Open House part 2

So tonight, Mr. Hubbs and I attended Pherry's open house. Central Middle School is old and dirty. The lockers are non functional to say the least. I don't know, but ever since Pherry attended here since 6th grade, I never felt comfortable. I am not saying the school is bad or the staff and faculty is mediocre, I am just saying it is not very welcoming and warm like the other schools the kids attend/ed. I have actually a bad experience here but that's another blogspot. The reason I never wrote about it is because I was still angry and I know you can get emotional and not be very objective about it. Anyway, they are building a new one in a different location and be finished supposedly in 2012(?). But that does not mean you can neglect the current school! Right? From what I gather from the meeting, there were a lot of cut backs on programs and funds running out on a lot of activities. The science teacher said she had to incorporate the technology part in science and technology because there are no more classes for it! Meanwhile, Pherry brought home a CD-rom for one of his classes because they don't have enough books. Whaaat? How about those kids without PCs, like my kids? I am sure it's not just Quincy but it is frustrating nonetheless.

The only reason Pherry still attends this school is because it is the only one offering the Advance Placement in Quincy. Since he is in this program, I kinda just ignore the "flaws" of the school. I have spoken to a few parents who said they know people who have pulled their kids off this very tedious and demanding program, add the ugly facility and cold reception of the administration--- I suppose that was an easy decision for them. I would never pull my kids off advance program if they deserve it, but I am not to push them to it either. Although education is important to me and my family, I don't think that life success is based solely in how well you perform
in middle school ( ahahahahh).

Having said that, I liked the way they did the open house this year. They arranged it into " a day in your child's life" kind of thing. You start in homeroom and proceed to the classes as your kid would. You get a feel of how they go about in their daily routine. Boy, was that chaotic or what? I can only imagine Pherry toting his huge and heavy backpack the whole day on those stairs and hallways. Now I pity him, no wonder he is always hungry and tired after school.

The teachers seem to be very warm and knowledgeable. They appear to really care for the children so that's a good thing. I get the feeling they are frustrated also with all the high student teacher ratio, lack of funds and overall financial constraints to them. How can they sufficiently teach with this situation?The best teachers still can! They just have to be more creative and focused on the curriculum.

Open house time is great to reacquaint yourself to educational systems and governance in general. You will find out different things. I will not elaborate here but, tonight I learned 2 things.

1. Education is a right of every child but it is becoming so unbalanced between the poor and the rich --- yes even in great America.

2. You are the only advocate of your child. The teachers are there to do their job. Most of them genuinely care but the bottom line is you, the parent, needs to be involved. I can complain and talk for all I want but if I put the responsibility of my child's education on teachers and schools alone, my child lose, I lose.

The building is dilapidated, teachers are frustrated ( from my viewpoint), there is no funding--- but still our kids can get a great education--- because the students make the school great and not the other way around.

It is my fervent prayer for my kids to get inspiring teachers. Now more than ever, the kids need inspiration-- a role model who can make them WANT to learn, someone who can make them LIKE going to school. Wouldn't that be great?

How about you, do you attend open house? What do you learn?