Petition to Improve Harwood Challenger School

Petition summary and background:

Because of all the new changes made at Challenger School this year, parents are unhappy and request changes to be made ASAP.

Action petitioned for:

We, the concerned parents of students who attend Harwood Challenger School, urge our decision makers at Challenger School to act now to the following items:

1. Lack of communication: Changes with the school policies, curriculum, and staff need to be communicated to parents immediately. We have the right to know in advance of upcoming changes.

2. Lunch/extended care teachers: We need helpful and courteous staff during lunch and extended care time. Students should not be afraid to approach them for help. There have been numerous complaints of Extended Care teachers shouting and talking down to students. This violates the Comportment Code and goes against Challenger's principle of showing respect.

3. Lunch time: Students should be able to socialize as it is their down time. Lunch time should be enjoyable and not stressful.

4. New staff: We noticed some of the new teachers have no prior teaching experiences or teaching credentials. It is necessary that they have some kind of classroom teaching experience. Challenger needs to post staff profiles including background, credentials, and qualification on the Challenger School website.

5. Delay in Books: Every student should have all their books on the first day of school. We were surprised that many students did not receive their textbooks till the third week of school. This is inexcusable as Challenger knows how many students are enrolled for the year way in advance.

6. Delay in after school enrichment programs: Please offer after school programs soon as kids look forward to them.

7. Restrooms: Restrooms need to be kept clean at all times. There have been lots of complaints. A lot of the girls are afraid to step in the restrooms. It is very difficult to concentrate in the classroom with a full bladder.

8. High turnover rate: Teachers and administrations come and go. We see many good teachers leave Challenger School. This is a big loss for the school and for the students. Since it is very difficult to find good teachers, how come Challenger School cannot seem to keep them? Also, in the last four years at Harwood Challenger School, we went through four principals (Mr. Woods, Ms. Soriano, Mrs. Caton, and Mr. Schiffner). Every year we have a new principal, sometimes even in the middle of the school year with no explanation.