RESPONSE TO MY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEONARD COHEN HALLELUJAH PROJECT AT BAY HIGH SCHOOL

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RESPONSE TO MY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEONARD COHEN HALLELUJAH PROJECT AT BAY HIGH SCHOOL

https://sharmanbursonramsey.blogspot.com/2017/12/leonard-cohen-hallelujah-project-at-bay.html

Leonard Cohen Hallelujah Project at Bay High School

I would love to have your input on this exchange. I will not editorialize, merely let the emails speak for themselves.

I wrote:

Dear Mr. Husfelt,
How much investigation goes into the Bay District Schools endorsement of projects? I know how disgusted I am with Common Core. I write extensively on it on my blog.
But I would have thought a bit more thought would have gone into allowing this to be sponsored by the Bay District Schools. This is considered worthy? Why?
You endorsed this?
https://sharmanbursonramsey.blogspot.com/2017/12/leonard-cohen-hallelujah-project-at-bay.html

Husfelt responded:
Dear Ms. Ramsey,
I appreciate your concern, but this project was not 'endorsed' by BDS. I have asked Sharon Michalik, Director of Communications, to share the detail with you and hopefully she will be able to get it to you today.
Thanks for your patience and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Bill Husfelt

Ms. Michalik responded:

Ms. Ramsey:

Mr. Husfelt shared your blog with me and we definitely have a passion for students in common!
I did want to clear up a couple of misconceptions though. This event was my idea but it was quickly adopted by the Bay High students who actually have their own program called Streetlights that works with homeless teens. The students make all of the arrangements, secure the private sponsors, design the t-shirts and coordinate the day’s events. They are working on a partnership with downtown businesses to promote “dining in downtown” after the event next year and hope to continue to refine their marketing skills to increase visibility for their cause.
Bay District shared their event, as we have others, in our district-wide communications to support the hard work of the students. These same students spearheaded Unity Day (#UnityBay) and Dads Take Your Child To School Day and if you’ll look back you’ll see we shared those events as well to support them and increase visibility.
The kids work hard for the cause because they literally have friends who are homeless. And their work generates results! Just this morning the lady who coordinates our district efforts for the homeless let them know that she has been overwhelmed with the donations she’s received from this event this year.
I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy the event or were surprised that it wasn’t what you expected. We are inundated each year with positive feedback from people who attended but I completely understand that every event is not for everyone.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and I hope we run into each other at some future event so we can be properly introduced.
Sharon

I then addressed both Mr. Husfelt and Ms. Michalik:
Mr. Husfelt and Ms. Michalik:
Thank you very much for your nice response.
As you say, this was your idea, Ms. Michalik. You are the Human Resources Director, the one who hires teachers who teach our children. Are there not laws that prohibit using children for political purposes taking them out of their regular classes to promote a political agenda. You acknowledge that it was you who selected the vehicle for this event that had no business being associated with our education system because it is totally lacking in quality and has only political connotations. Can just any employee access any Bay District School facility for any purpose without oversight by the Superintendent and the Board?
Had you read the lyrics, Mr. Husfelt? Did you know the origin of the SNL Cohen's Hallelujah is associated with Democrat politics and with SNL Cold Open with Kate McKinnon after the election?
You say, the children took over? They are students because they need direction. You invited the public who had no bias to attend an event that represents what you stand for. Whether you intended it or not that is exactly what this is. This is perhaps one of the most blatant examples of the perversion of our school system as vehicles for a Social Justice agenda I have ever seen.
May I point out that they are the students; you are the adults. Even more so, when the rubber hits the road, you are responsible for making sure those children are not just safe (why are they roaming about downtown?) but well-educated. Can they write articulately, spell their words correctly, add, multiply, divide.
My husband is a retired attorney. I am sure he would tell you that the legal consequences of those children being injured or molested while on one of those downtown jaunts, could be expensive.
Christmas is the most sacred time of the year and Handel's Messiah would have at least given credence to Bay District Schools having some standards as well as a big heart. Handel's Messiah would pass the muster of cultural literacy and at the same time elevate the image of Bay District Schools. I thought perhaps a school orchestra/band would play the Handel's Messiah and you would hand out the words/music to folks who came. It would draw choirs and individuals, I imagine, all with the purpose of singing and donating to a worthy project.. We would assume whatever part we sing (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) and then go to our respective sections and attempt our very best effort at that music. One woman told me she had practiced in the car with her music for an entire week before coming to this event. You could elevate spirits and musical literacy at the same time. Think of the lessons on Handel and church music that could accompany this.
Handel's Messiah would have been something to be proud of. And would have encouraged the community to see the benefit of music in our schools.
I am not reassured by the lack of oversight by the Board as to what goes out to the public as an example of a product for the Bay District Schools.
Many of these children will wind up homeless if they do not get the education they need to be getting. Using them as models of community involvement robs them of their own education. Take your Dads to School Day? You call this Marketing? Unity Day? You are making little Democrat community organizers out of these children - not students qualified for employment anywhere!
I am afraid these children would be humiliated if Jay Leno ever encountered them on the street and asked them a real question about History or anything else!
Our school children are a charity unto themselves. We invest in schools not to produce social warriors, but educated citizens!
The buck stops with you, Mr. Husfelt. Do you endorse politicizing children and calling it educating them? Do they not deserve a real education?
Sincerely,Sharman Ramsey

* I just noticed that Ms. Michalik has apparently gotten a promotion. She is now Director of Communications, though the News Herald noted in 2016 she was the Human Resources Director.

"Flash mob turned choir" WJHG

Let me commend those students for the quality of this video and the heart that went into the development of the video.
I have spent some time on the Facebook Page and website now and appreciate the compassion that went into developing this. I was disgusted by the lyrics, but impressed by the videography and the purpose. There are some talented children in that class.
https://www.facebook.com/BayCountyHal...
This is the good version. Absolutely Beautiful!!!!!!
Would have stirred the soul of anyone and been a positive for our children. Even if it wasn't Handel's Messiah. https://www.facebook.com/NTDLifeOfficial/videos/448937598951040/?fref=mentions&pnref=story

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Published on December 22, 2017 06:46

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