NOVEMBER LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Inman Parents:

Here's my mantra for the first semester: "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." We have weathered many personnel challenges over the first 11 weeks of school-2 teachers on maternity leave now and 2 more babies on the way, unexpected surgeries, losing 3 teacher positions and 2 paraprofessional positions, and a host of other smaller situations. We have successfully shifted teachers around, changed connections classes, dealt with a pretty major foreign language change, and shuffled lots of 6th grade students into the appropriate math classes. I am confident that all is well and we will take care of any other challenges that come our way.

I am fortunate to have so many talented colleagues who roll up their sleeves, put on their thinking caps, brainstorm with me and help me come to the best solution given the many complications of Inman scheduling and APS and Georgia requirements, reschedule hundreds of students, move teachers and supplies from room to room, and then help me communicate all the changes.

All parents should have received an envelope in the past 10 days with the mid-semester progress report as well as other important information. Hopefully parents were pleased with their child's progress at this point, but some of you many not have been. A reminder that middle schools operate on the semester system which means that the numerical grades that students just received are not permanent per se. The grades earned by the end of December are the permanent marks for the first semester. The ones earned in May are the 2nd semester grades even though you will receive a mid-semester progress report in March. I know it looks so official right there in black and white there is plenty of time for students to improve their semester grades with consistent effort. Grade level tutoring schedules and the APS promotion policy were included in the 6th and 8th grade envelopes. 7th grade tutorial schedules and the promotion policy were just sent via email to all 7th grade parents. Make sure you and your child understand the promotion policy because students must earn a certain number of credits in order to advance to the next grade.

Parents, if you were not so happy with your child's progress let me tell you I can completely empathize. Monday my second grade daughter (who will remain nameless because one day she will not be happy I mentioned this) came home with a not so stellar report card. Of course my first instinct was to run to the computer to send off a hot email to the teacher and principal demanding to know why I was not informed BEFORE the grades, right there in black and white, came out. I calmed down a little bit as I remembered that I did have a 15 minute conference with the teacher earlier in the month and I did receive a 4.5 week progress report that kind of wasn't so stellar either. My daughter loves math at this point and made an "A" but she is not all that fond of the nightly reading and LA homework. How can she not love to read—it is what I live for!! She is not all that driven at this point unlike her little brother who loves school, the rules, the structure, the predictable daily schedule.

So as parent and a principal I have to take the time to notice all the signs, listen closely to the teacher for her observations and suggestions, pay attention to the work by daughter is completing and not completing, not take it personally or feel guilty, and not blame the teacher! The teacher's job is to help students and parents recognize strengths and needs and help my daughter overcome the obstacles with consistent and persistent expectations throughout the year. Of course I was disappointed and maybe a little embarrassed that she didn't make all A's. But it is her work and she has to learn that rewards, accolades, and consequences are there for her. I want the real information and truth. Teachers' teach, help students learn, and then have to record what students show and know. They can't record based on past performance, future performance, "potential", or information from parents.

My two children are very different creatures. My son will do great in school because he is a pleaser. My daughter has a bigger world to explore at this point and school is just one piece of it.

I did send the email but a much more toned down version! I thanked the teacher for her help so far. Here's to parenting.

Betsy Bockman