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mom of 3 
7:44pm, August 10, 2009
I'm glad we had a good response regarding our presentation (the panel member from the treatment center told me that our presentation was "masterful". I'm not sure about that but I'm glad it turned out like it did because we have to do the second one on Wednesday at the Catholic School. Father Tom was at the first "show" and now seems very excited for us to present to their school. In fact, he seemed to have jumped into high gear - announcing it at every mass, inviting all the clergy from the other churches, and sending home announcements to the public school kids who attend classes there. So - maybe and ,hopefully, we'll have more people there. Wish he would have done it sooner but better late than never. *Maybe he was waiting to see how we "performed".
As you know, I've had some obstacles with some people (such as the H.S. Principal) when trying to get some issues addressed, but the majority of the people around me just has been fantastic! The Principal of the Middle School is awesome! And such a fun and nice guy, to boot. He's so down to earth, no pretense - and just plain easy to talk to. It took me a long while to get used to quick responses and quick "yeses". It made this "journey" actually enjoyable. Anyway, as some know, I HATE being ignored. This time it's the superintendent. He is very political, calculated, and careful. It's interesting how he ignores certain questions I email him but answers others. My husband doesn't care for him very much. My husband helped to raise funds for the
high school field with him and saw him in action. I decided to ignore anything negative I hear about him because won't help. I am seeing it for myself but..... I will not let that stop me. All I am trying to do is to work to get more parents to attend these type of programs. A school district, by my parents, require parents to go to these meetings and they are very well received. So I send him the article to him about it and it took about 3 emails before he addressed all of my questions about his thoughts on it. Maybe it was the cc's I eventually added that made him respond?Anyway, I asked him to attend the next presentation we're doing so he can see it in its entirety. He had to leave the 1st one half way through. He didn't respond to that question but just said that what he saw he thought was well thought out and he actually learned some new things about drugs like - "Pharming". That's new to him? I
guess he doesn't read the same ol' same ol' letter that comes home from the high school principal about pharming.
Anyway, I will give his guy some breathing room before I pounce again. I'm thinking of telling him that I will be talking to a reporter soon about this program, because one is supposed to write about this presentation after he attends the next one.
Tomorrow my husband and I have our coed soccer tournament we play at with our team every year. It is sooo much fun! Lots of running and playing around....... looking forward to it!
Comments
So it's all going well! YEA, I knew it would.
My POV about mandatory parent attendance is that I would RESENT it! Further, would be busy on the lap top with work or something else such that I would not be "present". As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Carrot and stick are always more effective; parents that care will be there and it needs to be more than a one time presentation....If the schools were really interested, they should post the pp on line and/or include it as part of the new student orientation when parents and teens can see it together!
Good luck at the tournament! Take Care!!!
penpal
I suggested the carrot and stick thing. And I emailed the superintendent a long list of suggestions before getting to the mandatory route. I left that part out in my journal.
The school district I mentioned also offered the parents 3 opportunities.
mom of 3
Did I mention that the mandatory program put on at the school I read about went for 90 minutes, was very well received, and that parents stayed for an additional HOUR asking questions?
mom of 3
You have to keep envisioning that type of reaction from your school, and keep pushing. Good luck!
BAB09
This is a topic that is near and dear to all of us! However, I would be very disappointed to have a mandate for adults from the school system...for a lot of reasons! I think there are a lot of other avenues to pursue first. Take Care!
penpal
I hope the tournament turned out well. It is so cool that you play!
Also, I'm happy that Father Tom is supportive.
EthelM