Show Love for your Teachers (and disgust for the budget)

I am almost at my limit. Frustrated and still trying to figure out WHY we (the big we) cannot figure out how to educate our kids or maybe we just do not know how to FUND our kids education! But I do know it can't ALL be the fault of the teachers...really!  So as Valentine's Day approaches, show your love of education and specifically your kids teachers!

The teachers at J.S. Jenks in Chestnut Hill deserve a standing ovation for continuing to provide a quality education while all the drama of the district, the state swirls around them.

Thank you Ms. Tish...you are the BEST
Thank you Ms. Amir and Ms. Williams....Alex looks forward to school each day!

Sign the petition (just takes a click!).
http://www.change.org/petitions/fund-our-schools

Read the opinion of a teacher. http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/138819764.html

More Budget Problems and No Accountability

We have had a great 4 years in a Philadelphia Public School; my children are thriving and learning valuable life lessons. 4 years straight of excellent teachers (I wish the discourse would change from blaming the teachers for “all bad” in the world.)

However, the recent SRC meeting has made me panic a bit, not for my school or my children’s future but for OUR childrens’ collective futures and the future of public education. I am struck with how apparently smart and wealthy we are as a society and we cannot figure out how to educate our children. Yet in years past we were able to educate them very well…hmmm.

I am also skeptical of the consistent view that one person can solve all our problems; we need to wake up and realize it will take some collective work and cooperation to get out of this mess. Public input would be nice.

I do have questions for the SRC. Does the new Chief Recovery Officer have any experience in education? Any experience in organizations that have a large volunteer workforce (parents, care givers and community)? Any experience with connecting with community organizations?

Also I do not have a background in finance but it seems counter intuitive that we are hiring a combination position superintendent and chief financial officer, yet we are maintaining the people currently in those jobs. If they cannot do the job they need to be let go their combined incomes (even with a cut) are most likely 8-10 times what our school had to give back this year. 

Finally, after looking at the budget line items to be cut, they are focused on things that benefit children with no discussion of some items that were problematic during the last “administration”.  These include no bid contracts, the excessive testing we pay for and any other consultants that we pay for. Pay the teachers who are directly interacting with my children. 

As always Helen Gym gives an excellent overview on the current situation. So let’s get informed and act on behalf of all our children.

http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124430/src-cant-afford-leave-democracy-behind

Friends of Jenks

The development of the Friends of Jenks has been a great journey involving parents, staff and potential parents.  A positive effort in a time of difficulty.


http://chestnuthill.patch.com/articles/j-s-jenks-working-to-form-fundraising-group

Recyclebank Grant for Recycling

We won a Recyclebank grant ($2,245.50) thanks to our dedicated parents and staff (Adam Eyring, Haviva Goldman and Amy Watson).

Now we need to earn Recyclebank points. So if you are visiting this blog you support public schools so PLEASE help us out.

We need your points. Please join Recycle Bank and donate to fund the Jenks grant.

http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/

Remember; Recyclebank will award $1.00 for every 250 points donated to our school (J.S. Jenks).

Learn More about J.S. Jenks Elementary School

Kindergarten teas are informal meetings for parents interested in
learning more about J.S. Jenks. It is hosted at the home of a current
Jenks parent and offers the opportunity to meet with other current and
prospective parents to discuss Jenks as a school option.

When: December 6th @7:30PM
Where: 135 West Gravers Lane in Chestnut Hill

Please RSVP to jenkshsa@gmail.com

First in Math

At J.S. Jenks the students have the opportunity to play a math based computer game First in Math (© 2011 Suntex International Inc) http://www.firstinmath.com/. The program is played in schools all over the country.  Students earn stickers and awards as they complete levels of math. Students progress through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; there are even word problems and sudoku games.  It is the modern version of flash cards.  The contemporary advantage of First in Math is that the kids cannot advance until they master a section. Wow, learning to try again until succeeding, what an appropriate skill for the future.  The program also teaches students an international language that they must master if we as a country are to begin competing in science again.  The competition portion of the game has perks as well, such as learning how to lose gracefully or keeping focus to catch up to your colleagues.  In my opinion First in Math is a great addition to the school curriculum and will prepare our kids for their very technical future. 

We're Making Music!

My youngest (Kid 2) has just started kindergarten at JS Jenks, so I now have a second child in the same school with the same kindergarten teacher as my eldest (Kid 1).  However the accommodation, acclimation and behavior between the children were very different.  Yet the result is equally positive; a happy child who is learning to be adaptable in a new environment and learning much. 

 One example is the experience of Kid 2 in music class. When I observed him in a monthly “Wee Sing” event, where parents come to class with their children, he was fidgety and a bit of an “attention-seeker”. I am sure his behavior is not entirely different when I am not present. However, he has absorbed the lessons of the class.  I learned this when my partner and I were frequently asked to attend “school” at home. Kid 2 would introduce himself as “Mr. G-Y”, grab his guitar and class begins. He sings and then we have to follow and join in. He stops class if we are not following properly; he wants us to learn the songs.  He sings, wants to play music and is basically excited for school each day. Thanks Mr. Kell!! And all the faculty and staff at J.S. Jenks.