Did You Know...???

The Highlights

1. There is a group of concerned youth organization leaders, convened as the Plainfield Youth Council, are working together with approximately 15 city youth to develop a Youth Summit slated for the last weekend in (April, 2011).

• Look for a press release and on-going teasers and advertisements over the next few months from yours truly

1. A group of concerned stakeholders lead by City Council President Annie McWilliams have been invited to an inaugural conversation to discuss a city-wide Youth Master Plan. (February, 2011)

• Look for more information coming directly from your city elected officials.

1. There is a group of school and community stakeholders, lead by PPS PR and the BOE, working together to research, author and propose recommendation for a Social Networking Plan and Policy for the Plainfield School District.

• More information to be released at the next Board Policy meeting in March, 2011

1. There is a group of dedicated, concerned and engaged parents, teachers, students, community stakeholders, and board members, lead by the Community and Schools Chair (Hernandez) and Co-Chair (Keisha Edwards) collaborating on a citywide Multicultural Day chock full of activities, live interviews, important social commentary, food and fun! (April, 2011)

• Stay tuned for more information regarding this citywide initiative from your truly

1. The Plainfield Board of Education is currently working on a Parental Involvement Policy lead by Brenda Gilbert (Chair) and Pat Barksdale (Co-chair). An invitation to participate in the research, development and establishment of this very critical policy is forth coming.(February/March, 2011)

• Look for more information posted on the PPS District website.

Now you do!

This Week -- Highlights!

POLICY: Ride or Drive?

On Tuesday of this week, during our regularly scheduled board meeting, one of the policies in scope was in regards to parental involvement. This area of concern is the impetus behind my initial run for the Board of Education, and it has been plagued with criticism by the community at large. Unfortunately, the fact that only 2 Parents/Community folk showed up to the meeting belies the latter.

Although I am not on the policy chairmanship, per se – I am the chairperson who is responsible for ensuring there is linkage between the community and our school -- so I’d like to ask any persons truly interested and committed to seeing our district have a valuable, relevant and well articulated policy with regard to parental involvement reach out to myself, or the Board office via the Board Secretary with your name, telephone number, and an email so that you can be included on any info gathering sessions and committees established for this effort.

I am going to make certain you are included in the process, but you’ll need to do your part and step up and show up.

Design For Success| It's a CITY Issue TOO!!!

Next was our restructuring discussion for Maxson Middle School that has failed to meet AYP for at least 5 years, and as such is mandated to reorganize/redistribute and otherwise redeploy employees to create a school that works. Now –there’s a concept – A School That WORKS!

Although the turnout was far greater than any board meeting over the past 6 months, or any other meetings held for the general public for that matter – there was not a single civic representative. Not a council person (which has a liaison to the board) nor the Mayor, or any other civic-center persons of late. This concerns me deeply because I just don’t see how one thinks they can do what needs to be done in this city without the expressed, purposeful and committed cooperation between the two entities.

Separate and equally discombobulated – that perfectly describes Plainfield’s educational system and its city government. If it were not so completely disasterous -- it would be humorous. We won’t get this right until we do the right thing.

Looks like I need to pay a visit to City Council. Oopsie! That is right -- their meeting is on the same day as the school Board meetings! There goes our customer-centric planning effort again. I’m thinking a closer look at that office for service may be in order. Hmmm…

Schooling Done Right!

The Star Ledger posted NJASK scores (1.6.11) for all NJ schools. Kudos is in order for PAAAS who achieved an 89% pass rate (proficient) on the 8th grade literacy portion of the exam; 7% of which was advanced proficient! They lead all the schools within the “B” designated subgroup. Great job! Now let’s get those Math Scores up…up…UP!