Now... Why is the post entitled "Where are the parents?"
Each of the classrooms held 35 to 40+ desks, therefore I assume each class has 30+ students... Therefore there should be 30 to 80+ parents related to those students.... I think this a pretty straight forward and reasonable assumption.
Well the number of parents at each session varied from 2 to 10, with the norm being ~5. Two of which being me and my better half.
Any thoughts as to why attendance was so low ??? The Admin and Teachers did some great prep and work, however the Parents failed to show... Yet they'll be the first to complain the "THE SCHOOL" is failing when little Joey gets a poor grade.
WE NEED TO MAKE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY A HIGHER PRIORITY... IT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S JOB TO RAISE OUR KIDS !!!
Thoughts?
11 comments:
Absolutely not the school's job to raise the kids. It IS, however, the school's job to educate the kids, and a reasonable presumption would be that the evening you mention was for the purpose of explaining the details of that singular and important task. Since we are told that they are doing an excellent job, except for needing more money and, indeed, that they are the "experts" in education, why wouldn't parents simply assume that all was well in hand and that this meeting was a mere courtesy?
Was this the forum for complaints about Joey's grades or lack of educational attainment? No. About the District's "failings"? No. It's great that you attended; I always did. Then I went to the Board to complain, or to the teacher in a private conference.
J. Ewing
To successfully "educate the kids", I believe a partnership between the Teacher and Parent(s)is required. One teacher/class only has a HS kid for ~50 minutes per day. And their attention is split between 30 to 45 students. Therefore they can have only a minimal impact without some help.
The kids need to know how to behave, and need to want to learn. Also, they need to do their studying and homework. Finally they need to understand that teachers, like bosses and peers vary in style and expectations. The kid needs to understand how to adjust their thoughts, emotions and behaviors appropriately. These are the enforcement and coaching tasks that parents need to take the responsibility for.
Though I know some parents that believe "the kid" needs to learn by natural consequences. (ie bad grades) To me that is such a cop out and waste of an opportunity... (ie only get that class once)
What are us parents here for if not to actively turn our irresponsible kid into a responsible adult citizen. To proactively do this takes a lot of patience, energy, time and hard work. It seems some of us have better things to do.
As for Schools dissuading parents from involvement. I have never seen that. Typically they ask and encourage the parent's involvement and assistance.
Again you are correct on all counts, but nonetheless the perception is widespread that schools are WHOLLY responsible for our kids' educations. That perception is actively encouraged by the unions and some teachers. People get elected to the School Board by promising that they will "handle it" and since that is the natural inclination of parents anyway, that's what we get.
That's why I keep saying that universal vouchers would be so beneficial. Having to sign over a $10,000 check to a school would tend to make the parent interested in the kid getting what was being paid for, and paying more attention both to the kid's habits and to the school's effectiveness. Unless we have a drastic change in the way schools are seen by parents-- i.e. as a purchased service rather than some lofty cadre of omniscient miracle-workers-- there isn't much that can be done to get more parental involvement.
A note from Facebook... G2A
I can't understand it. We had great turnout of parents at open houses for Groveland in Minnetonka and FAIR in Crystal. The only problem I had was that the FAIR open house was too short for me to get to all the teachers' rooms before the o...pen house ended. I had 45 minutes to get to four seventh grade teachers; one sixth grade teacher; the band, orchestra, and choir teachers; and the administrative offices to buy official school planners for the kids. The food service provider, the health service office, and transportation coordinator were also made available - if you could get to them before closing. I wasn't a fan of the open house format, but I do love the school.
Were those events where the kids came with? The ZLE and PMS "open houses" were very full. This was a special event where the kids mostly stayed home... We got to ask embarassing questions without getting the eye roll from the kids.
I don't think we can demand parental involvement if the schools simply won't listen. That's a broad brush, but I think justified. Besides, perception is the reality here.
Go to your principal, supt, or even the school board after another round of mediocre test scores come out. Ask them who will be fired or what they're going to do about it. Or what they're going to do about that disruptive kid in your child's class. Or why the second grade textbooks weigh 45 pounds and are loaded with irrelevant PC garbage. Or how in the world the illiterate neighbor kid got promoted anyway? Or what the $250k not going into your kid's classroom of 30 is being spent on. Or why your kid can't enroll in special programs (no lottery ticket, no transportion).
R-Five. THANK YOU!
So let's consider the options.
Boycott an excellent opportunity to meet and get to understand your child's Teacher because you are frustrated with your District's politics. (ie They won't do it my way, so I'm going to take my toys, go home and pout.) Therefore limiting the effectiveness of any coaching you can give your child with regard to dealing with this individual and the class.
or
Attend the opportunity, learn about the Teacher, class, etc and help your child make the best of the bad, good, or great situation.
The reality is as adults we have to deal with difficult people, politics, situations, etc. Be it your Spouse, Boss, Teacher, Professor, Landlord, Banker, Salesperson, etc. Most of being successful is learning how to do this very well.
Now what do we want to model for our kids? Listen, learn, befriend, accept and influence. Or Ignore, block, antagonize, judge and rebel.
I have a friend who has a terrible time with employers and bosses, he is always frustrated at work and continually changes jobs. He seems to end up in, what I see as, the stupidest arguments over nothing. Then he quits or is fired... Apparently his Parents chose option 2... Unfortunate for him...
As for the text books... The 2nd grader's is not 45 Lbs, however my 10th graders AP Biology book is pretty close.
I have had similar conversations at the office. Someone gets frustrated with the working environment or with a particularly boneheaded management decision of some sort and makes a statement like "Surely there's got to be someplace better than this." To which I always reply, truthfully, "I have been other places and, believe me, there isn't."
So when it comes to the schools, you can always, if you are one of the few who has the financial means to do so, move to a better school district or send your kids to a private school of your choosing. Eventually, though, you are going to come down to the same two options that all the rest of us have:
You can content yourself with the fact that your kids are receiving a better education than the kids you left behind in that other school; that your schools are the "best of the worst."
Or
You can complain loudly and at length that your school is not all that it ought to be and that its failings are as follows, in a very lengthy list.
I think you will find the first option the far easier and, by concentrating on advantaging your own children within that deficient system.you make best use Of your time. The latter course is filled with frustrations and futilities, but can lay claim, IMHO, to the higher moral ground. That, and a dollar, will get you a White Castle hamburger.
J. Ewing
I saw these stats on the RAS website. I'm curious was this was projected by the Wold Report? I can't seem to find my data.
First day of school statistics:
Students (K-12): 11,877
Kindergarten: 845
New students to the district (Grades 1-12): 999
I'll let you do the digging, here are the links. Get back to us with anything of interest....
G2A Shrinking Districts
G2A Facility Mtg 1&2
G2A Facility Options
G2A Facility Update
G2A Equity or Seperation
G2A Facility Q&A
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