HalifaxTalk.com

wildhandyman · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 7953

Andy, I'm sorry that I hadn't seen your first post until today, and I am truly sorry for what your daughter has had to experience in her school. If it is any comfort, and it probably won't be, the government school system is screwed up everywhere, not just Halifax County.

If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to confront the people who have made your daughter's life miserable in person, not by email. I know that confrontation is out of character for you, but the ONLY PEOPLE who get anything done in the school system are those who are willing to get up close and personal and loud with the administrative screw-ups. I know that it is not professional, but it is amazing what a little yelling can accomplish. The pencil pushers need to know that they have made a serious mistake.

NOTE: If you have any other children coming up through the government school system, please disregard my advice because those very same pencil pushers will make your next child pay, in spades, for your correcting them. Unfortunately, that's the way it works.
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koolbox · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 608

Great letter. I hope your daughter gets the apology she deserves.

As a WHM said, I would also suggest paying a visit to the school, but I would try not to shout and stomp my feet. A calm attitude coupled with your logical reasoning and a pair of eyes that are shooting darts at the idiots can accomplish a lot. It's hard to ignore someone that is standing in front of you.

iteach · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 2322 Location: B-Wood, Baby

Andy, I think this is a great letter. But, I bet you never get a response.
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Tarheel · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 16565 Location: South Boston

AndyR · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

Update:

Mr. Randolph called and wants to set up a meeting next week.

Ms. Griles called Melissa in to her office and apologized.

I received very nice emails from Joe Gasperini, who said he will check into the schedule mistake; and Steve Anderson.
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A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will in time produce a people as base as itself.
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Fred · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 2492

Melissa will always remember - for the rest of her life - that her dad understood how she felt and was willing to stand up for her. You've left her with something lasting and good.

434mom · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 191

AndyR · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

I also received an apologetic email from Paul Stapleton.
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A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will in time produce a people as base as itself.
~Joseph Pulitzer

2boxers · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 9277 Location: Five Acre Farm

Andy, I am so glad you've gotten apologies. I hope it was some comfort to "Bebissa"
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squirrelgirl55 · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 1153 Location: The Nuthouse

Andy, I am so glad you have gotten all that response. I am, to be honest, very surprised,and I HOPE it is a reflection that some lessons have been learned by these members of the administration. I say that in the hope that they will be more thoughtful next time this sort of thing arises.

So, you have done a service. And, your daughter wil remember her dad standing with her. Good job.

I pray the rest of the year goes smoothly and is better in totality than it seems right now.
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Tarheel · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 16565 Location: South Boston

1093ras · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

I am not normally a cynic, but I wonder if all this quick response had anything to do with Andy's posts on here and on his blog?

The responses he got are exactly the responses he should have gotten to start with...sad that they all had to be jumpstarted by a blanket email.

CYA was a little slow this time, huh?

Andy, you have not only left your daughter with the special knowledge that you stood up for her, you also taught her to stand up.
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Posted by Bunny Propst

Tarheel · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 16565 Location: South Boston

1093ras · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

He posted it here on Wednesday, and he had already sent some emails to those involved.
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Blessed are they who can give without remembering and take without forgetting
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Posted by Bunny Propst

Tarheel · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 16565 Location: South Boston

I do not think he sent the email to Stapelton and clan until Thursday....

either way...2 days or so ......pretty quick for govt...

I do think though that his posting it here hastened the response.
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