[Vision2020] A Tradition of Excellence? Not Really!

Mon Nov 19 09:22:42 PST 2012

Teachers and school districts need to read the old classic *The Analysis of
Behavior* by B. F. Skinner to learn the basics of what motivational
techniques work in the long run and which ones don't.

w.

On Mon, Nov 19, 2012 at 9:32 PM, deb <debismith at moscow.com> wrote:

> **
> 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 <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com>
> *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<http://www.sd151.k12.id.us/schools/deweb/assets/handbook.pdf>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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> ------------------------------
>
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> =======================================================
>
>
> =======================================================
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>

-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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