11/4/2011 3:35 AM
McMURRAY - Results from a two-question survey conducted by Peters Township School District on expansion of the high school are in, and of the 1,483 residents who voted, the overwhelming response was "no."
The first question asked if the residents would support expansion and renovations to the high school. The second question asked whether residents would approve a referendum during a future election to increase school taxes by about 9 mills to pay for the project that could total $53 million.
The district released the results during a school board committee meeting Tuesday. The survey appeared in the district-produced "Perspectives" fall magazine and online through the district's website. Most opted to vote online.
Of those who voted on the first question, 37.49 percent said they would support the project, while 62.51 percent said they were opposed. Of those who voted on the second question about the tax increase, 27.31 percent said they would vote to increase taxes through a referendum to pay for he project, and 72.69 percent indicated they would vote against such a proposal.
Districts are not permitted by state law to raise taxes above a predetermined index. If additional millage is needed, the district must take the issue to the voters through a referendum.
In order to complete the proposed high school project, which now carries an estimated cost of $54 million, the district needs the additional revenue and can only do so through approval of the voters. Approval through a referendum is relatively new in the state but has been used in neighboring states, such as Ohio.
With a vast majority of the responders indicating displeasure with the proposals, the school board is in a quandary.
The district missed the deadline to have the referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot and will decide whether to include the referendum on the April 24 ballot. The deadline to submit a question for the spring ballot is 90 days before the election.
When the results were released, a few board members said they felt the public was not sufficiently informed before the survey.
One issue at the high school that the board wishes to address is safety, including relocating offices used by the public closer to the main entrance.
Superintendent Nina Zetty said the current configuration was designed before the incident at Columbine High School in Colorado, where several students and staff members were killed.
Lori Cuervo, chairman of the building, grounds and transportation committee, said the project could be done in stages. However, the state requires districts to request variances if renovations to a building are needed within 20 years of the last project. Without the variance, the district could still proceed with renovations but would not receive any financial reimbursement from the state. The high school was last renovated in 1999.
Town hall meetings will be planned to discuss the project with the residents, along with tours of the building in an attempt to point out deficiencies. No dates were announced. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
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93 comments:
What does moving offices closer to the main entrance have to do with the Columbine shootings? A student with a gun would still gain entrance. Nothing is mentioned about metal detectors.
When the results were released, a few board members said they felt the public was not sufficiently informed before the survey.
******
I cannot believe board members would even say this......of course the public was not sufficiently informed......are we ever? Everything is a secret behind closed doors, then they expect us to just nod in agreement and pay. Sorry my GPA was higher than 3.7!
Superintendent Nina Zetty said the current configuration was designed before the incident at Columbine High School in Colorado, where several students and staff members were killed.
Did Nina really say this? She is even more pathetic than we thought!
Wow, now Zetty is trying a scare tactic to get everyone to vote for this. You are correct, where the office is has nothing to do with what happened at Columbine. She should be ashamed - but then that is asking a lot!
hahaahahaha....
"the school board is in a quandary."
sure they are. the school board is not used to being held accountable or having to restrain their own spending on whatever they please.
how about they take out a loan for 5 million and bring the classroom resources up to par for the education of all students in the district? why do high school students have to pay to play and middle school does not?
This question should be placed on the ballot at the next election. That way they get full voter response. The 'no' will be much louder!
I would have certainly voted 'yes' for an upgrade to school facilities to enhance the education of children, prior to the reckless expenditure on ball fields. I no longer have any faith in this particular group of elected officials to spend our money, earmarked for education, appropriately. As things stand, at this point in time, my vote would be a big 'NO'.
The board has clearly spoken with their voting actions, what they wholeheartedly feel about public eduction of children and the resources that they feel are needed to provide and appropriate education to children. Look at the new graduation requirements and the negative impact it has had upon the students. Manditory removal from valuable class time impacts grades. They obviously feel this has appropriate educational value to miss class, take make up tests and play catch up on lost homework; to pick three careers they are not even interested in, to fulffill a graduation requirement. (I had heard that might have changed again, perhaps one career now.)
The board also obvsiouly feels it is important to require students to take an extra English course based upon the way the teacher teaches it and not the learning value of the content of the class itself.
They obviously also agree with the recent removal of education programs at the elementary level, which was done by administration, yet they approved a bowling club.
This school board, elected by us, the voting public, does not represent me or any interest of the education of my children.
Someone posted in an earlier thread about some parts of the grad project being due in December. What parts? My student's mentor never mentioned this.
What a ridiculous statement. Columbine was a result of bullying and mental illness. It is a fact that the US Secret Service concluded that schools were placing false hope in physical security, when they should be paying more attention to the pre-attack behaviors of students. The extra stress this school district has placed upon students and their families, along with the drugs and bullying at the high school should not be ignored. People are what matters, not physical facilities and keeping up with the jones's.
I concur:
"This school board, elected by us, the voting public, does not represent me or any interest of the education of my children."
I have ALWAYS thought, since 2008, that the district was VERY wrong in requiring high school children to take courses based on the way a teacher instructs the class-(i.e. online) and not the content of the class.
We moved here for the schools, not the ball fields. The education system here is also the reason we have a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard. Sure, USC has higher taxes, but they also have a curriculum selection that is far superior than PT's. I am not paying more taxes here when the curriculum is not in line with the education I want for my children. In one hour I received more information for my eldest child on the USC counseling web sight than we did in four years at PTHS!
"Someone posted in an earlier thread about some parts of the grad project being due in December. What parts? My student's mentor never mentioned this."
I am copying this from one of 15 pages my junior brought home:
"Complete Reflection Papers
- Have a minimum of 4 reflection papers (3 -one-page, and 1 -two-pages) uploaded to electronic portfolio (move from 1 drive to electronic portfolio).
-Turn in reflection papers to your junior English teacher in December no later than December 20th."
My child has done none of them and is having difficulty selecting three careers of interest. She knows what classes she enjoys and what she is good at, but it does not translate to a career choice and nobody is available to help her. The "Mentor" didn't have time to get around to everyone and she does not have a study hall.
The new principal was very nice and said not to worry that the majority of juniors are experiencing a lot of difficulty and they are trying to get the kids consistent and correct information. In my opinion it is really bad timing to cram this on these kids during junior year and it is too little, too late.
One of the papers also says:
"PA School Code and PTSD Policy require passing the graduation project in order to graduate" What they do not say is those requirements have existed for many many many years. It is administration in this school district that implemented this new student nightmare. That paper also has a three year timeline to help students know when to do what! It is very late to give that to students who have things due in a couple of months!
If you want to save this district - don't forget about getting your vote out on the new Charter Amendment as well:
YES says accept new charter that BANS drilling in PT
NO says exclude the new charter and issue Gas permits for drilling to be seen/heard/felt immediately.
See the drilling map: http://peters.patch.com/articles/judge-to-rule-on-marcellus-shale-home-rule-charter-question-next-week
Council has said minimum acreage requirements may very well be lowered - so there may be more sites than shown.
For community discussions, which basically turned into a council support (vote no) headquarter see: http://peters.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-a-detailed-look-into-the-peters-township-anti-drilling-referendum (warning: be prepared to be blasted if you raise any health/safety concerns on that blog - it's a group effort there).
To figure out who those people bashing everyone are, see: http://peters.patch.com/articles/judge-to-rule-on-marcellus-shale-home-rule-charter-question-next-week (the gas man called bigrig and the others discuss joining forces on patch and almanac, restricting discussions to law only with plans of intentionally NOT mentioning health concerns or fracking on council flyers.
Two things to consider on school level: 1) will we see an increase or decrease in class size (yes, drillers coming in, but some residents moving out to get away from it)?
2)With gas trucks running 24/7 thru the twp with fracking fluid, I wonder how they will juggle that with the buses?
Many other issues to consider like health, safety, social, and economic aspects too. Just thoughts...the school board reminds me of council somewhat - only a couple I trust.
the students were told to utilize a computer to help guide them choose a career. are you kidding me? i followed the instructions and did it myself. i am in the health care. the programs said i should be a waiter/waitress, hostess or in the food service industry. what a joke. does the school district have any real people the kids can talk to about this stuff or is everything self serve or find it yourself on the computer?
Is the vote for rennovation of the high school more about a "no" to the district leadership itself and not the actual project?
THREE careers of interest? Since when!? My kid has been told to choose only one...since day one of this fiasco. He also has no reflection papers written, even though I've repeatedly asked him to start. The online career survey test thing is a joke. Everyone in our family took it and laughed at the careers it chose for us. This grad project is NOT state mandated (read the state's requirement, it is sooooo simple). This whole thing is a convoluted crock worked up by a committee who thought it sounded good, and then the board and admin failed to get necessary classes and information into place on time for the 2013 class. Some things still aren't in place!
If you want to save this district - don't forget about getting your vote out on the new Charter Amendment as well:
You seem to know as much about the gas drilling industry and the PT Charter amendment as you do about the school district. I am also curious since when is the Peters Patch such a great source of newsworthy information? Please spare me!
If the vote is a reflection of the lack of leadership of the superintendent and some board members, then what has been predicted is true. The district is not able to move ahead with these current people. They don't have the backing of the community or district employees, they aren't skilled to know how to do things, and as long as they are here
PTSD (Poor-Tired-Sad-District) will not move ahead. The facts are playing out. How many years are we going to lose out on. In the long run, it may be more cost efficient to buy out the superintendent and make changes today at the voting polls.
I can not wait until Mr. Merrill is on the school board. He is going to renegotiate the teachers contract. He said so in the OR Voters Guide!
"A common sense approach to our sport management that allows the coaches multi-year contract so they can build programs rather than the year to year "walinking on eggshells" that is currently" being done".
That it is in the teachers contract! WOOHOO another "good ole' boy" making sure that sports goes to their liking.
Glad to see a big turnout at the polls!
http://www.co.washington.pa.us/Elections/Default.aspx?PageLayout=SUMMARY&Election=3
"Is the vote for rennovation of the high school more about a "no" to the district leadership itself and not the actual project?"
I think you raise an extremely valid point. Upon reflection, actually, my personal response to that is 'yes'. Frankly, I do not trust the current district leadership to spend my tax dollars appropriately for education. They have made it clear they do not care about all children by letting the class of 2013 flounder with 2 new graduation requirements. They certainly acted quickly to get that ball field built. Where is the action on educational items? Oh, I forgot, they cut that!
"My kid has been told to choose only one."
I have one of the papers in front of me. It is from September 2010 and says to choose three careers to research. From what I am hearing this thing has changed at least a half dozen times and continues to do so! My child heard they changed the December date for all these reflection papers, but does not know what it has been changed to. The 'mentor' did not know either! The 'mentors' are their to read the rubric to them. That is all.
Now there is a surprise (sarcasm). Everyone that ran for the school board is on it! I am fed up with this current board. I hope some different folks will actually represent the taxpayers and students in this community.
Total Votes
(According to the Washington County Website)
McMurray 4660
Gregg 4435
Dunleavy 4192
Erenberg 4117
Merrill 4006
Sullivan 1838
"I have one of the papers in front of me. It is from September 2010 and says to choose three careers to research."
I am very confused. I have in my hand a stack of five rubrics and various other packets of paper. Of these rubrics I have three different versions. I have about a half ream of paper, all with conflicting and varying information. I also must clarify, I have a junior so I do have two years+ worth of conflicting information.
Not one of them has a date on them! How do you know you are looking at one from Sept 2010? My information came from the school. Where did yours come from that you have a date on it?
Apparently I do not do a good job of following politics in the community. I am shocked to see a quote in the Post Gazette this morning from Sue Smith. Is this the same Sue Smith that is on the current school board and is also a member of the PTMSA????? Her quote in the paper this am is as follows:
"We did what we thought was the best thing for the township," said Sue Smith. "This is not the end. We will still look for ways to prohibit drilling in our mostly residential township."
The voters have spoken and said NO. What are you still going to fight? How about worrying about the education of our children, a position you were elected to. If you want to continue to fight the drilling ban then perhaps you should step down from the board and make it your duty to lead a dead charge! Your group could not even get all 2400 of the petition signers to vote YES!! No wonder our schools and the education of our children are all falling apart. Who is minding the store between the radical and the three stooges?
McMurray 4660
Gregg 4435
Dunleavy 4192
Erenberg 4117
Merrill 4006
Sullivan 1838
November 9, 2011 8:04 AM
For God's sake! This is how STUPID the voters in this township are. "Oh, it says "pick up to five", I think I'll check all five. DUHHHRRRRR." Sullivan got over 1800 votes!! READ ANY ONE FREAKING NEWS SOURCE PEOPLE!! ONE!! How many different sources told us she is NOT running?!?! So frustrating.
"Who is minding the store between the radical and the three stooges?"
You do realize that people on the school board do other things, and are involved in other activities, besides being on the school board? I do not mean to sound condescending, but I actually know some people that thought school board members were paid and that was their job. They didn't realize that it was a volunteer position and they had 'real' daytime jobs.
"No wonder our schools and the education of our children are all falling apart."
yeah, because school board members do nothing but school board stuff all the time! (sarcasm)
it is falling apart because they turn a deaf ear to the taxpayers, students and families that live here!
Because she has no support from much of the community, she is forcing the HS Admin and staff to sell the project to the community.
She presented a PowerPoint to the HS staff. Here a few quotes regarding this recent directive.
Not an Emergency, a sense of Urgency
Cannot rest on its laurels
Cannot let down our guard
Cannot lose sight of its vision
Cannot become wusses!
Are we preparing our students for their future? Have you seen an elementary classroom in Singapore?
Renovation--Urgency
$$ is cheap/construction costs are down
Future referendums will be necessary to pass our general operating budget
Board gave us extension to May (April 24) primary (must be submitted January 24, 2012)
The best quote for the day. "PTHS must rise to his challenge or you are all going to be speaking Chinese" (In reference to the rise of China in the global market).
Yes your Superintendent told the entire HS staff they would be speaking Chinese without this project.
Yes, it IS the same Sue Smith.
Hmm, speaking Chinese - nice prejudicial comment.
Let's scare folks - her lack of ability to educate, motivate, and lead is mind boggling. Maybe that is what the school board wants. Just someone to listen to them, and not the community.
For God's sake! This is how STUPID the voters in this township are. "Oh, it says "pick up to five", I think I'll check all five. DUHHHRRRRR." Sullivan got over 1800 votes!! READ ANY ONE FREAKING NEWS SOURCE PEOPLE!! ONE!! How many different sources told us she is NOT running?!?! So frustrating.
November 9, 2011 4:52 PM
Perhaps this was the public showing a no confidence vote in the other female incumbent that was running? me
Is someone out of their mind to think that the public would buy the line that HS renovations are "safety" related? Come on this is a joke right?
The lady in the high school guidance office that was helping my child with scholarship and college information is gone! Someone at the high school said she was fired. That other nice lady at the main desk in that office is retiring in January. Where is that going to leave an already dysfunctional student guidance office? Again, I am guessing the kids will pay the price.
Yes your Superintendent told the entire HS staff they would be speaking Chinese without this project.
November 10, 2011 7:40 AM
Each day Nina Zetty continues to show what an embarrassment she is. Are we now supposed to believe that speaking Chinese is a safety issue too? Haven't you and several on the current board made a mockery of our district long enough? If you are going to continue to make statements like this please do us all a favor and don't say anything at all.
"Perhaps this was the public showing a no confidence vote in the other female incumbent that was running?"
Someone on my street did the same. Did you notice every other person on the Democratic ticket for school board got 333 votes? That is from those 333 residents that vote a straight democratic ticket. Likewise for republican votes. Three incumbent board members received 1170 votes. That is from the people that select straight republicans.
If you look at the actual election results on the Washington County web site, even though everyone is certainly on the board, the numbers speak volumes.
Gregg got on ballot through Republican committee...she could not get any cross filed votes....other members running got those votes plus straight dem votes...she could not get those votes.
When do these new board members start. It is not soon enough for me.
Could someone please enlighten me as to what the guidance department at the high school does besides coordinate standardized testing and mail out transcripts?
Of course they do the yearly scheduling on computers--once a year. They provide families with URL's and logins for:
-college planning
-college research
-career planning
-career research
-scholarship research
-standardized test information
Everything is online via a computer and they do not answer phone calls or talk to anyone; so why bother paying these people?
I think the district could save a TON of money if they eliminated guidance and just hire a couple of clerical people to do mailings and coordinate all the computer applications that the parents and kids are referred to! If the district could go the other 10% with online classes we could eliminate teachers too and have all online classes!
The lady in the high school guidance office that was helping my child with scholarship and college information is gone! Someone at the high school said she was fired. That other nice lady at the main desk in that office is retiring in January. Where is that going to leave an already dysfunctional student guidance office? Again, I am guessing the kids will pay the price.
She was not fired, she quit! After 36 years of assisting students she was told she would have other duties in addition to her guidance duties. Including a study hall and then traveling to the Middle School. She was GREAT at her job, always had the students interests at heart. She was given these extra duties by our "Character Counts" administration because she was old and at the top of the pay scale. There was no other reason for the administration to begin assigning her other duties other than they wanted her gone to save money. Yeah, Character Counts speaks volumes!!!!!
Anonymous said...
The lady in the high school guidance office that was helping my child with scholarship and college information is gone! Someone at the high school said she was fired. That other nice lady at the main desk in that office is retiring in January. Where is that going to leave an already dysfunctional student guidance office? Again, I am guessing the kids will pay the price.
She was not fired, she quit! After 36 years of assisting students she was told she would have other duties in addition to her guidance duties. Including a study hall and then traveling to the Middle School. She was GREAT at her job, always had the students interests at heart. She was given these extra duties by our "Character Counts" administration because she was old and at the top of the pay scale. There was no other reason for the administration to begin assigning her other duties other than they wanted her gone to save money. Yeah, Character Counts speaks volumes!!!!!
November 13, 2011 6:27 PM
What a disgrace, however, this does not surprise me...I am sure all part of hiring an "HR attorney" to put pressure on the higher paid to get rid of them....How about some pressure on the super? LOL Oh that's right she hired the "HR attorney" to protect herself. At least they did not try to force out the guidance person by making her a "SAFETY" issue. The only issue with this district starts at the top and flows down.
"Including a study hall and then traveling to the Middle School."
so what is wrong with that? we have quite a few employees, including teachers, that travel among different buildings all day. she is allowed to quit. that is her prerogative. she is a loss to families. she was always very helpful with college and scholarship information.
You have got to be kidding me? I have really had enough of this school district and township throwing my money into the twenty ball fields they have here. You know, PT has more than just ball players that like to enjoy leisure time....I know....if I don't like it I can move. The sign is already in the yard!
I just read this in some local news....
"Another athletic field in Peters Township, this one owned by the township, will receive a more than $1 million makeover with lights and artificial turf. The school district is in the midst of a $2.5 million upgrade to fields above Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
During a meeting Monday, council approved a contract for $204,000 to install six light poles to illuminate Field 5 in Peterswood Park. The design to install artificial turf will continue. To help with the expense, the soccer association has agreed to chip in up to $250,000 on the condition soccer has priority during the season.
Council also autorized a letter be sent to area legislators expressing council’s displeasure at the pending state legislation aimed to restrict local authority, such as Peters, from enacting stringent gas drilling ordinances."
November 13, 2011 9:18 AM
Funny how they want everything to be computerized, yet the technology at the school is always broken when the kids have deadlines or when they are required to use it. The district also will not spend money on the appropriate personnel to keep that equipment up and running in tip top shape!
I was reading that many local school districts are currently in the budget process for the next school year. They now have to do it this time of year instead of May because of a new state law.
Have you ALL read the papers lately of the deep cuts currently being made in other school districts? PTSD just borrowed 2.5 million for ball fields? (Yes. We do have to pay it back. It was not free money.) Pay attention now what is being put into the PTSD budget while your head is turned!
Did you know it was discussed at the recent finance meeting, that within a couple years, even this district faces the possibility of an extreme deficit? Our kids will have crumbling buildings and program cuts but some great fields to play on after they go to school in trailers!
Based upon recent news articles about other local school districts (USC) and the actual education cuts needed to make ends meet; no way I could support any capital expenditures, except general maintenance costs. Does this school district leadership not see the upcoming financial dire straights these schools are headed for? How can they justify building ball fields when the district is walking down the road to bankruptcy and/or state takeover?
What the heck is going on??? What rumors?? Anyone???
Information for PTHS Parents
In our efforts to keep open communications within our schools, we wanted to address rumors related to safety concerns that have been circulating at Peters Township High School and through social media outlets. A rumor, involving a potential violent event taking place at the school later this week, has been fully investigated with cooperation from the Peters Township Police and determined to be unfounded. There is no threat to the school or any individuals.
The District approaches all safety issues regarding our students with the utmost concern. Due to confidentiality requirements, specific details related to this event will not be shared.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school safe.
Would you please update the blog posts more often than every 3 to 5 days.
Probably no safety threat. Just an empty safety threat to try to make a point. Czar Nina wants everyone to know she is in charge and she thinks she is always going to get what she wants.
There was verbal "threat". My child goes to the high school. My child thinks it is related to a student that has been suspended for 30 days and a violent verbal threat the student made.
I have been trying to confirm the date and time of a meeting with guidance. What is the magic number of phone messages that we have to leave to get a return phone call? How may days do we wait for a reply--3? 4? I thought the new leadership at the high school was supposed to take care of these problems?
What is going on with this school district?
-Who are the teachers that selected the filthy school musical for this year? I HAVE to know.
-How can they condone a high school play that glorifies women using their bodies to lure men, and if the man doesn't respond he must be gay?!
I kid you not! We can not take our entire family to see that! Some of us do not let our kids watch that crap!
Who is the idiot teacher that made fun of classic musical theater? (Can anyone point me to that article?) Let me guess that teacher has a 3.7 gpa but we hired them regardless of their filthy morals.
"Who is the idiot teacher that made fun of classic musical theater? (Can anyone point me to that article?)"
Here you go:
http://peters.patch.com/articles/omigod-you-guys-it-s-just-a-musical
I just watched this play online. I would think that certainly most high schoolers would like it. It is NOT family friendly.
according to what i saw at recent meetings on the television, if pt and many other schools in pa, do not get funding for the teacher retirement funds, we will be bankrupt or run by the state within five years. they are cutting elective courses and possibly staff as well. some of the electives they are cutting are the ones required for graduation!
November 18, 2011 10:45 PM
Better yet, according to the presentation Nina Zetty made at a recent staff meeting, we will all be speaking Chinese. Nice racist comment from the super of our district. She should be fired for even saying such at thing at a staff meeting. Who does she think she is?
November 19, 2011 6:47 PM
J. Kuharcik and his girlfriend B. Deliere are the teachers you can thank for this year's musical. JK needed a musical that would make him "cool" with the kids and BD needed one to show off her dance team (never mind that the dance team has many competitions and the theater kids have a couple of plays)
Forget the kids that are in it for the love of theater, we need jocks and popular kids so that the teachers feel needed!
The high school principal "supports them fully" and doesn't think it will be offensive to anyone in the community. Forget the older audience of our community- this is all about teachers...oops I mean the kids!
And yes, he, an English teacher, doesn't care for the old classic plays. Maybe they are over his head...?
The middle school wasn't allowed to do Guys and Dolls since gambling didn't fit into our character counts initiative. Guess (as a former poster put it) performing a play that "glorifies women using their bodies to lure men, and if the man doesn't respond he must be gay?!" fits into our character counts initiative at the high school.
I miss the days when the former superintendent put her foot down on this kind of crap. Teachers weren't allowed to hijack programs to serve their own interests...
J. Kuharcik is the God Son of the Superintendent.
Wasn't there an issue with nepotism not all that long ago? Yes, that doesn't apply to a God child...convenient?
Dear angry and anonymous:
In response to your scathing -- and unfounded -- remarks regarding the high school musical, I offer the following thoughts.
You said: "J. Kuharcik and his girlfriend B. Deliere..." <-- It's my understanding that there is an approximately 30-year age difference between Mr. Kuharcik and Ms. Deliere. Are you really claiming that they are intimate?
You said: "JK needed a musical that would make him "cool" with the kids and BD needed one to show off her dance team." <-- Great! If the students think Mr. Kuharcik is cool than they're more likely to audition for his musicals. More students auditioning for musicals mean more students are being exposed to one of the only American art forms in existence. As for your comment about needing a musical to showcase dancing I ask you: what musical doesn't feature dance? Last year the school did "West Side Story." Huge dance show. "Anything Goes" is currently running on Broadway. Huge dance show. "Jerome Robbin's Broadway," "Chorus Line," "Mary Poppins..." the list is endless. Any theatre student who wants to seriously pursue a career in the American Musical Theatre is going to have to make it thru a NYC dance call.
You said: "forget the kids that are in it for the love of theatre." <-- I ask you: what teenage lover of musicals doesn't love "Legally Blonde?" Please, name one. One, solitary, theatre-loving teenager who doesn't like Elle Woods (that's the name of the lead character, by the way). I don't think you can. Teenagers love the levity of "Blonde" about as much as they love the angst of "Twilight." When MTV filmed "Blonde," the audience (packed with teenagers -- which you can verify for yourself by watching the filmed, televised, show) continually erupted with applause.
You said: "forget the older audience of our community- this is all about teachers...oops I mean the kids!" <-- So you'd rather it be about the senior members of the community? I'm quite confused by this comment.
You said: "and yes, he, an English teacher, doesn't care for the old classic plays. Maybe they are over his head...?" <-- Again, the school did "West Side Story" last year. A show picked by Mr. Kuharcik. Are you claiming that this behemoth of American Theatre isn't a classic? I would argue that it stands up beside "Our Town" and "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" as one of the quintessential American plays of the 20th century.
You said: "Guess (as a former poster put it) performing a play that "glorifies women using their bodies to lure men, and if the man doesn't respond he must be gay?!" fits into our character counts initiative at the high school." <-- Sex is part of our culture. We are, after all, sexual beings. If we stopped being so the species would die out rather quickly. Teenagers are exposed to/chose to access sex on such a vast scale that I don't see how a comedic number which mocks society's sexual tendencies is going to harm anyone.
Further, both you and this former poster you quote really ought to improve your grasp of the English language. "Glorifies women using their bodies... and if the man doesn't respond he must be gay" are two clauses that don't work together. You've created a non-sequitor and are filling in the blank space in your head without letting the rest of us in on the thought process that connects the two. Perhaps enrolling in one of Mr. Kuharcik's English classes would help you to communicate your thoughts better.
I say "bravo" to Mr. Kuharcik and Ms. Deliere. If something as innocuous as "Legally Blonde: The Musical" is enough to create scuttlebutt at Peter's Township than Peter's Township has become an ostridge with its head in the sand, denying the existence of the modern world.
Perhaps if YOU took Mr. Kuharcik's class you would learn that the correct spelling of a bird that hides its head in the sand is ostrich!
Dear person above:
You are, of course, right. Ostrich is indeed spelled "ostrich." For some reason the dictionary in my web browser didn't flag the one misspelled word I typed.
I am so glad you came along and offered your enormous insight on this matter as I'm sure your thoughts have really helped people with the very important issue of: "is that really how one spells ostrich?"
""Glorifies women using their bodies... and if the man doesn't respond he must be gay" are two clauses that don't work together."
So using women that do the 'bend over and snap' to determine that a person in a court case must be gay or to get a date doesn't work together??
Have you even seen the play?? Not the movie--the play? A lot of the play is based upon young women using their bodies to get what they want and if men do not respond they must be gay. It is a crucial part of the play!!
It is disgusting and some of us DO NOT let our children watch MTV. It is filthy! No matter what society finds acceptable does not matter. This is public school system that is supposed to have morals and character. This play DOES NOT utilize suggestive innuendo as older productions do--it is in your face sexual and has no place in public education. I suggest you watch it. It does not mock societies sexual tendencies, it glorifies them.
LOL. The show is harmless. Truly. It is fluff in the grand scheme of things and no where as entertaining or clever as the movie. It is not like they are performing CHICAGO or MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. There is some rewriting that does indeed have to be done. For instance, distinct cracks at lesbianism; a song called Is He Gay or European and one onstage, ooooh this is uncomfortable to say ...... simulated orgasm in a song. It will be exciting for the kids to do a show that has not yet been done in this area or in any high school area around. The show is energetic and filled with fun, fast moving music.
Change is hard. Mr DeConcilius one of the best directors we have ever had is sorely missed. Mr. Wood was beloved but did have some old fashioned ideas. The teachers are -- well -- new. West Side Story was sketchy at best and I was extremely embarrassed inviting friends to see it due to the horrible sound system, dancing which -- come on guys -- wasn't good and general need for more rehearsing by cast and orchestra.
I think these kids (and their teachers) need to hop on a bus to see what the other schools have out there, not to mention Bethel Park's absolutely incredible ONCE ON THIS ISLAND which made our show look like it was performed by fifth graders. And, they use everyone for the most part who auditions and do not limit it to the chosen few and dance team.
These kids are not going on to Broadway -- trust me. Maybe one every five years or so will make it close. They are big fish in a very very very small pool right now. Someday they will be contending with all the best from around the world in their high schools. Guys, if you are not a triple threat, probably ain't gonna happen. So, therefore, enjoy the theater program now. Directors of the school, do not choose such limited shows that only allow the same kids to perform over and over again and leave out the random girl who likes to sing and just wants to be in the chorus.
This should be a fun time for everyone. Have you considered double casting? Our school used to do that and what a great time was had by everyone.
So to wrap it up -- the show is not smut, I swear it isn't. There are and always will be tons of kids auditioning -- not even because of the name of the show. I think the same amount of kids would audition for OKLAHOMA as they would for LEGALLY BLONDE. They want to be in the show!!!!!! Let them be in the show!!!!!!!!
You know, the "jocks" and the "popular kids" have always been there, will always be there and they too should be allowed to join in the fun! School theater is a place for everyone! It is the one place were Ben Hur choruses are accepted. And, parents ...... we love to see our kids in the shows ...... we love it. As one of the lines from one of my favorite musicals of all time -- THE MUSIC MAN -- occurs when a woman listening to a horrible band filled with students playing says "PLAY TO ME LINUS, PLAY TO ME SON." We want to hear that! Just give the kids a chance to perform directors of the school. Let them have fun and make great memories.
"due to the horrible sound system"
Canned Music I assume?
No Pit Orchestra?
Musical without musicians?
Kinda like singing to your favorite song on the car radio...
The continuation of instant self-gratification.
Wouldn't want to expand or challenge anyone's training or talents, would we?
Very lame musical...
Hey, Ta da, unfortunately the sound system is very antiquated. One moment you can hear the soloist, the next one you cannot. Disappointing. There is indeed a full pit orchestra filled with kids who try very hard and a director who really cares about them. Sometimes the music is over their heads -- granted -- but they do try very hard.
OK, the musical is lame but truly truly truly, I think the kids will enjoy doing it.
To November 23, 2011 10:22 PM
Applause! Applause! Encore!
The musicals are picked for the stage performers, not for the musicians that have spent years working on instruments. They had to hire professional instrumentalists last year to help play the difficult scores in West Side Story. I had a child in 'the pit' and they worked very hard. Even the hired professional could not believe how difficult the music was to play. It is quite obvious none of you posters have ever picked up an instrument. In fact, one of you is quoting exactly what our principal has said directly to me. Sorry, my opinion is with others, it's a trashy play. I am sure the dance team and the other kids will love strutting their stuff on stage and it will make Mr. K the most popular and beloved teacher in the high school. My child hates it, but then again, my child is a boy. I think it is hilarious PTSD allows this in school but would not allow 'Music Man' because of gambling. Trash rules in this society and it has made it's way into the public school system. I am sure the play will still be very successful and another sold out show. I really cannot support any school employee that deems this appropriate.
Hey, the kids that are allowed to watch 'Jersey Shore' certainly get enthused and excited about that too, but that does not make it appropriate.
You might think it is ok and light hearted for a girl to bend over and dress suggestively to lure a man and it is okay to make fun of gay people; I am just not one of those people. If the school condones this, it makes me wonder what they are saying or doing in the classroom that "they" feel is socially acceptable for my child????
To November 25, 2011 6:18 AM:
I do not think either of the past two musicals have been picked with the orchestra kids in mind. My child is a thespian, and as far as I am concerned, the orchestra should be considered and play an integral part in choosing the show. Many thespian kids are also instrumental students at the high school. It is a shame that the orchestra director's opinion doesn't carry any weight for the musical.
Although I'm not connected to the students at PTHS, I read this blog from time to time. It would seem to me that, since the music department produces several concerts a year to showcase their musicians, and the theater department only produces one musical a year, the choice of musical should come from the people who work in the theater department. The band/orchestra conductors are free to choose whatever music they want to perform at their concerts; the drama/theater teachers should be free to choose whatever musical they want to produce to showcase their students since it's their one and only musical, as long as it meets the approval of the administration of the district, of course. It's my understanding from reading this blog that the district admnistrators have approved this musical to be performed.
November 25, 2011 6:18 AM sez:
"Even the hired professional could not believe how difficult the music was to play. It is quite obvious none of you posters have ever picked up an instrument."
I'm a musician, I've played WSS. It's not that hard.
"I'm a musician, I've played WSS. It's not that hard."
I am only repeating what the hired musician said at the practices he attended. He felt the particular scores were extremely difficult and done professionally. He said they were difficult to play and he does it for a living. It was not my place to start an argument with him or question his abilities as a professional musician. He felt it was not a score modified for high school.
"theater department only produces one musical a year, the choice of musical should come from the people who work in the theater department."
PT does not have a theater department. They used to. They have one theater class that the kids are supposed to take over and over. It is really sad. Yes you are right, since when does a musical include music? As for the play, 'Legally Blond--the Play' is a piece of trash. Kids love it. What kids like does not make it right. A very large number of the thespians are also in the music department...hence the word 'MUSICAL', it includes music performed by students....Oh, that is right, it is about showcasing the student popularity of our teachers, not the abilities and talents of our students.
"the drama/theater teachers should be free to choose whatever musical they want to produce to showcase their students since it's their one and only musical,"
AND what does drama/theater have to do with music? AND can the drama/theater teachers read music (vocal or otherwise) and/or play an instrument--hence the word 'MUSICal'? Do the music teachers pick the dramatic plays throughout the year for the theater department--if not--then why is the drama department picking music stuff?
In our school district the music department picks the musical and the the drama/theater department picks the other several plays throughout the year, which highlights the drama/theater department. But, hey that is my school.
PTSD has always done things assbackwards. It makes no sense at all to let a theater department pick the musical production. Should the music department pick the dramatical plays throughout the year to showcase musical students that can also read plays?
The musical ends up being non-musical and being a popularity contest, it is not about musical talent. Apparently since it was permitted by the principal of the school, it sounds like PTHS finally got an administrator to play along with low morals that will jump on the popularity band wagon.
I must say that I thought last spring's musical definitely was a showcase for the high school vocalists as well as instrumentalists. Peters Township certainly has a wealth of talented musical students. The director of the musical reads music, plays the piano and sings. Dramatic/straight plays don't include music so there would be no point in having the music department choose those productions. However, a musical is "a play in which the story line is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, and the like." The production is first and foremost a play, enhanced by music and dance. That's why the theater/drama department should choose the musical. There is a creative team that cooperatively decides which musical will suit the singers, dancers, actors and musicians. I thought the orchestra last spring did an amazing job with the score for "West Side Story" and that the actors were outstanding in their vocal and dance abilities. I look forward to seeing "Legally Blonde" in March.
i have no problem with a play that:
-makes fun of gays
-portrays orgasms
-has girls purposefully bending over to attain attention from men.
-a woman using her body to get what she wants;
but a play that takes the lords name in vain hundreds of times, over and over, is just wrong.
that is great, the director can read music and sing. bravo. who is the director, a teacher? what about the french teacher that helped pick it or is she the one into all the immoral ooh-la-la content? is this the same director that let boys and girls in each other's rooms on a school trip?
from what some students have said, it certainly was not a 'team' approach to the play selection. it was a dictatorship. we have kids in this school that compete nationally in independent dance competitions and they had no tryouts for dancing. only dance team members get to dance in the play.
sadly, it will be the first time in decades that our family will not be attending a pths play. i am certain it will be a sold out show and a hit with all the kids. most people love to watch sexual trash and the kids certainly eat that stuff up; after all, it is an mtv production. nothing but the best there.
(not that it matters, but the school where i came from also had the music department pick the musical. we had far more students in the music department than in the drama classes. probably not the case here in ptsd.)
i also think it is nice the high school employees contribute to this blog. even though i highly disapprove, thank you for being so informative and supportive of what the students want. i will make certain my child does not have a class with any teacher that took part in selecting this piece of filth. pths administration character and true colors shining through here.
Nice dictionary.com quote. Did it take a while for you to find a definition that didn't concentrate too heavily on the word 'MUSIC'? It took me a while too.
I now understand. Most recent musicals have more of a story line. The older ones actually concentrated on the musical content. That is not the case nowadays. Out with the old classics and in with the new. If you really watch the play 'Legally Blond' you will also notice not much musicianship or instrumentalists are needed. The majority of the 'music' is electronically generated. It mostly uses singing and seductive dance. Real instrumental music is no longer needed in modern musicals. It's a great way to facilitate cutting the fine arts programs in the schools.
'we have kids in this school that compete nationally in independent dance competitions and they had no tryouts for dancing. only dance team members get to dance in the play."
Absolutely false. Everyone who tried out had to go sing and go through a DANCE tryout.
"Most recent musicals have more of a story line. The older ones actually concentrated on the musical content."
So...the older ones are better and a better fit at the high school to get MORE kids INVOLVED. Minimizing orchestra leaves out (estimating) 40 kids that normally get to participate. The thing with Legally Blonde is, almost every line in the story is SUNG. It is ALL Music, just done with electronic instead of manual instruments. Most of the older musicals have terrific story lines, and plots within plots.
I feel the music department should carry some weight in choosing the musical as the orchestra kids spend hours and hours of classroom and personal time learning the songs.
Stupid Question: Who pays for the musical?
Stupid Question: Who pays for the musical?
Here's another stupid question - Do the musical kids all "pay to play"?
Stupid Question: Who pays for the musical?
The theater budget comes solely from the sales of tickets to previous performances. Out of this tiny budget comes the director's salaries, the sponsor's salaries and the expensive rights for each play. Whatever is left over goes towards the set and costumes.
Our district does not have a budget for their theater program. I wonder if that's the case with the sport's program, ie. football?
Have you walked through the halls of the high school within the past five years. The play fits with student attitude and dress code. I used to count on teachers to be able to rise above, take charge and be the adult. I guess those days are gone now too. My daughter has a friend on the dance team who said, that she did not have to try out for the play. She was automatically 'in' because she was on the dance team. I guess she was lying?
"Stupid Question: Who pays for the musical?"
Not stupid. Good question. In general, the taxpayers. We pay for it all. Do you mean high school department? I would like to know that as well.
"Here's another stupid question - Do the musical kids all "pay to play"?"
Yup they do. I know the kids that play instruments have to pay $40. It is $40 for any extra curricular instrumental music activity which includes Marching Band, Pep Band and Pit. My child wanted to participate in all three. The music boosters also paid for the lowest paid music director. Thespians pay $10.
A teacher earlier this year said any student who sets foot on the stage to be in any performance has to pay $10 each. It is a school sponsored event. Which parent support group is the district milking for the lowest paid theater director, choreographer, tech crew, vocal coach, pit director etc.?
I can also tell you they cut the instrument repair budget too. A lot of the instruments are hung together with paper clips, duct tape and rubber bands.
"I wonder if that's the case with the sport's program, ie. football?"
Of course that is not the case with sports. The extra curricular sports budget is about $850 thousand a year. The academic extra curricular budget is $250 thousand a year.
On the other hand I do not think any sports group sees one penny from the ticket sales of the games. I think the school pockets that money to pay for maintenance and coaching fees, yet student support groups are partially paying for the coaching fees.
Face it, the musical is not about music.
"....I used to count on teachers to be able to rise above, take charge and be the adult."
lol. it is a popularity contest, not about what is right or a learning experience.
"Here's another stupid question - Do the musical kids all "pay to play"?"
Yes. The other person is correct. We were told they do pay $40 for every extra curricular instrumental group they participate in (I can not speak for chorus) However, they do not have to pay to take the music courses, which are standard daily curriculum offerings. If the school starts charging for classes, that is part of the daily standard curriculum, they are in direct violation of PA Dept. of Education law.
Good question, who is paying for the various 'assistants' and who pays for what?
As for the play; sex sells and I believe it is a teacher popularity contest too. The teacher(s) can say, 'See the kids love me'. Of course the kids love the teachers that allow them to do illegal things on student trips and who lets them do whatever they want. Those teachers exist in every school district. No harm done if it doesn't involve your child. If you don't like it, don't be a part of it.
I am of the opinion it is an inappropriate play for a public school to be performing, so we will not be part of it. It also makes me very sad that the music department finds this selection appropriate.
It looks like the MTV generation has reached the teacher employment age. I am guessing they had a 3.7 GPA, so that makes them great teachers.
How could a school district permit a play that permits taking the Lords name in vain, hundreds of times over and over, so lightly? That is just sickening.
WOW! I have not been able to read through this since Thanksgiving. Boy have you guys been having a great time!
OK, this musical -- LEGALLY BLONDE. This is the issue. It is a musical, it WAS chosen by the theatre/music department. There really isn't a difference here. Yes, the students are excited about doing it. Yes, it has sexual undertones, yes it does have contemporary themes. People, in West Side Story Maria and Tony DID have sex -- what do you think they did after they sang "There's A Place for Us." The musical CAMELOT (Guinevere and Lancelot were indeed doing the nasty); and you don't want to know what happens in HAIR (um, that is an oldie now). Elle doesn't sleep with anyone in this show except her dog, Bruiser.
I am an old timer. I like the oldies very very much, but change happens. It is happening now. My biggest complaint with this show is my feelings of the inabilities of the cast to perform this music. This stuff is really really hard. I hope the cast takes care of their voices, damage can be done without proper training.
Stop picking on the teachers in regard to popularity. Trust me there ain't much bein' said nice about them by students right now.
I agree about the Oh-My-God being stated over and over again. It was actually the only thing I found offensive about it when I first saw it on MTV. Other than that I found it very silly and something only a high school would do because of how silly it was.
So in other words, there is plenty of singable music in this show, the dance team is in it again -- deal with it, the bend and snap will be done, as long as the outfits are too tight fitting, it will be ok, the directors are not the least bit popular (with the parents or the students from what I have heard through the grape vine) and I am sure the Orchestra Director will have her kids in there, the show will sell out, everyone will love it and the administration will end up smelling like a rose.
Just relax and sit back. Nothing you can do. But I am enjoying the posts. Keep em coming.
"the bend and snap will be done"
It sure will. It is used to determine that the man on the witness stand is gay because he does not respond to hoochie in his face. 'Sexual undertones'! Honey, they are not undertones-they are slap in the face orgasm noises and talking about sex in the hot tub. Bottom line it is filthy and we certainly can not bring children.
Oh by the way, welcome back to work!
Yup. Just relax, set back and enjoy the MTV booty show!
When has a high school ever done 'Hair' (duh)? That is usually done in colleges. West Side Story and Camelot leave all that romance up to the imagination. Obviously yours is filthy. In old musicals it is easily explained to small children that the characters want to sneak off and steal a kiss. During those time periods it was not appropriate to kiss in front of anyone.
That is not the case with Legally Blond. I have to agree, they are not undertones, they are in your face and blatantly portrayed. Like you said, it will certainly be sold out but just won't be one you can take the entire family to.
True: "enjoy the MTV booty show!"
Hey, I had to look. A high school in Allentown, PA actually presented the musical HAIR in addition to Pittsburgh Musical Theater (with high school kids downtown) doing it two years ago. I like to back up my info with fact. PS. Filthy mind? Really? I who though this show was totally inappropriate am now beginning to look forward to it.
December 9, 2011 10:13 AM
LOOK AGAIN!
They DID NOT perform 'HAIR'...They "performed a number of musical selections from "Hair". ('Hair' is fabulous, but not for a high school play!) Yes, it is a good idea to get your facts straight.
DUH...My neighbors kids participate Pittsburgh Musical Theater. They are going into theater and the musical theater does not fall under the jurisdiction of the PA Dept. of Education as a state funded public school system!
Instead of an MTV play that makes fun of gays and exploits women, I wonder why the school did not pick something more thoughtful such as Billy Elliot-the musical, if they wanted to go modern and address human homosexuality?
As you all say, yes, the selection they made will certainly do very well, especially with the bend over 'booty' call. It is just another shining example of how immoral this society has become and how it is now poisoning and infiltrating the public school system. It sounds like the kids are in charge, not the teachers. The play is not a classic nor is it artful. It is trashy.
It sounds like the kids are in charge, not the teachers. The play is not a classic nor is it artful. It is trashy.
December 15, 2011 10:23 AM
The kids had absolutely no say in the matter. Most, if not all, would have chosen something else.
"The kids had absolutely no say in the matter. Most, if not all, would have chosen something else."
I find that surprising. Then why was it chosen? I do not believe a teacher would make such an inappropriate selection without prodding from students. A district employee told me the kids were the primary reason that particular play was chosen. I do believe, perhaps, you are mistaken? Or....perhaps was it chosen to satisfy a couple of students that had interest in it?
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