Regarding : "Goose Poop Field (as the children affectionately call it)" On August 9, 2008 at 7:59 AM Anonymous wrote:
“Which is obviously a maintenance or custodial or even a parks and recreation problem, but not a north and south issue. No I did not miss the point, because I played on that field as a child and as an adult(softball) with no problems. Also, there are men playing soccer on that field every night without complaint. if the feces is that of dogs, well I find it hard to believe that north enders are walking their dogs there, people of that neighborhood should be more respectful and obey the dog laws. Last, again, a error in poor judgement, if it is truly the case, should be brought to the principal and even the schools’ PTA( a powerful asset if all parents are involved ) to address the problem and not make it a problem that divides the system.”
Which brings us to our next post and response:
It is regretful that you had to play in a field that was littered with animal feces as a child. Adults play in the field by choice. Sixth year old children do not have the capacity nor the authority to exercise that choice. First grade children do what the school staff tells them to do. The Principal and the Superintendent were made aware of the situation. Parents were not. Parents are not able to address an issue that they are not aware of. Hence, part of the reason for this post and this endeavor is to inform parents of what happens. It is clear that the School District will not.
We live in an age where science has allowed us to understand the dangers of bacteria, pathogens and diseases that animal droppings may contain. The same way we now understand the dangers of lead paint, tobacco and asbestos. As a result, we exercise good judgment and keep our children away from these substances. Status quo for the last 30 years is not an acceptable line of reasoning. There is a permissive culture in our system that allows this to happen. With all the information we have today on animal diseases that can infect humans, no parent in their right mind would allow their child to play in a field like this. When we send our children to school, we should not have to worry about public health dangers that can easily be avoided. This event is not the root of the problem, it is a condition, a symptom of greater problems in our schools. This situation is unacceptable in any school. If situations like this occur often, they are no longer isolated incidents. Their cumulative effect should be viewed as patterns. This event was leaked out and we know it occurred. What becomes more alarming is what happens in our schools that parents never learn about, and as a result never able to address.
I would hate to learn that the children and parents in North End schools would have to address an issue like this. I have never heard of something like this happening in the North End. Maybe I am wrong and it happens all the time. The goal in not to divide, but to seek equity. The North End Children and Families did not create this problem. They are guilty of nothing. Nevertheless, a problem of equity exists.
You are correct in your suggestion that parents, stakeholders and taxpayers in the South End need to gather information, share it and get organized. We cannot rely on the school system to supervise itself. Our schools are not free, we pay the salaries of all who work in them. Our taxes are high and so are the salaries. We should only expect the highest quality from our schools. North End parents already understand and effectively make use of the power of their voice. We do not. Therefore, we accept whatever is thrown our way without question nor challenge. This is why we believe that it is no big deal for our children to play in a field full of poop. Some of us refuse to believe that is what our children deserve.
There are many good, competent and caring people who work for our school system. And too often we fail to recognize and acknowledge them when things go well. Unfortunately, there are way too many who are not. It is the latter who needs to be weeded out. There is no place for them in our schools. If we hold the bad element in our schools accountable, our schools would be so much better and many more of our children would succeed. Nobody is going to do it for us, we have to do it ourselves.
On another note, when looking at the bigger picture, there is a lot wrong with America today. If we do not like what is wrong with America, it does not mean that we should move to Canada. We try to fix it. Many of our national, regional and local leaders have been composed of liars, cheats and thieves. They are in charge and have been allowed to loot and plunder without being held accountable. At some point in time, we became accustomed to it and forgot that our leaders work for us. They are not in their positions to do us any favors and we should not feel like we are asking for any. Our corrupt leaders are perfectly content with our apathy. All you have to do is pick up the newspaper or turn on the news. It is for this reason, that some of us have decided to make our stand.
I’m getting the feeling,
I’m getting the feeling, that while there are apparent disparities between North and South End schools as it is evident from the various comments on this blog, the real problems lie with the Central Administration of the District, including the Board of Education. Isn’t their job to look out for what’s best for our school community, to ensure fiscal responsibility and to hold people accountable for not doing what they’re suppose to? Or, are they too concerned with damage control and dusting problems under the rug? Unfortunately, our children and their families are the ones who suffer the consequences in the end.
Does anybody know how much
Does anybody know how much that stunt cost or will cost the taxpayers? Is it a done deal? Just curious…
Does anybody know how much
Does anybody know how much that stunt cost or will cost the taxpayers? Is it a done deal? Just curious…
In Response to Common Sense
In Response to Common Sense 51 comment of Aug.11:
Agreed, the issues being raised are CENTRAL, not just “south” or “north” issues. Tagging them as such diffuses the real issues of accountability. Attention and Accountability should be brought to the central board. For starters, how about those who sit on the District’s Board of Education and how they fumbled over their handling of the racial “noose” incident (IEY) that occurred quite some time ago but continues to cloud the minds of many in the school and community. For crying out loud, an apology was not even issued from the repeated perpetrator of this racial offense/crime!-the head of the custodial staff! Instead, the entire district was mandated to attend a sensitivity training and docked if protested to attend! Many didn’t mind, but they were appalled at the behavior of the principal. During the conference, the principal of IY was observed blatantly, rudely speaking out loud while the keynote speaker was addressing the audience. How disrespectful was that? And don’t say that the repeated perpetrator’s written apology was adequate- it is known in the halls of this district that a forced written apology came under pressure- because the principal refused to hold the repeated perpetrator accountable. The dedicated, talented teachers of IYMS deserve better. The students deserve a whole lot better and so do their parents and the rest of this community. Cleanup begins at the top.
If all the schools are dirty
If all the schools are dirty how come everybody is not concerned about them?
I can understand you wanting
I can understand you wanting better for your children, yourself, your community. What I do not understand is why you keep casting your issues with the code words “north” and “south”. Bring attention to the issues, hold people responsible, etc., but please stop trying to divide New Rochelle with your own bigotry thinly disguised with the north south references.
Common Sense 51
This is really ridiculous.
This is really ridiculous. There are plenty of North-End schools with garbage and litter everywhere. To make this into a North-South disparity is ludicrous.
FYI
The quote posted above
FYI
The quote posted above is an excerpt from an article tittled:
Calling a Truce with the Canada Goose
By Nancy Lawson
Published in the November-December 2001 issue of Animal Sheltering magazine.
The entire article is available at:
http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/nov_dec_2001/truce_with_canada_goose.html
We thank the Anonymous for his contribution. We still do not want our children playing in the goose poop.
It’s the dog poop you have
It’s the dog poop you have to worry about, not the goose poop.
“But, while aesthetically displeasing, goose poop does not present any significant health risks, contrary to previous claims by some federal and state agencies; in fact, two studies completed earlier this year confirmed that geese feces are relatively benign. One recently published by the National Wildlife Health Center, which falls under the auspices of the U.S. Department of the Interior, concluded that “low frequency of positive cultures indicate that risk of humans to disease through contact with Canada goose feces appeared to be minimal at … four sites in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia during the summer and early fall of 1999.” Another study conducted by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife reported similar results, with researchers suggesting that Canada geese are not a significant source of environmental contamination.
There are more dangerous pathogens in the feces of songbirds who come to backyard feeders than there are in Canada goose poop, says Hadidian.”