Wednesday, November 17, 2010

How Much Do You REALLY Know?

You Don't Know What You Don't Know.....

Many of our opponents have accused us and others of not being involved with the education of our children. We have been challenged regarding how many board meetings we attend, are we room parents, part of the PTO, and the list goes on. More recently we've received comments regarding how uninformed so many parents are as to what actually goes on at MVRCS. This started us thinking about how little access to information we as parents have regarding the school day of our children. As a result, it has made us realize how little access we have to not only information regarding our children but also access to 'our' school. It has caused us to come to the conclusion that the Board and Administration of MVRCS do not want informed parents but rather prefer them to be kept clueless and uninvolved. You Don't Know What You Don't Know.

Our first case in point relates to how much we, as parents, know about our child's day while they are at school. While many schools not only encourage classroom teachers to publish weekly newsletters, they require it. Newsletters are a way for teachers to maintain open communications with parents, keep parents abreast as to what is going on in the classroom, and provide parents with a starting point or prompts as to helping children talk about what they are doing in school. Wouldn't it be so nice to be able to have a specific question to ask about a lesson or activity rather than just the standard 'how was school today'?  How often do parents get the opportunity to visit the classroom, stop in and catch up with teachers (other than the 5 minutes during pickup), or see other students work? The school has eliminated any opportunity for parents to access the buildings as they are not permitted in the classrooms before or after school. It is even more upsetting that the children are not even permitted back in the building after school regardless of the reasoning (i.e. forgot something, bathroom visit, want to show their parent something). With all of the cameras in place (with a lip reading program attached no less!) and the staff that are required to be there until 4pm, it is incomprehensible that the school has adopted such policies. As parents we should have full access to the facilities that house our children for 37.5 hours a week, 200 days a year. This is just another way for the Administration to limit access of information to parents because they rely and depend upon parents being ignorant and uninformed. As for the arguments about being room parents or 'involved' - only 2-4 parents are room parents and therefore permitted to attend the occasional party or event and how do you stay involved when you have such limited access to the building and teachers? Again, You Don't Know What You Don't Know.

We have heard from many teachers that the powers that be at MVRCS have strict limitations and restrictions on what teachers can and can not speak to parents about. In all honesty, they are permitted to speak to parents about very little and any teacher-parent correspondences (notes home) must be pre-approved. MVRCS is the only school that insists upon such control placed upon their teachers. The Administration has been quoted as saying that they do not want to provide too much information to parents as then they would be required to continue in that manner. Try asking teachers some tough questions like 'what level group is my child in (i.e. should I be concerned that my child is in the lowest reading or math group and still struggling)'? Or, 'how was my child's placement determined?', and heavens forbid you request a level change for your child - DENIED but unfortunately, the teachers have such limited say all of this. In hindsight we wished we had provided parents with a list of questions to ask during their 15 minute conferences last week. On that note, did you meet with the teacher who actually teaches your child reading and/or math daily or their homeroom teacher (if they are not the same). Do most parents even know that the homeroom teacher is not necessarily the teacher that their child spends the majority of their day with? Again, You Don't Know What You Don't Know.

We would agree that parents are permitted to attend the Open Meeting portion of the Board of Trustees monthly meeting but must also acknowledge how uninspiring the experience is for the majority of most parents. As we've discussed in the past, Neil Kinnon treats the parents with blatant disregard that borders on contempt. At the same time, the Board too often (and many times illegally) resort to Executive Sessions which exclude parents. The Board has shown just how little importance they place upon these meetings as not only are they not welcoming to parents but they make obtaining the minutes for these meetings near impossible to obtain. At the very least, the Board COULD post the minutes for both sessions on their web site as a means of ensuring all parents are informed and kept abreast as to issues. While many parents have determined that attending the Board Meetings serves no purpose considering the dismissive and demeaning tone of Neil Kinnon, many would appreciate having access to an agenda and/or meeting minutes to allow them to be better informed. We bring up TitleI funding as an example, why would a school who makes it clear that they do not have access to the funding that our public schools have, refuse funds and assistance in reading? In an Annual Report the board said it was so that they could control the curriculum and methodology but Title I is meant assist and ensure the reading success of all students. We think it is again, because it would allow too much information to be revealed AND because they could not control (to the degree it is now) what told to parents.Again, we see this approach and attitude as just another example of the Administration wanting to keep parents uninformed and ignorant. Let's not forget, it is difficult to challenge or question what you don't know about, or you don't know what you don't know.

We could really go on and on with this as it has become overly apparent that the Board of Trustees and Administration do not want involved, informed, questioning parents but would much prefer to just maintain unilateral control similar to a dictatorship. Oh yes, and is that Dictator Neil Kinnon with the control?

13 comments:

  1. Seriously!? What school do you know of that lets parents in the doors any time they want? You have got to be kidding!
    I do agree that teachers should be willing to meet with parents when they request it. I also think that teacher newsletters and web pages are a great way to stay informed. BUT, I also ask my child questions. I don't accept vague "school was ok" answers. I ask specifically "What did you study in math today? What word did you learn in Spanish today?" and I get answers. I look at all the work that comes home and we talk about it all. It is your responsibility as a parent to ask questions and stay informed. If you are concerned, schedule a meeting with the teacher. They should accomodate that.
    This is only my first year here at MV and so far I think its great. Our teacher has responded right away to every email I've sent with a question. She was forthcoming at the conference and didn't avoid any of my questions. She has even called us with her own concerns.

    Being able to meet with every teacher your child has on the conference night is a whole other topic for another day.... that system needs a complete overhaul so parents aren't waiting for over an hour just to see 1 teacher and then not have time to see any others.

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  2. I agree, what a fantastic turnout for Parent teachers night as well. In addition to being able to attend those sessions, having the teachers at your disposal email wise is fantastic. I thought they organized it very well and handled a huge turnout in a fantastic manner. In my opinion, you should just accept that you will need both sessions to meet with all. A small price to pay for your childs education if you ask me. by the way I have 2 in the school and had no problem meeting with all of them.

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  3. Students are allowed back in the building after bus dismissal

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  4. So much for being thankful.

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  5. To Anonymous @ Nov 17, 2010 1:14 PM
    Regarding your comment:
    "Seriously!? What school do you know of that lets parents in the doors any time they want? You have got to be kidding!"

    As to allowing parents in the doors at any time - MOST schools do allow parents in the classroom at numerous times as guest readers, classroom helpers, and the like. Did we mean to allow parents the right to roam the hallways? No, we meant allowing the parents into the classroom so that they can witness the learning environment, their childs classroom, the other students and the like. At MVRCS, parents can't go into the classroom or hallways before or after school. The teachers do such a great job decorating the rooms and hallways with the kids work, yet we can't even see it. All the art in the HS, how many parents have actually seen it? That is what we were making reference to. We would not want parents to have open access to the buildings but it would be nice for the teachers to offer parents opportunities to go into the classroom as a volunteer or 'celebrity reader' and the likes.

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  6. Again To Anonymous @ Nov 17, 2010 1:14PM
    Regarding your comment:
    "I also ask my child questions. I don't accept vague "school was ok" answers. I ask specifically "What did you study in math today? What word did you learn in Spanish today?" and I get answers. I look at all the work that comes home and we talk about it all. It is your responsibility as a parent to ask questions and stay informed."

    Yes, we do too but some kids/parents need more prompts to pull out information. You may know what to ask, how to ask it and/or your child may be a wealth of information and love chatting. Unfortunately, that isn't the case with all parents and children. It would just be nice if parents were expected or able to do have more positive interactions with the classes. This, of course is geared more towards the lower grades.

    Also, your other comment:
    "This is only my first year here at MV and so far I think its great."

    A bit confused as you mentioned Spanish class yet this is your first year. Were you able to get in through the waitlist as Kindergartners don't have Spanish. Just curious.

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  7. As for students being allowed back in the building after bus dismissal.....the buses can and do often leave late. Some of the younger kids often have to go the bathroom. Just insane.

    And yes, thankful for much but not everything.

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  8. Also, your other comment:
    "This is only my first year here at MV and so far I think its great."
    A bit confused as you mentioned Spanish class yet this is your first year. Were you able to get in through the waitlist as Kindergartners don't have Spanish. Just curious.
    November 18, 2010 10:37 AM


    my reply to the above:
    I didn't say we started in K. We have been on the waitlist 3 years and finally got in this year.


    UnOfficial MVRCS said...
    As to allowing parents in the doors at any time - MOST schools do allow parents in the classroom at numerous times as guest readers, classroom helpers, and the like.

    My reply:
    Yes, most schools do allow parents to come in as a guest or for a special activity. There is a policy against these kinds of activities at MV? Parents are not allowed access to the classroom ever? That I was unaware of, as we haven't been here long enough.

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  9. Don't listen to this blog anonymous @ 12:54. If you would like to see your childs class in action, as long as your CORI form has been taken, 9 out of 10 times you will get to go in. It is understandable that the kids not be let in after school. With the after-school programs that take place, it would be very easy for a kid to blend in, and that is a safety issue for not only the child but for the school. I have had two instances this year alone where my kid had to go back in the building, and they were more than accommodating.

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  10. I wasn’t sure where to post my thoughts as there really is no general posting area.

    What is the point of this blog? I first heard about this blog at the wonderful Parent/Teacher Conference Night. I have spent a large amount of time reading through all the postings and comments and am just confused as to the point of this. It’s not only terribly confusing to read through, it’s awfully negative and there are a lot of un proven claims made. You say you don't want the school to close, you are only trying to make it better. But then a second later you are making outrageous claims about alleged things that have happened. You say how much you hate the school's policies.... Then why on earth do you send your children here? This is a choice you have made- to do things differently, to have a different school climate, to have a better education. If you don't like it, what's the point of sending your child to this so called miserable place? Pull them out and send them back to your hometown public neighborhood school. Let it go, give up, go home.

    If you truly think this school is the best education your child can have, then support it. You say you don't go to the PTA meetings, the PAC meetings, the Sped PAC meetings. Why not? Do you even go to the school activities like Bingo or football games, Uniform Swap or Pasta Night? If you really have a serious concern about something why don't you bring it up at appropriate venues? Come to a PAC meeting, organize a committee, share your concerns, try to get something changed. You say you used to come to meetings but nothing happened. Did you try again? Every year there are new parents who might care. If you feel really strongly about it, then try again. Otherwise, let it go.

    Why are you veiled in secrecy? Why don’t you want people to know who you are? Are you afraid you will be fired for making unsubstantiated claims against the school? Are you afraid your child will be bullied in school for being the blog parents kid? Or are you just hiding because you don’t have proof for every single thing you claim. I am just confused.

    There will be problems in any school or workplace. That’s just life. It’s not always fair. Teaching is not all it’s cracked up to be. Teachers everywhere are underpaid and overworked. Schools and parents make unreasonable demands on teachers. Administrators have to deal with all the BS from the parents and the state and the laws. They may get paid a large salary but they work long hours and have a stressful job. I’m sure there are several legitimate issues with MV that could use some work. They will never be fixed by this blog. They will be fixed by parents who give a damn enough to come forward and gather others and make change.

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  11. why didn't you post my comment?

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  12. To 11:06 AM

    Obviously you didn't read through all of the blogs. If you did, you would understand the reasons to remain anonymous. You almost sound like an administrator yourself in your post:

    "There will be problems in any school or workplace. That’s just life. It’s not always fair. Teaching is not all it’s cracked up to be. Teachers everywhere are underpaid and overworked. Schools and parents make unreasonable demands on teachers. Administrators have to deal with all the BS from the parents and the state and the laws. They may get paid a large salary but they work long hours and have a stressful job."

    This is just how the school feels about parents, the state and the laws. It's all BS to them.

    We won't leave the school because we are going to help change the things that are wrong with it. Our taxes pay for this public school.

    I commend whoever the creators of this blog are for trying to do something to make a change. I have had dealings with the administration of the school and have seen first hand how they retaliate against a student for their parents speaking up for them.

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  13. The whole "sell" of the charter school was that it was different in many aspects, the biggest is that it belonged to the parents and students. The administration stressed we, the parents, were the "customers" and had a lot of say in how things would go. The admin were there to "serve" us. We had to buy into the basics of the longer day, the uniforms, Direct Instruction, the IB program and "take the leap of faith" they would deliver to us a "world class education". It is "our" school in the end.

    Well, that is not what happened. It is Neil Kinnon's school and make no mistake about it. His way or the highway. If he wants to siphon off millions into an athletic program instead of improving the school infrastructure for ALL the students, it's HIS choice. Northeastern University gave up its football program rather than divert more money into a program that was not close to Divison 1 and would require millions to upgrade it to get where? They realized there were enough athletic opportunities for students and their primary focus is education. Maybe Neil should take heed. It doesn't mean the school can't have SOME sports but get real and make MV a world class institution the worthy and hard working students deserve.

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