|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Back To All Blogs | Blog 82 of 170 | Prev Next |
|
EDUCATORS RESPOND TO SCRUTINY
Published On 12-07-2008 , 3:27 PM
Following last week's newspaper column/blog about my daughter's teachers and counselor who didn't seem to think their job description included communicating with parents, I've had a flood of responses from readers who are retired teachers, parents, school secretaries, students and home-schooling advocates. I also heard from the counselor and teachers I wrote about.
While neither the counselor or the teachers mentioned the column, it was clear to me why they were suddenly taking care of business.
The column/blog was about my attempts to get word back from teachers whom I had asked to advise me of my kid's work in their classes and the counselor admonishing me for suggesting I might seek help from our superintendent of schools, board members or members of the public.
Members of the public quickly answered my cry for help. A former school secretary e-mailed to say, oh, yes, teachers practiced retaliation when it came to aggressive parents wanting the best for their children. She went on to speak of the numerous vindictive conversations she had been privy to during her years of working in the office.
At the Pasadena Unified School District school board meeting this week, the concerns I wrote about were bantered back and forth among some of the trustees with Renatta Cooper taking the lead in questioning what kind of policy is in place and with PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz pretty much scratching his head.
A parent who contacted me said it was joyous to find someone "brave enough" to put these kind of improper school behaviors into a column because her troubles were much the same causing her to eventually give up being a stay at home mom and taking on a part-time job in order to send her daughter to a non-Pasadena school.
It's really too bad every parent can't have media access, because if they did, the life of their students would be quite different. In the meantime, just call me the voice of every parent.
My teenager's teachers quickly made contact - well, after the week delay prior to the newspaper column.
Even my teenager's counselor, the one who suggested if I went beyond the confines of the school with this issue it just might be counterproductive, suddenly became productive - well, suddenly only after the column appeared here in the newspaper and on its website.
While I mentioned no names in my previous writing other than that of my kid, the irresponsible educators who may or may not live in the newspaper service area, did, in fact, get the message.
A retired teacher who contacted me said he taught in a local school district for 34 years, and believed it to be unrealistic for parents to expect an overnight progress report from their child's teachers, but he said there is no excuse for teachers not returning a courtesy e-mail telling the inquiring parent that a report will be forthcoming.
He further recommended that a parent who is being ignored by a teacher should first bring this to the attention of the school principal because counselors are busy people.
Good point, but not in my case.
While I didn't mention it in the previous column, there is something called a 504 accommodation plan available to students who qualify.
Based upon psychological assessment, my child has one.
This plan is worked out with counselor, teachers, student and parents. All sign the document. One of Brandi's accommodations is frequent and timely communication with the parent.
With or without such a plan every parent is entitled to courteous treatment, which includes a timely response to all inquiries.
______________________________________________________________________________
This blog can be found in our columns section where you can print a copy or e-mail to someone
http://talkaboutparenting.org/pages/articles.php
 Tune-in Wednesdays Noon to 1:00 p.m. Talk Abut Parenting with Shirlee Smith LIVE Call-in. See our calendar listing
| |
| |
Comment
| | 1. | I have been reading what your write for many years and believe you are wise beyond your years.
I feel that I sound like my grandparents used to sound. The kids are going nowhere,but we did and many of us came out alright. . . but we could have been better. At least it seems as I feel a larger number had caring parents. Parents that realized it was their responsibility. I only had the privilege of two children but I realized a long time ago that two were all that we felt we could provide for.
Nowadays:
* Our childrens' imaginations have been smothered {to death} between movies and the media. . .wonder is gone.
* Young people seeking love and acceptance find themselves getting pregnant thinking that will fulfill their desires.
* Children are not given the time to be "kids" . . . they find themselves acting as adults and no more ready to accept the responsibility than their parents are.
I feel that the Dept. of Children & Family Services needs to clean house and wake up. I worked for sometime in a
residential treatment facility and the money that may as well have been burned on a bonfire was heinous. The clients were not held accountable for most actions. But then on the flip side most had never been afforded the opportunity of having someone to look up too, or respect, so why should they respect any guiding figure.
Some of these parents should spend a week in one of these facilities. It is much TOO easy to place a child and the
doctors could also do with a little of your "wisdom". Unfortunately, it is too easy to turn a blind eye to these disturbing facts. Most of my friends thought I was nuts to be working in that climate. I only wish I could have returned {health issues}.
Shirlee, I could go on and on but I just wanted to let you know there is another parent so appreciating your views. I would
really appreciate hearing from you, however, I realize you are probably very over-top with correspondence. God Bless
- by Shirley W., 12-08-2008, 10:02 AM
| | 2. | Shirlee,
YES WE CAN!!!!!!
We can cause the system to pause and listen, when we have a strong voice, with a righteous cause. We can cause the "affected" to respond to their treatment, when we have a strong voice, with a righteous cause. You have given us that voice. Now we respond.
YES WE CAN!!!!!
Hank
Hank
- by Hank Wilfong, 12-08-2008, 6:51 AM
| | 3. | Hello Shirlee, as usual , every time I read one of your pieces, I say to myself "she is on the money again."
The problem with public schools are the Unions, of course they are not the only issue, but again, whenever I have to deal with government in any way shape or form, I get this feeling that they could care less. My first two children went to public school and my next two went to Catholic school. I got my moneys worth, no doubt! I wish people like yourself who I believe could be elected to the school board get in there make some serious changes, but we both know that as long as the Unions are involved it will only get worse. My solution are vouchers, bring competition to the table and watch what happens to public education as they tie up all the loose ends and run the system the way we would expect.
The reality is, no nonsense people like yourself are out numbered by the special interests that have grown this public system into an uncontrollable monster.
I went to Cathedral High school downtown in the 60's, I still have contact with some of my classmates. I see a lot of them once a year when I play in a band for their fund raiser at the Biltmore. I would say about three or four friends of mine became public school teachers and every one with no exception sent their children to Catholic school. They have nothing but contempt for the LA Unified, but they won't say a word, job security comes first when you are trying to make a living.
- by Barney, 12-08-2008, 12:37 AM
| | 4. | As "the voice of every parent" I encourage your continued advocacy on their behalf....
- by Beverlee Bruce, 12-07-2008, 7:03 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
