School infrastructure, academic options and nutritious meals are some of the issues on the minds of Baltimore County Public Schools students, Superintendent Dallas Dance learned Wednesday.
Dance hosted the first of two Student Town Halls scheduled for the 2012-2013 school year during the lunch hour at Chesapeake High School in Essex. The second one is scheduled for spring 2013.
"The good thing was [the students] were asking a lot of the same questions we've been hearing from around the community," Dance said following the meeting. "It shows we're all on the same page."
Approximately 60 students from Chesapeake, Dundalk, Eastern Technical, Kenwood, Loch Raven, Overlea, Parkville, Patapsco, Perry Hall, Crossroads Center, Rosedale Center, Sparrows Point and Towson high schools were chosen by their principals to participate in the inaugural town hall. Additionally, Dance took questions from county students not in attendance via Twitter.
Jada Powell, an Overlea High School senior, asked the superintendent to share his thoughts on expanding the Advancement Via Individual Determination program. Dance responded that there are elements of the college readiness system, such as increased tutoring options, that can benefit all students.
"[Dance] was very nice," Powell said. "He answered questions thoroughly to help us understand it. Hopefully whatever he said, he's going to make happen."
Kacie Malloy, a senior at Patapsco High & Center For Arts in Dundalk, intended to ask Dance about magnet school programs, but wasn't able to ask her question as a result of time constraints. Malloy said she still appreciated the opportunity to hear from the superintendent.
"He definitely seems a lot more involved than we're used to—which is good," she said.
Dance shared Malloy's regret about the limited hour. He invited the students to email him with additional questions.
"It should have been longer," he said. "Maybe two hours."
Step 1 - Opening Salvo - "We must do a better job teaching minorities." Still waiting for the answer to that question. Step 2 - Use the "coolest" innovative tools - Hey, I am on Twitter. Control the questions in the Town Hall meetings and bloviate as needed. Step 3 and 4 (both accomplised here) - Be seen - It is all about the image baby. Appear at all high school graduations and speak as a great leader. Impress the folks - hey, this guy is everwhere. Step 4 - centralize and control as much as possible - high school graduations a good start. How did the schools manage to do it before him? What a great leader! If he accomplishes this - things will go well - for him of course. Kids will still be uneducated. But Dallas will catch the attention of the regime - regardless of results. Dancin all the way to the big money!!
Robert, Catonsville students and parents have been told that this year's graduation plan is on hold because central office is trying to take over the planning for all graduations for all high schools because Dr. Dance wants to attend them all. RMI hit the nail on the head with his comments.
Especially factoring in this is his first year on the job, heaven forbid the guy wants to make some changes including attending the graduations of the students under his watch. This simply struck me as complaining for the sake of complaining. Like those people who, out at dinner, send steak back if they ask for medium and it comes out medium-well.
What's he supposed to do about the existing overcrowding he's inheirited within months? Mandate another 3 high schools and a couple middle schoold be built? He's inheirited a system with previous management that's been largely on auto-pilot. Yes, this does remind me of someone else who now holds a higher office. It takes time to fix problems, especially those developed over decades.
I don't like the way the graduations will probably be held now - one after the other at a venue that may or may not be convenient to schools on our side of town, possibly on a date that will conflict with plans already made, such as senior week reservations in OC with non-refundable deposits. Fortunately, ours is not one of the families with this issue, so don't tell me I'm crying about that; I'm just thinking of all the parties involved, especially the students and their parents. I don't like cattle call ceremonies of this type where you have to clear out immediately because another group is coming in and they need the parking and the seats and you can't stand around talking to other families for a few minutes. I've been to a couple weddings where the churches were booked like this and it's not fun. Hurry up, get out - I don't want graduation to be like that as well. Unfortunately, that's most likely going to happen now.
* Work tirelessly in the minority community especially, but in all communities - teach the following - You must learn to speak properly, you must learn to read properly, you must learn to dress properly, pull your pants up, get rid of the sideways ballcap with the tag still on the brim. Parents, you must stop this behavior also. Shun people who behave ignorantly. You (students) have much more skill than you give yourself credit!! Do not allow the opinion of other people to become your reality! * Work hard in the business community. Give those business community leaders the freeedom to "tell it like it is." Explain to the kids what it takes to get in the door, yet it is possible to achieve! Develop those partnerships now! * Go to teachers and explain to them - we expect you to teach. No monkey business, etc. But, we do have your back - if kids in your class are creating problems, remove them from the class and let the teachers teach! * Don't forget about the high achievers - challenge them to stay high achievers! * Teach financial literacy classes at an early age. Hire financial professionals to teach these courses. It is a start. Anyone who tries this will be labeled many things from the left. It would create controversy, but our future is at stake!
That said, 12 of your 20+ years of working was under Dr. Hairston, perhaps that is a good reason for your pessimism?