From one parent to another

By Rita Marley-McKenzie
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - In response to Ms. Goldston’s posting about her child not being allowed to go to Northwood High School:

I deeply empathize with your situation and understand your child’s devastation with being separated from his peer group. I also understand what it is like to live in Siler City, work in Pittsboro, and have one child in school in Siler City and another in Pittsboro. I understand your plight but want to reassure you, all will be well.

It sounds as if you have given your children strong values and have taught them how to take advantage of the sports and other pro-social activities the schools have to offer. I trust that your son has those values instilled in him and will make positive decisions with his after-school activities. Jordan-Matthews High School is a great school and will afford him the same opportunities he had at Northwood, if he chooses to embrace them.

There is a great football program as well as many other sports he can participate in. There are tons of clubs he can join. In fact, way back in the day when I attended Jordan-Matthews, I was in marching band, concert choir, and seven other various clubs that kept me busy everyday after-school. Also, if he is already 16, maybe a part-time after-school job would serve him well to keep him busy, put cash in his pocket, and teach him about responsibility. (And add peace of mind for you, too!)

I understand our frustration with the public schools here in Chatham County and agree that we are growing too fast for them to keep up. I also agree with Dan Cahoon that NCLB is worthless and is creating a generation of non-thinkers who are trained to be test-takers. But, alas, that is a political issue to be battled with in a different post.

Your other option is to choose the one I did for my own son - private education. Chatham County Schools could not provide for his learning style and needs, so, he now attends Our Neighborhood School on Thompson Street in Pittsboro. I couldn’t ask for a better education than what my son receives at ONS. There are still spaces available for children in all grades.

So, from one parent to another, hang in there. It’s not the end of the world. Find comfort in the fact that your child will at least be in an uncrowded school in classrooms with fewer students and can get more individualized attention. (And not creating a fire code violation!)