Zuni Pueblo Public School District

May 8, 2008

“Positive” response to a “Negative” Editorial

Response to “Zuni Schools Need a Positive Change” 

Dear Zuni Superintendent Peery, I read, yet another, newspaper editorial that made absolutely no sense to me.  And the more I think about it, the more I wonder:  What have you done to anyone that makes people cringe when they hear the word, “Superintendent”? 

Now, I’ll be honest.  I was very upset when we lost a teacher at the high school earlier this year.  I still don’t understand why her replacement isn’t receiving a teacher’s salary now that he’s has taken her position.  But, I do understand why we had to lose her.  Her qualifications.  But see, that’s the thing I don’t understand with all the griping from my people.  As Superintendent, you need to make sure that the staff that are working for the District are certified.  As far as I can see, that is exactly what you are doing. People complain about how our students are failing, how bad things are at the schools, and how teachers don’t have any District support.   

Here’s my two cents:  Well first of all, how can students achieve when their teachers, the very teachers that are supposed to be instilling some learning into them, expect very little of them.  I’ve heard teachers left and right complain about how Zuni parents are lethargic and not concerned about their student’s achievements — that Zuni parent’s don’t understand the value of a good education.  Those same teachers then turn to their class and dish out worksheets and handouts in lieu of meaningful classroom activities.  As a Zuni parent, I resent what these teachers are saying.  And the funny thing is, somehow, YOU get the blame for what teachers are saying.  Furthermore, those teachers who belittle Zuni parents, whole- heartedly support the union.  Who is the union made up of anyway?  Non-Zuni parents only?   So, why should students work hard for teachers who say that the only successful thing they’ll ever do, in their life, is sit home and live off of their parents?  That is the reason why students stop trying to work so hard, because too many of their teachers don’t believe they’ll ever do any better than their parents. 

Now my question is, what is so wrong with a parent who is a silversmith or fetish maker?  There isn’t.  My parents have been silversmiths for the greater part of their lives and it is through their talent that they were able to raise my four brothers and myself.  It is through their talent that they have earned their status as great silversmiths.  Parents who make a living through this talent deserve the respect of the teachers who are teaching their kids, and yet, they are mocked behind their backs.   Yes, today’s kids are headed toward a downhill spiral, but it’s not just a local concern.  This is a problem in all communities.  Values should be taught at home, first and foremost.  Teenage years have been researched and the research has shown that psychologically, these are the years that are tumultuous.  It is this time in a person’s life that they are seeking acceptance, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the acceptance of their peers.  So, our schools end up as a testing ground for students.  I’ve read through newspaper editorials, that the District should support values taught at the home.  Does that mean it’s your job and your job only?  Did the word “District” someone change to exclude staff, faculty, and administrators?  I’m just curious, because people have been using that word exclusively to mean “you“.   

And here’s the funniest part to me.  The community says there is no District support.  Really?  Because I felt tons of support at the District level.  Or maybe that’s because I’m one of your loyal supporters.  Like the latest editorial said, “you treat me better.” Do you want to know my honest opinion?  I have debated in my head whether or not I really should leave the school District on my last day.  I so want to stay until the end of the school year to stay with my students.  But everyday, it’s the people that I work with that remind me why I don’t want to be there.  I turned in my resignation over a month ago, and yet, only a handful of people have even commented on my leaving.  Of those people, only 4 have expressed that they will miss me because I made some positive contribution to student work ethic.  I’ve had one tell me directly to my face that I’m jumping ship, but I have this feeling that other people are thinking the very same thing but haven’t said anything.  But, when I was at the Central Offices, I had never felt more appreciated.  Even people that I have never worked with directly wished me good luck, and commented that they heard good things about me and wished I wouldn’t go.  They even knew why I was leaving.   

At my school, it felt like no one believed me when I said I was leaving for my family’s sake.  They looked at me more like I was using my child as an excuse to leave.  So when people say there is no District support, I laugh at them, because they JUST don’t know. By all means, publish this….send this….email this….print it out and put it on a large poster. 

I’m sad to say but my community members don’t know what’s really going on.  They would rather believe hear-say because their relative told them so.  But, me, I know.  I loved working with you to help my students learn.  And I’m proud to say that I support you….completely and fully.  And in the event that you have made a mistake of some sort, I’d like to say “Welcome to the Human Club.”  Our motto is “Sometimes it Happens, but we learn to forgive”. ElahKwa

Bobbie Shack

April 30, 2008

A “Big Thank You” to the ZHS Freshman Class

 From Your Freshman Class Sponsors, Mrs. Tsabetsaye and Mrs.  Waikaniwa:

We want to thank the Freshmen Class volunteers that worked during the ZHS Basketball concessions and the 50/50 Raffle. The “Cake Walk’ was also a success because of the commitment of the Freshmen Class and their families. Because of your hard work we now have money in our account.  We will have another class meeting to plan two more fund raising activities before the summer break.  Please plan to attend the meeting and bring

ZHS Honor Roll for April 2008

We are extremely proud of all the honor roll students for the grading period.  In each class, there were a number of students who were recognized for having a GPA of 3.0 or better. Freshman: 35 studentsSophomores: 36 studentsJuniors:  25 studentsSeniors:  36 students

ZMS Uniform Information for 2008-2009 School Year

Important reminder:   The uniform instituted this year will be same for next year, so as you shop this summer, keep the guidelines in mind. Navy, black, white polo shirts; navy and khaki twill slacks, tucked in with a belt. An additional piece will be a button-down white oxford dress shirt, also tucked in with a belt. THERE WILL BE NO T-SHIRTS OR BLACK PANTS OR JEANS. Consequences for non-compliance will be more detailed in the Agenda book for next year.

ZMS/ZHS Spring Band Concert

May 22,2008   ZMS Gym  6:30 PM

Come out and hear the best live entertainment in Zuni for FREE!

ZMS 8th Grade Promotion

You Are Cordially Invited

            

EIGHTH GRADE PROMOTION

Tuesday, May 27th, 6:30 PM @ ZMS Gym

Please join the students and their families for this joyous occasion!

ZMS “Academic Proficiency” Presentation

On Tuesday, May 6,@ 6:00 PM, there will be a presentation concerning academic proficiency for next year. What grading measure is to be used, how attendance counts in promotion/retention decisions and the importance of NWEA scores will be presented and explained. Please make it a priority to attend this information session as the ZMS staff wants all parents/guardians fully informed about decisions affecting their child’s education.

April 1, 2008

ATTENTION: Parents of 8th Grade Students

Eighth grade parents, beginning April 11th students will bring home a grade/behavior progress report every other Friday that is to be reviewed by you, signed, and returned the following Monday. Students have this 4th nine weeks to bring the semester average up to passing, so I want to monitor more closely how they are doing. I don’t want “surprises” for you when your student has to be retained. All students will receive the sheet, so no one eighth grader is being singled out.

ZMS Principal’s Book of the Month - April 2008

 Principal’s April Book of the Month: Selected Poetry Readings

April is National Poetry Month, so ZMS is celebrating with daily poems from great poets, past and present. The activity for this month will be a Poetry Reading Night, April 24, 2008, 5:30-7:00 PM. If you enjoyed our Math Night, come join us for this fun and inspirational evening. Light refreshments will be served and prizes will be given away. ZMS students are writing poems to be delivered that evening, with the winning poems receiving awards. BE There…it will be worth it!

How are We Doing ???

We would like to welcome the community to express their viewpoints on how the ZPSD Administrative Offices are doing.  We would also like the community to feel free to speak their minds on any subject.

Thank you,

Superintendent Kaye L. Peery

Next Page »

Powered by WordPress