Just want to express appreciation for Mr. Kenney, who spoke at school committee last night (and for Mr. Dittmer, who showed up!). Seeing these reliable, dedicated and concerned citizens in the chamber gives some comfort to those of us who are despairing about the dismal state of affairs in our city, even though the elected officials don't seem to appreciate the real meaning of civic engagement. They think it means smearing unctuous praise all over each other and themselves about anything (regardless of whether it's actually earned). They quite obviously have forgotten that they are supposed to be working for us, not vice versa! The term "public servant" escapes them.
Mr. Kenny, though it's sometimes a little hard to figure out what you're aiming for, we really appreciate your message nonetheless. You called out the mayor, members of the School Committee and superintendent for violating its own rules (or those legally unsupportable "norms") and being disrespectful to those caring citizens coming before the public body to speak.
At the previous School Committee meeting a high school senior gave up precious time to come down to the meeting to speak, only to be talked over by the chair, Margaret Driscoll and Cindy Taymore--incredibly rude and disrespectful. That young woman, a senior at MHS, spoke with dignity and was articulate about why she was upset to see the changes the SC approved, sadly, to the MHS Program of Studies (with unleveling of all 9th grade classes and a change to unweighted GPA--very damaging to anyone from now on seeking to be admitted to the most selective colleges), only to be treated with such haughty rudeness by the chair and superintendent.
At each of the meetings, including last night, Mayor Brodeur interjected rudely during and after Mr. Moroz has spoken, even though he did not have the floor and in total violation of Roberts Rules, and the SC Norms. He does this routinely and doesn't seem to care that he is violating the rules. Thank you to Mr. Kenny for speaking up about this! These boorish and arrogant officials need to start observing their own rules, and maybe even demonstrating some common decency while they're at it. Of course after things like what happened to the residents of Brazil Street it's clear that common decency is in short supply among Melrose officials, sadly. Abuse of power is the norm here. What a lousy example for the children, so it's no wonder they've moved Public Participation to occur after the little dog and pony show arranged by the SC to convince us that they supposedly care about the students. Heaven forbid students are there to witness the real civic engagement (including Mr. Moroz' always cogent commentary which is always about what's best for the students)! In any case, thank you, Mr. Kenney! You obviously care very much about our community. Shame on Mr. Brodeur, Cindy Taymore, Margaret Driscoll, for their incredibly disrespectful conduct, and all the rest of them who fiddle rudely with their laptops instead of listening respectfully to the members of the public who come before them.
Hear, hear!
Yes, heartfelt appreciation for our dedicated residents who take the time to show up, even when they are guaranteed to face only shunning or direct bullying, like that of Brodeur or Driscoll or Taymore. It's a woeful state of affairs that we find these nasty, untrustworthy individuals to be our representatives, especially during a time of great stress for our community and our nation.
It has been said that life is the most patient teacher. You will be presented with the same experience over and over until you learn the best way to deal with the situation. This is not because life is cruel. Rather, it is because things have a way of coming back to haunt us when we don't deal with them.
Public Participation to occur after the little dog and pony show arranged by the SC to convince us that they supposedly care about the students.Do the voters count? I have to think public particpation means nothing to the school committee just look at the last meeting they hire a new superintendent for Melrose Public Schools.
If you’re feeling like the upheaval of daily life brought on by coronavirus is here to stay — at least for a bit — you’re not the only one around here.
BOSTON — Governor Baker announced on Wednesday all schools and non-emergency childcare programs in the state would remain closed through the end of April amid the coronavirus crisis.
Schools had been set to re-open in April, but the new announcement will keep them closed until the first week of May at the earliest.
In a release, Baker said the decision, part of the new actions to support the ongoing COVID-19 response, will allow school administrators and educators to have more time to plan to ensure students can complete course requirements, as well as provide teachers with time to expand remote learning opportunities.
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Per Baker: Same applies to non-emergency childcare programs. They too must remain closed until May 4th. #coronavirus https://t.co/A4suF7JNnW
— Kerry Kavanaugh (@KerryKavanaugh) March 25, 2020
Along with extending the closures of schools and non-essential childcare programs, the governor also announced measures to help protect homeowners and low-income tenants from eviction and foreclosure. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) established a process to approve Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs to serve vulnerable children and families of first responders and essential workers.
The order does not apply to residential special education schools.
[ READ the K-12 School Order here ]
Students will continue their education through remote learning, which includes a wide variety of learning methods, including both analog and online.
Pharmacies and grocery stores will also have to comply with strict statewide regulations that enforce social distancing and crack down on sanitization efforts. The order will require grocery stores and pharmacies to reserve at least one hour everyday for shopping solely for adults over 60, offer sanitation options such as hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for customers, provide appropriate social distancing measures, such as including a marked “Social Distancing Line” that will start six feet away from all checkout counters and close down any self-serve food stations.
#BREAKING: @MassGovernor says ALL #Massachusetts SCHOOLS to stay CLOSED through April. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/tOCgqJpRzM
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) March 25, 2020
Grocery stores and pharmacies are asked to also instruct any employees who are ill to stay home and should be able to accommodate employees who fall in the high-risk category with alternative assignments to limit exposure.
For more information, you can visit the state’s website for the latest information and guidance on COVID-19.
Everyone acts like everything is great because property values are high. But what if they weren\'t? And we\'re just one collapse away from that again. Today date is March 26 2020.
coronavirus is a “serious threat to the people of Massachusetts,
I concur with the sentiments about Mr. Kenny & Mr. Mroz for taking the time to present their thoughts to the school committee. I also agree with the outlandish antics of our Mayor - who constantly talks down public speakers when they exceed the talk time! How disrespectful of him! What arrogance! Will he ever learn to be respectful of public speakers during the open comment session of these meetings - we shall see!
The Mayor and the school committee are lucky that Robert's rules do not permit for an exchange of conversation. They are intellectually ill armed when challenged by the Ward 5 distinctive gentleman Mr. Gerry Mrotz. Paul accomplished nothing during his stint as state rep, ergo the need for an override. Thank God for the tireless souls fighting the good fight on our behalf. Thank You Mr. Kenny, Mr. Mrotz, Ms. Carrie K., Mr. Myron D. Rest in peace Ms. Patricia Wright.
Mr. Kenney! You obviously care very much about our community.
School Committee meeting a high school senior gave up precious time to come down to the meeting to speak, only to be talked over by the chair, Margaret Driscoll and Cindy Taymore--incredibly rude and disrespectful. That young woman, a senior at MHS, spoke with dignity and was articulate about why she was upset to see the changes the SC approved, sadly, to the MHS Program of Studies (with unleveling of all 9th grade classes and a change to unweighted GPA--very damaging to anyone from now on seeking to be admitted to the most selective colleges), only to be treated with such haughty rudeness by the chair and superintendent.