I have had several wonderful opportunities in the last few weeks to attend some remarkable meetings regarding our children and the education system in Kentucky. I was able to attend Kentucky Kid's Day in Frankfort, where parents and educators from all over the state representing a variety of child focused organizations asked our Representatives and Senators to work diligently on behalf of the children of the Commonwealth. We know that the PTA is an advocacy group dedicated to "everychild.onevoice" but few of us feel that we are that voice. We need to be pro-active, especially since now, more than ever, our country is in an economic crisis and one of the first items often slashed in a budget is funding for education. I am proud to speak for the students, parents, teachers and staff of Byck Elementary and ask that if you have a concern, let me know. I will adress it within Byck and if it goes beyond I will take that message to those that need to hear it.
I also recently attended two amazing events here in Louisville. The first was at Gheens and sponsored by GLI, the Center for Family Literacy with Verizon, and JCPS. We PTA presidents from all over the district were invited to have lunch with National PTA CEO Byron C. Garrett. To sum up this day: WOW! He is not only an accomplished author, but an eloquent speaker as well, having once been a Principal at a Title I school in Phoenix, he now brings that perspective to National PTA. Mr. Garrett tells it like it is. We need to engage our parents in more than just membership, we need to involve them in their child's education. Many parents often feel uncomfortable walking into a school because their own childhood experiences have left them jaded. We need to move beyond our own issues and focus on what our children's needs are. Despite the fact that Byck is recognized by several in the JCPS system as an "uninvolved" school, we know that we have an outstanding group of parent volunteers, committed to various projects and often available for field trips as well as extracurricular activities. However, there are many parents that feel disconnected. Mr. Garrett points out that it is time to get the 20 and 30-something parents involved. To that means we need to increase the ways we communicate with those parents. I know we have several parents who want more information sent home, perhaps even on a weekly basis. Know that the PTA is often ready to distribute our newsletter but have to wait for administrative approval. Sometimes an Ice Storm happens and school is out for a week, and everything is delayed. Please, if you feel you need more information, don't wait for it to show up in your student's backpack. Contact the PTA or the School and ASK. Again, be proactive, not passive. Furthermore, that while National PTA is on facebook, which is pretty cool, many parents don't have regular access to computers therefore to distribute information via a web page or email isn't possible. We need to find a communication balance so we reach all of our parents at Byck.
I urge as many of you as possible to attend the Urban League's weekend education sessions. Terrie Brown, our FRC coordinator, sent home materials about these Saturday sessions a week or two ago. Maybe you looked it over and threw it away. I attended the annual Education Summit and only saw one parent from Byck that I recognized. You may feel that because you don't live in the neighborhood, it isn't important for you to support neighborhood or community initiatives. This is absolutely not true. All students at Byck are valuable and important. All students at Byck benefit from involved parents. That was the focus of the summit, that is the focus of National, State, 15th District and even Byck's PTA. Studies show that involved parents mean students that achieve success. It is more than just a membership dues payment, it is being there for those field trips, popcorn Fridays, at home to look over homework, at school connecting with teachers and staff. When I walk the halls at Byck, practically every child knows who I am. If their parent is there, they introduce me. I love how much the children at Byck care for one another and most especially my daughter Finn, who is my PTA assistant. Now, more than ever before, we have got to take a stand and tell the school board, the city, Frankfort and beyond that our school matters. That our children should not look out their classroom windows at abandoned houses. That our students need quality books in both the library and their classrooms. That our teacher's deserve support for their daily efforts. That our families that feel left out know that they are included. That it goes beyond a garden or a playground, that it is about balancing all the needs of all our students in order to stand by our claim: "Byck Elementary, The BEST school in Jefferson County."
~Myrdin Thompson
Byck PTA President