I don't know how this very insightful, and accurate, column from former Orange County Board of Education Chairman Keith Cook failed to catch my attention before now. I guess my news searches aren't triggered by columns in the Chapel Hill News.
While Mr. Cook and I agree on many things with regard to this runaway Board, I have to disagree with one statement from his column.
As the parent of a rising third-grader at Hillsborough Elementary School, I can say that I am far from "happy" with the Board's "shell game" of a plan. Unfortunately, Mr. Cook has fallen for the frequently hurled accusation that parents of children at Hillsborough Elementary care only about their own children. This is a brush with which HES parents have been unfairly painted for over 10 ten months now.
I have always maintained that "I believe that the purpose of any school system is to provide the best possible education to each individual student given their individual abilities, talents and motivations." This belief knows no socioeconomic limit or arbitrarily drawn attendance zone.
As Mr. Cook writes:
"This plan does nothing to ensure that our children at Central and Efland-Cheeks will become academically successful learners in math and/or reading."
"This hastily conceived plan has nothing to do with what is best for children or with the board being an advocate for all children. The board's plan to remove Central and Efland-Cheeks from the Federal School Improvement Plan does nothing to raise math and reading scores or to increase enrollment at Central. Just because Efland-Cheeks and Central will no longer be in Title One School Improvement Status doesn't mean that their students have now become proficient in reading and/or math. What it means is that those schools will no longer have access to federal dollars for resources to prepare students in the lower grades to be successful learners in math and reading by the time they get to the third grade."
He is absolutely correct.
And, as he goes on to say, "For board members that voted for the plan, shame on you!"
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For lack of a better word, I have to call myself a "lurker" on this blog. It is with great interest that I follow the information gathering, insults going back and forth, and the down right sense of entitlement that also lurks on this blog. However, I could not resist adding my 2 cents to this particular post about the column from our esteemed Mr. Cook. While Mr. Cook asks some very good questions, the community should challenge this Northern Orange Education task force that he uses in the signature of his column to come up with ways the community is willing to support the two schools he mentions in the column. He asks questions as if the board is accountable to this group and the larger community for answers. I have to say that this group and the community are also accountable to our children and schools with ways to be a part of the solution instead of sitting back pointing out the problems. This board had a no win situation. When are we going to stop pointing out the flaws and start concentrating on solutions. I just want to know who from this organization or the community has signed up to be a part of any mentoring programs that the administration at Central is always talking about? How many of you in the larger community go into this school to help with tutoring whether during or after school? With or without these title 1 funds, nothing will take the place of what these teachers do in their classrooms each day. So who's job is it to make sure the teachers are doing the best they can in teaching our children? I would say the new superintendent and the principal just to start. And if Mr. Cook wants to really have a conversation about the bad balance in socio economic status between both schools, then where were his questions about this when this whole thing started getting out of whack when he was a member of our esteemed board? This problem didn't occur overnight. Why were we hearing crickets about the issue up until the schools got in trouble with the feds?
So you see, we can go around about how stupid this plan may seem or how it is ill-conceived or skirts issues or whatever. But when will we get down to business so we can talk about how to make all our schools desirable no matter where we live in the county? I no longer have a stake in the school system (kids are adults and live far away from here). But I do pay taxes and I have an interest when I think about who will take care of me and my needs as I continue to grow old in this community that I had grown to love and call my own after 15 years. Sorry folks for the long post, but I just couldn't help but chime in on this one.
Interested Citizen--
Interested Citizen... It has been my understanding all along that parents of HES students did go to Central to offer "help" but were told they did not need it.
I am a working parent, so is my spouse, so mentoring another student is just not feasible for everyone. I take total control of my child. I make sure homework is done nightly and that she understands what is being taught in the classroom but I cannot make sure every child is being taught. There is just not enough time in the day for me to do that. At some point, the parents have to own up to a certain amount of teaching their own child. Unfortunately this whole situation can be "what if'd to death".
I am so glad that people in the community can also offer suggestions to this awful situation that we find ourselves in. Please, keep the suggestions coming! We truly appreciate every suggestion that we receive especially from our fellow citizens.
Interested citizen,
We have reached out to CES to help, and we were told by their principal "Thanks, but no Thanks". I don't know what else we could do. We have offered assistance in many different ways, but we were turned down.
Why don't you call the Principal at CES and see if you could help? I wonder if the stigma of being a HES parent is behind her reasoning. If you decide to do call the principal, I hope you have better luck than we have.
To the two anonymous posters who mentioned the offering of support: to be turned down just makes me have to say, "Hmmm..." I mean either the school(s) want community support or they don't. Makes me want to inquire more about it, really. Perhaps the offer from HES parents seems patronizing as in "We (the school) don't need your handouts." Given my age, it does sound eerily familiar to the separate but equal arguments--we don't necessarily want our children at your school, but we can give you...." I don't know if that's the case or not. I'd hate to think that I will see that time again. Perhaps I am too hopeful that this will never happen in my lifetime again--but maybe it is still prevalent-moreso than we think. Perhaps the offer from HES parents is too much for the administration. Perhaps, I will give it a try just as I am-an interested citizen. Perhaps I will keep you posted but I don't know if it matters at this point. I am but one citizen with but one opinion on this.
Interested Citizen again
To interested citizen,
There are several barriers between HES and CES. The biggest barrier comes down to socio-economic status.
I wish you the best in your endeavours with CES. You were probably right--may look like a handout. However, handouts are not a bad thing at all.
The HES parents volunteered to help, and that is not exactly a handout in my book. There is not a parent I know of at HES that would not welcome any child to their school. The fact remains, if CES wanted to be at HES, they would be. It's not a private school.
We need to remember there ARE parents, children, and staff that WANT to be at CES. It's their school, and they are proud to be a part of it. As one CES parent stated at a meeting at HES, "We are a family." I think that is why they were as much against a merger as HES. Nobody wants their kids shuffled around and used in a social experiment.
The board HAD a win-win situation. They could have used funds to help EDUCATE the failing children at all schools, especially CES and EC, as Mr. Hartkopf first proposed. It would have been the easiest solution to this fiasco that has been created.
Lack of education is almost always the difference between the "haves" and the "have nots" as previously mentioned on this blog. So, get on with educating and stop the experimenting.
Interested Citizen,
The Northern Orange Task Force is working with the community in regards to parental involvement and tutoring. I think it was Stephen Covey that said, "First understand, then seek to be understood.
J. Stanfield
To the interested citizen,
You are right. The Northern Orange Education Task Force is accountable our children and our schools. Keith Cook is a source of ridicule and simplicity on the way he sits on the sidelines and points out the misgivings of our School Board. Shame on you Keith Cook, and shame on the Northern Orange Education Task Force.
How quickly we forget...
Be careful about agreeing with anything Keith Cook says. In 2004 he plagarized the graduation speech that he gave to Orange High School students - WHILE HE WAS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. One link to refresh memories is at http://localtechwire.com/news/local/story/111655/ . You can search "Keith Cook" and "plagiarism" and find even more results.
It looks like "Interested Citizen" IC has accomplished what the board could not; divert our attention away from the criminals in this escapade and direct our ire at someone else namely Keith Cook. I would not be surprized if IC was good old Teddy Triebel himself. His comment about our "sense of entitlement" is the same thing he said at the listending sessions. You remember those. The sessions at which little listening occurred.
Keith is not a boy scout, but he did not to this to our children and families. As Chairman, Dennis allowed Carraway's presentation to be made and tear our school apart. As Chairman, Ted continued Carraway's devisiveness to perpetuate. He along with co-chair Pissitelli control what goes on the boe agenda. They could have stopped this a long time ago and still could but that would interrupt their power trip.
You can do what you like, but as for me I will not waste one breath going after anyone not on the boe now or on the boe when all this started with the last redistricting. Anybody that voted for or did not speak out against either the redistricting or this hateful plan deserves our derison. Keith made mistakes, but he did speak out against the last redistricting and spoke out against the plan.
Put your attention where it matters and don't let yourself get distracted by blame-throwers.
I also speculated the anonymous lurking Interested Citizen probably is the Chairman of the Board of Education. See if you think the profile fits.
Clue #1: He has stated in public his kids are adults and live far away.
Clue #2: He pays taxes and calls this community his own after 15 years. Public on-line records reveal Triebel purchased Orange County property in 1991 and pays county taxes on 3 properties.
Clue #3: Local newspapers report Triebel was notably dismissive of Mr. Cook at the last school board meeting. In the blog he uses a veil of anonymity to once again dismiss Mr. Cook. Tongue in cheek -he refers to Mr. Cook as the "esteemed Mr. Cook." He suggests Mr. Cook and his community ameliorate the situation by mentoring or tutoring students at Central. They will likely be turned away just as others have been.
Clue #4: Lurkers follow this blog because they have children or grandchildren at Hillsborough or Central Elementary, they teach at those schools or they might be a member of the Board of Education.
Clue#5: His glaring defensiveness of the current board:
-the board was in a "no win" situation
-it is the job of the superintendent and the principal to hold the teachers accountable for teaching our children
-the Northern Orange Education task force should come up with ways to support the two schools
-the school board is not accountable to this group or larger community for answers
-refers to a prior "esteemed board"
Do you see a pattern here? The finger is pointing to individuals, the community and organizations, but not to the current board and its leadership. Is the current board a Teflon group where criticism is not allowed to stick?
Finger pointing is not solving any problems. Let's move forward and educate our children.
-Profiler
Well folks, I hate to burst your bubble, but I am not Ted Treibel. I debated whether to even address this but it wouldn't be fair to this gentleman to take the fall for my efforts here. I don't know the man except from reading board highlights and the stuff you all say about him. But he has my sympathies. So long. You all don't want to talk about issues and their solutions. You want to continue on your antagonistic path that will continue to get you nowhere. It's no wonder you get so much push back from the members of this board because you can't get yourselves above the fray without this kind of mess. My energies are now at these embattled schools. No wonder your offereings to help were not appreciated. I can only guess at how it was presented. Mr. or Ms. J. Stanfield, I'd like to give you a call to see how I can help as a very interested citizen. This is the only indication from this group that someone's at least trying to do something positive and in the best interest of ALL the students in our county-and not just the ones at Hillsborough Elementary. Good luck to you all.
Interested Citizen,
You can contact the Northern Orange Education Task Force at noedutaskforce@aol.com. I am not a member, but plan to offer my support as well.
---
Other Anonymous,
It is counterproductive to criticize Mr. Cook or the Northern Orange Education Task Force. They have every right to voice their opinion. Mr. Cook has paid for his action, whether it was intentional or not. No one is perfect and we all have our regrets.
J.Stanfield
"It is counterproductive to criticize Mr. Cook or the Northern Orange Education Task Force."
Mr. Cook criticized HES parents, shamed the Board Members, and plagarized a graduation speech. I think it is important for everyone to know the truth about this man. Let's not put him on a pedastal.
I do not see where J. Stanfield put Mr. Cook on a pedestal. What I took from it is that the fact that he plaigerized is known and he paid for it. Should Richard Nixon have gone into hiding, should Newt Gingrich or Bill Clinton? How about the sheriff in Wake County that was cheating on his wife? They have continued on and so should Mr. Cook.
There are plenty of insulting comments posted on this site anonymously. At least Mr. Cook is out front with his and not sitting behind a veil.
And from what I read, his comments are moreso geared towards the fact that the board's decision is taking funding away from the schools that need it most. HES was not even the primary focus in his complaint.
And what is the problem with there being a Northern Orange Task Force? Some of you complain that blacks need to do more for themselves, then you have a problem when blacks make an effort to do so. From what I have read here they are working on parent involvement and tutoring. And they have every right to challenge the establishment just as many of you have done regarding the merger.
Art M.
Art M.,
You are correct concerning the double standards in helping their cause. I don't know if the Northern Orange Task Force is as altruistic as you are describing them.
Mr. Cook took a swipe at HES parents. HES parents are both black and white.
I'm not sure what race has to do with your comment, except that Mr. Cook is black. Can you elaborate?
Interested Citizen,
I'm not sure anybody gives a rip who you are. What seems to have struck home is the position of "blame thrower" you took. You must admit that sounds just like a majority of the BOE.
Art M.
I applaud the efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Cook, Ms Mebane, and all the other community volunteers that work to make children better educated. If these have chosen to work through mentoring and family outreach, at least they have taken the time to focus their efforts. Amen to that. All we have heard from the board is all their "out-of-the-box nebulous rhetoric. Given that state run education is one huge box that we pour children and money into and get mediocre results out at best, perhaps it is time to think inside the box. That looks like what NOETF is planning on doing. Like any golfer knows, the results are in the follow through.
Peace
My comments are not about the fact that Mr. Cook is black, but because the NOETF is seen as a black task force. From the articles that I have read, the NOETF is a collaboration between the Northern Orange Ministerial Alliance, whose members are predominately black and the NAACP which is seen as a black organization (although membership is open to anyone who wants to join).
To me, it seems like some of the derogatory comments about the NOETF are related to that fact. It seems like the sentiment some of you is, "Oh my God, the last thing we need is a bunch of blacks pointing the finger and blaming whites. They need to get over it and do something for themselves!" I want to see what they do in the next year before judging them. The achievement gap is a nationwide epidemic.
To the individual who states,
"I don't know if the Northern Orange Task Force is as altruistic as you are describing them."
I would like to understand why you feel that way.
Art M.
Art M.,
You have made a dreadful assumption about us. Race, at least to me, has nothing to do with it. I am focusing on children of Orange County and their education, not the color of their skin. Unfortunately, the Northern Orange Task Force and the Board of Education are polar opposites.
Keith Cook represents the Northern Orange Task Force. He took a cheap shot at HES parents. This is a fact. I am sick and tired of HES Parents looking like we are bunch of white, elitist snobs. A man of Keith's education should have been more cognizant of such a careless remark.
I have not made any assumptions. I referenced "some of the derogatory comments" posted on this blog. I do not know who made them or if they are affiliated with HES.
I do not agree with your polar opposites statement either. The Parents for Accountability group gave the board a lot of grief for several months, so are they considered polar opposites?
The board are elected officials. The NOETF has every right to voice their concerns, and the board is obligated to listen. If everyone's goal is to make OCS better, there has to be some room for collaboration. It is going to take the federal government, OCS, parents, teachers, local businesses and the community to turn this thing around.
In reference to your comment about Mr. Cook insulting parents of HES. Again, I do not know him or anyone on the NOETF, but I think it is safe to assume that his comments are just that, "his comments." I highly doubt that everyone on the NOETF share the same sentiments about everything. Most people in this world can think for themselves. Does everyone in any group, team, church or other organization that you are affiliated with see everything the same way? I doubt it. Most organizations have a mission or vision statement and that is typically what they all agree on. Their opinions on how to get there typically differ.
Art M.
Wow - not to join the pissing contest, but I feel like the Parents for Accountability group got the ball rolling with the opposition. I don't think that "grief" is accurate. I believe that the Board was really in the dark if they thought that merging the schools on the sly was going to happen without backlash. I was actually grateful that someone was willing to send out information to me. I felt blindsided all the way around.
Personally, I think that a group focusing on closing the achievement gap for minorities has every right to exist. I'm white and I don't happen to know what issues are in need of attention in the black community, however, I can learn and try to help. I'd rather understand what the obstacles are than continue having tension about the subject of race.
My point is that everyone has a right to hold the Board's proverbial feet to the fire for whatever they are passionate about. If I was a black citizen, I'd be really really ticked at the insinuations by the BOE regarding black children in our schools - NOT HES parents. Ted is the one who made the browning of America comment - talk about your sideways slur!!
Anyway, at least Keith Cook isn't just sitting on his hands. He is trying to better our schools and get the minority children some much needed services. Yes, he made a big mistake, but judge not is how I try to live.
Lastly, does everyone really believe that the $315k is Fed. Govt. money that is being redirected? Something isn't adding up. How is it that we can take to Fed. funding and do whatever we want with it? Why have NCLB to begin with if there is such a huge loop hole? I think that there is something fishy about the finances here. Does anyone agree or am I off track?
HES Mom
Art M states: "To me, it seems like some of the derogatory comments about the NOETF are related to that fact. It seems like the sentiment some of you is, "Oh my God, the last thing we need is a bunch of blacks pointing the finger and blaming whites. They need to get over it and do something for themselves!" "
Art M states: "I have not made any assumptions."
Art, I am sure you are an intelligent fellow, but you need to revisit what you have blogged. There are inconsistencies here. I will state again, Mr. Cook has voiced an accusation about HES parents. Please read Allan's original blog again.
BTW, I support people who believe in addressing the inequalities of the world. We need people to do so. We don't need people to spill out harmful rhetoric about others. End of Story.
I know the quote:
"Only a few persons can be happy with this plan: those that voted for it and Hillsborough parents with children in grades three through five."
I'm not defending what he said. I am sure that it does offend some people, just like some of the comments on this blog. People see what they want to see. And evidently, you choose not to see the harmful rhetoric on this blog.
No inconsistencies here. Go back and review some of the comments on this blog that reference the NOETF. You will need to go through a few of the different threads to find them all.
All I can say is I am glad my grandchildren are in another school district. Whew!
Art M.
Art M states: "To me, it seems like some of the derogatory comments about the NOETF are related to that fact. It seems like the sentiment some of you is, "Oh my God, the last thing we need is a bunch of blacks pointing the finger and blaming whites. They need to get over it and do something for themselves!" "
Comments made like this make me ashamed to live in Orange County. Black people deserve much more than a thoughtless insult to the HES community. HES, believe it or not, is very accepting to all people.
Give me a break. I have no clue who is making the comments and I never said that it was HES parents doing so. The anonymous parties posting the comments that I am referring to could be anywhere in the world. There is no secret password that only allows HES parents to make comments.
Art M.
I have blogged on this site several times. I cannot but wonder where some of these comments are pointed to.
I have read the comments of the anonymous "Art M", and I wonder why I am reading all of the negative comments from him directed to the district. I am so tired of the anger and bitterness from not only Art M, but also from the attackers of the Board. It's time we move FORWARD to the future (OUR CHILDREN) and away from the yesterday rhetoric and endless claims of inequality. It really doesn't solve a thing.
The NOETF has made an effort to improve education in Efland Cheeks. They are asking some wonderful questions that need to be answered. Unfortunately, the NOETF is not only asking these wonderful questions, but is empowering Keith Cook. I lived near Keith for several years, and his focus is to attract as much attention to himself. He doesn't want the Board to improve education, but would rather focus on the tactics of yesteryear. It's time for everyone to join the fight of improving education for Orange County.
Sideline Spectator:
Thank you for your comments concerning NOETF. You did a wonderful job of explaining the situation.
I, too, am tired of the negativity that seems to be attracted to the school system. It's time we act proactively and not reactively.
Sideline Spectator,
Let's not spin things. I am not angry or bitter. I am a sideline spectator like yourself. And I have not attacked the board. It's funny how you can justify the efforts of one group and shoot down the efforts of another.
I am sure that the board was agitated by the efforts to prevent a merger. It was a media focus for several months. I doubt that they liked any of that. But that is spinned as an effort to educate the board while the efforts of the NOETF labeled as negative.
And just because you do not like Mr. Cook, is no reason to shoot down the NOETF. I would like to think that the local pastors and their congregations can think for themselves and that their not part of some plot to allow Mr. Cook to, "to attract as much attention to himself". And if you are found to be true, I willing to bet that they will disassociate themselves. Maybe just maybe, they see that the academic achievement of the children in their communities are steadily declining and want to do something about it.
And what "tactics of yesteryear" are you referring to? Is going to the board and asking for data a tactic of yesteryear? That is what the NOETF did according to the articles. What do you suggest that they do instead? How can you get from point A to point B if you do not know where point B starts?
And if a man who plaigiarized a speech is involved, so what. Helen Keller was a plaigiarist, so maybe we should dismiss her achievements. So was Martin Luther King, Jr., so let's cast everything he's done to the wind. Al Gore is another one, so let's ignore all of his research on the environment. Johnny Cash was a plagiarist, so I'll never listen to Folsom Prison again. And let's remove William Shakespeare from all school assignments, that doggone plaigiarist. The same goes for H.G. Wells and Stephen King. All of their literary works should be destroyed. And before you try and spin that, I am not justifying what he did. He paid for it. I'm sure that he would like to be in office, but that will probably never happen again. And I'm sure that you'll say that he is not in the same league as the people that I listed, but they continued on with their lives and so should he.
I have been in this community for many, many years. And I have seen a lot of progress, but there is more work to be done and I applaud any group who is trying to make things better for everyone.
Art M.
I had a typo. "How can you get from point A to point B if you do not know where point B starts?"
Should state, "How can you get from point A to point B if you do not know where point A starts"?
Art M.
Sideline Spectator,
I would not worry too much of Art M's ACCUSATION of you spinning things. Like I said yesterday, let's act proactively and not reactively.
Art M,
FYI-- It's spelled "plagiarized", not "plaigiarized". In your defense, it is a hard word to spell.
I think it's time for you to consider what has been stated about Keith Cook. His tenure on the Board was of mixed results.
Art M,
I'm not spinning anything. I have nothing to gain by stating what I have said. Keith Cook is not someone who needs to be empowered by the NOETF. I will state again, the NOETF has asked some wonderful questions to the Board. They are bringing to the table some needs that must be (not might)addressed. They do not need to allow Keith Cook to use the NOETF for his own personal gain. You are right, I'm sure, about his political ambitions. You are also right that he probably will not be elected again. The old saying is that you make your bed, and you lie in it.
Concerning academic achievement in "their communities", I'm not sure if I quite follow. I think the emphasis should be on "all communities" and not "their communities". It's time to break through the barriers of prejudice in our society. The best way to do so is to work together for a common solution. The problem that I see is an increasing gap between the rich and the working class, with the middle class being snuffed out. You will not see many rich kids going to public schools these days. They prefer to disassocciate from public schools. And this is not good.
Again, let's bring a positive approach to solving the issues that are bringing down our societies. Let's empower the PEOPLE instead of a leader who doesn't stand for the PEOPLE.
If Keith Cook is reading this, I'm sure he knows who I am. I have talked to him in the past about his approach to solving solutions, and I thought I would see an improvement. I hope he will take my approach seriously and do something for ALL children of Northern Orange County.
Art M,
Just out of curiosity, what is "rich" these days? I am considering pulling my kids from public schools and here is why.
-I am sick and tired of our school board's approach to the disparity of FRL between CES and HES. I believe that they royally screwed up the situation with their forced merger and now this new approach - which never heard any public feedback. It should have been a team effort to a problem, not a blame game from the very beginning.
-I am concerned that in the classrooms in Orange Co., too much time is being taken addressing behaviors and not learning. While I understand that private school has its share of problems, I'm willing to trade environments in hopes of the classroom reaching a higher level of instruction.
-In most of the alternate settings, the parents have a little more say in some of the big decisions. I feel that the BoE has had complete disregard for all parents input. I've never seen anything like it. They don't give a damn what parents think.
I realize that the BoE was very concerned in the disparities in our schools. However, I think if they want to avoid the "white flight" that has occurred in Greensboro, they need to entice parents to stay not piss them off to the nth degree. I think in two years, the school board will be shocked to see the FRL rise dramatically and there will be few children to implement the so-called Peer Effect.
My household income is 120k+. I don't feel rich, but I can tell you that at some point the BoE will regret chasing off some of the more involved parents.
DD
Sideline Spectator,
When I said their communities, I assumed that it was inclusive of all communities. Because I assume that these pastors have church members that live in all of the communities withing this school district. Your point is well taken and I should have made my point clearer.
Efforts made to close the achievement gap will benefit all communities and all children. If more children aspire to finish high school and go on to college, or obtain a trade, it improves the economic structure of this county, state, and country. And moreso, we are now competing against the world for jobs. All of our children will need to be equipped to compete.
Regarding Mr. Cook, I still do not see what he has to gain personally. He had to know that his name would be dragged through the mud. That cannot feel good. In spite of that, he is moving forward. Maybe he really does care about the children of Northern Orange.
And to the other anonymous poster,
The fact that you do not agree with my views, does not make me reactive. And the fact that you agree with the views of those who oppose Mr. Cook and/or the NOETF does not make them proactive.
Art M.
"The fact that you do not agree with my views, does not make me reactive. And the fact that you agree with the views of those who oppose Mr. Cook and/or the NOETF does not make them proactive."
Art M, I actually agree with your comment. Just because I think Mr. Cook will not accomplish anything productive doesn't mean that I am proactive. I'm proactive by actually volunteering at my child's school. I'm proactive by helping people in my community in need. I'm proactive because I also work a full time job.
My child will not be going to HES next year either and she would have been "grandfathered in" due to her grade!
I completely agree with the entire post from DD.
DD,
I am not sure why you are asking me that question. I have not used the word "rich" in any of my postings. Maybe you read that in Sideline Spectator's postings.
It seems like things are broken into two categories, low-SES and then everyone else. If anything, the media has made use of the terms rich and affluent which fueled the fire. I do not know too many rich people personally in this area.
There is a direct correlation between low-SES and low test scores all across the nation statistically. So the approach to fix the problem has been to address it statistically. It is unfortunate, but that is how things are handled. It will take a community-wide effort to move things from a statistically-based to people-based effort.
Art M.
Anonymous poster that stated this,
"Art M, I actually agree with your comment. Just because I think Mr. Cook will not accomplish anything productive doesn't mean that I am proactive. I'm proactive by actually volunteering at my child's school. I'm proactive by helping people in my community in need. I'm proactive because I also work a full time job."
Do you even know Mr. Cook or anyone on the NOETF personally? How do you know that they are not doing "proactive" things like you do? You are making a lot of assumptions and not only is that wrong, but it is a display of ignorance on your part.
Art M.
Art M.,
Please stop the negative comments about others. This person has a different opinion about NOETF and Keith Cook than you do. I'm sure there are people who like and dislike the groups immensely. From reading your comments I see that you have grandchildren. It's good for everyone to feel to express their feelings and sentiments about others. If you are offended, you may not want to participate on this site.
Concerning the "ignorance" statement, I think it's time we put that word to rest. While I don't know hardly anything at all about Mr. Cook, I do know that he seems to genuinely care about Orange County Schools. I don't think he is either a villian or a saint. I think he probably has his faults as does every other mortal.
Please show some dignity to others by not insulting them just because you have a differing opinion. This goes to all the bloggers on this site. Not showing class is a bad example to our children.
Why all the bitterness, Art M? Don't you think it's time to work proactively instead of being angry for actions done against you in the past? When someone feels they have been slighted, they should get "over it". Be a good example for the children who may look up to you and stop being angry. You are only making yourself look bad.
To Anonymous,
Why start with me? There are plenty of negative statements on this site regarding various topics. The person that I responded to was being ignorant. Did you go back and read what they stated? Why not start with that person.
The only reason that I started posting on this blog was because of the negative statements being made about Mr. Cook and the NOETF. Those comments started back on Jan 4 on this page. Again, so why start with me?
Plus, it your view that my statement was negative. It was not negative at all in my opinion. I just called it like I saw it.
And to imply that I do not have class or dignity is somewhat irresponsible on your part. It sounds to me that you are insulting me because you have a different opinion. So you need to check yourself.
Art M.
Art M,
I inferring that everyone needs to clean up their act. I'm sorry that you have a defense mechanism that makes you believe that I was addressing your comment alone. Specifically, I am disgusted with comments that you have made. I will not deny that. I only hope you and the other detractors can find some sort of peace and move on with your life. From reading this blog I can tell that I am not the only one that would like you to clean up your act.
Now I am bitter about the past and you are assuming that I am black.
And who has brought the past up? I have not. There is nothing for me to get over. I am happy with my life and I sleep well at night.
The negative comments are fine when they are about Mr. Cook or the NOETF. Are the people that insult those two parties negative or bitter?
And I am making myself look bad? Are the people that insult Mr. Cook or the NOETF making themselves look bad? Are they being good role models for the children that may look up to them?
And again, I am not the least bit angry. I'm just flipping the script on those who are making negative comments about individuals and groups that they know nothing or very little about. The spoon always seems twice as big, when you get a taste of your own medicine, huh?
Art M.
What defense mechanism? Over 95% of your response was directed at me. In fact, it was addressed to me. If it was meant for everyone, you should have addressed it to everyone.
My life is good. I'm retired, healthy and enjoying life and my grandchildren. I will continue to respond as long as I deem it necessary. And I applaud the site host for allowing everyone's voice to be heard.
Lastly, it's not an act. It's my opinion and I have a right to it. You can always choose not to view the blog if it bothers you that much.
Art M.
Art M,
What is your feeling about uniforms? I'm not opposed to them, per se, but I don't know if having uniforms would increase education.
Can you share with us your feelings?
Sideline Spectator,
I think that uniforms have worked in some major cities where clothing is used to show gang affiliation. I have heard that there is gang activity here, but to what extent, I am not sure.
Clothing can affect a child's self esteem, as children can become cruel, and tease someone that is not sporting the latest fashion trends. Uniforms can prevent some of that.
I believe uniforms have some merit, but I am not sure how much of an impact it would have. But this is my opinion minus any research. I would need to read up on this topic to gain a greater understanding.
Art M.
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