JHB...the latest was that after about a week and a half of very negative slander remarks about myself it took a turn and the original poster of the remarks found the tables turned. Once the word got out ,I received a ton of response within the school and on the web site itself. The poster eventually gave up when people were asking him(yes we found out who said it) how much time he gave at the school, about family involvment and what steps he took to become involved besides sign up. I will have to say this person did sign up two years ago for our fall fest but never showed up after I explain that we had to watch the liabilty issue of having hayrides at night, at school(his idea)and he wanted no other job.
It was a very hard time for me and when i meant with my principal I bawled because in the public I was trying to stay cool. My principal and i talked to the group and just talked about how we had to be the better people and stay strong. I had almost resigned but realized he would have won that way. We did send out a parent survey and found that most parents are happy with where our school is at with involvement/volunteering. We are kicking off a assessment team to look at involvement/volunteering in two weeks. this was planned prior to this whole mess and now is more important than ever. Sorry this is so long but it is nice that this forum is here..it helps so much.
Holy crap! I read a couple of days worth of postings on that site and am appalled that it even exists, let alone that you have to spend time worrying about it. I couldn't find the orginal post, but you obviously have some strong support in the later posts, which you also saw in school yesterday, and by virtue of the fact that the school district is limiting access to the site from the school computers. Plus you have all of us telling you you're doing the right stuff! [img]smile.gif[/img]
I know it's got to be hard, but you need to focus on all the positive things people have been saying to you about your work at school. I can't believe a whole lot of people in your area focus on and take that other stuff seriously. Anonymous message boards are a complete waste of time and energy, plain and simple.
It's kind of like the Yahoo message boards on publicly traded companies. Those are anonymous boards where people can comment on companies' stock prices, management, and pretty much whatever else they want. It's widely recognized that any stock info you get on there is more often than not completely worthless, and most people just get on there to complain about something they have very little knowledge about--layoffs, why the stock price is so low and they have lost money, etc. I've made those boards before, and not two months ago someone on those boards expressed the opinion that "someone should fire [my husband's] ass." (He's got that posting framed in his office now; it's quite a source of amusement.) Unless the messages are threatening in some way, you need to let them roll off your back. Once the person sees they're not getting any support or attention, they'll go away.
Hi Everyone...Just thought I would give an update...I meet with my principal today who has been in touch with higher administration and what is being asked from myself and my group is that we stay calm, not react and keep pushing. I have a meeting tomorrow night where this will be presented. If after a week the group and myself is still taking hits on this "website" that i will meet with my principal and we will compose a letter to be sent home.The web site is a site in a local city that you can say anything about anyone and not sign your name...lucky me huh. I have adjusted to it however the district sees it as slander and may want to pursue it higher up if it continues. Lets put it this way when i walked into school today the responses and support i received from staff was very overwhelming.I am hoping that it stops and that we will all move on..I am tired of being in that "public eye". Thanks fora ll of the support and I know maybe tomorrow I will wake up and not see my name on the"site"
I will add my two cents here. I heard something on the radio yesterday that might help you - "it will be easier to play the game when you stop trying to win it".
Volunteering is not a game, nor is helping our children; however, dealing with people is (as I've come to learn at my job, church, and as PTA president!).
I know from my own experience that it is extremely difficult not to become emotionally invested in a situation like what you're going through. You try to cover all the bases, you go out of your way to include everyone, and your honorable intentions are not only questioned but bashed. You are hoping by defending yourself that this person will ultimately see the good in what you (and your organization) are trying to accomplish (i.e. you win).
Here's the thing that will make you come shining through (but is also the hardest to implement) - offer no reaction and let your work and integrity stand for itself. A nameless person who would set out to undermine and possibly destroy the good you do for the school over not being contacted for ONE EVENT?? Please... (hello - beyond not rational).
Pals, I think there is one of "those" parents in every group, every office, every job, etc. I still think that as long as you keep trying to 'fix' it, others will see this as though there might be something to it (believe me, I have been there. I think you've done everything you can and then some...). Follow JHB and venzmama's wonderful advice, and then let it go.
