Monday, December 17, 2012

Communication - The Parent Voice

So I originally started this blog hoping to start a conversation with other parents within BSD who were seeking more information.  Information about how my student's school was doing in real terms that I could measure, where the district was directing future efforts and how I could possibly add my efforts to help affect change....

I joined the PTA on the state level, because I wanted to know more than what I was learning with just my own school building.  I wanted a broader perspective than my school district.  I wanted to know more about the decision makers at the state level who were making policy and/or budget changes.  I was seeing a national focus and discussion that I wanted to see reaching me and my student's classroom -- so again I could measure results and change in a positive way.

I co-chaired a Working Group leading up to the Operating Referendum last fall and then in the spring, co-chaired again a Community Outreach as part of the Operating Referendum vote.  Trying to get the word out through the various civic associations and family/student sporting groups throughout the Brandywine Hundred as to why these funds were important to our community and the future of our students' education.

I pursued a job with the school district with the Race-to-the-Top Grant because I thought these funds and this potential for a parent to work on the inside could impact change.  I wanted to be part of that positive change.  I also wanted to see where the money was going, be able to report back to other parents and families where the money was being utilized in positive ways and demonstrate measurable results.  Like I knew I was responsible for in other jobs ... and helping to define who the customers were -- us the parents -- the taxpayers in the district. I wanted to help to deliver a positive product for 21st Century problem solvers that our children will have to all become in their own way.

So I've learned a lot about the process, the system, some of the "players" behind the scenes -- been amazed by the dedication of those who want every student to succeed, been frustrated by the process of which nothing seems to get done, been stymied by the attitude of some taking advantage of the system who have lost their passion for the hard work that needs to get done, others who only talk about change but really have little impact on walking that change in the ways I've seen business leaders, project managers and team players do it countless times a day in the many, international corporations within our immediate area.

And I continue to feel as if we aren't reaching the parents and families who can impact change in our district.  So I'm back to blogging my thoughts and desires to find other parents within BSD who are seeking more information and a way to impact positive change.  To be a true parent voice at the table that brings some effective, corporate perspective to making a change -- based on a positive attitude, a strong desire to make a difference in not only their own children, but the larger goal of having a school district that impacts all students.  It might have started with my own children, my own school building .... but now I want it to impact so many more.  And I want to do it with other parents who can help create synergy for change that moves our school buildings in leaps and bounds.

We as families may came in many different styles, background, nationalities, personal experiences, etc....but we do all have a common value, wanting our students to reach their own personal best.

Are there others in BSD who want to raise their Parent Voice with me to be a part of a positive change?  What are the results that we can make a reality? How do we find each other and become a stronger Wave of change?