Dear Editor,
In the afternoon of December 14, I went to pick my son (Austin Wilson) up after school was released. The ride home was quiet and I could obviously tell he had a bad day, so I ask how his day went. He told me he was upset because “tomorrow is fun day and I have to stay in a classroom and do work all day while all my friends get to have fun”. I asked why he had to miss fun day and he explained to me he missed more than four days of school. These days were completely excused absents due to a death in the family and doctors appointments, however this did not seem to matter.
“Com’ on man”
Austin has always been a high honor roll student dating back to his kindergarten days up until the present seventh grade level. He has exceeded in school activities. These activities include participating in the Young Authors Contest (in which he won district), to band (where he made district band, which is not an easy task for a seventh grader). He has never received any type of discipline throughout his career as a school student. In addition to being well behaved, he is also polite and soft spoken. It is for these reasons, I told him I would talk to his principal, Dr. Lynn Overstreet.
I went back to the school after dropping him off at home and my wife and I made our way back up to the middle school. As we sat down in Dr. Overstreet’s office, I told Dr. Overstreet my reasons for wanting to meet with him. I do not believe that my child, nor any other child, should be singled out or punished for staying with in the guidelines set forth by the Board of Education. I also made him fully aware that Austin is an exceptional student and invited him to look at his records. Dr. Overstreet informed us of the guidelines for a student’s ability to participate in “fun day” and that one of the requirements be students shall not miss more than four days of school (which is not the regulations set forth by the state of Georgia, nor the Appling County Board of Education), regardless if days were excused by a Medical Doctor or not.
I then asked Dr. Overstreet were there any wavers or exceptions if the student’s grades were well above average. The answer I received was a no. I then asked if a child that maintained a “c” average could participate in the activities of “Fun Day” and I was told as long as the child did not miss four days then, yes that child could. “How is this fair?” I asked “how can you punish a high honor roll student that has missed a few more days, but has been excused, while a “c” average student gets to go play?” Now, I should tell you right now, I have no problems with “c” students, in fact I was a low c, high d student myself, however I do believe a child that excels in school should have a little more flexibility to some of the rules, regardless if it is my child or someone else. After asking these questions to Dr. Overstreet the conversation tone became quite rude and aggressive.
After Dr. Overstreet started becoming rude, I informed him that my son would not be attending school tomorrow and that we would have our own little “fun day” at home. I also told him that I would be writing about this problem and placing it in the paper, so that all of Baxley can see how backwards our schools are. I don’t know, maybe I the one that is wrong...oh, but hey did I mention that one of the days of school my son missed was because he was out of town on a SCHOOL function with the SCHOOL band and did not get home until after 11:00 p.m. the night before. That’s funny, he can’t miss that day, but the Board of Education can declare an emergency day so students can go watch a football game!! “COM’ ON MAN!”
Thank you,
Waylon Wilson
I went back to the school after dropping him off at home and my wife and I made our way back up to the middle school. As we sat down in Dr. Overstreet’s office, I told Dr. Overstreet my reasons for wanting to meet with him. I do not believe that my child, nor any other child, should be singled out or punished for staying with in the guidelines set forth by the Board of Education. I also made him fully aware that Austin is an exceptional student and invited him to look at his records. Dr. Overstreet informed us of the guidelines for a student’s ability to participate in “fun day” and that one of the requirements be students shall not miss more than four days of school (which is not the regulations set forth by the state of Georgia, nor the Appling County Board of Education), regardless if days were excused by a Medical Doctor or not.
I then asked Dr. Overstreet were there any wavers or exceptions if the student’s grades were well above average. The answer I received was a no. I then asked if a child that maintained a “c” average could participate in the activities of “Fun Day” and I was told as long as the child did not miss four days then, yes that child could. “How is this fair?” I asked “how can you punish a high honor roll student that has missed a few more days, but has been excused, while a “c” average student gets to go play?” Now, I should tell you right now, I have no problems with “c” students, in fact I was a low c, high d student myself, however I do believe a child that excels in school should have a little more flexibility to some of the rules, regardless if it is my child or someone else. After asking these questions to Dr. Overstreet the conversation tone became quite rude and aggressive.
After Dr. Overstreet started becoming rude, I informed him that my son would not be attending school tomorrow and that we would have our own little “fun day” at home. I also told him that I would be writing about this problem and placing it in the paper, so that all of Baxley can see how backwards our schools are. I don’t know, maybe I the one that is wrong...oh, but hey did I mention that one of the days of school my son missed was because he was out of town on a SCHOOL function with the SCHOOL band and did not get home until after 11:00 p.m. the night before. That’s funny, he can’t miss that day, but the Board of Education can declare an emergency day so students can go watch a football game!! “COM’ ON MAN!”
Thank you,
Waylon Wilson
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#1
Kimberly Wilson
on
12/21/11 at 07:35 PM
[Reply]
How very unfortunate for Austin and any other kids this may have happened to. He is a great kid and very bright. I think the School Board in your county should hear about and address this. It's also unfortunate that you had to endure having your shoes peed on while you were told it's raining! The crock stinketh, says I!
#2
eddie
on
12/22/11 at 01:33 PM
[Reply]
whoever introduces these rules, surly didnt think them all the way thru! while its good to reward kids for doing well, one must take into consideration the entire 'circle'...anywho...this rule should get looked at or done away with!
#3
John Waters
on
01/16/12 at 05:02 PM
[Reply]
I think it is safe to say that Appling county school system is a joke.
#4
Anon
on
01/20/12 at 09:20 AM
[Reply]
I think it is safe to say you don't know what you're talking about. First of all, you only know Mr. Wilson's side of the story. Second, you have no idea what it takes to be a teacher and manage kids all day, and you certainly have no clue about the pressure an administrator or principal deals with. Sometimes, rules seem unfair, but they are there for a reason. This does not give you the right to make such a broad generalization and state that our school system is a joke. There are many good and productive things about this system. There are also flaws, which you will find in any county. Maybe you should do a little research before you make such a claim.
#5
Ann Eason Singer
on
01/20/12 at 10:47 AM
[Reply]
Mr. Waters, I beg to differ with you.As a product of this school system, I stand proudly behind the teachers and staff who work very hard to provide a quality well rounded education for our children.These fine folks go the extra mile by working long hours,spending personal money for much needed supplies,and staying up to date current educational trends,often without reembursement.I'm willing to bet you not one single teacher is in the education field for the pay. When you say our system is a joke,then you are calling each and everyone of the folks who work there a joke. You sir are dead wrong!These folks are dedicated educators who go the extra mile for their students when and if possible. Have you offered to help,do you volunteer at any of our schools? If you cannot be a part of the solution then by all means don't be a part of the problem!!
#6
John Waters
on
01/21/12 at 01:57 PM
[Reply]
I will admit that I should not have made such a broad statement,becaues you are right,I am sure that most teachers do a great job,but on the other hand it seems that the school system or maybe the school board is always in the news about one thing or another and never anything uplifting and that is the truth. I really did not mean anything toward any teacher,but I have no choice but to be a part in one way or the other,because I do pay my share of school taxes.If you can get me out of that it would make me happy.