Can One Parent Make a Difference?

I read with interest this New York Times article about a group of parents who circulated a petition requesting that their local public school add more play time to the kindergarten school day. Without commenting on that actual subject (ok, I will, I'm a proponent of play based kindergartens and think that kindergarten has become way too academic.), what struck me as remarkable about this school was how a small group of parents were able to organize and affect change on such a small (not so small to those 5 year olds! But small compared to the massive obstacles that school administrators are facing...) issue. I am impressed with the compromising spirit of the principal, who likely had to weigh the reality of the increasingly academic demands put on students as young as 5 to perform for the standardized tests and their need for creative play and physical exercise.

So in Berwyn, in your school, what is your "small" issue? Are there other parents who feel the same way? Is there a forum for you to bring up those issues? What is the best way to communicate parent concerns to your administration? How can parents be part of the solution, feel empowered rather than discouraged? Can one parent make a difference? Probably not. But 2? 10? 50? Absolutely.

Together we can make a difference. Contact CARES at info@berwyncares.org to join one of our many committees that will be forming soon.