Since 2013*, Dumas Public Schools has seen a steady decline in student enrollment and teacher retention. After last year's reduction in force, emotions have been running very high and patrons have started asking some tough questions. I wish the problem could be traced to just one or two individuals whom we could hold responsible, but the truth is that there are many contributing factors to this decade old issue. We are where we are. To move forward, patrons need to focus on what CAN be done to improve academic achievement, encourage students who have left to return to the district, and restart the wheels of education in the community?
First, reduce chronic absenteeism. Students cannot learn if they are not at school. Last year, I had several students miss my class more than 20 times. Yes, we followed school protocol to address the issue, but we cannot stop parents from checking their children out. These students’ parents/guardians were coming to the school and checking them out. Changing to year-round schooling or a four-day school week would reduce the number of days both teachers and students were out for sickness, but it can’t fix PARENTS. Please, make sure your students go to school on time and stay all day!
Second, as a community of parents, take away the electronics at night. If the majority of parents will do this, we can change the trend. The majority play games on phones, computers, and gaming systems. They game instead of studying or doing homework. They game instead of sleeping, eating, or practicing. Then, they cannot stay awake in class. Scientific research tells us that extreme fatigue has the same impact on our brains as being drunk or high. Please, use the timer on your internet. Take away the phones, computers, and game controllers at night. Check on your children to make sure they are actually sleeping. If the majority of parents agree to do this, there will be less of a struggle with the children.
Thirdly, support teachers. This again falls to the parents. I have witnessed parents encouraging their children to fight at school. I have witnessed parents deride teachers, even using profanity in front of the students. Students know that they can disobey and “cuss out” teachers because their parents will back them up. Last year we even had a parent come to the school to help her child fight another student! When a teacher tells you something about your child's behavior…believe them! Trust me, no teacher wants to do that! Teachers don’t want to have to take that extra time to call. Teachers have to be prepared to document and defend what they say. With all of that consuming the precious little planning time they have, they are not going to just make something up about your student.
The truth is, when good teachers stay, students stay. When students are consistently in school, in class, with good teachers; they learn. When parents show respect for teachers and education by making school a priority, students will show respect and make school a priority. In turn, teachers will enjoy their jobs and stay and the wheel will continue to turn.
Hollywood Plantation; and the Allen House and Monticello Historic District.
A diverse cohort participated in the Landmarks workshop including representation from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, California, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Wisconsin.
McGehee teachers who participated in the workshop included: Jesse Robinson (pictured above with Mayor Jeff Owyoung), Michelle Robinson and Stacy Baker.
Each teacher received a certificate for professional development continuing education credit and a stipend up to $1,300 at the conclusion of the Landmarks workshop.
Teachers were welcomed by the mayors in the cities where the historic sites are including, Mayor Eddy Bush of Lake Village; Mayor Jeff Owyoung of McGehee; Mayor Carolyne Blissett of Arkansas City; and Mayor Jason Akers of Monticello.
For more information, visit www.alex-foundation.org or www.alex-foundationasenseofplace.org.
