I'm back!

Yes, it has been a while, but this Tuesday, September 29, 6:30 AM I am back on the Bob Marrone Morning Show in 1230 WFAS-AM.

The signal reaches into Rockland County, up to Mt Kisco, through the Bronx, and the northern shore of Nassau County. 

If you are unable to listen over the air there are options. 

You can listen online, simply going to WFASam.com or on your device through the app for either iPhone or Android, or online or through the app from iHeart radio.

We'll catch up on the latest with me as well as touch on the upcoming union elections too, as well as other hot button education matters, like opting out, the power grab of education in Albany, etc....

Don't forget to listen in and call in as well at phone# 914-693-5700 at 6:30 AM

Yesterday afternoon I received a robocall from Superintendent Dr Louis Wool of  the Harrison
Central School District instructing myself and of course others to go to the HCSD website to find out information about the effects of opting out. Nowhere in the message did Dr Wool say anything about whether one should or the consequences of opting out. His robocall was quite ambiguous. It only asked the listener to go to this page on the HCSD website (Strange now how The Crack Team has noticed there is no link on the front page of the website to the Testing FAQ as there was yesterday).

One would notice whilst perusing that page this;

 School district officials are bound by an oath of office to comply with all NYS regulations, including testing requirements. Neither the law nor the State commissioner's regulations provide any legal right or method for students to “opt-out “of the mandated assessments. New York State does not have a statutory opt-out provision and the State commissioner's regulations do not permit opting out except under specific exceptions, such as those involving students with disabilities.

Lots of scary words.  Yes, we understand that district officials are bound by oath (Is there really an oath?), but are parents.

So we got in touch with Lisa Rudley from NYSAPE.org (New York State Allies for Public Education) We asked her about these so called scare tactics and among the items she emailed The Crack Team is the  School Administrator's Guide Manual for the exams it says;

Except as noted below (Which is basically about ELL's-The Crack Team's added this), all public and charter school students in Grades 3–8 must take all State tests administered for their grade level.

See this bothers me. Stuff like this will have me having a coffee klatsch for Ted Cruz very soon. I am not anti-government and believe that government can do good, but come on! I am not as liberal or progressive as I used to be, I like to call myself a left of center libertarian, but if this state mandating my child and others continues I will donate to Ted Cruz!

But there is more!

According to this memo (Thanks to Lisa again!) Steven E Katz, the Director of Assessment for the SED which was sent to all superintendents  statewide;

 Tests are considered part of a “course of study” under a board’s authority and, as noted above, are included as part of the program requirements for students in Grades 3–8 under Sections 100.3 and 100.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

How are tests a course of study? The "Board" has more authority over my kid than do I? 

Who is telling the truth here? The State or the parents who wish to opt out their children? Will the officers from the Harrison Police Department come to my house Tuesday morning to arrest me and my wife? Will my son be arrested or taken from us? What is a parent to do?

A parent should read this letter sent to the community of Saugerties NY by NYSAPE p3wning the argument of  Saugerties Central School District Superintendent Seth Turner as to why students must take the exam.



Isn't it time we as parents, community members, educators call Cuomo's bluff (In 2016) and Uncle Arne's bluff and just turn down the monies that we are being blackmailed with? Yea, it will be tough at first but the Legislature will soon grow a set.

Parents are the #1 source of a child's education. We know, along with local control of school districts, what is best for our children. Only we can decide, not a mean, angry man in Albany along with his donor buddies and lackies in the Legislature. This foolishness ends this year.

There is still time to opt out of the exams. Go over to NYSAPE, get the sample letter and email it post-haste to your child's principal! Only in numbers are we a force. Only in numbers do we weaken Governor Andy.

And don't forget to listen to me on the Bob Marrone Morning Show this Tuesday morning at 6:30AM EDT on WFAS-AM 1230 as I will discuss testing and opting out. You can call in at 914-693-5700.

Also listen for NYSAPE public service announcement on WCBS-AM 880 and WINS 1010.

I did it today! It was not the first time. Last year I did it for the first time and I never felt so good and free about doing something.

Early this afternoon I emailed my son's principal and officially opted my son, and 8th grader in Harrison NY, out of the New York State ELA exam. Just as he was last year my son is again delighted to having been opted out. Sadly there is no opting him out of the math exam. He is taking Algebra I this year and instead he is taking (And there is nothing we can do) the Regents exam for Algebra I.

Last year my son reported back to me that there were about a dozen or so student who did not take the ELA exam in his school (Grades 6-8) and about double that for math. That is not enough.

In the middle school in Harrison there are about 900 students in the entire middle school. There needs to be 900 students not taking the exams this year. That many students opting out, as well as all the students in the 4 elementary school in Harrison will be just one link in the chain across the state of parents saying, "enough is enough," and deciding that they will not allow their children to be pawns and victims in Governor Andy's vendettas.

Each and every parent in Harrison has the power to stop testing in New York State and our schools back in the control of Dr Louis Wool and the board president, Abby Mendelsohn. We are the parents, families, guardians of our children and the decisions that most effect our children should be made on Union Ave and not on Albany. We can not sit by any longer and let a bought off governor decide what is best.

Does Governor Andy have what is best in mind for the students in Purchase? In West Harrison? Downtown? No. We trust our administrators, we trust our teachers, we trust ourselves, we can;t trust a politician who has received over $4.8 million from hedge fund managers.

As a parent or guardian you have every right to now allow your child, your most precious asset not to take the test. The madness must stop now. Don't wait to long. The ELA exam starts next week with the math exam the following week.

If you need guidance or advice on how to do this please check out these websites;

CHANGE THE STAKES

NEW YORK STATE ALLIES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION 

And don't forget to listen to me on WFAS-AM 120 tomorrow morning as we discuss opting out.

Tomorrow is March 17, St Patrick's Day. Who cares?

Anyway tomorrow is Tuesday so that must mean that it is time for my weekly slot on 1230 WFAS-AM with Bob Marrone.

We are going to continue to touch on Cuomo's insanity, Common Core, and how the UFT and NYSUT are both culpable for Cuomo's power trip.

Oh, and how we here at SBSB are attempting to raise $4.8 million for Cuomo!

To remind everyone, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, or go to the WFAS website, on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy! 

The last several appearances I have had on 1230 WFAS-AM have had me moving away discussing my personal issues with the NYCDOE and moving into the realm of each New Yorker's personal issues with the mishagus emanating from Albany and in particular from the brain and the mouth of from Governor Andy.

But there can't be the mishagus without the enablers. And just who are the enablers? NYSUT and the UFT. As I was sharing with world famous mom blogger Christine Zirklebach today, Andy's demented ideas are dead in the water if the unions have not been in bed with the deform movement here in New York State from day 1.

So these are the two topics that I am going to hit on, along with how parents can opt their children out of the upcoming draconian tests next month when I am live with probably one of the best morning men on AM radio, Bob Marrone, this Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 6:35 AM on 1230 WFAS-AM.

Again, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, or go to the WFAS website, on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy!

I'm am back this Tuesday morning, February 17, 2014, at 6:30 AM joining Bob Marrone on WFAS-AM 1230 as I continue the account of my travails.

Again, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, or got to the WFAS website, on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy!
morning show on

Yes, it is true. I am making my FOURTH appearance tomorrow morning on the Bob Marrone Show
at approximately 6:20 AM.

Last week I only had one segment, but this week we plan to delve into the BREAKING NEWS today at my 3020-a hearing.

Again, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio dial at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, is on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store for your mobile device. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy!

I guess Monday's are bad for me on WFAS I learned the hard way. I am usually on Tuesday's, but this week I had to appear today and, well.... could have used more time.

I got there promptly at 6:35 AM but I guess they had something schedule in the 7 AM hour so I got about 25 minutes in.

Again, a big thanks to Bob Marrone and Scott for welcoming me and continuing to have me on.

My wife said today's appearance was the best and I believe it is. I think Bob is seeing what is being done to schools in this state. I got some good points and some good zingers.

Here are the links for your listening enjoyment of today's show.


LINK 1 

LINK 2

Yes, it is true. I am making my third appearance tomorrow morning on the Bob Marrone Show at 6:35 AM.

Last week's appearance was a bit curtailed by talk of Ferguson and be being a bit tardy. But not to worry, I will be there at 6:35 on the dot and I promise not to anything back. As usual.

Again, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio dial at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, is on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store for your mobile device. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy!

I'm am back this Tuesday morning, November 25, 2014, at 6:35 AM joining Bob Marrone on his great morning show on WFAS-AM 1230 as I pick up from where I left off last week.

I can guarantee that a bombshell or two will be dropped and corrupt practices that I know of will be exposed.

Again, there are several ways you can listen. On your radio at 1230 AM, but the range is about a 20 mile circle of White Plains.

Also, WFAS streams live, is on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store. I know some who downloaded the app and were able to listen while driving in from very far away.

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

And don't forget, the call in # is 914-693-5700. Don't be shy!

I would like to give a big thank you to Bob Marrone and his right hand man, his producer, his engineer, (His very own BabaBooey) Scott for the warm welcome and the graciousness of allowing me to share time with them this morning at WFAS-AM 1230 in White Plains (The studio is actually in Hartsdale).

Just to share a brief story or two. I grew up a few blocks away from WFAS (The tower loomed over the neighborhood) and my friends and I will go up there on a Saturday morning to try to get the DJ's to give us old 45's they no longer needed. I remember once getting Clapton's version of "I Shot the Sheriff."

On another occasion, I must've been about 10 years old, we went up there one weekend morning to try to get the morning guy, Bob E. Lloyd to advertise the car wash we had on our street to raise money so we can buy baseball cards. Believe it or not, he did.

So back to this morning.

I arrived at the studio about 6:25 sat down watched Bob do the news and soon enough it was my turn at 6:35. The interview was in three segments, coming between the usual stuff, news, sports, weather traffic, commercials and contest for Westchester Knicks tickets.

The interview started with background about myself and built up to the crescendo of my current predicament. Here for your perusal and listening enjoyment is the entire interview in 3 parts.

Oh, and before I forget, I will be appearing again next Tuesday, November 25 at 6:35 AM


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

WFAS 1230 AM is a small radio station in White Plains, NY. Tomorrow I will be appearing live, in studio on the Bob Marrone Show at 6:35 AM until about 7:20 AM EDT to talk about my situation and how it correlates to all teachers. It should be quite an interesting 45 minutes. 


The call in # is 914-693-5700


The coverage area of WFAS is not great as you can see on this map;












So what to do? WFAS streams live, is on iHeart Radio, or download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store. 

For the social media aficionados, check out WFAS on Facebook, Twitter, and Bob Marrone is on Twitter as well.

To paraphrase Charles Osgood, "See you tomorrow on the radio."