Sorry! I didn't mean to seem like it was my opinion that some kids are bad or good because of where they live. To explain, one of our schools is located right next to a goverment subsidized housing project. Which ever school you lived closest to, was where you went. So, that one school got a bad rap. It was a problem before we clustered that some parents thought that that particular school wasn't very good. I disagree. My Mom even worked there when I was a kid. What I am trying to say is: This may end up being a good thing, as it has been in our case! THINK POSITIVE!

I think you need to focus on the positives and aspects of stability in this situation. Yes, the building changes every two years, but the kids are moving as a group each year. Their friends are still there with them. They get new teachers every year anyway so that doesn't matter. I don't see why it has to be a negative thing. Plus everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background gets the same chance at a good education.

When we were evacuated last Dec (due to civil unrest) my husband, the School Board president), struggled with what to do with our children. The options were to put them into a public or private school in OK (our point of origin) or to somehow find a way to have our school relocated to a central point (Houston). My choice was a central school for all of our students within the US which is what we did. They would have the stability of the same teachers, same curriculum, same friends (and even new ones as other students joined us from Caracas.) etc...and that's what we ended up doing. Some parents chose to enroll their children in public schools and they now say what a mistake it was. They didn't know anyone, the classes were different, the discipline was different, it was just hard all around. Our kids didn't seem to blink an eye that their building was different. It was just a building!

As for the comment of "good kids and bad kids"...I'm sure that wasn't meant as written! Neighborhoods don't determine if a child is bad or good and all children deserve the opportunity for an education! :cool:

I am president of a PTO in Tennessee. Our school district is a Special School District and has four schools. Rhea (K-2), Paris Elementary (3-5), Inman (6-8). After they finish 8th grade they have to move to the county system. The city system does not have a high school. They then go to Grove for 9th grade then to the High school for 10-12. They "clustered" the schools this way in 1997. It was an experiment. It has helped to alleviate one school having all the good kids and one having all the bad kids because of the neighborhood you live in. Also, it has helped make sure the same opportunities are available to everyone, no matter where they go to school. I have 3 children. One in 4th grade and one in kindergarten. (The other one isn't in school yet.) We have had no problems with changing schools. I went to schol at Rhea when it was a K-6. So, I feel like I might be one of the hardest to convince this is a good thing. I understand your concerns. But, it has REALLY been a positve experience for us.

[ 10-16-2003, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: crazyforPTO ]

Our school district is attempting to push through realignment of our three neighborhood, K-4, Elementary schools, into three two-grade schools. We strongly believe they are afraid of NCLB legislation and that the two Title 1 schools may not improve enough to avoid parents requesting to move their child to the third elementary school, a National Blue Ribbon school. We have formed a group of "Concerned Parents" and are looking for peer reviewed articles that speak to the effects of changing schools every two years. We appreciate any help in this matter.

Thank you,

Deb Moore
Former PTO President, 2002-2003
Magnolia Park Elementary
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(850)916-5271