A Christian writes.

For the record . Mr Fadlallah is according to the the official DPS contract is fully within his rights to replace Mr Marszalek. as he is a retired teacher. Contractually if a full time teacher applies for the open position it must go to that teacher. Now ,do I think other confederations are in play ? Absolutely.

--by russ on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Russ,

I want to preface my remarks with the fact that I am not an Imad Fadllalah supporter. Has he done significant things at Fordson? Yes. My issue is that this is a high school in Dearborn Michigan and not in the Middle East. Suffice it to say that there is an undercurrent of Middle Eastern v. American issues at this school.
There is some information that you should be made aware of. (1) The wrestling coach at Fordson was not terminated. His contract was not renewed. He had notified the administration that he would coach one more year (2008-2009 school year) and then retire. The wrestling coach was t the May 24, 2008 board meeting at the urging of a board member to tell the board and the public why his contract was not renewed.
(2) The coach was directed by the Fordson Administration that Mr. Hancock was not allowed to be associated with the wrestling team and was not allowed to attend any meets or tournaments. Mr. Hancock’s son was a member of the team so, Mr. Hancock was not allowed to watch his son compete. The coach was directed to ensure that Mr. Hancock was not in the building or at any of the meets. Suffice it to say, if you are coaching, you can’t be a security person also.
This whole issue is just another example of the Dearborn Public School’s catering to the Middle Eastern community. The board and the administration have position Fordson High School as a public Muslim school of higher learning.
What is troubling by all these issues is that if the principal was not of Middle Eastern descent with ties to the Arab American Political Action Committee and the government in Lebanon, then, if these issues came up, he would have been moved to a different location ala Lou Guido at Dearborn High.

--by Been There and Done This on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Russ:

With all due respect, there is a big difference between:

"Fully within his rights" and what actually occurred precipitating the events.

We have seen several examples around the district this year where several DPS union members applied for coaching jobs held by long time non-employees and they were sithing thier rights to do that, but the big difference in those cases was that someone actually wanted those jobs. No teacher truly wants the wrestling job at FHS.

At FHS, Fadlallah just wants Marszalek out! Just like he wants other non-Muslims out of Fordson and has already gotten rid of dozens of others.

He and has "administration" is dismantling entire departments at FHS to get to people Fadlallah does not want at FHS. He can pull it off because it’s that time of year! Layoff time.

Everyone in the DPS knows that no one truly wants the coaching job at FHS for wrestling, it’s just another glairing example of the ethnic cleansing going on at FHS. Fadlallah's record speaks volumes as to his intentions, not his words.

What we are seeing at FHS is a school board sanctioned ethnic cleansing. It’s not just at FHS either!

--by We love ya russ on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

First of all, Trey Hancock was not banned from all wrestling meets and tournaments, he was allowed as a spectator to watch his son. The principal did not want him interacting with other kids because Trey feels it's his duty to teach muslim kids that what their parents have taught them all thier lives is wrong and they should accept Christ. Shame on all of you out there who think that this is okay to do. It is not okay for someone to preach to minors and try to brainwash them and their parents don't even know about it. If you ask other wrestlers they will tell you that Jerry Marszalak is not the hero that he makes himself out to be. He didn't care about the other wrestlers, often degrading them and putting them down. The parents that went to the board meeting went to voice their concerns about a few teachers who also degrade and humiliate kids. Teachers who should not be in a classroom teaching kids because instead of using their best teaching practices they use their most unethical and immoral teaching practices. And yes many parents and students do love and respect their administrator. It is a diverse group and there are MANY educators who are not Arab at Fordson who also support and respect him.

--by Fordson Walls on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

How can anyone with a shred of intelligence defend Imad Fadlallah? What exactly has he accomplished at Fordson?

Fordson is the only school in the entire city to not make AYP. They have not only failed to make AYP, they are slipping further and further away from it. Imad Fadlalalh has been principal for 4 years, Fordson has been a failing school for 4 years. The grades issued by FHS do not jive with their students ability to show a comprehension (or even an understanding) of the required materials.

--by One more thing on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

How can you comment on "all" Fordson students and their abilities to comprehend ? Agreed Fordson has failed AYP Michigan's school tests for several years.And this does point to some serious problems at the school. But your comments were of a rather sweeping condemnation.

--by pray tell on 5/31/08   Lives: Michigan  

Russ

I wouldn't be so sure that DPS is within its rights to get rid of the coach. Even if he had no contract and was employed as coach "at-will," that would still not justify failure to rehire him if the reason behind the decision was unlawful discrimination. It appears that it was, if the reports are accurate that Fadlallah axed the coach for refusing to ban a parent from the school who wasn't doing anything wrong, except in the eyes of Allah (i.e., talking about Jesus when not around the school). Fadlallah's discriminatory animus against Hancock fell on the coach, whose performance was from all accounts good enough to merit rehiring.

As to Fordson Walls, this may be a hard idea to grasp, but in the USA it is not against the law to try to persuade people to convert to your religion. And I'm not ashamed for not thinking there's anything wrong with that. I can't think of any religion that doesn't preach to minors, namely children, in Sunday School, Catholic school, Hebrew school, the Mosque. When do you think most religious people join their churches? As for your charge that Hancock was trying "to brainwash them and their parents don't even know about it," I have two questions: 1) who said he was trying to brainwash anybody? and 2) if the parents don't even know about it, how do you know about it, and how did all those angry Muslim parents at the school board know about it?

http://dearbornunderground.blogspot.com/2008/05/fordson-principal-pile-drives-first.html

--by TR Clancy on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Just the fact that Aimee Blackburn, aka the AAPAC Pygmallion, did an investigation speaks for itself. What a laugh! Her close ties to AAPAC and Fadlallah make the investigation nothing but bias. She ran around trying to get Nael Abunab, THE FELON, endorsed for school board. I'm not surprised that she'd support Fadlallah too.
Why not just waste another $20,000, like in the Zigterman scandal? In the end, Fadlallah will only be promoted to central office. Since Fadlallah cleaned up Fordson when he was hired, maybe he could once again replace Paul Smith and work wonders with central office administration.

--by Taxpayer on 5/31/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Russ,

Tell me if I'm wrong, but in education, there's little difference between being "fired" and not renewing someone's contract. I would like to know if anyone has any idea if Mr. Hancock was at all responsible for this, perhaps promoting religion too much in class, in which case Imad Fadlallah would be *technically* correct in not wanting him around.

However, the real issue here is not that Mr. Hancock is a Christian pastor, or if he spoke too much about his beliefs, but instead the fact that for Mr. Fadlallah to fire him for it he is acting out of blatant hypocrisy because of the culture at FHS. We all know how non-muslim children at that school are often ridiculed and pressured, not to mention promoting Muslim belief is frequently held above the importance of the student education in some classrooms.

I had a Physics teacher in HS who said at the beginning of the school year, "I believe in god. Some of the things I teach in this class I don't believe in as a Christian, but I'm going to teach them to you the best I can because the state requires it." He never said a word about it afterwards. It's about time the Muslim community at Fordson started to show that kind of commitment to their students and stopped playing these theology games.

--by Brian on 6/1/08   Lives: USA  

To the first comment


Did you say contractually??? HaHaHa. Don’t you know that Imad doesn’t care for the contract, he violated teachers contract many times. Imad has his own agenda to follow, named“ I am above the law”.

--by True on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

It was obvious that the parents were there to support the principal against allegations that he assaulted a student. Allegations which were announced to be false at that same board meeting. They were also their to voice their concerns about a handful of Fordson teachers who insist on belittling and humuliating students because of their ethnicity, political views, or religion. If anyone would have listened to the entire board meeting they would have comprehended the true reason the fordson community came out the way they did. I say good job to those brave kids and parents who came to the board meeting and supported their school and principal the way they did.

--by Observer on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

1) Fliers were distributed at Dearborn’s residence to encourage parents to rally and attend the Board meeting, we are not surprises with this act of Imad, but I am surprised that at that meeting nothing was mentioned about the failing AYP, Imad’s discriminations against nationality, religion, gender that he practiced for many years.



2) If Imad has a concern with Mr. Hancock, then this should have been handed through the proper channels. Imad thought that he is a GOD and that he can pick and chose Fordsons visitors, as he picks and chooses his secretaries, teachers. .For many years he practiced discrimination, and abused the freedom provided in the United States of America.



Imad did not single handily create the corruption in Dearborn Public schools; however, the Board of Education contributed too. Imad used his authority and power to hurt teachers, parents, students, and others.

--by True muslim on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

1) Fliers were distributed at Dearborn’s residence to encourage parents to rally and attend the Board meeting, we are not surprises with this act of Imad, but I am surprised that at that meeting nothing was mentioned about the failing AYP, Imad’s discriminations against nationality, religion, gender that he practiced for many years.



2) If Imad has a concern with Mr. Hancock, then this should have been handed through the proper channels. Imad thought that he is a GOD and that he can pick and chose Fordsons visitors, as he picks and chooses his secretaries, teachers. .For many years he practiced discrimination, and abused the freedom provided in the United States of America.



Imad did not single handily create the corruption in Dearborn Public schools; however, the Board of Education contributed too. Imad used his authority and power to hurt teachers, parents, students, and others.

--by True muslim on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

How can anyone in their right mind think the Fadlallah influence at FHS is one worthy of retaining? Those kids are being robbed from a chance at a good future!

FHS has become the embarrassment of the city. Looking at the decline in performance, how can a sane person view what is going on at FHS as a good thing and WANT to keep it?

--by This city has gone mad! on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

I take exception with the posting by Observer. I did listen to the entire board meeting. Fordson parent, after Fordson Parent read speeches that were not written by themselves, rather, by third parties. The kept tripping over their speeches. As for the “Fordson Community” rallying around the principal, this was a rally incited by the Arab American Political Action Committee and The Arab Amercian Student Union from UM-D. Where were all these concerned citizens when the district was selecting a Superintendent?
The interesting part is how all the speakers used their 1st amendment rights to address the Board of Education. The undercurrent to the speakers was not that their rights were violated, rather, their religion was. The last time I checked, Fordson High School was not a Private Muslim school, it is a Dearborn Public School. This means, that they can not have any type of religious activities in the building during the school day. Does the school cater to middle eastern students? Yes. This catering to the middle eastern community has dismantled the academic program. This is one of the reasons that the school doesn’t make AYP and the reason the administration of the school should be dismantled and rebuilt.

--by Spectator on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Fordson Walls can dance around the issue. But the truth is that board meeting was an Arab political "dog and pony" show sponsored, sub rosa by Mr Abed Hammoud.Mr Sion Berry, Mr Fadlallah and Ms Aimee Blackburn.I belive they are all members of the Arab American political action committee AAPAC. I do think, the "canned" speeches were a little over the top.

--by Fordson truth on 6/1/08   Lives: Detroit area  

To Spectator

You mentioned
“The administration of the school should be dismantled and rebuilt”.
I suggest that they should face charges.

--by Amen on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

To the Detroit area


The democracy in the USA has more power than the handful of corrupted people by this man. You mentioned Sion, Do you mean “Sions”, because there are five whom work at Fordson.

--by Detroit news on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

It is very amusing that Dearborn High parents and other West end residents are now so concerned with issues at Fordson High School.

--by DPS and UMD Grad on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

DPS and UMD Grad

You are just showing what a dreadful decline we are in here in Dearborn. Even a graduate of U of M can’t see why DHS and EFHS parents as well as ANY home owner in Dearborn should be concerned about the total failure of FHS.

Apparently your high and mighty education has now showed you how a school district impacts an ENTIRE COMMUNITY! If one school is a miserable failure, WE ALL suffer for it!

All of those teachers at FHS who are being run out will end up bumping good teachers out of their jobs at the other high school and Jr. High schools to fell this maniac at FHS. This will change the successful climate that it has taken years to cultivate in some of our schools. There are more “program killers” at Fordson than anywhere else! Teachers who are so disgruntled that they are no longer fit to run a class room.

If FHS fails one more AYP (5 straight) the flood gate of FHS students will open and the DPS will lose MILLIONS in revenue as we will have to allow those students to seek a new school. This will put our district in a financial upheaval beyond anyone’s wildest imagination! It will be the equivalent of slapping a fire ant hill! The FHS students are dragging our cumulative district standards down exponentially right where they are, put them in successful schools and watch them suffer for years of poor education!

There are MILLIONS in hush money pouring out of our district to silence people because of what is and has been occurring at FHS for the last 4 years. This is not Fordson money it’s DEARBORN TAX PAYER MONEY.

You had better get a REAL education buddy before coming out here and showing how ignorant you are!

--by Just sit quietly and listen on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

DPS and UM grad. You do not see the relevancy of Fordson to our total education system here in Dearborn ? God help UM,if you are an example of what they are turning out.

--by Dearborn on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Now that Mr. Fadlallah has made it clear he believes in enforcing the separation of church and state at Fordson High School, when can we expect him to demand an end to serving Halal meat in Dearborn schools--after all, that dietary requirement is based on religion, the Islamic religion.

--by Halal Of a Good Question on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Spectator writes that the parents of Fordson who spoke at the board meeting did not write their own speeches but that the speeches were written by third parties and that the parents were tripping over their speeches. I did not think the parents were tripping over their speeches but if they were it was because they had just sat through a 3 and 1/2 hour board meeting and they were tired. Not to mention board president Dulmage rushing them along as usual. I think some people want to refuse to give credit where credit is due. I also think that Mr. Fadlallah did not renew a coach's contract. This happens to people everyday!!! Contracts are not renewed. That is why it is a contract and that is why many employers are at will employers. When a contract is up then a person is not guaranteed their job back. Why should an exception be made for this coach. If it were any other principal besides Mr. Fadlallah, it would not have gotten this big I believe the coach signed a contract for a certain amount of years and those years are up. Now it is time for him to move on. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not that does not define fired. I do not know who rallied the Fordson community like they did but I think they did a great job coming out and supporting what and who they believe in.

--by Observer on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

For all of his faults, Imad Fadlallah is a champion to people whose expectations of excellence are simply a high school diploma at any cost, not a substantive education or sense of self worth and respect. They have nothing to prove to others, they are satisfied with the meaningless diplomas that Fordson churns out year after year for kids who are leaving Fordson with, on the average, a 7th grade education if their lucky. Considering that the majority of the Fordson community has no formal education at all, I think it’s sufficient to say that this is quite an accomplishment to them that their kids got a HS diploma. As a COMMUNITY we should expect more despite their low expectations!

--by Teacher on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Let me just say that Dearborn will always be Dearborn and you just have to look at its history to see how disgusting it is and how racist it is what is good for one is not good for the other I suppose. Becuase if your kids where being threatened like that you would be all over it but becuase it is the poor east end who cares and lets fuel the flame even more so they cant succeed. I just have to say that everyones hatred and disgusting ways will destroy the best of all of you.
Dearborn

--by Dearborn on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Dearborn, Your comment was "disgusting" You condemn the whole city for the actions of a few. You need help.

--by also Dearborn on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

It's absolutely amazing that all people can do is complain. Teachers complain about the students and administration and about the school not meeting its yearly AYP scores. Well maybe the teachers are complaining because they are finally being held accountable for their time and effort. Just like in sports, if the players (teachers) aren't producing then blame the manager and get rid of him. Maybe everyone should quit blaming each other and get down to business.

--by a tax payer on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Observer

The reason they were tripping over their own words is because a good segment of those folks have limited English language skills.

Here in lies the problem. If your kids home with a 5th grade education and their parents have no education at all, it’s considered a success! I don’t say this to be mean or belittling, its reality! Over at DHS or EFHS, they expect kids to be able to do Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, and Trigonometry, at FHS we are happy that they can add, subtract, multiply and divide. We need a Principal who understands that that is not enough even if most of the parents think it is. That’s why the parents love Fadlallah, he sets the bar nice and low and teaches the kids of Fordson to simply crawl under instead of jump over.

We, as a community, should expect more from a public school! We should expect more than people who are just happy their kids can read at all. This is what we have at FHS right now. Some Fordson parents have set the bar low by our standards, but think Fadlallah is doing a great job by the standards they set for themselves.

Most Fordson parents see Fadlallah as a champion of their kind, a man who is making FHS a place where their kids can assimilate slowly and gradually. We all know that they need to assimilate faster than that to make AYP. There is the conflict in a nutshell!

--by Its Reality on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

First of all, for the person who suggested that Mr. Fadlallah do away with halal meat, West Bloomfield serves only kosher meat in their schools, should they get rid of it? Then maybe we should also start serving meat on Fridays in the Dearborn Public Schools, I believe they don't serve meat on Fridays because of religious purposes. Is that okay? As for low expectations at Fordson, where do the teachers play into all of this? Don't they share some of the blame? Who ever made the comment about low expectations, doesn't know what they are talking about. We have students attending top notch universities. Call students services and ask for the facts. You can't stand to see Fordson kids succeed and go above and beyond. You are too blind sided by your ignorance and intolerance to see anything positive. Why doesn't Fordson make AYP? Have you ever asked previous administrators? Maybe a drug addict and a thief? DHS and EFHS students are not higher achievers than Fordson students. Fordson students can compete with any of them and others all over Michigan. Most of you don't have kids at Fordson you just base your opinions on rumors and lies. Take off your ignorant lens for a minute and think reasonably if your brain can function long enough to do that. Then maybe you can find out the truth.

--by Fordson Walls on 6/1/08   Lives: Dearborn  

russ, "was the coach of a club team," i was apart of the club team when i was in 5th grade. that club was one-on-one wrestling. practices and enrollemnet of this club went on after school AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL. and always trey would mention jesus this that whatever. and one day if i was asked if i was saved and belived in christ. not knowing what that ment, i went and asked my dad and his reaction was he took me out of wrestling. so its not like this is somthing new and couple students just making this up. trey does do such thing and i think its just as guilty by association. heck this happens all the time

--by mr. big shot on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Well here we go again. Fordson is once again on the agenda. As a parent I am concerned. We the majority of the parents at Fordson High School support our principal. If there are others such as staff memebers that feel they are not happy or something is going on between the walls at Fordson High School then they need to publicly let us the parents know. We can not believe the rumors we hear. Again as a Fordson parent I am asking any Fordson Staff Member to please step up at the next board meeting and speak. If our Fordson Students were brave enough to speak then as educators you should do the same. Plese I am asking the educators at Fordson High School to please come forward publicly with your concerns.We the parents are after all hearing one side of the story . Maybe this way we could all work together for the sake of our children.

Thank You

--by Fordson Parent on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

To "Its Reality"

"Over at DHS or EFHS, they expect kids to be able to do Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, and Trigonometry, at FHS we are happy that they can add, subtract, multiply and divide."

Please!!!!!! Over at Fordson we have students who take AP Calculus, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, and Differential Equations (Calculus 4). I can honestly say everyone who reads at this site or any student at Dearborn High can not solve the differential equation:
y''-13y'+39y=6cosx+8secxtanx
Or even tell me what the integral of tanx is equal to. At Fordson, we live mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, all the social sciences and yes of course ENGLISH!
At Fordson, we have students who are leaders in the community and DO NOT sit home all day and eat cake, while playing X BOX. At Fordson, the scholars graduate who are far more prepared for college than students at Dearborn High. Also, at Fordson 7 Seniors have been awarded Full ride scholarships to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I dont know of any Dearborn High student with a full ride to an accredited University.

--by Fordson Calculus Student on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Mr. Big Shot
Your comment does not make sense. If you are a product of Dearborn Public Schools--Fordson We are in trouble. Use spell check and grammer check next time.

--by a bystander on 6/2/08   Lives: Detroit area  

Let me get this straight. Principal Fadlullah did not renew the contract of an at-will employee. (his right to do so). The employee attended the school board to register a complaint about his non-renewal. (again, his right to do so). So, a high school principal made a decision that some did not agree with. Is this news? I’m sure any leader of any high school must make several decisions a day that are met with disagreement. Why then, did over 300 people attend a school board meeting to protest? Because someone complained about the principal at Fordson and I guess no one should complain about the principal at Fordson. If someone complains about the principal at Fordson, it must be for religious and ethnic reasons, as noted by Imad Hamad’s letter to the Dearborn Press and Guide. John Artis explained that Principal Fadlullah’s reason for non-renewal was in line with DFT’s rules and regulations. Nothing was said about religion or ethnicity. Until the Fordson community stated the reason for the employee’s non-renewal was for failure to keep a Christian parent away from the wrestling team. Voila, now it’s about religion, but which one? My kids are in the Dearborn Public Schools and if I tried to keep Islam away from them, they wouldn’t be attending school. There are discussions about Ramadan, accommodations for diet (Halal and special provisions during Ramadan Fasting). No music is played during the month of Ashura. There’s a “Have You Embraced Islam” sign in the media center at Dearborn High. With the stroke of a pen from an Imam in Saudi Arabia, DPS had an unscheduled day off at the beginning of “winter break” due to a bad moon rising at Eid (including a note send out from Wageh Saad explaining the religious nature of this observation.) Lila Amen sends out Happy Ramadan e-mails using the district wide e-mail system. There are “cultural sensitivity” courses for teachers to adhere to Islamic strictures such as administrators not shaking the hands of girls graduating from high school, even though it is an American custom to shake hands. I’ve had to explain to central administration the difference between culture and religion. Islam is not a culture. It’s a religion. Otherwise, you could shake hands. We have been so open-minded, our brains fell out. But, don’t complain, because you are a racist, bigot, Islamophobe, etc. etc. Someone loses their job because someone else loosely affiliated with him mentions something about Christianity? However, the last I’ve checked Fadlallah still has his job at Fordson. Who should be protesting whom?

--by Me Thinks Thou Does Protest Too Much on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

You must be joking. Given Fadlallah's reputation for holding a grudge and actively going after those who might speak against him or his philosophy, any staff member who spoke at a board meeting would be putting his/her career on the line. I don't think you'll find any takers. The thing the parents just don't realize is that the good teachers at Fordson are just going to start leaving so they don't have to put up with this crap. People are already interviewing like crazy at other buildings to try and escape this mess. The best science teacher already left last year and the two best math teachers are leaving after this year. Now, try and make AYP.

--by FHS Staff on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

“As for low expectations at Fordson, where do the teachers play into all of this? Don't they share some of the blame?”

Walls, STOP PLAYING THE VICTIM HERE! We so the parade of robotic, motonotonious drones fining up to the podium at the last board meeting. Most could barely read the propaganda pitch they were given to read. The teachers at FHS are pretty much FADLALLAH's hand picked lackeys! The ones that are still left that actually have some standards will all but be gone with this years round of layoffs and the 80+ transfers out of Fordson. Fadlallah has pushed over a hundred teachers out over the last 4 years and what has been the result? Failure!

The "doming down" meetings as they have come to be known at Fordson are Legendary! Staff meetings and Emails where Fadlallah tells the teachers there to back down on the oppressive grading and written work or simply go into Zangle and change the damn grade after the fact. The emails where teachers are blamed for students being late to class. These are not PRECEIVED problems, they are occurring and we see it happening EVERY DAY!

Fordson is now LOADED with poor teachers and teachers who don’t teach in English any longer. No one is debating that the teaching has collapsed at FHS but guess who was the architect of its failure? You got it! The guy we are talking about!

“DHS and EFHS students are not higher achievers than Fordson students.”

The State of Michigan says you are wrong! FHS students can’t pass state testing thus, they CANT compete with most of the rest of the state. How can you say that FHS students can compete when they can’t pass and everyone else clearly is passing? Like the behavior issues at Fordson that one can see, you seem to be in denial or simply not intelligent enough to read a test report.

FORDSON WALLS, based on the clear and obvious lack of adequate yearly progress FHS administration has not been able to attain through their amalgam of bi-lingual and semi-English speaking, why don’t you tell us all what measure you wish to use to gauge all of the FHS success in academic excellence going on over there? Using the ones that count to the state, they are a miserable failure.

--by Walls need windows on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

I stumbled upon this "hot bed" thread vi a vis the Right Michigan blog site. Interesting stuff. Many passionate comments on both sides. Arriving at the bottom of the page I was almost sad that there were no more comments to read. Passionate indeed. Living in the burbs to the west, I hear many things and try valiantly to sift through the muck and arrive at a truth of sorts. Here is my view thus far:
1. Poor grammar and spelling is rampant in more that 80% of these postings (particularly the posts from alleged college grads?) Tsk tsk.
2. Everyone involved should get a copy of the Koran and read it through-twice. Following this exercise, much will be made clear.
3. Agendas are a natural by product of political offices, i.e. principals, school boards etc. This should come as no surprise to anyone that this situation is rearing its head. Everyone has an agenda, if someone says they do not, they are lying.
4. The dispute between the Christians and Muslims is centuries old and still very contentious. (please read the Koran here-again)
5. This vocal majority in Dearborn is powerful and continues to gain strength. In order for this to be diffused concessions need to be made on both sides. Unlikely, however necessary.(read the Koran here-again)
6. How is a school that has continually failed the AYP not been called into check? Hmmm. Interesting.
7. Taxpayers of Dearborn, vote smarter and work harder to get true accountability.
8. It will always be that a few students can excel irrespective of the abysmal environment. Be careful that these exceptions to the norm are not given to much credence. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... well, you get it.
9. ... and finally, as a taxpayer in this great state, my dollars go to this school too. It is sad to think that so much money can be spent on so little. In the business world we would call this "out of business". Detroit, Dearborn and so many others are not merely under performing, rather not performing at all. Yet we continue to pour good money after bad, all in the name of "the children". Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to engage.

--by Fast Times at Fordson High on 6/2/08   Lives: Michigan  

Again I am asking the Educators at FHS to please step forward. FHS Staff states "Mr.F will hold a grudge". Well let him hold a grudge. If you the educators have solid proof that you are being harrassed or you are being ruled by dictatorship then you have nothing to worry about.
I again ask you to please step forward because as far as I am concerened these are all baseless rumors if you continue to keep quiet.
At the board meeting I did seen some FHS Staff. Why did no one get up to speak? Please we the parents do not want you the persons teaching our children to feel uncomfortable in your work place. You the Educators need to come forward and speak if these accusations are all true.
Again Thankyou
FHS Parent

--by Fordson Parent on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Well after reading all the comments here's a voice of reason. I am not of arab descent but a muslim. This is about the students and what kind of education we want them to have.

Is Fordson failing? yes, but how can we fix it. Get Fadallah out or step up as parents and attend the board meeting to voice our opinions. Look, my daughter attends Fordson and she has diverse teachers, some good - some bad. Not all arab teachers are bad, believe me. But, I believe that Fadallah is moving more arab teachers in for his own agenda as are other schools in East Dearborn. We also need to be tolerant of each other. Remember, we do have a Christmas Break and a Easter Break so there's nothing wrong with having a day off for Eid. We also play Christmas Music at our concerts so when we play Arabic Music there's also nothing wrong with that. And as to a comment about a sign “Have You Embraced Islam” - what about all the Christian sayings at holidays in school (Merry Christmas). I agree “Have You Embraced Islam” is a little pushy and should not be in school as should not any other religion. If we are to truly to separate church and state then we need to remove all elements of religion in schools. But that's not going to happen because as I have been so often told this is a Christian country, so we must adapt to the people in our communities and share our cultures and religions, be it American, Arab, Albanian, Italian, etc. or Christian, Muslim, Jew, etc. We are a diverse city, everyone needs to get along with each other and come together to make this city better. We don't want to go backwards to Mayor Hubbard days, do we?

I Love Dearborn!!

--by Fordson Parent on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

FORDSON PARENT: We do not have a Christmas Break, nor do we have an Easter Break. We have a "holiday" break and a "spring" break. The Christian terms are no longer used. You may refer to the District calendar and see this is so. "Merry Christmas" is not allowed either. Holiday music is permissible as long as it is secular in nature. Religion simply has no place in a public institution. The fundamental problem at FHS is the lack of consistent discipline and the establishment of rational expectations. Most students are terrific. The problem is we have to act now. The new curriculum requires four years of math for all in-coming students. This is unfortunate because all students aren't suited for math, no matter how it is taught. In addition, "fun" elective classes are being dropped. When the frustrations of failure become apparent, we will have students dropping out at an even higher rate. Manageable discipline is needed now more than ever.

--by Seen A Lot on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

FORDSON PARENT: It is not a simple matter for teaching staff to "step forward" and voice their opinion of the building administrator. It is not simply a matter of holding a grudge. In many cases, it is holding the key to one's employment future. The First Amendment does not apply to building staff at FHS; speak out against administration, and you will be gone or life will be made so hard for you, you'll wish you were. More than one student has been dealt with physically. This has been witnessed by teachers and support staff. The investigation continues. The Arab American Newspaper just reported that the principal was "declared innocent of the charge." Declaring someone innocent is not the same as proving someone innocent. Anyone can declare anything. The students involved have been pressured to recant, and harassed if they don't. There is a petition going around now, stating forth the hostile work environment and harassing situation that continues in the building. Teachers are blamed for poor performance, but it is difficult to teach when undisciplined students fear little in repercussions for their behavior. You may be surprised at the lack of diversity at FHS. It has become an Arab school. Ramadan and Asura are celebrated in school displays. Students of particular descent are favored. Discipline is particularly difficult when there are so many students related to administration and teaching staff. The principal's assistant is his brother-in-law/cousin, a violation of policy. The best and brightest teachers are being forced out. The institution that used to be the Fordson Family is now a house divided.
I can tell you that the "information" dessimated at the recent Board meeting was contrived in many ways. Teachers do not wear black to represent the death of education. The teachers who remain there are sensitive to the culture of the student population. There are many good teachers who care about the students at FHS, but who have their morale deflated by an egomaniacal leader who added "subject to principal's approval" to every provision of the contract. Substitute teachers are allowed only upon the approval of the principal. Department chairperson's are elected only upon the approval of the principal. Schisms have been artificially created to deter fraternity between staff.
The truth will out, Fordson Parent, but it will only occur when safeguards against retaliation are firmly in place. The wonderful students at FHS deserve much better than what they are getting. A person only rises as far as the expectations placed upon him or her.

--by Seen A Lot on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

It has been implied that the administration of Fordson High School specifically endorses Islam over all other faith paths. If so, they are on very infirm legal ground. Incidentally, the United States is not a "Christian Nation." It is a secular one that encourages religious diversity to assure pure religious freedom for all. Under our system of government, the majority may rule politically, but it must respect and honor the rights of the minority. Fordson's Muslim majority, through its administration, does not have the right to marginalize the minority population. This is the law.

If anyone has specific information about church/mosque and state violations (examples of endorsement or of excessive accomodation of Islam) committed by the administration of Fordson High School or by Dearborn Public Schools, please contact us. Contact information can be found on our website, au-michigan.org

--by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State - Michigan on 6/2/08   Lives: Detroit area  

"At Fordson, the scholars graduate who are far more prepared for college than students at Dearborn High. Also, at Fordson 7 Seniors have been awarded Full ride scholarships to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I don’t know of any Dearborn High student with a full ride to an accredited University."

That’s funny, according to the State of Michigan 80% of your Fordson school mates read below a 7th grade level.


Maybe you should get out more often. I was Honors night at DHS and your right, not one student got a full ride to U of M. 14 of them did!

There were also students who received scholarships to Notre Dame, and UCLA and Hope College, and Michigan Tech and about a dozen Ivy League colleges. Granted, some of those schools don’t have prayer rooms and foot baths, but somehow I think they will get along!

Your posting is a joke! Maybe you could step off of your soap box and teach some of your fellow students how to read an application for unemployment because with a 7th grade education, I think this will be their biggest asset!

--by Maybe you should be an ENGLISH student on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Teachers

Don’t attend this meeting without some written protection from the board members. Be certain that Imad will surplus/ fire/slander, you and retaliates against you.

--by Mrs. True on 6/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Good Luck turning this one around. You are now going to be led by an man with an even slimier history. Did no one in Dearborn do their homework on your choice for superintendent? Mr. Brian Whiston was one of the main players in the Dr. James Redmond scandal of misused special education funds that rocked the OISD not very long ago. He has had violations of Michigan Election Laws even after that. His wife worked for the judge ie: he got off. He has enormously exagerated his responsibilities at the OISD (you would think he ran every department from his board interview, he does not) and he has never accounted for all of the misreported lobbying dollars that he took from the special needs kids. He is not an educator he is a lobbyist. What is my old hometown thinking hiring this man and firing a legend of a coach. Yes, Jerry Marszalek was a very much younger man in my day but has given his all to the children of DPS and this is the lack of decent respect he gets in return. He appears to have done nothing wrong except be a great loyal supporter of his students for more years than most of the people bashing him have been alive. Is this really what my old home town has come to. We cherished the diversity of Fordson even back in my day. But more importantly we respected those that dedicated their lives (and their retirement) to the children. Is all common decency gone from DPS?

--by Ashamed to be a Fordson Alumni on 6/3/08   Lives: USA  

Interestingly, I still have not seen a comment on other local blogs by so-called moderate muslems regarding this issue.

--by Immigrant on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

As the Iraqi's, Afghan's and several other middle eastern residents can attest to, speaking out yields painful suffering. Fadlallah's tyranny MUST be halted. Deploy the troops to Hezbollah High (F.H.S.) for the sake of restoring American order to an American institution. Speak loudly, speak freely this is the United States of America--NOT TRUE at Fadlallah High!

--by Vires Acquirit Eundo on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

It’s a funny thing. How much more obvious does this have to get?

In 4 years the number of teachers who have applied for transfer out of FHS is greater than every single school in Dearborn combined.

Fordson has steadily declined in performance and widened the achievement gap for its students.

The gap between school scores and state testing results could not be more out of whack! We have kids who say they can do calculus but can’t spell or write?

There have been more disciplinary issues at FHS than ever before.

All but one administrator have been openly involved in embarrassing dereliction of duty, cheating, sexual misconduct, and violence against students.

How much more do we have to see here? This Fadlallah guy has got to go! Like Kwamie, he isn’t going to go on his own, let’s hope to God (or Allah) that the new Superintendant has enough sense to clean house at FHS and end this embarrassing behavior.

--by Shot down the ice on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Shot down in ice, makes a lot of statements putting down Fordson High School. But how do we know the veracity of his "facts" ?

--by concered about Fordson on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

stop with russgibb and debbie these people do not no what they are saying going around making up things

--by Fordson on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Russ doesn’t makeup things up; he publishes facts and truth, from reliable people unlike you.

--by Mr.Fact on 6/3/08   Lives: Dearborn  

People,

How did we get to the point where we let religion dictate so much in our schools? Consider that the Yemeni population at Edsel Ford has been demanding a Yemeni counselor...well, not really. What they want is a SUNNI Muslim counselor. The Arab-Muslim counselor there now is Lebanese Shia, and that is the wrong branch of Islam for the other group. It has been said many times that the Muslim religion is part and parcel of being Arabic, and is therefore part of their culture. That is not true. Most of the Arab-Americans are Christian. In fact, it is estimated that 80% are Christian. That doesn't seem to be true in Dearborn itself, but the fact remains that being Arab does NOT mean being Muslim. We need to separate culture from religion, and reject the intrusion of religion into our public schools. As a culture, we routinely reject Christian intrusions such as prayers before events, or even mentioning the word "Christmas" at Christmas time. This is the same approach we must take with Islam.

--by Wondering on 6/4/08   Lives: Dearborn  

"Shot down in ice, makes a lot of statements putting down Fordson High School. But how do we know the veracity of his "facts" ?"

If you can read a news paper, have enough computer skills to access Michigan.gov and can check out FHS's AYP performance, the "facts" speak pretty much for themselves.

As for the rest, Fadlallah was SEEN striking a student, the other Fadlallah was CAUGHT cheating at WSU and Beydoun was SEEN engaging in inappropriate "acts" with an intern in Fordsons lavish new meeting room.

--by Just the facts mamm on 6/6/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Fadlallah was not SEEN striking a student. A teacher claimed that she HEARD HIM. There were 5 eye witnesses who were in the office at the time who said it didn't happen. I believe the student himself said that it DIDN'T happen. He also said that a language arts teacher in the school who loves shakespeare tried talking into lying and saying he did. FIND THE FACTS, JUST THE FACTS MAAM.

--by Fordson Walls on 6/8/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Fordson Walls:
Your screen name is fitting!

The kids (there was more than one) who were abused by this guy were gotten to. Their families were harassed into stepping away. Artis was all too happy to leave that sleeping dog to sleep as he just wants out into his nice new job at ACCESS. Fadlallah got a free pass for destroying FHS and the payoff for letting him do so is that nice office over at ACCESS.

To reprimand Fadlallah, Artis would have to admit he made a mistake putting a middle school principal in the big pond.

--by Get a grip and wash your walls on 7/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

To Fordson Walls: You can't keep up the pretense forever. The student and his family were heavily pressured by Fadlallah and his group to drop the charges. That doesn't mean the incident didn't take place.

--by It can't last forever on 7/2/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Assistant Principal cheating at Wayne State? Another married AP having "relations" on school property with an intern? Why bother trying to instill the Core Values with our students when the adults in our district cannot even come close to following them? Take your Core Values posters down and throw them in the garbage!

--by Core Values? on 7/2/08   Lives: Michigan  

What a perfect comment from Americans United for the Separation of Church and State: ['If anyone has specific information about church/mosque and state violations (examples of endorsement or of excessive accomodation of Islam) committed by the administration of Fordson High School or by Dearborn Public Schools, please contact us.']
Your little plea in the middle of all these comments is like a bureacrat walking through a leper colony asking if anyone wants to fill out a form so the government can determine if they are sick. How absurd. By the way, anyone who has been at least semi-conscious in America for the last decade knows that if the religous groups in Fordson were reversed and the principal was a Christian, Americans for Seperation of Church and State wouldn't be politely asking for further comments - you'd be hand in hand with the ACLU dragging the principal into court. I know it is the fourth of July, but allow me the pleasure of saying to you - Merry Christmas.

--by twl on 9/13/08   Lives: USA  

1. Poor grammar and spelling is rampant in more that 80% of these postings (particularly the posts from alleged college grads?) Tsk tsk.

Et Tu, Fast Times at Fordson High, Et Too!

--by 8. titterer on 9/13/08   Lives: USA  

People...it is the middle of September, the start of a new school year, we have a new superintendant,and we still can not let this go. For the sake of the community, for the sake of our kids, lets put this to rest ...once and for all.

--by Lets put it to rest on 9/16/08   Lives: Dearborn  

Americans: Please read our US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Then, demand that our elected lawmakers enforce the law of the land. We the people - need to restore law and order to the USA and not let them become trampled or ignored at any cost.

--by Mr D on 2/28/09   Lives: Detroit area