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Post by researching on Jan 13, 2010 11:16:11 GMT -6
I agree with a lot of what you have said slp. Waubonsie has some of the coolest traditions. The Homecoming football game was so fun! However, being that the last 4 home games of the season had rain and cold, the crowds were pretty small. The Waubonsie / Neuqua football game at North Central was packed but a couple of things stood out at questionable. #1 Why were Neuqua's cheerleaders cheering on the home side of the field? I REALLY didn't like that as it pushed our girls waaaaay down field and we were the home team. Last year Neuqua was home and Waubonsie Cheer cheered to the away stands. It will be interesting to see where the Waubonsie girls end up next year when Neuqua has the home side. I also did not like the way security had to be sooooooo tight. Kids from the class of 2012 who went to school together and are still friends were not allowed to sit together if they didn't all have the same school's apparel on. That was harsh. I too have been surprised by the lack of fans in the stands at the basketball games. I am sure this Friday's boys basketball game against Neuqua will be packed. Let's just hope it's packed with a lot of Waubonsie fans and not over run by Neuqua only. Let's also hope that our cheerleaders and dancers take center stage instead of being pushed "down the field". When I talk about facility updating, I am talking about simple, inexpensive fixes like paint, lighting, and freshening decor. I was walking around the concessions area at a basketball game and was completely dismayed to see the lack of care taken with the athletic photos of each year's outstanding athletes. The photos are curling, fading, and you can't even read the names on many of them. In this day of digital, that is unacceptible. It also speaks of the pride an athletic director takes in his programs. Not a good reflection on that department. The trophy cases are a hot mess overall too. Unacceptible. " It also speaks of the pride an athletic director takes in his programs" don't get me started here -- talking about someone who didn't show up on signing day when my daughter and others signed their scholarship papers... also IMHO no respect for girls sports. After 4 years of being a varsity starter, my daughter and a friend walked into the office one day and he didn't know who they were. She still talks about that. I think maybe saw 2-3 girls VB matches in 4 years..once after a number of parents complained to the principal...of course then you'd have to maybe miss watching a football practice Many think he is just riding it out until retirement. Looking around the athletic areas, that appears to be true. From what I have heard, football doesn't fair that much better. Honestly, I think he is tired and retirement can't come fast enough. |
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Post by Arch on Jan 13, 2010 13:42:41 GMT -6
Several people are allowed to 'ride out the clock' on our dime just to get their retirement. If you can't be fully in the game, you should be removed even if that means you miss the gravy boat you believe you are entitled to.
But No, everyone else does it this way... (even though everyone else is marching towards BK too at all levels of Govt)
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Post by doctorwho on Jan 13, 2010 14:26:04 GMT -6
Several people are allowed to 'ride out the clock' on our dime just to get their retirement. If you can't be fully in the game, you should be removed even if that means you miss the gravy boat you believe you are entitled to. But No, everyone else does it this way... (even though everyone else is marching towards BK too at all levels of Govt) it was like that 10 years ago - how long does one get to do the slow march ? At one point when a number of parents were concerned over coaching issues and went to see him, the response was - " what do you want me to do - get them scholarships" ? -- The sad thing we told him was that they all already had scholarships - but their AD didn't know that. |
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Post by casey on Jan 13, 2010 16:11:55 GMT -6
The extremely limited contact I have had with Mike Rogowski has been ok but I have definitely heard a lot of complaints about the way he runs things. Most people say he is very uninvolved and he picks and chooses what he want to involve himself with. Dumb question but are ADs expected to be at all sectional/state events? For example if the girls' WV bowling team qualifies for State would Mike Rogowski be expected to be there? What if one gymnast qualifies for State, does he go? I honestly am asking as I don't the answer. My only beef would be the disparities that exist in the way things are run at the high schools. For example, why does NV have athletic registration available on-line and WV does not? Also, why is the Athletics 2000 website always updated for NV but yet WV is never updated (hello, 2010 track season? I have to look for all my info on the NV part of the Athletics2000 site and then guess how it would be at WV). Also, why does NV charge $4.00 to get into most athletic events and WV is either free or $2.00  . We are one district and things like that should be unified. I do expect that to change though and I think the District will be moving more in the line of equity (at least that's what I want to believe). We can only hope. |
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Post by asmodeus on Jan 13, 2010 21:01:56 GMT -6
In principle, I agree with you. However, it raises questions regarding the lengths to which districts must go to ensure "equality." Let's say, for example, that the online registration software was programmed by an ambitious and talented student who wanted his school (but not necessarily every other school) to have it. Or how about the alum who donates $2 million to build a fancy workout facility for his school's footballl team. Should the school reject such a donation on the grounds that if all schools can't have it, then none shall? Or do they accept the donation but then immediately spend the district's own money to bring the other schools up to par?
Certain things, such as inoperative showers, are inexcusable. Other things require more analysis.
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Post by Arch on Jan 13, 2010 23:53:35 GMT -6
In principle, I agree with you. However, it raises questions regarding the lengths to which districts must go to ensure "equality." Let's say, for example, that the online registration software was programmed by an ambitious and talented student who wanted his school (but not necessarily every other school) to have it. Or how about the alum who donates $2 million to build a fancy workout facility for his school's footballl team. Should the school reject such a donation on the grounds that if all schools can't have it, then none shall? Or do they accept the donation but then immediately spend the district's own money to bring the other schools up to par? Certain things, such as inoperative showers, are inexcusable. Other things require more analysis. These registrations and anything else on the website should all be going through the central website location at the district. |
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Post by casey on Jan 14, 2010 7:25:01 GMT -6
In principle, I agree with you. However, it raises questions regarding the lengths to which districts must go to ensure "equality." Let's say, for example, that the online registration software was programmed by an ambitious and talented student who wanted his school (but not necessarily every other school) to have it. Or how about the alum who donates $2 million to build a fancy workout facility for his school's footballl team. Should the school reject such a donation on the grounds that if all schools can't have it, then none shall? Or do they accept the donation but then immediately spend the district's own money to bring the other schools up to par? . You are right, asmodeus and that is where it becomes a sticky situation. I'm not sure how to ensure parity without destroying some of the wonderful differences. I can't help but think of the sad elementary school parties. I remember the days when as a mom I could send in fresh baked goods and we could actually do games/crafts that the kids enjoyed. Now because of an issue of parity in the schools (as well as concern about everything being so pc) and particularly grade level classrooms the parties are terrible. Kids get a Rice Krispie treat (yummy ), an apple juice box and a ridiculous craft or game. All the fun is gone. Don't even get me started on the Halloween parties or parades (or lack thereof at some schools). I do however think that if information is posted on a website and it serves as an administrative function (signing up for athletics, etc.) it should be the same at every school. If the ambitious talented student developed such a program for NV then let him or her be recognized and roll it out to the other schools (oh and let him have the creative recognition for developing). |
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Post by asmodeus on Jan 14, 2010 8:17:06 GMT -6
Agreed. All three HS should all be on the same network/program for those type of things.
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Post by rew on Jan 14, 2010 9:14:26 GMT -6
I would pretty much guarantee that one school could not accept a $2M donation. The issue came up on a much smaller scale at the ES level when a family who owns a company wanted to donate some computer equipment to their kids school. They were told that any significant donation would go to the district and the district would decide how to disperse it amongst the schools. Even PTA monies have come under scrutiny for inequitable fundraising at different schools.
I would encourage families to not give up the good fight. Disparities/differences will always exist, but they should be minimized, and at the very least looked at case by case. Parents should always advocate for their children and their kids schools. The online thing may be the difference in ADs, one being progressive, one not. But if enough parents want it, then they should make it known loud and clear.
And the same goes for anything else. There is nothing wrong with wanting your kids school to be the best it can be.
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Post by researching on Jan 14, 2010 10:55:57 GMT -6
I would encourage families to not give up the good fight. No worries there. I will continue to fight for progress. However, I will no longer do it at a district level. My focus will be on the schools my children attend ONLY. Most specifically it will be in the activities my children are a part of. This is where I can affect the most change. |
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Post by doctorwho on Jan 14, 2010 12:17:05 GMT -6
Agreed. All three HS should all be on the same network/program for those type of things. This was also brought up before when the subject of web sites came up and some of us were trying to do due diligence on number of H.S. athletes involved in 2012 switch. Well one school never even updated their web site with rosters for the entire year- with the exception of varsity for 1 sport. The other school had complete updates at every level for every sport. This is not a physical plant issue - this is easily rectified - if the powers that be cared. Why these inequities are allowed is beyond me -- if the people there cannot figure out how to update their own web site- we have the wrong people in place.Of course it could just be laziness as well. |
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Post by doctorwho on Jan 14, 2010 12:32:06 GMT -6
The extremely limited contact I have had with Mike Rogowski has been ok but I have definitely heard a lot of complaints about the way he runs things. Most people say he is very uninvolved and he picks and chooses what he want to involve himself with. Dumb question but are ADs expected to be at all sectional/state events? For example if the girls' WV bowling team qualifies for State would Mike Rogowski be expected to be there? What if one gymnast qualifies for State, does he go? I honestly am asking as I don't the answer. My only beef would be the disparities that exist in the way things are run at the high schools. For example, why does NV have athletic registration available on-line and WV does not? Also, why is the Athletics 2000 website always updated for NV but yet WV is never updated (hello, 2010 track season? I have to look for all my info on the NV part of the Athletics2000 site and then guess how it would be at WV). Also, why does NV charge $4.00 to get into most athletic events and WV is either free or $2.00 . We are one district and things like that should be unified. I do expect that to change though and I think the District will be moving more in the line of equity (at least that's what I want to believe). We can only hope. I don't know what the 'rules' are but I do think an AD should be there for atheltes signing day - wouldn't you ? How about at 'pack the house' nites ? If you want another perspective as to what should - should not be attended- take a look at the last chart of admin salaries -- we pay our AD's very very well. I guess it's left up to the coaches there to get attendance. When my oldest was there freshman year the boys football team would come in from practice when done and cheer on the VB games - added a lot of noise and spirit. Found out this was because the girls VB coach made it happen-- she left the following year moving to Arizona and the practice stopped- and the crowds immediately got smaller- and quieter. She also 'hawked' the pack the house nites. Like most things in organizations - top down support helps drives results -- Of course when we were there the principal attended nothing either - even the Neuqua - Waubonsie matches ....was so bad one time the Neuqua principal came over to organzie the Waubonsie kids cheering since there was no AD or principal at the basketball game. She was a former WVHS teacher and coach and I think felt bad for them -- she showed spirit.. not sure where all that has gone..that person btw is now your Super. -- the parents always were the drivers of the 'spirit' there...many involved parents and some great booster club presidents and officers who put in untold hours. Once you alienate the parents - or move them to another school - or split them so they can't possibly be two places at one time...this goes away. very sad btw- side issue - the last 2 years Benet has made a run at the state girl's VB title- I can tell you our AD was at every match - home-away and state. This was also true for the principal - so I don't know what the rules are- but I can tell you the kids notice - and it is important to them. |
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Post by casey on Jan 14, 2010 13:24:46 GMT -6
I agree 100% Dr. Who. Principals and ADs should be at events if at all possible. As you said, kids notice! FWIW, I saw both the NV and MV principal at the boys' swim meet this past week. Maybe the WV principal was there but I certainly didn't see her.
I have seen Bob McBride at basketball games, football games, gymnastics events, swim meets, soccer matches and concerts to name a few. I have yet to see the WV principal at anything! Perhaps I just haven't seen her and she has actually been attending the events. Maybe someone else knows? As you said though, spirit starts at the top.
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. We are one district and things like that should be unified. I do expect that to change though and I think the District will be moving more in the line of equity (at least that's what I want to believe). We can only hope.