Fw: School calendar etc & the survey Kathryn Hill NCWISE Data Manager Brassfield Road Elementary 919-870-4080 knill@wopss.net NOTICE: This e-mail message may contain confidential information. ifthe reader of this message is not the intended recipient, please note that reading, copying or distributing this ‘message is prohibited. if you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and delete this message Thank you -Forwarded by Kathryn B HillBrassfieldES/WCPSS on 01/11/2010 09:27AM ~ To: Ron Margiotta , Chris Malone/SuperintendenyWCPSS@Staff, Carolyn Morrison/SuperintendenvWCPSS@Staff, John Tedesco/SuperintendentWCPSS@Staft, Deborah Prickett/SuperintendenvWCPSS@Staff, Kathryn B HillBrassfieldES/IWCPSS@Staff, Keith Sutton/Superintenden’WCPSS@Steff, Debra Gold mary/SuperintendenvWCPSS@Staff, Anne McLaurin’SuperintendenvWCPSS From: Fred V Date: 01/11/2010 07:30AM Subject: School calendar etc & the survey Hi School Board members, Why are not all taxpayers being surveyed about the school calendar 7? I pay the bills, I have skin in the game, yet I am not asked my opinion so I am volunteering it I favor YEAR ROUND schools because of ECONOMY CONTIGUOUS education time ( less forgotten and less review), Keeps children occupied. ‘That said the one minor drawback that I see would be that all children in a family would have to be on the same track, to facilitate vacations etc. I also favor NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS because of ECONOMY (more children could walk to and from school & students would get more exercise) less busing costs for fuel, maintenance and repairs, hopefully more parent participation at schools, PTA etc and probably a few I have not thought of right now. Cheers, Fred Valachovic Kathryn B Hill_ to: Kevin Hill (01/11/2010 09:27 AMfae) Node 738 Parent a ME: MoAdams. fo: Khil98 ovao10 25M SS iar we minis I am a parent of a rising Kindergartner. I live in Bedford and my son would be going to Durant BS next year. As someone new to the Raleigh area, I have been very closely following the controversy around the WCSB elections and the diversity policy. As someone who hasn't been forcefed the "Wake County schools are some of the best in the country" kool-aid for yeare, I've been able to look at the district with a fresh perspective. The more I've learned, the more horrified I've become at what a MESS this school district is in Truly, I'm embarassed to be from Wake County. And angry at myself that I didn't do my homework on the schools before I came here. I would not have moved here if I had - or I would have moved closer to a charter school. I feel there are no good public school options for my children. Durant scores are pathetic, and there are no charter schools near enough to my home to be convenient, although I may consider Magellan when my son comes of age. considered applying to magnets, knowing I live in an "attractive" node, where my son would have a good chance of being accepted. But philosophically, I cannot stomach the magnet schools. It's created a system of haves and have nots, using public education dollars - and I am deeply and fundamentally opposed to this. These dollars should have been funneled into all public schools - not just an elite few that people have to fight to get into. Thank goodness we can afford private school, which is where I plan to send my son. But in this economy, it's difficult to feel secure that this is an option for us indefinitely. If I had to send my son to Durant, I don't know what I'd do. As one of your constituents, I want you to know that I support the idea of community (neighborhood) schools with choice for all parents. If parents are unhappy with their base school, parents’ requests to be reassigned to other public schools should be accommodated where possible and reasonable. Furthermore, I believe non-magnets should be able to offer the same electives and opportunities as magnets do. I realize you do not share my point of view. Instead you fight for a system of diversity that has FAILED the very students it claims to protect. Why would you support a school system where minorities are under-performing, or where algebra I-ready minorities are being denied the opportunity to take the more advanced coursework, or where the graduation rate for minorities is ABISMAL? Why would you fight so hard to preserve this school system, without being open to the idea that there just MIGHT be a better way? You owe it to us to try As your constituent, I ask you to cooperate with the current board, to work with them (not against them), to share with them your viewpoints, experience, and ideas on how to change for the better. Right now, you are clearly not acting in my interests. May I ask, what are you doing to understand the viewpoints of your constituents? Keith Sutton held meetings in his district to listen to parents. Have you considered doing the same? Have you considered polling theresidents in your district to understand what their viewpoints are? As a public servant, who is supposed to act in our best interests, don't you think this would be a good idea? I£ you cannot be more open to change, and listening to parents, I will not be voting for you come next election. In fact, I may be one of many unhappy parents in your district campaigning hard against you. Thanks for your time, Mary Elizabeth McAdams 2826 Winter Song Rd Raleigh, NC 27614