Friday, March 05, 2004
Monrovia School Link ~ Number 74 ~ Feb. 6, 2004
Since there's been a lot of discussion about the GATE gifted program, I thought I'd write a bit about it, but before I could Ann Hodgdon sent me a report about a recent GATE meeting, so I asked school officials for additional comments (Clare Chesley responded and Joel Shawn attempted to, but he and I got our wires crossed), and here it is. Also, at the bottom, some reports and comments from letters. By the way, feel free to write when the urge strikes.
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
ANN'S GATE REPORT ~ On Tuesday, January 27th there was a meeting at the district office to discuss the GATE program. In attendance were Joel Shawn and Carol Kaylor representing the district and parent representatives from all Monrovia schools except Monrovia High. We were informed that two representatives from all schools were invited. I (Ann Hodgdon) am not a representative but I went anyway. [That's the spirit, Ann!] I initially sat in the audience away from the designated meeting table until Dr. Shawn politely asked me to join the group at the table (a nice start!).
Actually, we had two additional representatives from the district -- school board members Brian Wong and Clare Chesley. They were also present at the first GATE meeting prior to their election. I guess we know which board members care about this issue!
The atmosphere of the meeting was a change from the first GATE meeting, where there was more defense going on than you saw at the Superbowl (my opinion of course). Dr Shawn and Carol Kaylor initiated the meeting by expressing openness to change and said they want to start GATE discussions with a blank slate and initially without worrying about budget constraints (our GATE budget is $51,000 with some carry-over from last year). They admitted that they were aware of the stepchild perception of the GATE program in Monrovia and used a quote from Alex Zucco that it should be the crown jewel of our district.
The meat of the meeting consisted of Dr. Shawn and Carol Kaylor asking us to voice our interests as to what we would like to see happen in GATE. I was very exhausted and did not write down the names of the parents who spoke. Many did speak, however, and it seems we may have been heard. Without exception (at least from those who spoke up) it seems that parents would like to see GATE as an integrated part of the school day. This, of course, is what we should already be doing to be in compliance with AB2313. There was one comment though, that irks me every time I think of it. One parent rep suggested that due to budget constraints maybe GATE parents could be asked to contribute money to the program (not it). While several parents immediately said that they didn’t think that would be appropriate, Carol Kaylor made a comment (without thinking) that probably only Mayflower parents could afford it. I protested, but not loud enough, and the subject was quickly changed. This from the person heading up the GATE program.
Clare Chesley asked specifically how parents felt about the inconsistency of the GATE programs throughout the district. She also asked how parents felt about Astrocamp and other programs that benefit only a small fraction of the GATE students, yet comprise a significant fraction of the GATE budget. Jim Gauderman, from Mayflower, did comment on both of these topics (I remember this because I know Jim). He said the schools need some uniform direction from the school district in order for change to occur as teachers are already overwhelmed and may not willing to take on developing the significant changes a revised GATE program may entail. He also commented that he agreed with Clare that the Astrocamp and other summer programs comprise too much of the GATE budget and that the money could be more usefully spent on teachers and an integrated GATE program.
The meeting ended with a parent suggesting that we take a survey back to other GATE parents at each of our schools and schedule a meeting for some time in February to hand them out. We are to ask for input and suggestions so that all the GATE parents are represented. We then bring the info to another GATE meeting to be held at the district on Tuesday, March 23rd at 6 p.m. All are invited but don’t tell Joel Shawn I said that.
In addition, the school board and the superintendent will be holding a study session on GATE sometime in February. We don’t know the date yet but we should also have a few reps there I would think.
Well I guess that’s about it. I hope I did the meeting justice and that I didn’t offend anyone by leaving something out.
If you want to know more about GATE and AB 2313 go to www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/gate.
CLARE'S GATE COMMENTS ~ Clare wrote to ask me to encourage people to show up at the GATE study session. I think that's the one Ann mentioned above. The meeting should be mentioned in an upcoming agenda, and I'll try to send out a reminder a few days before to let you know it's coming up.
Also, Claire asked me to, "Please let parents/families know that they should contact their GATE representatives at their respective schools to share their input, especially if they cannot attend the GATE study session. At the last GATE meeting, the attendees decided that they needed to get broader input to avoid representing only their own opinions."
Also, she asked people to view the GATE program as a "clean slate," meaning she wants to hear everybody's ideas, regardless of what they cost. "Later," she said, "we can determine what we can provide within the budget."
BORED MEETING ~ June Richetts reports in with some comments on the last board meeting:
I attended most of the bored, oops, "board" meeting. The turn-out is pathetic and I'm not surprised. Board members really need to learn to focus on an issue they are presenting. Example: Bruce Carter spoke of his trip to Sacramento and about the slight financial increase per child that the state would be sending our way. After the Teachers Retirement fund takes their chuck (more about that later) and we pay back some of our obligations, the "increase" comes to $5 per child. I did some quick math and figured that Mayflower (I was sitting next to Mayflower Principal Jill Selak) would received an additional $3,000-$4,000 for this year. Cyrus Kemp did more math and figured that it was less than $30,000 for the entire District. I feel that Mr. Carter should have been more specific as to the impact on our district. $5 per child stinks, but $30,000, while not great, sounds like something that we could really put to use.
I agree with Claire about the condition of the middle schools and high school. Perhaps this is a good area for community involvement, ie: paint donations from Home Depot or something like that. I would like to add that it was great to see Al Clegg and Jill Selak stick the meeting out until the bitter end. It was also nice to see some staff from Santa Fe and the High School at the meeting to support their award winners. You'll have to find out from someone else about folks from Clifton, as I don't know anyone there.
Teachers Retirement... *sigh* Bruce said it's mandated how much they get out of the increase. Maybe I'm wierd about this but I don't begrudge a teacher retirement income as I am sure they don't complain about my employer's contributions to my retirement fund. I wish Mr. Carter had emphasized the bond repayment (which is what I understood that the majority of the funds will be going to) rather than mentioning the teachers retirement fund first.
OSCAR DESERVED BETTER ~ Rosemary Harrahill comments on high school counselor Oscar Ibarra being honored and on the board chatting when people are speaking:
The lady who announced Oscar Ibarra's accomplishments gets an F. It was the most blasse, boring delivery I've ever heard. That guy has done more to make that high school better than anyone I can think of by really going above and beyond the call of duty.
Cyrus [Kemp] is right -- they [the board members] talk among themselves when community members are speaking and DANG IT, it's rude as heck! KNOCK IT OFF!
Since there's been a lot of discussion about the GATE gifted program, I thought I'd write a bit about it, but before I could Ann Hodgdon sent me a report about a recent GATE meeting, so I asked school officials for additional comments (Clare Chesley responded and Joel Shawn attempted to, but he and I got our wires crossed), and here it is. Also, at the bottom, some reports and comments from letters. By the way, feel free to write when the urge strikes.
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
ANN'S GATE REPORT ~ On Tuesday, January 27th there was a meeting at the district office to discuss the GATE program. In attendance were Joel Shawn and Carol Kaylor representing the district and parent representatives from all Monrovia schools except Monrovia High. We were informed that two representatives from all schools were invited. I (Ann Hodgdon) am not a representative but I went anyway. [That's the spirit, Ann!] I initially sat in the audience away from the designated meeting table until Dr. Shawn politely asked me to join the group at the table (a nice start!).
Actually, we had two additional representatives from the district -- school board members Brian Wong and Clare Chesley. They were also present at the first GATE meeting prior to their election. I guess we know which board members care about this issue!
The atmosphere of the meeting was a change from the first GATE meeting, where there was more defense going on than you saw at the Superbowl (my opinion of course). Dr Shawn and Carol Kaylor initiated the meeting by expressing openness to change and said they want to start GATE discussions with a blank slate and initially without worrying about budget constraints (our GATE budget is $51,000 with some carry-over from last year). They admitted that they were aware of the stepchild perception of the GATE program in Monrovia and used a quote from Alex Zucco that it should be the crown jewel of our district.
The meat of the meeting consisted of Dr. Shawn and Carol Kaylor asking us to voice our interests as to what we would like to see happen in GATE. I was very exhausted and did not write down the names of the parents who spoke. Many did speak, however, and it seems we may have been heard. Without exception (at least from those who spoke up) it seems that parents would like to see GATE as an integrated part of the school day. This, of course, is what we should already be doing to be in compliance with AB2313. There was one comment though, that irks me every time I think of it. One parent rep suggested that due to budget constraints maybe GATE parents could be asked to contribute money to the program (not it). While several parents immediately said that they didn’t think that would be appropriate, Carol Kaylor made a comment (without thinking) that probably only Mayflower parents could afford it. I protested, but not loud enough, and the subject was quickly changed. This from the person heading up the GATE program.
Clare Chesley asked specifically how parents felt about the inconsistency of the GATE programs throughout the district. She also asked how parents felt about Astrocamp and other programs that benefit only a small fraction of the GATE students, yet comprise a significant fraction of the GATE budget. Jim Gauderman, from Mayflower, did comment on both of these topics (I remember this because I know Jim). He said the schools need some uniform direction from the school district in order for change to occur as teachers are already overwhelmed and may not willing to take on developing the significant changes a revised GATE program may entail. He also commented that he agreed with Clare that the Astrocamp and other summer programs comprise too much of the GATE budget and that the money could be more usefully spent on teachers and an integrated GATE program.
The meeting ended with a parent suggesting that we take a survey back to other GATE parents at each of our schools and schedule a meeting for some time in February to hand them out. We are to ask for input and suggestions so that all the GATE parents are represented. We then bring the info to another GATE meeting to be held at the district on Tuesday, March 23rd at 6 p.m. All are invited but don’t tell Joel Shawn I said that.
In addition, the school board and the superintendent will be holding a study session on GATE sometime in February. We don’t know the date yet but we should also have a few reps there I would think.
Well I guess that’s about it. I hope I did the meeting justice and that I didn’t offend anyone by leaving something out.
If you want to know more about GATE and AB 2313 go to www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/gate.
CLARE'S GATE COMMENTS ~ Clare wrote to ask me to encourage people to show up at the GATE study session. I think that's the one Ann mentioned above. The meeting should be mentioned in an upcoming agenda, and I'll try to send out a reminder a few days before to let you know it's coming up.
Also, Claire asked me to, "Please let parents/families know that they should contact their GATE representatives at their respective schools to share their input, especially if they cannot attend the GATE study session. At the last GATE meeting, the attendees decided that they needed to get broader input to avoid representing only their own opinions."
Also, she asked people to view the GATE program as a "clean slate," meaning she wants to hear everybody's ideas, regardless of what they cost. "Later," she said, "we can determine what we can provide within the budget."
BORED MEETING ~ June Richetts reports in with some comments on the last board meeting:
I attended most of the bored, oops, "board" meeting. The turn-out is pathetic and I'm not surprised. Board members really need to learn to focus on an issue they are presenting. Example: Bruce Carter spoke of his trip to Sacramento and about the slight financial increase per child that the state would be sending our way. After the Teachers Retirement fund takes their chuck (more about that later) and we pay back some of our obligations, the "increase" comes to $5 per child. I did some quick math and figured that Mayflower (I was sitting next to Mayflower Principal Jill Selak) would received an additional $3,000-$4,000 for this year. Cyrus Kemp did more math and figured that it was less than $30,000 for the entire District. I feel that Mr. Carter should have been more specific as to the impact on our district. $5 per child stinks, but $30,000, while not great, sounds like something that we could really put to use.
I agree with Claire about the condition of the middle schools and high school. Perhaps this is a good area for community involvement, ie: paint donations from Home Depot or something like that. I would like to add that it was great to see Al Clegg and Jill Selak stick the meeting out until the bitter end. It was also nice to see some staff from Santa Fe and the High School at the meeting to support their award winners. You'll have to find out from someone else about folks from Clifton, as I don't know anyone there.
Teachers Retirement... *sigh* Bruce said it's mandated how much they get out of the increase. Maybe I'm wierd about this but I don't begrudge a teacher retirement income as I am sure they don't complain about my employer's contributions to my retirement fund. I wish Mr. Carter had emphasized the bond repayment (which is what I understood that the majority of the funds will be going to) rather than mentioning the teachers retirement fund first.
OSCAR DESERVED BETTER ~ Rosemary Harrahill comments on high school counselor Oscar Ibarra being honored and on the board chatting when people are speaking:
The lady who announced Oscar Ibarra's accomplishments gets an F. It was the most blasse, boring delivery I've ever heard. That guy has done more to make that high school better than anyone I can think of by really going above and beyond the call of duty.
Cyrus [Kemp] is right -- they [the board members] talk among themselves when community members are speaking and DANG IT, it's rude as heck! KNOCK IT OFF!
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