Just got the following somewhat cryptic press release from the CHCCSS. As usualy I had to download an open a Word doucment and get more than halfway through it before I could even figure out what the topic is ("Enrollment
Levels at Glenwood Elementary School").To learn more about this issue, see the recent Indy story: Redistricting Rankling Carrboro Parents.
I can theoretically understand the value of this type of meeting, but it's hard not to feel like the schools would prefer that most of us are seen and not heard.
Focused
Dialogue
6:00 p.m. - Monday, December 2 - East Chapel Hill High
Chapel Hill,
NC - The goals, vision, and strategies of the Chapel
Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) long range plan are rooted in a set of guiding
principles. These guiding principles were crafted after significant input from
staff, parents, community, and students. One of those principles reads "We believe
in a culture that promotes collaboration, civility, mutual trust, and community
partnerships."
In support of that belief, the administration of the CHCCS will be initiating
focused dialogues in an effort to engage parents in meaningful conversations on
important issues that impact our schools. Furthermore, it is our intent to
provide parent representatives with accurate information about current
initiatives. The PTA Council offered a number of suggestions regarding the
make-up of these dialogue groups.
In order to maintain a workable group, it has been suggested that for an
elementary school issue, for example, no more than four individuals from each
school will be selected. At least one representative should come from the School
Improvement Team and one from the PTA. Depending on the issue, a faculty
representative may also be included. Other parent representatives would be
selected from the general school community. All parents and community members
are welcome to attend as there will be an opportunity for those who are not at
the discussion tables to share input electronically.
"The
focused dialogue model has been used in other school districts with tremendous
success," said Superintendent Tom Forcella. "Parents and community members have
an opportunity to discuss issues in greater depth and collaborate on
recommendations."
A pilot focused parent dialogue will be conducted on the topic, "Enrollment
Levels at Glenwood Elementary School." All elementary schools are asked to
participate as potential solutions could ultimately impact some or all
elementary schools. The event is set for 6:00 p.m. on December 2, 2013, in the
East Chapel Hill High Commons.
This particular topic generated significant input from parents at the November
7, 2013 Board of Education meeting and is not slated to come back to the Board
until January. The December 2 focused dialogue will provide sufficient time for
the administration to combine the input from this session with other available
information in order to make a recommendation to the Board of Education.
It is important to know that the parent dialogue is not meant to keep people
out, but rather to invite a more representative parent voice in the
decision-making process. As always, parents may utilize all the existing
communication avenues such as email and public comment to voice their opinion.
The parent dialogues simply add another layer to the conversation.
Thank you for your consideration as we attempt to improve communications with
parents and community.
