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Why Tuesday? - Post 4

Posted by Sophia Moreno in American Government - Laufenberg on

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Robbie and I have decided to lobby our issue on a state level, so we need to contact our elected State officials.  We each have different district representatives, but have decided to write an e-mail together to the Governor.  Ed Rendell is the current Governor, yet it has not escaped our notice that he will shortly be replaced by Tom Corbett.  We may end up contacting them both, as well as our district representatives, just to be sure.  


In a previous post I listed my District Representatives.  There has been a recent change:- Vincent J. Hughs- Pamela A. Delissio
I realize e-mails are not a very direct way of contacting officials, especially with everything they must get.  We might also form a facebook page for people to support and “like.”  That would draw more attention from other people.  However, I think an e-mail is a good first step, especially if we send a bunch.  Here is our e-mail:

Dear [Governor Rendell,]


We are writing to discuss the current voting system on both a National and State level.  As young adults, we are new to the voting process, and concerned with voter turnout.  We believe that voter turnout is significantly tied to voting accessibility.  Analyzing the PA voting system, as well as contrasting it with that of others, we have developed a few suggestions for improvement.  Respectfully, we hope you will take them into due consideration.  

State Elections are held on the same day as National election, the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.  Most people are not aware why voting is held on this day, but we are.  Tuesday was nationally standardized as (Vice-) Presidential election day in 1845 by law, and smaller elections followed suit.  It was designated as such for reasons that are not applicable today.  That Tuesday was meant to be convenient for citizens of the time, and chosen because it would not interfere with any religious observances and was the day before market day.  Due to the fact that it took so long to travel, most people were already in town.  

However, this method is completely outdated and no longer serves the practical function that it did in 1845.  Voter turnout is suffering.  When a system allows for more lenience, people will respond.  In the 2002 general election, Pennsylvania was ranked 40th in voter turnout, whereas Oregon ranked 6th.  Oregon utilizes mail-in voting, a much more flexible system.  

Recently, several states have either adopted or introduced voting reform.  One example in particular stood out to us.  San Francisco just passed a piece of legislation, “Proposition 1,” which would enable polls to open on the Saturday preceding. Those who found it inconvenient to vote during the day Tuesday, could instead vote on the weekend. New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg responded enthusiastically with his own support and own proposal. He wants to include early voting to make the system more flexible.  Pennsylvania could work in a likewise manner.  If Pennsylvania adopted a similar policy, voter turnout would improve greatly.

It would behove our State to have a voter system like this, and it would make voting for both us and the general public a much easier process.  Consider suggesting this plan, and PA will be grateful.  


Sincerely,


Sophia Moreno

&
Robert Glynn


Robbie and I are humorously wondering if we will receive an email back from a real person, or a generic “thank you concerned citizen.”  We’ll see.  Best of luck.

Researching The Offical- Lobbying For Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Taylor Tomasco in American Government - Laufenberg on

SRC (School Reform Commission) Members:
Denise McGregor Armbrister sits on the board for the School Reform Commission for the School District of Philadelphia. She is relevant to lobbying for smaller schools because her foundations, the Wachovia Corporation,Wachovia Regional Foundation, and the Wachovia Regional Community Development Corporation all help support the lives of families in low income neighborhoods. She likes to give back, which is why she would be a great candidate to express our views to. She cares about the community, its growth, and how it will impact the lives of others.
To learn more about Denise McGregor Armbrister visit: http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/denise-mcgregor-armbrister

Johnny Irizarry is another member of the SRC in the Philadelphia School District. Having taught at some high schools in Philadelphia, and shown great persistence in the development of students education, he will be a good guy to talk to. Although he has a specific focus, on the Center for Hispanic Excellence, he will still be helpful and be able to share his past experiences.

To learn more about Johnny Irizarry visit:
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/johnny-irizarry
State Representatives:
If this concern were to have reached the state level, it would first have to reach the City of Philadelphia’s, to where Mayor Michael Nutter could contact our honorable congressman Robert A. Brady. He serves as Philadelphia’s First District Congressman, that contains parts of South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Center City, and Delaware County. Robert Brady feels strongly about students receiving education to the highest degree. He puts it at the forefront as he believes it is the foundation of our nations future. He believes that quality education should not be a shut off for those who cannot afford it, henceforth why his candidacy will bring this issue to the forefront of most peoples minds.
To follow more information on Congressman Robert A. Brady’s views on education visit:
http://www.brady.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=29&sectiontree=4,29
Just because these children misbehave in these schools, does not mean that they do not deserve a proper education, one in which would still prepare them for the future, despite their actions in school.  There needs to be more schools like this one: The Lifeworks Alternative School. In this Alternative School, students receive individualized attention based off of their mental or behavioral problems. They still receive a top notch education, despite their “disadvantage”. These students are still students at the end of the day and deserve as much of an education as the next student in the leading magnet school. All students deserve the right to a prosperous education. They understand the downfalls to gathering all of the “bad” students into one school. Those types of schools have no inspiration, and everyone is still taught equally.

We have received the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting on Monday, October 25th, to discuss education in America and the importance of great teachers. Presented by A&E Network, Comcast, Temple University and the U.S. Department of Education. Featuring Governer Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Arlene Ackerman, and Tony Danza. We will be able to participate in a professional conversation and get many of our questions answered. After this experience I believe we will both feel more comfortable to attend other SRC and town hall planning and action meetings. These meetings are generally open to the public for our advantage. We hope to attend a planning meeting on Wednesday November 10, 2010 and an action meeting on Wednesday November 17, 2010.  At these two meetings we will have a chance to get a sort of behind the scenes look into the department of education. We hope to get insight on how ideas are proposed and decisions are made professionally

Researching the Official - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on

SRC (School Reform Commission) Members:
Denise McGregor Armbrister sits on the board for the School Reform Commission for the School District of Philadelphia. She is relevant to lobbying for smaller schools because her foundations, the Wachovia Corporation,Wachovia Regional Foundation, and the Wachovia Regional Community Development Corporation all help support the lives of families in low income neighborhoods. She likes to give back, which is why she would be a great candidate to express our views to. She cares about the community, its growth, and how it will impact the lives of others.
To learn more about Denise McGregor Armbrister visit: http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/denise-mcgregor-armbrister

Johnny Irizarry is another member of the SRC in the Philadelphia School District. Having taught at some high schools in Philadelphia, and shown great persistence in the development of students education, he will be a good guy to talk to. Although he has a specific focus, on the Center for Hispanic Excellence, he will still be helpful and be able to share his past experiences.

To learn more about Johnny Irizarry visit:
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/johnny-irizarry
State Representatives:
If this concern were to have reached the state level, it would first have to reach the City of Philadelphia’s, to where Mayor Michael Nutter could contact our honorable congressman Robert A. Brady. He serves as Philadelphia’s First District Congressman, that contains parts of South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Center City, and Delaware County. Robert Brady feels strongly about students receiving education to the highest degree. He puts it at the forefront as he believes it is the foundation of our nations future. He believes that quality education should not be a shut off for those who cannot afford it, henceforth why his candidacy will bring this issue to the forefront of most peoples minds.
To follow more information on Congressman Robert A. Brady’s views on education visit:
http://www.brady.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=29&sectiontree=4,29
Just because these children misbehave in these schools, does not mean that they do not deserve a proper education, one in which would still prepare them for the future, despite their actions in school.  There needs to be more schools like this one: The Lifeworks Alternative School. In this Alternative School, students receive individualized attention based off of their mental or behavioral problems. They still receive a top notch education, despite their “disadvantage”. These students are still students at the end of the day and deserve as much of an education as the next student in the leading magnet school. All students deserve the right to a prosperous education. They understand the downfalls to gathering all of the “bad” students into one school. Those types of schools have no inspiration, and everyone is still taught equally.

We have received the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting on Monday, October 25th, to discuss education in America and the importance of great teachers. Presented by A&E Network, Comcast, Temple University and the U.S. Department of Education. Featuring Governer Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Arlene Ackerman, and Tony Danza. We will be able to participate in a professional conversation and get many of our questions answered. After this experience I believe we will both feel more comfortable to attend other SRC and town hall planning and action meetings. These meetings are generally open to the public for our advantage. We hope to attend a planning meeting on Wednesday November 10, 2010 and an action meeting on Wednesday November 17, 2010.  At these two meetings we will have a chance to get a sort of behind the scenes look into the department of education. We hope to get insight on how ideas are proposed and decisions are made professionally

Study the Issues- Lobbying For Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Taylor Tomasco in American Government - Laufenberg on

  1. What are you lobbying for, against or to change? Explain the issue
-We are lobbying for  1. smaller neighborhood schools(this may involve breaking schools into academies).  2. To not segregate bad kids into alternative schools. In reality, how is an alternative school going to help bad children learn when they are all "distractions" to each other? One hope of this is to break down the barriers between "bad children" and good students so that all students may have the opportunity to receive a good education. We want all students to have the attention they need from their teachers, so they all can progress on the same learning path, instead of one group moving forward without the other. - Cody’s Take on the SituationSome people think of this idea as a roadblock in the more intelligent students, but in reality, each type of student can benefit each other by sharing their experiences. Tending to other’s needs can show self-growth and progression in students who attend these Alternative Schools. These students need to be nurtured in an environment that has a purpose, and not one that is detrimental to their learning experience. - Taylor’s MessageEvery student deserves a great education, and needs to speak up for it.- Cody’s Message“Never let others co-opt your language for purposes that are counter to your own believes.” - Chris Lehmann of The Science Leadership Academy.
  1. Elaborate on your motivation for investigating and influencing public policy?
From personal experience, I both have realized it helps me to help others. Explaining processes to other people helps clarify information to myself. Also, knowing I am learning in an environment where others are willing to help me out makes me feel better about my learning. I want students to be confident in their learning environment. We are focusing on the engagement of how students learn in their environments. Students should have access to all of the resources they could imagine including peers to answer questions and give advice. -Taylor’s Thoughts
  1. Who are the main supporters of your lobbying idea?
The main supporters of this lobbying idea are:* Edgatopia: is an organization that reports what works in education and how.Their main focus points:“Teachers must lay the groundwork for successful social and emotional learning by establishing an environment of trust and respect in the classroom. Empathy is key. Before children can be expected to unite to achieve academic goals, they must be taught how to work together, and so it provides them with strategies and tools for cooperative learning.” - Taylor’s Great Reference Quote.Cody’s Main Resources: * Julie Evans, the CEO of Project Tomorrow, whose mission is to provide students with the necessary tools to make them the leaders of tomorrow.* Educators like Deborah Meier, who has had 3 decades of working hand in hand with students.* Chris Lehmann a practical idealist for the pursuit of a greater education.People like these are ones who dream of the practical education. One that they believe should comes standard with all students, regardless of any background, or status.
  1. Who are the main opponents of your lobbying idea?
-The main opponents of this lobbying topic is the school district policy. There are many laws involving the expulsion of exceptional students (students who move at a faster/slower pace than others; ones with disabilities). The laws shown from the link below, state what a teacher can and cannot do. There are also the laws in which students have to follow shown in the “Student Code of Conduct, solely for students of the Philadelphia School District. There are even stricter rules when it comes to these Alternative schools, ones to where if they got in trouble there, there wouldn’t be a place where they could come to every day. These obstacles are preventing most students from progressing in their education.Link
  1. Is there any pending legislation dealing with your lobbying idea? Explain. If there is not, what would you like to see proposed. Elaborate.
There is currently no pending legislation dealing with our lobbying idea. We would like to see a few things proposed: 1. laws removed about the expulsion of exceptional students 2. laws applied to stop segregating students who have been in trouble from the rest of the student body 3. laws applied to offer education to every child, every if they have a bad past or background. 4. laws applied to monitor the size of schools, specifically alternative and neighborhood schools.  Our Consensus: What does a "great school" mean?    A great school offers a safe environment and an education for all types of learners. How does a "great teacher" teach?    A great teacher is understanding and is always willing to explain, assist, and explain again. A great teacher does not talk at the front of the classroom, they engage the students minds and help students make connections not only to the academic side of life but towards life itself, the real world. They teach about the process and not about the facts. What do we value in that kind of education that can be measured?    We value a students ability to apply the process of what they learn, not the facts and dates. We can measure this by there success in making differences in society, their ability to relate information.
  1. Any other information regarding the background for your topic.
-Regarding the incidents at South Philadelphia High School, with racial crimes/acts being directed to Chinese students, we sought the need to interview a transfer student who went through the torment and woes expressed onto them. This interview/documentary on the incidents that occurred during that time, will show what could possibly happen when large schools are not divided into academies, and when students of a certain class are subject to mistreatment. - Cody’s Take    We want to get opinions from students whom have been exposed to these somewhat dangerous learning environments. We know what we think should and should not work, but we need to know what actually works and does not work. - Taylor’s Take

Study the Issues - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on

Study the Issues
  1. What are you lobbying for, against or to change? Explain the issue

-We are lobbying for  1. smaller neighborhood schools(this may involve breaking schools into academies).  2. To not segregate bad kids into alternative schools. In reality, how is an alternative school going to help bad children learn when they are all "distractions" to each other?

One hope of this is to break down the barriers between "bad children" and good students so that all students may have the opportunity to receive a good education. We want all students to have the attention they need from their teachers, so they all can progress on the same learning path, instead of one group moving forward without the other. - Cody’s Take on the Situation

Some people think of this idea as a roadblock in the more intelligent students, but in reality, each type of student can benefit each other by sharing their experiences. Tending to other’s needs can show self-growth and progression in students who attend these Alternative Schools. These students need to be nurtured in an environment that has a purpose, and not one that is detrimental to their learning experience. - Taylor’s Message

Every student deserves a great education, and needs to speak up for it.- Cody’s Message
“Never let others co-opt your language for purposes that are counter to your own believes.” - Chris Lehmann of The Science Leadership Academy.

  1. Elaborate on your motivation for investigating and influencing public policy?


From personal experience, I both have realized it helps me to help others. Explaining processes to other people helps clarify information to myself. Also, knowing I am learning in an environment where others are willing to help me out makes me feel better about my learning. I want students to be confident in their learning environment. We are focusing on the engagement of how students learn in their environments. Students should have access to all of the resources they could imagine including peers to answer questions and give advice. -Taylor’s Thoughts
  1. Who are the main supporters of your lobbying idea?

The main supporters of this lobbying idea are:
* Edgatopia: is an organization that reports what works in education and how.
Their main focus points:
“Teachers must lay the groundwork for successful social and emotional learning by establishing an environment of trust and respect in the classroom. Empathy is key. Before children can be expected to unite to achieve academic goals, they must be taught how to work together, and so it provides them with strategies and tools for cooperative learning.” - Taylor’s Great Reference Quote.

Cody’s Main Resources:
* Julie Evans, the CEO of Project Tomorrow, whose mission is to provide students with the necessary tools to make them the leaders of tomorrow.
* Educators like Deborah Meier, who has had 3 decades of working hand in hand with students.
* Chris Lehmann a practical idealist for the pursuit of a greater education.
People like these are ones who dream of the practical education. One that they believe should comes standard with all students, regardless of any background, or status.
  1. Who are the main opponents of your lobbying idea?

-The main opponents of this lobbying topic is the school district policy. There are many laws involving the expulsion of exceptional students (students who move at a faster/slower pace than others; ones with disabilities). The laws shown from the link below, state what a teacher can and cannot do. There are also the laws in which students have to follow shown in the “Student Code of Conduct, solely for students of the Philadelphia School District. There are even stricter rules when it comes to these Alternative schools, ones to where if they got in trouble there, there wouldn’t be a place where they could come to every day. These obstacles are preventing most students from progressing in their education.
Link
  1. Is there any pending legislation dealing with your lobbying idea? Explain. If there is not, what would you like to see proposed. Elaborate.

There is currently no pending legislation dealing with our lobbying idea. We would like to see a few things proposed: 1. laws removed about the expulsion of exceptional students 2. laws applied to stop segregating students who have been in trouble from the rest of the student body 3. laws applied to offer education to every child, every if they have a bad past or background. 4. laws applied to monitor the size of schools, specifically alternative and neighborhood schools.  

Our Consensus:
What does a "great school" mean?
    A great school offers a safe environment and an education for all types of learners.

How does a "great teacher" teach?
    A great teacher is understanding and is always willing to explain, assist, and explain again. A great teacher does not talk at the front of the classroom, they engage the students minds and help students make connections not only to the academic side of life but towards life itself, the real world. They teach about the process and not about the facts.

What do we value in that kind of education that can be measured?
    We value a students ability to apply the process of what they learn, not the facts and dates. We can measure this by there success in making differences in society, their ability to relate information.
  1. Any other information regarding the background for your topic.

-Regarding the incidents at South Philadelphia High School, with racial crimes/acts being directed to Chinese students, we sought the need to interview a transfer student who went through the torment and woes expressed onto them. This interview/documentary on the incidents that occurred during that time, will show what could possibly happen when large schools are not divided into academies, and when students of a certain class are subject to mistreatment. - Cody’s Take
    We want to get opinions from students whom have been exposed to these somewhat dangerous learning environments. We know what we think should and should not work, but we need to know what actually works and does not work. - Taylor’s Take

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