News-Record.com

I do not feel that Guilford County Schools has advertised enough to the public that these meetings are going on. Unless you receive the paper, how is the word getting out? I have three students at three different schools, and not one has brought home anything about this. Is this intentional? Does the GCS board want it to appear that we really don't as a community feel that there is a problem?

I do not feel that Guilford County Schools has advertised enough to the public that these meetings are going on. Unless you receive the paper, how is the word getting out? I have three students at three different schools, and not one has brought home anything about this. Is this intentional? Does the GCS board want it to appear that we really don't as a community feel that there is a problem?

I would agree that Guilford County Schools do not do a good enough job promoting these meetings and that is a partial reason for the low turn out for these important meetings. I also think this simply shows the lack of parental involvement in their children's lives. The problems in schools start at home and this is a pure example that parents don't care. Parents today expect the school system to raise their children; otherwise parents would go out of their way to make sure they knew of these events because it is important for their child's future.

Or it could be the history of the school board.

How many times have they held forums where parents have overwhelmingly made their voices known, only to have the board vote in the opposite manner?

I would say that the norm of the school board is to "act" like they hear from the parents and then vote to the contrary.

I agree.

See: http://erikhuey.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/hallway-brawl-at-southern-high/

E.C. Huey

Guilford County Schools posted an announcement about the forums online back in October (I'm aware of two principals notifying parents at their own schools). The N&R also ran announcements online and in the newspaper. Obviously, that might not be enough for some parents, who don't check the schools Web site, read the newspaper or may have forgotten about the events. Perhaps my latest story will serve as the reminder.

GCS makes the mistake of thinking everyone reads the paper (they don't) and that everyone looks at a blog or the GCS website daily. Some of us do, but 99% of the public doesn't. Connect-ed's, communication through the newpaper, flyers, news reports on tv etc. Tell someone 3 or 4 different ways and maybe they will hear it once.

Involved? I had a PTSA meeting last night, swim practice for my son (his father took him) etc. Even those involved have a hard time making the time to go to an additional meeting. Make it convenient location wise, time wise.. have signage at the school etc. People care, but we all know that keeping suspensions down is the goal; not creating a safe learning environment.

Perhaps an alternate form of communication would be beneficial such as a "GCS Sound of the Beep (apologies to The Rhino)"?

Well there are two more forums so please make sure you can attend one of them. And help spread the word to others since it appears the message isn't getting out. Parents need to not only be heard but be persistent to make positive changes.

Also remember if you're not happy with the school board stop voting the same people in over and over again. For all the complaints I hear we always end up with the same people.

the whole fight just made me realize again, the entire reason that we are moving out of guilford county. we have two young kids at southern elementary, and we see what is slowing happening with the influx of population in our area. it was destined to happen, we can not change it. but we can certainly get away from it. we are very thankful that the guilford county school board made us aware of the situation about two years ago, when they first came knocking to try and merge our schools for 'diversity' purposes. they said that it would make the less disciplined kids act better if they put them with our kids. make their grades 'higher'. what they meant was an 'average'. you know, like they had on fox 8 last night, they are ignoring the brightest kids in this county. we've had enough, and are moving far far way. others threatened to do it, we are actually keeping our word. you guys can have this county and it's school board.

thanks!

Whatever happened to the automatic phone call system that has been used to notify parents of absenteeism, fundraisers, PTA meetings, etc. Why couldn't this be used to notify parents of these meetings?