Agood article for rooky and verteran administrators. Everyone has found some way to create time for themselves throughout the day or what they feel has helped them be successful in their school. I feel the key and priority is the communnuty. As you are making these changes in the school to meet the students need, you must also make changes in the very community thast sends you these students evey day.

Communities become incrusted with beliefs and ways that may be detramental to what you and the school are trying to do. It seems that today we are concentrating on test scores because of NCLB. We are offering tutoring before and after school. Changes in student schedules to give double doses in their deficent areas. Peer tutoring. Counselng through both in-school and outside agencies. Evening school, Alternative school, and a hundred other differeent ways to help meet the needs of the student. But what about the community? Where are we meeeting these needs to help in these changes. So often your resistance comes form homes where the parent(s) were not successful in school. There has been a bitter taste left in their mouth from their experiences. Or there is no support what-so-ever for that student when they go home. this is an area that needs the most help.

Schools and communities have to work together to help with the change in education. Doors need to be open at night so that parents and students have an opportunity to come and work together. Once tha trust is established between the school and community then, and only then -will significant gains be observed. Parents will welcome and support what you are doing for their child. Parents will see that the student is able to attend during these times so their child can be successful. Phone calls to home will be welcomed.

This has to be a priority set by the school. It is the cornerstone for school success. It is an area that I feel I need to improve.

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