For some reason beyond my understanding our relatively new Superintendent (Carlton Jenkins) is working towards removing the Armstrong High School Principal (Dave Dahl) one year before his retirement. Now normally this may be fine, but the problem here is that the Dave has had the position for ~17 years. On top of that, Dave:
- is greatly appreciated by the Parents, Students and Staff of the school
- attends almost every school event, often with his wife
- runs one of the best High Schools in the cities.
"Armstrong High School has once again made the Washington Post Most Challenging High School list for 2018! See the rankings here! Armstrong is ranked the 6th best high school in Minnesota! - Armstrong ACT Score Data"
Here is the form letter we received:
"Dear Armstrong High School Families;
I hope this message finds you well. After several conversations with Mr. David Dahl as well as careful reflection about our Unified District Vision and Armstrong High School, I have made the decision to have Mr. Dahl serve as Principal on Special Assignment for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The following timeline has been established to conduct a national search for filling the Armstrong High School Principal position:We thank you for your patience and support during this transition. More information will be communicated as this process moves forward.
- we met at 6:45 a.m. with the Armstrong staff on March 4, 2019 to inform them of the decision and next steps for filling the position;
- we will meet with all key stakeholders (students, parents and staff) to develop a profile for the position;
- the position will be posted by April 12, 2019;
- we will work with the Armstrong Parent Association (APA) to identify parent representation for the interview committee;
- we will work with building staff and the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers (RFT) to identify staff representation for the interview committee;
- interviews will take place during the month of May;
- we will work with the Armstrong staff on transitional activities until the new principal’s official date of hire, July 1, 2019.
Sincerely, Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D. Superintendent
Robbinsdale Area Schools
I am not even sure what it means when a person chooses a Unified District Vision over a highly qualified, experienced and appreciated Principal. My guess is that it means Carlton has a lot of ideas that may not be very popular at Armstrong and may put our excellent standing at risk.
To me it seems they are peddling the bigotry of low expectations again. Thoughts?
13 comments:
I wonder if this post is related in some way.
From the Minnpost linked article.
"On Thursday, the state Department of Human Rights provided its first official update on the investigation it launched into exclusionary discipline practices — suspensions and expulsions — that disproportionately impact students of color and those with disabilities.
This past fall, the department presented a total of 43 school districts and charter schools with a choice: enter into an agreement with the department to come up with a plan to address these disparities, or face litigation. Specifically, they’re focusing on reducing disparities in discipline for non-violent offenses — a category that includes things like swearing, eye rolling and other actions that could be deemed insubordinate or disruptive.
According to the state Department of Human Rights, five school districts have chosen to enter into an agreement: the Bloomington Public Schools district, the Cass Lake-Bena School district, Mankato Area Public Schools, the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, and Robbinsdale Area Schools."
If you remember this is the issue where some believe that race should be considered before setting a punishment. Because of course from their view problems and punishments should match the demographics of the school.
Even though we know that behavior issues are aligned closely with parenting / household issues, and we know that there are many more single parent and struggling households within certain demographic groups.
Remember that story about the little Black 3rd grade girl who threatened to slit the throat of the little White 3rd grade girl, and the RDALE Principal who refused to take action because of the little girl's race and district policy... That is how this soft bigotry works...
Apparently some folks believe that one needs to accept a lower standard of behavior for some kids... And I realize that there are some cases of racism that do occur in public systems, but one certainly does not want to lower standards to give the appearance of equal results.
Not sure if this has anything to do with the AHS discord, but it has been a factor in other schools.
And before someone screams that I am being biased.
Look at the data
All households are not the same, and of course this consequences for the kids.
Ok I have to explain a bit further for new readers.
I believe that:
- 70% of a child's academic and life success has to do with the luck of who their parent(s) are and what society they are born into. This can be due to lack of proper parental support, poor parental role models, lack of finances or other Adverse Childhood Experiences.
- 30% has to do with the quality or lack of quality of the school they attend. Does the school demand excellence and support the kids in achieving this.
Now there are many other factors, but parent(s) and schools are most important from my perspective.
Here are some of the advantages of who I call Lucky Kids.
"Here are some advantages that my own children have that many poor students do not:
•Parents that both speak English fluently and have read to them daily since they were infants.
•A parent (ie Mom in our case) that has been home for them everyday after school since they started school.
•A parent (ie Mom) who held them accountable daily for reading, studying, doing homework, etc
•A parent (ie Mom) who taught them self control, listening and study skills that help them everyday in class
•A parent (ie Dad) that makes enough money to enable this, and parents that make financial life choices that make this possible.
•Parents that are very familiar with working systems and bureaucracies to ensure their kids get as many opportunities as possible
•Parents who set and are there to enforce strong value based rules, and follow through with appropriate punishments consistently when the little darlings wander to far of course. Even when it is not convenient.
•Parents that attend all conferences, volunteer in the class, get to know the teachers, etc
•Parents that teach the kids to respect their teachers and classmates. And follow through if they gets reports of any misbehavior in school.
•Parents that can afford 2 computers with the latest software and high speed internet
•A parent (ie Dad in this case) that can tutor them in any Math, Physics, etc coursework.
•A parent (ie Dad in this case) that can work with or fix pretty much any computer, wood working, mechanical, audio visual, etc tool or system. (ie even helping them to put video and sound clips into presentations… It was a learning experience for me…)
•Parents that promote the importance of learning and academics. (for better or worse.. I do not think they know there is a non-college career path)
•Parents that encourage their kids to try new things, and then try again if things don’t work out so well.
•Parents that praise their kids often.
•Parents that ensure boredom leads to positive hobbies or work. (whether the child likes it or not…)
•etc, etc, etc".
Where as the "Unlucky Kids" simply do not have some or all of these benefits.
They are simply unlucky, not bad.
It is really their parent(s) who need to be trained, helped and held accountable. Which is why the Harlem Children"s Zone program works
Where as the "Unlucky Kids" simply do not have some or all of these benefits.
They are simply unlucky, not bad.
It is really their parent(s) who need to be trained, helped and/or held accountable. Which is why the Harlem Children"s Zone program works">Harlem Children's Zone program works
Now please note that being Lucky or Unlucky is not directly related to:
- Race
- Wealth
- Marital Status
- Sexual Orientation
- Country of Origin
- Language spoken at home
Black children can be Lucky or Unlucky
White Children can be Lucky or Unlucky
The children in Single Parent Households can be Lucky or Unlucky
The children in Dual Parent Households can be Lucky or Unlucky
The children in Wealthy Households can be Lucky or Unlucky
The children in Poor Households can be Lucky or Unlucky
AND
In reality there are a whole lot of degrees between really Unlucky and really Lucky.
Does anyone disagree with my simple logic?
Or do you think all kids have the same leg up and opportunity no matter their family situation?
The upside to this theory is that EVERY child can be Lucky depending on the beliefs, choices, behaviors and/or actions of their parent or parents.
Unfortunately the reality is that attaining the far right Lucky end of the continuum is more challenging if you have:
- less available money
- a busier working schedule
- a shortage of support for the kid(s) when you are working
- are less educated
- are English challenged
- past Adverse Childhood Experiences
And the simple reality is that districts with mostly Lucky Kids have it easy.
The parent(s) value academics and may be highly educated
Most of the kids come ready for kindergarten
The parent(s) can easily donate time, connections and/or money
The kids have support at home
The parent(s) can and will support tutors, equipment, etc
The parent(s) show up at conferences
The kids are in activities after school
etc
And districts with mostly Unlucky Kids have big challenges..
The parent(s) may not value academics and may not be highly educated
The parent(s) may not have time, money or connections.
Many of the kids come not ready for kindergarten
The kids have limited support at home
The parent(s) may not support tutors, equipment, etc
The parent(s) may not show up at conferences
The kids may be left alone and not in activities more often
etc
Now a challenge that the Robbinsdale School District has been fighting is the departure of many Lucky families and kids. The SW corner's demographics vary from that of the rest of the district. And those Lucky household's are close to Wayzata, Orono, Minnetonka, Hopkins, etc or may be able to afford one of the Private schools....
So how does a district keep all the people who can afford to open enroll or move???
Remember that child head count equals district revenue.
While providing the extra services and support needed by the Unlucky kids???
It has made quite the challenge for our community during our almost 20 years in the district and I am pretty happy that this our last year of being immersed in it. :-)
KSTP Coverage of RDale / AHS Situation
Before I fall asleep...
We looked around when the girls were young and made an informed decision to stay in the district. It does have it's challenges but the girl's loved their diverse friend group, the Parents we have socialized and worked with over the decades have been GREAT and we encountered far more great teachers than questionable ones !!!
The only significant concern I have had over the years is how to ensure the girls' studies and school life were not adversely impacted by the kids who do not value academics as much and engage in non-school activities during the school day. There are some strange stories I have heard over the years.
Good night.
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