gdp's Comments

Daily Camera.com: : Michael Rabb: Americans should renounce their support for Israel - Boulder Daily Camera

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:16:57 +0000

To be fair, when you look up his info, he does have a history of working for some peaceful and seemingly righteous causes. I don't necessarily feel the hate from him as much as feel that this particular action is misdirected, ignorant, and in very poor taste and that he does have some racist views he may not even realize he has. He hails from Mississippi and, ironically, he often signs things as "Michael Rabb (Rabbi)", which seems very misleading considering his stance on the Jewish state.

Daily Camera.com: : Michael Rabb: Americans should renounce their support for Israel - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 05:57:38 +0000

There seems to be an assumption that the intent of this demonstration is to engage the local Jewish community on this topic. This may be stating the obvious, but, if engagement were really the intent, there are much more effective and respectful ways to do this than to protest outside a temple during what is considered the most important observance in Judaism. The logic (or lack of) in demonstrating at a temple that does not actively endorse a formal stance on Israeli politics is akin to protesting at a local Catholic church during mass because you are opposed to actions of the Pope and believe that those attending in observance of the religion he is central to must also support all of his actions. Even if this were true of Catholicism (and I don't believe it is), it is not the case with Judaism - though most tend to feel a "natural" affinity for the Jewish state from a spiritual and historical perspective, support by American Jews for Israeli politics and America's stance on Israel is far from blind or universal. Demanding we drop all support of Israel by rallying at this temple is more than a little ridiculous and the misdirection and inappropriateness of it will likely overshadow any legitimate criticisms of Israel. Mr. Rabb is not showing a desire to engage but to confront in an inappropriate, ineffective and highly disrespectful manner. It is also deeply disappointing that the Daily Camera choose to advertise such an event - it was inappropriate and tactless for the details of this demonstration to be printed with the letter. Shame on you and on those who show up to disrupt a community engaged in peaceful prayer.

Daily Camera.com: : Michael Rabb: Americans should renounce their support for Israel - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 02:30:03 +0000

I don't think he's saying that he knows the facts because he's Jewish, but he's pointing out that there's a distinction made between all Jews AND all Americans, which smacks of anti-semitism. Why not just ask this of all Americans, which includes Jews?

Daily Camera.com: : Michael Rabb: Americans should renounce their support for Israel - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 02:02:11 +0000

This is an erroneous quote - please check your resources before spreading the hate.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley schools look for new ways to help gifted kids - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:59:06 +0000

One such group is Boulder Gifted Parent Support: www.bouldergps.org

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley schools look for new ways to help gifted kids - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:53:12 +0000

Most parents of gifted children don't like the word, "gifted" - due to the elitist and privileged perceptions it invokes, which you exemplify here. However it is a necessary evil because this is the term that is recognized formally at the federal level and throughout the system - so, unfortunately, being labeled as gifted is more likely to get the child the accommodations they should be able to get without the label. Since we don't get the services without the label, we must often label the kids in order to get the services. "Special ed" is similar in that one must be labeled as this in order to receive a certain level of services. However, it implies that there are disadvantages associated with this condition, whereas "gifted" does not adequately convey this. Searching for a term or word that better conveys the issues that these children face has been long-standing quest in the gt community.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley schools look for new ways to help gifted kids - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:33:47 +0000

I agree. The steps are simple really and would benefit all students academically, socially and emotionally, assuming there is confidentiality and flexibility (of course, affordability is a consideration): - assessment: Is a student achieving to their potential, and if not, why (cognitive, achievement and physical assessment). This will bring to light potential learning disabilities and identify peaks, valleys, learning styles. - ability-grouping: putting students in classes that are at their level of achievement and pace (and ideally, learning-style.)

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley schools look for new ways to help gifted kids - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:00:12 +0000

Why would you feel these parents should object to a photographer being there? We've had news crews at our school to cover various topics - parents and children often talk with them. Do you think that there should be shame or secrecy around kids with such issues? And do you honestly think that all of these parents are all just sooo proud of their children for having innate and unearned abilities that are difficult to deal with? And that their child can get through school without learning how to work or put in effort? Being accepting and open about their children having such issues is not the same as being a braggart and self-superior. And, what if they are asses about it - so what? It may be annoying but it doesn't take away from the genuine need....Why does meeting one group's needs have to be to the detriment of another's? It doesn't. Maybe you should worry about your children meeting their potential and being happy, and let us worry about ours. Yours are the ramblings of someone with an inferiority complex - it sounds like you would have us all go underground with our kids so that you can feel better about yourself...how selfish.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley schools look for new ways to help gifted kids - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:18:41 +0000

We are a household that is very low income with gifted and twice exceptional children. Our oldest is now in a charter which meets his needs fairly well (or at least much better than the neighborhood one did), and although we can't really afford the transportation costs and time that we spend in getting him there, it's less costly than having him remain in his neighborhood school while we try to meet these needs at home. I do believe, from my experience, that it's usually the "squeaky wheel that gets the oil" in the system as it is now...and, I think that more people at a lower income level (where situations in which two parents are working or single-parent households are more likely) are less likely to be squeaky, which does lead to inequity in accommodations for those from higher income families versus the lower income families. However, I feel that this systemic issue reinforces the need for ability-based grouping being put into place as a concrete practice. If it were to be consistently put into practice, then all of the kids in need of differentiated education would have their needs met, regardless of their economic level, and regardless of how "squeaky" they are. In this way I believe that such practices would actually all but eliminate elitism because services would be given to those who need them in a consistent and measurable way. These kids often do need extra support and resources to have their needs met, just as those on the "other end" of the spectrum do, but receiving this support does not mean they'll have extra opportunities - it works towards giving them with the same opportunity that others have in receiving an adequate education. It's important (IMO) that when talking about tracking, you realize that there are differences between the practices of ability-grouping and tracking (whether the district recognizes this is another question). Here's an article that summarizes the differences - it's older so some references may be dated, but the points still hold true: http://www.madisonunited.org/reality.htm If ability-grouping were to be applied in it's true sense, rather than as a tool for tracking, I think it should ideally be done in all neighborhood schools for all students...a less-inclusive but somewhat effective alternative would be a "school within a school" scenario, as JEFFCO has (they bus their kids who qualify for this program to the gt school). However, if the schools aren't taking such measures, for whatever reasons, it isn't right to prevent those in need from accessing services that will help them to normalize their experience and progress at an adequate pace - and, ultimately, to fit in academically, socially and emotionally.

Daily Camera.com: : Gifted charter school proposed in St. Vrain Valley after being turned down in Boulder - Boulder Dail

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:09:39 +0000

The gifted school did not go out of business because it was charging too much (though it was). It went out of business primarily due to mismanagement and, subsequently, needs not being met, so it's very doubtful these people want to recreate that. Though I was not affiliated with the gifted school I know several people who went there and have a good understanding of what's going on, and I believe that they ideally want something very different than RMS - they want a place where their kids fit in and their needs are met, and where the business side of it is well-managed. And although some people who were involved in that school are involved in this charter, there are also a lot of people from public schools who are working on this and eager for this option. Calling it a conversion from a private to public is the strongest thing the district could legally find as justification for turning it down, because "We are anti-charter, period." would not have been a good enough reason. Even calling it a conversion is a stretch and would likely have been overturned if the charter had appealed it.

Daily Camera.com: : Gifted charter school proposed in St. Vrain Valley after being turned down in Boulder - Boulder Dail

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:10:28 +0000

Just reading this thread and felt the need to chime in...I don't think this school is excluding anyone, just making it clear that it can provide accommodations for a group that existing schools typically don't, or if they do it's very random and hard to tell which schools and teachers really meet their needs, because they all say they are meeting all needs for all kids, even when this can't possibly be the case. A gifted charter can't decide who will attend, but it can make it clear that they have special services and let the parents decide if their child is a good fit. Of course it won't be a great fit for everyone, just as many neighborhood schools aren't now, but at least they will be up front about this. You might look at Lafayette focus school for gifted. They can't exclude anyone either, but they supposedly do a good job of meeting needs for gifted because they put more resources toward that - so of course they advertise themselves as a gifted focus because they can meet their needs. They have higher ceilings but that doesn't mean they don't have classes for the average and special ed kids too, they have to by law. Just because a school is geared toward a particular group doesn't mean they exclude - in fact I think it's better that it includes everyone because this will give the chance for parents to self-identify their kids. Many gifted children are not formally identified as gifted because they don't test well or school personnel doesn't realize that they have a disability (2E) that prevents them from qualifying, so they wind up not receiving services. A school like this would be better equipped to recognize this need and to have the resources to accommodate the child regardless of whether they're formally identified or not. Nobody hates the term gifted more than parents of gifted kids, as it often evokes attitudes similar to yours that reacts to it sounding like an elitist group, rather than depicting the special need that it is. However, since the federal gov't continues to use this term to identify and serve these gids, it's typically what everyone must use to identify the need and get adequate accommodations. If all the schools were really meeting all of the kids needs, there would be no need to label kids as gifted, or as special ed for that matter.

Daily Camera.com: : New BVSD policy prompts school board member to quit Aspen Creek job - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:46:13 +0000

I believe it's more like saying that the Governor of Colorado shouldn't be a member of a federal committee whose purpose is to monitor and supervise his office. Board members are supposed to represent the people in their district..they have responsibilities that sometimes include voting for or against the interests of the superintendent or other bvsd employees, something that is likely a lot more difficult to do without hindrance when you work with or for the same people. And, even though one might be able to make such decisions without feeling a conflict, his or her decisions can still have the appearance of being influenced by his or her employment and that can create a problem.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley team: Reject charter school for gifted - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:31:34 +0000

Charters do not cost the district or tax payers any extra money.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley team: Reject charter school for gifted - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:45:10 +0000

Hi - just re-reading some of these comments and wanted to point out that a charter doesn't actually cost the district anything more than what they are already spending per pupil, which is 6K. Charters actually tend to have less overhead than public schools and contribute some of their funds to the district to pay for administrative fees because they are still considered to be part of the public schools.

Daily Camera.com: : New BVSD policy prompts school board member to quit Aspen Creek job - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:15:33 +0000

I'm sorry to see Ms. Belval leave her TAG position as she has a lot to contribute and it is difficult to find TAG advisors who have as much experience and knowledge with gifted children as she does. It does make a lot of sense though that BVSD employees not be allowed to serve on the board of any group that can directly influence BVSD policy or make recommendations to BVSD.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley team: Reject charter school for gifted - Boulder Daily Camera

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 16:04:56 +0000

To give some clarity here..although we did not attend RMS, I know some of the people who did and it's my understanding that the administrator who was the main cause of the school closing is not involved in the charter but is trying instead to get involved in a bvsd magnate school that would be an alternative to this charter.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley to consider charter school for gifted students - Boulder Daily Camera

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:03:29 +0000

Rushed - you are right to say that all kids need different kinds of things in different amounts, but that doesn't meant that all kids need more. Many of the kids in school are actually getting the different kinds of things in the amounts that work - but a large amount of gifted kids are not. Ripples I respectfully disagree that the straight A, achieving, Rhodes scholar-type student does not need a gifted school. Many of those kids thrive in school due to their parent's persistence and hard work and the luck that they've found challenge in our outside of school - but many of them just get by coasting along at the top of their grade without being challenged or being taught how to put an effort in. Then later when they hit something hard they totally shut down and don't know how to deal with it. They are often social outcasts despite (or because of) their ability to get As. They are also at a high risk for depression, dropping-out, etc. They also need higher ceilings and appropriate accommodations to help them stay challenged, meet their potential, and fit in socially.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley to consider charter school for gifted students - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:56:39 +0000

I love how although you consistently miss my points, you also consistently reaffirm them. I asked you if a special ed child was to be expected to stay in a normal class AND LET THE PARENTS DEAL WITH IT AT HOME. Your reply was that although the kids are in the normal class, NO, THE PARENTS AREN'T EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH IT ON THEIR OWN - they receive help from the school. My point is that it makes as little sense for people to say that parents of gifted kids should pick up the slack and deal with it at home. Does that make sense to you?

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley to consider charter school for gifted students - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:29:03 +0000

I agree that we can't say that or separate the issues - that is my point, the two are entwined. What we can say is that children who are gifted are more comfortable with children and classes that deal with them at their own level, and that research has shown that gifted students thrive when placed with students of similar ability. I believe in neighborhood schools as well as long as they can meet a child's needs, but if they can't then why should anyone impose their belief on someone who it's not working for? If someone likes a neighborhood school then they should send their child to one - it is likely a great place for that child..nobody is saying the neighborhood school isn't good and shouldn't thrive - just that it's not a "one size fits all" situation.

Daily Camera.com: : Boulder Valley to consider charter school for gifted students - Boulder Daily Camera

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:04:50 +0000

Rushed, I'm not sure why they can't, only that they don't. The improvement of education on the broad level that you are suggesting is really a dream of mine and likely many others - there are so many effective methods that can work well for kids across the board. BVSD has a standards based curriculum, but it currently allows for a lot of autonomy among the schools regarding how the curriculum is delivered so long as the standards are met - this means that while some teachers or schools utilize more effective practices such as pretesting, differentiation and ability grouping, others have kids sitting through weeks of review on things they've learned already or learning the abcs with the rest of the class while they've been reading Harry Potter books for over a year already - it's a total crap shoot as to whether you wind up in a school or with a teacher who can meet the needs of these kids, or even recognize their differences. Totally inconsistent. Now, for much of the population, this isn't a problem because they aren't so different from the group the lessons are geared for - so they can learn at an appropriate rate and are thus challenged and progressing, rather than stagnant and frustrated. If they have issues that slow them down they get help for that so that there is "no child left behind", and if they are a bit advanced they can move ahead a bit into a more advanced reading or math group in which their needs can be met without hitting a ceiling where they cease to learn. However, gifted kids do not have this option as their teachers often cannot, or are not prepared to, teach at the level these kids are at. So while it's true that an individualized education is ideal for everyone, it is not as necessary to everyone. The advanced kids have a more enhanced and urgent need for it because they are the ones most affected by the lack of it. And because the individual schools have only a handful of kids who this seems to be an issue for (and because gifted ed is an unfunded special need) it is often not considered a priority to help them. But, if the kids were to be clustered together in one school then the need becomes obvious and large, and obtaining the resources and methods needed to help these kids becomes more feasible - and the kids get the the help they need. Unfortunately, working for change of this scope within the public school system is an overwhelmingly long and tedious process - charters allow for more flexibility and expedience in getting these things into place. These issues certainly do need to be addressed in the public system - however that shouldn't stop kids from getting the help they need now. And, as another poster said, the competition that charters present to area public schools often serve to foster their improvement...so it can be win-win all around in this way. Even if it doesn't go through I feel the application itself has provoked much thought on this issue and brought attention to the difficulties so many of these kids and their families are having in the schools.