Sweatshirt Chides Markilinski for His Comments About Lenape
Mandy Podvorec
Mandy Podvorec attended Ford City High School. In the early 80s, she decided to enroll in Lenape Vocational-Technical School and graduated in 1983. She attended the nursing program at Lenape. Today, she has subbed for school nurse and has worked very hard on her accomplishments since high school.
She reveres Lenape as a school that has given her the basic tools upon which she has built her vocation. Imagine her surprise when she read an editorial from Armstrong School District Director Michael Markilinski who called administrators “skaters” and referred to Lenape as “Skater University.”
“Word on the street is that if you want to skate thru the final 2 years of your high school education, just go to Lenape Vo-Tech,” Markilinski wrote in his February 12, 2010 column.
To make a statement, Podvorec said she and five friends had sweatshirts made with the term: “Skater U.”
“We have had only five shirts printed so far by a local business who I will not give the name for fear of retribution,” Podvorec said. “It came as a result of Mr. Markilinski’s comments. He referred to it first, then she put it on the “Keep Lenape Full-Time” Facebook page. The Facebook owner, “She”, remains anonymous as well.
Lenape Tech | KP NewsDesk February 25, 2010
By Mike Fichthorn, February 25, 2010 @ 7:38 AM
I’m glad Mr. Markilinski is not getting a free pass with his thoughtless comment.
He has shown how little he thinks of our students, first with his smug email response to a former Elderton student, refusing to apologize to the student when given an opportunity, and now he offends every person who has ever attended or taught at Lenape.
He and Solak keep waving around AYP numbers for Lenape. I’m starting to wonder about their education since they can’t seem to understand the facts. For the first ten years of their education, these so-called skaters were educated at ASD schools (even the hallowed FCHS).
Lenape had these students for less than one year, yet is taking the hit for these poor test scores.
This is the same problem with the Elderton re-opening. The facts are there. They pick and chcose which facts to use and twist or ignore the ones that aren’t in their favor.
He and Solak seem to think they can bully the rest of the board. I don’t understand the fear of retribution. People must step up and let him know this behavior is unacceptable.
Mr. Markilinski needs to remember that he ran unopposed. I’m sure this won’t be the case the next time.
By Jan, February 25, 2010 @ 9:03 AM
I have to wonder what streets Mr. Markilinski is traveling? I doubt that it’s in Armstrong County since he is currently living in Cannonsburg. MJM alluded to the fact that he himself went to Lenape- perhaps he skated through his last two years there, however, one would have to believe that he would have skated through any school attended. Lenape runs a rigorous program and has high expectations for every student attending. To make the statement about Lenape only shows his true level of ignorance. Why don’t you pick on someone your own size and mentality Mr. Markilinski? It grates me that I should even address your remark, as I generally don’t like to stoop to that level; however, when you start attacking the intelligence of these students- you have gone too far. You continually want to attach low PSSA scores to Lenape, when in reality, those scores reflect past learning. Quit harping on issues that you have little knowledge about. Lenape has graduated some outstanding students.If you were to review the career paths that many of these students have taken, you would see that. Many go on to post-secondary education, and many secure jobs in their chosen vocational area.Some have gone to medical school- imagine that Mr. Markilinski? I doubt very much that someone who “skated” through Lenape could actually consider going to medical school. The one fact that you need to consider MJM is that in any school, you will have students who are motivated to learn and will succeed; and you will also have students who are not motivated to learn, and regardless of what school they are attending, they will choose not to learn. One thing is certain- at Leanpe, no student is left behind.
By Jen16226, February 25, 2010 @ 2:25 PM
I would like to know what the board’s plan is to help the students with their scores…..because as I have said before, the scores are not just suddenly low once they begin attending Lenape.
So how about stop the bickering, stop the fighting and make a plan to attack the poor scores instead of each other ASD board!
By johnnymydear, February 27, 2010 @ 8:42 AM
Be true to the platfrom you ran on: I understand that you want the small community schools to stay open, but be honest, yes, that may mean higher taxes. Many people would be willing to pay higher taxes to keep their local schools, and many would also say buildings don’t make the educational system and you’re traveling down the wrong path . That’s fair! People move to communities all the time and know that their taxes will be high, but they feel the results of the educational system are worth it.
Don’t act as if you’re doing the right thing by reopening Elderton because you truly believe it is the correct route to take for everyone in the ASD area or even the people of Elderton. We know why you are doing it, you’re fighting for Elderton because you feel Ford City may be the next school to close, and you need as many supporters on your side as you can get. If it reopens, you just received some.
As for teachers pay, they have an investment of money and time, walk in there shoes for a year and tell me they don’t deserve $40,0000 while still paying off college loans at $200-$500/month. I taught for a few years and not only is it stressful, demanding, and everyone thinks they are your boss, now “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND!” That’s realistic.