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lake_havasu_mom wrote on Feb 24, 2010 8:43 AM:

" “It’s a shame, said board member Ross Hobday during the meeting. “But we are going to move on and make it better than it was before.” Thank you Mr. Hobday! This is the kind of statement that I have been waiting for from the LHUSD. Like all of us in these economic times it is important for all of us to make the best out of what ever situation is handed to us and I believe that Mr. Hobday's quote is a commitment to that end. Today's News Herald please just report the facts and don't put your own negative 'spin' on it by using negative connotations. It’s time for everyone to drop the negativity and do what we can to improve our schools by rolling up our sleeves and getting involved. "




riverruner wrote on Feb 23, 2010 10:10 AM:

" Bobo…First off, I do not compare myself to anyone. Second I consider it a fair question; public goods are the same whether public protection or education, in my opinion, and third where you the year after Tet? I know where I was and the next two years, too. I would never nor will I ever diminish or demean anyone who protects our country or out town…the difference between you and I appears to be that I would never diminish the people who educate our children either. "




voice of Havasu wrote on Feb 23, 2010 8:49 AM:

" People need to realize that a charter school is a public school. in response to voice of reason about secritive stuff about Telesis in the way of dismissing teachers and staff why not check both sides of the story before you write comments about what goes on at Telesis and there is no secretive stuff going on at Telesis about the board members anyone can get the names of the board members atTelesis.Board meetings are open to the public at Telesis just like at the school district. if you want to meet the board members you are welcome to come to anyone of the board meetings. To make you more knowledgeble Telesis gets audited just like the School district does and we answer to the same auditers as the district. regarding your waiting list and the grass being green at Telesis why dont you get your facts stratight before you assume anything . To let you know that the teachers at Telesis are Highly qualified by the state if they were not they would not be allowed to teach. people assume with out checking out all the facts. charter school can not have overrides like the school districts can to help with funding so before before you start questioning charter schools about funding maybe you should question LHUSD where there money goes. "




bobo wrote on Feb 22, 2010 9:16 PM:

" "riverrunner"...How dare you compare your services to those that risk their lives to protect you!!!! "




riverruner wrote on Feb 22, 2010 2:16 PM:

" So bobo does that apply to other public servants as well? Should we have charter police departments, charter fire departments, or how about a charter military? In the business world competition is what makes us great, however it is a little different when public goods like police and fire protection, and the national defense or education are at stake. I assume you do know the difference between a private good and a public good don’t you?
You must have a lot of knowledge about teachers to be able to question their motives about charter schools. "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 22, 2010 9:17 AM:

" bwebster, my posts are from my own personal, hands-on experience with the school over the past four years. Obviously, if the schools in this beautiful city were inferior, I would had never moved here. Luckily, all the schools in LHC are good. My posts are not about competion but about choice.------thank you News Herald for allowing my voice.

-Sam Potteiger, LHC "




bobo wrote on Feb 22, 2010 9:16 AM:

" The thing I like about Telesis is the competition. Just like in private industry, one must compete to survive and it brings out the best in all of us. Of course the public school teachers don't like that idea. That's why they are against "no child left behind", charter schools, and home schooling. And you will see them poo-pooing the whole idea of this restructuring on this blog. And they tell us it's all about the children.
GO TELESIS! "




bill516 wrote on Feb 21, 2010 9:15 AM:

" BrightOne wrote on Feb 17, 2010 10:23 AM:
" Hava-Ny-er: You are stating the impossible you know. Someone with gripe and bash. This is how the human species is, inheritently evil and corrupt. Just watch that movie 'Avatar'. BEERS! "

If it wasn't for all the "evil" people ;-) , "




VoiceOfReason wrote on Feb 19, 2010 10:19 PM:

" In response to the fact of K-8 accreditation: just how many public K-8 schools are there in Havasu? Um...yea, ONE. So it's pretty easy to brag about being the only K8 accredited school, isn't it?

As for someone's comment about "not seeing having to fire staff" and similar statements - maybe by all appearances they don't "fire" teachers, but they sure do find some creative ways to eliminate those they no longer want around. I have personal knowledge of at least 3 in the last 5 years.

And here's one to think about: Anyone can go to the internet, pull up any school district's salary scale, and see what any teacher in that district makes. But at Telesis, teachers are required to sign a confidentiality statement forbidding them to discuss their salary with anyone. What's up with that? It's like surfinhavasu's question about who is on the Telesis board...why all the secretive stuff? "




n2havasu09 wrote on Feb 19, 2010 2:49 PM:

" Riverrunner-
All schools are "for profit" whether you want to believe it or not. That's why we have incidents like the high school making graduates come back to class for count day, IT WAS FOR THE MONEY! It's my personal belief the U.S. isn't a world leader in education, because our system is set-up this way. Telesis is a publicly funded school just like the school system. They've done "more with less" as compared to our school system. Because the school is small they don't receive the same kind of funding as the public schools, yet continue to strive and push foward in academics and extra-cirricular activities (and I don't see them having to fire staff or close down to get by). I also know that teachers at Telesis actually make more their first few years than teachers in the public school system here in Havasu, receive good benefits, and are treated well by their superiors. To say the teachers there recieve substandard wages/benefits or whatever else you may think is just ignorance. Lumping all charter schools together is just lazy logic. Get the facts before you post comments like that.

***********************************************

It's my personal experience that parents think Telesis is a private, tuition only school and maybe that's why more parents don't "check it out." Saying having recruiters from Telesis is "predatory" behavior is kind of unfair. How else is a school outside of the public school system supposed to get people to notice? People always assume the public school system is the only option or "best" option, because they don't educate themselves on their other options. Parents in this city should count themselves lucky to have options, because many towns and cities across our country don't. Telesis has already done alot in regards to accredidation and sports programs and people still haven't noticed. To many, a charter school is a foreign concept which they know nothing about, which then somehow turns into "well, that school just isn't as good."

It's also my personal experience the class sizes are small, teachers are readily available and easy to talk to, and are always ready to go above and beyond to help the kids. They have more than enough resources to go around. I don't know where the comment came from about there not being resources for teachers or students. Perhaps just someone's personal bias against the school? But to be realistic there is a resource problem at many, many, many schools across this country, and dare I say at the public schools as well. The small size of the school I think is great, and it feels more like a family than a "business."

Before you judge and make comments about the school, perhaps you should check it out yourself. Sure, it might not be for some people but how would you know before you even gave it a shot? "




bwebster wrote on Feb 19, 2010 11:31 AM:

" Dear Telesis_parent, "Yes, I am solely extolling the benefits of Telesis on this tread (sic)" Thank you for extolling the benefits on this thread - I'm sure Telesis excels in spelling or showing students how to use spell check as well. Perhaps you should enroll.

There are many students who go to LHHS and enter college perhaps you have never heard of them? There are quite a few that have come back to Lake Havasu to set up successful businesses as well.

Gosh I even think the district wins awards as well. I know the newspaper reports on them. Do you only read what you want to read?

Whatever you come back with I can top it with a negative that I know about Telesis. You weren't there when my friend was, you haven't seen what they don't want you to see.

You made not one comment about no help for learning disabled students. Hmmmmm....nothing to say? How about teacher certification? Are they all Arizona certified yet or is that just some mumbo jumbo stuff that no parent should want? District employees are all highly qualified unless they have a one year emergency qualification but that still requires an education degree unlike the charter schools.

You don't mention the narrative report cards that ramble on about the same thing each quarter and sometimes get cut and pasted and forget to be changed.

I imagine most parents hear about Telesis, but please go on with your ramblings just like that report cards....same thing over and over with no backing.

go on.....I'm listening........NOT. "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 19, 2010 10:33 AM:

" riverruner, thank you for point of view.

Yes, across the country, I believe some charter schools are for-profit but were are discussing Telesis.

Telesis is a non-profit entity, to be specific a 501(c(3)).

Yes, I am solely extolling the benefits of Telesis on this tread because I believe, in this time of decision-making for parents, being informed of choices is a good thing.

Bottom line, my kids will be able to get into the same colleges as the kids at the high school but they can prepare for college at a smaller High School with smaller class sizes.

- Sam Potteiger, LCH "




riverruner wrote on Feb 19, 2010 9:11 AM:

" I have no real opinion either way about Telesis other than what people have told me which is more often than not critical. But I do know, because I actually saw it, that Telesis was at the Daytona campus the other day after school trying to recruit students. If this is the sort of predatory behavior they display while students and staff are still grieving for the loss of their school I can only imagine what Telesis’ leadership is like. That was even worse than Sam’s advertisements on these pages.
That is the major problem I have with charter schools…they are run as business, and as all business they must turn a profit which usually means sub-average pay for staff-far below the already low pay staff at our other teachers at traditional public schools receive and scrimping on curriculum to enhance the bottom line.
Education is NOT a financially efficient process and the need for educational business to turn a profit very means cutting costs in the classroom at the expense of students. "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 19, 2010 8:30 AM:

" bwebster, my posts are from my own personal, hands-on experience with the school.

Since arriving at Telesis four years ago, it seems each year the school rolls out another milestone - whether it's a formal athletic program or, as in this past year, a credit Drama/ Performing Arts class taught by GraceArts Live owner Grace Ann Etcheberria-Jacobs

But for inquisitive parents, last year Telesis Preparatory Academy became the only school in LakeHavasu City to have accreditation for grades K-8, as well as, the more commonly earned accreditation of grades 9-12 from the North Central Association (NCA). I encourage you to Google It.

To me, this kind of consistent progress shows that Telesis is doing the right things for students. Yes, every school/student/parent has its bumps but it's how you keep working through those challenges that show real character. A quality I hope I can firmly instill in my kids.

Most importantly, I couldn't agree with hava-NY-er more. A parent's involvement in a child’s education is one of the greatest factors in your child’s success.

If you have additional questions, please call the school or come see us at our Community Open House on April 13th.

telesis-academy.org / 928-855-8661 Ext. 44

- Sam Potteiger, LHC "




bwebster wrote on Feb 18, 2010 6:24 PM:

" When my friend taught at Telesis the class sizes were not small, no materials were available for teachers or students, and the kids sat out in the hot sun to eat all of their meals.

Students were not treated any differently at Telesis than at other schools.

How on earth do you have all the students work at their own pace? I'd like to know how that actually happens. You can't have 20 students all at different places in a math book. I know it isn't happening.

I read a report card from last year and the teacher never checked it to see if when she was cutting and pasting from the previous grading period...she copied the same verbage twice and never changed anything in it.

And Telesis_Parent you stay right there at Telesis, I know you'd be one of "those" parents.

Also, why have Daytona gets axed in the headlines? There are people who have to change schools now and teach at the elementary schools and assistants are being laid off from the elementary schools because they do not have seniority. Can we ease up on our verbs? "




hava-NY-er wrote on Feb 18, 2010 2:45 PM:

" I tend to disagree that the school is responsible for a student to be recognized as an individual. Yes, teachers should do their best to get to know each of his/her students personally, at the very least know their names. It is, equally, the student's responsibility to want to be recognized. Students who participate and express a positive attitude towards their studies and school work tend to be recognized by their teachers and school. Those who just want to "skate by" tend to disappear in the backgroung where they rather be. There are pros/cons to any situation so we can't say a smaller sized classroom is any better or worse than a class with many more students. For every small class with one-on-one relationships with the teachers and students there are larger classes with more learning due to more ideas and participation.

It all comes down to parent(s) being involved heavily in their children's education which would develop into the children being more involved in their education.

And I'm all for all forms of school choices for the parents to have for their children. More choices "may" mean better education for the kids. "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 18, 2010 8:28 AM:

" VoiceOfReason, feel free to call me Sam. I am the tacky commercial. As a parent who feels the pressure of their children's eduction, I appreciate choice.

I just want to let parents out there that there is a choice. I hope to see you at the at our Community Open House on April 13th.

Why not check out the last city council video - Telesis's Character Council gave a Presentation to Mayor and City Council.

- Sam Potteiger, LHC "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 18, 2010 8:16 AM:

" surfinhavasu, thank you for your candor.

For me, it's important that my sons are recognized as individuals. Telesis's small class sizes allow them to be individuals and enables them to move ahead at their own pace as they prepare for college.

From my experience, any question I've had for the past four school years was answered promptly in a thoughtful manner, either by the teachers, principal or the office "




surfinhavasu wrote on Feb 17, 2010 9:51 PM:

" Re: telesis parent

from a former telesis parent,

I hope things have changed at telesis since last year. every time i asked who was on the sschool board no one could answer my questions. not even the teachers. when i had two children in the same class one got picked on more than the other by the teacher. somehow though they thought it was all the one childs fault. instead of the teacher showing favortism over another. when my child was harassed enough i pulled that child from telesis. then took my other children out as well. well because they let your children work at their own pace which could be good for a child that needs a slower pace, the other children get left behind too. so if your child can work at a normal pace, your child might end up relying on theirself to educate themselves at their own pace. since most of what they do is on the computer all day. AR Math AR reading. when my children were switched schools the one in the upper grade level was behind becasue the teacher expected that one to do all of their work without checking up on the child. left to their own devices the chld did only the minimal. so you really need to follow up on your children. which apparently you need to do at all schools. just more so at telesis. "




VoiceOfReason wrote on Feb 17, 2010 8:38 PM:

" Is there anyone else who finds it, at the very least, just a little tacky to see all the "commercials" for Telesis in the posting threads about the school district? But it also makes ya wonder: if the grass is so much greener at Telesis, why is there so much room? You'd think there would be a waiting list. Just a thought. "




J.kendall wrote on Feb 17, 2010 6:51 PM:

" havany'er I agree same as when I was in Jr High in 1972 for 7th an 8th grade. It's not going to hurt to move more students to Thunderbolt it was built to hold more students then what it already has. Let MCC lease or buy it and make the old Jr High school a university. The board is doing the right thing. Too bad the city isn't "




BrightOne wrote on Feb 17, 2010 10:23 AM:

" Hava-Ny-er: You are stating the impossible you know. Someone with gripe and bash. This is how the human species is, inheritently evil and corrupt. Just watch that movie 'Avatar'. BEERS! "




telesis_parent wrote on Feb 17, 2010 6:22 AM:

" Telesis has room to accommodate new students for the next school year.

Yes, Telesis is an AZ state, publicly funded Academic Magnet School offering All Day Kindergarten through the 12th grade.

As an AZ state, publicly funded Academic Magnet School, enrollment is FREE for everyone.
-> Class sizes average 18 per teacher
->Diplomas and credits recognized by Colleges, Universities, and Military
-> Individualized Curriculum meets AZ State Standards.
-> Full­ Day Kindergarten offered since 1992.
-> Daily hot breakfast and lunch.
-> Physical Education classes offered daily at every academic level
-> Come see us April 13th at our Community Open House

telesis-academy.org / 928-855-8661 Ext. 44

-Sam Potteiger, LHC " "




hava-NY-er wrote on Feb 17, 2010 5:27 AM:

" When I went through the public school system in Havasu back in the 70-80's the grade school went to the 6th grade, the junior high was 7th & 8th and the high school 9-12. There should be zero problems bringing this system back and there should be ZERO complaints on this board about this. "

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