Here it is...

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/485590.html

We knew it was coming... The interesting thing is to find, embedded in the text, on the last page, this tell-tale fact:

"The school has met academic criteria the state requires for a charter to be renewed."

There are, of course, financial criteria as well, but we believe from our experience with VAPAC, that it really takes an act of God (or gross malfeasance) to get a charter revoked or discontinued. We need to remember, however, that renewal of the charter doesn't necessarily mean renewal of the facilities lease. If the campus is underutilized, if middle school and possibly elementary school students are needed to justify continued usage, then perhaps our district should consider reclaiming the school for its own needs -- to rectify overcrowding at Hiram Johnson and Rosemont (the two schools that picked up the brunt or the former Sacramento High School's attendance areas).

Or perhaps the district should cherry-pick its brightest students and make it an "honors" academy -- heretofore referred to as the "St. Hope model." While St. Hope's numbers might look impressive to some, it is a wonder that they cannot keep their enrollment up. Many teachers throughout the district are shouting that if they were allowed to teach at a school where the repercussions for misbehavior were expulsion, they would show similar if not better gains in their classrooms. Furthermore, school and community pride would increase because of the nature and character of the students attending. But the reality of the situation is, our district expels about 5 students a year, and while the district blathers on about higher academic expectations, they do nothing about having higher behaviour expectations.

When we look at St. Hope, we see no innovative teaching design or advanced curricular models. We see the status quo -- high teacher burnout and turnover, disenchanted students (as evidenced by declining enrollment), and administrative mismanagement and confusion. In short, what almost every district high school has to offer.

But we also see students hungry to learn in an environment that fosters a positive educational atmosphere and pride in academics (not unlike the MESL program when it was at Sacramento High School). What the district and community need to examine is how much longer will we put up with schools that harbor felons and illegal and illicit activities? How much longer will we allow the district to merely suspend a child for 5 days for engaging in a bloody brawl on campus instead of removing the child or attempting to help the child? Or to do what the district likes to do: disenroll the child from one school and send him or her to another district school, never addressing the problem of the student's behaviour. Case in point: Last year two teacher were punched by students while attempting to break up an altercation. Both students, after much complaining by teachers and parents, were disenrolled from the high school. One ended up at Capitol City, the other Health Professions.

Simply put, when is the district going to create the campus environments that facilitate higher academic goals and expectations?

If the St. Hope model allows them to remove behaviour problems for infractions or even offer stiff consequences for minor misbehaviour difficulties (i.e. Friday Night Blues), when is this district going to have the courage to support its administrators, teachers, and most importantly, its students by allowing them to offer similar consequences for those who interfere with or impede the academic process and disrupt or are detrimental to the school environment?

However naive or impractical, these are some of the questions that the St. Hope situation raises in our minds.

What Now?

We started this blog with a simple goal – to disseminate information about the SCUSD and its relationship with VAPAC. We had hoped that others would read, add information about their school sites, and that we could build this to become a forum for discussing matters of concern throughout the SCUSD and its schools.

Unfortunately, we fell far short of our goal. But we carry on undeterred.

It seems, over this summer, that many are heeding the call and responding to postings, sending emails, and otherwise getting the word out. We believe that for our voices to be more effectively heard by those in authority, we need to expand our efforts. And to be taken seriously, we need to deal with facts and not innuendo. So, here is our modest plan:

(a) We would like any teachers who read or contribute to get their colleagues to do likewise about their school sites. We hope to traffic in both the positive and negative of this district so don’t feel that you need to complain to contribute… just contribute.
(b) We would like readers and contributors to send this link to their colleagues and other concerned parties. Let’s try to hear from all the voices.
(c) We would like to see parents and teachers set up blogs about their individual school sites if possible. Send us the link, and we’ll add it.
(d) Let us hear from you. We will strive to be more diligent about being current, but it’s difficult when we don’t know what is of concern to everybody else.

With the many charters coming up for renewal, consent decree high, the future VAPAC (if there is one), the myriad of new administrators coming on board and countless other changes affecting the educational futures of our children, this is a good time to expand our efforts.

All it takes is some concerned individuals. And a few keystrokes.

We hope to hear from you…

Let's Talk School Choice...

*UPDATE* 8/5/07

For more information regarding the future of the arts in the SCUSD, see today's Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/309355.html


First off... We have noticed that the SCUSD administration seems to have given up on creating an arts school for the students of this district. According to the SCUSD website, VAPAC students can enroll at Sam Brannan (7/8) or Kennedy (9-12). No other options are mentioned nor any explanation given as to why these are the only schools mentioned as viable sites of enrollment for these students. Various sites have been mentioned as possibilities and co-location with St. HOPE was even floated but quickly dismissed. (Of course the districts experiment with this arrangement in the past -- Rosemont and America's Choice -- was viewed by many students and school administrators as a dismal failure.)

So where does that leave us? A few parents have contacted us and stated their pleasure with the program at The Met. Among other things parents tout "the strength of its administrators and the school's structure, which allows students to pursue independent creative options and explore there own various interests via internships and mentorships." While the school doesn't have an arts program per se, parents report that "students are encouraged to pursue these interests and create their own program at the school." Support will be provided by the faculty and staff and "interested outside mentors." As an example, parents pointed out that students can stage their own productions and create their own performing groups. More information about the school can be found at: http://bigpicture.org/index.htm

As an addendum, the new principal will be Allen Young. While many unsavory things have been said about him in some posts (things proliferated in some instances by other administrators acting unprofessionally), those of us at this site who have worked with Mr Young or had children in his classes have always found him to be courteous, professional, and enjoyable. Even though we at this site refrain from censorship of posts, we advise that before people devolve into making questionable claims, check your facts and remember -- who is still employed by the district and who isn't?

*UPDATE*

From the district:

"Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL MEETINGSacramento City Unified School District officials will conduct a meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 6 p.m. to determine the level of interest in continuing a visual and performing arts program. Visual and Performing Arts Charter (VAPAC) students and their families are invited. The meeting will be held in Community Rooms at the Serna Center, 5735 47th Ave."



More info at the district website:

http://www.scusd.edu/com_office/FCPRO/PerformingArts.htm

We all get busy... Here's the "latest"

Work, school, life, etc. Glad to see that this thing has a life of its own.

VAPAC NEWS

School's going private... imagine that. But they gave it a good try as a public entity.

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/193348.html

http://www.sacarts.org/SacArtsflash.html

If anything the successes and failures of VAPAC should be something upon which we all meditate. Administrative mismanagement showed us the extent to which our district is incapable (or unwilling) to oversee schools that it charters; enrollment, however modest, shows us that the students and parents of this district desire a stand alone arts program -- not something like that monstrosity CAPA at Rosemont or any of the themed based SLCs that offer instruction in the arts.

We need to push for a stand alone school. We have a technology school, a health themed school, an engineering and science themed school but nothing for the arts. And no continuation. No Vocational arts...

Ho Hum...

Same old story: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/72151.html

(Step 1) Regulating agency requests information.

(Step 2) VAPAC fails to comply.

(Step 3) Regulating agency gets angry.

(Step 4)VAPAC swears they have done what was required.

(Step 5) Agency grants VAPAC more time to gather information.

(Step 6) Go back to step 1.

It's hard to maintain any faith in the charter school movement if what we have witnessed in the past few years qualifies as oversight.

How many chances should a school get? The county yanked Sacramento Polytechnical's charter after a matter of months for unauthorized revisions to its charter; the SCUSD egregiously allows VAPAC to operate, under the administration of one of its employees, after countless number of changes, charges, and sound accusations as to the quality of learning and administration of the school.

Yikes...

"(Of) all the information we requested of them starting on Aug. 14, we have had zero responses. Zero," Gordon said.

An open letter to Dave Gordon:

Dir Sir,

As a group, we have been involved with the VAPAC situation pretty much since its inception. Our members and participants have sent their children there, volunteered, aided construction and assisted in various other projects to help create and maintain VAPAC. Sadly, our enthusiasm and effort in this endeavor has not been matched by the administration of the school. While we aimed and still wish to see the school succeed, the current administration has time and again illustrated that their petty self-interests are more important than the welfare of the children in their charge. To this end they have harassed students, badgered parents, slandered professional reputations, and violated the trust under which the school was built all for the sake of their egos and personal financial gain. (Please read previous posts if you need collaborating evidence.)

While the value of a performing arts school is unquestionable, and the reputation of VAPAC at one time was stellar and unrivaled, in its current inception it can only limp gamely along, weighted down by mismanagement and malfeasance. However, the spirit of the school persists. And that spirit feeds and fuels the hopes and aspirations of countless youths. If you would like to see that energy continue, we recommend that you cease negotiations with De La Cuestas regarding this matter.

According to your quote in today’s Sacramento Bee, (http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/26825.html) you have met with the De La Cuestas' indifference to requests for compliance and their unwillingness to cooperate with governing agencies. If you do business with them, be prepared to have this situation carry on as their operational model. Additionally, remember that you made the decision to explore a relationship with VAPAC against the recommendations of your staff. We suggest that you revisit their objections in this new light and consider that, to date, they have yet to respond adequately to any requests for information from their own chartering entity, faculty, staff, and interested parents and parties.

To wrap this up, while we share your enthusiasm for an arts school in Sacramento County, we would discourage you from doing business with the De La Cuestas or VAPAC’s nonprofit organization. All that they have demonstrated is the ability to take an existing and successful program and run it aground. With careful, measured study, the county can do better for itself and its students.

Thank you for your time,

All of Us