Dear Editor,
I am confused by Gilroy High teacher Wayne Scott’s letter to the
editor regarding the position of the GHS Parents Club on the Day of
Silence.
Dear Editor,
I am confused by Gilroy High teacher Wayne Scott’s letter to the editor regarding the position of the GHS Parents Club on the Day of Silence. We have never officially met as a board to discuss the subject and know of no executive action taken by the board on the subject. I also know of no reason why officers of the Parent Club cannot verbalize their personal opinion on any subject.
I am also confused about the e-mail Scott sent to GHS teachers urging them not to support any activities of the Parent Club or to accept any services from us. His e-mail was in response to the e-mail Mr. Bravo sent requesting teacher volunteers at the recent Parent Club sponsored career fair.
As chair of the GHS Parent Club Career Fair I am shocked that he, as an educator, would attempt to undermine an event that can only be of benefit to his students. The goals of this career fair were to provide career guidance and to encourage students to appreciate the importance of the subjects taught in high school by learning how they apply to the real world. The ultimate goal of the career fair was to motivate students to pay more attention to their high school education.
Motivated students can only make his job as an educator easier and more gratifying. I am thankful that in spite of his action, the career fair was a tremendous success. I am a firm believer that when anything is done with the best intentions, the outcome can only be positive.
My participation in the Parent Club has always been with the best intentions.
This is my first experience with public education; my daughter has always attended private schools until she transferred to GHS two years ago. My other three children currently attend private elementary and highs schools. Private schools depend on strong parental support. In private schools parent clubs provide financial and other types of support and this benefits students and teachers.
I am used to providing support to my children’s schools, so when my daughter began her education at GHS I joined the Parent Club. I joined with the very best intentions; to help her school. When I heard GHS teachers had to purchase many of their supplies, I was shocked. I wanted to provide them with whatever they needed to make their job (at least) a little easier and to help them realize how much I appreciate them. With the best intentions, I made donations and helped in fundraising activities to help purchase supplies. I don’t understand why anyone would want to undermine services provided to them that can only serve to help make their job easier.
I think members of the GHS Parent Club all joined with the best intentions. I don’t think I can say the same about Scott. At every Parent Club meeting I have attended and he has been present at, he has rolled his eyes, made sarcastic comments and behaved in a rude manner. This is a matter of record as I have addressed the issue with Mr. Camacho-Light.
I know members of the Parent Club have the best intentions when they juggle family and work and make the sacrifices necessary to attend the monthly meetings, donate, and volunteer for activities. Scott, obviously has the time to attend many meetings and write the many letters he has sent to this newspaper. He is not a parent of a GHS student, so the reason why he attends the Parent Club meetings are unclear. I don’t have the luxury of such free time. I juggle the activities and needs of four children that attend four different schools (two in San Jose), and I work full time. I am selective in the activities I commit to. When I commit, I do so with the best intentions.
Scott has made his feelings regarding the Parent Club known. Although the basis for his dislike of the club is incorrect, his desire not to receive any assistance from the club is dully noted. From now on I will make sure he does not receive any assistance from us. However, I will not allow him to undermine the projects so many parents have worked so hard and with the best intentions to bring to GHS.
I doubt the majority of his colleagues feel the same way about the Parent Club. I am confident any misunderstanding between them and the club will be resolved because I am confident they understand the club appreciates how hard they work to educate our children and that our goal is to help them in any way we can.
Lillian Castillo, Gilroy
