Comments on: Ockley Green parent letter

By: Steve Rawley

Steve Rawley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:32:07 +0000

I know at least two families who are very happy with Woodlawn.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:06:07 +0000

I am the last person who would want to recruit you away from Woodlawn but happy to answer any questions about Ockley I can. We do put a lot of energy at the school in caring for the families within it but that is also a value added in teaching my daughter diversity and compassion that does not take away from her academics. You are absolutely correct that poverty is not an indicator of misbehavior. My kid is famous for some grandiose scenes but it is just the way she was hatched and the school has been amazingly supportive. OK, but again, don’t want to recruit so question away and perhaps some Woodlawn informants have some info to add??

By: McAngryPants

McAngryPants — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:40:46 +0000

danke for the comment.

Yes, PLAN A is for us to send my spawn to OG for K next year (also blocks away) despite PPS wanting to route them to Woodlawn.

At some point though, it is my responsibility as a parent to do whatever I have to do to ensure my children receive the best educational experience possible. Should I be concerned about the environment of a school where “3 out of 4 students is in poverty” (http://ppsequity.org/2009/12/1.....allacies/). To be clear, I do not believe ‘poverty’ breeds children that will misbehave (neglectful parents do that). I wonder if most of the school’s energy is invested in feeding kids and bringing them up to a basic level rather than growing the kid’s brains and challenging them.

thx in adv for this discussion btw.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:35:34 +0000

McAngryPants (I enjoyed typing that, awesome handle!)

Not sure where you are at in the process but at least visit the schools in your neighborhood and don’t go on word of mouth or gossip alone. I stayed in my local area although I opted out of our home school that was bursting at the seams for Ockley Green that was only a few blocks away because I liked the OG vibe better based on visiting both schools (and because I liked the OG principal better).
I consider staying in my area and putting a lot of energy into a school community working the system but know the pay off might not be instantaneous and am OK with that. I might be unique though because a nearby school happened to be a really good fit for my kids social needs and the teachers are innovative and accepting despite the lack of resources provided.

I have never read this post before and really appreciate it as an OG parent

By: McAngryPants

McAngryPants — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:05:30 +0000

As a middle class parent, how can I work the system so that my children get the best possible education?

By: Steve Rawley

Steve Rawley — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:52:44 +0000

Edith Fuller retired in September.

Her departure leaves a gigantic hole in what remains of the PPS library system.

By: Cascadia

Cascadia — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:47:47 +0000

In response to Clyde’s May 20 comment: “The struggling, madly inexperienced principal at Mt. Tabor Middle School . . . . .
What would her mentor, John Wilhelmi, do?”

He is more than just her “mentor,” they are romantically involved. She will not be held accountable for any of her actions.

In response to Tang on May 21: “They unassigned most of the certified librarians and hired classified to run the libraries. No more instruction occurred . . .”

Classified library assistant are now required to teach a library class – without the pay or support that a certified librarian/media specialist would receive. Neither do they have the licensed training. Thankfully, they do have the unwavering support of Edith Fuller, in charge of libraries district-wide, to offer as much assistance to them as she, her department, and dwindling budget can.

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:28:28 +0000

i meant it when i said you’re absolutely right-that is where a great lack of equality is. It’s almost as if certain public schools are becoming private schools.

By: anon

anon — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:23:42 +0000

Nate,
What about the students who apply for transfers and don’t get them due to lack of space in the IB and other schools? Why should students have to transfer to get access to what is offered to all students who live in richer neighborhoods within the same school district? I’m glad that you are able to pursue your academic goals. I think every student should have that opportunity regardless of which neighborhood they live in, or which school they attend.

By: Nate

Nate — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:31:30 +0000

you’re absolutely right, it’s not exactly fair. i live in the Marshall neighborhood and fortunately they allowed me to transfer to seek my OWN best education. my Best friend Quincy transferred out of Jefferson to Cleveland to seek a better education, and he is a member of the Jefferson dancers. Is it the school curriculum? or the environment and attitude(s)? I mean if the students really were set on joining the IB program at Lincoln or Cleveland, they could apply to transfer in, but the issue of that is that Jefferson itself would fall as a school because there would be almost no students..