What IB does to communities...

First posted 12/4/11 updated 12/15/11

Documented on the IB Only Stow Monroe Falls City School District facebook page 12/3/11 7:00 am,
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/131485120282849/

Mary Jane Schmitt
So, IB continues to change friendships and has completely "altered" the atmosphere in all of SMF schools. It is evident that if you question IB or know someone who has, you will find your circle of friends (or those you thought were friends) decline. I found it rather amusing watching moms that I once knew, walk the other direction or hold their head down low. Why would that be? Are they not proud of their actions? What bothers me most is what is happening within our schools. More and more teachers are eating in their classrooms and the once friendly atmosphere has turned cynical and untrusting. We have some of the brightest and most caring teachers in our district that now must remain silent and follow blindly doing as they are told or choose to leave. IB is a costly program/me that has divided our community and placed our teachers at odds, when is enough, enough? How long will this community allow Dr. Jones to continue down this path? We cannot afford IB without using the general funds nor can we afford the animosity that has divided our community.
· · · 19 hours ago
  • You, Lisa McLoughlin, Chris Pumphrey, Nh Teaparty and 2 others like this.
    • Lisa McLoughlin ‎*sigh* and this is the real Truth About IB. It is what makes me so sad, yet what keeps me trying to "save" our public schools AND communities from this insidious program. Think how in Nazi Germany, Germans whose children were friends with Jewish children - did they not behave the same way? Did they not shun the "Juden", lest they be caught fraternizing with them by the Nazis? Look how the editor of your Patch behaved when it came to comments opposing IB! Not just censorship - outright banning! For no reason other than a difference of opinion on an educational program!
      18 hours ago · · 3Loading...
    • Angel Woliver i feel your pain....
      16 hours ago · · 1Loading...
    • Nh Teaparty I was once penalized for eating in my classroom which I had to do because of workload. the principal thought it was his job to accuse me of "isolating" myself. translation = they could not monitor me as well and have my individuality respected
      16 hours ago via mobile · · 1Loading...
    • Nh Teaparty education has become a freaking mind control cult of communism
      16 hours ago via mobile · · 1Loading...
    • Jeanne Fencl Well IMO, they truely were not your friends, MJ. True friends can agree to disagree. Those that choose, to turn the other way, will be the first to ask "How did this happen?" Well people you better open the eyes, NOW, because it will not take long for IB to continue to cause an even bigger division, among our communitee!!! I am proud to say I DO NOT WANT IB IN OUR SCHOOLS, PERIOD!!!!
      16 hours ago · · 3Loading...
    • Nh Teaparty They can't be your friend if they want to keep their jobs. that is what it boils down to.
      16 hours ago via mobile · · 2Loading...
    • Tami Pierson-Carlisle MJ, you are a wonderful, caring grandmother and I am proud to call you my friend!
      15 hours ago · · 3Loading...
    • Brian Walker Sometimes it feels as though we are back in junior high only were adults now acting like kids. There is absolutely no trust within our schools and everyone is walking on eggshells. I have seen what MJ is referring to and it's rather disgusting to watch parents and teachers treat one another with such disrespect because of IB. Apparently, tolerance does not apply to the adults. The irony.....it's those who support IB that are acting this way and many of them view this site daily. I hope that when reading these posts they can take a step back and look at their recent actions. Is a difference of opinion enough to ruin years of friendship or as some have said, were they never truly a friend? We all need to take a step back and reflect on the past year and half, before IB. We can engage our children in inquiry learning and teach on a global level without involving the UN and paying hundreds of thousands to the Swiss that this district does not have. Why did we (or our parents) spend thousands of dollars on our educations, I highly doubt it was so we could allow a bunch of educrats telling us how to properly teach. Why would they ask our opinion on IB and then disregard it? Why would they continue to spout if you can't be on board, ask for a transfer? Is this what you signed up for? Is this the schools district you are proud to work for? When we will, myself included, be strong enough to stand up for what we believe is right?
      14 hours ago · · 4Loading...
    • Chris Pumphrey I feel your pain.... its just rediculous when Parents behave like children.
      13 hours ago · · 1Loading...
    • Lisa McLoughlin wow. This thread is really a keeper. These comments beautifully encapsulate the tension and feelings of what happens when good people dare to question the agenda of the Statists. Stand strong, SMF.
      13 hours ago · · 2Loading...
    • Jeanne Fencl ‎Brian Walker when you and others are reading to stand up against this, you have to remember, all involved have the backing of many parents. And trust me, we will back you 150%. And I will make a HUGE suggestion, that the teachers union better step up to the plate, and protect each and everyone of you. That is THEIR job!!! To back and support you. And file grievances against those that are causing such conflict. There are many bylaws and state revised codes to protect you and others, we are just waiting for the teachers and staff to stand up against this rediculous program/me. I am sure their are many that will come in the classrooms as volunteers and watch and listen. My youngest is NOT in at IT or Eh, but I would be more than willing to come and help, with the kids. I am already to go and have my ID ready. Anyone else up to volunteering??? The more eyes and ears in the buildings the better. I love going up the Delphi, I think I have mastered it, and did not know I was already doing it. I will tell you also, we are gathering information, not just on IB but other spending that is not necessary, and is excessive. After the holidays, I will be posting what I have documentation of. And trust me their is going to be some pissed off parents, when they see the wasted spending. My Christmas wish and New Years wish is to get this district back to the way things were. Hang in there you have support, and for those looking at this group, it is never to late to do the right thing.
      8 hours ago · · 1Loading...
    • Tami Pierson-Carlisle Jeanne---Chicka a BOOOOM!
      about an hour ago ·
    • Tami Pierson-Carlisle If there are SMF educators reading the comments in our little social forum, I hope that they will take a moment to ask themselves why Dr. Jones & The BOE apparently felt that foreign intervention in our classrooms was so desperately needed. Why would our district spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to reinforce NON-ACADEMIC skills in teachers with a record of exceptional performance? In the same breath, these administrators may tell you that there is no money for bullying intervention or suicide prevention, no money for raises and benefits, no money for building maintenance, for books or teaching resources. I, like so many others, have worked non-stop for nearly ten years donating money and time to SMFCSD, raising supplemental funds through PTA. Always we hear the same tune, "Not enough money. Not enough money". But, IB waltzes in with a designer label and all sticker shock subsides? Why? Because our local educators were so missing the mark that no expense was too great...or because there was money seemingly up for grabs and the IB logo looks good on our website? Hundreds of thousands in ARRA money appears to have gone back to the government. I believe that Dr. Jones said that the purchase would not require money from the general fiund. How has IB been financed then? Teachers, I do not fight IB to spite you. I do not doubt you; I support you. What I doubt is that IB should be in our schools...that we can afford the Program/me. And, I wonder why none of you take the purchase as a sad comment on your own abilities. The money has been spent, the Program/me is in place...are our schools/is our community better off for the effort, arguing and expense? What is the IBO doing that SMF educators could not have achieved on their own? If Lakeview is legitimately putting forth the concepts sans IB enrollment, the answer seems to be NOTHING! Risk-taking? Paying for IB just may place us all in futile peril!
      18 minutes ago · · 1You like this.
_____________________________________________

Same facebook page - thread below copied 12/15/2011 7:00 am.
Emily Miller

Reflection can be a powerful tool....As I reflect on conversations between friends and collegues these past few weeks I am reminded that many of the individual's on this site are parents that have spent countless hours volunteering in classrooms, donating gifts, and even donating money to help fund projects, buy a new TV, or even art supplies. SMF is not rated Excellent solely because of the students and staff but also because of the many wonderful, kind and generous parents, so thank you.
In the same breath I also need to apologize. There are some in the administration as well as parents that have tried and succeeded (in some cases) to discredit and tarnish your once wonderful reputations. Why? Because you did your homework. IB may or may not be forced upon SMF, but ALL of you can stand ...tall and be proud that you stood by your beliefs. You have been very open and understanding of those that embrace IB and have treated those individuals with the utmost respect. Unfortunately, they have not given you the same courtesy. Hearing parents and staff speak negatively about those on this site is shameful and disgraceful. I urge everyone reading this site to reach out and actually get to know these parents, they truly are what makes our schools and community great! They will continue to be here volunteering, donating funds and supplies, and standing up and speaking out for what they believe in, regardless of those trying to keep them down.

12 hours ago
  • You, Darice Evans, Chris Pumphrey, Lisa McLoughlin and 4 others like this.
    • Brian Walker Em, I whole heartedly agree with you. When those you entrust your children to participate in gossip and ruin reputations all because of one program, it's time to take a step back and reflect. So many remain silent or hide one's identity but no one seems to care about that. Everything is overlooked to get the "prize". There are no winners here, until we can all speak freely and stop acting like teens, everyone will continue to lose.
      12 hours ago · · 6
    • Wendy Foster I'm not actually sure the parents realize what is happening here. Did you know that some parents actually "unfriended" some of the parents that oppose IB? Now, how childish is that? Parents asked questions and made some waves so we abandon them? I'm just glad we have parents still willing to be involved in their children's lives. There are still many people out there not willing to research IB, just trust what they have been told by the "powers that be" which is ok, but give these parents and teachers that have actually researched IB the benefit of doubt and start treating them with the respect everyone deserves.
      12 hours ago · · 5
    • Wendy Foster SMF lost a lot of good families this year and many more will go.
      11 hours ago · · 3
    • Michelle Schmidt An Open letter to all who speak in a negative light -
      Talk all you want about what terrible people we are , about how we do not have the best interest of the children at heart or whatever it might be that will ruin our names. We have done nothing wrong and do not care what you think or say about us in regards to IB. Our friends that believe in this program are fine with our stance - thus they are our friends. We have lost some "friends" at the schools but have found that we are better off without them in our lives. Thank you for showing your true colors our "friends". You have saved us time in we now know that you are not who you said to be. As for the administration you have shown your true colors. I personally loved the title of Disgruntled Lunatic - that is my favorite. Thanks go to the few SMF IB Supporters for giving us this honorary title. The best and only thing to come from this program is the new found friendships.
      11 hours ago · · 5
    • Lisa McLoughlin What kind words from Emily and Brian! Ever since I "met" some of these fine parents and patriots way back in June, I have been extremely proud of their willingness to do the tough, on the ground research to get to the TRUTH about IB. Do any of the IB supporters actually think these parents have engaged in this fight against IB because their Mah Jong group split up and they don't have anything else to do? Disgruntled Lunatics? With "axes to grind" no doubt. Been there, done that. I've been called worse. But I am proud to say I feel as though I've gained a bunch of new friends that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with to stand for liberty and for what's best for the taxpayers and the children. Keep up the fight - the truth will prevail - take back your schools. You can do it. You're more than halfway there with the ousting of Matthews and Mariola. Put the nail in IB's coffin in 2012!
      11 hours ago · · 4
    • Jeanne Fencl Road blocks may be put up, but I can asure everyone, that they can and will be gone through. Bumps in the road are part of life. Also in life, one must go with their gut feelings on many decisions. I have spent many hours, days and weeks researching, asking questions, and getting answers. My children did get frustrated at first, but I explained to them, that when you believe in something or someone, do what you believe in your heart. My children do not attend EH or IT (they did when in they were in elementary school), but I and the other parents on this group and others, that have choosen to remain silent on FB, will continue to watch out for all the children in the district. We will also be there for every staff member who needs support. We can not help what others say about us, everyone has an opionion and can choose how they want to express that opionion. As Brian stated there are no winners, as long as this behavior continues unfortuantely, there will only be losers. Is this what is best for the children? I believe that, everyone agrees that the children should and will come first. Why can't the teachers continue to provide an excellent education to our children as they have been doing for years? Why must the division continue? Why no matter how professional the staff is, put our children in this type of enviroment, where their is tension between administration and staff? It is time to stop, IMO. It is time for the administration, to open their eyes and do what is right, IMO. And that would be to heal this district and get things back on track. AGAIN LET THE TEACHERS DO WHAT THEY TRAINED TO DO, TEACH OUR CHILDREN. I want to thank all the brave parents, citizens and teachers for standing up and sticking to their convictions in a civilized manor.
      11 hours ago · · 4
    • Mary Jane Schmitt I know we have had these discussions before but apparently the negativity towards the parents on this site seems to be increasing. I believe this is such a big issue because the name calling, negative characteristics and bullying are coming from the top on down. These are the very people we send our children off to on a daily basis. It may also be increasing because IT is IB everything, the daily lessons are being lost due to the six Transdiciplinary themes. As or EH, prior to the levy vote it was stated there wasn't money to continue with IB but starting January 1st, they are moving full steam ahead, even without the required training which will not take place until March. Sure, they gave the teachers the "option" for training but what would the consequences be if they didn't? Not many were willing to find out. So as Catherine Bulgrin stated, the $6.5 levy will help up to limp along, where did the money come from to pay for IB? For those of you that support IB or have no opinion, did you donate the funds to pay for this purchase? Are you not the least bit concerned that there is no line item for IB, that Ms. Bulgrin can not specifically inform the board or community how much money has been spent thus far or even will be spent? Parents at IT, have you noticed the changes within your library? Where did that money come from? Where is all this money coming from? Will our district be bankrupt because Dr. Jones and our Board are not listening?
      3 hours ago · · 3
    • John Eppolito All roads lead to Jones. SMF needs a superintendent that can bring the community together!
      about an hour ago · · 2
Posted by Father of Four at 5/5/2012 5:51 PM
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