posted on September 10, 2004 06:07:31 PM new
her teachers, administrators and fellow students! Today, Louisa May Alcott school in Cleveland, where my granddaughter is a first grader, was presented the No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence. They were one of only 250 schools in the country to receive it and the only urban school to even have been nominated! Good job everyone!!
25% of the students in this school are special needs students with talent that is not to be believed. It is a racially balanced school and is proving that each and every child in this country regardless of race or socioeconomic status can be taught and can excel! I am so proud to be a part of this school.
Our local TV station (Fox 8 Cleveland) was there and what a disappointment. In typical fashion, the first story they air is about how our schools' CEO's home was broken into and how she needs to be protected, yadda, yadda, yadda (boo, hoo how sad). Her life is in danger so we must pay to protect her. Geeze, my home has been broken into and I can count on one hand how many minutes the police spent on our case (not including the 12 hours or so it took them to respond). They spent a good three minutes on this story. (My granddaughter's class was shown at this point - geeze she looks cute on TV.) Finally, toward the end of the news they told the audience about the award. This got less than one minute coverage. I'm sure they will get plenty of email because they weren't invited to the event to discuss the CEO's break-in woes. This event was not about her. It was about the children, the teachers and the administrative staff of the school and the hard work they do each and every day. So, while the school gets a hip-hip hurrah, Fox 8 News gets a great big boo.
Congrats, Tiffy, good job!
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 10, 2004 06:17:56 PM new
cheryl, your grandaughter, her class, the educators at her school, and particularly the parents, who undoubtedly go way beyond what has become the norm today in supporting their kids' education are to be congratulated. The feds may have been involved with handing out the prize, but it was the local folks who earned it, every bit of it. Congratulations!
posted on September 10, 2004 06:33:57 PM new
Thank, prof. What I find amazing is that almost every classroom has at one time or another a parent volunteering to assist the teacher. Tiffany's class has 33 students in it. There is only one first grade class. Even with the number of students in a classroom, they are excelling. The participation of parents, grandparent's, other family members and the community is absolutely essential for educational success. In fact, my mother is now volunteering at the school and once the elections are over, I will be volunteering as well. It also helps to have an amazing prinicipal. Mrs. Burg goes above and beyond.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 10, 2004 07:11:09 PM new "25% of the students in this school are special needs students with talent that is not to be believed. It is a racially balanced school and is proving that each and every child in this country regardless of race or socioeconomic status can be taught and can excel! I am so proud to be a part of this school."
That's a remarkable achievement, Cheryl!!! You and your granddaughter along with all the others just mentioned by Profe deserve to be so proud.
posted on September 10, 2004 07:28:54 PM new
Teachers "run" in our family so I can really appreciate your school's, and your grandaughter's, accomplishments.
posted on September 10, 2004 08:43:28 PM new
Cheryl, congrats to Tiffy and her school!!
btw, isnt no child left behind a Bush initiative? Or was that from the Clinton era? I forget!
..
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~~ Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues(forces)of life..Proverbs 4:23~~
posted on September 10, 2004 08:48:15 PM new
twelve
To answer your question, no Fox was not the only one. Also, the Secretary of Education from Washington was there to present the award. So, yes, it was a big deal.
Neroter
No Child Left Behind is Bush. However, this award has been around longer than him. He just changed the name a bit. Surprise!
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 11, 2004 06:27:46 AM new
So instead of continuing the joy and adulations the children, teachers felt for doing a job well done, you decided to focus on the negative about your envy of the School Superintendent... who also played a part in winning that recognition...
All should of been congratulated but then class but then recognizing that excellence begins at the top would mean congratulating someone who you have lambasted here on these boards before.
Congrats to ALL of the Cleveland schools and to the teachers and board members for making it happen...
posted on September 11, 2004 06:55:36 AM new
Example of student who missed every English class but graduated anyway:
So instead of continuing the joy and adulations the children, teachers felt for doing a job well done, you decided to focus on the negative about your envy of the School Superintendent... who also played a part in winning that recognition...
All should of been congratulated but then class but then recognizing that excellence begins at the top would mean congratulating someone who you have lambasted here on these boards before.
WHERE does Cheryl show ANY jealousy ? NO WHERE!
Her complaint was that FOX concentrated too much on a break-in connected with the school than on the accomplishments of the school. WHY do neocons think if you criticize something you're jealous....maybe because they're jealous of everybody ???YUP!
posted on September 11, 2004 06:57:49 AM new
ahhh the liar crowfart chimed in... can't even keep her own word and has the gall to question others.... how amusing.
posted on September 11, 2004 07:45:32 AM new
Congratulations! Cheryl and Tiffy.. What a breath of fresh air to hear something Positive for a change!
After months of dirty politics and mud slinging, we need a reminder that there is fresh air and sunshine, and sweet smiles on freckled faces, our hope for a brighter future. Thanks for sharing! Maggie
posted on September 11, 2004 07:53:06 AM new
And, twelve, just how much do you know about Barbara Byrd-Bennett? She is not well liked and for good reason. SHE is not the reason this school excels. It excels despite her. Her salary remains intolerably high while schools are left short of teachers, staff and supplies. Yes, I object to money donated and earmarked for passage of a school levy to be used to provide her with more body guards.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Sep 11, 2004 08:04 AM ]
posted on September 11, 2004 08:04:16 AM new
Oh, and twelve, Byrd-Bennett is NOT the superintendent. She's the CEO. Her breakin losses: less than $300.
School security guard OT soars after break-in Byrd-Bennett's home burglarized
Friday, September 10, 2004
Janet Okoben and Ebony Reed
Plain Dealer Reporters
When Cleveland schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett's home was burglarized last month, the district's security staff responded in force.
Nineteen security guards racked up nearly $10,000 in overtime following the Aug. 2 break-in.
They kept an almost constant watch on the school leader's East Side townhouse in the first few days after the burglary. Night vigils and then sporadic patrols continued for weeks.
Byrd-Bennett reported to police that wine and a CD player, with a total value of $245, were stolen. She later found luggage and garden tools also were missing.
But her personal safety rather than the lost property is at issue, she said, adding that she has been the subject of death threats.
Taxpayers picked up a tab of almost $2,000 for guards assigned to watch the house during their regular shifts with the district's roving mobile unit.
But the money to pay for the 289 hours of overtime will come from private contributions to the campaign for a $68 million tax increase in November, said campaign manager Arnold Pinkney.
The campaign's budget includes $20,000 for security, Pinkney said. The decision to pay for Byrd-Bennett's protection was made immediately after the break-in because of her high-profile role in the campaign, he said. No money has been transferred yet.
James Lee, spokesman for the Ohio secretary of state's office, said Ohio law allows campaign committees to use money to "influence elections or make charitable contributions." When asked if Byrd-Bennett's security would qualify, he said the Ohio Elections Commission would decide in the event a citizen complaint is filed.
Police say they have no suspects in the break-in and have made no arrests. But Byrd-Bennett is convinced the burglary was the work of someone who knew where she lived.
"This was not random," Byrd-Bennett said. "This was . . . a message."
She and other district officials said the burglary may be connected to written and verbal threats she has received, particularly since more than 1,000 district employees were laid off in the spring and summer.
Even before the break-in, Byrd-Bennett was and continues to be protected by two security guards who are available to her 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On a typical morning, one of the guards picks her up in a district-owned Crown Victoria, provided under her contract.
The guard drives her wherever she goes on school business, even as far as Columbus or Detroit if she has a meeting to attend or a school to visit. School business also includes Byrd-Bennett's appearance in a parade or at an event like the local Soap Box Derby.
At night, the guard drives her home and escorts her into her house.
The two officers, Charles Scott and Will Morris, are paid $68,000 and $45,000 a year, respectively. They are not part of the union representing security guards, so they do not qualify for overtime, said Lisa Marie Ruda, the district's chief of staff.
Scott and Morris train other guards and provide security for other school officials, but their primary assignment is Byrd-Bennett, Ruda said.
Byrd-Bennett demanded bodyguards as a condition of her employment in Cleveland. Before coming here in 1998, she was the target of threats while an administrator in the New York City public schools. During a period of controversy about community control of schools, gunshots were fired through her office window and she was forced to crawl across the floor to escape.
Mayor Jane Campbell said in a statement that Byrd-Bennett is a valuable resource and she supports the school chief's extra security.
Byrd-Bennett's security detail is similar to the one assigned to Campbell, who officially heads the district.
Campbell has two guards assigned to her full time. An additional guard is assigned to protect and transport her two daughters.
Last year, Campbell guard Andre Cisco made $92,949, including $43,136 in overtime pay. Her other guard, Kevin Berry, made $83,050, including $32,762 in overtime pay. Jean Joyce, assigned to Campbell's children, made $76,638, including $28,067 for overtime.
David Fitz, a spokesman for Campbell, said the overtime costs for those officers have dropped significantly this year.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 11, 2004 08:26:05 AM newYes you mean this award winner and smart enough to garner a $270,000/year job...
Ah, let's not forget the perks. . .there are thousands of dollars worth.
Tell that to the children who are learning with 33+ kids per class, with old books that are falling apart and no supplies. Tell that to the first graders who no longer have school bus service and must walk sometimes through tough neighborhoods. Tell that to the teachers that have been laid off and those who are working and buying their own supplies or tell that to the janitorial staff or the school lunch ladies who no longer have jobs. I'm sure they'll understand her need of that salary.
You cannot justify $10,000+ in overtime for a $300 breakin no matter what kind of math you use.
You talk a good talk. Fortunately, most of us know it's garbage.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on September 11, 2004 08:57:57 AM new
This school sounds like a NFP school instead of a school supported by taxpayers. If I am wrong please tell me.
I have a special needs grandchild which goes to a taxpayer school and gets many benefits as do most special needs children do in our city.
This is a "No Child Left Behind" program and I have to admit that in the 3 years she has been going to the special needs school that in a year she will not need the attention anymore because of all the help she received.
No matter what the school is and who the CEO is children have to be congratulated on the accomplishments that they do.
You have to remember that Fox News is
probably only a 15 minute news program, and they have a lot of news to report. No doubt other news was very short also. Most News programs give more to sports than news but I don't know why.
Congratulations to your granddaughter and to the school for their accomplishments.
posted on September 11, 2004 09:01:06 AM new
ahhh the liar crowfart chimed in... can't even keep her own word and has the gall to question others.... how amusing.
posted on September 11, 2004 09:29:06 AM new
Libra
Believe it or not, this is a Cleveland Public School. As the secretary of education pointed out, this school shows that anything is possible if you do it right!
twelve
While it may sound like I have no respect for Byrd-Bennett, that's not the case. Although, with some of the stunts she has pulled in the past, there are those that would like to stuff her in a birdhouse. This school survives on the donations of the corporate sponsors, parents and community. Not on what Byrd-Bennett has done for it. She didn't even come to the event. It's the only Cleveland School to have won the award. The event was about the children and NOT about her woes. I stand by that 100%. Even the principal asked the press not to make it political.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
