Sunday, October 6, 2013
Will Starr be Interviewing while he is in NYC?
Superintendent Joshua Starr is a "strong contender" for the Chancellor of New York City Public Schools.
On Monday, Superintendent Starr will be part of the NBC Education Nation event in New York.
What It Takes: Feedback - A Reality Check on TestingPanelists:
- Paul Pastorek, Senior Advisor, The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
- Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools
- Dennis Walcott, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education
- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
Friday, October 4, 2013
You are invited - save the date
Here is an invite to the next MCPS State of the Schools.
Breakfast and pastries with MCPS own Dr. Starr and the rest of the Board of Education!
If the spread resembles the recent Working Group Meeting on October 1 2013 in the Rockville library, you will find plenty to eat! For a three and a half hour meeting of 12 people, our tax funds paid for breakfast (I arrived as the surplus was taken away) and lunch - 8 pizzas and salad and dessert. I hope that MCPS keeps a list of homeless shelters accepting food donations. Just remember to RSVP so MCPS can plan accordingly.
If the spread resembles the recent Working Group Meeting on October 1 2013 in the Rockville library, you will find plenty to eat! For a three and a half hour meeting of 12 people, our tax funds paid for breakfast (I arrived as the surplus was taken away) and lunch - 8 pizzas and salad and dessert. I hope that MCPS keeps a list of homeless shelters accepting food donations. Just remember to RSVP so MCPS can plan accordingly.
Why is the Board of Education Removing Security Cameras in Schools?
7220.1 Security Camera Removal at Various School Locations
Awardee: Geek Security and Wire Installation, Inc.* $ 30,000
-------------
Sorry, we can't answer the question. The Board of Education voted to do this on their Consent Agenda on September 23, 2013, without any discussion.
See for yourself:
http://mcpsmd.swagit.com/play/09232013-712
Awardee: Geek Security and Wire Installation, Inc.* $ 30,000
-------------
Sorry, we can't answer the question. The Board of Education voted to do this on their Consent Agenda on September 23, 2013, without any discussion.
See for yourself:
http://mcpsmd.swagit.com/play/09232013-712
Thursday, October 3, 2013
“The state is concerned this behavior took place on and off school grounds,”
Gazette: Potomac man who teaches at Einstein High charged with sex abuse of a minor
Teacher and student allegedly exchanged inappropriate emails
Einstein HS teacher arrested for sexual abuse of female student
Potomac Man Arrested for Sex Abuse of a Minor
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Family Crimes Division – Child Exploitation Unit have arrested a Potomac man for the sexual abuse of a female student that occurred at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington.
On September 28, detectives received information that a female student at Albert Einstein had been receiving inappropriate emails from a teacher at the school. The teacher was later identified as Richard Brian Shemer, age 50, of the 13200 block of Maplecrest Drive in Potomac.
Further investigation revealed that the victim and Shemer had developed a close relationship during the 2012-2013 school year. During the current school year, the victim visited Shemer’s classroom where they had conversations about sex and sex acts. These verbal conversations continued outside of school via email. The victim’s parent discovered these emails and contacted police.
Based on the above, an arrest warrant was obtained, and yesterday afternoon (October 2), Shemer was arrested at his residence. He is charged with one count of sex abuse of minor. Shemer is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.
Starr is "strong contender" for NYC Schools Chancellor
We’ve sorted through the rumors and political jockeying to handicap several strong contenders.
...
What he says: “I have a job right now that I love and that I’m focused on. I’m flattered to have my name come up in the New York City conversation but I’m deeply committed to the job right now.”
What his supporters say: “If you said the one person who would be the very best person you could think of, it would be josh Starr.” — Carol Burris.
Deasy + iPADs + Pearson = FAIL
John Deasy = former Prince George's County Public School's superintendent with the resume issues.
Pearson = of the Jerry Weast + Pearson connection
The Washington Post: Student hackers lead L.A. schools to halt major iPad initiative
The $1 billion initiative by the Los Angeles public schools district to give an iPad to all 650,000 students and teachers for home use has hit a snag that, in hindsight, someone should have seen coming: student hackers.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, officials in the country’s second-largest school district stopped allowing home use of the iPads this week because high school students had hacked into the devices and used them for non-educational purposes such as tweeting, checking their Facebook accounts and streaming music.
...Students were supposed to use the iPads, each loaded with software designed by Pearson Education...
...The iPad initiative has proved controversial. Some critics said the school district was spending too much money on technology that might have little impact on student achievement...
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Exclusive: Loiederman MS Teacher Plea Agreement on Sex Offense and Assault Charges
On June 12, 2013, Loiederman Middle School science teacher Benjamin Cano was arrested. The Gazette reported the story:
A science teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring was arrested Wednesday for several sex offenses that occurred at the school, police said.On September 30, 2013, a plea agreement was filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The Parents' Coalition has obtained the plea agreement filing which states:
Benjamin Robert Cano, 33, of the 200 block of Night Haven Court in Edgewater was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of committing a third-degree sex offense, according to Montgomery County Police.
Cano was released Thursday after posting $50,000 bail...[full story at this link]
"The agreement is that this will be a Not Guilty Agreed Statement of Facts. The State will read a full proffer into the record after which it is expected the Court will find the Defendant guilty of one count of forth degree sexual offense and one court of second degree assault. The State and defense would ask the Court to bind itself to no executed incarceration. The Defendant agrees to complete a full sex offender evaluation prior to Sentencing. If the evaluation indicates anything more then a low-risk for recidivism or diagnoses the Defendant as a pedophile the agreement is void. Both sides are free to allocate as to the length of any suspended sentence and all terms of probation."
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Forum
A conversation on youth substance abuse in Montgomery County for concerned residents and parents who want to learn about drug trends, youth addiction, and promoting wellness in our community.
October 7, 2013
Resource Fair: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Presentations/Q&A: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Richard Montgomery High School Auditorium
250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Speakers:
Dr. Joshua Starr, Superintendent of Schools, MCPS
Dr. James M. Bjork, Program Officer, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Dr. Raymond Crowel, Chief, DHHS Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
Dr. Ursula Hermann, Director, MCPS Department of Student Services
Sgt. Keith Matthis, Montgomery County Police Department
Mr. Timothy B. Warner, Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer, MCPS
October 7, 2013
Resource Fair: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Presentations/Q&A: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Richard Montgomery High School Auditorium
250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Speakers:
Dr. Joshua Starr, Superintendent of Schools, MCPS
Dr. James M. Bjork, Program Officer, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Dr. Raymond Crowel, Chief, DHHS Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
Dr. Ursula Hermann, Director, MCPS Department of Student Services
Sgt. Keith Matthis, Montgomery County Police Department
Mr. Timothy B. Warner, Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer, MCPS
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Fact Checking the Superintendent's Recommendation on School Start Times
Superintendent Joshua Starr's recommendation on start times for high schools and elementary schools says:
County School System and Length of School Day (Hours) for Elementary Schools
Prince George's 6.17
Montgomery 6.25 (current)
Garrett 6.40
Allegany 6.41
Anne Arundel 6.42
Baltimore 6.50
Carroll 6.50
Charles 6.50
Dorchester 6.50
Frederick 6.50
Harford 6.50
Howard 6.50
Kent 6.50
Washington 6.50
Wicomico 6.50
Calvert 6.54
Cecil 6.66
Montgomery 6.75 (Starr's proposal)
Caroline 6.75
St Mary's 6.75
Talbot 6.75
Baltimore City 6.83
Queen Anne's 6.83
Somerset 7.00
Worcester 7.00
Superintendent Starr's proposal would actually put MCPS' elementary school day above the State average.
"Extending the elementary day by 30 minutes equalizes the length of the instructional day for all three levels to 6 hours and 45 minutes. This aligns the length of the school day with most other school districts across the state of Maryland."The elementary school data in Appendix I of the Report of the 2013 Bell Times Work Group shows the following:
County School System and Length of School Day (Hours) for Elementary Schools
Prince George's 6.17
Montgomery 6.25 (current)
Garrett 6.40
Allegany 6.41
Anne Arundel 6.42
Baltimore 6.50
Carroll 6.50
Charles 6.50
Dorchester 6.50
Frederick 6.50
Harford 6.50
Howard 6.50
Kent 6.50
Washington 6.50
Wicomico 6.50
Calvert 6.54
Cecil 6.66
Montgomery 6.75 (Starr's proposal)
Caroline 6.75
St Mary's 6.75
Talbot 6.75
Baltimore City 6.83
Queen Anne's 6.83
Somerset 7.00
Worcester 7.00
Superintendent Starr's proposal would actually put MCPS' elementary school day above the State average.
MCPS School Bus Safety: Your child can be left at wrong bus stop
School Bus Safety Do you have a child who rides the school bus to school?
...As I think about the Montgomery County school policy that authorizes leaving children alone at bus stops without any adult present, I wonder about the law – can parents legally leave 5 year olds home alone?
Why no, they cannot. In fact, my oldest is 7 and according to the state law right here in Montgomery County, MD, I cannot leave her home alone until she is 8 years old yet my public school system can leave her alone at a bus stop?
I’m confused. And mad as hell. But hey, at least I know the policy
http://www.wiredmomma.com/2013/10/school-bus-safety/#.UkrdYKzD9f0
...As I think about the Montgomery County school policy that authorizes leaving children alone at bus stops without any adult present, I wonder about the law – can parents legally leave 5 year olds home alone?
Why no, they cannot. In fact, my oldest is 7 and according to the state law right here in Montgomery County, MD, I cannot leave her home alone until she is 8 years old yet my public school system can leave her alone at a bus stop?
I’m confused. And mad as hell. But hey, at least I know the policy
http://www.wiredmomma.com/2013/10/school-bus-safety/#.UkrdYKzD9f0
Let's Have a PEP Rally!
At Sligo Creek Elementary School in Montgomery County, someone decided it would be a great idea to do away with parent-teacher conferences! That's right: instead of meeting personally with your child's teacher to receive a quick snapshot of your child's progress and address any concerns, you will now be treated to a "PEP Rally."
Apparently, "PEP" stands for Parent Engagement Partnership. Here's what the PTA Newsletter says:
Want to Know More About PEP?
We all do! Many parents have questions about the school’s plan to replace individual parent-teacher conferences with Parent Engagement Partnership (PEP) rallies. A flyer should go home in your child’s Friday Folder today, and the PTA will be devoting our next meeting to the topic. There will be a presentation about the PEP rallies, and Ms. Swift will conduct a question-and-answer session. The meeting will be held October 1st at 7pm in the school gym. All are welcome, even if you have not yet signed up for the PTA. Child care is provided.
Starr's American Express Bill Jumps to $6,969,342! Hey, big spender!
Superintendent Jerry Weast
FY 2010 American Express $ 5,257,632
FY 2010 American Express $ 5,257,632
FY 2011 American Express $ 5,571,127
FY 2012 American Express $ 6,634,939
FY 2013 American Express $6,969,342
In Superintendent Jerry Weast's first year in MCPS the Board of Education (BOE) approved a contract with American Express to supply MCPS staff and BOE members with their own personal American Express cards, billable to you the taxpayer. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. The American Express bills are paid out of the MCPS Operating Budget without MCPS staff turning in receipts!
The list of 1,400 MCPS American Express card holders was made public for the first, and only, time in 2008 by an MCPS parent.
The Parents' Coalition investigated some of the uses of these credit cards and discovered some disturbing trends in the accounting practices for these cards.
In 2009, the Maryland State Office of Legislative Audits confirmed what the Parents' Coalition investigation had shown.
The Board of Education does not monitor the use of these personal credit cards, and does not monitor the number of credit cards that are in circulation in MCPS. It is unknown how many MCPS American Express credit cards are issued to individual MCPS staff and BOE members as of today. What is known is that the total, annual American Express bill has been steadily increasing since 2010.
Why has this bill increased? What are these undocumented funds being spent on?
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