Well, not any school, but the parents of children at Central and Efland-Cheeks elementary schools are suddenly more empowered to decide where their children go to school.
On Friday, Orange County Schools sent letters to CES and Efland-Cheeks parents notifying them of the choices now available to them under its NCLB Title 1 School Improvement plan. Because the two schools are expected (final test results are not available until August) to not meet their AYP goals, federal law says parents must be given the option of transferring their children out of these "failing schools."
OCS has posted the letters on their website, albeit not in a particularly visible place. Plus, the available transfer options are buried deep within the letters parents received. After wading through two full pages pleading with parents not to choose another school for their children, parents will find a single sentence telling them which adequately performing schools the Board of Education has decided to make available to them.
Parents of children at Central Elementary School have the choice of staying at CES, or immediately transferring to Cameron Park, New Hope or Hillsborough elementary schools. Given that New Hope Elementary is having problems of its own, I find this to be a curious option. New Hope Elementary School also failed to meet its AYP goals this year and, presumably, is at risk of falling into School Improvement status next year.
Parents whose children attend Efland-Cheeks Elementary School can choose to stay at Efland-Cheeks, or immediately transfer to Grady Brown, Pathways or Hillsborough elementary schools.
Parents at both schools only have two weeks (until August 13) to notify OCS that they intend to exercise their right to send their children to an adequately performing school. If they fail to return the transfer form enclosed with their notification letter, parents will be choosing to stay at their zoned school by default.
This is an opportunity that should not be taken lightly. While the Orange County Board of Education rapidly moves to eliminate any vestige of school choice in our district, this is the best option for parents to seize control and to meet the needs of our most at-risk elementary school students.
If my son was a student at either of these schools, I would, without question, take advantage of this opportunity. I encourage every parent to seriously consider the educational options best suited to their children, and choose the best school for their individual talents, needs and interests - even if that means changing schools on such short notice.
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23 comments:
The only issue that I have with the Central Parents having the option of HES is that HES has just started its third week of school. So it appears that you have kids that are leaving one school that is not AYP for a school that is meeting AYP and is already ahead for the current school year. How is this going to work? These kids that do move to HES will have a traumatic experience of being behind their friends in school.
Please let me know how this is going to work. I hope it does, but I just don't see how.
I find it intereting that HES would be offered as an option to the Efland Cheeks populatiion. It seems an odd choice if the ultimate goal of the OCSB is to eliminate HES. Wouldn't more students compund the problem of reassigning those at HES? Am I the only one who feels like everything seems to be so contradictory about this whole mess? Would be nice to have some LEADERSHIP from those who have been chosen to lead the education of our children!
What is even more interesting is that HES was chosen as a sight for both schools to transfer to... depending on the amount of transfers, there could be a serious overcrowding issue especially in grades 3-5 where there are just three classrooms per grade, most of which are accomodating approximately 22 children each.
I also wonder how these children will "catch up" since we will have been in school for over a month when they come in.
Allan, I doubt you could utilize the transfer option if you aren't currently enrolled in either of those schools, even if it is your districted school. I am sure it would be impossible to do that. The school board would make sure of that.
To the last poster... There is no LEADERSHIP from those that were elected to LEAD... if there were we would not be going through this right now... and no, your aren't the only one who feels the way that you do.... I feel the same as you! What a mess!!!! Not only that, but Ms. Baldwin has decided that HES is not the place for her anymore... It's going to get to be a bigger mess now, I think.
Yes, unfortunately, in case you have not heard, Ms. Baldwin is going to Creedmoor to be principal there. What next, will the teachers at HES start leaving?
Does anyone else find it odd that Ms. Baldwin was obviously seeking a principal position and was not given the job at HES? She is obviously qualified to be a principal if they have hired her in Creedmoor. I would have left HES too! And who was in charge of selecting a new principal at HES? Pretty sure that was at least in part the school board's decision.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against Ms. Horner. I haven't met her, but I hear she is excellent. I just find it a shame that someone like Lela Baldwin who was an asset to HES has now jumped ship. Maybe for whatever reason she didn't want the job at HES. I have no idea, but that just seems unlikely to me.
Maybe there is more to this story? Wish I knew.
No, I don't find it odd that she was passed over as principal at HES. Ron Roche was done the exact same way... he was transfered to EC, instead. It could be that she also sees the mess that the school board has created and decided it's time to get out.
I am sure she knows more about what's going on than we do!
It's about time we hold the parents and teachers of Efland Cheeks and Central Elementary accountable. It's very aggravating to listen to the political correctness that is going on in Orange County. These schools literally did not "make the grade". Why did they not make the grade?
Until both the parents and teachers at these schools open a dialogue between them, their kids will be the ones to suffer.
1. Ms. Baldwin did not apply for the principal's job at HES because she did not want it. Why would anyone want the job at this point? Mrs. Horner was "asked" to apply for the position.
2. Be assured, there is MUCH dialogue between parents and teachers at both Efland Cheeks and Central. Those parents and teachers care about their children every bit as much as the parents and teachers at HES care about their children. What planet are some of you FROM???????
It is too easy to blame parents and teachers. They are victims too. They are not part of the professional bureaucracy that runs our school system.
This sad situation in Orange County Schools rests squarely at the feet of Superintendent Shirley Carraway, her racially charged agenda, and the two Board Members who have supported her agenda (Dennis Whitling and Liz Brown).
Shirley Carraway (and her friends) saw the writing on the wall. That is why they are all retiring or have left. Now we have their mess on our hands and it will be up to us (parents and teachers) to clean up the mess.
Not re-electing Dennis Whitling and Liz Brown would be a step in the proper direction. Their presence on the School Board has had disastrous consequences for Orange County Schools. Let's not make the same mistake twice.
I agree that Shirley, Dennis and Liz get to take credit for much of this mess. Dennis and Liz voted to approve the redistricting knowing full well - BEFORE THE RESULTS - that it would be a crippling blow for Central. Their FRL increased and this was more than the scores could handle. (There is a correlation - get over it)
Furthermore, Liz has the audacity to slam HES repeatedly when she stood in the rain with her campaign sign. She is so inept and clueless that I can not listen to her.
If Shirley Carraway was all that some board members believe, she would have stepped up to the plate and quelled all of the racial tension with a few supportive statements. It didn't happen b/c she is one-third of the problem.
HES is not a racist environment at all. All of the parents feel jerked around by the board for attending a year round school offered by the district and then being blasted for the demographics. News flash - it wasn't in our job description. It wasn't in anyones - duh - maybe that is the problem. We definitely are open to minority and/or FRL students. However, it is a little uncertain as to how smoothly it will go bringing in a lot of transfer students this late in the game.
Re: the future --
I don't believe that even Liz is stupid enough to run again so that is a relief.
Our best hope is three new level-headed people who are willing to see the district as a whole, consider the huge growth on the radar screen and support having at least one school of choice.
To me, it would make more sense to turn Central into a magnet for the arts. The argument of money does not hold water b/c it will cost money to merge the schools and there would be savings in eliminating bus services. I am sure that somewhere the money could be found for something worthwhile. Hm...maybe Central Office could skinny their personnel roster down a bit and be more in line with other districts. If we have enough money to pay a HS principal to finish his contract at Central when no one has a clue as to why he was removed, then we must have lots of money somewhere.
Anyway, am I the only one who is livid over the wasted money and effort from the facilitated meetings? What in the hell happened to all of those ideas on the flip charts? Why bother having a brainstorming meeting when the majority of the board has no brain.
That's all I have to say about that.
Dr. Carraway doesn't really care about HES. She doesn't care about Efland Cheeks nor CES. This is not about education. This is about power. She has made a bad situation worse by blaming HES and its parents for CES "not making the grade". By showing her race card, she has made the whole process a mockery.
The facts are simple. CES and Efland Cheeks is not AYP. There is plenty of blame to be handed out. Blame Carraway for a lack of leadership. Blame the School Board for causing a panic. Blame the faculty and the parents for not adequately preparing the Efland Cheeks and CES students. Let's not blame these students, for they are the ones that had to play the hand that was dealt.
As a result, all families with students K-5 that attend Orange County Schools now share this burden. HES, which has done NOTHING wrong, will be the school that will suffer the most.
How did Liz Brown get elected in the first place?
I am finally glad someone admitted that HES people are not racist. HES parents do not get any pleasure to the fact that CES and Efland Cheeks are not AYP. The secret to HES's success should be copied by these 2 schools. Strong teacher commitment plus great teachers plus ACCOUNTABILITY equals success. Throwing out excuses on why tyour school did not make AYP is not the answer.
"The secret to HES's success should be copied by these 2 schools. Strong teacher commitment plus great teachers plus ACCOUNTABILITY equals success." ????? Are you stating that the teachers at Central and Efland are not committed to their students? Do you realize how ignorant that sounds? There is no "secret" to the success of HES. The success is due to a combination of factors - with teaching being one. Teachers at ALL Orange County Schools are committed to their students. At each school, some teachers are better at their craft than others. Please stop implying (stating?) that teachers at Central and Efland are not doing the job they should with their students. Look at where many of their students start out when they enter kindergarten and look at what they learn each year. Many students at Central and Efland make large gains in growth each year - but they are still "below level" according to the test results. Measure their growth from where they start - you might be enlightened.
Are we going to continue to complain or do something about this tyranny?
Does anyone have any fight left in them? Write letters to the newspapers; email the board members and superintendant; call the television media; speak at every board meeting; run for the next school board election; inform the community; hand out fliers at Wal-Mart; something, anything!
There is a School Board Meeting tonight at 7pm. Let them know how you feel.
If it's not the teachers and it's not the students, then what is it?
The school board and NCLB does not care what gains they are making, if they don't make the grade.
Go to the Board Members and Superintendant and tell them about the gains the students make.
I'd love to hear their response.
LET'S STOP MAKING EXCUSES!
FACT 1: Efland Cheeks did not make AYP.
FACT 2: Central Elementary did not make AYP.
LET'S COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO REMEDY THIS MATTER.
Something currently is not working with CES and EC for them not to make AYP. It has been stated that it is not the teachers at these schools. Is it because of a high level of socio-economically disadvantaged students? If that is not the reason, then please let us all know what the problem actually is.
To the teachers of CES and EC--we know that you care deeply for your students. We know that you go above and beyond the call of duty. What we don't know is what can be done to make your school more successful. Please let us know. Don't be scared to post on this blog. Your principal and the superintendent will not find out your identity. Just state it, in simple English, what you feel needs to be done.
At last night's school board meeting, the HES/CES merger was discussed. The board members made it very clear that they are unprepared to answer any questions about the merger. They could not even come up with some basic questions that may be asked.
How long has this been going on? This is a massive disruption to our lives and all they can do is quote Homer Simpson, "Doh".
This is another clear sign that the board members are acting on "feelings" rather than definative facts.
Do the work people. Stop looking for a quick fix that makes no sense!
I will say that I have contacted the media, contacted school board members via home phone and email, wrote to the paper, informed the community and attended meetings.
I however cannot run for a seat on the board because I simply do not have the time. I work a full-time job and in the evenings, I help MY child with her homework and give her the things that she needs to start her day off in school. My husband works an off shift, so I cannot take on that roll currently. I don't mind handing our fliers at Wal-Mart if I thought it would work.
Unfortunately the majority of the board members have no compassion for the children of Orange County and as stated by a previous poster, Shirley doesn't care. She simply wants to go out with a bang. I can assure you that I will not sit by and let the Orange County school board determine the fate of my child! They obviously don't have her best interest in mind.
Let me make certain that everyone understands that this is not a race issue for me.. it is about living in a community that once had a reputation for the "best schools" and that the board that was elected by us has turned it into what it currently is and they have not been held accountable for their actions. As Allan stated, it may not be happening to you right now, but you will get your chance to suffer through this.
They have gone beyond all research that has been done for them by the parents of children who attend HES and done exactly just what they wanted to do. They have not once come up with an alternative for the problems at Central and now they have EC in the exact same boat.
I feel sorry for the children at all three schools. They will be the one's to suffer. Central was an honor school of excellence three years ago; nothing changed- same principal, same teachers with advanced degrees, better class sizes.... but for those who don't know the difference... it was the last redistricting that caused it.
The only racists here are the school board members and Shirley. The majority of their children attended private schools!
To all CES and EC parents;
HES currently has a wonderful opportunity to educate additional students that are districted in the CES and EC districts. There are so many reasons why parents at these schools should choose HES. Here are only a few reasons:
(1)Performance. Check out our numbers. HES has performed at a higher level than any other Orange County Elementary School.
(2)Teachers. Our Teachers realize that every child is special. They work with each child's strengths (and weaknesses). This is not to say that EC and CES teachers don't feel the same way, because they do.
(3)Wonderful School Calendar. The year-round schedule is path to the future. It has been proven that kids retain more information on this calendar as opposed to the traditional calendar, that, by the way, was set up years ago to allow kids to work at the farms.
(4) Active parent participation. Our parents are deeply involved with our students.
(5) A true educational experience as opposed to glorified day-care. HES expects a lot from our students. Rules are set up so our kids will not only get a quality education, but also pave the path of good citizenship. You don't have bad behavioral issues because the children hold their peers accountable for their behavior.
Please, please, give HES serious consideration. Because of No Child Left Behind, CES and EC parents have the choice to leave these schools and go to HES (among other schools). You no longer have to accept going to a school that is not AYP.
Come join us at HES. This school is wonderful! This is why we want to keep HES as a school of choice. I promise, in only a few weeks you too will join our fight to keep HES the way it is.
When the decision was made to offer HES as a school of choice to families at both Central and Efland, "Shirley" pointed out to the board that families choosing HES would have students enter school about six weeks into the HES school year. Other administrators reiterated this to the board members the night the decision was made. The majority of board members disregarded the fact that these students will walk through the doors six weeks into the school year when they made this decision. I am sure the teachers and staff at HES will do the very best they can for ALL students enrolled at their school, but can't understand the logic of a school board who would knowingly put students and their families into such a situation. I would appreciate the board members who read this blog responding with an explanation as to how starting school six weeks into the school year is in the best interest of any child?
When has a board member ever explained anything they do? They pretend to listen and then do whatever they want. They don't care about you or your kids.
They just want to get elected to the county commission or to show their friends at the Internationalist bookstore how they are bringing elightenment to use rubes in the county.
I really hope EC and CES parents will move their children out to a school of high performance. This is an avenue for these children to receive a quality education in a nurturing environment.
At HES, the parents and teachers have formed a tight bond. This teamwork approach gives our children the confidence to learn. The teachers and parents do not point fingers at each other and say "its your fault! Its your fault!" We do not offer excuses because we believe we can learn from our mistakes.
It saddens me when you see a principal that explains to everyone that their school is doing the best they can with "what we got to work with". Now what does that sound like? To some, it sounds like a socio-economic slur, to others it might sound like a racial slur. What it is, unfortunately, is an excuse. Stop offering excuses and start performing!!!
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