How many jerks does it take to ruin a nice story about a young teacher going above the call to do something for the kids to look up to?

I encourage you to do all you can with the staff present to make that happen. Lead an initiative, volunteer. I'm sure the members of the Milton Education Association would welcome you.
By the way, I don't blame you for my car due to association. I believe in gray areas. So we can't generalize about what we don't know, though some of us try.

Retired GM: Some simple questions, UAW member and benefactor, about the Milton Teachers: What's their union's name? You never state it accurately. Mrs. Kress is President; what other positions are there? How do Milton teachers connect to WEAC? How many teachers teach in Milton?
When my Malibu has electrical issues, I should blame you, because you worked for GM, right? I know Malibu's were made in Lansing, but with your logic, I can blame you.

"I will make a off the cuff statement based on the various local families with children that attended Milton Schools. These Children have failed at everything they attempted from College to employment. It appears all they learn was life is a party."

This statement by RetiredGM shows unbelievable ignorance, and has absolutely nothing to do with the current School Administration or Teachers in Milton, nor the current story which we're all supposed to be commenting on. RetiredGM, you seem to have a very personal and subjective bias towards the MEA and its members. I have no idea why, as you've not been able to state anything specific with any clarity. As a parent of one former and one current Milton student, I will admit that not every teacher in the district is stellar, but the district as a whole is better than its counterpart in Janesville. I can say this having worked in both districts.

Well, RetiredGM, I was simply speaking to the issue of Milton students (or anyone in our country for that matter) being charitable, with some thinking they are helpingTHEM instead of US as I have seen stated since the Haiti earthquake and other such events. Lately it seems that every time there are people or groups who do benefits or fundraisers for the good of people outside of these United States, there are some who think we turn our back on "our own" so as to give aid to "outsiders". I don't remember of this from my youth or earlier years, but then, I didn't read blogs such as these. Has this always been the mentality? Or did we not used to help in such cases? OR did we change that much that it angers some people? To me, it seems that it's always been done, and people were proud of their efforts (and those efforts were over and above helping local and national charitable causes-not INSTEAD of them-as is the mistaken perception by some.)
As far as education (the 3 R kind)-of course it should always come first. But, on the other hand, this kind of "education" can be priceless when given in reasonable doses. These students will be pushed out into the wide world when their times come. It's good if they realize that there is more to life than those 3 R's and a lunch break.
As far as Milton students in particular, I know extremely successful ones, moderately successful ones, and some who surely could have done better. But that wasn't MY point, or the point of the story.

"Our students get nothing." WRONG. It was hard to understand your last post, but you are wrong, wrong, wrong in this statement. That school, and other Milton schools, do so much to help their local neighbors, but it's such a matter of course that it's as expected as their lunch break. THIS was such big news because of the gravity of the disaster, and the depth of the need because of it.
" If I had kids in school I sure wouldnt want them going to school to learn how to send money away because its nice." Too bad. But you would learn that they are encouraged to help their neighbor as a matter of course on a regular basis. I don't think they teach "Every man for himself." That is up to parents like you, I guess.

I suppose that is why the school board in Milton lowered taxes and gave money back, even though it was an amount already approved. If the board would have kept the amount the shortfall wouldn't be an issue at all.

RetiredGM-
"Our Milton Teachers have fail our Children for to many years"

It appears your teachers failed you miserably.

*chuckle*

RetiredGM and Napalm's hobbies include grumbling about youngsters, kicking puppies at any available opportunity and popping children's balloons at the circus and/or putting sand in their ice cream, laughing cynically as they walk away.

You two need to lighten up a tad - true generosity is the act of giving without any expectation of something in return - expecting something in return is called bartering. I find a great sense of satisfaction in knowing I am helping those in need, not in negotiating repayment.

And for cryin' out loud, why is this turning into an argument about the performance of our schools? Congrats to the Milton District teachers for teaching a VALUABLE lesson to our children and not letting cynical/miserable people influence your actions. BRAVO!

RetiredGM-
Why are you so concerned with how the Milton school district, or any school district for that matter, conduct their teachings? You're making such a big deal about something so petty. So what...they took a "fun" day for once. Everyone deserves a little break. When you were working, I'm sure you took days off. Oh that's right...you have retired from GM--I'm sure you took plenty of days off. Then again, I'm sure the only thing you learned to do was screw 3 screws into a frame, and still complain about your benefits from GM while the rest of us work our butts off without any "fun" days. So don't blame the teachers for negotiating their contracts, because they deserve it for being such GREAT teachers!!!!

jj3030, who is the 'great schools' website paid for by, who runs it? You might want to look into that before putting too much into the stats on that site. A better place to look is the D.P.I.

Well done, Mr Groelle, and the rest of the staff and students at Northside! This is just one of the great things that teachers and students do together to make Milton a great place to have kids in school! Support the kids, folks! Check the calendar at the school's web site and pick an event: Girls Basketball Sectionals at Craig on Friday at 8 PM. Come and show your support! Not your cup of tea? See the HS Play this weekend! Looking for a concert? Middle School Band on Tuesday of next week. Schools in Milton, and across the area, give kids opportunities to perform, and their communities opportunities to come and enjoy sports and the arts. Come see for yourself what good things are taking place!

Well stated jj3030!

Lets look ahead a few years~one or many of these kids will remember a teacher or teachers who did "something expecting nothing back". They could take it upon themselves to do the same thing & save our country. Teachers make a difference!

well done Northside school! Also a great picture of the haircut - I would shave my head for free if that hairdresser asked....just kidding, but she is a TEN plus plus. (A ten is the score on the U.S. official Yada haircutting score chart.) hee hee and yada yada - peace :-)

RetiredGm-here is how you show facts.
According to the greatschools.org website the state of wisconsin has an act average of 22 for a composite score. Which ranks in the top twelve. Milton has a composite avg. of 22 also. The national avg. is 21. Not to bad. Michigan on the other hand is ranked 49th in act scores no wonder gm moved to michigan. I bet those students have zero fun in school. Good thing they have instructors.
also on this webpage you can look at how schools relate according to state testing. Milton has scores of 84% above the state avg. of 74% for reading, 81% which is above the state avg. of 75% for Soc. St, 86% in science which is above the state avg. of 71%, 80% in language arts compared to 70% and 80% in math compared to a state avg. of 69%.
This website also breaks down how milton compares to area schools, you can look this info up on your own, no need to drag other schools into your personal attacks. Simply stating facts you have heard or make up doesn't mean they are correct.

I applaud this fund drive for Haiti from the Milton students!

I live in Canada now, but grew up in Janesville. Sometimes the ignorance I see here about other countries' aid TO the US makes me ashamed of where I grew up. Especially a comment like this: "I have yet to see a charity from another country to help anything in the USA... 9/11, Katrina, ...tornadoes, ....??"

Here's another perspective of another country who HAS aided the US during these disasters and war:

Canada's contribution to Hurricane Katrina:

http://eccentricstar.typepad.com/interna...

Canada's participation in Afghanistan:

http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/03/03/ti...

Canada's help on 9/11:

http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.asp?La...

retiredGM - what is the source of that ranking? Can you provide a link? If it is USNews & World Report - you may want to look closely at their ranking methodologies that compare comprehensive public schools (like Milton) with selective charter and private schools. If you really want that top ranking, then be prepared to pony up for the best of the best in teachers and technology - should only double your taxes.

Wow. RetiredGM you suck. The teachers in Milton have always made sure learning comes first, but you have to have a little fun now and then to keep it exciting... The way Northside had their penny wars not only showed a reward for hard work, helped others, and brought an entire school together for one cause, but I know from being a student at Northside many years ago that if you do not have your work done in class, are disruptive, or misbehave, you do not get the privilege to attend those functions that you worked so hard for. I think that Mr. Groelle, and the rest of the staff at Northside Intermediate School have done an outstanding job helping out others, coming together as a school, working hard and having fun! Way to go!

That was great!!!

Retired, why do you have to dissect every article that we are all allowed to post on? If we wanted you to educate us, we'd ask you to. I for one, would not though!! Be alittle more optimistic, you'll live longer!! Do you see the glass half empty or half full? LOL

I personally think this was awesome! This not only taught these children to save money but also to give money to those less fortunate. What is with cutting down on teachers? They do their job just as you do yours. I would never want their job, I could not handle 30, 5 year olds in one room, I give them a high five for all their (the teacher) energy and patience. Everyone should be used to Napalm by now, just ignore him, there is already a Mr.Negativity poster so he can't have that name.

retiredGM, get a hobby. I can not even big to imagine how you got your figures.

RetiredGM--Where did you go to school?

I guess we can count on Napalm and RetiredGM to find fault in every good deed. *sigh*

I meant actually, there are

"I have yet to see a charity from another country to help anything in the USA... 9/11, Katrina, ...tornadoes, ....??"
Actually, are international responses to our emergencies as well. Sad how quickly we forget...
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/kat...

Actually nine Milton male teachers grew beards for this fundraiser and then Mr. Groelle joined on with the head shaving. It was the school's biggest fundraiser yet, and it taught helping others. They have also raised money in the past for the Milton Community Food Pantry.
Some of those posters regarding Milton's negotiation issues are proven wrong again. All these teachers are unionized, and working for kids.

Mr. Teachers smiling in his chair helping people that would never ever help him back. Nice.

That is EXACTLY what makes him a great teacher and person. Helping people to HELP THEM while looking for NOTHING in RETURN.

Personally, I believe we are a GREAT enough country to do BOTH!

Seriously, the debt problem is because we raised kids to give it away to someone else. I don't think people have 3 mortgages because they were going into debt for the Red Cross. We raised kids who want it all right now and thought living paycheck to paycheck, like their parents did, was no problem. And, people always say they want to lower the debt but not pay more and not cut anything (medicare, unemployment, roads,). Don't know how it works for everyone else, but if I want to pay more in one area in my budget, then I need to take it from another area or raise my annual income. Pretty simple.

Despite our problems, we're still the richest country in the world and that carries an obligation. Nice job Milton school kids!

napalm I agree with you. But, we do want our kids growing up to be conscious of the world around them. I have thought more than once as we are sending millions out the country , what about the homeless and hungry here, in the good old U.S.A.

very cool.

These same students do a lot for their own community, also. You don't want them to turn a "blind eye" to those beyond our borders who they learn are suffering and need outside help, do you? If, by the time they have become adults, would you prefer we had raised a country (and so maybe a world?) full of students such as these, or a country (or countries?) full of students who only care about people within walking distance? Compassion spreads, you know, or they wouldn't be doing this at all.

RetiredGM: Your quote!
"It is plain, and simple. Union Teachers do not put the children first."
I'll bet you are upset because this teacher provided an inspiration for students to earn money for the less fortunate in Haiti. Teachers want students to succeed! This teacher is a prime example of why your post are complete nonsense!