12 year old NYC student aressted for doodling on desk

 In a shocking and unusual incident, a 12-year-old school girl has been arrested for doodling on her desk with an erasable marker.

The New York City middle school student reportedly was put in metal handcuffs, not the plastic ties often used, and taken to a police station for her offence.

Alexa Gonzalez, a seventh grader at Junior High School 190 in Forest Hills, was hauled out of school in handcuffs, the Daily News reported on Friday.

Delaware charter school culture shock

Former Red Clay school board member Paul Fleming made a comment to the effect that charter schools that are not K-12 will end up dumping students back in the failing public schools. Fleming’s comment drew outrage from educators and parents for making such a comment by a public school board member. The meeting in question was when Odyssey applied for a charter modification.

My spin on it was, Fleming was trying to make a point that if students attends a charter school only designed for k-5 they may be forced back into the chaotic public school system which will be a bit of a culture shock for that child.

More charter schools are coming online including many with high school components. However, there may be a void for needed charter  middle schools for these students to feed into. But do keep in mind, there is no “preference” for students coming from lower grade level charter schools. So even if there we adequate charter middle schools these students would have to compete for admissions.

It’s obvious Delaware DOE, Jack Markell and our state legislators aren’t looking at the big picture in regards to charter school growth. I don’t think it should be left up to parents to address possible dilemmas. What  will be emotional and educational impact with students caught in this trap?

Sure, the current (fad) to reform public school will help produce quality traditional public schools that can provide a stable bridge for these charter school students. Let’s not forget the culture shock students will face when low performing charter schools are ordered closed.

Nothing in going to stop the expansion of charter schools in Delaware but don’t you think Delaware DOE and the Delaware State Board of Education apply common sense to the needs and growth of charter schools.

I am still a believer that traditional public schools should be the one and only “public” school. However, I respect all parents and students who make the charter school option. The sad part of educational reform is many elected officials support the so-called reforms only out of political self-preservation and political advancement. Everything in life comes full circle and so shall educational reform. Allowing charter schools to expand without rasing concerns of ensuring those who make this option have charter schools to transition from and to is irresponsible on our Governor’s and legislators part. Burning one ship before the other ship is out of drydock is a fools journey.  

The Big Delaware Dig

Now wasn’t that one shovel ready job?

I spend hours with my snow blower digging our street out. This is one side of our street which is a divided  one-way. Wasn’t sure if the Civil Assoication hired a snowplow because some tight ass homeowners wouldn’t pay their dues.

 

Here is the other side of our street. The snowplow did come last night.

 

My sidewalk

I wish I never had gutter-guards installed.