BHSD Cable Broadcasts; Let's share our thoughts!
I'm lucky. My husband travels quite a bit for business, and now that our own children are grown, he occasionally invites me along.
So, he's on business and I'm on "pleasure." Good deal, eh?
Last March, I accompanied him on a trip to Hawaii. While there, I had plenty of free time, and managed to watch a school board meeting in Oahu.
I have also watched (or attended) school board meetings in Pittsburgh, Grosse Pointe, Rochester Hills, Berkley, and Baltimore. (No kidding.) They are all different. Different format for order of business.
Note: It's true that the BHSD offers a most restrictive policy for allowing public comment, and I hope that will change. Public input should be encouraged. In some communities, "PC" is welcome at the beginning, after discussion on each agenda item, and at the close of the meeting. Time limit of 2-5 minutes, depending on topic.)
One thing I noticed in Hawaii was that the district's cable channel had some great programming. I watched a 30-minute segment of a very talented Algebra teacher, teaching Algebra, right there on TV.
Another segment featured a Hawaiian-born teacher, teaching her native Hawaiian language. She was wearing traditional "aloha" attire, and she was very enthusiastic.
NOTE: If you need a job, HI is looking for teachers from the mainland. I met one young teacher who was living aboard an old sailboat in the harbor near our hotel. He rode a bike to work/school and got up early to go surfing. How cool is that?
I'd like to see the BHSD use our cable channel to "showcase" some of our best and most creative teachers.
I can't remember his name, but WHMS had, and maybe still has,(?) a very talented English teacher. Steve Gaynor and I visited his classroom in 2005, and I still remember his lesson. I'd watch if we did a segment on this teacher.
BHMS had (has) the best Home Ec. teacher I have ever met. I went "to bat" for her to get her some extra materials that she requested for her classroom. She was teaching things far and above what anyone would expect, and the students were loving every minute. Sorry, I can't remember her name, either, (but it may come to me at 3 a.m.)
We teach many Deaf/Hard of hearing students in our schools. How about a segment on ASL? It would be really cute to have the KIDS do it! I learned ASL the same way deaf toddlers do.."mom," "dad," "hungry," "tired," "time to play."
You can learn a lot in 30 minutes; even 15 minutes.
We also have a man (in our area who works or worked in our schools) who does an incredible job of turning himself into Abraham Lincoln. He fields questions from students in character. This kind of talent is worth sharing with our entire community.
You know, we have students who study TV production, and we have a very talented TV guy in Dave Shulkin. He seems to be a professional "mentor." I'd like to see more kids get involved in TV production, editing, etc.
I'd like to see the BHSD tape and air some student-produced segments, and I would love to spend a half hour going "back to school" to get more insight into what's going on in BHSD classrooms this year.
Any thoughts? Anything you'd like to see on BHSD Cable TV?
Ken Jackson
9:12 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ms. Greenwell,
A very nice idea! I would like to see more of what goes on in the classroom and this would put the focus back on our teachers. They have really taken a hit in the state in the last couple of years (particularly this one); they have taken a particular hit from our own local representative! It is encouraging to me to see a School Board candidate take up issues that have been left, more or less, to an embattled teachers' union.
Keith Peters
10:01 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Jenny,
I hope that when you are in Hawaii that you can find better uses of your time than watching school board meetings from around the country. If you need any tips please call me.
School board meetings should be factual and informative, not the morning news.
Jenny Greenwell
10:06 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ken, it's very frustrating...I made this suggestion when I was on the board (partial term, 2004-05). I tried to get a discussion about better use of cable on an agenda, and I was not able to do so. When I was in 3rd grade, my class used to use TV (PBS) to have a Spanish lesson. It was a good way to get some exposure to a language. Certainly NOT an adequate replacement for a LIVE teacher with whom students can converse, but a good method for Introduction. I would really like to see a Chemistry, Physics or other science lesson on TV. Perhaps that would perk up more interest in courses like that. I remember watching a cartoon artist on TV and following his pencil strokes on my own piece of paper.
Neal Charness
10:47 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Again, I don't doubt that Jenny Greenwell has good ideas to present to the board. However, nice thoughts and blogs don't change her history with the board and she would most likely be "throwing a monkey wrench in the works." Just yesterday she explicitly denied supporting the recall of the entire board and then another poster (on her school funding blog) shows where she explicitly asked for that. Jenny would do herself and the community a great service by presenting her ideas to the board as a member of the community and not a member of the board.
Jenny Greenwell
3:37 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
When I work with a group, I am part of a team. Sometimes, my own personal preferences need to be set aside. That's ok.
Neal Charness
3:45 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Jenny: Where's the evidence to support your assertion you are part of a team when you work with a group. Are there any examples of that other than the B2020 and related groups? That doesn't comport with with blogs and posts you've put up. Also, why would people give your statement credence after you made a statement yesterday about your stance on recalling the entire board which was contradicted by your own words in a blog from October of last year.
Ken Jackson
9:18 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mr. Fellin,
I am delighted to see the change in Ms. Greenwell's tone. I am not sure, however, that participating in an effort to recall an entire schoolboard is the best example of "team" work or of being "team" player. Metaphorically speaking, if we have to use sports metaphors, the team in question here would be BHSD in its entirety -- including all current members of the School Board. If Ms. Greenwell and is up for that I welcome her candidacy.
Elizabeth
11:01 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Today's students are using the internet. Will Richardson explained this in his lecture on the Welcome Back Day for the teachers. My guess is many parents understand this. A common conversation in my home is....mom do you know why.......no I don't, why don't we google it......and then we learn about it together. My children rarely turn on the TV; they know the internet is the place to look for assistance with their studies or on a video game or whatever their curiosity of the day is. Their teachers have told them where on-line to go to get assistance or additional lectures. In fact, one teacher had all his lectures available on-line and when that lecture didn't make sense, there were lectures from other teachers available to hear the same information said differently. I personally don't think we need to put lectures on the TV, but I agree it would be nice to be able to showcase our wonderful teachers and students.
Elizabeth
11:04 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Gotta add....the fact that I used the word 'internet' means that I am old school compared to my children. They don't get why I still email people.
Ken Jackson
11:15 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ms. Stieg,
Right. I think the critical part of Ms. Greenwell's notion is not so much the medium but the message she is selling. BHSD has great teachers; they and the school system are not the enemy that is dragging down the economy and home prices, etc.; I think many voters in the District have different ideas about that (really hate the unions and so on). If she -- or any candidate or board member -- can work to convince them that their are terrific teachers here that would be terrific. But this will be a tough sell for some.
Jenny Greenwell
3:43 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I think we have some really talented teachers and I think a lot of us "empty-nesters" would LOVE to see them in action. Funny story: I was subbiing once in a 1st grade classroom and the ESL (English as a Second Language, now called ELL for English Language Learners) came in to gather up the non-English speakers in the class. There were about 22 kids in the class.
About half the class got up and went with her. Seriously, who knows that our teachers are working with young children who are already learning their second, and even THIRD languages? Who knew that our BHSD teachers are facing this kind of challenge? We've gone GLOBAL! The only reason I KNOW about this is that I spent a few fun years in our schools. This is not your father's Bloomfield Hills.
Maybe what we need is a "peek inside" to see what's going on?
Jenny Greenwell
10:06 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Neighbors, the "war" is over. We will have a new high school at the Andover site. All that's left to do is make sure our high school students have the best experience posible during the transition, and that we make sure our entire community accepts the fact that we will operate one pretty big high school instead of two smallish ones. I am very happy that the plan of 2007 failed, as it called for two very large high schools )total cap. 4,000) which we just don't need. My preference, and that of many others, was to operate two smallish schools. The big one passed, in a legal election. Done! I'm "over" it. It's time for us grown-ups to show the kids how it's done. Let's all make sure it is exceptional and that our BHSD students get all the preparation they need to go forward into this big, complex, global world. When I was a kid, I had to compete with kid sitting to my left and to my right. Today's students have much more competition to face. We need to be the BEST, bar none. Isn't that what we all moved here for? I have a few new blogs coming up..please keep in touch!
Elizabeth
11:28 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Just in case people are unaware. There are a number of presentations available on-line through the BHSTV. Below is a link to the videos for the elementary schools. thre are lots of different links to videos already available.....not just board meetings.
http://bhstv.bloomfield.org/category/elementary-schools
Ken Jackson
11:42 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ms. Stieg,
Thanks! That is a great link. It gives you a very nice sense of what is going on -- great resource. The trick may be for any board member or candidate to make the greater public aware of these sorts of things.
Amy Cardin
12:41 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Another thing to remember is that each school has an Education Showcase that they present at a board meeting during the school year. Whether it be a learning initiative, a really cool experiment some of their students did, or planting a school garden, the school has an opportunity to show off their building. The board meetings are taped and replayed for weeks afterward so anyone who misses the meetings live can see them. I also believe they still tape the music and arts programs and schedule them for view as well.
Some of the ideas Jenny proposes sound great, but right now I think it is all hands on deck for high school transition and consolidation. As she herself said, it needs to be a priority and be as seamless as possible.
Jenny Greenwell
3:46 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Amy, I'm not so worried about the "popular," confident kids. I'm more concerned with the ones in the back of the room. I would hope that their worries are being discussed, both at home and in school. This can't be easy for teen-agers to face.
All hands on deck is a great motto. Maybe we can figure out ways to make it special, even if it has to be a little awkward, at times.
Elizabeth
4:14 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I'm just putting this out there it is not a criticism it is a comment.
A popular child does not necessarily mean a child is confident and a
a confident child does not necessarily mean a child is popular.
Confident and/or popular students don't always sit in the front of the class and
the opposite (can't bring myself to write the un-equivalents to the above) don't always sit in the back of the class.
Based upon what I have seen at the Board Meetings, the district seems to be making the transition a high priority, but yes hopefully we all can help to make it better (special) for the students who are affected by the change.
Jenny Greenwell
4:23 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Excellent point on the showcases. Some are really well-done. Gives the people on the "front line" a chance to show their stuff. Lots of kids like to play to the camera, too, and I would like to see more of them.
Idea: Perhaps BHSD students could write and produce PSAs? I know some have entered contests and such, and I believe we have had a few winners! This is a great entry-level on-air talent opportunity for students.
S Sera
1:08 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mrs. Greenwell,
Your stated mission elsewhere is to diminish costs that do not directly correlate to increasing the academic achievements of our “students”; a category this seems to fall under. Here it seems that you are advocating increasing costs in an area that fall outside that arena. Therefore, how do you propose paying for this additional programming? It would be logical to think that preparing this type of programming, filming and airing it would cost money. Isn’t the mission of public schools to educate our “youth”? Are you advocating increasing the mission of public schools to extending education to adults, and thereby increasing our costs outside of the classroom?
Previously you have stated that you don’t want our district distracted from the task of the creation of Bloomfield Hills High School. Wouldn’t this possibly serve as a distraction?
Your comment of 9:31 am, September 2, 1012 (School Funding Dilemma Blog) seems to indicate that we shouldn’t need PR personnel if “our academic rankings were as outstanding as they should be”. Wouldn’t this type of programming be considered an extension of the PR Department, the very department you are saying we don’t need?
(Continued)
Jenny Greenwell
3:52 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
No! This is a good way to get more community members involved! We already have the talent, and we already have the cameras and we already have the cable channel. It would be awful to hire more adults to do what we already do (present live and taped segments on BHS-cable). I would like to see things produced by TV classes in high school. Have you seen some of the u-tube videos our kids make up? Hilarious. Some are very creative. The televised segments would be "Intriguing samples" of classrooms, not "adult ed." I would want the PR dept. to stay away and let the teachers and students do their "thing."
S Sera
7:10 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mrs. Greenwell,
No where do I say that you recommend we hire more people. Your writings suggest that you would require our current staff to add additional responsibilities to those they currently have. These additional responsibilities would not be dictated by curriculum requirements. I would prefer to have our teachers spending time with our students and helping them directly rather than performing in a video lab just so that there could be an infomercial.
Have you consulted with the union to see if their teachers are willing to produce cable segments at no additional benefit to themselves? This could potentially cost the district more money. I would think that it isn't currently covered by their contract.
I asked specifically if you are advocating increasing the district's mission to educating adults. You say this wouldn't be adult ed, but in the above blog you state, "I would love to spend a half hour going "back to school" to get more insight into what's going on in BHSD classrooms this year." I'm a little confused then as to where you would draw the line. And yes, I have seen many "you tube videos" as well as being a subscriber to Kahn Academy (and other learning websites) so if I want to learn more about chemistry or math I can.
Sounds like increased costs to me!
S Sera
1:10 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
From personal experience, our schools have Parent Nights that give parents an overview of what their children will be learning in any given year. All year long, BHSD Teachers are very receptive to answering parent’s questions that may go beyond what is presented on the Parent Nights.
Finally, I am lost as to why you mention the public commentary of the BHSD school board meetings in this Blog titled BHSD Cable Broadcasts. Can you please explain what that has to do with general educational cable broadcasts?
Thank you
Jenny Greenwell
3:54 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Yes, BHSD cable carries the board meetings. My blog refers to all programming, not just the new cool stuff I'd like to see. We need to carry the business meetings, too, as some people will sit and watch a board meeting...even in Hawaii!!
Jenny Greenwell
4:27 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Elizabeth Steig is right...some teens are better at getting their needs met than others, and it really doesn't matter how confident or popular they APPEAR to be. I was elected vice-president of my 9th grade class and I was completely surprised. An awkward, self-concious, chubby, braces-wearing "tween," I did not realize that my classmates liked me. I almost demanded a recount! (not really)