Unfortunately, since the implementation of this new curriculum, Lowell has stumbled through a few obstacles. The principal hired to implement the program became ill midway through the year and had to leave. Another principal was pulled from retirement to take care of the day-to-day responsibilities of the school. Now Lowell has a new Principal and is in the process of "rebirthing" itself. Approximately half of the teachers are new to the school. Looking at the dynamics of this situation is daunting in itself. Teachers are not only establishing relationships with students, but with each other as well. With a new principal comes a new vision and more adjustment. Patty seems to be doing a good job and is on top of the game. Of course, it will take time to choreograph the Math, Science and Technology program and reap its fruits.
Statistics present their own obstacles. Lowell has a 30% mobility rate, thus a 70% stability rate. Only 70% of the students are there for the year. 30% move away or go back and forth. Compare this to the average district mobility rate of 13.5%. Apparently providing these children with their basic human needs of food, clothing and shelter is the primary to the luxury of an education. Parental involvement and parenting skills are scarce and sorely needed. Ask any teacher how much parental involvement affects the success of the students. The next statement needs its own paragraph:
The Lowell Elementary PTA has 4 members.
Lowell needs help to say the least. Adult supervision is needed before school, after school, during lunch and at recess. People are needed to assist children to develop their reading skills. A good idea emerged from our volunteer meeting yesterday. This was to contact the nursing home/assisted living/senior apartment dwellers down the road a bit and ask them if they would like to help. I will do this next week. Kids, Inc. is the structured after school program. They have a limit of 30 kids and charge on a sliding scale. Everyone pays. The Y has a program that is also not free. Some children go to Church programs or day cares. Those who cannot afford any of the options are left unsupervised. These unsupervised children are out of school with the unsupervised Jr. high and high school students that they are influenced by. You may come to your own conclusions.
School activities that typically occur in the evenings - concerts, open house, fairs of sorts, etc. are not well attended unless they provide free food. This tells us a lot. My take on it is that parents DON'T feel comfortable at the school. So, what can we do to change this? Solutions that I think of are to begin holding neighborhood/city/cultural events in the school. We are a very diverse neighborhood. Why not embrace the cultures of the various groups in the neighborhood? Why not ask leaders of these groups their opinion on how we could respectfully draw the families into the school and create a community via the school? Ideas abound... Additional ideas are always welcome. What do you think would work? How can we build trust and help decrease the mobility, increase the stability and furnish the PTA with more members?
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