Observer

D-Y's "Dysfunctional Youth"

DY is one of the worst performing school districts on the Cape
The 'spin goes on, but the facts are brutal and costly

I enjoy reading the variety of media sources out here on the Cape and listening to the heartbeat that drives us. However, after hearing of some recent news, and reading an article on another site, I decided to look into the facts myself. I found it particularly interesting the spin that Dennis Yarmouth has been putting on their current situation.

You don't get those ankle monitoring bracelets
for good behavior.

It's no secret that DY is one of the worst preforming school districts on the Cape, and students are leaving at an alarming rate! A few weeks ago, it was reported by Superintendent Carol Woodbury at a Dennis Town meeting that if they moved the eight graders to the high school, the District could save $300,000 and the "savings would be used to improve programs, expand staff and reinstate librarians".

It would also allow for another school to close in Yarmouth and save even more money. Did someone forget how much it "saved" the district when they closed John Simpkins? You still need to carry insurance on a vacant building that will become an eyesore in time, even though "They" say it never will, then there is moving expenses, layoffs...

How's that 'save the librarians' tactic working for ya?

Wait a minute... Librarians? Wasn't that the tactic for the last budget vote in the Spring. Vote yes to keep the Librarians. How's that working out? I'll tell you, my neighbor now takes her kids to the town Library because of that broken promise.

Wasn't that the tactic for the last budget vote in the Spring?

So lets get back to the eighth grade move, and look at the Pilot Program started this year, because this is where I really started to scratch my head. There is no doubt that the Pilot Program idea was based on good intentions. Keep the kids in the district, improve scores, and keep property values up though a charter type education program focused on Math and Science.

The Register had a beautiful article the other day with a subheading under a picture, "Teamwork is key as Dennis-Yarmouth eighth-graders work on their Future City entry". This is very different from the "teamwork" I heard about the other day from several sources.

This "teamwork" uses electronic tools too, but in a different way. The "tools" I am referring to are two students with ankle monitoring bracelets in the program. We all know you don't get these for good behavior or because a kid made a "bad choice".

It's more like the kid is a major problem and is getting a head start on their "career choice"

Bullying, shaking down other kids in the cafeteria for lunch money

One of them that I can validate has been shaking kids down in the cafeteria for their lunch money and threatening them. Some of the kids were even assaulted. The parent said this has been happening for a while, and the kids have been talked to, but the Principal, Mr. Jenks at the high school doesn't want to give the program a black eye because next year all the eight graders are suppose to come there. (See the cc2day story on bullying here.)

One of the students was finally suspended the other day, and the other kicked out of the program and possibly sent back to the middle school he came from. (I only imagine to spread more cheer to the younger more vulnerable students just in time for the Holiday Season)

Did educated people really come up with these ideas?

The other "Teamwork" happens because the eight grade hall is near the tenth grade hall. Evidently this is not by coincidence as these two grades also share the gym together for Physical Education class and change in the same locker room.

Really? I can't imagine that this is emotionally healthily or free of any bullying. No seriously, did educated people really come up with these variables? Technology is great and so is mentoring, but I don't imagine this is how these student expected to be exposed to it.

I went a bit further and looked at the Dennis Yarmouth Improvement Plan 2010-2014 and while searching I came across another article about Superintendent Woodbury's six year and approximately million dollar contract.

Superintendent Woodbury's
six year and approximately million dollar contract.

At my age, this is one of those times I was happy to have my short term memory waning, otherwise I might have a stroke with all these issues. Looking at the plan, it's a pretty lengthy document structuring how the District is going to get back on track and off being grounded by the State.

The plan is very well written, but I couldn't help asking myself, really?, the more I read. It reminded me of a scenario when you get a dandelion in your yard you might not notice it, then there is another, and another, suddenly your lawn looks like garbage. The district is not looking too pretty, and I can understand why Dennis wants to separate.

The documented has several key words in the goals. I paid particular attention to the later parts that focused on being "Supported, Improved communication, building relationships with the community, and addressing student's academic, emotional/social and well being needs".

The district is not looking too pretty, and I can understand why Dennis wants to separate.

For most of these goals, there was to be a committee established or will be established and made up of the Superintendent, Administrators, K-12 insight consultants, public relations volunteers and professional teaching staff. That's quite a bit of meeting time and it is sounding awfully like "Big Government".

The result of this plan targets improving student performance, retaining and increasing enrolment, student well being, increasing property values, and focusing on the Districts mission "Empowering each student to achieve excellence with integrity in a challenging world"

In the eyes of one of the students mentioned above 20 kids times $3.00 = $60.00 for the High Tech 21st Century little tough guy. Well, he achieved excellence in a challenging world. Two out of three isn't too bad. Then again there is honor/integrity among thieves. Wow, he's done really well!

Time to stop making promises that are not kept and be honest about what is really going on Superintendent Woodbury, and call in the National Guard to take the high school back, I'm sure the Assistant Principal there has some connections.

~ Just a view from an Observer