I didn't like the way the last post came out, so I'm going to break the next posting into two parts.
However, I did notice a few odditities about the report, starting with it designating Holy Cross as an "urban" school. Okay, we're within city limits, but do you really think one would or should call it this?
Anyway, on with the post....
The pursuit of the goals set forth in the action plan to ensure the school’s strategic plan
remains a living document
In other words, update and modify the existing plan to something that has measurable items. No arguments on this.
• The establishment of an Office of Institutional Advancement that will ultimately include a Director of Development
This would require good community and alumni relations, which aren’t exactly a strong point right now. THIS probably should be a priority, even in troubling economic times. However, I think any resources are being forced into simply looking for bodies to put in the seats.
• The pursuit of a traffic control study and the establishment and enforcement of rules to address safety issues.
Something that some have been calling for since she got here and pursued a few actions that made the traffic problem worse. The "enforcement of rules" works IF the rules make sense and actually would help solve the problem.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Good News Reviewed
Having some time off today, I thought I'd pull out the highlights of the report listed below...and a few comments, as well. I'm glad they got recertified, but given the rate of schools that do meet the requirements, is that something to crow about? It is like
• The family atmosphere that pervades the interaction throughout the school community
Not as much as in the past, but it is good to see that some of it still survives. I guess if you cherry pick who gets to meet with the panel, it helps, eh?
• The leadership of the pastor and principal that empowers the faculty and staff in fostering a loving and caring Catholic school that is proud of its Catholicity and educational opportunities.
I would doubt that many of the staff feel they are empowered…unless they are told they are told they are, and where they are allowed to be empowered.
• The re-establishment of the School Advisory Panel and their diligence in monitoring the
strategic plan.
“Re-Establishment” is a rich one, given how Denise did everything in her power to eliminate any such group, and said she didn’t want or need it about a year ago…and drug her feet to get it “re-established.”
• The high-level of parental involvement and support of Holy Cross School and Catholic
Education.
Want to compare what the level of involvement was in past years?
• The students of Holy Cross for living and assimilating the faith and Christian values
taught in both school and home
No arguments whatsoever. We’ve got good kids, if I do say so myself.
• The accurate evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of Holy Cross School as written in the self-study document.
I might doubt the “accuracy”, but the completeness is probably more the issue.
• The actualization of the school’s Mission and Belief statements.
Academic gobbledygook. Read the Mission and Belief Statement sometime and tell me how they could NOT meet it.
• The curriculum improvements being addressed in the areas of language arts, math and
Science.
Change is good, I guess, even if it for change’s sake, but I’ll give her this one, as well.
• The organized use of available communication tools throughout the campus.
Walkie Talkies and the Intercom system, I guess. Glad the school is using them.
• The family atmosphere that pervades the interaction throughout the school community
Not as much as in the past, but it is good to see that some of it still survives. I guess if you cherry pick who gets to meet with the panel, it helps, eh?
• The leadership of the pastor and principal that empowers the faculty and staff in fostering a loving and caring Catholic school that is proud of its Catholicity and educational opportunities.
I would doubt that many of the staff feel they are empowered…unless they are told they are told they are, and where they are allowed to be empowered.
• The re-establishment of the School Advisory Panel and their diligence in monitoring the
strategic plan.
“Re-Establishment” is a rich one, given how Denise did everything in her power to eliminate any such group, and said she didn’t want or need it about a year ago…and drug her feet to get it “re-established.”
• The high-level of parental involvement and support of Holy Cross School and Catholic
Education.
Want to compare what the level of involvement was in past years?
• The students of Holy Cross for living and assimilating the faith and Christian values
taught in both school and home
No arguments whatsoever. We’ve got good kids, if I do say so myself.
• The accurate evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of Holy Cross School as written in the self-study document.
I might doubt the “accuracy”, but the completeness is probably more the issue.
• The actualization of the school’s Mission and Belief statements.
Academic gobbledygook. Read the Mission and Belief Statement sometime and tell me how they could NOT meet it.
• The curriculum improvements being addressed in the areas of language arts, math and
Science.
Change is good, I guess, even if it for change’s sake, but I’ll give her this one, as well.
• The organized use of available communication tools throughout the campus.
Walkie Talkies and the Intercom system, I guess. Glad the school is using them.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Things to talk about...
Since it is somewhat buried at Holy Cross School's website, and it had very little notice (the short one line notice in the newsletter), I thought I would help the school by bringing some notice.
http://www.hcs.pvt.k12.de.us/hcs/News/_zumu_sidebar/Middle%20States%20Report/Middle%20States%20Report.pdf/_top
There are plenty of things to talk about in the report, but why don't y'all take some time, review what is there, and we'll be back. One thing you may want to consider as you look at it is the timeframe and the status of some of the groups indicated.
http://www.hcs.pvt.k12.de.us/hcs/News/_zumu_sidebar/Middle%20States%20Report/Middle%20States%20Report.pdf/_top
There are plenty of things to talk about in the report, but why don't y'all take some time, review what is there, and we'll be back. One thing you may want to consider as you look at it is the timeframe and the status of some of the groups indicated.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
It ain't a democracy....
I've heard this line many times, and it is BS on a couple of levels.
First, then, tell me what it IS if it is not? An organization that we are expected to follow blindly, regardless of whether what is going on is right or not? I really don't believe that anybody seriously expects this...and the Church has a whole lot of lawsuits showing the wisdom of following THAT strategy.
Second...Denise's supporters probably would be better off it WAS a democracy, as it would take 51% of the people to make a decision. In a school that is dependant on people making the choice to go, they can't survive if 49%, or even 25%, and maybe even 20% decide to vote with their feet. If we are at 100 kids less next year (a figure I don't believe is going to be out of line), do you not think that will have a serious impact on the school, and it's future?
First, then, tell me what it IS if it is not? An organization that we are expected to follow blindly, regardless of whether what is going on is right or not? I really don't believe that anybody seriously expects this...and the Church has a whole lot of lawsuits showing the wisdom of following THAT strategy.
Second...Denise's supporters probably would be better off it WAS a democracy, as it would take 51% of the people to make a decision. In a school that is dependant on people making the choice to go, they can't survive if 49%, or even 25%, and maybe even 20% decide to vote with their feet. If we are at 100 kids less next year (a figure I don't believe is going to be out of line), do you not think that will have a serious impact on the school, and it's future?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Deserving of it's own post....
Again, in the interest of fairness, I post what someone submitted as a comment to the main screen.
Holy crap (pun intended)! Haven't you gone away yet? Can't you stop? Is it too hard to just keep your pie hole shut?I have posted here before and will reiterate LOUDLY - Catholic Schools, including HC, ARE NOT Democracies. You have the right to your very own opinion and the school, the parish, the other parents and everyone else on the planet has the right to not care.You also have the right to remove your child from the school and go elsewhere. Put your kids into public school. Go cry to the Administrators and the School Board about how you don't like things in public schools. They'll pat you on you widdle head and scoot you right on out the door.You and your secret Cabal Of The Hurt Feelings can take your attorney, secret meetings and hurt feelings and go bye-bye. Seriously, if you would stop for one minute and think like the rational, reasonable, adult Christian you claim to be, you'd be stunned at your whining over the past months. 95% of the other families at school are very happy with our children being at HC.In fact, my only problem is that every so often I hear that "the Blogger" is at it again. Every time I read your rambling whinings, I am losing minutes of my life that I can never get back. Ever. And I blame you.I can sum up my feelings toward you with a quote from "Tommy Boy"-***************************If you guys don't know how to use a seatbelt, just ring your call button and Tommy will come back there and hit you on the head with a tack hammer because you're a *retard*. ****************************Yup, that about does it.
Holy crap (pun intended)! Haven't you gone away yet? Can't you stop? Is it too hard to just keep your pie hole shut?I have posted here before and will reiterate LOUDLY - Catholic Schools, including HC, ARE NOT Democracies. You have the right to your very own opinion and the school, the parish, the other parents and everyone else on the planet has the right to not care.You also have the right to remove your child from the school and go elsewhere. Put your kids into public school. Go cry to the Administrators and the School Board about how you don't like things in public schools. They'll pat you on you widdle head and scoot you right on out the door.You and your secret Cabal Of The Hurt Feelings can take your attorney, secret meetings and hurt feelings and go bye-bye. Seriously, if you would stop for one minute and think like the rational, reasonable, adult Christian you claim to be, you'd be stunned at your whining over the past months. 95% of the other families at school are very happy with our children being at HC.In fact, my only problem is that every so often I hear that "the Blogger" is at it again. Every time I read your rambling whinings, I am losing minutes of my life that I can never get back. Ever. And I blame you.I can sum up my feelings toward you with a quote from "Tommy Boy"-***************************If you guys don't know how to use a seatbelt, just ring your call button and Tommy will come back there and hit you on the head with a tack hammer because you're a *retard*. ****************************Yup, that about does it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Unmentionables
The reference in the newsletter to kids saying things in the classroom that must have came from discussions at home was interesting....but was it handled in the best way? We are left to guess at what came up, in what context, and at what point the parents were called, but it seemed an odd thing to fill up the newsletter. Not sure if it is a "little Johnny" story about where babies come from, or something else, but the more I think about it, the less I am sure what the intent is to be.
Not talk about the "issue"? Hmm...doesn't seem like that makes a lot of sense, especially if I want to exercise my rights as a parent to teach or inform my child of "issues" before society gets their chance. Talk about it and tell the kids not to tell anyone? Again, depending on the issue, it may well go against my wishes.
The issue probably does need to be handled delicately, and on an individual basis based on the kids, the teacher, the parents, and the issue, not mass mailings warning you to be careful on what you discuss in your home.
Not talk about the "issue"? Hmm...doesn't seem like that makes a lot of sense, especially if I want to exercise my rights as a parent to teach or inform my child of "issues" before society gets their chance. Talk about it and tell the kids not to tell anyone? Again, depending on the issue, it may well go against my wishes.
The issue probably does need to be handled delicately, and on an individual basis based on the kids, the teacher, the parents, and the issue, not mass mailings warning you to be careful on what you discuss in your home.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Spreading like wildfire
One interesting character trait that is coming out as a result of the purges that have occured with students and teachers is some seems to be a mixture of meanness and vindictiveness. More interestingly are the results.
We've had schools call back to the principal for input as to students who have left, perhaps when the parents and Denise have not always seen eye to eye. She has refused to give any recommendation or characterization of the student, using the excuse she didn't know the students well enough. While theoretically possibly true, it blows the mind that a principal couldn't defer this to another staff member who COULD give such a recommendation. It also bewilders the asking school, who find it hard to believe that any principal would admit to such a lack of knowledge.
Schools have called on other personnel matters, getting equally odd answers. Refusing to give a recommendation is one thing, but implying dark things is another. Fortunately, the calling schools ignored her comments, but later got clarification on some of the goings on at the school...spreading her Denise's fame even further.
We've had schools call back to the principal for input as to students who have left, perhaps when the parents and Denise have not always seen eye to eye. She has refused to give any recommendation or characterization of the student, using the excuse she didn't know the students well enough. While theoretically possibly true, it blows the mind that a principal couldn't defer this to another staff member who COULD give such a recommendation. It also bewilders the asking school, who find it hard to believe that any principal would admit to such a lack of knowledge.
Schools have called on other personnel matters, getting equally odd answers. Refusing to give a recommendation is one thing, but implying dark things is another. Fortunately, the calling schools ignored her comments, but later got clarification on some of the goings on at the school...spreading her Denise's fame even further.
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