No Child Left Behind Means Something Different to Me
As a member of this community for just about all of my 37 years, I have always thought this was a great place to raise a family. Recently events have unfolded for a family in need that have made me ashamed to live here.
A local family, a mother and four children, that has been left homeless by fire and in turmoil because their father has been arrested for the fire have been treated very unfairly by the Elementary school they have been attending since the first child entered kindergarten there six years ago.
A local family, a mother and four children, that has been left homeless by fire and in turmoil because their father has been arrested for the fire have been treated very unfairly by the Elementary school they have been attending since the first child entered kindergarten there six years ago.
The children, ranging in grades from Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth grade, are practically homeless, staying at a friends home until a solution can be found for them. The Elementary school they were attending turned them away even after their mother wrote a letter to the Board of Education requesting to be allowed to stay at their old school. Her request, denied by the school, was told they were already overcrowded and there was no room left for them. Hmmm, were they not slated to go there a few weeks ago? Last I heard, all the schools in Charles County are overcrowded. What happens when new people move here, are they told they have to go to a different school because this one is full? For these kids to change schools and start over in the middle of their current situation seems more than overwhelming to me, as it should to any concerned parent.
These children have had their whole lives completely turned upside down. Not only have they lost the only home they have ever known and most of their possessions, they have lost a parent. Through no fault of their own they have been subjected to things most of us only hear in the news. Now they are being forced by our school system to have another complete and total change in their young lives. They are already emotionally scarred, now this school system is telling them they have to start over in yet one more thing.
I think the Elementary school and the Board of Education should be ashamed. I think there should be contingency plans in effect for emergency situations like this that are readily available. A parent should not have to overcome major obstacles when their lives are already in shambles. Not one person has stepped up to offer any guidance or assistance in this matter and I for one would like to know why we elect board members if they are not here to be an ear for the community.
Tragedies occur all too often in our society now. Children get caught in the middle far too often and become just a number or a statistic. I know the "No Child Left Behind Act" focuses on the education and resources available to students. However, to me, it means something different. To me, it means going the extra mile to help a child in need.
8 comments:
I would suggest contacting the director of elementary schools and make an appointment to talk with her. (I'm sorry; I do not have that person's name,but it is easily attainable from the BOE). If that doesn't work, then go to Dr. Frederickson, the superintendent of schools. Hopefully, it can be resolved on the local level; if not, then contact the state BOE.
So you know, this is not in Wicomico County.
Thanks, Joe. Somehow the story didn't seem like Wicomico, and I did see mention of Charles. I can't imagine that, if all the facts are as presented, Wicomico would treat the family this way.
If ones reads the article one would know it is Charles County. I am extremely sorry about the situation and it cetainly is sad for the little ones, but believe me they can adjust. Get your plea out to the folks, BOE, Commissioners, etc of Charles County. Joe why why did this person write a letter to the editor of SBYNEWS. As a Delaware citizen how could you help or even how can citizens of Wicomico help.
Schools may have been encouraged to deny special permission to families whose children are not meeting state performance standards.
3:29 PM, I rather imagine this person wrote to the editor of SBYNEWS because we, in Wicomico County, are not the only ones who read this blog - as you state, you're a Delaware resident. But, what does it matter what County it is, perhaps someone in Charles County will read this blog and do something to help or have a solution to the problem at hand.
She is now homeless and her children can attend their old school if they are still in that county. Maryland law, they have to take her children, overcrowding isn't an excuse. Bypass the school and go directly to the BOE. My grandchildren attend school in Charles County and they make Wicomico look very accomodating!
There is a FEDERAL Law on the books for years, called the McKinney Vento Homeless Act. It states that children that become homeless during a school year have the right to continue in the school of origin for remainder of the year, and the school is responsible for the transportation. She needs to know of this right, and if the school still refuses, she can seek litigation. I don't know who the contact person is in her county, but this is FEDERAL LAW. And all states are aware of it and know they need to comply with it or face federal intervention.
The purpose of this law was to keep consistency in the education of children who are suddenly uprooted in a school year due to losing their homes for whatever reason and being forced to live in hotels, or with others. Homeless is defined as "without a fixed, stable night time residence." I hope things work out for her.
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