Inside sources tell me that we've lost a little over $120,000 worth of students over the past year.
I guess that is one way to improve traffic flow through the parking lot.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Volunteers, anyone? Hello, is this thing on?
Interesting request in the newsletter about wanting volunteers for the AR progam. It is interesting for a number of ways...
1. We had a vibrant, well staffed volunteer program for the AR kids. There was this belief that the kids needed a bit of help and/or encouragement to get on and take the tests, especially the younger ones. Someone apparently didn't agree, and ended it...and the kids (of all ages) are now taking a lot less advantage of the AR program. Who would figure?
2. The second comment was about signing a waiver....again, this was something that was suggested to Denise, who snorted her disaproval at teachers and parents who had the teremity to suggest such a thing. And yet, it is now back.
3. Finally, one can volunteer for this...as long as you sign the form (not a bad thing, but certainly not an orginal idea), work with another class other than your kid's, and agree to shield your eyes if you happen to accidentally see your child in passing.
Okay, I made the last point up, but it may be EXACTLY why there are so volunteers this year. It is not from a lack of opportunities, but it is a lack of opportunities that people want to do. When you coordinate volunteer work, one has to realize that YOUR needs are not quite enough, and that there has to be something in it for them. Yes, there is the satisfaction of a job well done, but there is in all of us a need for a bit more...that we ARE making a difference, that we can see the results, and that it also sends a message to our kids that volunteering is important. So while they haven't been breaking down the doors to volunteer to fill beer cups for "Smokey", "One-Eye", or "Creepy" at casino night, that doesn't mean that people don't want to help out. It is that they don't want to feel as if they aren't really needed or that go against what they believe.
1. We had a vibrant, well staffed volunteer program for the AR kids. There was this belief that the kids needed a bit of help and/or encouragement to get on and take the tests, especially the younger ones. Someone apparently didn't agree, and ended it...and the kids (of all ages) are now taking a lot less advantage of the AR program. Who would figure?
2. The second comment was about signing a waiver....again, this was something that was suggested to Denise, who snorted her disaproval at teachers and parents who had the teremity to suggest such a thing. And yet, it is now back.
3. Finally, one can volunteer for this...as long as you sign the form (not a bad thing, but certainly not an orginal idea), work with another class other than your kid's, and agree to shield your eyes if you happen to accidentally see your child in passing.
Okay, I made the last point up, but it may be EXACTLY why there are so volunteers this year. It is not from a lack of opportunities, but it is a lack of opportunities that people want to do. When you coordinate volunteer work, one has to realize that YOUR needs are not quite enough, and that there has to be something in it for them. Yes, there is the satisfaction of a job well done, but there is in all of us a need for a bit more...that we ARE making a difference, that we can see the results, and that it also sends a message to our kids that volunteering is important. So while they haven't been breaking down the doors to volunteer to fill beer cups for "Smokey", "One-Eye", or "Creepy" at casino night, that doesn't mean that people don't want to help out. It is that they don't want to feel as if they aren't really needed or that go against what they believe.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Bringing it up to the top
Hey...been quiet, but not at HCS. We've been busy at the Quizzinator household with the holidays and stuff. We had family in from all over, and you all know how guests can sometime overstay their welcome.
Things at HC are about the same. Quiet resignation by some, quiet desperation by others. What is the most interesting, as usual, is NOT the events, but the response by the administration.
It is no secret that some that have left have not gone under the best of circumstances, and while I don't expect dirty laundry to be aired, I do draw the line at hearing how these stories are spun. I mean, come on...what is the point of indicating in the newsletter that someone is leaving AND feeling the need to brag/warn that there are 50 applications for the job? And that the job is advertised, but, perhaps bowing to the reputation that HC is developing, the school isn't even mentioned?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Heard on the street
I’m hearing there will be more than a few people leaving us at the beginning of the year. Now, we here at Musements have always said losses are rarely for one reason, but interconnected ones. When we’ve pointed out decreased enrollment, or a large turnover, we’ve always left “wiggle room” to acknowledge this. We are a military town, to a point, and there is a certain number of people who will leave due to reassignments, and that can’t be helped. The economy certainly hasn’t helped, and simply looking at the blank spaces in the weekly bulletin (and the very large area devoted to asking for ads) tells you that the downturn is hitting some of us.
We believe people make this decision to attend or leave for a variety of reasons. Every person leaving is not because of the administration, but they can’t be held blameless, either. She certainly isn’t helping, and she is certainly a contributing cause to more than a few families leaving. It behooves the school to know why these people are leaving, and to get real, honest answers.
Of course, it is interesting that they seem to be inconsistent in asking why people are leaving. Nice….if you don’t ask “some” people why they are leaving, you then can use only the answers of those you ask. Expect to hear these “selected” answers as the reasons why people are leaving over the next month.
We believe people make this decision to attend or leave for a variety of reasons. Every person leaving is not because of the administration, but they can’t be held blameless, either. She certainly isn’t helping, and she is certainly a contributing cause to more than a few families leaving. It behooves the school to know why these people are leaving, and to get real, honest answers.
Of course, it is interesting that they seem to be inconsistent in asking why people are leaving. Nice….if you don’t ask “some” people why they are leaving, you then can use only the answers of those you ask. Expect to hear these “selected” answers as the reasons why people are leaving over the next month.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Parental Involvement? Volunteers? Why would they do such a thing?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IN_STRICT_SCHOOL_INOL-?SITE=WBBMAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Indianapolis Public School 57, the city's only so-called "fundamental school," requires parents to sign their children's homework every day, volunteer at the school and respond to teachers' calls or notes within 24 hours.
Teachers sign similar agreements, and the school's 210 students have strict rules, too, The Indianapolis Star reported. If students don't turn in homework for several days, for example, they can earn enough demerits to kick them out of the school.
Interesting....why would they require such things? That whole volunteer thing...it is if they think it actually helps the school and parents, or some such nonsense.
Indianapolis Public School 57, the city's only so-called "fundamental school," requires parents to sign their children's homework every day, volunteer at the school and respond to teachers' calls or notes within 24 hours.
Teachers sign similar agreements, and the school's 210 students have strict rules, too, The Indianapolis Star reported. If students don't turn in homework for several days, for example, they can earn enough demerits to kick them out of the school.
Interesting....why would they require such things? That whole volunteer thing...it is if they think it actually helps the school and parents, or some such nonsense.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Food for Thought
Came across this the other day, and thought it worthy of posting for discussion.....
http://www.middleweb.com/MWLISTCONT/MSLprincipals.html
Quick question, if you get a spare moment, for both teachers and administrators: What would you see are the most important characteristics of an effective Middle School principal?--
All of the characteristics below meld together to create and reinforce a sense of community, energy, and positive forward motion:
An understanding and appreciation of school culture
A clear and inspiring vision of where school is headed
A love of kids and a concurrent ability to relate to them
A love of teaching and a concurrent ability to relate to teachers
An ability to listen effectively
An ability to make and implement effective decisions
A recognition that neither the principal nor anyone else is perfect, and that's ok
A very thick skin (unfortunately!)
An ability to advance financial stability of school
http://www.middleweb.com/MWLISTCONT/MSLprincipals.html
Quick question, if you get a spare moment, for both teachers and administrators: What would you see are the most important characteristics of an effective Middle School principal?--
All of the characteristics below meld together to create and reinforce a sense of community, energy, and positive forward motion:
An understanding and appreciation of school culture
A clear and inspiring vision of where school is headed
A love of kids and a concurrent ability to relate to them
A love of teaching and a concurrent ability to relate to teachers
An ability to listen effectively
An ability to make and implement effective decisions
A recognition that neither the principal nor anyone else is perfect, and that's ok
A very thick skin (unfortunately!)
An ability to advance financial stability of school
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Exodus Continues
http://www.newszapforums.com/forum4/71750.html
Newszap has been quiet since the great purging, but we get a parent here who is leaving effectively immediately.
What is important isn't the specific reason....I'm not going to argue about whether or not the tracking is or isn't a good idea. This is a perfect example where I'll beg ignorance as to the best methodology...but that isn't the reason this person is leaving. It is the lack of communication, responsiveness, and quite simply a character issue that is the reason the person is leaving.
Newszap has been quiet since the great purging, but we get a parent here who is leaving effectively immediately.
What is important isn't the specific reason....I'm not going to argue about whether or not the tracking is or isn't a good idea. This is a perfect example where I'll beg ignorance as to the best methodology...but that isn't the reason this person is leaving. It is the lack of communication, responsiveness, and quite simply a character issue that is the reason the person is leaving.
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