Gordie, you aren't getting what I am saying. Please read my last post.

TIP...I am so happy for your daughter. She learned a valuable lesson, and you obviously didn't let the treatment interfere with her life. You didn't feel sorry for her, you taught her how to make better choices for herself by other's mistakes. That is what parenting is all about. Congrats to you and your daughter. My son was picked on when he went to Janesville for 6 months before he moved to Parkview, and didn't have a single friend because he was a country boy. Well, to this day, he remembers what that felt like, and swears he will never ever make someone feel that way. I have even received a phone call from one of his teachers in years past because he stood up for a boy in his class that was getting picked on. If we protect our kids from all hurtful experiences, when they become adults, they will have no coping skills and find lots of disappointments that they won't know how to handle.

Well, comments got removed again!!! That makes me mad. I am sure it is becaue certain teachers names were noted, and if that is the case, then please remove ALL COMMENTS with names in them.

Opt: my daughter is a very well adjusted adult. She is in School at Blackhawk and doing quite well. She Knows when to defend herself and stands up for what is right. She works with young adults with terminal illnesses. So what did this teach her back in the 4th grade. It taught her there are not very nice people out in the real world and you can change and take charge of your life and not be put down for who you are.

you have got to be kidding me opt !! I've been at the same job for 20 years dealing with bosses and people that are not nice...but i'm an adult, and CAN deal with it. what my child doesn't deserved to be robbed of, is learning and being treated fairly and that she was not getting at Parkview.

How do you expect your children to cope in the real world where bosses are jerks and not all people are nice to them? Personalities clash, that needs to be taught, and how to deal with it also need to be taught. Coping skills are being robbed of kids who's parents run from things. And I understand what BUSDRIVER was saying, I am just saying to except that there was nothing that could be done about it, is unexceptable in my eyes. I wouldn't have stopped until I got a satisfactory outcome, assuming that all the information is true.

KariB: I too took the route of being a "Different Drummer". I made my own way and have taught my kids to be that way too. We may have not been the jocks or cheerleaders and popular in school, but outside of it we were. 4-H/FFA, Church and other activities that are life long rather just a short time in your life.

Opt: I really don't think you are really reading what Busdriver is saying. She did everything she could have done for her child. I believe she was proactive in taking her child out of that enviorment. If I remember right the whole family was envolved in trying to get this settled. No one would help. She did the right thing. I had to do the same thing but not so drastic when I had my daughter change homerooms when she was in 4th grade. This was because of a teacher harassing her about the way she dressed (she was not a fashion statment) her Hair (she was a tomboy) and because she was hyper (ADHD) After she was changed she was fine.BUT........later in the year I was at the All City track meet and her former teacher was sitting behind me gossiping with another aide/teacher and guess who she was talking about you guess it my kid. She was slightly surprised when I turned around and said "Now that is why she is not in YOUR class." I then left and moved to another seat. The one thing I had that busdriver didn't was the support of the pricipal.

I also believe that there is a lot of pride in Parkview students both present and past. My mom graduated from there a long time ago.

Busdriver..it is unfortuneate that you had these experiences, but I don't see this community the same way. And my child moved here in the third grade and he is now in high school and he definately gets adequate time on the field. But he does work for his position, and he didn't come into this school with a name of any kind other than the one he has made for himself. If those type of things happen, it is a whitnesses responsibility to bring it to the attention of the board, and if they don't listen, you keep going. Granted it might be a good idea to remove your child so there aren't any reprocussions, but the issue should not be dropped no matter what, because if things aren't resolved as they happen to children, then they grow up with the same problems and it takes years to get down to the root of the dysfunction. If I were you, I would address this agian...if it were my child I would. I had a parent get right in my childs face on the mat at a wrestling tournie because my child gave the other one a concussion. The parent was telling my child that he doesn't need to be so rough? HUH? Wrestling is a contact sport, anyway, I was right there and directed him to the coach and removed my child from the situation. You are your child's protector and if your child sees you running away from the problem, without solving it, then that child will grow up to do the same thing. Again, I am sorry that people feel this way about Orf, but when I was a child, my family was super poor and I had hand me downs and I was one of the poplular kids, as some people call them. My family didn't have a name, if anything, my family's name was probably not too good. So, I don't thing that this is a universal truth, I think it is all in the interpretaion of the person involved.

tipi16 - Well written! But you know, the time comes when you don't worry about the clique-factor. Do your own thing, what you're good at. Settle into school or work and figure out what makes you feel the happiest, the most successful. Suddenly the perceived cliques don't matter so much.

It's what I did. Everywhere I've lived, after a year or two many think I'm a local, or the relative of one.

Getting back to your post, as a writer I'm really impressed by your writing. You have a real gift for expression.

That clicky feeling........you bet. If you are a outsider coming into a new town. The "lifers" still treat you different. Because you are not from there. It happens everywhere, but mostly in small towns. I myself grew up as a "country kid" and attended Evansville and you know what? we were treated different. You had to have a name, your parents had to have a name and a large pocketbook. So when I got married I moved to Janesville and guess what you still have the same problems. If you don't have the right name and your parents don't have big pocketbooks, you may be the best player out on the court or the field but you are still looked over cause you don't have the NAME. In the Parkview district you have 3 elementary schools filtering into 1 middle into 1 highschool and the HS and the middle school share the same building. Going from Footville and Newark to Parkview is kinda overwelming. (According to my friend) and you get lost in the shuffle

I'm a proud Parkview grad, Class of '08! Although the building is not the best, the teachers where the best I could ever ask for! The small class sizes helped me to form strong friendships with many by the time of graduation came around. My only dissapointment with the school is the loss of two wonderful teachers, due to retierment, which can not be helped. Mrs. Daliey and Ms. O'Leary had the greatest influence on me in high school and I am glad they were there and so commited to their students. To all the other teachers still at Parkview - Great job and keep it up!

AGAINWITHTHIS...I am not only talking about MONEY. I am talking about community SUPPORT for their schools. All I ask is drive through Milton, Clinton, Brodhead or Juda and see how the community and local businesses support their schools! You can't go through one of those cities (and I am sure there are more) without feeling a sense of warmness from the support for their schools. That is what I am talking about. And YES, our acedemics need more money, not for a BUILDING as all are getting defensive about, but how about supporting your local booster club? How about donating to scholorship funds? How about helping the teachers get what they deserve and back them when they voice concerns about their rights and wages and benefits? That is what I mean about support! Not just saying your kid goes to school in Parkview and you don't complain about it, or that you send treats for their birthday, those things don't make a better school as a whole, those are things that make peace within your OWN home....not a community.

GORDIE...there are ladders to climb if you don't get the response you are looking for. So, saying they didn't call you back is just an excuse. Teachers are NOT ALLOWED to discriminate......PERIOD. Your argument is invalid.

Do all of you who say the community isn't behind the schools really know what you're talking about? Just because we don't want to be taxed to death does NOT mean we don't support our schools. I completely support the teachers, my children and the school. I do not believe the answer to our education crisis is more money. I see many parents support the school and the teachers.

Gordie:
"The town is clicky and stuck up. You have to have "the right" name to actually play in sports."

If you expected a response, I'd hope your email/voicemails to the teachers and principal were not anything like that. If they were, I'm not surprised you didn't hear back.
I wouldn't call/email back someone making rediculous claims like that either. Do you really believe teachers/coaches take their jobs to favor certain family names?!?! That is absolutely rediculous. Those teachers/coaches spend more time with most children than their own parents! I think they are in a pretty good position to make decisions on academic matters and/or playing time.

I graduated from Parkview many years ago, while the High School still had that "new" feel to it. Although I later married and moved away, I've always been proud to claim Parkview as my high school. Memories of my education and teachers there are good ones. The school and my teachers prepared me well for a successful life.

From what little I've seen, IF it has gone down in "ratings" it's been because of Wisconsin's law that allows transfers between school districts. If the people who lived within a district were required to go to school in that district, there would be more incentive to keep it going strong. If they didn't maintain it, there would be no one to blame but themselves.

It's been sad to see the reduced graduating classes. We had around 100, the perfect size. Glad to see the new Interim Superintendent is taking charge. Keep up with the good work, Mr. Kennedy. And GO Parkview!!!

optimism..it is difficult to work the problems out with the teacher when they do NOT return phone calls or emails... even the principal failed to return a call to me. I don't consider it running to find a better place for your child to learn and be treated fairly.

Those of you that are commenting on the grades, have to remember that Parkview, for whatever reason I have NO IDEA, was a Wisconsin school with one of the HARDEST grading curves. For a "hicktown" that was rediculous, and ruined many kids' GPA's. This year they have changed that and kids are doing much better. And I am sorry to say this, but even though the grades were not "high", the knowledge was still available, and the teachers would not be allowed to teach if their sucess rates weren't high enough. So, pick on the teachers all you want, but your conclusions are incorrect. But I do agree with those of you saying the community is NOT behind the school system, and it does that a VILLAGE and Foot, Newark and Orf do all need to get on the same page instead of competeing.

BUSDRIVER..I am completely OFFENDED by your statement. I am sorry your child had a bad experience, but you should have been a proactive parent and taken the initiative to address the problems with the teacher if it was truly a problem, not give up and run. Shame on you for generalizing a WHOLE COMMUNITY on one personal experience. And ORFORDVILLE isn't "clicky", it is a small town. Period!!! Small towns tend to seem clicky, but that is only because everyone knows everyone. Sounds like you and your family have some self esteem issues you need to look into~

I grew up in Parkview district and moved back here 10 years ago. I homeschooled my kids up until this year and entered them hesitantly into the Parkview schools. I have been pleasantly surprised that they seem to all be doing well and each of their teachers have been superb in helping them transition. I, however, will not support the district in a referendum for any new buildings etc until I see where the changes will bring up academic standards. A new building does NOT mean better education. If the administration can prove to me that they are improving the education, then I will be all for a new referendum. But, until you have teachers that want better things for their students than an office nicer than their doctors (said by a teacher during the last referendum) you won't get much support behind it.

I aggree with 2dognite. My child graduated from Parkview a number of years ago. She could have done better, as far as grades go, but it was not just teachers that were responsible. For her class...not doing one's homework became the "norm." At her graduation the principal said, in effect, it had been one of the most difficult graduating classes he had seen, and he wished them luck.

It "takes a village." The residents who don't want to raise taxes to improve the schools, the teatchers and administration who get weary, the police department, and especially we parents don't do enough to motivate our kids, I think. We need change at Parkview, yes, but again, "It takes a village."

I am a graduate from Parkview and I must say I personally feel the education I obtained there did not prepare me for college at all.

My kids graduated from Parkview many years ago.
They graduated from college and have done well in life. Parkview was not good to my children but it was not the teachers or staff. It was the community and their being unwilling to accept anyone who was sucessful. Sad but true. My kids were careful not to get all A's as it was unpopular to be smart. They learned how to manage people and it has served them well in their lives.

I agree with the busdriver, i took my child out of the Parkview School District for the same reason...teachers, and favoritism. The town is clicky and stuck up. You have to have "the right" name to actually play in sports. It's not the parents that went to that school that's transferring their kids out it's the one's that didn't !! My child is doing much better too...academically and socially.

I know this area quite well myself,i have never thought their to be a great deal of drugs their,but it IS everywhere. So in MY opinion for some one,anyone,to move from a small community to a big one,like janesburg,you ALL are looking to loose your child,to the corruption of the big city kids,and the peer pressures,and of course to fit in with the drugs that WILL be offered. So if it's a better sport facilities your looking for,for what You think you'll be gaining,YOU WILL be loosing in the end. Just my opinion!

Orfordville would be better to disband it's schools altogether. I transferred my student out in 4th grade because of the bad experience with the TEACHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have video of how bad one teacher treated him and NO ONE wanted to do anything about it. My child is now in 9th grade and all A's B's and C's. So if they want kids to stop transferring out of the district then maybe they need to look at the teachers, and the principal in Orfordville at the Elementary school. Orfordville is the most stuck up and clicky town I have ever seen. I feel sorry for other students going through this and feel that no one will listen. I am sure some have had good experiences but my son didn't and sadly he was very depressed by the time i realized what was going on. Good luck to those who are still out there or thinking of going there.

ORFORDVILLE has always had a reputation for drugs and kids who behave badly? HUH? I don't get where that came from, I have lived within the Orfordville area for most of my life, and have NEVER heard that. Unless you are going on the fact that it is a small community and everyone's business is known?! And of course with smaller population numbers averages are going to seem higher. That wasn't a fair comment. If drugs and violence are reasons for transferring, then I would think Janesville's schools would be obsolete.

Drugs and bad behavior are in every community! This is not something reserved solely for the Parkview district. And it is NOT the reason that the students are transferring out. There are many reasons such as sports, academics, parental attitude and conflicts with administration just to name a few. I was not raised in the district, but moved in 21 years ago. My children have attended Parkview and have done quite well for themselves with the help of many wonderful staff. Transferring out was never a thought for us. The issues in the district go much deeper than drugs and bad behavior-until the three communities of Newark, Footville and Orfordville come together and truly unite as one, there will always be tension. Go Vikings!!!

HANS..I apologize for generalizing the coaching staff. I actually personally know many coaches at this school, and know that they do truly care about the kids, I guess my point wasn't clear, I meant that the district and the community don't "back" the coaching system. The coaches themselves aren't lacking, it is the parents, residents and community. Just as there isn't enough respect for teachers. And no, a child shouldn't be able to transfer just because they want to go to a school with better althetics, but really how can you ever control that? Any reason can be given in place of the truth.

I know of a few kids that transferred out because they wanted to go to a school with better athletic teams. I think there should have to be a better reason than that to leave the school district you live in.

optimism, thank you for the great comments you left. I think it was very well put, except for the comment about the coaching staff. The coaching staff is amazing in the conference. The things they do for those kids is unbelievable. Please do some research on the coaching staff before you put a comment out like that. As you said optimism, Good Luck Parkview!

Orfordville has always had a bad reputation for drugs and kids who behave badly. Sure there are good kids too, but the parents who are transferring their kids out probably went to Parkview....

This is a good start, now they just need to get the community behind the school. This poor school suffers tremendously because residents don't want to pay anything extra to help out their future. This school needs many improvements, and support is a great start. I always feel so bad for the kids in sports, they fall so far behind the other kids in their conference because the community support is just not there, so the coaching staff is never really that great because of lack of funds. This year though, they have a great football coach that just came to the district this school year, and he cares about those kids within his own soul, and that is what Parkview needs. Good Luck Parkview!