Ed Notes Online
The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and His Lovely Wife Matilda - 100 years later, 56 Years Since I Was in the 8th grade
- OK, so Ferdinand's wife's name was really Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, as today we mark the 100th anniversary of the assassination. But to my 8th grade social studies class committee, consisting of 5 pubescent boys putting on a little reenactment of the assassination in front of the class as part of their report, she was his "lovely wife Matilda." (The teacher didn't laugh but I still
Shades of 2004: Balanced Literacy Plus High Class Sizes a Recipe for Failure
With the re-entry of Farina's pal Lucy Calkins and Balanced Literacy and its Workshop models we may find ourselves in the Tweed version of Groundhog Day.One of my long-time colleagues in ICE/GEM/MORE is a grad of Teachers College where she was trained in Balanced Literacy and is a fan - in theory. She teaches in the heart of Bed-Stuy and since I've known her she says, "It's a wonderful progra
JUN 26
Eterno on Final Graduation Jamaica HS Before Closing, Schirtzer Condemns Farina/UFT For Allowing It to Happen
With every passing day, despite the so-called change of tone, we see more evidence (here, here, here, here) for samples) of endorsement of Bloomberg's wrecking ball. James Eterno posted about this sad/happy day (for the final Jamaica HS grad class) at the ICE blog.... Today is a very emotional day for many people as Jamaica High School will hold its final graduation ceremony this evening. I am su
No Change of Tone at John Dewey HS: Principal Kathleen Elvin - A Principal Heading for Hell
Kathleen Elvin was sent into John Dewey HS as a closer a few years ago - to make sure to drive the final nail in Dewey's coffin and remove many of the teachers, mostly senior. But the UFT lawsuit stopped that process over the summer and Elvin had to switch gears.Mulgrew and the UFT/Unity clones talk about the change of tone at Tweed. I pointed that the so-called change of tone is directed at union
JUN 25
Bryant Principal Namita Dwarka Gets Caught Playing the "Manipulate the Test" Game And Loses
Oh, the glory! RBE reported on this story at Perdido St:Just Make Every Student A Former ESL Student And You'll Magically Raise Your Test Scores! In case you missed this story in the NY Post:More than 100 teens in one teacher’s English classes were recently marked “FELL,” for “former English language learner.” The label grants students exam “accommodations” up to two years after they test profici
I'm Back on Stage this Sunday, Sunday, June 29th: Rockaway Theatre Company Prepares for Rockaway Arts Festival to celebrate the reopening of Fort Tilden
Rockaway really does rock. With Patti Smith being a resident and bringing a celebrity crowd along with her, the opening this Sunday of Rockaway! at Fort Tilden is an exciting event for us all. The RTC is getting a performance ready, including the dance number from How to Succeed.. I was in. I was at the rehearsal last night and not only did I forget the steps but I am truly out of shape. And so ma
JUN 24
For Their Eyes Only - UFT Leadership Loves New Tone at Tweed -
UFT President Michael Mulgrew took a student awards ceremony Monday as a chance to praise the union’s partnership with the Department of Education. READ MORE -- ChalkbeatOh, the Unity/UFT leadership is qvelling like a pig in shit over the new tone at Tweed. You see, pre-Bloomberg, the UFT was part and parcel of running the DOE - partners in crime even if the teachers and kids and parents were gett
JUN 23
Picnic
Jia, moi, GloriaWhat a nice afternoon at the MORE/CTS picnic.Diana posted a batch of photos on fb: https://www.facebook.com/diana.zavala.50/media_set?set=a.10203290341072258.1021851444&type=3Wednesday evening CTS is going on a Korea town eating binge led by Jia Lee, who will be heading home to California to her parents place outside LA for the summer -- and she will be joining us at the AFT co
Beating the Tweed Bureaucarcy? Do an End Run - Small Schools Athletic League WINS -
This just in from Dave Rosen after what must have been a successful rally today (All Kids Deserve Right to Play Sports - Rally Monday for Small Schools Athletic League). For background read previous Ed Notes coverage (NYC Teacher David Garcia-Rosen Battles) on how Tweed/PSAL bureaucrats did little to assist the small high schools without sports teams, while Dave took action. Instead of supporting
Neo-Liberal Wayne Barrett, Pseudo-Progressive Anti-Union Charter School Lover
It's remarkable that someone as "progressive" as Barrett fails to comprehend the corporate influence on the modern Democratic party... NYC EducatorYou sound like a shill for privatizers. I too am critical of the UFT for not advocating class size reduction and addressing poverty. .. but tenure is hardly the boogie man here, hence my skepticism. In Europe, especially Scandinavia, teachers
JUN 22
The Wave - Memo From the RTC: Gypsy Update - They Call me Mr. Goldstone
Published in The Wave, Friday, June 20, 2014(www.rockawave.com). Memo From the RTC: Gypsy Update - They Call me Mr. GoldstoneBy Norm ScottI’m a process person – fascinated by the nuts and bolts that go into just about anything. I have a “how is it made” mentality. So getting beyond the surface of the dynamic productions at the RTC is quite a treat. At that rehearsal they were blocking a long sce
All Kids Deserve Right to Play Sports - Rally Monday for Small Schools Athletic League
Ed Notes did a story on May 14 on Dave Rosen and the Small Schools Athletic League he founded: NYC Teacher David Garcia-Rosen Battles ...Here is an update with a rally on Monday at 11AM at City Hall.Please join Council Member Andy King and student-athletes from all over the city to urge the Mayor to make sure every high school student in New York City has the right to play high school sports!BE T
Johannah Chase, Farina Choice for Special Ed: Kipper and TFA
People are saying "same old, same old" -- keeping the old BloomKlein crowd around - people who defended some of the most horrific policies we've seen. Do they mean to say there is not one NYC current or former special ed teacher or supervisor qualified for this job? It really is a slap in the face of every special ed teacher and supervisor to appoint Chase to this job, even if she is won
Sunday, Sunday Picnic - Join MORE/Change the Stakes Today at Brooklyn Bridge Park
... and check out MORE's 3rd Annual Summer Series... View this email in your browser OUTDOOR GATHERING SUNDAY! According to Sunday's weather predictions, we're looking at a pretty perfect day on the water's edge of Brooklyn! The Movement of Rank and File Educators andChange the Stakesinvite you to celebratethe beginning of summer byeating with us in t
JUN 21
Your "choice" really is my business - Lorna F.
Why free-market economics lead to nothing but harm in our public education system....Two recent articles that prove why free-market economics lead to nothing but harm in our public education system.Thanks to Lorna, a Brooklyn public school parent for sending this. I've gotten into discussions with charter school parents who rigorously defend their right to "choice." I ask them what about
Susan's Saturday Special
Ok, so Ohanian sent this out on Thursday. Why quibble? Lotsalinks for weekend perusal. And isn't today the longest day of the year? And I'm registered for a hot yoga class in Times Square with a few thousand people. I just me skip that one and stay home and read Susan's stuff.A startling thing happened in the grocery store yesterday. I had the four pieces of fruit (at $3.99) a pound that I treat m