The Arts and Mind protesting goes on, but in small numbers
I am sure that Mr. D. is a concern to all, but again, just a handful are protesting.
There is a meeting for parents tomorrow at 7 pm at the Arts and Minds School.
I saw Manuel Alonso Poch checking things out from his office, in an a glass enclosed area office right above the street. I tried to get in to speak with him, but it's really a madhouse there. I am hoping he and the others on the staff will tell their side of the story.
I do have a question -- why is this school on Commodore Plaza and allowed to disrupt everything at 3 pm? As soon as school lets out all hell breaks loose. Cars zoom up and down the street picking up the students, cars and SUV's beep non-stop, the street is clogged and it just seems like an odd spot for a school.
But again, I did see the students spending money at Mr. Moe's and The Last Carrot and other places, so it's good for business I guess.
posted by Tom Falco at 4:00 PM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
28 Comments:
If you saw a handful, you must have been there too late. Come earlier tomorrow. Alonso's side of the story will be "I am only the landlord" because he can't let you know he pulls the strings behind the scenes. Pathetic, he controls the principal, the board and everyone else. I will be truly interested in knowing just what his side of the story is when he is not even supposed to have a side at all. The other side of the story should be coming from the school's board- but we may have to wait until Manuel Alonso tells them what to say first.
This is my 4th year as a student at A&M, and I've seen the school and its students develop gradually not only academically, but artistically as well. Many students once viewed A&M as a well rounded school that provided beginning to advanced artists a chance to express themselves creatively and in a wholesome fashion- all while in a unique location. A&M's involvement in the community is also something very special about the school. This past Monday, students from the Chorus department sang Christmas carols at a tree lot while low income families picked out their Christmas trees, there was a school wide can drive for thanksgiving, the environmental club holds beach cleanups, and there's always opportunities for the community to experience our talent at one of our many shows for a very small price.
So, it is to my surprise that although the student body has such a warm attachment to the school and the arts, the administration and Mr. Alonso seem to solely think about money, business, their "reputation", materialistic image, real estate, and once again- money. Mr.De la Rosa was the backbone of our school. I'm sure when Mr.Machado needed help to figure out the ropes of A&M, Mr. De la Rosa was right there to inform him. Mr.D MADE the music department. My first year at A&M, there was NO organized music department whatsoever. But as soon as Mr.De la Rosa was hired, in very little time these kids had instruments, an absolutely beautiful band room, exquisite talent, respect, amazing performances, and the chance to take classes at the music conservatory he opened with industry professionals. The fact that Mr.De la Rosa was fired is ridiculous enough, but the way that the school's administration is handling it is even worse. Trying the intimidate the students is a big no no. Why can't they just give us a valid explanation as to why they fired the greatest instructor in our school. They really have to set aside their "adult" problems and think about what's most important- the kids and their future. This is no group of caring educators, this is a group of greedy and power hungry old timers that only have their interest at heart. I really do wish we had more support from the teachers. But I could understand why they'd be scared to help us out.
In regards to the protest, I think it's great. Not only are the students expressing their anger in a legal way, they're learning that even though they aren't full grown adults, they could still have their voices heard. Many people complain about the disturbance they're causing, but these people don't even begin to consider the disturbance that has been caused towards these students. I for one am not in the music department, but I still support them 100% and love them all. Mr. D helped me get in line when I was doing poorly my sophomore year, and I will always be grateful. I don't know much about Mr. Alonso, but the guy is super sketch and shady. Should we really have someone like that in the school system? It's ok, today I went to the teachers lounge to make copies, and there was a man sitting down. I told him all that was going on and how upset the kids were. Turned out he was a school psychologist and had a meeting with an administrator. Hmmm....
So keep protesting guys! Hopefully we'll get more support from other students. I'll be there with you all, pulling some strings back stage.
(: for A&M, E.R.
Oh and one more think, Manuel Alonso has no respect or consideration for the arts.
Back in the 90's he had a plan to buy the playhouse and knock it down to make a parking lot.....
sad....
just wanted to add that (:
E.R
Source:http://www.thegrovefirst.com/RedevelopmentCGPlayhouse.html
I do agree that this is a totally difficult place for a school to take place. I myself as a parent find it quite hard to pick up my children without causing traffic back up. I have learned to come a little later when the traffic has gone thru. As per Mr. Alonso and the staff telling their side of the story I am sure we will here they ridiculous side tomorrow at the 7 p.m. meeting. Mr. Alonso thinks that by taking pictures of the students and those in support of Mr. "D" he will intimidate them. HaHa Mr. Alonso not working!!!
WHat the school has done to its students is wrong. Mr. D was a great teacher. He was the person who help get this school started. He helped get this school approved so the High School Credits would be valid. Mr. Alonso promised Mr. D many things after Mr. D helped so much with the construction of A&M, but never kept his word. Mr. Machado made the biggest mistake of his life firing Mr. D. I'm only a mere sophmore and I'm a chorus student, not a band student. But guess what? That doesn't matter. Mr. D knew his stuff about voice. He assisted our Chamber last year in out tone for a song called "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre. We sounded BEAUTIFUL after we applied Mr. D's advice. Mr. D, just know that we, the students, support you. You better believe that I will try out for your new school next year. Good bye A&M and good ridance.
WOW. This really isn't fair to ANY student in the school; not just the music students. I am sure that a lot of the other students are going to be affected by this. You see the chorus teacher is D's wife, and she is going to leave the school, which will cause a lot of the chorus students to leave the school. Then with a big chunk of students gone, the reputation of A&M is going to get worse and worse, and teachers leaving isn't going to make the school look any better. The academics at this school are turning to shit, which will make more students leave. The whole system at this school is getting fucked up, and students and teachers are leaving. There is no official dance teacher. The only sane art departments are the art & drama. Drama is doing well with it's shows & art is doing well presenting all the art work it is making the school look somewhat decent. Along with that, the principal is using the money that should be used to text books and BETTER teachers is being used on improving the looks of the school. That's fucking crazy.
Good work Machado for getting rid of the only person who was keeping the school going. Thanks.
Most of A&M consists of the music program the Dela Rosa's are one reason why that school is doing so good now. Without them there is no hope and to just rip that away from the students is wrong. The was no reason why D should have gotten fired and these poor kids are protesting their butts off and the principle just laughs......horrible
These kids have guts....they fight for what they believe in and i respect that. These poor kids should get their teacher back
It was unfair to fire Mr. D
Mr. Alonso amd Mr. Machado made an arbitrary and dictatorial decision by firing Mr.De La Rosa. They did it "de facto"; in a dictatorial manner. They are trying to manage the school in the same manner Fidel Castro manages his island - by trying to silence the opposition. They are wrong! This is the U.S.A; employees and students do have rights. The administration of A&M has shown their total lack of concern for the students needs. The administration of A&M can be assured that this arbitrary and unfair action WILL backfire on them.
Mr. Alonso (a wealthy real estate investor) only cares about the $10,000.00 he gets from the State of Florida every year per student. By arbitrarily dismissing Mr. De La Rosa; Mr. Alonso has demonstrated a total lack of concern for the needs of his students. Mr. Machado seems to be a puppet that goes along with Mr. Alonso's decisions (a puppet like Dr. Rice following blindly the decisions of Mr. Bush).
I think it is about time that the State of Florida auditors perform a thorough audit on the finances of the Academy of Arts and Minds. They need to investigate how Manny Alonso comingles the school funds with his real estate investment funds. This is not a personal attack; however, an investigation of what has transpired at A and M is long overdue. I encouragage the readers of this page to contact the press and the appropriate authorities to get this going.
We have contacted the local media, and have sent personal emails that have fallen of deaf ears. I have spent the last 3 days sending messages and hoping that someone would contact me and I am still waiting. There is a meeting tonight at the school at 7 p.m. and we hope that these individuals haven't had enough time to cover up all their dirty business.
We need Media!
they are our only hope!
We really need to reveal this crook for what he really is. us the students deserve more.
some one posted something about Mr.D having a beautiful band room here at a&m and that is not true. the room is too small to even hold a 20 piece band.on top of us being all squashed like sardines the acoustics in the room are horrible. another thing is that the school itself does not have materials readily available for the student no books, no instruments, nothing! & i mean they are remodeling the WHOLE school to look like a fancy place. it doesn't even look like a school. what are Manny's intentions? He cant even hide anymore. Its only his fault.
The media is coming; I have contacted a friend of mine that has connections in the local media (both in English and Spanish). We need to give them a couple of days ..............................
The MEDIA already arrived. YOU are reading this in the media this very second aren't you?
Thank you very much Grapevine for your support to our kids; yes, you are absolutely correct - so far you are the only media outlet that has made this very sad event available to the public. THANK YOU AGAIN!
I recommend contacting the inspector general's office. They have been established for by the Miami-Dade Commission specifically for to look into such things. I am not attempting to accuse Mr. Alonso-Poch without evidence. but if citizens want to know, they should be able to do so. www.miami-dade.gov is the site. Go to departments on the right and cllick on inspector general.
I'm a student now in A & M, and this is my second year here, but ever since Mr. Machado came I knew the school wasn't going to be how it was like last year. I'm a drummer in A & M, and since last year Mr. D has been helping me get better in my technique, but in also as in a musician. He would always tell me that we would be the future and someday we will probably be teaching somone else how to become a great musician. Mr. D was always willing to help everone out even if they werent in the Music program. Not only do I see Mr. D as a excellent teacher, but as a role model for me to persue music. Like seriously I personally do not like Mr. Machado he has been a jerk, and I think he should get fired by the school board.
I Love Mr. D (:
What the principle did was wrong you see kids everyday practice there instruments..they almost NEVER drop them...they have been building up their dreams for years and came here to be taught by mr.d they dident reject places like new world and reef for some new principle to fire the reason to why the student are there....he just destroyed every music students dream and years of practice... Mr d has done nothing wrong and if the principle fired him for personal reasons then he shouldent be a principle....
Dreams are built through determination, practice and hope but most importantly they stay maintained through praise. Mr. D has always been an honest and respectful man, if the student did something wrong he would tell them so they can correct it and become better...i Never knew mrd d that well but i know that he is an AMAZING man....Im not a band student but even so it affects me either way....mr.machato just ruined everyones school year, yes EVERYONES...parents, teachers and ESPECIALLY students.....i can assure you next year A and M will EMPTY or close to it....and soon this so call principle will be found without a job....and no respect or love from his school....what he did we all know is wrong and we will all show him that he just stepped into the wrong plate, he messed with the wrong crowd.....
i just wanted to thank the grove grapevine for helping us ( A&M ) with making our protest known about the community. we appreciate it. thanks again for your covering this issue
I think they should have invited mr.d to the meetign last night. i'm sure the parents felt uncomforatble with machado and alonso in charge of it. our teacher was not there to defend himself from the crap they want to say about him. i don't know if he would have gone but the parents would have been better to hear what he has to say. but i know why they all were maybe quiet- we are all going to leave this school and there is nothing to say better than that. just wait. Not only was it bad to fire mr. d, but what i hate even more is how all the so called "adults" have acted after everything has hapened. threatening us, and some teachers have treated us like dirt because they are afraid that if we all leave they won't have the money to pay them and they will lose their jobs.well i don't care if they do because mr. d was an awesome teacher and he was fired for no reason already. and if it happened to him, it can happen to any teacher that machaddo and alonso don't like. being cowards and not speaking up is not going to make you safer. you are just cowards who are going to be fired anyways. at least mr. d was fired for doing what was right for him and the nmusic students. good for him and the hell with everybody who now talks crap.
i have an idea .............. all those of us that are plaaning to transfer to Mr. D's school next year should start leaving messages in this blog ........ or secretly and annonymously let our intentions know to the school administration, so they can have an idea right of the bat of how many students they will be lossing.........Machado is having this fictional dream that there are thousands of kids interested in A&M .............. let's see how many will come now that all of this is being publisized............
Hahaha
i agree with the person above ^
Im leaving right after winter break.
bye bye A&M
Goodbye to all theBULLSHIT!
Bad administration and terrible educators period. Nothing else to say about A & M. Florida needs to close this school for good!
They have a new Dance teacher who has a trashy mouth and lacks respect for students. Wait she is not a teacher...not certifide by State of Florida!
Parent
I attended the Arts and Minds 2008 dancers choreogaphy showcase. Congratulations to all those students for all the wonderful and professional performances. Need to do more. Everything was perfect!
Also, congratulations to the chorus. They were incredible!
Shame on the principle for not getting on stage to present himself and to greet everyone. Again you can see lack of leadership.
Congratulations to the Jazz and Orchestra students of the Academy of Arts and Minds; and also confratulations to the new Music Director Mr. Orin Jacobs. In just two dramatic and emotionally filled weeks they were able to pull off a superb concert. Mr. S was in the audience and he received two huge standing ovations! You should have seen the face of Bill Machado as Mr. D was being cheered; I wonder how Machado feels deep down inside knowing how unpopular he is with both the students and the parents.
Post a Comment
<< Home