August 22, 2006
Dr. Charles Haughey, President
Carver Educational
Dear Dr. Haughey
and Members of the
As
president of Maryland PTA, representing over 50,000 members in
Maryland
PTA understands that all school systems must navigate through an enormous
amount of material which is sent home with students each year. We know and understand how this affects
school personnel. However, we feel that
it is critical to support communication with parents.
Montgomery
County Public Schools ought to allow community based organizations, such as the
PTA, that provide services in support of the No Child
Left Behind act (NCLB), be included into the interim guidance to allow
distribution of PTA flyers into children’s backpacks. PTA has a long standing history and
incorporates within its mission statement and objects the intent of getting
parents involved in public education.
NCLB established mandates that promote student achievement by increasing
parent involvement. These mandates are
fulfilled through the efforts of PTAs promoting and sponsoring programs which
specifically address all educational issues in our schools. NCLB also provides a particular emphasis on
closing achievement gaps between low income and minority students and their
peers. Communications through backpacks
are essential to communicating with parents who don’t have access to the
internet. Thus, PTA material should be
exempt from the current “reject all proposal”.
It
is my sincere hope that the Montgomery County Board of Education will
reconsider its position quickly on this highly visible and controversial issue
to allow PTA material to be sent home with students.
Regards,
Mary
Jo Neil
President,
2005-2007