Oh and i just re-read what you said about the blog site...I just want to know if parents feel the same way and admin. wanted to check it out they could. That way all could participate and parents could group together on the issues that are pressing.Just start it up and start casually
mentioning the site and it will get around pretty quick.They can not stop you from starting one.I guess we would just have to stick to the truths only;no made up stuff;just legit concerns.
The same tired people keep changing hands of our pto(a) and they don't generate much interest anymore.Also,i am laughing here because i was told the district has no money for music books for the kids.....but they sure find paper for sending notes home about fundraisers!!!
Grace C - in all of your ins and outs with the admin ref your kids, here are my words of advice after 3yrs in public ed: DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT ..... if you have issues with a staff member, or a meeting, document it in a letter or memo ie 'this is what i heard did you hear the same thing' get the people who are responding to you unsatisfactorily, on record just in case they later deny your actions or intent. its all about advocating for our childrens welfare, nothing more. but i have found that records of my interatcions/run ins, etc, has served me well. a sort of insurance policy....
It isn’t that they can’t see the solution – they can’t see the problem. G.K.Chesterton
Grace C - i have recently suggested to a teacher that we parents have a school BLOG site, to HELP each other out, share ideas, troubleshoot, and come together as parents in an open, fair arena of the WEB where everyone's voice is heard....NOT the pto arena where only select parents ie those priviledged by the PTO officers or admin, are heard. i myself was booted off our PTO becuase they didnt like my quetsions, and that is just the start of it. anyway, suggest it to your principal or supt or school board, parents are here to make things BETTER and for that, we need to HEAR EACH OTHER SPEAK. knowledge is power. find out where your school board policy manual is stored and accessible to the public, i only recently found out ours in our kids' school library, but few folks know about it....
NEVER stop voicing your concerns.....or making sure they are heard by those in power to make the right changes..this is AMERICA after all.
"The only liberty I will not grant someone is to be indifferent." and "Indifference is not only a sin, it is a punishment." Elie Wiesel
Right on! I like you!
You have said exactly what I have been thinking and made my day when i read your reply.They've handled this poorly.They Never said they are checking into this,blah,blah.
I don't think they are there for kids;they just want to keep themselves out of hot water!
I think they forget we pay their salaries!!! My mom keeps telling me the same thing...get answers,even if nothing changes!they know i am watching and listening now and what a coincidence;the teacher's has beeen assigned a student teacher .Probably more like a babysitter!!They are singing all of a sudden.Now there might be a talent show.!!I think a parent watch group website would go a long way too!![am going to have another parent at least get us up and running and then offer from there either a paper survey or even electronic/cooments posted right over to the school board's office.
What do you think? It wouldn't be so bad if my current student was the last one and almost done with this place but i have a kindergardener ready to start in the fall.
[most likely not at this place] but i still am going all the way.
above comment 'People seem to forget what their rights are and they can bring legitimate questions as to what is happening in the very same building their kid spends 6 hours a day in.'
RIGHT ON i say. too many people dont realize that we the taxpayers pay for the svc of public education, and we have rights. this is not a corporation, we are not staff that can be shut up or ignored on a whim,,,our teachers and staff are civil servants and should be MORE THAN HAPPY to answer any question at all from a parent, i should think, if for no other reason than to reassure us all is OK and being handled as best possible,and if they get defensive when you ask a question, they are probably hiding something or dont want you to ask the right question which may unearth something unpleasant....keep on asking questions...its the only way to keep our children getting the best education possible --
apathy is dangerous..and i think many parents todya are apathetic about whats going on all day at school, and maintain status quo by NOT asking the hard questions, and preferring to not put their child in retribution's way.....but if everyone were a child's advocate, the school admin could no longer play the game of 'i wont answer any question i dont like, or i will treat that parent poorly for having brought it up'. sometimes i think the educators themselves need a lesson in communication and empathy -- listening to parents and answering their questions without being on the defensive.
