When you walk your kids to school you invariably get the inside scoop on what other parents are gabbing, complaining and griping about. Sometimes it’s the absence policy, the volunteering positions that need filled, the mean teacher, or some perceived safety threat. In general these things are resolved, or are displaced with some new topic. Occasionally, parents react by opting out completely. They decide to home school or move to another district with a bigger reputation and higher tax bracket. Sometimes they convince themselves that their child needs placement in a uber private school, 40 minutes away, that has a higher rate of ivy league acceptance letters. Everyone has their own reasons for choosing one school over another. I suppose I could have home schooled my kids and fed them bean sprout sandwiches on spelt and flaxseed bread. (Ok, seriously, there’s no way I’m home schooling anyone, and spelt sounds dry.)
I could have stewed about the food privately, and openly trashed the district among friends, and we could have all been in agreement that something should be done. I could decide that the problems reflect a failing on the part of the administration and the school board. I could say and think all these things without ever asking questions or raising issues that I felt were weakening quality of the education. I think that would make me kind of a jerk. It’s unfair to deride a school district or abandon it without attempting to draw attention to what you see as a legitimate problem.
Oh sure, we’re all supposed to be afraid of being the squeaky wheel, that people will know that you gave a hoot about the peeling paint or the outdated playground equipment. (Oh the horrors- they could call me an “activist!”) The alternative, however, to speaking up is to do nothing, improve nothing, and then what?
You realize, of course, that this is a two way street. The administration, staff and school board have a responsibility to address the concerns raised by parents. It’s like sorta their job. Anyone in a position that feels no duty to consider issues raised by parents is in the wrong line of work. Government functions best with a influx of ideas and concerns, and a genuine interest to put the ideas into action. We have an appropriate mix of both in our school district- look at the improved menu, the serious consideration being given to the apple orchard, and the great response to the food survey.
Although tomorrow may be my last post on this blog about the school food, it will not be the last time I make a suggestion or raise a concern. It is my responsibility, otherwise I’m guilty of abandoning my community and my school district. And seriously, there’s no way I’m home schooling anyone.
