CAT Tracks for March 3, 2009

Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for March 3, 2009

PRESCIENT

Nope...not in the "Top 100"...didn't even make the "Bonus Words".

Call it 111...

Prescient.

As with most words, Prescient has several possible definitions: <

Foreknowledge of events. Well, it's not that one. Even though the letter below is dated February 27th, it was hand-delivered to CAT President De De O'Shea this morning at Emerson Elementary. Definitely did not know...see this coming.

Divine omniscience. Not this one either. We be CATs...constantly reminded by the "powers that be" of our lowly station in life.

Human anticipation of the course of events. Gotcha!

Little did I know when I typed/posted the morning edition of CAT Tracks that a new "missive" from the Superintendent was "in the mail". However, true to the definition...I ain't surprised. Just disappointed...

In "Apology Accepted", I made reference to the cliché "actions speak louder than words."
Well, it did not take long for Cairo School District Number One Superintendent Leotis D. Swopes to "make a statement" of what truly lies in the deepest recesses of his heart.
In fact, Superintendent Swopes showed it the very next day by stomping on the tail of the CAT President. However, since it was a blow struck against one CAT, she magnanimously ignored the "action" as one of those "kill the messenger" things. By NOT publicizing a personal grievance...by accepting the retaliatory slight, President O'Shea hoped that maybe, hopefully a beginning could be made on collaboration and cooperation.
However, TODAY...only six (6) days after Superintendent Swopes' heart-felt apology comes another nasty missive...filled with words that also didn't make the "beautiful" list:

Editor's Note:
Superintendent Swopes mispeaks himself...
He chastises President O'Shea for not making her request until February 23rd...the day the materials were due.
As YOU well know, the "due date for submittal of the information and requested material" laid down by Superintendent Swopes was February 24th...and that was for mathematics materials only. (See schedule below.)
Oh, well...

Anyway...
What did CAT do to spark such an outburst?
Responding to complaints from the membership (at all attendance centers), CAT President O'Shea sent Superintendent Swopes an appeal concerning the unilateral mandate directing teachers to go back to "Day One" and produce documentation/copies of quizzes, tests, and homework assignments. In her letter, President O'Shea pointed out the onerous nature of the mandate...especially at this crucial time that teachers are working feverishly to prepare students for ISAT testing.
But, hey...don't take my word for it. Reproduced below is that letter...

As you saw from Superintendent Swopes' "missive" above, responding to CAT President O'Shea's plea..."Frankly, teachers...he doesn't give a damn!"
So, if you were holding your breath...hoping that Superintendent Swopes was going to live up to his word...
It's time to exhale!

Postscript:
The schedule for "for submittal of the information and requested material" for any who may have forgotten: