http://melrosecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=3185&Inline=True p.77
588 Engineering Design Level: CP 0.5 Credit Prerequisite: None Grades 9-12
Expectations: Everything that we use in our everyday lives, except maybe a tree, was
designed by someone. This one semester class explores the methods that creative people
use to solve real world problems. Utilizing the engineering design process students will create, build and test solutions to various challenges. Use of various rapid prototyping, model making methods, and tools available in our MakerSpace constitutes a large portion of this class. Come and be ready to be creative with engineering."
This silly, ridiculous course description epitomizes the nonsense that passes for secondary education in Melrose now. "except maybe a tree"? Really? Was this the brainchild of the new department chair, now heading up both science and math (as if those departments were so stellar that they only needed a combined program director)?
And is there simply no one within that ugly building that understands how and when to use a hyphen or how to write credibly? Obviously not, as the following demonstrates pathetically:
Learning Expectations
Melrose High School students will:
Write effectively using Standard English.
Demonstrate the ability to read effectively.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.
Demonstrate the ability to use technology responsibly and effectively.
Demonstrate the ability to problem solve effectively.
Demonstrate an understanding of arts and culture.
Demonstrate an understanding of behaviors that promote wellness.
Demonstrate good citizenship.
Demonstrate the ability to plan and set goals.
Demonstrate an understanding of tolerance and diversity and respect for themselves, others, and their school.
So dismal, low-grade, such a low bar all around, and it's not better at the middle school either. And what happened to expectations that administrators demonstrate effective use of the English language? Is there even a single one of them that is actually competent in this regard? So far, the evidence points in the negative, with most who wouldn't be able to pass a basic writing test at any community college, let alone anything that would measure critical thinking capacity.
No wonder the parents who understand about the bigger world are scrambling to get their kids out while there is still a chance to rescue any joy in learning that wasn't pounded out by the third grade. All that abysmal "unpacking" of uneducated education as promoted by the dim lights in MPS administration (like MAdams) creates box-checking students and teachers who are understandably barely able to conceal their lack of engagement with the subject matter. Those parents who stick around and proclaim the system's great virtues are obviously those who have no clue about what good education means in so many other places, though their frantic and incessant need to glorify the system indicates insecurity and doubt. (Here's where Vuvu/Clown predictably come waddling in with tiresome, ignorant excretions....)
Bottom Line: This is a pathetic couple of documents from a school system in serious decline. Our tax dollars are being squandered ("utilized") by charlatans who are causing untold harm to the future voters of our community.
It doesn't get better when you read the "Lincoln Accelerated Improvement" program:
"An active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) who help sponsor enrichment programs, create and host opportunities for community events and financially invest in resources that improve the overall quality of experiences for staff and students (ie. staff - thank yous’ throughout the year, “recess” buckets, etc.)"
What exactly are yous'?
and then:
"Retention (keeping good) of staff - paraprofessional and teachers"
Keeping good of staff?
Or this gem:
"Challenges around recess & need to consistently provide explicit, facilitated play at recess for identified students who struggle"
So what exactly is explicit play at recess?
And students who struggle with what?
And another:
"keeping all who work in the school informed particularly the “fringe” staff (ie. Chartwells, nurse, custodian, Title I Tutors)"
Getting past the multiple missing punctuation marks, it's not likely the "fringe" staff members will appreciate being referenced so disrespectfully.
Then the Summary:
"After careful analysis of student performance and opportunities
facing the Lincoln School, the School Site Council have identified
the following key issues..." Yeah, that Council HAVE identified stuff!
Another literary gem:
"If the school continues to use a systematic positive behavior intervention system (PBIS), that is implemented with fidelity, and we develop a thoughtful vision statement, then gaps in academic learning will be narrowed and social emotional growth for all students will continue to be realized as the school invests in the growth of the whole child." Oh sure, "we" will claim to do all kinds of crap that is actually nonsensical gibberish. (And what happened to syntax, subject agreement, etc., you know, the stuff of fifth-grade writing classes!?!)
This is just unmitigated rubbish-writing, and it should be embarrassing for the administration! To cap it off there is a lengthy set of unflattering data and "proof" of educational worthiness demonstrated in the hiring of a consultant (Spring 2018) to begin some sort of process of obviously necessary "accelerated improvement"! Oh yeay!
Go to p. 191 (follows the course of studies docs) of that garbage 2019 Budget document included in tomorrow night's meeting "packet" and read the superintendent's stellar "message," complete with carefully proof-read charts:
"Limited English Proficient/English Lanuage [sic] Learners" !
One might easily conclude that it is in fact the administration (and its approving boss--the Melrose School Committee) that suffers from "limited English" proficiency, to say nothing about limited critical thinking (or even just thinking) skills!
Speaking of literary largesse. or the lack of same:
Looking at the budget being proposed, once again there are far more requests for increases in staffing at the preschool (which is supposed to be bringing in a profit, not costing us!) and elementary schools than at the middle or high schools. And of course there are increases in athletic and music fees being proposed, with no family cap for the outrageous athletics fees. This is supposed to be public school, folks!
There is lots of the typical hand-wringing about a supposed $1,263,692 "delta." This administration thinks of this as its presumed deficit, when the actual usage of the term is supposed to be "the relationship between an option's price and the price of the underlying stock or futures contract is called its delta." No doubt a few months after this bogus budget is approved there will be some sort of large "free cash" surplus revealed in the alderman's meeting, as has been the case virtually every year of late (like the $3.5 million in "free cash" just six months after that spectacularly failed override in which the mayor and superintendent/school committee whined about needing a $2 million-plus override or the sky would fall....).
https://vimeo.com/261057497 12:20
Taymore: "Fabulous"..."serious self-reflection".... gushing stupidity about an atrocious "improvement plan" from the leader of our city's education system. This would be appalling in most places, but apparently it passes as excellent work in Melrose, where the bar continues to sink to new lows. More gushing by DeSelm and unanimous, unquestioned acceptance of this incompetent "plan" under the "leadership" of EP&P chair/Felon.
OMG! Please let this man go and no one say a word on how he is a jerk. :wine_glass:
“I” “know” “right” “.” “Taymore” “is” “more” “of” “a” “liar” “than” “Nixon” “.”
Why would you pick a nickname that is the abbreviation for sewer manhole?
Watched the SC for the first time since new members were elected. Corduck talked about the Accelerated Lincoln Plan which was "given more time" and was more "in depth and challenging". No one had a comment or question! ? "The need to work on school culture and climate" was stressed due to the "numerous leadership turnovers in the last 3 years".....Not one School Committee Member made a single comment or asked a single question? Really? Illegitimate Gail added nothing as usual. This SC won't be any better than the last group. They expect "free cash" in October!? The schools have had enough of our tax dollars. Neglecting other needs in Melrose due to the schools wasting more than their fair share cannot continue. How about the health and safety of fire and police officers who work in buildings which should have been condemned years ago. Paymore Taymore and the crop of SC incompetents do not help the schools case while advocating for money which we cannot afford. The schools have had far more than their share for a long time! My family voted against the Override and will vote against any other increased taxes. AND we still have kids in the school! MPS are sadly leaving our students behind and more money is not the cure all.
Nothing is going to improve until the administration and the City as a whole gets their priorities straight and begins to regard actual educating as more important than multi-million dollar bells and whistles. Unfortunately, and probably the best we can hope for, is for it not to get too much worse, but I'm sure not going to hold my breath on that one. There's plenty of room for it to get a whole lot worse.
There should have been a "Special Election" and the Mayor should never be on the SC. As residents of Ward 5 and parents of three kids in the MPS, we are appalled that GI has a vote on school policy and budgets. She was never a leader as a member of the BOA and will always be a rubber stamper for Taymore. Along with yet another group of SC people who won't question anything makes me feel like crying! Dolan was bad enough on the SC but Infurna will be worse!
I think the solution is to just have 4 hours of English and 4 hours of math every day and we need to let the teachers physically discipline the students. They are all too soft nowadays
The kids or the Teachers?