I know I haven't posted on this for a while, but I definitely see all of your comments. I sense your frustration with everything, and especially what's going on at CMS.
When I first started this blog, I envisioned it to be a solution based entity. I thought it would be a good place for people to come together and throw out ideas and maybe facilitate change. But lately there has been a lot of complaining and blaming.
I think I understand why. I think it speaks to the sense that we feel powerless when it comes to matters of the school. We're not in control of what happens when our kids walk through the doors of the school, and when we speak up about things that we don't like, we feel ignored and this breeds anger and resentment. This is my theory - you may completely disagree.
But in any event, no matter how we got to the anger and resentment, my question is - what do we do from here?
I think the first step to a solution is for some of us to get together (in person), come up with legitimate concerns, and probable solutions. Then take that to the schools starting with Mr. Ingano and then the principals.
I want people to be able to vent here, but I don't want it to only be for venting. Let's actually try to do something constructive too.
For those of you who are interested in this approach you can e-mail me at carr0629@hotmail.com
Carrie I believe your intentions to be honorable and sincere,but until the administration and school committee realize they must look at organization within the schools and even the attitudes and functions of some of the school committee you will get no where. In any industry you must start at the beginning and see where the initial problem lies. Many comments on this site have identified issues, People are frustrated , you are correct, I see one problem LACK OF COMMUNICATION from Mr. Ingano to the public(everyone is basically asking him to tell them he sees and hears the issues and he is addressing them). Step one is admitting the problem exist, step two is finding a way to fix it. You have done an excellent job of attempting to communicate to the schools by having this site and having a meeting with Mr. Ingano, you are to be praised for your effort. But I feel that until people see things are being heard you can have all the meetings in the world and they will turn up empty. Honestly Mr Ingano has a solution right now if he hears people he would publish something somewhere (even if its the clinton discussion page) stating why simple things were not updated and completed , supply list, schedules,connect ed. He would state he will look into CMS building conditions and needs, he would state he sees that some communication is unacceptable on the web pages,regarding grammer, spelling and so forth. He would ask his principals why teachers appear upset and confused regarding their schedules or even ask the teachers. A few months back the teachers produced a vote of no confidence with Mr. Ingano and the school committee (WHY is the question - did we ever hear that got heard?) Is it lack of a contract for the teachers for a few years now I believe, is it lack of them being heard about their concerns and inability to organize? I believe the teachers are very sincere and want to provide for our children. My only point in this response is to identify it all appears to point to one problem. People want to be HEARD and want to HEAR MR> INGANO is addressing things, I do not believe anyone is trying to get anyone fired. I believe everyone wants to have a great school system.
ReplyDeleteExcuses like new to the job, alone, long process, limited staff and decreases in staff no money, are all true, but at the end of the day school must open, they must provide a good environment and they have to admit the issues and show they are willing to resolve them.
I understand what you're saying about the difficulties of bringing about change. The problems the school has with updating the website, and not getting lists out, and even the typos are just symptoms of a bigger problem. But I disagree with the attitude of "it's never going to work, so why even try".
DeleteI have been in a lot of situations like that and the way I see it, we have two choices. One - we can just give up and not try and consequently stop complaining. Two - we can try to do something about it.
I'm not ready to give up. I believe in sending my kids to school in the town where they are growing up. And if the school system is failing, then that negatively affects the whole town. I don't want that to happen.
I realize my idea of people coming together and bringing their concerns to the school is simplistic. But I'm looking at the bigger picture. Getting people together (in reality and not just in the virtual world), is an important first step. From there, the ideas can grow and change and we might be able to do some great things.
Don't underestimate the power of face to face contact.
So I disagree with the mind-set that you should never try because it's hopeless. If that's the case, then we should all move to another town and start over. And frankly, I'm not willing to do that.
All comments above are true to some extent but been around along time with Clinton schools, seen alot of parents gather, bring issues and little to know response. You said you wanted ideas and suggestions, so here would be my suggestion, You tried Carrie, You got some responses from Mr. Ingano, but not really anything that said peoples concerns were heard. I saw school committee mentioned above, That is probably your best avenue right now, we have a very good new member on that committee Angela LeBlanc, she is sincere, she is honest, she is out to improve our schools, she is not afraid to say things need improvement when they do. You should have Angela look into some of these questions and concerns, she can raise them at a school committee meeting, She has substituted in the middle school and maybe even other schools in clinton not sure, so she could place in put into these concerns. She is not the type of person who covers up to make it look good if it is not. Yes she has the chairman of the school committee to reckon with and his history with teachers and others is not so great, but Angela is not afraid to get it done.
ReplyDeleteNor is Tina Zapantis either. Some of the questions , issues are easy answers , I am sure she would be more than willing to look into them and respond. School committee I believe oversees the superintendent. Also noticed I believe Mr. Ingano responds to other issues on the clinton discussion page, maybe you should post some of these questions there also. wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.
The suggestion above sounds great. Has anyone spoken to either of these women? I would suggest that parents go to the school committee meeting and voice their concerns. Maybe if a face is put to concerns thinks will be handled and questions will be answered in the proper manner.
DeleteDon't give up. I'm a follower, not a leader so I need someone like you to start the ball rolling. I've got great ideas and great complaints! But it is not my nature to figure out how to get them instituted & resolved.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to meet you all in person, tell me where and when. If you want to start a parent based homework/studying brigade, sign me up, If you want to start a parent run tutoring program I can volunteer a few times a month. If you need an extracurricular baking class to supplement home ecc, give me a call. Whatever I can do to help, I will do it, I just need to be told what to do.
Baaaa-I'm a sheep, but it takes all kinds to run a business
Carrie, best of luck in your quest, but I do disagree with you on one note. I do not believe people have just vented on this site I believe people did state legitamite concerns, pointed out legitamite issues that are indeed occurring, and I watched closely for response from the school. To form another parent association group is not honestly going to work any differently than the ones current or previous when the administration of the school does not want to listen. I would almost bet you will see opening day comments from superintendent, principals that Clintons first day was super, with little to no issues. That's the normal comment. Anyway best of luck and success in whatever path you decide to take.
ReplyDeleteI have been lurking here for a while and realize it's time to get more involved. My son will be entering kindergarten at CES next week. I, too, feel strongly that my kids should go to school where they live and it's my job as their parent to make sure that school does the best it can. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I don't know a lot about the community politics, so don't know where to start to do my part. I'm hoping to join in with this movement.
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
DeleteThat's still exactly how I feel about things. I want to do something positive, but not sure exactly what to do. But I think a good starting place is for some of us to actually get together face to face and talk about the best way to get our message across. If you or anyone else agrees with this approach, then you can e-mail me at carr0629@hotmail.com