Recent Comments
Re: “Teachers may take over some schools in Rochester”
AMEN HOWARD EAGLE...I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!! Sad to see, but it appears that 9 people "dislike" hearing (reading) the truth. You keep speaking that truth brotha cuz the people that really care about our children are listening and reading!!!
Re: “Questions linger about RCSD's plan for longer days”
Mary Anna Towler, in reference to Tim Macaluso being in your opinion "without question the most thoughtful, experienced, and knowledgeable writer covering education in the Greater Rochester area" is very disconcerting and in my opinion doesn't say much for the quality of reporters that the Rochester area has to offer. As Howard Eagle noted, "The guy is obviously having problems writing clear, objective reports about the campaign, and campaigners. His steep slant is undoubtedly tilted in the direction of school board incumbents, and the Vargas Administration." As a concerned parent and community member, we need unbiased information so we are able to formulate our own opinions and make the best decisions for our children based on what is actually being conveyed by the candidates themselves and not Tim Macaluso's interpretation or opinion of what transpired.
Re: “RCSD: Longer days for an out-of-school culture?”
"The other absences were not due to playing hooky, as some have suggested, but the result of sickness, family emergencies, and scheduled personal days, according to Urbanski." Well guess what, the same could be said about students in the RCSD. So when does it go from being a plausible explanation to a lame excuse. I guess when it's a double standard that's practiced with the RCSD. If attendance is important in reference to education, let's not hold some accountable an not all. Urbanski, stop making excuses for "your" teachers and acknowledge, accept and then make changes!!!
Re: “Rochester school board candidates see only the tip of the iceberg”
I attended the forum as well. Tim Louis Macaluso, maybe the reason why the "issue" of a "declining student population " appeared to have gone unaddressed may be due to the fact that "declining student population " is the focus of you and administration but not the immediate focus of parents; hence why the "issue" was not raised. Perhaps, unlike yourself and current administration, we parents are wise enough to understand that the issues that were raised and addressed are the reasons why parents/guardians are taking their children out of the RCSD and therefore leading up to a "declining student population". In actuality, the "issue" of "declining student population " WAS addressed by the candidates by them focusing on a plan to transform the current horrific condition of the RCSD, which will ultimately produce an environment conducive to learning, evidently make the RCSD a viable option for parents/guardians and students as a provider of a quality and competitive education, and will in turn improve the "issue" of "declining student population ".
Re: “Hundreds of city teachers appealing APPR”
Economic status is not the only difference between the student populations of urban and suburban school districts...duh. Maybe the problem IS that teachers in the RCSD ARE teaching exactly the same way as the teachers in Webster. If teachers believe that they truly are "swappable" for other districts; it clearly explains why they're so "ineffective" and "need improvement". While Urbanski seems to be so surprised, this most certainly comes as no surprise to me. I am equally concerned about the high number of appeals but not as it relates to the APPR evaluation. My serious concern is that so may "ineffective" teachers that obviously "need improvement" manage to keep their jobs and continue to fail the students. Contrary to popular believe, working HARD does not equate to working RIGHT. For once, I would love to see Urbanski and the teachers of the RCSD do the one thing they're always demanding of the students and parents/guardians/caretakers: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!