Does the Special Commissioner of Investigation's office really put the children first, or is it really just a protective service of Tweed and the teachers?

When David Ciorciari of SCI was asked if it is against the law, or unethical if a 2nd grade CTT class in my school that has been out of compliance all year that the principal should not be held responsible he replied:

"Hey, if we investigate and see it is out of compliance we tell the principal to put it in compliance."

Really Dave? Tweed has known since NOVEMBER that this class has been out of compliance! Up until February 13th, the class had 13 special ed. students and 9 general ed. students. Since February 23rd, the class has 14 general ed. students, and 13 special ed. students. And, now get this, is two over the limit for 2nd grade. But you ask, what about a class size grievance? Can't be done because the five students that were added have not been put on the official class roster.

Now if this is fixed it won't be until May at the earliest. School ends in June. Again, is this an example of Joel Klein's vision of Children First? Have these students been given a proper education this year? Have their needs come before the needs of the administration?

Thanks Dave.

This past Monday, February 23, the students of mine and yours favorite second grade CTT (Collaborative Team Teaching) class lost their teacher. Their teacher, their surrogate mother, was transferred to a fifth grade 12:1 class. And this is nothing against the teacher who remains. The teacher who remained is an excellent teacher, a teacher that cares. And so is the teacher that was removed. But what is troubling is why this teacher was removed.

The teacher was removed because the students in the 12:1 were roaming the halls every single day, just about all day long. Instead of disciplining the students like a competent administrator, Dear Principal John Deacon is dealing with a problem the best way it could by closing its eyes and wishing really, super duper hard the problem will go away. But it gets even better.

As I mentioned in the past this class had been out of compliance. This class had 22 students. Thirteen general ed. students, and nine special ed. students. Remember, the ratio is supposed to be 60/40 general ed. But another second grade class was collapsed, and this CTT class received six students from this class. Now there are twenty-eight students all together in this class. So the ratio is a tad off kilter still. Now nineteen general ed. students, and nine special ed. I am not a mathematician, but this not not seem to make that magic 60/40 split. However, I can be wrong. But wait!!

The class limit for 2nd grade is twenty-five. But, you ask, a class size grievance can be filed. Oh no, not just yet. That is because these six new students have not been officially added to the class roster. Funny stuff is being done with ATS. Tsk tsk. But, Dear Principal John Deacon's main sycophant, the person with the most access to ATS, has yet to make the change. Is this person just following orders as the Nazis claimed at Nuremberg? Could be. But I am sure this sycophant is getting something in return; such as a close family member being taken care of in a certain way. **Cough** indirect pay-off **Cough** (I will have more on this tomorrow!)

Here is a question I am throwing out to the reading public. District superintendent and BFF Yolanda Torres is very much aware of what is going on in this school. I wonder how Ms Torres feels what is transpiring with this second grade class is an example of Children First. I think it is time that BFF has an intervention with her BFF and tell her the jig is up.

If a student is capable of hitting a teacher on the head with a lunch box, this being a second incident of striking a teacher, is he not capable of being violent with other students? Should this child be around other students, especially when he gets suspended?

On Monday, January 8, a student was sent from another school ostensibly to serve his second superintendents suspension in our phantom SAVE room. This has been the second time this student has had a superintendent's suspension and reported to our school's phantom SAVE room. But fortunately complications did incur this time.

Numb Nuts acted as his guide bring him first to a 12:1:1 class of 3rd graders. In fact a testing grade in which the students are prepping for the ELA exam next week. The teacher refused to accept him into the class so Numb Nuts sought another class.

Numb Nuts then brought him to my favorite class, The 2nd grade CTT class. He told the teachers of that class that the principal, John Deacon, gave orders that this young man be put in the class. When reminded by one of the teachers that this is against the law Numb Nuts blabbered, "That students who are suspended from school can be placed in classes in a different school." I give credit to Numb Nuts on one thing. He follows orders and parrots the party line very well. But more on that in a bit.

After about ten minutes the teacher was able to get hold of John Deacon in its office. John Deacon peed, and had the boy removed. But not to another class, but to spend the day with The Body. Yesterday too. Also some time with Mrs Met. So this young man will probably recieve zero instruction this week, and if he is at the school next week, zero again.

Now back to Numb Nuts. I was thinking today that he really does follow directions, orders, whatever to the letter. Same with the party line. He is loyal, he kisses ass like no one I have ever seen in my life. His posture is perfect. He is thin. He's neat. Oh and he is incompetent. It got me to thinking long and hard.

The South Bronx School Blog has decided to sponsor a contest. A scenario will be given and the person who answers the question the best according to the crack team will win an all expenses weekend trip to Utica, NY! You will be whisked to Utica directly from the Port Authority Bus Terminal directly (changing buses in Oneonta, Binghamton, and Delhi). Once in Utica you and your guest will be feted with a gift basket for your stay at Red Roof Inn overlooking the Erie Canal. You then can do whatever it is Uticans do. Like watch the snow.

OK, here are the rules to the contest. It must be in essay form, and a minimum of 250 words. Remember, this really happened this week.

Please, in your best writing describe how the following pertains to the "Children First" philosophy of the NYCDOE:

Yesterday, a boy in the second grade was moved from his class to the second grade CTT class that has previously been mentioned in this blog as being out of compliance. For those who forget, this CTT class must have a 60/40 ratio of general ed to special ed. The class as of this past Monday was still 15 special ed. and 6 general ed. Numb Nuts sent a letter to this boy's mother stating, rather than asking, that this boy will be moved on January 7. The reason Numb Nuts gave was he thought the boy would do better in a CTT class. Doesn't matter that he has one of the best g** damned teachers in the school. Doesn't matter that all he might need is SETTS. He is at a G reading level, he should be at a J. Easily overcome. Oh I forgot. Another kid was moved from a different class to the CTT class. The former teacher was just asked, "which kid would you like to be rid of?" So back to this young man. He spent all day yesterday and today crying for his teacher. Through his sobs he was saying, "I miss my teacher, I love my teacher." Seven years old and this is what they do? Might as well snatched him from his mother! The reasoning is if they keep the fifteen special ed. kids in the CTT class all they have to do is fill it up with general ed. kids until they are in compliance. Makes sense, right?

This is so wrong! So anyway, get busy. Only one reply per household. You can post your response publicly or email it to me. I know many are salivating at prospect of spending a weekend in Utica. So get busy!

Hey. Guess what? Another law is being broken. Or at least it is being seriously bent. Remember that 2nd grade CTT (collaborative team teaching) class I have mentioned in the past. The one that has 15 special ed. students as opposed to 6 general ed. students. Yeah, you know the one. Do your math. DOes that come out to the 60/40 split of general ed. to special ed.? No, and I am not a mathematician and I was able to figure that out. So you ask what is going on with this?

Gladys the IEP bag lady is on the case! But it seems are method is somewhat unorthodox, if not somewhat treyf. Gladys, and I am sure this is coming from above, wants to decertify enough special ed. students so that the ratio would be the lawful 60/40 split. Hey this is great. But the problem is that these students are not able or ready to be decertified and and not only does Gladys no it, but the assistant principal for that grade knows it as well. And can you guess whom the AP is? Yes! It is Numb Nuts.

They are pressuring the teacher to decertify these students. They are doing an end run around the PPT team, and education law so they can cover their asses. I guess they are infected with the children first doctrine so bad they really feel the need to show it. Oh, for those who don't get it, I am being sarcastic.

So there you have it. Another shining example of the students being thought of first and what is best for them. Oy vey!