Back to School: It’s so much worse than you think | Parents United for Public Education

Back to School: It’s so much worse than you think | Parents United for Public Education:

Back to School: It’s so much worse than you think

Posted on September 5, 2013 by HELENGYMLeave a comment

Retired teacher Barbara Dowdall and friend at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. They had attended the original march as teenagers.

“Philadelphia, Mississippi 1963: No black children allowed in libraries

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2013: No school libraries”

On Tuesday, dozens of parents came out to District headquarters to finally gain some answers to rumors, questions and fears surrounding the first day of school. Our parent partners at the Philadelphia Home and School Council had called an emergency meeting with Supt. William Hite to address parents’ back to school concerns. To many people’s surprise and outrage, the Superintendent stayed for less than a half hour, answered barely a fraction of the questions people had, and, offered no other staff people (other than one staff person from Specialized Services) equipped to handle parents’ questions and concerns. At first, it seemed like just another example of marginalizing parents. But in reality, it confirmed what we must know by now.

The District doesn’t have the answers.

Parent Maureen Frantatoni with her sign: Parent Engagement NOT Parent Enragement!

It’s not like Supt. Hite was rude. Far from it. He’s among the most individually personable superintendents this District has had.  There were some individual gains for some schools. The Superintendent took down notes from one parent at Bache Martin upset that her principal had made four requests for additional desks for the school – all of which had gone unanswered. He made a visit to the school the very next day as well. That’s great for Bache