Transcript: Chat with Scott Mendelsberg

Published May 20, 2005 at midnight

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More Education

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Tim Question: This is Tim, the moderator. Here's an e-mailed question from a reader: In what way did your positive experiences at Emily Griffith High School prepare you for your work at Lincoln, particularly in the science area? Joe

Scott Answer: Joe, The science department at EGHS helped me in so many ways it would be hard to get all of it in this amount of time. Great teachers are capable of anything would be number 1. you owe me a beer.

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78Lancer Question: It seems more strict disicpline is helping there at ALHS--are other Denver schools looking at the programs you've begun there?

Scott Answer: there have been discussions. All buildings are a bit different, but I do know that all principals are active in keeping kids safe.

bob__john Question: Would you like to see other schools adopt your college now program?

Scott Answer: I think it is a wonderful opportunity for students that might not have the means to go to school on their own.

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78Lancer Question: I haven't had a chance to read the entire RMN article as yet-who is funding the 2 year college program you have? Was it a grand?

Scott Answer: State law reads that students are entitled to free education until they are 21. Our dipolma requirements ask that to acheive the diploma an associates degree must be earned. Students can opt for a traditional diploma.

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78Lancer Question: I meant a "grant:!

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bob__john Question: i read the medina story. are you going to get more people like him in the school?

Scott Answer: It is truly difficult with limited funding. We are asking a lot of somebody at 13 dollars an hour. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated man. I am trying to figure out ways to pay him more. He deserves it.

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JJ_ Question: do kids at the school segregate themselves by ethnic group? does the school try to get more kids from different groups to interact with each other throough programs?

Scott Answer: Our school is 85% Latino. So there is not as much diversity as you might expect. I do believe that our students are by nature, are very tolerant of other ethnic groups.

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bob__john Question: How involved are parents are your school?

Scott Answer: It is a big problem. Our parents love their kids like all parents do. Unfortunately, because of their income, they often can not find the time to be as involved as we would like. They certainly care though. It needs to improve however.

Steve_Dobo Question: Hi Scott...I just left my position at Urban Peak running the education programs for homeless teens, including starting a charter school, and have started a nonprofit to address the high school dropout crisis in Metro Denver. We are called Colorado Youth for a Change, and we are bringing high school dropouts together to inspire one another to renew their education. Have you had in the past or do you currently have programs designed to outreach to dropouts to encourage and help them return to Lincoln. If not, do you think that approach would work at your school and would you be interested in talking further about it?- Steve Dobo

Scott Answer: Good question. We were just discussing that the other day. One of my teachers brought it up. I have not really had time to process it, but I am interested in looking at ways to get more students to graduate. I would be happy to discuss it further.

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JJ_ Question: Does your school have ditching problems like the RMN reported about at South High School?

Scott Answer: We all do. I do think that the more great teachers that you have, and we have many of them at Lincoln, the less kids are inclined to ditch. South is an excellent school. The sad reality is this....if kids do not want to come, it is difficult to make them. Schools cna work to get better, no question. Kids have to take some ownership of the problem. Parents do as well.

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Scott one of the greatest softball pitchers ever in the state of Colorado.

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bob__john Question: Does ALHS have the poetry slam like at South? What's the drama program like?

Scott Answer: South has an excellent program and no, we do not have a program of that nature. Drama is a program that needs to get better at Lincoln. I need to do a better job of supporting it. It is essential to a quality high school.

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Hi. This is Tim, the moderator. We're going to wrap this up in a few minutes. Thanks to Scott for answering questions. Thanks to our readers for joining in. I'll be posting the transcript on the front page and on the DPS page soon.

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Tim Question: This is Tim, the moderator. Here's an e-mailed question from a reader: Hi Scott, Congrats on the strides you have made thus far. You're two years in, right? What are some initiatives you have in mind going forward? Also, will it be difficult for a program like College Now to grow in a district with limited funding and support staff resources (counselors)? Hodge

Scott Answer: Denver is not the same without you Hodge. To move ahead, there must be increased communication between high schools and colleges. Funding is a matter of thinking. We just need to move appropriations. It costs $25,000 to incarcerate someone per year. Only $7,000 to educate. It is where we want to spend our money. My guess is that the level of education for those that are in jail is not substantial. The more education, the less chance of incarceration. Now get back to work.

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katiekonrad Question: Congratulations, Scott. Just poking my head in to say hi.

jj Question: Do you feel you could use a couple of more hired community liasons to help out with controlling the students and open communications with there families?

Scott Answer: The more adults that want to help the better. Kids may act like they hate the added attention. Believe me, they love it.

Hi. This is Tim, the moderator. Scott is answering a final question. Check the transcript in a few minutes to read all his answers.

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78Lancer Question: When I graduated from ALHS in 1978 there were 595 graduates. How many are you graduating this year? How have requirements changed in the last 25 years?

Scott Answer: We are graduating about 200. Requirements have not changed that much. The size of the school enrollment is down to about 1350. My guess is that it was quite a bit higher in your day. More schools, more options. We have an alumni association. Feel free to contact Antonio Esquibel at Lincoln. We need all the help we can get. Stop by and see the new renovations. Thank you Denver voters.

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