The hard work of Horace Mann PTO, HM Parents,and other generous benefactors has finally come to fruition as the new park opens tomorrow at 6 PM. See you there!
Hip, hip hooray for Horace Mann! So much heart and hard work went into this-grass roots at its best. Now, if only the Principal would allow ALL the kids to actually PLAY on it. Under her reign only K and 1 have been allowed on the playground during school hours.
and the super has basically eliminated most of recess
She also eliminated any study of cursive, in both cases because she couldn't figure out how to include them in the schedule. This kind of decision-making is really damaging. Just wait until these kids are trying to sign their name in a few years and can only scribble-print. Parents, get on the stick on Do Something, or this will be as much your fault as anyone's.
Don't believe the garbage these hacks are putting out. If you had any idea just exactly how bad it is on the inside, there would be open revolt. Since they hide everything important you can't really know some of the worst going on. But it is beyond a little unpleasant. It is an out and out educational catatrosphe, to say nothing of The Most Toxic Atmosphere this school district has ever witnessed (and after JC, RLC, that's saying something). Abuse, bullying, rank incompetence are what defines this all. Believe the sunshine and roses from the hacks and brownnosers if you want, but it's your kids who are paying the price in ways you will be seeing for a long time.
It's really sad and scary that things are in such a mess (which this family can confirm as well). At a time of year that should just be nervous from excitement and getting all the stuff on the supplies lists, instead we are anxious about newest round of awfulness that is already making itself apparent in the various things we are getting and seeing from the administration. Will have to get more directly involved, come what may.
Great 4th grade teacher who was featured in the Mayor's blog (50 great things about Melrose Public Schools) has left the HM school and the district. Why?
Foolish emphasis on playgrounds when the real issue at the Roosevelt is the 4th Principal in 6 years and the Special Ed vacancy which has yet been filled. $ (override) will not fix all the deep seated problems on the SC, at Roosevelt and within the School Administration. With one child at Roosevelt and one at the Middle School our family is saving towards private school tuition and will vote NO on any override attempt. Don't trust the schools or city to manage people or money well.
Congratulations on the new playground. Don't listen to the w*nkers on this board. It takes them a while to realize that they are irrelevant to every day lift in Melrose. Then they go away.
Mr. Absurd: With 135 views since just 9 PM last night I beg to differ. Melrose residents are realizing that the info they can't get from the City and the local so called "press" can be found here. Aside from the opinion and sarcasm, the basic information found within is astonishingly accurate.
Those views are from the same 5 angry @ssholes checking every 5 minutes....I would stake my salary on the fact that 99% of the negative garbage about Dolan, the City and the Schools comes from less than 5 people and my life that its less than 10...
Well, as was expected by all, The principal and the pols all showed up to grab the credit from a couple dozen hard working PTO members that made this all happen. Still working with the principal to see if she will let the 2nd through 5th graders use the playground ever again during school hours. Its sad we can't give the kids the same experience we had as kids.[:-|][:-|]
Foolish emphasis on playgrounds when the real issue at the Roosevelt is the 4th Principal in 6 years and the Special Ed vacancy which has yet been filled. $ (override) will not fix all the deep seated problems on the SC, at Roosevelt and within the School Administration. With one child at Roosevelt and one at the Middle School our family is saving towards private school tuition and will vote NO on any override attempt. Don't trust the schools or city to manage people or money well.
Perhaps your money and time would be better spent focusing on getting rid of the current superintendent whose idea of addressing the school system's problems is to retaliate against the tax payers who point them out to her?
"Perhaps your money and time would be better spent focusing on getting rid of the current superintendent whose idea of addressing the school system's problems is to retaliate against the tax payers who point them out to her?"
Yes. This administration (city and schools) is vindictive and hateful towards any who have differing views. Many now have seen this. Those who have only glimpsed it have no idea just how ugly these so-called leaders really are and what they are willing to go after when they are in a rage. Maturity, self-control, common decency are just pretenses. It's hard enough to know how badly they treat adults, but to know how children are being harmed should be the call to action for everyone.
Tonight they are planning to vote to extend the super's contract. What's the rush? Are they just trying to make sure this is a done deal so that she can go out and apply for other things saying she has an extended contract, like Clery did? (Casey gave her a 5-year contract just before she announced she was leaving!) This committee is ridiculous. And whoever is drafting the contracts should be held accountable for making the contracts totally unfavorable to the citizens who are paying the salaries.
Show up tonight! (and no, due to health issues, I won't be there, but I will be watching!)
Shameful.
But do keep focusing on playgrounds if that floats your boat.
Two HM teachers are now part of the Lincoln staff. Their choice or "forced" by Taymore? Another, HM star educator, Melissa Giordano (who was hailed as one of the 50 Best Things about the District Schools in the Mayor's Blog) left for another school system. So, lots of changes at HM far more important than the new playground.
It could be that the two teachers are fleeing the HM school as the Principal has a habit of retaliating against parents and families who complain about wrong doing (Perhaps teachers are also targets?). Case in point; that certain 5th grade teacher losing total control and routinely disparaging kids in front of their peers for simply asking questions. Multiple complaints from parents all year long about anxious children who couldn't eat or sleep because of this treatment were rejected by the Principal as being "unfounded". Parents who shared information with other 5th grade parents about the seriousness of the teacher's behavior were severely "disciplined" with an array of illegal actions (under Federal and State Education laws and MGL) taken by the principal and superintendent's office. One parent was instructed they could no longer volunteer at the school. Another family was warned in writing by the Superintendent's office that they could no longer share any information regarding such incidents between their child and teacher with other parties. A family advocating for removal of their child from this classroom received a surprise visit from the School Resource Officer (courtesy of the principal) who apparently is routinely tapped to dole out intimidation in the form of libelous police reports, warnings of possible filings of criminal actions against the parents, etc. Never mind that the principal was caught intentionally providing false information to the police officer in this case (a felony offense under MGL 269, CH. 13A) and forced to make a retraction to both CT and Chief of Police. And par for course, no disciplinary action taken against the principal. Are we surprised? Makes you ponder whether the retaliatory actions are being taken under direction of the Superintendent?
Two HM teachers are now part of the Lincoln staff. Their choice or "forced" by Taymore? Another, HM star educator, Melissa Giordano (who was hailed as one of the 50 Best Things about the District Schools in the Mayor's Blog) left for another school system. So, lots of changes at HM far more important than the new playground.
Former 4th grade HM teacher, Melissa Giordano (one of the 50 best things about Melrose Schools according to the Mayor's Blog) left Melrose to teach 5th grade at the Bowen School in Newton.
Never mind that the principal was caught intentionally providing false information to the police officer in this case (a felony offense under MGL 269, CH. 13A) and forced to make a retraction to both CT and Chief of Police. And par for course, no disciplinary action taken against the principal. Are we surprised? Makes you ponder whether the retaliatory actions are being taken under direction of the Superintendent?
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Hold on there. Lying to a police man is usually only a felony if it requires investigation and/or police action.
" Another family was warned in writing by the Superintendent's office that they could no longer share any information regarding such incidents between their child and teacher with other parties."
Is this true? Are you telling me that a parent cannot talk to other parents about what is going on in a classroom? Says who?
I am very confused....did a parent send out an email to everyone in the fifth grade? How many other families claimed that their children were also affected by the teacher's behavior?
The school department has no basis for telling parents they cannot discuss what happens in a classroom with other parents. Over the years, there have been situations in this district where teachers have had mental health issues, and have acted inappropriately in the classroom, and the administration always protects the teacher and ignores complaints by parents. I thought maybe those days were over, and it's sad to hear that they are not.
This administration makes all prior ones look good (unbelievably) when it comes to its tyrannical conduct. There are no bounds to what CT feels empowered to do, thanks to the unconditional and unintelligent support she has gotten in this community.
" Another family was warned in writing by the Superintendent's office that they could no longer share any information regarding such incidents between their child and teacher with other parties."
Excuse the hell out of me, but are you telling us that this witch really thinks she has the right to restrict free speech? If my child is abused in some fashion by a teacher, whether it be verbally, physically, or sexually, you can bet every dime you have I'll be shouting it from the rooftops for the entire world to hear. This is beginning to sound like the Catholic Church - protect the priests (teachers) no matter what they are accused of doing. Are they for real?
Come on, Lucretia McNasty - send me a letter like that and see how fast I sue your a$$ off for violating my First Amendment rights.
It's becoming increasingly clear why this school system is such a mess - the fools running it clearly have absolutely no idea at all what they are doing.
" Another family was warned in writing by the Superintendent's office that they could no longer share any information regarding such incidents between their child and teacher with other parties."
Excuse the hell out of me, but are you telling us that this witch really thinks she has the right to restrict free speech?
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Well yes, that is right. She does believe she has the right to restrict free speech. The whole concept of intimidation is to stop you from reporting misdeeds of the administration. Usually, it only takes one nastygram, one visit from the "school resource officer" or a 258E filing to get the family to back down for good.
Great 4th grade teacher who was featured in the Mayor's blog (50 great things about Melrose Public Schools) has left the HM school and the district. Why?
Ms. G was asked by the principal to falsely accuse a parent of yelling at her during a discussion about a child's educational matter, which was then used by the principal to formerly designate the parent for "escort status". For those of you who don't know what "escort status" is at HM, it is the principal's way of illegally intimidating, retaliating and embarrassing families who make complaints, by requiring them to be escorted through the school by the principal while attending school events. This tactic is often used in conjunction with prohibiting parents from volunteering for school activities. Naturally, Ms. G fled the school district at the end of that academic year for Newton Public schools.
She left for Newton Public Schools where she is making $20,000 a year more in salary. I agree, we need to pay our teachers more. Yes to the override! So glad this board is finally coming around.
Cute little myth being promoted there, but it's an old one that does not work. Sure, educators can get better-paying jobs (if they're decently qualified, which our new hires courtesy of charlatan hacks with no HR skills like CT, MA, PWL are generally not).
The Melrose Public Schools is currently witnessing (though trying desperately to keep secret) an exodus of its very best educators, and NOT for reasons of convenience or more money!
Dr. P is the first and most obvious (and she deserves the honors as perhaps the best teacher ever to have worked in our district), and she is most definitely not leaving because she wants more money. (She will quickly answer that one honestly and simply, without any ill will, but reflecting the angst that led to her decision to leave.) But she is not the only one leaving due to the toxic and untenable teaching (and learning!) atmosphere, and though the administration will tell you otherwise (quite emphatically), money is not the reason. Neither is the Common Core, for many/most are leaving for other public schools, which also must continue implementing the new teaching standards but most still recognize the critical importance of treating teachers with respect instead of the open contempt they face here in Melrose. The working atmosphere in the MPS is deeply toxic. It is "untenable," as many educators here will tell you if you ask those who are not the CT sycophants.
Keep drinking the koolaid. Apparently you too never read the new Teacher's Contract (neither did the School Committee, any of the several times it voted and approved it). Grossly irresponsible mismanagement! Oh, just FYI, the Override has nothing to do whatsoever with paying teachers more. There is not a single item there which addresses teacher salaries. So just keep pushing those lies and misrepresentations. You've got a few months ahead of you to stamp out the burgeoning fires of truth which will ultimately prevail over your corrupt lies.
The 11:23 post above is pure mythology. NO override. The above poster is going around to the various topics and trying to spin the discussion into support for the override. This is absolutely false. The comments clearly indicate NO to the override. The incompetent administration simply wants more money to waste. They don't deserve any more taxpayer funds when they haven't used the money they already have in a wise manner. Every bit of their machinations is designed to cover up their own incompetence or feed their sole purpose of duping some of the fools in this town into voting for the clowns again. They have completely failed at their jobs. Most importantly, they have forgotten that the positions they hold are an honor and a privilege. They are supposed to serve the interests of the greater good not for their own petty power trips.
She left for Newton Public Schools where she is making $20,000 a year more in salary. I agree, we need to pay our teachers more. Yes to the override! So glad this board is finally coming around.
Money is NOT the reason Melissa G left MPS and HM.........
I would have left for a $20,000 salary increase too! So yes, I agree with you that we need to pay our teachers more! The average teacher salary in Newton is $76,904. The average teacher salary in Melrose is $53,569.
Thanks for drawing attention to this important topic that definitely supports the need for an override!
She left for Newton Public Schools where she is making $20,000 a year more in salary. I agree, we need to pay our teachers more. Yes to the override! So glad this board is finally coming around.
The override will not be used for teacher salaries.....maybe you should actually pay attention to what you are voting for.
Great 4th grade teacher who was featured in the Mayor's blog (50 great things about Melrose Public Schools) has left the HM school and the district. Why? [/quote
Ms. G was asked by the principal to falsely accuse a parent of yelling at her during a discussion about a child's educational matter, which was then used by the principal to formerly designate the parent for "escort status". For those of you who don't know what "escort status" is at HM, it is the principal's way of illegally intimidating, retaliating and embarrassing families who make complaints, by requiring them to be escorted through the school by the principal while attending school events. This tactic is often used in conjunction with prohibiting parents from volunteering for school activities. Naturally, Ms. G fled the school district at the end of that academic year for Newton Public schools.
What ever happened to the HM principal for this prohibited activity above? And did the District ever take action against her for filing a false police report against a parent one day after the family (one of many) had filed a complaint about that certain HM 5th grade teacher back in 2013-2014? Is this being investigated currently by the DOE's Office of Civil Rights?[:-?]
The teacher you speak of retired early on "medical leave" several weeks prior to the last day of school in June, 2014. I'll let you read between the lines. The HM principal you speak of has apparently been rewarded by the superintendent of schools with another three year contact, despite taking Horace Mann School down to a level three rating in a short few years. Go figure.
You are correct about some things, but your assertion that "Welcome to the new America where "progressive" liberals try to control everything we do or say and are starting by taking over the schools.... " is wrong on so many levels. What is happening here has nothing to do with party politics whatsoever (although the local a$$holes happen to be predominantly local dems, contrasted with the teaparty wingnuts on the other side and a lot of apolitical citizenry in between). Sure, when it comes to Common Core implementation, for example, progressives and right-wing reactionaries have come together in opposition to the way Arne Duncan and this administration have linked with big corporations (They are now people, apparently) to violate the boundaries of state's rights and shove this mandate down the throats of the educational systems across the country. The massive dysfunction in the schools in Melrose is its own variety of nuts.