As a Port resident, a graduate of the Harvard School of Education and a former high school teacher, I am proud of the achievements of Schreiber High School students. They have garnered top honors in the Intel, Westinghouse and Regeneron competitions. A senior won a Merit scholarship a few weeks ago and Schreiber has set records for its numbers of Merit semi-finalists and finalists. Our AP offerings are extensive with acceptances into first-rate colleges impressive.
How sad that with the appointment of Michael Hynes as superintendent of schools and with the election of school board candidates who are champions of the “opt out” movement, we may well find the glory days behind us.
What was there in Hynes’s background that garnered such enthusiasm on the part of our school board? Was it his pledge to “abolish the U.S. Department of Education and standardized testing?” Was it his championship of meditation and yoga? His increase in the number of recess and playtime periods? While Hynes was Patchogue-Medford’s school chief, recess was doubled from 20 minutes to 40 minutes and play-time was reintroduced into the classroom. Was he successful, and how does one measure success anyway in the absence of testing?
Hynes’s tenure at the Shelter Island School District with total enrollment of 223 students provides little preparation for the Port Washington School District’s 5500 student body. While he spent four years as superintendent of the Patchogue-Medford school system with a large student body, its high school placed No. 465 in New York state, according to the latest U.S. News & World reports and No. 261 in the Niche assessment. Schreiber ranked No. 62 in U.S. News & World reports and No. 28 in Niche.
With the allure of Facebook, Netflix, Amazon, and Snap Chat, it becomes increasingly more difficult for students to find time to study or just to read for pleasure (a bygone pastime, it seems). We look to our schools then to offer challenging courses. We look to our schools to stimulate and engage young minds. More recess? I think not. Better to have more history, literature and mathematics.
Outgoing superintendent Kathleen Moony noted that it was important to address the academic needs of students, but in your recent article, however, Hynes does not make reference to the world of academia, achievement or scholarship.
I am not an elitist. I am proud that our school system has an excellent ESL program, a wonderful record of absorbing new Americans into our community, a vast network of social services and guidance programs. But we must never forget that we have an obligation to offer the finest education possible so that Port Washington’s next generation of scientists, physicians and economists won’t “opt out” of public education here in order to enroll in other communities or in private schools where state rankings are not considered dirty words and homework is viewed as a necessary adjunct to course material.
Judith Sloan
Port Washington
An elitist is EXACTLY what you sound like. If you did just a tiny bit of research you would understand that recess and play being pulled out of our schools can account for much of the growing lack of social skills, self regulatory behavior, and mental stability in our children. Clearly you’ve been out of the classroom for awhile or you would know that schools are in crisis. Achievement might be high in some of our LI districts, but so is suicide, mental health issues, depression and anxiety. What is your high achievement worth when the trend is that it’s at the expense of our children’s wellness?
It’s a sad reality when people can’t see the correlation between “achievement” and mental health issues. (Even increased drug use)
“I am not an elitist.” Whew. Thank you! Now that I know that, I feel so much better about your opinion. Oh, and by the way, since you’re so very involved in our local education and since you are in fact Harvard educated, I thought I’d let you know our current Superintendent’s name is spelled M-o-o-n-e-y. I care about the well-being of all children—not awards and accolades. Blessedly, the people who made the decision to bring in Dr. Hynes are actually informed, dedicated and passionate about improving life for all children in this community and beyond.
Anyone who cares about achievement should understand that developmentally appropriate learning is maximized when a child’s social emotional needs are met. Recess, play based learning and mindfulness are all evidence based practices in education. Pushed down academics are not. Michael Hynes is a gift to the district. If Port doesn’t want him, another district will be thrilled to take this progressive educational leader. Don’t squander this opportunity by being ignorant.
Judith as a former educator myself and someone who has followed the fantastic work of Dr. Hynes in NYS, all I can say is that Port Washington is very very lucky to have a district leader who is rooted in what is best for children and families. Your shortsighted view of what defines him as a district leader is both misleading and arrogant. What you failed to leave out of his credentials are the following: He is an Associate Professor at Long Island University/Post and Stony Brook University teaching courses in School Law, Curriculum and Instruction and School Leadership School Leadership and has published numerous articles and podcasts on school leadership and his belief in public education. Dr. Hynes is also a Fulbright Specialist. He graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He received his master’s degree in Elementary Education, his Professional Diploma in School District Administration and doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College. Dr. Hynes also received his educational training from New York University, Stony Brook University and Harvard University in the areas of School Leadership, School Business Affairs and Organizational Learning. Last year he traveled to Finland to study their education model. The children and families of Port Washington are in amazing hands with Dr. Hynes.
I really wonder how a graduate of the Harvard School of Education (as you say) and a former high school teacher (as you say), you are so ignorant about the basics of child emotional, social and cognitive development. As much academic background and as much experience as you have you are outnumbered by 1) scientists such as Freud (yes Freud), Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson (who by the way had not even a bachelor’s degree BUT he was a professor in Harvard), John Bowlby, Lev Vygotsky, my most favorite Maria Montessori and many many others 2) by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 3) by so, so many studies (from Harvard too) about the importance of recess, of play, and the development of social skills and emotional bonding 4) by common sense.
Actually I do not accept inmates at maximum security prisons in the U.S. to get at least 2 hours of outdoor time a day and our children to get 20 minutes, and often not even that.
Wake up sleeping beauty, the American Public Education is in crisis and the solution is not more testing, more math, more ELA, more dehumanizing and more robotizing. We are dealing with little humans. Have you ever heard about Aristotle? he says very useful things about education. READ, do your research, don’t wear blindfolds.
On a second thought, actually you do not emphasize your academic background but you do emphasize the “Harvard” name which, for me, it DOES make you an ELITIST.
But I do believe you are a Port resident (as you say).
Saying I’m not an elitist is like saying I’m “classy”. If you have to say it, you aren’t! Unfortunately, this sounds like a very out-of-touch, bitter point of view about someone who has and is making a difference in our schools. Stay the course Mr. Hynes.
Clearly Ms. Sloan is uneducated on how the education system works. Most districts on the island would be fighting tooth-and-nail for Dr. Hynes. He is an extremely accomplished man with extensive educational experience. His accolades are well deserved. He is an outspoken and brilliant mind. It would seem the absolute opposite of you, Ms. Sloan.
As a retired high school English teacher with 40 years teaching experience and a retired school board trustee with 15 years experience, I say congratulations to the Port Washington Board of Education for having the wisdom to hire Dr. Hynes. Anyone truly interested in quality education knows he is a rare jewel, leading the march to return to meaningful public education. These standardized tests made by corporations with no understanding of age-appropriate material have been destroying classroom teaching. A return to creative experiences that require critical thinking skills is what all of our schools need, and Port Washington is lucky enough to get a leader who understands that.
You certainly are the definition of an elitist when you celebrate a competitive high pressure educational system favoring an already privileged group of high achievers, over one that values an equitable whole child focus. Port Washington is so fortunate to have Dr Hynes to bring a fresh, child centered approach to teaching and learning, one that nurtures and inspires every child’s talents and passions. Bravo to the school board that signaled this new direction by bringing on board the finest Superintendent on Long Island. The high test scores touted by this former educator are such an elitist, narrow measure of human achievement. All children deserve better!
Ms. Sloan, it’s unfortunate that an elitist Harvard grad, as you conveniently mentioned, is so ill informed about what the opt-out movement is. Refusing state tests is opting-out of abusive, developmentally inappropriate tests that can take up 6-8 days. Tests that narrow curriculum in the classroom and strip teachers of their autonomy. As a former teacher yourself I’m surprised that you would support that.
The opt-out movement has made many positive changes in education the past few years. The one I’m most proud of is endorsing Board of Education candidates. (And helping them win their seats!) For example, you are fortunate to have a new pro-opt out candidate on your own board.
Congratulations!
Lastly, you are MOST FORTUNATE to have an incredible superintendent such as Dr. Michael Hynes at your helm. Your property value just increased exponentially!!
Friday, May 31, 2019
Port Washington Times
In Re: New Port Superintendent Favors Opt-out
To the Editor,
As a Port resident, a former high school English teacher, and the parent of a recent Schreiber High School graduate, I found the process to select Dr. Michael J. Hynes as Superintendent of Schools transparent and participatory and recent school board election debates multi-issue focused. I disagree with the premise of letter writer Judith Sloan that the “success” of the school district will decline if education leaders do not uncritically embrace state testing mandates and national competitions.
First, the writer assumes that outcomes measured by the Next Gen (Common Core) examinations are an accurate reflection of student and school district success, defining success as elite college admissions and awards in national competitions including some based on PSAT scores, but she presents no evidence to support this view. Many prominent education leaders, including Dr. Hynes and Ms. Brooks, have presented evidence that the Common Core examinations as designed and implemented are not an accurate measure of student ability, are not always developmentally appropriate and are not available to educators as results that can be used to inform instruction. Both Dr. Hynes and Ms. Brooks have also participated with other educators to improve the implementation. Does education research demonstrate that these tests correlate to the elite college admissions process or to awards presented in national competitions? Current university-based education research demonstrates that criteria such as success on standardized testing and awards in national competitions are heavily impacted by socio-economic status. Many elite colleges have dropped the SAT as an admission criteria.
Second, the writer implies that the hiring of Dr. Hynes was made in isolation by the school board, which is not accurate. The school board hired an executive search firm that held public meetings with community stakeholders, opened an on-line survey for those unable to attend those meetings, and conducted a search based on the criteria established by the stakeholders.
The search firm presented multiple candidates to the hiring committee for recommendation to the school board for appointment. Dr. Hynes stood out as a candidate because of his robust educational leadership career. Retiring Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Mooney consistently articulated a whole-child educational philosophy. As do Dr. Hynes, Ms. Abramson-Brooks and Ms. Beys.
Rather than being pessimistic about the future of Port schools, I am optimistic that our present and in-coming leaders are poised to deliver best-practice vision to every student in the district.
Thank you Ms. Sloan, we want you to know that you are not alone. There are many of us who agree with you and will continue to fight for the children of Port Washington.
Dear Ms. Sloan, we agree with you and want you to know that you are not alone. There are many of us who will stand up for the rights of parents who want their children to excel.
concernedparentsofport@gmail.com
Ms. Sloan is correct. What is Dr. Hynes leaving behind in Patchogue-Medford? Five schools on the state’s improvement list. Two about to be on the list. Little to no instruction taking place in elementary schools, which has resulted in 6th grade students with no basic math, reading or writing skills. He tells everyone, “Play!” but does not actually lead the district to do so with any implementation plan. It is all random stuff being done. Students have no problem solving skills and no ability to persevere.
He has forced administrators to hire his friends, his neighbors, people who he wants something from and Board Member’s children. He has filled the district with incompetence and now he is leaving it all behind to be cleaned up. He makes deals with parents to give them things that nobody knows about and are not offered to everyone. He fudges statistics when he wants, the graduation rate is abysmal at Pat-Med.
Patchogue-Medford is happy to see him go. This is the first position he stayed in long enough to cause damage. The district will be cleaning his mistakes up for years to come. The students are the ones who will suffer while Dr. Hynes continues his snake oil salesman pitch to another district. His only goal is to go on the speaker circuit and make lots of money. He just needs to drag this out until he can retire.
We cannot figure out how Port Washington could have been so blind. How they did not fully check his history. Look at Center Moriches, look at Plainedge. History repeats itself. Best keep a good eye on him and watch the Board as they have obviously been conned.
I don’t know if to cry or laugh!
I just closed on my house in Port Washington- we moved here from the city because of the schools – I just hope this is not true!
Please the person with this information, pm me at: heatherlee201106@gmail.com with any other information or where can I corroborate this!
PLEASE!!!!
@HeatherLee, welcome to Port Washington! Port residents are welcome to join the PW Advocates for Public Education group on Facebook @PW Advocates for Public Education. We do not agree with this letter and we have written an evidence-based response which we hope the paper will be printing soon. The Port Washington School District offers so many amazing opportunities for students and with Dr. Hynes’ leadership, and the thoughtful Board of Education who recruited him, we expect even more student achievement and fulfillment for all our students.
I just learned that this information is coming from administrators who are currently working under Dr Heynes. They have to remain anonymous because of repercussions to their careers. I was given other information but was asked not to share it at this time!
This is terrible! My husband and I feel trapped! Oh what a nightmare!
What’s missing from the Hynes supporter comment who posted here, but don’t live in Port, is the fact that Hynes wants to abandon all curriculum, instruction and assessment. Whether you like the current system or not, there is more to success in school and life than “feeling good.” Be aware that students need some level of academics – even those cited in prior comments such as Montessori supported opportunities for self exploration that lead to a personalized level of academia.
We could debate this for pages. However, no, I repeat no, reputable researcher or educator forwards the concept that there should be no academics in our schools. To be sure, Hynes has forwarded his position through the use of selective research; research that supports his position.
To clear up his “resume,” to state that he is Harvard and NYU educated because he attended conferences at said universities is a fallacy. Having worked w Hynes, I can tell you first hand he knows nothing about curriculum and instruction – his forwarding of play, opt out and yoga (all of which I support in conjunction with a solid instructional program) are smoke screens covering for the fact that he knows nothing about learning and teaching. I challenge Hynes to teach even one child to read – he’s never done it because he doesn’t know how – nor can he guide a successful educational program.