This past Friday night, the Lion slaughtered the Ram. The Manual Rams lost to the combined Woodruff Warriors/Central Lions team 33 – 8.
Since the game, I have heard some Manual fans refer to the game as a disgrace, but they weren’t talking about the score, they were talking about efforts made to keep Manual students and fans separate from other students and fans.
I'm told that there were 15 barricades put up to keep the two schools separate. Because Peoria High (Central) was the host school, it's fans were on the side opposite the main bleachers and had to use port-a-potties and a makeshift concession side, they weren't allowed on the other side to use the concession stands or restrooms. No one could stand at the fence, where some of the most avid fans have stood for years - at every game.
I know this was probably done to be proactive about violence, but is not allowing schools to co-mingle during certain sporting events the answer? This type of set-up can't be fun for the students... lest we adults forget, sporting events are supposed to be fun.
I know this was probably done to be proactive about violence, but is not allowing schools to co-mingle during certain sporting events the answer? This type of set-up can't be fun for the students... lest we adults forget, sporting events are supposed to be fun.
36 comments:
Whenever rules are made to penalize everyone instead of punishing just those who do create problems, etc., then the good students and most fans will just stay home. (or worse leave the District, which is what has happened already). The fights in the stands last year went more or less unpunished. Kids have good memories--they remember when wrongdoers get away with their actions.
What would happen if East Peoria and Pekin decided they didn't want District 150 troublemakers to mingle with their students and put up barriers to keep 150 fans isolated. Yet District 150 has done that to its own fans--WOW!
Were there any reports of violence at the game? If there were, guess who would be the first to complain of the district not doing enough to prevent it (hint: see above). The only way to get Sharon to a game is $26/hr pay for teaching extra duty. But then again, because of her leadership role in the "Dist. 150 watch group", the district is now a well oiled machine.
I did go to a few games last year. I have to admit I'm not as young as I once was, so walking and climbling bleachers isn't all that easy any more. I would love to go to any Richwoods-hosted game to watch Mahliyah lead the band as the drum majorette. For several games this season, I have watched kids so that their mom and dad can go to support 150 teams--mostly RHS and PHS--oh, no charge--that's my way of supporting the teams.
My first post still stands--District 150 should find a way to insure safety that does not penalize everyone.
Also, (because I really don't know) what new rules do the security officers have to follow at games, etc.--has any of their authority been restricted with regard to handcuffs, etc.?
Sharon, I agree. Even in our schools, everyone gets penalized for the acts of a few. Lathan does not want to remove these hooligans from the schools, so everyone is treated like they are in a police state. It is very sad. I often brag about the wonderful students I have and have had in the past. Sadly, it only takes ONE student's behavior to leave a bad taste in my mouth regarding a particular school year, because NO ONE would do anything to make that child behave or force the parents to DO THEIR JOB. I am tired of being belittled by parents in front of their children. How this: I sick a you calling my house to tell me that my kid is bad (naughty is the term I use). My kid is your problem from 8:30 till 3:30. Don't f***ing call me again. If I had a PENNY for every time I was told some variation of that comment, I would have retired a long time ago and become a prison guard(safer than 150).
From the last post, I have to draw the conclusion that primary parents (probably very young themselves) are more apt to respond to teacher phone calls in this manner. I think parents of high school kids are a bit more realistic about their children's behavior, etc. At least, I never experienced that kind of reaction from parents. Of course, many of the parents with whom I dealt were former students, so they were almost always respectful.
I am curious to know how the new policy about teachers communicating with students via social networks, texting, etc., applies to phone calls.
When I called parents, I frequently found students on the other end of the line--should I have hung up and said, "Sorry I can't talk to you on the phone."
Also, I do believe that when parents do talk to teachers in the manner described above, the teacher should expect the principal to intervene and make phone calls of his/her own to handle these situations with the parents--certainly to let parents know that disrespect isn't allowed teacher to parent or parent to teacher, etc.
Sharon you are dreaming if you think this isn't happening with parents of high schoolers. Also many times the parents don't bother to answer the phone as they are sleeping and don't want to be bothered. They will tell us that. The majority change their phone numbers after school starts so no way to get ahold of parents.How many fights were there at the PHS/MHS game last year? I remember the posts then about how things should be different for future games due to people concerned about their safety at these games. So there are problems if trouble isn't prevented and there are problems if it is. No way to please all. Also I do believe Manual not PHS was the host school this year.
I was speaking from my own experience, not dreaming. It is quite possible that things have changed dramatically since 2005, but I can say that, beyond a doubt, I was not disrespected by parents during any of my career. There were a few times that parents were angry at conferences at school, etc., but I do not remember any times when parents were rude to me, etc.,--at the worst those were very rare occasions.
I totally agree about the parents' not answering phones, etc.
One thing has probably changed--the school's demands on teachers that they make phone calls.
I totally disagree with that demand on teachers' time. If all hs teachers followed those instuctions, five to six teachers would be calling parents off and on all the time--that's overkill.
Deans should make calls to parents about discipline, for sure. I objected to making calls about behavior because I had no authority whatsoever about meting out consequences. However, I was happy to attend conferences arranged by deans or counselors--and with the deans and/or counselors present.
As to homework, I passed out grade sheets to students once a week (that was before Skyward, etc.) and put my phone number on them. At the end of each grading period, I would offer extra credit points to students who had their parents call me. Not all teachers would want to be called at home, etc. I didn't mind; we all have difference circumstances.
My own opinion is that children should be taught at any early age to take home all communications from teachers. Then the parents should make the effort to contact the teachers when they feel the need. I don't think teachers should be interrupting the lives of parents on a regular basis anymore than the opposite should occur. I know that the three children who come to my house after school bring messages and information from teachers in their bookbags--whether or not these messages are received should be worked out between parents and children--and teachers should be available to speak to parents when parents want the contact.
Yes, Manual was the host school--I guess I thought the host school should be the one to make the sacrifice for the guests. However, MHS did sit on the side with the concession stand and PHS on the side with the port-a-potties.
Probably my greatest objection is to singling out of MHS and PHS. Will there be barricades at RHS games, East Peoria, Pekin, etc.? Why not? What was done to prevent fights in the parking lots? Also, are we assuming that MHS or PHS kids would not fight with students and alum from their own respective schools?
Also (and I don't know the answer to this question, at all), were the students told ahead of time and prepared for these arrangements? I would be curious as to how this information was presented to students and parents.
Were adults on the port-a-pottie side allowed to go to the main concession stands and/or restrooms?
I certainly don't believe that adults who want to come to games should be barricaded and inconvenienced, etc.
Both schools have PTO's who support athletic teams--were the parent organizations consulted?
Sharon, why is it your concern except to stir up trouble? Did you go to the game? Were you the one "inconvenienced"? All MHS households were notified by Sky Alert and students received many announcements as to where they would sit during the game. It was up to PHS to notify their students and parents. This should have been a mutual decision by both school officials to create a safe environment for the game and I assume it was. Last year there were several fights and even adults complained that it was unsafe and they were afraid. Find the posts to that effect from last year. All should be commended for being pro-active this year for trying to keep everyone safe. As far as inconvenience, port-a-potties and a concession stand were provided (same food on both sides). There wasn't any need to go to the other side. I'm sure that everyone has used a port-a-potty at other events so this couldn't have been an inconvenience. Many thought it was convenient to have these on the PHS side so that they didn't have to walk clear over to the other side to use the restroom or get something to eat. Your question as to it being done with other local games this is a decision to be made by both schools administrations. If they feel it is necessary it will again be done. Thanks to all who worked diligently to keeping everyone safe at the game.
Except, Anonymous, football games are to be FUN. Overreacting is the name of the game in District 150. Mingling with the other teenagers in this district is part of that fun...until overreacting takes place. You are just building a bigger bridge between students at MHS, PHS and RHS. My children always have had many friends throughout the district, and meeting them at football games is always a blast...until overreacting hits everybody.
Sharon is right, has been right all along...the administrators needed to take care of business last year, and the kids would have ALL gotten the message that you fight at games, you have consequences that are relevant and send the message that all children in District 150 will be engaged in a safe environment, even if it means a few have consequences that match the crime...especially fighting.
Too bad that message was not endorsed last year...the year of allowing students to do whatever they want to do in classrooms, playgrounds and at ball games, high school and middle school, including violence, with little or no consequences.
Responses starts at the top. Now the top is holding EVERY person guilty until proven innocent.
If you seriously think port-a-pottys are the answer, our students are in for an even rougher ride this year.
If you sit around and blame Sharon, these kids have totally pulled the wool over your eyes.
You need to match her long-term involvement in District 150, and her love of our children. Kids and teachers are being hurt at D150. Nobody wants to see that, especially D150's biggest advocate, Sharon Crews.
So did the port-a-potties have sinks and soap so that fans could wash their hands before eating the food they bought at the makeshift concession stand? Of course, that's another peeve of mine for my whole career--that even in 150 school restrooms there is usually no hot water or soap.
Also, I find it very interesting--if you review the posts from last year--that we were the ones talking about the fights. District 150 didn't admit to any of it. If memory serves me correctly (and it might not), I believe the official word was that there was one fight involving non-150 students. Now it's convenient to tell us that last year there were many fights.
Thanks, last Anonymous. I do hate it when all students are treated as troublemakers. MHS students have always been viewed so by outsiders. And I have always stated that there are more "good" kids than troublemakers at MHS. I know that the District is claiming that they are protecting students--no, they are penalizing and labeling all.
Again can you see the headlines if Pekin decided to barricade MHS or PHS on one side?
Ask Richwood how many games they went to out of town this year that did the exact same thing that was done at Friday night's game? No one griping about that! Many schools throughout the state are doing this. Did any of you that are griping about this attend Friday night's game? Was Sharon there? Did anyone ask Mr. Elliott and Dunphy from PHS whether they collaborated on the security measures?
That's interesting--I'll ask about the Richwoods games. I NEVER go next door to ask Mr. Elliott anything about District 150 business--I have no desire to put Brett on the spot or get him into trouble with District 150.
I guess it's possible that such precautions are indicative of the times and, if so, how sad! Therefore, I trust that District 150 will now take the same precautions at all games and not single out MHS and/or PHS.
My guess is we would get the answers from Mr. Elliot and Mr. Dunphy that upper administration wants us to hear. For RHS to encounter that during an out of town game is not the same as having it between two hometown teams. You are comparing apples and oranges with that. Peoria kids are Peoria kids...not just kids from different schools.
Good grief...do you not remember your high school games? I agree with Sharon...administration must be monitoring, even responding, to these blogs.
In not responding to the question that asked if you attended the game, I guess you didn't and this is all about trying to stir up trouble. There were Richwoods students attending the game Friday night and they sat on the MHS side. I don't recall there being fights between RHS and MHS students last year.
Oh..I did not go to the game. I was home doing lesson plans and getting activities ready for this week. Such is the life of a teacher.
And, I spent considerable time and money at Kinko's, making copies of the one student book that I have to make copies from until we get our books. No time for games...I was just hoping my students were at the game, co-mingling, having fun.
You see, now using too much copy paper is a big issue. Instead of listening to the grief, I go off to Kinko's so my students have the best education I can provide them...even at my expense. Allowing just 2 reams of copy paper a semester does not make-up for missing books.
I already stated that I didn't go to the game and cannot go to games (wish I could). By the way, did I post this story or just respond to it? Emerge made the decision to put it up--and I appreciate that she did. Maybe barricades, port-a-potties with no place to wash hands is OK with people. After people respond to this blog, we will know how some people feel, at least.
That's what Emerge is all about--providing transparency and giving all of us the freedom to weigh in.
Obviously, I brought up the issue because someone who went to the game did have a problem with MHS and PHS being singled out in this way. Also, I do wonder how this flies with regard to sanitary conditions. Restaurants are investigated as to sanitary conditions--why aren't port-a-potties at a game where refreshments are sold considered unsanitary. Besides port-a-potties smell--they are demeaning, especially when the other side has access to real restrooms.
I talked to parents who attended the game and who found the whole thing offensive...
first they got the robocall telling people where they must sit and then when they were at the game, kids were leaving one gate, getting in their cars and driving around to the other gate to see their friends from the other schools.
Additionally,I am told that the robocall told Manual students that if they had even one grade of "F" they could not attend any events. Do all schools in 150 have this rule - or just Manual?
Emerge, thanks for posting that--I just wasn't ready to post one more rumor, but apparently it isn't a rumor. I have heard that the one "F" rule will apply to MHS and PHS, but maybe not "surprise" RHS.
I went to the community meeting at Woodruff a couple of years ago when this idea was first floated. I chose to go to the little group where the idea was to be discussed. I think the board members present were surprised that I could be against such an "incentive" for students to get good grades. I guess they don't know me!
Frequently it is the social part of school that helps to encourage kids to do better in school. Also, who on earth is going to do all this recordkeeping and stand at gates to embarrass and send away students with one "F." Besides a student can have an "F" one week and raise the grade the next. Meanwhile he/she has missed a dance or a game. Here we have a district that can't find a way to appropriately mete out consequences for fighting, etc., but will embarrass many kids by not allowing them to attend games, etc. Stupid!!!
Also, schools have a hard enough time getting kids involved in extra-curricular activities.
Now for a listing of all the positives that the self-ordained "Watch group" has brought about to make D150 a success story. Gosh, I didn't realize how effective they've been. My bad.
Getting rid of "Wacky Wednesday" for the primary schools is just at the top of the list...smh over such statements like Anonymous just made.
Anonymous. you may not agree with how the watch group goes after the District, but you can't deny some of the issues they raise need to be scrutinized.
Maybe if you were a teacher or parent in a District 150 school where discipline issues kept teachers and students from working you would feel differently about the watch group.
The watch group did not get rid of wacky weds - they were just rolled into the 1/2 hr longer day the teachers "gave" in order to protect their pension-inflating raises prior to retirement. But given the states money woes, expect existing pensions will be on the chopping block before decades end. Watch for that.
The watch group did not get rid of wacky weds - they were just rolled into the 1/2 hr longer day the teachers "gave" in order to protect their pension-inflating raises prior to retirement. But given the states money woes, expect existing pensions will be on the chopping block before decades end. Watch for that.
It seems that all of you North Carolina people are hoping Sharon ends up a pauper. Ain't gonna happen.
And, the truth of Wacky Wednesdays is that the primary children are in school all day Wednesday now, thanks to the Watch Group.
You North Carolinans need to get caught up on D150 history...really!
Some of these posts sound more like Jim Stowell than North Carolinians--especially his dream of taking pensions away from retirees--with an obvious ulterior motive. :) I do miss you, Jim--afraid you fell off the redistricted map.
Sharon, with all due respect, as a former "janitor" with 150. You really cannot have "hot" water, someone might get burned and that is a lawsuit. And trying to keep soap is a joke. When we had bars, the students flushed them down the toilets, and threw all the paper towels in the garbage, or plugged the toilets. At some point the students who destroy the bathrooms have to be held accountable. My suggestion was to have someone in the bathroom at all times, (impossible). I had a woman complain that I was not doing my job, and I asked her if I should spend my whole budget in one month to keep replenishing the stock. I still go into 150 bathrooms and have no soap or paper towels, but I understand why. Just an FYI.
Unfortunately, I know that everything you say is completely true. Bathrooms are always attacked by student vandals and even if they are caught they do not receive consequences--which should be monetary, in this case.
By the way, the original plan of Hinton's was not for Wacky Wednesdays. The original proposal was to take 45 minutes out of every day (primary level only for starters). That was when District Watch was born. Wacky Wednesdays were our victory because instead of losing time every day, time was lost on just a few Wednesdays of the year.
Wow - 45 min each day for teacher professional development? Hinton knew teachers needed that much time EACH DAY to be taught how to teach correctly? Who has the books for that?
Sharon, you are behind. The one "F" rule has applied to all Manual students for almost three years. Administrators at the school handle it quite well. All students are well aware of what their grades must be if they plan on attending events and they know grades are determined on a weekly basis.If they have an "F" one week they can bring it up the following week; their choice.
When we moved up by Chicago we looked mostly at the towns, and public schools, in Elmhurst and Western Springs. Both school districts have late arrival days about once/month. Already we've seen first hand the coordination of the teachers, both in the primary and middle schools, towards meeting the educational needs of our sons. Elmhurst, in particular, has an enhanced commitment toward differentiated learning. The common planning time that the late arrival days provides helps make that happen.
I did know that Manual had had the one "F" rule. I didn't know if it had been in effect last year. However, I should bite my tongue, but there are those inflated grades at Manual, so few will have F's. After Lathan publicly attacked Sharon Kherat about inflated grades, I laid off Manual--but Sharon isn't there now.
That works when the district has a structured plan, and not just leave it up to each school. The time together has to be relevant and strive toward the common good. That is not how it was set up in D150.
I like the fact that each school should decide how to best utilize the time, presumably to meet the unique qualities of the student body as well as the staff itself. What works for one school may not work for another.
On a similar note, the gifted programs differ somewhat between the schools in Elmhurst. Some "classes" are pull out, some are push in. Some have 25 students in a single gifted class, some work with only 4 at a time (for a much shorter time). It depends primarily on the student body, as well as the capabilities of the staff.
Jon, I appreciate what you are saying. Peoria needs to get to the point that the burbs schools have gotten.
Tomorrow was due to be an in-service where teachers go to other locations, but all of a sudden we are staying at our schools, with no agenda.
The principals being shuffled around...how do they handle that? Were they set up for failure?
District 150 truly does not know how to get this PD stuff right.
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