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Rockland Community College

4-25-12

Posted on
Power of Ten Reminder
Message from Dr. Gordon re: Forum on the Future of Educational Assessment TONIGHT

Dear Parents:

Each school year, students are tested with a variety of purposes in mind. Have you ever considered what you want and need from educational testing? Do you have concerns about testing in schools? Have you ever wondered about why your child is tested and whether you can better help him/her to be prepared? Let us work together to answer these questions and others like them.

 

 

Parents, educators and students who are interested in the future of educational testing are invited to participate and share their thoughts during a public forum held by the Gordon Commission on the Future of Assessment in Education. Learn more about the work being done to change testing nationally and how these changes can affect your school-aged children for the better.

 

 

Please join us on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Rockland Community College, Technology Center, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

 

 

A confirmation is not necessary to attend, but will be helpful for our planning. To confirm your attendance or for additional information, please email Jamila Brathwaite at jbrathwaite@cejjesinstitute.org. To learn more about the Gordon Commission visit www.gordoncommission.org

 

Best Regards,

Edmund W. Gordon

Chairman

The Gordon Commission

4-8-12

Posted on
Power of Ten Update
In this edition:
  1. Students refuse to participate in Dr. Klein’s “Community Forum” charade
  2. Concerned Citizens of East Ramapo to hold campaign kickoff at RCC
  3. Rockland Community College to Hold Public Forums on the Future of Educational Assessment
  4. “East Ramapo Underground” Spring Break Edition
  5. Message from the Editor
1) Students refuse to participate in Dr. Klein’s “Community Forum” charade
Dr. Klein tried to pull a fast one by producing a “Community Forum” with a pre-selected list of unacceptable cuts for the community to choose from. Students rallied outside prior to the forum, and brought the rally inside to show the board their displeasure at being offered such a crass manipulation.
At the next board meeting, the students came and showed what real community feedback looks like. Dozens of students spoke eloquently about the benefits and opportunities that public education provides. Video is not yet available.
2) Concerned Citizens of East Ramapo to hold campaign kickoff at RCC
Hello Concerned Citizens of East Ramapo.
The public community came much closer last year to winning back the school board. This year, we believe we have the strategy and plans to win, with your help.
We need all of you to help communicate with the voting public so they will be aware of how the school boards fiscal mismanagement is destroying our kids future and our home values.
This effort is dedicated to providing the information that every voter need to know, in a media they are familiar with (postal mail, telephone, social media), so they can make conscious decisions regarding who will represent their interest on the school board.
We have scheduled a meet the candidates and canvassing kickoff meeting on the following date and time:
Date: Wednesday April 11, 2012
Location: Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY (Faculty Dining Room in the Cultural Arts Bldg.)
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
3) Rockland Community College to Hold Public Forums on the Future of Educational Assessment
Free and open to the public
Ramapo- Parents, educators and students who are interested in the future of educational assessment are invited to participate and share their thoughts during a series of public forums
What: Gordon Commission Forums at Rockland Community College
Where: Technology Center, Ellipse (Rm. 8180)
Parents – Thursday, April 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
What do parents want and need from assessment in education?
HS and College Students – Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 7:00-8:30 pm
What do you seek from educational assessment and testing? What troubles you about contemporary testing practices?
For more information about the work of the Gordon Commission visit www.gordoncommission.org
For additional information about the forums, please call the RCC Office of the President: 845-574-4214 or email: contact@gordoncommission.org
4) East Ramapo Underground Spring Break Edition
Thursday, April 12 on WRCR 1300-AM from 10 to 11 AM
The East Ramapo Underground will cover the issues and discuss the challenges facing the East Ramapo School District.
The show will also stream live over the internet from www.wrcr.com

From your hosts,
Peggy Hatton & Antonio Luciano

5) Message from the editor
Our community has room for people who disagree on important issues. The board and Dr. Klein are trying to craft budget proposals around “wedge” issues, hoping that we will argue among ourselves over how to split up the pie. The sad part is that anyone would think we can be divided so easily. Only the most naive person would respond to these obvious, amateurish manipulations. We are not about to be divided over whether to fund music, or sports or any other programs. The reason we find ourselves in the place we are at is that we are the victims of a “divide and conquer” strategy. We cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated into working against each other. One of the tactics used by those who practice divide and conquer is to create a difficult situation, and then befriend some of the people and help them out. This of course creates resentment between those who do not have control and diverts it from those who do.
We know better now than to fight amongst ourselves.
No teacher is any other teacher’s enemy.
No parent is any other parent’s adversary.
No taxpayer wants to see his neighbor’s property values ruined.
We are all in this together. We will not be reduced to arguing over the crumbs after those sitting at the table have had their fill. We refuse to accept second class status. Each of us has a responsibility to advocate for all the people and programs that contribute to the education of our children and avoid arguing over favorites. We must peacefully and respectfully correct anyone who preaches divisiveness or negativity. We have achieved a lot this year. We have stood up for our rights and as a result are standing toe to toe with the bullies. Now is the time for calm determination. – Steven White, editor

3-19-12

Posted on
Power of Ten Update
In this edition:
  1. Students plead for mercy from school board
  2. Next board meeting is Wednesday March 21
  3. Rockland Community College to Hold Public Forums on the Future of Educational Assessment
  4. New Radio show “East Ramapo Underground”
  5. Message from the Editor
1) Students plead for mercy from school board
The videos from the March 14th meeting is here. You can watch them all at www.youtube.com/luckylouproduction or click on the link for any video.
Vanessa Decembre talks about education http://youtu.be/wrvp-_poygc
Tendrina Alexander talks about high school http://youtu.be/C4G1a_WPSTA
Israel Colon talks about Thespian Troupe 721 http://youtu.be/0PO2EsiraRU
Nicole Canada talks about the school district http://youtu.be/7vOLLTboaPM
Tatiana Vera talks about going to school in East Ramapo http://youtu.be/XPpTXdUFN5o
2) The next School Board Meeting is Wednesday, March 21st @ 7:30 pm
105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley
Please come early to support the students, even if you can’t stay for the whole meeting.
3) Rockland Community College to Hold Public Forums on the Future of Educational Assessment
Free and open to the public
Ramapo- Parents, educators and students who are interested in the future of educational assessment are invited to participate and share their thoughts during a series of public forums
What: Gordon Commission Forums at Rockland Community College
Where: Technology Center, Ellipse (Rm. 8180)
When: Educators – Thursday, March 22, 7:00-9:00 pm
From your unique perspective, what do educators need from assessment, and how can testing be used to improve teaching and learning?
Parents – Thursday, April 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
What do parents want and need from assessment in education?
HS and College Students – Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 7:00-8:30 pm
What do you seek from educational assessment and testing? What troubles you about contemporary testing practices?
For more information about the work of the Gordon Commission visit www.gordoncommission.org
For additional information about the forums, please call the RCC Office of the President: 845-574-4214 or email: contact@gordoncommission.org
4) Join the East Ramapo Underground
Every Thursday on WRCR 1300-AM right after the Steve and Charlie show from 10:10am – 10:40am.
The East Ramapo Underground will cover the issues and discuss the challenges facing the East Ramapo School District.
The first show will be Thursday, March 22, 2012.
The show will also stream live over the internet from www.wrcr.com
5) Message from the editor
Budget season is upon us. Once again, the school board finds itself trying to piece together a budget at the last minute, without ever having substantively discussed the failure of the district to respond to the needs of the students. The usual excuses are given about state aid, taxpayer resistance, and the economy. But there is a greater problem than any of these and that is lack of vision on behalf of the school board. A lack of vision which stems from the divisive way in which the board members have gained power. A lack of vision which stems from the lack of respect that the board members have for the students, the teachers, and the concept of public education itself.
This school board showed its real colors when it let Pedro Santana go. Pedro was the darling of the students, and beloved by the staff. He was the most effective administrator the district has ever seen, according to long time staff who served directly under prior administrators. He was inspiring the district to a new vision, one of recognizing the value of our diversity. The usual excuses about money were absent- this was a cold hearted act which seriously set back the morale of the district.
This school board has been propelled into power by mighty financial interests who manipulate divisiveness for their own gain. They are the 1% of East Ramapo, the real estate investors who have the most to gain by gutting the budget and scapegoating the students, the teachers, and the community.
The votes they cannot get by bullying they get by propagating myths. How often have you heard it said that “private school parents pay twice?” While it is certainly hard for many families to pay private school tuition, the truth is that as a whole, the district pays out more in services to private schools than it collects in taxes from the parents with children in private school. This is verified by the district’s own internal study. Another myth is that East Ramapo parents “just don’t vote”. The truth is that citizens in East Ramapo vote at 3 times the rate of other districts in the county; indeed they have one of the highest voter turnout rates for school elections in the nation. Another myth is that East Ramapo teachers are overpaid. The truth is that over the last decade East Ramapo teacher salaries have risen less than most districts in Rockland, barely keeping up with inflation. The most despicable myth of all is that our kids are just not able to succeed. The fact is that these are smart children just waiting to be given a chance. They need a district that understands them- where they come from, and where they want to go in life. They deserve a district that has a vision for their success. That is what this newsletter has dedicated itself to for the past four years. – Steven White, editor