Making a Difference - Locally

One of the recent goals I have made for myself is to Make a Difference. That's a pretty vague, general goal, and I like it that way, because right now the world seems to large for me to focus on one specific problem. Too much is wrong, and I firmly believe that I am not doing near enough to make things right.

This week I am spending an awful lot of time trying to effect change in our local school district. I have been an extremely involved parent member, room mom, volunteer, PTA treasurer... If there is a need I immediately step up and fill it. One of my proudest accomplishments is helping to establish a school garden that is now growing and flourishing. Until recently, I have been satisfied with our district, and proud to be considered a valuable member.

Three weeks before school started we received a half page notice in the mail stating that the school day was being extended by 30 minutes. There was no explanation, no reason given, no suggestion of why the change was necessary. After digging a bit deeper, we realized that this decision was made by the district administration without conferring with building teachers, principals or parents. Noone was aware of this change until right before school started, and there still has not been an adequate explanation. There was also no plan to effectively use the time. It was just tacked on at the end of an already full day.

At face value 30 minutes might not seem like a long time, but it is  for these young children. My daughter has started Kindergarten this year, and while I used to be able to sign her out at 3:10, I now am unable to sign her out until 3:42. And she is tired.Exhausted, actually.  For children who ride the bus, their days are much longer than this, I know of one family whose 6 year old daughter doesn't get off the bus until 4:45. My son is in fourth grade, and is affected by this change as well. He hardly has any time to relax before we get him started on his 25 minutes of reading and journal writing he has to do. Last night he was crying, asking me when he was allowed to be a kid. It broke my heart. When we only have our children for a few hours in the evening, taking 30 minutes away from us for no good reason is simply unacceptable.

A number of parents have approached me and the other PTA board members asking what can be done. We held and "emergency" PTA meeting this past Monday night, and there was a large turnout. Over 50 parents and teachers were present to voice their concerns. They had many, many valid points. The administration offered the reasons of busing problems, teacher contracts, and no child left behind/test scores as the reason for extending the day. When I stood up and asked the superintendent how she intended on responding to our concerns, she stated they would have "discussions." When I asked her how long these discussions would ensue - weeks or years, she just stared at me and did not offer an answer.

Our PTA membership voted to start a petition to have the district retract their decision to change the school day immediately.

Last night I attended our school board meeting, hoping to get some better answers. There were so many people there, it really was exciting to see people in action. I introduced myself to as many people as I could and circulated our petition, and got a very positive response. Teachers spoke, extremely frustrated. Many parents spoke as well. I did, and I have to say it was difficult for me. I have never spoken in front of a large group like that (Well over 100 people, if not many more), and I was very very nervous. I spoke for my children, and said that the day was simply too long, and that they were both crying every evening from exhaustion. I also spoke as a PTA board member, and said that I resented these decision being made that so profoundly affect our children and family without consulting parents.

And what was the board response? They said thanks for coming but all kindergarteners cry. And they added 10 minutes to the day and didn't see what the big deal was. Which is a blatant LIE. They added 30 minutes.

So here I am frustrated, and angry. And motivated. This is an opportunity for me to stand up for myself and my children, and to teach them that they have a voice. I was at the school early today circulating our petition. Gavin is learning some leadership skills as well, he started his own student petition last night, and took it to the principal this morning to get permission to circulate it through out the school. After I cool down a bit more, I will begin my letter writing campaign to the administration, the school board. and the local newspapers.

I'm sure that is way more than any of you wanted to hear about the problems in our little district. It's important for me to get this off my chest though, and I really do believe that it is important to stand up for what you believe in, even if it is scary. I am learning a lot through this experience, and really feel myself growing. And we are going to make a difference. There is no other acceptable solution.

Comments

[Sarah]

Is there a teacher's union? I would think they are in the best position to get something done, since that added 2.5 hours to the work week (10 hours a month) or effectively 90 hours over the course of a school year. That's more than 2 weeks of extra work for the teachers too!

The PTA needs to find out who the union rep is for the district if there is one.

[Angie]

Good Luck-It has been my experience that proactive parents can promote change. I am a teacher and I know that our union wouldn't put up with that. You just can't add hours to a work week. I bet the union is working on it, but they probably aren't allowed to say much yet. Kids are overworked. They have too much homework, not enough recess etc. Parents need to say enough is enough. They are little kids and they need time to be little kids.

[Vallen Queen]

Truly, any union would oppose that kind of maneuvering without input - I can't believe the teachers and the rest of the staff haven't rushed the administration office. Keep at it. Squeaky wheels and all. Maybe I live in a much more litigious place than you guys but this would have pur parents storming every newspaper and board meeting until they got their way.