Comments on: Fremont Unified eliminates parent conferences

By: Teri Hu

Teri Hu — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:32:37 +0000

Oh for goodness sake!

I teach in FUSD, and I sent out a letter that provided my personal contact information and offered to meet with any parent who was concerned about their kids’ performance if they wanted. Not one taker out of 160 students.

It’s always been the high performing students’ parents who monopolized conferences, not the parents of the students who really NEEDED intervention, anyway.

If a parent was really worried about how their child is doing, they don’t need to wait for our annual pre-Thanksgiving waste-of-time…just contact the teacher and talk to them.

By: bbox231

bbox231 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:46:38 +0000

Imagine that – a local media is appearently the driving force which encourages a public inistitution to weed out underperformers so that higher performers can be retained . . . .

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd-teachers18-2009dec18,0,6523820.story

By: bbox231

bbox231 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:33:06 +0000

Imagine that – doing more with less – -

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704779704574555994244755948.html

By: Fremont Lifer

Fremont Lifer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:36:37 +0000

I just wanted to thank Brandalyn for her positive post – so often commenters (and I include myself in this) are in the habit of anticipating negative outcomes, and it’s nice to hear somebody say that things will improve in time, particularly if we’re proactive.

By: Brandalyn

Brandalyn — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:23:53 +0000

I agree with Californiaguy. I think we are missing the point here. Beyond what we CAN do about the Bullet Train, etc., the bottom line is whether or not our kids’ education is suffering from this cut back. The parents should also be a part of the solution by only requesting a conference when absolutely necessary. I realize this is just one more step backward for the CA education system; however, I also believe this will not be a permanent problem. We all need to hang in there, and stay focused on taking an active role in our childrens’ education at home.

By: Godfrey

Godfrey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:37:54 +0000

California guy has it right. We have entered into a new era. I fear,our State has a long slow road ahead to recovery. I don’t believe that more Government is the answer. Our State Government must back off from these crazy anti business environmental regulations.
It’s criminal the way The Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board harass small business. We need to make California competitive again for all business,large or small. With a broader tax base in the future we will be able to again afford the public sector services that we have been accustom to in the past. But if we don’t start showing our Private sector our Love and if we don’t immediately cut more spending then we can look to the State of Michigan as our model for our future. A shrinking population of educated citizens and burned out cities like Detroit is where we are heading and it ain’t pretty!

By: Californiaguy

Californiaguy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:55:19 +0000

We are entering a new era, The State is not only broke but billions in debt.
Most all cities are near broke. School Districts are suffering. There is just so much money for state and local government, no one wants to pay more taxes.
We have to get used to getting less services.
What can we do, STOP local and state governments from spending money on non essential services, like the Bullet Train, Peripheral Canal, etc.
These things are nice, but we cannot afford them. I am not happy about this, but I am also pragmatic.
The whining and complaining will not fix the problem. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem!

By: Kids can thrive in a single parent home

Kids can thrive in a single parent home — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:39:33 +0000

[...] Fremont Unified eliminates parent conferences | Tri-City Beat [...]

By: bbox231

bbox231 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:15:04 +0000

Gus ,

We absolutely agree that there isn’t enough money to continue doing things the way we have.

MY point is that before we go asking for more – let’s sweep clean on the uses of what we’ve already got – and the evidence suggests that there’s room for improvement.

Until THAT priority is addressed – dont expect taxpayers to part with more of their fewer and harder-earned dollars. But – your response – that more is needed is exactly what the public sector serves up first – - – and, if taxpayers are not willing to fork over – - – well, just cut more services – just trust that our effiecencies are world-class.

The “public safety” black hole is a great generalization which many have historically been unwilling to question. Recent findings about pension abuses suggest that this is a sector where abuses have been occurring and additional scrutiny is required.

By: Gus Morrison

Gus Morrison — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:01:35 +0000

Box,

My point really is that there isn’t enough money to continue the way we always did things. When there isn’t enough money, and there is no way to add any more, you need to cut something. Fremont cut library hours, animal shelter hours, street tree trimming, and other discretionary programs to maintain core services at an acceptable service level. Most governmental agencies will do the same. Public safety and maintenance take 90% of the money and are the most important things a city does.