The Bridgeport Board of Education has passed a new parent engagement policy for the Bridgeport Public Schools! This new policy resulted from over six months and hundreds of hours of commitment from the parents of Bridgeport Public School students. The parents saw a problem, rolled up their sleeves to solve it and ultimately achieved a successful outcome. This policy will have a dramatic impact on all of the parents, children and schools in the district. Click here to learn more about the Parent Problem Solving Team and how they achieved this huge victory.
The new policy mandates the need for:
— a more welcoming school environment
— clear expectations for students at school and at home
— a greater range of communication between the schools and the parents
— effective access to schools, teachers and administrators for parents
— resources to enhance parents’ skills and knowledge
— opportunities for parents to engage in service opportunities
We are thrilled that a policy conceived and written by Bridgeport parents will now govern the Bridgeport Schools. The parents are, too.
Excel is committed to the idea that our community should be a driving force in the improvement of our schools. We plan to launch successive problem solving groups, including one this fall.
What a joke. Exactly how are the schools supposed to implement this policy when they are scheduled to eliminate one of the most important tools they have to encourage parental involvement–the home/school coordinators– after this school year? More smoke and mirrors.
This is how you keep the parents off the BOE.
Speaking of the BOE and the upcoming charter vote, I find it interesting Paul (flush) Timpanelli and the BRBC will be holding a fundraiser for the party-endorsed BOE candidates whoever they are.
I find it interesting a bunch of out-of-town businessmen want to have a say in the BOE elections. Part of Bridgeport’s problems stem from outsiders screwing with the city. Bunch of carpetbaggers and thieves.
It appears the existing statement regarding parents before this change was significantly out of touch with Bridgeport’s current situation. So perhaps a revision, especially one where interested parents were involved in discussion and development of same, is one step forward? One can wonder (as well as hope) whether it will encourage more parents to become more seriously involved in the education of their children and using their vote at each election to support accountability from multiple BOE representatives.
What I do find interesting is the assistance from the BRBC to the BOE candidates for election. Is the BRBC spending money on candidates who become obsolete if the Charter passes in November? Is the BRBC in favor of an elective process or an appointive process? Does the BRBC have so much money available they can cover all the bases on this question? What is the BRBC position?
And since you comment the group is made up of businessmen, we can be sure they are familiar with “performance evaluation” procedures. We are familiar with the fact these procedures are not a normal part of employment practices by the City of Bridgeport from several cases recently. Imagine an employee asking for an evaluation and never getting an answer from the supposed “manager” or “director.” Imagine that situation extending for years, before the “manager” finds a way to end the service of the employee, without having to show cause or make a public comment? It is not fair, shows no integrity or courage but that’s what happens too often in Bridgeport.
So the former OPED ‘leader’ finds a position with a recently dormant body called BEDCO that is funded by the City and BRBC? Is there a performance evaluation included in management of the compensation package? What are the metrics involved? Perhaps the City (and its taxpayers) can observe whether business groups like the BRBC really function like a private business or more like our City. Time will tell.
*** Seeing and actually enforcing this policy will be believing to all who are keeping their fingers crossed, no? ***
*** The task seemed a bit delusional but you won’t know ’til you’ve tried, no? The parents and teachers get an A+ for effort on this policy-changing fantastic voyage. ***
OFF TOPIC, BUT …
I just read a quote from Shays regarding his primary loss. “I’ll worry about making a salary after the election. I am totally committed to the Romney and Ryan team.” Shays receives a pension from congress of $164,000.00 per year, plus free medical insurance (“Congress Care” they call it!), plus he has income from sitting on a few corporate boards, social security and his wife works, with her last job paying $170,000.00 per year to quote Chris. Now my Bridgeport friends, doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, the poor man, pass the hat for him, let’s send him to IRAQ, he needs a vacation.
*** Poor Guy Needs a Real Vacation, Maybe Ireland, no? ***