A series of five focus group sessions Monroe schools Superintendent Larry Brown is having with district parents begins Wednesday morning. It's an attempt by the first-year administrator to meet more parents and open dialogue between the district's consumers and leaders.
It's an extremely good idea, one that parents should embrace and Brown should nurture. It is an opportunity to build a bridge between the school and the community that can reap benefits in many ways, from policy creation to increased involvement in activities and programs.
Brown said this morning that the district has had a "good number" of parents signing up for the sessions so far. He said that he's especially encouraged by the fact that there's a good cross section of parents from all grades and schools. That's encouraging to hear, and shows the public is receptive to the district's reaching out for input.
In addition to tomorrow's 8:30 a.m. session, there also will be meetings:
• Noon Thursday, April 3
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8
• 5 p.m. Monday, April 14
• 8 a.m. Saturday, April 26.
All focus group sessions will be at the District Administrative Center on the third floor of the Monroe Public Library, and are being limited to 10 parents to make sure all voices are heard. Brown said the schedule will go on as planned, with some dates filling up fast and others not being as popular. Brown also said that the district will adjust its schedule accordingly next year, a welcome indication that it's a process he intends to continue.
One other idea Brown mentioned that could come out of the focus group process is the establishment of a Parent Advisory Council, which he envisions including something like two parents from each of the district's five schools. Creating such a council would provide the district with a constant and committed sounding board on school issues, and could also provide parents districtwide a liaison group.
In recent months, issues that would benefit from regular discussions between the district and parents have been in the news. How should the district handle calendar adjustments made necessary by snow days? How and when does the district decide to cancel school, and what's the most effective way to get the word out? Are the current school calendar's number of days off and shortened days an avoidable inconvenience to parents and families? Perhaps it would be helpful for the teachers union to have representatives participate in some of these sessions.
The bottom line for this process was said best, and succinctly by Brown a couple of weeks ago.
"It's not for me to talk," he told the Times. "It's for me to listen."
It's a positive approach for which Brown and the district should be commended.
It's an extremely good idea, one that parents should embrace and Brown should nurture. It is an opportunity to build a bridge between the school and the community that can reap benefits in many ways, from policy creation to increased involvement in activities and programs.
Brown said this morning that the district has had a "good number" of parents signing up for the sessions so far. He said that he's especially encouraged by the fact that there's a good cross section of parents from all grades and schools. That's encouraging to hear, and shows the public is receptive to the district's reaching out for input.
In addition to tomorrow's 8:30 a.m. session, there also will be meetings:
• Noon Thursday, April 3
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8
• 5 p.m. Monday, April 14
• 8 a.m. Saturday, April 26.
All focus group sessions will be at the District Administrative Center on the third floor of the Monroe Public Library, and are being limited to 10 parents to make sure all voices are heard. Brown said the schedule will go on as planned, with some dates filling up fast and others not being as popular. Brown also said that the district will adjust its schedule accordingly next year, a welcome indication that it's a process he intends to continue.
One other idea Brown mentioned that could come out of the focus group process is the establishment of a Parent Advisory Council, which he envisions including something like two parents from each of the district's five schools. Creating such a council would provide the district with a constant and committed sounding board on school issues, and could also provide parents districtwide a liaison group.
In recent months, issues that would benefit from regular discussions between the district and parents have been in the news. How should the district handle calendar adjustments made necessary by snow days? How and when does the district decide to cancel school, and what's the most effective way to get the word out? Are the current school calendar's number of days off and shortened days an avoidable inconvenience to parents and families? Perhaps it would be helpful for the teachers union to have representatives participate in some of these sessions.
The bottom line for this process was said best, and succinctly by Brown a couple of weeks ago.
"It's not for me to talk," he told the Times. "It's for me to listen."
It's a positive approach for which Brown and the district should be commended.
