MED-O-GRAM JANUARY 21, 2013
MEADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Dear Meadows Families, I first moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1997. My son was seven years old and started school in the Scottsdale School District that August. His school was close to home, and I found his teachers caring and capable; I was looking forward to a great year. As a working parent, I did the things I was able to do with my limited free time: I attended Back to School Night, parent/teacher conferences, extra-curricular activities, and even one field trip by taking a half day away from my job as a high school English teacher. I did my best to get to know school personnel and the parents of my son’s classmates. I wanted others to recognize my commitment to my son and his education; in short, I wanted to be seen as a “good parent.” The school year was more than halfway over, when I attended my second parent/teacher conference of the year. The teacher was sharing some of my son’s work with me when she seemed to get somewhat flustered. Apparently, one assignment dealt with a small written caption and picture to illustrate something students enjoyed with parents on the weekend. My son’s caption read: On the weekend, my mom and I like to go to bars. Above this was a pretty fair second grade representation of a bar. I found myself stammering as I attempted to explain. I had grown up watching the Kansas City Chiefs football games every Sunday with my folks, and the games were always televised at home. In Phoenix, however, it was a rare occasion to get a televised Chiefs game so I would take my son to a sports bar to watch the games (usually at 10:00 AM!) nearly every Sunday. We would typically eat breakfast or lunch – sans the alcohol – and head home. I explained this to his teacher, somewhat red-faced. We both laughed about it, and as I left she said, “I promise not to believe everything your son says about you and your home if you promise not to believe everything he tells you about me and our school.” Sage advice that I’m sure some of you have heard or even given. Kids don’t always get the story straight, do they? That’s why it is so important that the adults are able to communicate with each other. Sometimes kids can misinterpret words and/or actions. The same can be true for teachers or any adult. Kids are also pretty adept at spinning things in their own favor. I say this as a parent myself as well as an educator. Finally, much as we hate admit it, kids can even lie to us. They are kids and one of their jobs is to make mistakes. The way the adults involved handle these mistakes can help kids to know that they can be honest with us. It is crucial that kids do not pit home against school and vice versa. Rather our communication should serve to show children that we are all on the same side – theirs. We hold students accountable because we care. Thank you for your willingness to communicate with us and for your ongoing support in our efforts to provide extraordinary learning for all! With Ram Pride, Susan Doyle, Meadows Principal MADISON MEADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL
225 W. OCOTILLO RD., PHOENIX, AZ 85013 (602) 664-7600