| Welcome to Livonianeighbors.com. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. To ensure your privacy, never use personal information in your screen name or email address ("janedoe@hotmail.com" or "Billysmom" for example). Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Livonia Observer; Sunday, October 14, 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 14 2007, 11:11 AM (1,935 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Oct 14 2007, 11:11 AM Post #1 |
|
Deleted User
|
New MEAP writing test ordered By Rebecca Jones STAFF WRITER Fearing that the integrity of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program was compromised when a Jackson newspaper article revealed this year's essay topics, the state is making fifth- and sixth-graders take that part of the test over. This "may cause a burden and unwanted stress on students, teachers, and administrators for elementary and middle schools across Michigan," said Martin Ackley, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Education. That includes all Livonia Public Schools upper elementary students, who took the writing test early this week before the information was leaked. The three-week MEAP testing window started Oct. 8. Livonia Public Schools director of academic services Sheila Alles said it's very frustrating. "We put it at the beginning of the testing window when students are at their freshest," she said. "To expect students after three weeks of testing to retake a portion of the test that they already took and tried their best, to me is incorrigible." Local districts will find out this week when the new writing test will be ready, when it will be taken and how long MEAP results will be delayed. "We must maintain the integrity of the test to assure it is administered as approved by the U.S. Department of Education in compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act," Martin said. "We wanted to ensure that students in some schools did not have an unfair advantage over students in other schools by knowing what the writing prompt was, and being able to prepare for it." Alles said the Jackson school district and newspaper reporter share blame. The testing protocol that test administrators sign "clearly states that you cannot share any of the items in these test," Alles said, adding that the reporter who used that information in his article should have known better. She adds that another section of the MEAP, given to third- through eighth-graders, contains errors in the directions, "which can be confusing for students and staff." "When you have such a high-stakes test," Alles said, "these types of errors should not occur." |
|
|
| Deleted User | Oct 14 2007, 11:12 AM Post #2 |
|
Deleted User
|
Schools accept cell phones, not distractions "Mom, I'm OK." Three words, in a time of crisis, can do wonders. ADVERTISEMENT When a student opened fire on classmates and teachers in Ohio last week, news reports say students took cover, then reached for their cell phones, most to tell their parents they were all right. As they became more commonplace, Livonia Public Schools relaxed its policy on cell phones in middle and high schools. But security concerns were not the reason behind it, said Rod Hosman, director of administrative services. "People just seem to have them," Hosman said. "We're not going to be looking for cell phones," Hosman said. "If they're not turned on and don't ring during the school day, then (they are) fine." One that rings or otherwise disrupts school will be taken away for the rest of the day, and subsequent offenses could bring punishment including suspension. That students can use cell phones to call parents or 9-1-1 in case of an emergency is an added bonus, Hosman said. National School Safety and Security Services, a school safety consulting corporation, has opposed policies allowing students to have cell phones because of disruptions, adding that cell phones being allowed as a crisis tool is "a knee-jerk reaction" and is not the answer. Camera phones can be used to take pictures of exams or in locker rooms; text messages can be used as a tool to cheat, but Hosman said if students follow the rules, keeping phones out of sight, those concerns aren't a problem. Clarenceville Schools has a similar policy. "The use of those devices is restricted to before the first class of the day and after the last class in the afternoon," Supt. Pamela Swert said. "They may be used at lunch but they cannot use them during passing time between classes." Because of disruptions, Redford Union school district passed a policy this summer that banishes cell phones to students' hall lockers during school hours. The phones must also be turned off. Phones there can be confiscated for the rest of the semester if a violator is caught. http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../710140545/1027 |
|
|
| Deleted User | Oct 14 2007, 11:15 AM Post #3 |
|
Deleted User
|
Letters LPS should fix playground Our LPS administration prior to the Legacy Initiative promised that they would provide playground equipment for our children at the 5/6 schools. Our children at Riley Upper Elementary School were somehow short-changed in the process. Someone in Central Office in error, ordered playground equipment designed for much younger students, not 9- to 12-year-old children. I was told by Dr. Liepa that the district was not going to replace this play equipment. He stated that the PTA was going to try to fund-raise for a new playscape. Our district has an annual budget of $5 million for our sinking fund. This money can be used to replace old or obsolete playground equipment, per the state of Michigan's Sinking Fund Laws. If our district can spend $334,000 on renovating tracks at our high schools that they just renovated four years ago for $104,000, then why can't they purchase playground equipment and landscaping for our elementary schools? Why should this task be put parents shoulders when we as citizens already pay for this fund through our local taxes? Please refer to the following MSBO Web site for further information: www.msbo.org, then refer to finance, then the sinking fund and then go to P for playground. Eileen McDonnell Livonia Kirksey stays strong When? When will the hate mail come out this time? Will it be two weeks or two days before the election. Will it be a Mr., Ms., or Mrs. delivering the message? To be so negative, one must be frightened, threatened or be in pain. One must be harboring anger from the past. Yet, Mayor Jack Kirksey is standing tall. The messages of this negative mail was somewhat painful to Mayor Kirksey, family and those who love and support him. In spite of the authored negative, untrue statements, Mr. Kirksey has continued to promote himself as the best viable candidate. Supposedly, some voters in the primary, changed their decisions and course of action, as a result of the negative statements. These types of tactics must be stopped. Mayor Kirksey was not weakened by the negative ads, but was strengthened by them. He is unyielding and strong. In spite of the detractors, they have not dampened his spirit. Mr. Kirksey continues to get the word out that he is the best candidate for the job of mayor. He has his own message to deliver, and that is to continue to make Livonia one of the best cities in the world. He has a vision. Catherine Starks Livonia McCotter wrong on SCHIP As a current medical student, and president of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter at Wayne State University School of Medicine, I am disappointed by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's opposition to the SCHIP reauthorization act. I do not understand the reasoning of those who voted against the bill. This program has shown itself to be efficient and well-run over its 10-year history. Currently, 6.6 million children are insured by SCHIP and experts estimate another 4 million would be covered by 2012 at the proposed funding of $60 billion over five years. These are children who cannot get health insurance any other way. Medicaid does not cover them because their families make too much, while at the same time, private health insurance premiums have skyrocketed over the past 10 years making a private plan unaffordable. They are falling through the cracks everyday. During my medical training, I have worked with underserved communities and understand how hard it is for these families to find insurance for their children. As a future physician, I also understand how fundamental it is for these children to have adequate health care, for the health of our community now and in the future. One of the most frustrating challenges as a future doctor in America is the inability to provide optimal health care to all our patients, particularly children. These kids cannot be blamed for their economic circumstance and they should not be punished because of it. I hope that Rep. McCotter will come through and reconsider his position during next week's vote. Iuliana Dit MD student, Class of 2010 Wayne State University School of Medicine Livonia Robinson has common sense I have never written a 'Letter to the Editor" before now, but I feel compelled to do so to encourage everyone in our great city to vote for Tom Robinson who is running for re-election to City Council. Coming up on Nov. 6 we have the opportunity to re-elect a person who is not afraid to stand up for what is right; a person who uses good old fashioned common sense; a person who will never be a 'yes' man; a person who is an advocate for every citizen from our kids to our seniors; a man who is able to think outside the box to provide new and innovative ideas to make our City better than ever. I thank Tom Robinson for helping our neighborhoods not only to keep our outdoor pools open, but to make improvements to the way the pools are operated. Take it from me, there is no better person to have on our City Council than Tom Robinson. Laurie Holmes Livonia Gottfroid-Marecki stands by people Terry Godfroid-Marecki is a near lifelong resident, mother of four, and new grandmother. She is a good friend who stands by people and causes she believes in. I'm personally grateful for the encouragement Terry has given me. In every role she's served in her team work approach, professionalism, and commitment to families and children speaks for itself. Terry was co-chair of the committee that made the Recreation Center a reality. She won election to the Board Of Education in 2001. She communicated issues, did her homework, and quickly earned the respect of her colleges that did not necessarily support her. Her colleges elected her Secretary and Vice President of the board. Joining City Council in 2004Terry realizes the need for consensus building in order to get something done. She understands that our children deserve a safe city where they can learn, receive recreation, and grow. She also understands that at every stage of life residents should be provided the services they expect while keeping taxes low. For these reasons and more Terry is supported by leaders and citizens of different political affiliations and Mayoral candidate preferences. Please join me in supporting Terry Godfroid-Marecki on November 6th. John Grzebik Livonia Michigan Humane Society could do more to help The Michigan Humane Society has done little to truly stem the tide of unwanted animals by expanding their cat "give away" program to include low-cost kitten adoptions (Observer 9/23). The MHS is using the hundreds of thousands of donation dollars it receives to subsidize its adoption program, causing potential adopters to turn away from the dozens of small metro area pet adoption groups who cannot afford to offer fully vetted kittens for $30. These small groups, who do not have the financial resources of the MHS, must rely on their adoption fees to recoup veterinary costs. Evidently the premier animal welfare agency in Michigan is concerned only with its own adoption statistics rather than the well-being of animals. The MHS continues its policy of allowing outstate groups to bring unsterilized animals to its mega-adoption events (Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo, Animal Care Fair) to be adopted out with minimum screening protocol and spay/neuter deposits as little as $25. The American Humane Society's (no relationship to MHS) research as indicated that less than 50 percent of animals adopted out on spay/neuter contracts will actually be sterilized. The unwanted offspring of these pets do not become the problem of Roscommon or Battle Creek or the other groups the MHS allows to adopt out unsterilized animals. They become the problem of the numerous small rescues in the Detroit area, who along with the MHS are struggling to stop the needless deaths of thousands of unwanted pets. If the MHS had the best interests of animals at heard they would use their donation dollars to vigorously support free/low-cost spay/neuter services. By removing the barriers of lack of access and education that prevents many people from sterilizing their pets they would be doing the community a far greater service than behaving like the Wal-Mart of the pet adoption movement Nancy Guregian Livonia http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...542/1199/NEWS10 |
|
|
| Deleted User | Oct 14 2007, 11:27 AM Post #4 |
|
Deleted User
|
That mailer gets more mileage than Apollo 13. |
|
|
| Nikki | Oct 14 2007, 11:29 AM Post #5 |
|
Veteran
|
Letters LPS should fix playground Our LPS administration prior to the Legacy Initiative promised that they would provide playground equipment for our children at the 5/6 schools. Our children at Riley Upper Elementary School were somehow short-changed in the process. Someone in Central Office in error, ordered playground equipment designed for much younger students, not 9- to 12-year-old children. I was told by Dr. Liepa that the district was not going to replace this play equipment. He stated that the PTA was going to try to fund-raise for a new playscape. Our district has an annual budget of $5 million for our sinking fund. This money can be used to replace old or obsolete playground equipment, per the state of Michigan's Sinking Fund Laws. If our district can spend $334,000 on renovating tracks at our high schools that they just renovated four years ago for $104,000, then why can't they purchase playground equipment and landscaping for our elementary schools? Why should this task be put parents shoulders when we as citizens already pay for this fund through our local taxes? Please refer to the following MSBO Web site for further information: www.msbo.org, then refer to finance, then the sinking fund and then go to P for playground. Eileen McDonnell Thanks for being a voice for the children, Eileen. It's too bad she didn't win a seat on the board. I agree with her. The school should pay for playground equipment not the PTA. Instead they use sinking funds to build expensive storage buildings for lawnmowers. |
![]() |
|
| Spanky | Oct 14 2007, 12:07 PM Post #6 |
|
Veteran
|
I agree with her. The school should pay for playground equipment not the PTA. Instead they use sinking funds to build expensive storage buildings for lawnmowers. I agree, too. It is not the parents or PTA that made the mistake. Could it be that now that the BOE has gotten their way (with the LI and 5/6 schools), they no longer care about the children they claimed to care so much about before the LI? The LI was, after all, for the children, wasn't it? |
![]() |
|
| LPS Reformer | Oct 14 2007, 12:24 PM Post #7 |
|
The schools exist to educate, not employ.
|
Unless, Randy's LI was about keeping people employed, and no about the kids at all.
|
|
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
![]() |
|
| jolly rancher | Oct 14 2007, 01:48 PM Post #8 |
![]()
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Last year when there was the assault at Franklin, the principal told the kids to use their cell phones to let parents know that they were OK. Others who did not have cell phones were told they could use the phones in the classrooms and I am told that friends and classmates shared cell phones so that most every kid called to let a parent know they were fine. But they don't need to be seen or heard at other times, they are a distraction. |
![]() |
|
| Xena | Oct 14 2007, 03:24 PM Post #9 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
This has been an issue at Riley since the beginning of LAST YEAR! We were told numerous times by the principles that a new, correct sized playscape would be put up "soon", all year long. I guess they think if they put it off long enough parents will forget. Except that the kids keep reminding their parents. The playscape is to SMALL. We visited our old, closed school over the summer and I kept hearing from my child and her friends how much nicer it was than the one at Riley. Now they expect the parents to pony up the money for their mistake? I don't think so. Thank you Eileen for your letter. Maybe now the kids will get the proper sized play equipment. |
![]() |
|
| bjorenson | Oct 14 2007, 05:44 PM Post #10 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I have been at Riley during lunch and at the end of the day - that play structure does have many children playing on it. I am sure those that say it is the wrong size have looked at it closer than I have - but it is getting used quite a bit. |
![]() |
|
| bailey | Oct 14 2007, 05:51 PM Post #11 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks for the letter!!! You would think this would have been taken care of...they play on it of course due to what choice? |
| mouse | |
![]() |
|
| bjorenson | Oct 14 2007, 06:10 PM Post #12 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
As opposed to not playing on it. My only point is that many kids play on it. |
![]() |
|
| Xena | Oct 14 2007, 06:54 PM Post #13 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well walk up to it, and you will see it is very short, to short for the average 5th and 6th grader. Though it would work well in the lower el schools. Some kids walk on their knees holding on to the bars, it is funny to watch them, not funny if they expect parents to pay for LPS's mistake. |
![]() |
|
| LPS Reformer | Oct 14 2007, 07:00 PM Post #14 |
|
The schools exist to educate, not employ.
|
Maybe the kids can play in that bomb shelter they built for the lawnmowers.
|
|
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
![]() |
|
| Administrator | Oct 14 2007, 09:45 PM Post #15 |
|
Administrator
|
Program brings homeschoolers together for variety of classes By Rebecca Jones STAFF WRITER Because parents don't know everything. Because it's hard to hone acting skills without a co-star or an audience. Because dissecting frogs on the kitchen table could get in the way of the tuna casserole. Those are three reasons why homeschoolers from Howell to Trenton meet weekly for classes in Livonia. Palaestra, a non-profit organization, provides a variety of supplemental classes - like Spanish, sculpture and literature - for homeschoolers, who are taught the core academic subjects by their parents. "People should know they don't have to home school alone," said Mary Ellen Walterich, one of four co-directors of the program, which has been in existence since 1990, but has been meeting formally since 1994. The program serves about 130 families, up from 80 to 90 last year, said Walterich, who teaches Latin and literature. Many choose to homeschool for religious reasons. They meet at Trinity Church on Six Mile, next door to Stevenson High School. The learning center looks very much like a traditional all-ages school. During a break, high schoolers sat in a circle in the hallway. One teenager held a guitar. Another was barefoot. They talked about whether their class-based investing groups should choose Caribou or Starbucks stocks. Upstairs, 13-year-old Grace Lisius painted a leaf-shaped dish she formed from clay. "Sometimes it's better to learn in a group," said Lisius, of Redford. "(Palaestra) gives me experience with other students because it's just me and my brother at home, and we don't necessarily have access to a kiln." Group studies are necessary sometimes, said 16-year-old Josh Eby of Farmington Hills. "You can bounce ideas off each other," he said. With some specialized subjects, "your parents couldn't teach it to you," said Sean McDade, 16, of Howell. It's also a good experience for homeschoolers getting ready to head off to college, said Steven Dwyer, 17, of Dearborn Heights. "(To have) your first experience in a classroom (in college) would be terrifying, I think," Dwyer said. A myth about homeschoolers is that they have no social life. That's untrue, said Katie Hendrickson of Commerce Township. She said Palaestra doesn't have the drama or cliques that traditional high schools do. Students have formal dances, school photos and a yearbook. The choir group Palaestra Voices performs concerts. Theater students will put on a play in January. Parent Kay Thomas, a 1971 graduate of Stevenson High School, said her son Josiah, 16, isn't missing anything by being a homeschooler, except for peer pressure. He has dissected animals from an earthworm to a frog, sings in the choir and learned wood carving. "They have a real eclectic mix of classes." The teachers are all highly skilled or working professionals in the subject matter, Walterich said, but many are not certified. Linda Sparkman of Garden City teaches one-on-one piano lessons. She has taught for 10 years at Palaestra and 20 years privately. Four of her six children were home schooled and attended Palaestra. "It was the highlight of our week," Sparkman said. "The biggest thing I see (here) is there is a little more freedom for children to excel in their bent." http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../710140539/1027 |
![]() |
|
| 134K | Oct 15 2007, 09:11 AM Post #16 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I don't understand why the state is forcing those who took it before it was leaked to re-test. I can understand those who took it after the publication of the article, but, Before? Bureaucracy at it's best. Btw has anyone seen the Jackson Citizen Patriot? It makes the OE look like the NY Times. |
![]() |
|
| BoaterDan | Oct 15 2007, 09:38 AM Post #17 |
|
Veteran
|
For a standardized test to work, everyone has to get the same questions. I agree with others that the real question that should have been investigated is whether it really mattered. As some have noted here, nothing precludes the same thing from happening via numerous other mechanisms. I can't imagine more than a handful of people read that article and thought about how they could use it to cheat for their kid's school. |
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Oct 15 2007, 10:44 AM Post #18 |
|
Deleted User
|
True, it probably didn't affect all that many people. Alles' comments are laughable though. If you really believe the MEAP is an accurate measure, then you would't be afraid of the possible results the 'second time around'. When the kids take(or retake) the test shouldn't matter--the focus should be on whether they have a good grasp of the material or not. Particularly so if all MI kids are retaking that portion. |
|
|
| BoaterDan | Oct 15 2007, 11:21 AM Post #19 |
|
Veteran
|
Yeah, at the very least it sure sounds like she said we manipulate the scores somewhat by the order the sections are given. I feel I must say for the record every once in a while that I really don't fault any district for doing what they feel they need to. IMO these kinds of comments don't really indict the district or Alles, but the whole premise of NCLB via the MEAP. |
![]() |
|
| 134K | Oct 15 2007, 01:36 PM Post #20 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I don't think it's fair to insinuate that giving the essay portion first is manipulating scores. I do think we should be concerned about the scores the second time around. If I've already taken it and was told I need to re-take it through no fault of my own, I'll be taking the test with a bit of chip on my shoulder. It's also just more pressure to put on these children. |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Livonia Neighbors Forum · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2









![]](http://z6.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)