Temperature control in our elementary schools

[macy]

Glad to hear it's going to cool down as I can't take the heat anymore either!

[doctorwho]

macy said:

Glad to hear it's going to cool down as I can't take the heat anymore either!

having spent the last 2 weeks before this in Florida -- I already thought this was a cool down ;D
heat index every day there 105 +

not sure I could deal with that consistently

[warriorpride]

doctorwho said:

bob said:

SSM, did you have air conditioning when you went to grade school?

The 1st air conditioned classroom I saw was in college, yet amazingly managed to get educated.

Some of my classrooms in college were not air conditioned, and neither was the dorm that I lived in for 2 years, and one of the houses that I lived in off campus for a year, inlcuding during the summer. Champaign in the summer is HOT and HUMID.

[Arch]

doctorwho said:

macy said:

Glad to hear it's going to cool down as I can't take the heat anymore either!

having spent the last 2 weeks before this in Florida -- I already thought this was a cool down ;D
heat index every day there 105 +
not sure I could deal with that consistently

I dealt with it for almost 20 years... but our schools were air conditioned

[southsidemom]

bob said:

SSM, did you have air conditioning when you went to grade school?

I most certainly did!!!! I have always lived in, been educated in and worked in comfortable temperatures. Is there a point to your question?

[southsidemom]

warriorpride said:

southsidemom said:

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

When the SB in all their infinite wisdom decided how much referendum money would be acceptable to ask for, did they ever ask the community like how they surveyed parents to see if they should get rid of 8th grade graduation?

Instead of rushing to build another air conditioned high school, why don't we use the "rush money" to retro-fit elementary schools with air. What about using the interest that we are supposed to be earning on the money that we already approved to let all children and all staff learn and work in comfort?

Why are you beefing about decisions made a number of years ago by an SB that is very different today? What do you hope to achieve?

Decisions made as you stated numbers of years ago are able to be modified to better suit the needs of our children! The word PROACTIVE instead of reactive would be nice by our current SB on this issue.

[southsidemom]

eagledad said:

southsidemom said:

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

Uh, did I miss the constitutional amendment to the US consititution somehow entitling by manifest destiny the god-given right of elementary school teachers to teach in air conditioning, one nation, under 72?

Point is, there no "unfairness". It's a free market. If teaching a few days a year in A/C is an important deciding factor of a teacher when seeking employment then they should weigh that when deciding where to work and when taking the job, not after.

Yes its uncomfortanble now for a couple of days, but it will all blow over (literally, with the weather) in a few weeks.

Expecting the SD to rush oout and abandon all plans for Metea in immediate favor of rushing in air conditioning... now that is REALLY short sighted.

If MS and HS has air, then ES should too....bottom line at the end of the day. There is no way to explain this philosophy of accomodating some in district but not all as it relates to temperature control. No point in belaboring this any longer on this thread. It needs to be taken to the SB level. Talk is cheap.

[bob]

There is no way to explain this philosophy of accomodating some in district but not all as it relates to temperature control.

Explanations have been given but it seems you have decided not to understand them.

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

warriorpride said:

Why are you beefing about decisions made a number of years ago by an SB that is very different today? What do you hope to achieve?

Decisions made as you stated numbers of years ago are able to be modified to better suit the needs of our children! The word PROACTIVE instead of reactive would be nice by our current SB on this issue.

the school board holds meetings twice per month - did you bring the issues you are concerned about to light. That would also be proactive - would it not ?

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

eagledad said:

Uh, did I miss the constitutional amendment to the US consititution somehow entitling by manifest destiny the god-given right of elementary school teachers to teach in air conditioning, one nation, under 72?

Point is, there no "unfairness". It's a free market. If teaching a few days a year in A/C is an important deciding factor of a teacher when seeking employment then they should weigh that when deciding where to work and when taking the job, not after.

Yes its uncomfortanble now for a couple of days, but it will all blow over (literally, with the weather) in a few weeks.

Expecting the SD to rush oout and abandon all plans for Metea in immediate favor of rushing in air conditioning... now that is REALLY short sighted.

If MS and HS has air, then ES should too....bottom line at the end of the day. There is no way to explain this philosophy of accomodating some in district but not all as it relates to temperature control. No point in belaboring this any longer on this thread. It needs to be taken to the SB level. Talk is cheap.

We look forward to you raising this issue at the next SB meeting. As you say talk is cheap, so please bring this issue forward. The next meeting is September 10th at 7 PM - we'll expect to see this on the minutes for the meeting.

Crouse Education Center

780 Shoreline Drive

Aurora, IL 60504

[southsidemom]

bob said:

There is no way to explain this philosophy of accomodating some in district but not all as it relates to temperature control.

Explanations have been given but it seems you have decided not to understand them.

I guess I am not the only one!

[southsidemom]

doctorwho said:

southsidemom said:

Decisions made as you stated numbers of years ago are able to be modified to better suit the needs of our children! The word PROACTIVE instead of reactive would be nice by our current SB on this issue.

the school board holds meetings twice per month - did you bring the issues you are concerned about to light. That would also be proactive - would it not ?

Absolutely. That is exactly the intention. Let us not forget that our SB is the "leadership" of our district. Leaders are proactive...are they not?! No response necessary. But then again I am sure one will be made to defend our SB yet again and place the issue on the parents.

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

doctorwho said:

the school board holds meetings twice per month - did you bring the issues you are concerned about to light. That would also be proactive - would it not ?

Absolutely. That is exactly the intention. Let us not forget that our SB is the "leadership" of our district. Leaders are proactive...are they not?! No response necessary. But then again I am sure one will be made to defend our SB yet again and place the issue on the parents.

The children of this district belong to the parents. I don't know about you but I am not turning control of all items for them to the SB without input from me....I consider that pro active. Do you believe they need to be pro active and we do not - and just sit back and criticize them at will - including for items we do not bring to their intention ?

As you say talk is cheap -- if you want to take an active role in our children's education like many of us have ( not just the ' pro board' people as you view some of us on this board) - then please do so. If not - then I find it hard to get behind any rippings of others for not doing so. The board is a part-time volunteer group, elected to represent us all. If we do not communicate to them what issues are important to us, then yes, I do find it hard to arm chair QB every decision they do or do not make.

I have brought items I am concerned about ( as many have here and elsewhere in the district) - to their attention..... why would you not ? I find it interesting that so many that rip elected bodies, do so without ever getting involved. I view that as empty ciriticism.

I see the same thing at school -- some who consistently rip the PTSA for things that occur or do not occur -- yet when it comes time to help or volunteer - there is always an excuse and they are nowhere to be found.

I am not trying to be negative to you...I am trying to convey that the best way to get your opinions heard is to 'get involved'. I did not do so my first years in this district and found myself questioning things -- and I can tell you once I decided to get more involved, I at least feel that I know more of what's going on - and why. Doesn't mean I agree with everything, but I can look back and say that at least my voice was heard - and you'd be surprised at how much those 'leaders' will listen when things are brought to their attention.

[southsidemom]

doctorwho said:

southsidemom said:

Absolutely. That is exactly the intention. Let us not forget that our SB is the "leadership" of our district. Leaders are proactive...are they not?! No response necessary. But then again I am sure one will be made to defend our SB yet again and place the issue on the parents.

The children of this district belong to the parents. I don't know about you but I am not turning control of all items for them to the SB without input from me....I consider that pro active. Do you believe they need to be pro active and we do not - and just sit back and criticize them at will - including for items we do not bring to their intention ?

As you say talk is cheap -- if you want to take an active role in our children's education like many of us have ( not just the ' pro board' people as you view some of us on this board) - then please do so. If not - then I find it hard to get behind any rippings of others for not doing so. The board is a part-time volunteer group, elected to represent us all. If we do not communicate to them what issues are important to us, then yes, I do find it hard to arm chair QB every decision they do or do not make.

I have brought items I am concerned about ( as many have here and elsewhere in the district) - to their attention..... why would you not ? I find it interesting that so many that rip elected bodies, do so without ever getting involved. I view that as empty ciriticism.

I see the same thing at school -- some who consistently rip the PTSA for things that occur or do not occur -- yet when it comes time to help or volunteer - there is always an excuse and they are nowhere to be found.

I am not trying to be negative to you...I am trying to convey that the best way to get your opinions heard is to 'get involved'. I did not do so my first years in this district and found myself questioning things -- and I can tell you once I decided to get more involved, I at least feel that I know more of what's going on - and why. Doesn't mean I agree with everything, but I can look back and say that at least my voice was heard - and you'd be surprised at how much those 'leaders' will listen when things are brought to their attention.

I appreciate your insight. I am involved......problem is that we don't know whom one another is since we have these screen names. Enjoy your day.

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

doctorwho said:

The children of this district belong to the parents. I don't know about you but I am not turning control of all items for them to the SB without input from me....I consider that pro active. Do you believe they need to be pro active and we do not - and just sit back and criticize them at will - including for items we do not bring to their intention ?

As you say talk is cheap -- if you want to take an active role in our children's education like many of us have ( not just the ' pro board' people as you view some of us on this board) - then please do so. If not - then I find it hard to get behind any rippings of others for not doing so. The board is a part-time volunteer group, elected to represent us all. If we do not communicate to them what issues are important to us, then yes, I do find it hard to arm chair QB every decision they do or do not make.

I have brought items I am concerned about ( as many have here and elsewhere in the district) - to their attention..... why would you not ? I find it interesting that so many that rip elected bodies, do so without ever getting involved. I view that as empty ciriticism.

I see the same thing at school -- some who consistently rip the PTSA for things that occur or do not occur -- yet when it comes time to help or volunteer - there is always an excuse and they are nowhere to be found.

I am not trying to be negative to you...I am trying to convey that the best way to get your opinions heard is to 'get involved'. I did not do so my first years in this district and found myself questioning things -- and I can tell you once I decided to get more involved, I at least feel that I know more of what's going on - and why. Doesn't mean I agree with everything, but I can look back and say that at least my voice was heard - and you'd be surprised at how much those 'leaders' will listen when things are brought to their attention.

I appreciate your insight. I am involved......problem is that we don't know whom one another is since we have these screen names. Enjoy your day.

eventually many of us get to know each other -- the more involved people are with the individual schools as well as the district in general -- usually the anonymity issue works itself out....