Some of our take-aways from the the meeting...
- We need to be an intentional community, with a unified intent.
- What are the rules that we need to reflect our values of respect and responsibility?
- How can SCSD, or even individual classroom teachers, weave these values into the classroom?
- Change is embraced when people feel like they are in the driver's seat.
- Start each day on a positive note.
We are at a pivotal time in Syracuse - a time when we actually have the potential to make a positive change for the entire community, if we all remain true to ourselves and our values. One of the first steps you can take is make a commitment to attend the next Syracuse Coalition for Respect and Responsibility meeting, which is scheduled in May - date and location to be announced.
To quote the district's recruiting website...
We're all in. Are you?
This is a positive step forward, showing some promise and hope. I think the 5 take- aways mentioned above are ideas that all stakeholders can embrace and find common ground with. The problem is the teachers have been the convenient scapegoat left to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility. It's easy to "pass the buck" onto them because the classroom or the school is often the place where issues manifest. So the schools cannot do it all - they need help. The responsibility needs to be shared by all stakeholders if the goal is to have the students succeed. I think there is a place for some "linking" groups or organizations in the community to help with the take-aways mentioned above, so that everyone is on the same page. Some examples might be the PTO, Hillside, chuches, community centers, public libraries, etc. And yes, even small positive changes in the home and classroom can help. I think in this case, it will take the entire village - one that respects all the stakeholders. It would be very useful if the question would be asked to each of the stakeholders, "What do you need from the rest of us to help foster success for the students"? I believe children succeed when they are valued and nurtured, but also have limits and boundaries when it comes to behavior -consistency and structure help to make a safe and secure learning environment. Everyone has to do their part and share in the responsibility. I think "community schools" would help to improve the linkage between school and home as well.
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