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Morgan,

Good work.

Thanks.

Great work!

Morgan,

You action in this case answered this question. As Numbers and Staman said, excellent work here.

"How do you value our education coverage?"

Morgan,

You action in this case answered this question. As Numbers and Staman said, excellent work here.

"How do you value our education coverage?"

Thank you.

RT,

I see you left me a post the other day under "Here's some AP Data for You". Even though I really don't have to explain why my daughter went to her districted school starting in 2003, I left you a post anyway. (See that strand for my reply.) I had one more thing to add to your Central reference but it seems the strand is closed out in the archives so I will post here. In reference to Central vs Southwest see the recent numbers on the total number of scholarships. SWH has passed Central every year in the number of scholarship received, this year Cental had 4,066,606 compared to SWH at 4,152,837. In fact in the year 02/03 SWH had double the amount of scholarship money awarded compared to Central. So why in the world would I have my daughter bused across town on a long ride based on the 02/03 data when she started high school in 2003? She was never part of the "Choice Plan". She remained at her districted school.

I might add that SWH this year had 3 students accepted into Duke, my daughter being one of 3 who were invited to the Duke Scholars weekend consisting of 45 candidated from NC and SC for a full scholarship. My daughter's friend (from SW) received the Trinity. My daughter received a great package too. I am proud to say that all 3 of these students have been in school together and friends since Florence Elementary. They have taken many classes together including several years of Latin.

As mentioned SW brought in over 4 million in scholarships awarded. My daughter brought in over $280,000 of that award. The Trinity would be valued at around $184,000 while another student was accepted into Anapolis, his award being around $264,000. Together these three alone brought in over $728,000 for SW. Now how in the world can you say that Central would have been better for these students.

I believe a student from Ragsdale received the Morehead this year.

Central has their IB Program which many have always considered an integrated school within a school. Emorywood people used to say it was High Point's best kept secret. The IB Programs are certainly great, but other curriculums strong in AP classes produce some of our top scholars.

As mentioned to you, we have no regrets about SWH. Why are you continually trying to put down SW? I don't know of anyone at SW who would say that about Central. Every family has to make their own decisions based on what is best for their child emotionally, academically, socially, etc. There are many facets that go into this decision and race certainly isn't one of them. Go to SW. It is not a "white" school as you keep saying.

I hope truly hope your child's educational experience has turned out as great as many of our SW students of which we are so proud.

RT,

Another point:

I don't believe that Welborn, Ferndale, Andrews or Central offers Latin and AP Latin. This was another consideration that we wanted in a school and why we chose to move to the SW district.

If my daughter wanted had been interested in computer technology, a cooking academy, medical technician, participating in a step band, etc. she could have chosen Central or Andrews. I don't think any of these subjects would be a bonus for studying Law or helping on the SAT scores. If she was interested in basketball vs tennis and soccer, she would have chosen Central. Many students consider SW because of orchestra which isn't offered at Central. All schools can't possibly offer all subjects, but at least it's great to have the basics taught well at some schools and then go from there with the extras.

In the first years of my daughter's high school experience, SW didn't have as the many problems with fighting and disruptions as the school has today. You got what you wished for. All the schools are now "equal" with the similar behavior issues. Now they will all have also have SMOD.

BA

Would you like to also brag about your bank account and home value while you're at it?

As to the Western snafu: the school still deserves credit for doing well. I was also happy to see the Early College acknowledged.

I think Weaver, the arts magnet, has been insufficiently recognized. The students' success on APs, while I have reservations about the entire enterprise, at least disabuses those who might scoff at art and theatre being "easy" subjects of focus. many studies bear out a strong correlation between creative thinking and academic success.

Jim, please dont ask............

As I have said before all the systems data is questionable.
Which makes everything lack credibility.

I have a form thatGCS assures me was sent to Newsweek originally.
Given the data Smith should have made the list (all be it at the bottom)
The data had incorrect test data for Early College at Guilford. Now a week later
Early College makes the list ( Because Newsweek changed criteria ).
Actually its a step down for Early College. They were in the same class with the
"Elite": public high schools. ie

Stuyvesant H.S.­New York, Hunter College H.S.—New York, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics—Durham, University H.S.—Tucson, Ariz, Northside College Preparatory School—Chicago,
Benjamin Franklin­New Orleans

Being in that class you were not in the challenge index. It's a step down not up.

It is still a good school probably great school.
It is a school with very selected students and very low free lunch students
Adding it to the challenge index downgrades it for cheap publicity.

From School WEB page:

The Early College entered the list for the first time this year with a ranking of thirteen. This is the highest ranking for any public high school in North Carolina since Newsweek began its annual list.

No mention that they were not on before because it's screened students
No mention they don't make the SAT cut for schools with screened students.

Someone once told me " Only losers need stats" "Winners just win"

"Striving Achieving Excelling"

Shame on Us.

What they have said is true.

First time on the list.
Highest in North Carolina.

Dr Zhang the saucers ( Grier ) apprentice once said.

As long as you tell the truth statistics are not misleading.

These people determine our childrens education.
We let them. We deserve what we get.

I'm going in the bath room to throw up

David

Why is SW going to SMOD? Is is discipline, issues with inappropriate dress, leveling the field between 'economics?' I haven't heard anything about this until Barbara Ann mentioned it.

debora,

Yes, the SW principal there announced it in the last week of school. Do not believe that it has been formally communicated as yet, but it looks as though it will happen. The reason is most likely discipline. You may have noted recently that fights and misbehavior at SW have been mentoned prevalently. It's been pretty bad at SW this past year. Interestingly, it may be worse in middle school than the high school right now, and it will be taken to high school in the next few years. One thing you can bank on is that before long, every school in the district will be SMOD, including your NW, in an attempt to deal with discipline as it spirals downward.

When Dudley and others went to SMOD, there were lots of meetings, parent involved etc. I thought that was expected prior to that change. Where the parents not part of the decision?

BTW, not at NW anymore, my son with be at Northern High.

I think that some of the schools that went SMOD are already rethinking that decision. I don't think discipline is any better, although I am sure there is less time spent on having kids go/call home for different clothes.

Is this related to gang colors? Is there any proof that SMOD makes kids act better?

debora,

Good questions. Who has the answers? Gangs, not sure, but to clean-up the school attire, you bet.

Jim,

Wish I could brag on my home value and bank account. I'm just a simple person but when someone who doesn't have the guts to ever give their real name insinuates that my daughter who worked so hard to be top in her class, set her goals a long time ago and that she should have gone to another school "Central" to compete and do better, I won't be holding back. You don't ever go after the mama bear's cub.

And yes my husband and I are rightly proud of her and many of our Southwest High School graduates.

One more thing Jim. When my daughter was asked on the spot questions on her taped valedictorian interview with GCS as to what advise she would give freshman. She answered, "Take AP classes. Try some." She believes in a raised bar too.

oops "advice" and "freshmen" - too much misspelling on the CB must be rubbing off

Some parents wanted SMOD and figured it would help with the school climate. It could make life easier on the teachers but only if it will be enforced.

As for reducing gangs, I doubt it. They still have their tats, hand signs and other means. There still needs to be strict enforcement of the rules with consequences following.

I sure hope it's enforced at school functions, at least choral concerts and plays. There were several students at SWH's end-of-year concert with the doo rags on, pants falling down and screaming out friends' name in the chorus. Parents, both black and white were getting up to move. It was totally embarrassing for the teacher and students who put so much time into the program.

SWM had a horrible year with fights and lock downs this past year. Many of the veteran teachers are leaving. It should be a challenging year for Nancy Routh's daughter, the new principal.

Is Southwest Middle getting SMOD?

No one can argue the fact that students look better as a whole in uniforms. However, there is no...zero evidence that it helps with discipline, education and violence on campus.

If parents simply refuse to follow the SMOD dress code it cannot be enforced. This is why Dudley, Eastern Middle, Aycock, Hairston, etc included the parents in the decision making.

Requiring uniforms in schools for children that may not be able to afford them is against the law!

Before long we will be like the third world countries with children unable to attend school because they cannot dress properly.

My first question is who is planning on buying the uniforms. The PTSA!!

There is not evidence that SMOD helps discipline, education or violence. After watching the meeting with the SROs about discipline and SMOD and hearing Grier's comments, I believe you will eventually see SMOD in all of our high schools. One of the reasons for SMOD is to keep those intruders (one of which could be gang members) identifiable on campus.

That's a great question if a student can't afford SMOD. One would think that in a public school you legally couldn't enforce SMOD?

I don't know if the parents at Andrews were consulted. I believe the parents at Central were. Any Central parents out there?

I do know that parents at SWH heard that SMOD might be coming and many parents wrote the principal in favor of it for various reasons. As for a formal meeting, not sure on that. But in GC most decisions are made at the meeting before the meeting or the meeting before the meeting of the "before meeting". Ask the the school board members or commissioners doing the budget. They will tell you this is how things work in GC.

Most decisions have nothing to do with education as we have seen with redistricting in High Point. It's all about the politics.

Barabara Ann,

I was going after your cub... just you. You complain about GCS, corruption, missmanagement, etc. etc, etc. (The King and I) but somehow your daughter managed to get a great education, earn scholarships and opportunities at the best schools in the country. I just think you contradict yourself. If GCS is such a wasteland then how could it be? How did she do so well in spite of Dr. Grier's attempt to derail her?

As for your daughter, you should be proud. I don't blame you for bragging.. I've had the pleasure of meeting your daughter and she's an impressive young woman.

As for the number of scholarshis offered at SW vs Central. What the heck do you expect when you have a school that is impacted by poverty vs one that isn't. I think Central's scholarship data is even more impressive when you factor in the number of disadvantaged kids. Kids from single parent backgrounds with poor guidance, poor nutrician, poor preparation.

The Real Truth

I would love to know how much money in scholarships was accepted. Many students get multiple offers and some of those scholarships go unclaimed. What happens to them then?

Just getting the scholarships is impressive, but like BA said, many students can't accept them all...

Scholarship data is often misleading...for instance, does the scholarship necessarily indicate academic rigor or achievement? Many, many of the scholarships are need basd. Many are also based on ethnicity and need. Plus if a kid at one school get a naval academy appointment or a Morehed, Trinity or Parks...that shoots the total dollars up higher for that school. A grat accomplishement for the student and the school the student attends, but certainly can not necessarily translate into a reflection of the rigor of the school system academics.
I would like to know not just the dollars but what percentage of that is for merit vs need, and the number of kids getting those scholarships.
That will give a better indication of the school- sort of like the # of kids that take vs pass AP classes.

All of thte scholarship information should be on those that will be used. Anything else is misleading. Some colleges will give a few thousand off (scholarship) to anyone who applies. Some second-rate expensive schools give money to everyone because noone in their right mind would pay the full price at a second rate school.

Joe, of all people you should know that misleading data is the norm for our school system. It takes a dedicated person to dig through the hype to get to the truth.

No RT, you contradict yourself. Barbara Ann's daughter excelled despite the failed system which is Guilford County Schools.

If the School Board thought everything was so good they wouldn't need to seek funding for the new school for Eastern Guilford by attaching it to a School Bond. Don't get me wrong regardless of the outcome of the School Bond, which should be rejected by the voting public, Eastern Guilford will be re-built. Playing this public sympathy card is simply bush league.

RT,

I beg to differ with you as you said my daughter should have gone to Central. As noted when she started high school the Choice Plan wasn't in existance. She went to her districted school that she, my husband and I wanted her to go to. She went to her districted traditional high school that the majority of parents in Guilford County want for their children, not a magnet or specialty program.

Thank you for your compliment about my daughter. I was curious where you met her. Gradfest?

Dr. Grier did not attempt to derail my daughter not was he responsible for her success. SHE did that. I will say that I do support AP classes and the more the better. Dr. Grier knows how I feel on that subject and how it kept my daughter challenged throughout high school. For that, I am thankful.

My daughter is blessed to have a two parent family who encourage her to try new things and offer their support. I realize that there are many children in Guilford County who aren't as fortunate. But I will never believe that social engineering will help their situation by putting these children on a long bus ride. A strong foundation needs to start at home. Our teachers can be encouraging but they can only do so much if a student and their parent doesn't work as part of the team. Until GCS is willing to address the real issues of disruption and disrespect in our schools and have consequences for bad behavior, our schools will not improve. We are not doing children any favors by approving of bad behavior. These kids sooner or later have to go out into the real world where this type of behavior will not be tolerated in polite society. The problem is escalating as we are losing so many of our veteran teachers because of this.

I have never said GCS is a "wasteland". There is much good in our schools. I see it often on the faces of the kids I teach while subbing and the dedicated teachers. There is however much "waste". Many school board members will agree with you on that one: Smith Academy - what's the status on that? $500,000 for racial healing that won't work for those who don't want to be "healed"; the High Point "Choice" Plan - a huge, expensive fiasco is social engineering; money wasted on busing. Many who post here could add much to the list.

There are programs that do work: Early College, some Middle Colleges, etc. Many will agree though that many programs have failed however.

I only mentioned the scholarship data of SW vs Central to make a valid point as you had stated Central was such a better school. Just like the number of students taking AP exams as mentioned in Newsweek. This is only one indicator. There are many indicators for success or failure at any school. It depends whose stats you use and what numbers you plug in.

Central has a great IB program but it is a school within a school. SWH equally has some strong students in the AP classes. We have many kids at SW too with poor nutrition, poor guidance, single parents, dysfunctional families, etc. Central doesn't have a monopoly on children with problems.

Deb, et al,

Great points about scholarships. Some students do earn many but cannot accept them all as they are for different schools. Then there are scholarships like the Morehead vs the Robinson (think that's the one) where you can't apply for one if you applied for the other at UNC. At schools like Duke, if you receive other scholarships, they cannot be counted against your family contribution. Wake will let you count additional scholarships as long as you don't "make money".

Also a great point by "Bull" - many of the scholarships are limited to certain ethnicity. Also for many schools they are seeking diversity goals so a Native American, for example, might have an advantage over a Caucasian or an Asian if this is the "number" that is needed for their diversity. Some scholarships are distributed that way also.

Deb, you just sign a statement rejecting the scholarship if you aren't accepting it.

It would be hard to breakdown need vs merit. Some scholarships like the Aubrey Lee are based on both need and merit. GCS counts everything except loans. Then you have to look at the size of the school like Grimsley for instance. Also sports scholarships are considered too. There are NC grants for various needs like computers.

Joe, I disagree that you should only count the scholarships that are accepted. However, it is true, that some students apply to several schools so therefore will receive more scholarships. But if all schools are totaling their scholarship dollars in the same manner and it's clear that this means scholarships received (as it's always been) then this is a fair comparison with consideration on the size of the school, of course.

Because of all the variables it would be hard to do a breakdown of all the different reasons for the scholarships.

Barbara Ann,

I should say I didn't really meet her, its just someone pointed her out to me as a top SW student and I knew she was your daughter. Anyhow, it was clear to me that even in just passing that she was an outstanding person. It wasn't connected with the schools.

My point is your daughter would not have achieved at such a high level if GCS was a wasteland. Maybe you didn't say that but other SW posters have. Your daughter would have been a high achiever at Andrews or Central too, largely because of your involvement. You and her father obviously provided her with proper nutrician, proper stimulus. and a nuturing environment making her well prepared for school. In addition, you were involved in her school helping it to be a better place. While you may not admit it the educational opportunities under Dr. Grier contributed as well. I bet your involvement helped other kids at SW too. I believe the SW community owes a debt of gratitude to your family for your involevement raising the bar at your school and helping other children to succeed at a higher level than they would have if it weren't for your involvement.

Now imagine a school, impacted by poverty. There are far fewer Barabra Ann's there. Much less parent involvement. Many more challenges without the parental support. No Barbara Anns to bring cookies after tests, no chaperones for field trips, not fundraisers for books, computers Lacrosse sticks, no role models to set a high standard.

Wouldn't it be nice if our children had equal opportiunities, with parents like Barbara Ann involved in all of our schools. In Garth's segregation plan, the Barbara Anns are all concentrated in one school. While I'm not specifically referring to you Barbara Ann, many of your cohorts are motivated by racial biasis and just plain ignorance. Many don't feel any empathy or obligation to their society, they simply are spoiled selfish people that don't see the value in balanced diversity. They would rather let some schools wither than have to take a short ride to another school. They want to insulate themselves as they are somehow entitled and priveledged.

Final word On the Choice Plan. I never supported it. I think it was full of problems and was unfare (why should a kid that hates art have to go to an arts maganate just because of the lottery.) I do support balanced diversity and would prefer to simply draw lines on the map to ease overcrowding (rather than add-on to an overcrowded school.) Blanced diversity also helps by spreading the Barbara Ann's around giving all students the same benfits of having a Barabra Ann in their school.

Unfortunately Garth only sees his constiuents as entitled SW people, many motivated by racial fear and many just simply selfish, entitled people. They will be the end of our civilization.. I fear for your daughter's future. Even though she is entering the world well prepared to be anything she wants to be, our economy is dependent upon the working class and their preparedness to work. If we turn our backs on them as Garth has, we are dooming ourselves. So your efforts to protect your child and give her advantages may ultimately be her downfall. I hope I'm wrong, but it is what I believe to be The Real Truth

SMOD cannot be enforced without parental support.
It is a grave mistake to even try.

What are these schools going to do when the "high
school" students realize that it is not an enforceable rule if they all decide to ignore it?

PUBLIC schools cannot enforce a uniform policy...
unless they intend on purchasing them!!!

RT,

I am sorry that you don't understand many of the SW parents. They are not entitled nor privileged. Most are hard working, middle class parents who want the best for their children just like you do. I don't think anyone in the High Point area would have a problem going to any of the high school if they are safe, but that is not the issue.

No one wants forced busing. SW just wanted to stay at their own school, with their own traditions and history that have been passed down, the same as the Emorywood people in Central. You didn't see any of these people being bused to SW. It's the same for the Andrews and Welborn kids. Many are extremely angry at being forced past their own neighborhood in the middle of suburbia away from the friends they knew. Many have had a hard time participating in sports and other activities because of the distance.

In the "Choice" Plan it was ONLY SW families that had to go through a forced, fixed lottery. Central and Andrews had their first choice. Some SW kids in the "Choice" Plan could walk across the street to their school but were forcibly bused across town. This just wasn't right. We lost many good parents because of the "Choice" plan and continue to lose parents to private school because of all the redistricting. You cannot force people to make people go to a certain school. Especially many take issue with the fact that Andrews was a failing school and would have been an Opt out school by NCLB standards if Title I status had not been removed.

You do not understand Garth as well. I know Garth and what you have stated is not what he's about. There is no "segregation" plan in place here, only an opportunity to let children and families have a real choice as to what school they want to attend. Shouldn't this be up to them, no matter what color, income level or whatever? Why should the school board have the right to force children to a school where the children do not want to be? Shouldn't childrens' parents have the right to make that decision with their children?

No matter how many involved parents you do have at any one school, by the time you get to high school, it's tough to make a difference in the kids' lives who don't have involved parents. In fact, by high school, our own kids don't really want us hanging around their school.

By adolescence there are too many negative distractions and temptations out there. If some parents can't control their own children, how do you expect strangers (other involved parents) to be able to make a difference if these kids' home lives are so bad? By high school, it's too late. All the baked cookies in the world won't help.

I don't know what the answer is but I do know that we are losing teachers because of the day-to-day crap that our teachers have to put up with in school. This just shouldn't be happening. No adult who loves the teaching profession and went into it to make a difference should be made out to be "the bad guy". Teachers deserve our respect and support. We have kids and I use the term "kids" lightly, actually young adults, who know they can get away with breaking the rules. They take pleasure in knowing this. No matter what it takes, we really need to get control and respect back in our schools.

RT, You are part of the Grier intergrate and hide it away plan. You would be happy if the poor kids were spread out in so called diversified schools. Grier really likes people like you. What an easy life he would lead. More poor kids graduate at Dudley and Andrews than at Grimsley. Has anyone cried for those poor kids at Grimsley? They had a better chance at Andrews and Dudley! Huh?
Just the facts RT, nothing else. Facts are facts are facts. Grier, yourself and the Dot K's of this world dont like the facts.

What the heck do these words mean?

Opportiunities
Biasis
Unfare
Maganate
Blanced

I can't find them in my dictionary.

RT - For heaven's sake, stop whining at the posters on this blog for the negligence and ignorant parents who don't give a crap about their children.

YELL AT THEM!

Why don't you initiate a parenting class for all of these impoverished parents that YOU don't think merit being parents?

YOU continue, in your condescending tone, to discredit, discourage, and insult parents who don't have the luxuries you have. HELP THEM!

DON'T continue to criticize them. HELP THEM!

You think that being a good parent means having money - you're wrong.

Real Truth,

I think there might have been some of the caring parents like Barbara Ann who were at Andrews who lived in Blairwood or North Johnson Street. OOOPS!! Looks like somebody came and hoovered them right up for Central. Haven't seen you go after them and call the people that did this names. You keep on denigrating people like Garth and SW parents names and making nonsensical nauseating comments about people who are essentially innocent bystanders in the degradation of your school and don't ever say anything about people who yanked their kids out of Andrews-like ex-boardemember Gary Burnette or the parents of Dot's grandnieces and nephews and countless others at both Andrews and Central who boogied to the private schools making HP the per capita leader in NC for private education. Instead you direct your ire at people who had nothing to do with any of this and in fact have tried to support public education because clearly you don't have anywhere else to go and you become this jaded crazy person.

You don't realize you can't force people to do something just because you have some kind of egalitarian fantasy. The reality is poeple will just leave like the other Central and Andrews parents have done.

It is interesting how some parents cut back on their child's opportunities by insisting that their child go to a 'top notch' High School. If you have a smart child and he/she graduates No 1 in the class at a poor performing school, more doors may open than if the graduated #15 at the top performing school. Reducing the competition in High School helps a boy/girl that wants to go to Harvard, Duke, etc.

It is interesting how some parents cut back on their child's opportunities by insisting that their child go to a 'top notch' High School. If you have a smart child and he/she graduates No 1 in the class at a poor performing school, more doors may open than if the graduated #15 at the top performing school. Reducing the competition in High School helps a boy/girl that wants to go to Harvard, Duke, etc.

Do it help the child to be #1 in a school that has such low standards that only 6% pass an AP test? It might help them get into a school, but being successful in that school is another thing. I wish that standards at our schools were all the same, but sadly that is a dream. I have meet parents of kindergarten students that excelled at one school in our county and then moved to our area, and their child struggled to just keep up. The same for a friend that moved to our school in the 4th grade. She took her child out of AL because our regular classes were harder than her previous AL classes. I don't say this to brag, but out of concern that the rigor and standards in many schools are just not there.

Hey FED Up with real Truth,

Did you see the typo in "You Can't handle the Real Truth"'s post. He misspelled people.. OMG. He also called me a Crazy person for not believing in his view of the world. Where are my defenders? I've been attacked. If I call someone a name on here I'm lambasted but when a segreagationist calls me crazy you are all quiet. Double standard!

Barnara Ann,

I don't know why you seem to think Andrews and Central are less safe than SW. Is it because there are more black children there?

The Real Truth

RT,

Why don't you you try responding to the facts of my post.

yOU don't think most people would regard somebody as CRAZY who obsessivly blames people who had nothing to do with a situation for it, instead of the real culprits?

Joe, are you nuts? Of course it's better to graduate 15th in a "top performing" school versus 1st in a "low performing" school! Call any admissions office and ask! Schools are compiled in large data banks and admissions teams rank high schools by their rigor. That number is fit into a formula as part of the admissions profile. ALL the Ivy Leagues and big name universities look at RIGOR of a high school, not just rank! If your logic was true, kids would be clamoring to get into Andrews High! Your logic is fuzzy!! Your son got into Harvard a long time ago I know, but these are the facts today. Poor performing High Schools should just close down and lock their doors.

RT,

I never said they were less safe, but now that you mentioned it.... It is a fact that in 04 Andrews had many problems with fighting that were in the news all the time. This was a matter of public record. Also you can read the police reports for all three schools and compare the facts of the incidents reported. Central had their principal knocked down twice in a fight and was taken to the hospital. This has not happened at SW yet. SW is not a white school so I don't know why you keep stating this.

Central also had the incident of the gun on campus from gangs problems in surround neighborhood spilling over into the schools. This was in the news. Again, read the police reports.

I do know that SW High and Middle used to have less problems with fighting and discipline before the past two years, the "Choice" Plan and all the constant redistricting, and SW losing many parent volunteers to the private sector or moving out of SW area. Problems were much worse this past year. No one has said it has anything to do with color. This is one of the reasons SWH is strongly considering SMOD because of the school climate this past year.

A lot of the fights that occurred at the middle school this past year had to do with anger issues from the children that were bused and absolutely did not want to be at SW. Many would simply find a reason to leave class and want to call home to leave. We have heard many detailed stories from parent volunteers who have asked repeated offenders what the problem was. Their answers: they did not want to be at SWM. I want to go back to my school, Welborn.

There have been incidents at the SW high school of children who were bused making racial threats (this I mention only for example because color was mentioned) i.e., "If you bump me again I am going to beat you up white girl." Now that I do consider racial. Similar comments were made in the girls' bathrooms. It became a "turf" issue and the color "white" was mentioned. This could be at Any Public School USA, not just SW. What would happen if it had been the white girls mentioning "black" and threatening? I am just pointing out these examples of what does happen in our public schools.

Rest assured those who wanted the schools "equal" are getting their wish. There are equal problems in disruptions, disrespect and fighting. As for actual "safety" that depends on how well the principal, teachers and staff are willing to enforce the rule book across the board for all.

I think Mr. Parker is an excellent principal. He is very fair and tries his best to keep our school safe in many ways.

Joe,

Ditto what Grandar has said. We were told at Duke that many valedictorians do not ever get into Duke. Of all the college seminars we sat through, all schools stressed that they looked at the rigor of a high school. Colleges ask the number of AP and honor classes offered at a particular school. Duke considers 5 factors equally: SAT scores, GPA, community involvement and two others which I can't recall. UNC stresses GPA over SAT scores.

It is very competitive now to get into top colleges but many factors are considered and one factor is definitely the rigor at the high school.

Another example would be a school like Bishop McInnis, I believe close to 100% of their graduates get into college.

Another factor is also what diversity mix a college is looking for. I have a black friend who was on the waiting list for UVA, but got into Cornell, Brown and William and Mary. UVA was her 1st choice but she chose William and Mary. Many of the Ivy League schools are looking to meet a certain diversity ratio.

You can pull up their college websites and study the candidates who received the top scholarships. It is definitely a mix.

Morgan,Jennifer, SMOD thread does not work.

In regards GPA. Is a GPA of 5 at Andrews as good as a GPA of 5 at NW or Grimsley?

Joe,

Gandar Mtn. is right. I know for a fact that UNC maintains an extensive data bank on all NC high schools, and they can predict with precision the success rate of a graduate of each high school. They know the success rate at UNC of students from each high school. As a result, a student that graduated #15 from a highly-rated high school may very well have a better chance of admission than the valedictorian at a low-rated high school. Sorry.

R.T., segreagationist? What's that? No, I doubt that anyone will defend you here, just like Hasselback wouldn't defend Rosie O'Donut. When you constantly demonstrate churlish behavior and offend people, that you do not know, calling them racist and other objectionable names, you become the pariah that you are. Deal with it, because no one will come to your aid. No one.

Well said Wally World. RT has an unfair advantage over some people here who choose to post their real names. These people don't know who they are dealing with. It's not a fair debate if you could call it a debate. RT could be several people; one that can spell, one that can't spell.

Whacky World,

My real name is Rumplestilskin. But my friends call me puddintame! So your name is Whacky World? I'll give you this.. it is a whaky world when you complain about my identity while you hide yours! So true of you SW people... double standard.

Barabra Ann,

SW isn't safer, it just has more $$. No innocent students at Central or Andrews have been harmed and the principal at Central admitted herself that there was no intention to hurt her she took responsibility for putting herself in the way. The students involved were very upsey that she was harmed. Of course they were fighting bt they meant no harm to the principal. Lets say for the sake of argument, that SW is safer then why is it you think you have some divine right to keep your child in a safe school but send other children to an unsafe school. In Garth's plan all the poor kids are segregated so I guess you and he think its ok to send poor kids to unsafe schools. Is that it?

As for your comments about Alan Parker, I agree, He's a good man!

Lastly, Wally World has misspellings in his post above why don't you condemn him too. In fact he was calling me childish while being childish. That's funny!

The Real Truth

Real Truth,

Which words in my post were misspelled? If you mean "churlish", you don't understand the meaning of the word. I wasn't calling you "childish", I meant exactly what I wrote.."churlish", and it's spelled correctly.

Churlish - adjective
like a churl; boorish; rude: churlish behavior.

And, that descrobes your behavior precisely - churlish.

Real Truth,

Which words in my post were misspelled? If you mean "churlish", you don't understand the meaning of the word. I wasn't calling you "childish", I meant exactly what I wrote.."churlish", and it's spelled correctly.

Churlish - adjective
like a churl; boorish; rude: churlish behavior.

And, that describes your behavior precisely - churlish.

Oh, Real Truth, you said your friends call you puddintame? I'm not sure what that is. Did you mean pudding time? That would be very strange since that means an intestine stuffed with meat; a sausage. So, can we call you "Sausage" in the future?

RT,

I didn't say I go to SW. Why do you assume everyone who posts on this site goes to SW? When you "A S S U M E", you make an A _ _ out of U and ME.

RT,

You are at an advantage in this debate as I don't know your name and you know who I am. (similar to what Wacky World was trying to say)

SW hasn't been safe in many incidents this past year. With all the changes in the past several years, not just in constant reshuffling of students, but in the lax policy from downtown on enforcing the rules and having consequences for all, we have all witnessed the negative results. There were hallways my daughter was afraid to walk down; there were other incidents she told me about and so did many other students who were threatened for no reason other than being white. I would not want her in the parking lot alone when class changes weren't going on because of some of these threats. SW has the disadvantage like many of our schools with trailers of being too open. It's a problem in many of our trailer schools with who can easily come on campus that doesn't belong there.

How do you know no innocent students at Central or Andrews have been harmed?? Were you in these schools every day filling out the reports as an eye witness?? As stated, read the police reports. If guns are found in any school, it is a tragedy just waiting to happen. How do you know the students meant no harm to the principal at Central? This happened on two occasions. Were you there? Did you read their minds? I guess that's why the principal ended up in the hospital. Of course the students were upset after they harmed the principal, it's like the robber who is caught or a kids who is caught stealing. They are all "sorry" when they are caught. They knew they were in serious trouble after this happened.

Many of our teachers who have been harrassed or hurt have been encouraged not to report the incidences or make a big deal out of it. I know this.

SW and EVERY school has the right to be safe, including Andrews and Central and whereever. These are PUBLIC schools and should be safe for the PUBLIC. That is why rules need to be enforced and there should be zero tolerance for breaking of these rules no matter what someone's culture or home environment is, especially when physical harm is involved.

Why do you think you have the right to bus kids who don't deem fit at one school (Andrews) to another school, to push problems off on new teachers. Shouldn't all students who are causing problems in our school have alternative school environements? How does moving a kid's real estate educate them?

I do know this year that SW received kids that came from SCALES and I was told that SW wasn't their district. I heard this was happening at Central too. Why were these two HP high schools being made the "dumping ground"? Was it fair to the principals at those schools?

And why do you think SW has all this money??? Central has many kids from Emorywood whose parents are doctors and belong to the country club. SW is a mix of everything, mostly middle class families with two working parents.

No one wants ANY of their children at an unsafe school. Why were SW students put in a lottery to be bused to a school considered unsafe in 2004? Why was SW the target of a swapping plan - was it to make SW school more unsafe? Why is that fair? Why do you hate SW so much?

SW has a wide mix of students both in racial make-up an income. It is so diverse and has been. I don't know where you get your facts. But Garth's plan has absolutely nothing to do with segregation and everything to do with TRUE choice not a chance lottery.

From your posts I have read you must be black as everything seems to be reduced to color. I just don't understand why you are so bitter toward SW.