Rally For Better Schools

As the countdown to the May 17 special election begins, criticism of the Portland Public School District's facilities bond measure seems to grow. Be Academy founder Julia Anderson has put out an open call for parents, students and community members who are disillusioned by Portland schools to gather at Arleta Elementary on May 15 for what's being described as a "symbolic work party." The rally, which will start at 1 p.m., is part demonstration against the "Band-Aid" approach of the bond and mill levy and part demonstration for a seat at the table to decide the future of Portland schools. You can read more about the rally here.

Like many critics of the May 17 bond measure and mill levy proposal, this group criticizes the district for setting aside a relatively small amount of bond funds for seismic updates. The group picked Arleta, in part, because of its distinction as a school highly likely to collapse in an earthquake.

Revolutionize Our Schools

I don’t know a single parent who thinks No Child Left Behind is good for schools. Standardized tests play too big a role in the classroom. Teacher morale is plummeting – though the state budget has a lot to do with that, too. I personally lament how much less flexibility teachers seem to have in the classroom to follow students’ interests, experiment with different teaching techniques and to teach beyond the state-approved curriculum.

Most of us can agree that things ain’t working in our local schools. Ah, but what to do about it? As a parent whose eldest child will enter school in two years, I feel pretty helpless at times. Get in a room with a few other worried moms and dads, though, and I start to feel a little more empowered. What if parents really could tear down the red tape and revolutionize our schools?

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Improving Neighborhood Schools

I’m a Midwestern transplant, and a lot of the ideals most people have about school were a reality in my childhood. We all went to neighborhood schools because, well, there really wasn’t any other choice. My mom knew all my teachers. When school was out, I used the campus playground as my own place to play. I wandered the halls in the summer months, because most of the sports camps, music camps and driver’s ed programs were held on school grounds, too.

Strong neighborhood schools create strong communities. But what if your neighborhood school isn’t so strong? What if sending your child to school doesn’t conjure up images of warmth, pride and connection?

The Be Academy in Southeast Portland is having a workshop on Thursday, April 7 to help parents bring their dreams for their neighborhood schools a little closer to reality.

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