Friday Q & A
November 1, 2019
I have a question about the CCRPI score comment from last week. You stated that it showed KSE has "high achieving children but we are not moving them to the next level." I was one of the approximately 30 (yes... 30) parents that attended the State of the School meeting back in Sept. When you went into further detail on those scores you told us there was a consultant sent in to evaluate why the test scores have been going down the past 3 years and it was determined there was a writing issue and you gave us a plan that the teachers/admin are doing to get those scores higher. Unless I completely missed something, those scores were not so much focused on "high achieving" students but the entire student population. Can you please shed some light on both comments so I (and others whom might benefit) can understand better? Woo hoo!!! A real question, I’m so excited! I’d love to clarify this for you! When we dig into our school data from the Georgia Milestone assessment, we find that over all we have high achieving students when it comes to the multiple choice items. Our students have learned a lot from these great teachers. In comparison to other Cobb schools, we are very strong in student achievement. Where we are falling short, and what we continue to focus on is writing. The Milestone has constructed and extended response items where students must write to explain their thinking, compare texts, or develop a brief narrative or informative essay. Based on our data we are focusing on 3 areas with our students with regard to writing. Have students clearly developed and expressed their ideas, have they organized their writing in a logical manner and have they paid attention to grammar and conventions. My personal, old educator, opinion is that writing takes time and effort. It’s not an instant answer and it requires thought and revision. Our children have only known a fast paced digital world which gives them instant feedback.
Could we possibly get a new American flag at the 3-5 campus? The existing one is faded and sad looking. As the wife and daughter of veterans (and as an American), I feel ashamed of the condition of our flag at school. Additionally, if it is going to be left up day and night, according to flag code, it needs to be illuminated after dark. Thank you for your family’s service to our country. The flag has been replaced. Our student safety patrol will be trained and take over the responsibilities for displaying our flag.
Are parents allowed to observe their child in class or the cafeteria? My child has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and I would love to see how she behaves and interacts with others. You are always welcome to come have lunch with your child, if you want to lurk a bit before you go in, that’s fine. If you would like to observe your child in the classroom, we ask that you make an appointment with the teacher. We try to limit the observation to 30 minutes. If you want to lurk outside the door, please make an appointment with the teacher and we will help you out!
Are students allowed to miss school for a week due to family vacation? Family time is incredibly valuable. Yes, students can miss school. However, remember that these will be unexcused absences and teachers are not required to provide work for the students to take with them.
Could we get an update on the construction blog? I see all the metal beams going up and itching for a closer look at the progress! The 3AM concrete pour this morning was so cool! The best pictures are taken from a contracted company. I will do a little “Sneaky Szwec” action and see if I can get some new pictures.
I think this is a great fund raising initiative, but just curious, what percentage or amount of the $14 admission price for Frozen 2 & Star Wars will KSE receive? PTA will receive $3 from each admission.
I apologize in advance if this question is somewhat silly, but what are your thoughts about Columbus Day and how some states are considering not observing it anymore? I know some places have observed Indigenous People's Day instead. In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue…that’s all I know. We will follow whatever the district asks us to do with regard to special days and observances.
Editorial Comments Submitted:
Carpool comments. I know, everyone is tired of carpool. A couple weeks ago there was a plea for those of us obeying the flow of traffic to be “courteous” and allow those who find it inconvenient to enter on South Cobb. I’m ok with that. There’s a lot of traffic and it can be hard to make all those lefts efficiently. I, however, am going to have to draw a line when it comes to enrichment club pickup. It does not matter how many times you honk at me, wave your hands wildly, or mouth nasty comments at me through your windshield. I am not going to let you in. Before you start on how rude I am, consider this: I have been sitting in line since 343. You pulled up at 350. I have not blocked ASP parents from getting their kids. You have. I have not blocked through traffic for anyone who uses Brown road. You have. I have watched other parents roll past me and U-turn to enter the carpool line, but not you. Please, for the sake of efficiency and as a courtesy to everyone else, get it together, stop being entitled, and wait in line like everyone else.
In reading last week's Q&A I would like to clarify the homework issue that lots of us parents have, at least in the 3-5 campus. It's not that we feel our children need the worksheets and busy work to do at home, it is that a lot of us just were not getting communication period on what to study for tests which in the past homework seemed to satisfy that question. Some children need their own "quiet time" to learn and that's what homework was, at least in my household. I believe many parents are not so much concerned about the homework/worksheets going home, it's more so the lack of study guides and direction that we are having challenges with and all we are asking for is to please help us help our children succeed too.
I am confused why parents don’t know what their kids are doing in school simply because they don’t have homework anymore. I learn about what my child is learning by asking them, reading the class blogs and newsletters and staying in contact with the teacher. Why? Because as a parent I take responsibility for my child’s academic success while thanking the school leadership team and teachers every day all they do to support my child. This attitude from parents is why we live in a world where people would rather point a finger than take responsibility. In addition, when I heard the school was going to no homework I not only read all the information the school sent home, the many emails and all the links but then did additional research and am now, as an educated parent, thrilled my children are in this environment. What’s the point of all of this I am writing? Well, maybe parents need to stop worrying that their kids don’t have homework and start taking that time doing their own! Let’s set better examples for our children, be involved, be responsible, and be thankful for King Springs! And, All the smiling faces :)
Unsolicited comment: I am so appreciative of the no homework policy. As a parent who cares deeply about my child’s success, I pay attention to the state of education and there is a growing body of evidence to support this move at every elementary school. Change is hard but good change is worth it. Thank you for continuing to learn even as you are educating our kiddos.
My family and I love the no homework policy. We check our students’ folders each day and see what they are working on. We talk to them about their work and read with them often. Our children enjoy using their imaginations combined with what they've learned at school to create classrooms on the stairway, build buildings with their legos, write their own songs, and set up pet care facilities just to name a few. We see them applying the skills they’ve learned at school with things that interest them. We very much appreciate the freedom that it gives us to participate in extra-curricular activities without the worry of having to sit and do homework. Thank you!
Thank you to Dr. Szwec for scooping gelato for 3 & 1/2 HOURS! You're an amazing leader and never fail to show our kids just how much you care. We're SO lucky to have you.
Mission Accomplished..