Letters to the Editor
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‘UFT in a Race To Avert a School Revolt’
When parents raised concerns on March 17 about their children’s education at the UFT Elementary Charter School, our response was quick and cooperative: we scheduled a meeting for March 24, the first available time for all [New York, “UFT in a Race To Avert a School Revolt,” March 25, 2008].
Moreover, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees held March 18, I asked the parent trustees if they wanted to talk about concerns — they indicated the March 24 meeting was appropriate and said the issues were resolvable. Both meetings indicate a level of responsiveness consistent with the UFT’s long advocacy of parent involvement.
The March 24 meeting was a productive exchange of ideas between parents and educators about issues that should concern stakeholders in every school, such as maintaining a safe environment and enhancing communication. It ended, literally, in applause — with clear “next steps” delineated to ensure follow-up.
Some of the safety concerns that were raised have to be addressed by the principal of the intermediate school with whom our elementary charter school shares the building.
The UFT takes transparency seriously and has been up-front and candid about our school. When we asked the PTA president if she wanted the press to attend the meeting, she did not, and we respected her wishes. But your reporter was certainly not deprived of any access to attending parents before or after the meeting.
Overall, parents are satisfied with the quality of education their children are receiving.
On the school’s most recent parent survey, more than 91% of parents indicated that they are happy with their child’s experience at the school.
This does not mean, of course, that we rest on those laurels — all schools can do better, and they do best when parents and teachers work together. The way this was done is the way schools should solve problems.
RANDI WEINGARTEN
President United Federation of Teachers
New York, N.Y.
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