> Actually its more like "if we can get this charter passed, we can have our own private school and not have to pay for it....screw the rest of 'em".
Do you seriously want to publicly say something like that about people who've invested a huge amount of their time and energy and probably money in making a school that will serve hundreds of kids in a way that they believe is best? Please reconsider, so that you at least sound like you value these families and their interests and needs. :-)
I have not personally gone to Somerville schools, but I've known (and been a nanny for) kids who have. And I saw the effect of the schools on these kids. And it was sad. I even know of one family who was in the Unidos program and did have problems with a teacher. I'm sure the teacher was passionate about their work, but even the most fantastic teacher can't do much when repressed by politics. As a teacher I'm offended by what most teachers and students have to put up with in mainstream schools! (And yes, it is the case that the primary political goal of schools is to produce effective workers. You might not like it, and I hope you don't, but it's the truth.)
My goal is to help all students get the best education possible, based on what they want to learn about and what will help them be the kinds of people they want to become in life. The mainstream schools as they are now are in opposition to that.
And, yes, working together would be great. But as I've pointed out several times already, the superintendent doesn't want to. Thus, the DIY spirit that is so amazing in the Camberville area has been evoked!
Again, if you're happy with the schools the way they are, or even want to just tweak them a little, within the bounds of what the politicians allow you to, go for it. But don't force other families to do the same when they honestly believe that they can do better.
Seriously?
Do you seriously want to publicly say something like that about people who've invested a huge amount of their time and energy and probably money in making a school that will serve hundreds of kids in a way that they believe is best? Please reconsider, so that you at least sound like you value these families and their interests and needs. :-)
I have not personally gone to Somerville schools, but I've known (and been a nanny for) kids who have. And I saw the effect of the schools on these kids. And it was sad. I even know of one family who was in the Unidos program and did have problems with a teacher. I'm sure the teacher was passionate about their work, but even the most fantastic teacher can't do much when repressed by politics. As a teacher I'm offended by what most teachers and students have to put up with in mainstream schools! (And yes, it is the case that the primary political goal of schools is to produce effective workers. You might not like it, and I hope you don't, but it's the truth.)
My goal is to help all students get the best education possible, based on what they want to learn about and what will help them be the kinds of people they want to become in life. The mainstream schools as they are now are in opposition to that.
And, yes, working together would be great. But as I've pointed out several times already, the superintendent doesn't want to. Thus, the DIY spirit that is so amazing in the Camberville area has been evoked!
Again, if you're happy with the schools the way they are, or even want to just tweak them a little, within the bounds of what the politicians allow you to, go for it. But don't force other families to do the same when they honestly believe that they can do better.