On Tuesday of this week, during our regularly scheduled board meeting, one of the policies in scope was in regards to parental involvement. This area of concern is the impetus behind my initial run for the Board of Education, and it has been plagued with criticism by the community at large. Unfortunately, the fact that only 2 Parents/Community folk showed up to the meeting belies the latter.
Although I am not on the policy chairmanship, per se – I am the chairperson who is responsible for ensuring there is linkage between the community and our school -- so I’d like to ask any persons truly interested and committed to seeing our district have a valuable, relevant and well articulated policy with regard to parental involvement reach out to myself, or the Board office via the Board Secretary with your name, telephone number, and an email so that you can be included on any info gathering sessions and committees established for this effort.
I am going to make certain you are included in the process, but you’ll need to do your part and step up and show up.
Although I am not on the policy chairmanship, per se – I am the chairperson who is responsible for ensuring there is linkage between the community and our school -- so I’d like to ask any persons truly interested and committed to seeing our district have a valuable, relevant and well articulated policy with regard to parental involvement reach out to myself, or the Board office via the Board Secretary with your name, telephone number, and an email so that you can be included on any info gathering sessions and committees established for this effort.
I am going to make certain you are included in the process, but you’ll need to do your part and step up and show up.
Design For Success| It's a CITY Issue TOO!!!
Next was our restructuring discussion for Maxson Middle School that has failed to meet AYP for at least 5 years, and as such is mandated to reorganize/redistribute and otherwise redeploy employees to create a school that works. Now –there’s a concept – A School That WORKS!
Although the turnout was far greater than any board meeting over the past 6 months, or any other meetings held for the general public for that matter – there was not a single civic representative. Not a council person (which has a liaison to the board) nor the Mayor, or any other civic-center persons of late. This concerns me deeply because I just don’t see how one thinks they can do what needs to be done in this city without the expressed, purposeful and committed cooperation between the two entities.
Separate and equally discombobulated – that perfectly describes Plainfield’s educational system and its city government. If it were not so completely disasterous -- it would be humorous. We won’t get this right until we do the right thing.
Looks like I need to pay a visit to City Council. Oopsie! That is right -- their meeting is on the same day as the school Board meetings! There goes our customer-centric planning effort again. I’m thinking a closer look at that office for service may be in order. Hmmm…
Schooling Done Right!
The Star Ledger posted NJASK scores (1.6.11) for all NJ schools. Kudos is in order for PAAAS who achieved an 89% pass rate (proficient) on the 8th grade literacy portion of the exam; 7% of which was advanced proficient! They lead all the schools within the “B” designated subgroup. Great job! Now let’s get those Math Scores up…up…UP!
FYI - the next four council meetings are on Mondays - Feb. 7, Feb. 14, March 7, March 14. Usually council meetings are on Tuesdays only when the Monday preceding is a federal holiday.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll definitely make 1 or 2 of those!
ReplyDeleteRenata, sorry to be so long getting to making this comment.
ReplyDeletePlease note the Council and the Board do NOT meet on the same night.
Since beyond memory, the Council has met on Mondays; the Board of Ed on Tuesdays.
The only time there is a conflict is when the Monday observance of a holiday bumps a regularly scheduled Council meeting over to Tuesday -- but it is rare.
Thanks Dan!
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