Students Protest at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo

Ok... To everyone, Patti Michalek told the students to take off the posters and papers that say, "Bring Nettie Back!" and others about Nettie because of fire hazard safely. What kind of principal say that? The students' reaction were like huh? When I heard that, I was like that's the stupidest thing I ever heard from principal. Seriously stupidest thing. I asked one of the staff who support the protest and they were like, "No, that's not true." I know that it is not true. What I am saying is that Patti Michalek has no respect for us. She thinks we are dumb. Also the papers and posters have been on the wall all over the school for around 3 weeks(I believe) Then all of suddenly, she tells that to students take them off because of fire hazard. Why not she just tell us at the beginning? Wow... also other thing, about Patti emailing to whole school relating to students going back to classes. Okay... hello?! We all are already in the class! Last thing she emailed relating to stop the protest... oh my god! That's even worsed. When we started protesting by going to assembly and sit down, Patti tried to get us to go to class and we refused to go to class. The next day, she tried to get us back to class but we still refused. We even protest during school hours. Now she tells everyone that The protest is over. It has to stop. We need education. Why would she say that if she could not get the students to classes before? She thinks it is over but it is not over.
Well... if you see any mistake or unclear of what I am explaining, you can ask me to explain clear. Thank you.:-)

Mrs. Michalek shouldn't say to the students to remove the posters. You, the students have a right to put posters all over in SMSD. Remember the First Amendment, freedom to express. Put up the posters is considered as expressing your opinion.

Students, the adminstration is trying to stop you guys from doing what you want and what you believe in. Mrs. Michalek said to get the posters off because of fire hazards, it is not true at all. She just want the protest to stop. The protest is not over, Mr. DePaolo resigned and it is a beginning. Keep up fighting until the demands are met.

Use the media as much as you can, and use Mrs. Patti Michalek's name in the newspaper as well. She is the part of this. She should hold some accountable along with Bill Johnson. Media is already on our side so, use that as an advantage.

Keep up fighting. You, the students are doing a good job! I am so proud of you all!

Be Heard wrote:

<quoted text>
All Mrs. Michalek thinks is money but not her employees and students. She likes to twist stories.

Oh Yes! i agree with this as Patti only wants to be special and really doesn't care about kids and the staff. As I hear that she always tell the staff to do themselves whenever they have problems with the students. Why does she have to be a Principal if she acts like that?? I think Bill knows about that situation but he is AFRAID of his husband. He is a WHIMP. I know that Patti is lied to her husband about her doing at work. I believe if he knows what did she do at school, he will not step in. Please dont give up to fight to GET RID of Patti Michalek as she is nothing as a Principal. She has no heart to help the students and staff whenver he or she needs any help. And she is a liar. GET RID OF PATTI MICHALEK AND BILL JOHNSON because he won't listen to the problems of Patti. I feel that Patti fired Nettie because she is mad at her for little things which were nothing with the education. She is childlish.

Yall wrong comment!!!!!!!

hyna wrote:

Yall wrong comment!!!!!!!

What are the heck you are talking about "Yall wrong comment!!!" ???

Patti Michalek say stop protest. We have something 4 for

Patti Michalek IS KICK **** AND OUT

NO WAY

pattie lie today at meeting and we will have a new to come and dinah will tell to men my house near new 4 but see talk about lie pattie and bill.

the news 4 will come on april 24 to talk to wh o do the protest at 2:00 . bill tell use to down the sign at new meeting it was on april 4 at 8:00
you can come to the protest on april 24

Patti Michalek was talk about lies have wirte paper too bill

Any new news lately? What is happening with board and parents action against the school? Just curious to see if there will be any change or all will remain the same as pre-protest?

Son, I am very proud of you for fighting for what you believe in!! You know you have mine & moms FULL support to do what is right!! We know what Nettie did for you and how she cared like no other teacher you have ever had!! I will continue to buy you all the poster paper you want to make your signs and Patti can continue to tear them down!! YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT!!!!!

Does anyone remember having a teacher that really could spark an uproar like this or would you have even taken the time or cared to protest like this? I know how I felt about my teachers and I only had 1, Mr. LaRacca, that I felt really cared about all in his class! He was about more than the classroom he taught you about life through his teaching and you didnt even realize it until he was done! I know that Nettie Brewer is to my son Devin what Mr. LaRacca was to me, a MENTOR when our WORLD really needs one!! Children will NOT fight for something or someone that they do not LOVE!!! ESPECIALLY a teacher!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work Devin I am very proud of you!!!

Kerrin Stewart wrote:

I was a graduate of 1961 SMSD.
I was so shocked to realize that the best teacher like Ms. Brewer, who has been admired and loved by her deaf students of St. Mary's School for the Deaf over the years, was terminated by the irrational decision. What is the crime for the admistration politics damaging the deaf students who desire to have a great teacher like her?
Please dig in the file of Bill Johnson's credentials. His qualities or quanities should be more imperatively investigated. His position should be required the knowledge of the deaf culture and their American sign language that should not be ignored.
As a matter of fact, I sincerely support the
rights of the deaf students to protest this unrealistic termination, so bravely!

Hi there Kerrin, Would you please write to me. I have been trying to find you for a few years.
janetsh@homernet.net

Just so you know, Patti M./Bill accused Nettie of being the cause of your child (Devin) being pulled out of school for those few weeks back at the beginning of the year. Please set things right with Patti and with her supervisor and the Board of Trustees. Don't let anyone bash this woman's good name. This administration can get away with saying anything about anyone because... how, other than you speaking out, can she prove otherwise. How do you prove that you DID NOT do something?

How can this administration be allowed to slander an individual. I am appalled that professional people behave in this manner. I hope that Devin's dad is reading this blog and will immediately set the record straight. I know firsthand about the lies that Patti Michalek has told in attempts to destroy the professional reputations of colleagues. It is my hope that the new Interim Superintendent will act and terminate this woman before the damage to the school can not be repaired. It is time for the healing to begin. For the sake of the students, I hope that this happens soon.

This story id very much alive. Has anyone read the front page of the Buffalo News today. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE MONEY. Follow the yellow brick trail.......... More to come. Let's get this blog up and going again. A lot is happening.....

i am his frinde at school he was mad and i too mad at patti mickaled if some people what to e-mail me back you can do that my e-mail is dubber1992@rochester.rr.com

For everyones info. so there is no doubt as to how myself, my wife and Devin feel about Nettie. I had issues with somethings that were going on with some teachers and requested a meeting with Patti, Paul, Tim and Richard (counselor). I was granted this meeting and I raised the issue that me and my wife felt that Devin was not being pushed to his full potential by all of his teachers. My exact words in this meeting were, "the only teacher who seems to be making Devin do what he is capable of is Nettie Brewer his first period math teacher!" Patti PROMISED me that she would look into it and bring this to all teachers attention. She then proceeded to dismiss herself. The reason I pulled Devin from school was because of communication issues with the school. I then requested and got a meeting with Niagara Falls School Board and St. Marys. Mr. Crowley and Devins counselor were present at this meeting and my issues were resolved to mine and my wifes satisfaction therefore Devin was allowed to return to school, which is where he belongs with his friends!!! I feel I must add that when I mention Mr. Crowley, Richard and Tim Kelly it is with the utmost respect due to the fact that any and all times I have ever had problems with Devin or at the school they have been very open minded , respectful and professional in handling my wishes for my child. I have only dealt with Patti once at a meeting in which she didn't stay for.I want to make myself CLEAR I have never done anything except praise Nettie for her effort. I will continue to support my son and his peers as long as I am alive!!!!!!!!! Have a good day!!!

hey patti don't don't DON'T ******* blame Nettie. WHAT R YOU GOING TO NOW LIER if you thougth if we will stop protesting ARFTER THE SUMMER..........NO. I WILL TRY EVERTHIG IN ME TO GET YOU OUT! let me see you blaming anyone about Devin not here or ANYTHING about Devin agin......LET ME PUT THIS WAY,DO NOT LET ME HEAR
P.S. I WILL BET YOU CAN'T TELL Devin YOU R A LIER and Johnie GOOD BLOG