tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post928854424326011415..comments2023-12-24T05:26:48.861-05:00Comments on The Pittsburgh Comet: Preserving Schenley: The Prudent ChoiceBram Reichbaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-58601236565074825402008-06-28T21:44:00.000-04:002008-06-28T21:44:00.000-04:00On what shape "reform" may take: Think tax reform,...On what shape "reform" may take: Think tax reform, health care reform, social security reform, tort reform, welfare reform, campaign finance reform, etc.Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10173710819441088671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-14056152178167769012008-06-25T17:50:00.000-04:002008-06-25T17:50:00.000-04:00Ummm, at 12:36 -- the "designer programs"? That'...Ummm, at 12:36 -- the "designer programs"? That's the Roosevelt wave of the future. IB as its own school rather than part of a comprehensive high school, a science and technology school, CAPA and Rogers merged and all of the above in 6-12 formats. These are designer/boutique/theme schools (pick your term) and they're all his. It's being done in the name of increased choices. <BR/><BR/>He says that comprehensive high schools (and it looks like most middle schools) are on their way out. Can't prove it by the suburbs, but it's true here, because he's doing it. <BR/><BR/>I'm a little confused by the description of Frick as not comprehensive above you though -- it has sports teams, music, clubs, etc. Doesn't mean that some kids don't also do other things outside of school, but you can surely fill your kid's time with the programs *currently* offered at Frick. I added the ** because I imagine many of those things may not last long after the IB program becomes a 6-12 stand-alone school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-59573587236233789502008-06-24T12:36:00.000-04:002008-06-24T12:36:00.000-04:00The problem is choices cost money.....money that w...The problem is choices cost money.....money that we dont have. All of these designer programs are lovely, but we simply cant afford tham all. <BR/><BR/>Putting money in to remodel old buildings versus using space we have is the issue at hand. We need the money to pay for the teachers union contracts...so the buildings must be neglected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-2378219371289167442008-06-24T10:39:00.000-04:002008-06-24T10:39:00.000-04:00I am often amazed at how much a parent plays a par...I am often amazed at how much a parent plays a part in the success of a student attending a magnet school. Mark Rauterkus is a fine example with his son at Frick. He has his son involved in activities outside the school environment as a supplement which likely fills a void created by not having his kids in a neighborhood, comprehensive middle school. Mark makes it look easy. I too have a middle schooler, but mine would not function and perform to the best of his ability in a magnet. I tend to think of his education in a complrehensive middle school as his liberal arts education phase. Mr. Roosevelt may just find a number of parents just like me who will demand the retention of comprehensive middle schools and ask him to keep them operating. Every parent and student have choices. This should be an option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-45457536135836836412008-06-23T15:28:00.000-04:002008-06-23T15:28:00.000-04:00Thank you Bram for helping to hopefully change thi...Thank you Bram for helping to hopefully change this discussion (as the parents have been trying to do) to a discussion about what the heck (I usually use a different modifier there!) "reform" will ultimately look like. If Schenley is the harbinger of that change, I'm not optimistic. My son no longer goes to Schenley--er Reizenstein. He will go to Allderdice next year, a change that would have happened regardless of the outcome of this fight. My daughter is years away from High School. I have no immediate horse in this race. But I still am adamantly opposed to closing Schenley 1. because we haven't seen all the real data or had any of the questions we started asking in November answered, and 2. for all the reasons you stated. <BR/><BR/>How frustrating that the heart of this debate has been ignored in almost completely ignored in the press, and people still think its a debate over $72 million dollars worth of asbestos. I hope that the rest of the city wakes up before the Pittsburgh Public Schools system crumbles and Roosevelt skips town without...(I want to make some reference to Music Man but its been too long since I've seen it.)<BR/><BR/>I'd hate to be one of the politicians that bet the wrong way on this one!JenEnglandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187324279024758768noreply@blogger.com