Vigilance, hard work are required

In response to the June 30 letter, “Why no outrage from community?” I agree with the writer that, “It’s a sad day when a community will not step up and voice support for a beaten kid.” But I strongly disagree that somehow public schools are the reason an abusive parent figure loses control!

The writer seems to be trying hard to get her son help for his “less than stellar” grades. She implies that, like “many kids that age” he doesn’t play the game. What game is that? The “nightly homework” game? The “participate in class” game? The “weeks long projects” game? The “study for the test” game? He seems to have joined the “Non-Players Team.”

I have just retired after 20 years of teaching members of the “Non-Players Team.” So I have some suggestions that may help. First, this is going to be hard! A new school year is going to begin shortly. Contact all of his teachers as soon as you have a schedule for the new school year. E-mail has made this much easier. Be honest that he has struggled in the past. Be honest that you have not had much success receiving help for him. When he tells you he has no homework, calmly reply that you will e-mail his teacher to thank her/him for a night off. Request that every handout be e-mailed to you. No more “lost” explanations of that 6-week project that is a third of his grade. If you struggle with a teacher who doesn’t communicate, you have a record of your e-mail attempts to show his school counselor. Don’t give up! You are the No. 1 advocate for your child. By November teachers are receiving far fewer e-mails. Your constant follow through will pay off in respect and support from his teachers.

Sheila M. Anderson

Marysville