WARNING: Jami's on her soapbox!!!!

Alright. I'm giving you a fair warning. This is gonna get ugly. If you want to leave I'd suggest doing it now. Cause I'm venting.....

For the past three years now I have witnessed the same tragedy occur year after year. Each year I compose an amazing post in my head where I just lay it all out there but each year I coward out of for fear of stepping on someones toes. Not this year folks. I'm feeling a bit feisty!

You don't have to look far to find a list of complaints against public education. Some valid. Some not so much. I hear parents talk about how their child deserves better than public ed and that we are selling ourselves short by sending them to public schools in our neighborhoods. And you know what. Some (not all) but some days I agree. And guess who I am placing the blame on? THE PARENTS. Not the administration. Not the government. Not finances. Parents. {Ok. Easy. Someone might start attacking and just remember I'm on a rampage right now. We could discuss these points and their actual responsibly at a later date. Right now I'm on a different soapbox.}

When Hallee was in Kindergarten parental involvement was overwhelming. EVERYONE wanted to be involved and make sure their babies were being taken care of. By 1st grade they are over it. Now their kids can be someone elses problem. I have been the room parent or co-room parent for Hallee's classes for the past three years. And each year I am shocked by the lack of parental involvement. Last year I had a total of THREE moms who were willing to volunteer in the class. THREE out of 28 children. Are you kidding me???? I practically had to beg and plead for them to help. This year seems a little bit better with a handful of moms willing to step up but with a class of 26 I can't say I am overly impressed.

Now I know some actually have valid excuses. They work full time or have a small baby at home. But you know what. You don't get off that easy. Where there is a will there is a way. If you can't volunteer during school hours there are always things that can be done at home or supplies that can be donated. And I don't buy the excuse that you don't have a babysitter or are too busy. Have you seen my schedule lately?

It makes me angry but it also makes me sad. Sad for the students. I wish every parent would volunteer at least once and see the difference it makes not only in the classroom but with their own child. The kids light up when their parent walks in the door. They instantly become the most popular kid in the class because their mom is there. (Pretty sure that isn't going to last long. Better take advantage of it while you can). Parents in the room instantly cuts down on behavior problems. Teachers can spend more one on one time with struggling students. It is an amazing insight into your own child's personality and the school dynamics. Teachers become more accountable. School secretaries and administration get to know you and your child and consciously or not take a little extra time and care when it comes to your child. The list goes on and on.

My recent outrage has been spurred on by the Halloween Carnival coming up this week. It is a PTA fundraiser. In fact it is the only fundraiser of the year. The kids love it and it is a perfect family outing. But we always have the issue of volunteers. They send home countless notes asking for volunteers and yet we always come up short. For the past two years I have created a booth and for the past two years I have not been able to fill up all five shifts necessary. This is after sending home two notes to all the parents in Hallee's class, sending out a text message to just about everyone I know, and making personal phone calls to a dozen or so people. Guess how many people I got... TWO. Nope. Not kidding. TWO stinking people.

Believe me. More than those two families will be at the carnival. But there will always be those who are content to come and enjoy all the festivities with their children never once realizing the time and energy that a select few put in to pull off such and event. My sister's school actually did away with their school carnival for over ten years due to lack of parental involvement. How sad is that.

Ok. Glad I got that off my chest. And I hope I didn't offend anyone in the process. But seriously people the next time you start ragging on public education why don't you stop and ask yourself if YOU are part of the problem. And then try to be part of the solution. Volunteer! Be active in your child's school and classroom. I promise it makes a difference!!!

{And PS - did you know that in most charter schools parents are REQUIRED to put in a certain amount of hours at the school. Interesting tidbit hey?}