Franklin School Staff

[Justine Cooper]

My son went to Roosevelt. There would be cars pulling up illegally and dangerously on Athens and when we called to complain, we were told to call the police. This happened on a regular basis, so of course we didn't call the police each time, but we never once saw a staff member outside.

Then we moved and our daughter started at Franklin. The pick up and parking were worse. There were times I got very aggravated. But every day, there is at least a half dozen staff members outside directing the traffic. I was then told that because they merged the schools, this was necessary.

And every day the staff is outside, regardless of weather, directing the congested traffic, so that the children are safe. This is one of the things that stands out at Franklin, in addition to how pleasant they all are. They always have a smile, which means a lot when you are dropping your child off at Kindergarten.

So when everyone argues about taxes and saving money, it is the simple things like watching the principal in her suit standing outside with the wind whipping her face in almost zero degree weather, directing traffic, that makes me sad that they won't be here next year. Sad because they are so dedicated, in so many ways. And that matters more than anything when you send your child off to kindergarten. And you can do it with no worries.

[Jim O'Bryan]

So when everyone argues about taxes and saving money, it is the simple things like watching the principal in her suit standing outside with the wind whipping her face in almost zero degree weather, directing traffic, that makes me sad that they won't be here next year. Sad because they are so dedicated, in so many ways. And that matters more than anything when you send your child off to kindergarten. And you can do it with no worries.

Justine

You raise an interesting point we do not always think of. The people, the relationships, and the comfort level that has been built up over the year(s). Also what will happen to these teams/family of teachers and administrators. Will they be scattered to the four corners of Lakewood, or will they move as a unit to the new school.

While some fight for lower taxes, and we all realize we must tighten our belts. This could have been handled better. I would have paid the $10.67 to keep good people like Danielle Masters and yourself from having to go through this for at least a couple more years.

FWIW


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[Danielle Masters]

Luckily I do have an unknown amount of years left at my school, but the Franklin families will be scattered. That was a big point for the Franklin families. Unlike the Hayes and Harrison communities that are just getting new buildings, the families from Madison, Garfield and Franklin had to be split into geographical groups. From last nights meeting it is clear that the board whats to keep groups of students together. I know a lot of families are having trouble believing them, but I am going to trust that they will try to limit the school changes students have to go through. Hopefully in the next few weeks the new boundaries will be set and then the process of building and rebuilding relationships can go forward. I was very glad I went to the boundary meeting last night. We were shown maps although they are not set in stone and from how it looks the boundaries look fairly good. I am going to try and stay positive but its easier for me because my children's school is still here, I really feel for the Franklin families. I know what some of my friends went through when Madison closed and some of those wounds still aren't healed.

[Jay Foran]

A few points...

1) The new schools were designed with the inefficiencies and safety concerns of the old schools at the forefront of thinking. This included the following aspects of a safety; school drop-off/pick-up, security during the school day, and environmental (heating, ventilation, etc.)

Each of the four new schools will have well designed and expanded drop-off areas. While staff will continue be on-hand to accompany children safely into the school, it is anticipated that the new design will make this important process safer and more efficient. School drop-off/pick-up safety was a major issue that drove the original facility rebuilding effort. The infrastructure will be there to help make better safety happen. Now we need the parents help to make it work.

2) Like the number of school buildings, school staffing is determined by enrollment. With that said, most, if not all, of the Franklin staff will move to other buildings next year...many to the new schools. As was the case with the previous school closures, staff attrition (retirements, regular turn-over, leaves of absence, etc.) should allow us to staff and retain our teachers.

As we open the new schools, our talented teaching corps will be better able to leverage the passion that brought them into the teaching profession. They will be enabled by more equitable class sizes and classroom tools and technology. *With this said, this will not be fully achieved until the completion of the entire rebuilding effort. In 2008, about 36% of our district student population will be in new facilities. With time, we want to make these facilities available to every student and teacher.

3) Unfortunately, no one will escape the effects of transition at some point within the 10 year building timeline. This is not only true for students and their families, but is also true for every citizen, taxpayer and the community as a whole. While Harrison and Hayes will move their school communities into new facilities next year, they will be joined by many new students thereby making brand new school communities. Likewise, as school boundaries change in alignment with the population, most school communities will change to some degree. And if they don't change much today, their day will probably come. We will have to call upon our heritage as an inclusive and adaptable community to meet this challenge. We must apply lessons learned from the previous transitions to make our upcoming changes more successful.

FWIW. For transition to succeed, the community will have to help every citizen and every citizen will have to help the community.

[Justine Cooper]

My thoughts were just thoughts. I am also a taxpayer and know we get our a-- kicked with taxes. I was not fighting this, just putting out thoughts. I have only been at Franklin for one year, so this won't be as hard for me as others.

Also, I moved so many times in my life I cannot count, so transition doesn't scare me. As a restless spirit I actually welcome change in my life and new experiences. I believe in a higher power and He or She is watching out for us and where ever we go. I was just pointing out one thought I had as I was picking up my daughter yesterday and saw the dedicated staff standing out in the whipping cold snow. I think they go above and beyond there, all of them. They are superior, and I have lived many places and can say that confidently.

It was just a thought, and emotion, which us mothers can't escape. And I won't forget that they gave me such a wonderful and safe environment for my daughter entering kindergarten. It is a lot to know you are entrusting your child to someone else and feel like they are doing the best job she can get! It is everything really.

[Jay Foran]

Thank you for your thoughtful post!

[Kenneth Warren]

Jay:

I want to give credit where credit is due.

I deeply appreciate and respect your dedication to our community, children and schools. I know it can be demanding to keep up with concerns and issues raised about schools during a complex and high stakes time of transition. Dedicated parents like Ms. Masters and Ms. Cooper, with students in the schools are the life blood and future of our city. When issues are raised you never minimize the ordeals of the stakeholders and at the same time you help point us to the upside, to a bigger picture. At the same time, your own constant and generous example of working so diligently for the schools and your civic spirit that we are all in this together gives enormous credibility and power to the public school message and the distinctive sacrifices people are making to move the city forward.

To live in community and know an informed and skilled citizen like you stands ever ready to respond factually and sensitively without hesitation year in and year old to issues and concerns about the schools is really quite moving.

And you do with brains, heart, style and substance, too.

Thank you so much for all the fine work.

Kenneth Warren

[stephen davis]

the principal in her suit standing outside with the wind whipping her face in almost zero degree weather, directing traffic

That principal, Nancy Ross, has been on my hero list for many years.