Gary Stager on one-sided parent contracts: here's a list of promises I think schools should keep.The back-to-school commercials each summer fill me with dreadful flashbacks of my own days as a student. As a parent, the end of summer is signaled by a last-minute desire to squeeze in a bit more family fun and the arrival of a large ominous envelope from the local high school. The package contains countless documents commanding our immediate attention and signatures in triplicate. This enormous collection of murdered trees contains countless rules, regulations and a list of innumerable sanctions Sanctions is the plural of sanction. Depending on context, a sanction can be either a punishment or a permission. The word is a contronym. Sanctions involving countries: adj. Exceedingly harsh; very severe: a draconian legal code; draconian budget cuts. [After Draco. catalogue of crimes and subsequent punishments were not bad enough, I am then expected to sign the documents, implying that I agree with them. This recent and disturbing phenomenon leaves me with many unanswered questions. What if I don't sign the forms? When did the local public school become a gulag? Was there a public meeting in The Hague at which these rules and sanctions were compiled and democratically agreed to? Is this the best way to start a fresh school year? Can I have Johnnie Cochran Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.[1] (October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005) was an African American lawyer best known for his role in the legal defense during the O. J. Simpson murder case. look over the documents before I affix affix v. 1) to attach something to real estate in a permanent way, including planting trees and shrubs, constructing a building, or adding to existing improvements. my signature? If the school expects parents to sign-off on a list of ways school discipline may be enforced, perhaps I can circulate cir·cu·late v. cir·cu·lat·ed, cir·cu·lat·ing, cir·cu·lates v.intr. 1. To move in or flow through a circle or circuit: blood circulating through the body. 2. a list of expectations for how I expect the school to educate my child. It only seems fair. So here's my list, in no particular order: * School to home communications will be proofread and spell-checked * Teachers will take reasonable steps to maintain expertise in their subject area * Homework will be purposeful pur·pose·ful adj. 1. Having a purpose; intentional: a purposeful musician. 2. Having or manifesting purpose; determined: entered the room with a purposeful look. and only assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. when necessary to reinforce a concept, engage in a long-term project or as the result of work not completed in-class * Children will be encouraged to play * Classroom libraries will be stocked with Adj. 1. stocked with - furnished with more than enough; "rivers well stocked with fish"; "a well-stocked store" stocked furnished, equipped - provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority); "a furnished apartment"; interesting books * Students will not be treated as numbers * Teachers will discuss current events with their students * Students will be encouraged to talk about books they read, not just create mobiles and book reports * School personnel will publish their e-mail addresses See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address and respond to email promptly * The school district Web site will be updated more often than every five years * Class sizes will be 20 or lower * Teachers will attend at least one professional learning event outside of the school district per year * Teachers will not talk down to children * Punishment will be viewed as a last resort * The school will offer rich visual and performing arts opportunities for all students * Curriculum will endeavor to remain relevant and connected to the world * Classroom rules will be developed democratically * There will be formal and informal opportunities for parents to interact with teachers * The principal will be accessible to students and parents * Administrators will make an effort to interact with students in positive contexts * Student diversity will be valued and celebrated * Cooperation will be valued over competition * The school will refrain from sorting, tracking, streaming and labeling children * Students will play a large role in all aspects of the life of the school; * Authentic forms of assessment will be used * A modern functioning computer will be available whenever a child needs one * Teachers will embrace opportunities to learn with and from students * The school will take teacher input seriously * Teachers will feel supported and encouraged to take risks * Effective models of professional development will be designed and include the participation of the principal * Equal attention and resources be applied to the arts as to sports Gary Stager, gary@stager.org, is editor-at-large and an adjunct adjunct (aj´ungkt), n a drug or other substance that serves a supplemental purpose in therapy. adjunct professor at Pepperdine University Pepperdine University is a private institution of higher learning affiliated with the Church of Christ in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States. The university's location overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is adjacent to the city limits of Malibu. The Coalition of Essential Schools offers 10 common principles for schools concerned with excellence--www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/about/phil/ 10cps/10cps.html |
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