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 3rd 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?
Life is full of negatives and positives so to only want positives is never going to solve the problems of the world or the schools. Identifying negatives as well as positives is the beginning of resolution and making our schools #1. Unfortunately I read the discussions also, especially the comments regarding the unfortunate comment by Mrs. Sargent regarding her successful start of CMS and unfortunately putting down the prior principals. People who responded are unwilling in my opinion to face facts, to admit failure in some areas , if you keep rose colored glasses on nothing will ever change. The middle school does and did have issues, very large issues and it is still not organized. Guess if people want to call me the bad guy, that is their right. I do and have often spoken to Mr. Ingano I realize he trys daily and his goal is good schools, but it's time to say -for all of us to say- things need to get better for our children. No one is bashing Mrs. Sargent, No one has a axe to grind with her. But her comment was uncalled for. Disorganization does exist. I apologize again if this appears negative, but in my opinion by identifying issues you are doing a good thing you are assisting in resolving things, No school no business is without negatives that good get fixed. To just want positives on this site, you might as well close the site. If people want to say the schools are perfect then why have this site. It resolves what??
ReplyDeleteI'm not wearing "rose colored glasses". I know that problems exist. Problems exist everywhere. I'm simply pointing out that the negatives are overshadowing the positives. And it's not because the positives don't exist. You said it yourself "life is full of negatives and positives".
DeleteIt's time to give the positives a turn.
Sincerely Carrie, there are positives, but if you do not resolve the negatives you will never ever succeed. I believe identifying negatives is a positive -a positive step forward to improve. A positive that people want to offer what they see might need to improve. A positive that people care. A positive that people took the time to post their concerns. So I do not simply see negative comments as bad, they are really positives in many ways.
DeleteResolving negatives is everyone's end goal, I believe. Identifying those negatives was Carrie's intent when starting this blog, I believe. What it has turned into is a vicious, slanderous mess, this has gone further than "negative comments." I am truly disturbed by some of the things I have seen on here, and utterly embarrassed for the community that this is our representation. I believe there is a way to go about making change, and outside of Carrie's and Amy's posts on here, I have yet to see anything positive or productive.
DeleteI have had nothing but wonderful experiences this week and have been in all 3 schools over the past 5 days. Same goes for both of my children, they both raved about their teachers and love their schools.
"In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision." ~Dalai Lama
Granted Mrs. Sargent may not have used her words well, but I would like to believe her words were taken out of context. To start a witch hunt against her is unacceptable. The comments that are going around is mob mentallity. Are there problems? yes but they are being worked on. When you start something new there will always be issues. Everything looks ready to go, but when you begin to launch something different thats when the problems present themselves. I heard the computer system crashed twice, is that Mrs. Sargent's fault? No it is the fault of an antiquated computer sytem. The problem with this town is that no one likes the idea of change, for some reason people feel if you change something the earth will open up and swallow you. My question is how many of you have started something new and didn't have issues? Showing problems and showing concern is great, it allows one to reasses a situtation and find a better way. I am sure if Mr. Vetros saw this statment he would not take any offense to it. He knows Mrs. Sargent very well and they had great communication between them. Knowing Mr. Vetros as I do I think he would also be disgusted by the hysteria over a comment in the paper. After reading all of these comments it seems to me that the real children in our schools are the parents. My final comment is grow up and start acting like adults and start being positive examples to your children
ReplyDeleteI don't believe anyone has a witch hunt out for Mrs. Sargent. I know Mr. Vetros but I would not say he was not upset or disappointed in that remark. Just a difference of opinion, I guess Mr. Vetros is the only one that could honestly know how he felt about it.I believe the problem with this town is that not everyone is welcomed into participate, for example if your not a parent, then don't stick you nose into the school. Many generations live in Clinton, many economic levels live in Clinton, many nationalities live in Clinton.
DeleteAll must feel welcome to participate without feeling fearful of responses to their concerns. I don't think people don't want good needed change. I know for myself, right now I would be afraid to even try to get involved .
I posted a positive under the CMS heading. I am tired of hearing ONLY negatives. I do not believe Carrie at any time said to only post positives, just under this heading. I believe posters here and elsewhere have made the negatives abundantly clear & am just trying to point out that others have had a different experience. I think the point has been made that there are pro lems in the schools. I have not seen anyone saying everything is perfect, but why is it that some can always point out the negatives & that is okay...While when others point to a positive the immediate response is to tell them they are wrong because negatives exist. There are differences of opinions, some have had negative experiences, some positive. Why is it that both people can not express the experiences they have had. I am not saying that you, or others, have not had a bad experience. However, that does not mean others aren't having a good experience.
ReplyDeleteVery true Amy I am glad to hear there could be both good and bad. I just wish that everyones opinions could be heard , but it seems if you offer a bad opinion your always wrong or accussed of being someone your really not. A person giving an issue is asked for name rank and serial number. But if you offer only good comments your an ok person. These types of comments against people who simply saw things, know issues and are just plain concerned are really asking people to walk away. I am very sad that when people start fearing they should not post anything unless it is good they will post nothing, the school will not get the needed support and we will be in the same mess next time we need an over-ride. I don't feel people said Mrs Sargent has not tried her best, I feel people are concerned because maybe she should have not attempted to roll out as much as she did, seeing as she was alone. No one expects perfection. I think people just want the issues noted and worked on so the school gets better.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that most people post "negatives" (I don't feel that just because a challenge or complication is pointed out that it is auomatically a negative) in an attempt to inform others, or in hopes that the problem can be fixed. In fact, I have found that to be the case with many of the topics & posts here & elsewhere. However, when references are being made to an administrator "back stabbing", giving special treatment to staff due to friendships, and calling for her to be fired, I feel that is not being done in the interested of solving a problem or helping. I would encourage everyone, with concerns to bring those concerns to the schools, or gather with others in town to address the concerns. I personally would welcome a discussion of how things could be done differently & have asked questions of others on this blog. However, when we are personally attacking school staff, as in some posts, I think that goes too far.
DeleteAs an aside, I do find the anonymous posting a bit troublesome, as it is difficult to tell how many people are having similar experiences or concerns & I do not know who I am responding to. I don't mean that I need to know your name & address. Sign the post "Mickey Mouse", it would just be helpful to know "who" I am responding to or hearing from.
I respectfully disagree, Anon, I think that is exactly what people on here are now saying.
DeleteI do believe this blog started on a positive note, and people were posting concerns, Carrie took those concerns to Mr. Ingano and reported back. There was a sense that this might be productive.
About a month ago things changed drastically and people started posting ugly things, name calling, calling for the principal to be fired, hoping she failed. I don't see many wanting to help the problems, discuss the issues, be productive anymore. It is truly unfortunate that the positive idea that Carrie tried to implement has entered such a vicious downward spiral.
I also agree with Amy, a sea of anonymous is useless. It comes off one of two ways: either the same person is complaining incessantly or there are 67 people all complaining about the same issue. If you're too afraid to post your real name at least do something to differentiate yourself...be a number, a fake name, initial, something.
It was great when mr. Infamous replied to our concerns. For the last month we have had lots of concerns and no replies. Even just, "we are trying some new things, it will be a challenge.", "the new vp will begin after he is finished with his responsiblities in Athol.". Anything, just so we know he is listening.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that what I read and responses I see, I understand no one wants to put a name on it unless its a positive I would say out of fear of being demonished for their opinion. I do think alot is frustration, they posted and asked questions and they got no answers from administration. I believe unfortunately alot of what has been said is true, I noted this AM on the discussion piece of this, that someone had the guts to post that indeed there are some big unfortunate things that have occurred in the middle school. Now I am not asking for Mrs. Sargents resignation. But I do feel the problem is -it was not the greatest year in 20 years. It was a safe opening, and probably good in many ways for some grades, so that is a poor quote to have said and indeed insulting to prior principals, and does deserve an apology. I do not think she intended or maliciously said it, I just think she did not think. That is lack of experience in public commenting. Rotating schedules, that is a mess, that did lack communication to teachers and students, yes their were computer glitches, but maybe it is as simple as it was not started early enough, so when computers crashed it created the mess. Teachers not communicated to - that is not correct, of course your going to get frustration, they now have to jump over hurdles to get their classes together. Simply not well organized and thought out and communication lacking. Not that it is not a good idea or people don't want change, I have not seen that on this site.
ReplyDeleteI saw a parent volunteer put on the discussion page the middle school is open nights during the week for parents, I never got that notice, I heard it was open for teachers and parent volunteers a couple nights before school, but not as a standard thing to be done during the school year, so if true, then what nights and hours. PBIS barbaque- I feel people are saying just should not have happenned when schedules were not complete and confusion was unresolved. Not that the idea was bad. I feel people are aware of the issues and just plain frustrated and angry the school will not just say these issues are there, and they are not small glitches. I have heard comments like and read comments actually that say is it one person is it 3 people is it 67 people, I don't feel that is even addressing the subjects, # does not matter, could be 1 speaking for 50 could be 67 speaking for 300 -what matters is are these matters True - I think alot are. I don't find it bad if Mrs. Sargent needs some help to resolve these matters, I feel its bad not to admit the issues and errors , I think just a little truth gets you along way with the parents and the public, you might even get alot of people to jump to the call and help her. I think everyone wants good schools. You still have confusion with 7 and 8 grade rotating schedules, (this by the way is a mirror of the high school schedules- been in existance over there for awhile- so help could have been gotten there) -I was angry the other day when I saw a person demonished for asking for these to be looked at by administration on the discussion page. And a person responded with 4th grade was great, another said schedules have been in existance since the 90's- no these are currently 7 and 8 grade rotating schedules (they are new) 4 5 6 has not changed (yet) -
Actually date of Mr. Rouleau official start, I see comments he already started, I see last Friday, but I hear Septemeber 10th also. -I agree children have not been told who their VP is yet (that is another example of poor communication) and will create another episode of frustration. Alot of these concerns and matters could be resolved and then worked on to improve if someone either Mrs. Sargent or Mr. Ingano would just step up and admit,they exist, (and they do) no one is going to disrespect honesty - it will get respected. No one is saying its unrepairable chaos - just maybe not the greatest start and maybe just lack of experience on Mrs. Sargents part. thank you for listening,
I am not a school employee, nor have I been present in the middle school since school started this year. I have posted what my personal experiences have been. I have asked honest & sincere questions of others on this blog in an attempt to understand what others have experienced. This has included asking how schedules have been done in the past. I have never suggested that problems do not exist, nor have I tried to demonize those who have posted their concerns. I have tried to remain positive, not in an effort to ignore problems, but because I personally find constant negativity (which is not the same as pointing out issues/concerns) to be a downward spiral & it does not particularly motivate me to work harder or try to improve.
ReplyDeleteAs for the anonymous posting...as I stated elsewhere, I really don't need to know anyone's identity. However, it makes it difficult at times to follow who.has posted what & when and to have some continuity of the conversation without some indication of who the poster is. Is this your first post & it would be a benefit to explain some back story, or have you been part of the discussion right along...these types of things would be easier to discern. Also, while I agree that even if a problem effects just one student, it should be investigated, I disagree with the statement the the number of people affected is not important. Certainly, if many people are experiencing the same thing, it speaks to a larger issues vs what could just be an isolated event.
Finally, while I would like to see administration address the concerns that have been posted, I do not think it's realistic or appropriate to expect staff to be commenting on personel issues (ie. Teacher reasignments, "disgruntled" employees) on a blog.
I am not an employee,just a Clinton concerned citizen. I have been present in the middle school, I have investigated these matters. I agree it makes it hard to motivate ones self to want to step up and help if you feel helpless and overwhelmend with constant issues and you feel no one wants to hear unless its positive. But life is what life is and unless we work to improve we will not improve. No one likes to just say negatives, but if they exist they exist. I don't believe staff are complaining I know personally alot of these post are parents of students that are complaining,(or honestly i see it as concerned) Teacher reasignments as an example could be well known by parents who have had students in the school for many years. I am not an employee or teacher and I know about this matter. I don't know if I feel employees are disgruntled- I read frustrated, confused, and anxious because they were first told one or two days or day one of school of there new assisgnments,and are trying to gather their curriculum together quickly. I have not seen anyone on this blog act disgruntled. As for Administration commenting on this blog, I honestly do not care where they comment, newspaper, this blog , discussion page wherever , but I wish they would comment on these matters to the public. the public are the people whose vote you need at the end of the day. And looks like the schools need money.I do personally feel that one big mistake the school has made for the last few years is that they think its just parents who have children currently in school, that should be communicated to and I believe its everyone who lives in Clinton they should communicate to and welcome help from all ages. As for who comments - In America we all have Freedom of Speech and I don't know who honestly post here but administration, teachers, students, parents, Joe public, all have the same right. This blog does have a right I suppose to state they only want positives, and if that is requested I believe all should honor the request. I believe administration should answer most of these concerns, honestly, and openly there is no shame in honesty. Mistakes were made, issues need resolution, but aren't we all concerned about the same thing our schools succeed, and our students get the best education they can. Constantly hiding behind school doors, having opinions only a few are complaining, trying to put an optimistic spin on everything, won't solve the problem. Be upfront, Be honest, apologize where needed, and accept everyones help, I personally believe they would get respected and helped more than they are now.
DeleteI would like to offer what I feel is a GOOD IDEA and Positive view by making a request to the school committee. Lets solve some of these issues, Lets address some of these problems, Lets address the administration of the schools, Let make them accountable to answer the publics questions. Overview of this blog publics main issues: Communication lacking from Mr. Ingano , and other administrators of our schools, only positive I see is High School appears to have the most updated web page and communication. Facility questions especially the middle school, regarding daily upkeep,repair,and now I see questions regarding safety with class sizes (do these rooms accomodate up to 36 children, or 30? I see questions who is the ART teacher in 4th grade- is there one? I see teachers were reassigned and not told till day one or surprised. -why was that? and are these changes in teachers a beneficial move or why was it done? New 7/8 grade revolving schedules, I read students confused, teachers confused, still not in place, has created over sized classes, lack of textbooks, teachers scrambling to get curriculum together.(I have seen system crashed twice, what plan was in place to be able to move forward?) I have seen on this blog Mr. Ingano answers on 8/16/12 and no updates, in fact the information offered here was kind of weak, webpage updates(sorry summer is hard-we will address maybe student to help and get credit, maybe parent volunteers, but we are in the process of giving administration access (and how long does that take? I feel that is a good question -8/16/12 till when?) We will post a picture of Mrs. Sargent when we have one 8/16/12 how long to get that? business manager update(hey we have two that did not want to come - no update on that either) Had a public concern over a quote that several felt was putting down the prior middle school principal,(appears the same old philosopy of Mr. Ingano and other administrators stands firm-oh it must just be one or two people who constantly complain anyway, or hey Mrs. Sargent didn't mean it that way) Should be addressed, and apology made by Mrs. Sargent, it was not an appropriate quote, poor judgement,poor public relations. (simply apologize with a public quote)then it would be over. CES -started with supply list, (boy was that not adequate presentation, I will credit it got fixed) complaining about decrease secretary staff (well address it-maybe cannot hire more, but re-adjust responsibilities) and proof read before you publish. (simple) No art CES (can we fix that somehow or not -I see people still wondering about that) Saw it takes along time to get paper at CES (why who is doing our purchase orders, are they being done in a timely manner if not why not)? I see many PBIS plus and negatives but people asked why the principal put her time into that, and schedules were not ready? People asked where did we get the money? what evenings is the middle school open (still not answered) -are concerned about big issues and no one is getting anything, not even lip service. I give all parent volunteers credit they offer alot to the schools and your work is appreciated. But we need answers and maybe the school committee can get them, we certainly can't.
ReplyDeleteyes it would be nice to get some of these questions answered, by the school or school committee, so we could all post good things and not always have to post questions. It would be nice not to have to use this blog to try to get answers. It would be great to post all the answers were gotten, and be able to post Clinton is making great strides in improving their schools.
ReplyDelete