CARL BOGARDUS spoke of The Real Story 2 to DAN TRIPLETT on 10-14-96
CB>I have worked in other low income neighborhoods where kids succeed at
CB>a much  higher rate than ours do, I think that there was a vast
CB>difference in  attitude at home towards education. So many of our
CB>parents see no value to  education that our students often reflect
CB>that.   
Perhaps the lower the income the less the focus on education and the 
more the focus on other things?  I do see a difference in many children, 
regardless of family income, where there family is involved at the home 
reading to their children and taking an active part in education.  This 
difference usually translates into a more positive school performance.  
Our school has responded to the need for more parent involvement and 
have a full-time home/school liaison.  This staff person works with 
families on many issues.  We also have a full-time counselor on site at 
all times.  We have many after school programs as well including one 
that focus mainly on reading.  The program is in cooperation with the 
Mason County Family Literacy Project.
CB>We have summer school, a focus on reading, but there still needs to
CB>be a  unified front from teachers in attitude towards reading and our
CB>students. We  are working on getting our parents involved - slowly
CB>that is changing. When  we have enough students that "make it"
CB>through school and are gainfully  employed, I think the attitude will
CB>change.  
It takes a lot of work to get parents involved in their local school.  
Usually it is a few hard working parents that do most of the work on 
fund raising events etc.  As for getting parents into the schools to 
volunteer in the classrooms, this takes an effort as well.  We have been 
"advertising" our need for parent help and have encouraged their 
participation in our (our being the kids, teachers, and 
parents....grandparents too) school.  When we have parents come to our 
school we treat them like friends (smiling at them, learning their names 
quickly, thanking them for coming, asking them to return).  I have 
parent help in my classroom nearly every day now.  Usually a parent 
volunteers for 1/2 the day Monday-Friday.  I have a couple of opening 
still but hope to "fill the positions" soon.  I know that I can't do the 
job alone.
Dan
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