Re: "Back a grade to make the grade? Lovejoy policy review spurred by wave of repeat freshmen," Tuesday Metro story.

In two recent articles on the new Lovejoy High School in The Dallas Morning News, the negative comments of Brenda Rizos have been quoted. Who is Brenda Rizos? What makes her an authoritative commentator on public schools? Does she have a doctorate in education? If her relationship to the school district is that of a parent, why are her views more important than those of other parents?

I have two children in Lovejoy ISD, one who is a freshman (who is not repeating freshman year) and one in fifth grade. They are happy and learning a lot. Brenda Rizos, evidently, elected not to send her children to Lovejoy. Fine – let Lovejoy get on with the business of educating those students who are in the Lovejoy schools. The Dallas Morning News should also know enough to solicit the viewpoints of a wider spectrum of people.

Joan Mortensen, Lucas

Dallas Morning News

Forum posts from Lovejoy ISD thread..
http://www.lovejoyschools.com//phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1145

Yeah . . . who the hell IS this Brenda Rizos??!!

Seriously, though. Joan Mortensen's comments can only be taken one of two ways:

A) She really DOESN"T know who Brenda is which must mean she is either new in town or has been living in a cave for at least the last 3 years plus. If that is the case, please do a bit of research or ask ANY of the LISD schoolboard members . . . . ask Rich Hickman at the next schoolboard meeting . . . ask Elena Westbrook at church in Plano . . . . they will surely be able to tell you who she is. Brenda has been EXTREMELY active in Lovejoy school affairs and events for many, many years.

(Joan REALLY should know Brenda (or at least know of her) since both of them are under consideration to be named to the City of Lucas Economic Development Board!?? )

or

B) What she is asking is "Who is Brenda Rizos to offer an opinion? Does SHE have a doctorate like I do? How dare she be so brazen? Who cares what SHE thinks?" If that is the case, it is particularly disturbing to suggest that lowly, peon citizens and taxpayers do not have the right (obligation really) to voice their opinions on matters of civic importance. If the newspaper asked Brenda her opinion on having to pay extra taxes to pay for the freshmores, she really should have given her honest answer. I doubt very much that she forced the reporter to include her thoughts in the article(s) mentioned!!

At least, that was what Joan should have been thinking according to the Huckabee Inc. Planning Alliance report of September 2003 on Educational Specifications for the new High School
http://lovejoy.huckabee-inc.com/edspec.pdf#search=%22%22Joan%20Mortensen%22%2B%22Texas%22%22
In that report, Ms. Mortensen was listed as a "Stakeholder" (page 3) . . . one who represents their "various constituencies in developing the concepts and requirements documented in these Educational Specifications."
Later, in the same report (page 11), the definition of "stakeholder" is expanded to include "the entire community, specifically students, faculty, staff, and administration of the school, as well as the parents, taxpayers, and local businesses".

Seems Brenda should be included SOMEPLACE in that group which would make her opinion and input equal to any other "stakeholder" . . . even Joan herself!

Ms. Mortensen never argued against WHAT Brenda said, only that she was ever ASKED for her opinion. Not very classy doctor!!

BTW Joan . . . does it bother you at all that you must specify that your child is a "real" 9th grader and not a "freshmore"? Just wondering.

_________________
Michael A. McLaughlin
Lucas

I am disappointed that in her 8/18 DMN Letter to the Editor, Joan Mortensen resorted to a personal attack against Brenda Rizos. The active participation of citizens is essential if we are to have objective, non-partisan debates on important social, economic, and yes, educational issues. Who is Brenda Rizos? Ms. Rizos is a mentor and advocate for struggling students and was only one of two parents appointed to the Governor's 65% Education Task Force.

So maybe one should ask – who is Joan Mortensen? Ms. Mortensen is a member of the League of Women Voters, an organization which strives to promote open government which is representative, accountable, and responsive to voters. As a member of this organization Mortensen should commend Ms. Rizos, not attack her. Why? Because in 2003 Brenda Rizos led the petition drive to let Lovejoy residents vote to decide whether or not to separate from Allen ISD. Only after Ms. Rizos and her volunteers collected the required number of petition signatures did the LJ school board relent and allow the LJ citizenry to decide the most important issue in LJ school district history.

Now, back to Ms. Mortensen's letter to the editor: Ms. Mortensen appears to reject the principles of the League of Women Voters by attempting to censure Ms. Rizos.

Voters and newcomers, please watch Joan Mortensen as she represents the LWV at the next meet the school board candidate night. If you submit questions to be asked of the candidates in advance, you may be censured.


Update on 11/17/06: The Texas League of Women Voters published a school finance advocacy report in which they continue to oppose school vouchers and school choice. Perhaps questions on the lack of the comprehensive curriculum at Lovejoy should be addressed to Ms. Mortensen or the League. Rather than attack The Lone Dissenter, the LWV could be more constructive by trying to improve spending for learning difference programs at Lovejoy. Lovejoy spends the least percentage of its funds toward LD programs than any other district in Collin Co. AND it offers no regular classes at the secondary level (except for pre-Algebra). Here is the advocacy paper: http://www.lwvtexas.org/members/advocacy.htm

TH

I would like to point out to Ms. Mortensen, that news organizations will get quotes from persons who are actively involved with issues directly related to news stories. Since Brenda has created and maintained this web site for several years and has become involved on a state level in school issues, appointed to a special board, then it would be logical for the DMN to interview her and get her opinion on this issue.

Brenda has become an authority on this issue, through hard work and lots of research.

Those who are delighted with our local school will choose to disagree with Brenda. What Brenda has done is bring a voice to those who do disagree with the present system and wish to change it for the better. Everyone will benefit it this does come to pass.

Sandra Ringo

Keeping watch over kids

Re: "Lone dissenter?" Friday Letters.

Brenda Rizos is a longtime children's advocate. I don't know anyone who has devoted even half as much time, money and resources as she has, and for nothing in return.

Her Web site, www.lovejoy schools.com – all backed by documentation – is the only place we're able to monitor our self-governing school board and keep the parents informed. I also credit her with us finally getting Alpha Phonics this year, along with a dyslexia teacher.

Prior to her Web site, kids with learning disabilities were ignored in Lovejoy ISD. But on her forum, we have a voice. These returning "freshmores" are the tip of the iceberg. Brenda now has many thousands of hits each month from those eager to see what she has to say.

Does Joan Mortensen have a site? Has she been advocating for any kids besides her own? Seems everyone always wants to kill the messenger.

Laura Goodson, Lucas

Dallas Morning News

They waited long enough to print this. Thanks Brenda for sticking your neck out for us and for absolutely nothing in return! That's a rarity these days. Bless you.

Way to go, Brenda!

Someone in their corner

Allen ISD: Program pairs middle schoolers with mentors to help them

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 16, 2006

By BRIDGET BARRY THIAS / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Ford Middle School students experiencing difficulty with key subjects have a special friend on campus. These friends listen without being judgmental and look out for them.

[Click image for a larger version] MELANIE BURFORD/DMN
MELANIE BURFORD/DMN
Rocky Lewis, 16, is a mentor to DJ Thornton, 12, at Allen's Ford Middle School. The mentoring program pairs middle school students with high schoolers, parents and others who can help them with class work or talk to them about other issues.

Three years ago, Ford Middle School in Allen started a mentor program to help students with gaps in their learning.

Mentors include parents, junior varsity basketball team members from Allen High School, former teachers, education majors earning college credit and business people from the community.

"Some students have compensated for years because they can't read well, do basic math or remember their science tables," said principal Sandra McCoy-Jackson.

Mentors make a year commitment to help students by making a difference in their life. Last year, 41 mentors participated in the program.

Mentors get a copy of the student's report card, so they can see the problem areas. Students meet with mentors at their mutual convenience once or twice a week before or after school or during an elective class. Students get credit for participating in the program.

"Students do better when they have a positive relationship with someone who cares about them. Once they start having some measure of success, their attitude changes," Ms. McCoy-Jackson said. "We encourage mentors to communicate with the student's teacher and be a cheerleader for the student's success."

She said that sometimes mentors help by simply being someone students can talk to when they've had a bad day because of a fight with another student or their parents.

Marta Nieto is an electrical engineer at Nortel Networks and volunteers as a mentor.

"I do not have children at the school, but I wanted to get involved to make a difference in the life of a child. I want to serve as a role model for younger students and hopefully encourage them to attend college. Last year, I was assigned to a bilingual girl I could identify with," Ms. Nieto said.

"Seeing the expression on a child's face when they understand subject concepts is awesome. I was inspired by my chemistry teacher to go to college, and hopefully I will have the same impact on a student," she said.

Last year, Brenda Rizos, a mother with children at Ford and Allen High, got half of the junior varsity basketball team to agree to get up an hour early and meet with Ford students before school started. It was a good match because the mentor students and middle school students are close in age and relate well with each other.

"The basketball players are a good role model because they've learned discipline by being on a team," Mrs. Rizos said. "The middle school students are really interested in what high school students have to say. The high school student can say things adults could never get away with."

The program has succeeded in helping students improve their grades.

"We track at-risk students and chart all the things we have done to help them be successful. Some of our students in the mentor program received commendations for their scores on the TAKS test," Ms. McCoy-Jackson said. "I appreciate everything the teachers, parents and community volunteers have done to help make our students successful."

Bridget Barry Thias is a Carrollton-based freelance writer.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/allen/stories/DN-almentor_16cco.ART.North.Edition1.3e1d487.html

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