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Psychiatrists: 1 to 8
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Medicaid Psychiatrists in Florida (FL)
Verified by Psychology Today
Vickki-Ann Samuel
Psychiatrist, MD
"Obtaining optimal mental health is important for achieving and maintaining one's overall health and well-being. At Reflections of Mental Health restoring your peace of mind is our top priority. For many generations suffering from mental illness has been stigmatized. Due to this, we provide a serene non-judgmental environment where you can feel comfortable to share your ailments and begin the journey to finding infinite bliss. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist with training in Forensic Psychiatry. I specialize in the treatment of depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders, psychosis, dual diagnosis (mental illness along with substance abuse), and legal aspects of mental health.
(786) 837-6039
North Miami, Florida 33161
Verified by Psychology Today
Lado Healing Institute
"My name is Dr. Leonard A. Lado, I am a board certified psychiatrist in Bonita Springs Florida and South Florida. I serve the population of Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. My specialty is the treatment of non-Methadone Detox, Oxycontin and Pain Killer Addiction, Cocaine Addiction, Alcohol dependence, and Crystal Meth Addiction using state of the art outpatient Suboxone medication treatments. My Care Philosophy: Patients are intelligent and able to make choices in collaboration with their physicians. Dignity and humanity is first and fore most.
(239) 214-7455
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
Verified by Psychology Today
Imtiaz Rasul
Psychiatrist, MD
"I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and at this time taking new patients. Same day appointments available. I have extensive experience in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry. The scope of my practice includes treating most psychiatric conditions including, ADHD, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism and Asperger Spectrum Disorders), Oppositional Defiant D/O, Conduct D/O, Anorexia, Bipolar D/O, Generalized Anxiety D/O, Separation/Social Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Panic D/O, OCD, PTSD, Addiction, Amnesia, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective D/O, Somatization D/O, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Substance Abuse, Substance Dependence and Suboxone treatment for opioid addiction.
(904) 513-2897
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Verified by Psychology Today
Renato Romero
Psychiatrist, MD
"I feel strongly that working with families is crucial for the health and well-being of our children, especially those struggling with challenges. I believe in a team approach, the family knows the child better than I will. They live day in and day out with this child who may have adjustment or attention problems, be oppositional, struggling with anxiety or depression, victims of trauma and/or abuse, and/or dealing with grief. I am here to help not only the child, but the family deal with these problems, understand them and work together towards making the child's and the family's life better.
(904) 474-3646
Verified by Psychology Today
Allison Dejarnatt
Psychiatric Nurse, ARNP-BC
"Hello. My name is Allison and I am a Board Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. I am certified through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) to treat adults of all ages. I look forward to meeting with you to help you through the challenging times you might be facing right now. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse or mood disorders, I welcome the opportunity to help.
(904) 513-2895
Verified by Psychology Today
Reham Alber Adib Sadek
Psychiatrist, MD
"Congratulation!! If you are reading this, you have successfully taken the first step in the right direction!! You are here for a reason and I am glad you are. May be you searching for answers, or finally decided to pay better attention to yourself and getting the help you deserve, or may be you simply need a doctor to oversee your psychiatric care. Even if you just want to "talk to somebody" and get some pressure off your chest.
(813) 699-4756
Verified by Psychology Today
Sharon Lettsome
Psychiatrist, PA-C
"Hi, My name is Sharon Lettsome, and I'm a Jacksonville native. I graduated as the valedictorian of my class and went on to study at Florida A&M University. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Biology, while maintaining magna cum laude status. I decided to explore the medical field more seriously and worked as a direct care provider at St. Vincent's Hospital for several years, starting in 2005. In 2008, I successfully obtained my Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. As part of my program, I completed a psychiatry clerkship with Baptist Medical Center.
(904) 572-1909
Verified by Psychology Today
David Moss
Psychiatrist, MD
"As a Board Certified Psychiatrist, I understand the many pressures that we face in today's society. I provide a gentle, non intrusive approach to assisting you with recognizing your strengths and minimizing your weakness. I speak from personal experience when I say that I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the "shoulds" and "should nots" of today.
(904) 342-6854
No more Medicaid Psychiatrists in Florida (FL) - try other Psychiatrists below
Verified by Psychology Today
Brett Negin
Psychiatrist, MD
"I treat children, adolescents, and adults. Please visit my website www.coralspringspsychiatrist.com for more information. The office is centrally located to residents of Broward and Palm Beach Counties, including Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
(954) 590-0382
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
Verified by Psychology Today
Sandra Jaffe Colvett
Psychiatric Nurse, EdD, ARNP, CNS-BC, CAP, SAP
"My private practice is incorporated in the name of Namaste One that means "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." This is a way of saying "I recognize that we are all equal." The ability to impart Hope to individuals who have the courage to seek treatment has been the greatest gift I have received from over 30 years experience as a board certified psychotherapist, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatry and addictions professional. I work in collaboration with each patient to help bring positive changes and a greater sense of meaning in their life.
(772) 202-2923
Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34984
Verified by Psychology Today
Carter A. Pottash
Psychiatrist, MD, DLFAPA
"Dr. Pottash is a psychopharmacologist/psychiatrist in Palm Beach, just across the bridge from downtown West Palm Beach. The author/co-author of over 120 research publications, he is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York University and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Trained at Yale for medical school and residency, he treats all psychiatric conditions, but his special interests are in depression, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, ADD/ADHD, and dual diagnosis substance abuse. Treatment begins with an evaluation of at least 60 minutes, taking a fresh look at diagnosis and treatment and considering tests to rule out medical causes.
(561) 291-6372
Palm Beach, Florida 33480
Verified by Psychology Today
Mariana Delgado
Psychiatrist, MD, BA
"Do you often find yourself overwhelmed and stressed out? Tired of battling with depression and anxiety? When you've tried to seek help in the past, have you felt that your concerns were not adequately addressed? Dr. Delgado maintains a cozy, warm and welcoming office in the quaint and tranquil City of Safety Harbor. She prides herself on giving her patients the gift of time. You will not feel rushed in her presence. During your session you will be given enough time to express your concerns and you will leave feeling heard, understood, and respected.
(727) 233-5312
Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
Verified by Psychology Today
Marcia Susan Starkman
Psychiatric Nurse, MSN, RN, PMHCNS, BC
"I am a warm, compassionate Nurse Psychotherapist in private practice for 17 years, doing ONLY "talk therapies." NO MEDICATIONS OR PRESCRIPTIONS! I have (inpatient) hospital & outpatient experience. I'll see you in my office, your home or workplace, or a "neutral location." Choose online or telephone counseling (IM, e-mail, Skype), if you're a traveler, student, or business person. I specialize in women; reproductive mental health (PMDD, PMAD, infertility, menopause) depression, anxiety & mood disorders, relationships, coping & life transitions, body image issues, travelers' concerns, nurses & stress. You've taken the first step! Admitting that you need help is the hardest part.
(954) 687-0586
Hallandale, Florida 33009
Verified by Psychology Today
Stella M Estruch
Psychiatrist, MD, PhD, Psychia
"Every client deserves the attention and treatment specific to their needs to allow them to be at their most functional state in society and in the privacy of their homes. It is my life's goal to educate, empower and assist each individual patient and/or family to achieve their goals and to equip them with the necessary tools to make positive and important changes in life.
(305) 760-9869
Verified by Psychology Today
Judith Castro-Golden
Psychiatrist, MD
"I have been in private practice in Coral Gables for eight years, previously I was an Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami School of Medicine. During which time, I served as Medical Director of the Adult Outpatient Clinics at Jackson Memorial Hospital(JMH). I completed my Psychiatry Residency at JMH and served as Chief Resident my last year. I also completed a Pediatric Residency. I received my Medical Degree from the University of South Florida and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry.
(786) 574-9257
Coral Gables, Florida 33143
Verified by Psychology Today
Caryn B Schorr
Psychiatrist, MD
"I specialize in therapy with or without medication for the treatment of depression, anxiety, relationship issues, difficulties with school or job, obsessions, anger, and other complaints. My goal is to help patients understand themselves better and live more fulfilling lives.
(561) 303-2307
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Verified by Psychology Today
Juandalyn Peters
Psychiatrist, MD
"Are you happy with your life: your career, your relationships, and the way you feel about yourself? If not, then it may be time for us to talk. I can help you to overcome problems with sadness, worrying, stress and difficult past experiences that are holding you back. Whether you are a child, adolescent or adult, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can help determine the cause of your struggles. Then, we will work together using talk therapy and/or medications to help you get back on the road to a happy and successful life. Compassionate care will help you get there!
(786) 373-1676
Verified by Psychology Today
Mark De Luca
Psychiatrist, MD
"I specialize in General and Forensic Psychiatry, I am part of an exceptional team, which operates three state-of-the-art offices offering an individualized treatment approach using psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment. All general psychiatric conditions can be treated to include; depression, bipolar, anxiety, obsessive compulsive and personality disorders. Substance abuse issues are also treated in an office-based setting with a significant success rate at maintaining sobriety through our treatment approach.
(561) 299-3079
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411
Verified by Psychology Today
Joseph E Haas
Psychiatrist, MD
"I treat all psychiatric conditions for patients of all ages (2-99), specializing in mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual problems and sleep disorders as well as emotional, behavioral, and neuropsychiatric problems from ADHD to dementia. I have expertise in all subtypes of addiction treatment, including treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, sexual addictions, or gambling addictions. I am licensed to prescribe Suboxone (a tremendous recent advancement in treating narcotic addiction).
(727) 723-2442
Clearwater, Florida 33761
Verified by Psychology Today
Keith Vennum
Psychiatrist, MD, LMHC
"I work with adults 18 and above with special interests are Men's issues, sexual identity issues (especially unwanted same sex attraction and conflicts with religious beliefs) addictions (especially narcotic addiction), parents concerned about gay issues in children. I am a Christian but use a collaborative approach to counseling, incorporating client goals and value systems. My approach is intuitive, warm and engaging. Counseling helps one to identify the patterns relied on when dealing with others and with ourselves. By understanding these patterns and the behaviors they foster, individuals can be empowered to facilitate change and find remarkable levels of fulfillment.
(407) 792-2993
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701
Psychiatrists: 1 to 8
Medicaid Psychiatrists
Are you looking for a Florida (FL) Medicaid Psychiatrist? These Florida (FL) Psychiatrists accept Medicaid insurance. They include Medicaid Psychiatrists in Florida (FL), Medicaid psychologists and Medicaid counseling. Please check with A Florida (FL) Psychiatrist who accepts Medicaid before confirming an appointment to ensure that you are eligible.
About Psychiatrists, meds and Psychiatric Nurses.
A Psychiatrist in Florida (FL) is a qualified medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health issues and diagnosable disorders.
Florida (FL) Psychiatrists differ from other mental health professionals in that they may prescribe medication or psychotropics. Psychiatrists may conduct physical examinations, order and interpret lab tests and brain image scans, such as CT scans, CAT Scans and MRIs.
Some psychiatric practitioners in Florida (FL) specialize in age groups (so check for Florida (FL) child psychiatrists or adolescent psychiatrists in Florida (FL)). Those who work with the elderly are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists.
Other related specialties include psychopharmacology (certain states license Psychopharmacologists), psychiatric genetics and neuroimaging.
Psychiatric nurses in Florida (FL), or mental health nurses, specialize in nursing care for people with mental illness or mental distress. Florida (FL) Psychiatric nurses receive training in psychological therapies (such as CBT), building therapeutic alliance with clients and dealing with challenging behavior. Importantly, they are trained to administer psychiatric medication (or 'psychiatric meds') and, in very limited ways, to prescribe meds.
Nurses monitor for side effects and responses to medical treatments and offer information on meds so that clients can make informed choices about their use.


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The WIAA voted unanimously Thursday to enact new player contact rules during high school football practices.
The regulations will take effect this fall and address the issue of the dangers of head injuries.
During the meeting in Stevens Point, the Board of Control ruled player on player contact was defined into five types using existing definitions: air, bags, wrap, thud, and live/full.
The five types of contact were divided into two categories: Drill (air, bags, and wrap) contact and Competition/Full (thud & live/full) contact.
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Wonderful Birthday lunch
- Overall
- Food/Drink
- Ambience
- Value
- Service
Came here for lunch during weekday to celebrate mother in law's birthday. Apart from the dim sum, we also tried some of their signature dishes like baked escagot, wasabi prawn, peking duck and avocado cream. The food was great. We were served by a waitress called Joy. Her service level was impeccable. While she was guiding me to the toilet and asking how was the food, I mentioned to her we were celebrating for my MIL's birthday. When having dessert, Joy gave my MIL the birthday cake and 2 roses. Shortly, the captain also wished my MIL happy birthday. My MIL told us she was pleasantly surprised.
I spent $50 per person.
Must tries: Wasabi Prawns, dim sum, Avocado dessert
- I also recommend this place for:
- Birthdays
I added 4 photos
0 people found this review helpful
Was it helpful to you? Yes


text:
This is the online community conversation and resources space for Education 250: Literacies and Education, a course in the Bryn Mawr/Haverford Education Program taught by Professor Alice Lesnick [1]. Please feel free to join us -- via individual and course blogs and mico-blogs (via Twitter) -- as we explore literacy learning as a process of ongoing personal, cultural, and political negotiation and invention among and across people's ways with words. The focal contexts of our studies will be the U.S. and West Africa, specifically Northern Ghana, where some of us will travel over spring break as part of the interdisciplinary cluster of courses making up 360: Learning and Narrating Childhoods.
Course Syllabus
About the Learning and Narrating Childhoods 360
[3] [4]
Twitter feed
[4] [5]
About Titagya Schools and Ghana
[5] [6]
Class Trip Blog [7]
Interactive Blogging: Reflections, Connections, Questions, and Information
Tweeting from your phone [8]
One of the cool things about using Twitter in a class setting is that it allows you to continue the discussion outside the classroom. For people whose phones have Twitter apps or web access this is pretty easy but you may not have realized that you can also use a regular cell phone to submit and read tweets.
Twitter has an FAQ on phones [12] and also a Getting Started Guide for Twitter via SMS [13].
In a nutshell here's how you register your phone to your Twitter account and start tweeting via SMS:
- OliviaC's blog [14]
- Add new comment [15]
- Read more [8]
Lugones, Whitman, Cixous, (Gee).... [16]
Gee's theory that discourses speak through people is really striking to me. We are channels for discourses, and are capable of shaping and changing them. After reading and discussing in class María Lugones' "Playfulness, 'World'-Travelling, and Loving Perception," I started seeing connections between plurality of self, agency of actions, and the damaging qualities of hierarchical thinking; this reading, combined with Gee's ideas of agency of discourse, are closely tied to two of some of my favorite texts, poet Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" as well as poststructuralist writer Hélène Cixous' "The Laugh of the Medusa." Among all of these texts, ideas of plurality ("inhabiting different worlds" at the same time), "playfulness" as a rejection of hierarchy and patriarchal thinking, and being "survival rich" speak to each other in many striking ways.
- Riley's blog [17]
- 1 comment [18]
- Read more [16]
The Social Construction of Literacy [19]
In Gee's article, he broke down literacy in terms of being able to control our discourses. He discussed the social construction of literacy and how it is not simply a matter of the ability to read and write. I found that it was extremely important to make this distinction and to recognize there are many different types of literacies. However, I feel it is also essential to acknowledge the power that reading and writing hold. As liberal arts college students taking an education course, we recognize the value in all types of literacies but the average person automatically associates literacy with reading and writing. Schools are determined to be good or bad based on their test scores in reading and writing. In my sociology course, Problems in the Natural and Built Enviornment, we discussed how many things are social constructions but that doesn't make the consequences of them any less real. A student may be literate in terms of music or social skills, but if they lack the ability to read or write, they will be significantly disadvantaged compared to students who can. Our society places different values on different types of literacies, giving agency and power to those who posess valued literacies. It makes me wonder how we can change the system; how can we make major structural changes to ensure equality.
- abeardall's blog [20]
- 1 comment [21]
- Read more [19]
Optimism or Realism [22]
Throughout the last two weeks, I often think of the ideas of realism and optimism. It was Pim's reading "To Hell With Good Intentions" that I first began thinking of these ideas more coherently. Good intentions can be measured through optimism and realism. There is a certain amount that outside forces can contribute to a community before changing the underlying structure of the community. In the idealistic event that this should occur, the contribution can be measured in both optimism and realism. However, as Ivan Illich implies, there are no true good intentions. There can be optimistic intentions, usually those that cause tremendous change followed by tremendous downfall. On the other hand there are realistic intentions, and those are usually the things that could be done, but are not becuase the "tremendous changes" are happening.
- Jenny Chen's blog [23]
- 1 comment [24]
- Read more [22]
Memorizing vs Reading [25]
In the Literacy and Development reading Pat Herbert and Clinton Robinson describe a scene from a Muslim religious tradition in which people are holding cards with prayers written on them but none of them can actually read the cards; they have memorized the prayers instead. Further investigation found that the people believed the actual words themselves to be sacred and therefore having them in their hands was important even if they could not read the words. This reminds me of my field placement in a first grade classroom. I was working with a boy struggling to learn to read. The teacher had given me a stack of books the boy had been working on all year. I let him pick which book he wanted to read. He picked it and read it better than I have ever heard him read before. He picked another and again I was impressed at how much he had improved since my last visit a month ago. I even told the teacher about how much he had grown in that time. The next week I picked the book for him. It was one I had not seen before which meant it was the most recent book he had been reading. He struggled. He did not know most of the words, making most of them up as he went along. He even said, "I don't know this one." It was clear to me that he had read the other books so many times he had memorized them. I thought he had really improved his reading but in fact he had just memorized the words and so could "read" them quickly. But it made me wonder, is reading the words actually any better than simply memorizing the stories?
- m.steinfeld's blog [26]
- 1 comment [27]
- Read more [25]
Literacyl [28]
I was thinking last class about the necessity of literacy in the language of power (the language that those in power speak). The examples of Haitian history and of Native American control over land came to mind. "Haitian history" was originally written and claimed by the French colonizers and written in the French language that many Haitians were not literate in. Through the power of the written word, colonizers wrote the history of people, and ignored the ugliness of slavery and slaughter of native Haitians. Haitian history was not for the Haitian people and did not represent the Haitian people but rather it was for and represented the elite.
- kayari's blog [29]
- 1 comment [30]
- Read more [28]
Redefining [31]
One of the most interesting parts of learning new literacies is defining all of the terms. I love that sometimes, when I'm introducing a new concept to someone, I have to dig deep into my understanding of that concept to find the most fundamental vocabulary. I love the necessity for analogy--for us to figure out how to relate new terms to those we already know. And then there are the terms that take on new meanings in different contexts.
For my Music Ed class, I am learning how to tango. I know pretty much nothing right now, and my assignment for the week is to practice walking everywhere. The tango walk has so many components that I don't have to think about in "normal" walking--lean forward; connect with yourself, the space, the floor, the music, and your partner; extend; cover more distance; be a broom. But still, when I think about it, I am just adding to a specific definition of walking.
- allisonletts's blog [32]
- 1 comment [33]
- Read more [31]
Tweeting and Identity [34]
In looking at the tweets and conversations this week, I have made a few observations. First off, I would like to recall the tweets regarding bridging academics and personal experiences in the classroom as a means of learning. Something I am finding particularly useful about the Twitter is that it is allowing us to, at some extent, create these bridges. Though our experiences are held to a 140-character limit, it does allow us to bring what we observe, notice, feel, etc., in a precise moment into the classroom. Questions via Twitter also serve as a basis for further inquiry, such as the questions regarding code-switching and world-travelling. These questions, and the ones that are generated in class provide a framework and basis for thought, in and out of the classroom, leading us to form more experiences with the mindset and understanding of what we accomplish in the classroom.
- vvaria's blog [36]
- 1 comment [37]
- Read more [34]
Illiteracy and Ignorance [38]
At the end of class last week, I found myself feeling uncomfortable with the way the class was using the term "illiterate." As we are all working to expand our definitions of literacy, I think it is important to keep in mind how we're using related terms. I really like the idea that literacy goes beyond the ability to read and write to encompase having knowledge or competency in an area but does that mean that being illiterate is the opposite of that? While I'm comfortable with the fact that I am not literate in all areas, I'm not comfortable with the idea that not being literate in an area means that you are illiterate. I'm also interested with the connection between illiteracy and ignorance. Are they connected? If only in the sense that both words seem to have very negative connotations with me despite the fact that they shouldn't be neccessarily negative. For me, ignorance is not knowing and I think given my previous definition of literacy one could say that being illiterate is not knowing. However, I think illiterate is used in a much broader sense than ignorance. For example, I think the way I have been thinking about the terms, one can easily be ignorant about part of a culture or lifestyle or any number of things. However, if you are illiterate, it isn't just one part of a culture or lifestyle but its the whole culture. I think it is easiest to understand in terms of language.
- ckenward's blog [39]
- 1 comment [40]
- Read more [38]
Defining Literacy [41]
It's interesting to see the definition of literacy develop and how they vary, whether within my own definitions, external definitions, or dictionary definitions. The definition of literacy in its most basic and most well known meaning is: "the ability to read and write". The definition on my computer goes on to note a second explanation: "competence or knowledge in a specified area".
My own working definition that I wrote down in class on Tuesday was, "the way we interact with one another, how we communicate and understand each other". In a way it seems that there are two distinctive forms of "literacy", as the ability to read and write are very specific skills, but broadening the definition to include competence in any area makes the former definition seem redundant. Part of me continues to work out a definition for "literacy" that makes sense within our discourse. But maybe it is that the class will be incorporating literacy in all its forms.
The revised definition that came out of our small group discussion was: "a way to manipulate secondary discourses to give one agency". In a way it reverberates my original, working definition but also expands on it. This definition also seems a bit removed from that which sees literacy as simply "the ability to read and write", all of which serve to complicate and clarify my understanding of literacy as we discuss it in class.
- ashley's blog [43]
- 1 comment [44]
Social Illiteracy [45]
Since my post last Social skills, cognition, and emotional intelligence fall under the category of social literacy. Social literacy can be associated with an individual's ability to connect with the people around them. Would someone be considered socially illiterate if they cannot express their ideas in a way that people can understand? I don't think being coherent and being literate are the same terms. I think someone can completely understand what is going on around them but they cannot express their ideas because they are incoherent. I think that using literacy as an umbrella for multiple capabilities is limiting in a way. By saying someone is illiterate socially or musically, it promotes the assumption that they have absolutely no skills in that area. When the words literate or illerate come to my mind, I assume black and white. Either someone is completely capable, or completely incapable. There is no grey area. That is why I don't think describing someone as socially illiterate is an appropriate term for a person with some sort of social disorder.
- lgleysteen's blog [46]
- 1 comment [47]
Arrogance [48]
When I was working at Haffner the other day, I was making Nigerian Banana Chicken. While I was scooping banana mush onto the chicken, several different full time staff passed. The chef I was working with talked to another full time staff member who was from Africa, though not Nigeria, if he recognized the use to bananas with meat. This staff member found the concept foreign as well. Later on, the staff member approached the manager asking why we did not have African soup for the African bar. He complained that the African bar had no foods that he identified as African. He said that these were still American foods. We found out further on in the conversation that the recipes are found on the Internet for the African bar at Haffner.
- elchiang's blog [49]
- 3 comments [50]
- Read more [48]
Third Spaces [51]
I have been not so keen on spending this time on twitter and fairly unenthusiastic about twitter as a constant form of communication. I definitely see the benefits of it, and if I had an iphone or something similar maybe I would feel more in the loop with the ability to see the whole twitter website, but I am feeling like it is difficult to be constantly engaging in this online way of communication. All of this is true, but Emily's tweet "really enjoying the "third spaces" of this 360- as in conversations that are not strictly social OR class related" helped me realize the potential of twitter! (thanks, Emily!) I really like the idea of creating spaces that merge different topics, interests, and situations; clearly Twitter has the power to constantly engage our class in a way that cannot be achieved just in the classroom. Recently, I have read articles for anthropology classes that describe the concept of "third spaces". Both Asaf Bar Tura's "The Coffeehouse as a Public Sphere: Brewing Social Change" and Ray Oldenburg's "The Good Place: Cafes, Coffeeshops, and Book stores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community" address the idea of third spaces as physical places for social interaction that bridge separate spheres. I hadn't considered the potential for third spaces to exist in other forms beside as locations. Viewing twitter as a possible space that bridges different communities and thought processes has helped me move past considering twitter as only a form of informal electronic conversation.
- kwyly's blog [52]
- 2 comments [53]
- Read more [51]
"Writing White" [54]
"...if our option is for (wo)man, education is cultural action for freedom..." ---Paulo Freire Saturday, I began my first day on the job as a MAST writing tutor to high school students excited at the chance to be a resource and mentor to four brilliant, students of color. Not wanting to impose, as Ivan Illich would say, my views around education, teaching, and, of course, literacy, I gave my students the freedom to design the writing curriculum and classroom space.I was very pleased with the outcome! My students wanted to learn how to write resumes, research papers, SAT prompts, and to write poetry! I was extremely impressed, not because their answers were not expected, but because I definitely did not worry so much about these things my freshman year of high school. Before the start of class, I had been instructed by my superiors to collect writing samples from my students. And so, on a topic of their choice, they each wrote a one page argumentative paper. However, when reading their writing samples, I became incredibly sad and discouraged as a tutor. My kids, who knew what was expected of them academically and even professionally, did not know how to write "well." It was more than grammar and spelling (these areas could be worked on easily), it was the style, the flow, the tone, the words used in their writing that I knew would be looked down upon in higher education. They had not mastered what one of my students had labeled as, "white writing."
- couldntthinkofanoriginalname's blog [57]
- 3 comments [58]
- Read more [54]
Intro to twitter [59]
*had trouble getting on to serendip so here the first blog post!
- kwyly's blog [52]
- 3 comments [60]
- Read more [59]
What's the origin? [61]
In thinking about, expanding and revising my current conceptions of literacy, I have come to question just why it matters so much, or more specifically where the necessity came from. Obviously in this day and age it matters. It matters who speaks the "dominant" language; it matters who speaks it in the "right way;" it matters who will not ever have the chance. As we have learned, literacy and power, colonialism, patriarchy and oppression are all interrelated, always. You cannot separate "cultural capital" from the conception of using language "correctly" and thus effectively. During class we have begun critiquing the power structures and hierarchies that are so intrinsic within our system, the mentalities that are so central to the debate over literacy and the need to define one particular "right" way. We acknowledge that such necessities exist. My question is—why? Where does this need to hierarchize come from? Is it a western, white, patriarchal ideal—simply because those are the people who benefit? Something that these people devised and managed to convince the rest of the world to buy into? Or is the competition somehow more central to human nature universally? Perhaps harkening back to the survival of the fittest mentality. Today we live by a series of rules, constraints that determine who has power and who does not. But who originally had the ability to decide that their way was the right way? Who came up with the definitions in the first place? I have no answers to these questions but I am curious.
- HannahB's blog [62]
- 2 comments [63]
- Read more [61]
Arrogant Perception [64]
- Understanding the Arrogant Persepction
I want to understand this term used by Maria Lugones by first putting emphasis on the word perception instead of the word arrogant which is its descriptor. When first trying to understand this term, I began by discussing the word arrogant before the word perception and my understanding of the text became confusing. However, when putting the emphasis on perception it is easier to begin thinking about how this applies at large to feminist epistemology, colonialism, power, education, etc. despite each of these entities being at times very different from one another. However, they all relate in the sense that how we perceive the world, our perception of the world is colored by hegemonic ideologies that are created and reproduced by people with power. As sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses in his book, The Power Elite, it is the select few with the most cultural, social and monetary capital that create the hegemonic perspective. Ordinary people, the majority of people, except a small population of the intellectual bourgeoisie, as Pierre Bourdieu discusses, consumes thoughts with little doubt or reflection as to who created these ideals and beliefs and for what reasons. The word arrogant then makes more sense in that those who have the power to create perspective, shape them, infiltrate them are those who are arrogant.
- miaashley's blog [65]
- 1 comment [66]
- Read more [64]
Dagbani language learning resources [67]
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any more Dagbani language learning videos than the ones that Allison already links in her blog post [5] (and it looks like you watched in class this week).
UCLA phonetics lab has an audio archive entry [70] for Dagbani, but it is geared toward documenting the language not teaching a non-speaker.
I did find print resources that might be helpful... with the hefty caveat that since Dagbani, like many sub-saharan African languages, is tonal you really need to physically hear the spoken pronunciations to make progress with the language. In any case, here they are:
Sorry I wasn't able to locate more!
- OliviaC's blog [14]
- 1 comment [73]
What is neutral about language? [74]
Chimamanda Adiche's talk "The Danger of a Single Story" spoke to the discomfort I have recently wrestled with in terms of my own upbringing as a middle-class, white girl; my battle to acknowledge the single story the media, my teachers, our government, religion and so many other facets of my life have taught me unintentionally. Whether it be on a global scale such as Adiche's experience with expectations of a single African story and the token "third-world woman" too often noted by anthropologists or at the local level, one school to the next, via class or color, the single story does exist and is used to create structural barriers, while simultaneously allowing those in power to happily claim moral neutrality at the hands of a biased system. Lemke's reading spoke to this juxtaposition, showing how language standardization has been assumed both necessary and desirable, creating a means to attain and justify power that is neither fair nor essential: "The policy of language standardization seems culturally and politically neutral only if we deny that differences in linguistic codes have evolved to reflect differences in the lifeways, social practices, and interests of different communities and social groups" (Lemke, 2). Lemke's point here and throughout the article is critical, acknowledging that an emphasis on written standard English, a strain that is not spoken or used by anyone, creates a divide and gives an unfair advantage to those whose dialect is closest to the written word—typically those already in power.
- HannahB's blog [62]
- 1 comment [75]
- Read more [74]
Some Twitter tools for making sense of conversations [76]
Several people have noticed, and I am feeling it myself as well, that it can be challenging to follow particular conversations within our #BMCed250 [78] hashtag on Twitter. When Twitter hashtags are used at discrete real-time events (like in-class, at conferences, the scheduled #edchat, etc.) conversations are easier to follow because all the participants are attending to the Tweets at the same time. With our class we're using the #BMCed250 hashtag to converse over a longer span of time and asynchronously (without all necessarily seeing all the tweets simultaneously), so particular conversations within the hashtag are a little more difficult to manage.
Anyway, here are a few tools/techniques I found that might help you sort it all out if you are finding things chaotic:
Within Twitter
https://support.twitter.com/articles/20169582-what-s-where-in-twitter-s-new-design#conversations [79]
- OliviaC's blog [14]
- Add new comment [80]
- Read more [76]


text:
- Created 6/7/11 by Crraziegirl
Posted by Crraziegirl This lovely, thick and rich frosting is great to work with, crusts well and has been a favourite of all my friends and those who have asked for cakes to be made. This is what I frosted the 3 tier chocolate cake with pink roses (I added some brown food colouring to darken the brown of the frosting on that cake)For a vegan frosting use a vegan marg and water can be used in place of the milk with little change in flavour. All measurements are US cup sizes.Ingredients1/2 cup butter 1/3 cup light Karo syrup (or Golden syrup) 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp.... read more


text:
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Monday, September 15, 2014 6:00PM CORRECTED
161 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke
Conference Room
Ljuba Marsh, Charles Hopkins, Tom Weiner, Priscila Baez, Rafael Burgos-Mirabel, Bob Brick, Lillian Miranda, Heyda Martinez, Janet Sheppard
The quorum was called at 6:05
For Public Comment Janet Sheppard, President of Igualdad presented details of the November 10th fundraiser.
Also, Rafael Burgos-Mirabel introduced himself. He is from UMASS and had a possible interest in working with our school.
The minutes of the May and June meetings were considered. MOTION: Tom Weiner made the motion to accept both minutes as presented. Second by Charles Hopkins. VOTE:| Unanimous YES
It was decided that November 1st from 8:30AM until 1PM will be our full Board Retreat. Lillian, Bob, Tom and Ljuba volunteered to be on the committee to set the agenda for the retreat day.
The parents reported on the meeting they held with the parent group last week. They discussed their plans to have a Potluck at their next meeting and to have a bake sale the night of the upcoming open house. They also discussed the process for choosing new Parent Representatives to the Board for next month.
The staff reported on the "calmness" they were seeing so far this year, with the successful implementation of the new NO CELL PHONE policy, and the renewed strictness concerning our uniform policy. They appreciated the early access to IEPs this year, as we have been more successful getting the reports from other schools. They reported that many children with "discipline problems" in their old schools were doing very well here.
Heyda reported that the Evaluation of the Executive Director is continuing and would be finished soon.
Heyda reported that she was resigning as President of the Board, but would stay on as a member. Lillian Miranda, as Vice President will take over the duties for the next 2 months until we are able to elect new officers.
Heyda introduced the nomination of Tom Gardiner, which was made by Tom Weiner, as a new community member on the Board. A motion was made by Ljuba Marsh and seconded by Bob Brick to accept Tom Gardiner as a new member. Heyda reminded the Board how important it is to have a diverse Board that represents our student body. VOTE: Unanimous YES
The Board then discussed the candidacy of Theresa Austin as a new community member. It was agreed that at this time we do not have a space on the Board for another educator, as we only have one spot and need some more varied skills. Lillian agreed to meet with Bob to draft an appropriate response to her.
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
161 Lower Westfield Rd, Holyoke
Board Meeting
Room 101
June 9, 2014 6PM-8:25PM
In attendance:
Bob Brick, Charles Hopkins, Heyda Martinez, Ljuba Marsh, Hazel Rosario, Eric Frary, Vero Gonzalez,
Note taker: Jaq Tuttle (9th grade English teacher)
Review of May Meeting Notes:
Charles Hopkins made a motion to add the fact that we agreed to submit a new Technology Loan at our last meeting.
A number of members felt that there were some important points left out of the discussion in the last minutes, especially in regard to staff issues.
Bob suggested we table this discussion until he goes back to amend the minutes. We can review the amended minutes at a future meeting.
Discussion: Vero Gonzalez. NYT Article: "Who gets to Graduate?" by Paul Tough
Parent's Report:
Parents are concerned about the use of cell phones by students. They would like all use eliminated. After much discussion Ljuba suggested we include students, parents and teachers in a more in depth discussion and report back to the Board. It was agree Jaq would get teachers to participate, Hazel would get parents and teachers, and Ljuba would get students and would convene a meeting.
Student Report:
No students present
Staff Report:
Vero reported on many concerns raised by the teachers about salaries and job security. There was much discussion about these and other issues including wage inequality between administrators and teachers. It was pointed out that at a Social Justice School we should be especially sensitive to this issue. It was agreed that Board members would meet directly with staff to discuss these and other issues.
Heyda, Dan Zuckerberg, Keith Purcell, & Lillian Miranda want to be on this committee and want to meet with teachers.
Old Business:
President's Report:
Heyda presented the resume of a possible new Board member. There was much discussion about why some Board members do not attend and what kind of new Board members we would like to add. We decided to table the discussion concerning the particular resume until we could engage in further discussion about membership and skills that we are looking for.
Finance Committee:
In Keith's absence Bob gave the financial report and shared the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet reports. The finance committee reviewed proposals from 3 vendors wanting to provide our audit. Bob Brick made a motion on the Committees behalf to hire Daniel Dennis and Company. Ljuba Marsh seconded the motion. VOTE: Unanimous in favor.
Principal's Report:
MCAS finished for our first year. Teachers & students are amazing. Good experience of people supporting each other during the test, 9th graders being exceptionally quiet, 10th graders took it seriously and did their best.
No results yet. Next year will be better because kids will have 2 years of learning with us before the MCAS, versus 7 months (this year)
Executive Director's Report:
Bob reported on the construction about to begin this Wednesday in the parking lot. The new building will be done by the end of July so construction should not interfere with our Summer Academy.
Our RFP for a permanent home is due July 15th. We will have a representative committee review it as required in the document.
Bob presented the draft accountability plan, which needs to be voted upon and submitted to the DESE this month. There was much discussion and a few amendments suggested. Bob made a motion to accept the Plan as amended. Second by Ljuba. VOTE: Unanimous in favor.
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
161 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke
Board Meeting
Room 101
Monday, May 12, 2014 6-8 p.m. AMENDED
Present: Bob Brick, Ljuba Marsh, Mayra DeJesus, Vero Gonzalez, Melanie Diaz, Lillian Miranda, Heyda Martinez, Keith Purcell, Janet Sheppard, Tom Weiner, Hazel Rosario, Priscilla Baez, Owen Fogg, Charles Hopkins
1.) Public Comment: Janet, President of Igualdad, mentioned an upcoming fundraising event. Major event fundraiser will take place at the Log Cabin. Monday, November 10th (Day before Veterans Day no school following day.)
Goal: 400 people (Donors) ; 10 People per table ; 40 Tables
Business Goal: $2,500 per table
Per Person: $100-250 (*May vary +/-)
Evening will look something like this…
Bob and Ljuba talk about school accomplishments Etc.
Student's view/experience
Short request for donations
Sing for Bob's B-Day
Heyda M. suggested "band" could maybe be a cultural event/community event maybe a local celeb?
** Free to attend, MUST donate. **
2.) Review and acceptance of minutes from April Board Meeting: Motion Approved
3.) Discussion – Vero Gonzalez. This discussion was tabled until the June meeting.
4.) Parent's Report: Hazel Rosario reported that: "I have really seen the difference in students from the beginning to now, and how they have shown a lot of growth."
Mayra DeJesus. added, "I have worked in Springfield as well as Holyoke Public schools, and there is no place like this one it is the best; to work for/with people that care so much. I love this place."
5.) Student Report: Ljuba- Spirit Week is June 16-20th Week View: Mon-Wed = Dress Up, Field Day, activities, Etc. Thursday = Reflection Friday = Field Day. Myracles G. (a student) added: "Coming to this school has really boosted my confidence, and self-esteem."
Staff Report: Teachers expressed interest in having Board visit school more, also requested an update on the Social Justice Committee mentioned a few months ago. Ljuba suggested a subcommittee specifically for Social Justice that will uphold standards for SJ in school. It will include staff, teachers, and parents. Motion to set meeting for a SJ committee. Motion approved .Meeting pending date. (before end of school year)
Charles- Brought a suggestion before the board: What makes this a social Justice school? There should be Involvement in the community, SJ mission that not only prepares our students academically but, prepares our students for public speaking, Etc. Should it be a requirement to graduate? Ljuba mentioned it is already a requirement to graduate for 11th, and 12th graders to take public speaking. Parent reps. agree with the mission, but not that it should be a requirement. Teacher rep. feels some students have already been doing this.
Motion to approve calendar 2014-2015- Motion Approved
SPED REPORT, Charles: The mission of SPED is to help students, and families become more independent. Students are a part of the IEP meetings they are encouraged to engage, and speak for themselves. Accommodations will be provided according to the needs of the individual students. The schools mission to prepare students for four-year College.
President: Jose Irizarry resigned for personal reasons, resumes are being accepted.
Finance Committee Report: FY15 budget Discussion Motion to pass budget, as well as for Bob, and Keith to work with Mass Development on the terms of a new payment schedule and a new tech loan not to exceed 100K for the next school year. Motion Approved. Note: The discussion included an awareness that our teacher salaries need to be an important consideration.
Principal Report: Brief MCAS – Students came in with little to no skill, teachers have worked hard to teach this during school, as well as after school. - Tabled (Will be continued next meeting…)
11.) Executive Director's Report- Tabled
Meeting Adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Submitted by Melanie Diaz
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Monday, April 7, 2014 6-8PM
161 Lower Westfield Road
Room 101
Present: Bob Brick, Charles Hopkins, Lilian Santiago Bauza, Jose Irizarry, Cynthia Gonzalez, Tom Weiner, Lillian Miranda, Vero Gonzalez, Priscilla Baez, Hazel Rosario, Marcus Rosario, Samantha Correa
Absent: Ljuba Marsh, Heyda Martinez, Keith Purcell, Dan Zuckergood
1. Public Comment: Samantha Correa talked about the spring dance at the War Memorial Auditorium on Thursday the 17th. A suggestion was made to possibly have end of day announcements at 10 to 4:00PM
2. Review and acceptance of minutes from March Board Meeting:
Motion by: Jose Irizzary, Second by Priscilla Baez. Vote: Unanimous in favor.
3. Discussion: None (Heyda out sick). Vero Gonzalez offered to bring material for next meeting's discussion.
4. Parent's Report: Concerns reported about Academic Support and the SPED department not living up to promised levels. Lack of continuity within the essentials staff cited. The need for more diverse staff reflecting the color and ethnicity percentage of the student body was discussed. The question of emails not being sent out for Parents Meeting. Questions were posed about the Parent Portal & how to set up access. They also asked how to improve the after school program. The Board requested that Ljuba and Bob report back to the next Board meeting concerning SPED and diversity in hiring.
5. Student's Report: Tabled
6. Staff Report: None
7. Old Business: None
8. President's Report: None
9. Executive Director's Report: The draft 2014-2015 calendar was handed out. A question about Three Kings Day being on or off the calendar was discussed. A vote was tabled until the next meeting so that parents and students can get feedback about this issue. A proposal on behalf of Principal Ljuba Marsh, to have 2 more lotteries, one May 29 with the application deadline on May 22, and the other August 19, with applications due by the 15th. A motion to accept the proposal by Bob Brick, Second by Charles Hopkins, Vote: motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00PM
Submitted by Joanne Rose
Board Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2013
Present: Charles Hopkins, Vivian Pappas, Elaine Reall, Hazel Rosario, Keith Purcell, Ljuba Marsh, Bob Brick, Heyda Martinez
Absent: Dan Zukergood, Ruben Sepulveda, Lillian Miranda, Rhonda Soto, Ingrid Askew
Others Present: Staff: Kelly Lamberto, Vero Gonzalez, Ryan Ambuter, Nina Kunimoto, Eric Frary, John Letendre, Mayra DeJesus, Others: Meg Maccini, Sam Texidor (student), Irbian Codero, Amanda Cordero (student), Alex Vasquez, Ken Williams
Public Comment: Everyone new introduced himself or herself. Hazel thanked everyone for the students of Holyoke!
A motion was made to accept the Minutes of the February Meeting:
Motion: Ljuba Marsh
Second: Elaine Reall
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
A motion was made to accept the Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual to submit to the DESE for review and approval, as amended.
Motion: Elaine Reall
Second: Keith Purcell
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
A Motion was made to accept the Employee Handbook with amendments:
Motion: Elaine Reall
Second: Vivian Papas
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous Affirmative
A motion was made to authorize the Executive Director to submit the Proposed Bylaw Amendment, changing our regular meeting times for Submission, Review and approval by DESE
Motion: Keith Purcell
Second: Vivian Pappas
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
President's Report
Charles submitted the minutes from the Executive Director compensation subcommittee, and a copy of the proposed amended contract. He explained how the committee had reviewed the latest Charter School Salary Survey during it deliberations and negotiation. As the minutes indicated, the proposal puts the proposed salary in the lowest third of similar schools.
Elaine Reall talked about starting the salary being so low and how it might effect our valuing this position at a later date. In the future she suggested it should be closer to the median. Charles agreed and indicated that budgetary considerations during start-up were a significant determining factor.
A motion was made to accept the recommended contract extension for the Executive Director.
Motion: Vivian Pappas
Second: Hazel Rosario
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous of all voting members present with the Recusal of Bob Brick and Ljuba Marsh
Finance Committee Report:
The Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss versus Budget were distributed.
Treasurer Keith Purcell talked about the amended federal grant and draw down today.
A motion was made to authorize the Treasurer and Executive Director to negotiate with Peoples Bank on a credit line of up to 450,000.
Motion: Keith Purcell
Second: Heyda Martinez
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
A motion was made to authorize the Treasurer and Executive Director to apply for a technology dollars loan from Mass Development of up to $250,000
Motion; Keith Purcell
Second: Vivian Pappas
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
Discussion: Led by Ken Williams
Ken talked about the leadership article he shared with us (collective leadership). We all talked about our challenges in working with the "outside" community: opposition from city government, communication as a challenge and how frustration has made us stronger. Ken talked about all the strong leadership qualities he already saw in the room. We need to have a bucket of water and a bucket of oil: to put the fire out, and to fan the flames of success!
Executive Director's Report (attached)
Principal's Report (attached)
A motion was made to schedule an additional lottery for the purpose of adding to our waiting list for grades 9 and 10, to have a due date of April 18th, and Lottery date of April 23rd.
Motion: Ljuba Marsh
Second: Heyda Martinez
Vote: After discussion by those present: Unanimous affirmative
New Business:
Charles asked the Board to think about the problem we have of certain Board members who are not able to attend the Board Meetings on a regular basis. He talked about the possible creation of an advisory committee for those folks who are interested but cannot regularly attend. We will talk about this further at the next meeting.
Next meeting is April 18th at 5PM.
Motion to Adjourned at 7PM
Board Meeting Minutes
February 28, 2013
Charles Hopkins, Bob Brick, Ljuba Marsh, Keith Purcell, Vivian Pappas, Lillian Miranda, Ruben Supulveda,
Ryan Ambuter, Veronica Gonzalez, John Collura , Nina Kunimoto, Amanda Rodriquez(Student), Joanna Oleet, Katherine Gilbert-Espada, Michaela Litzner , Sam Texidor (Student)
Public Comment:
There was an introduction of all members present including proposed new staff members.
Social Justice Discussion:
Katherine Gilbert-Espada led this discussion because Ingrid Askew was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. He discussion centered on "Race and Prejudice".
Charles Hopkins reported that he had received the resignation of Jo-Ann Konieczny. There were no objections to accepting the resignation, with regrets.
Review of Minutes of the December Board Meeting
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the December Board meeting as presented by Keith Purcell.
Second: Lillian Miranda
Vote: Unanimous acceptance of those present.
Old Business:
President's Report:
Charles discussed the need to get our Board meetings on a regular schedule. After discussion it was agreed that the third Thursday of each month would work the best for all. It was also agreed that we would need to amend our bylaws to make this official.
The Third Thursday of month for all upcoming meetings is as follows:
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 20
Lillian Miranda made a motion to amend the bylaws as regards meeting dates in Section III(3).
Ljuba Marsh seconded the motion.
As amendments to the bylaws require prior notice Vivian Pappas made a motion to table. Ljuba Marsh seconded the motion.
This motion will be discussed and voted on at next meeting for submission to DESE.
Charles informed the Board about new charter school approvals from DESE and the impact of the cap on Holyoke. He suggested people read about it online and he hoped we would all support the state to raise the cap.
Finance Committee Report:
There was a question about the looming federal sequester and its impact on us. Bob shared the analysis that the Commissioner and the Charter School Association had distributed.
Treasurer Keith Purcell handed out and went over end of February report. (Attached). He stated that the Finance Committee is working on a dashboard report starting next month (hopefully), which will condense the important information and make it easier for all Board members to digest.
The Fiscal Policies Manual was distributed to the Board for review and a vote.
Motion: To authorize the Executive Director to submit this manual to DESE for review and approval: Vivian Pappas. Second: Ruben Sepulveda
Vote: To Table and vote at March meeting: Lillian Miranda, second by Ljuba Marsh. There was a unanimous vote of all present. It will be on Old Business next month.
The proposed Employee Handbook was handed out as well as "employee benefits at a glance". Bob went over the basics and why we can only offer this amount at this time. There was a suggestion to table a vote on the employee handbook until next meeting:
A motion was made by Vivian Pappas to accept the Benefits package as presented and to table a vote on the full handbook until the March meeting.
Lillian Miranda seconded the motion.
Vote: Unanimous acceptance by all present.
Principal's Report:
It was distributed and is attached. Ljuba went over the report and took questions and comments.
Executive Director Report:
Bob gave an update on the Federal Grant extension we just received.
Executive Director Contract Extension Discussion:
Motion: To authorize a subcommittee (Lillian, Keith and Charles) to negotiate a contract extension with Bob Brick: Vivian Pappas
Second: Lilliian Miranda
Vote: Unanimous of all present with recusal by Bob Brick and Ljuba Marsh.
Motion: To extend Bob's current contract on a per diem basis until authorization of his new contract: Vivian Pappas.
Second: Keith Purcell
Vote: Unanimous of all present with recusal by Bob Brick and Ljuba Marsh.
Motion to adjourn: 7:40PM
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2014 6-8PM
161 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke
Conference Room
Heyda Marinez, Keith Purcell, Bob Brick, Dan Zukergood, Tom Weiner, Charles Hopkins, Hazel Rosario, Priscilla Baez, Lillian Miranda, Lillian Santiago-Bauza, Amanda Rodriguez, Christina Cruz, Marcus Rosario
Not Present: Ingrid Askew, Vero Gonzalez, Ljuba Marsh
Others: Duver Gomez-Vega
Public Comment: Hazel spoke about Holyoke not supporting our basketball team by not providing gym space. Board members suggested some positive ideas on how to get more gym time from Holyoke schools. Lillian suggested the Board writes a formal request letter. : Lillian Miranda and Hazel will work on a letter.
Duver Gomez-Vega (a parent) expressed concerns about transition times at the school and drama that occurs during these times. Priscilla agreed with these concerns. People felt there needed to be a better balance between student expectations and restorative justice approaches. People want clearer consequences. Responsibility was also discussed. We need to have a better balance and student government and staff need to work on this together to achieve a better balance of consequences. Also, it was suggested we set-up a meeting with parents to talk to them about all of this and how we are progressing.
Review and acceptance of minutes from the December Board Meeting: Motion by: Tom Weiner, Second by: Keith Purcell. Vote: Unanimous in favor.
Discussion: Donaldo Macedo article on Paulo Freire . The discussion was tabled until the next meeting so more people can finish reading the article. Bob will re –email the article.
Old Business
Getting started: Accountability Plan Committee. We have Bob, Ljuba and Charles. We need a Student and a Parent member
Getting started: Executive Director Evaluation Committee
President's Report
Heyda recognized the Holiday school performance for its excellence and warm, positive feelings. It was suggested she send an official letter from the Board thanking the students and faculty involved.
Acceptance of resignation of Vivian Pappas: motion by Bob Brick second: Keith Purcell. Vote: Unanimous acceptance reluctantly.
Vote to accept Jose Irizarry as a new Board member: Motion: Tom Weiner, second: Keith Purcell, Vote: unanimous acceptance
Finance Committee Report: December Financials (preliminary), Cash Flow Update, Budget Amendment Process, FY15 Budget process
Principal's Report: There was no Principal report as Ljuba Marsh was absent due to her broken wrist.
Executive Director's Report:
A suggestion was made to reset the Lottery dates: Feb 21st for deadline, February 25th for lottery: Motion by Tom Weiner, second by Charles Hopkins. Vote: Unanimous acceptance.
Bob reported on building site issues for the next 2 years and for after year 3.
New Business
Motion to adjourn: Bob Brick (8PM)
Board Meeting Minutes
December 9th, 2013
Board Members Present:
Charles Hopkins, Bob Brick, Ljuba Marsh, Heyda Martinez, Keith Purcell, Vero Gonzalez, Ingrid Askew, Hazel Rosario, Thomas Weiner, Priscilla Baez
Absent: Vivian Pappas, Ruben Sepulveda, Lillian Miranda, Rhonda Soto, Dan Zukergood, Christina Cruz, Julie Vazquez
Others: Meg Maccini
Public Comment: A moment of silence for Nelson Mandela was observed and then some members read some pertinent quotes.
Review of November Minutes: Motion to accept minutes as presented: Bob Brick Second: Charles Hopkins. Vote: Unanimous
DESE Site Visit Report discussion: There was much discussion about the report. Recognition of the excellent results were primary. Focused discussion ensued on the Special Education section. Administration will report back to the Board in March on progress in this area.
Other area discussed included Culture and Family engagement, Mental Health support for students and ELL.
Principal's Report:
Lottery Date Discussion: A motion was made by Ljuba Marsh to hold our lottery for next year's enrollment on February 13th with a deadline for applications of February 7th. Thom Weiner seconded the motion. Vote: Unanimous.
Ljuba talked about a brief break between the two semesters for diagnostic testing and a 2-day "January Term" which will include fun, meaningful and exciting academic opportunities for students to choose.
Old Business:
Appointment of Accountability Plan Committee: Bob Brick will facilitate this committee and initial volunteers included: Charles Hopkins and Ljuba Marsh.
Executive Director Evaluation: Heyda Martinez will Chair this committee and Keith Purcell volunteered to serve on the committee.
There was discussion about putting out a description of these 2 committees to the rest of the community. Bob volunteered to make sure this happened.
President's Report:
Heyda discussed the issue of Board members who cannot attend. She suggested we create a category of Founding Member, which will be honorary. A motion was made to create an Honorary Board Member category, which will not have voting power by Ljuba Marsh, specifically for Rhonda Soto and Ruben Sepulveda. Second by Heyda Martinez. Vote: Unanimous.
Heyda suggested a possible new Board member: Jose Irrizary. Resumes will be sent out to everyone. Motion to table until January meeting by Charles Hopkins. Second by Thom Weiner. Vote: Unanimous.
Finance Committee Report:
Finance Committee is meeting tomorrow, so we will be about a month behind on reporting to the Board because of our new Board meting schedule.
Executive Director Report:
Bob Brick talked about the continuing cash flow issues.
Adjourn at 7:55PM
PFSJ Board Meeting November 18, 2013
In attendance: Heyda Martinez, Ljuba Marsh, Bob Brick, Charles Hopkins, Vero Gonzalez, Thomas Weiner, Priscilla Baez, Hazel Rosario
Absent: Keith Purcell, Vivian Pappas, Ingrid Askew, Rhonda Soto
1. Public Comment: Vero offered a proposal for a staff sick day bank where those who wish to can contribute sick days to be held for someone needing additional sick time. Those who contribute will be the deciding body allocating days. Bob will look up the program used by PVPA as an example. Hazel suggested that Essentials teachers be trained in the "PFSJ Way." Heyda agreed that it was a good idea. Ljuba also agreed and went on to explain the program currently in place. Tom asked if student teachers would be part of our program. Ljuba explained we have a robust student teacher, and intern program already in place.
2. Motion to accept the minutes from October's meeting: Bob proposed a motion to accept the October minutes, Tom seconded the motion. The Vote was unanimous in favor of accepting the minutes.
3. DESE Visit: Charles asked about the DESE review, Bob answered they will send us a review of their observations along with suggestions for us. Ljuba said the visit was great. The team was impressed and very positive in their comments. There will be some suggestions for improvement contained in their final report.
4. Old Business: There was no old business
5. President's Report: Heyda reported that on December 4th, we would have a visitor from Umass. Also the date for the next Board meeting is Monday, December 9th.
6. Finance Committee Report: Keith Purcell being out ill, Bob stepped in. October Profit and Loss versus Budget report indicated a negative, this was expected. Bob talked about the Cash flow issues we are facing over the next few months. The Finance Committee will come to the Board in January with a budget amendment to bridge the gap in the real vs the extrapolated figures.
7. Principal's Report: Ljuba reported the newsletters are very well received, our community is gelling very well & she's looking forward to having upper classmen mentor younger students. The last lottery of the 2013-2014 school year is November 23, as insurance against students leaving. The lottery for the next school year will be in the middle of February and we'll be taking 9th & 10th graders allowing us to keep 11th grade small. We will be bringing in a test prep person to assist the 10th graders prepare for the MCAS.
8. Executive Director's Report: Bob reported that the community would be asked to evaluate the Executive Director's performance. He also talked about the need for a committee to draft a school Accountability Plan, work beginning in January. The plan will indicate whether we are adhering to our mission as a charter school and performing our duties as such.
9. New Business: To confirm a lottery date for February. The application is to be on-line for downloading, door-to-door canvasing as per our charter, public meetings, articles in local newspapers and notices in our weekly newsletter getting the word out.
Possible location for public meetings is Fernandez Restaurant.
Heyda reminded us that we are closed for 3 Kings Day (Epiphany).
Bob proposed a motion to adjourn the meeting, Tom seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
Submitted by Joanne Rose
Board Meeting October 21, 2013
Members Attending: Heyda Martinez, Bob Brick, Keith Purcell, Vivian Pappas, Hazel Rosario, Ljuba Marsh, Rhonda Soto, Ingrid Askew, Vero Gonzalez, Charles Hopkins, Priscilla Baez,
Jessica Morales
Eric Frary
Janet Sheppard
Bill Jastromb
Public comment:
Need a sign that helps with traffic, school zone, with our school for traffic purposes and have newspaper articles, interview from students and teachers.
Motion to accept the minutes of the September meeting: Bob Brick made a motion and Ingrid Askew seconded the motion. There was unanimous acceptance by those in attendance.
There was then an Introduction of all board members.
Janet Sheppard, President of Igualdad presented a fundraising plan for the school where board members can send out 25 letters to friends and family in order to raise funds. We raised over $67,000 in grants and donations so far.
Finance Committee Report:
Keith Purcell, Treasurer reviewed the independent accountant's financial review report and went into much detail on the entire report.
Bob Brick made a motion to accept the financial review report as submitted, and Vivian Pappas seconded the motion. After discussion there was unanimous acceptance of the motion.
Keith then did a review of our summary financial report for September.
It was suggested we have a meeting to discuss what a charter school is and how we get funded. Heyda Martinez, President will set up a meeting where parents are informed about this.
Rhonda Soto suggested we conduct a "Board Member 101" including topics like Roberts Rules of Order. Ljuba will bring a short version of Robert's Rules to the next meeting.
Principal's Report:
Ljuba asked for the Board to approve one more lottery for this year.
A motion was made to authorize a lottery on November 22 by Vivian Pappas and seconded by Hazel Rosario. After discussion it was approved unanimously.
Executive Director:
Bob reported that there will be a November 14th site review visit by DESE. Board members will meet from 8:00 to 8:40AM.
Bob reviewed the site visit protocol.
Three people will be coming to visit.
Meeting adjourned at 8PM
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Monday, September 16, 2013 6-8PM
Present: Ingrid Askew, Bob Brick, Ljuba Marsh, Heyda Martinez, Vivian Pappas, Keith Purcell, Hazel Rosario
Absent: Elaine Reall, Rubin Sepulveda, Rhonda Soto, Dan Zuckergood
Others: Amanda Rodriguez, PFSJ student; Amelia Moore, Sylvia Ngo & Hayli Kinney, Amherst seniors observing, Glisel Colon, parent.
1. Public Comment: Introductions of Amherst Seniors observing this semester and the projects they're working on.
2. Review and acceptance of minutes of August Board Meeting
Motion: Bob Brick, Second: Keith Purcell, to accept Minutes of August meeting as submitted.
VOTE: Unanimous in favor.
3. Discussion: Recap of Student Orientation; workshops on how to understand and foster the vision and mission of Paulo Freire and the school. Bob Brick related his experiences and impression of how successful orientation turned out. Ingrid suggested watching the videos of Paulo Freire being interviewed. Ljuba suggested BOT members read the Pedagogy of the Oppressed if they haven't and have discussions about the book.
4. Old Business: None
5. New Business: Heyda presented information about 2 opportunities to attend an orientation for new charter school administrators and board members . She also reported the outcome of her calls to no-show Board members. One member has resigned and Bob will send the information to DESE. Still 3 members who have not submitted the Financial Disclosure forms. DESE is very particular about the paperwork we need to submit.
6. Financial Report: Keith presented his report including a set of graphs illustrating the school's expenses and spending, current year and forecast for 2 successive years. He plans to add 2 more columns so that they can include data comparing PFCS with other charter schools in the state. He also said there would be a Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 17.
7. Principal's Report: Ljuba went over how well the opening weeks have gone, how many sports we've incorporated into the curriculum. She mentioned that the school van should arrive the week of September 23rd , which will help with the transportation to and from sports practice & games. School lunch was discussed regarding menus portions and quality. Discussion then turned to 2 possible candidates for the Board. Lillian Santiago and Tom Wiener. Motion: Bob Brick proposed nominating Lillian Santiago to the Board, Vivian Pappas 2nd. VOTE: None opposed, 1 abstention. Motion: Bob Brick proposed nominating Tom Wiener to the Board, Vivian Pappas 2nd. VOTE: Unanimous in favor. It was also proposed to have Hazel Rosario remain on the Board for another year. Ljuba will put the information in the weekly newsletter.
8. At that point the regular meeting was suspended and it was agreed to go into Executive Session. Motion: Made by Bob Brick and Seconded by Ljuba Marsh to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Real Estate negotiations. The vote was unanimous affirmative.
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Thursday, August 15, 2013 5-7PM
Ljuba Marsh, Heyda Martinez, Vivian Pappas, Dan Zukergood, Bob Brick,
Lillian Miranda, Keith Purcell
Absent: Elaine Reall, Ruben Sepulveda, Rhonda Soto, Ingrid Askew, Hazel Rosario
Others: Amanda Rodriquez, Sam Texidor, students
Public Comment: To avoid conflict of interest, Charles Hopkins has resigned as President of the Board to assume the position as temporary SPED Director. Heyda Martinez, vice president, assumes the duties as president of the Board for the time being. Charles asked board members for help in the search for a permanent SPED director.
A review of minutes from June Board Meeting
Motion: Vivian Pappas, Second: Ljuba Marsh, to accept minutes of the May meeting as submitted.
VOTE: Unanimous in favor.
Discussion: Orientation Process, Ljuba presented an overview of the 2 week orientation process for faculty & staff starting Monday, August 19.
Old Business
No old business
President's Report
Ethics Ruling, Officer changes Membership questions discussed, attendance by Skype as possible method of attending and voting during a meeting, the question of out of state members remaining on the Board. Heyda will contact members who live outside of MA. Possible new board candidates mentioned.
Unanimous acceptance of President's Report
Finance Committee Report
FY 13 financial report & FY 14 financials to date. Bob Brick reviewed employee benefits during Financial Committee Report.
Executive Director's report, Bob Brick
Requested a vote to select American Benefits as our Employee Benefits provider.
Motion to approve both: Ljuba Marsh, 2nd Dan Zuckergood.
VOTE: Unanimous approval.
Requested a vote to change the Employee Benefits Policy by amending the Benefits-at-a-Glance. (attached)
Motion to approve: Ljuba Marsh, 2nd Dan Zuckergood.
VOTE: Unanimous approval.
RFP deadline is 8/16/13; we're in negotiation for an extended lease in current space.
Principal's Report, Ljuba Marsh
Reported Enrollment going for 160 to plan for attrition due to the transient nature of our district. Requested permission for another lottery on September 16th, deadline for submission September 10th.
Motion to approve September lottery, Bob Brick, 2nd Lillian Miranda.
VOTE: Unanimous approval
New Business
Looking for members for Site Review Committee
Motion to change next month's meeting day to Monday the 16th at 6:00 PM, Bob Brick, 2nd Heyda.
Motion approved.
ADJOURNED at 7:00 PM
Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School
Board Meeting
Thursday, June 20, 2013 5-7PM
Meeting Minutes
Keith Purcell, Ljuba Marsh, Bob Brick, Charles Hopkins, Lillian Miranda, Dan Zukergood, Vivian Pappas, Heyda Martinez
Absent: Elaine Reall, Ruben Sepulveda, Rhonda Soto, Ingrid Askew, Hazel Rosario
Amanda Rodriquez, student
There was a review of minutes from the May Board Meeting.
Motion: Ljuba Marsh, Second: Dan Zukergood. To accept the minutes of the May meeting as submitted.
VOTE: Unanimous in favor.
Instead of a Social Justice discussion we took a 15 minutes tour through our beautiful new home.
Old Business
President's Report
Charles reported on the upcoming DESE phone call on SPED requirements scheduled for tomorrow.
Finance Committee Report
The Treasurer, Keith Purcell submitted reports from the end of May. The Balance Sheet and P & L actual versus budget were discussed. He reported that we were in good shape. He reminded the Board that starting in August these reports would become much more involved.
Keith also reported on the Line of Credit approval from Peoples Bank. He reported on the MassDev Tech loan of 150k and that it should go forward.
Keith ask for a vote on hiring an accounting firm for our 18 month financial review, due following the end of this year.
MOTION: By Ljuba Marsh, Dan Zukergood seconded. To hire Daniel Dennis and Company LLP for our 18-month financial review and to authorize Keith Purcell to sign an engagement letter for an estimate of $3500.
Vote: Unanimous affirmative.
Principal's Report
Ljuba shared enrollment update issues and problems. Especially the issue of reaching families that have applied and been accepted but have no current way to contact them. Ljuba has been doing home visits to try to find them. In some cases we have had to drop them from the list and move on to the waiting list. We hope to enroll 160 for opening day.
To set our next lottery, Tuesday, August 6th with a deadline for submission of Thursday, August 1st.
Motion: Dan Zuckergood, Second: Vivian Pappas
VOTE: Unanimous affirmative
Hiring Issues:
Ljuba is working on our last few hiring issues. She is still looking for apprentice math and apprentice biology teachers. Also, she is trying to hire part time staff for sports, physical education, technology, and arts teachers.
Teachers are working on curriculum, standards and benchmarks, rubrics, lessons, etc.
She reported that materials and textbooks are to be ordered in July.
Executive Director's Report:
MOTION: To authorize the Executive Director to enter into contracts, loans and other legal instruments as approved by the Board of Trustees and to sign said documents.
Motion: by Bob Brick, Second by Keith Purcell.
Vote: Unanimous affirmative
MOTION: by Bob Brick, second by Lillian Miranda, To authorize the Executive Director to sign the loan papers for the $300,00 line of credit loan with the People bank.
VOTE: Unanimous Affirmative
Motion: by Bob Brick , second by Vivian Pappas To authorize the Executive Director to sign the loan papers for the MassDevelopment Tech Loan for $150,000 for a term of one-year.
VOTE: Unanimous Affirmative
New Business
Minutes submitted August 16, 2013
Joanne Rose


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Boyce Avenue with Kris Allen and Curtis PeoplesFirst Avenue, MinneapolisWednesday, November 5, 2014For an inoffensive concert experience that your mom can enjoy too, look no further than Boyce Avenue. The group is composed of three Manzano siblings: lead singer Alejandro, Daniel on bass, and Fabian ... More >>
The majority of the music world was first introduced to the Flaming Lips in 1993. That year, their abstract anthem "She Don't Use Jelly" became an unlikely hit on MTV. Even the most distant observer could tell straight away that the Lips were weird. Really weird. These idiosyncratic sonic outlaws fr ... More >>
The Black Keys. Coldplay. Kings of Leon. Imagine Dragons. The Lumineers. Does this sound like the headlining stage of a cruise ship plummeting through a Disney movie portal into hell? Perhaps. However, what they actually represent in this case could be far more alarming. These are all bands named al ... More >>
Baseball fans are accustomed to the walk-up music chosen by each ballplayer as they stroll confidently up to the plate. But at last night's NFL Draft, each prospect got to select the music echoing through Radio City Music Hall as they proudly took the stage. It's an opportunity to see what type of ... More >>
The 2014 Lollapalooza lineup has arrived. When the yearly festival convenes August 1-3 at Grant Park in Chicago, it'll be a couple of rap titans, a few rockers, and the requisite EDM stars leading the way.Eminem, festival darlings OutKast (pictured above), Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Skrillex, an ... More >>
By Luke WinkieAt this point, U.K. rockers Coldplay are tired of even attempting to look hip. With their now song "Midnight," they've become a bland version of Bon Iver. Impressively, Chris Martin has managed to seem revelatory while saying absolutely nothing of consequence. His most provocative mome ... More >>
Be sure to check out our constantly updated concert calendar!
Music fans who are put off by the endless hype surrounding the Super Bowl and the gratuitous violence of football still have a reason to tune into the big game on Sunday. From the opera star singing the National Anthem to the spectacle of the halftime show, there is something to draw in music lovers ... More >>
After a chat with Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne for City Pages' Amphetamine Reptile cover story back in July, it became quite clear that he was opinionated and acerbic, especially when it came to music (a point proven even further during Buzz's engaging interview with Cyn Collins). Now, in a recen ... More >>
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Photos by Stacy SchwartzCold War Kids March 10, 2011 First Avenue Mainroom, Minneapolis Cold War Kids have received some lukewarm press and icy criticism following their January-released third album Mine is Yours, which was all zipped up by Kings of Leon producer Jacquire King. Based on thei ... More >>
Coachella unveiled its 2011 lineup late last night after the now-customary month-long swirling of rumors;.headliners for this year's fest are Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, and a reunion set by the Strokes. Coachella will take place April 15-17. Three-day weekend passes are $269 and go o ... More >>
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How many local music fans will tune in to this year's Grammys?
STG's bassist talks to us about tour essentials, killer albums, and dressing up like King Arthur.
Beastie Boys, Animal Collective and Depeche Mode to rock Chicago's Grant Park this August.
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