Interesting that they are allowed to bring fellons around the kids. This won't go anywhere since the head of Alt schools Bundley works hand and glove with PIP. Heck I heard Bundley on the radio with the head of PIP. He also made sure that principal had a job. Frightening example of the "network" being alive and well.

Sara, This should be more than a blog topic. Many in the community are outraged that this has been going on in our schools. It has been all over the radio.

I'm not necessarily against people with sordid pasts working in our schools. Having a past that kids can relate to is important, it provides some extra credibility currency to spend that most BCPSS teachers do not have. The question is how will they spend that currency? An identical message can be rejected or absorbed depending on the individual delivering the message.

It's ultimately up to the administration to screen who will be working with our children.

Corey-

I guess I see part of your argument that showing our students examples of how people in their community turned their lives around does have some serious currency and weight.Its a slippery slope though.

My problem lies in the execution of that type of program. What criteria do you use to screen? Who is allowed to counsel our students?If convicted felons are allowed to counsel our students, what crimes are okay and what crimes are not? Is murder okay but sex crimes not? How does North Ave. appropriately screen the programs themselves to make sure integrity and consistency is used in their hiring processes?

Partnerships with outside agencies in our schools is a good thing, but we need to be mindful that the safety of all students is paramount, and having convicted violent felons in the schools compromises that ideal, rehabilitated or not.

As a partial aside, I think its particularly troubling that this took place at Harbor City, a school that already serves a highly needy and at-risk population. Gangs are already a huge problem in schools, and to have a gang leader working in that environment only adds fuel to the fire for the students susceptible to gang membership/activity.

Partners in Progress is a disaster. As a teacher at a school that they "serve," I watch them enable kids left and right. I wish they weren't in our school and they didn't exsit as an organization.

TG: "He also made sure that principal had a job." - you said it first!

There's an interesting level of unprofessionalism and disorganization within the entire program, and I wonder why they are still allowed to be part of the schools? I am not in the least bit surprised that Alston-Smith either thought that it was okay for a murder convict to mentor kids or just didn't do her homework. We know condescending do-gooders don't exactly reach out to some of our most struggling kids, but really - some standards please? And she wrote a blurb for "The Black Book?" WHY ARE THEY STILL IN THE SCHOOLS?

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that No Child Left Behind requires criminal background checks of all individuals that are working in schools with students, this includes contractors. Those individuals records need to be free of felony convictions. My question is how is an organization allowed to have adults in a school that don't have a record free of felony convictions.

I can understand if you have a person who made serious mistakes in the past, but has turned their life around and can give good advice and really mentor students. Sometimes they have the "street cred" that the rest of us don't--the kids might really listen to their advice of not going down the wrong roads.
However, from what I understand, this guy is STILL doing these things. He hasn't become a law-abiding citizen. He makes fools out of the parents, staff, teachers and community members that constantly fight to keep these kids out of gangs and illegal activities. It really is a tragedy.

Surprised are we.....really?
I have commented previously about the different community organizations that were going to be allowed to come out and be a part of our schools without any questions or checks. As long as we have people like Bundley, Parsons, Mike and Mike and others who are all in our schools for all the wrong reasons, we will continue to have these problems being in question.
When the so-called volunteer program that AAA along with Sarbanes was beginning there was a lot of questions as to whether parents of students who had addictions, records would be allowed to volunteer in the schools and it was stated "NO".
But PIP is allowed to pick/choose who they have come into the schools apparently without BCPS doing the background check and allowing PIP to do so. This is never going to change due to the no accountability process that continues to be lingering with the powers that be.
Parents....continue to be a part of what is going on in your childs schools, keep asking the questions and insisting on answers when your school has community organizations that you are not sure about. Stay involved. These are your children and mine. Not theirs.

"City Paper reported that Assistant U.S. Attorney James Wallner told a judge Williams was in possession of ammunition for a .357-caliber firearm when he was arrested last month. Harbor City has a metal detector, and Alston-Smith said Williams was required to pass through it before entering."

I am a Harbor City teacher, and this is completely false. There have been one or two random metal detector checks, and the staff have never been checked to my knowledge. Furthermore, Alston-Smith is homophobic, and is lying about the amount of time he worked there. This is an outrage and I agree that there must be more in-depth background checks.

I feel everyone deserves a second chance! People may use this job to tell kids about their life story or be a witness as to why you shouldn't live life out in the streets. All criminals or convicted felons should be monitered around the kids. Baltimore City should have a criminal background check through Baltimore for all volunteers at schools. Rainbow Williams did deserve a second chance, but he blew it!

I think that they shouldn't work in schools because some of those covicts could be gang leaders and would recruit some of the kids inside the school where they work. But, if u really trust that person to work at your school then go ahead but if you don't really trust them then that means that they shouldn't work there. Basically I'm saying that covicts shouldn't work at schools period because you don't know if they changed for sure. I also think that schools need to make a good background check on the people that work at their school

No I do not think felons should work at school. If they do we might get killed. Students might get themselves involved in the crime. The felon might make students get involved in the crime against their will. The felon might make the school more volient then it is

First thing i have to say about this article is that i think that the school system was stupid for letting an ex-convict around the students.Iunderstand that everyone should get a second chance but i dont think that murders and rapers shouldn't be let in to our school.I also think that who is the executive director to say that she think that Rainbow Williams should get another chance.What if one of the students would have got hurt by Mr.William's,then that would have been on her.And plus if she was going to let him work in the school she should have sent a letter home to the parents that Mr.William's was going to be working around and told them that an ex-convict was going to be working around their childrends.

I do not think it's a bad thin gto have a convicted murder/gang member work in city schools.I actually think it's a good thing because we can actually relate to them better than or teachers.I say this because they have been though what we're going though;and can possibly save a kid's life.Because ,us as student's don't like school because we don't see it as helping us on the streets.So with them working with us,we can see different persectives of life.Meaning,the decision's we make can really effect us and the people around us.I know some people may say well your parent's tell you this stuff everyday.But,it's different when hearing it from somebodyfrom the streets who have been where we're headed.So i don't think it's such a bad thing.I actually think there should be a scare straight program;were felons and different people that has changed teir lives,come into city schools and talk and work with us.

I don't think criminals should work in schools simply because of their background. It's true people might change, but i don't think they should be left done with kids because you don't know what they're capaple of doing. This may be a good thing so they can tell the students about their pst. So kids won't follow their path.

I think that convicted gang members should not be in schools because its to risky.Baltimore City should also make sure every teacher make a background check for every teacher. They should also be very careful who they choose.

i think that people who have been involved with gang violance. but only if they are know out of it.

Well let me start off by saying I don't completly put all the blame on the school. But I do blame the school for not using common sense.If you know a person is a murderer then why in the world would you put them around people?? I mean seriously because seeing that happen makes me think our school board and school system is stupid. Certain felons should have certain jobs. If you are a child-malester then im sorry sweetie but there should be no way in the world you should be able to get a job around kids. Now with people like thieves it would be ok for them to teach.

I think that they should have convicted felons as teahers because they can teach th students what would happen if they do the samethings they did. If you murder somebody thats a really bad crime because thats somebodies live that your taking away and you would be in jail for some years but if you ahve a weapon, I don't think that u shoul get arrested for that because that can be something to keep you safe but if you kill somebody on purpose you will get arrested. But you shouldn't get arrested if you have a lisence.

I think ex-cons should not volunteer at a school because maybe some of the kids will actually go out and do what ever the ex-con did even though he tries to tell them to not do what he does, also they should not volunteer because they had a chance in society to do right and they took it for granite so they shouldn't so they can preech about stuff they did wrong when they should;ve preeched about what not to do when they were not a convict.

I think soome felons should be hired because it depends on what they did,and why they did it.It benfits some students because the felons that are trying to change may see someone thats going down that same road.The felon probably can tell the studnets their story.

I think that ex cons should not be allowed around students. I say this simply because I dont think it is worth hiring an ex con when there is a possible chance that a student can get involved in something negative with the ex con. In addition i know that there are somr ex con's out there who really have changed their lives that its really worth it.

I think felons should not come to our school because more bad things would happen and children would get killed. They would start gangs that were in jail that's how they made BGF name for conrads. We don't need more violence then it already is.
Another reason can be that student would love to have a felon in school because some felons can change and provide students with more knowledge of street smarts and school smarts. They could also share their life to children about using drugs and what can happen when you get caught.

I think that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard.I believe in second chances and all but come on a murderer. Like they gave him a second chance and he blew it.A murder working in a school, an alternative school at that and hes still a gang leader selling drugs. Thats just messed up on an all new level.I believe that he probably had good intentions and it just got out of hand. Maybe was trying to work out the whole "Gang Leader" thing out.we should hear his side....idk they shouldn't have let him in In the first place,checked his background ,kept tabs on him. when your dealing with situations like those ,dealing with children.They should have went over and beyond to keep those children safe.....Anything could have happened...

I think that if your student are in a alternative school most of the students are in the gangs and the drug games the teachers can tell them some of the stuff that they did and to see the good and bad parts. If you have a teacher that was in the drug game he or she can help kid get out the game. If I was in a gang I would want someone to talk to that was in my school so they can tell me what happend to them so it could make me get out cause I could have seen what happened to them and i think that some school should have teacher to teach how the real life is.A teacher that was in jail can help a kid cause he can tell you how corrupted side of the world. {chaz ward maths}

I personally think that there isn't anything wrong with ex cons or felons working in schools depending on the circumstances. But on the other hand, I do think that there should be some type of process to employing these people. First there should be some type of limit to the number of times that they were incarcerated. Secondly I think that there should be quite a large gap since the time that they were incarcerated to the time that they start working. I also believe that they should have some form of community work behind them along with showing physical proof that their methods of teaching or tutoring work.

I have a yes and a no answer.I feel as though it is not right to let murder convicts to work around kids.We never know if he might do it again, because he might let the anger get the best of him because you know how kids can drive you crazy.Then again I think is would be a good idea because they could teach kids a good lesson so they could go down the right path and that would encourage them to do good things in life.

I think convicts should work in schools and shouldn't. they should because they could be like a counselor and teach and relate to the kids that's going through issues now. they could try to stop the kids from going down the wrong path so they wont end up whee they don't want to be. they shouldn't work at schools because they could hurt some kids that's a rival gang, or get most of them locked up doin dirty work for them. but its hard for convicts to get a job.not all of convicts change their lifestyle but just know that the ones that don't are still in and out of jail....

I think convicts should work in schools and shouldn't. they should because they could be like a counselor and teach and relate to the kids that's going through issues now. they could try to stop the kids from going down the wrong path so they wont end up whee they don't want to be. they shouldn't work at schools because they could hurt some kids that's a rival gang, or get most of them locked up doin dirty work for them. but its hard for convicts to get a job.not all of convicts change their lifestyle but just know that the ones that don't are still in and out of jail....

It's a good thing to teach
kids to advocate and to use the tools available to be heard. However teach them safety. I dont believe it's a good idea to put your whole name and location.

I think that in this situation its kind of in the middle because people that are in the system can teach kids and people that are heading down the wrong path.The people that have been through this situation can teach kids what is the right way to go. Also I think it isn't good for people that have felonies to be in the school systems cause they could teach the students what they did and tell them things that are wrong.When i heard about the gang member in the school system, it really confused me. Because since it was an alternative school which has students that don't know how to behave, it seemed as though adding a felon its a recipe for disaster. That is what I think about the gang member in school systems.

Where does Mayor Dixon, Mr. ROGER SHAW head of HIGH SCHOOLS and Dr. Andres'Alonso CEO stand in this matter? The Alternative Options Program, per Dr. Alonso, is a GREAT IDEA so to speak- to get students to return to school in which they have done just that. In any case, the hiring of felons should not occur in the Baltimore City Schools. Dr. Andre Bundley takes a deaf-ear approach even when concerning special education. Dr. Alonso, please come out of North Avenue office and gather the workers (teachers) who teach in the AOP and ask questions as how the program is working as related to special education etc. What a good system we are trying to have in the GREAT KIDS GREAT SCHOOLS. However, there is no-one that is willing to listen to teachers' concerns- concerning the AOP. I am certain of this that the LEADER of the AOP will find another placement within the BCS for the upcoming 2009-2010 School-Year and leave an UNWARRANTED mess for someone else to tend to.

Let's skip any positive influence teaches have had and will continue to have and bend once again for our kids who really dont want to be educated for a life skill or college. Role models such as murder convicts? Hey, why not, its cheaper than credentialed experienced teachers, and it will help to serve to regenerate the already street mindset...Heck, if TFA grads only need 5 weeks to learn to be a teacher,(since they cant land a a job in their field and want their fat loans forgiven)why not ..what a mess that is for continuity...we may just take walk-ins off the streets next..it may be the cheapest way yet! Why hasnt Alonso figured that out yet!and whose minding the staffing store! What a NOVEL idea!
Middle and High students who do not want to be educated need not be in school: develope day work camps making minimum wage until they are old enough to be civil. Clean up parks, learn to dig ditches, there are plenty of partners in Baltimore and the state of MD who would benefit from cheap labor...When they grow up and become civil THEN, learning can take place with teachers who want to be teachers, and teach their craft. The last thing these AOP kids want is to be herded into another classroom building no matter how small or rigid or open the program. What IS the Rebab rate for MURDER cases???? Kill once, can kill again. Hit your spouse once, WILL hit again! Its human nature- AND make an impression on our already troubled kids. WOW!The kids who want to be educated and understand its value will come forth and go out shining. Its all about choices. Murder convicts have no place as mentors to our young people. Church peds are at least being hidden in old monasteries until they die out when they are found out.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I have seen quite a few "networks" in Baltimore. No one complains when the benefit is theirs. Networking is nothing new! If you feel that way let's fire any and everybody who had a friend help them get an interview! Ludicrous! It's funny, many in the school system have NO control in their classrooms/schools...and I have seen many people who loathe PIP BEG for assistance when, quite frequently, they can't manage students. PIP has assisted many young people, often deemed unreachable, to graduate from high school and become productive citizens. I don't represent PIP, and really have never needed PIP assistance with students in school, but just know that I have seen many students respond to PIP staff with greater respect and far quicker response than that allocated to administrators and teaching staff. As far as convicts, there are quite a few in Baltimore who are known for fraud and thievery of funds allocated for students...I don't hear anyone crying to have them removed. In fact, let's go through everyone's laundry...no you wouldn't want that!!! I suppose some Baltimoreans simply want criminals to maintain criminal actions and be placed on an island. Rehabilitation in this city is a joke without organizations like PIP giving ex-offenders support and guidance...and what about the other people who are ex-offenders and are walking the straight and narrow...oh that's probably taboo to bring up in a public forum. I am a teacher who works in the trenches...and I know what it takes to raise scores and turn children around. For some, alternative measures are required. People can act like they are ready and able...but who of the aforementioned is a successful principal or teacher who has raised test scores by twenty and thirty percent? I am...so I stand on what I say...What about you?

I was an active member of Partners in Progress for years and help out with the youth program when i can Bridget is my cousin and a great person along with her colleagues...I HAVE SAT ON LEADERSHIPS BOARDS WITH THEM AS WELL...BRIDGET'S PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED MANY FAMILY & KIDS THROUGH OUT THE CITY...SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCES HER INTENTIONS FOR HER PROGRAMS ARE ALL OF GREAT POSITIVE INFLUENCES...THIS NONSENSE THAT SOME OF YOU ARE SPEAKING OF IS RIDICULOUS SOME OF YOU NEED TO SIT IN ON SOME OF HER WORKSHOPS AND SEE FIRST HAND WHAT HER INTENTIONS ARE