I have something to say...

Hi Readers!

I wanted to share with you all why I decided to leave the Plainfield Public Schools. When I got promoted from 5th grade to 6th grade, I was pretty nervous going into Hubbard School. I remember hearing all of these terrible things that happen there and Plainfield High School. I remember going onto 7th and 8th grade with good grades and involving myself with positive people. Even though I never had the experience as a Plainfield High School student, I still know of the things that the school offer.

SO WHY DID YOU LEAVE EXACTLY? I left PPS because I felt that Plainfield High School's curriculum did NOT offer what I wanted to do for my own career. Since I left, the Board of Education has created PAAAS School which offers what I want to do. But, at the time I graduated in 2008 there was nothing that attracted me to Plainfield High School. I later found out about Union Catholic Regional High School. I read through their curriculum and I read through the classes they offer. I decided well if I want to be a newscaster or even a teacher, this is the school for me. They offer those classes and have a great background in preparing teachers and newscasters of the future.

WHAT IF? From what I hear, from a current student there that they DO NOT offer the courses that I wanted. If PHS had courses in Communications, Journalism and Future Teachers of Education classes then I would have went to PHS. I have nothing against the Plainfield Schools or anyone in the schools.

ADDRESSING THE POST: I want to address a post entitled "Let's step it up." When I posted this it was not as if I was looking down on the BOAACD and PHS Board Liaison Members. I was simply asking if it is possible to have another student serve on the Liaison team. I think its great for those students to be able to voice their opinions to the public. It may seem as if I am someone looking down on the Plainfield Schools or a student who "knows" everyone in the district and can use his connections. No, I dont know everyone in this distict. When I meet someone who is a teacher, student, district official or has some type of responsibility in the district; I make sure that I speak with them and get to know their character. I have met all types of people in the district teachers at Hubbard School, Maxson School, PHS, Clinton K-8, Jefferson, Evergreen, Barlow and Cedarbrook. Do not make me out to be the villian, I make suggestions that can lead to a positive change. Whether the District Officials run with those ideals or not is their decision not mines. No I am not or do I think I am smarter than everyone. It's a matter of how I feel and what I think, and that's that!

ADDRESSING THE QUESTION?: There was a question that someone asked me on how do I propose we create more leadership characteristics in PHS. Well, their are "The Leadership Project" members at Plainfield High School. I would hope since they are Student Leaders they would or should be withholding those characteristics throughout the school. As President, I am not able to oversee what they are doing obviously because we attend different schools. Any of the PHS students who would like to learn and develop leadership skills are more than welcome to come and learn more about us.

MY PERSPECTIVE: I am hopeful that things will be fine and PHS and the other schools will develop positive characteristics throughout their school. I just don't like when I am made out to be the vilian, when I am trying to do something to better us as a community. For more on the Leadership Project please send me an e-mail at Slhill.LP@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

COMING UP: Some surprises and much more.

I'm Vashon

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hi Readers!

I'm still here. I have been super busy. I take two online classes, which COMPLETELY take up my time. I am going to try to start posting before I go to bed or right when I wake up. I start my day pretty early at 5:30am. If you are wondering what online classes I take they are, Virtual High School- Kindergarten Student Teaching and Topics in Education- Sciene Biology Lab Teacher's Assistant. I like taking the online classes, they are fun and I get to see how I work under pressure when things are due.

MY PERSPECTIVE: I will begin posting the night before or as soon as I wake up. It's still pretty hard getting back into the swing of things now that I am a junior and the pressure is on HIGH!

COMING UP: More on the district. What roles do "The Leadership Project" Executive have? All of that and more.

On the next "A Student's Perspective"

I'm Vashon

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP

Let's step it up..

Good Morning Readers!




Recently, I had the chance to go onto the district's website. Under the News & Notes for the week of September 20th, 2010, It reads....

1. PPS hosts Back to School Nights


2. Hubbard School celebrates President Obama's speech


3. PPS Insider, Issue #4


4. Dedication of Joe Black Baseball Field


5. Board of Education Student Liaisons.


6. Meeting with District Principals

Okay, So here's my concern. As a district and a community, we should be working on community involvement and togetherness. The board Members consist of people who have taught in the district, went through the school system as a student or had some type of role in the Plainfield Schools. There is a student Liaison team that consists of current Plainfield High School and Barack Obama Academy students, they are also seen to people as a "minature" or "kid" board of liaisons. Here's my question, "Can students in the community serve on the liaisons board?" The reason I bring concern to this is because, it's very important and their are "kids" or students in the district who want to bring awareness to things in the district also. They should be able to be sworn in along with the others. I understand that they are students in the schools, however there title is Board Liaison. "Why not have someone in the community sit on the bench?"

CALLING FOR IT: I think it's neccesary for another student or two (2) more students in the community who do NOT attend the schools to join the District Board Liaison. I think for the 2011-2012 school year; the Board of Education should announce or someone in the community should nominate someone (a student who does NOT attend PPS) to be sworn onto the Board Liaison. It is definitely something to think about and something that we should do as a community.

MY PERSPECTIVE: I think this is neccesary and the Board of Education will be seen differently. They (the community) should nominate or somehow ask another student to serve on the liaison team. It's definitely time for a change on that part. We will see what the future holds on that part.

COMING UP: Where are going now? Calling for action. Stay tuned.

All of that and more coming up on the next, A Student's Perspective

I'm Vashon

"Today's youth becoming tommorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP

"Leading with Dignity"

Hi Readers! Here are the 2010-2011 Student Leadership Members.



President
Vashon Lamont Hill

Vice President

Sameerah R. Jones

Secretary

Delmis Hernandez

Director (s)

Shawn R. Colletta
James R. Malkmus


Members

Liz Colocho

Nansi Hernandez

Jonathan D. Mercado

Erick S. Ojeda

Deisy Meza

Christian Ojeda

Thalia Mercado

Tamara Basantes

Joel Mercado

Jessica Basantes

Isabel Sanchez


MY PERSPECTIVE: I am happy with the new members for this year! I am ready for a good and positive year.


COMING UP: More on the district and upcoming events! Enjoy your day!


"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP

Acknowledging the Staff with Dignity

Readers....I'd like to give acknowledgement to the staff at Jefferson School. For their wonderful efforts and the back to school night which was completely fantastic. I saw alot of happy faces when they left their child's classroom. Let's give some tributes

Antoinette Barracato
Barbara Plummer
Yolanda Hughes
Melinda Sooby
Jennifer Jehle
Kristina Jerome
Bridget Molnar
C. Maria Rodriguez
Jami Jasper-Armstrong
Rosalyn Gallmon
Melissa Logan
Rosa Gonzalez
Isabella DeSantis
Pepper Stackhouse
Constance Brown-Anderson
Guillermo Pena
Maudeline Gayle-Roberts
Myke Washington
Gloria Middleton

Vincent Barracato
Ellen Zelnock
Maria Perez
Mark Shalaby
Olivia Torres

Janet Banks
Sang Lee
Shawn R. Colletta
Andrea Green
Nurse Marge Leonard
Denise Scala
Judy Safi
Yaneth Sierra

Anthony Tweedy
Frank Palermo

Scot Burkholder
R. Kay Christmas
Keith Coston
Edna Lawrence


MY PERSPECTIVE: Good JOB to the staff of Jefferson School. You all did a great job and you deserve to be commended. I am pleased and happy to do my internship along side wonderful people like you all.


COMING UP: More on the G. Bailey report. New details are coming. Stick around, your not gonna want to miss this!


That's it for "A Student's Perspective"


In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project


VLHill/LPP

Promising the Pics

Hey Readers! As promised, I have pics from Jefferson's Back to School Night. A big thank you to all the staff who participated in the pics. We had a great turn out of parents.

• Principal S. Burkholder welcomes parents.
  

• The Leadership Project's poster board.
  
  

• 2nd Grade Teacher Jami Jasper-Armstrong discusses class books for the class library.

• 2nd Grade Teacher Bridget Molnar prepares for the parents to come and vist.

• ESL Coordinator Andrea Green and Constance Brown-Anderson, Read 180/Reading Plus Teacher review a student's homework.
  

• 2nd Grade Teacher C. Maria Rodriguez discusses her class to the parents.

• Read 180 Teacher Constance Brown-Anderson, reads a letter from Antoinette Barracato, Kindergarten teacher (who is away on maternity leave.) Picture 1: Constance Brown-Anderson stresses the importance of at home reviews of vocabulary.

• 1st Grade Teacher Kristina Jerome speaks to the parents of her class about the importance of homework.
  
  
  

• 4th Grade Teacher Isabella DeSantis reviews her class daily routines and rituals.
  
  

• Kindergarten Teacher Barbara Plummer discusses with her student's parents, the daily plan for each day.
  
  
  
• 3rd Grade Teacher Rosalyn Y. Gallmon shares with the parents that, this is "Your Child's classroom."
  

• 1st Grade Bilingual Teacher Melinda Sooby speaks to a parent about what the students are reviewing in her class.
  
• 
  Staff being introduced to parents from left to right. Kindergarten Bilingual Teacher Yolanda Hughes, Vocal Music Teacher Sang Lee, 6th Grade/Mathematics Teacher Gloria Middleton, Health and Physical Ed. Teacher/Leadership Project Co-Coordinator Shawn R. Colletta, Read 180/Reading Plus Teacher Constance Brown-Anderson, 3rd Grade Teacher Rosalyn Y. Gallmon, Nurse Marge Leonard, 4th Grade Teacher Pepper Stackhouse, and Guidance Counselor Denise Scala. (The rest of the staff is on the other side of the presentation screen).
  

MY PERSPECTIVE: I had a very fun time at the Back to School Night. Good Job to all the staff, Shout out to Mr. Burkholder on his Leadership in this event.

COMING UP: Individual Acknowledgements to Jefferson Staff. More reports on the G. Bailey law suit.

That's it for "A Student's Perpective" I'm Vashon

In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill

Throwing in the towel...

Hey Readers!! I've got some interesting things to discuss today. I have been completely busy with school, and preparing my lessons to work with the kindergarteners. Jefferson's Back to School was awesome. Pics coming soon. Here's what's going on now....



Fomer Director of Human Resources Garnell V. Bailey, is throwing in the towel. In a Courier News front page report, Bailey has filed a lawsuit against her past employers, claiming that Superintendent of Schools Steve Gallon III instituted a hostile not so friendly work environment after she reported a sexual harassment report against him.




The report was filed August 30th in Superior Court. Bailey's law suit alleges an incident before the opening of the 2009-2010 School Year resulting in her resgination as Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. On August 27th, 2009 Bailey was informed by a district administrator that Gallon had been romanticly pursuing one of the district administrative secretaries, and this secretary felt that he (Gallon) was attempting to take a job "action" against her, because she refused his wants, says the report.



Looking deeper into the report, Bailey relayed this situation to a Board attorney, who then interviewed the secretary and then interviewed Gallon alone, then he again interviewed them together. The secretary came into Bailey's office after the interview and said she did NOT want to pursue the matter any futher.



Working conditions started to go down the drain when Gallon started to make working conditions a little bit too much to handle. During a district administrator's staff meeting, Gallon intended to publicly embarrass and humiliate Bailey, stated in the report. He started embarrasing her by stating "She is not doing her job, she's lacking." Claiming Gallon also locked her out of the Human Resources Department by changing the locks on doors and ultimately removing her from attending executive meetings, during which district personnel discussions.


REPORTING TO SOMEONE ELSE: By November 2009, Bailey was informed that human- resources staff who reported to her, now will be reporting to Gallon. Which would make them at a higher position than Bailey. A couple of weeks later, Bailey was gone as she looked for new employment due to the ruin of her reputation.


She is also suing board member Brenda L. Gilbert and former board member Christian Estevesz. Gilber could not be reached for comment, however Estevez said this, "Yeah. Whatever, I have free speech rights too." He claims Bailey is the reason for Gallon being tied to this personnel controversy.



MY PERSPECTIVE: I wonder what will happen with the case. I still think Gallon is responsible for this whole personnel controversy. He has to pay! As for Garnell Bailey, I am related to her through a side of my family; I won't say she is innocent, but she isn't guilty either. Dr. Gallon knew what he was doing from the beginning. As for the secretary, I totally believe he was pursuing her. That's my Perspective. Pics will be coming soon from Jefferson's Back to School Night.


COMING UP: Pics from Jefferson Schools's Back to School Night. Also, more on the new controversy. Your not gonna want to miss it.


That's it for "A Student's Perspective" I'm Vashon.


In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications


"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project


VLHill/LLP

Heading back to the classroom....

Hey Readers! My apologizes for not having pictures of the Leadership Members in action with the Jefferson School staff. We had some technical difficulties with one of the cameras. I promise I will have pics of our first meeting.

• Washington Community School

Today was the first day of School. Students were ready and prepared for meeting their new teacher (s). I will be going to Jefferson School tomorrow and visiting the Kindergarten Classrooms.

TEACHING THE FUTURE: This school year, I will be doing Student Kindergarten Teaching at Jefferson School. I am excited to work with the new Kindergarteners at Jefferson. I am hoping that the kids will like me. I have A LOT of Lessons I have to prepare for.

MY PROSPECTIVE: I am excited about teaching Kindergarten this year. I have a lot of new ideals that are going to work out well.

COMING UP: Pictures on The Leadership Project's first meeting. New blogs on what's going on in the district.

That's it for "A Student's Prospective" I'm Vashon

In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LLP

It's September....School is here!

Students it's time to start preparing, going to bed earlier, and your supplies for the school year. School for the Plainfield Public School's start September 7th. Professional Development Days for Staff are scheduled for September 2nd and September 3rd.



BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS: Back to School Nights are scheduled for September 15th (5 Elementary Schools), September 16th (5 Elementary Schools), September 22nd (Middle Schools), and September 23rd (High Schools)

• September 15th: F.W. Cook, Cedarbrook, Stillman, Jefferson, and Washington
• September 16th: Clinton, Woodland, Barlow, Emerson, Evergreen
• September 22nd: F.J. Hubbard, Maxson, PAAAS
• September 23rd: PHS and BOAACD
• - All sessions stand at a time of 7:00pm-9:00pm

MY PROSPECTIVE: I hope all of the Back to School Nights go GREAT! I am excited because this year the Leadership Project will be assisting. Hope to see all the Jeff. parents

COMING UP: Coming up on, Plainfield: A Student's Prospective: For the Past, Present, Future: Pics from the First LP Event. Plus more developments on the Gallon, Kemp, Kelly controversy.

That's it for "A Student's Prospective" I'm Vashon

In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications

"Today's Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP

Preparing as a Team

Hello Readers! Can ya believe it's September. I have to say I am some what excited to get back into the swing of things.

• Pictured: Former Emerson Kindergarten Teacher Sandy Lopez-Donavan- now Woodland School, teaching her class about coloring.

GETTING PREPARED: As the first day of school approaches, the staff of Plainfield Public Schools will begin the year with two (2) Staff Professional Development Days (September 2nd and September 3rd). Teachers will be working collabratively with their colleagues and school administrators.

MY PROSPECTIVE: I hope this year's Professional Development Days come out positive. I hope the schools and administrators are working diligently as a team and comparing each other's ideals and inputs on the new year and the Curriculum. The Leadership Project will be working with the staff this coming Friday at Jefferson School. I am looking forward to planning and working with them all. We are super excited to begin the year positively. First day of School for Plainfield is September 7th.

COMING UP: Coming up on, Plainfield: A Student's Prospective: For the Past, Present, Future: I'll have pics from the Leadership Project's First Event of the year. Are we headed in the right direction for the new year?

That and more on the next, Plainfield: A Student's Prospective.

That's it for "A Student's Prospective" I'm Vashon

In Assoc. with I.C.A.U. Publications

"Todays Youth becoming tomorrow's Leaders"

The Leadership Project

VLHill/LPP