Superintendent's Open Letter to Parents

Published September 29, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As a parent, I recently caught myself musing about the good old days. You know, the time when parenting was easy, or at least seemed to be. Of course that was before my children could talk, walk or even feed themselves independently. Back then, my children relied on my wife Gina and me for everything. Parenting was exhausting but straight forward.

Now, several years later, I have transformed from being the starry-eyed dad to television/internet patrolman, curfew enforcer, school dress code inspector, homework warden, cellphone/iPod confiscator, and of course, a genuine, living, breathing, lie-detecting machine. Yes, I am a dad of teenagers.

Despite the difficulty of parenting in today’s complex world, I believe I have precious children of whom I am proud and feel fortunate and blessed. In fact, if it were not the occasional reminder - courtesy of others less enthralled by my children’s consumption of space and oxygen (their classroom teachers, frazzled neighbors and extended family members) - I could attest that they are nearly perfect.

My mention of teachers was not accidental; it was purposeful. I have always counted on my children’s teachers to help me as a parent. They help me identify my children’s talents and strengths. They support and celebrate my children at school. I rely on them to report on areas for academic and social growth. For Gina and me, often times what the teachers report confirms what we know, and at other times, the news is a little less comfortable and more of a surprise. Nevertheless, it is information that we need. Either way, I find it imperative that I support my children’s teachers.

All this is to say - parents, we are thankful for all you do to support our schools. Without question, our success is in large part a result of your work. Engaged parents make for great schools.

It is my hope that these feelings of gratitude are mutual. I am hopeful you recognize the importance our teachers and administrators have in the social, emotional and academic growth of your children. I am equally convinced that a large reason for your children’s success is also attributable to the tireless efforts of our teachers and administrators in Williamson County.

Let us stand together in support of our children’s teachers and administrators. Please afford them the benefit of the doubt. Yes, at times you will disagree; at times you won’t understand; and at times they may be wrong. But, at the end of the day, they are your child’s teachers and your partners in education. Thank you for your encouragement, support and understanding.

Respectfully,

Mike Looney