Let me ask the parents of school age children....

JoeyandDavid · July 15, 2008

If you as a supportive parent were involved in the affairs of that school and your bright child was a student in that school and the other parents like you in that zoned area were as well, that school would not be "below standards."

Judson in what way... become involved???... if the school board doesn't do their job(in a parent's opinion) what is the short answer.. by the time you are able to make the necessary changes isn't there a good chance your child may have moved on to another school?

55ChevyLady · July 15, 2008

Public education is one of the most valuable things that our country can do for our young people. We owe our young people the best education that we can provide and we've been trying to provide it since our country began. Those parents that remove their children from public schools to place them in private schools or home schooling are doing great harm to our public school systems. I certainly realize that these parents believe that they are doing the best thing for their own children. But - look what it's doing to the public schools. You said it yourself in your posting - "We are zoned to a public school that is far below standards." If you as a supportive parent were involved in the affairs of that school and your bright child was a student in that school and the other parents like you in that zoned area were as well, that school would not be "below standards."

With all due respect Ma'am, I was one of those parents that had my child in a private school and planned on having her go through 8th grade. Then I unexpectedly had another child and financially it became a burden.

I believe until you step foot into a school in Miss. or Ark. you don't need to be passing judgment on us.

JoeyandDavid · July 15, 2008

I believe until you step foot into a school in Miss. or Ark. you don't need to be passing judgment on us.

Andrea....I can't speak for Deb but I didnt think she was passing judgement....

PATJUD · July 15, 2008

If you as a supportive parent were involved in the affairs of that school and your bright child was a student in that school and the other parents like you in that zoned area were as well, that school would not be "below standards."

Judson in what way... become involved???... if the school board doesn't do their job(in a parent's opinion) what is the short answer.. by the time you are able to make the necessary changes isn't there a good chance your child may have moved on to another school?

O yeah - parents have many was to be involved in the affairs in the public schools where their children go to school. There's always PTA - in many cases there are more teachers at the PTA meetings than parents. Parents can become active in PTA - more than write a membership check - you can be active in what goes on at the school. Teachers always welcome parent/teacher meetings to discuss the progress of students. Many parents will not come to school for meetings even if the teachers beg them to do so. Parents can volunteer for varions things happening at the school. Parents can visit in the classroom and volunteer to assist in various ways. I don't mean just drop in unannounced but talking with teachers and administrators to decide how parents can be the best help.

If the school board isn't doing the job and it's an elected school board - you can vote the "bums" out. You can also become involved in recruiting good candidates to run for the school board. The public - if really interested - can see to it that the school works for the benefit of the students. If a school is performing "below standards" - what's wrong with the neighborhood that the kids are coming from. Yep - we're got to be involved in what's happening with all the other kids in the school as well as our own kids. I know parents work and that takes a lot of their time but if you have children attending school - your very active involvement is extremely necessary.

PATJUD · July 15, 2008

Public education is one of the most valuable things that our country can do for our young people. We owe our young people the best education that we can provide and we've been trying to provide it since our country began. Those parents that remove their children from public schools to place them in private schools or home schooling are doing great harm to our public school systems. I certainly realize that these parents believe that they are doing the best thing for their own children. But - look what it's doing to the public schools. You said it yourself in your posting - "We are zoned to a public school that is far below standards." If you as a supportive parent were involved in the affairs of that school and your bright child was a student in that school and the other parents like you in that zoned area were as well, that school would not be "below standards."

With all due respect Ma'am, I was one of those parents that had my child in a private school and planned on having her go through 8th grade. Then I unexpectedly had another child and financially it became a burden.

I believe until you step foot into a school in Miss. or Ark. you don't need to be passing judgment on us.

O my David,

I think Andrea meant me. I'm so very sorry if she felt that I was "passing judgement" on anyone.

I was expressing my feelings about the public school system as a public school teacher of 37 years in the State of Georgia.

The statements that I made are at the root of what many people call "the trouble with the public schools in the United States." I'm not pointing my finger at any invividual person but the situation across the country as a whole.

JoeyandDavid · July 16, 2008

Thanks again Judson...

JoeyandDavid · July 16, 2008

Parents can become active in PTA - more than write a membership check - you can be active in what goes on at the school.

Thanks again Judson for your observations..you make a great point.... money can't solve every problem!

deb1220 · July 16, 2008

It is true that school districts that have a lot of parental involvement, on the whole, are better but it takes much more than that. Unfortunately, some school districts (and states) mis-manage their money for the schools and have a hard time sustaining healthy schools. I am a strong advocate for public education but, as I said before, you have to do what you feel is best for you and your children.

Southernbelle73 · July 16, 2008

Guess, I should have also added that my child attends a private non-denominational Christian school. I don't know if anyone could truly understand what it is like in the public school system in our area of Mississippi. To let you know the city school is a level 5 school system, however the county school of which I am zoned is a level 1. I agree that parents should be involved in the school system on all levels. I will also note that just because my child is in private school, I still take time off from work to work with the public school system on various activities that they need help. Yes, I fill in the gap for parents that don't want to help, and I don't have a child there.

But let me tell you that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the genunine excitement of a child when an adult feels that they are worth investing in. It is not all about the money - it helps - but love/hope/patience goes so much further. These kids are dealing with so much at home. Lots of the kids in our community don't even know what it is like to have two parents in the same house, let alone, have both involved in their lives.

But now that I think about it the same holds true for adults, if we as adults will first learn to treat each other with respect, then the trickle down will occur to the children. It has to start with us!

Now I believe the original thread for this topic was "Would I take my child from school for a vacation" once again I say YES - but keep in mind that vacation could be in your own backyard or helping at another school.......

Love everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!