Let's Hear About the Good Stuff Too

I have been reading everyone’s posts, and although it’s evident that some parents are having serious concerns about CMS, I don’t want this blog to turn into “Bash CMS”.  I don’t doubt that there have been issues with the Middle School.  I’m sure during this week  there were issues in a lot of middle schools across the state.  And I think your concerns should be taken seriously, but there comes a certain point where only pointing out issues is not helpful. 

I have been in contact with Mr. Ingano since I started this blog.  I know many of you don’t agree with his methods, and there are things that I question also, but there has been one consistent message he has conveyed throughout this process.  That message is “my door is always open”.   Go to his office, or give him a call.  He’ll listen and talk with you.  It’s a step in the right direction.

I know that posting on the internet is the easiest and most popular way to voice our concerns, but there comes a time when face to face contact (or a telephone call) is necessary.

I started this blog as a tool for communication.  But it’s not the only tool we should be using.  I would still like to get a select group of us together to start problem solving.  So far, no one has contacted me, but I’m still hoping.

In the meantime, this blog is also for those of you who have had great experiences at school this week.  Let’s hear some of that stuff too. 

My daughter started 3^rd grade and loves her teacher and is looking forward to a great year.  My younger daughter starts the CHS pre-school program next week, and I can’t wait for her to start making friends and learning what school is all about.

What are some of your positive experiences?

How Did It Go?

So how did the first day of school go for everyone?

So far, so good here.  My daughter started 3rd grade today.  She loves her teacher, and had a great day.

What are your reports?

Let's Get Together

I know I haven't posted on this for a while, but I definitely see all of your comments.  I sense your frustration with everything, and especially what's going on at CMS. 

When I first started this blog, I envisioned it to be a solution based entity.  I thought it would be a good place for people to come together and throw out ideas and maybe facilitate change.  But lately there has been a lot of complaining and blaming.

I think I understand why.  I think it speaks to the sense that we feel powerless when it comes to matters of the school.  We're not in control of what happens when our kids walk through the doors of the school, and when we speak up about things that we don't like, we feel ignored and this breeds anger and resentment.  This is my theory - you may completely disagree.

But in any event, no matter how we got to the anger and resentment, my question is - what do we do from here?

I think the first step to a solution is for some of us to get together (in person), come up with legitimate concerns, and probable solutions.  Then take that to the schools starting with Mr. Ingano and then the principals.

I want people to be able to vent here, but I don't want it to only be for venting.  Let's actually try to do something constructive too.

For those of you who are interested in this approach you can e-mail me at carr0629@hotmail.com

Responses to Some Questions

Here are responses to some of your questions/concerns. This information is from Mr. Ingano.

WINDOWS

Just some background about the windows. The windows were not a grant--they were a capital improvement for the schools at the annual town meeting. During the meeting the article was approved by the voters of Clinton.

The windows are coming to CMS, but the process is long and involved. We had to wait until the start of the fiscal year, it then had to be advertised for "x" number of weeks, and then we just opened the bids last week. We had four bids presented by three different bidders. Mike Ward is now looking over the bids for legal purposes, as he is the official procurement officer of the Town of Clinton.

The job is for about 70 windows--strictly in the back of the middle school.


BBQ & SCHEDULES

We haven’t heard any negative feedback about the BBQ. And as far as schedules, please remember that we have ONE administrator--a brand new one--at CMS right now. And the new VP will not be able to start until later. I'm sure the BBQ will not be the only time that schedules, etc. are available. Please contact Annmarie Sargent for more information on this.

Also, each of the schools is planning some type of orientation for students and parents. These will be held during the week. The reason we don’t hold them on a weekend is because it would possibly conflict with sports practice.

I-PARENT

I-Parent is not set up yet--there will be a new "Acceptable Use Policy" for I-Parent that parents will have to "accept"; not all schools have their schedules ready yet--kids still signing up--school choice kids still coming in. Events are listed, depending upon the school. Please check individual school sites AND the district sites.

BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKFAIR

There will be a "Back to School Book Fair" in the Central Office (Superintendent's building) this Saturday and Sunday. This is being put on by Scholastic Books and the Clinton PTA. Get the kids thinking about school, buy them a book at a real bargain price.

Saturday Aug 18 9am – 2pm; Sunday Aug 19 9am – 12pm

Clinton Item Story About School Jobs

You may have seen this already, but there's an article in the Item about school jobs.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120810/COULTER01/108109582/1189/coulter

School Website

I wanted to give everyone an update about the situation with the school website.  I just received this information from Mr. Ingano:

Mrs. Anne Galeski of the Business Department of Clinton High School is in charge of the school website. Updates during the summer can take some time, due to vacations, etc, but just in the last week or so, the website has been updated with bus routes, the school calendar, CES supply list, an I-Parent Acceptable Use Policy, and at least two new Principal messages. And as soon as we have a photo for Annmarie Sargent, the CMS website will be updated with her information. 

At Tuesday's School Committee meeting, the Parent Volunteer group informed us that they would be willing to help. In the past, there has been some concern about giving access to someone "outside" the district, but in order to keep things updated, we're willing to try something new. Also, Anne Galeski will get a high school student volunteer with the proper background to help her for credit.

We know that the website is a hot discussion right now with parents and we are trying to address it. We are also in the process of giving ALL administrators web privileges, so that each of the administrators in their own schools could update their own school's webpage. This will help tremendously come September.

And just a foot note regarding the search for a business manager: the screening committee will be interviewing a business manager candidate on Thursday, August 16.

VOTE for your School

Not sure if you'd heard about this, but Target is giving away 2.5 million dollars to schools.  Click the link below to vote for your school.
http://apps.facebook.com/givewithtarget/

Update About Business Manager

I have an update regarding the announcement of the new Business Manager that was posted earlier today (see the post below this one).  Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the school's control, Mr. Luoto will not be taking the Assistant Business Manager position.  This was unexpected, but the committee is not deterred.  Interviews will be continuing next week.

Updates from Terrance Ingano

In response to some of your inquiries about hiring a business manager, etc, Mr. Ingano sent this information for posting . . .

"as we're not completely done with hirings, we only mentioned the two major ones at last night's meeting--both the business manager and the new VP have been hired and were discussed then. Mr. Robert Rouleau, a Clinton native, and currently the principal of the Athol Middle School will be the new CMS Assistant Principal. Rob has extensive experience in the field, having served as a paraprofessional, a SPED teacher, and he's been both a principal and a VP at the elementary and the middle school levels. 

Although he hasn't formally signed his contract, Kris Luoto, will be the new Business Manager. Currently he is the Assistant Business Manager of the Minuteman Voc. School in Lexington. He was the unanimous selection of the search committee. He lives in Hudson with his family.

We have hired a new high school math teacher, Chris Houle, a gentlemen who has 15 years of experience as an engineer and is now a certified, qualified math teacher; he's served as a long term sub in Clinton for numerous teachers and did his student teaching with us in the past. Sam Rhode is our new Chemistry teacher, who is also certified in Biology; he's a recent graduate of Worcester State and has been working in the science field most recently. 

One of the Foreign Language positions has been filled by long-time educator--and former Clinton teacher--Ed Davidson (also from the Athol Public Schools). The other FL position will be filled later this week.

The CES/CMS health position has been filled by Julie McNally--who subbed in that position most of last year--she has since become certified as a health educator.

I can tell you that I am thrilled at the quality of the hires this summer!"

Terry