New Wilson Principal and the Beacon paper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What meeting?

exactly my question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What meeting?

exactly my question

It's 6:30 tonight for kids in the hospitality academy.

[Anonymous]

PP - my DC is not in that academy but I'm curious as to how you're getting information about meetings at the school.

[Anonymous]

The academy meetings are in the website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - my DC is not in that academy but I'm curious as to how you're getting information about meetings at the school.

My child who attends Wilson and who's in that academy told me I have to be there this evening.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:In her interview with the Wilson Beacon this summer, Principal Martin was asked about prior review of school newspapers. She avoided a direct answer and sort of danced around the topic. Now, of course, we know that she could have simply and honestly answered, "yes". But, it turns out that even the answer she gave was a very loose interpretation (to put it nicely) of the truth. Here is the question and answer:

ED: Do you believe in freedom of the press for us or do you believe in prior review of the paper for students?

KM: I think in the last three years here in Aspen, I probably had two discussions with the newspaper about something they were reporting. I wasn’t trying to censor the content, it was like this is not an accurate quote or you have to dig to find this information here. I certainly think even if it’s a perspective that’s unpopular, meaning, even if it’s something that’s negative against me or towards me, I totally understand that. However, I do think that the best papers have to be accurate and honest, and have fair reporting – there are ethical standards that have to be met.

http://thewilsonbeacon.com/question-and-answer-with-kimberly-martin/

Now, Erik Wemple has talked to folks involved with the newspaper at Aspen High School where Martin was previously the Principal. They recount an example of Martin directly stopping a story from being published. As they describe it, Martin went far beyond confirming that quotes were accurate or requesting further digging:

Elizabeth Stewart-Severy, an Aspen High English teacher and adviser to the "Skier Scribbler," confirms Sichel’s account. "The student made all the changes Kim [Martin] requested, and we went through several drafts. She actually stopped replying and finally, a month later, said that under no circumstances could we publish the article."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/09/01/at-colorado-post-wilson-high-principal-squelched-critical-school-newspaper-article/

Oh boy. I almost wish I hadn't read this. She raised concerns, demanded revisions, didn't return calls, and then yelled at them and told them they couldn't print.

[Anonymous]

And, for an issue that the kids wanted clarification on in order to feel safe, the very ideal she stated as her wanting to provide with oversight.

[Anonymous]

The Wemple article makes it look like she was a petty Tyrant in her last job in Colorado. No wonder she needed to move to a new job. Here, we see that she hasn't learned from her past mistakes. Maybe she'll show a little humility this time. An apology would be a good start.

[Anonymous]

Are the schedules fixed yet?

[Anonymous]

Surprised to have not yet heard a public announcement from the school that all these issues have been resolved.

This principal is in way over her head and doesn't understand the the constituency and stakeholders in the school.

It's not surprising. DCPS is not a system where savvy, accomplished principals want to work because it is well known that this system mismanaged and dysfunctional. This system attracts people who cannot find jobs elsewhere. DCPS HR coaches candidates, puts them on panels and manipulates the process. They don't vet candidates and are looking for warm bodies. They want principals who will worship kaya; working with teachers, students and community are all way down the priority list. Student data and control ais what central office cares about most.

Kids who are intelligent and doing well in this system are doing so despite DCPS.

As for the student journalists, go underground.

[Anonymous]

Kids should be studying reading, writing, and arithmetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the schedules fixed yet?

Do all classes now have teachers?

[Anonymous]

She had all summer to prepare for a successful --or at least enthusiastic and communicative-- first impression and demonstrate leading from the front. Instead she is hiding behind quotes from downtown now that she has made WaPost and at least two news stations, and the Wilson community has not received a single update from her or anyone since a week ago Tuesday. If Kaya is preventing her from communicating she is making things worse all around and we should truly be frightened for the future of Wilson because that would indicate Martin is only here as a tool. If she has the autonomy we would expect she should it is also very concerning because she is continuing to demonstrate lack of judgement by disappearing when we need to hear from her the most. If things don't turn around we will need to consider putting Bargeman back in charge!

[Anonymous]

Let's take a look at Kimberly Martin:

Aspen principal says school turmoil is one reason for her departure Aspen Public Radio, May 13, 2015


http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/aspen-principal-says-school-turmoil-one-reason-her-departure#stream/0

"Martin’s three years with the district haven’t been easy. Last year she received a vote of no confidence from a group representing teachers. And her staff has filed grievances over a lack of evaluations and a changed student’s grade. She says these situations are contributing to her decision to leave. ......

She’s moving back east, she says, for many reasons including the recent death of a brother and her mother’s deteriorating health. Martin grew up in poverty and prior to coming to Aspen, worked in schools in tough neighborhoods. She’d like to return to such districts."


Is Wilson High School and Tenleytown a "tough" neighborhood? Please.

[Anonymous]

On Martin's school schedule changes in at AHS last year:

http://aspenjournalism.org/2014/03/11/class-schedule-changes-prompt-debate-at-aspen-high-school/

"AHS Principal Kimberly Martin has been charged with figuring out how to boost math minutes and frequency without damaging the rest of school’s diverse curriculum. Martin has consulted with focus groups of parents, teachers, students and other stakeholders, and now two to three weeks past her target completion date, she hasn’t determined the solution."