Is it true about Sumner High School parents?
By Jennifer D. Waters-Jones
Guest Columnist
The responses that I have received from the administration and most staff at Sumner High School regarding my concerns somehow always end with remarks about our parents: they don’t care, aren’t involved, are very poor and are of a lower caliber than other parents in the SLPS district. Is it true, Sumner parents, that you do not care and do not want to be involved?
Are Sumner parents so poor they can not afford to pay admission fees to support their children by attending athletic events or a yearly awards banquet?
Do you not care that your child attends a school that has inadequate toilet facilities, a gym too hot to sit in, poorly maintained lawn and trash that isn’t picked up daily?
Are your priorities as parents so out of touch with reality that you gladly will pay $100-plus for your child to run for homecoming king or queen, but won’t pay $10 for an athletic or band uniform fee?
Is it okay with you to use class time to watch unrelated videos?
Do any of you care when senior activities are? Is anyone planning to chaperone the senior fund-raisers, luncheon or prom? Can I assume you are not interested in attending ribbon day or graduation, either? Does this mean you will not be at any senior parent meetings?
Has any parent asked why the parents’ open house is scheduled in the daytime when the majority of people work? Oh, I forgot, the school administration and staff believe over 95 percent of the students are below the poverty level, which means most of you do not work. Right?
Do you enjoy seeing your child in mismatched, ill-fitted, stained and tattered band uniforms?
Did anyone other than me ask the principal why the parents did not receive newsletters during 2004-’05? Shhh. I forgot. Sumner parents are supposedly of a lower caliber and don’t read their mail or the newspaper, and we can’t trust our children to bring info home, either.
Am I just one of two alumni parents who can afford the $10/year, $150/lifetime alumni membership fee?
How many of you have asked about the PTO? Or are you afraid you will be asked to volunteer your time or pay a membership fee?
How many have donated to the “Ink-Jet” or “Newspaper Recycling” programs at Sumner? That’s right! Sumner doesn’t have a parent or student newsletter. So how would you know the purpose of the big green and yellow container that sets on the west parking lot? I keep forgetting, it’s assumed Sumner parents do not care about helping the school anyway, or so I’ve been repeatedly told.
Where were you Sunday, April 24 for the “BIG” parent meeting I insisted the administration have? Did your children not bring home flyers to you? Did you not open the letter addressed to you about the meeting? Will you be at the meeting on October 18?
How many of you know Sumner hadn’t had a yearbook since 1998? Did your child buy a 2005 book, for only $25? How many of you know I personally published the book as a parent, and not the school? Can you afford to purchase a 2006 yearbook that is on sale right now?
I have lots of other questions about the things I’ve been told about Sumner parents. I believe Sumner has concerned parents who are willing to get involved. However, the administration hasn’t asked for parental involvement or doesn’t want it.
If you are a concerned Sumner parent who wants to be involved, please be at Sumner on Wednesday, September 28 for the open house to let your voice be heard. If you can’t come, send a relative, friend, neighbor, pastor. If you have tried letting the school know of your concerns with no response or change, don’t give up. Contact The Parent Assembly of the SLPS.
If you are not a Sumner parent, are you involved at your child’s school?