A message from KING SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Friday Q & A
April 26, 2019
Who writes the answers to these questions? Thank you. Cindy Szwec, Sassy Szwec, Snarky Szwec and Soap Box Szwec collaborate to provide answers.
Does KSE have a program in place to assist underfed kids in the summer? I know some Cobb County schools have backpacks and local places for kids to meet to get a meal. I am interested in helping out if we do. I also want to put this out there in case
a family needs assistance and doesn't know where to go. King Springs does not have a summer food program. MUST Ministries has wonderful programs that support students all year long. Local churches support the backpack ministries that provide food
on weekends for students. Here are 2 links for summer food programs:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1711
https://www.mustministries.org/summer-lunch
Can the questions for the Friday Q&A not be anonymous? Can people be forced to include their names and stand behind the things they say? Otherwise, many sound like they came from Regina George (yes, that's a Mean Girls reference). The anonymity ofthe internet is a power too great for some. I agree that the anonymity with technology makes people brave. In this situation, I’d rather have people submit questions that I can address directly, rather than have questions floating through
neighborhoods with answers that may not be completely accurate.
I’m sorry to ask this-I know it’s probably out there, but will there be clubs offered next year? Yes, we will have a limited number of clubs offered next year. Please stay tuned for more information.
I have heard that next year KSE will no longer be providing the EIP program. Having a child currently in this program, I am concerned for these children in the coming year. I know there are 5 different delivery models that schools may utilize based
on the Georgia Department of Education’s website. Will any of these models be implemented? If so which ones? If we are getting rid of the pullout method, why? Our classroom sizes have been very large which does not give our teachers the time to for one
on one attention as the pullout program has provided. Furthermore, with the 2 different campuses and having to shuttle kids back and forth, our school hours are shortened as it is at K-1. How is KSE going to be proactive in making sure these kids do not
fall further behind? With all the changes that are happening in the coming year, I am extremely concerned. We will be using the reduced class size model for serving EIP (Early Intervention Program) students next year. Differentiation during small
group instruction will meet the needs of all students in the classrooms. We will be using all of our teacher allotments to try to reduce the student teacher ratio in classrooms. There will be no teachers used as “pull out” teachers next year. You should
have received an email from me this week regarding the change in school hours. This change will put back the 20 minutes we were losing.
Hello, I need to know what is being done about the pest control problem in the school? Today, when I volunteered at the 2-5 campus, I saw 2 large cockroaches scurrying in the hallway and 1 in the classroom. When I spoke to my daughter about them, she
said that she sees them all the time. Roaches are filthy and they can spread diseases. When they are visible during the day, that usually indicates an infestation has occurred. How is this being addressed? Monthly pest control is done
at all Cobb County schools. If we have a specific concern, we can call for an additional service. I anticipate that we will have an increase in pests with the construction. No one wants to see bugs! I will call the pest control company and ask for additional
service now that we have started construction.
How can I receive the Q & A emails? The Q & A emails are sent to the email address of the enrolling adult. The good news is that all Q & As are posted to the administrator’s blog on the KSE website. Click on Administration at
the top of the website. You may also want to keep an eye on our new construction blog which is located front and center on our website.
I received 2 editorial comments from last week’s Q & A:
From a Staff Member: This is more of a reflection and suggestion. I am often times hesitant to read the Q&A emails because many of them throughout this year have been disheartening because of either tone and/or content. Several
in particular have been about administrative direction, wanting to check papers of students, classroom makeup and just out right blame. As a teacher, I look forward to teaching my class that is extremely diverse, not only in ability, but also diverse in race,
religion, etc. I teach and respect the students in my class and ALL of the students here at King Springs. I LOVE what I see in this building. I see students who look like me and many that don't. I also see teachers and administration doing everything they
can to meet the needs of students, because that's why we became educators in the first place. Also, as a parent of a child who attends this school, I chose King Springs for a reason outside of me teaching here. I chose this school because of its diversity.
My child could have gone to our home school (please remember teachers have a choice in where their children may go), which is an excellent school; however, my husband and I promote and look for opportunities for our children to be around others who are different
from us because that is reflected of his world. So, when you think about your child attending this school, please think about the bigger picture. Think about how your child will learn how to interact and respect people. Think about the manners that we teach
here. Think about why we have P.R.I.D.E. We are all humans who need to grow and we should know that as adults. But, growth can't happen when we can't adjust to change, build together, or tear each other down. Let's learn to grow together as a community
that desires to leave this world better than we found it. Thank you and enjoy your stay at King Springs Elementary. :o)
From a Parent: In response to last week's WOW Q&A. First I want to say I think the administration is doing a wonderful job for the school and our students. Dr. Szwec I love how you handled each question, your responses were perfect.
I am sadden by how many entitled parents there are at this school. Do they have any idea what it takes to run a school with 1000+ plus kids? I sure don’t and I am not going to tell them how either. To the ignorant parent about not wanting to have your child
in a “special education” class. As a parent of a child in this so-called special education class and a child in Talent Development you need to check yourself. As a parent myself who suffers from a learning disability your question was so hurtful on so many
levels. Let me educate you, we don’t call them special education classes anymore they are called inclusion classrooms the least you could do is educate yourself on current terminology before using words that no longer exist. Our inclusion classrooms are wonderful,
my child has grown leaps and bounds by being in this class with nurturing teachers and friendly children who love him for just being him. Those children in there have no idea what is going on with each child, they know no difference and it’s a shame you don’t.
You clearly have never been in one to see what a day is like in there and I highly recommend you make an appointment before making any assumptions. To the parent complaining about their child getting wet in the car pool lane. Ha! The only person I know that
melted when getting wet was the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz, last I looked children don’t melt in the rain and secondly did you notice or even pay attention that Dr. Szwec was actually standing under the awning part so if you had pulled up like she
asked your child would not have got wet. Get it together parents let’s ask some more intelligent questions please.
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