New Haven Independent

Posted by: newhaventaxpayer | October 15, 2008 9:29 AM

What is so hard for these people to understand. Why dont they learn ENGLISH. Not for nothing this is America. Go back to your own country if you want to speak spanish. What a drain on resources.

Posted by: PS | October 15, 2008 9:35 AM

We really need to push for these members to be elected not appointed. Once this happens, we are going to start seeing changes. Remember, they're puppets!

Posted by: Richard Therrien | October 15, 2008 9:47 AM

What is disappointing is that none of this group seemed to be interested in the main focus of the evening. The district presented a comprehensive plan to improve student achievement and focused on the gains and the activities that we all we participate in together to better the lives of New Haven students. That is the mission and the goal of our school district.
Richard Therrien
Science Supervisor

Posted by: John Tulin | October 15, 2008 9:51 AM

Mayo is completely correct on this one.

TOC - What about the tens of thousands who feel disrespected by the refusal of some to learn English? I guess you feel your "hundreds" matter more than the rest of us tax payers - tax payers who don't want to pay for a unnecessary, redundant service you insist on but feel it is "not for (you)" to provide yourselves.

Posted by: Walt | October 15, 2008 10:15 AM

Mayo seems to have a good approach. Hope the BOE backs him up on this one.

While I tend to agree with PS on this issue, elected BOE is not necessarily any more responsive to the taxpayers than those which areappointed.

In Hamden BOE folks are elected, not apppointed,. but the nominations flow from the Dem Party and Repub party leaders and both parties appear to renominate every BOE person whose term expires, even though, as in New Haven, the BOE runs roughshod over the Town and ignores public gripes, builds castles for schools, worries more about teacher/union welfare than about the kids, and gives the Taxpayer a royal hosing,

Elected Boards do not guarantee improvement, unfortunately.

Posted by: Enough is Enough | October 15, 2008 10:58 AM

We need to have a common language in schools that will give students the opportunities to learn together. True, for those who English is a second language then there must be some accommodations made so these students can learn and catch-up. What will happen in college? Think the professors will do everything in Spanish? Who will pay for all this? These Latin groups may want to raise the necessary funds as well. Then we need to these for all other foreign students to be fair. There is a great divide in the US. Being fair is one thing but I think we are bordering on stupidity with all these divisions.

Posted by: concern parent | October 15, 2008 11:47 AM

Tell me what is wrong with concern parents speaking out for a quality education for our children. The nhps district improvenent plan looks real good on paper. But what good is it when some parents dont understand it. The mayor has opened the city up to non-speaking peoople,have given them ID's but the BOE can't translate so their children can get a quality education and become productive citizens. CP

Posted by: Joey A | October 15, 2008 12:11 PM

Boe has last site of the reason they are there.
And that reason is to Educate not accomadate or worry about who is being afended or if we are being politicly correct. can you tell i went to NHPS..

Posted by: molly | October 15, 2008 12:13 PM

This is AMERICA ..you come to this country learn english...you don't want to learn...but you want all the freebies when you get here...we need a new breed of politicans..who stand up fot our country...LEARN ENGLISH or go back to your own country....it's very disturbing when you hear Puerto Ricans mocking our country saying there country don't want to be a state..then stay there..you are a common wealth country..don't you think it's about time to Unite

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | October 15, 2008 1:30 PM

Of course pro-BOE adults in the audience last night were encouraged to show up by the BOE. Turning out the support is a very familiar tactic that this administration has used against every other local schools group which has advocated to improve the schools.

TOC needs to understand that the mayor meant what he said at the last meeting. This IS a political battle. It looks like Johnny and Reggie were able to turn out as many pro-BOE parents as you did. You have to beat them by turning out BIG numbers.

But don't let it get you down. The numbers are on your side. Why? Because The parents who spoke up for the BOE are either employed by the city, married to someone who is employed by the city, or have no clue about how destitute the level of education is in New Haven. Could there by ANY knowledgeable parent who would be in support of a system which cheats their child from a rewarding and productive life? I don't think so.

Keep up the outreach, the education. Eventually, your numbers will be overwhelming. Just don't let them crush you before that happens.

Mr. Therrien, you seem like a honest broker. If Bill Gates offered to pay you $1 billion (or to a charity of your choice!) if you closed the achievement gap in New Haven within 7 years, how would you do it? Would you put your faith into the current comprehensive improvement plan or would you make some changes? (Hint: Bill would allow you to spend part of that billion on encouraging the bad teachers and administrators to retire early and pay a premium to entice the best teachers to NHPS). Are there any other great teachers besides Mr. Therrien who would do some really radical things in order to pick up the pace of improvement?

Finally, to the BOE: When are you going to understand that until there are enough high quality school choices for their children, parents have the right, no - THE RESPONSIBILITY to advocate loudly for better service and far better academic results from you. You are the only game in town. That's why they come to you. If they had a choice, they would vote with their feet. But they are trapped and your fix is too slow. Some advice: This IS a political fight, and I'd say you all have about a year to get a lot more responsive.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | October 15, 2008 1:53 PM

It was reassuring to see that most, if not all, of the comments on this story told the Spanish language faction to go SHOVE IT!

Posted by: Exiled Italian Shill | October 15, 2008 2:27 PM

Hey just noticed that the Teach our Children website is in English only. I guess that translation into Spanish only applies to schools. But since they are grasping onto the issue du-jour it's okay for them to have an English only website and be exclusive as everyone knows Latinos don't have computers or surf the web for information.

Yet to be honest the public schools website is not in Spanish either, but according to the article many of the school documents are translated.

If Aponte felt disrespected by the schools not being 100% translated into Spanish he must be rip*hit over Teach Our Children's website.

http://www.teachourchildren.org/

http://www.nhps.net/

Posted by: RichTherrn | October 15, 2008 5:21 PM

By the way http://www.teachourchildren.org/?page_id=15 has a paragraph "donate" indicating the financial source for the group as well and how they intent to use donations.

I'll let our parents speak for themselves, but every parent is equal in the eyes of all NHPS educators, whether they belong to a group or not, whomever employs them, or what town they come from, or what language they speak. The fact is that New Haven is the only city school system in the state in which a large percentage of out of town parents CHOOSE to send their children here. Our magnet schools fit the needs of many, many students. Many outside groups have been impressed with the commitment and level of parental involvement in our schools. We know that positive, cooperative parental involvement is one of the keys to student success..
No one in this administration is denying that we need to continue working with the resources we have to improve. As I've said before we are constrained and follow many federal and state laws (such as certification laws which ALL public schools are SUPPOSED to follow), and work within that system to provide an education to ALL students.

The state approved district improvement plan focuses on teacher, administrator quality, data teams, literacy interventions, and effective use of instructional time, and anyone can ask any administrator for more details. Teachers, principals, parents and students can work together and make a difference!

Richard Therrien
Science Supervisor

Posted by: urban ed | October 15, 2008 7:16 PM

TOC raises some valid points, and the NHPS are more likely to get on top of their game when they are challenged.

But I find it strange that immediately following a district move toward responding to TOC demands, a new thrust, nearly impossible to implement in this economic climate, would come from TOC.

I find it strange that a recent picture of a TOC meeting would feature a TOC "Intern."

I find it strange that there was reportedly a person at last night's board meeting apparently coaching TOC members about when to speak and what to say.

In Urban Education, we focus our energy in a chaotic setting by asking ourselves, "What is the outcome that you want?"

So, TOC, What Is The Outcome That You Want?

If that outcome is to foment discord, Well Done!

If that outcome is actually to improve the schools, it might be time to rethink your strategy.

BTW: Even some of the latino staff members I've spoken to in the district are not comfortable with universal translation services for parents. They want you to learn English because they know that that's how you get ahead in this country. Right or Wrong doesn't matter. That's simply how it is.

Disclaimer: Yeah, I'm a NHPS administrator. No, I don't agree with everything the district does. Sometimes I disagree mightily with ALOT of things the district does. But I DO believe that the district is made up of mostly good people acting in mostly good faith to improve the lives of NH's kids.

And I think Rich Therrian is Awesome!

Posted by: teachergal | October 15, 2008 7:23 PM

Richard Therrien states,
"The fact is that New Haven is the only city school system in the state in which a large percentage of out of town parents CHOOSE to send their children here. Our magnet schools fit the needs of many, many students."

Yes Mr. Therrein and as a teacher i have experienced many of the students new haven receives from out of district, many which have special needs. Now, I love the special needs students, don't get me wrong, as a district NH does not have the support staff to meet their needs. So, their needs take time and resources away from New Haven students. We should be looking very closely at the students we accept into our magnet schools. We have our own high population of sped students who need much support. Why are we accepting those students from other districts? Is this what the magnet program has turned into?

Posted by: Yes We Can | October 15, 2008 9:52 PM

I suggest that all of you posters return to the Article above and read the letters from TOC and Dr. Mayo. The letter from Mayo, which was conceded to be factual by TOC, demonstrates a couple of things that are lost on TOC and their funders and also Allan. First, the BOE already is doing many of the things TOC asked about. The BOE is also taking steps and had already begun taking steps to address other issues that were raised by TOC. Second, TOC was the one who walked away. Third, TOC was the group who refused to commit to assist in lobbying for funding for the areas they claim to care about and helping with parent organization on these issus. If they really cared about these issues why not join the BOE in these efforts? It appears that there is another agenda afoot.

Let's review the most recent Board meeting. First, TOC speaks and admits that the BOE has provided information that proves that many of the conerns that have been raised have been addressed. As Mayo's letter notes, TOC appears to have been unaware of many of the efforts already ongoing in these areas but ulitmately conceded that the BOE was on top of it (why let the facts get in the way?). Then, TOC jumps on another issue (since the positive Cambridge report and New Haven's dramatic test score improvements TOC appears to be searching for another issue) why not translation. A parent addressed the Board in Spanish and claimed to be incapable of understanding the orientation for his child. Considerering orientation happened a month ago, it is unclear how confused he really was. An Administrator from the BOE stepped in to translate the exchange with the Board that followed (something that would happen in any school in New Haven if needed). The parent was reminded that the orientation packet went out in English and Spanish. Again, unclear why there was an issue considering the practice and the steps taken well above and beyond the law that the BOE took. As the exchange ended the parent stepped away, apparently satisfied. Yet, Nilda Aponte and other paid staff of TOC then rushed forward and forced the man back up to reengage the issue and the stunt as they were not satisfied. Without the prepared letter and order or speakers orchestrated by paid TOC leader Gwen Forest the message was less focused and it became unclear what the problem really was. As it turns out, even assuming this man does not speak English (which I do not concede) his wife does, yet he appears to want a personal translator at public expense.

On the other hand a number of actual parents (as oppposed to the paid staff, "interns" and college students that TOC assembles) marched to the microphone. Strangely these folks did not read letters handed to them by Gwen Forest. Rather, they spoke from the heart about their experiences in NHPS. The bottom line, when an issue was raised to a School Administrator a cooperative solution was found. TOC is not interested in solutions. If they were they would take their funds and provide translators, tutors and homework assistance. They would continue meetings that they condede were productive. Instead their funds go to pay staff, interns, factually distorted press releases, etc. which are not designed to move forward at all.

Why is Community Foundation funding this nonsense? (Perhaps Will Ginsberg should reread his own mission statement). Why is Mr. Growstein funding this nonsense? If they truly care about the education of children put their money where it should go, to the children! Fund tutors, fund translators, fund homework assistance for suspended students. Join the fight and stop picking them. Perhaps they only want to distract from the fact that NHPS is being recognized for its proactive and positive achievements in Urban Education. Positive Cambridge review, double digit test scores, #1 in Wellness, recognized in the NYTimes for a new and fabulous Food Program. God knows we cannot give credit for these things. Well I will. Thank you Dr. Mayo, Thank you Imma Canelli, Thank you Leida Pacini, Thank you Pricipals, Administrators, Teachers, Custodians, Cafeteria workers, Security staff, Bus Drivers, Crossing Guards, Paraprofessionals, Daycare workers, Supervisors, Clerical staff, and Thank you to the thousands of postive parents and students who step up to the plate and work together to move NHPS forward positively every single day.

YES WE CAN!!!

Posted by: E Quinn | October 15, 2008 10:57 PM

The slander of the Spanish speaking families of this community promotes hate and it is uncalled for in this discussion. By the way Puerto Ricans are Americans so they can't go back to their country because the U. S. is their country. On the other hand parents voicing difficulties without wanting solutions takes away the notion of empowerment. Looking at the website for TOC I wonder how these Spanish speaking parents could be part of a group that does not use Spanish on their website. Apparently this is not an issue about schooling but a feud that is senseless and does not have a clear focus.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | October 15, 2008 11:58 PM

As a New Haven parent who believes the city's number one priority must be high quality education, I find TOC demands bogus.

It's stated mission "We value reaching out and empowering low income, minority parents and guardians" reeks with elitist activism and funding aimed at achieving some agenda other than ensuring the best education for these very children.

If you've spent anytime in the hood you'd know that language is fake.

Problem is, these regular ambushes only serve as distraction from what's really important.

Let's keep it real: First, every parent knows that student bad behavior poses serious risks to safety and high quality teaching and learning.

Secondly anyone visiting New Haven schools that have large populations of English language learners knows that those schools have adequate numbers of administrators and teachers who serve as translators in addition there are bilingual teachers as well as additionally resource teachers for English language learners. That's all good

But, parents of New Haven students don't need these circus performances at the board of ed.

We need to be intensively focused on improving The academic performance of all children.

Posted by: RichTherrn | October 16, 2008 5:40 AM

NHPS teachers have access to their school's data internally. Looking quickly at the 2 grades that took the science CMTs in the spring, in NHPS schools 10-12% are special ed, and students from out of district are 6-9% special ed.
http://www.ctreports.com
has info on all schools/districts, as well as http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/cedar/profiles/index.htm
for the latest district profiles. By the way, charter districts/schools are at the bottom if a comparison on special ed and english language learners is needed.
But, the point is, that by law all our magnet schools are conducted by lottery, and we have more parents that want to send their children to our schools than we can fit. We don't screen our students. As public educators, our mission is to accept and educate EVERY child in front of us: regardless of special ed ability, language, background, etc. ALL children have the right to an education.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | October 16, 2008 8:26 AM

Mr. Therrien,

To take a different twist on what Teachergal has said, the magnet schools are working - just not for New Haven's poor mostly minority kids.

If you live in Guilford and are the proud parent of a motivated child who is interested in the arts, and you send him to the Arts Coop in New Haven, and he performs at or near the top of his class because the competition isn't as strong as it is in Guilford High, you have given him a better chance of getting into a competitive college. Nothing wrong with that strategy.

BUT the fact that the magnet schools work for suburban kids does not mean that New Haven schools are doing fine by its own residents. The fact is that for every suburban magnet school student who flourishes in New Haven, there are ten low income New Haven kids who are left behind. The magnet school program does beg a question: Why is New Haven dedicating its resources to educating suburban residents rather than focusing its efforts on our own residents, especially those who need our attention the most?

Mr. Therrien, would you not agee that Wilbur Cross is a tale of two schools, one high performing and one low performing? The district deserves credit for continuing to make a few of their schools (magnet and traditional) an attractive place for many affluent, educated families to send their kids. You certainly can't say the same thing about a district like Bridgeport's. But don't use the success at creating opportunity for high performing students as a white wash for the disregard that this system has had for creating quality education for poor kids.

Why is it important to point this out? Why can't we just put aside our differences and make progress on the comprehensive improvement plan?
Because the district is simply not moving fast enough. The plans lack ambition. The plan defaults to what is in the best interest of the adults who work in the system and not in the best interests of the families who send their kids to the system. If you want to see what real reform looks like, check out what Michelle Rhee in DC is doing, or Steve Adamowski in Hartford is doing, or Joel Klein in New York is doing. Compare their plans to New Havens. We pale in comparison.

So work your plan. A little progress is better than none at all. However, don't be surprised when you and the BOE take heat from parents and others who have waited too long for answers and who won't stand idly by anymore.

Posted by: Dominick Maldonado | October 16, 2008 1:18 PM

My name is Dominick Maldonado. I am PTO president for Christoper Columbus Family Academy School, and a member of the Community Engagment Team (CET) whose main goal is Parental Involvment ih the NHPSD. We have met for the past two years and continue meeting on a monthly basis working on a plan to encourage other parents to become involve in their childrens education. I Strongly recommend to TOC, and specifially to Nelda to work together to so that together we can make a diffence. If we identify a problem we should be able to identify a solution. I Strongly agree with the issue of translation for those many parents who are monoligual, but it seems to me that is not the message but the messengers. Please lets attempt to educate our community instead of misleading and using them. I have lived in New Haven all my life and I support our NHPS, can they do a better job, yes, whoever lets join forces with them to make this happen. My experience with Dr. Mayo has been a very positive one, and he has an open door policy not jut for me but for all parents that wish to make a positive change in their childrens education.

Posted by: RichTherrn | October 16, 2008 2:10 PM

Fix The Schools writes " But don't use the success at creating opportunity for high performing students as a white wash for the disregard that this system has had for creating quality education for poor kids.... The plan defaults to what is in the best interest of the adults who work in the system and not in the best interests of the families who send their kids to the system." In an earlier article Fix The Schools writes "head out to the burbs. We don't have the same kinds of problems out there."

-I reject the premise that an suburban adult can question the motives of those working in the system that exists to better the lives of ALL the students, or postulate hypotheticals. We educators don't do this for extra money, or to get a pat on the back (but thank you UrbanEd), or even to run a for profit business as others do.

-I reject the premise that we "whitewash" our issues. Although we continue to outperform districts such as Hartford AND New York City as a whole, we absolutely have schools, and groups of students within schools that we need to dramatically work to improve their achievement. NO ONE working here has EVER denied that.

-I reject the premise that the only out of town kids that choose our magnet schools are of one group or another.

-Our job is to teach the children in front of us with our resources, our research based ideas, within our laws and regulations, and with every fibre of our being.

An article was just posted on our district improvement plan and I am sure many will comment on that as well.

Posted by: True New Havener | October 16, 2008 2:10 PM

Your last post was WELL SAID.

Posted by: P | October 16, 2008 2:49 PM

Molly,
May I suggest you learn English before you berate others for not doing so. I refer to your use of the noun "there" when you should have used the possesive "their". You should as well learn to use the correct verb form as it realtes to the noun that is its subject. You should also learn some American history. The USA annexed Puerto Rico forcibly during the Spanish-American War and imposed US citizenship upon Puerto Ricans. Since then we have lost grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers and sons in US wars, starting with WWI to the Iraqi occupation. No one at the Pentagon asked Puerto Rican men &, now, women whether they spoke English before ordering them into battle to shed blood or die for this country. Part of the "deal", if you will, is that Puerto Ricans can retain their (not the diffrent use) language in return for fighting your wars. And that extends to being "allowed" to live in this country with all the benefits od citizenship without having to learn English, a language you still haven't mastered yourself.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | October 16, 2008 4:42 PM

Brazen: some wish to compel Spanish language facilities in an English language country.

There is one language of this country that unifies the American people now as it has for over two centuries: English.

Spanish speakers who demand otherwise and the English speakers who accomodate them do nothing but foster a social divide that can only fester.

I speak several languages fluently, having spent many years overseas. I am not insular and certainly not inexperienced globally.

Multilingual society is possible only internationally, over distinct units, where unity is thin and constantly shifting politically.

Its domestic replicant leads only to internal division and illness in -- and perhaps the death of -- the greater society.

When ethnic groups demand that the center give then more than they contribute back, we are assured these groups will not assimilate, but form their own enclaves cut off from the wider American society. You see it with the Pakistani Muslim communities in New York City and with many radical Latino groups. These are not people we want or need in this country and their presence here should not be encouraged.

These demands for special treatment must be rebuffed in the strongest terms, if we are to remain a distinct whole. Learn English and join the rest of us! Or stay mute. Or leave.

Posted by: Mary | October 16, 2008 7:58 PM

Well said,Rich Therrian. Yes we can. E Quinn,Hood Rebel,Dominick Maldonado lets stop playing the blame game. While we sit here arguing with eachother we lose our kids to the street. What we need to do is band together and help the school system and our kids. So thank you to all the teachers, principals, the board of ed, paraprofessionals, custodians, lunch ladies & to the parents who volunteer their time to help the school system.

Posted by: RichTherrn | October 17, 2008 3:56 AM

I realize many have moved on from this discussion, but I always believe in the power of information, facts, and data, as do the rest of the educators in our district.
Available to anyone at the sites I previously mentioned are the English Language Learner populations at all schools, districts, charters, etc...

Here's some data for New Haven Public Schools:
There are 54 buildings that NHPS is responsible for, including 7 separate preK locations, but not including outplacement or the 3 New Haven charters, which are all at 0% of course.

Currently that is 20,836 students, at 12% English Language Learners (higher if we just count tested students, of course).

In each of our buildings, the percentage runs from 0% (mostly at preK) to 48% . There are 17 schools with a population of 10% or above, which includes 3 high schools. 7 schools are over 25%.

The school that was mentioned in the initial article has a population at 4%, and the latest school mentioned has a population of 7%.

I'm not suggesting that there is any sort of official cut off or policy related to these numbers, just giving out information.

By the way, I would be interested in feedback on how well the free Google translate works on my website!

-Richard Therrien, Science Supervisor

Posted by: RichTherrn | October 17, 2008 3:57 AM

I realize many have moved on from this discussion, but I always believe in the power of information, facts, and data, as do the rest of the educators in our district.
Available to anyone at the sites I previously mentioned are the English Language Learner populations at all schools, districts, charters, etc...

Here's some data for New Haven Public Schools:
There are 54 buildings that NHPS is responsible for, including 7 separate preK locations, but not including outplacement or the 3 New Haven charters, which are all at 0% of course.

Currently that is 20,836 students, at 12% English Language Learners (higher if we just count tested students, of course).

In each of our buildings, the percentage runs from 0% (mostly at preK) to 48% . There are 17 schools with a population of 10% or above, which includes 3 high schools. 7 schools are over 25%.

The school that was mentioned in the initial article has a population at 4%, and the latest school mentioned has a population of 7%.

I'm not suggesting that there is any sort of official cut off or policy related to these numbers, just giving out information.

By the way, I would be interested in feedback on how well the free Google translate works on my website!

-Richard Therrien, Science Supervisor

Posted by: Ally Brundige | October 17, 2008 9:53 AM

As a resident of this city, I am concerned by the tone and nature of many of these responses.

Direct action community organizing groups like Teach Our Children do not seek to create tension. Nor do they "search" for issues. Nor are they the product of some third-party agenda. Rather, the issues and tension already exist as experienced by the parents and young people of this city. The New Haven Public School system contains many talented and dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff. There is much that we can applaud, however, that does not mean that we should not acknowledge where there is much needed reform. And this group of parents seems committed to bringing attention to those areas so that together, parents, administrators, and educators alike can work together to improve education in New Haven public schools.

There is a crisis facing our city's youth and much change is needed within our schools and broader community. Funders supporting Teach Our Children should be congratulated. Teach our Children has raised many issues and successfully worked with the school administration to address these issues, but there are many more still to be addressed. I look forward to future efforts by the parents of TOC to hold us all accountable to working for much needed improvements with the urgency our children's education demands.

Posted by: Margaret | October 17, 2008 10:08 AM

Hi, I am appalled that this is Spanish translation is even a thought. As City of New haven resident middleclass parent. My taxes nearly doubled. My utilities have doubled and groceries have are thru the roof. In a time when our mayor has to cut funding for early education programs because of lack of funding & layoff employees (because his own mismanagement of funds) Where do these people think were going to get funding for such a thing? We all know who pays for these programs in New Haven MIDDLECLASS TAXPAYER I refuse pay any further (can't afford it) My suggestion learn ENGLISH, like my family did when entered America. Our provide private funding!!!!

TIRED OF PAYING FOR OTHERS!!