Thursday, February 12, 2009
Boy, 9, takes handgun to school
Bad twist of events without a shot being fired due to some heads up work in the classroom by a teacher.
Putting in metal detectors isn't going to make me feel any safer. Rather, it would make the conditions worse. This is a school for grades K to 5. For middle schools, I'm okay with that type of homeland security hassle tactic. Not so much for the elementary schools.
Is this the only case?
How much is this going to cost in terms of equipment and personelle? Put three folks on the doors and then there are fewer to coach basketball, reading and stand to guard on the street for traffic.
Autos are more of a worry than guns. Let's be sure the outside of our schools are safe with kids as they hit drop-off zones -- often on the wrong side of the street.
Boy, 9, takes handgun to school: "Students and teachers will be greeted by metal detectors today, though police said the incident is isolated.Sounds like the buddies needed to get a handshake too.
Putting in metal detectors isn't going to make me feel any safer. Rather, it would make the conditions worse. This is a school for grades K to 5. For middle schools, I'm okay with that type of homeland security hassle tactic. Not so much for the elementary schools.
Is this the only case?
How much is this going to cost in terms of equipment and personelle? Put three folks on the doors and then there are fewer to coach basketball, reading and stand to guard on the street for traffic.
Autos are more of a worry than guns. Let's be sure the outside of our schools are safe with kids as they hit drop-off zones -- often on the wrong side of the street.
Pgh Public Schools -- Now with SOME closed for Thursday, was 2-hour delay
Day off for SOME -- but not all. Check
http://www.PghBoe.net
http://www.PghBoe.net
Art and Code, an event at CMU that I might attend
This looks like an interesting event.
Art and Code ART AND CODE is a symposium on programming environments for artists, young people, and the rest of us. The event takes place the weekend of March 7-9, 2009 on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. It features hands-on workshops and a conference showcase for eight different creative toolkits -- programming languages made by artists, for artists.
Visit Art and Code
TV troubles
DEAD AIR (News)
By: Chris Young - February 12, 2009
Comcast removes independent WBGN from its lineup
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws//gyrobase/Content?oid=58808
Need a link to the petition.
Chip in $1 for a competitor
Watch this video.
In other aquatic news:
Phelps apologizes to Chinese fans for behavior - 02/12/09 BEIJING (AP) -- Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps has apologized to Chinese fans for what he called his regrettable behavior after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/02/12/phelps.china.ap/index.html
In other aquatic news:
Phelps apologizes to Chinese fans for behavior - 02/12/09 BEIJING (AP) -- Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps has apologized to Chinese fans for what he called his regrettable behavior after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/02/12/phelps.china.ap/index.html
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Dangerously Irrelevant
Dangerously Irrelevant: "Parents are using online tools to push on schools
growingupassumingyoucanpublishThe Washington Post recently published a really interesting article on the ability of well-connected parents to influence the decisions of their local school districts (hat tip to The Science Goddess). The term ‘well-connected’ refers to parents’ abilities to use online tools to communicate and mobilize (rather than to their connections to people with power).
Old Stone Inn in West End nominated for historic status
Old Stone Inn in West End nominated for historic status: "The Old Stone Inn in the West End, which is more than 200 years old, has been nominated for city historic status, stalling demolition plans.
The inn, at 434 Greentree Road, will have to go through hearings by Pittsburgh's Historic Review Commission. The prospective owner, Harris Masonry Inc., had applied for a permit to demolish the building and was expected to receive one within days when John DeSantis nominated the property for historic status last week.
The first hearing on the matter is likely to ...
New amphitheater to open at Station Square
New amphitheater to open at Station Square New amphitheater to open at Station SquareWhat about Sandcastle? What about the North Shore?
Feb meeting at Bloomfield-Garfield Corp with four members of the school board
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corp has been holding meeings about the pending fate of Peabody High School and overall high school reform. Last week's meeting included four of the nine school board members.
Some comments about I.B. surfaced.
This is nice and a bit of self-interest as my kids are a part of this option. Both have been in a language magnet since grade K.
The root of the problem is that the hard questions are being ignored. This exchange points out the frustration and the level of skepticism.
Meanwhile, Mark Roosevelt was on the radio today as a guest of show host, James Roddey. I'll quote from that show in another posting. However, it was so sad to hear the softball questions that Mr. Roddey offered to Mr. Roosevelt. Yawn.
The fact are clear. We know nothing. But, the reality is that the writing is on the wall. Kids in 8th grade should not sign-up to attend Peabody in the fall of 2009. The rumors are sustained and are killing the school. Those there now get to hunker down.
The decision can't wait for years down the road as board member Thomas Sumpter says. The ultimate board vote is not necessary as they can pull administrative strings. The vote to close the school is not even necessary as the school building won't 'close.' Rather, it will be replaced with a different set of teachers, students, goals and opportunities. That isn't a vote to close -- unless you want common sense awareness.
Includes personal experience of being in a blended school from a young adult who attended East Hills and Schenley and took IB. Question about the master plan. Question about the movement away from neighborhood schools to city-wide magnets. Question from NAACP about equity and getting clout for certain committees and how to get picked for committees. Some back and forth while answers getting unanswered and questions mount. The roboitcs program and who's decision it really is, really?
Hear from Randall Taylor:
Thomas Sumpter (19 minutes) talks about his points for the district and his bio.
It was reported that things stayed pretty heated at the meeting. They didn't get too much into the CTE (Vo Tech) possibility. Mostly, the talk was just setting the stage as to what the citizens concerns were, including concerns about CTE, Westinghouse, etc. Hope was that the next step would have been a meeting by the working group . No date was set. Further, they were hoping to obtain more information from Dr. Martin on CTE. His suggestions had been made internally to the PPS administrators and board for the past years.
Seems that the outrage from the community driven meetings has caused the administrators at the Pittsburgh Public Schools to "think again." They are meeting internally now and are expected to come out with a new, different, better and more thoughtful community process. It is messy. Elections are simple, but politics and community engagement is messy, as it should be.
So for now, Rick F., BGC, has not scheduled another meeting. In a way, it is time for a punt. The ball goes back to PPS. We'll see what they do with it next.
Updated from Feb 9, and Feb 10.
The 80+ page PDF of info with articles, board reports and such. http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/fixpa/images/0/04/Pittsburgh_Peabody_09.pdf
Some comments about I.B. surfaced.
This is nice and a bit of self-interest as my kids are a part of this option. Both have been in a language magnet since grade K.
The root of the problem is that the hard questions are being ignored. This exchange points out the frustration and the level of skepticism.
Meanwhile, Mark Roosevelt was on the radio today as a guest of show host, James Roddey. I'll quote from that show in another posting. However, it was so sad to hear the softball questions that Mr. Roddey offered to Mr. Roosevelt. Yawn.
The fact are clear. We know nothing. But, the reality is that the writing is on the wall. Kids in 8th grade should not sign-up to attend Peabody in the fall of 2009. The rumors are sustained and are killing the school. Those there now get to hunker down.
The decision can't wait for years down the road as board member Thomas Sumpter says. The ultimate board vote is not necessary as they can pull administrative strings. The vote to close the school is not even necessary as the school building won't 'close.' Rather, it will be replaced with a different set of teachers, students, goals and opportunities. That isn't a vote to close -- unless you want common sense awareness.
Includes personal experience of being in a blended school from a young adult who attended East Hills and Schenley and took IB. Question about the master plan. Question about the movement away from neighborhood schools to city-wide magnets. Question from NAACP about equity and getting clout for certain committees and how to get picked for committees. Some back and forth while answers getting unanswered and questions mount. The roboitcs program and who's decision it really is, really?
Hear from Randall Taylor:
Thomas Sumpter (19 minutes) talks about his points for the district and his bio.
It was reported that things stayed pretty heated at the meeting. They didn't get too much into the CTE (Vo Tech) possibility. Mostly, the talk was just setting the stage as to what the citizens concerns were, including concerns about CTE, Westinghouse, etc. Hope was that the next step would have been a meeting by the working group . No date was set. Further, they were hoping to obtain more information from Dr. Martin on CTE. His suggestions had been made internally to the PPS administrators and board for the past years.
Seems that the outrage from the community driven meetings has caused the administrators at the Pittsburgh Public Schools to "think again." They are meeting internally now and are expected to come out with a new, different, better and more thoughtful community process. It is messy. Elections are simple, but politics and community engagement is messy, as it should be.
So for now, Rick F., BGC, has not scheduled another meeting. In a way, it is time for a punt. The ball goes back to PPS. We'll see what they do with it next.
Updated from Feb 9, and Feb 10.
The 80+ page PDF of info with articles, board reports and such. http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/fixpa/images/0/04/Pittsburgh_Peabody_09.pdf
$300 Million is cash would put the City's pension fund into a healthy position in 20 years
Mayor Ravenstahl says a $300-million cash infusion today would make the city's pension fund to a healthy point in 20-years.
Rather than follow his idea of putting out two RFPs for the possible lease of the parking authority assets, I've got better ideas.
First, sell Heinz Field, a public-owned asset, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for $300-million. Sell Heinz Field now. The team should buy it.
Second, sell the parking garages. Sell them. Don't lease them. Have each parking property liquidated, over time, to buyers. Then, after a bulk of the parking facilities are sold, as is, to new owners, then lower the parking tax to five or ten percent.
Rather than follow his idea of putting out two RFPs for the possible lease of the parking authority assets, I've got better ideas.
First, sell Heinz Field, a public-owned asset, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for $300-million. Sell Heinz Field now. The team should buy it.
Second, sell the parking garages. Sell them. Don't lease them. Have each parking property liquidated, over time, to buyers. Then, after a bulk of the parking facilities are sold, as is, to new owners, then lower the parking tax to five or ten percent.
A team, a brotherhood
Article about men's NCAA Division I swimming squad. This hits to the point of a "gang mentality." I talked about the "gang mentality" last week in city hall. It is a standard slogan of mine. I want positive gangs, like swim teams.
By the way, the hope of joining such a team is not part of the plans with the Pittsburgh Promise. Kids can't go to NC State with Pittsburgh Promise funding, sadly.
Technician - A team, a brotherhood After a swim-down and some words from coach Brooks Teal, the women's team exits the pool as the swimmers remove their pink swim caps and grab towels on the way to the locker room, but the men's team remains in the pool.Then comes the next quote in the article -- about taking a bullet. Wrong. Rather, the positive gang is a way to prevent bullet. The huddle in the middle of the pool is a way to change one's landscape and surroundings so as to be immune to flying bullets and senseless violence.
After the coaches have left, the men's team moves to the center of the pool, treading water long after the meet has ended as the seniors debrief the team. A loud chant announces the meeting is over, and the swimmers finally pull themselves out of the pool to get dried and dressed.
Such is the brotherhood of the men's swimming and diving team.
By the way, the hope of joining such a team is not part of the plans with the Pittsburgh Promise. Kids can't go to NC State with Pittsburgh Promise funding, sadly.
PPS looks at 20 kids entering 9th grade and it isn't good.
Graphic from Pittsburgh Public Schools Administrator slide show:
Review: Twenty students enter 9th grade. The drop out rate for high school students is 35%. So, out of the 20 that started, only 13 graduate high school. Only nine go onto college. Three of them get a degree.
Review: Twenty students enter 9th grade. The drop out rate for high school students is 35%. So, out of the 20 that started, only 13 graduate high school. Only nine go onto college. Three of them get a degree.
ABT, ABL, WNC?
Other blogs and CP are spinning wheels and kicking up the dust of recycled electrons.
Patrick Dowd might be an ABT (Anyone But Them) candidate (for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2009's D primary), but in a different context. ABT could be: women and/or blacks and/or ex-public safety employees and/or lawyers.
You can dream about an Easter arrival from the "Patcave," (term coined above in the thread, sorta like "Batman's Batcave") a big splash and a change to the world. Or, you can help those who are already trying to do such for some time. Dream or reality.
It seems to me that the train with the "anyone but" slot has left the station. A late arrival to the ballot will diminish those efforts and insure the election of the existing mayor.
But, it isn't too late to get on board with someone from beyond Grant Street.
That is prudent generosity, IMHO. And, until proven otherwise, why so blind?
Glossary:
ABL = Anyone But Luke
ABT = Anyone But Them
WNC = Why not Carmen?
Patrick Dowd might be an ABT (Anyone But Them) candidate (for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2009's D primary), but in a different context. ABT could be: women and/or blacks and/or ex-public safety employees and/or lawyers.
You can dream about an Easter arrival from the "Patcave," (term coined above in the thread, sorta like "Batman's Batcave") a big splash and a change to the world. Or, you can help those who are already trying to do such for some time. Dream or reality.
It seems to me that the train with the "anyone but" slot has left the station. A late arrival to the ballot will diminish those efforts and insure the election of the existing mayor.
But, it isn't too late to get on board with someone from beyond Grant Street.
That is prudent generosity, IMHO. And, until proven otherwise, why so blind?
Glossary:
ABL = Anyone But Luke
ABT = Anyone But Them
WNC = Why not Carmen?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Observations and Priorities
My voice is generally deployed to address social, afterschool and community stuff -- not instructional leadership.
Dances, plays, sports, use of buildings after the dismissal bell -- are areas where the Pittsburgh Public Schools and I are oceans apart.
The district's weakness in those areas are countered well with my strengths and interests. Afterschool is not a priority for those in the PPS district -- yet it is mine. I care about drop outs, gun violence, a shrinking city -- and even the Olympics.
Nutshell: I want to create literate Olympians here.
I am waiting, still to hear from a new employee, Holly. She is the new czar of afterschool with Pittsburgh Public Schools. My meeting with the principal of the IB School, Dr. Walters, has been on hold since December.
On Monday, I will go to the PPS Board and deliver a position paper about the concept of 13th grade at the new I.B. Jr/Sr High. Stay tuned. I've been talking about this for a few weeks, online and in personal meetings.
The academic viability of IB is unquestioned for some students, for sure. Getting the school to be a success, year-in and year-out where more than a thousand (or more) students thrive, in Pittsburgh, remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, south of the city in Mt. Lebo comes this school news.
These guys can't even build a new swim pool. Now they want a high school. Oh boy.
Dances, plays, sports, use of buildings after the dismissal bell -- are areas where the Pittsburgh Public Schools and I are oceans apart.
The district's weakness in those areas are countered well with my strengths and interests. Afterschool is not a priority for those in the PPS district -- yet it is mine. I care about drop outs, gun violence, a shrinking city -- and even the Olympics.
Nutshell: I want to create literate Olympians here.
I am waiting, still to hear from a new employee, Holly. She is the new czar of afterschool with Pittsburgh Public Schools. My meeting with the principal of the IB School, Dr. Walters, has been on hold since December.
On Monday, I will go to the PPS Board and deliver a position paper about the concept of 13th grade at the new I.B. Jr/Sr High. Stay tuned. I've been talking about this for a few weeks, online and in personal meetings.
The academic viability of IB is unquestioned for some students, for sure. Getting the school to be a success, year-in and year-out where more than a thousand (or more) students thrive, in Pittsburgh, remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, south of the city in Mt. Lebo comes this school news.
These guys can't even build a new swim pool. Now they want a high school. Oh boy.
Some Mt. Lebanon residents ask for new high school: "A group of Mt. Lebanon residents last night asked the school board to consider building a completely new high school, a move that would require the community to approve a referendum on the matter.Perhaps they could buy Schenley High School. And, for good measure, we'll also air-lift them the Civic Arena as well.
Group members, who said their organization is called Build Our School Now, asked the board to vote for building a completely new high school rather than renovating the current structure and to put the issue to a referendum, which would be required under state law.
State formulas for debt limits hold Mt. Lebanon to spending no more than $110 million on the high school project without getting a referendum approved by the community. A new high school would cost about $150 million.
Build Our School Now representatives, including Kristin Linfante and David Brumfield, pledged to the board that they would knock on doors in the community lobbying people to approve the referendum.
Are you on thin ice for Valentines Day?
We talked about this yesterday with my sons in terms of planning a family date.
Valentine's skates scheduled around the county
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have scheduled Valentine's Day skating events.
The annual Valentine's Day skating event Saturday at the Schenley Park Ice Rink, Valentines on Ice, starts at 7 p.m. and includes 2-for-1 admission, chocolates and hot drinks, picture taking, salsa dancing lessons, door prizes, a puck-shooting contest and a free rose for the first 200 women.
North and South Park ice rinks will host Sweetheart Skates on Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. Couples skate for the price of one and receive a free carnation. Admission for skaters 13 to 59 is $5. Admission is $3 for seniors 60 and older and children 12 and younger.
Down to Dowd - Early Returns - post-gazette.com
Down to Dowd - Early Returns - post-gazette.com: "Down to Dowd"Unless one overlooks the women, the black women.
I hate to see coverage given for a non-starter of a story. There is more coverage about those who are not running than those who choose to run.
The ONLY announced challenger needs significant coverage. And, it is a blessing that she'll be the only challenger. The best way to beat the status quo politician is to gang together behind ONE opposition candidate. The 4th estate watchdogs need to wake up.
Stimulus Plan and the Senior Senator from PA
US Senator from PA, A. Specter, completely caved and has worked with other 'moderates' to rework the stimulus plan. It is expected to come up for vote today in the Senate.
Here is an email that he sent out yesterday describing his (pathetic) support of the stimulus:
http://specter.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100031872.227611.493&gen=1
His contact information can be obtained here:
http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
His office fax numbers are:
202-228-1229
215-597-0406
814-455-9925
610-434-1844
570-826-6266
717-782-4920
412-644-4871
570-346-8499
(Two free faxes per email per day can be sent via http://faxzero.com/ )
Here is a sample letter that you can use:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/senateletter.php (also, remind him that his term is up in 2010)
Pie chart illustrating the spending for the stimulus plan: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/stimulus-pie-chart/
Here is an email that he sent out yesterday describing his (pathetic) support of the stimulus:
http://specter.enews.senate.
His contact information can be obtained here:
http://specter.senate.gov/
His office fax numbers are:
202-228-1229
215-597-0406
814-455-9925
610-434-1844
570-826-6266
717-782-4920
412-644-4871
570-346-8499
(Two free faxes per email per day can be sent via http://faxzero.com/ )
Here is a sample letter that you can use:
http://www.campaignforliberty.
Pie chart illustrating the spending for the stimulus plan: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Citizen lawmaker: Ms. Smith goes to Grant Street
The P-G ponders Theresa Smith.
Theresa worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools as one of five directors of a PERC, Parent Education Resource Center. The PPS budget is larger than that of the City's budget. So, she wasn't in city government, she was a government employee in a neighborhood.
The experience issue here is that the P-G, as journalist and news reporters, doesn't get it right.
Theresa was also experienced by helping Dan Deasy's campaign in his quest to become a State Rep.
Sure, there has been countless hours as a volunteer. Sure, she has been tireless. But she is no novice.
Sadly, the P-G editorial board folks are just too far out of touch. I don't care about their opinions. But, I do care that they weave them from facts and awareness. I wish they'd work to get out of the bubble in the bottom of the "Main Stream Media" river.
Well wishes are fine. But, just as it is going to take more than Grant Street to solve the problems of the city, it is also going to take 'watchdogs' of the fourth estate to be better clued into the reality of our landscapes. The P-G needs to help too. Too often it has been on the wrong side in the struggles of bettering our city.
My statement on the day after the special election win of Theresa Smith.
(Updated from 9:30 am.)
Citizen lawmaker: Ms. Smith goes to Grant Street: "Theresa Smith has spent years working to improve her city and her Westwood neighborhood, always from outside the government looking in."Well, that isn't true.
Theresa worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools as one of five directors of a PERC, Parent Education Resource Center. The PPS budget is larger than that of the City's budget. So, she wasn't in city government, she was a government employee in a neighborhood.
The experience issue here is that the P-G, as journalist and news reporters, doesn't get it right.
Theresa was also experienced by helping Dan Deasy's campaign in his quest to become a State Rep.
Sure, there has been countless hours as a volunteer. Sure, she has been tireless. But she is no novice.
Sadly, the P-G editorial board folks are just too far out of touch. I don't care about their opinions. But, I do care that they weave them from facts and awareness. I wish they'd work to get out of the bubble in the bottom of the "Main Stream Media" river.
Well wishes are fine. But, just as it is going to take more than Grant Street to solve the problems of the city, it is also going to take 'watchdogs' of the fourth estate to be better clued into the reality of our landscapes. The P-G needs to help too. Too often it has been on the wrong side in the struggles of bettering our city.
My statement on the day after the special election win of Theresa Smith.
(Updated from 9:30 am.)
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