A group of educators and parents are hosting a Zoom discussion this Thursday Feb 4 at 7 PM moderated by Matthew Miller from the School Committee.
Say the organizers ….
“The theme of this forum is “Reflecting Back, Looking Forward”. We hope to give parents, students and educators across grade levels and learning models an opportunity to reflect on what is going well this year, and what is challenging. We also hope to offer an opportunity to share hopes and concerns for the fall of 2021.”
Here’s the link for the Zoom forum – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82297607381
You’re invited to submit questions ahead of time via this Google Form
Before submitting questions, please understand the group norms for this community discussion:
– There are many viewpoints and opinions regarding the current school model conversation – we agree to respect different viewpoints, and acknowledge that a variety of valid experiences are informing every family and educator opinion.
– We will stay open-minded in our conversations.
– Individual educators have volunteered to speak in order to open lines of communications; they don’t represent all educators.
– The panelists and moderator do not officially represent the Newton Teachers Association, Newton Public Schools, or the Newton School Committee. Their views are their own.
Great Job Matthew , Keep up the good work
Here are the confirmed panelists so far:
Dr. Kristin Ardlie – Scientist, parent of student at NNHS
Dr. Phoebe Olhava, Safer Teachers, Safer Students Members
Georg Gerber – Assoc. Prof. of Pathology. Harvard MS
Haruka Nabeshima – School Committee Student Rep, NNHS
Jane Shen – School Committee Student Rep, NSHS
Stacey Kazakoff-Eigen – ELL teacher, Lincoln Elliot
Andrew Swan – History Teacher, Bigelow Middle
Elvin Cordona – METCO Counselor, NNHS
Very nice of Matthew to organize this event and for the panelists to donate their time and expertise.
Everyone panelists they had so far support no school
They all support no school? Is that for real? If so, it sounds rigged.
Ok hold on a second.
How does anyone possibly know that all these educators, medical folks and students “support no school?”
For that matter I’m not sure I know anyone who’s view I would summarize as “supports no school.”
Good point, Jerry. Kristin, Phoebe, and Georg need no defense, as they are all accomplished and recognized people in their fields. It would be presumptuous of anyone to prejudge their professional judgments. I for one would never question their motivation beyond wanting to be as helpful as possible to their community. Let’s hear what they have to say. Afterwards, if we disagree, let’s do so on the basis of science and reason.
Matt: Just how “far forward” will the forum focus?
If limited to 6 to 12 months, that seems certain to be an all Covid-all-the-time rehash while Newton waits for someone somewhere else to give enough legal and political cover to do what professionals already know needs to be done (and how). If not including 3 to 5 years, that seems to forgo most opportunities to target the need for, no less discuss, substantive systemic change.
So is there, please, an intentional purpose, beyond better understanding our differences?
So, what’s the deal with Matthew Miller these days, anyway? In the summer when they decided on the hybrid model (which he was opposed to) he made a grand announcement that he was leaving Newton because of this. This was on his public FB page. Is he leaving Newton? It’s been a long time since he posted this and the post reeked of sour grapes, yet I haven’t heard about a special election. I haven’t heard much from him period since school began.
I just heard about a group of parents in Cambridge that have banded together to do joint ordering of high quality masks for free distribution to students and staff throughout their schools. Have others heard anything about that and how well it’s working?
I recommend watching the CDC Director’s discussion on Maddow last night to understand just how wrong the no-school teacher and their union is. So much for dedication to our kids.
@Paul Levy– Since you’re a candidate for School Committee, I’m wondering what letter grade you would give the current membership for their overall performance during the pandemic?
@Mary, can you please point to the post you reference? I am head-over-heals in love with Newton and plan on staying here till the day I die. I just went through my posts and couldn’t find anything. Imposter?
@Adam, your comment points to the type of thinking which has led to the breakdown between the NTA, NPS, and Community. It’s black and white thinking. It’s mind-reading. It’s catastrophizing. And it’s not true.
@Mary, no you haven’t heard a lot from me on social media. I have been going through a lot of personal crap and have been in survival mode. Instead I have been focusing my energies on areas where I feel I can make the most difference.
Mea culpa, Matthew. I found the post and I think you had copied and pasted something from someone else but without context I thought you were saying you were moving because of NPS.
Either way, I’m a supporter of yours and miss your voice which is why I’ve noticed how quiet you’ve been. Hope the personal stuff resolves.