Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Veteran teacher returns from retirement to help at Rattlesnake Elementary
Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article reporting on a para-educator at Rattlesnake School.
The date of the article is October 24, 2013.
A little history is required here to understand why Mr. Christensen is working at an elementary school at Rattlesnake School rather than a middle school which was housed in this building prior to 2004, Rattlesnake Middle School.
The district stunned Rattlesnake Valley residents when on February 5th, 2004, they announced that they planned to close four schools on the north side of our city, Prescott School and Rattlesnake Midde School in the Rattlesnake Valley, Mt. Jumbo School in East Missoula,and
Notice that Mr. Christensen mentions his wife Cindy.
Cindy Christensen was the former principal at Prescott School located in the lower Rattlesnake on Harrison Street. In a 2004 Missoulian article during the closures of Prescott School and two other schools, the Missoulian reported that Principal Cindy Christensen said that Prescott School had "diminished energy" and pleaded with the Board to close the school.
As a parent of a child during this time I know that the school was beloved and the only diminished energy that Cindy would have experienced would have come from her own attitude toward Prescott.
If former principal Cindy Christensen had voiced her support for Prescott School in 2004 perhaps Prescott would still be open today. Cindy, along with other principals, went along with disreputable Trustees and administrators, and advocated for the closure of THREE northeast schools, Prescott, Mt. Jumbo School, and Rattlesnake Middle School.
All of our northeast middle school students since this tragic decision are bused to other middle schools on the southern side of our city. These middle schools, Washington Middle School and C.S Porter Middle School were crowded in 2004 and are now more crowded.
The process in 2004 was irresponsible as it was rushed in a 48 day time span.
Now Cindy's husband is working at a school for which she had a part in closing (Rattlesnake Middle School) and opening (Rattlesnake Elementary).
Had Cindy did her own research into the demographics of the city (showing increased enrollment in the near future) and the value of neighborhood and small schools she would have served Missoula's children, her school, and Missoula taxpayers in a responsible and loyal manner.
In the complaint document of a lawsuit filed shortly after the closures based on violations of open meetings law, it was revealed that Cindy Christensen was the ONLY person that was allowed by Board Chairwoman Rosemary Harrison to make a public comment BEFORE the closure decision. It was reported in the Missoulian article that Cindy was emotional - others said she was in tears. In other words, she stooped so low as to cry to make sure her opinion was heard (was this planned before the beginning of the meeting?)
Additionally the Rattlesnake School building is overcrowded and has been for a long time. The Missoulian reported in an article a couple of years ago that enrollment at Rattlesnake School had increased by 100 students from the beginning of Principal Seidensticker's employment as a principal at the school.
Just after the lease was extended to Missoula International School of Prescott School by the vote of four disloyal Trustees in 2011, the district sent notes home to Rattlesnake School parents letting them know that some students would be bused to Paxson. Instead of busing, however, the district built an expensive modular in the summer of 2012. This was to help alleviate the need for para-educators.
As we see in this article the district still needs paras, thus the hiring of Mr. Christensen.
The district needed to open Prescott School before building a modular to start the process of mediating the disaster brought about by the 2004 school closures.
Just a little FYI - in a phone call to Principal Seidensticker after reading a February Missoulian article reporting on sending Rattlesnake School students he informed a citizen that he was told that Mt. Jumbo and Prescott were not to be part of the conversation in dealing with the overcrowding of Rattlesnake School. When asked who this person was, Seidensticker refused to name names.
Veteran teacher returns from retirement to help at Rattlesnake Elementary
The date of the article is October 24, 2013.
A little history is required here to understand why Mr. Christensen is working at an elementary school at Rattlesnake School rather than a middle school which was housed in this building prior to 2004, Rattlesnake Middle School.
The district stunned Rattlesnake Valley residents when on February 5th, 2004, they announced that they planned to close four schools on the north side of our city, Prescott School and Rattlesnake Midde School in the Rattlesnake Valley, Mt. Jumbo School in East Missoula,and
Notice that Mr. Christensen mentions his wife Cindy.
Cindy Christensen was the former principal at Prescott School located in the lower Rattlesnake on Harrison Street. In a 2004 Missoulian article during the closures of Prescott School and two other schools, the Missoulian reported that Principal Cindy Christensen said that Prescott School had "diminished energy" and pleaded with the Board to close the school.
As a parent of a child during this time I know that the school was beloved and the only diminished energy that Cindy would have experienced would have come from her own attitude toward Prescott.
If former principal Cindy Christensen had voiced her support for Prescott School in 2004 perhaps Prescott would still be open today. Cindy, along with other principals, went along with disreputable Trustees and administrators, and advocated for the closure of THREE northeast schools, Prescott, Mt. Jumbo School, and Rattlesnake Middle School.
All of our northeast middle school students since this tragic decision are bused to other middle schools on the southern side of our city. These middle schools, Washington Middle School and C.S Porter Middle School were crowded in 2004 and are now more crowded.
The process in 2004 was irresponsible as it was rushed in a 48 day time span.
Now Cindy's husband is working at a school for which she had a part in closing (Rattlesnake Middle School) and opening (Rattlesnake Elementary).
Had Cindy did her own research into the demographics of the city (showing increased enrollment in the near future) and the value of neighborhood and small schools she would have served Missoula's children, her school, and Missoula taxpayers in a responsible and loyal manner.
In the complaint document of a lawsuit filed shortly after the closures based on violations of open meetings law, it was revealed that Cindy Christensen was the ONLY person that was allowed by Board Chairwoman Rosemary Harrison to make a public comment BEFORE the closure decision. It was reported in the Missoulian article that Cindy was emotional - others said she was in tears. In other words, she stooped so low as to cry to make sure her opinion was heard (was this planned before the beginning of the meeting?)
Additionally the Rattlesnake School building is overcrowded and has been for a long time. The Missoulian reported in an article a couple of years ago that enrollment at Rattlesnake School had increased by 100 students from the beginning of Principal Seidensticker's employment as a principal at the school.
Just after the lease was extended to Missoula International School of Prescott School by the vote of four disloyal Trustees in 2011, the district sent notes home to Rattlesnake School parents letting them know that some students would be bused to Paxson. Instead of busing, however, the district built an expensive modular in the summer of 2012. This was to help alleviate the need for para-educators.
As we see in this article the district still needs paras, thus the hiring of Mr. Christensen.
The district needed to open Prescott School before building a modular to start the process of mediating the disaster brought about by the 2004 school closures.
Just a little FYI - in a phone call to Principal Seidensticker after reading a February Missoulian article reporting on sending Rattlesnake School students he informed a citizen that he was told that Mt. Jumbo and Prescott were not to be part of the conversation in dealing with the overcrowding of Rattlesnake School. When asked who this person was, Seidensticker refused to name names.
Veteran teacher returns from retirement to help at Rattlesnake Elementary
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
PEAS Farm: Ensure future of community place Missoulian letter to the editor
Click on the link below to read a letter to the editor regarding the city buying acreage on Duncan Drive which is being leased by Garden City Harvest by Missoula County Public Schools.
msw take on this is that citizens are "jumping the gun" on the proposal of buying this property.
Missoula County Public Schools must make sure that the children of the school district will not need this piece of land for school use in the future. This has not been accomplished.
In the comment section read how some citizens are concerned about how the PEAS farm was able to build permanent structures on the land and who paid for the structures. Additionally, why was the PEAS farm allowed to plant so many trees, both evergreen and fruit?
PEAS Farm: Ensure future of community place
msw take on this is that citizens are "jumping the gun" on the proposal of buying this property.
Missoula County Public Schools must make sure that the children of the school district will not need this piece of land for school use in the future. This has not been accomplished.
In the comment section read how some citizens are concerned about how the PEAS farm was able to build permanent structures on the land and who paid for the structures. Additionally, why was the PEAS farm allowed to plant so many trees, both evergreen and fruit?
PEAS Farm: Ensure future of community place
Education: Common Core getting pushback - letter to the editor in the Missoulian on October 23, 2013
Click on the link below to read an interesting letter to the editor on Common Core by Trout Creek resident Kathleen Hassan published in the October 23, 2013 edition of the Missoulian. She describes what other states are doing to deal with Common Core Standards
Education: Common Core getting pushback
Education: Common Core getting pushback
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Missoula School Watchdog Breaking News!!! MCPS is looking at leasing or buying back Rattlesnake area Lincoln School!
Rumor has it - MCPS has made it known to some that it is interested in acquiring either by lease or purchase of the historic Lincoln School in the Rattlesnake Valley. The rumor is that the district is considering using Lincoln School to ease the crowding at Rattlesnake School.
As has been brought up by msw many times in public comment before the Board that Rattlesnake School is AT CAPACITY. In fact, the school district spent thousands on a modular just two summers ago. This modular houses only two classrooms.
And most importantly, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXTENDED THE LEASE OF PRESCOTT SCHOOL JUST 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO DISCUSSIONS OF BUSING RATTLESNAKE STUDENTS TO PAXSON SCHOOL.
The district did not send students to Paxson School and decided to go the modular route. This decision was entrenched in strange goings on by the district. Just one suspicious instance is that REGIONAL MANAGERS DID NOT KEEP ANY MINUTES.
msw would have liked for Lincoln School never to have been sold, however, msw is very happy that Lincoln School may be once again used for public school children.
ALSO - THE USE OF LINCOLN SCHOOL DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE NEED TO SELL OR LEASE PRESCOTT SCHOOL. WE NEED ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS IN THE RATTLESNAKE - JUST AS WE HAD FOR MANY YEARS.
Being such a proponent of neighborhood schools, msw believes that MCPS needs to look into the purchase of Lincoln School. Lincoln School has been a vital component thorough out the years beginning in 1912, the year it was built.
Being also such a proponent of our historic buildings msw sees a wonderful building full of charm which could still benefit Missoula citizens of all ages.
Having gone through Lincoln School recently msw believes that Lincoln School is in quite good shape - it needs basic maintenance for sure but other than that it is not in the realm of impossibility that this school could still be a great asset for MCPS and more specifically the Rattlesnake neighborhood. One person on the tour thought that the furnace was actually in good shape considering it's age.
msw LOVES LINCOLN SCHOOL, AS MANY OTHERS DO ALSO!!
Note: A part of msw's family history - msw's great-grandfather Willard Tiffany, was arriving at Lincoln School one morning (msw is not sure if Willard worked at Lincoln school as a janitor or what)and there to greet him was a big mountain lion!! I'm not sure what action he took, but it must have been quite a scary experience. The huge tree that was recently cut down was known to house many mountain lions throughout the years.
As has been mentioned on other msw's blog posts or(perhaps on other blogs such as Prescott School Missoula or missoula schools (with an s) watchdog msw attended Lincoln School! It was only for a month or two, however, msw remembers an important aspect of facility planning from this experience. msw lived in the Lewis and Clark area and because of overcrowding in the southern schools of Missoula 4th graders were bused to north side schools, thus the forth graders at Lewis and Clark School in 1964 were bused to Lincoln School - and we LOVED it as I remember. After moving to a 39th Street area home msw and all 4th graders from the Cold Springs area were bused to Paxson.
MCPS Trustees could take a page out of the 1960's facility arrangements. Busing one grade of students to another school makes more sense in man y aspects of school facility planning. Viva C. S. Porter (msw believes this was the superintendent at the time.)
As has been brought up by msw many times in public comment before the Board that Rattlesnake School is AT CAPACITY. In fact, the school district spent thousands on a modular just two summers ago. This modular houses only two classrooms.
And most importantly, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXTENDED THE LEASE OF PRESCOTT SCHOOL JUST 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO DISCUSSIONS OF BUSING RATTLESNAKE STUDENTS TO PAXSON SCHOOL.
The district did not send students to Paxson School and decided to go the modular route. This decision was entrenched in strange goings on by the district. Just one suspicious instance is that REGIONAL MANAGERS DID NOT KEEP ANY MINUTES.
msw would have liked for Lincoln School never to have been sold, however, msw is very happy that Lincoln School may be once again used for public school children.
ALSO - THE USE OF LINCOLN SCHOOL DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE NEED TO SELL OR LEASE PRESCOTT SCHOOL. WE NEED ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS IN THE RATTLESNAKE - JUST AS WE HAD FOR MANY YEARS.
Being such a proponent of neighborhood schools, msw believes that MCPS needs to look into the purchase of Lincoln School. Lincoln School has been a vital component thorough out the years beginning in 1912, the year it was built.
Being also such a proponent of our historic buildings msw sees a wonderful building full of charm which could still benefit Missoula citizens of all ages.
Having gone through Lincoln School recently msw believes that Lincoln School is in quite good shape - it needs basic maintenance for sure but other than that it is not in the realm of impossibility that this school could still be a great asset for MCPS and more specifically the Rattlesnake neighborhood. One person on the tour thought that the furnace was actually in good shape considering it's age.
msw LOVES LINCOLN SCHOOL, AS MANY OTHERS DO ALSO!!
Note: A part of msw's family history - msw's great-grandfather Willard Tiffany, was arriving at Lincoln School one morning (msw is not sure if Willard worked at Lincoln school as a janitor or what)and there to greet him was a big mountain lion!! I'm not sure what action he took, but it must have been quite a scary experience. The huge tree that was recently cut down was known to house many mountain lions throughout the years.
As has been mentioned on other msw's blog posts or(perhaps on other blogs such as Prescott School Missoula or missoula schools (with an s) watchdog msw attended Lincoln School! It was only for a month or two, however, msw remembers an important aspect of facility planning from this experience. msw lived in the Lewis and Clark area and because of overcrowding in the southern schools of Missoula 4th graders were bused to north side schools, thus the forth graders at Lewis and Clark School in 1964 were bused to Lincoln School - and we LOVED it as I remember. After moving to a 39th Street area home msw and all 4th graders from the Cold Springs area were bused to Paxson.
MCPS Trustees could take a page out of the 1960's facility arrangements. Busing one grade of students to another school makes more sense in man y aspects of school facility planning. Viva C. S. Porter (msw believes this was the superintendent at the time.)
Key to future business success – high-quality pre-kindergarten
Click on the link below to read a Guest Column in the Missoulian's October 20th edition.
Missoula School Watchdog is an opponent of adding more and more grade levels, i.e. pre=school and all day kindergarten. msw is also an opponent of adding more and more programs such as the International Baccalaureate Program, the Health Academy, and the Spanish Immersion program. The superintendent and the Board have been over-extending the district's ability to offer the basics due to all the additional programs.
Key to future business success – high-quality pre-kindergarten
Missoula School Watchdog is an opponent of adding more and more grade levels, i.e. pre=school and all day kindergarten. msw is also an opponent of adding more and more programs such as the International Baccalaureate Program, the Health Academy, and the Spanish Immersion program. The superintendent and the Board have been over-extending the district's ability to offer the basics due to all the additional programs.
Key to future business success – high-quality pre-kindergarten
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Big Sky High chemistry teacher makes class a blast for students Missoulian article published on October 16, 2013
Click on the link below to read a report on teaching chemistry at Big Sky High School in Missoula.
Big Sky High chemistry teacher makes class a blast for students
Big Sky High chemistry teacher makes class a blast for students
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
5th-grade orchestra lessons keep MCPS teacher on the go - Missoulian article published in the October 9th edition
Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article reporting on a MCPS orchestra program.
5th-grade orchestra lessons keep MCPS teacher on the go
5th-grade orchestra lessons keep MCPS teacher on the go
Monday, October 7, 2013
MCPS to begin long-range planning on school upgrades-Missoulian article on-line on October 7, 2013
MCPS to begin long-range planning on school upgrades
Missoula school watchdog is leery of any long-range planning by this group of MCPS school officials. How can anyone trust them as they close our neighborhood schools, lease and sell our public schools to private schools, accept outrageous salary increases when our teachers are complaining of lack of basic school supplies, etc.etc.?
Missoula school watchdog is leery of any long-range planning by this group of MCPS school officials. How can anyone trust them as they close our neighborhood schools, lease and sell our public schools to private schools, accept outrageous salary increases when our teachers are complaining of lack of basic school supplies, etc.etc.?
3-day youth summit at University of Montana promotes community food movement Missoulian article - October 7, 2013
Click the link below to read a Missoulian article published in the October 7tb, 2013 edition reporting on the PEAS farm 3-day summit for children on farm related work.
3-day youth summit at University of Montana promotes community food movement
Thursday, October 3, 2013
MCPS: Move meetings to more accessible location
Click on the link below to read a letter to the editor by Ross Best in the September 25th, 2013 edition of the Missoulian regarding the location of MCPS meetings to discuss facilities.
Ross is correct in saying the Linda Vista Golf Course meeting room is just not convenient for most Missoulians.
The one comment so far after the letter states,
tinlizzie - September 25, 2013 9:47 am
Perhaps they are trying to discourage the public from attending? Also, they probably have to rent this space so why aren't they using the meeting rooms in the Administration building, or the public library.
missoulaschoolwatchdog is in agreement with tinlizzie on both counts - that is, MCPS is discouraging the public from attending meetings AND that the district is unwisely using funds to rent the facility when they could be using any number of MCPS buildings for this use.
MCPS: Move meetings to more accessible location
Ross is correct in saying the Linda Vista Golf Course meeting room is just not convenient for most Missoulians.
The one comment so far after the letter states,
tinlizzie - September 25, 2013 9:47 am
missoulaschoolwatchdog is in agreement with tinlizzie on both counts - that is, MCPS is discouraging the public from attending meetings AND that the district is unwisely using funds to rent the facility when they could be using any number of MCPS buildings for this use.
MCPS: Move meetings to more accessible location
Missoula College: West Campus site would serve needs
missoulaschoolwatchdog is a proponet of building the Missoula College on Fort Missoula property.
Read the letter below from another citizen who shares the same beliefs.
Missoula College: West Campus site would serve needs
Read the letter below from another citizen who shares the same beliefs.
Missoula College: West Campus site would serve needs
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