What has Teach Our Children accomplished?
Check out photos from our accomplishments here.
2009
Translation Services
- Got NHPS to translate web page into Spanish.
Discipline
- Convened meeting with Superintendent Mayo and NHPS representatives to review the district’s latest draft of it’s discipline policy
The Superintendent committed to comply with state statutes regulating out of school suspension even if the legislation is repealed or delayed
- Submitted the following recommendations which have been incorporated into the discipline policy and will be implemented in the 2009-2010 school year:
- That the district comply with state statutes regulating the use of out of school suspensions by using in house alternatives such as reflective writing and peer mediation
- That the district make school-by-school documentation of disciplinary actions available in printed format for parents at each school and at the Board of Education
- That the district review progress and challenges reflected in school discipline reports with Teach Our Children and other parent groups on an annual basis
- That the district train administrators and teachers and educate parents and students on the new policy
- That language on page 9 and 10 of the document be changed from “it is expected that parents will be notified of any actions taken” to “it is required that parents will be notified”
- That the code of conduct be made consistent with the progressive discipline structure in the district’s new bullying policy
Bullying
- Reviewed district’s new bullying policy with NHPS administrators and submitted the following recommendations which have been written into the procedures:
- That parents receive a receipt when submitting a written bullying report
- That the consequences of bullying be made explicitly progressive
- That the language in the bullying procedures be clarified to state that all reports of bullying whether written or anonymous must be investigated and appropriately addressed
2008
- Hosted a standing room only (116 people) public meeting to demand that the Superintendent make concrete improvements to address suspension and discipline.
The Superintendent agreed to five out of seven requests presented at the meeting:
- Providing suspended children immediately with homework,
- Fairly and consistently implementing and documenting suspension,
- Immediately addressing bullying in keeping with district policy and federal guidelines,
- Ensuring that the PPT process is appropriately conducted and that all parties fully utilize the IEP or behavior plan,
- and meeting with TOC monthly
As of the close of 2008 The Superintendent has taken the following steps:
- Implemented a new suspension policy, that assures access to homework for suspended students.
- Established new procedures to improve the handling of bullying throughout the district.
In addition to these steps, Dr. Mayo has promised to translate the NHPS website into Spanish, following its renovation, improving communication for a multitude of Spanish speaking parents in the city and the district continues moving forward on revising its unified code of conduct.
2007
- Got the school system to make sure that children can take textbooks home – Met with school officials and the press
- Stopped the Board of Education from passing a policy saying that parents need an appointment to visit their child’s school and that the Board chairman can stop discussion whenever he wants at Board of Ed meetings – Circulated flyers, contacted the Mayor, testified at the Board of Ed and met with school officials
- Spoke up about lack of recess – Visited schools that have recess, conducted research, met with the Wellness Committee, and testified at Board of Ed meetings
2006
- Began door-to-door neighborhood outreach and outreach outside of schools to speak with parents
- Held a press conference at Katherine Brennan school to urge the principal to communicate with parents about serious school incidents
- Conducted a series of parent trainings