Disqus - Friends of usrbingeek

Re: Donors Choose/Wasserman Foundation Program Ends Prematurely

MagnetAngel — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:30:43 -0000

I don't doubt that Deasy robo-called teachers. I think the frustration lies in the fact that parents and certainly some teachers did not know that they'd literally gotten to the end of ALL funding--not the first year's funding, but both years. The call on Tuesday indicated there would be at least a couple more days and even that was untrue. Yes, doing the math on the value of the cards would have indicated there had to be an overprint of the cards versus funds available, but from comments made at a Council of Councils meeting yesterday--some people were indeed made to purchase items at Starbucks and now the cards are void. I'm also a little frustrated that some schools were presented with cards (upwards of 2000) and few bothered to post projects. With a maximum of 50 cards per project, there was bound to be some "horse trading" going on. And what about the families that NEVER received cards? It appears some schools actually redeemed cards on families' behalf without letting them experience the whole concept of microphilanthropy.

In the end, it was a great program experiment, but I hope in the future there's a little more oversight. And clarity.

Re: A look at the recommended map for new LAUSD school board boundaries | 89.3 KPCC

MagnetAngel — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:15:52 -0000

Even this map is a bit of a challenge without the schools printed on it.

Re: Fourth CicLAvia rolls in this Sunday | 89.3 KPCC

MagnetAngel — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:15:23 -0000

Biking, family style!

Re: LAUSD proposes to eliminate Ds as passing grades | 89.3 KPCC

MagnetAngel — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:59:54 -0000

Spin, spin. If they drop the required units to graduate to 170, students at a typical 4-year, 6-class-a-day school (who could earn 240 units in that time) could fail nearly 1/3 of their classes. And, in schools with block schedules that allow them to take 7 or 8 classes per year, they'll be able to fail even more. Let's address how that's preparing them to "achieve."

Re: Smokin' Willie's

MagnetAngel — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:34:35 -0000

Bummer. Wish I had seen this earlier. I'd have stopped in Van Nuys on the way to picking up my daughter.

Re: Draft Calendar for 2013-2014 Available

MagnetAngel — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:51:24 -0000

And the calendar is official: http://home.lausd.net/apps/...

Re: LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy addresses his controversial administration and the school district's future

MagnetAngel — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:33:48 -0000

I'd love to ask Dr. Deasy: "Governor Brown's new funding model provides more funding to districts with low income and English language learners. While overall this is the profile of LAUSD, there are numerous high performing schools just barely getting by financially. What assurances can you give to schools that they will not see less funding next year if this funding model goes through?"

Re: Future of schools breakfast program has become a “power struggle”

MagnetAngel — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:59:51 -0000

15 minutes...30 minutes, out of a class day? I'm all for feeding kids who need it during the time that schools already do--BEFORE school. As for healthy--coffee cake? cereal and granola bars? All served with milk and juice? That's a lot of sugars and not a lot of protein. I'm not interested, so can we place all the kids who opt out into a classroom where they focus directly on classwork the minute they arrive at school?

Re: One father's take on ballet and violin lessons: 'Pretty well pointless'

MagnetAngel — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 18:19:36 -0000

My daughter has been playing violin (by her own choice) since first grade. She only picked up dance at middle school (as an alternative to regular PE).

While the author is correct that virtually any activity requires organizational skills to balance homework with EC activities, the self confidence that comes from standing before a few hundred people and playing or dancing is an entirely different animal (and won't come from playing hours of foosball).

Re: L.A. Unified asks "What do parents want?"

MagnetAngel — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 01:06:59 -0000

I wish the "parents" in ESC North had actually been just parents. Sadly, people joked about being employees who 'could' mark the parent designation. It defeats the purpose of asking us when our voices are being drowned out by special interests.

Re: Dozens of LA Unified administrators involved in iPad selection

MagnetAngel — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 23:19:41 -0000

This would be really funny, if it weren't really sad. And par for the course with LAUSD.

Re: List of buildings potentially vulnerable in an earthquake includes hundreds of schools

MagnetAngel — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:14:35 -0000

It's pretty difficult to see the schools on the list, without knowing which buildings they are. The list is helpful, but it just adds to the concern without offering remedies.

Re: Reporter's notebook: story about cross-class friendships among kids hits home

MagnetAngel — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:10:18 -0000

I really don't think it has to be a big deal. Make choices and be ready to do some reflecting if something feels uncomfortable. My kid goes to a middle school with VERY affluent kids as well as some extremely poor ones. By the rich kids' standards, we're probably poor, yet since we live in a pretty big house in our working class city, we're perceived as better off in our neighborhood. If someone wants to get an 8 year old a manicure, sure. Me? I'm going to tell my 12 year old to use her own money to buy a $1 or $2 bottle of polish and have at it. Heck, she can invite her friends over too. I don't want what other families have, and I'm not afraid to share my values with my kid.

Re: LA school board launches new library task force

MagnetAngel — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:53:10 -0000

Why is *this* a union/bargaining issue when many of those libraries are in Garcia's district, yet getting every kid an iPad was a civil rights/equity issue? Every kid deserves access to books--especially those kids in the lowest performing schools. Can't Garcia see that kids who can't read at grade level will benefit from being able to check out books?

Re: Los Angeles Unified parents, teachers criticize iPad rollout, call for school repairs

MagnetAngel — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:20:51 -0000

Deasy doesn't do Facebook? Maybe someone should tell his Twitter account about the @RepairsnotIPads Twitter feed.

Seriously, along with regular repairs we have that monumental list of schools that are in serious danger of failing during an earthquake. I'd sure like to see those schools fixed before they collapse in the next temblor.

Re: LA Unified arts budget: most funds will go to 'arts integration' teachers

MagnetAngel — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:08:20 -0000

A semester of instrumental music? How could the kids progress in the meantime? It just means more schools will have to opt for afterschool programs--because once a week for a semester is wholly unacceptable. I'm beginning to dread reading Loera's name in articles as much as I dreaded seeing Aquino's name.

Re: Do I really have to buy Kleenex so my kid can get a better grade?

MagnetAngel — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 19:00:20 -0000

Some of my kid's middle school teachers asked for supplies nicely at the beginning of the year--baby wipes to clean desks, reams of colored paper for class printouts, and yes--Kleenex. The dance teacher used to offer extra credit, but rethought it. Guess who uses the Kleenex? The kids. Same with hair bands, hand sanitizer, and the like. We bought them, without hope for extra credit, because bottom line, there are families that can't afford to participate, and it will be my kid who uses it.

Re: LA schools' iPads missing another key accessory: earbuds

MagnetAngel — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 01:42:58 -0000

Here's hoping they're disposable. Ick.

Re: Wealthiest LA schools may be allowed to opt out of breakfast in the classroom

MagnetAngel — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:06:10 -0000

Having less than 20% FRL hardly makes a school 'wealthy.' Oddly enough many of the most vocal schools upset about this program are still stuck with it.

I still don't understand what is so hard about providing breakfast in a room meant for food at a time deemed for food and not interrupting the educational process with junk food.

Re: Public denied access to LA school officials' iPad software demonstration

MagnetAngel — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:02:40 -0000

Just curious how an entire committee can meet, and it not violate the Brown Act, when what they are meeting for is their specific area of appointment? I suppose if they call it a birthday party, they could get away with it, but this is violates every understanding I've ever had for Brown Act compliance.

Re: New legislation could bring universal preschool to California

MagnetAngel — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 14:59:38 -0000

California can't adequately fund K12, and we're going to add another year to the kids' schooling? Preschool is great for people who are interested in it, and Headstart already exists for low income families who need the support. But why force the the taxpayers into that option when we don't fund K12 properly?

Re: Report: Part-time, fractured LA school board unacceptable

MagnetAngel — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:15:45 -0000

And how are those Partnership schools doing now? Speaking as a resident of a small city, who can NOT vote for the mayor of Los Angeles, I'm not keen about a mayoral takeover of any schools. Where is Villaraigosa now? I agree that a full time school board would accomplish more since the part-timers hold down full time jobs elsewhere and use this as increased visibility for future political runs. And the pay of $24K for a part time job that clearly ends up being full time (or $40 for full time I believe) puts those board members at the mercy of big interests with cushy titles that may or may not actually be real jobs. Real prospective candidates couldn't do that.

Re: Arts access at LA elementary schools, by the numbers

MagnetAngel — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 11:54:26 -0000

I'm frustrated that while some of these elementary schools are receiving 'some' arts instruction, others must resort to outside organizations to supplement their art, music, and dance programs--afterschool and at a cost to parents. A semester of orchestra is useless.

Re: Arts access at LA elementary schools, by the numbers

MagnetAngel — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:09:33 -0000

But it's not that way everywhere. At many LAUSD schools they must choose between a voice teacher and an orchestra teacher. Given the investment and how few can be reached in just one day a week, instrumental programs get moved afterschool and are 'optional,' while the school chooses the voice teacher. Of course, instrumental music should be year-long, but it's only that way if the parents bring outside programs to the school. Same with programs like "Meet the Masters" art programs subsidized by PTOs. I'm thankful we had a principal that saw the importance of a real music program, but LAUSD makes it hard. Most kids don't get to pick up an instrument until middle school, and by then it's really late to start.

Re: LA school by school arts instruction breakdown: check your school here

MagnetAngel — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:21:56 -0000

These are a little misleading. One school I see right off does have an orchestra--it's afterschool and offers scholarships. Parents, please check with the schools directly for more information, because this is district-funded arts only.