Comments on: Scholarships funded bulk of trip to China http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/ Westlake Picayune is a publication of Austin Community Newspapers Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:35:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Catherine http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6246 Catherine Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:42:44 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6246 I think the Chinese program is great but would prefer to see one Administrator attend with two Lead teachers who are actually teaching the programs. The feet on the street are the ones who benefit most from these types of experiences- you only need one Admin. I think the Chinese program is great but would prefer to see one Administrator attend with two Lead teachers who are actually teaching the programs. The feet on the street are the ones who benefit most from these types of experiences- you only need one Admin.

]]> By: varleyfarm http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6203 varleyfarm Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:22:13 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6203 You should be grateful you have a Chinese language program. Here is Iowa the program is being cut even though we need it now more than ever. You should be grateful you have a Chinese language program. Here is Iowa the program is being cut even though we need it now more than ever.

]]> By: eanes mom http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6147 eanes mom Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:06:51 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6147 First off, it's not OK with me that my tax dollars were spent to send 3 administrators on an extravagant trip to Asia. Secondy, everything on the internet that I can find for the Hanban Confucius Institute scholarship says that it is intended for students or teachers who will be teaching chinese as a second language. Did they award the scholarships to Westlake High School (and then the administrators decided who would enjoy their largesse), or did they award the scholarships to the individuals? How much time did our administrators spend in educational conferences, and how much time did they spend sightseeing? Did they fly business class? The ultra luxurious tour company Abercrombie and Kent offers 13-day private tours of China starting at $6415/person plus air. Our administrators just enjoyed a vacation that cost $11,000/person, -- $11,000/person. Did their husbands accompany them? I'm sure that their trip enriched their lives and provided them with memories that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. Maybe the great trip should have been reserved for the actual teachers who will be teaching our children -- which appears to be the intent of the Institute. Does anyone know who paid for Linda Rawlings to go to Korea in September? Are we planning on offering Korean as a language? Who is writing all of these scholarship applications? On district time? Who's minding the store? First off, it’s not OK with me that my tax dollars were spent to send 3 administrators on an extravagant trip to Asia.

Secondy, everything on the internet that I can find for the Hanban Confucius Institute scholarship says that it is intended for students or teachers who will be teaching chinese as a second language. Did they award the scholarships to Westlake High School (and then the administrators decided who would enjoy their largesse), or did they award the scholarships to the individuals? How much time did our administrators spend in educational conferences, and how much time did they spend sightseeing? Did they fly business class? The ultra luxurious tour company Abercrombie and Kent offers 13-day private tours of China starting at $6415/person plus air. Our administrators just enjoyed a vacation that cost $11,000/person, — $11,000/person. Did their husbands accompany them? I’m sure that their trip enriched their lives and provided them with memories that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. Maybe the great trip should have been reserved for the actual teachers who will be teaching our children — which appears to be the intent of the Institute.

Does anyone know who paid for Linda Rawlings to go to Korea in September? Are we planning on offering Korean as a language? Who is writing all of these scholarship applications? On district time?

Who’s minding the store?

]]> By: Teacher http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6146 Teacher Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:18:34 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6146 Isn't there something a bit disturbing about a Communist totalitarian state paying to bring US educators in to "expand perspectives?" I hope the American educators take the opportunity to help Chinese leaders understand the value of human rights and especially, the importance of females in society. Isn’t there something a bit disturbing about a Communist totalitarian state paying to bring US educators in to “expand perspectives?” I hope the American educators take the opportunity to help Chinese leaders understand the value of human rights and especially, the importance of females in society.

]]> By: go fetch http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6143 go fetch Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:33:04 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6143 Rex, Whether it's 'ice for a Friday night football game' or better yet basic classroom supplies, these administrative junkets add up. $3,500 and counting isn't pocket change for those teachers spending their own money to stock classrooms for our kids. Can you provide concrete examples illustrating how this trip taken by three administrators is going to trickle down to our kids on a daily basis, if at all? We all hear the district rhetoric, but we're failing to see true and meaningful benefit extending to our kids. I bet teachers would love to provide a long list showing how they could have better spent this money in their classrooms. Rex,
Whether it’s ‘ice for a Friday night football game’ or better yet basic classroom supplies, these administrative junkets add up. $3,500 and counting isn’t pocket change for those teachers spending their own money to stock classrooms for our kids. Can you provide concrete examples illustrating how this trip taken by three administrators is going to trickle down to our kids on a daily basis, if at all? We all hear the district rhetoric, but we’re failing to see true and meaningful benefit extending to our kids. I bet teachers would love to provide a long list showing how they could have better spent this money in their classrooms.

]]> By: Rex the Dog http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6141 Rex the Dog Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:03:49 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6141 Uh...you should probably read the next article about Eanes... Uh…you should probably read the next article about Eanes…

]]> By: Dianna Pharr http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6130 Dianna Pharr Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:27:10 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6130 I challenge Nola Wellman to post (on the district website) detailed expense reports and related expenditures for this and any other trip involving Eanes ISD administrators in 08/09 and forward. While class sizes rise and teacher positions and academic programs are threatened, Nola Wellman has added many new central administrative positions and increased administrative salaries by a whopping 50%. Link here: www.keepeanesinformed.com/why_can%27t_we_fund_teachers.htm I challenge Nola Wellman to post (on the district website) detailed expense reports and related expenditures for this and any other trip involving Eanes ISD administrators in 08/09 and forward.

While class sizes rise and teacher positions and academic programs are threatened, Nola Wellman has added many new central administrative positions and increased administrative salaries by a whopping 50%.

Link here:
http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/why_can%27t_we_fund_teachers.htm

]]> By: Rex the Dog http://westlakepicayune.com/2009/07/29/scholarships-funded-bulk-of-trip-to-china/comment-page-1/#comment-6123 Rex the Dog Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:00:16 +0000 http://www.westlakepicayune.com/?p=2867#comment-6123 Oh really...and you say the district accounting office reported that? So for about the cost of ice for a Friday night football game, our top 3 administrators were able to participate in a program in China that will hopefully benefit our children? Like I said Anonymous...I'm the dog---you're the fire hydrant...........again. Oh really…and you say the district accounting office reported that? So for about the cost of ice for a Friday night football game, our top 3 administrators were able to participate in a program in China that will hopefully benefit our children? Like I said Anonymous…I’m the dog—you’re the fire hydrant………..again.

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