Schools
End Zero-Tolerance Parent Drop-Off Policy, Petition Urges
In July, Summit Superintendent Nathan Parker told parents unannounced visits were banned as of September.
In July, parents were informed that the days of delivering forgotten lunches or dropping by their children's schools for unscheduled visits are over in Summit.
In a letter sent in mid-July, Superintendent Nathan Parker told parents they will no longer be able to stop by “unannounced” to visit their children or drop off any items as of the start of the 2013-2014 school year. Students will get IOUs if they forgot their lunch, but will suffer the consequences for forgotten classroom supplies and assignments.
Parker stated that after speaking with principals, teachers and parents the decision was made to eliminate these visits to increase security and foster greater responsibility among students.
The policy change garnered little support among Patch readers, with one referring to it as "overreaching and intrusive." Patch Up wrote, "This new policy is another way to keep out the community and take parenting decisions off the table. This is really about the burden of running a "security" system that is being interrupted throughout the day."
While David commented, "I'm extremely disturbed by Dr. Parker's new policy as I feel it does not address security gaps or improve security but rather only punishes those who are not a threat. Banning or limiting parents’ ability to visit our schools or conduct the business of everyday life is completely unacceptable and inconsistent with the values and community of Summit."
A petition on change.org, started by Kay Gilbert, is calling for an end to the zero-tolerance policy. It reads:
"Parent drop-offs should be minimized in the Summit, NJ school district, but parents of younger children and older special needs children need to be able to drop off forgotten items at their child's school within reason. It is important to cut down outsider traffic at Summit schools, but parents are NOT outsiders and have the right to access public schools as long as they are not causing a disturbance. Parents should have the right to drop off items occasionally, and if students have repeated item drop-offs, they should be disciplined to reinforce responsibility.
"We are requesting that they end this "zero tolerance" policy and institute a less intrusive pilot program where parent school access is monitored closely. We further request access to the data which indicated that almost 400 parents signed in to the high school on one particular day, as multiple parents and staff have indicated that this number is out of proportion for the vast majority of school days, and we would like to see proof that all of those visitors were parents."
As of Thursday morning, seven had signed the petition. One supporter stated that all parents shouldn't be penalized for the mistakes of a few, while another pointed to food allergies and her student's inability to eat cafeteria food as a reason for needing access to the school.
To view or sign the petition, visit change.org.
Will you sign the petition? Tell us why or why not in the comments section.
*Additional reporting by Caitlin Mahon is included.
Parker stated that after speaking with principals, teachers and parents the decision was made to eliminate these visits to increase security and foster greater responsibility among students.
The policy change garnered little support among Patch readers, with one referring to it as "overreaching and intrusive." Patch Up wrote, "This new policy is another way to keep out the community and take parenting decisions off the table. This is really about the burden of running a "security" system that is being interrupted throughout the day."
While David commented, "I'm extremely disturbed by Dr. Parker's new policy as I feel it does not address security gaps or improve security but rather only punishes those who are not a threat. Banning or limiting parents’ ability to visit our schools or conduct the business of everyday life is completely unacceptable and inconsistent with the values and community of Summit."
A petition on change.org, started by Kay Gilbert, is calling for an end to the zero-tolerance policy. It reads:
"Parent drop-offs should be minimized in the Summit, NJ school district, but parents of younger children and older special needs children need to be able to drop off forgotten items at their child's school within reason. It is important to cut down outsider traffic at Summit schools, but parents are NOT outsiders and have the right to access public schools as long as they are not causing a disturbance. Parents should have the right to drop off items occasionally, and if students have repeated item drop-offs, they should be disciplined to reinforce responsibility.
"We are requesting that they end this "zero tolerance" policy and institute a less intrusive pilot program where parent school access is monitored closely. We further request access to the data which indicated that almost 400 parents signed in to the high school on one particular day, as multiple parents and staff have indicated that this number is out of proportion for the vast majority of school days, and we would like to see proof that all of those visitors were parents."
As of Thursday morning, seven had signed the petition. One supporter stated that all parents shouldn't be penalized for the mistakes of a few, while another pointed to food allergies and her student's inability to eat cafeteria food as a reason for needing access to the school.
To view or sign the petition, visit change.org.
Will you sign the petition? Tell us why or why not in the comments section.
*Additional reporting by Caitlin Mahon is included.
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