Lowell Life dot Org

Oakland has to Teach Carlos Garcia?

Lowell Student — Fri, 20 May 2011 20:45:11 +0000

Courtesy of Mercury News

Oakland schools among the first in California to track student absenteeism
By Katy Murphy
Oakland Tribune

OAKLAND — It’s a concept a kindergartner could understand: Children won’t learn if they miss too much school.

Few would disagree, yet most school districts don’t actually monitor the number of days that each child is absent. Schools track truancy (unexcused absences), and they count the number of children who show up each day. But they don’t report chronic absenteeism, or the percentage of children who miss at least 10 percent of the school year, excused or unexcused.

“You can have a kid in kindergarten rack up a ton of excused absences, but they’re missing a lot of school,” said Hedy Chang, director of Attendance Works, a national and state initiative to promote awareness of the issue.

Chang presented her research Friday at an education forum in Sacramento hosted by Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction.

The Oakland school district became one of the first in the state to actively monitor chronic absenteeism, and the results have been sobering. Chang’s analysis showed that 14 percent of all district students and more than 20 percent of African-American students missed at least 18 days of school last year. The report found the highest percentages of chronically absent children to be concentrated in West Oakland, an economically distressed area with high rates of violence, asthma and housing instability.

“We know that if students aren’t attending, they’re losing ground,” Oakland Superintendent Tony Smith said at a special school board meeting this week.

The Oakland school district has developed an early warning system to change these patterns. District staff analyze the absentee data by school, race, poverty and other groupings. Principals receive weekly lists of students who have been absent for at least 10 percent of the school year.

Brookfield Elementary School in East Oakland has reduced its chronic absenteeism to a third of what it was two years ago — to about 6 percent. Principal Adam Taylor said the results are encouraging.

“First, you see a difference in their attitude,” he said, adding that students who miss a lot of school tend to withdraw academically.

Taylor said Brookfield has an outreach coordinator who works with families to figure out what’s causing the absences and how the school can help. The solution for one boy who was wandering the halls each morning after being dropped off? “He gets his own personal welcome,” he said.

Taylor said he has borrowed ideas from other principals, such as popcorn parties for the class with the best attendance and bicycle raffles for children with perfect attendance. But such initiatives must happen throughout the city, he said, and it would help if a big company sponsored the cause.

“How do we get a Target or a Walmart to make it a districtwide attendance effort?” Taylor said.

In addition to the need to improve literacy and graduation rates, school districts have a financial incentive to pay closer attention to absenteeism. Chang estimates that if Oakland Unified’s chronic absentees each attended just six more days of school, the district would have $1.1 million more to spend.

Hydra Mendoza Hasn’t Learned to Pay Attention to Community

Lowell Student — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:28:38 +0000

Courtesy of San Francisco Examiner

Officials from the San Francisco Unified School District found out this week what happens when they don’t follow their own lesson plan.

You know, like the one that includes community outreach, parent involvement and the push for neighborhood schools.

Just a few days ago, residents in The City’s Inner Sunset neighborhood became alerted to a “proposal” by the school district to relocate a program for troubled youth — students who have gone through the courts for drugs, alcohol and other disciplinary problems — into an abandoned school site on Seventh Avenue near Irving Street, smack in the heart of the community.

A hurried meeting was arranged by officials of the school district, program directors and members of the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors, a gathering that went from bad to worse when residents were informed that the proposal, in fact, was a done deal, and that the district planned to expand the school from 30 to 150 students over time.

“The passions are really high in this room because people feel we’re not getting answers, we’re not getting the feedback we want,” said Andrea Jadwin, head of the neighborhood association. “The families here feel that they are being squeezed and the district hasn’t thought out how this might work.”

It didn’t help that district officials acknowledged that they hadn’t involved the neighborhood groups prior to making their decision last month, or that such issues as security, staffing levels or general oversight of the school were still being “worked out.”

For community residents, who include a large number of young parents, it was a matter of getting worked up — following the recent news that a majority of families in the district did not get their preferred schools in the annual lottery process. The Inner Sunset is home to two of the more coveted elementary schools in The City, Clarendon and Alice Fong Yu, yet to hear the parents tell it, they’ve all been shut out of getting their own neighborhood selections.

The backlash against the “at risk” youth school, currently called the Principals Center Collaborative and located in aging bungalows on 43rd Avenue and Judah Street, is not your typical NIMBY fight in San Francisco. The Inner Sunset neighborhood is generally considered a left-leaning extension of the Haight, which is why it was gerrymandered into the liberal boundaries of District 5.

The community is also an education mecca of sorts, being home to UC San Francisco Medical Center, one of the top medical institutions in the United States, and where thousands of students, nurses and researchers parachute into (well, actually many drive, much to the neighbors dismay) each day.

So, if any district might welcome a school using innovative programs to help troubled youths find their footing away from courts, incarceration and truancy, it would probably be the Inner Sunset, a thought voiced by more than one parent.

But that would still require their knowledge and input, two things missing from the school district’s machinations up to this point. The school site already has been a sore spot for the neighborhood, being home in recent years to Gateway and Newcomer high schools, one that moved and one that went away entirely.

Yet the “at risk” part of the new planned school has the community questioning just who is at risk.

“We’ve been a dumping ground for rotating high schools,” one parent said. “We had no say in Gateway, no say in Newcomer and now we have no say here.”

Judging by the level of rancor at the meeting, the district’s plan is likely to be altered. Let that be a lesson.

Hey Hydra, ever heard that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? I can think of a few more terms that apply: idiocy, incompetence, oh and how about immoral?

Relief

Alex — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 04:00:15 +0000

Today’s post is sponsored by the good folks over at Freedom Debt Relief. Now, why would a credit card debt relief company be interested in our plight here, you ask? Well, if you think about it, poor choices in the past such as frivolous spending have begun to catch up with people. And much like credit card debt, bad things in this student’s past will catch up to him in the future. This has always been the concern of ours here at this website.

It has been easy for people in authoritative positions to cast judgment upon this kid without knowing the full story, or caring for that matter. Whether due to personal prejudices, political pressure, or selfish motives, the ultimate decision to adopt an apathetic attitude was just plainly and justly wrong.

What’s makes a good teacher? Consider the words of one educator and philosopher Parker Palmer: Good teaching isn’t about technique. I’ve asked students around the country to describe their good teachers to me. Some of them describe people who lecture all the time, some of them describe people who do little other than facilitate group process, and others describe everything in between. But all of them describe people who have some sort of connective capacity, who connect themselves to their students, their students to each other, and everyone to the subject being studied. Does this sound like Ms. Jank, who claimed she was only following the instructions of the principal? Or Ms. Da Rosa, who gave a student a F, then retired to Hawaii? Or Ms. Pang, who was just a horrible human being?

What makes a great principal? Principals vary in strategy, temperament, and leadership style, but the great ones have four characteristics in common:

Great principals take responsibility for school success.
Great principals lead teaching and learning.
Great principals hire, develop and retain excellent teachers.
Great principals build a strong school community.

Other than taking credit for Lowell’s academic success, which one sounds like Mr. Ishibashi to any of you? Is hiding behind his attorney, rather than meeting with a student’s parents on the list?

Finally, what makes a good politician? Bypassing the usual answers of “a dead one,” and “one that is good at lying and covering it up,” a good politician is one that never forgets where they’re from and fight hard not to succumb to pressure. They understand their districts, remain loyal to their constituents, and have an abiding faith in the decency, intelligence and patriotism of the all. Without that, it’s almost impossible to be a true representative, able to express in the halls of the powerful the hopes, dreams, and interests of ordinary Americans. That’s what each and every board member was sent to their seat to do, and the very best never forget.

Do you hear me, Jane Kim, Hydra Mendoza, Kim-Shree Maufas, Carlos Garcia, Sandra Lee Fewer, Norman Yee? Even you Richard Maggi.

We will never forget each and every one of you. Every time something from this incident interferes with this student’s life in the future, we will think of you.

Parents protest Oakland district teacher

Alex — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:29:30 +0000

Courtesy of SF Gate

A group of Oakland parents, frustrated by a nearly two-year battle to remove a reportedly abusive teacher, went on strike Thursday, pulling their children out of school and onto a picket line at the district’s downtown headquarters.

Close to 80 percent of Lazear Elementary School’s 300 students didn’t show up for school Thursday – a loss of almost $9,000 in state funding for the day – and apparently a wake-up call for district and teachers union officials who met with the parents Thursday afternoon to try to resolve the issue.

The boycott was a last resort for the parents, who were tired of the time-consuming and egregious process of getting rid of someone they say is a bad teacher.

In nearly two years of teaching at Lazear, the veteran third-grade teacher has repeatedly left his pupils unattended in the classroom and on the schoolyard, physically manhandled students, told children to “shut up,” and at one point locked a girl in the classroom because she wasn’t moving fast enough, said Olga Galavíz González, a parent organizer at the school.

Students fear him, she said.

About a year ago, parents began writing letters to district officials to complain. They held meetings with the principal and district board members. They signed and turned in petitions. They called the district. At first, they wanted administrators to admonish the teacher, and when things got worse, remove him. They got nowhere, González said.

Thursday morning, about 100 parents and children, carrying signs, marched in front of the school and then moved downtown to picket district headquarters. They demanded the teacher be gone by the fall and that the principal, who they say failed to respond appropriately, be replaced.

District officials said they have been following personnel protocols to address the parents’ concerns.

“This is taking longer than anyone likes, but we’re definitely trying,” said district spokesman Troy Flint.

The parents declined to identify the teacher, saying the action was aimed at getting administrators to do something, not at exposing the teacher. District and union officials also refused to identify the teacher, saying the issue is a personnel matter.

Thursday’s strike exemplified one of the more common complaints in public education. Too often, the solution to bad teachers is to shuffle them to another school to avoid the costly two-year process to fire them – what is known as a dance of the lemons.

Lazear parents said they don’t want the lemons landing in their yard. At the same time, many stressed that they love most of the children’s teachers.

“Our kids deserve better teachers,” González said. “Just because we’re here and not up in the hills, they deserve the same teachers.”

By “here” she meant Lazear, a predominantly low-income elementary school with a large Hispanic population on the other side of a chain-link fence from Interstate 880.

Schools like Lazear can feel like dumping grounds for tenured teachers the district can’t or won’t fire, said Oakland school board member Noel Gallo. The third-grade teacher at the center of Thursday’s controversy had moved around the district before he arrived at Lazear in fall 2008, he said.

“If the families don’t speak English, so what?” said Gallo, who stood with parents on the picket line. “They deserve the same fairness, equity, treatment and quality.”

Lazear Principal Pia Jara said she has been talking to and meeting with parents over the issue, and didn’t think pulling students out of school – a week before standardized testing starts – was the answer.

“Kids need to be here to learn,” Jara said.

During the afternoon’s meeting, district officials reiterated to parents that they are working on the problem, giving parents the impression the teacher would not be back next fall, González said. For some parents, that was not soon enough and they vowed to keep their children out of school again today.

“At the end, a lot of parents were still frustrated,” González said.

Let me get this straight. Oakland parents have the guts to do this, but no one is brave enough to stand up against junk teachers at Lowell who have been abusive for over ten years?!?!

Use registry cleaner to keep your PC safe and up-to-date.

Lowell Teacher Gives ‘Extra Credit’ for Good Reviews

Alex — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:53:57 +0000

It has come to the attention of Lowell Life dot Org that a Lowell High School Chinese/ French teacher has been offering her students extra credit in exchange for good reviews on Rate My Teachers. Since then, she has gotten two pages of ‘good’ reviews. Unfortunately, even that, has not been enough to offset her other unsolicited reviews.

While I am sure that this kind of behavior is consistent with her teaching habits, I am still amazed that teachers of this caliber are still employed at a school as prestigious as Lowell High School. This just further proves our stance here at Lowell Life dot Org that many malicious and immoral practices are continued by the current administration with no entity to hold them accountable.

Since the formation of Lowell Life dot Org, we have been bombarded with hate mail, questioning emails, as well as comments calling for truce, from current administrators, alumni, as well as SFUSD employees. All have been documented and traced, and recorded. Cover ups and harassment activities have gone from subtle to outright blatant. However, our purpose is still the same, and has not changed. Numerous past students, as well as many currents ones, have been done a grave injustice by the current Lowell administration. Enough is enough. Someone needs to be held accountable for their actions.

We will continue to collect, record, and report injustices until someone finally rights these wrongs. Crimes and injustice can only be covered up for so long. Like an infected sore, it will continue to fester and eventually rot if left untreated. Such as the example of this particular teacher that has resorted to ‘buying’ her students’ favor. SFUSD and Lowell administration can try as they may to make us go away, but their actions will never be forgotten.

Worried of Mac data recovery? Take care.

$15,000 Scholarship Competition

Alex — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:08:36 +0000

The good folks over at the Tea Council of the USA, Inc. wanted to inform supporters of LowellLife dot Org of their $15,000 Nationwide Scholarship they are sponsoring for college students. Please watch the video below.

Basically, the Tea Council of the USA is offering a $15,000 scholarship for the most creative and unique internet video about the health benefits of drinking tea as part of the 2009 Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition.

Entries must be uploaded on to YouTube and must be one to two minutes. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and the deadline is May 31, 2009. Sorry, only U.S. residents are eligible.

Remember, your original video must contain a health related message (this is 50% of what your video will be judged on; Entries must contain at least one clearly stated message regarding Tea’s health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea (with no specific commercial brand mentions, of course). Your video will also be judged on creativity (20%), individuality (20%) and popularity (10%).

What re you guys waiting for? Good luck!

March 24 SFUSD Board of Education Meeting

Alex — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:52:49 +0000

March 24, 2009 SFUSD Meeting – The best bloopers are here

Why am I Still Getting Harassed at School?

Lowell Student — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:45:15 +0000

This past Wednesday, I was sitting in my Health class as the substitute called role when I found it strange that my name was not called. I thought nothing of it and proceeded on to the rest of my day.

The following day on Thursday, my regular Health teacher came back and asked me to stay after class. She informed me that my name had disappeared entirely off the attendance sheet! I immediately went to see my counselor to inquire about the situation. She (counselor) assured me that it was a big “boo-boo” and that I should not worry about it.

However, today my Math teacher expressed concern over my name disappearing from her class attendance sheet as well and asked if I had “switched schools.” This alarmed me and I checked with the rest of my classes and it turned out that my name has been erased from each and every one of my classes! My Math teacher suggested that I check with the assistant principal, but I was unable to get any sort of explanation there either.

I was even more concerned when other one of my teachers asked if I had “switched schools.” What is going on?

2/24/09 SFUD Board of Education Meeting

David — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:29:24 +0000

Exhibit: 3d-3

David — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:10:10 +0000

Possible Confrontation to Jonathan Leigh at Lowell Exhibit: 3d-3

Parent@yahoo.com

Monday, June 16, 2008 1:06:04 AM

To: Susan Wong ; HOOVER LIDDELL

Cc: Margaret Chiu ; Richard Maggi ; sanchezM5@sfusd.edu; MaufasKS@sfusd.edu; KimJ7@sfusd.edu; MarE@sfusd.edu; MendozaH@sfusd.edu; WynnsJ@sfusd.edu; YeeN1@sfusd.edu; CarlosGarcia@sfusd.edu; thaisdarosa@saber.net; lowellchemistry@gmail.com

Susan and Hoover:

This e-mail is to confirm our scheduled meeting (My wife xxxx and son XXXX are included) with you on 6/13/08 at 8:30 a.m.

During our discussion, we informed you the following situation and happened events:

1. On 6/9/08 during a discussion with Mr. Jeff David (Counselor) and Ms. Holly Giles (Assistant Principal) about the confusion of the classes for the next semester, Jonathan chose his classes for next semester, yet school’s records show another class was chosen for him without his awareness. In addition, we learned that Lowell Principal Mr. Ishibashi had instructed Mr. David that whenever we are on the Lowell campus, we need to be accompanied by another administrator. That was why Ms. Holly Giles was in our meeting. During this meeting , I sense that someone is going to unfairly work on Jonathan’s next semester’s class schedules.

You (Susan Wong) stated that you had investigated this matter and received a written response from Mr. David dated 6/12/08, which you gave us a copy.

Jonathan read through Mr. David’s response and replied, which I will forward to you right next to this e-mail. At this point in time, I am in agreement with my son Jonathan which is to request to switch Jonathan’s counselor because of the following reasons:

a. During the whole semester of the first semester of 10th grade, Mr. Jeff David had never had a one on one counseling with Jonathan.

b. At the Committee Meeting on 4/21/08, you (Susan) had instructed Mr. Jeff David to have counseling sessions with Jonathan once a while.

Mr. David failed to do so. Therefore, the two “Fs” for the Chemistry and AP World History became a total surprise to all of us.

c. A counselor with years of experience presented the proof that he went through “the Program Worksheet For 11th Graders” together with Jonathan, unfortunately, without the date and Jonathan’s signature on it. Whereas Jonathan presented another proof which indicates the date and signature on the sheet. Additionally, Jonathan stated that Mr. Jeff David never spoke to him about their meeting of working together.

2. On 6/11/08, it is Lowell’s graduation day. Out of the blue, a concerned teacher approached Jonathan and said, “If you are walking home today, you should walk straight home immediately after school. There are strangers from Burton on the campus.” Jonathan did not want to have another confrontation. He was frightened, and called us to pick him up.

3. On 6/11/08 evening, Jonathan’s classmate Cynthia warned him by using the internet Chat Line that “ ur gunna be living a life of hell … I heard this during 4-5 … Jonathan is going to be jumped by dean during the self-scheduling …im telling u how to watch ur back …”

After we described these events, Mr. Liddell made copies of the police report number, the computer print out of children’s dialogs, and Jonathan’s selected Classes. You (Susan) stated you will try to change the English Comedy and Satire to Epic and Myth. Brother and I suggested let us try, however, if possible, not to affect the rest of the chosen classes. If fact, Jonathan had a plan attached to his e-mail as for how to switch to have the least amount of disturbance.

Brother and I stated all these events happened to Jonathan cannot be coincidence any more. Now, it is becoming a safety and harassment issue. I said if Mr. Ishibashi does not like the child’s father, please come down to me directly. Don’t underhand to a 15-year-old child. If that being the case, I would not mind to apology to Mr. Ishibashi openly so that he can keep his face and let go of the child.

Mr. Liddell said Mr. Ishibashi and you (Parent) had respect before. The respect was gone because Mr. Ishibashi stated in his reply memo, “…. I will not communicate with you any longer without legal representation.” Mr. Liddell said Ms. Margaret Chiu is busy with graduation today and not available. It is important that Margaret needs to get involved in this matter. We will write our response pertaining the meeting held on 6/3/08 in next week.

Mr. Liddell left the meeting early, and we informed you that we are still expect a meeting scheduled for us to meet the child (Felicity Lau, aka Sachi) and her parents by Dean Cordoba in the afternoon. Up-to-date, we have not had meeting with Felicity and her parents.

If the content of this e-mail is not correct, please respond with correct version.

Parent