I'd like to again say that I'm willing to help with consulting, etc. when it comes to the school websites - the internet could be a powerful way to connect teachers and parents and students... I don't have a lot of time, but instead of sitting on this or that board, I'm willing to donate some time to try to give to the city...
Helping Anderson Schools
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:34pm
One Pair
Parents are to blame for the most part. When you have a child that is smart but just lazy, it falls back on the parent. You will find they are also lazy. My stepson goes to school in another town and his mother could care less that he is flunking..... once again. When his father ( my hubby) gets on him about his grades, the ex wife tells him to lay off, homework is not important ,.blah blah blah. He is a freshman this year, should have been held back in my opinion. They let him take Spanish...heck the kid can't even pass English and you want him to learn Spanish!!! His mother uses the excuse she doesn't understand his work so she can't help him. She is a college graduate for Pete's sake...she is not stupid,...she is too lazy to help him in my opinion. Hubby and I try to help him, but since we are not with him everyday like she is, it makes it hard to be weekend teachers. They way a kid learns starts at home. Parents now-a-days want the schools to raise their children but not to discipline them. Kids are lazy now-a-days....and parents could care less because they are being lazy right along with them. Lots of kids having kids doesn't help either. Especially when the mother drops out, gets on welfare, and sits around smoking pot and doing drugs all day. I have seen it....somehow we, as a society, have to make these parents step up and take charge of their kids....not the kids in charge of the parents.
"Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your kids."
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 11:33pm
Supporter
I have some first hand knowledge of how are schools are doing . Please believe me when I say this is a serious epidemic that if not addressed will only get worse . It is not the fault of the teachers , they spend most of their time on discipline which has a negative impact on the way they teach . We can't blame the school board or the school administration . Children are at school about seven hours a day and at home the other seventeen hours so guess who gets the blame for their child's behavior issues , bad attitude , and complete lack of respect for anyone or anything . PARENTS !! Ask any president of any parent club and most of them will tell you that can't even get parents to come to meetings and get involved in their childs education . It is obvious that parents are not helping their children with schoolwork and don't care when you see a child in early elementary school that cannot spell their first name correctly . How can a parent not know this about their child ? kpaul wanted to keep this positive so here we go . If I could say one thing to the people of Anderson about education it would be "get involved" . This is a problem that impacts all of us . Several area schools have started after school tutoring programs . Call and see if you can help . Wilson Boys and Girls Club has tutoring and mentoring programs . I'm sure they would welcome an offer to help . The Literacy Coalition could use tutors . Volunteer ! If you happen to be a business owner reading this encourage your employees to find a way to help . Reward your employees for helping to address this problem . Adopt a school and then find out what their needs are then step up and help . It doesn't take a lot of money folks . You only need two things to help , compassion and time . Let's all get to work and do our part to help with this very serious problem .
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 5:47am
Not Banned
At the PAC meeting last night, we had one parent who was concerned about her child in high school. Not that he was absent, lazy, failing, or had any real disciplinary problems. She was concerned because he was taken out of his 'learning' environment for an afternoon, because his uniform shirt was not completely tucked in. This happened to him once......but she is concerned as to whether or not this is happening to a lot of children. If anyone doesn't know......the first infraction of a uniform violation results in ISD. According to the student handbook, there is an option of 'change clothing' or ISD. In this students case, all it would have taken is the teacher to say "tuck it in". Instead, he missed 2 or more classes. Which meant he missed the lessons for that day. How many other students is this happening to?
So what will help? Teachers using better discretion on disciplinary actions. If the kids aren't in class then they aren't going to learn. I might add that notification of disciplinary actions to the parents would help too. We are finding out about these missed classes through our kids....not the schools.
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 6:20am
Ace
Thanks kpaul, this a a great idea. I will monitor this site very closely and I will also take these suggestions and comments to the board at our meeting on Tuesday.
I should get our adgenda tomorrow, I will post it to this site as quickly as I can.
I will say this (please understand that I am speaking generally, there are always exceptions)... our teaching staff are very well educated and trained. They care about your child's education. They want your child to succeed. They have to be able to take control of the envirnment at school. That doesn't mean that you as a parent are unwelcome, but, please don't come in and tell the teachers and admin how things should be done, come in and say, what can I do to help. Just as you wouldn't want the teacher to come to your house in the evening and tell you how things should be done.
With that said, many of the issues our kids face come to them outside of school hours. As parents this is completly in our control. Ask about school, ask about homework, provide a safe productive atmosphere at home in the evening. Be interested and encouraging.
Honestly, when I was in school, college was still optional. Better jobs over all with a college education, but you could still do well without it. (I am not that old either) Today is different. Our children are going to have a difficult time finding success without a college education of some kind. We as parents have to accept that what we did isn't going to work for our children. The world has changed greatly in a very short period of time. Research has shown us many ways to change education, ISTEP has changed the way teachers teach... I went to AHS open house with my son on Monday night, the classroom doesn't look or work the same way it did 15 years ago.
I am aware of issues surrounding the dress code sweeps...I'll leave that alone for now. But, I understand what you are saying.
kpaul, I have passed your offer along, but, I think that security issues will make it difficult to accept. Still talking though...something must be done.
President Just a member of ACSC Board of Trustees
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 8:31am
Versifier
Parents need to get involved in all issues of their childrens lives, listen to the police scanner and you would be surprised at the number of children getting in trouble. Parents need to teach their children about self respect, values, and integrity. Be proud of yourself if you bring home a good grade, be proud of yoursef for saying no to your peers for not following in their footsteps. Make good choices with your friends! And teach your children that if they need help, no matter what it is, you will help them.
Stop long enough each day to cherish all of the good things that are in your life.
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 3:05pm
Publisher
Thanks, Tobi. I'm willing to be just a 'consultant' as well and give you guys some ideas.
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 3:14pm
Ace
Thanks for all your efforts kpaul. Really.
President Just a member of ACSC Board of Trustees
I don't want this to turn into a negative thread about ACSC, so try to keep it positive with ideas on what we as a community can do to improve not just test scores, but graduation rates, etc. I've been hearing from a lot of people how bad of shape our schools are in. Again, not to downplay anything that's been done in the past or being done now - but what can we do to improve the situation?
A lot of politicians brought up education tonight (and over the last few weeks actually...) One tonight said that parents were to blame for not taking a more active role. (It may have been Roofer Rob?)