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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Feb 9th, 2007 03:48 am |
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Have something to say about Northern High School? Post it here!
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dmauser
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Posted: Mar 17th, 2007 06:27 pm |
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| We had a great meeting at Northern Middle, concerning Northern High last Thursday. There will be monthly meetings (the 3rd Thurday) for the next few months. Lots of sports info available at NGHS website, located through gcsnc.com. The PTSA for Northern High is meeting April 12, 7pm at Moby's-- all interested parties welcome.
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GRITS
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Posted: Mar 29th, 2007 12:25 am |
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I know this a little late--but maybe better than never.
Are any of concerned about the lengthy bus rides that our 6 graders have to endower? My child greets his bus promptly at 7am every morning--ride for 90 minutes--and school starts at 8:45. The afternoon route is just as bad--another 90 minute--my child is at home at 5:10pm.
I have talked to the head of transportation, and the blame is all on resources. Northern needs more buses- and it doesn't look like a new one is coming any time soon. What can we do--my tax dollars pay for this--and expect better.
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dmauser
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Posted: Mar 29th, 2007 12:39 am |
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| I have talked to the GCS about this several times. With Eastern taking alot of buses there are just not any buses available. The transportation office realizes that some of the routes are too long and promises to try (notice I did not say they WILL) get more buses for next year. I suggest emailing all of the BOE members with your concern. Hopefully if the Pod village at Eastern is open on time next year that will open up some buses. In adddition after XMAS the high schoolers will be going to Northern High and they will need even more buses.
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GRITS
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Posted: Mar 29th, 2007 01:02 am |
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| This is exactly what GCS has told me, more buses will come once the high school gets going. I am also told that the buses will be added before since the middle school will be full gear. I just don't think GCS has thought this out very well especially jumping into a school within a school concept. This bus ride has been a tremendous toll on my son--which is indeed affecting his grade because he has no time once he gets home from school. His day is longer than mine and I am 43, he is only 12. Maybe the state should lower the driving age to 12.
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Lilly Spears
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Posted: Mar 30th, 2007 12:38 pm |
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GRITS wrote: This is exactly what GCS has told me, more buses will come once the high school gets going. I am also told that the buses will be added before since the middle school will be full gear. I just don't think GCS has thought this out very well especially jumping into a school within a school concept. This bus ride has been a tremendous toll on my son--which is indeed affecting his grade because he has no time once he gets home from school. His day is longer than mine and I am 43, he is only 12. Maybe the state should lower the driving age to 12.
Grits I too am dealing with your frustrations. Unfortunately, I personnally do not see the this problem being solved antime soon. More buses will be added next year when the high school begins in January. However, my only fear is that the 90 minute bus ride will only remain--I do not see that being resolved ever. I have been told by GCS that another reason why the the bus runs as early as they do is because of were the buses are parked. I do know that some of Northern's buses are parked at Page high school.
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dmauser
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Posted: Mar 30th, 2007 01:07 pm |
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There is no bus parking lot at Northern Middle, the lot is connected to the HS, so once it is finished in Jan 08 that will help. This is just one of the issues that arises with the idea of starting a school in the middle of the year. No water, long bus rides, cold food, etc. I hate starting a school in the middle of the year! It is disruptive to students learning and lives. The teachers are put through the ringer driving back and forth prior to the opening... I could go on and on!
The truth is that the BOE thinks that the public would be livid if a new school is left empty for a few months. I personally am more worried about the students than an empty building. The empty building could be addressed by the construction schedule many years prior to opening.... off my band wagon for now 
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Lilly Spears
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Posted: Mar 30th, 2007 01:23 pm |
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dmauser wrote: . I hate starting a school in the middle of the year! It is disruptive to students learning and lives. The teachers are put through the ringer driving back and forth prior to the opening... I could go on and on!
The truth is that the BOE thinks that the public would be livid if a new school is left empty for a few months. I personally am more worried about the students than an empty building. The empty building could be addressed by the construction schedule many years prior to opening.... off my band wagon for now
I am so glad to know that there is someone else who feels exactly the way that I do. I could not have stated it better. Thanks DMauser.
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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Mar 30th, 2007 02:31 pm |
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S. Smith
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Posted: Apr 1st, 2007 03:47 pm |
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Lilly Spears wrote: dmauser wrote: . I hate starting a school in the middle of the year! It is disruptive to students learning and lives. The teachers are put through the ringer driving back and forth prior to the opening... I could go on and on!
The truth is that the BOE thinks that the public would be livid if a new school is left empty for a few months. I personally am more worried about the students than an empty building. The empty building could be addressed by the construction schedule many years prior to opening.... off my band wagon for now
I am so glad to know that there is someone else who feels exactly the way that I do. I could not have stated it better. Thanks DMauser.
I've added a new thread on this topic. I've also added one about the long bus rides.Last edited on Apr 1st, 2007 03:50 pm by S. Smith
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Lilly Spears
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Posted: Apr 25th, 2007 12:33 pm |
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Good morning all, does anyone else get the impression that Northern is being used as a guinea pig? Mr. Grier presents a great oppurtuninty for these kids wanting to offer nothing but Advanced Placement courses, but why just does it have to offered at one school? Why Northern.? If he is wanting to make a change as far increasing our kids academic intelligence, why not offer AP courses at all the high schools? What is Mr. Grier basing his data on and why does he seem to be focusing on one particular school zone?
Next, if Gov. Easley gets his way wanting to offer 2 years of college to all graduates by attending High School an extra year, where will these kids be attending? The northwest community is already busting at the seams, is this another test that Northern will try to achieve?
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dmauser
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Posted: Apr 25th, 2007 03:53 pm |
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Not sure what you mean about AP-- all schools have some AP classes. If you knew how many parents thought that CP (college prep) meant that they would be ready for college, you would understand the problem - CP is basic almost remedial classes. To really get ready for college you need honors classes.
I have no idea how Northern will address those that have no intention of going to post hs educations. Of course, all knowldege is beneficial and perhaps an honors course will encourge more students to look at different opportunites.
I can't imagine where we would put kids if they stayed in school for 13 or 14 years. I don't think that proposal is a good one, and will be keeping an eye on the development of it.
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mstone
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Posted: Apr 25th, 2007 09:44 pm |
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I agree Lilly. Here comes another program/experiment. If it's a good plan, why not implement it across the county. That's the same as the HP Choice plan. If it was such a good idea, why not let everyone participate.
I am SERIOUSLY concerned about kids not ready for AP and honors classes. And like dmauser, I don't know how you address kids that don't plan to go to college. All learning is valuable, but if a teen gets frustrated (especially one not planning a college path) in an honors class, are they more likely to drop out or create problems in class by acting out? I don't know, but it's totally inappropriate to focus on a single group of kids at the expense of another.
My son was assigned an AP math class even though he barely passed his 9th grade algebra. After 2 months of struggling and failing, I stepped in an told the guidance councelor to move him to a more appropriate class. She said "NO"! Fine, I went to the principal, and he said "no" as well until I explained who the decision-maker in the room was. He's my son, and I am the taxpaying parent. The principal finally agreed and we got my son moved. Unfortunately, the damage was done and he didn't really engage in the school activities for the rest of the year. My son finally told me that the school people made him feel "dumb" when he switched classes.
OK, so I'll stop venting my personal problems, but I fear this is what's going to happen to a lot of really good kids that want to learn, but aren't ready or willing to take on these types of courses. And the BOE hasn't even considered how to address this.
Last edited on Apr 25th, 2007 09:47 pm by mstone
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dmauser
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Posted: Apr 25th, 2007 10:16 pm |
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As I understand it, AP is a college level course and should be gone into with much thought. The counselors are under pressure to get the number of students up in those classes, but I agree the decision is up to the parent. Unfortunately about 75% of the parents, don't get involved with these decisions until it is too late. I know we all have busy lives, but other than the health of my family my child's education takes top priority. Even when I try to stay aware of things, it takes a lot of time so I can understand where many parents think they don't have the time, knowledge, etc to make decisions, but it is very important to the success of our children.
Again, I am learning but as I understand it CP is really not challenging and should be renamed as basic English. Honors is what the equivalent of college prep was when I was in HS (okay that was a long, long time ago ).
To get into a top level university they want to know that the student can master their courses and should have taken several AP classes in HS. This came as a complete surprise to me, but many kids graduate with 4.8 and 5. something averages! I thought my 3.5 was good. haha
It is hard to know where to get the right balance, between school, extras, family, church etc. Only so much time in a day.
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Lilly Spears
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Posted: Apr 25th, 2007 10:41 pm |
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ok I get why this is even being considered, but the real question is why do this at 1 school? Where is the data coming from to form these decisions. If the GPA are as high as you claim they are, why is the BOE not implementing this concept at EVERY high school--why not Northwest? Why is Northern only being considered when Northern has no end of grade results to show support? The waters are being tested and not every student is prepared enough to take on these challenges, no child is equal.
I think parents are more involved than 75%, but when a parent is constantly told "no" when asked to look at moving a child to another class that better fits the child--frustration and aggrevation tends to set in. It is a battle .
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