group deaf children with mental retardation and other disabilities. My daugther doesn't need special education, she needs an interpretor and TOD...
Heidi
I agree with Chris that a more extensive, organized website would be beneficial -- especially one with a linked message board. Blogs are great for tracking events, but better when one individual author is the key figure. For actual conversation amongst group members, I've found message boards to be much more effective.
In such a case, we could have forums for the individual issues: ASL Education for family members, teacher training and tips, current research, legislation and lobbying, speech for those who desire it, public relations, etc.
The problem with the blog is what we're seeing already -- the comment window becomes a LONG string of conversations with several issues. Focus and organization would seem to be helpful in making sure this all really goes beyond the "talking about it" stage.
Just my thoughts ... Chris, let me know if there's anything I can do to help -- I have some web-savvy connections.
good link for info on IDEA law, which requires IEPs and IFSPs
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/KidsWorldDeafNet/e-docs/IDEA/index.html
the link is designed for parents of Deaf kids and from the gally - laurent clerc center
i agree knowing about IEPs, albany, ur rights etc all are important - at the same time beware - there is a ton of bureacracy and legalese
it seems RSD is keen on supporting what folks want to improve the school so i think having clear and practical goals is the key - me broken record?
re: a Website / forum re: US Deaf Education - cool - id be interested
peace
patti
AnnieRaitiB,
You could sort of set it up with "categories" or "topics" here on the blog. Whoever is running it can add posts for each topic, then the discussions can happen in the comments window. But it wouldn't be quite the same as a message board.
The nice thing about a message board is that the most recently active thread is automatically bumped to the top of the list. Most message boards I've worked with also have a column listing when the last post in that thread was made. That way you know at a glance whether you've read everything under that post.
On the blog, you have to scroll down through the topics and try to remember how many comments were there the last time you checked, to see if it's been updated since then.
The message board system I'm most familiar with is www.ezboard.com Here's a link to a board that's well set-up:
http://p196.ezboard.com/bafterschoolers
(This board is totally unrelated to everything here, although it IS about educational topics run by parents.)
This is quite an extensively set-up board, but you can see how the organization works.
Realize that with ezboard, you can set up a message board for free, but you have to have banner and pop-up ads. You can pay to set up "Gold Community Membership" without ads, and the cost varies by how much traffic the board has.
There may be other message board systems out there, but I've yet to see one with a set-up I like quite as much as ezboard's.
Blogs are generally designed to be monologues (one person) with other people reacting to what that person says. Message boards are designed to be dialogues or discussions with everyone on equal footing.
If anyone is interested in setting up a message board -- ezboard or somewhere else you find -- I have some experience in the area and would be happy to answer questions.
It can be done. I know a guy who runs a message board for his friends through something called Bunzies.org or something like that. You can either post a topic or post a comment. When you log in there's a giant message board with every posted topic (topics could be "Problems with Signing Classes, Committees we need to set up, People to contact in Albany," etc). There's also a counter for the number of views on a topic (with no comments) and the number of comments.
I don't know if you can "link" thing to it though. I'll check. And I just got an email from a friend who is talking about a website SHE owns... who knows what can be done with that?
I'm happy to check for you.
Wow RSD Teacher, same thoughts at the same time!
I know EXACTLY what you mean and I know a guy I can go to and ask (about costs, etc).
Up to you guys. If you want me to check, I will. If you want to do your own thing, cool.
Chris,
I really want to hug the person who set this blog up because it did wonderful thing for us. Now, you want to diminish our rally (I know you don’t do that but I’m trying to make a point.) for our cause if you want to move it to other place. It may not be a perfect tool but at least, it's working for us for now. I'm not accusing you anything. Your inputs are important to us. It helped to educate us on what we needed to know.
This will be a good idea for all the deaf schools to come to one place on the web. That way, we can share all the resources and ideas.
CDP
Hey CDP:
I understand your point.
We CAN always "link up" too, and keep our initial blogs. You're already doing it by providing the Starving for Access site addy over on the right hand side of this blog, and they're doing the same in theirs. In fact I think that an earlier poster somewhere in here said he/she taught at a deaf ed program nowhere near Rochester. Maybe we could just make it a standing invite... if other parents of students at other schools choose to start their own blog to initiate similar processes towards change, maybe we could all agree to faithfully post their blog addresses? Then we could just click back and forth to our hearts' content...
Personal note to RSD Teacher (#1): Any luck on finding four more people? Not to make you responsible for the drive (lol) but "there ain't nuthin' in life that's free," as the saying goes.
The link awaits thee, my friend.
AnnieRaitiB said...
I like this idea to have a web to covers all the deaf schools to discuss many issues in cateogories. It is hard enough already to find others in other website. It can become the lost cause to find the support systems. :)
Yes, Annie, that's the idea! The website is going to be a hub of educational information, news, etc.
A new website in mind could serve as a doable template for others to learn how to make a transition from the Total Communication System to ASL/English bilingual education, basing on experiences from MSD and RSD.
The website will serve as advocacy to some deaf students, giving them the points on how to assert themselves should they experience some kind of abuses, etc.
The website in mind is a mixture of online e-zine and e-newspaper where only journalists, columnists, and reporters submit their work. It's totally different from the blogs.
The website is going to include the links to RSDeaf and Starving for Access' blogs.
The blogs at RSDeaf and Starving for Access are very important as they represent the freedom of speech where anyone can come in and post whatever they want to address.
Check the right side. Look for the link called "Starving for Access HUNGER STRIKE: A Response to the Deaf Education Crisis" It is linked to their blog, starvingforaccess.blog.com.
CDP
I've been wondering if RSD faculty and staff have had any opportunities to evaluate the performance of their administrators/supervisors. If not, then how do their superiors know they have been doing OK or not?
I have an idea. Chris can set up the website or some kind of board like www.ezboard.com to grade each deaf school in the country. We can give the parents (both deaf and hearing) and students the opportunity to give us the feedbacks. We can use that to grade the deaf school. It will put the pressure on the administrators to provide the adequate services for the deaf children. If the hearing people can do that, then why not us too?!
Example: Newsweek Magazine “The 100 Best High Schools in America”
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7761678/site/newsweek).
I think I must be on a different page or something.
My understanding of Chris's proposed "hub" website was not that it would be anything like an e-zine or e-newspaper. My understanding was that it would be a central point to distribute information, how-to, tips, stories, etc. about shifting to a Bi-Bi philosophy. Some of that may include news articles, research, etc. (in fact, a centralized bibliography of relevant issues might be nice). But that's not to say the material would ONLY come from journalists or researchers.
My point in suggesting a shift to a message board is NOT to say this blog isn't important. It's opened up some dialogue, rocked the boat a bit, as it were. All I'm saying is it could be moved to a more efficient setting which would allow for more focused dialogue.
Yes, the comments that have been made here could be preserved there as well. (A quick-n-dirty way would be to simply copy and paste the whole comment window as a new post on the message board.)
The problem I see with "grading" schools for the deaf through a message board is that it would be completely subjective, totally opinion-based. There's a difference between, "Their school is better than ours," and "They like their school better than we like ours."
The Newsweek article you gave had a very methodical, scientific way of ranking the schools. (In fact, it had a very narrow focus, limiting itself to how many AP and IB exams the schools give each year.) If, on the other hand, someone wanted to attempt a formal research study, comparing specific statistics across schools, that would be another matter.
I may put up a sample of what I was envisioning for the message board before the end of the day ... we'll see if I have time.
RSD Teacher
I think the suggestion to use the school report cards to evaluate the schools for the deaf is not a bad idea, since their states department of education grade these schools. They are hardly subjective analysis, aren't they?
The message board of a new website in mind is not included; however, it is an option for additional cost. Whether or not to include the message board is up to the members of ASL community, they would have to pay for this option though.
Okay, here's me putting my "money" where my mouth is. I've created a possible message board for the general topic of bi-bi education. Go ahead and take a look:
Bi-Bi Education Network
(I just made that name up -- it could be changed.)
Realize that it's all just what I thought of off the top of my head.
Look at the "Polls" section and respond to the poll I've posted there. I can take it down more quickly than I put it up, so if people don't like it, no problem. But if they do, we can see if it'll fly.
Wow.
RSD Teacher, how long can you keep that thing up? Can I show the parents at the MSD site?
I can keep it up indefinitely, and I already cross-posted at Starving for Access.
As noted on the board, it's not specific to any particular school -- I would imagine it functioning like a big virtual "conference" for anyone involved in deaf education issues.
Once again, let me emphasize that I'm NOT saying anything against blogs. I'm NOT trying to "take over" anything. I'm simply trying to use my know-how to provide something that may be of service to the community I'm professionally involved in.
Ha RSD Teacher, you beat me to it... THANK YOU!
Right, exactly! You know, really... you all realize we can just 'keep' everything? The blogs, the message board, the journal, etc? It's not like we have an overwhelming amount of action going on already (at least at the national level). There's a lot going on at the local level in Rochester and Flint, and that's great, but I'm praying to God that expands, and if we show the rest of the country HOW to do that, maybe they will. It's worth a shot.
Above Anonymous said we should set up a website that "grades" schools. I'd like to respond to that.
We certainly can. But then you have to consider the issues that will follow. For example, if School A and School B use different educational philosophies, for example if one uses TC and one uses Bi-Bi, how do we "grade" them? Because that's kind of like trying to grade a class, using the same formula, when half the class has just taken an algebra test and the other has taken a geometry test. Two different kinds of math. Overlapping components, yes, but in the end, there's a lot of things showing up in one branch of math that isn't showing up in the other, and vice versa. So until we have every school in the United States with a deaf ed program all adhering to a Bi-Bi philosophy (unlikely), and that's just a START, then a grading system is going to be tough.
And plus, different people have different problems. For example, finger pointing. Okay... which is true... the woes of School A are the fault of its administrator, the fault of the laws surrounding that school, the general ignorance of the population, or the honest and vehement disagreement of the general population?
In some situations it will be one or the other. In many situations it'll be a combo of the above (and more). So if we give one school an "F," we'd better be sure that the people involved (its administrators, its teachers, its parents, its students, etc) can actually DO something about it. Because many times it's not the case that they won't. Rather it's the case that nobody is standing up with them. There are only so many things one person can do. 100 people can do more. And 1000 people can do more yet.
So what I personally think the website should do is teach people HOW to get from point A to point B. That's where the real game is. That's where our knowledge is lacking. We have people all over the US who are frustrated with Deaf Ed. That's no surprise. Such people have existed since we've HAD Deaf Ed.
But I guarantee you that if you needle people on something and don't stick around to teach them how to fix it, or at least to offer a solution, then all they'll do is explode. And who could blame them?
So we'll get the solutions. We'll figure out how to solve the problems in our own geographic locations and we'll work for ourselves, which is how it should be. But we'll also work for the rest of the US and anyone else in the world who links in. And we'll show them: okay, these were the problems we had when we started out. This is how we solved them. And our solutions then led to these new problems, and this is how we solved THEM.
And we just keep going.
And ten years from now we're going to be universes ahead from where we otherwise would have been, had we not done this.
That's what I think. How about you?
Check the new links on the right side.
This is a major distraction. I discussed this with my family and friends. I realized that this blog website is not even two weeks old. Already, someone from out of state wanted us to work with the national level issues. We have to wait until March 23 to hear the response from the board of directors and Dr. Mowl on the issues we discussed in the town hall meeting. Let us focus on one thing at a time with RSD. Of course, we need the help to rally for our cause.
Michigan School for the Deaf is the first to experience the protest and had to deal with the blog website. Now, RSD is the second. Why don’t you watch and learn from us? Maybe you should make the notes and discuss it with your colleagues to set up the guidelines for all other deaf schools and parents to follow. This is very good opportunity for all of us to learn from this. If we fail, it will be a major embarrassment for all of us and the administrators. It will show that the deaf education will be always a failure because we could not work together to improve it.
CDP
Hello CDP:
I just want to make sure we're having no miscommunications here, because it seems to me that what you're getting at is exactly what I'm getting at.
I think you SHOULD focus on RSD. I think that work SHOULD and in fact HAS to be done by local residents.
All I'm saying is that you should put what you do into a website of some kind, be it this blog or a message board or some other tool (up to you) so that others, including myself and my colleagues, CAN "watch and take notes and learn from you." But it's not primarily myself and my colleagues I'm thinking of--it's the other parents in other states that I'm thinking of.
I respectfully disagree with you on two points:
One point is that this blog is only two weeks old and already someone from out of state wants to work at the national level. There is no national level in this issue--there are only isolated schools in varying states, some having less contact with each other than others. I think it would be more accurate to say that I want you to work on your own school and post your progress on the internet SO THAT isolated people in varying states can see it... and that will become the beginning of a national connection (which you're going to need anyway... and that leads me to point two...)
Two: I disagree that this is a distraction. There's only so much work you can do in a given day. What this is, though it is important, is largely just sitting at a computer and reading/responding. For now, anyway. On other days your work will be attending meetings, clarifying ideas, forming committees, making calls, gathering info, etc. There will be time in-between all of that stuff in which many of you will WANT to just sit down and do nothing but read for a while. And it helps to know that there are others out there cheering you on. It helps to know that there are places you can go to get more ideas if you get stumped.
So I disagree that it's a distraction. However once you guys get started on whatever you're going to do after you have your meeting, you'll find that my personal posts will probably focus less and less on what is happening outside of RSD and more on either encouraging you or getting out of your way, because you're right, I AM from out of state.
Maybe a good way to look at the ideas that pop up in here is to look at them as "options." It's doubtful anything will happen without a majority consensus. Meaning that if most people want to stay with this blog, they will.
All of this is entirely, 100% up to you guys.
Thank you all for your consideration of these ideas.
*Remote Access to discussions, meetings, etc. for parents who live outside of Rochester
This is important as we don't
want to leave these
concerned parents out!
*Image of RSD to the Greater Rochester Network of Professionals
Gee, it's really important!!
Positive experiences of one
RSD parent (MWKK) -- only
one example...how about other
RSD parents??
*ASL classes/ASL Exposure Outside of RSD
Families of RSD students
should not be charged to
attend ASL classes, period.
No one should go up to PSA
to ask for money to pay for
classes -- too humilitating!
How about RSD, PSA, & RSDAA
working together to offer
social activities for RSD
students and families?
Also, CDP, one last thing, more on a more personal level... "If we fail, it will be a major embarrassment for all of us and the administrators." Why? You're parents and teachers and administrators who deeply care about these students. You're working to improve their education. Failure and its consequences are on the shoulders of the people who might turn you down--not on those of you who try.
I understand the gist of what you're saying. We're all stuck in a Catch-22 mentality from hell. It's hard to succeed when nobody stands with you... but nobody stands with you because they doubt your chances of success. That's what makes it hard to be leaders OR followers, especially in this community--mutual distrust of one another.
This is why I post my name. It's my way of saying I'm through running away and sticking my head in the sand hoping someone wiser than me will get things going. For better or worse I'm staying right here to do what's needed. I'm awake to the harsh reality now that we're all there is, and we're far from perfect, so whatever we do is going to be messy beyond belief.
So be it. It's the only way to break the cycle. Remember the option always remains to tell your detractors directly: "are you not standing with us because you think we're going to fail? Let me end the suspense, yes we are going to fail at times. At others we're going to succeed. And we'll just keep going no matter which it is."
That's more realistic than thinking one person's "no" is going to wipe you all out in some huge nuclear explosion of shame. It won't. Someone's "no" will come in the form of a quiet phone call or a small private meeting, because anyone who would say "no" to you after you've done so much work is probably not going to want to draw attention to that fact. So what you do then is you retreat for a strategy session and then respond with a noisy rally. There's nothing shameful about it... that's exactly what DPN was.
Branton, thank you for posting at the MSD site! That's two down and three to go (that's not to say the link is WHY you posted nonetheless I appreciate it anyway).
Oh wait, shoot, my error. Branton, that wasn't you. That was someone named "Gally" cutting and pasting something you posted here.
I apologize. (But I do thank whoever posted it anyway...)
Hii.. I watched this blog all weekend and noticed that the RSD teacher and Chris discussed back and forth about setting up a website. This caused a distraction or oppression. Here is an example of oppression. Someone created this blog and this blog became so hot and we got Dr. Mowl and the Board of Directors attention right away. Now a RSD Teacher ( I assume he or she is a hearing person) takes over and wants to change this blog into a different website.. Why? This is where Oppression starts. telling someone to change into something.. Why Why Why do we have to change? Let's leave this blog alone and start focusing some more concerns. As of now no one is talking about concerns.. only about changing into a website or about the meeting... There are maany more parents or staff who want to tell or share their concerns.. This blog was really a great idea.. It opened the door between Dr. Mowl, the Board of Directors and parents, students, Alumni, and RSD Staff. Keep the fire going......
I understand that we will have another Town meeting on the 23rd of March at RSD. I am a hearing parent and my deaf child goes to RSD. I have some questions..
1. WHo is the facilitator for the next meeting? Branton or Dr. Mowl??
2. Will more Staff members or other people like parents, students, Alumni be able to share their concerns at the next meeting??
I was at RRCD for the Town meeting last Thursday. ONLY one teacher spoke. I also saw how many more people wanted to speak but time was up. I know many Staff members are unhappy, scared or unable to talk. TO RSD Staff members, we NEED you to speak up.. The Board members are listening.. it may be your last chance to speak up if the board members wont deal with us in the future!!!
One meeting is NOT going to resolve any problems/concerns overnight.We need to keep fighting for our rights and get what we want the best for our deaf children! Keep ur spirits UP!
Anonymous (the one who is talking about oppression):
You don't HAVE to do anything. You want to stay with this blog, that's fine.
But do me a favor, okay? To me "oppression" means keeping another group under control. So how does that fit me, personally, when I'm in here supporting Bi-Bi and trying to show people all of these different tools you can use and talking about organizing?
I'm asking you because the most natural reaction in the world to new ideas is fear. People have never experienced this kind of thing before, the protest, the blogs, etc. And so they're naturally nervous. And that sets them up to be defensive and suspicious, and that's what keeps us all from working together. And we have to get past that, because sooner or later a LOT of disturbing new ideas will roll through this blog, and people have to be ready for that. I tihnk everyone has the right to state their opinion and present their argument, don't you?
So all I'm asking you to do is in the future, if you disagree with an idea of mine, before you label me as an "oppressor" or anything like that, please do me the courtesy of asking me what I mean. And then I'll tell you, and if we still disagree, so be it.
I think this blog is wonderful. I think that what all of you out there in the Rochester community are doing is wonderful. I'm behind you 100% and I apologize in advance if any of the ideas I bring in here seems like too much too fast.
Anonymous, I hope you don't take any of the above to mean I'm insulting you or arguing with you. I'm not. Obviously you don't like the idea of a webboard and that's okay.
To Anonymous (talking about oppression):
May I ask why you assume I'm hearing?
I stated explicitly that I was NOT trying to "take over" anything. In fact, if the individuals who set up this blog want to contact me, I'd be happy to teach them how to run the message board I've set up and turn it over to them. I can be contacted by private message through the message board.
People have been saying for nearly a week now that we need to get organized, ready to move things forward. You said yourself, "Let's leave this blog alone and start focusing some more concerns."
How do you propose we focus? Do you realize that this blog is like having several committees hold a meeting in the same room at the same time? It is simply not the right tool to become truly organized. I happen to be aware of another tool that fits the need better AND I have past experience where I learned the hard way how to do things like keeping meetings focused on clear goals and objectives.
Should I apologize for trying to use my talents to help move things forward, to move beyond just "venting"?
If I seem a little testy, maybe I am. I have given up what little spare time I have to try and support open dialogue and change, using what talents I have to be helpful ... only to be told that I'm an oppressor who should apparently mind my own business.
Don't want to use the message board? Fine. I really don't care. But I believe you'll find very soon that it's very difficult to truly organize people and move forward very far using only this blog.
To clarify for the "other" Anonymous (who asked about the meeting on the 23rd):
This meeting (as I understand it) will actually be a Board Meeting, not a "Town Meeting". The difference is that for the first time in recent memory (maybe ever), it will be an OPEN Board Meeting.
But as such, I'm not sure whether there will be any opportunity for community members to speak, or if it will just be Dr. Mowl and the Board responding the issues raised at the Town Meeting.
I overlooked this post yesterday:
da said...
RSD Teacher
I think the suggestion to use the school report cards to evaluate the schools for the deaf is not a bad idea, since their states department of education grade these schools. They are hardly subjective analysis, aren't they?
What do you mean by using the "school report cards"? You mean the report cards required by No Child Left Behind? (Adequate Yearly Progress, and all that...)
Those are certainly more objective, since they tend to be based on test scores, but there are still some problems. For one, my understanding is that in some states, schools for the deaf send their students' testing results back to the students' home districts, where they're lumped in with the rest of that district. I'm not actually sure whether schools for the deaf get NCLB "report cards" in those cases.
For another, there's difficulty comparing across states, because each state has separate criteria for their "report cards". Yes, they're generally based on test scores, but each state develops or chooses its own test. The federal government approves them, but who's to say they're really equivalent? This is similar to the issue Chris raised about comparing across communication/education models.
I agree that in some ways it would be nice to have a way of comparing schools for the deaf -- getting an idea of who's "up to snuff" and who isn't. But there are so many factors that go into a school's performance, I just don't know that you could ever really make a fair comparison.
About the best we can do right now is word of mouth. Just from talking to different people I know in the field, I get a feeling for which schools are strong and which struggle. Basically, the school's reputation. (Of course, that's a scary thing as well, since it can take a lot of work to change a reputation.)
(... and to illustrate my point that it's hard to have productive, coherent dialogue in this setting, I just addressed three VERY different subjects in three consecutive posts, all in ONE comment window. On the message board, they could be in three different areas. All I'm asking is for people to consider the possibilities.)
RSD Teacher,
(... and to illustrate my point that it's hard to have productive, coherent dialogue in this setting, I just addressed three VERY different subjects in three consecutive posts, all in ONE comment window. On the message board, they could be in three different areas. All I'm asking is for people to consider the possibilities.)
We understand on what you are trying to say. Your web board “Bi-Bi Education Network” is fantastic and awesome. It is very organized board. I believe it will be very useful on the national level. Give it the time. I believe it will grow. This blog site caught us by the perfect storm. I know this is so new to many people who do not have the proper skill to use the internet. We are still learning. Like previous writers who want to focus on the issues with RSD, we want to keep it going after we started to get comfortable with this blog site. We are thrilled to take advantage of this blog site to get Dr. Mowl and board of directors’ attentions. It is working. So, please give us the time. I can see your link on the right side. Guess, it’s being accepted.
CDP
At 3/14/2006 10:56:22 AM, Bi/Bi Advocate said...
*Remote Access to discussions, meetings, etc. for parents who live outside of Rochester
This is important as we don't
want to leave these
concerned parents out!
Bi/Bi Advocate
How do you propose the solution for the parents who live outside of Rochester?
May I suggest to contact the president of PSA? He can discuss this with other parents to see how they access beside the blog site. Lisa DeWitt-Somers may also work with the president of PSA.
CDP
I just want to say quick to CDP and hopefully others (CDP DID say, after all, "WE understand...") understand what RSD Teacher is getting at. Look, fine, stay with this blog. Get your feet wet, so to speak. But get ready for something: as you add more and more comments, it will take longer and longer for this window to load. The only way to avoid the time delay is to have a computer with a lot of processing power.
But stay with this blog for now. It's great and it has great links. Later on if you have different technological needs, send up a flare and we'll have the discussion about web boards again. Fair enough? (CDP and Anonymous (the one who was talking about oppression), would you mind responding to this?)
Hey speaking of technology, I have a question. Does RSD have SmartBoards? Because sooner or later I'd like to have a discussion with you about online Bi-Bi materials that could be produced that will just amaze you...
A suggestion to the moderator of this blog: Would you please post an important announcement like an upcoming meeting in one of the top blocks?
RSD Teacher said...
responding to da
Those are certainly more objective, since they tend to be based on test scores, but there are still some problems. For one, my understanding is that in some states, schools for the deaf send their students' testing results back to the students' home districts, where they're lumped in with the rest of that district. I'm not actually sure whether schools for the deaf get NCLB "report cards" in those cases.
For another, there's difficulty comparing across states, because each state has separate criteria for their "report cards". Yes, they're generally based on test scores, but each state develops or chooses its own test. The federal government approves them, but who's to say they're really equivalent?
Under the federal NCLB Act, the National Department of Education distribute the approved standard tests to all departments of education in the United States. Basing on school's enrolled students' test results, each school receives its own report card from the state department of education. Each school is being graded on its own, not lumped with other schools from a district.
Re: School report cards/deaf students not lumped with districts
Okay, then can someone help me find where RSD's report card is? On the State Website it only seems to list public schools, and RSD isn't there.
It's really no wonder we can't move forward on important issues, such as literacy skills, child safety, empowerment, and so forth...
when we are wasting energy fighting over petty things like blogs v. websites. This is not to suggest that openly discussing different venues is a bad thing-- quite the opposite. Openly discussing options is necessary. However, slinging insults and making assumptions "sounds like a hearing person" and the such-- is draining and disheartening. We move further away from cohesiveness and more into a land of isolation by doing this.
Can we please listen to each other in a supportive manner?
Here's a great article I just found regarding Bi-Bi materials and techniques:
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/KidsWorldDeafNet/e-docs/Keys/literacy.html
It's a good example of what's right at your fingertips should you ever decide you want to move in that direction.
I think most of us are waiting to hear what Dr. Mowl and the Board have to say about the issues raised in the Town Hall Meeting before moving forward.
Many contributions made to this blog are meaningful and will be taken into account hopefully by RSD in the very, very near future. Basically, I see two main groups of blog contributors here. Some of us are still at the stage of listing/sharing concerns, whereas the rest of us are ready to move forward to talking about solutions, which is why some of us are frustrated about where the blog has been going. So...it's more important than ever for us all to try to understand each other.
I do apologize for getting a little heated the other day. Everyone's right that we need to stay focused on the issues. And that we need to listen to each other openly without jumping to conclusions -- that's something I believe in strongly.
I understand about waiting to hear what's said at the meeting next week. I, too, am interested to hear what Dr. Mowl and the Board have to say. I will be there, and I will take notes, and I will post those notes afterwards. (Whether here or on the message board may depend on how long the notes are...) Even if "official minutes" are released, I think it might be useful to have more than one record to look at.
Chris: Yes, we do have SmartBoards at RSD. Not in every classroom, but the number is slowly growing. (I think I know what technology you're talking about, if it's the same you mentioned on Starving for Access.)
I forgot one thing...
The teaching assistants need to be more professional in talking about students. They spill confidential information to me that I as a parent am NOT supposed to know, especially about other students' problems. Also, the staff could discuss whatever they want at the campus, but with a tone of support and encouragment to other staff and students, not putting them down.
The teaching assistants could use a refresher course to go over the ethics.
Anonyomous said...The teaching assistants could use a refresher course to go over the ethics.
Excuse me... I do agree that maybe one or two TAs do discuss about students BUT its not only TAs who discuss about students.. there are very few other people (Teachers, Counselors, or other Staff members) who say some things about students. The Adminstration people have done their job to explain those ethics/confidentality to the Faculty and Staff members many times. I do see that 90 percent of the Staff/Faculty members are very professional about this. They usually ask each other for support to deal with a crisis or problem if they have with their students without students' names. I trust them completely..unfortunately someone came to you with the names of students and their problems. That shouldnt happen at all.
To protect those students' privacy, it is your job to report this to the Adminstration if a TA or any Staff/Faculty staff talks to you about other students' problems. It is truly inapporiate..
"To protect those students' privacy, it is your job to report this to the Adminstration if a TA or any Staff/Faculty staff talks to you about other students' problems. It is truly inapporiate.. "
Did you read the previous blogs? They did report it to the administrators. They always said where's the evidence? We are afraid for being sued because blah blah... Look at the fired P.E. teacher who had the relationship with the young girl. He was reported to the administration many many times. Finally, they had to fire him when he was caught by the police. It showed that they are not capable to protect the children from the teachers and/or staff. Did you go to the town hall meeting? The parents did complain about the teachers and TA too. Still nothing. Please don't try to protect them if you don't know the facts.
The Youngest student asked me where is the principal ? I said no principal here and student was puzzled and suprised. I knew it. Because Most of the school in the USA have Principal and Assitant Principal.
"Principal" is just a label. We have "directors" here. Other schools have "headmasters". RSD has directors that fulfill the exact same roles as principals/assistant principals in other schools.
This just doesn't strike me as something we need to worry about. In fact, having a different name for it just might expand the students' vocabulary and teach them something about flexibility in word choice.
There are other, more pressing concerns, in my opinion.
To RSD Teacher,
I have to disagree with you.. It is very important for students to know who their prinicipal or director is. Most of the students do not recognize the Directors' names or identities. Also, Discipline is a problem at RSD and the students need to know that the Principal's office is the last place to be when they are not able to work things out with the Teachers or Staff members or when the Teachers/Staff members send them down. There are too many Directors at RSD and its too overwhelming or confusing to know who the Superior is at RSD.
Please don't say that this concern is not important for this other person who just shared his/her concern about the definition or recognition of a Principal. I can understand his/her concern..
Yes, there are other concerns too but this concern is important for the Adminstration to know that the kids do not know or recognize the Directors' names or their job responsibilites.
I feel that a Principal is better off without so many Directors in a very small school. This would save RSD a lot of money if we cut so many Directors to one or two Principals. Holy cow!
One thing people need to realize is that while RSD is small in terms of the number of students, it is very broad in its scope. Most schools (i.e. public schools) don't serve from tiny little toddlers up to 21-year-olds. We have dormitories, outreach, special services, and various business that comes with not being a state school.
Perhaps some of the directors' duties could be consolidated. (But judging from how busy I know most of the directors are, I doubt it.) And certainly, one or two "principals" couldn't do all the work of the ten current directors.
Also, it's an overgeneralization to say the students don't know the directors. There may be some that aren't known in general because they're in charge of things that don't concern the students directly (facilities management, business operations, etc.)
The original poster was talking about a very young student. Somehow, by the time their in the middle or upper grades, they seem to know who the important people are, and they know whose office they'll be sent to if they misbehave.
It is sad to see that RSD prefer to use director instead of principal or assistant principal. Think about it... when the deaf student meet the hearing student and say "my director, Mr....." do blah blah... Hearing student will think that deaf student are odd. Or even worse, they probably think deaf is stupid for not knowing about that word "PRINCIPAL" does exist in school. All public school has only principal or assistant principal. Why can't deaf student be alike as other NORMAL student to have principal or assistant principal in ANY (deaf or public) school? I am talking about school, not dorm or other services. I suggest that it should be keep as PRINCIPAL, not director. Thank you for listening.
Hi,
I totally agree with you. A principal would be a better word instead of Director.. A prinicipal or assistant principal sounds more powerful though...
I see the person who is superintendent, want to be CEO and also think of Business, not School,There are too many Directors. Students are confusing which one who handles situation or problems because There is no Principal and Asstiant Principal.
Yeah, Principal is powerful role model, because students listen to principal. Students didn't recognize "directors" and feel that director are "SO WHAT"..
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