MMS
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On the article Baldwin-Whitehall Schools' 2013-14 Calendar Debated
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On the article Baldwin-Whitehall Schools' 2013-14 Calendar Debated
MMS
11:47 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
ReplyI have never heard of a 2 hour delay day becoming a "play day". My kids tell me that on those days they lose their special and recess, and their classes, while shortened by a few minutes, continue as usual.
I do however agree that 2 conferences a year are a bit much, especially if the child is not having any issues or difficulties in class. Perhaps they can re-evaluate that next year and only schedule a second conference based on individual child need. -
On the article Baldwin-Whitehall Schools' 2013-14 Calendar Debated
MMS
11:10 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
ReplyI'm all for school starting after Labor Day. When I was young every school year began after Labor Day. I also have no problem with the 2 hour delays, especially since they are scheduled in advance and give everyone plenty of time to make arrangements. These kids (and teachers) schedules are in my opinion too packed each day, especially with the new requirements imposed upon teachers. If they are saying they need this time then I say we allow them to do so.
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On the article FORECAST/PHOTOS: Snow Pummeling South Hills
MMS
2:02 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
ReplySchools will begin dismissing early. This message is probably on Patch somewhere, but here it is again:
Due to the poor weather conditions this afternoon, the Baldwin Whitehall School District will begin the dismissal procedures a few minutes early in an effort to get all students home safely and on time. Baldwin High School will begin dismissal for all bus riders at 2:10 p.m. St. Gabriel’s will begin about 2:20 p.m. Harrison Middle School will begin dismissal at 2:45 p.m. The district elementary schools will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. Dismissal times will depend on the time that buses are able to make it to each of the schools. Our goal is to start the process a bit early at the upper grade levels to avoid delays later in the bus schedule.It is important that students arrive home to a caring adult and have access to their homes. If parents experience their own difficulties getting home from work, school, etc. – please call the school office at least 15 minutes prior to the above stated dismissal times to arrange for you to pick your child up directly at the school. Staff members will be on hand to supervise children until you are able to get to the school.
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On the article B-W School Board, Public Talk Safety After Newtown Massacre
MMS
11:42 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
ReplyI should have known better than to comment on this website. I've gotten 10 emails that comments have been posted and they have all been argumentative. All I ever see on Patch are disagreements, which will get us absolutely nowhere. Why is it so difficult for people to act civilized and not always try to hit below the belt or one up someone??? The worst part of it is that these are folks who are all evidently in my neck of the woods...honestly we are here trying to find ways to protect or kids. Or at least I thought we were...
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On the article B-W School Board, Public Talk Safety After Newtown Massacre
MMS
4:45 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
ReplyLet's do whatever we need to do - bulletproof glass, metal detectors, guard at entrances at ALL schools...let's stop spending funds to change out the phone system so teachers can leave the building and not have to end a call, or putting costly unnecessary media equipment in each classroom (remember the days of sending a student to go fetch a projector to watch a video???) and let's put the money to good use and protect our kids.
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On the article B-W School Board, Public Talk Safety After Newtown Massacre
MMS
4:44 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
ReplyI think rather than focusing our attention towards arming teachers, we need to make the schools more secure. Maybe the larger schools need to have a main office for teacher/student use, and an office NOT centrally located for visitors, parents, students being dropped off and picked up etc. The 2nd smaller office could then not just buzz a person in, but perhaps have a security guard physically WALK that person to the office. Maybe we need to take that a step further and any parent/guardian of a student needs to have an access code specifically for them to enter the school if a security guard is not possible (secretary could ask parent & student name and even a skyward passcode could be used to verify identity). Nobody should be walking the track at Whitehall while school is in session. That should be gated off during school hours, and under video surveillance at all times. Why not bulletproof windows on lower levels, or if that is too costly bars. All schools should be equipped with the ability to close off hallways securely should an intruder get in.
MMS
12:19 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
NE12Ukid - If a problem should arise with a student I do think a parent should be notified, as you said far enough before a grading period ends. But to schedule 30 conferences EACH grading period to discuss highs and lows in academic development seems unreasonable. Maybe out of those 30 kids 5 are having difficulties. Why not just schedule 5 conferences? We are discussing adding 2 hour delay days for teachers to catch up on work and you didn't agree with that, stating that could be taken care of on Saturdays or after school hours. But your suggestion would be adding another potential 6 days per school year for mandatory conferences, which as I said in many cases are more or less a polite 5 minute conversation that the child is doing well. Maybe my opinion on the matter will change as my children grow and are subjected to more challenging work and social issues that go along with growing up. But for now, at this age, I think once is enough.