Freedom of expression is wonderful, but in the context of the workplace it is not appropriate. Do you think it would be ok to wear Daisy Duke’s shorts to work or a Scarface t-shirt? How about shirts that say “stop snitching” or advocate drug use? Allowing our students to dress as they please means not preparing them for the work force.

High pregnancy rates surely must be exacerbated by the fact that some students wear clothing that borders on indecent exposure. Young men with pants hanging around their knees and young ladies leaving little to the imagination is not even beginning to be self-expression, it’s self-exploitation based on marketing. Kids watch music videos and think ahh that’s cool, they’ve got money, and those people are good looking, they get attention, and I want to be like that, so the next thing you know you’re in class and you’re looking at a bunch of music video stars.

Certainly I am no prude, but unfortunately many of our students are not raised with healthy values and it is up to those who know what is best for the student to correct a behavior that is not going to help them in a global marketplace.

When you go home, wear what you like, be naked for all I care, but when you come to school if you don’t know how to dress appropriately it is our responsibility to teach you.

I hate to see students wearing expensive shoes, a white t-shirt, and they can’t seem to afford a pen, a folder, or some paper. They manage to get their outfits to match, but they can’t get their act together.

I don’t know what you wear to work, but school is work, not a club.

Perhaps all SB members should be required to pass the 12th-grade SOLs … or, at least, pass the 8th-grade SOLs.

How you see your actions and how others see them can lead to problems being solved. Cummunications is very important to me and in order to address your concerns please call me. I will email you.

In reference to your post. This information came from me Carletta Wilson and I welcome the opportunity to talk with you because those issues have not been addressed or resolved. You were contacted about the Spanish teacher, air conditioning and several other issues. The new Spanish teacher arrived in January, four months after the old teacher left. The main air conditioner is still not working properly and there are three or four broken units in the library windows. I do not want to hash this out here but I’ve tried on several occasions to talk with you and even sent you an email on May 23rd of this year to address several security concerns with no response. Communication is everything. While I did not make the particular post the person posting is correct that you were unresponsive. You may have believed you were responsive to the needs of your constituents you have yet to communicate with me or the principal and the issues have yet to be resolved. Again I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Carletta Wilson carlettapittman@cs.com

High school graduates are being placed in remedial English courses at VCU before moving on to English Composition 101. I don’t really know if we are better off today than we were yesterday. Our diplomas have the value of the U.S. dollar abroad.

posted by GetRealRichmond at July 2, 2008 9:35 pm :

Are you sure about gender separate classes at MLK? I know that Henderson Middle has them, but this is news that MLK has them as well.

You might double-check that. I know quite a few people at MLK and no one has ever mentioned this. Hmmmmm …..

I know the PTA president at MLK had to fight like hell to get a Spanish teacher assigned for the 8th-graders. She contacted her School Board member (Chandra Smith)and got nowhere. Fortunately, she contacted another school board member and asked for her help. Wanna guess which SB member delivered?

Time to chime in,
I would like to ask you, where you got your infomation? I was contacted regarding a spanish teacher, the air conditioning not working and other issues. I also took these issue to the Superintendent and made sure they were addressed. That was me, Chandra Smith 6th District School Board rep. Get your fact correct and remember the process must be respected by all, not just students. RPS administrators and leaders must be held to their part in correcting problems. I believe in RPS as I believe in the City of Richmond. We are better today than we were yesterday. We will continue to improve. People do what people see. I am doing something different. Working instead of talking!!!.

I had forgotten about that beautiful phrase, which sums it up so well. Those guys had incredible forethought.

Thank you.

Are you sure it’s that many? Considering the media hype and politicians’ praise, I’m surprised anybody opposes uniforms.

Individual liberties are protected from public opinion by the Bill of Rights. It’s creators talked about the “tyranny of the majority.” One’s right to life, liberty, and freedom of expression cannot be submitted to vote. The way it seems to play out in the schools is majorities take away individual rights, and the courts restore them.

Some of our most important battles are fought in the school context: Saluting the flag, school prayer, forcing students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, the teaching of intelligent design, discouraging the teaching of evolution, displaying the Ten Commandments, and numerous free-expression prohibitions all began as school issues. And they all had, or have, community support. The case that upheld the equality rights of African-American school students, Brown v. Board, would never have been heard if public opinion prevailed.

The right of students to express themselves is hard won, and giving it up for the sake of convenience is a mistake, in my opinion.

It is correct to say that this degree of parent participation is expected at Fox and Munford, particularly for the out of district families. Plus, I found it to be kind of a measley price, compared to the pay-off.

And, yep, it sure did keep people excited about the school that their kids were attending. There was definitely a cause/effect relationship there, without any doubt.

According to a PTA board member at Holton, we need twelve very active in the school parents to get the ball rolling. Right now, our school has maybe three.

John, could you post our PTA meeting on the calendar?

Sorry to offended you with the Whatever.

Anyway, I continue to make calls and advocate for the school. I believe McQuinn will help us here. The most important thing is to get people excited about the school. I personally think it is an excellent school and take every chance I get to let others know.