quote:

Originally posted by hoosiermom4:

quote:

Originally posted by Wiffle Bird:
The restraint on classrooms today is that my child has to sit in a class with ill-behaved students who constantly misbehave and get all the attention. Where is the discipline? That's what is keeping the kids from learning!

My daughter has complained to me on several occasions that there are some really disruptive kids in a couple of her classes and that's really frustrating to me. I was told that there is NO SWITCHING teams/classes; that was something they don't do. I want my daughter to be prepared for high school and eventually college, not fair to the learners.

Ditto here as well, mine have actually told me that some kids TRY to get ISS so they can go there and do their work as it is not a chaotic environment and they can concentrate. The thing is for those who are misbehaving, the majority of the time the parents side with their kids and ISS or OSS is a REWARD!

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Originally posted by puffaloopus47:
You are not alone hoosiermom! It seemingly gets worse each day-I just found out that some of the newly renovated classrooms are open at JHS but have no phones, the wiring for the internet and other data was installed using the incorrect wire so it must be redone, I paid over $200 for book rentals for one of my children and found out that of 7 classes there are books for only 3 available to take home. I even called the bookstore about this same issue a couple years back with another child and was told to bring it up with the teachers since they are the ones who order the books and workbooks- but it is not the teacher's who mandate these book rental fees and do you know too, that if a student loses a book, they must pay for the entire book and they do not get their rental fees back and if a parent wants to buy their own books for their children, they must still pay the book rental fee? These are things I would like for the board to address.

Here is a copy of a letter I sent the entire school board, Dr. Bennett, and Amy Schellenberg bringing up how some teachers only have one set of books which prohibits students to do work at home and even study. Check out the figures Ive included. Remember there are usually 3 sections of each course with only 30 books.

Dear School Board Members, Amy Schellenberg, and Dr. Bennett,

I am writing you to address a topic that is an on going frustration with myself as a parent and a teacher of this corporation. I have discovered in the past few weeks another instance where there is abuse of textbook rental fees being charged for books that students are not getting. At Jeffersonville High School in the family consumer science department the chair as well as the teachers within that department have shared with me that they only have one set of textbooks for their course. In talking with them further it was their understanding that students were not being charged a textbook rental fee because they are not renting the book, nor are they allowed to take the book out of the classrooms.

After this information came to light I emailed Amy Schellenberg and requested the textbook rental fees for the past three school years for the textbooks used in these classes. Amy did send me this list and I was amazed at how much was being charged for a book students are not renting. If I rent something I should have more access to it than 50 minutes a day. How can students even study and bring up tests scores if they do not have access to their textbooks?

Now lets look at the numbers for these particular textbooks, remembering that each course has several sections taught each year. If we have three sections of Adult Roles this year that means there is $10.72 time 3. Now considering these classes are usually full (you can all check the actual enrollment) that is $32.16 times roughly 80 students on the low end. We are talking about a large amount of money for textbook RENTALS that are not being rented out but housed in classrooms where students are not being allowed full access to something they have paid for.


If you do these calculations across the board for all family consumer science classes the numbers are incredible. I, as a parent do not believe that a parent should be charged a rental fee for a book their child is not even allowed to take out of the classroom to further their studies and utilize for classwork. Why are we only supplying our children with class sets? Why aren't our children worth purchasing them their own books so they can learn to the best of their ability. I could not imagine taking any class and not be able to have access to my textbook for my own use. I know these are elective courses but they do effect grade point averages and achievement overall. Please stop charging for textbook rentals when students do not get to rent the textbook. I will continue on this issue until something is done to make parents aware of the fees being charged for books they are not getting and until the school takes accountability for the over charges being issued. Thank you for your time and please feel free to contact me at any time.

Course 2008-2009 2007-2008 2006-2007
Reg Ed Spec.Ed. Reg. Ed. Spec.Ed RegEd SpecEd
Adult Roles & Res. 10.72 16.44 10.72 39.43 13.00 29.08
Child Development 8.58 14.14 8.62
Nutrition/Wellness 3.32 3.06 3.82
Adv Nutrition 3.08 3.24 3.92
Orientation/Career 9.50 7.96 4.74
These books are class sets and refigured every year based on projected enrollment
These are yearly charges. The computer program divides when input is less than yearly course.
Sp. Ed. Uses a different book for Adult Roles and Resp.
In 2007 and 2006 Sp. Ed. Also used a consumable workbook
Note: all school treasures/secretaries have these figures in their buildings

sorry tried to put figures in correctly but format wasnt working if you want a copy of the actual email you can let me know and I will email it to you.

Fellow Educator, what was the response you got from the administration after sending your letter?

I feel the purpose of these forums and especially this thread is to be able to post questions and comments in a non threating enviroment where people are open to disagree with each other in a constructive manor. I do not hide behind a screen name.

TTee- thank you for your support of the YMCA programs!

quote:

Originally posted by hoosiermom4:

quote:

Originally posted by Wiffle Bird:
The restraint on classrooms today is that my child has to sit in a class with ill-behaved students who constantly misbehave and get all the attention. Where is the discipline? That's what is keeping the kids from learning!

My daughter has complained to me on several occasions that there are some really disruptive kids in a couple of her classes and that's really frustrating to me. I was told that there is NO SWITCHING teams/classes; that was something they don't do. I want my daughter to be prepared for high school and eventually college, not fair to the learners.

how do you feel about bringing copral punishment back into the school?????

They are going to have to do something - enforce the rules already in place. And really do it! It just seems like with all of these issues, the tail is wagging the dog.

quote:

Originally posted by Wiffle Bird:
Fellow Educator, what was the response you got from the administration after sending your letter?

Lets see< Bob McEwen emailed me and stated he would be asking Dr. Bennett for some answers regarding my letter, I also received an email from Mrs. Christensan stating she would take a copy of my email to the executive session meeting that night to try to get some answers. A few days later Becka emailed me stating the board had requested Dr. Bennett respond to me because he was able to best answer my concerns. He to this day has yet to contact me. I am not holding my breath. Its rather disappointing to know that they continue to take advantage of the book rental fee system and rip parents off when they arent even getting to use the book other than a few times a week. How are we to raise our academic standards when we cant even spend the money to ensure all kids have textbooks, WHEN THE PARENTS ARE PAYING FOR THEM!

Christina:

In regards to the recent $15,000 contract GCCS awarded Robbie Valentine Enterprises, as a tax payer, is there ANY way (via an open records law, considering this IS tax payer's money!!)GCCS can require Mr. Valentine to account EXACTLY how that money was spent? I'm very disappointed in the Trustees approving this. How can it NOT be a conflict of interest??

Thank you for this forum, your hard work, and a reply to this message.

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Originally posted by JHS1982:
Christina:

In regards to the recent $15,000 contract GCCS awarded Robbie Valentine Enterprises, as a tax payer, is there ANY way (via an open records law, considering this IS tax payer's money!!)GCCS can require Mr. Valentine to account EXACTLY how that money was spent? I'm very disappointed in the Trustees approving this. How can it NOT be a conflict of interest??

Thank you for this forum, your hard work, and a reply to this message.

How about asking the two groups that gave the 15,000 to see if they have some way of getting him to account for his use of the grants?

ALSO, Christina, is they anything special in the OTHER section of the agenda for the Dec 1st meeting at 7pm? Always worries me when I see the "other" on the agenda and nothing is listed!

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Originally posted by aquatics:
I feel the purpose of these forums and especially this thread is to be able to post questions and comments in a non threating enviroment where people are open to disagree with each other in a constructive manor. I do not hide behind a screen name.

TTee- thank you for your support of the YMCA programs!

If you don't hide behind a screen name, then what is your real name "aquatics?"

What does Valentine Enterprises do? What is the contact for?

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Originally posted by hoosiermom4:
What does Valentine Enterprises do? What is the contact for?

You mean the contract for? Valentine Enterprises is supposed to have morale building activities for those few days after school, and basketball, of course, although from what I've read on the forum, the parents say the kids play b ball and their MP3 players, there's no educational impact which is supposed to be in his job.

I had heard last year he was getting thirty something thousand per school he had that program in, is that not that case? And if so, what's with the extra $15,000?

Hi Hoosier Mom. Welcome to the "Forum". Thank you for taking an interest in our schools. Personally, I would be in favor of uniforms. However, if after the survey is done and we've held our community forums, if the majority of our parents are not in favor of uniforms, then I will most likely vote against it. In order for uniforms to work, we HAVE to have buy-in form the parents. I'm not sure about how many other states charge money for public education but I would be willing to bet the parents either pay for it the way we do (fees, rentals, supplies, etc.) or they pay higher taxes to fund it. Hope I answered your questions.

As far as textbook rental, I feel if a student doesn't have their own book and can't bring it home, they shouldn't have to pay a rental fee for it. It is my understanding that classroom teachers decide for their classes whether or not they want individual books for each student or a classroom "set" to be shared. If we want this changed, we should probably bring it before the Director of Curriculum and ask that the policy be changed.

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Originally posted by hoosiermom4:
Hey Christina! I am new to this, went through the previous 27 pages briefly. I love that you're doing this. As a parent, I am definitely for uniforms and I would like to know where you stand. It looked in recent blogs that you were for them, but I didn't see a definite answer (I apoligize if there was). Teachers are already teachers, surrogate parents, counselors, disciplinarians, etc., they don't need to be fashion police. Also, my daughter at River Valley said that because of a shortage of books, they are not allowed to bring any of their books except for one subject. This just came up last night when I asked her about studying and referring to her books. I know you're a parent and I know you know how much we pay for these books - and "renting" them at that. Do you know if that's the case and if so? What can we do to ensure that this is NOT the case next year? Isn't Indiana one of only 2 or 4 states that you have to pay for public education? Thanks Christina for all of your time!