Smoky Hill High & parents
Thus far, I have ignored the school’s rude demands in the assumption that they reflect a more effective means of maximizing parental attendance.
However, after reading about Principal Brown’s decision to bar late-arriving parents, I now believe there may be a disturbing attitude problem at Smoky Hill. With a graduating class of more than 600, Principal Brown must have recognized that a number of parents would be late despite best intentions.
I do not know whether her tyrannical approach to parental relations stems from frustration, ego, or otherwise, but it needs to stop.
While I do not condone Ms. Walsh’s behavior, particularly her feeble attempt to use influence and exercise power, the school was also in the wrong here and I empathize with her frustration. I do not look forward to being bullied into attending future parent meetings, nor will I deserve to be treated like cattle when circumstances work against punctual attendance.
The Cherry Creek School District puts great emphasis at the elementary and middle school levels on anti-bullying. The district may need to develop such a program for the Smoky Hill administration.
This letter has not been edited.
Not familar with this issue, but I'd be irked too if I got communications and edicts like that from my child's school.
Posted by mytwosense on April 27, 2007 02:34 PMHow wonderful that the doors were closed so that late comers would not disrupt the meeting. I find it rude and very selfish that people think it is okay and easily excusable to be late (traffice, jobs, etc.). Either it IS important enought to be there on time or don't bother.
Posted by bjs on April 27, 2007 02:52 PMI agree with the letter writer. School administrators can be real jerk-offs. And, it is reflective of a willingness to engage in abuse of power.
Posted by Bob on April 27, 2007 03:15 PMAnother reason for a voucher system.
Posted by Chas on April 27, 2007 06:37 PMChas-
Just admit it- you are mad about paying any taxes, and schools are the only place where you think you can take money back. Using SMHS and mandatory meetings (which is the only place I have ever heard of mandatory parental meetings) as an excuse for vouchers is pretty weak. Besides, don't you think private schools are just as capable of having mandatory meetings? What are you going to do, bounce your kid from school to school until you find one that caters to your every whim?
BO
I just think that the system would be better all around with vouchers. All of the money that is wasted by the stuffed suits within the "who knows how many" levels of managers from the feds on down could be eliminated.
The last time I heard it costs between 6 & 8 grand per kid per year to educate. It's probably a good deal more than that by now.
If the states were give control I'm sure that we could do it for less than half at the local level and get far better quality for our money. I'm not slamming the teachers since most of them are doing the very best they can with what they're given to work with.
As a parent, i can understand the frustration of the parents and manditory meetings. However, i also recognize that if it wasn't for the 'manditory' status, many parents wouldn't show up for anything of their children's functions. It is a sad state of ffairs when the school has to put that caviate on it so that they can make sure that there is parent participation. It seemed that when my kids were growing up, it was always the same parents there. I feel for the kids whose parents are unable to be there. On the other side, as a working parent, it was a pain in the a** and sometime work just never understood. So I feel for both sides...I am so glad that mine are out in the real world now.
Posted by jdm on April 28, 2007 11:01 AMChas-
Thanks for your response, and I apologize for jumping you like that. I have seen too many people that fit the profile I described in my original post.
As far as the cost goes, there are some things many don't understand. Public schools are responsible for educating all students that show up. Special Ed student cost more to educate, hence the higher cost. There are now about 4 times the number of identified disabilities than there were 40 years ago (no, I don't think its right, but that's the way it is-I think some of them are a crock). I had a kid that was identified as, among other things, "selectively mute" (no I'm not making it up). There are many problems in our schools today. However, many of them stem from a change in our society, not neccessarily the government.
Posted by BO on April 28, 2007 07:00 PMI have a succesful business and don't want to pay for your mistakse!
Posted by Right Wing Nut on April 28, 2007 10:23 PMBo
Good point. I think that a voucher system could address special needs kids. The money saved by going to vouchers should more than provide for giving extra money to parents that will need more than a typical school environment.