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Chris Wysocki
Caldwell, NJ
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Like most school districts in New Jersey the town of Montclair is facing some tough budget choices. One option on the table is the outsourcing of teacher aides.
The union doesn't like that idea very much. So the teachers did what any reasonable adult would do — they made their students write letters to the local paper opposing the move.
This week, Watchung Elementary School's 4th grade students were asked to write letters to the Montclair Times expressing their feelings over the proposed outsourcing of teacher aides in the district.
Betsy Thomas, Watchung's school secretary, said the project was a writing assignment and that children were not told what to say.
"They were not told what to write but the issue of the aides was talked about because the students all know about it anyway and they all know [the outsourcing] may happen," she said.
Indeed, union members held a rally in support of the aides outside Watchung, as well as outside other schools, one that was seen by students.
Sure, they weren't told what to say. The issue was merely "talked about". While a boisterous anti-outsourcing rally was going on outside. I'm thinking fourth graders can connect the dots.
And that's just what they did.
One letter published in the Montclair Times was from a student named Kyle McLaughlin, who said he believed "that teacher assistants should not get cut from school budgets. One reason they should not be cut is because when kids are bad at a subject, teacher assistants take you into a group and help you."
He said that if aides are cut, children might get a worse education.
Another student, Erin Buckley, wrote that the "teaching assistant inspired me to go to school and learn more and more everyday. This is why I think that you should not cut teaching assistants from schools."
Yes, the teaching assistants are so helpful and inspiring they even made sure one kid got his story straight:
P.S. A teaching assistant even helped me write this letter.
Disgraceful.
Fortunately the union's mendacity was so egregious even some of the ultra-liberal (Barack Obama by 97.3%) Montclair parents were appalled.
"I believe children should not be used as pawns for political gain," said resident Joseph Fischer. "Teacher and principals allowing this to happen should be fired."
"That is so incredibly wrong on so many levels," said resident Mary Emanuelli. "Manipulating children, who really don't understand and are being told to do something by a teacher?"
Wake up Ms. Emanuelli, manipulating children is what unionized public school teachers do each and every day. In case you haven't noticed, they're really quite good at it.
The union plans to hold another rally on Monday.
"Keep the pressure on with letters, emails, and phone calls," the flyer said. "Tell them they made the wrong decision when they chose to outsource paraprofessionals."
The parents need to show up at this rally and give these goons a piece of
their mind. Perhaps some
"I ♥ Scott Walker" T-shirts would be in order.
The union isn't engaged in "teaching"; it's more like brainwashing. And it's
time for that to stop.
UPDATE 12 Mar 2011 12:45
Linked by Mind Numbed Robot,
Larwyn,
The Blog Prof,
Right Wing News,
Theo Spark, and
The TrogloPundit.
Thanks guys!
Posted at 11:13 by Chris Wysocki
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