Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411080006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: REGINA M. SMITH
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's unfortunate that the county's school system has done such a poor job of educating parents and teachers about the benefits of this system. The Montgomery County Home School Communication System has a great deal to offer. Warren is concerned that the convenience of this system will ``undermine the development of responsible students.'' I could not disagree with him more. I believe that the sad state of the morale within our school system has clouded the ability to judge what can serve to help all concerned.
The object is to get the work done. Accomplishing that will lead, it is hoped, to the ultimate success of the student. The responsibility lies in doing the work, not copying the assignment off the board. There has been a marked increase in completed homework assignments in Pulaski County High School since this system was installed. Grades of A's and B's rose from 47 percent to 59 percent. Isn't that what it's all about? The goal is to educate the child, and this system can be a tool to help achieve that goal.
This system can be of great benefit to teachers if they'll use it. It will make calls for them. If they're on a field trip and the bus breaks down, they need only make one call to the system. The system will then call the home of every child on the trip. It will keep trying until it gets an answer. Parents will not sit in dark parking lots wondering where their children are. The system can be used to remind parents of conferences. Better to remind them the day before than to sit in a classroom for ``no shows.'' This can become a very useful tool for a creative teacher. It can be a timesaver.
The system can make available a multitude of information to anyone who calls. The when and where of PTA meetings, band concerts, sports, plays, anything that goes on at the school can be put on the system. Can that be so bad?
In discussions with Teleworks, I've been assured that a teacher will spend two to four minutes each day upgrading the system. I've been assured that there will be immediate access, no waiting. Teachers can call from their homes. Obviously, there will have to be some adjustment time. Bugs will have to be worked out, but we have a company that's willing to work with us. No one wants this system to succeed more than the company that designed it. Montgomery County is to be a showcase for this company. Disgruntled teachers and parents will not be a plus in Teleworks favor.
Warren is right. Books, laboratory supplies, school field trips, art supplies and needed facility repairs do seem to fall on the luxury list in this county. No one has fought harder than I to get these items funded. But let's do a reality check here. The burden for supplying these items is on the federal, state and county governments. The burden for asking for these items falls on the School Board. The burden for paying for these items falls on the taxpayers. The phrase ``when donkeys fly'' comes to mind when I think of our chances for getting any of these groups to cooperate in changing what seems to be a luxury to what should be a necessity.
Wade's grocery stores are working with the Montgomery County PTAs and the school system to help raise funds for this communications system. Many other businesses in this county have donated funds. We're receiving a $200,000 system for $55,000. The school system provided $5,500. The rest of the money will come from businesses, private donations and fund-raising events. We're close to reaching the goal. Wade's will donate 2 percent of the gross sales of all gold register-receipts turned into them by the school system until Nov. 15. I thank Wade's for its generous support of this effort. Every child in Montgomery County stands to benefit from this system.
Regina M. Smith is president of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs in Blacksburg.
by CNB