Comments on: Superintendent Sends Out Letter Addressing Parent Concerns About Extending School Day

By: Denis Gainty

Denis Gainty — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:16:02 +0000

Just to chime in, I found it odd and inappropriate that the superintendent of a city school system would take time in a policy letter to complain about sarcasm and personal attacks. It’s not that it gives the letter a peevish tone (although it does) – it’s much more that indulging in that kind of personal, hurt-feelings language seems to be misdirected energy for a professional dedicated to the best possible education for our children. We as parents are certainly not perfect, but we’re also not paid to deal with all the difficulties of a school system – and for good or ill, snarky parents constitute one of those difficulties. I’m not saying that sarcasm is justified, nor am I endorsing it – but I am saying that we have a right to expect a superintendent who continues to focus on the important questions and not engage in/indulge that kind of interaction.

On the actual question of school times: family illness prevented me from making it to the meeting, but was there any mention of making the day later and not earlier? and thanks, all, for a productive conversation.

By: insulted mom

insulted mom — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:06:09 +0000

Never posted here — but do want to speak for the parents at two schools in CSD who pick up their children as walkers every day: 1. everyone I have polled was personally insulted by the tone of Dr. Edwards letter 2. we all agreed most professionals in her position would have the letter copy edited before distribution 3. as supporters of public education we all are now considering our options and finally — she ought to heed the warning signs emanating from Cobb. The parents in that district are so fed up they are complaining to SACS. Instead of complaining on these blogs, we ought to organize and start taking some action. Complaining to her, her overpaid staff, principals, and SLT reps obviously will get us nowhere. I learned from our SLT rep that the district must decide where to cut $750K from the budget. Instead of what the administration has suggested for chopping, Spanish, I suggest they freeze their own salaries (administration), cut one admin. support position (above 80K), and ask parents to fund field trips. She ought to be glad she has parents who care.

By: QueenB

QueenB — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:21:42 +0000

Thanks, Al! You’re my hero!

By: karass

karass — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:10:52 +0000

The other thing about sports teams is that they only affect a small proportion of students at any one time. That doesn’t mean that my family isn’t a big supporter of CSD sports, we are and we have the Booster Club card to prove it. But the budget has led to cutting some middle school and ninth grade teams and there’s no intramural sports so fewer kids are served by the sports program than used to be. Again, I don’t want to take anything away from the current sports program–it needs more funding and community support, not less–but it can’t drive the school schedules.

By: dsw

dsw — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:41:00 +0000

I also noted that the document specifically cites Morningside Elementary as 7 hours but its schedule is 30 minutes longer than most other Atlanta Public Schools Elementary schools because it is part of an “Extended Day” program. I checked Lin Elementary and it is 8-2:30. Cobb is definitely not 7 hours as this document shows:
http://www.cobbk12.org/generalinfo/calendars/2010-11/2010-2011_SchoolStartTimes.pdf