The Observation Deck

In addition to reading http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12091, check out:

COMMON CORE INFORMATION MEETING SET FOR DEC. 4

Join the district's Director of Teacher & Learning, Roxann Ramsey-Caserio, for a presentation and discussion regarding the district's implementation of the Common Core State Standards on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 pm in the Garfield Cafetorium. Learn what the standards are and how they impact our students and teachers.

http://www.lakewoodcityschools.com

From the front page: http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2013/11/28/district-to-hold-common-core-meeting-dec-4

This is tonight.

There has been a lot of discussion about the Common Core on the Deck. This is a chance to see how the District is handling it, and it is something to handle. The District, and our teachers and our students could use our support, since it's happening whether we, or Lakewood City Schools like it or not.

They are working hard and are obviously trying to make the best of it. If you have the time, go to Garfield Middle School tonight at 6 pm to get an update on how we're doing.

Read an evaluation in the latest issue of the Lakewood Observer sent in by an Observer reader about how a school district to the east of us is doing.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/read/20 ... g-on-dec-4

Here is a sample:

PROS:

1.Websites such as PTA.org and EngageNY.org provide videos and web-based information for parents and educators that promote best practices in the classroom and at home.

CONS:

1. School districts don’t have management information systems that can adequately handle the data required for teacher evaluations in support of CCLS implementation. These evaluation systems are a product of Race to the Top legislation. Burdensome APPR plans are labor- and capital-intensive and school administrators lack the means to effectively implement these human resource controls.

Come out tonight.

Betsy Voinovich

I'd love to attend this Common Core meeting, but due to work commitments, I cannot.

Heck, I'd like to attend this meeting, too:

Madison on the Move Community Forum
Wednesday, December 04, 2013 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Harrison Elementary School, 2080 Quail Street
Come join residents and business owners to learn about the future of Madison Avenue. The forum will include an update from the City of Lakewood on the status of roadway paving on Madison and a panel discussion between business owners focusing on the burgeoning local businesses along the corridor.
Presented by the City of Lakewood and Lakewood Alive

.. but can't (same reason).

These are both very important meetings, wouldn't you say? And now because they are scheduled at essentially the same time, Lakweoodites will have to choose!! :?

The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
Meaning: One's varied interests are kept separate.

Origin: The Holy Bible, Matthew 6:3 (King James Version):
"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." (That meaning alluded to the wisdom of not giving oneself credit for providing charity to others - just give and forget about it. That view was reiterated by Henry Thoreau in his Walden; or life in the woods, 1854: "If you should ever be betrayed into any of these philanthropies, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, for it is not worth knowing.")

The original meaning of the phrase is now lost. We presently use the phrase to suggest that, in business, one should keep one's interests independent of each other.

Hi Peter---

It is frustrating to have both meetings so close in time, but maybe that's why the Core meeting is scheduled at 6 pm instead of 7pm. School community meetings are usually at 7 pm.

The Core meeting probably won't go on much more than an hour, if that, so you could jump back in your car (or on your bike) and get to Harrison for the Madison meeting.

There are reasons to be happy that the Board of Ed is separate from the City of Lakewood and Lakewood Alive and the Chamber of Commerce, as the Board's mission is very specific and important: the educational needs of our children.

They actually aren't different hands on the same body, they are different, and need to be. There have been times in the past where we have had to be very clear that the schools aren't in the business of economic development, etc, or even in the business of serving economic development.

While more could be said on that subject--------- I want to stick to the subject... Come to the Core meeting tonight! It's important stuff. And then head over to Harrison, that meeting promises to be very interesting as well. (At least it's humanly possible to attend most of both.)

Betsy Voinovich

I’m going to the Common Core State Standards meeting at 6:00 p.m. and then I need to go to a Lakewood Council of PTAs meeting at 7:00 p.m.

You know, it really irritates me that City Hall and LakewoodAlive schedule meetings during Lakewood Council of PTAs meetings!

Actually, it doesn’t bother me at all.

But, I do want to give Peter the opportunity to keep his righteous indignation going on as long as possible.

Jim posted a new thread so please share your thoughts at http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12293.