News-Record.com

How many studies can the BOE ignore that tout the benefits of art, music, and foreign language in a well-rounded education? And eliminating part of the physical education of our children in a state that has one of the highest rates of obesity in the nation is irresponsible. As it is now, our children do their "homework" in class to fill up the time. Quality, not quantity.

At our school we feel that PE must be everyday for the reason that you stated and many others, that now means that if you take band or chorus you have no other choice. Middle school should be for exploring options. In addition, not every shoe fits every person. If the school is making AYP, leave it alone, let it be a site based decision. Kernodle was just recognized as a School to Watch, a true honor as the school board has said. Now they need to change for no specific reason. Ridiculous.

As one of two moderators for a parent-run Yahoo site for The Academy at Lincoln, I kicked off a discussion of this topic yesterday when I first learned of this proposal. Some of my initial points included:

I am all for more rigor in my children's education, however, I'm not sure that "throwing more minutes at the subject" is the answer. It's the old adage of "working smarter, not harder". I would much rather see a more effective approach rather than just a longer period. How much can middle school students truly absorb just by sitting longer? I feel the school day is already long and highly regimented. I know that most students look forward to their encore classes; in some cases it's the highlight of their day. Additionally, most studies I've seen show that students who participate in and receive education in the arts score much higher in math and language arts.

One potential opportunity could be for more time spent on differentiation within the classroom. But this is only if the teachers have the skills and desire to do so. Given everything else on their plates, compounded by the fact that A/B days double their workloads, how likely is this? And teachers are already so restricted in how creative they can be in the classroom because everything is geared toward a 9-week testing cycle. Wonder if any teachers would like to weigh in on this.

I really see magnet schools potentially losing out on this since many students and families choose them especially for the strong encore offerings. Lincoln is a Performing Arts and Global Studies magnet school. With this reduction in encore classes, there will be less encore teachers required and thereby fewer course offerings. The elimination of an
elective may be reason enough to not return
(or not apply in the first place) to a magnet school.

While I understand GCS' rationale behind this proposed (or done deal?) change -- not enough performance growth at all levels even III's and IV's -- I'm not sure their solution is the best for children. What will the impact be for EC students? What about Advanced Learners? What about 7th graders who haven't yet taken a foreign language but are hoping to enter an IB program and require one full year of a foreign language. It's highly likely that next year they will only receive 1 semester of a foreign language. What about all the other thousands of students who may not respond well. What about those students who are showing performance growth, why do we have to negatively impact their education. Again, those who are succeeding are being asked to sacrifice so others can catch up to them. How will this help those students continue to grow?

Compounding all of this is, once again, the lack of communication from GCS about proposed or already-implemented changes. The way you find out is when your child brings home the registration form to select courses and tells you that there is one less elective choice. You start to question whether or not your child understood what was explained and then find out that she was exactly correct and that you, the parent, were misinformed, actually not informed at all.

As one of our parents commented on the site, it just feels that GCS is truly throwing stuff at
the wall and praying for something that will
stick.

Why does one size have to fit all when we already know that there is the full spectrum of needs contained within GCS? I thought GCS claims to be a system that provides choice. Why should schools who are already provided at least 75 minutes for core classes have to reduce encore course offerings limited to 90 minutes a day, particularly a magnet school? Why should these core classes be expanded even longer?

Some thoughts on reducing time for "encore" middle school courses:

� Reducing encore time will reduce the effectiveness of foreign language instruction and other fairly academic encore subjects. These are also important to learning. Students who wish to take band or orchestra and foreign language will be constrained, and not as well prepared for the high school levels as they currently can be.

� 75-80 minute classes are handled well by some teachers, include ample time for doing homework in others (so not really more time teaching), and bore the students in others (so less effective). I think this is a very long time span for middle school students, with the exception of teachers who vary activities and have lots of hands on activities. The degree to which a teacher incorporates these various approaches varies tremendously in our experience of 3 children through the Guilford county system.

� I thought 30 minutes of activity daily was made mandatory by a state law. Already, this is not upheld when students are in health classes (which are essential, no argument). Lincoln proposes an A/B schedule in order to keep a second encore, and that means only half as much PE. Yet how could they possibly have a performing arts magnet without time to take more than one encore? Still, this reduces activity at a time of record levels of overweight and inactive children. Perhaps they will find another way to incorporate the daily activity?

� Music and arts classes have been shown to increase success in other academic discipline. Likewise, foreign language study aids English and social studies. I am not an expert, but a reduction in access to these courses will hurt our students from what I can see.

Also, this from the website at a Wake county Arts + Middle school magnet. http://eastmillbrookms.wcpss.net/modules/tinycontent0/index.php?id=1 They list the characteristics of successful middle schools from the National Middle School Association. It includes this as point 4: "4. Exploratory programs capitalize on the innate curiosity of young adolescents, exposing them to a range of academic, vocational, and recreational subjects for career options, community service, enrichment, and enjoyment. Exploratory topics include foreign languages, intramural sports, health, clubs, student government, home economics, technological arts, independent study projects, music, art, speech, drama, careers, consumer education, creative writing, and several other special areas." In this school, students take 8 courses, 4 each day in an A/B rotation. Lots of choices!
I might add the "explorations" also add excitement and pleasure to the school experience, keeping students more motivated.

I hope GCS will keep these decisions at a school level, and that schools will continue to offer 2 encore options so that kids can stretch themselves and explore areas that may become their passion.

And here I thought the Real Truth had been institutionalized for the betterment of all. Come to find out the patients at Dorthea Dix have Internet access.

Dear Real Truth,
How do you know I am a supporter of Garth Hebert? You don't know me, I don't live in Garth's district. How dare you call me a racist!
I work for better education in the county. I sign my real name to my posts, I say what I mean and mean what I say. If you think I am racist, you are mistaken.
Why shouldn't Kernodle get to continue what they are doing? They make AYP, show more than expected growth with the EOG's-- they must be doing something correct. I don't have a child there, but it is obvious that be every measurable means Kernodle is doing a good job. Let the decisions be made within that school.

I think that every school should offer a choice of encore classes; however it seems that many of our schools aren't teaching the basics to their students. Money hasn't made a difference, we have yet to see if Mission Possible will make a difference and now the GCS want to try more time to see if that helps. Did you know that at some of struggling middle schools they have nothing in place to tutor level one and two students? Is that okay? Do you punish the schools that are succeeding in an attempt to help those that aren't?

To follow your line of thought, is it okay for Central to have Cooking and no other HS? Is it okay for Grimsley to have a pool and no one else does? Is it okay for some schools to have medical careers and others not?

Debora,

Look at the demographics of Kernodle. Its all middle class, mostly white. Thats why they make AYP. They aren't necessarily doing anything right or better than other schools they simply don't have the challenges that other schools have. Schools that don't make AYP aren't neccessarily failing students. Using your logic, lets make all schools perform like Kernodle, then lets throw out all the poor and children of color then all our schools make AYP. Academies as you sugeest are different (they don't require attendance zones). Maybe you aren't racist like Garth and Buckmtn. Maybe you are just uninformed. Either way you are wrong!

The Real Truth

PS I don't use my real name because its not safe. I'm afraid I would find a cross burning in my yard or worse. Little, weak minded people often resort to violence.

I am not uninformed, I just don't agree with you. I think that every child can learn, regardless of race and economic class. I would never suggest throwing out a child of color or that was poor! I realize that the poor child has many issues that the middle class do not have, however they can learn. They must, to better themselves. Their parents must become involved, at the very least help their child realize that education is the key to having a better life. As a society we have to make every effort to help every child, but we do not have to try to fit every school into the same mold.

RT says, "Look at the demographics of Kernodle. Its all middle class, mostly white. Thats why they make AYP"

I don't think it gets more racist than that.

Debora's not a racist, but The Real Truth is!

Debra / Angie,

Don't put words in my mouth. I never said that children cannot learn because of their race or because of their economic standing. The fact is lower income students typically come from less educated households and therefore the children are less likely to be high achievers. Its a function of the child's exposure not capacity. Garth wants you to think that parents would get involved in their school if it was closer to their home. Parents don't get involved for many reasons but the location of the school is just an excuse. Involvement doesn't mean volunteering in the school it means being a partner in the child's educational direction, helping with homework, preparing them for school. If all parents did a good job with that all schools would make AYP.

But when you suggest that schools that don't make AYP shouldn't have an expanded ciriculum its simply wrong. Its a typical white, entitled, middle class statement. "give my kids the opportunity or else (oh by the way I care about those other kids too but don't burden me with their problems.... you fix it as long as you don't use my kid's resources) Every child deserves an equal opportunity. There are many children in schools that don't make AYP that are high achievers. In fact white middle class students at High Point Central (didn't make AYP)out performed the same demographic at SW before all this redistricting went on.

Redistricting from Garth's racist supporters has never been about achievement, its about fear of people of color! When Garth talks about disenfranchised constituents he's means middle class racists who don't give a (expletive) about their community as a whole and only want an all white school for their little racists in training. They are entitled because they are white and have a little $$. Why is he leaving High Point Central out of this discussion? Only because he only wants to serve those disenfranchised racists in the SW district...that's why.

Buckmtn, Whats wrong you put your kids in High Point Christian (99% white and middle class with a daily dose of religous absolution thrown in). Are you hoping to save on tuition next year if Garth can return SW to its shining white splendor?

The Real Truth

"all white, that's why they make AYP" The Real Truth

That's racism loud and clear. How dare you say that only white children can make AYP! There are many high achieving minorities that come from wonderful families, black, Asian, Hispanic, Muslims.

Central is not in the discussion because they have their IB Program. This has never been about race for SW. You choose to make it sound that way.
No one is listening.

It's a fact that parents would be more involved if they could get to their child's school. Studies have proven this. It would be nice for a sick child to be able to go home when he is sick instead of having the mother cuss out the office volunteer and telling her to have Dr. Grier send a cab for her child because he put them on a long bus ride. Dr. Grier didn't do this.

I guess you will be calling him a "racist" next.

RTR

SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE THE LONE RANGER ON THIS ONE

I didn't say all white I said all middle class mostly white. They make AYP because they don't have all the all subgroups. That doesn't say that minorities or subgroups can't make AYP. It means you cannot take practices that work at Kernodle and apply them to a title I school and expect the same results. There is nothing racist about that!

By the way many Title I school PTA's raise money to pay for cab rides for parents for teacher conferences even when they are close. Very few parents can walk to their school even when its only a couple miles. If you were informed or really cared you would know that. Just one more example of your middle class entitled ignorance!

I think Garth is so ignorant he doesn't even know he's a racist!

The Real Truth

TRT

When you fell off the turnip truck, did you take a hard whack to the head?

If you are going to bear children then you should be held accountable for things like the education of your children.

Do you think parents in the Southwest district do not have problems with their children? If you do, you are living in a fantasy world. Quit trying to guilt Southwest parents into rearing all the children of High Point. Which is exactly what you are implying should happen.

If you are a parent, you should take responsibility many problems already are a result of lack of parenting and supervision.

TRT what example are you setting with the no work, all play then wait for someone else to pickup your slack from the other end of town mind-set.

As an adult you need to set priorities, rules, limitations and instill values for your family. Those things are free but they take hard work.

Last I heard hard work never hurt anyone why don't you start spreading that around!

Parent,

Your post speaks volumes about you. You represent your people well. Please keep posting.

You seem to be saying: Why if only those poor kids had chosen better parents, we wouldn't have any problems!

I think its pretty clear who fell of the turnip truck or got stuck in Alabama 1960!

The Real Truth

TRT

Are you saying only middle class parents should be held accountable?

Like I said it does not take money to teach a child rules, limitations and values it takes time and work, hard work.

How can you disagree with that?

TRT

Since you lost your job at the HPE I thought would be too busy packing the old Volvo, polishing off the Kerry/Edwards stickers and buying kitty litter for the long trip. I'd watch all those liberal stickers in Texas. That is Bush country.

Real Truth, Garth is good but he is not that good, no one is. If I'm not mistaken my daughter had the chance to go back to SWHS for the current school year and that was declined, by my wife and I.

I've already prepaid next year's tuition regardless of tonight's vote.

The only absolution I need is for not getting our daughter out of Guilford County schools sooner. Shame on me.

TRT is only trying to push our "white middle class" buttons. I am going to choose not to bite. I could go on and on in my replies about his hateful comments, but I choose not to. Instead, as a Kernodle parent, I want to clear up some of the false statements that TRT makes. Curriculum at Kernodle is no different from any other middle school. No special classes are offered at Kernodle. We simply want our 7th and 8th grade students to have 2 encore choices besides PE, as they have since the school opened 6 years ago. And if you limit encore time to 90 minutes, it is very difficult to have 3 meaningful encore classes. This has worked at Kernodle, but if another school wants to try something different, go right ahead. My problem is the one size fits all mentality and the mandate from on high. Changing our schedule will not affect test scores at the schools that are struggling. Would you agree, TRT?

And finally, TRT, I invite you to visit Kernodle, because you have obviously never been there. I doubt if you will take me up on my offer though, because then you could not dismiss my opinions as the ravings of a white middle class parent.

Deb - you go girl! It was nice to meet (talk to) you this week.

toto,

Super post! "If it ain't broke don't fix it". Congrats on your "School to Watch" Award!

Deb, you are always logical and objective, don't attack others and have never made racist comments.

p.s. toto TRT is a "she"

we know who it is

there is only one person that crazy and hateful

no one takes her serious

we know Deb's a good gal

not to worry

Looks like good 'ol Uncle Joe Alston from High Point did a good 'ol flip flop on the "choice" thing. Three years ago "choice" was good. Now "choice" bad. ?????

Also having kids moved around because of the wishes of just a few. You sure wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Joe?

Bernita, worried about stigmatizing
Andrews as a bad school??? Bernita, I can't think of a more effective way to stigmatize a school as bad than to have to kidnapp people to go there.

What I'm not kidding about is a comment Dr. Grier made last night about Magnet Schools. To paraphrase the man of great wisdom "magnets are not successful when they have to cover large geographic areas."

I guess he did not have that knowledge 3 years ago.

Parent,

How do you propose to hold parents accountable? Thats a ridiculas notion, you cannot hold parent accountable. Your ignorance is unbelievable!

Toto,

I have visited Kernodole. Its a wonderful school. Fully stafeed with caring professionals. A brand new facility, brand new athletic equipment. Huge participation in extra ciricular activities. I think its great! I wish every school was like that. I also understand your issue with scheduling encore classes and agree with you. I'm trying to make two points:
1) Success at Kernodle has more to do with the demographic make-up of the student body than the policies and administration of the school. You cannot take practices at Kernodle and apply them to a school that failed AYP. For instance, Kernodle's PTA raises a ton of money compared to Schols that failed AYP because the parents are more affluent. That money enhances the school's budget. Title 1 schools use their money to pay for taxi rides for parents to pick up a sick kid (because the parents don't have cars) while Kernodle can use their $$$ to buy books, computers, field trips. Because Kernodle doesn't have as many sub-groups as defined by NCLBH. If a school has a large number of Special Ed kids then they are classified as a subgroup and if they fail the test the whole school fails AYP, same thing for ESL kids. NCLBH and AYP are stupid measurements. Kernodle has more participation in athletics because it takes parents to buy cleats, gloves, lacrosse sticks, running shoes, sports physicals and transportation after practice. Poor children don't have that opportnity. In addition many of the faculty members at Title 1 schools are involved in tutoring after school so they can't coach or attend other events.

2) My other point is that even kids in AYP failing schools need and deserve the same opportunities for encore classes. There are many children in AYP Failing schools that are very smart and are performing very well. Debora was suggesting that only schools that failed AYP should have to change their schedules and let the passing schools continue with what they are doing. In other words, schools like Kernodle ger more rts instruction, more foreign language more PE while schools like Welborn only have the three R's. That is blatanly wrong! Every student at Welborn should have the same opportunity as a student at Kernodle. I'm not suggesting that Kernodle give something up, I'm suggesting that Welborn students be given the same opportunity as Kernodle kids.

The Real Truth

We hope you're kidding,

They are so predictable. Looks like Dot made her phone call to Bernita and Joe. They had their dog and pony show ready. It's all smoke and mirrors, making people think they represent "their" people when the exact opposite is true. If this was so true why are kids kicking and screaming to go back to Welborn. Anita and Joe need to work in the office at a few days at SWM and see what really goes on. They need to experience the anger and frustration these kids have being bussed 3 hours a day out of their neighborhood.

I have heard that the fighting at SWM is defined as closed fist with punches. It does not involve slapping, pushing to the ground, scratching, spitting, throwing lotion on kids. Anita mentioned "intimidation" last night going on in our schools. SWM is way beyond that. Nancy's daughter, the new SW Principal, will be in for a surprise if the current choatic situation is not dealt with. She will be begging for revisions in suspension politicies. You cannot force children to be where they don't want to be. They rebel. We are seeing the results of all the social engineering.

Welcome to "Days of Our Lives in Middle Schools Suburbia"

RT,

Would you please quote factual data when you speak?

For your information - Kernodle had 29 subgroups last year - that's one of the largest number of subgroups among the middle schools in this county.

All 29 of Kernodle's subgroups passed AYP.

Welborn, on the other hand, only has 21 subgroups and 2 subgroups failed to make AYP.

Please, please - stop making up stuff to support your view.

Facts are facts and they don't lie.

Meant to say the "definition does not include" slapping, pushing, etc. only closed fist fights.

It's time to rewrite the manual.

TRT,
Okay I will bite! I don't disagree with the fact that children need encore opportunities, but with only a set amount of time in school, how do you address getting remedial help for those that need it without cutting into encore time? Did you hear that Beth Folger said that some schools that were struggling were offering over 120 minutes of encore? At our school if you are level 1-2, then you have guided studies (small learning classes and tutoring) instead of the 3rd encore. Many of the schools that are getting the redeloyed CF's and downtown helpers didn't have anything in place to help these kids.
How do you propose to help kids that need to be brought up to grade level?

The one thing that I do agree with you on, is that one size doesn't fit all. I think you have to evaluate each school individually and come up with a plan- not mandate conformity to the tightest restrictions.

Toto,

Sorry my post above is poorly written. I was in a hurry and had to stop before editing. I'm not bashing you or Kernodle. I'm simply trying to say that just because Kernodle passed AYP it doesn't mean that all schools should or can do the same things. Congratulations for passing AYP but don't for a minute assume that kids in schools that failed AYP aren't having success too.

I'm only responding to ignorance that Debra spewed about Kernodle and schools that failed AYP.

I'm very disturbed by Garth's efforts to re-segregate High Point schools. He and his followers can come up with all the excuses they want but at the end of the day its ignorance, selfishness, racism and a lack of empathy for fellow man that motivates them. They want taxpayers to build an addition to their school or a new schoolso they don't have to go a few miles to Andrews because it has a higher % of African American kids. That is the bottom line and it always has been. Its about race.

As for Buckmtn, True Christians don't run from their fellow man, they don't segregate themselves along racial and class boundaries. The bible tells them to work to improve the world. Church's like Green Street Baptist that started schools like High Point Christian Academy are doing nothing more than segregating themselves from the rest of society. Jesus wouldn't approve! You should be ashamed!

The Real Truth

So let's punish Kernodle, a school that received a prestigious award, and make them like other schools so life will be "fair" at Title I schools.
One size does not fit all.

TRT you are so off base about Garth and SW. SW was a very integrated school, an ideal ratio infact, before all the lottery choice plan, forced bussing maps were implemented. You have no idea what you are talking about. We all know the purpose is to defer students to Central's IB program to make Dot happy. You are just too fooled to know the REAL TRUTH.

Now I see you are suffering from delusions of grandeur (a classic symptom of schizophrenia) saying you know what Jesus would approve off. I think, IMO, that Jesus would have someone answer in the end for how they raise their own child because that is the gift God gave them to be responsible for. I think this means not letting your children join gangs, dress in an inappropriate manner, do drugs, hang out with bad influenctial friends of any color and be a good parent by example, teach your child morals and to be kind. Just my opinion from the Bible I read.

I love how Mr. Childs referred to Andrews as a "model" school in the newspaper. In what way is a school that has been deemed one of the lowest in the State an model school. Can anyone explain this? That is the reason no one wants forced to a failing school. It should be an Opt out school if it were still Title I.

Joe Alston has a sensei?!! Puh-leaze. Who is it? The Real Truth? And why would he, as a black leader, use a basketball analogy? It just made him look like a loser. The only thing he knows is basketball? Come on Joe!

Got my kitty cat packed
And my favorite book by Karl Marx
My old Edwards stickers
And my eye glass cleaner
Filled the ol Volvo
with diversity snacks
all different colors
for the youngins
Goin off to Austin
And I'm tellin ya the truth
(My version for sure)
And I ain't comin back

I also dont agree about one size fits all. What about making one of the electives another Math core class one day and Language arts another for those that need it (extra reinforcement). For those that dont they can take their elective.

In Regards Garth Heberts plan is seems to be something to consider seriously. Those kids get bussed a long way and some of them might not like it (one size does not fit all). Also, if the folks in High Point are happy with it then why not do it? It would be good to have that part of town on board with the rest of the county.

One more thing. Cant people discuss things in a decent way. What kind of example are we setting for our children?

TRT

I agree with your self-assessment of, "I'm very disturbed" seems we might be able to work together after all.

You ask, "How do you propose to hold parents accountable?"

I suggest trying the same tactics your group uses on the rest of the community. You don't have any problem telling everyone else how to run their lives.

What group does TRT represent???

TRT=The Real Truth

Debora,

Yes - that's what he proclaims, but we all know that couldn't be further from the truth.

Sensei: So what brings you here today, Joe er...I mean Grasshopper

Joe: I want to learn the way of the Dao.

Sensei: To what purpose.

Joe: So I can go seize the children of my neighbors and conform them to my wishes and needs, Sensei.

Sensei: Ah...Grasshopper. I can see, we have much to teach you

NO CHOICE MEAN NO BONDS

WE DON'T HAVE TO PLAY NICE. WE HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE.

Eastern Parent,

Don't let these SW people fool you those kids aren't being bussed great distances. Its only about 6 miles. I'm sure there are many kids in the Eastern district that ride a bus six miles. What SW parents are complaining about is that the last redistricting placed some low income kids in their school. They don't welcome them. THey want another school to "deal" with them. After all they bought their homes in that school district to avoid having to "deal" with society. I have no doubt that if the peace in their school has been broken its because their children aren't accepting of low income people of color. Their children have been taught by their parents to hate them. They want to live in a white middle class utopia. They want to build a wall around their children ansd ignore the poor, pretend they don't exist.

As for being civil, I'm all for it. Its the SW parents that want to behave so uncivilized. I just fire back at them. They want to call Dr Grier, Dot, Walter anyone who doesn't see eye to eye with them names and accuse them of wrongdoing. They have attacked peoples religous beliefs, sexuality and are basically just bad people! So forgive me for giving it back to them!

I was getting my hair done the other day and I had to listen to a woman in the salon (another customer) complain about all the blacks that were transferred to SW and how they had ruined her school. She was ready to move to get her children away from them. Thats the Real Truth!

Quest thanks for the stats, you are right I drew conclusions from what I have personally witnessed rather than actually having factual subgroup numbers. I also didn't realize that Welborn only failed in two sub-groups. Do you know which two subgroups?

IMO, Can you read? I never said punish Kernodle. I'm simply trying to say that just because a school fails AYP it shouldn't have its ENcore classes eroded. Take Welborn for example using the stats from Quest: Two subgroups out of 21 failed AYP so its totally unfair to make the remainder of the school give up their Encore time.

The Real Truth

TRT;

when are you going to admit the whole basis of your argument is you have suffered, and now you demand other people suffer.

Your (as well as Joe Alston's) educational decisions for your children were voided by Dot et al in 1999 when you found yourself thrown out of SW for SOMEBODY ELSE'S POLITICS. Taking your neighborhood to Andrews by force did ZERO, repeat ZERO to save Andrews. Instead of going after the schoolboard, moving, or going about your business etc. you decided you wanted to see other people suffer also, and SUFFER FOR NOTHING and you would dedicate yourself to this.

Why can't you understand that NO SANE PEOPLE, are going to let crackpots with fringe politics make decsions for them. The people have not materialized at Andrews. They are NOT coming.

You're whole philosophy is built on the assumption that parents /children are going to come to your school, and this is going to act as a "teacher magnet". You think these savior parents who have been forced to your school are going to hold the schoolboard accountable when their school is screwed, and that they will give money for sports programs etc. This clearly hasn't happened when your neighborhood was sent there. It's pie in the sky nonsense. What the people will do is leave, atrit, make other arrangemnts etc. People will not be dictated to by political crackpots!!!@!

If Andrews attracts kids there through programs, improvemnts in dicipline etc. without holding a gun to anybody's head to go there, over time maybe it can get better. Kids will tire of crowds at SW etc. or maybe desire sports progams at Andrews etc. All Garth is trying to do is remove co-ersion from the equation, which is the only way things can ever get better.

Dr. John,

You seem to forget that SW schools are grossly overcrowded. Too many trailers, not enough space. Andrews has available space but you wouldn't dare consider sending your lilly white darlings to Andrews because you are afraid they would be molested by all those people of color at Andrews. Thats really the issue and the common viewpoint of SW parents. Its racism plain and simple. You are on the Fringe with your right wing Southern Alabama KKK philosphy. Fortunately most of the BOE (with the exception of Garth and Darlene) are enlightened, educated people who aren't threatened by people of color or that don't feel superior entitlement.

No body needs your kids to save Andrews (your kids need the kids of Andrews so they can deprogram the fear of African Americans you have taught them)!

You consider yourself a consevative but in actuality you are more than willing to spend taxpayer money so your kids can avoid associating with African Americans. You are a hypocrit among other things.

Garth is only trying to turn back the clock to 1960. I watched the school board meeting last week and I was applalled at his arrogant, cockiness. He clearly has a major Napolean complex. You chose a good leader to represnt you... not!

The Real Truth

TRT, aka "The Yellow (er...I mean "red") Rose of Texas"

The black pop. of guilford co. is 34% minority. The minority Fx at SW High was 33% at the time of the "choice plan" . Obviouisly diverse-the most balanced, maybe in the whole co... Dot wanted to use the school, as she has in the past, for a white kid mine. She did it to you. I'm sorry.

Now, if I didn't want my kids to go to school with minorities, why would I enroll them at SW? If this was true I'd have my kids in private school where Dot's Emerywood neighbors and all the other people are who Dot has driven out of HP public schools go or I would move my kids to Ledford and Dot's reality company would make their 10% on another sap that Dot has driven down there. I wouldn't even be here having this discussion with you. I'd exit stage left, or go to Texas or something.

You're lost, little girl. Bead Baby, lose the mushrooms!

TRT,

You asked if I knew which 2 subgroups - the answer is yes.

Yellow Rose of Texas, oops Commie Red Bud,

You need some serious help. They have great psychiatric hospitals in Austin. They specialize in paranoia and warped perceptions of reality. You surely suffer from some deep hatred from your daddy raising your around the liberal Washington area. I am so sorry you got canned from the High Point Enterprises (NOT!) It obviously deepened your problems. Why would Quest help you. You think you know it all.

Mr Real Truth,

I almost agree with you but I still believe that Mr Hebert's plan has some merit. Why can't these children chose to go to there local school too? Are they not welcome there? From your posts it seems that you are an Andrews parent. Why can you walk there and they cannot?

Eastern Parent: FYI Real Truth is a SHE

Eastern Parent,

The children being bussed to SW aren't in walking distance to any school. The children districted from SW to Andrews are equidistant from Andrews and SW. SW is way overcrowded but these parents won't consider Andrews because the school has low income minority students. Its not about bussing / walking distance. Its plain and simple racism! Its not about academics either because if it was these parents would be trying to get their children into Central. If they were really had an interest in Arts they would choose Penn Griffin. Its only about race! They do a really good job of confusing people. Their attacks on Dr. Grier are unfounded and simply taking advantage of his personality. He comes off as arrogant and uncaring (he's not uncaring)and therefore is an easy target because he's a hard guy to like. Nevertheless, he's good for our schools, one of the best in the country. When I have approached him with issues over the years they have promptly been corrected. He's always listened to me. Probably because when I come to him with an issue first I'm respectful, second my issues are not real problems and not perceived problems, third its not just about my kid. fourth he knows I have the interest of every child at heart.

Dr John,

Give me a break. You know as well as I do that although SW was 34% minority Andrews and Central were both over 50% minority. While Sw had 34% minority they were mostly middle class. Further, SW was busting at the seams being overcrowded. Something had to change. Building a new school so you didn't have the chance of sending you preciuos little darling to Andrews where they might have to sit next to a poor child just wasn't a reasonable solution.

The Real Truth

Not speaking for all parents in my area, but I won't consider Andrews because the school is one of the WORST in the STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA!! That is not my opinion..that is a fact. Even with assistance teams helping, they are not improving.

Let me add, it's one thing to be bussed 6 miles to your closest school, but being bussed past your neighborhood school to a school 6 miles away is a different story.

The only school benefitting from the latest redistricting in HP is Central. The kids are opting out of Andrews for the IB program. Joe Alston and Walter Childs are just too stupid to realize that Dot is playing them.

Isn't SW more crowded now,after redistricting than before? Not sure how the redistricting helped that issue, it appears to be worse.

Copy of an Article from the NC A.P.

More equal than others

In theory, North Carolina's public schools offer equal opportunities to all. In reality, they don't. It often depends on where they are.

Though the state provides basic funding for schools, counties can provide extras, if they have the money and inclination.

Parents can help, too - if they have the money and inclination and time.

It's unconscionable that public schools don't provide books, equipment and supplies to meet students' basic needs. It's outrageous that teachers often feel compelled to buy supplies with their own money.

Parent-teacher organizations try to fill such financial gaps. But as Star-News writer Angela Mack reported Sunday, the sizes and budgets of parent-teacher organizations vary widely in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.

Some struggle to provide the basics, such as pencil sharpeners, for heaven's sake. Others provide materials and services that enrich students' lives.

In some cases, PTA's and similar organizations falter because of weak leadership. But success is particularly difficult at schools where most pupils come from low-income families.

Their parents often lack the time or money to volunteer. They may have bad memories of their own school days. They may lack transportation. Or they may just feel out of place.

The result is that the schools that need help the most often get it the least.

In New Hanover County, such disparities once were minimized. First under court order and later voluntarily, the school board drew districts to maintain racial balance.

That also maintained a degree of economic and educational balance. Poor children got some benefits provided by the parents of their classmates.

Now that the current board has abandoned racial balance, New Hanover County's schools generally reflect the economic and social conditions that surround them.

The only thing that really matters these days is sending children to the school nearest home - even if its parents can't afford to buy pencil sharpeners, much less computers and orchestral music.

End of Article

Guilford County isn't the only County n NC that is ignoring disparaties among schools. Nevertheless, that doesn't make it right. Garth and his Grier hater supporters are simply throwing the poor to their own peril so their children can avoid them, so they don't have to deal with the problem. Its a short sighted policy that will ultimately result in a poorer less just society. The article avoid race but it lies at the foundation of this movement.

The Real Truth