Your child would be lucky to have a teacher as good as myself. The fact is that you have no idea what my qualifications are or anyone else's qualifications across the county. You are only concerned with your child and that is understandable, but you must realize that there are wonderful things going on around this county, not just at AH. Your child will be fine at another school, she'll probably have some teachers who use to teach at AH, she just will be going to school in a different building. I understand that you are upset but making remarks about things you obviously know nothing about will not help your cause. If your school closes PLEASE don't take your biased views of teachers with you to your new school, you're only doing more harm than good.
The fact is I have lived with a school closing before and it's not a pretty sight. My arguement is that you should be fighting the state that continues to take money away from MCS operating budget rather than fighting the people who are trying to do what they can with limited resources. You're correct, most of the teachers at AH will be reassigned other places, probably the schools where your children will attend so there should be no problem right? If your child were to stay at AH and next year they were assigned to be in Mrs. X's classroom, there should be no problem if they are still in Mrs. X's classroom, just in a different school. They will get the same education, just in a different setting. If you really want to fight take it to the state. If our state representatives knew how much budget cuts to education were affecting our community, maybe they would do something. But for a school to remain open at the cost of even more jobs or higher taxes ACROSS the ENTIRE county, it's a little selfish. There are hundreds of people across this county who are fighting to put food on their tables at night and some believe that it's fair for people in Moore county to pay $100 more each year in taxes just to keep their school open. It's a little short sighted in my opinion.
Another problem with the school is the size and age and the ability to expand and the time it would take to expand. Many of these expansion projects need to be planned for years before they actually happen. The blueprints need to be drawn, approved and planned before anything can happen. My guess is the expansions and improvements made have been planned for years. Once they are planned they go through with them because they are paid for with bond money that can only be used on capital improvements. With the building of new schools near AH, the writting has been on the wall that it would close eventually. There was rumor of closing years ago but it didn't happen but it was going to happen eventually, especially with the economy the way it is. Find out how long they have had plans for the expansions at Pinecrest, I know they just didn't plan them this year, its been years in the making.
AHES parent's shouldn't be fighting Dr. Purser, she's doing the best with the hand she's been dealt. if you really want to make a difference you should take your activism to the State level. It is State that has cut 12 MILLION dollars from MCS the past 2 years. 12 Million might not seem like much to some of you when you are talking about state politics but to a county as small as Moore County, 12 million dollars is larceny. Teachers in this county WILL go without pay increases for atleast 6 years. Teachers and assistants will be laid off this year AND next because this isn't going to stop this year, we will face a reduction again next year. The problem is not the way Moore County operates but the way the State operates, it is the state that is taking this money away instead of making deep cuts in other areas, it's just now hitting home for some of you. Leaders in the state make promises when trying to get elected, they promise to make education a priority but when cuts need to be made they ALWAYS target education first. If you want to fight to save your childs education you should be fighting the state, because the cuts they continue to make will affect your child far more than the closing of a school.
Well, where to start? A majority of students at my school come to school many days with NOTHING to eat at home, their only meals are provided by the school. They come to school some days in pajamas because they don't have clothes to wear. They are struggling to learn the English language, all of this before they walk through the door. Then after school they go home to a house where many times their parents don't speak English, so they can't get help with homework. Many also come from homes that don't place a value in education. I teach 3rd grade and have had parents tell me that they won't make their children do homework because they're not going to finish school anyway. All teachers in MC care, were all highly qualified but some schools in this county serve a different population. The parents are the reason AH succeeds, these children will succeed anywhere. Some children in this county however are at a disadvantage before they the bus even picks them up. If your not aware of this you should spend a day riding around parts of this county, other than Pinehurst.
Do you have any idea what the responsibilities are for an AP? I admit that there are too many at some locations but you must realize: 1. AP's make about the same as a teacher with a masters degree, which isn't much. 2. Principals and staff are being spread too thin, the schools need someone to handle certain responsibilities. I encourage anyone who would like to know more about what an AP does, go to your local school and ask. Become informed before making judgements.
I'm truely sorry that my message went completely over your head. I was complimenting the parents and assuring them that they will be alright. And In case you were wondering, I do have a terrific bond with present and past students, as well as their parents. Next time step back and reread before you go into a tirade. You should also probably hit spell check.
I know for a fact of three students who were admitted two years ago who are not districted to AHES. I was told all that it took was going up to the school and inquiring. Still not sure how they did it, but they did.
We don't but it seems we have some parents who believe they're entitled enough to make everyone in the county pay higher taxes just so their kids don't have to go to a different school. Even when those schools could easily accommodate the students.
I teach at a school like the one you mentioned and we would welcome parents who want to contribute and are active in their childrens lives, we just don't have it. The reason AHES is successful is not the school or the teachers, it's the parents, your children will achieve at a high level regardless of where they go. It would be nice to see some of the support in other schools. My children go to a title 1 school and both are very successful, you know why? Because MC is full of highly qualified devoted teachers and because I am active in my Childs life, not because they are sheltered and go to a certain school.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Parents Rally for Academy Heights
Your child would be lucky to have a teacher as good as myself. The fact is that you have no idea what my qualifications are or anyone else's qualifications across the county. You are only concerned with your child and that is understandable, but you must realize that there are wonderful things going on around this county, not just at AH. Your child will be fine at another school, she'll probably have some teachers who use to teach at AH, she just will be going to school in a different building. I understand that you are upset but making remarks about things you obviously know nothing about will not help your cause. If your school closes PLEASE don't take your biased views of teachers with you to your new school, you're only doing more harm than good.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Parents Rally for Academy Heights
The fact is I have lived with a school closing before and it's not a pretty sight. My arguement is that you should be fighting the state that continues to take money away from MCS operating budget rather than fighting the people who are trying to do what they can with limited resources. You're correct, most of the teachers at AH will be reassigned other places, probably the schools where your children will attend so there should be no problem right? If your child were to stay at AH and next year they were assigned to be in Mrs. X's classroom, there should be no problem if they are still in Mrs. X's classroom, just in a different school. They will get the same education, just in a different setting. If you really want to fight take it to the state. If our state representatives knew how much budget cuts to education were affecting our community, maybe they would do something. But for a school to remain open at the cost of even more jobs or higher taxes ACROSS the ENTIRE county, it's a little selfish. There are hundreds of people across this county who are fighting to put food on their tables at night and some believe that it's fair for people in Moore county to pay $100 more each year in taxes just to keep their school open. It's a little short sighted in my opinion.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Parents Rally for Academy Heights
Another problem with the school is the size and age and the ability to expand and the time it would take to expand. Many of these expansion projects need to be planned for years before they actually happen. The blueprints need to be drawn, approved and planned before anything can happen. My guess is the expansions and improvements made have been planned for years. Once they are planned they go through with them because they are paid for with bond money that can only be used on capital improvements. With the building of new schools near AH, the writting has been on the wall that it would close eventually. There was rumor of closing years ago but it didn't happen but it was going to happen eventually, especially with the economy the way it is. Find out how long they have had plans for the expansions at Pinecrest, I know they just didn't plan them this year, its been years in the making.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Parents Rally for Academy Heights
AHES parent's shouldn't be fighting Dr. Purser, she's doing the best with the hand she's been dealt. if you really want to make a difference you should take your activism to the State level. It is State that has cut 12 MILLION dollars from MCS the past 2 years. 12 Million might not seem like much to some of you when you are talking about state politics but to a county as small as Moore County, 12 million dollars is larceny. Teachers in this county WILL go without pay increases for atleast 6 years. Teachers and assistants will be laid off this year AND next because this isn't going to stop this year, we will face a reduction again next year. The problem is not the way Moore County operates but the way the State operates, it is the state that is taking this money away instead of making deep cuts in other areas, it's just now hitting home for some of you. Leaders in the state make promises when trying to get elected, they promise to make education a priority but when cuts need to be made they ALWAYS target education first. If you want to fight to save your childs education you should be fighting the state, because the cuts they continue to make will affect your child far more than the closing of a school.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Parents Rally for Academy Heights
Well, where to start? A majority of students at my school come to school many days with NOTHING to eat at home, their only meals are provided by the school. They come to school some days in pajamas because they don't have clothes to wear. They are struggling to learn the English language, all of this before they walk through the door. Then after school they go home to a house where many times their parents don't speak English, so they can't get help with homework. Many also come from homes that don't place a value in education. I teach 3rd grade and have had parents tell me that they won't make their children do homework because they're not going to finish school anyway. All teachers in MC care, were all highly qualified but some schools in this county serve a different population. The parents are the reason AH succeeds, these children will succeed anywhere. Some children in this county however are at a disadvantage before they the bus even picks them up. If your not aware of this you should spend a day riding around parts of this county, other than Pinehurst.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Big Cuts Loom for Schools
Do you have any idea what the responsibilities are for an AP? I admit that there are too many at some locations but you must realize: 1. AP's make about the same as a teacher with a masters degree, which isn't much. 2. Principals and staff are being spread too thin, the schools need someone to handle certain responsibilities. I encourage anyone who would like to know more about what an AP does, go to your local school and ask. Become informed before making judgements.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Academy Heights on the Chopping Block?
I'm truely sorry that my message went completely over your head. I was complimenting the parents and assuring them that they will be alright. And In case you were wondering, I do have a terrific bond with present and past students, as well as their parents. Next time step back and reread before you go into a tirade. You should also probably hit spell check.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Academy Heights on the Chopping Block?
I know for a fact of three students who were admitted two years ago who are not districted to AHES. I was told all that it took was going up to the school and inquiring. Still not sure how they did it, but they did.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Academy Heights on the Chopping Block?
We don't but it seems we have some parents who believe they're entitled enough to make everyone in the county pay higher taxes just so their kids don't have to go to a different school. Even when those schools could easily accommodate the students.
school_teacher 2 years, 2 months ago
Academy Heights on the Chopping Block?
I teach at a school like the one you mentioned and we would welcome parents who want to contribute and are active in their childrens lives, we just don't have it. The reason AHES is successful is not the school or the teachers, it's the parents, your children will achieve at a high level regardless of where they go. It would be nice to see some of the support in other schools. My children go to a title 1 school and both are very successful, you know why? Because MC is full of highly qualified devoted teachers and because I am active in my Childs life, not because they are sheltered and go to a certain school.