As parents of children who attend Edgecombe County Public Schools, we applaud everyone that has worked hard on the laptop initiative. But Edgecombe County Public Schools have greater problems that are occurring in our school system which require attention from the school leaders!
A prime example: Updating the out-of-date technology at the high school level. Not only to prepare students for what will face them in higher education but to complete quality work requirements both in school and in the real world. It is the opinion of many students, parents and teachers that the technology that is being provided today simply out of date. Edgecombe County Public Schools is so far behind many other school systems that provide services for students, parents and staff to communicate effectively and monitor the level of student productivity that is being displayed.
A recent issue with the Tarboro high School yearbook is a prime example of what kind technology we have in our schools. Anyone who has viewed this yearbook would clearly agree that it is "nothing" our students can look back on and be proud of.
Stated by the adviser for the annual staff at THS: "The amount of problems that we have had this year with technology is unbelievable."
Come on, we are in the 21st century and there are thousands of programs available on the market that could have been used; avoid the embarrassing and disappointment of the yearbook fiasco. This is no excuse for not producing a quality yearbook with the level of technology we have today. Just reflect on the level of technology 25 years ago and still schools were able produce a year book that students could be proud of and want to share with their kid and grandkids for years to come.
Once again, we must ask the question, What is going on with the administration in our schools?
If you look at this high schools yearbook; you can tell there was no supervision. There were two seniors who were completely left out of the senior class section. Even after a parent elected to purchase a full page ad in honor of her child's accomplishments. However, they had no problem including pictures of senior students posing in extremely short shorts and tops that were extremely revealing, mind you, they are prohibited in wearing these items to school.
Yes, I am talking about senior photo section of the book. What a disgrace. What happened to the traditional senior pictures; shouldn't they wear drapes and suits or caps and gowns? Maybe not since this is the 21st century.
The yearbook staff at this school made the yearbook a tribute to themselves.
Every other page was a picture of yearbook staff members and their friends or with a popular teacher. Speaking of teachers; over half of the teachers did not even have their picture made to put in the yearbook. If they can't feel proud to put their picture in the yearbook; then why should the students feel proud?
The frustration, that we as parents are feeling, is that no one can see what is happening with our kids and with our schools. One person alone can not make things happen. Support from Central Office and the Board of Education is what our schools need. We have been told there will be changes next year; but day by day our students keep falling deeper in the cracks of the system. When will Edgecombe County realize that our school system is not in the 21st century? Laptops or any other type of technology is not going to help if there is no supervision.
Graduation Night at THS: Where is the honor and respect these kids deserved? Every child worked hard to get to this point and each child deserved the same respect from the parents, staff, friends and community. Graduation should be a time that is honored with class! Not as a Friday night football game! We as a community should be embarrassed with our behavior.
Parents, what is happening in our schools? It is time for us to stop relying on the system to produce quality young adults. We "must" get involved with our children's education. They are the future leaders of the world! We may not be able to put God back in the schools, but we can put Godly students back in the schools with pride and honor for themselves and for others.
Robbie Rogers and Carol Ruffin
Tarboro
