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mrs.mom
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Posted: Fri May 8th, 2009 03:36 pm |
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Last edited on Tue May 26th, 2009 03:42 am by mrs.mom
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Lifelong resident
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Posted: Wed Apr 22nd, 2009 12:43 am |
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I finally got some news back. I did get free legal advice (Thanks, Strongone!), and hopefully these issues will be resolved. After a little legal digging, we found out that there have been at least 5 weapons occurrences this year alone. NONE were reported and NONE of the kids were expelled. Just ACE, or at least what I think its called (in school suspension) or sent home for a couple of days. Im sure that makes the parents of the kids happy but what about our children who are left sitting there next to them a couple of days later? And the drugs? They weren't expelled either. There are fights weekly and the kids aren't arrested. I didn't know this before but the state DOES have a no tolerance law that is supposed to stop this from happening. I'm sure that less happens at wgs than our Labelle schools, but the difference is at least at our Middle School and High School, the kids starting fights, bringing drugs to school, and weapons are taken away in handcuffs. At least this does show the others that its not right or will be tolerated.
I have had good progress with my daughters teacher and she explained that all the test stuff is just whats required. But, funny how now the test is over so is all of the homework, hard math stuff, practice books, and bubble sheets! My daughter is finally happy again. FCAT is the worst thing the state ever started.
Anyhow, if anyone else knows anything about incidents (fighting, drugs, weapons) basically "unsafe" situations for OUR kids thats happening because of teachers not handling it or the principal/vice principal not doing anything, please go to the Department of Education website. There's a link for Floridas No Tolerance law and they're aware of our concerns.
Like I said before, WGS is a beautiful school and the pride of my little Muse, and I'm just really worried that its going down hill quick. Druggies and fighter don't belong in our school. Isn't that whats LYDA for??? Urallposers, thanks for the support and I agree with you 100%!
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Dare2Be
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Posted: Fri Apr 10th, 2009 07:25 pm |
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My son went to LMS for 6th grade and it was a mess and then we moved him out of the school for 7th grade and then he attended West Glades for 8th grade and he loved it. My daughter has been at West Glades for three years and she loves it as well. I would put my child in West Galdes again without hesitation. I have not heard of any serious problems at WGS until reading them on this forum. The dealings I have had with Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Backes have been nothing but positive. If I have ever had an issue it was addressed immediately and without a problem.
All schools have problems, regardless of where they are, I have heard some very bad things abotu schools in Lee County as well, so it is not just contained to LaBelle. It is with parental and administrative involvement that a school overcomes the issues. West Glades is a small school and much more easily controlled due to the ratio of staff members to students. There are 415 kids in nine grades compared to 900 kids in three grades at LMS. I will take my chances at West Glades long before I would subject my child to LMS. We all can just be glad we do not have to deal with the School Choice nightmare that Lee County has to endure.
Last edited on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 07:26 pm by Dare2Be
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urallposers
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Posted: Thu Apr 9th, 2009 03:28 pm |
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You are right. I have two children in elementary school. I was absolutely going to send them to West Glades instead of LMS. However, I guess I am going to have to move or something by the time they are in Middle School because, I will not subject them to the chaos that goes on in the middle schools here. I am not sure about West Glades but I used to work in the classroom at LMS. It is rediculous.
Those children are allowed to get away with entirely too much. When the teacher finally tries to get the child under control, the parent and the principal don't fall in live to make this happen. If children receive discipline at school, and there is no follow up in the home, then it is pointless. It would be one thing if this were the issue. The issue really is now, that the administration gives the students to many chances. There is no consequence that means anything. Cause and effect, if this, then that. The kids act and they go to the counselors office and talk about it. If they fight in school......TAKE THEM TO JAIL !! If they bring a weapon to school.....TAKE THEM TO JAIL!! If they bring drugs or alcohol to school, TAKE THEM TO JAIL!! Then the judge can give them community service. Scare them, let them know what reality is all about. Don't put baby powder on their butts and let them continue to behave in the same problematic ways. We are raising them to be criminals and then wondering why they kill people. HELLO !!!!!
The middle school age is a very immpressionable time in a persons life. They are going through so many changes and their bodies are pulling them every which way. This is a time for us to seize. There are times that we have to mold them into good people who contribute to the community. This is one of them. If they are allowed to do whatever they so choose at school, they are going to continue to get worse. I know it is not only on the school, but when children began going to the LaBelle Middle School for months with marks on their arms from where they were cutting themselves, and the school didn't contact anyone for weeks because they didn't want any bad attention.......who knows what else they aren't telling us. They hide things like fights on the property and on the school bus from the School Resource Officer and wonder why the kids do the things they do..
Those of you who work for the schools or are so blind that you think everything is great in the world, open your eyes and look around you. THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN!!
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Dare2Be
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Posted: Mon Apr 6th, 2009 03:32 pm |
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| Because there is a lot of Hendry County kids that go to West Glades School. Many did not want their children subjected to LMS and chose to move them to West Glades. So it is a Hendry County and Glades County issue.
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barbabyruth
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Posted: Sat Mar 28th, 2009 03:53 pm |
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Maybe they should make that the number one question on the FCAT........WHAT FLORIDA COUNTY do you live in?
Sorry, just couldn't resist.
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Taterbo
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Posted: Sat Mar 28th, 2009 05:45 am |
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| I would like to ask a stupid question...WHY is this topic in the LaBelle Public Forum and not in the Glades County Forum? Is this not a Glades County issue?
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Proudmomma
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Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 07:14 pm |
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Oh my, I have two children that go to WGS. When they started to go there I was not that involved and felt no connection there. Then I slowly got myself involved. I attend some PTO meetings 3 years ago and now attend all them for the past 2 years. I have never told a single person that my children where affected by the teachers or staff because of my involvement. If my child does something wrong(and they have) it will not go unnoticed and I will hear it at parent pick-up or a phone call. So the info about me and my kids is false.
When I got involved I had some ideas: One of my kids has trouble in reading and I thought if my kid has trouble, then there's probaly other kids that do. So I went to a staff member and talked about starting a after school reading/ Math/ ect. program, she was all for it. I was unable due to work. My point is that if your child has a problem then theres a chance another child does and you can get involved to help make this a even better school. As far as the FCAT goes, I'm sure that not all teachers, staff and parents agree with them but, it is a point that needs to be addreessed with the state. Also, WGS has several ways for the kids to get rewards(ice-cream, pop-corn, waterday and ect) If you would like to give your point of view and discuss your ideas and thoughts as a group we' d love to hear them at the PTO meetings. If you have a concern so may other parents , lets talk about them and come up with a plan that everyone can work with and that helps make this public school GREAT.... No one is perfect but, lets work together to make things better for the kids sake. PTO VP
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urallposers
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Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 07:06 pm |
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You know what......all you people who are acting like this woman is the issue need to open your eyes and see that not every child gets the same treatment. Just because your child is doing well and you think the school and the administartion is so great doesn't mean that another person will NEVER have problems with the same administration. Stop being so self ritious and get over yourselves and your perfect children. For goodness sakes, give the child a fighting chance. I HAVE BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM. Sometimes all it takes is one mistake and the child is labled by a teacher. When they are labled by one teacher, that is all it takes, it is like a flood. I had nephews who went to middle school when Mrs. Davis was the principal. IT WAS HORRIBLE!! LMS has not yet recovered and with it's current administration, it never will. I feel sorry for those of you with children at West Glades.
Furthermore, when a child brought drugs or weapons to school, they used to be expelled or sent to an alternative school. These children get away with murder and our children who are just trying to make it through school are in an unsafe environment. Go figure !!
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wondermom
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Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 12:48 am |
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Dear proud parent of wgs,
I could not have said it better. I find it hard to believe that an issue was brought to wgs administration or teachers and it was not resolved. I agree lifelong resident is one of few because I know that there are many parents that feel wgs is the best of the best.
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proud parent of wgs
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Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 12:34 am |
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DEAR LIFE LONG RESIDENT ,
MY CHILD HAS BEEN GOING TO WGS SINCE THEY HAVE OPENED. MY CHILD WAS THERE WHEN MR. LUCKY WAS THERE AND NOW WITH MRS. DAVIS , AND MY OLDER CHILD ATTENDED SCHOOL ALSO WITH MRS. DAVIS AT LMS. IN THIS RESPECT I DO BELIEVE MRS. DAVIS IS A WONDERFUL PRINCIPAL. SHE GOES OUT OF HER WAY TO HELP THE STUDENTS AT WEST GLADES. MY CHILDREN HAVE ATTENDED HENDRY COUNTY SCHOOLS AND LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND HAD TERRIBLE GRADES IN THOSE COUNTIES . SINCE MY CHILD IS IN WEST GLADES MY CHILD HAS MADE THE A, B HONOR ROLL.EVERYTIME AND NEVER COMPLAINS ABOUT THE TESTING , OR THINGS THEY NEED TO LEARN . I GO TO ALL THE SCHOOL FUNCTIONS WITH MY CHILD AND GET INVOLVED WITH MY CHILDS LEARNING . AND I HAVE NEVER ONCE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TEACHERS OR THE STAFF THERE. WHETHER IT BE OFFICE STAFF OR PRINCIPALS , OR TEACHERS FOR THAT MATTER . IF YOU ALLOW A CHILD TO HAVE EXCUSES IN LIFE NO MATTER WHAT IT MAY BE THEY WILL USE THAT EXCUSE TO THE FULLEST. AND IF YOU ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN THE EXCUSE OF NOT WANTING TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO LEARN OR TO BE TESTED TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE IN SO THEY CAN GET THE EXTRA HELP TO LEARN AND BE SUCCESSFUL THEN THAT IS YOUR FAULT AS A PARENT NOT THE SCHOOLS. OBVIOUSLY THE SCHOOL BOARD ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T FEEL YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE JUSTIFIED. AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MRS. DAVIS WAS NOT FIRED NOR WAS SHE ASKED TO LEAVE FROM HENDRY COUNTY. SHE IS THE FINEST PRINCIPAL I HAVE EVER KNOWN AND I HOPE IF SHE READS YOUR LETTERS SHE WILL REALIZE THAT YOU ARE JUST ONE DISAPPROVING PERSON OUT OF MANY THAT APPROVE AND APPRECIATE HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
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Lifelong resident
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Posted: Wed Mar 25th, 2009 04:13 am |
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Lab. Lover, I'm assuming that you work there because this is the exact attitude I receive when I approach administration regarding my concerns: contempt, rebuttal, and an unwillingness to communicate or cooperate.
I've sent 3 children through our school system and my oldest now to college. The last 4 years were my first experiences with WGS and now, I surely hope the last. Up until the last 2 years, I only had positive things to say. Being a Muse resident, WGS surely is the pride of our little "town!" Mr. Luckey started and ran a WONDERFUL school. I realize he was in charge of replacements but have you forgotten that your job/school is supported with tax dollars and you are a public servant to the community?? I would hope that parents and concerns would have a place in WGS instead of the door being slammed in our faces. If you would "ask around" or be a little more open to parents, you'd discover that many feel the way as I do and these concerns are growing.
As far as your accusations regarding my parental skills, you couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the problem is probably the opposite. I am, have always been, and will continue to be hands on in my children's education. At WGS, that seems to be a bad thing. I'm aware of the reward systems in place and you're right, those are good things but that has been present at every school my kids have attended. But you're wrong in one area, I've contacted the FDOE and according to them and their website, teachers/schools ARE NOT allowed to "teach to the test" all year long. My child has only worked out of fcat practice books & some other test books all year long, except now. Why? Because the test is over, lol! I know this because I DO help them with their work every single night. I've discussed this with teacher multiple times this year but the only response I've gotten is that she's only doing what she's been instructed to. I hate to take this any further and file suit but I'm at the point of not knowing what else to do or where to go.
I congratulate WGS on being an "A" school but all of this focus on "testing" is not good for the students and MANY parents agree with me that"testing" has become EVERYTHING at WGS. It was not like this before. My kids are tested, retested, can only read whatever some "test" says they can and not what they want to read, and then don't get treats because they didn't score high enough! These "treats" and "scores" have happened 3 times already to one of my kids...the one in a fcat grade! All this testing/bribing has accomplished is making my child feel inadequate. She tries her best but it's never good enough. True effort just isn't worth an ice cream, I guess. Just a better score and a better chance at getting a higher grade on fcat is deserving of the treat. How is that motivating?? Are my children only a "score" to earn you money?? That's not what school should be about and we parents believe this.
And, I know for a fact that there have been drug/fighting/stealing instances that are being dealt with unfairly and are covered up. Last year, my daughter was being bullied, I complained to Mrs. Davis and spoke to the deputy that used to be on campus and his response was that he was not allowed to get involved. Why? Wasn't he there to protect our children? Nothing ever happened. I had to call the district office over this too! Talking to other parents and remembering LMS and the problems my son had, this was deja vu. LMS was total chaos when Mrs. Davis was in charge and in fact was fired from Hendry County with parents threatening law suites. I know this for a fact because I participated in many of their meetings because LMS was an unsafe place for my son. Why would Glades County hire someone to lead a school that recently was asked to leave because of failure to properly do the job??? And what the poster said IS true too. Mrs. Davis's assistant doesn't have any experience. From what I have been told, she only taught for 3 years before moving up. I agree with the poster below, that this is a questionable combination.
Lab. Lover, I'm not sure why you are personally attacking me UNLESS you work there, in which case, I applaud you for standing up for your school. But please open your eyes and see things from a parent's perspective. If you do have "connections", then help get things back on the right track. As parents, all we ask is that our children are in a SAFE environment, treated FAIRLY, and learning things useful to life, not just preparing for a test that will get the school/teacher big dollars. Because let's be honest, that is what happens w/those fcat grades. The better the grades the more money schools get and even the teacher's get bonuses!
All I'm asking for is help for my situation. I don't want to air anyone's dirty laundry because like everyone, I have my own but I'm a concerned parent. I don't think that it's right to pull my child out of class every single day for a "special ed" class without permission or even testing my child. I would have liked the teacher/school or someone tell me about this before I found out 6 months afterwards. I don't like the unsafe environment being covered up and excuses made, and I don't like my kids bubbling in practice tests all year long and being made to feel inadequate when then they don't score high enough on one of these MANY tests. Also, this post would not have occurred if WGS could be welcoming to parents/concerns, or I could have withdrawn my kids like I tried but instead the front office refused to allow this because of our Muse address. I'm asking for help because I have serious concerns with my children's school, the administration/teachers won't help or listen to me, and from the way it looks, they're stuck there because Glades County needs the money and won't let them go.
Please don't attack me for being a concerned parent asking for help and Lab. Lover, if you do work there like I am guessing, then realize that this is a plead for help and work to help the situations occurring. Is that asking too much??
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Labrador Lover
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Posted: Tue Mar 24th, 2009 10:42 pm |
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What ever happened to PARENT RESPONSIBILITY? Somehow society thinks that because they send their child to school they don’t have to monitor anything the child does. If the child doesn’t do their homework, it’s the teachers fault, if the child misbehaves, it’s the administrative fault, if their child fails it’s because the work is too demanding. If your child is not making strides in school and comes home crying and complaining then maybe you should be working with them at home….reading, checking their homework to make sure it is done, make sure they correct the wrong answers on their test papers. Just because you get them up in the morning and send them off, doesn’t mean your responsibility ends there. It’s easy to play the blame game when you don’t take the time to help. If your child is “belly-aching maybe you should tell them to “buck-up” and complete their assignments instead of agreeing with them and giving them the bad attitude of making an excuse for what life gives them.
West Glades School has an administration and teachers that truly love the children that attend there and they love them enough to not allow them to be less than they can be. FCAT stands for Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test….that is state mandated. Every public school in the state of Florida takes this test and every school strives to prepare the students to the best of their abilities. Your right, West Glades had a great PTO President and is now and always has been very appreciated by Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Backes and the entire West Glades staff, as is her successor. But when children make bad choices they must also accept the consequences of those actions. We cannot allow our children to grow up thinking they can do anything and get away with it, just because they were being funny. Know your facts before you start spouting things that happen with suspensions, I can’t think of a time when something happens EXACTLY LIKE ANOTHER TIME. Circumstances are always different and therefore they are handled as such – NEVER BECAUSE OF LIKES OR DISLIKES FOR A PARENT. Yes, things have changed some at West Glades but not for the worse. I don’t know who you have talked to but not someone who accepts the responsibility of their position. West Glades earned an A because Ms. Davis and Ms. Backes take their jobs seriously. They love children enough to want them to perform at their best in every way and they love them enough to insist that teachers and staff perform at their best too. Rewards are given at West Glades for Honor Roll, AR, PBS and BUGS. Every child has an opportunity to attend. Honor Roll is for students who earn A’s and B’s on their report cards, AR is the reading program (in lower grades these books can be read to a child and they take a test on comprehension), PBS is the Positive Behavior reward system and BUGS is for Bringing Up Grades. Maybe you ought to work on some of these things with your children.
Too often, children today are allowed to just make excuses for poor work, poor behavior and poor attitudes. As long as society and their parents allow this to continue children will continue to grow into adults with poor work ethics, poor behaviors, and poor attitudes that turn to drug abuse, alcohol, and crime to take care of their problems.
I’m sure you’re not the only upset parent but I’m also sure that you are not in the majority of our student’s parents either. West Glades School is top of the line and I will not stand by and allow someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about degrade it. Mr. Luckey was a good principal and I have the utmost respect for him and I’m sure he would very quickly tell you that Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Backes are just as good as he is and West Glades is blessed to have both of them. After all, Mrs. Davis was one of his mentors and he was one of Mrs. Backes’ mentors …. and he hired both of them at West Glades. He would not have done that if he did not have the highest of respect for them both. West Glades has one of the best administrative organizations that I have every known (and I’ve known quite a few) and the teachers are some of the best in the State of Florida.
Yes, you do need help ….. please get some!
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Knowsomewhat
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Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 04:42 pm |
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I understand that the PTO president has recently resigned. She was the best president this school has had, an outstanding hardworking leader. I hear that it was over how the administration was treating her kids in an unfair way because of who their mom is. Now I hear that the new president’s kids are facing the same issues. This administration is the worst possible combination. We have a principle that allowed total chaos at her last school, and an assistant that has no experience.
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Lifelong resident
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Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 04:12 am |
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I need help!!!!
My 2 kids have been going to West Glades School ever since it opened. We used to love it when Mr. Luckey was there. I was worried when he left because my oldest went to LMS with Mrs. Davis and I remembered ALL of the problems he had but my other two wanted to stay. Ever since, their grades are down and they hate school. Both of my kids were always on the honor roll and loved WGS but now they both are so stressed every day is a belly ache so they won't have to go.
One of them gets pulled out of class every single day for an hour for a panther class that is supposed to help him. But I didn't even know this was happening until last month!! So hes been in some "special ed" class for 6 months without me even knowing! But he's a good student! No one ever tested him for a learning problem and the teacher says he goes because he doesn't read fast enough. So, for an hour EVERY SINGLE DAY he gets pulled out of his regular class to practice reading SILENTLY because he can't read fast enough ALOUD. Am I crazy or does this not make sense?? Is this legal?? How can they pull my son out of class every single day for 6 months without letting me know or getting permission?? And, even after complaining they are STILL doing it! It seems like ever since Mr. Luckey left, I have no rights as a parent. Even the school board won't listen to me.
My oldest says that all they do is have tests and do practice fcat stuff. She's came home twice this year in tears because she didn't do good enough on some test and didn't get ice cream like the others. I talked to the teacher and all she said was that she had to do better than before to get a reward and she didn't. According to this teacher, she has to give these tests and teach all the FCAT stuff. Okay if it was just for a week or two but this has been happening all year long! I've went to every open house and all my daughter shows me are fcat workbooks that they do. Isn't school supposed to be more than just tests??? My daughter was so stressed 2 weeks ago she begged to not go. She's scared that she didn't do good enough and her teacher will be mad and not give her a treat again. How can teachers/schools do this to kids? My kids used to LOOOOVE school but now they won't go. WGS was never like this before. I know they got a good school grade last year but my kids are scared to death over all of these tests and cry because they don't do good enough and don't get treats like the other kids.
I dont know what to do. The school wont let me pull my kids out because we live in Glades County, I've talked to their teachers but they can't help. They say they are doing what they are told to do. I have tried to talk to Mrs. Davis but its useless. She's the same as when she was my sons principal. I've called the school board twice but both times nothing has been done.
What now? I think the same thing is happening that caused all of the problems at LMS. I heard that this year one kid brought drugs to school and gave some to other kids and only was suspended. Another kid did the exact same thing and was suspended for a couple of months. Why didnt get they get kicked out of school?????? Another kid brought a knife to school and again just got suspended???? Fights are happening when teachers arent in there rooms and kids are left alone. Why do my kids have to go to school where drug dealers are allowed to go and teachers aren't even watching or teaching the kids??
A couple of people I know that work there say that things have changed for the worst and I know that I'm not the only upset parent. But what can I do? Does someone know how we can stop this? How can glades county hire someone that Labelle just fired?????? Someone, please help! If they won't let me take my kids out, what do I do? I cant afford private school and I HAVE to work so homeschool isn't a option either. If our tax dollars pay for the schools why do we have no say or rights???
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