Comments for SchoolMattersMKE.com

Comment on A tiny photo of a big man by Dayna Kurnitz

Dayna Kurnitz — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:43:48 +0000

Mr. Pepper was my third grade teacher at P.S. 100 in Brooklyn. To this day he will always be my favorite teacher!!! Every time I ran into him for my next 3 years in the school, he told everyone in earshot I was his favorite student, and I believed him (I’m sure there were hundreds of us). I ran into his brother who was teaching a retirement planning workshop for teachers in the High School where I am a counselor about 8 or 9 years ago. I spoke to him of Mr. Pepper and passed along my phone number. About a week later I got a call one early Saturday from MR. PEPPER!!! I always wonderred why I never heard from him again. I am so sad now Still I owe my relationship with my students to him. I strive to treat my kids the way Mr. Pepper treated us. I hope Mr. Pepper is in heaven with the Barbie cologne I made him back so many years ago. I love you Mr. Pepper!!! Thank you for this story, which describes the man I knew so beautifully.

Comment on PolitiFact sorts only some of the “truth” on voucher schools, leaves out key objections to program’s expansion by Joanne Juhnke

Joanne Juhnke — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:22:07 +0000

P.S. On the question of special needs… I don’t see how Gov. Walker can make that claim in light of the 2003 Barbara Miner article “Vouchers: Special Ed Students Need Not Apply” at http://www.rethinkingschools.org/special_reports/voucher_report/v_vouc182.shtml

An excerpt…

“[Susan Endress] shakes her head in weary frustration as she reads a summary of the special ed services provided (or, more likely, not provided) by Milwaukee voucher schools that receive public dollars yet operate as private schools.

“What do they mean, they can’t serve children more than a year below grade level?” she says of one school’s description. “That’s terrible.”

“Oh, here’s a good one,” she says as she continues reading. “‘We cannot serve wheelchair-bound students.’ And look at this one, it cannot serve ‘students who are unable to climb stairs.’”

She turns to a young man in a wheelchair working in the office with her at Wisconsin FACETS, a special education advocacy and support group for families. “Make sure you’re bound to your wheelchair,” she tells him good-naturedly. “And better learn to climb stairs.”

Comment on PolitiFact sorts only some of the “truth” on voucher schools, leaves out key objections to program’s expansion by Joanne Juhnke

Joanne Juhnke — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:16:38 +0000

Jay, thank you for this piece!! Do you by chance have a share-able copy of the report pictured in your graphic, or could you point to such online? Stop Special Needs Vouchers, a statewide grassroots group whose steering committee I chair, would be very interested — stopspecialneedsvouchers@gmail.com

Comment on New principal discusses future, focus, traditions of La Escuela Fratney by carletta

carletta — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:44:03 +0000

hey you guys you see the man in the bule hat that s my son his name is tony banerd oliver

Comment on We can’t stop making an effort to learn more by Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:34:13 +0000

I may be pointing out something that may not be that obvious to you: that little boy may have simply been taking a verbal inventory and stating matter-of-fact that you are white and his dad is black. In a completely non-judgmental way. I understand that adults who pose the same viewpoint are traditionally doing so with prejudice, and it seems you have readied yourself for that face-off (rightfully so). However, kids are strange sometimes: they tend to notice and verbalize differences because they are simply, well… different. I can’t tell from your description whether this is the case (other than the word “taunt”), but sometimes it’s hard to take a step back from expectations and perception vs. something truly innocuous.

That being said, he could very well be raised in a completely close-minded household. I think patience, understanding, and leading by example are the best ways to turn a child’s mind in a positive direction. Thanks for sharing your story.

Comment on Walker’s budget is a school killer; legislative Republicans propose a severe beating instead by The Weekly Cheddar : blue cheddar

The Weekly Cheddar : blue cheddar — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:23:59 +0000

[...] – on the chopping block. More on that here: Walker’s budget is a school killer; legislative Republicans propose a severe beating instead [...]

Comment on Education leaders call on state to renew Wisconsin’s commitment to public schools by David Abendroth

David Abendroth — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:03:03 +0000

Using anything involving “Walker sdminisration”, and “education” in the same article is an oxymoran.

Comment on Infinite Campus likely to be Wisconsin statewide school information system (Updated) by DPintarelli

DPintarelli — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:57:51 +0000

Our district has used Skyward for many years. At the time we purchased the program it was client software and about one of the only sis around. Just a few years ago we were looking to change to Infinite Campus. We felt that SKyward just took its client software, put a new look on it and uploaded it, so to speak. It is very cumbersome and not user friendly. The support time for our district was about 24 hours. After a 30 minute presentation by the IC people, we could tell that program was intuitive and user friendly. WIth Skyward we felt we needed someone full time on staff (we only have 500 students) just to deal with all the issues with the Skyward program.

Comment on Fratney Students join in Sikh community’s healing process by Sikh

Sikh — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:36:04 +0000

Time will heal but my heart still goes out to the Sikh victims as well as the shooter. As the Sikh Gurus have said “People commit evil deeds in anger or ignorance. To exercise forgiveness is to give alms. Forgiveness is equal to ablutions at all places of pilgrimage. It ensures your salvation. Never abandon this virtue.” We will forgive and move on…

Comment on Gratitude by bigrogerdan

bigrogerdan — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:46:31 +0000

I’m blessed in many ways, thank you for counting many of my blessings for me. Love, Dad

Comment on Become an MPS Montessori Teacher by Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:02:59 +0000

Hello Lisa, my name is Kelly. The librarian at the school that I teach at gave me a copy of the Compass and circled your new blog ad! My husband and I are opening a small daycare/ preschool here in Milwaukee, that emphasized Maria Montessori’s philosophies. We are looking to fill four positions, full time and part time for next fall 2013. One of the positions will be an administration position. I understand you have been involved with Montessori schooling for many years now…. If you come across some good candidates, or know someone who might be interested in a long term career, can you give them my contact information?

Kellyaubin@gmail.com
414-339-7717

Thank you so much.

Comment on Catholic schools can, do and will matter by A Signature Event for Catholic School Governance « The Marquette Educator

A Signature Event for Catholic School Governance « The Marquette Educator — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:29:04 +0000

[...] the record, I foreshadowed the summit in a blog post elsewhere, predicting that the conversation would be provocative with such a rich mix of Catholic school [...]

Comment on Maestra by vaniatcsu

vaniatcsu — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:08:55 +0000

I’m waiting for this film to come to Denver! This project is so inspiring. I’m reading a book called “Rebel Literacy” about the campaign right now — check it out if you haven’t already.

Comment on Maestra by Kim

Kim — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:06:59 +0000

Thank you for this Tina -and for everything you do to help folks see young people, particularly urban youth, as a resource rather than a threat or a problem!

Comment on Catholic schools can, do and will matter by Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:32:22 +0000

Great to find your blog, Bill. Looking forward to great conversation at CHEC the next two days.