Communication is the Key

Through my experiences with the Petersburg Public Schools, both as a student and as a parent of a student, I can tell you, despite the many other issues facing this school system, communication seems to be one of the biggest issues.  Almost every relationship related to the school has communications issues...between teachers and administrators....administrators and the School Board....between the teachers and the students....and, most importantly, the teachers and the parents.  So what causes these communication breakdowns?  Reputation has a lot to do with it.  Parents often have reservations about the school system, often starting off a conversation with disdain.  Teachers here are often overburdened and under-supported, which may cause them to show frustration or a lack of patience.  Administrators are under intense pressure and apply intense pressure on teachers to drive increased performance, especially on SOL's.  Though the cause of these issues is connected to real issues, out school system needs to find a way to put that aside and focus on what really matters, our children and their right to a quality education.  A better system should be in place, likely going beyond the scope of what any other school system has to establish, to inspire and support communication between the school system, parents and the community.

"Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success."  
 - Paul J. Myers

"Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind"
 - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Until communication is made to be a priority in the Petersburg Public Schools, our issues will continue.  It will take the combined strength and support of our entire community to begin to repair the damage done to the mismanaged Petersburg Public Schools over the past 40 years.