MPS AD Trent Tucker discusses the importance of athletics in MPS - How does this fit in with South High School? (Meeting reminder - South HS Media Ctr - 10/26/16 5:30 pm)
Hi Everyone, A friend of mine heard this interview on WCCO 830 this past Friday afternoon. It is a timely example of why we should continue to press for an equitable and safe field for South High School. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker was interviewed by WCCO’s Mike Max on the John Williams Show. I have asked Mr. Tucker to weigh in on the largest school with the worst field in his District, but have yet to hear from him. This interview is the closest we have. The first audio clip is Mr. Tucker praising the graduation rates and GPA of MPS athletes. MPS athletes are graduating at a 98.9% rate, along with a 3.1 GPA. While Mr. Tucker didn’t have the general graduation rates, MPS lists a 64.3% graduation rate on its website. Mr. Tucker also goes on to talk about how athletics helps a student gain "life skills”, be “unselfish”, how to “respect others”, “give of yourself" and be part of the team. All attributes in the “Social Emotional Learning” (SEL) that Superintendent Graff and others have hoped to utilize in schools. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker on MPS athletes 98.9% graduation rates, 3.1 GPA and how athletics is instrumental in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) <wcco-tucker-10-21-16 grad_athl_sel.mp3> (2:02) In the second audio clip, Mr. Tucker is asked about the value of good teams in MPS. He states that “athletics is the front porch of any school district”. Well, our front porch is an embarrassment. Listen to other schools when they chant, “You’re so ratchet!”. I had to ask what that meant. A quick google search says this. [Ratchet [is] used to describe someone means nasty, ghetto or trifling. Ratchet also means a situation or process that is perceived to be deteriorating or changing steadily in a series of irreversible steps. It is used as a term for something low class or deteriorated.] This is the South High School’s front porch and that’s not OK. It doesn’t build esteem, pride or positive expectations and it doesn’t welcome. Mr. Tucker goes on to talk about the “galvanizing” effect it has upon a community, ie. North HS, and how it engages students to take their academics more seriously, learning to trust others and others learning to trust them. He also mentions the increase in participation in MPS athletics. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker on the value of good teams in MPS, “athletics is the front porch of any school district”. <wcco-tucker-10-21-16 athletics_front porch.mp3> (2:04) What this tells me is how important athletics is for the students and for the school community. How we should be wanting more students to participate in athletics, participate in life, participate with others, participate in academic success. Mr. Aponte and Mr. McNeal want to see more participation in athletics at South. We can see why, but MPS has NO long-term plan to help South High School benefit from all the wonderful attributes that athletics brings a student, a school and a community. Please help us let MPS know that the current situation at South High athletic facilities is not OK, it is not safe, it is not equitable. Let MPS know before they do anything, ie building on the 20th/21st Lakes Street block adjoining South, that might jeopardize the future of the South High School Campus. MPS, South High School needs a long-term plan, first! Pass this along AND the invitation (attached below) to meet with MPS leadership at the South High School Media Center this Wednesday, Oct. 26th from 5:30-6:30 pm. Questions and texts are welcome. I hope to see you there. Thank you, Scott Schluter [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South High School Meeting Wednesday October 26th, 2016 5:30-6:30 pm South High Media Center South High is invited to attend a meeting with Minneapolis Public School leaders to discuss the impact of the proposed MPS building on the block adjacent to the SHS athletic field. How that proposed building affects the lack of any long-term plan for the South High campus and athletic field is the focus of this meeting. As the largest school in the MPS District, we have heard rumors of plans for a new field and a new track, ones that are safe and regulation correct. We would like equitable facilities that are on par with other MPS high schools. We have even heard mention from MPS leaders of an entire new school building for South. What are the long-term plans? What is important now and in the future? How does the short-term plan of building on the 20th/21st block of Lake Street affect the fact that there is no long-term plan for the South High School Campus? This is our time to ask our questions. I hope to see you there. Feel welcome to email or text questions. Thank you, Scott Schluter (South High parent) [email protected] Scheduled Guests Superintendent Ed Graff --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Siad Ali --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Carla Bates --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Tracine Asberry --- [email protected] MPS Executive Director of Facilities Mark Bollinger --- [email protected] MPS Deputy Chief of Schools Steve Flisk --- [email protected] South High Principal Ray Aponte --- [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then entire interview with MPS AD Trent Tucker and WCCO’s Mike Max on the John William’s Show, WCCO Radio, 830, 10-21-16 http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/audio/the-john-williams-show/
0 Comments
South High School Meeting
Wednesday October 26th, 2016 5:30-6:30 pm South High Media Center South High is invited to attend a meeting with Minneapolis Public School leaders to discuss the impact of the proposed MPS building on the block next to the SHS athletic field. How that proposed building affects the lack of any long-term plan for the South High campus and athletic field is the focus of this meeting. As the largest school in the MPS District, we have heard rumors of plans for a new field and a new track, ones that are safe and dimensionally correct. Facilities that are on par with other MPS high schools. We have even heard mention from MPS leaders of an entire new school building for South. What are the long-term plans? What is important now and in the future? How does the short-term plan of building on the 20th/21st block of Lake Street affect the fact that there is no long-term plan for the South High School Campus? This is our time to ask our questions. I hope to see you there. Feel welcome to email or text questions. Thank you, Scott Schluter (South High parent) [email protected] Scheduled Guests Superintendent Ed Graff --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Siad Ali --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Carla Bates --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Tracine Asberry --- [email protected] MPS Executive Director of Facilities Mark Bollinger --- [email protected] MPS Deputy Chief of Schools Steve Flisk --- [email protected] South High Principal Ray Aponte --- [email protected] Mr. Schluter,
Thank you for your email and engagement with South High. Plans are not indefinitely on hold for Transition Plus/ABE. We are currently in the schematic design/design development phase of the project. Although we may redesign a part of the schematic, it remains part of the process and the project is moving forward. The architects delayed a public presentation because we do have some issues to complete in the design process. We want to remain transparent, but with best information and materials. The Board was not previously scheduled, or currently scheduled to vote on anything related to Transition Plus or ABE on October 18. Property was approved for purchase by the Board on September 9, 2014 in support for the use in the ABE/T+ project. The Advisory Committee reviewed 5 options to confirm and recommended the building be designed for this property. The building design is being developed specific to the property purchased. This issue will next come to the board when we approve contractors to start work on the construction, but that will not be until later in this process. While it is not accurate to say that MPS has not invested a dime at South since it was built (i.e. Most recently auditorium improvements, new roof, flooring), we do hear the desire to create a strong vision for the campus that reflect the evolving educational needs of students, and it is understandable that the parents, community and boosters of South High School are anxious for improvements to occur at an accelerated pace. Specifically, improving the South Athletics facilities has been and remains a priority for the district. In addition, we believe that the intended location of the new ABE and Transitions Plus building further demonstrates our commitment to reinvest into the South High campus, as the school historically has some of the largest number of students who benefit directly from the unique programming offered through Transitions Plus. Therefore, we don’t view its co-location at South High School as taking away from the campus but rather an enhancement. I understand that additional South High community discussions are being scheduled in the near future. I would encourage you to work with Principal Aponte to stay informed about those opportunities. Sincerely, Jenny Arneson Chair, District 1 Minneapolis School Board 612-382-0734 Please note that the chair or vice-chair will respond to emails on behalf of the board, though individual board members may choose to respond as well. Hi Mr. Ali,
Thank you for coming today. I hope you saw a part of passion for the South High community in our parents, alumni, principal and even a coach/alumni who care about the present AND future of South High. You mentioned protocol for emails sent to the Board go through the Vice Chair, so I am addressing this directly to you, so that you may respond directly to me. I look forward to hearing from you on the meeting you said you will set up with the Superintendent, Mark Bollinger and us as the South High community. You also mentioned you would find out about the upcoming vote that Mark Bollinger said would be taking place with the Board over the now “indefinitely delayed” T+/ABE plans adjacent to South. I will also forward to you the two emails I sent to you before, one requesting a direct response on the T+/ABE vote and one with the voices of the South High School students as told through their articles in “The Southerner”, South’s school newspaper. Please read what the students feel and the impact the years of neglect, decay and also how what they see is available to their peers affects them. Each article is linked for you to read their entire article.. I will wait for email tomorrow, as you told me, and also encourage you to help us in the communication process, with you as our representative and with the Board and MPS. We need your voice to speak for our students! Thank you, Scott Schluter MPS Board Members,
I just spoke to a staff member at the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) who informed me the architect for the Transitions Plus/ABE building indefinitely postponed the public presentation that was scheduled for this Thursday night, October 5th, at the CNO offices. Does that mean that the Board will be also indefinitely holding off your voting for approval for those plans until they are finished? Or……. does the vote go on as scheduled at your next Board meeting on October 18th? On this same agenda and BEFORE you vote on the Transitions Plus/ABE building, please tell us what the District’s 50 year plan is for the South High School campus. I haven’t seen or heard of a 50 year plan, or a 25 year plan or even a five year plan for the largest school in your district. The 20th and Lake property definitely impacts those options. The District has not spent a dime on the South High campus since it was built in 1970. The students, now and to come, deserve a plan. Please let me know your intentions for voting on the 18th and please have a plan for South High School before any vote takes place. Scott Schluter |
Scott Schluter
|