| I was a bit annoyed at the flyer sent out on this event. To paraphrase what
was on the cover:
"If you only attend one school meeting this year, make it this one!"
(or words to that ilk).
Between my wife and I we attend the the MHS Parent Networking group, Fowler
Parents' Group, Friends of WAVM, and the Band Parents' Group. Why the
School Committee feels that they can unilaterally state that this meeting
is "the only one you need to attend" this year (my interpretation) is
annoying at best. I'm sure this was unintentional, but the dead honest truth
is that parent involvement in the schools needs to be high and consistant if
the schools are going to be a success. I don't ask that my interests should
be put ahead of any other organization -- the school committee should extend
the same courtesy to other groups in the schools.
- dave
|
| .1> "If you only attend one school meeting this year, make it this one!"
.1>
.1>(or words to that ilk).
.1>
.1>Between my wife and I we attend the the MHS Parent Networking group, Fowler
.1>Parents' Group, Friends of WAVM, and the Band Parents' Group. Why the
.1>School Committee feels that they can unilaterally state that this meeting
.1>is "the only one you need to attend" this year (my interpretation) is
.1>annoying at best.
Clearly, "the only one you need to attend" was not the intent.
The mailing went out to parents of all Maynard school students, Maynard kids in
other systems, out-of-town kids in Maynard, and all the parents of kids one
year too young for school.
The phrase "If you only attend one school meeting this year, make it this one!"
was chosen for two reasons:
1. While Maynard does have very strong parent groups, and obvious active
parental involvement in the schools, not everyone with an interest attends
Maynard school meetings. In particular, note that the mailing went to the
parents of kids in other schools, and parents of children entering school next
year. They should find this meeting of particular interest, and they might not
otherwise consider attending.
2. The forum is an extraordinary event.
The purpose of the State of the Schools forum is to assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the Maynard Schools, to talk about what we really have, both
positive and negative, what's being done about it, and what is expected of
students.
This is very different from what the Maynard schools have done in the past,
and the mailing tries to highlight that.
.1>I'm sure this was unintentional, but the dead honest truth
.1>is that parent involvement in the schools needs to be high and consistant if
.1>the schools are going to be a success.
Absolutely true. Nothing is more critical than parental involvement.
.1>I don't ask that my interests should
.1>be put ahead of any other organization -- the school committee should extend
.1>the same courtesy to other groups in the schools.
The mailing cost $150. The copying was done in-house in the central office.
Why don't you get on the agenda for the next school committee meeting, and
bring up the issue of parent groups doing a bulk mailing?
-Steve
|
| >1. While Maynard does have very strong parent groups, and obvious active
>parental involvement in the schools, ..............
My first hand experience does not back up this statement. I see too few
familiar faces at all of these meetings. Hence my concern with a possible
interpretation of the letter.
I do admit that for people "outside" the school system (a clear minority of
the mailing list), that the message is *very* appropriate.
>.1>I don't ask that my interests should
>.1>be put ahead of any other organization -- the school committee should extend
>.1>the same courtesy to other groups in the schools.
>
>The mailing cost $150. The copying was done in-house in the central office.
>Why don't you get on the agenda for the next school committee meeting, and
>bring up the issue of parent groups doing a bulk mailing?
Parent groups already do bulk mailings -- they try to use them conservatively.
The courtesy I was speaking of was that somehow one meeting of parents can
be put above the others. They all have individual and important goals to
achieve.
>2. The forum is an extraordinary event.
That is a opinion that I don't happen to share -- which sort of goes to the
heart of my annoyance with this. I am not alone (as are, I suppose, those who
think it is a big event).
I'm sure only the best intentions were meant. They just missed the mark
for this parent (in the trenches).
Thanks for sharing your views,
- dave
|
| I must say that I thought the heading was appropriate, and a good
attention getter. AND, the timing is excellent!
In the past week or so, we have received three letters from Catholic
High Schools, inviting us to attend their open houses. They are
recruiting and I think that parents who are exploring their options
for next year may indeed make the State of the Schools Forum their
only Maynard school meeting of the year, and maybe their last.
Dave, you may be seeing the same familiar faces at all the parent
group meetings and parental involvement meetings, but unless we try
to get some of the "choiced out" parents to reconsider the Maynard
School System for next year, you will probably be seeing fewer faces
next year.
The presentation topics (Excellence, Curriculum, Expectations, and
Assessment) will offer parents an opportunity to see and hear for
themselves what the Maynard School Department is doing to improve
its' educational system. Every parent who is exploring school
choice should attend this Forum before making a school choice
decision.
To repeat the message: If you only attend one school meeting this
year, this should be the meeting. I wholeheartedly agree.
Frank
|
| You cannot improve the schools by holding dog and pony shows. You'll
attract new students by having a better school system, generating
better students, with vibrant involvement by the community. Such a
school system will sell itself.
If I were a parent considering choice, I'd "look under the hood" -- and
pretty much ignore the sales pitch.
To each their own!
- dave
|