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Nick Hinton flips through a required binder, provided by Lodi High School, on Wednesday afternoon, as he talks about how the new organizational system works, after school in the quad. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
Tokay High eyeing Lodi High binder brouhaha with interest
By Jennifer Bonnett
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008 4:44 AM PDT
Administrators at Tokay High School are watching closely to see how the binder issue unfolds at Lodi High School.
For the first time this year, each student at Lodi High was furnished with a white, three-inch binder stocked with a pencil pouch, pencils, a highlighter and section dividers. Those, coupled with a pre-printed school planner, cost the school about $15,000 for 2,200 students. The cost was paid for through state lottery funds and other money from the school's discretionary funds.
But some students at Lodi High have been so frustrated with the mandated binders that they've reportedly thrown them in the trash.
The idea behind the binders, said Principal Bill Atterberry, is to create more organized students and improve student achievement.
"The whole concept of having one binder to keep everything in is to help students streamline their learning," he said.
The idea has been successful in districts in Long Beach, Atterberry added.
"And, guess what? I'm going to do the same thing next year," he said. "These skills are going to accompany them into college, into their careers."
While Tokay High Principal Erik Sandstrom sees the benefit of such a system, he would like to integrate study skill classes into student schedules instead of just relying on the one binder to help create those skills. While the administration there has talked about adding the binders, they plan to watch to see how effective it is at Lodi High.
"Change is hard," Sandstrom said.
Lodi High Freshmen Elizabeth Witt looks through a three-ringed notebook Wednesday. Lodi High provides and requires its students to use the notebooks. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
When asked about the binder on campus Wednesday, Lodi High freshman Nick Hinton snorted, "That huge thing?"
He pointed to the familiar white binder hanging out of his black backpack. As he flipped one binder page after another, his notes appeared organized.
In Cornell University's note-taking fashion, main ideas are outlined in a left-hand margin and expanded upon on the rest of the page.
Hinton admits the system has made him more organized, but said the school didn't have to give students the "huge" binder.
"If they made it smaller and not as many requirements," he added, of the points deducted from his grade when he forgets parts of the binder at home.
Connor Closson, also a freshman, was most frustrated that he couldn't use the binders he got especially for his first day of high school. Instead, they are sitting at home collecting dust. All students are expected to carry only the one binder for all six classes, and it is up to each teacher how the binder requirement will be enforced.
Carol Marceau, a graphic design teacher, said students will like the one-binder system once they get used to it. She said she can empathize, however, with those who may have resented just being handed it on the first day of school.
Student Elizabeth Witt took the school's recommendations to get her own binder and fill it with colorful dividers that are more her own style.
Lodi High School binder at a glance
Students this school year are required to carry one binder for all six periods. In order to not be penalized by teachers, each binder must include:Source: Lodi High School
"(The system's) OK," she said. "It keeps me organized, but it's kind of heavy."
The freshman added that some students find it a hassle to pull in and out of a standard-size backpack.
Jennifer Tillett, a college-preparatory coordinator at Lodi High, has required her students to carry only one binder for four years. "They have all of their homework in there ... they eliminate a lot of those excuses that they don't have it."
Tillett and some of the students, who are now seniors, brought the idea to administrators hoping it would be adopted schoolwide.
Senior Maria Yepez, one of Tillett's students, thinks it's a good idea. She's been using the one-binder system since ninth-grade.
"Everything's in there. You can't leave stuff in your car or have any other excuses," she said, adding that in middle school she used to lose her homework all the time or find papers in the bottom of her backpack. "I was never organized before."
Tokay High Vice Principal Martha Dent said as an administrator she will be watching to see if (the binders) really do serve to as a boon for students.
"Is that the way Tokay High is going to go? I don't know. We're not sure uniformity is the best way to serve kids.
"I think it's a fantastic idea for Lodi High."
Contact Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.
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Lodian wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:07 PM:
LHS maestro wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:50 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:14 AM:
Call it Americanism, Call it Capitalism.
Call it what you willgives each and
And every one of us a great opportunity
If we only seize it with both hands
And make the most of it
AL Capone "
Lodian wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:42 AM:
Hell, there are no rules here--we're trying to accomplish something.
- Thomas Edison "
Lodian wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:40 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:39 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:36 AM:
dyan wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:21 AM:
Gator wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:56 AM:
some one should do their post, how refreshing!! The reason I copy
and paste is simple, if I use the box only it comes out all scrambled
so to avoid that I use Word. Some I have talked to about this matter
say the cause is my wireless internet, so there you have it, well if that
isnt good enough all I can say is TS, rotflmas!!! "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:35 PM:
Also, you said that this education is free? Public education is not free and, yes, we should have say in our children's education.
Lastly, you said, "...there has to be compromise somewhere". I agree. Obviously the principal saw that it didn't turn out to be such a great idea in forcing mandatory identical binders (worth thousand$!). He ended up compromising, as he should have from the beginning. I hope he learned a good lesson. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:23 PM:
educated reader wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:22 PM:
And yes, schools should have the right to dictate what binders and students carry. What is really wrong with that. As a teacher, I demand that my students follow the curriculum and the standards that I set for the class. Should we just let the students run the schools (read, disgruntled parents)? Everyone wants a free education and the right to dictate what the rules are, too! Can't have it both ways - there has to be compromise somewhere. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:14 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:09 PM:
as Hard work, looking out for one another, not asking for government help
Fix thing your self etc. give it a shot you might like it "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:03 PM:
" Lodian, Here is some good reading that might improve your out look on things."
Why do you think my outlook needs to improve? "
Gator wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:39 PM:
should have to read them cover to cover and just maybe we can put
America back where she belongs!!! Cowboy Values, Recapturing what America once stood for, James P Owen. Cowboy Ethics, What wall street
Can learn from the code of the west! James P Owenthey will speak for themselves "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:29 PM:
I agree that Lodi Middle School is a pit. "
Gator wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:22 PM:
I said and let me repeat it was 300.00 a month I know I paid the bill. And as
we werent members of St. Peters there was no tithe is that perfectly clear.
Do you have the picture???300.00,no tithe!! A good school will reinforce
what the parents teach at home. That wasnt the attitude at Lodi middle from the Principal at orientation, kind of like oh shucks kids will be kids.
A little fyi, this is what we taught our grandson, Courage, Optimism,
Self Reliance, Authenticity, Honor, Duty and HeartThose words are
sorely lacking in todays me, me, me society and that is a sad fact... "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:12 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:52 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:49 AM:
Excellent comment! "
Lodian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:46 AM:
Gator wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:21 AM:
education you want for your child, simple! In this world we live in any advantage you can give your student is worth the money, and there is no way we would have put him in Lodi middle "
Giovanina wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:01 AM:
" Give St. Peters a shot for middle school, its miles ahead of LUSD
middle schools, miles. It has discipline and accountability you wont
find in LUSD "
LUSD is more concerned about money than quality. Some of the North Stockton LUSD schools have become a dump site for other schools expelled students. But as long as they get the ADA money, JAESC doesn't care. "
Giovanina wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:57 PM:
" And why should the students have been consulted? If Jennifer had dug a little deeper we may have found that the administration did notify parents and students of the new system. What's next - student's designing the curriculum?
Oh, and Jennifer, the sentence should have read, "This year, for the first time..." NOT "For the first time this year." That implies that they have done it before, but this was the first occurence this year
Comrade Reader speaks.
The school really has no business telling parents what kind of binder their student should be carrying. Will they dictate the color of erasers too? This is stupid. Organzation is a skill, not a binder. Students need to learn a variety of organization methods, not one size fits all. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:06 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 17, 2008 7:45 PM:
It puts commas where they dont belong and moves them from where they do, also it removes quotation marks. Now I realize LNS is not the NYT
but a little work on the system would be nice "
Gator wrote on Aug 17, 2008 7:35 PM:
middle schools, miles. It has discipline and accountability you wont
find in LUSD "
mainframe wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:53 PM:
mainframe wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:52 PM:
"Everyone that has posted here needs to go and get involved in their neighborhood school.(after all if you pay taxes some of your money goes toward your local schools) If you all would maybe you would really know what is going on in the local schools. All of you either misinformed or don't have a student to know what is really going on around LUSD. "
Oh Bull, I'm there and involved. Now what? They still do whatever they want. "
Gator wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:47 PM:
also a stellar endorsement for private Education!! "
Oh Bull wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:09 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:32 PM:
for binders yet the populace was mum on a school that was obsolete
before its doors opened. At one time California was a leader in education,
that is no longer the case. You need to look around and see how the States
around you handle their lottery money, it will be a bit of a shock. Also
You win the big ones the little ones will fall into place. You dont like the
way the school board handles things have a recall "
Lodian wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:27 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:25 AM:
Gator: That's exactly what we are doing, in being involved and speaking up, yet you complain that we are all just whiners. You don't make any sense. "
Gator wrote on Aug 16, 2008 3:13 PM:
speaks volumes on how well the school will train these children for the future. One more time the money wasted on Lois B is passed over and instead you whine about 15,000 and irresponsible kids who threw them
away, love to see you have your priorities in order, what is a few million
to 15,000... "
mainframe wrote on Aug 16, 2008 2:03 PM:
mainframe wrote on Aug 16, 2008 1:57 PM:
Also, I never saw these sorts of binders at college either. I agree that the kids are mostly already organized by the time they are a high school student and if they aren't then mom and dad better get in gear. It shouldn't be the schools job to give every kid a binder at such a hefty price. "
mainframe wrote on Aug 16, 2008 1:52 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:29 PM:
skipped right over my little tid-bit of the to small school, class rooms and
cafeteria and a back yard full of portables and now jammed full of to many
students!! How many binders would that fiasco buy??? Lodi High should
be replaced with a modern up to date school with lockers and it should
be constructed with an eye on the future, not ten years behind the times
LUSD hasnt been held accountable for some twenty years, think its time
to hold some feet to the fire!!! "
Jeff wrote on Aug 16, 2008 11:37 AM:
Funny, that's precisely what I did. What did you do when you went to college, or I should I ask first if you went to college? "
Lodian wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:49 AM:
Why? It is well known that the lottery money is not "extra" anymore. We need everything we can get. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:47 AM:
" Jeff and Gator: Don't be so gullible. "
LOL! "
Lodian wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:47 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:43 AM:
" I have more of a problem with the spending of this money than the binder requirement. Requiring this binder is not the best idea they've had though. "
Lee: I agree. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:39 AM:
Gator wrote on Aug 16, 2008 7:52 AM:
spend it as they see fitTalk about wasting money, how about a new school
whos class rooms are to small, the cafeteria is to small and is over crowded
all ready, that my friend is a bloody waste of money and something that
should have never happened!!! Where is the oversight on that project and others like it??? The Binder issue is more about irresponsible kids than
anything else, they should check on who has and who doesnt have the binders and the ones that dont, have them buy their own and then have them pick up trash after school for 3 or 4 days!! Welcome to the real world.. "
Lee wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:56 AM:
Lee wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:56 AM:
Lee wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:54 AM:
educated reader wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:27 AM:
As for the huge number of handouts you claim, I guess my children must have avoided those classes, or times have changed since the 90's. The text was the main reference and one binder was sufficient for all courses. "
mainframe wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:03 PM:
mainframe wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:01 PM:
" There's nothing wrong with teaching these kids to be organized, hope it works!
These kids need to stop whining and get ready for the real world! "
lodimommie: That's should be your job. "
mainframe wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:00 PM:
That's a great point. Will the school be shelling out the big bucks every year now for this system? What have they gotten themselves into? A mess I think. "
mainframe wrote on Aug 15, 2008 9:55 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 15, 2008 8:36 PM:
the lottery then they can bloody well spend it as they please. I do believe
you would howl if they shut your fingers in a solid gold doorGive it a break, come up with something useful for a change!! "
Jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 7:41 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 15, 2008 6:34 PM:
that was lottery money, so whats the problem?? I know, I know its the
American way now to whine and snivel po me!! If it gets the little dears
trained and organized for College and the work place your 15,000 was well
Spent!!! "
Jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:31 PM:
Jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:26 PM:
I was told that some students come in and volunteer to assemble the binders and their contents.
JD, when I was in school, especially for math, we 'filed' HW after the quarter. There is much that is needed for the entire year, but much more is not needed, at least not on a daily basis. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:21 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:15 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 15, 2008 3:59 PM:
their work, take pride in their work and finish what they start. The last
three items are sorely lacking in the American work place. I had little
problem with guys who gave it an honest try, stuff happens, but the
disorganized slob who grins and says what the **** ,well I said what
the **** your fired. "
JD wrote on Aug 15, 2008 3:02 PM:
JD wrote on Aug 15, 2008 3:01 PM:
Who is Lodi High's normal vendor?
Did Lodi High purchase all of the components (binders, pouches, dividers) individually and have the students put it all together?
Or did the binders and their contents come pre-assembled from one supplier?
Many thanks. "
jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:30 PM:
Also, the binder can (and should) be purged of superfluous materials periodically. "
JD wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:15 PM:
Educated Reader, I don't know when you went to high school, but when I did (mid 1990s) I had several teachers who gave in excess of one hundred pages of handouts over the course of the year--not including class notes, homework assignments, and past tests, which we were expected to have with us at class daily. I generally used two or three binders per year. And since most classes assigned nightly homework, I was usually lugging one or two binders plus three or four textbooks home each night.
My observation at the time was that most of the students who did not use backpacks were the same ones who rarely, if ever, did their homework. "
jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:11 PM:
jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:10 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:39 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:38 PM:
" Lodian, you really can be an idiot sometimes. "
Ah, Jeff, is that really all ya got? LOL! "
jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:02 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 11:17 AM:
These binders did not have to cost $6.82 per student! The school could have struck a better deal since they were buying 2200 of them! These binders are not of any fancy variety or anything, so what's the deal? "
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 11:11 AM:
"The cost was paid for through state lottery funds and other money from the school's discretionary funds."
I think the admin needs to get more input from the teachers and allow them to take a bigger part in choosing what materials should be purchased with these "discretionary funds" and the lottery money. Does it mean we allow frivolous spending because we use lottery money? NO! It's just a waste to spend $15,000 on binders. Can you think of anywhere else that we could have spent this kind of money? I sure can. The teachers can think a few things too.
I dont know about you, but I consider the lottery money to be OUR money for OUR schools. OUR money was wasted. This money was to be spent wisely for our students and schools. This district is in no position to take this kind of spending lightly. It's not like we have an overabundance of money for our schools/students.
There are two issues here. The money was wasted and the mandatory requirement of these binders was not well thought out. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:39 AM:
jeff wrote on Aug 15, 2008 8:51 AM:
Further, planners in the past had const approx $12k/year. LHS found a way to save $6k on planners, and directed that money directly to the binders and materials. For those in our community that complain of consultant money, and administration money, and union money, et al., this is money spent directly on students with specific student achievement goals in mind. Contrary to popular belief this was not done with out forethought, and was a teacher driven initiative. For those who don't agree, deal with it, because this is not going away this year or next or the next. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:01 PM:
educated reader: Mr. Atterberry called (using the school wide call system) the evening before the first day of school and said the students would be receiving a binder. There was no mention of the binder being mandatory. By that time we had already purchased all the school supplies and organizational items needed, including binders. Most organized students have their supplies before school starts. "
educated reader wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:33 PM:
Oh, and Jennifer, the sentence should have read, "This year, for the first time..." NOT "For the first time this year." That implies that they have done it before, but this was the first occurence this year. "
educated reader wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:26 PM:
Kids need to whine less and learn to follow the rules more. "
commonsense1 wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:53 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:51 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:44 PM:
There was no reason to spend this kind of money on a single binder for each student, especially when most families already went out to buy school supplies long before we were aware of this new binder system. Why? Well, because we are organized! My students had everything in place before school started.
I say allow the students that NEED the binders to stop by and pick one up in the office. If the student has problems with organization then the teacher can assign a binder for that student. The way in which a student organizes their things is a personal choice and if their work, production and grades are in line then let them continue to organize in the way that works best for them.
Learning what works for you is a valuable lesson. Let them learn it. "
Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:02 PM:
And exactly where does some of these snot-nosed whinners learn the "entitlement mentality"???
Yes, that's right.... at home. "
Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:57 PM:
My 3 kids go to Lodi High and they have adopted easily to this mega-binder system. At least it wont get lost, hehe!
I'm not a giant Pricinpal Atterberry fan, but on this one he got it right.
My only question is why 2,200 binders, dividers, and a lil paper cost $15K. That's $6.82 each. I bet I can get a better price at Staples or WalMart. "
LodiGuy62 wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:51 PM:
FIRST, the student comment about the binder being heavy is indicative of the lazy and "entitled" youth that our society has raised. HOW HEAVY CAN A BINDER POSSIBLY BE one week into school? If it's so heavy, perhaps it can double as weights for PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASS!
SECOND, I chuckle at the comment by Tokay's Dent when she says "I think it's a fantastic idea for Lodi High" - implying that for some reason Tokay's student's are so VASTLY DIFFERENT that they wouldn't benefit from organizing themselves???? "
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:20 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:19 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:18 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:13 PM:
Wow! That's a new take on the subject. "
boonablis wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:29 PM:
Trapper Keeper, so rad "
weezer wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:27 PM:
JD wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:47 PM:
There may be some control-freak bosses out there who demand to know how you organize your desk drawer and how you arrange your own personal work-related notes and files. But I don't think schools should be preparing students to surrender personal autonomy, abandon the work style that best suits them, and mindlessly comply with every asinine policy that comes down the bureaucratic chain-of-command. "
judy wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:59 PM:
Pam T wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:44 AM:
Oh Bull wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:08 AM:
JD wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:26 AM:
--Different people have different systems of organization. Some will prefer to have a number of smaller binders, on the "don't carry all your eggs in one basket" principle. It's one thing for a bunch of LUSD bureaucrats to force its salaried employees to do everything its way. But when we're dealing with students, one would think school officials would be more interested in fostering academic success than in ensuring conformity through micromanagement.
(Must . . . keep . . . straight . . . face . . .)
--Those binders do look a little too big to be easily pulled out of a backpack already loaded with three or four textbooks. Hope Lodi High plans on buying new binders for each student each year--because those things will be trashed after one year of typical use.
--I recall a couple of teachers at Lodi High who each distributed well over one hundred pages' worth of printed material to their classes. Some students may have a hard time fitting everything into one binder, regardless of size. "
lodimommie wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:48 AM:
lodimommie wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:46 AM:
curveball wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:33 AM:
lodisafeway wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:23 AM:
islandproud wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:43 AM:
joesr wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:39 AM:
journey wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:21 AM:
G wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:57 AM:
NAGOB wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:56 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.