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TRHSparent · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

From the Atkinson Reporter forum (Looks like a resubmission of an older posting since Dr McDonald is no longer superintendant of TRSD):

Monday, June 9
Publius, please accept this as an article submission.

ARTICLE SUBMISSION

Timberlane is going down the tubes, when will the school board stop it?

In 1975 the Timberlane Junior High School opened to much fanfare. I was in the eighth grade at the time. We had been attending double sessions at the high school for three years, while construction was going on. It, like the high school when it opened, was a model school, in layout, curriculum, and achievement. In the 70's Timberlane, believe it or not, was one of the highest academically rated school districts in NH. At a time when schools were something both much greater, and much less than they are today.

It was not a "middle school". There was no "Team Teaching". There was an English dept., a social studies dept., a science dept., a math dept., and so on. There was no "peer mediation", "grade inflation", "mandatory promotion", "SAC", "in-school suspension", or any of the other namby-pamby, wishy-washy, feel good, new age crap, that is currently choking this once fine institution.

I say it was one something more, because it was once a place where learning happened. Where Learning was EXPECTED to happen. Where Students were EXPECTED to do their work, maintain discipline, and accomplish a body of work in order to graduate on to the High School.

I say it was also much less than it is today because it was, at that time, more focused on the children learning than making the parents feel good about their child's performance, or lack thereof, as it is today. It didn't perform social work, as it does today. It didn't make excuses about children's laziness in failing to do homework as it does today. Contrary to the opinions of principal Hogan a child's natural laziness is not that child "doing their best" or "working at their pace" and the latter is never "ok"!

I am writing this because I recently had confirmation of something I had only heard about, and had not believed. I know of a child who graduated the eighth grade this year, and is going into the high school in the fall. A normal occurrence, I know, except that this child's graduated with 3 "F"'s and 1 "D-" all in core subjects. Unfortunately, the one subject that this child passed, with a "C", was language arts, and this child has not the ability to coherently write a report. No sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling skills commensurate with an eighth grade education.

When the parent spoke to Mr. Hogan about this atrocity, the parent was told that their child had not graduated but had merely gotten a "promotion certificate". When the parent asked if the child had to go to summer school, Mr. Hogan replied that the child should. The parent, picking up on the "should", asked if the child's "promotion" was contingent upon successfully completing summer school? Mr. Hogan then replied that summer school was not mandatory, but should be attended by this child. The parent then asked "if the child was not sent to summer school, would the child still go into the ninth grade in the fall? Mr. Hogan said YES! He went on that "studies have shown that it would hurt(the child) developmentally more for (the child) to stay back than to go on" He said "(the child) would catch up in high school"! THIS FROM A PRINCIPAL!!!

Mr. Hogan then explained that High school is a credit based institution and some kids will get their 20 credits in 3.5 years, some will get them in 4 years, and some will have to take that extra class, or semester to graduate, and that's ok. Well, I say, NO that is not ok! This is the attitude that has created the situation where 21% of high schoolers can not read or write well enough to fill out their own job application. This is why 74% of College freshman have to take remedial math or English, their parents effectively paying college rates to teach their kids what should have been taught in high school. Education is the single greatest defining attribute of life. People are judged by how they speak and what they know. Professional door will open or close based upon a person's education, and we are leaving it in the hands of those who are more concerned with the children's self esteem than what they actually know.

Here are some facts for the parents reading this, that they may be unaware of. Students are allowed to take re-tests. If a student wishes to bring up their grade, regardless of that grade they may take the same test again, and take the average of the two grades. When they have to write a report, they are given a list of websites from which to gather their info., in most cases they merely cut and paste from those websites to form the report. They learn nothing! I know of four eighth grade girls who had to do reports on historical figures, Vincent Van Gogh, Harriet Tubman, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and the reports they handed in were cut and pasted from websites. No original content! I thought they would learn a lesson from this and said nothing. They did learn a valuable lesson, they got "B"'s!

There is so much more to learn than there was when we went to school, and the district, particularly the middle school is doing a horrible job of teaching it., The curriculum is weak. And even that is not taught to full effectiveness. There seems to be little if any oversight.

Now here is my question to the school board;

What are you going to do to bring this school district back to its glory days?

We, as parents pay Timberlane $12,553/student per year! Timberlane has a $59Million budget and roughly 4700 kids district wide.

The Timberlane district currently boasts a 58% Proficiency level in grade 10 math.
The Timberlane district currently boasts a 76% Proficiency level in grade 10 reading.

This is what we consider acceptable? In 25 years this district which was 1st in the county, and 6th in the state, now places 15th in the COUNTY in reading, and 18th in the COUNTY in math!

We only have 8 more slots to fall before WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM!!! AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!

I ask the school board these questions because they are not supposed to sit there and act as bobble-heads whenever superintendent McDonald says something. The school board is SUPPOSED to be running the district! They are the people we elected to look into these things, and see that we are getting the most for our money. We are not!

Does the school board look into, and question curriculum and practices? Do they discuss educational philosophy with Dr. McDonald, and inform him of the direction the district is to take in bringing up test scores and achievement?

This is the basic problem with public education, it is not responsive to the needs of its customers. It gets its money no matter what, whereas in the private sector, if a school had the deplorable standards of TRMS, it would go out of business, because its customers, the parents, would not pay $11,702/yr. for their kids to be shuffled along whether they did the work or not.

It doesn't work this way in the real world. When you have a job(in the private sector, this doesn't hold true for a government job) you have to perform to a certain level. You have to accomplish certain tasks, or you will be fired. Schools rarely make these demands anymore.

I want my school board to answer one question for me;

Why cant Timberlane have the academic achievement of Phillips Academy in Exeter, or even Boston Latin in Roxbury( a public school with significant minority enrollment), or even Central Catholic in Lawrence?

Or how about this question;

Why is it that I can pay $8,000 tuition to send my kid to Pinkerton, one of the best schools in the state, or $3,500 to St. Joes and Timberlane costs almost $13,000 to do an inferior job?

signed,

Mark R. Acciard

Free Forum

TRHSparent · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

I watched the tail end of the TRSD retirement party and I was very impressed with the résumé of retiring high school faculty. Very, very impressive. They were around the time frame that Mr Acciard was in high school. No wonder the school was #1. I fairly certain that the teachers that are employed today could barely compare to the outgoing staff of yesterday.

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

both of the above posts are interesting reads.

I don't really know if the following dovetails with them, but maybe it does...

I'm a geek, an astro-geek in particular. its something I enjoy and something I've been involved with since I was 12 ~ 39 years ago. When my kids were at Pollard, and even now since they're out, I run (with PTA and Julie Matthews' help) an annual star party. the Goudreault's are nice enough to let us use their farm for an evening and I get 8 or 10 astro-friends to bring telescopes, and we show the kids whatever is in the skies that night, we have a seaker or two (in a greenhouse), have a bonfire and nighttime hay rides. Its all great fun and the kids learn a lot. typically (I think we've done it 5 times now...) we get 200 - 300 people. No cost to anyone. Until this year we had only had 1 teacher and no admiistrator attend. This year the principal attended. The point is not to blow my own horn, I don't need it (unless there's a winning powerball ticket attached!), but to say that 1 - 5th graders are interested and fascinated by science, and many parents are willing to take a night out to support them. I have the data.

This year I added teaching in the classroom to my repertoire. Over the course of the year I visited the HS 3 times to work with one teacher's 9th grade students and just today I visited the MS and taught 4 6th grade classes. By "teach", with the real teacher's support I run the class. We generally do a mix of hands-on project and slides and lecture.

The difference between 6th and 9th grades were unbelievable.

Today in 6th grade, over 4 different classes of kids, I'd say that 85% of the kids "had light in their eyes" - they asked great questions, participated, LISTENED, a couple in each class were struggling and I tried to focus on them, and each class had 1 or 2 kids trying to take over the class (their teacher was a lioness - they shut up quickly!). I had a great low-stress morning and if asked, I'll willingly return.

Compare and contrast that to 9th grade: out of each of 4 different classrooms I'd say 10% had that light in their eyes. 80% were just not there, they might as well have been at home, and the final 2 kids per class were actively trying to dis me and take over the class. Getting ANYTHING from these kids was like pulling teeth, and I am pretty good at working a crowd...the teacher is a very fine guy, experienced, interesting, knowledgable, cares for his students, is very involved. I committed to at least 3 visits - and I kept my commitment, but I may not do it again next year, it was just too tough emotionally. I was drained after each set of classes, and I couldn't reach more than 2 or 3 kids per class. When I looked at their grades in the online spreadsheet, 2 of the 4 classes showed that A MAJORITY OF THEIR GRADES WERE ZEROS. They didn't even bother to do homework or hand in papers/projects. If I "blame" anyone for this horror - I blame the parents more than their kids - the parents have plenty of ways to see how Junior is performing and choose not. Now these were CCP level classes, but in my book that means kids who probably will attend some college. I do not want to be the teachers they get in college.

How did the schools "lose" such a high percentage of kids, and their parents, in 7th and 8th grades?? The vast majority were interested in education in 6th, what happened?? I'm very confused by this and do not profess to know the answer. But clearly a lot of families are "checking out" in Middle School.

Just based on this slim data I'd say the problems we see in HS NECAP testing, etc, comes from middle school. If the kids and parents come into the HS already lost to the education system, it will take heroic efforts to recapture them. But it must be REAL efforts, not just smoke-and-mirrors feel-good garbage like Block Scheduling.

BTW - what's the difference between middle school and Jr high school?? I went to a Jr High, and its still called a Jr high.

Peter Bealo

therents · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

Lack of challenge is why the kids loose the light.

My kids were totally board in MS. Once kid spent 6 and 7th grade doing the same math they had in 5th grades getting high A's. I like other parents ask child to be placed in Pre-algebra. I was told did not have the math maturity. I think child did.

In 8th grade my college reading level child was given books to read which were read in Elementary school. I know other children also had this same issue.

alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

I junior high is more like a high school for younger children. A middle school is more to provide a bridge (a gradual change over an abrupt one) to high school. Lots of detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_school

curt · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

Published: June 15, 2008 12:11 pm

Timberlane community wants academic improvement
By Meghan Carey
Staff writer

PLAISTOW — Extracurricular activities are stronger than academics at Timberlane Regional High School, according to some parents.

The voices of 43 parents who recently participated in an e-mail survey speak louder than their sum. Some 44 percent of responding parents said the quality of a Timberlane education has declined in the last three to five years, and 70 percent said academics are what need improvement at the high school. Approximately 1,600 students from Atkinson, Danville, Plaistow and Sandown students attend Timberlane High.

Those parents aren't alone. Local bloggers and discussion board members are echoing the sentiments online. Four local blogs and online forums have had a flurry of postings in the last two weeks under threads labeled "Timberlane has lost its way" and "Timberlane is going down the tubes."

While the posters allege the school administration doesn't see what's going on, Superintendent Richard La Salle said last week he knows improvements are needed at each school.

"I think that there's always a problem with quality," he said.

Eagle Tribune article
_________________
Curt Springer
Danville

therents · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

From the above artivle:

curt · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

It always irks me when public officials try to tell the public what means of communication are "appropriate" or not.
_________________
Curt Springer
Danville

TRHSparent · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

Interesting article by Megan. I've communicated with her in the not-to-distant past. I'll contact her again to thank her for the article and to suggest she become a "regular" here.

Regarding Mr. Brown's comments - OK, let's agree on 1 topic (makes discussion easier and shows we have a unified "front", even if we don't), make sure we agree on a position, and then attend the next SB meeting ready to discuss it. I'm up for it...anyone else??

Also regarding Mr. brown's comments - I generally e-mail my own SB members or the whole group of 'em. I don't usually see the point in attending SB meetings with other ocmmunications avenues available.

Peter Bealo

therents · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 67

I'm sure if people started to ask to be put on the agenda for their concerns, the SB would limit the amount of time parents could take up at the meeting so they could continue on with their important meeting stuff.

NWhitman · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 7

alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

Very few of the topics in this forum would be appropriate for parents and other taxpayers to bring to a school board meeting. They are all quite approprate for people to bring to school board members. But school board meetings are not a good time/place for real conversations. Why? Well first off because time for the public to speak at such meetings is very limited. Secondly these meetings are not good for back and forth discussions with the public. There are just too many people involved, too litle time, and the chair has much too much authority and responsibility to limit discussion with the public. Thirdly it would defeat the purposes of having a representitive elected board.

Lastly and pehaps most importantly a lot of issues have a chain of command. A problem with a teacher should start with the teacher, move to the principal, and then to the superentendent and only if still unresolved should it go to the school board. So complaints about a specific teacher are not appropriate to take directly to the school board. But honestly people have a first amendment right to discuss those issues in public if they choose. We can debate all we want if people should talk about these things in public but I doubt a good case can be made that a school board meeting is "more appropriate."

I've been a school board member (of a private school) and a budget committee member in Timberlane. Were I still in either of those positions and there was a forum like this I would read it regularly without fail. I would fee obligated to do so. But then I think that listening to the public is what responsible elected officials do. I would likely also participate. I would have a disclamer that I was speaking only for myself and not for the board of course. But I would feel it my responsibility to let the taxpayers know as much about the issues as I did and as much of my opinions as I had determined. But that is just me.

PBealo · Site Admin Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 112

My e-mail to Megan at the Eagle Trib:

Megan,

That was a thought-provoking article of yours in the Eagle Trib today. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but was disappointed by some of the comments made to you.

Please be aware, I am writing as a HS and MS parent and the founder of the Timberlane Parents Forum. I set it up for several reasons.

The 1st was that while other towns in the area (Danville and Newton mainly) have on-line forums for residents to discuss local topics there was no real forum for all the Timberlane parents to do the same thing. Yes, people complain, but there are positive discussions as well, and even the complaints may be valid. The forum gives parents a chance to learn about aspects of education they may not easily learn otherwise – like how the Virtual Learning Academy works for instance.

The 2nd was my concern over Block Scheduling and how, at that point, it was being essentially being slip in “under the radar screen” of most parents. I, and most every parent I speak with, are still concerned about this headlong rush to block scheduling (BS), Coker, LaSalle and Woodworth have told the School Board that grades will go up, NHEAP scores will go up and AP test scores will go up once BS is implemented. And in some schools there has been an increase, at least for a few years, in standardized testing. Unfortunately they refuse to acknowledge that 1) The College Board (company that writes and scores ALL AP tests) has reported that on average AP test scores are lower in schools using BS. 2) All large scale (statewide, not district wide) assessments of BS show standardized scores decreasing. Its as though these guys are delusional and think that they must be able to emulate the 1 or 2 schools showing gains instead of the average schools showing problems. 3) Music programs in schools implementing BS always get worse – some totally go away 4) It’ll cost taxpayers for the extra teachers they’ll need (I estimate 7, Coker and Woodworth just say additional teachers MAY be required) 5) If we have more teachers, we need more space; how much will that cost (Woodworth and Coker say space MAY be required) 6) Will the kids learn as much in blocked classes – NO, the administration says kids will “learn more depth but less breadth…what does that mean…kids will learn more and more about less and less?!?! I wanted to get the word out on BS when the administration was not.

LaSalle is trying to direct this argument into the false-choice of “you can have academics or performing arts”. The truth is, you can both. The Eagle Trib recently reported that Londonderry High is the highest rated high school in New Hampshire. Londonderry has great academics, the 2nd best music program, and is on “traditional” schedule that Timberlane now uses. Londonderry rejected going to BS. But you will not find LaSalle or Woodworth going to Londonderry to see how they do it. Another thing worth noting is LaSalle’s concern with the number of college-bound students Timberlane has (70% per your article). Megan; the Timberlane Music Program (orchestra, band, jazz band, chorus) has a more than 90% college attendance rate this year!! Kids who have a reason to be at school and do well generally do, and the music program is the “hook” needed.

To get back to the Londonderry comparison: Londonderry will be running a number of computer and enrichment type classes aimed at elementary through high school kids this summer. The amount they charge for them pays for the classes; it costs the general taxpayer nothing. And these extra efforts keep the kids interested in school. What does Timberlane HS offer: remedial classes for kids that flunked. What does Timberlane Music Dept offer: band camp, string camp, scholarships for kids to attend SYMS at UNH (from Booster Club), guitar camp. But the Timberland administration doesn’t try and emulate Londonderry, or even their own very successful music department. Instead they tell us the panacea is to change how we schedule the day and doesn’t worry about the negative results found elsewhere, we’re too good to let that happen. Delusional.

Mr. Brown was pretty aloof when he said we should go the SB meetings if we have concerns. I email and snail-mail the board. I made the board aware of the forum and invited them to join or at least read. So far not one has joined, and 1 board member got upset that I sent her an email. SB meetings are a good venue, but certainly not the only one available now. Mr. Brown needs to open his eyes and expand his view.

Well, enough for tonight, I hope I haven’t talked your ear off!

Best Regards,

Peter Bealo

alfredtwo · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 62

For what it is worth I have posted a longer more general set of comments on this issue at one of my blogs - http://tinyurl.com/5z45mu

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