Richard Wright Public Charter School and the Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center

Dr. Mike Robinson, host of Parent Talk Live highlighted two community based organizations parents and community stakeholders need to know. In part three of a three part series on Organizations you need to know.

The first guest of the evening, Dr. Marco Clark, CEO and Head of School, Richard Wright Public Charter School located in Washington, DC. Dr. Clark is a young visionary leader on the rise with an urgent message to deliver about the state of urban education/youth. Currently, he serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts in Washington, DC.

His second guest, Ms. Shalita O’Neale, Founder and CEO of Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Shalita O’Neale is a former foster youth from Baltimore, Maryland where she spent 19 years collectively in kinship and foster care. She initially entered kinship care at 2 years old and bounced back and forth between family members before officially entering foster care at the age of 13. She graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.A. in criminology in 2004 and is currently seeking her Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

Hite hires his CFO from Prince George's County

Superintendent William Hite has hired Matthew E. Stanski as chief financial officer for the School District. Stanski worked in that position in the Prince George's County school district when Hite was head of the schools there.

Stanski, 34, left Prince George's under controversial circumstances. Persons close to the situation indicated that it was the product of turmoil resulting from Hite's own hastened departure and did not reflect on Stanski's skills or fitness for the job here.

The controversy, reported in the Washington Post, focuses on Stanski's cutting of a severance check for another departing official that was not authorized by the Board of Education. 

In an interview, Hite said that Stanski has "a good bit of technical knowledge and the right disposition" for the job. Among other things, Hite said, Stanski helped Prince George's eliminate a $300 million deficit and turned in budgets that received clean audits after years of problematic ones.

Hite said that Stanski also has his trust, and that is important, given the District's history of poor communication between former Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and former CFO Michael Masch.

"Part of it was a level of comfort, and I wasn't the only one who felt like he has the type of skills that we needed," Hite said.

School Reform Commission member Feather Houstoun said that Stanski was "head and shoulders above the other candidates that we met." Chief Recovery Officer Thomas Knudsen, who has already been working with Stanski, said in a statement that Stanski "has the full confidence of Dr. Hite. I cannot emphasize how important that is."

Houstoun said she was looking for a CFO who could assemble a good team, had been part of a high-performing organization, and could "translate and bring to understandable terms the complexity of what we are dealing with." 

She said that Stanski met those criteria.

"I was aware of the controversy in Prince George's County before I met him," Houstoun said. "We talked about it ... and it did not, to me, rise to be a disabling thing. I think he will be a real asset to the District."

Prince George's school board member Donna Hathaway also spoke highly of Stanski and said his departure took place in a "politicized environment."

"In my years working with Matt, I had the utmost respect for him, his abilities, the way he presented budgets and his knowledge," Hathaway said.

According to those with knowledge of the controversy, the Prince George's general counsel told Stanski to write a lump-sum severance check to former human resources director Synthia J. Shilling instead of paying out her severance in biweekly increments -- and he did so. Shilling left the district in August when she was facing trial for leaving the scene of an accident.

Stanski and the general counsel were dismissed. Stanski appealed the dismissal and was allowed to resign, according to persons with knowledge of the situation.

Stanski is the second Prince George's official Hite has brought with him to high-level positions. The other is Karyn Lynch, who is chief of student services.

He starts Monday, according to District spokesman Fernando Gallard.

When Daddy Dances Daughters Smile

“Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my children.” Bill Cosby

The importance of fathers can never be disputed in a child’s life. There are many committees, organizations, groups, and clubs that support the growth and development of girls and young women locally and nationally. My personal association with Girls Inc. is participating in the Daddy Daughter Dance. I was fortunate to accompany two of my TEAMUP students to this great event. They had never participated in this type of dance and I was honored and humbled that their mother, a single parent raising her two girls allowed me to take them.

As you can imagine they were excited beyond words. As an educator in public education and working with TEAMUP through The Bridge at my school enables me to teach and encourage young girls and boys to be the best they can be and to teach them to always strive for the stars in academics, to guide social behaviors and motivate students to learn. It amazes me that so many people criticize teacher’s, we do our collective and individual bests to help students in and out of the classroom. As a father and educator it is important to support all children with an anointing of encouragement, wisdom to help them overcome obstacles that they may face in life and model the value of education. This is the responsibility of a father, to be supportive, encouraging, wise of the dangers of the world, use loving discipline and have high expectations to guide their daughters to success and just as importantly sons also.

I encourage fathers, even divorced fathers to be involved in their daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughters, and Goddaughters life. It does make a profound difference in how daughters develop emotionally, mentally and even spiritually. There are too many detrimental influences in society through media outlets; radio, TV, social media and other avenues that do not support positive and healthy lifestyles for girls and women. Statistics do show the positive influences of fathers that are involved, but it goes beyond statistics. It affects the very fiber of societal influences and economic directions for girls as they mature into women. Involvement by father’s means: honest and open communication, sharing of behavioral expectations, visiting schools and talking with teachers and administrators, volunteering in schools, family outings, emotional support, follow through on promises, keeping your word and owning up or “Man Up” to mistakes.

“A dad is someone who is a daughter's first love will be there for you no matter how bad of a mistake you've made will stand up for you when you need him; will give you their hugs and shoulders to cry on promises you that you will always be his little girl loves you so much and will sacrifice whatever it is to make you happy again A father is supposed to be the one man who will never give up on you ” Unknown No father is perfect, striving to be the best father/dad for your children is more important than how much money is in your pockets or trying to impress people. “A dedicated father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.” William Jackson, from personal experiences Girls Inc.’s Daddy Daughter Dance provides daddies of all ages, cultures, and races to come together in support of their children and supporting the mission and vision of Girls Inc.

As stated on their web site; Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through life-changing programs and experiences that help girls navigate gender, economic, and potential social barriers. These words have importance, when girls grow into strong, intelligent, educated and empowered women she can accomplish great things in the world and be a role model for girls and women all around her. Fathers support your daughters; encourage their talents and abilities to grow into productive and successful women. Fathering / Parenting is not easy, in the grand scheme of life girls need their fathers. You have to be involved (connected) to be a positive and beneficial influence in your girl’s life.

My Daddy Daughter Pictures http://photobucket.com/wgv William Jackson, M.Ed. My Quest To Teach http://MyQuestToTeach.WordPress.com

An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Jonathan Cohen: Cofounder and President National School Climate Center (formerly the Center for Social and Emotional Education)

 By: Staff, Living Education eMagazine

 

LEeM: What is school climate? Is it really something one can see and touch?

Dr. Cohen: The National School Climate Council suggests that school climate refers to the quality and character of school life. School climate is based on patterns of students and also parents and teacher’s experiences. It really reflects the norms, what are our goals we have when we come into school everyday. What are our values? How do we listen and treat each other? How are we as teachers and learners and all the other things that go into making us feel safe and supported and engaged and challenged or not.

LEeM: Is it really something one can see and touch?

Dr. Cohen: What is amazing about school climate today is, we can measure it. In a very simple way with a survey. We can get a read on how the kids and or how the parents, guardians, teachers, and even how the community members feel about what is working or not in our schools.  That data can be like a flash light. It can point us in a direction of where we need to go to make things even better in our schools. That is really neat.

LEeM: It has been stated there is no one size fits all method for creating a positive school climate, but in your opinion are there a few core factors when present enhances the likelihood of a positive school climate?

Dr. Cohen: I agree with the assertion of your question. There is no one way that works for all schools. Every single school has its own unique history, experiences, and unique community strengths, needs and goals. However, it is important to note, that any meaningful school reform honors that and in a basic way. Exactly as you are saying, it is really grounded in the uniqueness of each school community, but there are I think a number of organizing principal that are really helpful for every community

To Read More Click Here

Kimberly K. Parker: "MONEY MOTIVATES"

          As a mother of four with a child in college, a child in high school, a child in middle school, and a child in elementary school, my wheels are reinvented quite regularly.  With such a diverse group of children, I am consistently strategizing on how to achieve desired results, particularly with my three younger children.  Recently, I learned a very important fact: money motivates.

           My high school son just does not like rolling out the bed.  On average, he gets a solid eight hours of sleep unless he is reading leisurely before turning out the lights.  In spite of this, he still finds it a bit challenging to rise.  On an occasion or two, his delay caused me to take him to school.  I was not a happy camper.  I lectured him a bit, but began getting tired of hearing myself.  I decided I had to try a different strategy and immediately thought, “Money!”

          My son is both an entrepreneur and an employee.  He tutors young children in French and math as well as puts in few hours on the weekend at a small business in the community.  Considering his savings has grown, I decided to forego lecturing.  Instead, he is required to give me $20 every Monday morning.  If by Friday he has gotten up and out of the house on time, he will get his $20 back.  For each day he does not, I charge him $4.  Since employing this motivational tool, I’ve not had to take him to school.

           My middle school son, on the other hand, pops up bright and early regularly.  However, he has the tendency to lose items I typically have to replace.  He is super famous for misplacing his lunch bag.  Last year, after loosing two within two weeks, I resorted to sending his lunch in recycled, plastic supermarket bags. 

          When school began this year, he ascended his soapbox with his, “I’m older and more responsible” speech in hopes of dishing the plastic.  Not willing to take any chances, I charged him $10 to carry one of several real lunch bags I own.  If he is able to keep up with it the entire school year, he’ll get back his $10.  If not, the money is mine and he’ll have to pay me $10 more to rent another lunch bag.  So far, so good.

          My elementary school daughter enjoys a trip to Toy’s R Us now and again.  She, too, is a great saver.  This past month, she put aside close to $50 given her from family and friends for reasons too numerous to name.  She knows that in order to spend some of her money on an item she likes, she has to bring home a great report from school and do her chores.  Let’s just say her visits are few and far between.  She just can’t seem to get a handle on that bedroom of hers, but she is making progress.

           My quest to discontinue ranting and raving about my expectations are far from over at this time.  What would motherhood be without a sermon or two?  However, just as my daughter, I’m making progress.

 

Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). To date, she has helped over 23 children release five books in less than 13 months.  Kimberly offers online writing classes and workshops on this often dismissed subject.  Kimberly is a publisher, author, and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.

Pr. George's County Board of Education fires 2 high-level staffers

Thursday - 9/27/2012, 10:43pm ET

 

 

Recently fired Roger Thomas (in the center) and Matthew Stanski (far right)

WASHINGTON - The Prince George's County Board of Education called an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon and, hours later, two high-level staffers were gone.

Sources tell WTOP two Prince Georges' County School System staffers were fired: Matthew Stanski, the Chief Financial Officer, and Roger Thomas, Chief Legal Counsel were terminated. One source says as the Board of Education members filed in to the central offices in Upper Marlboro for their emergency meeting, Stanski, carrying boxes, was on his way out.  The same sources say the firings came after Board members learned Stanski and Thomas arranged for a six-figure check to be issued to Synthia Shilling, the school system's former Human Resources Officer.

Shilling resigned in August. At the time, she faced charges of leaving the scene of an accident.Shilling had been with the school system since 2006.

Attempts to reach both Stanski and Thomas were unsuccessful. By 3:30 pm the school email accounts for both men had been disabled.  The school board declined to offer any details on the firings, citing that it was a personnel matter.

Briant Coleman, spokesman for the Prince George's County School system, sent the following statement to WTOP:

Last week, an allegation was brought to the attention of the Board of Education and the interim Superintendent that specific Board directives issued in July and again in August regarding severance packages for members of the executive cabinet who resigned from employment were not properly followed. The Board immediately directed the interim Superintendent to investigate the allegation and take personnel action if he determined it appropriate to do so. Certain personnel actions have been taken. However, because information relating to personnel investigations and actions are confidential, no additional information will be provided at this time. This matter continues to be under review. The Board is taking this matter very seriously. Any abuse in complying with the Board's directives, policies and procedures will not be tolerated.

PGCPS District 4 Board of Education Candidate Discussion

 

PARENT TALK LIVE

 

 

Dr. Mike Robinson, host of Parent Talk Live will facilitate a discussion on September 15, 2012 from 9am-10am with District 4 candidates for the Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Board of Education: Patricia Eubanks and Micah Watson their views and visions for the county’s educational system. This is not a debate, but a discussion on the important challenges, opportunities and trends impacting education in our County and across the United States. For one hour these candidates will answer questions, outline their goals and share their will answer questions, outline their goals and share their assessment of educational strengths and weakness of Prince George’s County Schools. These discussions are designed to help the community to fully understand the platform of those seeking to guide the 2nd largest school district in Maryland and the 18th largest in the United States.

Topic: The Future of PGCPS
Guest: Patricia Eubanks and Micah Watson
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012
Time: 9am-10am
To call in dial: (914) 338-0344
Listen Online: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parenttalklive3/2012/09/15/pgcps-district-1-board-of-education-candidate-discussion
Facebook:facebook.com/DrMikeRobinson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMikeRobinson














Patricia Eubanks

 

Micah Watson

 

Kimberly K. Parker: NOTHING SHORT OF A CRISIS

It’s 7:30pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012 and you’re probably wondering, “Why is Kimberly giving us time and date information?”  You see, I usually write in the wee hours of morning.  My creative juices tend to flow much better before the cock crows.  However, the exception today is nothing short of a crisis!

I just walked in the house from attending Rev. Jay Cameron’s Debt Free College Degree: The Seminar held at The Life Center.  The goal of the event was to show how to earn a top-quality college education…DEBT FREE.  Mission accomplished.  Due to so much jaw-dropping information shared, my mouth is still out on Route 301.  On a more serious note, Rev. Cameron dispensed tough medicine on the state of student loan debt that left me floored.  It is with his expressed consent that I will share...just a little.

Let’s start with the facts.  According to Fastweb.com:

1. Student loan debt has surpassed credit card debt in America and is expected to surpass $1,000,000,000,000 (that’s one trillion dollars) in 2012. 
2. The average undergraduate degree takes 5.58 years to complete.
3. More than $150,000,000,000 (that’s one hundred fifty billion dollars) in financial aid is awarded annually.  Only 3% is in the form of scholarships.

These statistics go on and on.  See for yourself.

Rev. Cameron made it clear that, in large part, College Recruiters are professional sales people forced to make a quota.  Skeptical?  Check out the lies levied by these two for-profit universities and how one woman quit because her conscience, finally, became her guide.  Wait!  There’s more.  Rev. Cameron weaved in another video clip that really drove home his message on our crisis like this video on Looming Student Loans.  Thereto, he strongly encouraged us to watch this documentary called College Conspiracy.  Brace yourself.

Again, this is nothing short of a crisis that is impacting our country in a horrendous manner. Alas, Rev. Cameron offered much hope if we’re willing to change our lethal financial management habits, sacrifice to the bone, where necessary, and develop a plan…NOW! 

Here’s just a snippet:

1. Take a real honest look at your debt and assess your financial picture.  No more running and hiding from those five to six figures.  You can’t “just pray it away.”  There must be deliberate action.  Faith without works is oh so dead!
2. Don’t take on more debt.  Period.
3. Develop a college education plan that will not add to your existing debt.  It’s quite possible to attend college without loans.

I could have sat there all day just ingesting the priceless information shared.  Now, I’m a bit more equipped to map out my children’s college education.  I merely scratched the surface of the seminar in this blog.  Please plan to attend and yourself as well as his stage play College Fever: The Stage Play.  Trust me: your life will forever be changed.

Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). On September 8, 2012, the 2012 Write On! Writing Program participants will release their book entitled Young Voices.  Wise Words: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories at the Spaulding Library.  For more information visit Book Release Celebration.  Kimberly is a publisher, author, and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.

National Men Make A Difference Day For Academic Success

 

10.8.12

National Men Make A Difference Day For Academic Success



Research has shown that a father’s involvement in the academic lives of their children will last beyond their childhood; in fact their influence will expand well into the child’s early adult lives (Rosenberg & Bradford, 2006).  The benefits of an involved father or significant male role model are not limited to the homes of children’s where the fathers live. Studies have indicated children with fathers living outside the home but who remain involved benefit from having an engaged father. According to Fogarty and Evans (n.d.) children in homes with absent as defined in their study as nonresidential fathers, but who nevertheless engaged fathers benefit in a variety of ways: (1) stronger relationship with their dads as they enter adulthood; (2) better social skills in many cases than children whose nonresidential father is not engaged; (3) less behavioral problems; and (4) better grades. These are just a few of the benefits to having an engaged father who may not live in the home with the child.

Prince George's County Board of Education Names Interim Superintendent

UPPER MARLBORO, MD—The Prince George’s County Board of Education has selected Dr.Alvin Crawley, a senior-level administrator in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), to serve as Interim Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) for the 2012-13 school year. A 32-year education veteran, Dr. Crawley currently serves as deputy chief of programming in the DCPS Office of Special Education and has held top roles inthe Arlington, Chicago and Boston public school systems. He will start Tuesday,Sept. 4. “Dr.Crawley will help to provide stability for our staff, students and families aswe search for our next Superintendent of Schools,” said Verjeana M. Jacobs, Board Chair. “We are confident that his leadership, experience with business operations and policy development, and commitment to narrowing the achievement gap will serve the Prince George’s County Public Schools community exceptionally well." “I am excitedto lead Prince George’s County Public Schools at this critical time,” said Dr.Crawley. “The school system has made significant academic strides in recent years and I look forward to helping students and teachers continue on that path. I will work with the Board of Education over the next few weeks to address immediate challenges and enhance successful programs and services.” Dr.Crawley is a co-author of Gaining on the Gap: Changing Hearts Minds andPractice, which details efforts by parents and staff in Arlington PublicSchools to eliminate the achievement gap between low-income students, students of color and their peers. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication disorders/education from Hampton University, master’s degree in speech and language pathology from Northeastern University, and doctorate in education with a focus on instructional leadership and administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr.Crawley will assist the Board of Education in assessing the school system’s five priority areas: high student achievement, highly-effective teaching, safe and supportive schools, strong community partnerships and effective and efficient operations. Dr. Crawley will work closely with Superintendent William R. Hite in the weeks before he leaves to take the helm of the School District of Philadelphia. Dr.Duane Arbogast will work alongside the Interim Superintendent as Acting Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Arbogast was tapped to serve as Acting Deputy Superintendent of Academics earlier this summer after spending three years asthe county schools’ Chief Academics Officer. He has been an educator for more than three decades with experience as an elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal. “Iam very pleased that the Board has selected me to serve the school system inthis wonderful new capacity,” said Dr. Arbogast. “I will use my strengths in academics affairs to keep our schools on the path of high achievement.” The Board of Education also named Monica Goldson as Acting Chief Operating Officer. Goldson previously served as the school system’s Assistant Superintendent of the High School Consortium, where she supervised 22 high schools and more than 140 administrators. The Board of Education is holding county wide forums about the Superintendent SearchProcess. The “Moving Forward Forums” will be held on the following dates: · Aug. 21 – Bowie High School, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie · Aug. 30 – Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Road,Hyattsville Both forums will start at 6:30 p.m. The first forum was held Thursday at Central High School. “Now that we have completed the first steps of this search process, my colleagues on the Board and I look forward to discussing the next steps with the community,”said Jacobs. More information about the Superintendent Search Process can be found on line at www1.pgcps.org/superintendentsearch. -- Briant K. Coleman, M.A. Communications Officer Office of Communications Prince George's County Public Schools 14201 School Lane Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.pgcps.org briant.coleman@pgcps.org ▪ (301) 952-6375