A few weeks ago Brian Wilson made some comments concerning public school children and either referred to them as monkeys or didn't refer to them as monkeys. Whatever the case may be, Toledo Public School's superintendent and Board president Bob Vasquez threw a hissy fit, held a press conference and denounced Wilson. One of the main denouncers (is there such a word?) was a parent named Sandy Wiley-Steward. Ms. Wiley-Steward was in the front row of the Press Conference along with her son holding a sign that said, "I am not a monkey."
On or about Feb 17, 2011, Ms. Steward posted some chilling comments about inner city parents on the Toledo Parent Congress page on Facebook. The comments were very inflammatory and consisted of how she felt about inner city parents volunteering in the TPS system. Ms. Wiley-Steward has the ear of the parent congress, an arm of TPS who has the ear of the superintendent, Dr. Jerome Pecko and is a liason between parents and the TPS administration. She is a volunteer at Walbridge Elementary, Rogers High School and does something with the Special Olmpics.
After I read the comments, I was appalled and emailed the superintendent and each board member. I did not receive a reply from anyone. I took that to mean that they found nothing wrong with the comments Wiley-Steward posted on Facebook and agreed with her statements. Here are her comments:
Sandy Wiley-Steward
"""""I also agree with getting parents involved in the schools....HOWEVER, that can be VERY scary at the same time- you are dealing with a diverse group of people...For many of the families in the inner city, they do not "VOLUNTEER", it is not their mentality...So what do we do to fill in all the gaps in those school? Yes, Beverly and Harvard have a STRONG parent group, and are able to provide many opportunities to their students because of this, but our inner city kids deserve that too! So we cant EXPECT our families to step in... We can however work with the County and somehow train people on assistance to help! Our society need to retrain, reprogram the "Handout" mentality. For many families, school is daycare. Plus as a mother, I do not want some of these parents working with my children! FOR SURE!!!!"""""
After not getting a reply, I spoke at the board meeting on Feb. 22, 2011 about the Facebook posting. I was verbally accosted by the board president Bob Vasquez, who yelled at me from his seat and pointed his finger at me. Later, after doing a basic search, I found a YouTube posting of Bob Vasquez and Sandy Wiley-Steward where Ms. Steward and her children were campaigning for Mr. Vasquez in his campaign for a seat on the school board.
Having said all of this, here is my issue. If TPS(Dr. Pecko, Bob Vasquez and the Toledo Parent Congress) and Sandy Wiley Steward got all up in arms about the comments made by Brian Wilson, why hasn't TPS gotten all up in arms about what Ms. Wiley-Steward wrote on Facebook about inner city parents? The only reason I can come up with is that they all agree that inner city parents don't have a "volunteer mentality," that they have a hand out mentality and need to be trained (like monkeys) by the county which employs Lisa Sobecki school board vice president..
This is the perfect reason that inner city parents are finding other systems in which to get their children educated. Ed Choice, charter, private, parochial, home schooling and sometimes no schooling. I encourage all TPS inner city parents to get their children out of TPS until they are respected as parents who provide the children from which TPS receives it's money.
It's very funny when liberals begin to show their real colors and African-Americans wake up to the fact that they have been duped for so many years by promises of being treated equally.
Here's to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
[I]emailed the superintendent and each board member. I did not receive a reply from anyone.
You took that to mean that they found nothing wrong with the comments Wiley-Steward posted on Facebook and agreed with her statements.
Maybe you should use the read reciept feature on your emails. Not responding to you doesnt have to mean they agree or disagree with anything else. It more than likely means simply you've acted toward them in just the same manner as you've behaved out here that they merely have your emails set to auto delete - since there's never anything worth bothering with in them anyway.
Reading anything into a non-response is a fools move. But then...
please keep in mind, my post was a reflection of the challenges I face, BEING AN INNER CITY PARENT VOLUNTEER!!! I struggle to get parents to help in all areas and only WISH I could provide a carnival, book fair, family nights, math nights, movie nights, reading nights, etc. at THE SCHOOL MY CHILDREN ATTEND! However, I cannot host events like this, because I do not have parent volunteers! We are lucky to have library open 3x a month!
I have become an active parent volunteer, because my oldest son has Down Syndrome. Together we have endured MANY challenges in TPS. Which enlightened me to advocated for change and proactively work with the district to help anyway I can, to create change for equal, quality education and opportunities. Does this sound racist? I am so far from being racist, judgemental or prejudiced....I live with that everyday for the acceptance and understanding, for the LOVE of my life, Tyler!
My statements were basically saying I only wish inner city kids had the same opportunities, where my elementary children attend! What is wrong with that? I do believe we need to find away to make parents more active in the schools. My comments are being taken out of context completely. But having said that, I do not believe my name should be drug around for criticism! This post is completely wrong of you Twila!
she is the version of another obsessed progressive here named Wolfie. She is obsessed with and looks for words that can be spun into a racists tone, but will cast those same dispersions upon others.. Her credibility for facts and reality is distorted and is steadily dwindling..
"Don't Tread On Me"...
"THE LIBERTIES OF A PEOPLE NEVER WERE,NOR EVER WILL BE SECURE, WHEN THE TRANSACTIONS OF OUR GOVERNMENT ARE FORCED UPON US"...
Patrick Henry and Tread...
Punhurts the racist bitch....throwing poop like a....well...er....uh.....
A monkey.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
Twila is apt to find racists where there are none. And now she will post saying that she didn't really call you a racist at all, other people took it that way
Here's to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
So an inner city parent volunteer says they dont have enough inner city parent volunteers, and because of that, SOME body goes running to the BOE President and each and every member crying racism, and then wonders why she goes ignored...
Priceless...
Obsession with racism is in the same catagory as Wolfie's
"Don't Tread On Me"...
"THE LIBERTIES OF A PEOPLE NEVER WERE,NOR EVER WILL BE SECURE, WHEN THE TRANSACTIONS OF OUR GOVERNMENT ARE FORCED UPON US"...
Patrick Henry and Tread...
I would like to invite all TPS parents out there to volunteer a little bit of your time to your neighborhood school. With all of the spring activities (field trips, field day, etc) coming up there will be plenty of opportunities to do so. Your effort and time will be much appreciated.
now that everyone has had a chance to blow off a littl steam, what do Brian Wilson and Sandy Wiley-Steward have in common? Billy, even if you are a little silly, you are on to something there. I do believe that my emails are being deleted and/or sent to the trash can in the blogoshpere. However, I am sure that the message was relayed to the superintendent and the board members. Why would a superintendent or a board member not wish to hear from a community member? After all I do have a vested interest in what happens in my community. I do represent parents, am an advocate for children and have been right on many occasions with issues involving TPS. So why ignore/delete an email when all you to do was respond and say something like, "I will look into this matter." Then you(superintendent or board member) could put it out of your mind and the writer of the email(me) would have at least been pacified for a month or six weeks and by then I am sure something else would have come up to capture the attention of the email writer(me).
By not responding, the impression I got was that those who received the email felt the same way as Ms. Wiley-Steward. That inner city parents do not have a "VOLUNTEER" mentality and that they are the "HANDOUT" mentality that needs to be retrained and reprogrammed to do whatever by the County which employs Ms. Sobecki, school board vice president.
The bunker mentality shared by Wiley Steward and the Toledo Parent Congress has got to leave TPS or there won't be a TPS.
I am sure that the Toledo Parent Congress planted you here but Welcome anyway. Ms. Wiley-Steward said " Plus as a mother, I do not want some of these parents working with my children! FOR SURE!!!!" so what is an inner city parent to do? After all we only use school as a babysitter.
am sure that the Toledo Parent Congress planted you here
because certainly there cannot be anyone out there who has thoughts of their own that are different than yours Purehate unless theyre planted by the TPC...
My gosh you give yourself WAY too much credit...
do you understand the sex offender rate in these areas? for sure...I do not want these parents around my children!!!!
by golly Billy, give me some credit. Robin had been a member of Swampbubble for two seconds when she posted her comment. TPS Parent Congress on Facebook, has a Robin who posts daily. It is not too far of a stretch in thought to connect the two.
The Toledo Public school system has too much to lose to continue to differentiate between parents. They cannot continue to disrespect the inner city parent with their rhetoric of what we don't do and what we don't contribute to their system. We provide the majority of the students, Title 1 monies, give eligibility to different grant monies and programs, such as the Bill Gates Foundation providing millions of dollars to TPS and now Race to the Top money, yet we have the worst schools as far as academics and were the last schools to be built in the Building for Success Program. Now we are told that we don't volunteer and have a handout mentality and certain people don't want us volunteering around their children. And no one has a problem with that?
Well I do. because I am an inner city parent/resident who volunteers at least 3000 documented hours a year and also volunteer other hours that are uncountable. My children are also active volunteers, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations. My friends, family and neighbors volunteer also. For someone to say that innercity parents don't volunteer is nonsensical. For a school system that relys on students being in a seat for their operating money it is imperative that every parent feel included and for these comments to go unchallenged is reprehensible but as I said it is valid reason for these inner city parents to get their student out of a system that places no value on them.
Calling me names does not solve TPS's many problems. Someone should realize that by now.
TPS parent teacher congress did not plant me here. I am a volunteer parent who is frustrated because whenever there is a need for volunteers at her neighborhood school it's the same five parents who show up every time. I'm tired of being one of the only parents who volunteer.
I want to know why parents don't volunteer.
I want to let parents know that their help is much needed an appreciated if they do choose to volunteer.
your words, " But as this incident reminds us, the words we use — and the way we react to others' words — matter a great deal." matter a great deal especially when you give no cognitive concern of what you are saying. Your posts on this thread have added nothing but an attempt to "refudiate" what I have posted. I knew you when you were a MUCH nicer person.......
I am glad that TPS Parent Congress did not plant you here it just seemed like a coincidence that you appeared when you did. It seemed like the same Robin that posts on TPS Parent Congress Facebook. My bad!
I took you up on your challenge that there is a need for volunteers and opportunities for volunteer parents. While you only addressed parent volunteers I will take it one step further and say that the door should be open for the inner city community to volunteer in the public schools. I know what my experience was when I volunteered to volunteer when my children were in the public school district. To make a long story short, I was told by the principal that, "I don't want you sitting up here every day." I attempted to volunteer because I was constantly getting phone calls concerning the behaviors of my two students in the school. Needless to say those words were not very welcoming. But that was about 15 years ago and I figured maybe things have changed. So even though I volunteer a good part of my day, I am willing to go a step further and maybe volunteer in my neighborhood school.
Today, I called the three schools within walking distance of my home and called them to find out what their requirements are for volunteering. Here are the results of my attempt to volunteer.
1. Old West End Academy: I called, spoke to the principal and was told that only parents can volunteer and that "there is no need for others." Not very welcoming.......
2.Rosa Parks Academy: Spoke to secretary who said that I could come in put in an application that would require my social security number. This application would then be given to their Partners in Education who would run a background check. I would not have to have a child enrolled.
3.Glenwood Elementary: Spoke to the principal who said that I would have to go to the police station and get a Criminal Record Check and FBI Finger Print Check. That the only thing I could have on my "record" is a speeding ticket. I asked if I would be responsible for paying for these two checks and I was told yes. I would not have to have a child enrolled.
By this experience alone I would be discouraged from volunteering. But I will keep you informed as to why there is the perception that inner city parents don't volunteer in the schools. But it is definately not that inner city parents don't have a "Volunteer mentality, just a "HANDOUT" mentality.
I read and re-read the alleged Facebook comments by Ms. Steward and nowhere did I see any racist remarks.
However, there are several remarks about "Inner City" parents.
Isn't it racist to think that all "Inner City" parents must be black? Obviously, to some, when we discuss "Inner City" parents, that MUST mean black parents. How racist is it to think that way? Who but a KKK member could equate "Inner City" with African-American? What sort of racist white trash would make the leap from "Inner City" parents to mean "Black" parents.
Because, at least according to some racist KKK white trash people, if you live in the "Inner City", you MUST be black.
Don't blame me,
I didn't vote for a socialist.
well my children attend inner city and I am white. I think it would be fair to say, that the student race population at my school is divided equally. My comments were NOT to intend a race needing to change, but the mentality of certain areas in Toledo, that parents need to understand the benefits of their involvement in the schools! Whether this is a TPS issue or community issue is beyond me, perhaps both...I only wish these students in inner city could have the same opportunities that are provided in other TPS schools, which are a direct reflection from PARENT VOLUNTEERS!
Now twist this one around Twila!
arrested in Rossford for sex crimes against children. So I guess that blows the sex offender theory out of the water. Sandy, sex offenders are everywhere, even in public schools.
That is why the schools do background checks on volunteers. Criminals aren't just in the inner city, they are everywhere. We need to protect our children from people who wish to do harm onto others. I'm sure that you do not want a drug dealer or child molester volunteering at your neighborhood school. Filling out the paperwork for the background check is a bit inconvenient and a tiny bit insulting, but it's done to protect the students.
So let me get this straight.....TPS wants more money ...for a product (education of the childrens), that they provide poorly to the taxpayers; and now have pitted the parents against each other, because they have failed. (Making an issue about what someone may or may not have said is a waste.)
Has TPS become too big to fail? Hmmm.......seems like a pattern.
Should the taxpayers of Toledo settle for substandard education in the City of Toledo?
When the Captain (TPS) pits the crew (parents) against each other on a sinking ship, it's not because he cares about anyone or anything but himself let alone the poor childrens.
Maybe the taxpayers of Toledo have it right. Quit funding TPS, let it totally fail and reboot the whole system. Shut it down, come up with a better plan that works. One that measures progress in students and is more concerned about their education than anything else.
I am certain there are very intelligent people in the city that can devise a quality educational system . There are a multitude of systems from around the world that seem to be getting it right. After all it seems most of the world seems to be surpassing us in education. Several have been proven to work but yet we as a society do nothing. Why not incorporate one here. We just keep pouring oil into a leaky engine and hope we make it a little further down the road. (whilst polluting our water and wondering why we are sick.)
And parents, don't wait for a solution from TPS....it's never going to happen. Come on.......really... ya think. If they came up with a solution it would mean the end of them.
Empower yourselves and chart your own destiny......or just do some research and find solutions...and make some noise.
Don't ever think that your children don't deserve the best. They do, and you are sadly not getting it.
Sandy if you keep it up purnhrt will accuse you of a crime and when pressed for facts to back it up she refuses to reply.
It's her thing.
MikeyA
Mikeya, add something constructive to the conversation.
"...when pressed for facts to back it up she refuses to reply."
See.
MikeyA
I don't think TPS has been pitting parents against parents in this situation. I think the parents are quite capable of doing that all on their own.
Lhttp://www.thetoledojournal.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=107721&sID=4&ItemSource=
I cant believe this is NEWS?????
I think it became news when the president of the school board reacted the way that he did. Then to find out your connection to him made it even more newsworthy. Sometimes it is just better to say, "I am sorry" and move on. But you and the TPS Parent Congress have that bunker mentality that does not serve TPS well. And yes it is news.
On another note to find out why SWS thinks that we inner city parents don't volunteer in my attempt to volunteer, I went to Rosa Parks Elementary today to pick up the Volunteer paperwork. The secretary gave me the paper and asked if I was going to fill it out there. I told her no that I would fill it out at home and fax it to the number on the yellow form.She said that they could fax it from the school. I explained that I wasn't comfortable putting my social security number on the form and leaving it at the school. To make a long story short, I will take it to PIE tomorrow.
I still fail to understand why you would expect the TPS school board or administrators to form a response to something that happened on the internet, on a site not sponsored by the district.
the site is sponsored by TPS.
FACEBOOK site is a public domain! The Parent Congress has a wall page just like you and I. Stop barking and realize you are wrong! What I should do, is look into slander charges! You are a hateful women Twila!!!
No, the site is not sponsored by TPS. Parent Congress is a 100% volunteer-run, parent-driven organization.
WHO WE ARE
A District Wide Parent Organization designed to create community among the Parent Organizations within the Toledo Public Schools while building an opportunity within our District for idea sharing and support.
What are the objectives of TPS Parent Congress, Inc.?
To act as an advisory panel
To act as a sounding board for the Superintendent per his/her discretion on new initiatives
To be parent driven and goal oriented
To be a communication and information tool
To promote/attend parent training seminars, conferences, and workshops
To provide a Board of Education Parent Seat Representative
To recruit, retain, promote, market, advertise and advocate for TPS
To be a State Liaison Parent Representative Group for TPS
To provide a State Parent Group Representative (PTO, PTA, Boosters, PTN, etc.) for TPS
To provide access to the Board of Education sub-committees
These comments were not some nebulous statement from some stranger to TPS. They were made by someone who campaigned for the board president and sanctioned by TPS Parent Congress.
What is your point? That is the purpose statement of TPS Parent Congress. It in no way indicates that Parent Congress is run by or sponsored by the district.
Also, Parent Congress does not "sanction" anyone. The meetings are open to the public. Ms. Wiley-Steward is neither an officer nor a parent representative for Parent Congress.
At one time I was a Parent Congress Representative....actually, for many years....However, with my many responsibilities as a "mom", I am unable to commit to the meetings and such. The passion and love for all the hard work these VOLUNTEERS commit to the families and students in TPS is still and will always be in my heart! It is unfortunate that a person such as Twila is so negative, to all that they do! Rather than fight against the power, why don't you join forces and collaborate in a respectful manner? Ever hear the saying "turn over a new leaf"??? I do not always agree with issues, but I have learned to agree to disagree AND I actually SEE A NEW PRESPECTIVE on the issue!! Try that sometime! You have heard to "look outside the box"...it will make you grow as a human :)
don't look into slander charges, file them. I am sure TPS attorneys can advise you for free. SLANDER: a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report: a slander against his good name.
Defamamation:Any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person's reputation; decreases the respect, regard, or confidence in which a person is held; or induces disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against a person.
This thread is neither false nor malicious.
TPS attorneys are NOT going to help "a parent" with this....this has nothing to do with TPS...this is you and I!
my advice would be to think next time before you make statements that disparage a whole segment of the TPS population. And apologize when you offend people. You may think that I am a hateful "women" but I would never, ever think much less say the untrue things that you did. And you have no conscience that what you said was wrong......SMH....
That's hillarious coming from you...
"This country's progress has been hijacked by Town Hall Meetings and Tea Parties for the past year which to me is a type of treason." Punhurts
http://swampbubbles.com/20100127/state-union-total-disconnect
"The scenario: A casual friend, Ms. W. Lady who has rental property in my neighborhood but lives in Ottawa Hills, drives a real spiffy vehicle and we usually speak and exchange pleasantries. We have a few things in common such as we both homeschool our children, she her grandchild and we are both about the same age (I think) and both have grey hair.
Today, she had a problem and I was attempting to help her solve her problem when I spotted a "Stop Obama's Agenda" sticker in her back car window. For some reason I was taken aback, as she seems like an intelligent woman. I blurted out "Oh, you have this sticker." I don't know why I was so shocked. I think because she seems to be a genuinely nice woman.
She said, sort of appologetically, "oh, yes." Then she said, "but I have some papers in my car to explain!" She rummaged around in her nice new blue vehicle and I said, "Oh no that is fine because you and I won't ever come to an agreement on this issue." She looked a little sad and I walked to my car visualizing a right wing, radical, racist in my midst."
http://swampbubbles.com/20101002/conersation-white-lady
You arent fooling anyone you race baiting whitey hater.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
I must agree...she will find any fault in a white person....which is sad :( I volunteer with TPS Special Olympics that serves any race, ethnicity or disability...heck you can even be a peer model athlete, without a disability, of any race and ethnicity....Guess that pretty much covers all the DIVERSITY I accept in my life!!!! However Twila makes it clear who she represents, The African American Association...not much diversity there!
you are right...I did not say anything wrong....I stated the truth and reality! I live the reality!!!! It was your perception of my statements that was twisted for you to take offense! Your bitter, angry, arrogant mind that blew my statements out of context. but that is OK.. just don't drag my name out of the area of which we had discussion! That is when you crossed the lines of SLANDER!
you are right...I did not say anything wrong....I stated the truth and reality! I live the reality!!!! It was your perception of my statements that was twisted for you to take offense! Your bitter, angry, arrogant mind that blew my statements out of context. but that is OK.. just don't drag my name out of the area of which we had discussion! That is when you crossed the lines of SLANDER!
Some of Sandy's words are open to misinterpretation and that's unfortunate. However, I don't believe there is any malicious intent. Many people, even among those who want to volunteer, are ill-equipped to do so for a variety of reasons. This holds true for white as well as black people. Your automatic knee-jerk reaction is to cry racism in the face of any perceived slight. Why can't you stop and at least consider the possibility that you have misunderstood someone before launching into a tirade?
Brian Wilson is an excellent example. While I totally disagree with his philosophy and politics, he never called TPS students monkeys. The worst he can be accused of is a poor choice of words. A careful reading of his remarks backs that up. Still, too many people jumped to condemn his remarks (even though they knew better) for fear of being deemed politically incorrect.
How long will you continue to bang your head against that brick wall before you come to realize there is blood running down your face? No matter how well-intentioned your cause, your mind is a closed book and that has made you your own worst enemy.
that the TPS Parent Congress is totally volunteer. Maybe someone should look into their books.......
I don't know what you're trying to imply, but there is certainly no evidence to suggest that any member of TPS Parent Congress is being paid.
She's Grima Wormtongue with a tan.
Twila wormtongue whos pun hurts.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
thank you for your kind words. Though my face be bloodied my back is unbowed. I'm not sure if you are black or white, male or female and it is immaterial to me but because you don't know me and just picked up what you have read here on Swampbubbles I want you to know that your conclusions are wrong.
You cannot know what is in my heart nor do you know what is in Sandy's. You know nothing about my mind or what I stand for or how I got to where I am today. I am proud and honored to work for all children but I am especially true to those who don't have a voice and are disenfranchized due to ignorance and the insensitive behavior of any adult who would stiil the creative spirit of a child.
you have the posted name of LilyPad and I have the posted name of Purnhrt. We both have names for this post and I am sure that you want to remain anonymous which is why you are LilyPad. I am purnhrt because I wished to remain anonymous because of my family and the work that I do. However Ms. Wiley-Steward in her infinite wisdom outed me on a blog, a few years . She continues to use my name as an in your face type of tactic. I only used her name because that is the name she is posted under. So where you see Ms. Wiley Steward as all gracious, great and good, I see her for what she is. I never called her a racist, I said her comments were racist as the majority of people living in the inner city are black and we are perceived to be lazy, uncaring and negligent. To say that we don't have a volunteer mentality, that we are on assistance and need to be trained by the county and that we also have a handout mentality is unfounded and unfair. To say these words while on a TPS (Toledo Public School) Parent Congress page on Facebook was very chilling to me. And to have no one from TPS refute these comments are reprehensible in light of the furor caused by Brian Wilson when he either referred to or didn't referr to inner city students as monkeys. This to me was a racist statement.
Whether you are ill-equipped or not ill-equipped to volunteer in the public school system, these students belong to us as parents. And if we are ill-equipped to volunteer in these schools then to me the school is ill-equipped to teach inner city children. Nothing but a plantation mentality which Brian Wilson also has said in the past and that part is true.
TPS wants our children to occupy a seat so that they can get the money and then turn around and call us names. Never happen on my watch, I am now telling parents to run to the nearest exit, take your children to another school system, keep them home and homeschool, get an ed choice voucher, take them to a charter school (even a bad one-at least they respect the parents) parochial, private or send them to live with relatives in another state or city. I tell them now to save their children. Get them out of TPS!
to use your name? Honey, I've known who you are from the day I joined this board. Nobody "outed" you to me. I said in the very first thread I ever posted to that I thought you were a member of the AAPA. Then you got pissed off and said, "I'm done!" That remark alone was a dead giveaway as to your identity. You might as well wear a sandwich sign.
"I never called her a racist, I said her comments were racist..."
Simple question: What is the difference between a racist and someone who makes racist remarks? Answer: If you stop and think about it, there is no difference. That confirms your implication that Sandy is a racist. It's common sense, purn. Think before you go off half-cocked. As I said in my previous post, you continue to work at being your own worst enemy.
Sandy, speak for yourself, put away the gang mentality don't let people on this thread/post.blog egg you on. You are holding your own pretty well. Dear, I am not bitter, angry or arrogant. I am just speaking the truth and you know it. You say you speak the truth. What reality do you live? The reality of what? Please explain, maybe your reality is making you bitter and making you lash out at inner city parents because you can't get out of the inner city. I love living in the inner city and if you don't, get out of it. There are many, many opportunities for you out there. Go for it. But don't attack inner city parents because you are unhappy with your plight. I am really tired of hearing about your, "Oh, poor me attitude."
And yes, I do represent the African American Parents' Association. You can start a White American Parents' Association........oh I forgot there already is one......the TPS Parent Congress........
it was not an attack to inner city families, it was reality and a plea to find a way for inner city schools to have the same opportunity as other area schools. Such as book fairs, carnivals, movie nights, reading nights, dances, family math nights or just the school library. However, these opportunities do NOT exist because of the lack of parental involvement.
People are upset because someone referred to"inner city parents" and seem to think it means something else. And they are offended that Brian Wilson made the comment that our educational system is the equivalent of training monkeys (in context he was referring to teaching children to the standardized tests as opposed to teaching them higher level thinking skills).
Then you turn around and say:
"Plus as a mother, I do not want some of these parents working with my children! FOR SURE!!!!"
Whom exactly are you referring to? "Some of these parents" - you have something against poor people? White people? Ohhh, the sex offenders -- the ones you can look up and report. Or are you referring to the ones you KNOW are BAD just by looking at them?
Is it any wonder that nothing gets accomplished in this city?
ö Kiss My Ring
I have nothing against anyone...I keep an open mind to all issues; including poverty, because we all endure challenges in our lives! Remember I live in the inner city. Whom I am referring to is any parent who has been charged with drug dealing, stealing, sex offenders, etc. As a parent I do not want people who have a criminal record working with my children and I am thankful the background check is a tool used for parents to volunteer in our schools.
I am referring to the parents who receive public assistance (BLACK, HISPANIC, PURPLE, BLUE OR WHITE) and do not work, who spend NO time in their child's school. While they could be trained and taught the importance of being involved in their child's education by Lucas County Jobs and Family Services to volunteer in the school Libraries, Book Fairs, Carnivals, Family movie nights, family math nights, school events, school dances, etc.
stepping down! Now maybe TPS can make progress. But first it will go through a period of chaos, mors so than the chaos that is already taking place.
LilyPad, for one who is a grammar King/Queen you don't read and comprehend very well. The reason you knew who I was when you stepped onto this site is because I was OUTED by your friend and cohort Sandy years ago!
honestly, you OUTED yourself years ago :)
Your claim is patently false. I don't know Sandy, nor would I recognize her if I met her. I had no knowledge of her existence before you posted this thread. I explained how I knew who you were.
I wish that I could accuse you of not comprehending what you read. Unfortunately, your problem is much more serious. Your personal views, so slanted and twisted by the perceived racism you look for around every corner and under every bed, have rendered you incapable of being a leader who can garner respect. People don't want to work with you because they recognize your agenda as one-sided. Your tiresome rants, raves, silly antics and unfounded accusations lend no credence to your cause.
As I told you before, you could better serve your so-called "community" by studying what works in TPS and joining the effort to promote those successes. There are black children and white teachers at Birmingham School which raised its test scores to the level of "excellent" last year. Open your mind and explore what made that happen.
I do not know you either, but would love to, gosh that was a very well said statement! :)
I do not know you either, but would love to, gosh that was a very well said statement! :)
now you are seeing blue and purple parents? Francine Lawrence is stepping down.....YAYYYYY
While Fran stepping down may be good for the district, it will for sure be a challenge for our teachers. In my opinion, teachers deserve everything they receive and more! However, realistically, that cant happen.... I wish Fran the best and kudos to her for getting out and enjoying life :)
responsible for their words. I take full responsibility for this post, for speaking at the board of education about this subject and for the interview with the Toledo Journal. I said they were racist statements by a person tightly connected to TPS and that those statements were offensive to an entire community of people, the majority of whom are black. As the Journal staff stated, the comments were misguided.
Since January 21, 2009, people feel that they can say what they want, when they want and to whom they want, not caring if anyone is offended. These are turbulent times and should be met with compassion for others not obstinancy from the offendee.
Anyone with an adult relative, friend or child with a disability should know what is offensive and how it feels to be laughed at, made fun of and talked about in a disparaging way. The same holds true for a community of people. We are not living in the dark ages, this is the 21st century and if someone tells you that you have offended them, even if you think you haven't, the best thing to do is to apologize and move forward. But the TPS mentality is one of us versus them and too bad it has spread to the people promoting TPS.
Parent Coaching is a pioneering technique designed to build stronger families. Working from the inside out, we support parents and help Thanks for sharing the inforamtion.
Regards,
Jack - family coach
It took two months for you to come up with a reply?
Here's to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them.