Prescott Teachers Battle ‘New Leaders’ Tyrant…
May 15, 2009
Substancenews.net
The Renaissance 2010 Plan is to privatize and close as many public schools and reopen them as charter or contract schools with no union representation and less public oversight.
This plan is also being implemented inside public schools where the new administration is on a witch hunt to drive out tenured teachers — using "unsatisfactory" teacher ratings and other bureaucratic means — and bring in new, young teachers to implement a program based heavily on the onerous testing requirements of No Child Left Behind.
[img=487]The current case at Prescott Elementary School, located at 1632 W. Wrightwood on the western edge of Chicago's wealthy Lincoln Park neigh-borhood, is a vivid example of the Chicago Board of Education’s drive to con-tinue teacher bashing and implement a rigid testing and assessment regime. A new principal (who was fired by the Local School Council at Ravenswood Elementary School after battling with the teachers) has come to Prescott this school year to go to war against the teaching staff.
Veteran teachers 'unsatisfactory' to new principal
Veteran teachers with superior ratings over the years are suddenly receiving unsatisfactory ratings. Hard-working clerks and teacher aids are being put on suspension with no pay due to questionable charges, and what teachers characterize as "psychological terror" has forced three teachers to go on medical leave. A few others were forced to leave mid-year, according to Prescott teachers, some of whom have filed grievances and complained to the Board of Education, Chicago Teachers Union and local politicians.
So far, however, nobody has come to the defense of the teachers.
"We’ve been set up to fail," said Prescott CTU delegate Suzanne Dunn, who was just elected to the LSC. Dunn told Substance that she has been reassigned as Prescott's new 8th grade math teacher — after teaching Special Education for years. This is a tactic principals use to drive out tenured teachers because she has no Middle School endorsement, Dunn said.
Controversial new principal takes over
Prescott Local School Council meeting on May 12, 2009. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt.Erin Roche just signed a four-year contract to serve as the principal at Prescott Elementary School at the beginning of the 2008 – 2009 school year.
But Roche had already tried (and failed) what he is doing at Prescott at another nearby elementary school, Ravenswood. At Ravenswood, Roche had given many teachers an unsatisfactory rating at the end of a school year, alleg-edly after he found out which teachers supported his ouster.
According to Michael Kane, a field rep for the Chicago Teachers Union, the Ravenswood case was referred to the CPS Labor Relations Board, and the seven teachers’ ratings that were changed from superior to satisfactory by Roche were "rescinded."
"It seems history is repeating itself, as Mr. Roche appears to have a master plan to rid Prescott School of all the teachers and staff employed there before his arrival," stated a letter addressed to State Representative John Fritchey, signed by 14 Prescott teachers and teacher aids.
The letter included the following grievances: placing a school clerk on two separate suspensions without pay; terminating two non-tenured teachers; trying to fire a former Golden Apple Teacher nominee due to an unsatisfactory rating; and the attempted closing of two Special Education programs in June 2009.
'Serious instructional weaknesses' -- or pretexts to purge veteran teachers?
Amy Zellman, the school’s literacy coach, who will be terminated at the end of the year due to "serious instructional weaknesses," according to Roche's version of reality. She said Roche told her during his lengthy teacher evaluations that one of the weaknesses he perceived was that she had the shades pulled down in her classroom when he observed. He said that was wrong because "research shows" children learn better in the sun. Zellman said she then tried to explain to the new principal that at certain times of the day the sun would be directly in the children’s eyes, and some would not be able to see anything because of the glare.
Prescott Principal Erin Roche (left) and LSC member Jennifer Lister (right) during the LSC meeting on May 12. Roche demanded that Substance questions be put in writing and refused to answer questions that were not in writing. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt."He came in with an agenda to get rid of us all, and we’re not a turnaround school," Zellman said. "He has found 'instructional weaknesses' that are not statistically possible."
The Prescott case is probably being closely watched by the pro-charter privatization zealots to see how one can break a unionized school with tenured teachers and destroy any so-called protections unions offer its employees. Prescott already seems to be trying to send its eighth graders to charter high schools, rather than to regular public high schools, according to a report at the May meeting of the school's Local School Council (LSC).
Union support weak as persecutions grow
Despite the questionable charges Roche is using to suspend one teacher and two educational support personnel — a teacher’s aid and the school clerk — the school's CTU field rep Gregg Cox has not been able to convince the Labor Relations Board to drop the demeaning charges.
Zellman is the third teacher to go on leave from the school due to the undue stress she has had to endure under his brief reign. She said she was frightened to even go to a one-on-one meeting in his office just after another employee had accused the principal of sexual harassment.
Lilia Cano is the school secretary who he has suspended twice, the second time for 15 days with no pay. She is currently out on workman’s comp due to an injury on the job that she attributed to her boss.
She said her problems at work began when he wanted her to leave and offered to write a recommendation, but she did not agree right away. He then started faulting her for petty things, like not filing things on time that she says are not true. She was then placed on suspension without pay.
Cano said Roche told her that if she had sex with him everything would be ok. She then filed a police report before contacting the CPS Law Department. According to Cano, the Law Department interviewed Roche and determined that because it was only her word against his, they could not pursue the case.
Perhaps even more disturbing has been the union’s lack of support for its dues paying members.
Cano, a school clerk, said at the second disciplinary hearing before the Labor Relations Board, her union representative, June Davis, did not defend Cano, and told her privately not to fight but rather go look for another job.
"June Davis only said at the hearing that I have to do better," Cano said by phone. "I said 'You’re supposed to fight for me!' But she just said to transfer to another school." CTU staff members contacted by Substance have referred messages to the union's publicist, Rose Maria Genova. Genova then refuses to comment on the record about the incidents while blocking access to the staff involved.
'New Leaders for New Schools' Program to Purge Veteran Teachers?
Roche is a product of the "New Leaders for New Schools" training of principals. According to information provided to Substance, he served as the assistant principal at Boone Elementary and Noble Street Charter School, among other places.
According to teacher Kathy Jacobs, the 'New Leaders' program includes a 60-page Rand Report which includes counseling out so-called 'low-performing' teachers who don’t buy into a principal's philosophy and 'rigor-ous curriculum and data driven instruction.' The aim of the program seems to be to create an executive class of principals — the "CEOs of the schools" — just as executives in private business (especially banking) have created the greatest economic crisis in modern times.
Roche's behavior, whatever his instructional philosophy, has struck most teachers as bizarre.
"He cut off all our padlocks on the cabinets without telling us and he threw out all the textbooks," Jacobs said. Jacobs said his reports when he suspends teachers or teacher aids or gives unsatisfactory ratings are silly.
"He’ll say stuff like 'Research says you shouldn’t take any more than 16 to 19 seconds to move from center to center' — and these are eight year olds," Jacobs told Substance. "In my whole 36 years of teaching I have never heard of teachers being suspended without pay."
Zellman, who serves as the literacy coach, said Roche implemented a new reading and writing program — courtesy, he said, of the Erickson Institute — that is based on read alouds with no textbooks, something especially difficult for English language learners or others who need extra help.
Erickson Institute bashing tenure, veteran teachers
Another Erickson Institute feature he tried to force the teachers to do is videotaping.
According to Debbie Hines, the fourth grade teacher, the administration was asking all the teachers to agree to videotaping lessons in their classrooms. When Hines said she refused, Jeffery Porter, the principal-in-training, said that this would hurt her teacher evaluation.
Several of the teachers, including veteran Jacobs, said they felt pressured into having to agree to being videotaped because of the fear the new regime has instilled to punish any so-called 'insubordination' with suspensions or other forms of punishment.
"(Jacobs) said he had this crazy smile on his face and she said it scared her," teacher Brenda Chandler said. Chandler added that it was very unfair to make the teachers perform a lesson on guided reading in front of a camera after only one day of training at the Erickson Institute. She said she is sure that this was to set up the teachers to fail because they are not familiar with teaching the "Erickson" way.
"When I told him I didn’t feel comfortable doing it, he said to call the union and that no one could stop it," Chandler said. But that’s just what CPS ordered after the legal department was contacted. The Law Department issued a "cease and desist" order to stop all videotaping without the consent of those to be videotaped, according to the teachers.
Driving out special education and English language learners
Another feature of Roche’s high-stakes testing philosophy is driving out programs — much as charters have been known to do — that would interfere with a goal of raising the testing 'bottom line.'
This year most of the Special Education program is being eliminated and transferred to other schools, while the bilingual ESL teacher has gone on medical leave due to the constant harassment and criticism of her program that includes native language instruction which is mandated by state law.
This is especially curious, many teachers say, given Roche’s background. Teachers told Substance that Roche served in Honduras in the Peace Corps, and worked with the Chicago Public Schools in creating Telpochcalli, a school dedicated to developing bilingual English/Spanish students.
Prescott teachers also noted that he does not publish the newsletter in Spanish, even though the school is primarily Hispanic and one LSC member needs Spanish translation.
Naomi Counter-Ohiri is a parent whose child is in the TMH (trainable mentally handicap) program.
She said she lives in the neighborhood and depends on her local school’s services. However, if Roche's cuts in special education are implemented in June, her daughter will have to travel more than nine miles by bus to McNair School in the Austin neighborhood for the same program.
She said her daughter doesn’t adjust well to changing environments, which will only add to her dysfunction. She told Substance she finds it disturbing that the school will promote a pre-kindergarten tuition-based program and a second pre-k program for all while kicking out vulnerable children who need special services.
"It’s almost like they’re trying to put them back in the closest so no one can see them," said special education teacher Brenda Chandler, who is also experiencing harassment from her new principal. "Before you didn’t know if they had a sister or brother because they didn’t go to school and were hid from sight and the Board is taking them back to that."
At least some of the school's special education families are reportedly preparing a complaint charging Roche with violations of Illinois and federal law in his purging of the special education children and programs from Prescott.
Questions about testing focus. Some support for Roche
Another Prescott teacher noted that there were no Halloween costumes allowed, no assemblies and no Valentine’s Day parties, and parties are to be kept very short because they "take away from learning."
Learning in this case seems to be devoted to raising test scores and creating what Roche calls an "elite" school based exclusively on standardized testing and numbers.
Play, considered a very important part of a child’s emotional development, is being driven out thanks to the testing drive which is used as a sole criteria to close many Chicago public schools.
On the other hand, there are those who believe in the changes Roche has brought to the school.
For example, one primary teacher who wished to remain anonymous said Prescott had no reading programs in place before Roche arrived, and now he has implemented "several successful ones."
A number of Ravenswood parents on the District299 blog (www.district299.com) also supported the controversial administrator before he was ousted from Ravenswood, while it became clear over time the majority opposed his methods.
"Mr. Roche at Ravenswood is a principal who is doing everything right," said one anonymous parent blogger during lengthy discussions about the controversial principal more than a year ago. "By all accounts, in four short years in his post, he has made Ravenswood a model of what CPS appears to be trying to accomplish city-wide: truly diverse (both economically and culturally) and a school with strong instructional vision."
There were also many on the District299 blog who applauded his removal: "Mr. Roche is a bully in the worse form," another blogger wrote. "Perhaps if he tried to work with the teachers and the parents who needed help the most he would have gotten more votes."
Anonymous blogging is a growing means by which parents, teachers and students are expressing their concerns about many Chicago schools.
LSC conflicts
According to the teachers, Jennifer Lister, the vice president of the Prescott LSC, was instrumental in bringing Roche to the school from Ravenswood. Her goal is to make Prescott an "elite" school in the neighborhood, with the word elite used regularly in the school’s newsletter.
Lister did not respond to Substance for an interview.
It appears Roche has backers at the top to continue his reign of terror on the current teaching staff in order to implement his vision of a new school.
Flavia Hernandez, "Chief Officer of Elementary Areas and Schools" for Chicago Public Schools, said the Board fully supports Roche’s tactics to implement change at the school. "In summary, Prescott School was in need of change (you agreed), which Mr. Roche is implementing. Rest assured that the Area 6 Instruction Officer will continue to support the principal on reflecting on his approach to improve the school’s instructional focus, climate and atmosphere," Hernandez wrote in a letter to the Prescott teachers dated March 24.
Roche refuses to answer Substance questions
At the recent May 12 LSC meeting, Roche told Substance to submit all questions in writing beforehand. The last time such a strange request was made to this reporter was in Moscow by the U.S. Ambassador to Russia Thomas Pickering, considered at one point a front-runner for the position of Sec-retary of State in the Clinton administration.
While one of the highest ranking state department officials in 1994 granted this reporter an interview, Roche, the Chicago primary school principal, has refused to respond to the written questions, such as why would the school have a substitute teaching the 8th grade when so much emphasis is being placed on placing Prescott graduates into "elite" city high schools.
When pressed in his office after the LSC meeting about his prior experience at Ravenswood, Roche looked hard and then said in passing that "everyone has their own opinions."
What is happening at Prescott is similar to what is happening to many schools in gentrified areas where Hispanic and African American children are being driven out of wealthy areas on the north side to be replaced with higher income students.
Carpenter School was closed this year and will be replaced by the new magnet Ogden High School, LaSalle Academy is replacing Andersen School in Wicker Park and the Disney Magnet II Elementary School has replaced Irving Park Middle School located in an area surrounded by million dollar homes. All three are Latino schools that have been closed or are being phased out.
The 'flushing a school' of veteran teachers philosophy
Many of the teachers fully supported Roche when he was named the new principal last summer. The Prescott teachers remember their first meeting with their new principal.
"He said there will be a lot of changes in here and if you don’t agree I will do everything I can to help you find another place to go," Dunn said. "He also said it takes eight years to flush a school."
Roche’s two formal goals are to increase student enrollment and student achievement.
"Last year, when I arrived at Prescott, CPS insiders were considering closing Prescott. This clear strategic plan contributed to convincing them to remove our school from the closing list," Roche wrote in the April Prescott newsletter for parents.
As a result of the reform efforts, Roche wrote, the district has increased funding to the school, including $10,000 to re-surface the parking lot and playground, $15,000 to install wrought-iron fencing around the playground, $25,000 to improve and secure tresses in the school roof and $5,000 to remove peeling paint.
Many public schools — such as Gallistel on the far south side — have been requesting funds for years to fix their buildings but have yet to receive the funding that CPS officials say they do not have.
One teacher questioned how devoted the principal is to the children according to his allocation of technology funding. The school allocated $4,000 for computers for the children, yet $10,000 for two computers for the administration.
Chandler said her early childhood special education program has been closed and moved to a non-disclosed location.
"You don’t move out what you already have in place, Chandler said. "He’s clearly discriminating against the special ed kids."
Chandler added that Roche claimed the Office of Special Services called to tell him that they are moving the program intact to another location with the teacher and the students. Less than a week later Chandler found out that her students were going to five different existing early childhood special education programs.
"Generally the OSS never closes or moves their programs because the principals have the right to determine if they want special education programs and the principals have agreed taking them," Chandler said.
At Substance press time, it appears that a major complaint to state and federal authorities will cause a review of Roche's attempts to get rid of most of the school's special education programs.
LSC machinations
Control of the Local School Council is the key to a principal staying in power. According to Jacobs, the LSC needed four votes to oust Roche at Ravenswood, which was accomplished when two teachers convinced two parents to vote out the controversial headmaster, perhaps sparking his later revenge on the teachers by lowering their evaluation ratings.
This year it seems Roche has got his eggs in order. According to Chandler, Lister has packed the Prescott LSC with several community members, while one of the teacher representatives who Roche hired was elected over a veteran teacher under suspect conditions. Dunn, the current CTU delegate battling Roche, was later elected to the LSC, thanks largely to "poll watchers."
One reason demanding high-income parents may like Roche is his ap-pearance. Chandler noted that he knows every child’s name, something parents appreciate, while a beautiful mosaic is being completed on the outside of the building to give the appearance of an excellent school.
"This is the first principal I worked for who knows all the kids’ first names," said Chandler who has worked 30 years as a teacher. "But it doesn’t mean anything in terms of what’s happening inside the building."
Roche has also played the teachers off each other to make them do his dirty work. Chandler explained that there are those he just hired who will not associate with the rest of the teaching staff that is being harassed, while others who thought early on that they were among the "in" people Roche favored. The tables were then quickly turned and an all out war was declared on any remaining vestiges of staff hired before his arrival.
Two months ago CTU president Marilyn Stewart and a handful of staff members met with the Prescott teachers for two hours to hear their horror stories. Stewart told them there is a similar situation at Gunsaulus Elemen-tary on the southside and that she would call CPS Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins that night. She also suggested that the Gunsaulus teachers get together with the Prescott teachers and meet with Chicago school’s chief Ron Huberman, Dunn said.
The teachers have not heard from Stewart since that meeting and she brushed it off at the recent Chicago teacher’s delegates meeting May 6 when questioned about it. Prescott delegate Dunn asked Stewart if she actually called Eason-Wakins.
"I called her that night and she said she’d call someone over to investigate," Stewart told Dunn at the meeting.
So far the only known investigation by CPS was the report by the chief of the Chicago elementary schools who fully supports Roche and his controversial, if not downright sadistic, ways.
When Substance tried to contact CTU field rep Cox — who the teachers say rarely returns their phone calls and has done very little to support them — Rose-Marie Genova, the CTU’s publicist, returned the call and said she would ask Stewart what efforts are being made to rectify the situation. Genova never returned Substance’s subsequent calls to clarify if Stewart plans on doing anything to protect her members whose livelihoods are being de-stroyed and their reputations slandered.
In the meantime, what some teachers are calling "the house of horrors" on Wrightwood and Ashland continues. The day after Substance visited the LSC meeting and expressed incredulity that Lister and the Board did not allow any public participation, Lister and some other members tried to observe learning in the teachers’ classrooms the next day, something reserved for the administration.
And Roche continues to wield his power with the Board of Ed perhaps looking nervously on as his actions look more and more like someone psychotic working with children and their teachers.
"This man is crazy," said Zellman. "We have to get him out!" 
Comments:
By: An American
Great Article
Well written! Bravo! This sounds like a political nightmare. Like the government the working people are the ones that suffer. How can someone gain so much belief in people that the followers are blind to the affects of the real people? It seems like the principle, teh union, the LSC, and part of the board is turning a blind eye. I understand change and reform, but read any respected leadership and/or book about making changes and it can not be done this fast. The ones who suffer are the kids who are here during this change now. Don’t the LSC and Mr. Roche see this? Do a gradual change. If it takes eight years then give it eight years of gradual change. Teachers leaving, people bickering, and divided teams is this a place you would want your kids to be right now? Put yourself in their shoes for once? Yes, sometimes a change or reform is needed, but you do not step on peoples lively hoods to do it. They have families too. Karma is real and always remember America was built on immigrants. Some of our greatest leaders came from inner city schools. Everyone can not be smart so do not punish the ones are not. They still need to be taught. Segragation has ended!\r\rNarcissistic leadership is a thing of the past; even the greatest leaders already have figured that out! \r
By: Devoted Teacher
Teacher in the community
thank you substance for bringing this situation to the for-front. Substance will get my subscription donation this week. Substance News did a very thorough job to report the occurrences at Prescott. Hopefully, someone from the Chicago Board Members will listen and investigate and interview current and those teachers that were forced to leave. Once question though, did anyone interview the teachers who were forced to leave or who are on medical leave? Great informative article for those of us who aren't familiar with what is going on at Prescott!
By: fedup
glass houses
To: Long time parent at Prescott
You sound like you think you know what is going on. Have you spent much time in the school? Did you observe any classes? How do you know exactly that the teachers haven't been held accountable in the past? Do you have a degree in educational leadership? Certainly you must have one in english or writing.
Change does not have to be hard. Actually, it can be wonderful and easy if the circumtances are right and you have a great leader with a clear vision. Roche claims to have spent an awful lot of money this year to train all the teachers to use his amazing new curriculum (the one that doesn't provide books for the students). From the sound of things in the article none of the exisiting Prescott teachers were able to do very well with the new curriculum. That seems strange as I believe most of the teachers hold at least a master's degree with many years of teaching experience. It is easy to make wrong assumtions; and you know what they say about making assumtions. They will make an XXX out of you and the ones who choose to listen to your unresearched and unproven statements.
Go spend some time in the school with some of the teachers you are so quickly throwing under the bus and then report back.
In the future if you choose to publicly critique others writing, you really should sign your name and offer advice if you are that knowledgable. Also offer up your place of business so the teachers may all come and critique you even if they don't have a clue what you do. Oh, but see, that is the difference. A teacher would research your profession before making any decisions about your worthiness of employment. Shame on you.
I am so thankful that my parents supported and worked WITH my teachers in grade school.
I was able to get a wonderful education without experiencing stress and conflict. It must be hard for your kid(s) to deal with.
By: Ravenswood teacher
teacher whose rating was lowered as well
I was also the receipant of a lowered rating at Ravenswood under Roche. Here is the problem...He lowered 7 teacher's ratings, but during a RATING YEAR he only evaluated those 7 teachers, so the ratings were rescinded by the new administration (as per Labor Relations). He didn't even bother rating the rest of the staff!!! Roche doesn't follow rules. At Ravenswood, he misappropriated LRE funds and had to pay the State back, he never got approval to move money from the internal accounts into the budget, he never got approval to move money from one budget line to the next (when it was over $1000 it is supposed to be approved by the LSC), and he "lost" 7 computers that were purchased for student usage and never filed a police report. He does whatever he wants to do and feel that he doesn't have to follow the rules. Our school was a hot mess when the new principal came in. We are STILL finding things out that he didn't do and should have done as prinicpal. Parents, begin asking to see the LSC minutes to see whether or not he asked for permission to move money. The minutes are public record and all schools must house them in case the public wants to view them.
I am not sure why the officials at CPS aren't listening to this story. They ABSOLUTELY know what he has done, at least at Ravenswood. The things that you have reported in your article are the exact types of things that he did at our school too. He is an egomainac and feels that he is above the law.
Those of you on the LSC who may be on the fence about Roche, make sure you ask him to show you the budget each month from the actual ORACLE system and not from fancy EXCEL spreadsheets that he created. Keep track of where money is moved from and to. If more than $1000 is moved, it requires LSC approval. He NEVER got approval from our LSC. He just did whatever he wanted.
He is a slimeball and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and will do so in the most calm, passive manner possible. Passive-aggressive people are the most dangerous. That is exactly what Erin Roche is...dangerous!
By: ANGRY PARENT
TOGETHER WE FIGHT!!!
WHY DONT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND PROTEST IN FRONT OF BOARD OF ED BUILDING??? PARENTS, TEACHER, AND FORMER TEACHERS, STAFF, COMMUNITY AND ALL SUPPORTERS FROM RAVENSWOOD SCHOOL, SO WE CAN GET SOMEONES ATTENTION AND BE HEARD...(RON HUBERMAN) IM SURE SOMEONE WILL WILLTAKE OUR SIDE AND DO SOMETHING TO SAVE THESE GREA TEACHERS AT PRESCOTTT.
By: UPSET FORMER EMPLOYEE
GREAT TEACHERS AT PRESCOTT
HELLO IAM A FORMER EMPLOYEE,WHATS GOING AT PRESCOTT IS VERY UP SETTING TO ME MY POSITION WAS CLOSED WITHOUT ME BEING TOLD ANYTHING UNTIL I CAME TO WORK I WAS ASKED WHY ARE YOU HERE ,I WAS TOLD THAT MY POSITION WAS CLOSED DUE TO A BUDGET REDUCTIONS,THEN I FOUND OUT THAT TWO PEOPLE WAS WORKING IN MY POSITION I HAVE BEING AT PRESCOTT FOR 19 YEARS ALWAYS DONE MY JOB ALWAYS KEEPING A VERY GOOD LEADERSHIP ,WORKING WITH THE PARENTS AND STAFF,ALWAYS THERE FOR THE CHILDREN IAM VERY UPSET ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN TO ME I DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO PERPARE MYSELF FOR WHAT HAVE HAPPEN TO ME,IAM STILL UNEMPLOYED I WOULD HOPE THAT SOMEONE STARTED A INVESTIGATE WITH MR ROCHE AND WHAT HE IS DOING AT PRESCOTT ,THANKS TO SUBSTANCE NEWS PLEASE EVERYONE AT PRESCOTT LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD THIS IS FOR OUR CHILDREN
By: There's a New Day Coming
He Won't Prevail
Pastor Martin Niemöller said in 1960:
"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then... they came for me... And by that time there was no one left to speak up."
Everyone who is on the fence about Roche, better understand that he has been reported twice to have said that he is doing a clean sweep of Prescott teachers.
Parents and community members who think they know the situation because they are looking in from the outside—they don’t. They wouldn’t allow themselves to be treated the way Prescott teachers are being treated every single day. Jennifer Lister would wail the loudest. She lost her mind when she was accused of forcing out the Hispanic families from meetings where choices are made.
No one should have to work under circumstances like those at Prescott and still be responsible for teaching children. Teachers dread having anything to do with him. When Roche is challenged in any way about anything, he finds a way to retaliate. And no, the teachers are not leaving. Roche brought all of this on himself. He’s the one who’s going to feel the door hitting him in the behind.
By: disappointed in the teachers
:(
I am in total shock of how all these teachers and staff members are attacking the LSC and the administration.
An educated and professional person does not need to slander and discredit a person so openly in public.
Students and parents are reading these comments and if that does not concern you then clearly the children do not come first at Prescott!!!
By: To: disappointed in the teachers
annoyed
Slander and discredit? That is exactly what this administration has done to this staff since they started "observing" the staff. No offers of help were ever given, no helping hand extended to help anyone improve their practice as a teacher. Just criticism from day one. As an educated person yourself, you should applaud these teachers and this staff for standing up for their beliefs! It's already been noted that their AIO doesn't care about them, their union doesn't care about them, the board of education doesn't care about them. Just where would you suggest they air their grievances? If you are unhappy at work, don't you share that info with others who care about you? I am so tired of all the teacher bashing!! These people are dedicated, hard working, talented individuals who do put the kids first, why else would we have chosen this profession? Please, enlighten us as to how you would handle all this differently? This is not petty ranting, but people being concerned with their futures who feel Roche should not be allowed to destroy their careers in the education field!
By: fed up with the cover up
To disappointed in the teachers.
TO: disappointed in teachers
May i ask, if everyone listend INITIALLY, the staff would not have brought all this out in the open. It could have been resolved if the right approach to management occurred. I beleive that some LSC members were notified verbally from Sept what was occurring at PRESCOTT. And, nothing was done. Did you question and investigate? I doubt it.
Simply put, if the current administration and some LSC members would have listened and put the current administration under the watchful eye, things would not have gotten out of hand. Unfortunately, no one listened.
The veteran teachers, medical leave teachers, and those who were FORCED to leave Prescott are good people who love teaching and are dedicated to the children and always think in the students need. And, are dedicated to Prescott and want the best for everyone.
Unfortunately, it appears looking from the outside, things look good and pretty with the improvements on the outside, but the working conditions and morale are a nightmare at the school and has been this way since September.
Questions to ask:
1. Why does administration get new computers Principal/vice prinicipal (the others were fine) and teachers are limited to their xeroxing or not enought enrichment reading books or new textbooks. Some teachers didnt have social studies books?
2. Why were locks taken off storage places and the BRAND NEW UNUSED TEXTBOOKS thrown in the garbage? Teachers were not given notice. They were thrwon out one weekend between Fri and Mon morning. And when questioned to Roche, he simply shrugged his shoulders. These books could have been given to students! After all, aren't we there for the children and to improve their scores and get the children into the highest performing schools?
3. What ever happened to the Goal that Roche said repeadily about improving enrollment? Enrollment is calculated for grades K-8? Thus, i believe it is down. And, he cancels the TMH programs? Sounds odd doesnt it?
4. Has anyone trained or guided the administration to the current management trends or styles. Management is not being brain smart!!! It is getting your staff to buy into change and work with them. NOT THREATEN TO FIRE, E3, or stress them out to either leave or go on medical leave.
Lastly, the children ultimately are ultimately feeling the affects of the current administration. Children, on numerous occasions have commented that they hate the principal and feel like they are in a prison. They and their parents have had to fight for graduation, low morale, no fun activities such as assemblies, room parties, our fun middle school extra curriculuar activities--that were done under the OLD administration. The only things that have been done with the new administration is to appease the new residents of the early primary grades. One wonders, why?
I am glad that finally, the children, the veteran parents, and teachers are finally being heard. Horray! Maybe, the children will finally get their due graduation (even if it isnt in the school where it has been historically). It is in a bank!!! Let me ask you, did the administration ask the 8th grade parents or children? Did they get their input? What about the after graduation party where cake and beverages are served. The old administration (Castillo and Mratinez) and the 8th grade homeroom teacher (Mr Poulakos), at least did that for the children. It is such a shame that the 8th grade students cant graduate at their school and have to go to a bank. It seems like the old administration and 8th grade teacher really cared about the 8th grade graduates.
Now, please someone from downtown listen and investigate!
By: fed up with the cover up
To disappointed in the teachers.
TO: disappointed in teachers
May i ask, if everyone listend INITIALLY, the staff would not have brought all this out in the open. It could have been resolved if the right approach to management occurred. I beleive that some LSC members were notified verbally from Sept what was occurring at PRESCOTT. And, nothing was done. Did you question and investigate? I doubt it.
Simply put, if the current administration and some LSC members would have listened and put the current administration under the watchful eye, things would not have gotten out of hand. Unfortunately, no one listened.
The veteran teachers, medical leave teachers, and those who were FORCED to leave Prescott are good people who love teaching and are dedicated to the children and always think in the students need. And, are dedicated to Prescott and want the best for everyone.
Unfortunately, it appears looking from the outside, things look good and pretty with the improvements on the outside, but the working conditions and morale are a nightmare at the school and has been this way since September.
Questions to ask:
1. Why does administration get new computers Principal/vice prinicipal (the others were fine) and teachers are limited to their xeroxing or not enought enrichment reading books or new textbooks. Some teachers didnt have social studies books?
2. Why were locks taken off storage places and the BRAND NEW UNUSED TEXTBOOKS thrown in the garbage? Teachers were not given notice. They were thrwon out one weekend between Fri and Mon morning. And when questioned to Roche, he simply shrugged his shoulders. These books could have been given to students! After all, aren't we there for the children and to improve their scores and get the children into the highest performing schools?
3. What ever happened to the Goal that Roche said repeadily about improving enrollment? Enrollment is calculated for grades K-8? Thus, i believe it is down. And, he cancels the TMH programs? Sounds odd doesnt it?
4. Has anyone trained or guided the administration to the current management trends or styles. Management is not being brain smart!!! It is getting your staff to buy into change and work with them. NOT THREATEN TO FIRE, E3, or stress them out to either leave or go on medical leave.
Lastly, the children ultimately are ultimately feeling the affects of the current administration. Children, on numerous occasions have commented that they hate the principal and feel like they are in a prison. They and their parents have had to fight for graduation, low morale, no fun activities such as assemblies, room parties, our fun middle school extra curriculuar activities--that were done under the OLD administration. The only things that have been done with the new administration is to appease the new residents of the early primary grades. One wonders, why?
I am glad that finally, the children, the veteran parents, and teachers are finally being heard. Horray! Maybe, the children will finally get their due graduation (even if it isnt in the school where it has been historically). It is in a bank!!! Let me ask you, did the administration ask the 8th grade parents or children? Did they get their input? What about the after graduation party where cake and beverages are served. The old administration (Castillo and Mratinez) and the 8th grade homeroom teacher (Mr Poulakos), at least did that for the children. It is such a shame that the 8th grade students cant graduate at their school and have to go to a bank. It seems like the old administration and 8th grade teacher really cared about the 8th grade graduates.
Now, please someone from downtown listen and investigate!
By: Prescott Parent
Keep the Faith
Credit goes to the new administration for trying to bring change to Prescott. The problem being the way they are doing so. It is rather frightening to hear that a few teachers are gone for medical reasons. Have not been witness to this before at Prescott. Many families are taking their children elsewhere and for good reason. Whether or not Mr. Roche is in his right mind should be looked into. But at least these children can get away and be educated in a pleasant, \'child-first\' environment. Ours won\'t. \r\rThank you to Substance for listening to teachers and parents concerns. I am glad to hear that there are still some with a conscience. It is not without a doubt that Mr. Roche did not want to answer questions, especially without advance written notice. That\'s his trademark. \r\rI really hope that there is some agency out there that can help us. PLEASE!!!\r\rTo Teachers:\rDon\'t give up!\r\rTo Parents:\rKeep fighting!\r\rTo CPS, ISBE, and ACTIVISTS:\rHELP!\r\r\r
By: Jim Vail
Substance Reporter
Substance Reporter
Quick reply to the "Long Time Parent at Prescott" who is "thrilled" about Mr. Roche.
This anonymous blogger makes two important observations that should be addressed.
1) There were many typos in the article
Reply: True, to a point. Not so much in terms of spelling, but in the form of hyphens galore and that has been taken care of;
2) this article was just a one-sided slander that will not be taken seriously by those interested in student learning -
Reply: Certainly, when one reads an article like this that has provoked a fire storm of comments - that there are many people who have read this story and seem to be very passionate about education and are upset about this principal.
Now, the point about being one-sided - yes, very little on the side supporting Mr. Roche, but his side chose not to respond to questions from Substance - Jennifer Lister who allegedly brought him to Prescott refused to talk to Substance while Mr. Roche decided himself not to respond or say anything in his defense, other than "people have their own opinions"
The ironic point to the blogger's opinion that those more interested in power than education would be interested in this article is in fact also true. Those in power support Mr. Roche for now. And clearly, it remains to be seen if there are enough parents upset with this "new leaders for new schools" administrator to demand his removal.
Democracy is only as strong as the people who yield the power to vote, protest and demand their rights if they are being seriously violated.
It certainly appears that the old adage - power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely - is at stake here.
Believe me - if these people use actions to back their words that voice extreme negative opinions of this principal, the Board will think twice about supporting someone who suddenly becomes more a liability in the realm of public opinion and the right to a good education, than an asset.
By: Prescott Parent
Keep the Faith
Credit goes to the new administration for trying to bring change to Prescott. The problem being the way they are doing so. It is rather frightening to hear that a few teachers are gone for medical reasons. Have not been witness to this before at Prescott. Many families are taking their children elsewhere and for good reason. Whether or not Mr. Roche is in his right mind should be looked into. But at least these children can get away and be educated in a pleasant, \'child-first\' environment. Ours won\'t. \r\rThank you to Substance for listening to teachers and parents concerns. I am glad to hear that there are still some with a conscience. It is not without a doubt that Mr. Roche did not want to answer questions, especially without advance written notice. That\'s his trademark. \r\rI really hope that there is some agency out there that can help us. PLEASE!!!\r\rTo Teachers:\rDon\'t give up!\r\rTo Parents:\rKeep fighting!\r\rTo CPS, ISBE, and ACTIVISTS:\rHELP!\r\r\r
By: Outraged Parent
Silence from the sidelines is viewed as consent
Erin Roche needs to be removed.
This reminds me of the Catholic church sending priests accused of sexual molestation to different parishes, pretending like it never happened.
The students and teachers for the most part are miserable around him. Harassment, sexual or otherwise are completely unacceptable.
Anyone can dress something up and masquerade it as "improved", but like some of the other bloggers wrote in this thread, It is nice on the outside, but a nightmare on the inside.
Eleanor Roosevelt said that silence from the sidelines is always viewed as consent. DO NOT CONSENT to any of this. The harassment, the poor treatment of the teachers and students. The removal of a lift for handicapped persons. The classrooms with no books for the pupils.
And most of all, do NOT let this LSC have a meeting with no public comment. Call all of the newspapers, radio stations and TV stations. Get petitions signed by parents, students, and teachers and neighborhood residents. This school depends on these people and these people depend on this school. There is power in numbers and organization. Carpe diem!
If one thing was learned by the election of 2008, it is that grass roots movements work. That people are powerful and can make positive change. Roche needs to be removed. The teachers need to stand together and share a common voice. The students, who are outraged by their expensive and less than desirable graduation need to protest. Change can happen. And it begins with all of you. Band together. Have house parties to discuss this matter. Donate money to the cause, for stamps and copying expenses, so that information can be mailed to the parents about what is exactly going on. This is about organizing, as many great leaders before us have, to make positive changes for everyone.
Perhaps, even Roche, will even change for the better when he is finally aware of the number of people against his policies and actions. Just imagine Roche, sitting by himself, unemployed, asking himself, where did I go wrong? Make a list, check it twice, and get this guy out!
By: Teacher
To: Anyone in Support of Roche
It is too bad you have not been listening or reading. We all, teachers and students, wanted change. Again, as it has been stated many times, we welcomed Roche with open arms.
We needed some leadership where there had been none. However, he did not offer leadership. He offered something inconceivable and abusive.
Also please remember that most of the student’s first language at Prescott is Spanish. You really need to be a teacher and have seen their growth to comment on their writing abilities. We are teachers. We do this because it is our passion. I can not understand how or why we are accused of "coasting". Have you ever been solely responsible for a class of say 25 students? You don't coast. Ever.
By: For Those Who Can't
Principal’s Plan for Improving Education at Prescott
Package of Cautionary Note forms for teachers
Package of Observation Checklist forms for teachers (preprinted with instructional weaknesses checked)
Package of PreDisciplinary Hearing forms for teachers
(can be used for teacher aides as well)
Package of Suspension Without Pay forms for teachers
(can be used for teacher aides as well)
Ability to play the victim (snicker.)
By: ANGRY PARENT
TOGETHER WE FIGHT!!!
I DO BELIEVE GETTING TOGETHER LIKE A TEAM WE CAN WIN THIS BATTLE, MY CHILD TO IS AN 8TH GRADER WHO IS FED UP AND DONT WANT TO RETURN TO SCHOOL BECAUSE NOW SUBSTITUES TEACHERS ARE THREATENING TO GIVE A FAILING GRADE, I WENT TO LOOK INTO RAVESWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE MR.ROCHE WAS A PRINCIPAL NOW WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR THEY ARE BACK TO WHAT A SCHOOL SHOULD BE. THATS THE KIND OF SCHOOL PRESCO
By: A PARENT OF PRESCOTT
TO ALL TEACHERS,STUDENTS,PARENTS, OUR FRIENDS OF RAVENSWOOD SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
A SPECIAL INVITATION TO SUBSTANCE NEWS AND ALL MEDIA AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION A VERY SPECIAL IVITATION TO OUR LSC MEETING ON JUNE 9TH @ 5:30PM SHARP AT PRESCOTT SCHOOL I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND, VOICE YOUR OPINION PLEASE IT WILL BE FUN.
By: For Those Who Can't
Step 326 of My Plan to Take Over The World
Dear Diary,
Lately I’ve been getting these strong urges. I want to suspend all the teachers without pay at once. No, of course not my favorites—yet. I think I can get away with it. The Board doesn’t care about teachers. I don’t know what the Union is doing. And there are community members who know nothing about what I’m doing to the teachers and they are defending me! How dumb can you get? I’m gonna try it. I’m so excited. Oh no, I’m hyperventilating again. Where’s my bag? I like me—in. Why won’t they go—out.
Later, my little diary chum.
By: Gee, Who Saw This Coming?
Innovative Leadership--That's What I'm Talking About
Graduation At a Bank
Oh, when the chairs go marching in
When those chairs go marching in
Oh lord, I want to be in that number
When Prescott chairs go marching in
WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR A CONTEST. WHO WILL MOVE THE CHAIRS AT WHAT TIME ON WHICH DAY?
BETTER GET YOUR PLACE ALONG ASHLAND TO WITNESS THE PARADE. IT’S SURE TO BE FILLED WITH ROCHE SUPPORTERS. NEVER HAVE SO MANY EXPERIENCED SO LITTLE AND KNEW SO MUCH.
By: Whatever
Please...!
To Gee, Who Saw This Coming and For Those Who Can't...so funny, ha, ha...and for all of the others out there that haven't taken the time to ask questions, let me fill you in. Who do you think decided to have the graduation at the bank? Let me tell you, a committee of 8th grade parents, not the administration. I think all but one of the parents on the committee, who I hear was indifferent, decided to have the graduation at Lakeside Bank. Why? Well, Prescott's gymnasium located on the third floor of the school, doesn’t have air conditioning. Who knows how hot it will be on graduation day. Therefore, the committee decided on an air-conditioned space, Lakeside Bank, located a few blocks away on Ashland/Diversey. Lakeside Bank has been a community sponsor since the beginning of the school year and will be donating a gift on behalf of the 8th grade class. Also, it will be empowering for the 8th graders to walk down the street in their cap and gowns as they leave their primary school and enter into the next phase of their lives. The manager of the bank will be one of the commencement speakers, sharing personal experiences, wisdom and knowledge with the graduates, extremely powerful. The bank will go out of their way to make the graduation one that the graduates will not forget.
This blog and article is extremely one-sided. If one or more of you actually took a few minutes to research some of the allegations as I did, you may be surprised by the answers. But then again, if you haven’t done your research by now, you’re probably not interested in the truth.
Did you know that the newsletter is written by one of the Hispanic parents, not by the administration? Why doesn’t this parent translate it in Spanish? And that clerk, who has made sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Roche, she’s filed several law suits against CPS over the years as I've found out. She’s now out on leave because mysteriously some boxes fell on her, please! There is a reason why her union representative won’t represent her. Books – do you honestly think that the administration wouldn’t provide books to students? Come on, seriously? If you’d take the time to research the curriculum, you’d understand why some of the subjects don’t have take home books. And, when did a goal become a mandate? Do you really think the administration can mandate all graduates enter a college prep high school?
There are always two sides to every story. It seems that the reporter and editor have only researched one side. Is the administration doing everything correct, probably not, but then again, are the teachers? I'm not sure after reading a few blogs written by the 8th graders.
So, Gee Who Saw This Coming, you may want to get your chair out so you can support the students that go walking down Ashland on graduation day because that’s really all that they're asking for – your support. This is their moment not yours.
Go class of 2009! Good luck and congrats.
By: the truth shall set you free
shame on you!
TO: Whatever!
Apparently, u do not have any children at the school past grade 2. If you did you would know that the students did NOT have all their books! I CHALLENGE YOU.
Food for thought:
1. Meaningful literacy books in all rooms? NO
2. Social Studies books in all grades? (NO)
3. Math books in all grades? In some, not all.
4. Teachers have all their teacher editions? This includes SPECIAL EDUCATION. ABSOLUTELY NOT. A BIG FAT NO
Sorrowfully, again you are wrong.
Please, Question Roche at the June meeting! I believe his excuse was there was not any money to buy teacher edition books.
I refuse to stoop to your level of MISREPRESENTATION OF FACTS TO prove an unfounded point to use clouded information. You don't have a clue, Ms. LSC gooroo!
Your comments are tired and misinformed. I wonder are you part of the select few Roche supporters blinded by the light? Maybe you, roche, and his 5 LSC implants (are you one of them) and his 4 highly qualified teachers should apply and start a charter school. That would be grand!
ps-- i am sure you are one of the few who could visit him at any time and walk around at wil; whereas, the "normal" parents had to make appointments, etc....
My question again, I wonder?
By: Tired
To: Whatever
You are misinformed. The reading curriculum at Prescott, chosen by ROCHE, does not have take home books OR books to be used by students in the classroom. Only one book exists for each lesson. It is to be read aloud. And, many are bashing the skills of these children!? They don't even have books!
By: Teacher
To Whatever
Let's just get to the bottom line Jen or one of her little wanna-bes...You are an arrogant elitist who feels that non-minority Roche will make this a school worthy of your non-minority children. Take your self-righteousness to Highland Park where you belong!
By: George N. Schmidt
Books and keeping track
At least once a day, I visit this part of our site and delete and comments that are infantile (such as those from "JESSIE" earlier. However, our policy here is that everyone who comments gets to be posted and retained. Only those absolutely nasty things (usually with very nasty language) make me utilize Delete.
The others are when someone posts the same thing dozens of times. that happened yesterday.
As most people know, we require by-lines for our articles and encourage people to speak in their own names. Anonymous is not healthy.
Neither is a school without books. Oral reading has its part in literacy development, but I wonder if the Erickson Institute (and its main person at CPS) would approve of a school that didn't provide reading books for the children to take home. During the years of my disagreements with Rufus Williams, we agreed on "Real Men Read" and published materials on it.
About an hour ago, I received a call from one of the pre-school teachers at the pre-school where our four-year-old attends. She was looking for a copy of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" of something close. It was to be read to the three-year-old group. I couldn't find that in our lovely children's book library here at home, but did find the "Very Busy Spider," which I'll bring over there later.
Tuesday (prior to the union meeting at which we brought out the May edition of Substance) I was "Dad of the Day" for the two-year-olds.
One of the nicest things about that day was reading "The Truck Book" (mostly pictures) to a couple of boys who were fairly active without reading.
By: Appalled
What can I do?
I am neither a parent nor teacher at Prescott, but I personally know a teacher and substitute at the school and am appalled by Principal Roche. Teaching, especially at a challenging school, is no easy task and the selfless teachers who've spent 10, 20, 30+ years of their lives to help children do not deserve to be degraded.
How can a non-parent/non-teacher take a stand against this administration??
By: Are You Serious
Same Old Same Old
Let’s be clear. Last year a couple of parents bellowed at every LSC meeting that the kids weren’t learning because of the former principal. He’s gone. Now these parents say that the kids aren’t learning because of the teachers. Happily for them, there is left to blame the maintenance staff, the lunchroom ladies, the food service delivery men, and the crossing guard. Life is good.
By: TR
Feel Your Pain
I work at Walsh Elementary and every tactic your new principal has done sounds remarkably familiar to what we are going through now. It seems there's nobody that can help us. Teachers don't know who they can trust...it's a sick mind game that's going on. The 'New Leaders for New Schools' Program must have a handbook on how to drive the morale of a school into the dumps.
Ravenswood...are you hiring??
By: Gagging
Come On People
If this principal walks on water and has all the answers to the achievement problems for students, why isn’t he sitting in Barbara Eason-Watkins chair downtown? She’s the Chief Education Officer, but clearly Roche should replace her. Why would CPS keep Roche hidden away at Prescott? Where’s the mayor in this crisis? Better yet, why hasn’t Obama taken him to Washington? Let’s recall Arne. Let’s correct this gross injustice. Why isn’t Roche giving presentations at Soldier Field on the jumbotron? Why isn’t Roche being talked up around the city? Well, he is, but I mean in a positive way. Come on, he knows everything about everything and he has so many supporters! Get organized! Petitions for Roche, now!
By: I Wonder How Much More
USA Students Rank Far Down the List in Social Studies Knowledge
The state of Illinois mandates that social studies be taught. Prescott teachers have to teach science 5 days a week. The administration set the schedule of things to be taught. No social studies were included. Suddenly at the beginning of May, the teachers were told they HAD to give each kid a social studies grade. Based on what teaching?
Now, as this violation of state law swirls around and someone is getting nervous, the teachers were ordered TODAY to turn in social studies plans every week for the rest of the year.
This is the kind of ethical leadership at Prescott, that a minority of the community is defending.
By: Public Invite
Speak your mind!!
Regardless of what side you are on it may be of interest to you to know that the next Board of Education meeting is on Wednesday May 27th at 125 S. Clark Street at 10:30 am. You should arrive early and sign up to participate in the public speaking portion of the meeting. Teachers and parents, anyone concerned about Prescott or any public school, should know that this meeting is taking place and that all are welcome to speak!
By: Right is Going to Win
Every Day a New Attack
Why are people from Erikson Institute and New Leaders for New Schools observing the children at Prescott? Do other parents know that these people go into the classrooms in big groups and distract the students from learning? Why are they there? Why does the principal bring one or two unidentified people with him lots of times to stand outside classrooms and stare in? Does the man ever do anything that contributes to a positive atmosphere at the school?
By: Garth Liebhaber
Teacher/ Photographer
Walsh teacher- can we hear your story? Is this also a New Leader for New Schools principal?
I think there is an important lesson in all of this- we need to work together or the appointed Chicago Board of Education is going to just run roughshod over everyone. I hope that the next time Prescott teachers hear about the board closing, phasing out, or turning around a school in another neighborhood, they will consider supporting their brothers and sisters, as they are being supported now. We need to stick together!
I would like to suggest several things.
One. Go to the board meeting. After you are humiliated and nothing comes of it, realize that it is up to you/us to save ourselves.
Two. Show up at the next LSC meeting where the board will have arranged security. Roche and Listerine won't have been able to block public participation. At some point they will simply try to shut down the meeting, or go into executive session of something of the sort. Your role is to expose them. Be sure to invite the press, they love a good show.
Three. Hold your own public forum and be sure to invite Roche and the board. Do this on neutral territory, such as a church. Have each side present. Then open the floor up to public questions. This will show all of the parents who is hiding.
Four. Run him out of town. Picket the building. Don't let your kids attend school until he is removed. Don't subject your kids to this humiliation. Perhaps teachers and students can hold classes outside to show you will not accept his treatment. When the political cost becomes too high for the board, they will have him removed.
Five. Celebrate. And then come help defend other public schools such as Walsh, Gonzalez, Carpenter, Penn and Anderson. Next weekend Anderson, which is being "phased out" will be doing a protest camp out.
Six. Vote Marilyn Stewart out. Also be sure to protest the next House of Delegates meeting, to expose the union president's complicity in not supporting teachers against this schmuck.
Remember Frederick Douglass: Power bequeaths nothing without a struggle!
By: Enough is Enough
I Pledge Allegiance
Maybe Roche is afraid that if the kids have social studies, they'll learn the meaning of tyranny.
Where is his boss? Doesn't the state check on these things?
By: George N. Schmidt
Wednesday's Board of Education Meeting. Complete Coverage.
We will have as many reporters as we can at the Board of Education meeting this Wednesday (May 27, 2009). Sign in for public participation is from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at 125 S. Clark St., and you're better off getting there early because the Board usually has people from the Office of New Schools to make sure all the charter school touts get first places in line.
Be careful. Last month, CPS security people sent people away by refusing to allow them to get off their buses, thereby controlling the number of people who were objecting to a number of Board policies. Get off the bus a block away if you can.
They also bottled up schools they wanted to keep away from the 5th floor at the metal detectors, while making sure that crowds from favored schools (e.g., KIPP) got in with barely a nod, let alone a complete sweep.
Half the KIPP cheerleaders were hirelings, but that didn't stop CPS from cooing about KIPP, while making sure that other schools (Penn, Lyon for example) couldn't get their people to the Board chambers in time.
They will doubtless also stall the public participation for as long as possible, thereby forcing people with buses to leave before they get to speak. Michael Scott is the master of this kind of nonsense. Given it's the end of the year and they have lots of kids to "honor," instead of holding a separate Board meeting for the "Good News" portion, they will waste as much time as possible beginning at 10:30 so that people who have come on buses have to leave while never having gotten the chance to speak.
It's called "democracy" here in Chicago.
We'll be there to cover and photograph as much as possible, but you're going to have to help, because there is usually so much action we don't have enough people to get all the stories.
By: George N. Schmidt
Board meeting "news" and corporate media propaganda
I guess we should also remind people that Chicago's corporate media present the "news" around town based on the orders they get from Mayor Daley. So please don't try to sustain the illusion that by sucking up to some propagandist from the Sun-Times, Tribune, or one of the TV stations you're going to get coverage if you disagree with CPS or Daley's policies. That's not how things work here in this best of all possible worlds with this best of all possible school systems in this best of all possible cities, with this greatest of all possible mayors.
By: We Are Family
Justice For Roche
John Q. Easton has been confirmed by the U. S. Senate as the new director of the Institute of Education Sciences at the Department of Education. OOOH NOOO! Roche has been disrespected again! It's a conspiracy by all those teachers he's trying to get rid of. The most brilliant educator in the universe will not have his light crammed under that bushel basket forever. Soon, everyone will hear about him. Peace Out!
By: For Those Who Can't
Step 327 of My Plan to Take Over The World
Dear Diary,
What is a conscience? What does that look like? Clearly, if all the other principals have one I should have one, too. The other principals won't share with me. I guess I irritated them, too.
Later, my little diary chum.
By: Michael
None of You Would Stand For It
If you've given Roche a pass because a principal is golden, because principals don't lie, ask any of the teachers that he didn't hire or any of the teacher aides how many women he has suspended without pay so far. His bully mentality targets the women. International news focuses on the tough economic times and this tyrant thinks he can mess with people's money. You know what? He's getting away with it because the Board operates on the as long as he's not a public embarrassment to Mayor Daley plan. There are people in the school who are helping him do his damage. If it was your wife, mother, or daughter, you'd call every person up the ladder till someone stops this guy.
By: What Are We Talking About Here
To: Enough is Enough
The most important national election these kids have seen in our country when the first Black president was elected and they weren't learning social studies? Are you kidding me?
Roche's boss is James Cosme at 773/535-5848. Does anybody do their job in the Chicago Schools? This is disgusting.
By: Union Vet
People in the Neighborhood Are Watching
If you are not one of the teachers or teacher aides that Roche is harassing, suspending, and trying to get rid of, God bless you. If you have been intimidated into bearing false witness, God save you. This is not some Valley Girl smack down that you’re engaging in (Like OMG can you believe that she, like, put the bottle in the wrong spot!? OMG its, like, so, stupid. Like she needs to be suspended!) If you are new or fairly new to teaching you have never given up your paycheck voluntarily for a principled stance, because there hasn’t been a teachers’ strike in over 20 years. When there was, you walked the picket line with your colleagues whether you liked them or not.
This guy AS PRINCIPAL keeps taking women’s money like any common street thug. This is not how a school is run. If you don’t get that, your soul is in danger. He’s not going to be your principal daddy forever. He is going to be removed. You're going to be lonely.
By: Annoyed
Bye Bye Baby
1. This principal spends half his time at the Roche Wing for Advanced Grievance Studies at the Board of Education.
2. Other times he’s at his regular hangouts, Erikson Institute and New Leaders for New Schools. Why?
3. He runs around trying to pad his resume. 4. He keeps bringing people into the building for his own benefit.
5. How has one kid been helped by all the adults who keep interrupting classrooms?
6. He doesn’t like any of his teachers, except the 4, and the highly-qualified subs, so why is he sponsoring tours for people? 7. What possible purpose could there be for a high school principal to be looking at primary classes?
8. It’s bad enough that he’s ripped the heart out of the school and the teachers have to keep on teaching with a smile because that’s who they are, but to have him use the classrooms as fodder for his clinics on how to attack teachers is unforgiveable.
By: Huh?
??
I thought you were all afraid of him because of an accusation of sexual harassment from the Clerk (clearly no one has seen this women), but now he's taking all your money?!!
You have all contradicted yourself more then once on here and not once have I read a teacher overly concerned about her students.
I do applaud the person who noted these teachers were commenting during the day. Since that comment none of them have posted anything. It simply goes to show how much time they have on their hands to waste instead of teaching these failing/illiterate children how to write and read.
All of these teachers are ONLY concerned about making sure NO ONE is telling them what to do!! It's a true shame that the future of AMERICANS is in the hands of these teachers!!!!!!!!!
By: Parent, teacher, student, QUEEN BEE, GOT IT!
TO: HUH?
I highly doubt that the teachers are NOT working with the students. remember anyone can send emails on this site. Did it ever occur to your narrow mind that some individuals--anyone can put any name above (SEE above)-- whether it be parents, students, or any other person commenting.
Get on the real--Queen Bee or one of her pawns! Pray tell, other than complaining about the teacher who ARE doing their jobs, what are you doing? Are you volunteering some of your PRECIOUS time after or before school? Or are you simply a pawn for the QUEEN BEE!
By: Uh Huh!
He's Unraveling.
A supporter of Roche gets it wrong again and denigrates women in the process. Coincidence? He is taking the money from women, and only women, by suspending teachers and teacher aides without pay. He is reaching into their wallets for 3 reasons: he's a bully, he's trying to rid the building of everyone who was there when he got there, he retaliates against women who tell the truth about him. No one at Prescott got involved with his Ravenswood scandal at first, because LSCs err on both sides. They target good principals and defend rotten principals. Everyone in the building was ready to work with him. However, he is desperate to secure his future which is totally at risk, because he is asocial. At least he must recognize this about himself. He knew he couldn't go for even a week without reverting to type. His only solution was to surround himself with teachers fresh from the womb who would owe their jobs to him. A commenter early on wanted to know why no one knew about the issues at Prescott if things were so bad. That is because, even as he attempts to ruin careers and personal finances, the teachers at Prescott have treated him with courtesy and respect. His type of behavior has no business in a school, but there are no solutions in place at CPS to get rid of someone who behaves as if he’s a guard at Buchenwald. He gets the benefit of the doubt from people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Unless you work for a school, you have no idea that his Napoleon complex can translate into loss of pay or loss of position. If you know this and you don’t care, the seeds you sow, Mama, the seeds you sow. As bad as he is, the people in the building who are helping him are worse. This is not their deal.
By: Disgusted Fellow Administrator
He Pompous at the Principals' Meetings
I’m embarrassed that I have to call Roche my colleague. He’s the kind of administrator that gives us all a bad name. Those who can, run the school; those who can’t, run people out of the school. If the only way this fool can deal with his opposition is to suspend them, he has no skills. He should be removed. We don’t all cover for each other.
By: Mishaba7
School Base Resource Teacher
My principal is an absolute horror who has eliminated the jobs of several of the hardest workers while hiring a 23 year old to take their places and blaming me when she can't keep up. She regularly scapegoats those of us she is trying to get to retire and will dramatically change our grade levels, i.e. this year you're a fifth grade teacher, presto change, next year you'll teach first grade. She, too, smiles as she puts the knife in your back. She's informed us she will be a superintendent. We just wish we could kick her upstairs now to get rid of her.
Anyway, your principal seems far worse than our principal and I sincerely hope you get rid of the incompetent. These petty bureaucrats with their power over teachers need to be removed.
By: J.C
Engineer
TO HUH?????\r\rHey pal, there\'s no need to get personal with your attacks. Remember that these teachers and staff have family that will fight however necessary to defend their own.\r\rWatch your vicious tongue, thats my wife you\'re talking about. If you had any guts at all you would post your name.\rThen we will see if you have what it takes to back up your words.\r\rOr are you just a coward who like to attack\ranonomously?\r\rMy suggestion : Grow a pair
By: Martin
Once Upon a Time
And it came to pass in 2006 that an LSC member moved into the neighborhood and she looked out over the land and said, “I will get me a school!†“But first, I will try to ruin the reputation of the principal who’s there, so he will get out and I can take over.†As she wondered who she could whip into getting her the school that she could decorate, James A. Cosme rode into her kingdom. “Get me that school and get me a principal with no moral compass.†“But won’t it look bad,†said Jimmy “to hire a guy that just got fired?†“I care for no one but myself,†said the LSC member. And so the wonderful families who had sent their children to Prescott for years and years were kicked to the curb and a joyless empire was born.
However, there will be a happy ending to this story. This guy is as good as gone, already. With the final click of the big front door, the LSC member will once again be part of the General Population. Good riddance to all.
By: Goliath
Middle Management Incompetence
Can we all volunteer to help Cosme clean out his desk so the Area 6 office can close sooner than the others? He's an enabler and he should be driving the truck when Roche goes through his own personal revolving door.
CPS claptrap:
"The AIO supports, develops, coaches, and supervises principals in providing instructional leadership in area schools." That should be changed to "Can I get you coffee, Mr. Roche?"
By: Kugler
Let Me Out!
all the coaches that i have known are teachers that hated being in front of students or in a classroom and wanted out of a school. now they help us teachers get better, go figure!\r\rI remember my first year of teaching when i got inspected by someone. They reminded me that they were a master teacher in the subject of reading. I then asked when was the last time they taught a carpentry class. They then repeated I am master teacher. So i said i know your are but when is the last time you taught a carpentry class. Around and around we go! names have been omitted to protect the innocent/guilty!\r\rHiHo\rkuglerjohn@comcast.net
By: Prescott parent
After all that has been shown are there STILL supporters???
I notice that every once in awhile, there are a couple of posters that are still supportive of Roche. HOW??? What is it that you don't understand about the DOCUMENTED evidence against him not only from Prescott but also from Ravenswood? Even former Ravenswood supporters have come here to tell you that he did do wrong. What is it that you still don't understand? I just don't get it! Lister and all his (few) supporters...wake up and smell the coffee!!! You are dillusional. Just because Roche has said he will get rid of "bad" teachers doesn't mean that he is wonderful. He also uses the 1 or 2 bad teachers as his poster children for why he is doing what he is doing, while attacking the good teachers who challenge him. This is his M.O.
I am not sure why this is so hard for Lister and the few others to see through. I would suspect that in 3 years from now (if not before then) Roche will, once again, be out on his a**. The writing is on the wall. My only hope is that his AIO "helper" feels like an a** himself for ever supporting this idiot! I think that Cosme and Roche should clean their desks out together and join one another on the golf course (or rather the basketball court). Either way, at least they can't hurt the futures of any more children!
By: Garth Liebhaber
Art Teacher
I wished people would stop suggesting that Roche gets "kicked upstairs" or in some other way promoted to a lifetime vacation on a golf course.
These resources are needed for teaching the children. My desk is stuck in our cafeteria and I don't even have a computer. Roche should not be rewarded!
And I'm sure he has enough money in his bank account to pay for his own psychologist.
By: Hanging On
Some Days We Get Down
Bless you, Garth. We teachers at Prescott who are surviving the death-by-a-thousand-cuts style of leadership of Erin Roche actually prefer the phrase “kicked out.†But sometimes, because we have gotten no help from anyone except George Schmidt and Jim Vail-not the Board, not the Union, not the local politicians-some teachers may think that any solution that gets him out is preferable to bearing one more minute of his presence.
Most of the time we stick together and support each other, even as we face imminent career and financial damage, by laughing at him. His pomposity knows no match. He has never met a statement too petty to utter when he observes teachers. Here is a “leaderâ€, birthed by New Leaders for New Schools, validated by James A. Cosme and Flavia Hernandez-agents of CPS, adored by his LSC accessories, who has uttered the following constructive criticisms to teachers: you blew your whistle in the gym 43 times, you had the shades pulled down at 12:30 p.m. on a sunny day, you let the little children wait in line outside the bathroom without teaching them a lesson, you read only 2 pages of a library book to the class, literature circles have no place at Prescott, you can’t let kids read junior novels in your reading groups.
He has claimed to know how to do the jobs better of the gym teacher, the art teacher, the counselor, the four special education teachers, the first grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, former sixth grade, seventh grade, former eighth grade teachers, and wait for it…the after school program coordinator. This megalomaniac really needs an Intervention, but there are some days, after your arms and legs have been blown off once again by one of his grenades, that a desk anywhere but here sounds good.
By: Mama
It's Not Right
Several of the teachers from Prescott have been in my house for coffee during this nightmare. 3 of my kids graduated from Prescott and it breaks my heart to see what this new principal is doing. The Hispanic parents used to have a voice. No more. Where are those strong mothers that watched out for their babies? Don’t be scared. He’s just a guy from another neighborhood. Why are you letting some LSC women step in and run your kids? Come on now.
By: Ronnie
Don't Give Up
Please, please, please someone tell me that the story I’m hearing on the street didn’t happen. ½ dozen or more Erikson Institute people came to Prescott again (why? they’ve already got the deal with Roche) and again disrupted a classroom by watching a lesson. Yes, it’s disrupting for little kids to have so many adults in the room. It’s the end of the year. These people have been around the school several times already. Their books have been bought. Their publisher’s rep has a desk in the main office. Stay out of the way.
With the principal’s blessing and the assistant principal’s presence, they pulled this teacher from the classroom so they could blindside her with criticism of her lesson????????????????? Are you reading this Barbara Eason-Watkins! Here’s the Madhatter’s Tea Party part. One of them told this teacher she was “too enthusiasticâ€!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you are just a consultant hack trying to justify your salary, if you ever tell a teacher that he/she is too enthusiastic in his/her teaching, you need to be escorted from the building immediately.
However, we are living in a world gone mad at Prescott. Roche is out of control because no one is doing anything while he fiddles. Maybe he will suspend the teacher without pay for being too enthusiastic. I’m sure that he didn’t think of that yet. The hearing officers in the Roche Wing of the Board don’t seem to have the language to stop him. So why not?
By: Just Surfing
To: I Wonder How Much More
Contact Mike Hatfill(dhatfill@isbe.net)at the Illinois State Board of Education and ask him why social studies isn't being taught at Prescott. It's the law.
By: Esther
Act Now
The Office of Elementary Areas and Schools under Flavia Hernandez should be closed immediately. The blather under her signature states that her Area Instruction Officers “monitor and evaluate principal performance; promote positive working relationships with local school councils; and serve as a liaison between area/schools and curriculum offices.†Since none of that is true, she won’t be missed.
She sent a letter to Prescott teachers who were desperate for assistance from Cosme, who sailed their request down to Flavia’s office while he hid under his desk. In her letter she said that Prescott was in need of change to which the teachers had agreed. As I recall the previous principal resigned. He wasn’t booted out. She also said that staff would be encouraged to work cooperatively and embrace the prospects of coherent change.
You see, Flavia, darling, we just don’t get the coherency of the change that gets rid of all of us and allows Roche to bring in unsuspecting neophytes whom he can corrupt into contributing to a colleague’s destruction.
Flavia has been busy, however, trying to save her department. She just sent out a memo to all CPS principals in which she describes a week coming up this August as Blessed Week since the principals have no meetings scheduled. (Go to Catalyst Chicago blog and type in Flavia Hernandez.) That memo shows her talent.
I doubt that Roche will take the week off. He has desks to throw out at Prescott.
Thanks for your help, girlfriend.
By: Outted
You're Too Clever For Them
Soooo, the teachers don’t want anyone telling them what to do. You found them out, Roche supporter. Before this principal came these teachers didn’t teach reading, writing, grammar, listening, speaking, English as a second language, math, science, social studies, art, music, gym, social skills, or study skills. They didn’t take the kids to the bathroom, the lunchroom, or recess. They didn’t give the kids homework, take attendance, fill out racial-ethnic reports, progress reports, or report cards. They didn’t give the Benchmark Tests, the ISAT, or the Constitution test. They didn’t participate in assemblies, the school spelling bee, the science fair, or Field Day. They didn’t call parents, have parent conferences, participate in IEP meetings, or attend report card pick-up days. They refused to walk to Facets Multimedia. They didn’t go to inservice sessions outside of school and they didn’t go to professional development days in the school. They didn’t open the windows or raise the shades. They didn’t hang up papers or put up bulletin boards.
They sat in their classrooms writing letters to the kids telling them how much they didn’t care about them. The kids sat at their desks all day long with their hands folded crying, “Please teach me.â€
But then…Cosme and Lister came riding down Wrightwood in their tank, bringing salvation in the form of that misunderstood asset, Erin Roche. He stood in front of the faculty in August and said, ever so gently, “Won’t you teachers just try to do a little something for the children? We’re all in this together.â€
What a country!
By: TO: CPS board members
those horrible teachers
In addition to Otsted--great blog article!
However, you forgot to mention these horrible teachers, as we are portrayed by the Queen Bee, accomplished other things under the Martinez regime.
Just to add..... we didn't spend extra time on reading nights, international fairs, going to training, walking curriculum based field trips, teaching after school programs, bringing students in to our classes giving up our own time to give the extra one on one instruction in math or reading to do what is in our hearts! We are cruel and ruthless teachers! Yes we are Mr. Roche (what a joke!)
Oh, I almost forgot, we didn't stay on our own time to give the students MATH CLUB, Reading Clubs! Interesting, Mr. Roche, was this done this year under your tyrant rule???
Yup, QUEEN BEE, ROCHE, and her/his warriors, we just sat in the room lounging, reading a magazine, painting fingernails (those that do), coming our hair, and thinking of ways to avoid work. And, look out or miserable windows at the beautiful mosaic by the garbage bins! Oh those beautiful books that were thrown out that we used to teach the kids before school each day!
By: RB
Roche is Waiting For the Publicity to Die Down
Roche would be gone in a heartbeat if his behavior embarrassed Mayor Daley. If any of the education reporters for the Chicago press did their jobs, they would have enough information for a SERIES about how well the "Chicago Reform" is working. 95% of the damaged teachers at Prescott tell me they are willing to speak on the record about the principal's abominable leadership that has caused such destruction to so many.
By: chloe
fight
There are many lawyers in Chicago who are well trained in the area of education law (no, not blahuta). Has anyone filed a lawsuit yet? I would think this would be an immediate win against CPS let alone Roche. CPS does not like lawsuits. Everyone's dirty laundry is exposed then. By the way, does anyone know why blahuta is not practicing law anymore? Hmmmm........
By: JP
The Emperor Has No Clothes on But He Doesn't Know It Yet
Teachers of other schools: has anyone ever been observed by a principal with only 4 full school days to go? A teacher at Prescott was today.
Have any other principals been suspending teachers and teacher aides without pay over trumped up charges?
Is anyone selling tickets yet to the conference Roche is holding in the summer for Hugo Chavez, Raul Castro, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Robert Mugabe? It's tentatively called "The Pleasure of Sustained Tryanny."
By: Tell the Mayor!!
Let Mayor Daley know what's happening!
Let's Spread the Word About Prescott!
I would encourage everyone to flood the Mayor's office with your concerns about the situation at Prescott school! Go to www.cityofchicago.org, look for the "contact us" link, and there is an area to write about something that concerns you. The drop down menu has a complaint field to use. You can either use your name or not! Let's use this option to request the Mayor listen to our concerns about Prescott!
By: Dublin Boy
Best Practices In Leadership
Parents here's what your principal wastes his time and the teachers' time with. The teachers had to choose from 2-4 colors today to use in their rooms next year (puce, oxblood, burnt sienna,cerulean). They had to say how they would use them. I'm not lying. God help those who let a spot of vermilion in the room. A whole new raft of suspensions without pay are winging their way to his hot little hand right now.
New Leaders for New Schools is truly The Way. Prescott kids are being signed up for Harvard even as we speak because Erin is leading them.
Come on Cosme, what did you say? Things are just fine at Prescott?
By: Angel
Soulless People Interfering With the Children of Prescott
Just found out from a reliable source that Team Roche, which includes Dr. Evil and all his flying monkeys, laugh whenever they hear about teachers who are ill at Prescott. Hey, that’s OK. Yuk it up. No one’s asking you clowns for sympathy. Your future is already set. “Na Na, Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye.â€
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. What that means for all those who don’t know that you are entitled to go to your neighborhood high school:
1. Everything that you do has repercussions. It comes back to you one way or another.
2. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions. What you do comes back to you.
3. You will see the long-term effects of your actions.
4. KARMA - The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny, especially, in his next incarnation.
5. What goes around comes around.
6. Your actions all have consequences. Don't ever be fooled into thinking that your actions don't have consequences. Don't think you can get away with bad choices even if you don't seem to get caught. Remember verse seven tells us that God cannot be mocked. He sees it all. You reap what you sow.
Watch the way you live your life because you reap what you sow.
It’s not over, Pol Pot Roche. We can’t keep up with the demand for seats at your trial. The fat lady isn’t even humming, yet.
By: Picasso
To: Dublin Boy
Wait a minute. New Leaders for New Schools doesn't think principals have to come from education, but do they recruit from HGTV and Menards? Why is roche handing out paint samples at the end of the year when teachers have work to do? This guy is actually scary.
By: Been there....
To Picasso
Scary is not the correct word!
EVIL is!
By: Devil's advocate
Office clerk mafia
Out of curiosity, I googled the "hard working" office clerk, Lilia Cano, and discovered that she has already sued the Board twice before for workman's comp. In 2004 she was awarded a lump sum of $87,000 and in 2007, a lump sum of $150,000.
She's either accident prone or exhibiting a pattern of behavior that takes valuable resources away from children and educators. "Hard working"? I find that hard... to believe.
I don't know the full story but I suspect there is more going on here than meets the eye.
Go ahead, google it yourself. These are public documents:
https://www.cps.edu/About_CPS/The_Board_of_Education/Documents/BoardActions/2004_06/04-0623-AR5.pdf
http://www.cps.edu/About_CPS/The_Board_of_Education/Documents/BoardActions/2007_11/07-1114-AR7.pdf
By: George N. Schmidt
Workers Comp is Not "Suing the Board"
I think "Devil's Advocate" deserves to leave her home address on line, but will stop at one clarification.
Workers Compensation is not "suing the Board." In fact, it's the opposite. A Workers Comp claim is made so that lawsuits are not necessary in routine injuries. Workers Comp has been like that for decades. The awards are based on a straightforward determination of injury, with attorney's fees capped.
During my years teaching, I had two (possibly) workers comp claims at various times, each one as boring as the next, and when I was union delegate I made dozens of referrals for workers comp.
it's not a "lawsuit" period. To refer to it as a lawsuit is either ignorance of the law or a deliberate falsification. Since we have an anonymous blogger at "Devil's advocate", we can't ask a few more questions to know what it is.
By: He's Really Losing It
Devil's Advocate - So Transparent
This comment came right out of Roche's office. No one has any interest in the school clerk. Only the principal and his file clerk who masquerades as an AP would put this statement out there.
Let's talk instead about ISAT tests held in a school office for 2 months. How many boxes of erasers were used at Ravenswood during that time? Does the state know about Roche?
By: Ravenswood teacher
The State knows about the ISAT tests
The state is very aware of the fact that our school didn't have ISATs turned in for approximately 3 months. As a matter of fact, last year the tests were turned it 3 weeks before the end of the school year (2 weeks before the 8th graders had to graduate). The counselor had to contact both downtown and ISBE about the fact that the 8th graders shouldn't be punished just because the administration is inept. Our school nearly had to retest. It was horrible!
By: To Prescott
?
Someone please tell me how I can see these teachers records for myself?
As a new parent coming to Prescott I want/need to know what type of teachers are working there?!
I'm sure their has been reports filed against them from parents? Co-workers? students?
Please someone help me!!
By: lives
people's lives
I understand that education needs change and America overall needs an overhall before we fall behind internationally, but is this the way you do it. By stepping on good teachers that never have a chance to adjust to new programs. Just because the system is not working does not mean the teachers are not good? It is the system. If you expect the students to learn under the new programs why not teach the teachers rather than come in and clean house of existing teachers. The teachers this program is clearing out have lives and bad write ups and reviews just to get them out hurts them forever. Not just a school. So transfer them or help them, but do not ruin thier lives for your agenda. Still keep with the agenda, but don't ruin families and careers for your own selfish reasons. New Leaders need to have some compasion during change or law suits and issues will only follow. You have to get the peoples buy in not just the goverments. America was built for teh people not goverment agendas. Just research new leaders and see how many issues these schools have had and how many teachers were written up for unregular items.
By: Relieved
Where's Dennis Frank to defend Roche now?
Wow! I wasn't follow any of all this problems at Prescott. As a former LSC member who exercise his right (to vote out) to give a better chance for a future generation, I personally feel RELIEVED of making the right decision even that during those dark days for all of us who were involved in this process (specially the ones who were against him). After all that time we spend, we make the right decision, and at the end of the process and with the outcome of this (Even that I have my own reserves with the result, [Clarifying] at the beginning only) we choose a real Principal (Ms Connolly)
Now, even the followers of Mr Roche can't say that "he is the best", they don't even had a word in this site to say "how good he is" , I'm surprised that Mr Dennis Frank hasn't posted any note to support this model of Principal! I wonder if he knows all the bad things that his hero did at Ravenswood and now at Prescott? Is he hiding? or move out of the country for the embarrassment that he must feel after defend him with all his power? Don't know! But one thing I'm sure of, If you Prescott LSC really want a better school for your kids, don't be afraid of this man, open your eyes and fight for a worth to have Principal as we did!
Just think about this: How many kids really were affected during this whole transition of firing teachers?
Find an honest answer in yourself.
By: Formerly Harassed Teacher in another state
teacher
What is the statute of limitations for Grand Theft in your state? The missing PCs sound like a nice Christmas for someone.
By: An American
Great Article
Well written! Bravo! This sounds like a political nightmare. Like the government the working people are the ones that suffer. How can someone gain so much belief in people that the followers are blind to the affects of the real people? It seems like the principle, teh union, the LSC, and part of the board is turning a blind eye. I understand change and reform, but read any respected leadership and/or book about making changes and it can not be done this fast. The ones who suffer are the kids who are here during this change now. Don’t the LSC and Mr. Roche see this? Do a gradual change. If it takes eight years then give it eight years of gradual change. Teachers leaving, people bickering, and divided teams is this a place you would want your kids to be right now? Put yourself in their shoes for once? Yes, sometimes a change or reform is needed, but you do not step on peoples lively hoods to do it. They have families too. Karma is real and always remember America was built on immigrants. Some of our greatest leaders came from inner city schools. Everyone can not be smart so do not punish the ones are not. They still need to be taught. Segragation has ended!\r\rNarcissistic leadership is a thing of the past; even the greatest leaders already have figured that out! \r