South Middle School

Obviously, my experience and opinion differ from some others. I do not apologize that my view is different than yours. This was my experience and I have a different view to the situation. I am not saying I agree with the Principal at the school nor am I attacking attacking this administrator. Do I believe students are better serviced in the classroom? Without a doubt! If the person over ISS wants to let the kids clean, that seems to be where the break down is in this situation. If you do not like the Principal, say so. That is the impression from your post. If you have a problem with the way the school is run, talk to the Superintendent. To the person who claims to be an educator, it sounds like there are enough problems to take to the School Board. I just know for me, working around the school opened my eyes to how the school was more than a building with people put there to torment me. I question your claim as an educator only because your post needed to be proofread befor posting. If you are an educator, you have my deepest respect and gratitude. You are in a position to touch the lives of many. What a great responsibility that few care to attempt.

I would have to say that I agree with the parent who posted about the kids cleaning the school. I work at South as an educator and this does not work at all! I think that was posted by the Principal, but that just my opinion. The person who works ISS gets students who sometimes act while in ISS so the principal allows them to get out of ISS and go clean the school. I see these students on occasions cleaning the school and they are having fun! Sometimes I think they act out just to get out of ISS. So I agree it is not a proper punishment cause they are not getting any work done. Even when they need too. I wonder if they get the parent's permission to do this? I also agree about the lack of leadership skill at South. I think we have lost very good educators at South because of the leader (Principal) we have. South gets new teachers each year. I feel we have an extremely high turnover rate. I feel we have a hard time keeping good teachers here and those that do stay, only stay because they are about to retire out, have too much invested to leave and its more of a lost than gain if they leave. It seems to me that our leader (Principal) care about budgets and test scores than our kids.

I am responding to the parent who commented negatively about students cleaning the school as part of In School Suspension (ISS). It may appear as punishment but it actively involves the student with the physical care of the school and keeps them from getting bored, sitting, accomplishing little to nothing in ISS. I did the same thing when I was in ISS. After a couple of days of taking care of the school and cleaning the bathrooms, I was the one fussing at fellow students when they threw paper on the floor, broke out bathroom light fixtures, or graffittied the walls. Many of my teachers thought I would never be anything because of attitude. The care for the school became care about me in the school. For me, it was a turning point. Now, I am on break from my junior year at USC where I am carrying a 3.95 GPA. Not perfect but I will take it. Cleaning the school as a punishment. I think every student should have to be a janitor for a couple of weeks to appreciate what it takes and realize how easy they have it...especially in middle school.

We were new to the school in 2011 and are extremely impressed with the staff and student body. Staff goes above and beyond for these kids to ensure strong foundation for education. My youngest children will join the South family next year as they begin their middle school careers and I have no concerns that this isnt the best possible environment for them to flourish.