A number of years ago I was listening to an NPR program, and the guest that day was David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker. Much of the program was devoted to the memory of Eleanor Gould (1917-2005), and two comments of Remnick have stayed with me.
Remnick's February 2005 column, titled "Miss Gould", can be found here.
In today's schools, including Richland 2 schools, how particular are teachers about grammar, spelling and punctuation? I would ask, "How picky are they?" And does it matter?
Years ago in an elementary school in northern Illinois I visited a third-grade classroom. I heard the teacher say something like, "Him and I went to the library." I was shocked. As a visitor to the classroom, I didn't say anything. But three weeks later, during an IEP, that same teacher said something like "He gave the book to him and I." I remember thinking, "We're paying that teacher???"
On another day a teacher used the word "hyperbole", pronouncing it hy'-per-bowl. Seriously?
Is it any wonder that students don't learn good grammar?
Are sentence structure and diagramming taught today?
Remnick wrote that The New Yorker created the title of Grammarian for Eleanor Gould. Read the article linked above. Remnick included this sentence in his 2005 column: "Miss Gould once found what she believed were four grammatical errors in a three-word sentence." And "She could find a solecism in a Stop sign."
Solecism? Do you know this word? Can you pronounce it? Can you define it? Do you look up words you don't know?
Do your ears perk up when you hear a word mispronounced? Richland 2 has two Board members who mispronounce "ask". Does anyone correct them? Should someone correct them? Are they not an example for today's students? Is there a higher standard to which they should hold themselves and, in so doing, invite the gentle correction?
Being literate is important. Speaking correctly is important. Writing correctly is important. The time to learn it is in elementary school. The time to correct it is in middle and high school. Colleges should not have to teach "remedial" classes. Students needing remedial classes should never have been graduated from high school in the first place.
Question: Did you look up "solecism"?
Monday, April 22, 2019
How does the Dress Code read?
School Board policies across the country are being scrutinized, as students and parents begin paying closer attention to them.
For example, in Wisconsin a student at Markesan (Wisc.) High School was punished "for wearing t-shirts with non-violent, non-threatening images of firearms on them, as well as t-shirts with the word 'gun' on them." (Source: WisconsinCarry, Inc.). "In November 2018 a Federal judge denied Markesan's motion to dismiss and GRANTED [sic] a preliminary injunction sought against the principal and district forcing them to allow the student to wear the shirts while the case is litigated." (ibid.)
See this article in Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel.
Cases elsewhere involve NRA t-shirts and MAGA caps and clothing.
The Richland 2 School Board Policy JICA reads,
For example, in Wisconsin a student at Markesan (Wisc.) High School was punished "for wearing t-shirts with non-violent, non-threatening images of firearms on them, as well as t-shirts with the word 'gun' on them." (Source: WisconsinCarry, Inc.). "In November 2018 a Federal judge denied Markesan's motion to dismiss and GRANTED [sic] a preliminary injunction sought against the principal and district forcing them to allow the student to wear the shirts while the case is litigated." (ibid.)
See this article in Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel.
Cases elsewhere involve NRA t-shirts and MAGA caps and clothing.
The Richland 2 School Board Policy JICA reads,
Policy JICA Student Dress/Articles/Displays
Issued 8/15
"Richland School District Two students are expected to dress, be groomed, and otherwise conduct themselves in such a way as to not distract or cause disruption in the educational program or orderly operation of the school. Personal appearance and conduct of students should promote health and safety, contribute to a climate conducive to teaching and learning, and project a positive image of the district to the community. School administrators will be responsible for determining violations of this policy. The principal reserves the right to amend any provisions that he/she deems to be in the best interest of the student or the educational process. The board will review the policy for any changes needed on a periodic basis.
"The administration will make the final judgment on the appropriateness of a student's clothing, appearance, and/or display of symbols, messages, or statements on school grounds and reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing any articles of clothing or other items or displaying any symbols, messages, or statements which lead to or may foreseeably result in the disruption of or interference with the school environment."
When you read the second paragraph of Policy JICA, how many readers quickly see the First Amendment problem?
How many schools are there in District 2? There are 20 elementary schools, seven middle schools and five high schools. Add the magnet schools, Blythewood Academy, R2i2 and others. There could be 35+ "administrations" imposing what each hopes will be District Policy.
If a Principal can "amend any provisions", is there really a District Policy?
There is plenty of attention in the media to the liberal bias in our country's schools, with some estimates as high as 85% of the teachers being left-leaning. I'm thinking the gun issue here.
But what about clothing? When a well-spoken Blythewood High School student says that leggings and crop tops are not distracting, is she pinning a target on her back for speaking out? Only time will tell.
What was, or will be, the Board's response to the student who spoke out on April 9?
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Accountability. Standards. 17 inches!!!
How wide is home plate? You know, on a baseball diamond? Today on Facebook I came across a long story that is a worthwhile read. Do you know the name, John Scolinos (1918-2009)?
Rather than copy it here, I'll provide the link to the copyrighted article by Chris Sperry. Click here and read why the 17" width of home plate is important.
Here's one line from the story: "We don’t teach accountability to our kids, and there is no consequence for failing to meet standards. We just widen the plate!”
And when those "kids" grow up? They haven't learned accountability and they try to avoid the consequence for failing to meet standards. The plate has just been widened.
"Home plate" at the Richland 2 School Board needs to be re-drawn to 17 inches. If this puts the squeeze on a couple of people? Well, maybe they should just head back to the bench.
The game is still "3 Strikes and You're Out". Right now, the count is 3-2. They can't keep hitting foul balls forever.
Should Board Member visit classroom?
At a recent School Board meeting, one of the Board members said she wanted to visit a classroom. There had been a presentation that evening about the Gifted & Talented Program, and the Trustee asked who the teachers were in the G&T Program.
The presenter paused, oh, so briefly, before stating that the teacher's names were in the material that had been submitted for the meeting's Board packet. If the Board member had read the electronic packet before the meeting, she would have seen the names.
I wanted to compliment the presenter for keeping a straight face and for not ducking the question. I was reminded of the Navy Admiral who sat patiently while Congressman Hank Johnson repeatedly said in a U.S. House sub-committee hearing that he was afraid that the island of Guam might tip over, if too many Navy personnel were stationed on one side of the island. How that Admiral ever kept a straight face, I do not know.
Now, should a Board member visit a classroom?
My immediate thought is No. If the Board member wonders what is happening in a classroom, the right path is to ask the Superintendent. He'll get the answer. Board members are decision-makers in charge of millions of dollars in assets and thousands of students. Sitting in one class for a few minutes "to see how things work" is not in their job description.
Liken this to a member of a Board of Directors of a large corporation. There is no way that a Director would ever go, or should be allowed to go, into a department within the corporation and visit/or inspect operations. And there is no need for it.
Besides, that Director has a job elsewhere. As does the curious trustee of the School District. And that job is at a different school in a different school district.
If the inquisitive trustee has time to visit a classroom and the Board approves, let the Superintendent choose the classroom and probably accompany the trustee. Let him choose a "difficult" classroom with high discipline problems, not a G&T classroom. Find out what many teachers are really dealing with during the school day. And sit in the back, quietly and unobtrusively. If the visitor is introduced, the teacher should merely say, "We have a visitor today" and move on. No special treatment.
A school board trustee is properly involved in governance, not administration.
The presenter paused, oh, so briefly, before stating that the teacher's names were in the material that had been submitted for the meeting's Board packet. If the Board member had read the electronic packet before the meeting, she would have seen the names.
I wanted to compliment the presenter for keeping a straight face and for not ducking the question. I was reminded of the Navy Admiral who sat patiently while Congressman Hank Johnson repeatedly said in a U.S. House sub-committee hearing that he was afraid that the island of Guam might tip over, if too many Navy personnel were stationed on one side of the island. How that Admiral ever kept a straight face, I do not know.
Now, should a Board member visit a classroom?
My immediate thought is No. If the Board member wonders what is happening in a classroom, the right path is to ask the Superintendent. He'll get the answer. Board members are decision-makers in charge of millions of dollars in assets and thousands of students. Sitting in one class for a few minutes "to see how things work" is not in their job description.
Liken this to a member of a Board of Directors of a large corporation. There is no way that a Director would ever go, or should be allowed to go, into a department within the corporation and visit/or inspect operations. And there is no need for it.
Besides, that Director has a job elsewhere. As does the curious trustee of the School District. And that job is at a different school in a different school district.
If the inquisitive trustee has time to visit a classroom and the Board approves, let the Superintendent choose the classroom and probably accompany the trustee. Let him choose a "difficult" classroom with high discipline problems, not a G&T classroom. Find out what many teachers are really dealing with during the school day. And sit in the back, quietly and unobtrusively. If the visitor is introduced, the teacher should merely say, "We have a visitor today" and move on. No special treatment.
A school board trustee is properly involved in governance, not administration.
Dress Code Comment
At the April 9th school board meeting, Sterling McLean-Hasinger presented an excellent comment on the Dress Code. Sterling is a senior at Blythewood High School. 12th Grade student.
Her statement is presented in its entirety and with permission. Comments are invited.
Her statement was well-organized and presented clearly to the Board. I wonder whether the Board will direct staff to respond to her in any way.
Her statement is presented in its entirety and with permission. Comments are invited.
Her statement was well-organized and presented clearly to the Board. I wonder whether the Board will direct staff to respond to her in any way.
Good evening. I would first like to thank the board for
their service to our community.
My name is Sterling McLean-Hasinger and I’m a 12th grade student
at Blythewood HS.
I, and several other students in Richland 2, strongly believe that
the dress code imposed on the student body is discriminatory.
Richland School District Two Policy JICA states
that “students are expected to dress, be groomed, and otherwise conduct themselves
in such a way as to not distract or cause disruption in the educational program
or orderly operation of the school.”
Furthermore the dress code, as published in our school’s handbook,
states that “any items deemed distracting, revealing, overly suggestive or
otherwise disruptive will not be permitted.”
My question is, who is being distracted by leggings and crop tops?
From what I have deduced from the language and application of the dress code,
it’s men. This conclusion leads to some troubling implications. Not only
are women being rendered as objects to distract and attract men, but men are
also depicted as entities who aren’t capable of self-control. A boy is made to
pull up his pants in the hallway when he’s caught sagging just for them to fall
back down in the next few steps, but if a girl is caught with a skirt that’s an
inch too short it’s an issue that requires her to be sent home.
Ignoring the implications made by this language, the notion that
students and teachers are not responsible for their ability to teach and learn
because of of a student’s dress is irresponsible.
I fail to see why an exposed shoulder is considered so “revealing”
and “suggestive” that it prevents learning from happening in the classroom
I’d even propose that it is the very act of dress coding a student
that is the true distraction from learning.
If students are being asked to follow a dress code at our
schools, I think it’s only fair that students have a say in what that dress
code should be.
So what’s the next step? I’d like to urge the school board to
review dress code with not only its administrators, but also to the children
that are requested to follow it. I trust that every decision made is in the
best interest of the student, and that our concerns will be taken into account.
Thank you.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Public Participation
I might be wrong, but it seems that there is a new link on the Richland 2 website under the School Board section (under EXPLORE). Perhaps I just hadn't noticed it. Click on "Public Presentation". You'll see the "encouragement" from the school board to stay informed.
Scroll down and look at the "Request to Speak" Form that must be completed, if you wish to speak at a Regular meeting.
Read carefully the wording on the Form. Then read Board Policy BEDH. Then re-read the Form.
The Policy is broad. Basically, all it says is, "In order that the board may conduct the meeting in a civil and professional manner, comments from the public should not include gossip, defamatory words, or abusive and vulgar language."
Now, look closely at the "Request to Speak" Form and compare it to the Policy. Did the Board formally adopt the more-restrictive language in the Form? When did that happen? Why didn't the Board change the Policy?
The Guidelines on the Form are much more restrictive than the Policy. The first makes sense, that comments be on any subject "within Board authority", as one Board member emphasized in the recent meeting. What happens when a member of the public asks the Board to address an issue, but the Board ducks under their desks? For example, the School Board could take action against the two people who are no legally on the Board. In fact, they should take action. Some would say they must take action.
S.C. Code of Laws Section 59-19-60 allows for the removal of a School Board Trustee from office. A person can be removed "for cause". It wouldn't even take a super-majority. Four board members could get the job done.
Unfortunately, one against whom the Board would take action is the Chair of the Board who, with the Superintendent (an employee of the District) selects what goes on the Agenda - and what does not. Any board member can suggest an Agenda item, but that doesn't necessarily mean it gets on the Agenda.
The Board (meaning the Chair?) could refer questions from the audience to staff for research and recommendations, but that seems never to happen. Has there ever been a Motion on the Agenda to refer a question for research, recommendation and answer to a member of the public?
While the Policy directs "no inappropriate language", it does not state anything about "personal abuse". One person on the Board made a specific point about that at a previous meeting, but I do not know of any comment ever made at any Board meeting that I have attended that could be considered "personal abuse".
Now, if a person had a guilty conscience about something, then that person might feel that "personal abuse" occurred. Feelings and facts are two different things. I think it was someone in Washington, D.C. who said, "You are entitled to your own feelings, but you are not entitled to your own facts."
The sentence in the Guidelines about threatened or pending litigation is superfluous, since the Board does not respond to any comments during the meeting.
And then there is that little grammatical error: "Speakers that [sic] discuss matters ..." It's "speakers who...
Policy BEDH and the Guidelines certainly don't say anything about the Chair's gaveling a speaker into submission.
Scroll down and look at the "Request to Speak" Form that must be completed, if you wish to speak at a Regular meeting.
Read carefully the wording on the Form. Then read Board Policy BEDH. Then re-read the Form.
The Policy is broad. Basically, all it says is, "In order that the board may conduct the meeting in a civil and professional manner, comments from the public should not include gossip, defamatory words, or abusive and vulgar language."
Now, look closely at the "Request to Speak" Form and compare it to the Policy. Did the Board formally adopt the more-restrictive language in the Form? When did that happen? Why didn't the Board change the Policy?
The Guidelines on the Form are much more restrictive than the Policy. The first makes sense, that comments be on any subject "within Board authority", as one Board member emphasized in the recent meeting. What happens when a member of the public asks the Board to address an issue, but the Board ducks under their desks? For example, the School Board could take action against the two people who are no legally on the Board. In fact, they should take action. Some would say they must take action.
S.C. Code of Laws Section 59-19-60 allows for the removal of a School Board Trustee from office. A person can be removed "for cause". It wouldn't even take a super-majority. Four board members could get the job done.
Unfortunately, one against whom the Board would take action is the Chair of the Board who, with the Superintendent (an employee of the District) selects what goes on the Agenda - and what does not. Any board member can suggest an Agenda item, but that doesn't necessarily mean it gets on the Agenda.
The Board (meaning the Chair?) could refer questions from the audience to staff for research and recommendations, but that seems never to happen. Has there ever been a Motion on the Agenda to refer a question for research, recommendation and answer to a member of the public?
While the Policy directs "no inappropriate language", it does not state anything about "personal abuse". One person on the Board made a specific point about that at a previous meeting, but I do not know of any comment ever made at any Board meeting that I have attended that could be considered "personal abuse".
Now, if a person had a guilty conscience about something, then that person might feel that "personal abuse" occurred. Feelings and facts are two different things. I think it was someone in Washington, D.C. who said, "You are entitled to your own feelings, but you are not entitled to your own facts."
The sentence in the Guidelines about threatened or pending litigation is superfluous, since the Board does not respond to any comments during the meeting.
And then there is that little grammatical error: "Speakers that [sic] discuss matters ..." It's "speakers who...
Policy BEDH and the Guidelines certainly don't say anything about the Chair's gaveling a speaker into submission.
This week - Special Board Meeting, 4/23/19
Richland School District Two has announced a Special Board Meeting for this coming Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 5:30PM.
You can find the Agenda through the Richland 2 website. Click on EXPLORE (top right) and then on School Board. The only items on the Agenda are Budget Update and Policy Proposals Section K and L. Both are listed under New Business - No Action Requested.
What could be so important to call a Special Board Meeting?
No Public Participation segment is scheduled at this Special Board Meeting.
I have a request in to learn 1) Whether the Board Packet containing the detail of the "fine print" in the Agendas is available to the public before meetings; 2) Where the Consent Agenda detail can be viewed before the Board meetings; and 3) Where Minutes of Board Meetings can be viewed.
The Regular Meeting for the second half of April will be April 30, 2019.
You can find the Agenda through the Richland 2 website. Click on EXPLORE (top right) and then on School Board. The only items on the Agenda are Budget Update and Policy Proposals Section K and L. Both are listed under New Business - No Action Requested.
What could be so important to call a Special Board Meeting?
No Public Participation segment is scheduled at this Special Board Meeting.
I have a request in to learn 1) Whether the Board Packet containing the detail of the "fine print" in the Agendas is available to the public before meetings; 2) Where the Consent Agenda detail can be viewed before the Board meetings; and 3) Where Minutes of Board Meetings can be viewed.
The Regular Meeting for the second half of April will be April 30, 2019.
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