Sun Prairie High Makes "The List"

...unfortunately it's not a list we WANT to be on.

It's one of the lists required as part of the "No Child Left Behind" Act (NCLB) . Whether you agree with NCLB or disagree...it is part of the rules by which schools must play.

This is certainly not a red alert...but it's definitely time to sound some sort of alarm and take some sort of corrective action. Where SPHS "failed" was in the category of "Adequate Yearly Progress", or AYP. The subject area affected was Reading. Recent media reports have indicated that SPHS's first appearance on the list is a result of the reading scores of special education students.

District Administrator Tim Culver is quoted as follows regarding this announcement:

"By no means do I think this is a failing school..."

"It's sad to put the 'F' word on a school when there's a lot more to it than the one test score."

"This is an issue we have to face up to and own."

Culver noted that the high school's overall scores were well above the state's minimum standard and honors are flowing in for the school's jazz bands, academic decathlon team and cheerleading squads.

SP-EYE: Does anyone ever get tired of the re-direction that comes with spin doctoring bad news? Does anyone ever wonder how our students are ever going to face adversity when they see leaders continually focusing away from a problem and highlighting only the good things?

What Culver really said was, "never mind the bad scores...we're working on that. Instead , focus on the successes of the music program, the academic decathlon students, and the cheer team." That philosophy flies in the face of the school board and district's own vision statement which states,

Our Vision: Working together to provide the best education for every student by building a community of learners.

Our #1 priority goal is to "improve reading achievement". Since SPHS has never been on "the list" before, that mean we're not improving....we're falling behind the pace. To simply remark that the failure is due to our special education students is not only insulting, it's borderline discriminatory. Let's not place blame at all. Instead why don't we buck up and make some changes to effect the necessary improvements. All of these kids are OUR kids, and singling out one group or another as the reason for not achieving goals is not unlike blaming and humiliating the child who strikes out at the plate in the 9th inning with the two outs , the bases loaded, and a one-run deficit.

There is no intent here of taking away from any of the students or programs that did meet with success during the year. But we also can't negate a real problem just because we have successes elsewhere.

Finally, we can't just thumb our noses at the NCLB requirements; because they ARE requirements. Certainly, these issues need to be revisited at the national level, but the rules are what they are. Do we want our kids to ignore rules just because they don't like or agree with them? How is THAT attitude affecting student achievement?

Read the Wisconsin State Journal article

Check out the list from the DPI website.
Select 2007-08 for school year and then "Only Districts and Schools that Missed AYP "

Read the news article online

Graduation's Degradation?

Having attended graduation in the last few years as well as watching live on cable on several occasions, it should come as no surprise that our graduating seniors are busting at the seams to get on with their post-high school lives. Has this youthful exuberance finally exacted a painful toll on the celebration of the event by parents and grandparents who guided their kids through this long journey? Have the graduation ceremony hi jinx crossed the line?

One of the community parent groups collected informal comments from those that attended Graduation 2008. A sampling of the comments (uncensored) received appear below. This is a rather lengthy list. Is it enough for the school board to consider it as more than just one or two perennial "wreckers"?

Our understanding is that these comments were being packaged for presentation to district administration with a request to take some measure of action. Being somewhat skeptical that this information would ever see the light of day, SP-EYE brings it to you. Is it time for the school board and administration to do more than get dressed up and paste a smile on their faces as they go through the rote ritual of graduation? Some school board members spoke loudly about the "lack of decorum" at its own meetings...but apparently they don't care about a similar lack of decorum at what is supposed to be a professional ceremony.

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• [Student]...– no control so I figured I may as well “join them” –
  
• [Student]...– really felt sorry for the kid a row ahead of me – he got his cap knocked off at least five times and was really frustrated
• [Student]...– was not worth attending – got nothing out of it – should have kept my work hours and got something out of the 2 hours.
• [Student]...– Really sucks that some kids could not hear their name announced.
• [Student]...– who cares, it is fun and nobody cares about the speeches. Not like we had weapons
• [Unknown]...–It was out of control. Teachers looked ridiculous trying to maintain control – but give them credit, as at least somebody appeared to care as our board obviously does not care – behavior gets worse every year and no changes are made
• [Watched on TV]...–I was not able to be in attendance but did watch on cable channel. I’m glad I did not waste my time. This is a disgrace to our community
• [Grandparent]...–As a grandparent in attendance; I was shocked by the lack of control the school has over these kids. Is there no discipline anymore?
• [Unknown]...–Time to clean house from school board, superintendent, SPHS administration – they do not care about the quality of student – no principals or assistant principals in line to shake hands of graduates – of course I guess I would distance myself if I was responsible for this calamity
• [Unknown]...–Enough is enough – time for new principals and assistant principals and some teachers are to blame too. I’ve heard teachers allow disruptions in classroom, but choose to ignore and just try to talk/teach over the noise. I didn’t really believe that until Friday night.
• [Unknown]...–And to think that our school leaders want TWO high schools! Can’t control what they have now –
• [Parent of pre-high schoolers]...–I have 2 kids in Sacred Hearts – After what I witnessed I’ll be sending them to Edgewood High School.
• [Unknown]...–I would say that the conduct was about the same, but that the sound system was better indoors so you could hear over the noise a bit better. I think Dr. Culver had some good things to say, but kids didn't hear any of it which was too bad. I felt bad for the kids that were going across the stage when the beach balls were taken out of circulation and then the students booed. Unfortunately, I think the kids remember graduation for the beach balls and not the speeches. I'm not sure how decorum can be restored without doing searches for blow-up toys before the procession. Or, it can be acknowledged that there will be beach balls, but appeal to the graduates to hold them 'til the end. I have my doubts that would work.
• [Unknown]...–The ball/blown up condom/beach toys was going to far. We saw people starting to point at the number of beach balls in the air while graduates were walking across the stage. I think it was disturbing to some of the students that weren't interested in the game and most disrespect to the staffs.
• [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My first child graduated Friday, and I attended last year's ceremony when my niece graduated. I was appalled at the behavior of the students. Beach balls are one thing, but making all of that noise when people are speaking and announcing graduates is very rude and disrespectful and should NOT be tolerated in my opinion. Teachers are trying to take away the balls, they are booed by the students and the audience, which causes even more of a ruckus.
• [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My 2 sets of parents, my in-laws and aunt and uncle-in-law were all there, appalled, and I was embarrassed! It is pretty sad when you are there to see your child graduate and some parents couldn't even here their student called, or people were booing over the balls when a student was called.
• [Parent of a graduating senior]...–My dad said that the administration ought to stop the ceremony and not begin again until students are under control. If it takes too long, he believes the ceremony should be cancelled. My husband thinks that there ought to be a committee, made up of graduating seniors, that works with the administration to come up with a solution. Speaking of the administration, what is with Paul Keats? It is obvious he is not passionate about the students of SPHS and I find it horrible that he did not shake the hands of all of the students graduating. Isn't that what a principal does? Wouldn't one that cared about the kids want to be up there congratulating them? His speech was very short, which I don't blame him too much for as he was booed and horns were blowing during his speech last year and they were starting this year. Even still, what message is that sending?
• [Unknown]...–I say good for Dr. Culver for attempting a speech, even one that the students that wanted to hear couldn't due to the beach ball scene. I also say good for him for standing there and shaking hands with and speaking to the students.
• [Parent]...–As a parent of a graduating senior: Graduation is an emotional event for any parent. My thoughts on the graduation are a little mixed. I know that kids will be kids. And since I graduated over 30 years ago, kids have been doing the beach ball thing at graduation. It is kind of a tradition they don't want to miss out on. At times I felt that the audience was more disrespectful than the kids. Maybe if the teachers that are guarding the sides would just ignore the ball and not try to interfere with them, there would be less booing, etc. It just makes the kids want to get it back even more. I do feel sorry for the parents who could not hear their child's name called.
• [Unknown]...–Thanks to those that made it possible for having this event outdoors. The work done to prepare a wet field.
• [Unknown]...–My tax dollars paid for this event. Waste of money. My dollars pay the salary of SPASD employees. Waste of money. Time for people to be fired and people with higher standards to be hired that run a school. Time for school board to hold some feet to the fire. Perform and strive for excellence or don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
• [Unknown]...–Graduation ceremony no different than what happens in classrooms. This was normal everyday activity for disruptive students. Teachers allow horseplay – children learn what they live!
• [Unknown]...–Nothing short of total embarrassment! Apology is in order. Changes need made in administration.
• [Unknown]...– I’m sorry.....but one of us is delusional and I don’t think it is me! I was at Ashley field on the 13th of June. I guarantee you what was taking place was not a graduation ceremony! I was there and after my son walked across the stage I left.
• [Unknown]...–School officials should be ashamed of themselves. We must have attended different events – I was obviously at a seminar for “Clownin’ Around” I cannot remember the last time I was so embarrassed.


• [Parent of a graduating senior]...–Both sets of grandparents traveled distances to attend my daughter’s graduation. It was humiliating. They said of all the grandkids' gradations over the last few years in the Midwest this was the worst they’ve ever witnessed. I was embarrassed for the administration. They had to have their tail between their legs as the disrespectful display, yelling, running, booing - - - these are the kids our education system has produced.
• [Unknown]...–No wonder principals were not in line to acknowledge graduates. I’d distance myself as far as I could too if this happened under my watch. As tax payers we pay their salary! Time to fire staff and get people in who can do the job from board leadership– to superintendent – to principals and probably ½ of the teachers. Time we stand up for our kids because the school leaders don’t give a sh**.
• [Unknown]...– The schools have been yapping about “connectedness” yet they only talk about it and put in writing. They are not putting it into action. There was no evidence of any “connect” between graduates and administration. Not one principal or assistant principal stood in the line to congratulate the students. That is pathetic!
• [Parent of a high school student]...–My son has told me for two years the security guards are a joke and the assistant principals are the laughing stock of the school. He’s told me how the principals are in the lunch room, but they sit in their own little group just like the students do. No interaction except for buddying up with the bullies and trouble makers. Time to wake up! You are not paid to be our kids “buddies” they have plenty of buddies. You are an authoritative figure who should lead. Maybe if you’d get out of your personal lunch click you’d wise up to the fact that 1-2 distract you as the others are “up to no good”. If you provided leadership these kids would not be walking all over you and their peers.


• [Unknown]...–Where was Keats? How sad when the principal of the school does not even acknowledge each individual graduate. Kudos’ to Dr. Culver for taking the time. Thank you to the few teachers who made an effort to control the unruly situation. It is unfortunate that the school board members and administration could not make any kind of asserted effort or give you any support.
• [Unknown]...–The grounds staff did a wonderful job of preparing the field so we could hold outside. Last year it was inside, which provided a better sound system, but to be outside for graduation is so much nicer.
• [Unknown]...– Our kids got screwed by administration – please encourage parents of next years seniors and other underclassmen parents to apply pressure on SPASD administration so the disrespect our kids experience is not experienced by them.
• [Unknown]...–Blown up condom – how much more repulsive can we get. Ceremony should have stopped. Instead the board members and administration sat there like bumps on a log with glued on smiles like nothing was happening. Stop ignoring the issues and do your jobs. Your lack of ethics is an embarrassment.

School board....these are the voices (and a lot of them) of this community....and not just seniors that complain about taxes and don't vote. These are parents of children attending YOUR--OUR school district. You might want to listen. You might want to include this as an agenda item on an upcoming board meeting. How about in September, when everyone is back from vacation and re-engaged in the schools?

1 and Done; Carrel Steps Down from School Board

For the second year in a row, the Sun Prairie School Board will have to pull out its playbook for replacing a school board member outside of the election process.

With little fanfare--other than an 11th hour, subtly changed meeting agenda item to "discuss Procedure BBE-R, Guidelines for Filling Board Vacancies"--- Jim Carrel announced at last night's meeting that his recent change in employers will require him to relocate out of state. Consequently Mr. Carrel will be stepping down effective August 1, 2008.

That means that in addition to filling committee vacancies, the board will have to accept applications, interview, and select someone to finish the rest of Mr. Carrels' year in office. Next April, there will be elections for John Whalen's seat (3-yr), Terry Shimek's seat (1-yr), and Jim Carrel's seat (1-yr).

Last year proved interesting when the board selected Tim Boylen to keep Jim Gibbs' seat warm, offering not a single board member vote for Rick Mealy....despite coming in less than 35 votes behind Jim Carrel and a very close 3rd to John Whalen in 2006. Hmmm....fill the board seat with someone that the public clearly showed significant interest in? Nahhhh. The board members don't like Mealy or his views. Damn what the public wants...its all about what the board wants.

Even more interesting was that Boylen's interview lasted about 5 minutes via cell phone from his vacation in lake country up north. Perhaps Boylen's appeal was that he served in a Phil Frei role in another school district. Our board likes its members to be in tight with district administration.

If last year's actions suggest that the board gives no credence to how someone fared in a recent election, then I guess that means its unlikely the board would select Mary Ellen Havel-Lang (who came in 4th this past April) should she choose to vie for Carrel's seat....or Al Slane who also garnered quite a few votes this past April...and who continues to stay engaged with the school board. Maybe the board can call back Tim Boylen for an encore performance!!! There ya go...Tim Boylen, the "Replacement School Board Member".

SP-EYE wishes Mr. Carrel the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Buried on page 8

We've been meaning to mention this one for a bit....because it DOES merit mention. Sun Prairie tries very hard to reward staff and students for performance. Sadly, rewards are usually based on food...such as pizza or subs. Not only do those kind of rewards not sit well with a general district wellness policy, but they don't (ahem) stay with us very long.... period. If you get my drift. So not only does the offer of a pizza party for good performance in the classroom fly in the face of healthy eating, but it's hard to get all jacked up for.... pizza or subs.

Certainly some of the incidents in Sun Prairie during the past year have added some pockmarks to the complexion of our schools and our community: trouble on the "Monkey Bus"; 400% increase in expulsions; presence of a meth lab, shootings in the city.

So, cultivating character is a "to do" list item that has to be shuffled to the top of the deck. Recently, Westside elementary schools recognized two students from each of grades 3 through 5 for demonstrating good character. Historically, this event would have drawn even odds of culminating in a pizza or sub party for the honored students. Thankfully, we have a teacher who thought outside the box, drawing on her personal six degrees of separation (or one degree in this case) to offer a really innovating and long-lasting reward for the students.

Music teacher Letrice Stanley reached out to her brother, St. Louis Rams receiver Derek Stanley, who provided authentic NFL footballs autographed by members of the St. Louis Rams!

Anyone who follows local sports or the NFL will recognize Derek Stanley as a standout athlete for Verona High, who went on to star at UW-Whitewater and was the first UW-Whitewater player ever drafted (7th round) in the NFL last year. Last December, Stanley saw the field as a kick returner and showed some of the speed and vision he translated to success at the high school and college level.

A hearty thank you to Ms. Stanley for providing these kids with a tangible reward that not only adequately punctuates their classroom performance in building character, but provides something that can awe and inspire them further. Coming from tiny UW-Whitewater, many wouldn't have give Stanley (or anyone) any hope of a shot at the NFL. But here is Derek living his dream and serving as a role model to others for both his determination, and his willingness to help give back to the community. Each football contains the autographs of quite a few NFL stars. Certainly that's something that will stick with these kids a whole lot longer than a meal of pizza.

We don't know what the criteria are to earn a "Piece Keeping" award from Dr. Culver, but in our book, Ms. Stanley and her colleagues at Westside certainly deserve one. Maybe it went unnoticed because the story was buried within a photo caption on page 8 of the June 5th edition of the STAR.

Proficient in Reading & Math? Then you get promoted!!!

Are you sitting down? At the school board meeting this past Monday, June 9, the board actually discussed education. You heard it right. The major topic wasn't boundary wars or buildings, but promotion requirements.

The plan that was submitted to the board for approval calls for grade promotions for grades 3 to 8 to be based on proficiency (as determined by WKCE test scores) in Reading and Math. Yep. That's it. You can flunk everything else...as long as you score at least "proficient" in Reading and Math, you move to the next grade level.

As is typically the case, 99 times out of 100, anything submitted by committee for board approval usually gets rubber-stamped at the board level. Things were looking like that in this case. Thankfully, Jim Carrel donned a pair of BBPs and spoke his mind. We've grown so accustomed to board members simply responding "This is so wonderful..." or "I'm so excited by...", that when Carrel essentially said, "I don't think it's enough", everyone in the room was stunned.

SP-EYE has been hard on Mr. Carrel...deservedly so in most cases....but we also give credit where credit is due, and Carrel deserves applause for his comments here.

Too many school board members simply rubber stamp whatever is presented for approval---even if they actually disagree!!! We've now heard several school board members even privately agree that perhaps locating the Creekside elementary in Smith's Crossing was not the right move. There are other instances in which unanimous board decisions are questioned privately by one or more board members after the vote is in. Publicly, however, they won't admit that. Sadly it goes with the territory when we're dealing with politics. SP-EYE recalls one current City Council member privately (off the record) supporting a single new high school, but then saying that they could never publicly state a position because of repercussions within their constituency.

When it comes to educating our children however, politics have no place. Yes, holding back any student from promotion to the next grade level is a serious decision. But passing on a student to more challenging material who hasn't mastered the existing material has consequences as well. We in Sun Prairie talk a good game about the quality of our school system and the education we provide. Sure...it's good. But is it great? As Simon Cowell would say, "If I'm being honest...", then things are as great as we think they are or as great as we'd like them to be.

For a high school population second only to Madison high schools, do we see kids earning National Merit scholarships? State Academic recognition? Are our kids adequately prepared for life beyond high school. Certainly, for some, we can answer "Yes". But do we have the percentage of high-achieving kids one would expect from a high school of this size? Be honest. The answer is, "No". Toss in the question of grade inflation, and we should really start thinking.

Carrel made a very bold move Monday night...frankly a move that was long overdue from someone at the board table. Yes, it's difficult to hold any child back a grade, but is it really a feather in our cap to promote a child who is not ready? Which is the greater disservice to the child? While highly unlikely, a child in 8th grade could receive failing grades in all subjects, but as long as they scored at least proficient in Reading and Math on the WKCE test, this policy would allow them to promote to (gulp) 9th grade...high school.

The argument can be made that as long as you earn a "D" (i.e., not an "F") in all subjects, technically you "pass". Therefore isn't that enough for promotion to the next grade? Let's answer that with a different question, "Would you choose a doctor that has his/her M.D. but was the last in his/her class?" If you have ever done any hiring, have you ever considered absolute grades of candidates when making the selection? Passed over someone with passing (but not stellar) grades for someone with higher grades?

We agree with the board's decision to table this issue and think it through. Hopefully, now that the building issues are solved for a bit, we can take the time to get this one right. Maybe that means approving the policy as presented. But maybe it doesn't.