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Gov goes to school catering to migrant families [Thanks, Jeb: "D" school's grade is now an "A"]
AP, via www.jeb.org ^
| May 14, 2002
| Vickie Chachere
Posted on 05/17/2002 10:37:04 AM PDT by summer
FL Gov Jeb Bush accepts a grateful hug from a young student
at a FL public school, Wimauma Elementary - where 85% of students are
children of migrant workers, yet: rising student achievement caused the school
to improve its grade from a "D" to an "A" in just two years.
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Associated Press
Governor's campaign goes to school catering to migrant families
By Vickie Chachere
WIMAUMA, Fla. (AP) _ Gov. Jeb Bush took his run for re-election Tuesday to an elementary school that turned its academic fortunes around despite its transient population of migrant families and children who barely speak English.
At Wimauma Elementary School, Bush chatted with children in Spanish and shared a song with 5-year-olds learning how to read and write. In a poignant moment, the governor asked one fourth grader working on a writing assignment what her story was about _ the girl replied it was about her mother who died in August.
Despite the challenges of a school population where nearly all the 700 children depend on free or reduced lunches and 85 percent are the children of migrant workers with limited English skills, Wimauma Elementary earned an ''A'' in last year's Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
The school has lower-than-usual student-teacher ratios _ one teacher for every 20 students in kindergarten through third grades, one to 25 for the older students _ and has been given the flexibility to teach classes in English and Spanish.
Bilingual teacher-aides help out those teachers who don't speak Spanish, and about 100 volunteers from nearby Sun City, a retirement community, provide even more help.
The school's principal said the accountability demands set by the Bush administration also helps.
''FCAT [FL test] is the propeller of this school,'' said Principal Carol DeAgazio. ''It gets the school going. We don't want to be on the bottom rung.''
The event came on the second day of Bush's newly intensified campaign. The governor had limited his re-election activities until after lawmakers finished with the state budget during a special session that ended Monday.
Bush said he is pleased with lawmakers' work, which includes a 6 percent per-student increase for Florida's public schools.
''I believe this is a state in its ascension, not in decline,'' Bush said.
Bush's campaign was taking him to Orlando later Tuesday for a town hall meeting with high school students.
Gov. Bush sees things eye-to-eye with FL's Wimauma elementary students.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: education; fl; florida; jebbush; migrantstudents
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To: sarasmom; summer; ohioWfan
I don't disagree with enforcing the law - and I do think the wealthy who hire illegals for slave wages should be ashamed of themselves. What I have trouble with is reading posts about immigration that have a tone that exudes hatred for the immigrants. Human beings deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Period.
I am strongly in favor of enforcing our borders. That doesn't keep me from having compassion for those who are willing to do backbreaking work in the quest for a better life for their families.
To: coloradomom
Thanks for your wonderful post #58, coloradomom. BTTT! :)
62
posted on
05/17/2002 6:01:28 PM PDT
by
summer
To: coloradomom
I am strongly in favor of enforcing our borders. That doesn't keep me from having compassion for those who are willing to do backbreaking work in the quest for a better life for their families.
My position as well. coloradomom, I am voting for you! :)
63
posted on
05/17/2002 6:03:08 PM PDT
by
summer
To: sarasmom
What I find intolerable is the public acceptance of virtual slave labor, by corporations large and small,in many industries throughout the USA.
Hiring illegal immigrants is against the law! Paying substandard wages,off the books, is against the law!Enforce the law, and perhaps the extreme poverty and degrading working conditions will cease to exist,and low skilled citizens of this country will have an opportunity and an incentive to work.
I agree with you on your point here, sarasmom. Thanks for your post.
64
posted on
05/17/2002 6:08:37 PM PDT
by
summer
To: coloradomom
I am strongly in favor of enforcing our borders. That doesn't keep me from having compassion for those who are willing to do backbreaking work in the quest for a better life for their families.Well said! And I agree completely.
65
posted on
05/17/2002 6:13:37 PM PDT
by
ohioWfan
To: Jonathon Spectre; Howie66; wattsmag2; 2Trievers; M. Thatcher
FYI. :)
66
posted on
05/17/2002 6:14:07 PM PDT
by
summer
To: ohioWfan; coloradomom
coloradomom, With ohioWfan's response and my response -- well, that sounds like TWO votes for you! You're on a roll! :)
67
posted on
05/17/2002 6:15:20 PM PDT
by
summer
To: LarryLied; PJ-Comix
FYI. :)
68
posted on
05/17/2002 6:44:24 PM PDT
by
summer
To: Captainpaintball
Re your post #3 - BTW, although FL still has a way to go, in answer to your question: Yes, Gov Bush has an impressive record on
Improving Student Achievement for all students.
69
posted on
05/17/2002 7:12:49 PM PDT
by
summer
To: coloradomom
If I, or most US citizens, hated immigrants, we would have to hate a portion of ourselves. ;^).
I do not advocate an end to immigration. The statue of liberty still represents a welcoming attitude.The torch to light the way, and the book she also holds.The problem is the lack of understanding of some citizens and immigrants, who believe this grand experiment will continue to succeed, without individual effort on all our parts. If we allow "multi-culturism" to replace the "melting pot",the promise of the lady is ended.It may already be over, if the majority of our citizens who have never faced hunger or oppression,think that by simple compassion for "those less fortunate" and continue to naively believe those who break our laws to get here, will somehow become one with us,with a shared respect for liberty and justice for all.
Liberty and justice for all is a dying ideal here in the USA. Most take it so for granted they have no frame of reference as they watch it slip away.
70
posted on
05/17/2002 7:13:48 PM PDT
by
sarasmom
To: mattdono
Mattdono, Thanks for your colorful post #10! :)
71
posted on
05/17/2002 7:13:51 PM PDT
by
summer
To: Joe Brower
Joe, Thanks so much for your supportive post #18. :)
72
posted on
05/17/2002 7:14:53 PM PDT
by
summer
To: sarasmom
If I, or most US citizens, hated immigrants, we would have to hate a portion of ourselves. ;^).
An important reminder. Thanks and BTTT. :)
73
posted on
05/17/2002 7:16:01 PM PDT
by
summer
To: Black Agnes
Do your schools question whether the kids are legal or not?
Re your post #20 question - I am not sure if that question is asked or not in FL, or if the answer is disclosed via some other way besides a direct question on that topic.
74
posted on
05/17/2002 7:22:08 PM PDT
by
summer
To: CSXT
75
posted on
05/17/2002 7:26:08 PM PDT
by
summer
To: ijcr
ijcr, thanks for your post #23. Gov Bush reportedly speaks Spanish fluently, but I don't think he has ever officially endorsed bi-lingual education. I realize this school made some choices other FL public schools do not make, but, that is because local school districts and individual principals do have a lot of power in FL. But, I would not worry. I think Gov Bush wants all students to learn to speak, read and write in English. :)
76
posted on
05/17/2002 7:30:33 PM PDT
by
summer
To: katherineisgreat; floriduh voter
Elementary students don't seem to mind that Jeb Bush,
the new big kid in class, is also the FL gov.
77
posted on
05/17/2002 7:43:08 PM PDT
by
summer
To: Straight Vermonter
Re posts #59 and #60 - I think I found some really good info for you
HERE.
78
posted on
05/17/2002 8:21:27 PM PDT
by
summer
To: sarasmom
I do not advocate an end to immigration. The statue of liberty still represents a welcoming attitude.The torch to light the way, and the book she also holds.The problem is the lack of understanding of some citizens and immigrants, who believe this grand experiment will continue to succeed, without individual effort on all our parts. If we allow "multi-culturism" to replace the "melting pot",the promise of the lady is ended.It may already be over, if the majority of our citizens who have never faced hunger or oppression,think that by simple compassion for "those less fortunate" and continue to naively believe those who break our laws to get here, will somehow become one with us,with a shared respect for liberty and justice for all.
You make a very valid point, sarasmom. I, too, am concerned about losing our "melting pot," and about the need for those who come here to adopt American ideals, including justice for all.
To: StockAyatollah
You mentioned that there was a McBride rally last night. I didn't hear about it. I do know that he hasn't come up with his "Platform" to let voters know what he would do! Really don't think he is doing very well getting many teachers to support him. I am an educator for Jeb, and our ranks are growing!
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