Challenge Day Returns
Reported by Judy Steffes.
A Challenge Day program cancelled late last month in the West Bend School District is now back on, but will not involve students.
“I’m still working with the people from Challenge Day to determine what services they’re going to provide us because we are obligated for some contractual pieces with them,” said Assistant Superintendent Ted Neitzke.
[...]
Despite that decision, the West Bend School District had already signed a contract with Challenge Day. According to the contract, there are no refunds. A state Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse grant for $12,800 will pay for the program.
“In the contract, if you cancelled within 30 days of the event you had to pay the contract,” said Neitzke. “So we’ve been working with them on what other services they can provide for staff development with guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, teachers or something else with non-student contact.
“Our stance was ‘if we’re going to pay you, we’re going to ask you to provide a product, we’re not just going to lose money,’” he said.
Who signed the contract? I thought it didn’t go through proper channels. If that’s the case, the person who signed the contract should be liable for the cost, since that person signed it without authority.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 1238 hrs
Consider there’s now time to make the program inoffensive and effective. Considering the options we’ve read, I suggest it’s best to discuss, tweak, and put the $12,800 to some productive use. I see the $$$ grant as a way of informing students about Wisconsin’s civility legislation in employment, work, business and public situations. At least, students might become better team players; at best, employers of many of these students will have fewer worries in the future about bullying between their employees; those behaviors disrupt productivity and efficiency, time, dollars and cents. Some of these students will be business owners and business managers too. They have to have some awareness as to when teasing goes too far and how to clean up a mess.
My big disagreement (so far) is with the word choice of the title of the program. My title: “Civil Law, Wisconsin and You” is dusty and uninspiring.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 1414 hrs
A couple of other areas to cover.
Union bullying tactics to use against your employer.
How to install fear in the general public for personal financial gain.
After all some students will become teachers they need to know when the taxpayers are taking advantage of them.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 1907 hrs
I’ll give up my right to assemble, negotiate wages, and my free speech when the corporations do, D.W.
Not to say I am not made anxious that a union or corporation outlives a human, yet they have near the same legal rights.
“...instll fear in the general public for personal financial gain.” If people are made anxious by the potential repercussions of cuts in a public services…what’s your point? Fear is your subjective critique. By your argument, if the city or county informs the public about the effects of cuts to services, then they are sowing fear too, right? We are not just talking about teachers, right? If a road builder explains the effects of going the cheap route and not raising the grade on a portion of highway, he or she is instilling fear too, right? Perhaps a salesman tells you delaying investing in one of your Cats is going to cost you in the long run: If the numbers and logic add up, is he instilling fear? (There are few women in your trade; hence, the use of he v. she).
Recently, I came across two young men and a young women at a table in school. In conversation, one man made a comment about Asian women with big b—bs being hot. The lady looked down at the table, silent. I said to him, “Hey, Mind your company.” He replied, “Who?”. She spoke up, made eye contact with him, and said, “Me!” He made eye contact with her, and looked down. He’s a bit closer to be a gentleman. She’s now closer to sticking up for decency.
Have a wonderful Sunday with family and friends, Crusher.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 0001 hrs
The local firemen took a freeze they of all people could have played the fear card considering they run into burning buildings but they did not. Never once did they say its for the children.
I have never seen road builders at a public assembly screaming tax me to the max, the roads will fail, your children need this.
Funny you mention salesmen to be blunt your not much of one JP,I dont think anyone is buying your snake oil challenge program.
Whatever, is spilled milk now.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 0516 hrs
Assuming the local firemen (and police) are 100% on board with their freeze, yes? The firemen/police did not get receive the attention being given to the teachers either, thankfully.
I am not a fan of the voice vote for the school tax levy either. I’d prefer we voted on the issue as we do representatives, with the residency check.
The challenge day is not my program; still, something that can contribute to fewer incidences of bullying in and outside the workplace/school is worth looking into. There’s time to tweak it for West Bend’s needs, wants, and socio-political parameters. The program addresses bullying; bullying negatively affects worker/ student/ business productivity. You don’t appear to be the type who tolerates bullying in your workplace either, and I’ll bet you’d rather nip a bullying issue in the bud before it boils over.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 0922 hrs
Ted Neitzke is your asst superintendent? Wow. He was a student teacher under my 8th grade social studies teacher…. Huh, I guess that was fifteen years ago. YIKES!
I suppose there could be bullying issues among employees who are never held accountable and are near impossible to fire…. Like teachers….Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 1043 hrs
Can we just mark this up to sunk cost and move on?
Now they are wasting even more time trying to justify a bad decision. Admit the mistake and move on already.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 1044 hrs
Doug, I sit in on those meetings where teachers are held accountable. When standards are communicated in black and white, management and teachers are vigilant, and investigations and discipline are followed through in a timely/organized manner, no employee who commits a heinous act or is unresponsive to criticism is difficult to terminate. WB requires 3 years of relatively trouble free performance before tenure (Many districts require 2yrs); district can non-renew a teacher before tenure without an explanation. 99% of staff get their acts together when they are placed on an improvement plan - the 9+month path to improvement or termination.
Goto District homepage: http://wbsd.schoolfusion.us/
Board of education column
See policy: 500 Personnel Series
Harassment of Employees - Policy 512.1Note: It’s the same in any public workplace: Harassment/ bullying incidents end up in an employee’s personnel file; repeat incidents lead to more discipline and dismissal; sexual harassment is a permanent mark on any worker’s record; WI allows employers to sue people/businesses/districts who recommend job seekers yet deliberately fail to mention serious shortcomings (EX: Harassment incidents).
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 1144 hrs
JP, Thanks for pointing out the obvious - the teachers do not need to waste time on the new and improved version of Challenge Day tailored just for them. This particular program was a big mistake and did not follow through with protocol. Enough already with the bullying rhetoric already; it’s old. How unfortunate the AODA grant $$$ were WASTED, WASTED, WASTED on this garbage and not used for, um, AODA teaching.
Posted by GAMazy on February 07, 2010 at 1517 hrs
I much prefer my school tax dollars be wasted on ORR’s and harassing gay teachers than “Challenge Day”.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 1638 hrs
Mrs. Marziarka,
Assuming the $12,500 is from a state created fund versus a federal fund, $12,500 of WI tax payers’ dollars will be wasted if the money is not used. You are correct: parents called with concerns, admin. looked into the issue, discovered protocol wasn’t observed, and halted implementation.
I went to www.challengeday.org. Youth, parents, and staff volunteer to participate and parents are especially desired. The program providers send in couple of motivational speakers and they motivate people in regards to the items at the end of the paragraph. There are no gay pride colors in the pictures. There is a DVD available that describes and shows samples from a program in action. The program has student survey data and testimonials. The post-program survey addresses Relationship Skills, Respect & Safety, Bullying, Academic Skills, Loneliness, Emotional Expression, and illicit Substance Avoidance.
Our district foci are Rigor, Relevance and Relationships: Sound relationships between students and between students and staff is critical. Student illicit drug use has been soundly correlated with unhealthy self-esteem and weak relationships with school, family and community. If this voluntary program prevents one more of my (former) students from ODing on heroin or drinking until they vomit or tolerating sexism, racism, harassment, I’m not against it. ...and this post should not be taken as that I am connected in any way, shape or form with staff that will/have volunteer(ed) to run one of these programs.
I don’t understand how “bullying rhetoric” was used in regards to this program. The system worked when concerns arose, and this program requires voluntary participation. This is not Jonestown II. By no means would your children have to participate and if you, hypothetically, went with your children to this (for example to monitor), I am sure you could walk out at any time.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 2003 hrs
Tenure after 3 years!!! You have got to be kidding me!!! These aren’t college professors espousing controversial ideas. These are unionized tradespeople teaching an approved curriculum. Un-freaken-believable! At the University level, you will be an associate professor longer than that before you even find out if you are going to be offered a tenure track position. There is absolutely no purpose to allow tenure at the k-12 level!!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 2102 hrs
, went with your children to this (for example to monitor), I am sure you could walk out at any time.
Wrong. No observers allowed. You must be a participant if you are to stay the day, and you may not come and go. Read the manual. Same goes for media. Must participate and stay if you want the story.
As for the rest: :zzdeadhorse:
Posted by GAMazy on February 07, 2010 at 2220 hrs
Mrs. Marziarka,
You’re saying that if you were at this seminar and wanted to leave that if someone told you you couldn’t leave this situation (except for emergency personnel /law enforcement) because of something in a manual you would comply? I cannot envision that happening
Tad, I appreciate your thoughts; however, there is purpose to allow tenure at the k-12 level:
Tenure provide an incentive to plant roots in a community: buy a house, have children, volunteer, become invested/established and assist younger colleagues who otherwise might be taken as a threat to job security. It’s one reason why the residency requirement for staff question was presented to board member candidates/incumbents. Employers spend a significant time and money filling open positions: refilling is costly. Tenure’s attractiveness provides leverage to get non-tenured staff to obligate admin requests, but tenured staff can be leverage in WBSD quire easily to address proven problems. Tenure also provides a staff member reassurance that s/he will not be non-renewed for arbitrary and capricious reasons, i.e., let go for turning 50 or pushing the boundaries of academic freedom or resisting unjust admin pressure to change a student’s grade or reporting admin performance shortcomings.
Yes, tenure can protect poor workers, but WBSD’s accountability system and administrators are not letting this occur. However, if you see it happening, complain. If the situation is not fixed, complain, complain, complain. The admin have to investigate and fix the problem. If admin don’t, they need to be replaced too.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 07, 2010 at 2300 hrs
JP: That’s kinda silly, dontcha think?
Posted by GAMazy on February 07, 2010 at 2334 hrs
Actually Ginny, he makes some very good points. Your comment shows a real lack of thought.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 08, 2010 at 0829 hrs
As for accusing Ginny of a lack of thought: :zzdeadhorse:
Can you all stop it already? She doesn’t need to justify anything to any of us. God backs her up on everything.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 08, 2010 at 1001 hrs
#13.Actually Ginny, he makes some very good points. Your comment shows a real lack of thought.
You see Ginny, If you were a Heartless Thug running our school system you would understand this. The level of their thinking is way beyond anything that we could possibly comprehend, it’s really, really super big picture stuff. They tell me everything they do is for the kids, and that is a great comfort to me. I truly believe that they care more about my kids than I do! These people work very hard for (most of the year) and need our support in anything they want, Buildings, Pay, Benny’s, Programs etc because It’s not for them, it’s for our kids. Please rethink questioning their Philosophy on what’s best for your kids, they are really smart people and know better.
-Hope this helps
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 08, 2010 at 1037 hrs
Ginny, Yes, I was trying to be silly.
TAXTOTHEMAX - I appreciate your consistent message and the infused touch of sarcastic creativity this time. Hope you like young people and have the energy for them. There’s is time for you to go back to school and hop on this “gravy train.”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 08, 2010 at 1256 hrs
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