October 12, 2007
First Superintendentís Advisory Council draws discussion
The Petersburg City Public Schools opened its doors on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to engage the community in dialogue about whatís good and what needs to change in the district.
About 70 people, including school administrators, members of the Board of Education, the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce, community groups and parents met together in the Petersburg High School auditorium, then broke up into small discussion groups around the building. Later, they reassembled with answers to eight questions about the public perception of the Petersburg Public Schools, what needs more emphasis and how to prepare students for a global world.
ìWe want to hear what the community has to say ñ what is our current reality, where we would like to be and the deliberate action steps we need to take,î said Dr. James M. Victory, Superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools.
Members of the Petersburg High School JROTC, dressed in their uniforms, helped guide the visitors around the building ñ and some chimed in to give a studentís perspective.
ìWe help each other here at Petersburg High School ñ itís amazing here,î said Kara Westmorelan, a PHS freshman. Westmorelan said she had expected racism when she enrolled but has found the opposite to be true.
Events like this show that ìPetersburg is fighting for my children,î said Patricia Griffin, a participant. ìMy first concern is to have teachers that are here because they want to teach.î
Another participant said that negative talk about Petersburg has long kept him from moving to the city but that he is now reconsidering.
This forum will be held regularly in the district, possibly on a quarterly basis, Dr. Victory said. The district will use information from the question and answer sessions in its drive to improve, and to keep the promise of full SOL accreditation within two years, he added. Currently, two of Petersburgí four elementary schools are SOL accredited.
On October 20, the Petersburg City Public Schools will host another public event, a Parent-Community Summit, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Vernon Johns Middle School. Community service providers and educators will provide a free series of workshops with the theme of ìEmpowering World Class Parents.î
I participated in the discussion and dialogue held at the high school and was encouraged by the entire process. Superintendent Victory uses his cabinet in a very positive and interactive way.
It is obvious that thier efforts are sincere and well prepared. We, the citizens should only be attracted to such a process and should come forth with all we have at our disposal to support the school system.