Counterfeiting and Assault at Hill Middle School
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 18:20.
UPDATE: Fox 4 News video on hall monitor's arrest here
UPDATE: Jordan posted bond in the assault case only to find he had warrant in Irving--so he's still in jail!
Dallas.Org has learned that two serious, but unrelated, events have happened this week at Robert T. Hill Middle School. The first (and most serious) involved several students manufacturing and passing counterfeit $10 bills at the school. The second involved an altercation between a DISD hall monitor and a student that resulted in the arrest of the 40-year old employee.
The counterfeit $10 bills began turning up Tuesday in the lunchroom of the school. By Wednesday, several more had been passed in the school.
According to sources, the bills were produced by a male student and then "passed around" with the help of two female students.
The bills were turned over to Dallas ISD Police Officer Epifanio Garfias on Wednesday.
One source we spoke to told Dallas.Org that the students have not been formally disciplined but were "sent home."
Counterfeiting of U.S. currency is a federal crime enforced by the United States Secret Service. Reportedly, the bills are in the possession of the DISD Police Department and no report has yet been made to the Secret Service.
According to a source in the DISD Police Department, the case is still under investigation and they are in the process of making a report.
There is no word, however, as to why the incident wasn't immediately reported to the Secret Service.
In an unrelated event, there was an altercation between a female student and a DISD hall monitor at Hill Middle School that resulted in the arrest of the 40-year old hall monitor Willar Taylor Jordan, Jr.
Jordan was booked into the Dallas County Jail Thursday afternoon on felony charges of injury to a child. His bond was set at $2,500.
According to one source, the female student slapped the hall monitor and he slapped her back. Another source told Dallas.Org the female student ended up with a "bloodied nose." Dallas.Org has received more information that another school employee may be arrested in connection with the case.
DISD has officially been "mum" on both of these events all day. Their official position was communicated to us late today by a spokesman who said:
Unfortunately, I'm very limited in what I can say. I do know, however,
that district police responded to both incidents and have been working
with the appropriate authorities.
Wish I could say more.
Fortunately for our readers, however, we know plenty. Dallas.Org will bring you more on these events as they unfold.
DEVELOPING
Question for Toni
Toni, you wouldn't happen to know who the teacher was who gave the students the spray paint in the first place, would you?
Reply to Question for Toni and...
Yes, I do. Someone who had a very strong relationship with the 1 student and saw him grow as a person and change for the better and ultimatly was evidently fooled by the growth they had seen. Trust me that teacher regrets the choice of student. But, someone ulitmately has to show trust and trust is the best indicator of human development. Evidently the child hadn't grown as much as they thought. It broke that teacher's heart.
[Ed Note: Let me put it another way... do you think that I know who the teacher was?]
District Policy
Maybe, but I'm not allowed to comment "district policy!"
[Ed Note: I'm not aware of a policy that wouldn't allow you to comment on whether or not you thought I knew who this was. Give you a little hint: we usually know what happens before we post a story. Still want to guess?]
Do We Know?
I know you know who it is. I'm just staying out of it. I think I like you. I didn't want to - but I'll be, another smart person to trade conflicting thought's with without it being personal.
[Ed Note: Good! Now that we have that out of the way, do you think anything will come of a can of spray paint being given to students without adequate supervision?]
Reply to Ed note "Do we know"
I don't know, how do you know something hasn't already happened to that teacher? As far as reprimands go, that's supposed to be confidential. (I'd like to think it would be)
[Ed Note: We just know who the teacher was. We know who the kids were. We have an open records request in on the incident and are getting ready to file another one tomorrow as we learn more. You are correct, however, that a reprimand (any personnel matter that doesn't involve law enforcement) is confidential--and we don't want to know about it.]
Hill and Toni
First of all Toni, what type of strong relationship does this teacher have with this student? And, for the record, human growth does not constitute that a teacher supplies an illegal substance to students irregardless to how much that student has grown. That is a felony due to the simple fact that students were left unsupervised with an illegal control substance.
As an educator, teachers do not have room for error when it comes to students. Does that teacher regret that they stated to the students, "I don't give a [censored] what you spray paint, just go paint something."
As an adult, the teacher should have know not to give students spray paint. DUH! Smart teacher that's why they can not purchase it at a department store. Ultimately the teacher should be held fully responsible to aiding students with an illegal substance as well as leaving the student unsupervised.
Moreover, Hill was a neighborhood school and the residents of East Dallas are not pleased with the level of control or lack thereof the current and past administration of the last four years have exemplified.
Speculation
Don't go speculating on things of which you have no first-hand knowledge. By you insinuating what you do - Oh! wait you know policy regarding confidentiality. Don't you? I was born here, raised here, and attended DISD schools in Pleasant Grove, I'm familiar with the "neighborhood school" concept. This is still a neighborhood school. The neighborhood has just become more diverse. Really! I know more about the actual population of East Dallas than you can even imagine. Don't lecture me on protocol, policy, or the politics that is "education."
(By the way, you forgot your delayer after the phrase "Smart teacher..." in paragraph three. Either that, or in reality you're George of the Jungle.) And the "DUH" comment gave you away, I know who you are.
[Ed Note: Scathing...]
Ed Note to "Scathing"
I think we understand each other. You know I'm not directing that comment to you - right?
[Ed Note: Correct. We sometimes add a comment about a piece being posted--just for the sake of adding a comment! That's what us editors do!]
Regarding People Who Don't Know Me
I appreciate what the critic has to say. You must be one of the angry teachers here that goes home hopeless and tired. Why are you afraid to sign your name? I'm not ashamed of the things I comment on here because I am secure in my effectiveness as a teacher. I know I follow district policy, and by the way, the cart that was to be painted was that teacher's personal property purchased by that teacher to replace a district owned cart that was stolen along with that teacher's $700 projector and speaker system. By the way, a teacher was responsible for the theft. Neither Dallas Police, nor the DISD police would handle that felony theft over $500. Once again, Hill doesn't disallow volunteers. I challenge you to come help us.
[Ed Note: What? Please tell us more about this theft. When was it stolen, when did you file the report and what information was furnished? Do you have a copy of the police report?]
Stolen Projector
I'll ask the teacher if they want to comment, but I doubt they will pending the tagging issue. I can say that Mr. Sosa's office has been very supportive and has allowed that teacher to order one to replace it. The Dallas police were called and their is a report number. I'll ask them if they want to provide it.
[Ed Note: Let me get this straight; a projector was stolen from Hill M.S., the Dallas Police actually responded and took a report? That's OK, you don't need to ask DPD for the report. We can get every report ever taken at Hill M.S. They're a matter of public record.]
About Stolen Projector
Remember, it was their personal InFocus LCD data projector; not DISD property. I didn't know if that makes a difference to you.
[Ed Note: If DPD responded to Hill, we should be able to find the incident report. We haven't found it yet.]
Reply Stolen projector
Thanks! They assigned a detective, but he never came to talk to me even after I called the detective back.
I went through a grant program at UNT for a year and did a lot of work to earn that projector. Gas was only $2.90ish a gallon at the time.
[Ed Note: I'm not finding where DPD responded to Hill where a detective was assigned. Can you give me a date?]
Projector
Report Number is 105751V. Det. Miles 214-670-4415. Does that help?
[Ed Note: Tons... thanks]
LOL
I have kept mum on this Mr. Editor to try to maintain good karma but you wrote what was certainly going through my head. I knew who it was before I even heard the whole story. You crack me up so bad.
[Ed Note: We aim's to please!]
Where Is The Positive Stuff?
Where are the blog comments about things that are special and "right" at this school? Where were you people when my students raised $500 last year for a family who lost their father over spring break? Where were your comments when my students sponsored troops in Iraq for Christmas and sent box after box after box of supplies and gifts? Where are the comments about the rocket program we've built out of nothing for the last three years? Where are the blogs regarding the trip to NASA a teacher won because of her continued relationship with educators from around the world at NASA? It seems as though you thrive on the negative - how about equal time for the positives? Anybody care to comment?
[Ed Note: "Sorry, you've reached the scandal department. The 'good news' department is down the hall, 3rd door on the right. Knock twice, then wait 5 seconds, and knock once more."
You know, we always get questions like this. Positive stuff is really, really good--and there are plenty of people (and District publications) to toot this horn.
The kinds of things you won't see the District publish is when scores of people are found abusing District finances, abusing teachers, or when (for instance) a hall monitor punches a kid in the face.
That, you see, is where we "bridge the coverage gap."
If you simply want to read positive things, then I suggest you scoot your easy chair over to the District's website. Virtually everything there is positive, forward looking, and there's enough content to keep you warm and fuzzy all weekend!
We'll still be here on Monday.]
Toni's Update...
Hi! I just wanted to update everyone on the fantastic trip to NASA. It was "super fantastic" (inside joke). Ron Gyure, Natalie Walsh and I took 35 students to Space Center Houston at Johnson Space Center. The students saw IMAX films on the 50 years of space flight, saw real artifacts from Apollo and Gemini missions. They saw pieces of Skylab - who remembers that? I was at W.A. Blair in Pleasant Grove when we assembled in a classroom to watch the broadcast. They saw films on what astronaut training is like. The tram tour was great. They saw Mission Control for the Apollo missions. They saw the vehicle mock-up buildings with the life-size models of the moon base we will build on the upcoming series of moon missions, the training pod for the shuttle crew, and a life-size model of the space shuttle. They were amazed at the actual size of some of these things. The Smithsonian just finished the restoration of a Saturn 5 rocket on display in a building at Rocket Park.
We also stopped at the Sam Houston Memorial in Huntsville. I was surprised. They really liked it! They were on their best behavior the entire time and were complimented by several people in Corsicana at the McDonald's. They came in, they ordered their food, they ate like civilized people, at one point the other sponsors and I looked at each other and tried to figure out when the Stepford children" swapped places on the bus. They were happy, they were "free", they learned something. Ask any one of them, they will all tell you something different. Isn't that what it's all about? It was so neat. Three of the students had never been out of the Dallas city limits.
We were also accompanied by one of the soldiers from the military troop my students sponsored at Christmas. He and his lovely wife were great chaperones! The kids really listened to them. One last thing, some of the kids who are basketball fans had the chance to be photographed with David Robinson, formerly of the San Antonio Spurs, who was chaperoning his own children's field trip.
I know, I know, it's sickeningly sweet and happy and drama free, not the usual posting. Mr. Editor, maybe I can be the cream to your coffee, the salt to your pepper, the - well - whatever, you know what I mean.
Thanks to Mr. Castro and his assistant Berenice for finding a way to get us transportation to Houston, otherwise all these NEAT-O things couldn't have happened. Thanks to Mr. Sosa for approving our trip. Thanks to the other chaperones, without whose tireless dedication this trip wouldn't have been possible. Wait, I hear the orchestra playing me off - let's just say we just had a great time!
Not an Orchestra
That wasn't the orchestra playing you off it was the rest of the readers beating their heads against the desk while reading your post.
Hope the trip wasn't over night....if so I'm sure you had plenty of that DISD issued duct tape right?
[Ed Note: Always a cynic in the bunch, eh? :) ]
Good Things About Toni
I can only say good things about Ms. Legg, she is a true personable human with character and deep concern for life. Why; my daughter, who is excelling beyond my dreams, loved Ms. Legg for her honest human quality and her ability to go over the top to make someone feel good about who they were and where they could go. Suppose your child had an asperation to be something in life, suppose the great many "teachers" your child comes into contact with are just at "work" for the day, suppose your child will get encouraged? Well, every day my child came home and we talked about Ms. Legg! Great, Great and sometimes borderline wack-o (LOL). Now my child is A/B in Advanced Science, wants to be a Neurosurgeon, knows words, and spells them correctly, that I can't pronounce and don't know what they mean. So KuDo's Ms. Legg! The ones that go to "work" today can't understand, it's not in them. But get this; there were such good Teachers at hill last year! I don't know about this year (sorry to say that because I always like to go back and keep in touch). The Teachers last year gave more than necessary, they supported my child, and previous child, to greater extent than just in the class room. They were at sports events repeatedly, very positive, they were not whinny, they made my children free to express their opinions with respect thrown in with it. They gave my children more strength in character, education, honesty, and discipline than was the expected job function. I respect the Real Teachers at R. T. Hill School. P.S. I did not respect the previous principal, she let the ball go flat on her court while she was holding the pump in her hand!
Toni Legg to Skyline Parent
Thank you!
You don't know how much that means to me for you to go to the trouble to respond. You get it. If you're just honest with them, brutally honest (sometimes), it prepares them for life after junior high. They just want to be treated with honesty and respect just like anyone else. I'm flattered you were gracious enough to say "borderline" wack-o, I love when people "get it," I have an 8th grade sense of humor. Some people can confuse my replies of sarcasm with being disrespectful, but the kids "get it" too. I'm trying to grow up, but they kids are just so funny, even when they are bad. I remember doing some really stupid things between 8th grade and 12th grade - tell me I'm not alone?
All kids are different, it's all a matter of timing. Some people "self-realize" more slowly than others. Some of us are still waiting for their official "maturity growth spurt." They have been the "darlings" in the elementaries, our babies who like school, but high school is a reality check. Ask the Bryan Adams or Skyline students if high school isn't "REAL?" I'm sincerely proud to hear your child was happy in my class, and is being a successful student. In the end, do what you love. Find a way to use your talents. You will be much happier.
Welcome
You are welcome! How great the possibilities are when a child is motivated and having fun. I think, and this is just my twisted sense of things, the educational system would grow bounds if only to put away some tests and just give childhood a chance to grow. We seem to have turned into a society of hypocrites. We didn't like being treated like robots in school. I remember protesting just because we thought there was a cause. Let our kids try to speak up now, they get suspended. Way too cynical and very pressured. But you, your open and honest. There is a sense of pressure to please you and succeed and yet at the same time there is a silly "be a kid" attitude that encourages discovery in the kids, and lets them accept that to learn you must make mistakes too. I get it as for how kids, most but not all, like to engauge in fun as well as serious thoughts. I have a grandchild that has 100% accuracy on that stupid TAKS, she is still in the same class as the kids that didn't make 60%. So what is the point of testing, no to give the kids an advantage or to adjust. I think it's great to see you blog, there might be nice stuff to discuss, the bad is same-old same-old.
That Sam Houston statue on the way to Houston is huge, what a sight as your nearing it. I think my kids took more pictures of that than anything else. They also really liked that shuttle mock up, the food display was very interesting because my daughter loves macaroni and cheese and they have it on display. She may go into space just for the food :) Did you see the Texas Steer there at the Johnson Space Center? I had no idea that cattle were kept there.
Thanks for giving those kids a memory.
Reply to Sarcasm
I've been in this school for 8 years. You mean when people like you and the scores of people like you try more to hurt than help. Why don't you start a campaign to volunteer here? If this school is that bad, maybe you and your friends could come and help. It seems like the responsible civic-minded thing to do! You can start with helping moniter the halls and see what it is really like here. By the way, you don't bridge a gap, you build a wall! Some of us work really hard here and the kids do respect us. The thing is, the kids stay the same age from year to year, all of us including myself, you and your readers are the ones getting old. The times are changing and we have to realize not all parents of students who attend this school share the same values as the neighbors who support your site or the teachers and principals at this school. I agree that Dallas ISD's website is warm and fuzzy, believe me - I can't get them to respond either. I was just hoping you might say something nice, but I got the same sarcasm from you that I see in the children. Maybe their attitudes aren't so dissimilar after all.
[Ed Note: Let's start by asking a question: one of the highest profile investigations we have done resulted in indictments for fraud in connection with the credit card scandal. Did that constitute "more hurt than help" in your book?
I, like many of Dallas.Org's readers, volunteer quite a bit around this town. We are, in fact, civic minded and we watch over that which we have entrusted to public entities to maintain.
A principal (as well as staff and teachers) have the ability to destroy a school in a variety of ways. Irresponsible administrators can render volunteerism useless.
Until you gain control over the asset (in this case the school), there is nothing that you, I or scores of potential volunteers can do to improve it.
I understand you've worked at Hill for 8 years, and I applaud this. Hill is certainly trending "upward" and we hope the trend continues.
There's an old saying my parents used to tell me when pouring iodine on my freshly scraped knee: "if it doesn't hurt, it won't heal."
Again, I applaud your commitment to your school. Sorry you don't agree with how we bring about change.]
Hill Trending Up
Thank you. That's what I wanted to hear. I just wanted some validation for being one of the one's trying to help. It's in my best interest to make this school as good as it once was. I have a 4 year old who will eventually go to this school. You are correct. We need to do some major house cleaning to get back on track. But I cannot stand by and let people disrespect the current administration. Sal Sosa, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Evans are the most competant administrator's I have had the priviledge to work for. I am a department chair. Trust me, we are doing everything we can do here to correct the HUGE mistakes of the past three years. Change takes time. You guys hang in there. Give us more than 7-8 months to affect change. You won't be disappointed.
[Ed Note: As I say, the school is trending up. As long as the trend continues, you'll have a lot of people backing you.]
Incompetent Admins at Hill
Toni, apparently there is a lack of substantiate knowledge on your part in regards to evaluating the qualities of a competent administrator.
As far as the male administrators neither of them are qualified to run a dog farm. Sosa was an Administrator from GPISD. That should speak volumes by itself. He has never worked in an inner city school with the demographics that Hill has.
Sosa does not have knowledge of district policy nor does he have the intelligence to implement it.
As far as Evans is concerned he has been an AP for the duration of his tenure. They both lack leadership qualities. He is a complainer and faults everyone for his lack of leadership. Put them both together and what do you have, a hot mess.
That my dear is exactly what R.T. Hill is at the present time. Toni, have you based your perception of these people by their actions or because they cater to you and let you run around being loud and disrespectful.
Maybe it's because you are not following district policy. For example,
1. Why was your child, who is a toddler, allowed to attend a field trip, when you know that is a direct violation of district policy?
2. Why are you allowed to sell cokes in your classroom, when other teachers were told they could not?
3. Why are your students in an uproar as well as allowed to be disruptive?
Maybe, with your history you are not qualified to determine if administrators are competent. (By the way you spelled incompetent incorrectly, just to let you know)
The administrative staff is so incompetent that they have not realized that the teachers do not support them. The students have ran the school from day one. They continue to run it.
Toni, as an EDUCATOR, you are supposed be a role model to the students and lead by example. Not the example that you are portraying. Students in your classes are expressing grave concern in the school as well as outside of the school as to your loud disruptive behavior.
Oh by the way you never answered the question in regards to who the teacher is that provided student's with the illegal substance - SPRAY PAINT.
[Ed Note: I would like to rebut a little of this. First, Mr. Sosa has done a remarkable job this year given what he inherited from his predecessor. Mr. Evans has always struck me as a very decent guy. You (poster) are a very decent person, yourself, too and you have a history of wanting the best for every kid in DISD.
People manage with different styles--and they have different strengths and weaknesses. But all-in-all the school has some very decent folks "driving" as well as teaching--especially contrasted against near-recent history. Don't you agree?
As far as Toni goes, I have to take her side on a few of these issues. As you know, it's a teacher's call as to how to run his or her classroom--up to where the line is drawn at "district policy." But that doesn't relieve a teacher of the responsibility to educate kids.
If you know of a violation of district policy, it is probably better to report it to the administration as opposed to bringing it up here. Which policy, by the way, does bringing one's kids on a field trip violate?
The rest of it, as I see it, is teacher's discretion until it impacts student performance (for which there are metrics and job reviews). Also, keep in mind that Toni has, in fact, earned the respect of a number of people at Hill (we've heard from several).
I don't think there was anything good that came out of the tagging, the assaults, or the counterfeiting. However, the administrators of the school have taken the correct action in each of these instances (yes, we know more about these incidents than we're able to post).
So even though incidents happen at Hill, wouldn't you agree that they are isolated--especially compared to 2 years ago? That being said, just because they're isolated doesn't mean they're not newsworthy!]
Ms. Legg
I think it would be better coming from a students point of view. Ms. Legg has inspired me and my fellow classmates alot. She has shown me that she is not just a ordinary teacher, but one who cares for us. She has been there for me when i needed her advise, she has helped me with my work (not only science), she takes time out of her life after school to take some kids to the Dallas theater to give us a chance to go there, a place that some of us might never have the chance to go to.
Now about Mr. Sosa, I think he is doing a good job give him a break this is barely his first year at R.T. HILL. Me an 8th grader was at R.T. Hill last year when we had a principal who didn't care. When something would happen she would just turn her head the other way. Mr. Sosa how ever when there is an incident he handles it him self.
Mr. Evans, is there to help and assist Mr. Sosa and together I think they are doing a good job. You try going into one of these three peoples positions. They have a very TOUGH job, every day they deal with alot of kids hour after hour, and day after day. Like Mr.Sosa says, BETTER TOGETHER!!!!!
Thanks!
Not that I need to comment further to the poster, but I wanted to thank the editor. I appreciate your comment on item 2 of their list of supposed policy issues they "think" they know about. Policy actually states that no one other than DISD students or employees can be on the bus. We go to are public places. If my spousal unit and child want to come by themselves and pay full admission price, that is really my business, isn't it? Thanks for making that point. I also appreciated you speaking to different teaching styles, if I'm so bad, why is my CEI so high, why are my evaluations so good that I only have to be evaluated every 2 years (and since I do get along with administration, I turn in documentation from professors, dept. specialists, and parents to back myself up. I also print up the comments from www.ratemyteachers.com ( a website I would highly recommend your readers to check out. Search "schools" and type in Robert T. Hill - I think you will find the comments from students and parents alike will tell you everything you need to know about me and every other teacher at Hill, along with comments about past and present administrators, as well!
And with regard to my misspelling "competent" (sp?) - I guess the poster was right - I'M NOT PERFECT.
[Ed Note: As I say, everyone has differences in teaching styles; everyone has detractors and supporters. For the record, I never mispell anything.]
Teaching Styles
Yes, you are correct, each teacher has their own style of teaching and their own way of conveying information to students. But, Toni, how is it possible to teach in a disruptive classroom setting?
Accountable talk and academic rigor is one thing but holding conversations with students in regards to how their bodies are shaped and if you were shaped like that you would be a [censored] is another or conversations about them being trashy is another. So when is teaching taking place?
Hill has had testing irregularities for the past four years, the past principal was demoted for TAKS cheating. Toni, there were some testing irregularities with your test scores. Numerous of students past as well as presnt have stated that you would provide the answers to the questions on the ACP exam and the TAKS test. Is that the reason you always test the students with your door closed and sometimes locked?
The CEI's are a joke as well as the PDAS evaluation. Due to the simple fact that the administrators have control over the outcomes. There were many great teachers that received low ratings because the adminstrators did not like them. WOW! how those personal feelings were displayed in the evaluation process.
As far people stating good things about people at Hill, well in terms of honesty, people at Hill have many problems with that. So do not believe the hype of what you are hearing. Because the shocker is the truth coming out, oh and trust me the truth will come out.
I just hope everyone is ready. As far as the reports being made, the reports were done after the fact. The students were allowed to go home by Mr. Sosa. The Hispanic students were in possession of more than $10, it was more like $1000.00 of phony money.
If the administrators are so honorable and perfect, Why is it that more than half of the things that take place at Hill is never reported? The other things are reported only when someone other than the administrators call to report it?
As a matter of fact the Feds were called by people other than the administrators. Honesty, is a big word when it comes to Hill. Let's see what happens to your opinion and your thoughts of all the honest people at Hill when the real truth hits the fan.
[Ed Note: The Secret Service's response was likely "don't bother us with $50 bucks when we're busy pursuing $1 billion dollar counterfeiting rings."]
Teaching Styles
Again, why do you feel the necessity to remain anonymous. Like I said, I know who you are. Your voice and syntax make it obvious. So we will keep playing the game of "I'll pretend I don't know, and you pretend you are infallable and we'll keep going. You know NOTHING about what goes on in my room. My students are not disruptive to me. As I have plainly stated (without fear of anyone knowing me,) I'M NOT PERFECT! I have "miles to go before I sleep..." I at least know my limitations, by the way, at least I don't make my students of color feel disrespected, like a number of teachers on this campus do. Feel any responsibility in that dept.? And as the editor kindly pointed out, any policy problems you have should be taken up with administration. Not trying to character assassinate me on this blog. Besides, it's not really working.
[Ed Note: Folks, it is important to note that people have legitimate differences over teaching styles. What works for one, may not work for another because of personalities involved. Though arguing them is important (because we all learn something), belittling folks probably isn't the best way to get a point across.]
Ed Note to "Thanks"
That's because you ARE perfect. I finally get this website! I love you! I'm alot like Molier's "Alceste" character.
[Ed Note: See, and our secret is that we have an A.I. machine responding to many of the comments posted here!]
Blogging is Fun!
OMG - I can't believe I didn't proof this better and said, "we go to are public places" - I meant, "Where we go are public places." Someone would have something to say. On my teacher self-evaluation I said my biggest weakness is "professional communication." I'm really enjoying practicing here. I understand why my boyfriend likes to blog so much. This is fun.
[Ed Note: There was something written recently about the new trend in media--all headed toward blogging. Interactivity is the key to getting folks involved with the news around them and, thus, getting them interested in news.]
Blogging trend
I like it because things like "policy" and "procedures" are complex at best to understand in a district this size. It will help me, because I've never been trained as to every word, of every rule in the book. I doubt any of us have. We live and we learn. When a community of people who all know different "bits" of policies get together and work to help each other as they become aware of things, we might solve some of the minor communication problems with the day to day operations. I hope we can have a positive and helpful relationship for a long time to come. I like Hill. I like these kids, but I'm ready to be as aggressive as it needs to be restore some order there, OK, within reason, if you get my drift.
Incompetent Admins At Hill
First of all you did not make sense because you had said that Mr. Evans and Mr. Sosa could not run a dog farm. They are very good principals and could do a better job then you could ever do since obviously you can only talk behind a computer instead of tell us or Ms. Legg to our faces. Why are you so scared to say who you are, she does. The reason why we respect her so much is because she actually has time to listen to us unlike who ever you are. All you are doing is running your mouth , and not trying to help us instead. And just so you know a couple of things:
1.She gives us the sodas.
2.She stopped doing that stuff about taking her kid to any field trips.
3.She respects people who respect her, and so what if she is loud we like her that way!!!!
My kids
Kids, thanks. But, babies? - A "couple" means 2. I love you, too!
Back At You
I feel that you need to worry more about the control of the students and their personal responsibility than a well respected teacher's methods that have the statistics to back up her methods. In other words, clean up the mess in your own class before you worry about what happens in mine. I don't sell soda. I buy them myself and give them as rewards. What do you do? My son accompanied a chaperone, in a separate car, which is not in violation of district policy. Before that, I stopped allowing him to go after I found out it was against district policy. I had a "support the troops" drive at Christmas so the students going to a magnet school could have community service letters, what did you do? I attend graduate classes at SMU to improve both my teaching and management skills, what do you do? Take care of the log in your own eye before you worry about the log in your own, to quote a particular religion's scriptural reference, one I'm SURE you are familiar with.
Boiled Eggs--Not Soda
Ms. Legg, Obviously, you have not made yourself aware of the state laws regarding the appropriate rewards for students. I would like to let you know that soda is not on the list of approved items. I believe that boiled eggs and corn on the cob are, however, on the list and would request that you begin reinforcing positive behavior and a proven work ethic with items of the like. Thank you for attempting to educate students but be certain that No Child is Left Behind or without a boiled egg!!!
Good luck getting results with these things!!!
[Ed Note: Uh oh. Think we better start a new thread for this one?]
Boiled Eggs??
I'll compare CEI's, and test scores any day. By the way - "Glass Houses?" Better be sure. By the way, the Bush plan doesn't explain why there are 17 year old 8th graders, so don't try to go all "Bushy" on me. The actual law doesn't say anything about soda given away. It has to do with vending machines. I think the kids are curious as to your identity, judging from the feedback. I think my kids do pretty well. Again, you do your thing, and do your best at it, leave me to do mine. I don't want to change my style, that's why they listen to me, and that's who I am. Trust me, there are bigger fish to fry at Hill than whether or not I give my kids a soda. And, for your information, I haven't given the kids soda since before Christmas. Oh, yes, you didn't answer me as to what programs you are involved in according to the DISD model of "learning on the diagonal." This says teachers need to stay in class to keep current on not only content, but management,as well. SMU just chose my entire science department to be trained for the "Master Science Teacher" program where I'll be in my 2nd year. We all receive 12 hrs. of graduate school credit. I never said I was perfect, I just work my fingers to the bone trying to get there.
Corn on the Cob with Paprika
Ok, first of all, I was being sarcastic. I don't agree with the law either but, if you would like to get technical, here is the policy. Soda water (as the state calls it) is considered a FMNV (Food of Minimal Nutritional Value) and is not allowed to be provided to students anytime or anywhere on elementary or middle school campuses until after the end of the last scheduled class.
You can check this out at www.squaremeals.org.
Ms. Legg, I have been on your campus on many occasions in previous years and I do understand why you use every possible thing you can to reward students. You have no classroom management. You scream at students and belittle them. You have certain students that you attempt to befriend and they show little or no respect for other teachers because they will then run to you to save them. Do you not teach SPED any longer? Your emotions and behaviors are up and down and up and down and staff and students never know what to expect. Keep giving out the soda, because unless things have changed this year, you don't follow many other "rules" either.
I have no idea what you are talking about being "bushy".....again, sarcasm is just another service I provide free of charge.
Have a great day and remember, sometimes, in order to prove a point, a person may state the point or policy as it is written just to show how insane it truly is!
[Ed Note: Ooh... scathing. I will tell you, however, that foods with "minimal nutritional value" can have "substantial reward value" when given to somebody infrequently. I occasionally like a little packet of crackers or a ... ooh... cherry limeade!]
"Corny" Teachers
I've often wondered exactly what you did with the useless leftovers after you eat corn on the cob? At least I know where yours are. Again, don't confuse sarcasm with disrespect. You can't imagine what gets said by students with regards to many of the other teachers, but you don't see me putting people on the chopping block because I think they are out of touch, and have no idea what these kids are going though personally. I know I'm not your favorite, heck, I'm probably no one's favorite. I have said in every response to your comments, I'm taking classes and training to improve. What do you do?
Hill Admins
I too will jump in here in defense of the Hill Admins and the faculty. I am guessing that the above poster is the same one I have commented to earlier. When you have lived here long enough you will get the BIG picture. 3 or 4 years is not long enough to get it. Here is something else you didn't get. I mentioned the color palette used in the tagging for a reason. What piece of school property are those colors appropriate for ? NONE,ZIP,ZERO,NADA
The previous principal was at Hill longer than three years. Know the story. Having been a next door neighbor of Hill for this long I will tell you for a fact this admin. has done a very good job, in fact excellent job, in beginning to straighten out the disaster left behind by the previous principal and 3700 Ross who ignored this school for years. Unfortunately, District policy and arm chair quarterbacking from 3700 Ross make change and progress in the right direction slow and painful. And trust me, my neighbors and I know a lot more about the slow and painful part than you do!
Hill will be even more challenged and in need of even greater support for the next fifteen years because of the next stupid thing the district is about to undertake at this school! After doing the one good thing this past year the district could, moving the portables and adding the driveway, and we thank them very much for that, things are going to change for the worse which will make even harder for the admin. and staff.
According to the districts website, Hill will have 125 more students next year than this year. Hill already has 18 portables in use and an outhouse. In about 5-6 weeks I expect the delivery of 5-6 more portables and most likely another outhouse. To add to this turmoil the existing portables are non code compliant in accordance to the fire code. According to an Email sent out by Ms. Ellis a few months back. Eric Anderson was cutting some kind of deal with Dallas Fire and Rescue, after both of those parties told me it couldn't be done late last year.
Heres the big picture, at the beginning of the 08-09 school year Hill will have 23-24 portables and at least 1 outhouse. And here is where the fun begins, the 2008 bond program, in its great wisdom, calls for the building of 10 permanent classrooms at Hill. And where is the only logical location for this structure? You got it , in the area where the portables are sitting now. Some kind of wing off the end of the library. How do I know that? Any attempt to add onto Hill on the alley side of the school will be seen as a declaration of war against my neighbors and I!
So here is what I see in my crystal ball. More portable coming and portables that have to be moved out of the way for construction to take place. Where will they be placed? The only spots left are the teachers parking lot, or right back where they were. Thats the only two places that meet the fire code. And then there will be the problem of the portables that will stay where they are now being out of code and that close to a construction site.
If you think there is a problem controlling students now, just wait. You think there is a traffic problem now, just wait. And in the name of progress I would be willing to sacrifice and put up with all the turmoil in the name of the kids. Except for one tiny little detail. When the construction is finished and all the dust finally settles and the school yard has been repaired and everything gets back to normal what will we see ? Ten to fifteen portables and an outhouse still on site and being used. And Craig Reynolds and his task force wont have the backbone to ask the taxpayers for any money for Hill for at least another 10-15 years. My heart goes out to you admins and teachers.
But then again, thats the kind of forward thinking we have come to expect from 3700 Ross!
[Ed Note: The above poster is a respected teacher in the school. Now is the time, however, to start getting involved with alternatives for where the portables will be placed.]
Reply to Sarcasm 2
What about the schools that DON'T allow people (in DISD or the community) to be active in their schools? Because they are trying to hide all the illegal stuff that they do? Or if you are not in the click at that school, you can't help or suggest anything?
Once again you have to house clean the folks that are causing the trouble at these schools and while you are at it go after these parents that expect everyone else to raise their child.
[Ed Note: ...and nobody seems to get it, do they?]
Rendering Volunteerism Useless
I didn't think the day would ever come when these words would come from your own computer:
"A principal (and staff and teachers) have the ability to destroy a school in a variety of ways. Irresponsible administrators can render volunteerism useless."
Those of us who are veterans of the battles against corrupt and inept principals are well aware of the fact that volunteerism as it is traditionally practiced is a useless weapon in trying to save or rebuild a school when its problems are as severe as those at Spence.
Thank goodness for the Internet which can speed up the process of collectively identifying the severity of the issues and bringing them to the public. Before the practice of citizen journalism, the behemoth simply stomped each parent's complaint or their united efforts.
It is extremely unfortunate that the only motivator of central administrators seems to be public embarrassment. That is, of course, the opposite side of their only driver which is public acclaim. Neither of these states has anything to do with the selflessness that is required to teach or parent children.
[Ed Note: Well put. Thank you. And I think we've said things like this before.]
Discipline at Hill has hit rock bottom!
I have taught at Hill for the past 5 years. I have never seen such out of control students in my entire teaching career. Students do not have respect for teachers, administration, visitors, hall monitors, security, I mean NO ONE. Administration blames the problem on the Teachers, they are begging for us to take control. We have been threatened to be written up if we are not seen patrolling kids in the hallway with their shirt tails out. I mean, if me and several other Teachers ask this same student to put his shirt in and he doesn't do it, WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO? If you write a referral, the only consequence will probably be to go to the cafeteria and wipe a table for a day. The only thing that will happen is that the same student is going to have his shirt out the next day. The 8th graders are out of control, they will curse you out and keep walking as if you are a person on the street. If you send them to the office, NOTHING will be done about it. Last year, Contreras didn't have that. Many hated her guts, but the students wouldn't dare do what they are doing now. The SWEEP at Hill serves no justice, just gives Teachers a headache. By the time you have to argue with out of control kids in the auditorium, while they wait for a pass to class, then walk them to the class they are late for, you only have 15 or 20 minutes to plan. Recently, we were told that if we didn't give up more of OUR time, to stand and yell at kids in the hallway, cafeteria or any where else, we would be WRITTEN UP. Sosa is a great man. He has an interest in turning the school around, however, his discipline plan sucks! Many of the Teachers are fed up, NOTHING gets done when they CAN NOT teach due to out of control kids, besides a threat to be written up if you do not control your kids. Teachers feel they have no support when it comes to discipline matters at Hill. I'm afraid there will not be many Teachers returning next year due to this reason. I have talked to some who are doing their best to get out of this place. Also, let me not forget about the incident that was brought up earlier about the Teacher being tripped. Two 6th grade students physically tripped a Teacher. This Teacher was so upset, until she could not take it anymore and began crying. Believe it or not SHE WAS TALKED OUT OF PRESSING CHARGES, and the same little devils were BACK AT SCHOOL IN HER CLASS THE NEXT day. Discipline at Hill has hit rock bottom!
[Ed Note: We'd sure like to know who this teacher is and how long ago this incident happened.]
Discipline and Pressing Charges
As a union officer at NEA-Dallas, I encourage our members to disregard any attempt to NOT press charges. As long as you truly feel you are the victim of a crime, not matter how small, SPEAK UP! It is not too late, do it on Monday. I have personally experienced those tactics when I worked at a previous school many years ago. It never worked on me. I ALWAYS filed charges.
-Do not be afraid of the parents of the kid. They would have no problem in having you arrested if you did that to their kid.
-Do not fear retaliation on the job. If you belong to NEA-Dallas, or any other union, notify them immediately when an incident occurs. Any form of retaliation can be tracked back to your report, and in effect, will make your case for you.
Report any injury, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, with you main office. They MUST then make a workplace injury report. Use a digital camera to take photos of any injury. Also, request a copy of the surveillance video, if one was filming.
-You MUST be willing to appear in court to be the complainant. No problem. Not as scary as they make it out to be to make you not file charges. I have gone to court to testify on an assault charge. Let's put it this way, who are the jurors, the D.A. and the judge going to believe, the kid or you?
-Make sure you lock in witness statements. Make sure that these statements are given to the DISD police officer, and that he/she writes the name of the witness for future use in court. Again, do not be afraid to be a witness.
You see, I teach at Bryan Adams. We know that puberty makes nutcases out of 12-15 yr olds, but we are at a loss as to why kids from Hill in the last couple of years are acting worse than the kids from Gaston, the traditional source of "problem 9th graders." Now we know why...
In fact, if I want to call a kid on his behavior, all I have to say is, "You must have gone to Hill." You should see their faces.
THIS is why high schools have problems.This is why up to 25% of 9th graders fail more than one class in some schools. They come to us thinking that they can act like fools and get away with it. Now that we have Mrs. Goodsell at BAHS, the kids are in total shock when we put them in ISS, put them on parent conference or send them to Village Fair.
Castro knows there are problems with 9th graders. I would like to see what his disciplinary plans for Hill and Gaston are. I am tired of having 9th graders coming to BA every August with an "I dare you to make me behave" attitude.
Diane Birdwell
NEA-Dallas
Bryan Adams H.S.
Well, I can tell you this about your Dallas Independant School District. Quite Frankly, it sucks.
I had my daughter in a colledge preparatory school, just up until about the 7th grade, where she started having issues with her math. They didnt offer alternative math choices , and so reluctantly, I had to put her into the DISD System. God ,was that the worse mistake that i have ever made in my life.
She has done nothing, but struggle with teachers being crappy to her, to the kids at your schools being violent,and when she is sick and out missing school, because not everyone has the money to go to a doctor for every little cough, sneeze, belch, you folks write her up when she misses class, and also cause her parents grief over truancy issues, that in all reality, are just downright retarded, when you truly need to be more focused on all of the crap that you have going on in your schools, and be more focused on the children that are really the problems.
I have met the Principal of Bryan Adams, and i will tell you , that althoug she seems nice, appearances can be decieving. And the staff, is so unorganized with theyre paperwork, and theyre dealings with the kids, that they wouldnt be able to tell theyre [...] from a hole in the ground.
Thank God, my child only has one year left of school, and I will be so glad when she is out of that heck hole that they call Bryan Adams. That place is truly rediculous.
[Ed Note: Opinion noted and sometimes, folks, we do minimal editing for a reason.]
College Prep School but No Doctors?
This one had me rolling. Thanks for the laugh after a long day at school.
As Allen has said before- if you don't like something in the DISD, do something to change it. T.Hill, what have you done?
One has to wonder, though. How could you afford a college preparatory elementary education but not a doctor for every "cough, belch, and sneeze?"
Oh, yeah, one more thing. As one of those teachers who is "so unorganized with theyre paperwork" I have news for you. Most of us spend the majority of our time actually teaching our kids first. For me, paperwork is always secondary to a child's immediate educational needs.
[Ed Note: I said we do minimal editing. You should have seen the other malady we edited out! Let's just say that the poster suggests that kids not be sent to school after consuming beans!]
Coughing and Sneezing at B.A.
Okay, let me see if I got this right.
Are you saying that your child is chronically ill? If so, then I am sure you have a doctor's note and synopsis of treatment to present to our attendance office.
If you cannot afford a doctor, then you should know that we have a free clinic next door on Lingo Lane.
But, if I read you correctly, you are approving of your child's absences, but you are doing nothing medically to get her healthy? Am I right, or what here?
And in what ways have the teachers been "crappy" to her? Could it be they are frustrated with your child missing so much work? Could they wonder why she is sick all the time? Could her illnesses be affecting her behavior towards them as well?
You know sir, we are not perfect at Bryan Adams, but we try. However, you have the freedom to move your child out of Bryan Adams to another school under the AYP 4 provisions of NCLB. If you and your daughter are that unhappy, I really think you should consider this option. I can't imagine a loving parent forcing their sick child to attend a school they both don't like.
Please call the school and ask how you can get the transfer forms....and good luck.
p.s. You know, this sounds almost familiar. Do I have your kid on my roll sheet right now?
College Prep School?
So your daughter was in a college preparatory school? But the problem that she was having was in math....she must have gotten her intelligence from her other parent.
Sounds to me, that you are having issues with DISD because they are enforcing the truancy laws. While a parent might not have the money to go to the doctor for "every little cough, sneeze and belch" the parent should take that into consideration. A student doesn't have to miss school for "every little cough, sneeze and belch" either.
I'm glad that your daughter only has one year left at B.A. Maybe if you ask her nicely she will come and spell check your next post.
Slap more students, please
So, a student slaps a monitor.
Okay, he slaps her back.
GOOD!
The little twit deserved it.
Under Texas law, if he can say he was defending himself, he is okay. He can claim Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the pressure of the job.Could have been an instinctive reaction, wouldn't you slap someone who slaps you?.... get a lawyer, bro! Hope you belong to a union.
Maybe if a few more kids were to be slapped in the face, their crap would stop. Sounds like a setup to me. Kids do it on purpose, trying to get the adult to lose control. Happens all the time, because parents keep telling their precious, uncontrollable offspring that "nobody can touch them." WRONG, teachers can, it is in the state law that they can.
And before anyone goes spouting off that "slapping a child" is abuse, well, okay, you are right. So is raising them that they can slap a teacher or any adult. Wait until they are adults. Wait until a cop knocks them to the ground for resisting. Wait until their bosses fire them. Wait until they get punked in a bar fight. They will learn, eventually.
And Allen, not so fast on defending the Hill principal. Rumors in DISD have gone on all year that despite the good he is trying to do, hallway discipline sucks. Why not petition to get the videotape of the event in question?
[Ed Note: Now you know how I feel about rumors! It's not fair to either party.
I do know that Sosa has no concept of "traffic control" and at rush hour, there are students getting out of cars in the middle of the street and running through traffic to make it into the school.
This seems like a dangerous situation and, eventually, a kid is going to be struck by a car.
As far as the slapping incident, it looks like "horseplay" that got out of hand. Still, there's no excuse for bloodying a kid's nose.
Have a look at the Channel 4 video. We'll try to post it here shortly.]
Not horseplay when....
You have the following-
Parents-
That train their kids to fight with adults for whatever reason. Even if the child is in the wrong.
Parents that play with their child in that type way and the child feels that they can play with adults in the same manner. If that is the case CPS might need to be called before the child hits the wrong person and gets killed or hurt.
Schools-
Where administrators are trying to get rid of folk that they don't want so when an incident like this happens-the teacher or staff member gets in trouble. You do know DISD is filled with folks that are determine to ruin a school for whatever as various DISD employees will tell you. And it's not always the principal that is doing it sometimes they are victims like everyone else.
Or schools where the child has gotten away with hitting staff for years and nothing was done to correct the behavior. In other words what can a child get away with at one school that they can't get away with at another school.
The School Board has to do something about this because the wrong message is being sent that at certain schools anything goes. This also goes for the cheating on the TAKS, cheating to win state basketball titles and other things.
[Ed Note: Yes, obviously, the school felt the incident was more serious than "just horsing around." They called the police, and the guy ended up getting arrested. I still have a hard time picturing a 40-year old guy bloodying the nose of an 11-year old just "horsing around."]
Horsing around like the Brady Bunch
Allen, come on. You never got a bruise or bloody nose from horseplay? Did you ever see the Brady Bunch episode when Marcia Brady got her nose broken because Bobby threw a football?
My sister-in-law, a teacher in Lafayette, Louisiana, took her 7th graders on a wonderful field trip to Chicago. They had never experienced a true snowfall before, so they got a little too boisterous. While HORSING AROUND, the kids tackled Annette in the snow, twisted her leg as they piled on, and broke it in 7 places!
She didn't sue anyone; children were not arrested. It was an accident. Stuff happens.
[Ed Note: Of course I did, and I agree! However, the facts of this case suggest something more than "horsing around." There are questions to whether or not the young girl participated willingly. There were enough questions that the Principal felt the need to call the cops.]
Hill Middle School
When I attended Hill Middle School in the 90s it was one of the best middle schools in DISD (it was where Bryan Adams received most of its AP students). What has happened? I will tell you what happened-- it all went down hill when Mr. Rex Cole, the prinicpal, left the school. He, along with his administration were superb. During school hours you would always find them walking the hallways checking for straglers or people playing around, during passing periods you could find them hurrying students to class, and throughout the day you would find them popping their head into classrooms making sure students were behaving. Then after school you would see them directing traffic so students could walk safely across Easton,or they would be monitoring students as they load on to the bus to go home, and even you would find them walking the campus to make sure no kids were doing anything illegal or mischievous! Students and teachers respected the administration and students respected the teachers.
I currently know a 6th grader at Hill and he told me this past week that "some students tripped their teacher, the asst. principal came in and nothing happened." What is this telling our students-- that you can disrespect teachers and its ok? Heads need to roll at Hill-- administration, staff, teachers need a shake up. Trustee Leigh Ann Ellis: you were brought in for change, now prove it!
These thug students and teachers do not represent the community of White Rock. This is a sad day for Hill and the community-- its one of the nicest in Dallas, yet its full of thugs, corruption, and anarchy. Let's see a change not only for the sake of the Community and DISD, but for the students that attend Hill Middle School.
[Ed Note: Unfortunately, change happens slowly. Things are, in fact, trending better at Hill this year. But it will take awhile.
Something needs to be clarified here. If you look at how Principal Sosa handled the situation, I can't see anything he did that was wrong.
He called the police on both incidents, and let them handle it. I don't know what more he could have done.
I voted for Trustee Ellis because of her professionalism and sense of civic responsibility. From what I've been able to tell, she has been going above and beyond the call of duty. What kind of change do you want her to bring about, and how do you want her to bring this change about?]