Jerling Principal Moving on to Summit Hill in Frankfort
Pam Hodgson was approved by the Summit Hill School District 161 board Wednesday night to become the next principal for their junior high.
Principal Pam Hodgson will be leaving Norbert Jerling Junior High School next month to become principal at Summit Hill Junior High School in Frankfort. The Summit Hill School District 161 board of education approved her hiring Wednesday, June 13. Her first day at the new school wil be July 2.
Hodgson told Frankfort Patch on Wednesday that she was impressed by the school district's plans when it comes to academic achievement and instructional improvement. She also said she was impressed with the leadership of district Supt. Barb Rains.
"I’m really looking forward to the new opportunity, and at the same time I’ll miss people at District 135, whether they are parents, students, or staff," Hodgson said Thursday. "I met wonderful people here and people I hope I’m in touch with my whole life. It’s a new opportunity and 161 is a great district, but so is District 135. I’m really going to miss it."
Read more from the District 161 meeting on Frankfort Patch.
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Kathy Quilty
10:30 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Maybe she will bring those stupid cards that they expected parents to look at and sign .. .the ones the teachers went crazy and would give the kids points against them. God I hated them and let the administration know. I refused to sign them and told them they better not take it out on my son. So glad I am out of D135. I feel sorry for some of the great teachers that are still there.
Concerned Taxpayer
2:16 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Your comments say alot about your character. This mentality of the rules applying to "everyone else" is shocking to me. I also do not agree with all rules/laws... but the rules are for everyone - including you and your child. It is amazing to me that people who think that just because they don't like or agree with a rule means that they do not have to follow it. What lesson have you taught your child? As a parent myself, I want my child to be a law abiding person who contributes to the greater good of society - and that means following rules even if you do not agree with them. Kathy, aren't you on a school board? So, you think it is ok for parents to have their children not follow school rules because they do not like or agree with the rules?
Kathy Quilty
4:42 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Concerned Taxpayer -- The cards started four years ago when the Class of 2008 had a food fight in the lunchroom. When I asked about why the cards were being used, I was told that it helps with the "bad" students. I do not believe in puninshing everyone for what a few do. One day I washed my son's card and threw it away. Little did I know that my son wasn't allowed to participate in the "fun activity" that week because he did not have the card. That is when I spoke with Ms. Hodgson and Ms. Conrad. I was told that I was the only parent who complained about the card system when in fact, I knew several. I also said that if my children were that bad in school, I should receive a phone call when the inappropriate behavior happened and not find out about it the following Thursday night when the parents were required to sign the card. I believe in rewarding positive behavior, but it should also not dwell on the negative. A friend's son didn't have a red pen with him (he left it in his locker) and he had to have his card signed. I agreed that should my child have inappropriate behaviors at school, he should have consequences. I did not feel my child should be punished because I forgot to sign the card or that I washed the card. Not every parent agrees with school consequences. And yes, as a school board member, I see that. I respect a parent who will advocate for their children. Too bad there aren't alot parents out there that will do that.
Concerned Taxpayer
12:40 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Furthermore Kathy, my child was taught to empty all pockets before putting dirty clothes in the hamper. When a school id was washed and ruined, my child paid for the replacement and has not forgotten to check pockets since. It was his responsibility to check the pockets and he faced the consequences of not checking. Most people learn from their mistakes. It was your child’s responsibility to ask you to sign the card and to also keep the card in a safe place (folder…). It was your responsibility as the parent to know the school rules and reinforce them. It was also your responsibility to allow your child to learn from the mistake by facing the consequences. Missing a “fun activity” is not the end of the world and I am sure that your child has not suffered great harm from missing the activity.
The type of parent who refuses to follow and reinforce the rules that are in place for every student is not being an advocate for their child. In fact, this type of parent is teaching their child that rules do not have to be followed and that mom and dad will step in every time a consequence needs to be faced. It is best for people to learn about responsibility and consequences when they are young and when the consequences are not severe.
In the real world, rules do need to be followed by everyone. When a person steals, takes drugs, speeds, drinks and drives… rules are broken and the consequences can be life altering.
Kathy Quilty
9:32 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
I will just comment on one thing you said and let everything else rest as I am not going to go back and forth regarding parenting techniques.
Your comment of: "Having school board members who have their own agenda’s and personal vendettas to settle is bad for everyone. One would have to ask, whose best interests are you really trying to serve?" is very rude. I do not and have not had a persoanl vendetta against anyone. You seem to know me, yet I have no idea who you are as you hide behind a name. Believe me, on our board, I fight for the "average" child as I feel that these are the students that sometimes get left behind. They are not the top 10% nor are they the bottom 10% or in special education. Its the kids in between that make up the majority of our students.
Mike Fitzpatrick
10:13 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
"I do not and have not had a persoanl vendetta against anyone"
thanks for the laugh today. that might be the most dishonest thing i've ever heard. what a joke
ljg
10:57 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Really! You are constantly spewing venom. If you are so glad to be out of D135 which bent over backwards to accomodate your children. Then just stop commenting! PLEASE
Concerned Taxpayer
3:07 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
First, I don’t know you and you don’t know me and the fact that I post under a different name does not change the validity of what I posted. I am an educated citizen and voter in Orland Park. The discussion was not about parenting techniques it was about rules applying to everyone and taking responsibility for one’s actions/or lack there of. You stated that you hated the “stupid cards”, discussed your view with the administration, and refused to sign the cards. I stand by my comment "Having school board members who have their own agenda’s and personal vendettas to settle is bad for everyone. One would have to ask, whose best interests are you really trying to serve?" My intention was not to be rude. The fact that you no longer have a child attending District 135 schools yet post spiteful and negative comments regarding 135 employees and policies/rules is a display of having a vendetta. Having school board members who don’t believe that it is necessary to follow all of the rules and who advocate for their children to not have to follow the rules, is a display of having a personal agenda. I formed my opinion based on what YOU wrote regarding your actions and thoughts.
Concerned Taxpayer
3:08 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Furthermore, while, it may be admirable that you believe you fight for the "average" child, that also does not pertain to the discussion regarding rules applying to everyone. The students who are average, below average, above average, in special education, athletic, artistic… all have to follow the rules and take responsibility for their actions without intervention from parents.
Now, I will be rude; save the campaigning for election time. Having a school board member who does not believe that rules/policies should apply to ALL students, is not someone I want on the school board.
Thunderstorm
8:43 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
I agree with Kathy. The cards were useless.
misterja
6:31 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Although I am not sure that the cards were the best idea, I understood that they were being used to try to hold the students and parents accountable for the students behavior and did not have a problem signing them. I do feel that by refusing to sign them and bragging about doing so, Mrs. Quilty is sending a very poor message. It is interesting to me that she states she would like to know if there was a behavior problem sooner then a weeks time and not to dwell on the negative, especially since she could be overheard at Jerling on a regular basis, stating that she did not know about certain things because her son never brought home papers, notices etc. I would think one a week in better then not at all.