Thursday, May 17, 2007

Lake Stevens teacher suspended for shooting remark

Associated Press - May 16, 2007 12:05 PM ET

A Lake Stevens (Washington) high school teacher is on leave while the district investigates a remark he made to a class. A parent complained that the teacher, Gary McDonald, told students Monday he would take anyone talking in class and line them up against a wall and shoot them. District spokeswoman Arlene Hulten says if the complaint is substantiated, McDonald could face a range of discipline from a verbal reprimand to suspension. She says the 60-year-old McDonald already plans to retire next month. In February he was reprimanded for including a biblical account of creation in an assignment on myths.
====================================================
So much for tax dollars wasted on professional development.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Algore's Carbon Credits Hit A Snag

What better way to offset Algore's carbon credits than with carbon debits! Here's how you can do your part. Enjoy!

Baraboo School Board Picks New Athletic Supporter

The Baraboo School Board annointed its new Athletic Supporter, and it isn't Judd Maxwell, the former board member who resigned to apply for the position. Board member Patricia Spragg had the lone vote of "no" to the appointment, citing flaws in the hiring process. She also had reservations about creating a new administrative position for the district.

District Administrator Lance Alwin narrowed the field of closely qualified candidates from three to one and recommended Aaron Andres, Baraboo teacher of advanced placement statistics and coach for the BHS golf team. Read the entire article here. Still no word on how much the Athletic $upporter will co$t.

Using Google, I searched for any individual, business, or governmental entity that spent its way to prosperity. After my computer ran for 15 minutes, it started smoldering and sparking. Then it crashed. Could this have been a harbinger of doom for our Baraboo School District?

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Kids on field trip subjected to "fake" gun attack

Another "learning" experience for elementary school kids. Is this the type of thing teachers are learning at teacher school nowadays?

At least the district reacted with a show-stopping two weeks without pay for those responsible. Way too small a price to pay for irresponsibility with kids.

To those considering entering the teaching profession: Don't drink the kool-aid.

Monday, May 14, 2007

In pursuit of the well-rounded curriculum

Chicago Board of Ed Sued for Teacher Allegedly Showing 'Brokeback Mountain' in Class

Sunday, May 13, 2007 Associated Press

CHICAGO — A girl and her grandparents have sued the Chicago Board of Education, alleging that a substitute teacher showed the R-rated film "Brokeback Mountain" in class. The lawsuit claims that Jessica Turner, 12, suffered psychological distress after viewing the movie in her 8th grade class at Ashburn Community Elementary School last year.

The film, which won three Oscars, depicts two cowboys who conceal their homosexual affair.
Turner and her grandparents, Kenneth and LaVerne Richardson, are seeking around $500,000 in damages.


"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," said Kenneth Richardson, Turner's guardian. "The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this." According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, the video was shown without permission from the students' parents and guardians. The lawsuit also names Ashburn Principal Jewel Diaz and a substitute teacher, referred to as "Ms. Buford."

The substitute asked a student to shut the classroom door at the West Side school, saying: "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class," according to the lawsuit.
Richardson said his granddaughter was traumatized by the movie and had to undergo psychological treatment and counseling. In 2005, Richardson complained to school administrators about reading material that he said included curse words.


"This was the last straw," he said. "I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith." Messages left over the weekend with CPS officials were not immediately returned.
===================================================
Congratulations to the student and her guardian for taking a stand against the attempted brainwashing of an 8th grade class. While the movie viewed is controversial, ANY rated "R" movie has no place in public schools.

How can anyone support a public education system where things like this are acceptable, disregarded, or conveniently overlooked? How eroded have the values of public education gotten? Shameful.

It wouldn't be so bad if this were an isolated type of story, but looking through the other postings on this blog proves a point. BTW - I don't even look for these types of articles...they simply present themselves as headlines on various popular news websites.

There is a problem with our public education system. The problem has nothing to do with not enough money.