Below is the text of Barry's opening letter to the local newspapers.  Those newspapers chose not to print it. Here it is for your reading!

        The opening of another school year brings much anticipation and excitement for students, parents, and teachers alike.  Moreover, much of what is anticipated along with the excitement can only be realized with communication. Yes, communication between parents, students and teachers is vitally important and necessary.

One of the initial September rituals to jump start communications with parents and teachers is individual school open houses.  Open houses are well attended in North Kingstown and for teachers and parents it is a most anticipated and exciting night.  Though teachers are not contractually obligated to attend open houses and though teachers are in a Contract Compliance status until the health care arbitration is resolved, open houses are being conducted on schedule regardless.  Simply put, teachers voted to exempt open houses this year from Contract Compliance.  Open houses have taken place and were successful events for all.

Another effective communication device teachers attempt to utilize when communicating with parents and students is the district’s technology.  Unfortunately, teachers and parents alike have found the technology lacking, creating unnecessary frustration all around.  In many schools teachers are often unable to email, print documents, publish web pages, access electronic card catalogs in libraries, or use electronic portfolios to name a few. We all know that our technology can be thought of as a luxury, especially in contrast to that of other school systems; but nonetheless, if we are to have it, it should work effectively for teaching and learning.   In addition, teachers expect that technology will not drive education, but that education will drive technology.  In other words, a bit of a professional “turf war” is evolving whereby central administration technology decisions are being made without regard to what the teachers actually need it to do, hampering teachers and forcing them to modify or even abandon planned lessons and projects with their students.

Lastly, the National Education Association of North Kingstown will soon be offering on its web page (www.neank.org) a link to a monthly news letter entitled: The Beacon Newsletter.  This publication will touch on all levels - elementary, middle, and high school - to offer information germane to current educational programming and trends that affect our students.  Teachers feel it is vitally important to communicate educational concerns to further nurture a collaborative relationship with our parents and our community.  Teaching and communication are synonymous.  Please check out the above at our web site.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          Barry Mc Peake

                                                          President NEANK