To: Betsy Hagerty-Ross, DPS Board of Education Chair and Dr. Lynne Pierson, Superintendent
Employee Child Erollment
Darien Education Association Members should have the choice to enroll their children in the Darien Public Schools.
Why is this important?
Comments by DEA Members
-The most agreed upon concept is that the teachers will be a part of the entire Darien Community; attending sporting events, talent shows, dramatic and musical performances. Once a child is involved with a school, they are likely to want to participate in other programs offered by that community, such as little league and CCD. Having teachers know their students’ interests and actually see them participate in programs beyond the classroom, strengthens the relationship and the motivation level of both the students and the teachers.
-Our principal had told the grade level leaders that the PTO would appreciate any teachers that could to attend our schools’ talent show on Saturday. The PTO hopes to create a stronger community with the teachers. She explained to them that many teachers spend the weekends with their families and have activities for their own children in the town they live in. While, she would pass on the message to teachers, she wanted them to understand that side. This is a perfect example of how allowing teachers to bring their children would increase teacher attendance at school event and create more community in the school district. Since many teachers cannot afford to live in Darien, most teachers’ kids do not attend DPS- and therefore not as many teachers are available to attend school functions outside of school hours.
- Up until 2005, faculty children could attend Darien Public Schools. Policy changed due to increase in enrollments.
-Similar districts offer this benefit
• New Canaan
• Ridgefield
• Westport
• Greenwich
• Weston
-Benefits
• Incentive for longevity of teacher employment
• Attract highly qualified new teachers with additional benefit
• PTO’s have requested to build strong community involvement of teachers
• It would increase teacher involvement since teachers would attend more events with their own children
o Sports teams
o Sporting events
o Talent shows
o Theatre and music events
o Turkey bowl
o Class Advisor – increase participation
o Participation in Committees
o Names Day
o Tall and small dance
o Book fair
• Teacher/Child would have same school schedule and snow days
• Teachers would have less child care issues and it would free up time to attend more events with their own children within the Darien district.
-I think there are many positive aspects to this addition in our contract. I think the key information would be comparisons to the surrounding districts. Many of us have given years of service and dedication to the district, and it would be nice to have some additional benefits to assist us in giving our children a better education. I know it would also be easier for parents to have the same days off, snow days etc.
However, I heard (not sure if it’s true) that many years ago when this was intact you could have your child here but then they changed elementary schools every year based on the enrollment numbers per school. I would not like my child switching every year so we would have to make sure that whichever school they were enrolled in they stayed in that school.
-Teachers whose children attend school in the district they work in could potentially need to take fewer personal or sick days if their schedules align with their children's school schedule. I often hear of teachers who have to leave early, or stay home to take care of or pick up their children due to school closings, sickness or holidays that don't align from town to town. Also, typically parents are very invested in and dedicated to enhancing the schools and educational programs of which their children are a part of. As teachers, of course we are all very invested in our careers and in making this district the best it can be for the children who attend school here. However, if our own children went to the schools here too it seems that the potential for furthering our investment in this district would be even greater. We may be able to volunteer more often, or work more towards enhancing the programs that are offered here, as opposed to going home to our own towns and volunteering our time there. In these ways, I think the tax payers in the town would be benefitting from teachers being allowed to bring their children to school here. These are all just thoughts and points of discussion that have been brought to my attention during conversations with fellow teachers about this subject, (and with some mothers who live in the town)…
Not to mention that I believe many of the surrounding towns allow this… if Darien did too, then it would obviously be attractive to potential new hires. In the competitive area that we live and work in, don’t we want to attract the most qualified new teachers to our district?
-The most agreed upon concept is that the teachers will be a part of the entire Darien Community; attending sporting events, talent shows, dramatic and musical performances. Once a child is involved with a school, they are likely to want to participate in other programs offered by that community, such as little league and CCD. Having teachers know their students’ interests and actually see them participate in programs beyond the classroom, strengthens the relationship and the motivation level of both the students and the teachers.
-Our principal had told the grade level leaders that the PTO would appreciate any teachers that could to attend our schools’ talent show on Saturday. The PTO hopes to create a stronger community with the teachers. She explained to them that many teachers spend the weekends with their families and have activities for their own children in the town they live in. While, she would pass on the message to teachers, she wanted them to understand that side. This is a perfect example of how allowing teachers to bring their children would increase teacher attendance at school event and create more community in the school district. Since many teachers cannot afford to live in Darien, most teachers’ kids do not attend DPS- and therefore not as many teachers are available to attend school functions outside of school hours.
- Up until 2005, faculty children could attend Darien Public Schools. Policy changed due to increase in enrollments.
-Similar districts offer this benefit
• New Canaan
• Ridgefield
• Westport
• Greenwich
• Weston
-Benefits
• Incentive for longevity of teacher employment
• Attract highly qualified new teachers with additional benefit
• PTO’s have requested to build strong community involvement of teachers
• It would increase teacher involvement since teachers would attend more events with their own children
o Sports teams
o Sporting events
o Talent shows
o Theatre and music events
o Turkey bowl
o Class Advisor – increase participation
o Participation in Committees
o Names Day
o Tall and small dance
o Book fair
• Teacher/Child would have same school schedule and snow days
• Teachers would have less child care issues and it would free up time to attend more events with their own children within the Darien district.
-I think there are many positive aspects to this addition in our contract. I think the key information would be comparisons to the surrounding districts. Many of us have given years of service and dedication to the district, and it would be nice to have some additional benefits to assist us in giving our children a better education. I know it would also be easier for parents to have the same days off, snow days etc.
However, I heard (not sure if it’s true) that many years ago when this was intact you could have your child here but then they changed elementary schools every year based on the enrollment numbers per school. I would not like my child switching every year so we would have to make sure that whichever school they were enrolled in they stayed in that school.
-Teachers whose children attend school in the district they work in could potentially need to take fewer personal or sick days if their schedules align with their children's school schedule. I often hear of teachers who have to leave early, or stay home to take care of or pick up their children due to school closings, sickness or holidays that don't align from town to town. Also, typically parents are very invested in and dedicated to enhancing the schools and educational programs of which their children are a part of. As teachers, of course we are all very invested in our careers and in making this district the best it can be for the children who attend school here. However, if our own children went to the schools here too it seems that the potential for furthering our investment in this district would be even greater. We may be able to volunteer more often, or work more towards enhancing the programs that are offered here, as opposed to going home to our own towns and volunteering our time there. In these ways, I think the tax payers in the town would be benefitting from teachers being allowed to bring their children to school here. These are all just thoughts and points of discussion that have been brought to my attention during conversations with fellow teachers about this subject, (and with some mothers who live in the town)…
Not to mention that I believe many of the surrounding towns allow this… if Darien did too, then it would obviously be attractive to potential new hires. In the competitive area that we live and work in, don’t we want to attract the most qualified new teachers to our district?