rightson I think you misunderstood me, you sound like a very angry parent, who isn't going to be happy with anything your school administration is doing. On one hand you are angry with your school and then you say they are underpaid! What are you actually saying? Are there private schools or another alternative for your kid(s) where you live? I know we have two private schools near us that if I was so unhappy that I would seriously consider if feeling the way you do.
ace1 - you ACED it. "I don't know if we are hearing the full story. It doesn't make sense that a good school wouldn't answer a parent's question. "
my questions have always been asked politely, diplomatically, sometimes by registered mail, and still no reply from admin. that is a sad commentary on the admin., imo. at very least, they could say WHY no answer is forthcoming, that would have satisfied me maybe.
the point is, i think a public school should be about full disclosure. when a question is not answered (ie if its about a school safety issue as with plygrd) then one begins to wonder what are they hiding. so i kept asking...and do you know what?? finally i was able to see an inspection report (after a child had a fracture)and found out WHY they were not very forthcoming with the report and dragged their feet when i asked! there was something they did not want known! there is usually a very good reason for people's actions or inactions, but sometimes one only figures out the real reason, in hindsight, or in my case, after weeks and weeks (sometimes MONTHS) of asking a legit question regarding something ref my children's (and all children's) welfare. and i will not stop asking the important questions. for my kids and all kids at the school. the admin does not have the same vested interest in our kids as do we parents, WE parents are their very best advocates....and do you know what, i think teahcers are sorely underpaid for their responsibilities, same goes for principal and superintendent, at least, around here.
I couldn't agree more, we need to be the voices for our children. As parents we need to stand up for them until they can stand up for themselves. Reading all these comments I see the passion of wanting to protect them, no one can be held at fault for this. It is how it is done that matters.
What we don't know here is what was actually asked of the administration when the parent "didn't get answered" or at least answered the way they wanted to be answered.
How do you know it wasn't an unreasonable request or that this parent wasn't constantly on their backs about every little thing. I don't know if we are hearing the full story. It doesn't make sense that a good school wouldn't answer a parent's question.
happy - have a look what just peachy wrote ...."I think that we should feel entitlement that our children get the best education possible. This should never be about personalities but what is right for our children for a better tomorrow. These are (the children) the people who will be making decisions for us when we older."
that sums up the truth of the matter, and the heart and soul of it too. its abuot KIDS and OUR FUTURE, not about adult personalities. if admin wont answer a legit question because "we dont like" (take your pick) you/your personality/the way you asked the question/who you are/where yu live/your race/creed etc) that is WRONG, not to mention discriminatory. all questions deserve an answer, as someone else correctly pointed out on these boards. one cannot prejudge the value of a question or person who is asking it, and based upon that , decide whether or not its worth answering. the reason i personally ask questions is always because..."If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand up for much." ~Marian Wright Edelman
A few issues I would like to address in this thread.
First, as the mom of an autistic son who had a one on one aide with him him K, actually split with another DD child, I would have been upset also if I had found that his aide was being used for the entire classroom. She often did things for the teacher or students, but it was out of the goodness of her heart, not because she was the class aide. But her first obligation was to my son and her other student.
Second, in our Michigan district, class size is dictated in our teacher contracts. It simply states that K-2 is limited to 30 and 3rd and above to 35, exceptions being certain classes such as gym, band, etc. It states that if those limits are exceeded, the issue will be revisited by the negotiating parties. I'm thinking it means that a teacher of a class with more students could ask for more money, not neccessarily that another class would be opened.
We had 27+ students in our 5 kindergarten classes this fall and aides were hired for each class. We lost the aides due to budget cuts in January.(We also our library para-pros, lunch/reccess aides, and our custodial services were privatized.) Alot of parents stepped up to the plate and are now in those classes every day to make sure that the teachers have help.
makes me wonder what or who the real problem is here... sounds like when <wrong> didn't get an answer she liked from others, she walked away from a reasonable conversation... ever heard the phrase "look in the mirror first?"
