School Scheduling Follow-up

We have finally gotten my daughter's school schedule straightened out, after spending one hour and 20 minutes with the guidance counselor and sending an unflattering letter to the editor of the local paper. The following is the letter that was published today in the Harrodsburg Herald:

Dear Editor,

The Mercer County School systems returns to session on Monday, August 4th with a full day of classes. Or will they? Unless the High School schedules get corrected this week, it looks like the students will be spending the first week of school in chaos.

It's not like the school hasn't had 6 months to work on class schedules for the 10th, 11th and 12th grades - the students turned in their schedules right after Christmas.

How does a high school guidance counselor overlook a straight A honor student and put her in lower level classes? How did a child who was signed up for AP English, AP US History, Honors Algebra 2 and Honors Science - classes that have to have a teacher's recommendation - end up in regular classes? Obviously the school takes no notice of a child's request or their academic successes.

It's a sad day for the school system when the bureaucracy interferes with the students academic endeavors.

Respectfully submitted,

Bobbi Rightmyer

My daughter is now enrolled in the AP and Honors classes instead of the regular classes, thanks to a new - and very helpful - guidance counselor. I did send him a thank you note for all his help, because he truly was helpful.

On a nastier note, I got a phone call from the High School Principal tonight complaining about the letter I wrote to the paper. He stated he had not read the letter - as of 8:00 p.m. - but he had heard about it. So, instead of complaining to me about first hand knowledge, he complained about what someone else told him. Shame on him - he needs to get his staff in order, and his staff should have let me speak with him on the 3 occasions I called the school asking for him. I guess he's learned a lesson!

School Scheduling Follow-up

Okay, so I haven't been able to get the child's schedule changed - YET!!! But I will be standing in line just as soon as I get off work today.

Yesterday, I again called the school, was put on hold, and then told they would not do any schedule changes over the phone. "Fine", I told the receptionist, "what time should I be there?" Nice logical question I thought. But noooo, not such a simple question after all. By yesterday morning at 9:00 (when I called), there were already 40+ parents waiting in line to talk with the guidance counselors! According to another parent I talked to - who just happened to arrive at school at the same time the counselors did (7:00) - there were 100's of mistakes made on schedules! I was told by the receptionist that I could come and sign in and then wait my turn.

So, when I arrived at school at 12:15, there were still about 30+ parents waiting in line! When I check with the office, I was told the wait would be a long time, mainly because the counselors had gone to lunch! These are mistakes the counselors made, but they feel it is okay to leave parents waiting. Parents, I remind you, that were also on lunch break to take care of their problems, or who had taken off a days work to clear up obvious mistakes. The counselors and schedulers have had 6 months to work on the schedules, but obviously that was not enough time. Needless to say, I didn't stay yesterday, mainly because I didn't bring a book to read while I waited.

Today is going to be different. I'm picking up my daughter and her friend from their volunteer job at the hospital and we will be at the school by 12:30. Surely the counselors only take 30 minutes for lunch! I will wait all afternoon if I have to. I have a book to read, a notebook to jot in and my laptop. We will get my daughter's schedule fixed, even if it kills me!!

To be continued ...

High School Scheduling

I'm going to apologize right now, but I'm about to go off on a rant - so don't say I didn't warn you!

My youngest daughter will be in the 11th grade this year and she is so excited about school starting. Believe it or not, she goes back on August 4th, only 10 days away. She has been working on homework all summer for her AP English class - she had 4 books to read and several papers to write. Hopefully, everything will be finished by next week.

However, she got her new school schedule in the mail today, and when I came home from work, she was in near tears! She was not assigned to ANY of the classes she asked for! Not one single class!!!

So, mother bear that I am, I called the school and talked to some RUDE woman who said schedule changes couldn't be made until August 1st for the 11th graders. I tried to explain to her this was more than a simple schedule change, but she refused to let me talk to anyone else. I was FURIOUS!!!!

Number one, they have my daughter in an regular English class. Excuse me, but my daughter is way too smart to be in a regular English class. Right now, she is ranked number 32 out of 276 students - #32! How does someone this smart get overlooked by the school guidance counselors?

Number two, she signed up to take the medical classes at the Vocational School, but they didn't bother to give her any classes at the Vocational School. I had talked with the principal about 6 weeks before school let out for summer and he assured me my daughter would have no problem getting into the Vocational program. I guess the guidance counselors don't listen to the principal, or else he just told me what I wanted to hear.

Number three, she signed up for Honors History, and again they put her in a regular History class. See number one.

Number four, the other classes they assigned her to - in place of the Vocational classes - were lower level classes. Let me tell you, it ain't going to happen!!

After venting and ranting to my hubby, I have decided I will call the school again Monday morning and I will continue to call until they do something about this fucking mistake!

No wonder kids have so much trouble in school. If the guidance counselors don't care any more for the students than to PENALIZE a student for making good grades, then they need to get rid of the whole bunch and start again.

Our school system has been through the wringer this year anyway, with a Superintendent that has lied to parents and staff, and a Board of Education that has nearly bankrupted us. If parents don't stand together for their children, then who will?

Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box. The ranting is over ... until next week.

To be continued ...