[Vision2020] A Tradition of Excellence? Not Really!

Mon Nov 19 18:32:36 PST 2012

YOU GO, ROSE!!  Now if we could identify all the incompetant, abusive teachers and get rid of them, and applaude and reward all the excellent ones....

Still a dreamer after all these years.
Debi R-S
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rosemary Huskey 
  To: hunbecky at cassiaschools.org ; smygalen at cassiaschools.org 
  Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 7:37 PM
  Subject: [Vision2020] A Tradition of Excellence? Not Really!

  Ms. Hunsaker,

  Your school handbook proclaims in bold print  "A Tradition of Excellence."  Is this your idea of a joke?  The least sensitive individual - me, for example, can take one look at your aggressive, angry looking, clenched-fist bee and wonder what in the world is behind this crabby, mean-looking choice for an elementary school mascot?  Then I read the handbook  and understood the message behind the iconography. The use of the term "Sting Team"  throughout the handbook with its underlying message of a gang of thuggish enforcers hell bent (and I chose  the word hell deliberately) on inflicting  pain and punishment could not be clearer.  Did the writer of the handbook demonstrate an uncanny prescience of the face marking event, is this the ambiance you established at Declo Elementary, or is it a cack-handed attempt at ironic humor?  If you paid for this mess of a handbook, you were robbed!!!

  "A Tradition of Excellence" 

  Rebecca L. Hunsaker 

  Principal 

  hunbecky at sd151.k12.id.us 

  Declo Elementary School 

  120 E. main 

  Declo, Idaho 83323-5085 

  208-654-2391

  A tradition of excellence?  Really, Ms. Hunsaker?  Really?  In view of recent events (yes, I mean the abysmal judgment demonstrated by Ms. Summer Larsen, 4th grade teacher, and bully par excellence coupled with the acquiescence of you and the faculty) I read the school handbook.  In an effort to help you cut down on future printing expense I have lined over elements that you and your faculty, in particular Ms. Larsen, have chosen to ignore. (I toss all the faculty into the same nasty pot because if they saw this crappy behavior - and how could they not - and didn't put an end to it, they are just as guilty as the perpetrator.)  It is my hope that the school counselor didn't support your decision to allow this behavior.  If she did, why does she still have a job? How does it happen Ms. Hunsaker, that the style, prose, and goals have a marked similarity to those of a religious organization?  This is a public school, isn't it?  You might want to review  other elementary school handbooks for a little compare and contrast adventure.

  Belief Statements 

  1. Education is the foundation of successful and productive lives. 

  2. Education is essential for a strong community, state, and nation. 

  3. Students and parents share the responsibility for learning 

  4. All students can learn given a relevant curriculum, skillful and dedicated educators, and appropriate opportunities. 

  5. Each student is unique and has self-worth. 

  6. Students learn best in a positive environment. 

  7. Students and school personnel have a right to a safe and comfortable environment. 

  8. The resources of the district should support the mission and these beliefs. 

  Discipline 

  Discipline is an integral and important part of the educational process. Students should display good manners, honesty and integrity. They should show Respect in all situations, and accept Responsibility for their actions.

  Strength-Based Education 

  As a faculty and staff, we have worked together to identify what our most important focus behaviors are. As a school, we will teach these behaviors to all students. Every faculty and staff member will work on these behaviors with all students. They are key behaviors, that if practiced, will lead to life success. 

  Declo Elementary Sting Team (red emphasis mine)

  5 B's of Good Citzenship 

  Be Respectful 

  Be Tolerant 

  Be Courteous to others 

  Be Honest 

  Be Safe 

  "As a faculty and staff we have also identified two focus behaviors that will not be tolerated. (You folks are real knee slapping comics) If students exhibit one of these two behaviors they will have the opportunity to have correct behavior taught at least three times. After the three threshold parents will be called and the student will be put on a grade level behavior plan. "

  Sting Team Focus Behaviors 

  Physical Harassment 

  Verbal Harassment

  What, Ms. Hunsaker, do you do to teachers who violate all of the Sting Team rules?  Make her stay home for a couple of days, you say.  Really, Ms. Hunsaker? Really?

  Rules 

  Our Mission is to provide a quality education necessary for students to be successful in life. All of our school rules can be related to real life. Therefore, it is important that our students learn the rules and are able to abide by them if they are successful in this, they will be successful in life.   (Like you, Ms. Hunsaker?)

  Expectations For Students To Be Successful in life. 

  1. Show respect to others and their belongings. 

  2. If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up. 

  3. If someone bumps into you. Say excuse me, even if it was not your fault. 

  4. No matter what the circumstances, always be honest. Even if you have done something wrong, it is best to admit it. 

  5. When walking in line, keep your arms at your sides and move quietly. 

  6. Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them. 

  7. You don't have to like everyone, but you do have to treat everyone with respect and kindness. Talk kindly to even those you don't like. 

  8. Keep your hands to yourself. 

  9. If an adult asks you to do something, do it without moaning or complaining. 

              Editorial Query?  What if an adult encourages or permits students to be mean to you, should you accept that treatment without moaning or complaining?

  10. When talking to someone, speak kindly and make eye contact. 

  11. When someone does something well, congratulate them. 

  12. When listening to people, never interrupt and listen respectfully. You don't have to agree with them, but you do need to hear them out. 

  13. If you win or do something well, don't brag about it. 

  14. When someone does something nice for you or gives you something, tell them thank you even if you don't like whatever it was. 

  15. Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness. Always be thinking of others and what you could do to help them or make them happy. 

  16. Don't purposefully leave other people out of things. Try to include everyone even if there is someone you don't like. 

  17. Always clean up any messes you make. Don't expect others to clean up after you. 

  18. Treat others kindly at all times. 

  19. Be positive and enjoy life. Some things just aren't worth getting upset over. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good in your life. 

  20. Be the Best person you can be. 

  Rules For Showing Respect and Kindness to Others 

  1. No disruptive behavior (running, loud talking, etc.) in the halls. 

  2. No swearing or talking rudely to others. 

  3. No fighting or pretend fighting. 

  4. No throwing of inappropriate object such as pencils, erasers, snowballs, pebbles, or rock. (rocks?)

  5. No bullying, calling names, or teasing. This is Harassment. 

  6. Any behavior that stops the teaching process within the classrooms is not allowed. (Talking, passing notes, refusal to work, not paying attention, not being prepared, etc.)   Marking on the face on other students and laughing at them is really cool, and fine with us.

  7. No lying or being dishonest in anyway. 

  8. In appropriate body language is not accepted. Do not smack your lips, tsk, o roll your eyes.  (Editorial Query: what is o roll your eyes?

  9. No riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards on the playground. 

  10. No talking back to anyone, including adults or fellow students. 

  11. No illegal substances or weapons are allowed on the school ground or in the buses. 

  12. Respect each classroom teachers' rules.  (Does this include the abusive treatment in Ms. Larsen's classroom?)

  Finally, Ms. Hunsaker, your leadership is as flawed as Ms. Larsen's classroom management. It unfairly tarnishes the school district, the state, and quite frankly, the LDS church.  I am not LDS but I do know members are taught and demonstrate (at least in our community) a strong commitment for cherishing children.  How could you ignore those teachings?  Declo Elementary School has attracted extremely embarrassing national and international condemnation.  I noticed in pictures of the students that there may be students that speak English as a second language.  Were their faces marked because they didn't achieve the reading goal?  How many of your faculty speak a language other than English?  Have you learned anything from this horrible event?   

  Rose Huskey

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