A School District Intentionally Leaving Children Behind

Rochester City School District Embraces Ebonics

Rachel Barnhart (Rochester, N.Y.) – It’s called Black English Vernacular – or more commonly – Ebonics.
In a newsletter to staff, Rochester City School District officials say it is OK for students and teachers to speak Ebonics in class.
The newsletter, Diversity Dialogue, suggests teachers use BEV to communicate with students. It says teachers can:
• “Switch into BEV in specific situations or informal discussion.”
• "Translate common phrases in Standard English into BEV.”
• “Read and retell stories in both BEV and Standard English.”
“We need to embrace the diversity they bring into our schools,” said the district’s Chief of Diversity and Leadership, Michele Hancock.
Hancock and Tyra Webb-Johnson, Director of Coaching and Leadership, wrote the newsletter. They are both former elementary school principals.
“We want (teachers) to have a better understanding of what BEV is so they can incorporate it into their teaching. That way, they're not alienating the students who are speaking the vernacular and degrading them,” Webb-Johnson said.
Ebonics was debated nationally in 1996 when the Oakland, California school district proposed using it in the curriculum.
Ebonics is defined as a speech pattern used by some African-Americans that does not follow standard grammar.
“No matter how you speak, you do need to learn the standard form so you can embrace the larger audience of people,” Hancock said. “But you can hold on to the richness of your family environment and not feel that is beneath any standard of living.”
Hancock says many people, including her own son, who graduated from college, know how to "code switch" between Standard English and Ebonics. She said students must learn to be proficient in Standard English.“Many African-Americans are bi-dialectic in their speech patterns. I think it's critical teachers understand those speech patterns so they can effectively, visually show children how they are speaking, but not to denigrate it, but to celebrate it,” Hancock said.
13WHAM News showed the newsletter to several black leaders in the community.
“Anybody who suggests that these kids will lose their identity because they cannot be, should not be encouraged to speak Ebonics is wrong,” said school board member Van White, who is pushing to create an African-American studies department in the district. “We are not African-Americans because of how we speak, but who we are as a people.”
“I understand there's a need for teachers and students to meet on some common plane, but I'm not sure expressing that as Ebonics as that plane is a way to go,” said City Councilman Adam McFadden.
“It's acceptable in hip hop culture, but I don't think anyone would suggest the way forward for students already coming to school with severe educational deficiencies is to maintain a deficient language pattern,” said former Mayor William Johnson.
Johnson and then-Police Chief Bob Duffy fired a white police officer for writing a memo called “Ghetto Lingo,” which claimed to translate English phrases into African-American vernacular.
Hancock and Webb-Johnson say many white teachers come to them for help communicating with students. The BEV suggestion is not a mandate, they said.
“It doesn't hurt the kids. What we're saying to the children is we value what you bring. You have value,” said Hancock."What if one of your teachers started speaking Ebonics to you tomorrow? I would think they were crazy!" said Jada Scott, an 8th grader.
"I just think that's outrageous. Ebonics, that's something that kids speak out in the street with their friends, it's not something to be encouraged in the classroom,” said Maxine Humphrey, a high school senior.
“I think it's not a good idea,” said senior Candice Scott. “If we learn to speak Ebonics and we get into the real world, I don't think it's going to be of any help to us."
"I don't think it's a very good idea. I think it's more important for the kids to reach up to the school standards, instead of the school coming down to the kid’s level,” said parent Melynda Scott.

The Latest Edict from Human Resources

Dear Employees:

It has been brought to management's attention that
some individuals throughout the company have been
using foul language during the course of normal
conversation with their co-workers.
Due to complaints received from some employees
who may be easily offended, this type of language
will no longer be tolerated.
We do, however, realize the critical importance of
being able to accurately express your feelings when
communicating with co-workers.
Therefore, a list of 18 New and Innovative
'TRY SAYING' phrases have been provided so that
proper exchange of ideas and information can
continue in an effective manner.

Number 1
TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training.
INSTEAD OF: You don't know what the f___ you're doing.

Number 2
TRY SAYING: She's an aggressive go-getter.
INSTEAD OF: She's a f___ing bit__.

Number 3
TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late.
INSTEAD OF: And when the f___ do you expect me to do this?

Number 4
TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible.
INSTEAD OF: No f___ing way.

Number 5
TRY SAYING: Really?
INSTEAD OF: You've got to be sh___ing me!

Number 6
TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with...
INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a sh__.

Number 7
TRY SAYING: I wasn't involved in the project.
INSTEAD OF: It's not my f___ing problem.

Number 8
TRY SAYING: That's interesting.
INSTEAD OF: What the f___?

Number 9
TRY SAYING: I'm not sure this can be implemented.
INSTEAD OF: This sh__ won't work.

Number 10
TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that.
INSTEAD OF: Why the f___ didn't you tell me sooner?

Number 11
TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues.
INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his a__.

Number 12
TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir?
INSTEAD OF: Eat sh__ and die.

Number 13
TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with it?
INSTEAD OF: Kiss my a__.

Number 14
TRY SAYING: I'm a bit overloaded at the moment.
INSTEAD OF: F__ it, I'm on salary.

Number 15
TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand.
INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your a__.

Number 16
TRY SAYING: I love a challenge.
INSTEAD OF: This f___ing job sucks.

Number 17
TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that?
INSTEAD OF: Who the f___ died and made you boss?

Number 18
TRY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive.
INSTEAD OF: He's a pr_ck.

Thank You,


Human Resources

That's What Girlfriends Are For

DEAR ABBY: I keep reading that having sex regularly will improve your health and extend your life. However, my wife of 34 years has lost all interest in sex and keeps pushing me away. So what do I do? Am I justified in taking on a lover on the side, discreetly, of course? -- CONSIDERING IT, SAN MATEO, CALIF.
DEAR CONSIDERING IT: I, too, have read that engaging in sex regularly can improve one's health and extend one's life. However, rather than asking me for permission, you should address that question to your wife. If it's all right with her, it's all right with me. But if she says no, please remember that the stress of carrying on an illicit affair could shorten your life, and if she catches you it could be fatal.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/dearabby_form.html or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

This appeared on the November 26, 2007, issue of the newspaper that I read.

Is this guy looking for Abby's blessing to seek out a new partner?

It is quite a dilemma. What is the solution? If a friend of yours asked you this, what would you tell him?

I can't see that cheating on your spouse is ever the answer. There has to be a better way of dealing with this problem.

What is Best in Life?

Mongol General: We have won again. That is good! But what is best in life?

Mongol Warrior: The open steppe, fleet horse, falcon on your wrist, wind in your hair!

Mongol General: Wrong! Conan, what is best in life?

Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!

Mongol General: That is good.

This is one of my favorite scenes from any movie. "Conan: The Barbarian" from 1982; The "Governator's" movie career was just getting rolling and he was in his prime. "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women" is indeed good. In fact, I may watch that tonight just for the heck of it. "Do you want to live forever?"

Prophet?

Ann Coulter says...

It's about time Crud Bonemeal came out to support me. He's my kind of guy...100% American.

Great Economics Professor

We Like This Guy

Walter Williams is probably my favorite columnist of all of the syndicated writers. His columns are less opinion and more hard data to support the truth (link) behind conservative politics.

His most recent column gives hard data to refute the claims of the left that President Bush's tax cuts help the rich while hurting the poor.

It is good to read and easy to understand.

This man writes on a highly intellectual level, yet he is still eminently understandable. According to his data, the top 50% of wage earners pay 97% of the taxes in this country.

If you are not good at math, that means that the bottom 50% income earners pay 3% of the taxes. That does not sound to me like a huge burden on the poor.

Read the article for yourself. The only way you will not be impressed is if you believe that he is lying about the figures, and I would not bet on that.

I wish I had the opportunity to study economics of the public and private sectors with this man. He makes it all seem so basic and simple.

America, meet Crud!

Who is Crud Bonemeal? He is one of the good guys. Don't let the name fool you. If you are one of the bad guys, you may get some Crud on you. He loves the U.S.A, and he knows it is the greatest country in the world. He thanks God for giving him life as an American. He hates anyone who would hurt America, and he would sacrifice anything to save his fellow patriots. You won't find a treasonous bone in his body. Unfortunately, Crud has little room for political correctness, but he has a good heart. Move over Jack Bauer, Crud is here! God Bless America and God help her enemies!