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Post by gatormom on Sept 15, 2008 11:29:58 GMT -5
That's fine, you don't have to get it. But how do you know that all will be in place "well ahead" of the first day of school? How do you define "well ahead"? What is the harm in getting started sooner? What is the harm in having a parent meeting or two--not the monthly meetings like MV--but a meeting or two? Maybe they will when they get a principal, though from the sounds of it here, it isn't necessary. You do know Georgetown does not have a PTA. I presume that will pose some problems for PTA parental involvement at the new MS. Why not get started sooner to and get some excitement for the new school going? What would be the harm? I just don't get what the harm is with acting sooner rather than later. ETA: So I wrote about Georgetown, because it was true last year, but then I decided to check the website--and it looks like they do have one. I'm very glad to see that. Not for what it means for the MS, but for what it means for Georgetown. What an odd thing to say about Georgetown. They did have a PTA last year. I worked on an event sponsored by them in May that was approved by the PTA in January. I am positive once a principal for Fisher is selected, more information will be coming out. I can understand your concerns though. Many of us in the areas of no apparent change are concerned that we too will be overlooked in the opening of Metea and the transitioning of others to different schools.
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Post by stmom on Sept 15, 2008 11:38:16 GMT -5
That's fine, you don't have to get it. But how do you know that all will be in place "well ahead" of the first day of school? How do you define "well ahead"? What is the harm in getting started sooner? What is the harm in having a parent meeting or two--not the monthly meetings like MV--but a meeting or two? Maybe they will when they get a principal, though from the sounds of it here, it isn't necessary. You do know Georgetown does not have a PTA. I presume that will pose some problems for PTA parental involvement at the new MS. Why not get started sooner to and get some excitement for the new school going? What would be the harm? I just don't get what the harm is with acting sooner rather than later. ETA: So I wrote about Georgetown, because it was true last year, but then I decided to check the website--and it looks like they do have one. I'm very glad to see that. Not for what it means for the MS, but for what it means for Georgetown. What an odd thing to say about Georgetown. They did have a PTA last year. I worked on an event sponsored by them in May that was approved by the PTA in January. I am positive once a principal for Fisher is selected, more information will be coming out. I can understand your concerns though. Many of us in the areas of no apparent change are concerned that we too will be overlooked in the opening of Metea and the transitioning of others to different schools. No offense against Georgetown. I believe those events were actually sponsored by the school. I suppose I could be wrong though, and I'd like to be wrong in this instance. I do hope that once there is a principal things will start happening. Thanks for understanding that it is possible to have concerns.
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Post by gatormom on Sept 15, 2008 11:44:28 GMT -5
No offense against Georgetown. I believe those events were actually sponsored by the school. I suppose I could be wrong though, and I'd like to be wrong in this instance. I do hope that once there is a principal things will start happening. Thanks for understanding that it is possible to have concerns. The event was sponsored by the Georgetown PTA. It was approved at a PTA meeting in January, possibly February. I was in charge of the event, I had to go through the PTA. ;D
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Post by stmom on Sept 15, 2008 11:54:59 GMT -5
No offense against Georgetown. I believe those events were actually sponsored by the school. I suppose I could be wrong though, and I'd like to be wrong in this instance. I do hope that once there is a principal things will start happening. Thanks for understanding that it is possible to have concerns. The event was sponsored by the Georgetown PTA. It was approved at a PTA meeting in January, possibly February. I was in charge of the event, I had to go through the PTA. ;D Well, I really am glad to be wrong. I did hear this though from what I thought was a reliable source. And I'm glad I threw it out there so rumors may be stopped.
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Post by gatormom on Sept 15, 2008 11:56:26 GMT -5
The event was sponsored by the Georgetown PTA. It was approved at a PTA meeting in January, possibly February. I was in charge of the event, I had to go through the PTA. ;D Well, I really am glad to be wrong. I did hear this though from what I thought was a reliable source. And I'm glad I threw it out there so rumors may be quashed. I was told by the principal last year they had an entirely new board. It is possible that it was not an active group. I couldn't tell you.
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Arwen
Master Member
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Post by Arwen on Sept 15, 2008 12:01:20 GMT -5
My thoughts on the communication regarding the MS transitions is that to have brought it up during orientation would have been confusing. I think the orientation needed to focus on the here and now and getting everyone organized and excited for the current year. I would also expect that as we move into the 2nd semester that the communication for next year would ramp up. This will be especially important for activities that start in the summer and for the PTA. I did see this job posting on IPSD.ORG for a principal for Fisher: ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/EmploymentListings?category=AdministrationIt says that it closes 10/10, so I would assume all applications have to be in by then, so I would think they'd have someone named before Thanksgiving. It would probably be helpful if they'd share that kind of timeline with the public so people are aware that things are happening even with most of the communication focusing on MV right now.
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Post by stmom on Sept 15, 2008 12:39:31 GMT -5
My thoughts on the communication regarding the MS transitions is that to have brought it up during orientation would have been confusing. I think the orientation needed to focus on the here and now and getting everyone organized and excited for the current year. I would also expect that as we move into the 2nd semester that the communication for next year would ramp up. This will be especially important for activities that start in the summer and for the PTA. I did see this job posting on IPSD.ORG for a principal for Fisher: ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/EmploymentListings?category=AdministrationIt says that it closes 10/10, so I would assume all applications have to be in by then, so I would think they'd have someone named before Thanksgiving. It would probably be helpful if they'd share that kind of timeline with the public so people are aware that things are happening even with most of the communication focusing on MV right now. I abslolutely agree that the kids need to focus on the current year. It just seems ridiculous (and slightly callous) to me that it would be ignored completely. These aren't kindergarteners, they know what is happening. On the other hand, from what I can tell, the kids are fine for the most part. Thanks for the specific info on the principal. I was told the process was starting soon, but not the specifics.
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Post by wvhsparent on Sept 15, 2008 13:39:04 GMT -5
IMHO. It is not being ignored, but it is not high on the list - at this time - . There are things in motion, and all will be in order in plenty of time. It appears that your idea of "well in advance" and theirs are vastly different.
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Post by eb204 on Sept 15, 2008 16:52:24 GMT -5
I did see this job posting on IPSD.ORG for a principal for Fisher: ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/EmploymentListings?category=AdministrationIt says that it closes 10/10, so I would assume all applications have to be in by then, so I would think they'd have someone named before Thanksgiving. It would probably be helpful if they'd share that kind of timeline with the public so people are aware that things are happening even with most of the communication focusing on MV right now. This timeline was shared at a recent SB meeting. They expect to name the new principal at Fisher before Thanksgiving, if not sooner, IIRC.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Sept 16, 2008 7:34:30 GMT -5
IMHO. It is not being ignored, but it is not high on the list - at this time - . There are things in motion, and all will be in order in plenty of time. It appears that your idea of "well in advance" and theirs are vastly different. Agreed. The district's timeline probably will not please everyone. I think some of this thread has deviated into how the parents are going to transition with the PTA's but I would like to go back and address the kids if I may. This district, IMO, has always been very good at communication between the teacher and parents if the parents have a problem. We all know each child is different and each child handles change in different ways. I know my child stresses when you make a big deal about things, so she would probably do well if the school just treats the transition as an every day occurence. Others might not. I think it is up to the parent to watch their child and if there are problems occurring ahead of the schedule the district has set up, then maybe the parent needs to talk to a teacher or guidance counselor. I probably won't be popular for this statement but if something needs to be addressed, why try and change the school timeline to meet the needs of your child? How do you know that if the school started to address the timeline 14 days after school has begun, they might soothe 5 kids' fears but start 25 kids panicking because they have to start dealing with something earlier than they need to? Some kids are just trying to get by remembering their homework for tomorrow and don't need an 8 month transition window. I would just recommend getting your child's school contacts to address the situation if it is affecting him/her earlier than other kids. It's a heck of a lot easier than trying to thwart a system that's been in place for years and has opened dozens of schools with success. ETA: I have to comment on how the world has definitely changed from when we were kids. Today's parents are so in touch with their kids and concerned -- that is fantastic. I remember when I was in 6th grade. My junior high was across the street and 2 blocks from my home. That summer, they changed boundaries and I had to ride the bus for 15 minutes one way to the new MS. My mom told me a week before school that I wasn't attending the MS my older siblings had and I would have to be taking the bus. I said , "OK." I was fine as long as my friends were going with me. No transitions in the 1970's!!!
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Post by gatormom on Sept 16, 2008 7:59:28 GMT -5
I agree with you weneed3. In all the transitions our children go through school-wise, the district has done an excellent job, IMO. 5th to MS, 8th to HS. We parents have to partner in those transitions.
Expecting the district to prepare our children for these transitions without partnering and determining what our own child needs is a bit over the top, IMO. After all, where was D204 when I was preparing my children for K? We managed with the help of some wonderful preschool teachers.
Again, our children will be fine. I do have to wonder if the "timeline" for preparing our children for a new school isn't tied into the usual preparation for the natural transition, 5th to MS, 8th to HS.
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Post by wvhsparent on Sept 16, 2008 9:24:21 GMT -5
Not to minimize or trivialize any concerns. I am sure the transition will be handled properly. I just think it's a bit too early in this school year to be that concerned about next school year. As far as timeline goes....IMHO it should probably start after Winter break......if nothing by then, I would worry too.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Sept 16, 2008 10:01:05 GMT -5
I do understand some parent's concerns and I hope no one thinks we are trivializing. Some of us have had experience in this area before and are offering their input on how it worked for them. They had a smooth transition. I personally have never heard of anyone having a hard transition when NV opened or other ES's and MS's opened in the 16 years I have lived here.
One thing that is new is that we are going from a district with no split middle schools to a district with several split middle schools. (Did we ever have split MS's when NV first opened?) It is natural for a parent to question when the school who is supposed to be supporting NV/WV only supports NV. Same with WV/MV. We just have to realize we are in the beginning year of this. In the past, the focus of the school year has always been to reflect on next year after winter break and not before.
We have to remember the boundaries go in effect next year. So, to me, the transition next year should start in the winter. But after that, I would expect each split MS to be a 50/50 reflection of the schools it feeds from day 1. This to me is a great way to signal to the students that all HS are the same and one is not better than the other. Some are going here and some are going there, but everyone will get the same great HS experience with the same great curriculum, teachers etc.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Sept 18, 2008 17:21:54 GMT -5
Sounds like MS and HS transition plans will be presented at the October IPPC meeting by KB, JS and the new WV principal.
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Arwen
Master Member
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Post by Arwen on Sept 18, 2008 19:29:30 GMT -5
Sounds like MS and HS transition plans will be presented at the October IPPC meeting That's a great place to bring out the plan and get some feedback since there are reps from ALL the schools. I'm glad to hear something formal is on the agenda. I'm sure that will be helpful to those facing a transition who don't feel like enough info is coming their way yet.
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