Middle School Sports

[Jackie Everitt]

Yes, MaryBeth Friends - I went to a High School that had Three or Four Classrooms of Special Education -  Everyone in the High School knew who these kids were and yes, many of them were accepted by the majority of the Student Body.  I am not saying that nobody made fun of them  or teased them but the ones that wanted to fit in did - but then again the two girls that I clearly remember were very strong people - I actually admire them for what they overcame because they were both classified as severely challenged - if someone made fun of them they would just keep moving to another table at lunch or space on the bleachers during gym till they found someone to talk to.   Was your son in special classes?  If he was, don't you think the other kids already knew that he was different? 

I know my girlfriends daughter was on the girls softball team - everyone on the team knew who she was and that she was in Special Ed. classes - and she knew that she only got to play when the team had a big lead and would play one or two innings only and the team always made sure to let her have a chance to bat (again when they were winning).  The best game was when the girls from the school they were playing made fun of her and a fight broke out .  Her teammates went after them.  Yes, this is a School in NJ - It's Elizabeth High School so it's not a sleepy little town either.

She made the team - not because everyone makes the team but because not only would she go to every practice before tryouts but also let everyone know that her and her father would practice almost every night.  She also had two things going for her; Speed and a good throwing arm (couldn't catch but watch out once she had the ball).  When she wanted to try out for something else (I can't remember what) her parents told her "no" because they knew that she really wouldn't contribute anything to the team.  I think it was basketball. 

Also, I find it hard to believe that not one child would be his friend.  I see children that go to Adelphia for special ed, yet they still have friends that go the other schools. 

[MaryBeth_OBrien]

First to Jackie, no my son was NOT in special classes. His disability was UNKNOWM to the other students. Yes he was a little different, but until it was broadcasted that he was autistic (Aspergers) he was accepted and had "friends". Then parents and kids became cruel. Kids were told by thier parents they could no longer play with my child or they could only play for an hour at a time...heaven forbid they might catch Aspergers! IGNORANT people.

Now for Jack...you actually made me laugh out loud. I am going to take a stab at this and guess you voted NO to the budget and now that you are actually seeing what the effects of the peoples voice being heard is, you are unhappy. Or because it now effects your child you are unhappy.

You listed so many clubs and activities. Where do you propose they all be held? Are you now willing to pay more so that the school buildings can be kept open later? are you also willing to pay more for insurance for each of these programs? See since the school is no longer running them, they need to have insurance to be able to use the building. I am not sure of the amount they must carry, Jamie would know that one,. But are you really sure that all the parents...sorry "most" of the parents can afford the costs? Or now do only the rich and priviliged get to be in these activities? Cause what you don't see is little Johnny who lives down the street, well his dad lost his job and mom works at Wal-Mart for $7.25 an hour and can't get FT work or they have to give her benefits. So mommy and daddy have been looking for work and living off food stamps and what little welfare they can get. All so they can get by. Have you even considered that population of Howell? Or is it really that important to be  well rounded and "better"...by the way, better than who?

What is really important? An education or extra activities? When you child goes to college, do you really think they are going to look at what extra actvities your child was in in 6th, 7th or 8th grade? The town spoke and said they wanted cuts. For those who voted NO to the budget, you got your cuts. Funny, I voted yes to the budget and I have yet to see a cut a disagree with...And I was willing to pay more in taxes to keep the status quo.

[James_Obrien]

Do you honestly feel that a year off is fair to the kid that is going to be an eighth / seventh / sixth  grader next year.  You look at is as a drain on money from the classroom, I look as it as money well spent on developing our young people into well rounded individuals - kids learn a lot of life skills as a part of these extra-curricular activities. It sure beats having them hanging out in front of wawa after school.  If need be I am willing to pay for my kids to participate - I'd also be willing to volunteer my time to coach cross country and track, although I wouldn't be able to get back to Howell till 3:30 at the earliest.

I'd love to hear from some of the boe members that are so prevalent around here during election time - if there is no meeting in July, how can a  pay-to-play system be implemented by September to allow for students to participate in fall activities.  

Ok. Yes I do believe that a year off is the correct way to handle this. There are too many clubs and too many families to consider rushing into a half ass pay to play program.

I say take the time, do the surveys, ask all the questions and get it right. Maybe form an ad-hoc committee to collect all the info. This is a huge undertaking so take the time and get it right. And yes it sucks for those going into eight grade, but that‘s life.

I do not know how long you have lived in Howell but I have been voting yes for school budgets here for twenty years only to be disappointed be the lack of support for education. Well we are finally at the point that there is nothing left to cut and people suddenly don’t like it. This well rounded student that you speak of requires money to produce when the people are not willing to pay for this is the end results.

[Jack_Giannattasio]

MaryBeth,

Now I'm the one laughing - your inability to comprehend written text is astounding. The clubs and activities I listed are available at the school at which I teach.  They are pretty standard for most high schools.  How you could extrapolate that to my wanting them in middle school leaves me incredulous, as does the fact that you would think I (a public school teacher with 20 years experience and a father of 2) would vote no on the budget. There is really no point discussing this further as you are not hearing what I'm saying.

James,

I've lived here 11 years and have been posting on this board for the last 8.  I too have voted yes for the past 20 years in Howell and where I lived previous.

[Jackie Everitt]

MaryBeth - All I can say with my experience with any classified children - By the way I have family in Social Work; Special Education Teaching; and a Supervisor of Nurses for a Large BOE in the state is that if the School was requiring an Aide to be there - something happened that caused this and we do not know the whole truth here.  Sorry but I do not believe that all the parents in a Howell Middle School are as ignorant as you make them out to be.  I can understand you not want to post what led up to this - but don't write on this Board like your Son is a child with a very mild disabilitie but the School required an Aide for him - I am not stupid and as I stated I have family and friends in the Social Work and Education Field - Somewhere along the line something happened that caused the BOE to make this decision and maybe this is the reason why parents started to keep their children away.

[Gene_Tanala]

I nned to comment as a citizen that I fell strongley that Co-curricular and sports programs are important to  all students. While I support this, unfortunately cuts had to be made.   We cannot keep the same level of services without taxation, and the public has spoken.

When the budget was defeated, to reinstate the above would have cost the taxpayer 36.00 a year, that is thirty six,  or 4.00 a month. With no children in district, I personally had no problem paying that to suppport our students presently.  Residents would have no part of the 36.00  they wanted a cut.

As of today the BOE is loo0king into pay to play, and it appears that the costs will be greater than that 36.00, but at least the BOE is looking into this.

In concluding, as a board member, I fully support the co-curricular and sports programs, and hope something will be worked out for September.

Gene Tanala

[Jeanette_Smith]

Everyone . . . the BOE gave direction to the administration to develop a plan for the continuance of after school activities on a fee basis. (see Howell TV or Channel 77 for confirmation)

If you have questions about the plan, you can contact the administrative office Monday thru Thursday to have your questions answered.

BTW, Marlboro reduced their funding of after school activities due to reductions in state aid and have come up with a plan to bridge the funding gap for a fee.
http://www.marlboro.k12.nj.us/district.cfm?subpage=22195

Howell's situation is a little different but it can be done.

And for the record, I will be one of the parents that can't afford after school activities for my children, so I do understand the loss this budget has created.

Jeanette (posting as a private citizen)

[MaryBeth_OBrien]

Jack I understand the written language very well...what i don't get is when you leave a sentence or two out of your post. No where in your post did you say that those were clubs at the school where you work or activities in the HS level.

 Quoute from Jack : "what I said is that most of the better students are involved in extracurricular activities. Football and track are two - others include soccer, volleyball, softball, wrestling, field hockey, all the other sports, the play, yearbook, choir, band, student government, the school newspaper, national honor society, Spanish club, French Club, Italian Club, the history club, the science club, the math club, science league, math league, tutoring club, speech and debate, forensics league, peer leadership, computer club, and many, many more."

And since the header on this topic is "Middle School Sports" I guess I took it to mean that we were only talking middle school. I had no idea you took it and jumped to the HS level. I guess I need to work harder on my mind reading too huh?

Jackie...yes you are quite the expert, You know somebody who is a social worker in a school district and they must know EVERYTHING. Man what an expert I must be. My mother taught for over 30 years, my dad taught, became the BA and then super in his district. My brother is a BA and my sis in law is also a teacher. Man all I know about the education field just from know AND being related to these people. Oh and Jamie is Director of Buildings and grounds for a school district. I really know a lot! Just to be close to these people it rubs off and I gleen so much. Just as you do huh Jackie?

Jackie you proved my point, "most" of the parents in this area of Howell are ignorant.

Like I said I don't post on here much and the reason is the people on this site think they know everything and when you question them they resort to name calling and insults. I guess this board will never change. And the people on this board will never grow up and have an adult conversation or debate with out slinging crap.

It'll be a long time before you hear from me on this site again. I cannot deal with people who are not, as the header says Open for honest debate. If you want a one sided conversation then perhaps you should start your own site. I really thought this site was for all sides of an issue. Guess I know better now.

[Jackie Everitt]

Gee MaryBeth one thing that I have realized anytime that someone calls you out on something - You resort to name calling and not giving direct answers. 

[Jack_Giannattasio]

MaryBeth,

Verbatim from my original response (Yesterday at 08:41:17 PM ) to you

As a coach of both high school football and track and a high school teacher with twenty years experience, I can confidently tell you that most of the better students are involved in many extracurricular activities. (emphasis added)

As I said, reading comprehension is apparently not your thing. For your sake, I'm glad you've decided to stop posting, you're really starting to embarrass yourself.