Students at Vallejo's Peoples High taking advantage of opportunities

During any given passing period, Principal Joel Julien is in the halls or the quad of Peoples High School, gently coaxing students into their classrooms.

[mackerel]

My Father used to call continuation high schools, Caboose High. LOL

Say what you will about People's, at least some Vallejo kids do finish there and get their diplomas.

Thankfully there are teachers out there who will work with these kids that so many see as castaways.

[seriously]

wants to know why this reporter didn't ask Mr. Julien about the vote of no confidence that took place this past June? Isn't a real reporter supposed to ask tough questions?

The success of these kids have everything to do with the teachers.

[Cedric]

"Vallejo's Peoples High"? What kind of a name for a school is this?

Good Lord! Sounds like a branch of some Communist government! Come on folks! Could be Americans in America for change!

-Fidel latest to say Cuba's communism doesn't work
By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, September 9, 2010

www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...

[Native Vallejoan]

seriously wrote:

wants to know why this reporter didn't ask Mr. Julien about the vote of no confidence that took place this past June? Isn't a real reporter supposed to ask tough questions?
The success of these kids have everything to do with the teachers.

The teacher's may have something to do with the success of these kids, but let's face it, these kids are where they are because of their refusal to conform to the lax standards that exist in the "regular" high schools. These kids are products of their broken disfunctional home lives. People's High is these kids last hope for any semblance of a "normal" student experience. I hope all of the kids graduate and become functional contributers to society. They deserve a shot at redemption and they have that chance at People's High. But to say that the teacher is totally responsable for the kids success is insane. Most of these kids are disciplinely challenged at best. I used to drive the Vallejo Transit bus that picks up these kids after school and let me tell you, this is the most stressful chaotic time during a driver's 8 hr shift. They are disruptive, loud, and the subject matter of their conversations ranges from who they're boffing, to where they can obtain drugs, and boasts of their and their friends criminal exploits. Those poor teachers at Peoples deserve all the credit in the world for being at their teaching posts but they deserve very little of the blame for their student's success rates. Not every teacher is Sidney Poitier coming into an impossible teaching job and finding acceptance and scholars that want to be molded into Einsteins or Bethovens. Lighten up on the teacher's blame for the success of these troubled kids. Good luck and God bless these teachers.

[Independent Voter]

Cedric wrote:

"Vallejo's Peoples High"? What kind of a name for a school is this?
Good Lord! Sounds like a branch of some Communist government! Come on folks! Could be Americans in America for change!
-Fidel latest to say Cuba's communism doesn't work
By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, September 9, 2010
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...

Would the armed robbery committed by a student from People's High be taking advantage of an opportunity? Liberating a couple of Benicia kids of their cell phones and wallets?

[seriously]

Native Vallejoan wrote:

<quoted text> The teacher's may have something to do with the success of these kids, but let's face it, these kids are where they are because of their refusal to conform to the lax standards that exist in the "regular" high schools. These kids are products of their broken disfunctional home lives. People's High is these kids last hope for any semblance of a "normal" student experience. I hope all of the kids graduate and become functional contributers to society. They deserve a shot at redemption and they have that chance at People's High. But to say that the teacher is totally responsable for the kids success is insane. Most of these kids are disciplinely challenged at best. I used to drive the Vallejo Transit bus that picks up these kids after school and let me tell you, this is the most stressful chaotic time during a driver's 8 hr shift. They are disruptive, loud, and the subject matter of their conversations ranges from who they're boffing, to where they can obtain drugs, and boasts of their and their friends criminal exploits. Those poor teachers at Peoples deserve all the credit in the world for being at their teaching posts but they deserve very little of the blame for their student's success rates. Not every teacher is Sidney Poitier coming into an impossible teaching job and finding acceptance and scholars that want to be molded into Einsteins or Bethovens. Lighten up on the teacher's blame for the success of these troubled kids. Good luck and God bless these teachers.

no argument from me as that is what I meant by my earlier post. Mr. Julien isn't the reason for success of these kids; it is the teachers who work hard to help these kids succeed.

[Native Vallejoan]

Sorry, no autopsy, no foul! But man, these kids don't realize the gravity of their situation. They think they're still in kindergarten. If they fail here, they are probably doomed as far as a diploma or a GED. If they go on and get a GED, they'll have to do some work on their own to arrange the qualifying criterion for that GED. You'd probably see more successes from the GED people than the People's High kids since the GED kids are displaying some incentive and drive for their future. They don't realize that this is their easiest and possibly last chance to achieve some kind of opportunity for their future.

[Typical]

seriously wrote:

wants to know why this reporter didn't ask Mr. Julien about the vote of no confidence that took place this past June? Isn't a real reporter supposed to ask tough questions?
The success of these kids have everything to do with the teachers.

Yes, agreed that success has to with the teachers. Have you ever met or worked for Mr. Julien? Thanks for your negative implications about Mr. Julien's work. Clearly YOU missed the lesson about "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

[Typical]

Independent Voter wrote:

<quoted text>
Would the armed robbery committed by a student from People's High be taking advantage of an opportunity? Liberating a couple of Benicia kids of their cell phones and wallets?

...

I recall two of those students being from Benicia as well. Oh, I forgot, Benicia kids are perfect.

[Independent Voter]

Typical wrote:

<quoted text>...
I recall two of those students being from Benicia as well. Oh, I forgot, Benicia kids are perfect.

There were four total, two who still live in Vallejo, and two that moved from there. Benicia kids apparently make perfect targets though.

[Barbara]

Has anyone here seen the movie "Waiting for Superman"? If you have, then you would know that change is never easy in the public school system, especially when children of color are the beneficiaries of this change. Together we can all make a difference...embrace the efforts for reforms in public schools!

[Seriously]

It is funny how no matter how bad or good a story is the stereo type will always happen. I attended Peoples High years ago and I am a great mother, wife and sucessfull woman now. I was sent there in error so not everyone is there "because of their refusal to conform to the lax standards that exist in the "regular" high schools". Native Vallejoan you are the reason kids do not think they are worth something. People like you have no faith in children and that is the first problem. As far as the whole benicia kids comment, You have got to be kidding me! I hear about Benicia kids all the time breaking into homes, jumping kids and doing all kinds of criminal acts but its just not publicized. More people should uplift children regardless of where they live or what school they attend. Give kids a chance. Maybe that is the only thing they are lacking.

[SammySophie Grandma]

Seriously wrote:

It is funny how no matter how bad or good a story is the stereo type will always happen. I attended Peoples High years ago and I am a great mother, wife and sucessfull woman now. I was sent there in error so not everyone is there "because of their refusal to conform to the lax standards that exist in the "regular" high schools". Native Vallejoan you are the reason kids do not think they are worth something. People like you have no faith in children and that is the first problem. As far as the whole benicia kids comment, You have got to be kidding me! I hear about Benicia kids all the time breaking into homes, jumping kids and doing all kinds of criminal acts but its just not publicized. More people should uplift children regardless of where they live or what school they attend. Give kids a chance. Maybe that is the only thing they are lacking.

Your post is a good one and was nice to read. Thank you.

[XicanaSol]

Teens from all walks of life have innate talents, waiting to be discovered.Typically teens from struggling circumstances are dismissed and educated under a gifted and talented and gift less system, making the challenges of succeeding academically for these youth in particular all the more taxing. School Systems must confront the ways in which some students are denied learning opportunities. Education leaders and teachers should be the guardians of equity implementing strategies that promotes student empowerment. People's High School looks to be a lifeline of hope helping these young adults realize their potential and taking those steps towards positive independence by owning their education through a meaningful, relevant and safe structure of belonging; belief that they can create a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Much praise to People's High School and Principal Joel Julien.

[Khane Eudigette]

In other Peoples High news, Principal Joel Julien has been placed on administrative leave this week due to a pending harassment charge. There have been multiple allegations over the past two years with at least two out-of-court settlements.

Eight ball, corner pocket!

[EXPOSE THE TRUTH]

Khane Eudigette wrote:

In other Peoples High news, Principal Joel Julien has been placed on administrative leave this week due to a pending harassment charge. There have been multiple allegations over the past two years with at least two out-of-court settlements.
Eight ball, corner pocket!

In response to the comment above, it seems quite interesting that you know so much about the situation, but do not have a clue about the out-of-course settlement (which never happened). See the data, check the high marks(API scores increases by 106 points in one year). The interesting piece is the lack of support for growth and development.