Crackdown at Skyline
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Mon, 11/12/2007 - 21:47.
UPDATE: Fight video back online after being removed by YouTube
Skyline High School has been going downhill.
Fights like this one (requires Windows Media Player) have become an almost daily occurrence.
Education has been replaced by unruliness and gang activity.
Teacher Diane Birdwell gave a strong speech, at the October board meeting, about the problems.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa apparently took it seriously.
Birdwell's speech:
In the past 10 years, I have addressed the Board as a teacher, a union officer (NEA-Dallas), a voter and a Dallas resident. Tonight, I address you in all of these roles, with the addition of Skyline Career Development Center alumni and Buckner Terrace Homeowners Association Crime Watch Co-Chair.
I graduated from Skyline in 1978. At that time, Skyline was the first true magnet school. Out of it came the Arts Magnet and Townview. But unlike Townview and Booker T. Washington, Skyline is no longer valued for its unique gifts. It has become an overcrowded shell of its former self.
The problems at Skyline today did not happen overnight. For several years now, neighborhood concerns and parental comments have been ignored. Union (NEA) warnings have been disregarded. Official actions have been left lacking, as if nothing is done, the problem will simply go away.
Recently, there have been a series of racially motivated fights on the Skyline campus. I have been contacted by several people, asking me to address the entire board about this matter because students from each of your areas attend Skyline.
The questions I have been asked to pass on are several. One is: Why have so many fights been occurring? How is it being addressed? Is there increased security? Are cameras installed? Why aren’t parents told about these fights?
I have also been asked to ask you why uniforms are not used at Skyline, as many students are allowed to wear gang-related attire. These racial fights are beginning to take on a gang related tone as well.
My street, as well as others nearby, have had large recent gang tags from "Varrios-13" and "East Side Locos Trece." Their comfort zone for gang expression is growing, and it must be stopped. We in Buckner Terrace know these kids go to Skyline.
In the past, DISD’s policy of denial and lack of firm response allowed major problems to arise. This must not happen again. The idea that tickets should not be written or arrests not be made is shortsighted and foolish.
I will attend my 30th reunion next summer. What will I tell my fellow graduates of Skyline? How do I explain its severe decline? Until a new high school is built in Southeast Dallas, Skyline will be large. However, hearing how one boy was beaten by 15, or another so badly, he could not eat for several days….?
My friends at Skyline, the students, the parents and my Buckner Terrace neighborhood deserve to have the resources available to nip this in the bud. If you don’t, imagine the publicity and questions later.
I cannot convey how serious a problem this is.
Today, Dr. Hinojosa made it clear that things are changing at Skyline High School and sent Dallas.Org the action plan.
Dr. Hinojosa's plan outlines several initiatives--as well as incorporates changes already in progress.
Skyline High School Action Plan:
Issues already addressed at Skyline by Mr. Wright and Skyline staff
- Start on Time! Stations opened in four buildings – begun by staff
- Foundations committee working on the implementation process to teach teachers and students expectations
- Four additional campus monitors will be hired
- YAC working to catch taggers and graffiti writers
- Consequences for fighting have been increased--no altercations this week
- Reassignment of courtyards by grade level utilizing school officers to eliminate school cliques completed by Mr. Wright November 5
Address the technology issues related to Start on Time! Implementation
- E- Campus is the program that Mr. Wright wishes to purchase. Unfortunately, because of budgeting, he will need assistance with this. He has contacted Sherry Christian for assistance. Ms. Mitchell will contact him and expedite purchase. (Sharla Hudspeth met with Mr. Wright 11/06/07 and will order six stations)
- ID badge maker – Skyline does not have an ID badge maker. Alternative Programs will assist with this purchase. Ordered November 6, 2007
Address the Foundations team training needs
- Provide East Learning Community Foundations coaches to assist with modeling and help with frustrations expressed by team. Dr. Connie Wilson will work with Eleazar Ramirez to work out schedule in conjunction with Mr. Wright
- Eleazar Ramirez/Cafea Harrell will attend several of Skyline’s Foundations Meetings to see what additional technical assistance is needed
- Cafea Harrell will share some model lessons with team to show how the Foundations team that lesson modules with students can work
Address the school climate
- Provide six consultants for ten days to share the demystification of gang workshops through non-core classes (Working to amend gang contract to include these services)
- Conduct a school and community assessment for Skyline and its school feeder pattern to identify needs and social/community services available to assist Skyline with identified needs
- The Alternative Programs Department will assist with the funding. Assessment will be conducted by Herrera and Associates (proposal completed, working to secure funding)
- Provide mediation services for any racial incidents utilizing both gang vendor groups
- Develop rotation schedule to be sure that graffiti intelligence is being recorded
- Work with custodial staff / maintenance to ensure the graffiti is quickly removed on campus
- Work with City to be sure that graffiti is quickly removed around the campus
- Secure a golf cart to assist with campus security. Paperwork in process to have delivered from Village Fair 11/06/07
Address the paperwork issues related to attendance.
- Currently, the cost of the proposed attendance pilot is projected is to be very expensive.
- Martha Hawkins will work with Mr. Wright and Ms. Mitchell to propose a pilot for paperless attendance tracking
If it works, the plan could spell trouble for anyone caught engaging in gang activity or fighting.
The plan also spells out a new focus on accountability, monitoring and attendance.
As to what Birdwell will be able to tell her fellow classmates, next summer, that will be the real story.
[Ed Note: Good job, Dr. H.]
Spruce High School
Maybe Skyline is bad, but what about Spruce?
Here's what I heard:
Two weeks ago on a "Saturday School" (optional special tutoring),
reports of anywhere between 1 and 22 arrests were circulating.
One student was seen running away from police right in front of the school!
There were multiple reports of male students having sex with a female student in a restroom. It is not clear if the sex was consensual. Statutory rape may have been involved.
All of this is probably documented in police records.
And this is not just a problem on Saturdays. According to eye witnesses, there are times when students roam the halls rather than stay in classrooms. The administration seems either to not care or not be able to control the problem.
Many teachers have been cursed and otherwise abused by students. The principal's advice? Have the teacher ask the student what the teacher did to make the student curse the teacher.
Is it any wonder why Spruce has such a bad reputation?
Police Records at Skyline
Perhaps the police records need to be checked to find your posting is inaccurate.
[Ed Note: Many of the police records are protected since the crimes involve juveniles. The most accurate information you're going to get is from teachers--and then only about specific crimes.]
Sounds Like Roosevelt
This school sound as if you are talking about Roosevelt. Why is it that many of the black principals in DISD can't control there schools?
Many time the kids have so much dirty on them. May be it's just poor leadership.
[Ed Note: It's funny, but most of the principals who we've seen do questionable things seem to be white. Why don't we leave race out of it and concentrate on competence, folks?]
Black principals
A lot stuff they do go unreported or is covered up by friends downtown in the area offices and main DISD building. That's why you don't hear much about their stuff until they mess with the wrong parent or public citizen (this website).
Most of the white principals resign and go on with thier lives while their black counterparts almost seem to keep thier jobs or move to another school (Skyline, South Oak & Roosevelt) when they get in trouble.
However I will point out that many of the black principals are in schools (mainly high school) that are losing situations. How are you going to fix a school when you have no support from parents or students let alone staff? You can fill a gym up for basketball, but can't get a kid in for tutoring or TAKS prep?
Don't Blame Teachers
I don't appreciate people blaming teachers for lack of support. I am a teacher at Velt and I love it there. We don't have the support of administation (Dixon, Jefferson, or Morgan) and parents. I know for a fact that I keep documentation of everytime I contact a parent and nothing has been done. But they are the first to want to complain. Case in point, Spruce.
Math Teacher
I am a certified math teacher at Velt and have taught in rooms 122 and 214 for six years. Like you, I love it there and wish we had more support from all.
Lets make a difference I will see you a couple of weeks.
Gayle Adcock
Lt. Col.
USMC (ret)
Bashing Principal at A Maceo Smith
I read the blog about Spruce and thought to myself, "Humph, there just might be a campus worse than A. Maceo Smith HS." Teachers and staff are very disgruntled there. The new principal has the Godfather syndrome, "My way or the highway." No one seems to care. He has made it clear that he is the supreme leader in that building and he obviously has the support of his boss(es).
If you fail to stroke his ego, you may find yourself reassigned from an AP teacher to a 9th grade teacher or perhaps an English teacher to a full-time ISS teacher in the auditorium. If you are a clerk or teacher assistant, you might find that your job description has changed to sitting in the library, cafeteria or hallway with no job description whatsoever. Worst case scenario, you will find yourself thumbing in everyday for months waiting for your walk down the longest mile to find that you are being terminated. Just ask the former athletic director who was replaced by the middle school AD across the street. Perhaps you will find you have been reassigned in the middle of the year to another campus (just ask the former dean.)If you really make him mad, you might find that yourself on probation for the year and your entire department will be fired or told that they ALL have to reapply for their jobs.
Don't get me wrong, I do realize that new principals to campuses sometimes have to get rid of the rotten eggs in low performing schools but geesh, can you figure out what the heck is going on at the school before you kick folks out on their butts?
The campus has lost at least four or five teachers (in the hard to get good teachers areas: Science and Math) in the middle of the school year because of his unwillingness to support teachers. No one wants to put up with being cursed, disrespected, and hit only to be told not to make him choose between "children and adult issues because the kids will always win over the adults." What the heck kind of mentality is that?
Does the executive director or the district trustee or PTA president or someone with authority even know these things are happening? If so, is this just another part of being a principal, you just whip everyone in shape and if you have a square peg that doesn't fit in the round hole, crush it, destroy it until it fits? That's his leadership style. So Sad!
Even sadder is the fact that his "new" associate principal was one of the principals who was demoted for misusing the P=card. How do you get a demotion for being a thief, then get reassigned to assistant principal and then get promoted to associate principal- all within a 9 month period? Furthermore, I've been told that she has been assigned as THE summer school PRINCIPAL at A. Maceo Smith. Let's hope this is not true. Can someone check into this?
Now, here's the biggest kicker of all, he has introduced the teacher/testing coordinator with no classes to the staff as the assistant principal. No one on the campus was aware that the position had been posted. Guess what, it has not been. Many certified chaps across the state would love to apply for the position, if only it were possible. Too bad, the testing coordinator is the Assistant Principal according to the Principal and the memos she sends out to teachers; and she will demand that you respect her as such. She completes all the duties of the assistant principal,(yelling at kids and teachers, sending out memos to staff, confronting parents, suspending kids, having conferences etc.) yet no one anywhere can find her official title as anything other than test coordinator.
I'm not certain, but there's got to be some kind of ethical compromise to presenting her as such and having her do these things when the district has no knowledge, er, record of it. DISD was peacock proud of the new ethics department it created. Can someeone please tell me what is ethical about the things that are being done at A. Maceo Smith HS? Does anyone care anymore? What about the children enrolled on that campus? Can he insure those kids will be ready for college? I think not. Are taxpayers, former and present teachers,students etc. just supposed to wait until he gets his next promotion to seek justice or do we save the kids NOW? Brett Shipp, where are you?
[Ed Note: Keep in mind that many people have many opinions on this matter. I've heard complaints about her, and praises. As far as the P-Card issue, well, that's another story. The whole thing was mishandled.
As far as the last question you pose, your best bet is to concentrate on supportable facts. The biggest issue we run in to here is that folks are very willing to bash a principal, say how much the school is being run into the ground (etc.) without providing a shred of proof.
If you have specifics, then send me a private mail and talk to me about it. If we find substance to it, we'll look into it further.]
...And This Proves It?
Oh it is true. She is the principal over summer school. I work there.
[Ed Note: Oh, well why didn't you say so before! Again, folks, an anonymous quip doesn't constitute proof. Before you bash folks, do some investigative work. Then post your facts.]
The Renaissance at A Maceo Smith
One day in the future, Douglas may be a great principal. But in the present, I have to agree 100% to all comments about the principal at A. Maceo Smith High School. He has a lot to learn about managing people and becoming an instructional leader. All of his decisions are made behind closed doors with his administrative team every Monday and Wednesday mornings instead of getting the campus to "Start on Time". He primarily consults with staff that dosen't have a clue and won't challenge him. Since January 2008, The two female administrators lack professionalism and are back biting among themselves and threaten the staff. If a staff member makes an inquiry or questions the present authority, they are told they can leave if they don’t like what’s going on. The AP Intern/ Test Coordinator is power hungry and boldly parks her Lexus on the school's front curb, blocking all access to the main front doors in the event of an emergency. The campus' functional committees are the last to be informed of major changes or decisions. He functions under ignorance and intimidation because he lacks the maturity and working knowledge to effectively manage a high school campus. He has hired middle school teachers form across the street and placed them in department head positions with no high school experience and least highly qualified. Where is he going to find more AP certified Math & Science teachers with the shortage in the district? Most of the baby-boom teachers are retiring and leaving education. Surprisingly, he does have the support of his superiors. The principal is the least experienced staff on the campus compared to the veteran teachers who hold numerous degrees and certifications. The master schedule is already a disaster for next year. TAKS & AP testing was a huge disorganized mess. Even the kids had to speak up and demand a change. The principal refused to utilize the talents of staff in the building because they don’t stroke his ego. He is afraid to allow central staff on campus because he wants avoid revealing serious concerns on the campus. The district should stop the "on the job training" for administers because all of the lower performing schools will never be able to overcome the increasing poor performance of student test scores. The problem is that there are adult issue within the administrative team that cripples the campus and undermines all of the hard work of the teachers and support staff. That's why A. Maceo Smith will most likely be low performing again and reconstituted next year. This is the so called "renaissance". It's really "Pride before the fall". What happened to putting the kids first? What has public school education come to?
To My Fellow SuperSTAR teachers!!!!
I feel your pain. As a campus administrator myself, I take the sentiments of teachers, students, parents and staff members into consideration to excel in my own craft. This business, "education", is about relationships. I understand the significance of collaborating with stakeholders in decision-making, serving as a support, remaining abreast of the trends, issues and cutting-edge research and applying ALL that ONLY apply to the needs of the campus...and having a spirit and disposition that zap teachers [and students] from the sidewalks and into the halls and classrooms motivated and empowered to teach and learn.
I love my hobby...I can't say job because I do not view it as a job! I just so happen get paid for it! Now that's a blessing.
But keep in mind the principal certification curricula that is offered in universities today. They mainly offer manegerial type courses. I believe that colleges need to strengthen there TEACHING and PRINCIPAL certification courses for our children. All is needed is 3 years to teach! I knew I was jammin' at year 5 or six in the classroom...but I continued to grow as an instructional facilitator and humanitarian.
Stay strong...please hang in there! Our future needs you!
Effective, Inspirational Principal
Can I come teach at your school? Your comments are the most encouraging thoughts I've heard from DISD admin people in a long time.
So many principals I've worked with over the years in DISD are antagonistic bullies. They don't seem to understand that teachers and principals can share ideas and work together. I think they are so intimated that they can't relax and work as a team.
You sound like an effective and inspirational principal! Glad you're there!
MACEO time
1. Take a photo of the car blocking the entrance.
2. Call the Dallas Fire Department TOMORROW!
3. Keep a personal record of EVERY conversation you have with an administrator.
4. Get the parents involved.... Rile 'em up!
Sounds Like a Mirror image of Roosevelt and its Poor Leadership
I agree with the writer when he/she said, "The problem is that there are adult issue within the administrative team that cripples the campus and undermines all of the hard work of the teachers and support staff". When I read the article, I thought you were talking about Roosevelt High School. These schools are a mirror image of its Poor Leadership.
It appears to me that some African American principals do not know how to manage our school, students or their staff.
[Ed Note: There are some white ones too! Competence (or lack thereof), I've found out over the years, is colorblind!]
Principals, Race, Etc.
I agree, the African American Principals do NOT have the corner on this market!! Remember Hill Middle School and Esther Contrares. Check out Gaston Middle School and Susie Stauss!!! In my experience, it's more of a male/female problem than a race issue. Women principals must show everyone that they are in charge. They tend to micro-manage and have little trust in those that they employ. God forbid you share an opinion that differs from theirs for this action will result in you being on "the list." Once on this "list" you're screwed, minds are made up, the claws come out and you are praying that the end (of the year) comes soon!!!
I'm not saying that every female principal has issues, just a few that I've come across.
Response to Principals, Race
I take exception to the writers comments about Mrs. Stauss at Gaston Middle School. I worked for her for over 7 years as a teacher and CILT team member and found her to be one of the best administrators I've had the opportunity to work for. She was supportive and also did not micromanage our department. She had expectations, told you what they were and provided the support to reach those expectations. I found her to be very fair and open to suggestions from her teachers. Many times she went out of her way to support both students and teachers and I found her to be a fair disciplinarian who would back the teachers if they were professional in the way they conducted themselves. If not, she would let you know. But even then, I never saw her publicly down rate or belittle a teacher or a student. She is professional in all of her dealings with staff, students and parents.
Defending Stauss
I worked for both Stauss and Contreras. There is no way to compare the two. Contreras was grossly unqualified for the position and Suzie doesn't suffer fools in the classroom. Mrs. Stauss is always professional and has very high expectations. She has never attacked someone personally in a staff meeting or made bad decisions for her school based upon "getting back" at people. Suzie is the only principal during my time at DISD that I actually saw work with a poor teacher and then go through the correct legal steps to nonrenew her when she wouldn't or couldn't change for the better. She knows how to run a school and to keep good teachers. Contreras ran off most of hers. The two of them are no way similar.
Contreras / Stauss
While I agree that Contreras was incredibly incompetent and that the comparison in some situations may not be fair, I have witnessed Susie Stauss belittle teachers as well as students in public. I am not alone in this observation yet, many fear retaliation for speaking up. She never smiles and rarely has a kind word for others. In three years, I have rarely seen her without a scowl on her face. It could be possible that things have changed since you worked for her, I don't know. I can only speak as to what is happening now. While I will agree with you that good principals are few and far between, I would encourage you to raise your standards. She has yelled at teachers and belittled them in public. She has no communication skills. The school lacks communication. (I, like most teachers would rather not have staff meetings but hopefully next year we will have a few. I WANT to know what is happening and what my responsibilities within the school will be for the day, week, semester and year) I don't need kudos but a smile every now and again wouldn't hurt. The kids might even pick up a few social skills as well. She yells at them, they yell back!! Their apathy prevents them from fearing retaliation. I doubt that smiling and being a role model would hurt that badly.
BTW, you will get no arguments from me about the quality of Contreras' work. The only argument I have is that it took too long to get her out of the school.
Hill vs Gaston
I don't know what to say about the principals at Gaston or Hill, but as a teacher at Bryan Adams, I can tell you that discipline must be pretty non-existent at those schools!
In fact, I KNOW it is, because the 9th graders rat out what goes on the first day of school. When we call them on their behavior, they have a truly confused face. Apparently, NOBODY in middle school expects teenagers to behave. That needs to change. You can't blame all behaviors on puberty. Over 60% of our kids in ISS were 9th graders. They think it is entirely acceptable to cuss out a teacher. Who at Gaston or Hill tolerates this and why?
The Hill kids used to be the more decent ones, and the Gaston kids were the more "ghetto" acting. We chalked it up to the "apartment kid" syndrome, but in the last 3 years, the Hill kids are actually worse than the Gaston kids, which is not a compliment to Gaston.
Do they not assign homework in middle school? Do they not teach them anything?
Teach Nothing in MS
"Apartment Kids!!??"
My dear, you are the problem not the children. How dare you categorize children by where they live. You are an economic bigot - and economics do not dictate the behavior of children; how they are treated dictates their behavior. My child was viewed as an "apartment kid" when he reached high school and was treated with disdain by a few of his teachers. When I was made aware of the problem I went to the school and confronted those teachers with the copy of my house mortgage in hand.
However, the damage to my child was already done and irrevisible. People like you don't need to teach children. And by the way, the majority of teachers and administrators at Gaston and Hill understand the socio-psyche of the middle school child and are doing the best they can with the resources they have. Gaston and Hill, remember, it is a struggle but the reward for the students is great - hang in there!!!
[Ed Note: And here I was taking offense to the term "house blogger" :) ]
Teach Nothing in MS!
You are absolutely right. We teach them NOTHING in Middle school, we NEVER assign homework, and we let students run wild while we all sit behind our desks watching the clock for 3:30. Watch out all of you MS teachers out there! We've been found out.
Seriously? How dare you blame MS teachers for 9th grade students acting crazy on the first day of school. I'm fairly certain that most 9th graders are silly on the first day of school and are uncertain about how to act on a new campus. They test the waters. Just like you probably did when you were a ninth grader. No one at Gaston ever tolerated a child "cussing them out" as you so eloquently put it. We certainly believe in discipline and do our level best to make sure that kids are in classrooms where they need to be and not in ISS where you apparently think they are learning something. It's no wonder so many 9th graders drop out! They haven't learned anything in the 9th grade becuase most of their time has been spent sitting in ISS, probably asleep.
I am realistic enough to admit that MS has its problems, just like every other level of public education. For you to blame us is just as stupid and thoughtless as me blaming all elementary school teachers because their 6th graders don't know how to behave in a middle school setting.
As for my "ghetto" kids...get over it. This is their culture and we are OK with it. We spend so much time talking about cultural awareness only to hear teachers like you talking about how "ghetto" our kids are. I hope all of those kids from the ghetto read this before matriculating to BA as it will probably make them feel wanted and right at home.
Cultural Awareness
Let's get something straight: Calling something what it is --that is called truth. When someone acts brilliantly, call it. When they act badly, use the vernacular that the kids themselves call it. The words used previously describes a specific set of behaviors instantly recognizable by use of the word. Unless they are your DNA matched kids, you get over it. Tell me which culture EXPECTS their kids to fail, to yell, to disrespect? Margaret Mead never covered that in any book. (You said it is their *culture*.) You are *fine* with it? You just proved my point!!!
I am so glad Gaston has no--NO-- discipline problems, despite these "cultural" facets. Funny, that is not how the DISD or DPD cops tell it. That is not how my friends who TEACH at Gaston tell it. EVERY school has problems with discipline, but unlike middle school, where kids can age out and be moved on, high school is where the buck stops. Until last year, your TAKS failures moved on, right? ALL they learned at home--or didn't learn--all they did or did not do in grades K-8, that all shows in high school.
I hope you are so upset with our view of Gaston that you will take a personal interest to guarantee a better level of behavior. We do every day at BA. We hear that it is getting better at your school with your latest admin team. We hope you have a successful year, but you still live in la-la land if you think anyone in East Dallas believes that the kids at Gaston are *perfect*.--Maybe better, since a chunk moved over to Lang, but perfect?
Finally, you seem really, really defensive about this. Why not listen to what your peers at BA are saying, even if you don't like the word used? Is your ego more important? We are asking for help. We are asking for them to be held to a higher standard, because we do as well.
Oh, and no, I didn't act up in 9th grade. I was raised better --in my culture-- to act really well behaved when you are new to a school. I was taught to respect teachers. Again, my culture. Did you act up? I bet you didn't.
The "TRUTH"????
I guess you didn't read my post very carefully. I never, not once, called our kids perfect. And I never said Gaston doesn't have discipline problems. We have just as many problems as EVERY OTHER school in DISD. I apologize for seeming defensive. I tend to get a wee bit angry when my "peers" accuse me of being a lazy teacher who does nothing for my kids and tolerates being called every name in the book. I'll try to develop thicker skin. Perhaps you would be better served taking some of your own advice and listening to what your "peers" are saying on this blog. We don't like having you judge our kids based on where they live (something they have no control over, by the way) and we don't like you telling us that we don't do anything. Every single day teachers at Gaston give 100% to our kids to ensure that they have every opportunity to learn and grow, just like you do for "my" kids who end up at BA.
Oh, and yes, I did act up as a 9th grader when I went to BA.....
And I was taught that just because something is the truth, it doesn't give you the right to say it.
You claim that it's ok to use a word to describe a kid simply because that is how they describe themselves? I've heard them use some really awful words to describe themselves and one another, words I wouldn't DREAM of ever using myself, but that's just me.
Lazy?
Show me the post where "lazy" was directed at you? Don't recall LAZY as a word used against you.
Actually, I have the right to say anything I like, and you have the right to debate it, ignore it, whatever. But to say I "don't have the RIGHT?" OH, First Amendment, please.
Finally, we do not have actual "ghettos" in East Dallas, so any comment with that word that you hate so much had nothing to do with location, but with behavioral sets and norms. We have some cruddy areas, some poor, rundown areas, but no "ghettos." So, even more reason why that word was chosen, but since that word is totally lost to you, never mind. Gee willikers. Golly. Sha-zam. Holy moly, Batman.
We do have thick skins. We have to --we all do--to teach here in DISD. Part of blogging is letting your hair down, to let down your defenses for conversation's sake. I see blogs that attack all of our kids. Sometimes I can defend them, sometimes I can't. Either way, it is just a comment.
Know your history
As a person that has spent a great deal of my life studying history I am always appalled by other's lack of knowledge about it. Take for instance this phrase that I keep seeing posted about acting "ghetto." One person went as far as to say that there were no ghettos in East Dallas. I should certainly hope not!
The term ghetto originally appeared around the 19th century and was used to designate a neighborhood in which Jews were forced to live. Ghettos usually existed in eastern Europe, but a few of our western European counterparts found their fair share of ghettos as well. The ghetto began disappearing around the 1930s and 1940s when the Nazis and others "liquidated" them. In other words Jews were shipped off to internment and later death camps.
Once Jews began arriving in larger numbers to America they many times settled poor neighborhoods brining the term ghetto with them. Our modern poor may not have all the advantages of the middle or upper class, but they are by no means treated the same as the Jews. I despise hearing this term ghetto used to refer to modern neighborhoods or the way a certain person acts. Know your history and you know why.
[Ed Note: Lots of words have transitioned over time. For instance, once upon a time, "gay" used to mean "happy!"]
BA's Complaints
No one ever said there were no discipline problems at Gaston. You are always complaining about Gaston. Shall we complain about BA? Do you know why so many kids apply to magnet schools or even move? These parents don't want their kids to go to BA. We always have to assure them that BA has made positive changes, but they still don't want to take a chance. So, instead of always putting us down you may need to concentrate on your own school. It's always easy to pass the buck. You really are a very bitter person. I wouldn't want you to teach my kids.
Hill and BA's Past Administrations
I personally fought Downtown for 3 years to do something about Hill. When you keep your head in the sand, cause the Principal is a friend of Coach and Lord knows who else, then you get a school that starts to spiral down and the area Superintendents have now, counting this year had 4 different Area Sup in the past 5 years. Now we will be under Leslie Williams. Castro had 2 years. We saw very little to change a bad situation. By then 42 teachers had left in 2 years. Then the neighborhood doesn't want to take a chance. They run themselves,,l to be on everything they can, such as Auctions, Carnivals, etc and then they want to step back. Parents are part of the problem, when they are the ones that can make a difference and think it's easier to do the Magnet route or move to Lake Highlands. I'm very disappointed in those that complain and do nothing to make a difference. Once a new principal comes on board, they must first figure out the problems that school was left with. It also takes time to turn things around. New principals Inherit all the problems the past principal left. Which brings me to BA. Ramos left that school in a mess with 9 different gangs and multiple other issuses. Mrs. Goodsell came in to a difficult situation and began making a difference. Parents who left and did private schools to avoid Hill, I am now seeing at BA. Parents don't just show up for Elementary and then become only the taxi for Middle and high school. They need your presence all 12 years. Downtown is a big reason, our schools got how they are. And what happened to Ramos with the mess she left BA in.........Of Course, She was Promoted Downtown.
Gaston's feelings
Give me your kids' names, and I won't teach them in 9th grade! No problem. I only want supportive parents, you know, like what you find in middle school. I wouldn't want a parent who sees me negatively, would I?
Oh, and we know why they were afraid of BA. Frankly, it did suck there for a while, years in fact. You are so right. You got it.
However, we never denied it--well, the old principal did, but we teachers knew it was true. But teachers don't run the school, do they? But she is gone, and things are changing. Been there lately? Did you go to the Cinco de Mayo fesitval? It was a raging success. Gaston kids, Hill kids, elementary kids out the wazzoo. Families having fun. That wouldn't have happened a few years ago.
So, yes, BA is on the path to being better. We still have a long row to hoe, though. Again, you guys are so super sensitive! We are just asking for help, but never mind. We will handle it.
We shall do what we always do in high school, handle it. That's all we can do.
Have a good year.
[Ed Note: Wow, we're being nice to each other!]
Gaston and Hill
I take offense to the comments made by a BA employee. I work at Gaston, and I assure you that our children are disciplined and taught how to communicate appropriately with adults. I think that this person should pursue another line of work. First of all, referring to students as "acting ghetto" is not very professional, in my opinion. If 50% of 9th graders are in ISS, that doesn't say much for the discipline at BA.
Read the stats
The above posting did not say that half of the 9th graders were in ISS, it said that over half of those IN ISS were 9th graders. READ before commenting, eh?
"Acting Ghetto"
"Acting ghetto" is as "acting ghetto" does. It is entirely professional to call it as I see it. But, to make your overly sensitive constitution feel better:
They act like uncontrollable idiots without a lick of sense.
Feel better now?
They openly defy teachers, especially if you are white, older or a woman. They suck on their teeth and dare you to do anything to them. They have no problem telling you what YOU can or cannot do to them. This is on the FIRST DAY, BEFORE any attempt at BA discipline can take effect.
And by the way, they tell us all about the lack of control at Gaston and Hill. They tell us that they never did homework, the teachers let them roam the halls and dress code is not enforced. It is up to BA to un-do all the bad learned behaviors they picked up at home and weren't un-learned in middle school.
So either they are lying, had a seizure on behavior the day they hit 9th grade, or you just don't like the fact that high school teachers are tired of fixing what comes to us.
And no, I do just fine at my job, thank you. I get those kids to stop doing what they did at Gaston and Hill. It takes work, but I do it. When they leave my class and go on to the next grade, the next teachers thank me.
"Acting Ghetto"
Well, I can assume from one of your statements that you must be White, older, or female. I am a White female at Gaston and rarely encounter abusive behavior from students. To get respect you must give it. Kids are very perceptive, and is seems you have low expectations of your students. In my opinion, a person making an "acting ghetto" statement is not in tune with the needs of his or her students. That statement is very stereotypical. How can you be fine at doing your job when so many students are in ISS? I certainly don't believe all that former students tell us about BA.
Teacher at Gaston
I am a teacher at Gaston and have yet to encounter the behavior mentioned above. Yes we assign homework and yes we expect and require that our students behave. In my opinion, it's teachers who share the views of the BA teacher who make it so easy for students to portray a false picture of what is going on at our school. If you go into the school year expecting your students to "act ghetto" then that is all you will be able to see. How about you go into the 08-09 year with a different attitude and see what happens!
Gaston kids
You see, that is our point, ISS is where they go, BECAUSE they act up and we at BA actually enforce the rules. We send them to ISS the FIRST week of school. How is that OUR fault?
Oh, and I give plenty of respect. NO problem there. I love how people who defend badly behaved children with the tired old line of, "Well, YOU must be the problem. YOU must not show respect." Guess what, lady? Did you have to have "respect" for someone when you were 14 to act right, or did you just do the right thing?
Many of us have never met these kids before the incident in a hallway that brings them to our attention. We ask them RESPECTFULLY to comply. We tell them again RESPECTFULLY to comply, they blow us off. What else should we have done here?
I am quite "in tune" with the kids, which is why I used their very own term. How is using the VERY WORDS THEY USE ON THEMSELVES to describe that exact behavior a bad thing? I have VERY high standards for ALL kids. When they FAIL to comply, they end up in ISS. You see, my standards are to not feel sorry for them, but to show them where the line in bad behavior is in society.
Oh, and I could be a young black male, Why would you assume I am a white woman? Because I describe how they treat white women at BA? Sounds like YOU are the one stereotyping here.
I tell ya what. I will take your word. Give me your name on the blog here. When the kids come back in August, and one of them acts up, I will use your name to get the respect, okay? I will remind them that according to you, they NEVER did that at Gaston. I will invoke your name and see what happens.
Finally, we are actually on the same team here, but you are too defensive to see that. We at BA are asking for you at Gaston to help train them better, the way we are expected to prepare them for college. We are your peers, not them. If we tell you that 9th graders come in the door, acting like fools, why not believe us? You told me not to believe them about what they say about BA, right?
BA
This will be my last response to the disgruntled BA teacher. First of all, I never said there were no problem students at Gaston. Every school has problems. It is not unusual for an incoming student to test the waters. Just as you have incoming rude Freshmen we have incoming rude 6th graders. However, we address the problem without excusing it or labeling it as "ghetto" behavior. I believe you are one of the bitter older white teachers who cannot embrace the demographic changes at BA. Yes, we are on the same team, but to blame the middle schools for all of your problems is very unfair.
BA
Your head football coach and AD found guilty of trying to kill his wife? Setting a very good example,yes maybe you should take of your own backyard . My two children went to Gaston and they are in no way Ghetto.BA has changed in the last couple of years thanks to Ms. Goodsell. Ms.Stauss and Ms.Goodsell are two classy ladies.
Not disgruntled nor bitter, just real
Oh, I see. Based on the last two posts who had the same, generic "BA" title, if I tell you the truth, I am disgruntled. If I use a very commonly accepted word that describes a very specific form of behavior, I am old and bitter.
Okay, if you say so, whatever. You still haven't posted your name so your magical influence will stop the 9th graders in their tracks. Oh, and you finally GOT IT, but it seems by accident, again, sort of. They come to BA acting stupid---or can't I use that word, either? We correct them, and they seem shocked and surprised.
I agree with you, freshmen always want to act tough, you are so right! The difference is their look, their eyes. That tells us a lot. Like the Katrina kids at BA two years ago. They actually tried to pick fist fights with teachers, even the old and bitter white ones, as you call us.
So, my whole point was, for NINE or TEN years, other schools could psss on their problems. It stops with high school. It all falls on us to undo and redo with these kids. Instead of being defensive, you could have said, "Yea, sad isn't it, their parents raised them this way. We are working on it, and we want to help you guys."
Oh, dreamtime over.
Oh, and for the 2nd comment from the other person, about Coach Mike Smiddy. Are you trying to tie our school or behavior of our kids to his personal life? How could we have stopped him from bringing that cinder block down on his wife's head, a wife who works at Gaston, by the way. Did the Gaston teachers PREVENT it? Of course not, they had no way of knowing! Both schools were in shock over it, and NOBODY mourns his leaving, nobody.
2nd guy-- Glad your kid aren't ghetto. Glad to know you have thin skin, too. I never said ALL kids are acting ghetto. Oops, said it again, bad bitter old teacher, bad me!
Gaston's Problems Are Its Principal
The problems at Gaston start at the top. The principal does not respect teachers or students unless they are male and african american. She holds grudges against teachers, parents and students. Teachers fear retaliation for speaking up so they just try to leave. The teachers who have stayed at Gaston either go with the flow and refuse to question the inconsistencies and outright injustices or spend a majority of thier time kissing up to her. Others try to leave as quickly as possible. This woman has to be stopped. I got out with my job but others have not been so lucky. The students are the ones ultimately hurt at this school and unfortunately, you get the results of this at BA. But, be thankful, you could have to work for this principal everyday.
[Ed Note: I think I've said this before: a principal cannot retaliate against a parent unless the parent allows it to happen. A principal has many more layers of escalation than does a principal. For one, getting us interested in specific issues (and not generalities like you've posted here) almost guarantees an investigation.
You have many tools at your disposal to bring about change. Most of them know this. Those who don't usually get a wake up call!]
Gaston Principal Problems
1. The principal allowed students taking the TAKS test to have cell phones on their person. They were taken up by teachers but the teachers were then told to give them back. (I don't know about you but I can barely read as quickly as some of these kids text....they can be very sneaky about it too!)
2. Several years ago, a teacher on disability was terminated because one form was filled out a day late.
3. Coaches do not have any duties or responsibilities on TAKS days....unless you count the 30 minutes they spend delivering lunch to teachers.
4. Supplies are not ordered and teachers do not have the basic necessities to teach class. (I believe a teacher spoke at this last board meeting about teaching choir with only a chalkboard) Another teacher was asked to teach a computer application class without any student computers. Access to the library has been denied to students and teachers in the past.
5. She does not communicate the happenings of the building. Where will students go after testing....what will the schedule be for half days..... what will happen for special assemblies....when there are assemblies.....
6. She shows favoritism to black male students. They get in less trouble and are allowed more freedoms and privileges.
7. She does not have a good "bedside manner". If you question her, and if her eyes begin to flutter, you might as well stop or you will be the next to be in trouble with her. She will find something or make something up to give you trouble about.
8. She changes school rules and policies without notice or explanation and then punishes students and teachers for not following the changes. Cafeteria procedures, hall procedures, dismissal and arrival procedures
9. She is verbally abusive to students and teachers. She told one teacher that her child could not eat at a staff luncheon when 2 other children of teachers were eating. She demeans teachers in public and in front of students. Students then think that the teacher has no authority and behavior in the classroom suffers which effects learning which effects test scores which could be the reason she wanted the kids to have thier cell phones.
Need more specifics?
[Ed Note: Call me dense, but I didn't see any "specifics" here. I saw quite a number of unsubstantiated claims (FLASH: ALIENS LANDED IN ROSWELL). Why don't you email us names, dates, and specifics?]
Gaston Comments
As an educator who spends many days and nights trying to improve the status of the education of our students, I have been truly disturbed by some of the comments on this website. This is a venue to slash the integrity of teachers and administrators who have spent their lives and careers to attempt to "fix" the problems of a deeper society. So often society looks to schools to solve society's issues. I question the integrity of some to have the audacity to complain and gripe about our schools and place some of our principals for lack of a better term- crucified!
I have seen Mrs. Stauss work for the greater good of her school. She is intelligent, compassionate, and she cares for those kids like they were her own. She goes beyond the call of duty and relates well to students that are a product of that community. Times are changing and the students are changing as well with the times. Maybe we need to stop placing the blame and start to help and develop programs and community funding to improve the status of our children who are being left behind instead of griping and pointing the finger to an administrator and teachers who devote their time, own money, and energy for the greater good of the students. What you are witnessing on a high school level is a sign of the times and is not necessarily the discipline at feeder schools.
I composed this to tell you on today that Gaston has always been a great school! The staff treats those kids as if they are family. I have witnessed teachers taking food out of their own mouths to feed those students, clothe them, support them, pay for extra-curricular activities, and celebrate their accomplishments and try to improve their character. No school is perfect.
Gaston has a great principal who has great expectations for her teachers. She does not take anything less and is a model leader!!! She does not take any excuses that results in the students being cheated or ineffective teaching.
Be careful what you say about people on this public forum as far as the direct criticism. You are attempting to hurt those who are on the front lines everyday! If you do not stand up for what you believe, you will fall for anything. I am disturbed that there is a venue to crucify and criticise those who are working with the best that is brought to them by society daily. Gaston's scores have increased tremendously over the past years which means that learning is taking place! We must collectively awaken to a greater and higher purpose. We must work together and support our educators instead of having a method to crucify them for their daily toils.Let me educate you! We must all awaken. I suggest that several of you awaken and come together for the greater good in a more positive light. I may be criticized for this and honestly, I do not care because someone needs to speak up for people and defuel the negativity that goes on in this world. Please think about what you post and do not look to defame the character of professionals of the integrity of this district!
Peace be unto you and may the lord bless you all!
A PROUD FORMER GASTON TEACHER
Gaston Principal
WOW! It's hard to believe that both you and I work in the same building. First, according to district policy students are allowed to have cell phones as long as they are hidden and turned off. During testing, the phones were picked up and returned AFTER testing was completed. The coaches did monitor and relieved teachers so they could have a break. The AD and another coach actually administered the test. So, all coaches were actively engaged. As for supplies, we each received a $250.00 stipend to be use toward purchasing supplies. As for the choir teacher, I believe she chose to teach with only a chalkboard. The library is always available; however, you must sign up in advance. Did you fail to read the weekly bulletin regarding changes, etc.?
Former Gaston Teacher
My words exactly! All of the items that the former Gaston teacher listed were not completely correct. Thank you for clarifying for her/him. I had no problems knowing what was happening at the school (Gazette), ordering and receiving my supplies, or getting the assistance needed from my administrators. Did the choir teacher also mention at the meeting that instead of coming up with alternative ways of bringing music into the classroom the classes were outside playing soccer most of the year?
Gaston Choir Director
I am so glad that a friend of mine let me know that this was going on. I personally know this teacher and I have known her through the music community for many years. (over 10) She has one the most incredible work ethics I have ever seen. She will do anything to help out fellow teachers and parents. When it comes to students, she would give them the shirt off her back. It is my understanding that when she did finally get a piano, it was substandard and couldn't even be heard over the children singing. (I know a little about these pianos because I sold them as well as played them) So, in order for her to have an appropriate instrument to teach with, she bought a $5,000 piano for her home to make recordings for students. What did she get for her efforts? Fired! This woman is an amazing teacher and an amazing musician. You can even ask Maya Angelou. This teacher sang for her this year and offered free tickets to the school (which were snubbed).
As for playing soccer, I refuse to believe that it ever happened. Are you thinking of a field day or something? Try again, to disparage her name because anyone who knows or cares to look into her background will certainly see that Dallas ISD has thrown away one of the BEST teachers they could ever find.
No Piano?
Let me get this straight since we are all taxpayers here. The choir teacher was expected to "find alternative ways of bringing music into the classroom?" A school district with a billion dollar budget and one of the highest paid administrative staffs in the US doesn't have the money to furnish a piano for a choir class?
On another note, it's really clear when we hear those administrative voices on here. They always downplay the reality for teachers and students at the classroom level to keep themselves employed, since few other districts would want administrators with Pcard certificates in their files or a history of total mediocrity in terms of leadership, training, and education.
The resources in this state need a pipeline straight from the state into the campus with all the layers of useless bureaucrats removed. Each campus could have its own elected representatives who could see in concrete terms exactly what the children receive. The budget would be completely transparent instead of playing hide the organizational chart and slush fund like Hinojosa does.
Instead, DISD starves the classroom while central administrators gorge themselves on the taxpayer's dime. How many times has Hinojosa violated policy on the daily rate for speakers this year? Enough to buy many pianos for many campuses. Start looking at his waivers for all the people he wants to network with as the supply budget missing for your child's campus, and then send the jerk on his way. He is building his consulting career on the backs of your students.
Gaston...I got OUT!!
I am no longer at Gaston, I could no longer stand the inconsistencies. Perhaps you should check with the office responsible for training TAKS administrators because, cell phones should have been picked up along with backpacks or bags. On my campus, the district monitor had a checklist and this was one of the items they checked for.
As for the choir teacher, why would ANYONE CHOOSE to teach with only a chalkboard? From what I understand, from what she said at the board meeting, (I did not hear it first hand though)she did not choose this and also asked for help but was ignored.
Would you choose to teach without books? Would a soccer coach choose to teach without a ball? Would an art teacher choose to teach with only a chalkboard? I doubt anyone woud CHOOSE to teach without the proper supplies!
Hill
Are you not reading the posts here? Do a search for the name Esther Contreras to find out about why the Hill kids are acting the way they do.
[Ed Note: OK, now I wasn't a big fan of Contreras either, but can we blame her for all of Hill's problems? Sosa has been a good egg but even he has problems that he's still trying to get his arms around.]
Woodrow Administrators
Administrators and teachers from other low performing campuses should learn from my school, Woodrow Wilson High School. As with six other campuses, Woodrow was reconstituted this year due to low student performance for two consecutive years. The school has unique challenges that kept it from being acceptable. This year, there was a complete overhaul of the system. First, Principal Vail hired our new dean of instruction who is very knowledgeable of the curriculum and how Ross Avenue works and respond to campus needs. Each administrator supervises a core subject area based on their teaching experience and expertise. Some leadership roles and decision-making were delegated to the department chairs. Teachers use wisely the collaborative planning time which was implemented from the beginning until the end of school. Each teacher was assigned students to mentor. Saturday school, and remedial classes during the day were used to tutor struggling students. Teachers were fearful of the reconstitution but such fear didn't falter us to stay focus on the goal which was higher student achievement. Teachers morale at the beginning of the year was very low due to the reconstitution but we bounced back. In other words, even though our administrators had no choice but to implement the state's reconstitution plan, everybody in our school did their share to achieve the goal.
For the other bloggers who mentioned that female administrators in the district are not as good as the males, I dare you to compare your school's administrative team with my school. Ruth Vail, Principal, in charge of the English dept, Dinah Escanilla, Dean, in charge of curriculum and the science department, and assistant principals Jessica Tilley, special ed department, Susan Kyle, Math department, and Bernard Henderson (the lone male administrator) social studies department. Are they perfect administrators, no they're not. But the weakness of one is complemented and filled in by the strengths of others. Do I always like all their decisions? No. But when a decision is made, they all come out with a unified voice and implementation. Teachers see unity and alliance among our administrators. They're like a puzzle that fit together. The best way to model professional learning community is to look at how administrators handle their own PLC. I hope the district will not break them apart for promotion because for sure each of them can handle their own school. Okay, 'nough said.
[Ed Note: The mark of a good staff is not individuals who lack any shortcoming--but a group that, together, makes up for the shortcomings of individuals. Excellent job pointing that out.]
Administrators are the Key
I believe you, EnoughSaid. I think this year is the strongest administrative team at Woodrow. It's been a revolving door for many years - those who left because of promotion, or, maybe they did not like working in a school with overzealous parental involvement. One day, my son came home and told me that he had the best science class that day and the teacher was a substitute. Guess who the substitute was? An administrator. Just proves to me that learning doesn't stop because there is not enough substitute in the building. It tells me about the priorities of my son's school. He also told me that the principal and other administrators have been to his classrooms several times and often participate in classroom discussions. Smith, Roosevelt, Gaston, Hill, and J.L. Long, I hope y'all are reading this! Please do not allow adult issues undermine students learning.
Woodrow's Adult Issues are the Parents
Thank you for pointing out the adult issues. The real adult issues at Woodrow are not the teachers and the administrators. It's the white parents who think that their children are saints and cannot do any wrongdoing. They harass teachers to change grades because it will affect their child's ranking, enroll them in AP classes even if they failed TAKS, and very poor in Math and Science when they were in middle school, they make up excuses for absences (ah little Johnny was sick, yeah right, sick because Johnny was in musical rehearsal until 1:00 am and forgot to set the alarm.) They don't want their children to be tested for Special Ed because of the label attached to it but want modifications from teachers because cute Annie can't cope up with the demands of the pre-ap/AP class. If a class is so difficult for their children to catch up, they band and complain as as a group to make the teacher look so bad.
White parents can demand to see the principal or anybody in the building with or without notice but poor Juan's grandma has to wait for hours to be seen. If you are like me teaching regular classes, I am invisible to them because I don't teach their children, nor will I get assistance from them if I hand them a wish list for my classroom. Inequity and disparity of resources and support at Woodrow exist because of the parents. I don't blame the administrators because, for sure, they too are fed up with whiny parents, thus the indication above "maybe they did not like working in a school with overzealous parental involvement". It's not overzealousness. It's pushing their own agenda to benefit only white students. White parents can raise hundreds and thousands of dollars for theater arts, musical and choir, because it is a status symbol in the Lakewood community if their children are part of it, but they cannot support programs to help minority students boost academics. Sickening!
Dragging Race Into It ... Again
Dear Classof87:
My outrage is through the roof! Wow, us whities have really run your colorful school right into the ground. Too overzealous and demanding, too pushy and whinny. Sounds like good lessons to teach the students so they are better prepared for the big push down of the white aggressors wanting an education. Maybe you should just post your sign now; Whites take your demanding arses outside and leave us alone! Perhaps that would make your school a better place. Funny though, I’m white and my husband, all my childrens’ father, is black.. what category do you rate us in.. only half bad. Perhaps we are unacceptable for your school too. Maybe you paid all the tax money in Dallas County. Or maybe you just think about what you said. What color affiliation do you side with anyway? Perhaps there’s an opportunity for your color controlled school after you get rid of us whities, You’re a hater!
[Ed Note: Occasionally, folks, things degrade. Please don't judge us all based on random comments from folks who have, actually, posted well thought out comments in the past.]
Woodrow Parent's Rant
Perhaps instead of outrage you should look at the merits of Classof87 post. Are they real or not? Do white parents band together to complain about certain teachers? Do you only support teachers teaching AP and pre-ap classes and not those teaching regular classes? What is the composition of your PTA officers? Who makes decision who's getting support from PTA? What programs do you support? What issues do PTA and SBDM raise to the administration? Are you more concern about school beautification or cafeteria food? Security or elective classes offered? Truancy or athletic and musical practice? Grading, rank points or tutorial services to at-risk students. See, the kinds of issues you raise as an organization will determine your priorities. I do believe Classof87 has some good points and issues that need to be addressed. Teachers (the good ones) do whatever they can to teach our children. But when overzealous parents are the issue (read Class of87 blog above) it dampens the morale of the teachers. I am white. My son goes to Hillcrest.