Parents and PGCPS an EduSocial Network

 Parents and PGCPS an EduSocial Network is proud to announce our weekly series of educational conversations called Educational Views. These brief commentaries from Prince George’s County parents, educators, community and civic leaders are intended to drive larger discussions on challenges and opportunities facing education in Prince George’s County.  

Bright Futures for Students are Fading

High school students and their parents experience high stress and anxiety the closer a students’ senior year comes. Senior years are a time for celebrations, high expectations, looking towards future careers and entering into higher education. College and university entrance opens doors to brighter futures for youth especially Black youth seeking to better their lives.

A young person with a college degree will make a million dollars more than a young person with just a high school diploma. Even McDonalds, Burger King and other establishments will or are requiring their management people to have a minimum of two years college education.  New standards would dim many students Bright Future opportunities as the Bright Future Scholarships goes under many changes and modifications. Florida is known for its educational reform, but many parents wonder if these reforms are designed to keep minority students and students of color from obtaining a college education. More students of color are attending some type of higher educational institution and entering in careers that they normally don’t show an interest. Even in STEAM – Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics there is a growing minority presence because technology allows Black students better opportunities for exposure and employment. Are minorities being systematically being closed out of earning a college degree to keep them from growing?

The Bright Futures program was designed to reward high-achieving high school students with the cost of college. Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Travis and Denise-Marie Ordway have written that new state rules may slash the number of Florida students eligible for the state's most popular type of Bright Futures scholarship. One of the requirements students will have to score higher on tests to be eligible for the scholarship rewards. This will drastically impact students and hurt many students particularly minority first generation college students. The opportunities for a quality college education are slowly diminishing for youth and parents need to be prepared to provide more financial support and look for alternative financial resources. The state of Florida has four Bright Futures scholarships the most popular is the Florida Medallion scholarship. The Legislature in 2011 toughened criteria so that students entering college in the fall of 2014 will need higher ACT and SAT scores than in the past to be eligible to qualify.

Students will have to score at least an 1170 on the SAT in 2014, up from 980 in 2012. The best possible SAT score, when math and critical-reading sections are combined, is a 1600. The minimum required ACT score rises to 26. The cutoff score last fall was 21, the highest possible composite ACT score of 36. That means students will really need to focus on academics skill sets when taking these assessments. As a parent I had my children take both the SAT and ACT twice to obtain as high a score as possible. I encouraged them when they entered into high school to be a part of academic clubs and organizations to build on their academic abilities early, looking towards the future. Sports was secondary academics was primary, but the involvement in extra-curricular activities was important to because of the exposure to new ideas, critical thinking skills and higher order learning. During the summers we attended events at the libraries, museums, etc. to continue to build on knowledge.

Parents need to understand that even in high school they need to stay in contact with their children’s teachers, administrators and even guidance counselors. On several occasions I had to meet with guidance counselors because I felt that I was not taken seriously and provided with enough and the proper information to make good decisions about my children and their college entrance. That is the responsibility of a parent to stay engaged and ask questions. There are no stupid questions when the needs of your child are the priority. Don’t rely totally on your child and expect them to know everything, they are still children and concerned with academics, assessments and other stresses. Parents should talk to their children regularly.

A disservice is being done to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The changes will affect the tuition at these schools and the desire of students, not just Blacks, but other races from attending. The fear is that many freshmen entering HBCU’s would not qualify for Bright Futures in 2014. My son attends #FAMU, his major is Microbiology and he is an honors student. These changes may not affect him, his sister will be affected, she is a junior in high school and will graduate in 2014, so it is vital for her to continue to be academically successful and a strong test taker even if it means tutoring. Black parents need to realize if their children are struggling there is no shame to ask for a tutor. 

Malcolm X made the statement: “By any means necessary” this can be used in education also, use all means to
make sure your child is successful tutors, visits to libraries and museums, academic programs, etc.

Major universities will see the affects in their Freshmen classes, many freshmen at the Universities of Central Florida, Florida and Florida State University received scholarships last school year. Their numbers may drop when the new requirements are imposed. The opinions from school administrators and parents is rising, Michele Erickson, Principal at Orlando's Edgewater High School, "I'm definitely concerned that not as many students will have the benefit of such a great opportunity." Conner Gilbert, Assistant Principal at Harmony High School in Harmony, “such a jump makes the Florida Medallion almost untouchable for the vast majority of our students." Parents talk to guidance counselors about scholarships, grants, Internships and other financial options. Don’t wait until too late as deadlines get closer. The competition will be fierce for what
little monies are available, research scholarships where ever possible.

Resources:
Video:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videogallery/75297556/Video-Florida-could-see-drop-in-Bright-Futures-scholarships

Parent Talk Live: Part 2-Teacher Attrition

Dr. Mike Robinson, host of Parent Talk Live on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 8:00 pm concluded his two part discussion on Teacher Attrition.  Is the American teaching profession in trouble?  Does the profession which serves as the gateway to nearly every occupation in the world garner the appropriate honor and importance in society today? How much of the challenges facing teachers are created by demand parents, increase student accountability and potentially poor working conditions? 


Dr. Robinson was joined by Gail P. Bingham. Ms. Bingham is a veteran teacher of more than 21 years and she is the author of a soon to be released book TEACHING Is The New Slavery. In her book, Ms. Bingham explores what she describes as a culture of persecution, retaliation, abuse, bullying and harassment as means to control teachers, which ultimately drives many teachers to leave the profession. Ms. Bingham suggests teacher attrition rates are to a large extent attributed to the "Pressures teachers face from administrators and other members of the community due to an expectation that teachers are solely responsible for student success and failure." She also believes the pressure and mistreatment experienced by teachers has led to tragic outcomes and simply quitting is the least of the effects on the lives of educators.

To listen to this amazing discussion click here!

William Jackson Tells Parents About Catfishing

Parents: Is your Teen Catfishing for Sex?

The Internet and Social Media opens many doors that access information potentially beneficial to teens academically, professionally, networking and build communities that are like extended families. Parents should be reminded that Social Media is just that, a social extension of life. Parents should be reminded that teens are exposed to sexual distractions to have sex, even without the Internet. Teens do have sexual relationships and parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of unprotected sex, multiple partners, oral and anal sex.

As an educator, presenter and speaker about Social Media I urge parents to talk to their children about Catfishing and stories of online stalking, predators and dangers. A Florida sex sting captured over fifty men as sexual predators. They targeted children in online Social sites and from online gaming sites. Using Catfishing and posed as teens but they were teachers, businessmen, students and tourists ranging in age from 19 to 60. Available online are access to teens for hookups in school, at the movies, in church and other social hangouts. The term Catfish(ing)” uses Social Media in a dangerous way that allows teens to have digital “Booty Calls” and "Meetups." Parents need to learn the terminology that their children use, be aware, prepared and realistic. The social connections not only happen through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, the ability to connect is also through Xbox Live, Wii and other gaming systems. Teens seem to be just playing video games, but some teens are experts at “gaming” and “hooking up.” The process starts by chatting and playing video games with people never met in person only in a digital world where anything can happen. Social interaction, real names are not even used, but bonds develop, friendships form and teens connect without knowing exactly who they are talking to. The next stage is real names are shared, phone numbers are shared then schools, locations and the bait is set.

Teens get comfortable and their guard is let down. Then the romance is started: Parent should be familiar with the process, they need to investigate, ask questions and even spy if necessary to make sure their teens are safe and if they are the predator searching for online sexual relationships. If there are concerns parents trust your instincts and take appropriate action. “Catfish(ing)” is an expression: the act of deceiving someone.

A Catfish is someone who creates a fake online identity (persona) to meet others through social networks and the gaming world online. The ease of making a false person is so easy students in elementary schools are doing it. It is not just in Facebook, but can be found on Meetme, Skout and social sites through gaming consoles. Even though many people put a picture as their online identity this can so easily be false. Actual data shows that 30 percent of teenage girls met up with a stranger in person after initially meeting them online “Pediatrics Feb 2013”. Viewing girls online info too many girls social media content (pictures, text and videos) are provocative and sexually suggestive. The sexual suggestiveness comes in text like: I’m sexy, I’m easy, will go all the way or I swallow. Parents need to be real in the understanding of their teen's actions.

The Internet is no fairy tale, playroom, or fantasy land. The posting of this content never goes away; it can be seen by millions and shared. Teens do not realize that their content can be used against them when applying for colleges, Internships, employment and even entering the military. Girls are social beings and many enjoy the social interaction and making new friends. Nationally there is a growing sex trafficking with the Internet being used to lure and entice girls with the hopes of money, travel, modeling and stardom.

The intent in most cases is not for sexual Meetups, but it is still a dangerous situation when giving out personal information online. Girls should be cautious of who they let in their networks and not say yes to just anybody. That creates a chance for potentially dangerous ways to find teens that are vulnerable to some kind of sexual relationship or even Cyberbullying and CyberStalking. Parenting should make a transition to online parenting behaviors, the importance of relationships that parents have with their children should involve talking about the consequences of online behaviors that could lead to dangerous or even deadly situations. Parents talk to your children, keep the lines of communication open and realistic. Catfish is a real issue for parents to educate their children on the dangers they face online.

Congratulations to Mrs. Barbara Fisher, 2012 JoAnne L. Carter Memorial Award Winner

The staff of Parental Engagement with PGCPS, Parents and PGCPS, its supporters and members congratulate Mrs. Barbara Fisher on being awarded the 2012 JoAnne L. Carter Memorial Award in recognition of her involvement with Carrollton Elementary School.

Barbara Fisher

Prince George’s County

Parents and PGCPS Members since 2010

Statement from MSDE:

Barbara Fisher of Prince George’s County, was presented with the JoAnne L. Carter Memorial Award in recognition of her involvement with Carrollton Elementary School.  This award is given annually in honor of JoAnne L. Carter, Deputy State Superintendent for the Maryland State Department of Education, who lost her battle with cancer in 2009.  A parent herself, Ms. Carter was a staunch advocate for parental involvement in education. The award is given annually to a parent that exemplifies all that she held dear. 

The Parent Involvement Matters Awards is the nation’s first and only statewide award program of its kind.  The Maryland State Department of Education’s program recognizes parents and guardians for their exceptional support of public education.  Parents were nominated for demonstrating significant, positive impact in their communities across five areas of parental involvement: Communication, Volunteering, Learning, Decision Making and Community Collaboration.

Visit Parents and PGCPS at: http://parentsandpgcps.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Summer Learning Loss Can Be Prevented

Dr. Michael A. Robinson

I just reviewed data on the percentage of fourth grade students passing their 2008-2009 state reading exams, according to NBC’s Education Nation website. Click here to see the Maryland data for yourself. Below are a few Maryland public school systems and their percentages of fourth grade students passing state reading:

Anne Arundel County (91%)
Baltimore City (78%)
Baltimore County (87%)
Calvert County (94%)
Howard County (93%)
Montgomery County (91%)
Prince George's County (77%)

As engaged parents, we have to address the low percentage of students performing well in the classroom and on state exams. This is especially important during the summer when academically centered activities give way to summer fun and frolic.

Former CEO for the National Summer Learning Association Ron Fairchild stated that 65% of the achievement gap can be attributed to summer learning loss. If this is true, we as parents cannot sit idly by and watch all the gains our children have made during the previous school year fall back. In a report released by the National Summer Learning Association, summer learning loss has been linked to low academic achievement and extremely high dropout rates.

The research brief cites the work of Dr. Karl Alexander and his colleagues which suggested that students from low economic backgrounds tend to experience a greater degree of academic drops in skills during the summer. Their research also discovered that students from economic disadvantaged backgrounds typically enter the school year at a lower level than typically middle class students, however, the researchers’ suggested that by the end of the year students from the low income families have progressed at or about an equal rate of those from a more affluent economic background. According the writers, their struggles really pick up during the summer when they experience the summer slide. The summer slide was not a phenomenon their more well off peers encountered.

Dr. Alexander when asked to explain why income levels impacted summer learning and more specifically why higher income students performed better upon return from summer breaks, he posited there were “some definite differences (Alexander, 2010). He further explained,

I don’t want to break it down into a checklist, but some differences seemed relevant. For example, better-off children were more likely to go to the library over the summertime and take books home. They were more likely to engage in a variety of enrichment experiences such as attending museums, concerts and field trips. They were more likely to take out-of-town vacations, be involved in organized sports activities, or take lessons, such as swimming or gymnastics lessons. Overall, they had a more expansive realm of experiences.

Many of the activities outlined by Dr. Alexander could be out of the reach of lower income families and to an extent a growing number of middle class families. Thus families have to create alternative learning opportunities to for their children. Scholars and school administrators agree there are ways this can be accomplished.

Board of Education Budget Public Hearing - 2/3/11

Parents Can Be Invaluable Partners

“Parents can be invaluable partners in their children's education, but many take themselves out of the equation because of mistrust, misunderstanding, the demands of work and home, or other factors"(Linda Star, 2009).

We are asking parents not to take themselves of the equation, but that they become part of the team, by working with their children schools to find ways they can become engaged in the learning process.

Parent Liaison of the Week: April 27, 2009

Lorena Garrido, Parent Liaison (is pictured on the left)

Recently, to my surprise, my colleagues at Hollywood Elementary wrote letters of support to nominate me for Outstanding Support Employee of the year. I was selected by the County to receive the honor during an awards ceremony on May 13, 2009. It is truly an honor and I am so humbled by it!

I have been working at Hollywood Elementary for three years as a Parent Liaison and my job here has been fulfilling and rewarding. It really feels great to be recognized for coming to work and doing the important job of helping parents feel welcomed and helping them to be involved in their children’s education. After all, a parent is a child’s first teacher and we are here to support the parent in this important role.

In my three years at Hollywood I have participated in some great programs for families, such as Family Night at the Library, the Second Cup of Coffee program, the ABC Club, and English classes. The Second Cup of Coffee Program has been a great way to inform parents on a variety of issues, as well as a time for parents to make friends and feel like they are part of the school community.

I know that many Parent Liaisons work hard and do the same great work as I do, so I feel as if I am accepting this award on our behalf!

Thank You!

Recent Poll Shows Parents Are Visiting Classrooms

How many times during the 2008-2009 school year have you observed your child's classroom?

(One Time): 23%

(Two Times): 23%

(Three Times): 7%

(Four Times): 7%

(More): 34%

PARENT ALERT!: A Parent's Worst Nightmare

The Real Story Behind Carl Walker-Hoover's Suicide

Wendy L. Wilson Sirdeaner Walker, 44, is ferociously protective of her four children. So when her 11-year-old son Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover complained to her last September of being bullied by students at the New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts, for "acting gay," she did something about it. She spoke to his principal, teachers and guidance counselor and became more active in the Parent Teachers Organization. But the teasing and threats .........Read full story » at http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/news/articles/carl_walker_hoover_suicide

Women's Day: May 11, 2009

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

presented by:

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

May 11 2009

WOMEN’S DAY
A Celebration of Your Commitment to the Success of Students

Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters, Nieces And Significant Female Role Models
Are Invited To Visit Your Child’s Classroom

Prince George’s Board of Education Mentoring Program: Connecting Generations

Mentoring

The Prince George's County Board of Education is seeking nonprofit organizations and community partners to provide mentors for Prince George's County public school students. The Board of Education, in collaboration with the Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) Division of Student Services, is hosting the Mentor Orientation sessions.

Mentors only working with students in a supervised setting are required to have a commercial background check at a cost of $7. Anyone with unsupervised access to students must first submit to a full criminal history, fingerprint background check at a cost of $61. For more information, contact Michael Robinson at 301.925.2535. You are also welcome to complete an online mentor profile at http://www.kpscholars.com/become_a_mentor.php