DODDS' School Advisory Committees form a bridge between families, educators

[unhappycamper]

Jamie Gilmore, School Advisory Committee president at Germany’s Kaiserslautern High School, right, discusses a point with Principal Jennifer Beckwith. Gilmore, whose daughter is a senior, is a master sergeant with 21st Theater Sustainment Command.


DODDS' School Advisory Committees form a bridge between families, educators
By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, March 15, 2009

STUTTGART, Germany

You’re a parent with a problem. You’ve talked with your kid’s teacher and maybe even the principal, but you’re not getting the kind of action you’re looking for. Where do you go?

The answer is the same, regardless of which Department of Defense Dependents School your child attends: the School Advisory Committee.

At Patch Elementary School in Stuttgart, one of the issues that popped up during a recent School Advisory Committee meeting was the need for more communication from some teachers.

"How as a parent do we address that?" asked parent Grace McKerall, directing her question to the SAC members. "Many parents are frustrated."

The School Advisory Committee, or SAC, is a starting point at DODDS for looking at such issues. It is where principals hear from a committee of parents and teachers, who provide advice on a range of issues within the school. The meetings also are where overseas parents can make their voices heard.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61344