What is Shuang Wen lacking? DIVERSITY is the answer.
The Shuang Wen school community does not accurately reflect the demographics of District One. I do believe this was by design. However the Architects are beginning to disappear and it is now time for a new design. District One, just like New York City as a whole contains a high number of Hispanic residents. District One demographics also has a large number of Hispanic and Black residents. Shuang Wen school body is predominately Asian and very little of any other race.
What does Diversity mean to you?
Some may not agree that diversity should only be about race but also socioeconomic, gender and sexuality. If that is the case, Shuang Wen also lacks diversity in these areas as well.
My child has experienced his/her fair share of prejudices and bullying. In a conversation with an educator, not affiliate with the Shuang Wen faculty, she brought up an interesting observation. China, Korea, Japan and other Asian countries are homogeneous countries. There is not a whole lot of exposure to other races. Therefore, it is very possible that the fear of the unknown creates apprehension based on ignorance. These fears are passed from parent(s) to child(ren). The fear that Blacks or Hispanics parents are inferior or don't care about education is an irrational fear.
More of the Shuang Wen parents should interact and get to learn more about each other and their respective culture.
In order to create a better educational, loving, safe environment it behooves the parents to interact in a positive productive way. I would love to see mixers, athletic events or any other out of school time events. We will NOT all like each other but we can respect each other and teach our children how to respect each other and get along much better.
Parents should feel responsible for every child in the school and each child should feel responsible for each other.
Will racism, prejudice, discrimination, bullying, ignorance disappear? NO is the answer. However, we can let parents and children know that it is NOT tolerate in our COMMUNITY.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Thursday, February 14, 2013
SUCCESSFUL DUAL LANGUAGE MEETING
District One CEC dual language meeting was a great success. The speakers were well versed in dual language education.
It was NOT great parent turn out, however those that were able to attend were able to learn more about dual language.
NYU Professor Robin Harvey provided a wonderful listing of references for parents to read with regard to research done on dual language pertaining to learning/teaching Mandarin. The presentations will be available on the CEC website.
In addition, to Ms. Harvey presentation, Ms. Pat Lo a DOE representative presentation will also be available on the CEC website. She presented on the growth of dual language schools nationwide. Her presentation was very informative.
We also heard from Ms. Laura Silver from the Hebrew Charter School. She was able to explain her schools method of teaching Hebrew which is different from the prescribe method adopted by the DOE.
Mr. Yan the Principal from the Dual Language Asian Studies High School speak briefly about his program. He decided only to focus on the power of teaching and reaching children. He was extremely humble and did not speak about the success of this school. He is a passionate educator and spoke to the hearts of parents who just want a GREAT educational experience for their children without concentrating on test scores. Excellence is what he expects from all of his children and they have met his challenge.
I am looking forward to more dual language meetings hosted by the CEC in the near future. For those who missed it, you missed alot and fortunately I believe there will be more meetings in the near future.
It was NOT great parent turn out, however those that were able to attend were able to learn more about dual language.
NYU Professor Robin Harvey provided a wonderful listing of references for parents to read with regard to research done on dual language pertaining to learning/teaching Mandarin. The presentations will be available on the CEC website.
In addition, to Ms. Harvey presentation, Ms. Pat Lo a DOE representative presentation will also be available on the CEC website. She presented on the growth of dual language schools nationwide. Her presentation was very informative.
We also heard from Ms. Laura Silver from the Hebrew Charter School. She was able to explain her schools method of teaching Hebrew which is different from the prescribe method adopted by the DOE.
Mr. Yan the Principal from the Dual Language Asian Studies High School speak briefly about his program. He decided only to focus on the power of teaching and reaching children. He was extremely humble and did not speak about the success of this school. He is a passionate educator and spoke to the hearts of parents who just want a GREAT educational experience for their children without concentrating on test scores. Excellence is what he expects from all of his children and they have met his challenge.
I am looking forward to more dual language meetings hosted by the CEC in the near future. For those who missed it, you missed alot and fortunately I believe there will be more meetings in the near future.
Monday, January 28, 2013
DUAL LANGUAGE CEC MEETING
The District One, Community Education Council (CEC) monthly meeting in February includes in it's agenda DUAL LANGUAGE!!!
The meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2013 at 6pm. Public School 140 will host the meeting. P.S 140 is located 123 Ridge Street New York, New York 10002.
There will be a question and answer period, parents may ask questions to the panelists. If you are interested in learning more about dual language please come out.
This meeting is NOT about SWAN it is about EDUCATION and DUAL LANGUAGE.
Friday, May 25, 2012
A Correction to 5.24.2012 Comments and Post
I made a comment that NO ONE was welcoming. I would like to retract that comment. I have many issues with Shuang Wen. However, I would be remiss in NOT saying that actually ONE family have been consisently cordial, civil, inviting and have been absolutely wonderful to my child.
Despite my views or my known associations, this one particular family have been very inviting and welcoming.
I do appreciate the level of respect that they shown my family as well as me. I am sure they probably recieve some flack for it. But they did not prejudge me. Although like politics and religion this topic is very emotional and we have not discuss our point of views and it can very well because we respect each other and we already know how we differ.
I truly hope I did not offend this family with my previous comment.
However, overall the parents I have spoken to earlier on showed that they did not want to rock the boat and I respect them as well. And I have noticed the new distance they have with me and it is fine, we all have to do what is in the best interest for our children and work our way through this process in the best way we know how.
I have no need to "go after" anyone. The real entity that needs to be monitored and corrected is the DOE and not just for Shuang Wen but for their overall methods in educating our children and there subjective monitoring of educational practices.
Despite my views or my known associations, this one particular family have been very inviting and welcoming.
I do appreciate the level of respect that they shown my family as well as me. I am sure they probably recieve some flack for it. But they did not prejudge me. Although like politics and religion this topic is very emotional and we have not discuss our point of views and it can very well because we respect each other and we already know how we differ.
I truly hope I did not offend this family with my previous comment.
However, overall the parents I have spoken to earlier on showed that they did not want to rock the boat and I respect them as well. And I have noticed the new distance they have with me and it is fine, we all have to do what is in the best interest for our children and work our way through this process in the best way we know how.
I have no need to "go after" anyone. The real entity that needs to be monitored and corrected is the DOE and not just for Shuang Wen but for their overall methods in educating our children and there subjective monitoring of educational practices.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE HURT CHILDREN
I have listened to all sides, I have empathized with all sides and I have processed all sides. What I have concluded is that parents have been hurt during this process of change. However, hurt people hurt people. It is time to move pass the hurt and move toward healing.
The facts may be distorted as to why person(s) said or follow through with their compliants. Whatever, the reasoning the result is the same. There were issues that needed to be addressed and unfortunately the issues were not addressed but instead the change was protested.
Every parent is fighting for what is best for their child but ultimately we should compromise for what is best for all children. In deciding this, of course it is crucial to include the plans and goals of each parent. The problem lies when parents are not efficient in conflict resolution. I would like to add that conflict resolution is a subject matter first introduced in elementary school.
Parent compromising without lowing their expectations and standards for their children is truly teaching our children what it is to be a true member of society.
I recommend the following steps:
1st step: Learning what is needed to compromise is understanding the regulations that governs our school community.
2nd step: Truly understanding how to get what your child needs based on the confines the DOE the policies and regulations
3rd step: Get out of the tunnel and as Frank Sinatra sang "Come Fly With Me" we have to learn to be more flexible. The ulitmate goal is to provide the best education for our children. To meet our children where they are and motivated them to do better. I am not against specialized schools or high performing schools. I would love to keep our percentage of our children receiving acceptance to those schools. The acceptance to those schools provides more options for our children. However, so does having an accredited additional language under their belt.
What has been done is DONE. We can not go back and fix what you feel was wrong. We have all been wronged and REVENGE is not the answer. I learned early in life when you plot on revenge you should always dig two graves.
Unfortunately for Ling Ling supporters, the model you were partipicating in was not the prescribe DOE model and the DOE will not change because you are unhappy with there choice on discontinuing what was practiced.
For example :If your child attempts to fit a square in a circle and you as the parent sit and watch him try over and over again, then he discovers that he can make the circle bigger by banging on it and now the square fits. Would you allow him to go through life making a bigger mess to get what he wants or learn the correct way of doing things?
Unfortunately, Ling Ling was able to get the end result that you wanted but in doing so a bigger mess was created and now it is up to the parents to find the proper fit for the piece we have without making a BIGGER mess.
It can be done but you have to be willing to make it work.
The facts may be distorted as to why person(s) said or follow through with their compliants. Whatever, the reasoning the result is the same. There were issues that needed to be addressed and unfortunately the issues were not addressed but instead the change was protested.
Every parent is fighting for what is best for their child but ultimately we should compromise for what is best for all children. In deciding this, of course it is crucial to include the plans and goals of each parent. The problem lies when parents are not efficient in conflict resolution. I would like to add that conflict resolution is a subject matter first introduced in elementary school.
Parent compromising without lowing their expectations and standards for their children is truly teaching our children what it is to be a true member of society.
I recommend the following steps:
1st step: Learning what is needed to compromise is understanding the regulations that governs our school community.
2nd step: Truly understanding how to get what your child needs based on the confines the DOE the policies and regulations
3rd step: Get out of the tunnel and as Frank Sinatra sang "Come Fly With Me" we have to learn to be more flexible. The ulitmate goal is to provide the best education for our children. To meet our children where they are and motivated them to do better. I am not against specialized schools or high performing schools. I would love to keep our percentage of our children receiving acceptance to those schools. The acceptance to those schools provides more options for our children. However, so does having an accredited additional language under their belt.
What has been done is DONE. We can not go back and fix what you feel was wrong. We have all been wronged and REVENGE is not the answer. I learned early in life when you plot on revenge you should always dig two graves.
Unfortunately for Ling Ling supporters, the model you were partipicating in was not the prescribe DOE model and the DOE will not change because you are unhappy with there choice on discontinuing what was practiced.
For example :If your child attempts to fit a square in a circle and you as the parent sit and watch him try over and over again, then he discovers that he can make the circle bigger by banging on it and now the square fits. Would you allow him to go through life making a bigger mess to get what he wants or learn the correct way of doing things?
Unfortunately, Ling Ling was able to get the end result that you wanted but in doing so a bigger mess was created and now it is up to the parents to find the proper fit for the piece we have without making a BIGGER mess.
It can be done but you have to be willing to make it work.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Report is OUT!!!
On April 21, 2012 the Department of Education released a report that validated most if not all of the compliants against ex Principal Ling Ling Chou. However, there are still parents who refuse to see the writing on the wall. The seven to ten parents protested in front of the school and called the report " a witch hunt" and "racists" continue to make the rest of the Shuang Wen Community look horribly ignorant.
This was not a witch hunt and definitely has nothing to do with race. It is more like an immoral and criminal hunt and it is open season on decietful criminals and their accomplices.
As for as the racist comment, I believe the interim principal Iris Chiu is of Asian descedant, well educated and loves children.
For more on the report, please visit http://www.ny1.com/ and http://gothamschools.org
This was not a witch hunt and definitely has nothing to do with race. It is more like an immoral and criminal hunt and it is open season on decietful criminals and their accomplices.
As for as the racist comment, I believe the interim principal Iris Chiu is of Asian descedant, well educated and loves children.
For more on the report, please visit http://www.ny1.com/ and http://gothamschools.org
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The HAVES and the Have NOTS.....
There has been a battle to control Shuang Wen and it's future. The past of Shuang Wen was not true to it's name or it's children.
Shuang Wen dubbed their dual language afterschool program as part of the school. Those who could afford to learn Chinese were admitted to the school. Those who could not afford the program were named lazy and shiftless parents. This began the battle of the Haves and the Have Nots.
Shuang Wen is a public school open to all in the district regardless of economic status, religion, race or creed. The option of learning Mandrin was not for those who could afford it but for those who choose it. The reality of it all is that every parent that enrolls their children in the school are looking for a top notch education for their children at a rock bottom cost. True HAVES donate and fundraise to make the school a better place overall. Currently our parents are NOT fund raising or focusing on how to use the money we have to make the school better.
Let's stop fighting for what is equally ours. The right to a free and exceptional education for all our children.
Shuang Wen dubbed their dual language afterschool program as part of the school. Those who could afford to learn Chinese were admitted to the school. Those who could not afford the program were named lazy and shiftless parents. This began the battle of the Haves and the Have Nots.
Shuang Wen is a public school open to all in the district regardless of economic status, religion, race or creed. The option of learning Mandrin was not for those who could afford it but for those who choose it. The reality of it all is that every parent that enrolls their children in the school are looking for a top notch education for their children at a rock bottom cost. True HAVES donate and fundraise to make the school a better place overall. Currently our parents are NOT fund raising or focusing on how to use the money we have to make the school better.
Let's stop fighting for what is equally ours. The right to a free and exceptional education for all our children.
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