Comments on: CMCSS e-mail “misunderstood” by principals; community leaders appeased but mourn “lost opportunity” http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/01/26/cmcss-e-mail-misunderstood-by-principals-community-leaders-appeased-but-mourn-lost-opportunity/ The voice of Clarksville, Tennessee Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:33:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: David Cutting http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/01/26/cmcss-e-mail-misunderstood-by-principals-community-leaders-appeased-but-mourn-lost-opportunity/comment-page-1/#comment-10695 David Cutting Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:47:32 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=14926#comment-10695 We also must teach by example, including the use of proper grammar. The e-mail stating “If any of your teachers is going to show the Inauguration in the classroom it should be tied to their curriculum …" does not pass the test. We also must teach by example, including the use of proper grammar. The e-mail stating “If any of your teachers is going to show the Inauguration in the classroom it should be tied to their curriculum …” does not pass the test.

]]> By: DJR http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/01/26/cmcss-e-mail-misunderstood-by-principals-community-leaders-appeased-but-mourn-lost-opportunity/comment-page-1/#comment-10694 DJR Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:50:28 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=14926#comment-10694 I disagree that the Principals misinterpreted his message. I think they understood the message as clearly as the rest of us. Mr. Harris gave them the option if they could tie it the curriculum. According to his response to me, "Schools took advantage of that if it was appropriate." There is no "misunderstanding" here. They followed his direction. When I read the Leaf Chronicle article about this, my own interpretation was that he was letting the Principals make the decision so that they would have to deal with the consequences on their own. Back then that was just my opinion. I see now that this is exactly what is happening. Instead owning his very clear message, he claims that the Principals misinterpreted him. What to do now? Perhaps a more clear, direct message to the students acknowledging an error in judgment, instead of blaming the Principals. Nothing else because this cannot be corrected. I disagree that the Principals misinterpreted his message. I think they understood the message as clearly as the rest of us. Mr. Harris gave them the option if they could tie it the curriculum. According to his response to me, “Schools took advantage of that if it was appropriate.” There is no “misunderstanding” here. They followed his direction.

When I read the Leaf Chronicle article about this, my own interpretation was that he was letting the Principals make the decision so that they would have to deal with the consequences on their own. Back then that was just my opinion. I see now that this is exactly what is happening. Instead owning his very clear message, he claims that the Principals misinterpreted him.

What to do now? Perhaps a more clear, direct message to the students acknowledging an error in judgment, instead of blaming the Principals. Nothing else because this cannot be corrected.

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