Thursday Meeting

[advocate4kids]

The Jackson Parent to Parent Support Group meeting is still scheduled
for Thursday evening from 7-9pm in the Crawford Library. We are
parent run, district supported (by supported I mean they send out the
flyers, offer the space and supply refreshments). Board member, Linda
Lackay will be starting the meeting speaking about voting for the
budget then Pat Pascale will speak for 1 hour about test taking
strategies. The last part of the meeting, we will have a PARENT ONLY
open forum. This has been the practice for the last 2 years but with
the workshops we have had this year, we were running over with time
because we had some really good speakers and the parents were still
asking questions. We also have a membership group (which costs
nothing to join). If you send me your e-mail address, you will
receive e-mails from us with updates on district information, local
workshops, resources and upcoming events along with reminders of
upcoming parent group meetings. We are a group of parents that
started about 6 years ago and continue working together. We have
parents who are/were special education teachers, parents that work
with the ARC of Monmouth, parents that are trained advocates and
parents that are dedicated and just want to help.

There is also the Jackson Special Education Advisory Council that
meets the first Tuesday of every month in the meeting room at Liberty
High School. This group meets with the special education
administration and board liasons. We have worked with the district on
sistemic issues in the past and have helped resolve issues. We have
also brought to the table some great ideas that have been implemented
and are still being used to this day. All of our contact information
is listed on the Jackson School District Website at www.jacksonsd.org
and click on the special education link. There is other important
links and information listed there as well. We have been in the
process of starting an off-site website with our own informtion.

I hope that we can all work together for the students of Jackson.
That has always been our committment and will continue to be. Contact
me with any questions or if you need support.

Pattie Carollo

[Amanda'sMom]

Pattie,

I was so happy to read that there will be a board member present at
your meeting to discuss the budget and encourage its passage. All
members of this forum should make it a point to attend Thursday's
meeting, too. Here's why...

I would LOVE to see ALL of the parent networks (new & old) emphasize
the importance of passing the school budget in town. As a teacher, I
know that when a district votes down a school budget-- usually in
reaction to a 'raise in taxes,' they hurt the childen. The reality is
that failing a school budget only sends the budget to the town
administration for review, who then decides how much to cut out of the
budget, and taxes go up anyway. We give the town officials the final
say. It really amounts to a minor difference in the tax changes for
residents but has severe repercussions for the schools and its
children; programs get cut and with the growth in population going up
every year, there aren't too many places where money can be saved
without being at the expense of the children and the educational or
extra-curricular programs. Given the turn-out for school budget
elections each year, if every parent of just the special needs
population supported the budget, as well as every staff member who
works for the district voted to support the schools, the budget would
pass. We need to recognize this fact and start putting our money where
our mouth is if we really care about the schools and our children's
education. No one likes to see their taxes go up-- myself included--
but residents need to stop taking their financial frustration with the
state of NJ out on those most vulnerable simply because it is the one
venue by which they can. This may seem unrelated to the current fight,
but in actuality, the problem that exists now is directly related to
the years of voters going out and turning down the budget... you are
right, Pattie-- the parents and administration need to work together
for the benefit of Jackson, the schools, and its youth.

Just wanted to share my thoughts on that subject. I am due to give
birth in a few days, so although I may not make it to the meetings
this week, I will be there in spirit and wish to be kept abreast of
all that comes from them. Please add my name to the e-mail list for
P2P & SEAC if it does not already exist.
Thanks.
Laurie Hunter